1. Visit Amsterdam
I adore Amsterdam so much that I spent a brief amount of time here in 2006. People ride their bikes down cobblestone and brick lanes that wind around gorgeous canals. Amsterdam features a thriving art and music scene, as well as several museums such as the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the History Museum, and the Hemp Museum. Get out of the center and into Jordaan and Oost, which have beautiful outdoor cafés and less visitors.
2. Spend time in Barcelona
Barcelona operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It definitely has the potential to challenge New York City for the title of "city that never sleeps." Expect late-night dinners and gatherings till morning. Aside from a fantastic food and nightlife scene, there is a beautiful beach, heaps of Gaudi architecture (including the famed Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction for over 100 years! ), terrific cuisine tours, one of the top history museums in the country, and plenty of green space.
3. Go to Berlin
trendy and hip Berlin is a buzzing metropolis. It is one of Europe's most cheap capital cities, with a thriving music and cultural scene as well as a burgeoning gastronomy sector. Make time to learn about the city's darker history at one of the many great museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a mural-covered stretch of the Berlin Wall, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two particularly devastating reminders of Germany's past. The Deutsches Historisches Museum is a must-see for everyone interested in German history (German Historical Museum) - It is one of the world's top history museums. After you've had your fill of history, unwind in one of Berlin's many green spaces, which range from Tempelhof Field, a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.
4. Consume beer during Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a must-see for anybody visiting Germany in September. Millions of people from all over the world congregate for two weeks of beer, excitement, music, and crazy fun. Seeing thousands of people sing together, raise pint glasses for countless toasts, and generally having a nice time makes you feel good about the world. (Or is that just the beer?) Just make sure you book your accommodations ahead of time and be prepared to spend top dollar for them.
5. Travel to London
In London, you may get a flavor of English culture. The Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, and the Historical Museum are among the greatest in the world (most are free). Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and, of course, Buckingham Palace are all renowned sites. The city also has excellent food and a vibrant pub culture, which is ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. On weekends, visit Brick Lane for some fantastic food and artisan fairs. I prefer Paris over London, yet London has a refined and lively atmosphere.
6. Go outside in Scandinavia
Scandinavia is my favorite European area. The quality of life is excellent, the people are lovely and welcoming, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling through the towns, canal tours, trekking through extensive wooded regions, archipelago hopping, eating fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming yourself in saunas are just a few of the popular activities available. True, this part of Europe is not inexpensive, but there are several methods to save costs. Don't be put off by the hefty pricing. Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gotland, Norway's fjords, and Lapland in Finland were all highlights for me.
7. Let yourself be captivated by Prague
Prague has a fascinating history and is one of the most attractive cities I've ever seen. The spectacular Charles Bridge (constructed in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century ancient square with its distinctive astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter are all highlights. On weekends, it is packed with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and wonderful cuisine, so go during the week (or in the spring or fall) to avoid the crowds.
8. Take it easy in the French Riviera
You may pretend to live the high life for a while here. Enjoy the sun, relax on the beach, swim in the clear blue sea, mingle with the affluent and famous, and sail on (or gawk at) massive boats. Wonderful, with its palm-tree-lined promenade, ancient town, and several art museums, is a nice city. Monaco, with its narrow streets, gorgeous architecture, and world-famous casino, is also a short distance away.
9. Take advantage of the magnificent outdoors in Interlaken.
Interlaken, located in the magnificent Swiss highlands, is a great spot to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor activities. The St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640-foot) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town's name) are just a few of the natural attractions to explore in the area. It's an excellent alternative to all of the cities and museums. Backpackers and other young visitors flock to Interlaken for its nightlife.
10. Learn about history in Rome
You can't go two steps in this lively ancient city without stumbling into a ruin, making Rome a history buff's dream. Its narrow alleyways are ideal for exploring the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, Vatican City, the Spanish Steps, and tossing money into the famed Trevi Fountain. Rome also boasts fantastic cuisine and nightlife (it being, after all, Italy). For a flavor of "local" Rome and cool bars, head to Trastevere. It's my favorite neighborhood in town.
11. Take a hike in Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is my favorite Italian region. These five picturesque cliffside settlements are situated near warm waves and lush olive and vine fields. There are wonderful and challenging walks in these hills; choose route #8 for a true challenge. For a less demanding option, simply stroll down the coast. Many activities here concentrate around the shoreline, including kayaking, swimming, beach picnics, and visits to the Technical Naval Museum. If you visit in December or January, don't miss the Nativity Manarola, the world's largest lit nativity scene.
12. Visit Kraków
Krakow seemed to have stepped out of a medieval postcard. It's a fashionable, stylish, and youthful city that serves as Poland's educational hub, thus there are a lot of university students here. Most visitors come to party (the vodka is cheap), but try to appreciate the city's history and gastronomy as well. Walk through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, explore Schindler's Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during WWII), and pay a visit to the grim Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. A interesting day excursion is also possible to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with enormous halls, sculptures, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all sculpted out of salt.
13. Go to the Budapest ruin bars.
Budapest has the greatest nightlife in all of Europe. Ruin bars are built in abandoned buildings and showcase unique art installations, reused furniture, and unusual décor. People of all ages gather here, making them spectacular, entertaining, and great locations to meet locals. Szimpla Kert, which has been open since 2001, is the original ruin bar and one of my faves, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which occupies a whole building and is essentially numerous separate bars in one. Don't miss out on the ruin bars – they're one of the city's most distinctive features!
14. Visit Cornwall
The best of England is found outside of London, yet few visitors leave the city. Head west to Cornwall for lower rates, friendly folks, natural beauty, wonderful hiking, rolling hills, medieval castles, and attractive tiny villages. Overall, it is what you would call "classic England."
15. Walk the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) is an old pilgrimage path that runs from France to northern Spain. It is an 800-kilometer (500-mile) path that passes through breathtaking scenery before terminating in Santiago de Compostela at the church where St. James is said to be buried. As a pilgrim, you receive a "pilgrim's passport," which permits you to stay at inexpensive pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly low-cost excursion. While it generally takes over a month to complete, if you don't have the time, you may only walk a piece. To get a "Compostela" (certificate of accomplishment), simply walk the last 100 kilometers (62 miles), which usually takes 4-5 days.
16. During La Tomatina, throw tomatoes
The greatest food fight in the world, held on the final Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain, is by far my favorite event. What began as a local skirmish in 1945 has grown into a big event attracting tens of thousands of people from all over the world. Everyone tosses tomatoes at each other for approximately an hour, leaving the streets ankle thick in tomato liquid. Following that, everyone walks down to the river to clean up before heading to the town plaza for sangria and music.
17. Locate Dracula in Romania
Romania is an underestimated nation in Eastern Europe with hidden yet magnificent medieval cities like Brasov (home of "Dracula's castle"), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous Black Sea beaches; and fantastic trekking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap costs. Other notable attractions include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, Transylvania's steepled wooden churches, the trendy university town Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest's post-communist capital, and the Danube Delta, a vast natural reserve.
18. Islay whisky drinking
Islay, an island off Scotland's west coast, has a lengthy history with whisky. Since the 16th century, it has been produced there, initially in backyards and subsequently, beginning in the 19th century, in huge distilleries. Over time, whiskey from the island became a speciality and was used to flavor a variety of other blends on the mainland. There are now nine active distilleries on the island, all located around the island's coasts, with the most well-known being Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin. Most distilleries in the area produce single malt Scotch, which means they utilize just one variety of grain (barley).
19. Visit Iceland
Iceland is a fascinating nation full with breathtaking waterfalls, secret hot springs around every corner, and sweeping panoramas unlike anything else on the planet. The nation immediately became one of my favorites after my first visit. There is no bad season to come, with whale viewing in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal pools to bathe in all year! While the magnificent natural vistas of Iceland are the major lure, it's worth spending a few days in Reykjavik with its café culture, creative vibe, and vividly colored wooden row homes.
20. Sail around Croatia's coast
Croatia is one of the world's top sailing locations, with moderate breezes, low distances, a coastline dotted with over 1,000 islands, and innumerable historical attractions. If possible, visit during the shoulder season, when you may score some fantastic prices. Plan to spend at least a few days on one of the islands, the most popular of which are Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Loinj. However, don't be afraid to venture off the usual road and visit lesser-known islands like Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to spend a week partying aboard a boat, check out The Yacht Week, which holds week-long parties with DJs from May through September.
21. Visit the Balkans
While the Balkans have become increasingly popular with backpackers in recent years, despite being a very budget-friendly location, it is still mostly disregarded by most budget travelers. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and often overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, breathtaking mountainous landscapes, coffee culture, hearty yet affordable food, and museums covering the region's history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I particularly enjoyed my stay in Albania.
22. Go on a wine tour across the Loire Valley.
The scenic Loire Valley, located in central France, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that runs 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. The area is home to some of the greatest wine in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards available to the public, and is one of France's major wine-producing areas. Even those who do not drink wine will appreciate the region's attractive tiny villages, delicious gastronomy, and over 300 spectacular chateaux. It's a must-see location.
23.Explore Fado in Portugal
Fado is a musical tradition in Portugal that originated in Lisbon and dates back over 200 years. The term "fado" is derived from the Latin word meaning fate, and the music is haunting, lyrical, and passionate. The majority of the songs deal with loss and sadness, and the music was popular among the working class (especially sailors). Dinnertime performances are common at restaurants. Visit Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho in Lisbon.
24. Slovenia Green Tour
Slovenia is one of Europe least-visited travel countries, which amazes me because it's an incredible location to explore. Slovenia has everything of Western Europe's beauty, but at a fraction of the price and with a fraction of the crowds. Slovenia is ideal for outdoor adventurers, with its rough mountains, pristine landscapes, wonderful ski resorts, abundant wine, huge cave systems, incredible gastronomy, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famed Lake Bled with its castle on an island. Spend some time in the country's capital, Ljubljana, which is renowned as one of the greenest and most pleasant towns on the continent.
Accommodation:
Costs in Europe - Prices for lodging vary widely by area.
Hostel dorm rooms in Western Europe range in price from 15 to 35 EUR per night, depending on the size of the room and the popularity of the hostel. I slept in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 15 EUR, but the identical room in Paris would have cost me roughly 32 EUR. A room in Paris is more expensive, whereas a room in Athens is less expensive.
Hostel dorm rooms in Eastern Europe range in price from 6 to 15 EUR per night, depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you travel in europe, the less expensive it becomes. Expect to pay between 27 and 55 EUR per night for a private room.
In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost between 22 and 42 EUR, while private rooms cost between 65 and 80 EUR. Budget hotels begin at about 85 EUR.
Most motels include complimentary bedding, Wi-Fi, and breakfast, however it is crucial to verify particular websites for exact services.
Campsites range in price from 9 to 15 EUR per night for a modest plot for two people without power.
Food - Food traditions in Europe go back millennia, becoming inseparable components of each country's culture. European food varies as much as the nations themselves, from baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from substantial Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean. Food prices vary widely throughout the continent, so see local country guides for more information.
However, no matter where you travel, especially in more costly nations like Europe, finding somewhere to eat on a budget is easier than you would expect. Small stores, street food kiosks, and food trucks may be found across Western Europe, where you can acquire sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for 3-7 EUR. These stores are most commonly located in railway stations, bus stations, and key pedestrian areas, and they provide inexpensive food choices that may have you dining for 9-15 EUR each day. A combination lunch at a fast food restaurant (like McDonald's) costs roughly 7-10 EUR.
Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese restaurants abound in Germany, while Indian cuisine is fantastic and available everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these establishments often range between $6 and $12.
Restaurant lunches at informal, conventional establishments often cost between 13 and 25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is significantly less expensive in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions such as Scandinavia and the United Kingdom are more expensive than southern nations such as Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Even if you dine out for all of your meals in Eastern Europe, you may get by on a food budget of as little as 10 EUR per day.
A pint of beer costs 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine costs 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino costs 2-5 EUR, and cocktails cost 4-10 EUR.
If you eat out, go for lunch and order from the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants provide this set meal at lunch, and with prices ranging from 10 to 20 EUR, it's a far better value than the standard supper menu. Outdoor markets also provide inexpensive lunch options. So many European cities have sprawling fresh food markets.
You may prepare your own food for 45-65 EUR each week. This includes fundamental essentials such as rice, pasta, seasonal fruit, bread, and meat. Shopping at budget supermarkets such as Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market can help you save money.
If you want to save money on meals, go to a market and get some cheese, wine, bread, and meats.
Activities: Wine tours are undoubtedly the most expensive activity, costing roughly 90-120 EUR per day. The Eiffel Tower costs 16-26 EUR to climb, and the Versailles Palace and Gardens cost 27 EUR to see. The Tower of London costs around 35 EUR. Bike rides and river cruises cost between 24 and 40 EUR. Most museums and excursions start at 14 EUR (but it is cheaper in the east). Full-day trips range in price from 55 to 100 EUR. Prices vary greatly by nation, making it difficult to provide an accurate overall cost. For further information, see the nation information.
