Whether you’re planning to travel for two days or 20 days, where you stay can have a big impact on both your budget and your trip experience.

We’ve spent the past 23 years hunting down the best hotel values in Europe’s priciest cities. While we’ve seen some big changes, good and bad, over the years (finally, free Wi-Fi!), there are certain bits of “Cheapo advice” that remain the same today as in 2001.

Before we get started, remember: Don’t panic.

High-season rates in particularly expensive destinations (London, Venice, all of Switzerland…) can cause great anxiety and all-out panic. Remain calm and remember that many websites (not including EuroCheapo, of course!), rank the hotel results to show you what they’d like you to book first. (These are often the hotels that are paying them the highest commission.)

So don’t just stare at those first results and quickly assume that the city’s going to be too expensive for you to visit. It might take a little digging and further research (using tips on this page and throughout EuroCheapo), but chances are you’ll be able to find a great little hotel, B&B, or hostel in town for your budget.

Bottom line: Don’t panic. But be prepared to do some digging for a deal.

Related: How to save on hotels in France.

Tips for saving on hotels in Europe

Here are our 10 top tips for saving on accommodation and on finding the perfect hotels for your trip.

1. Think about location before price.

We often hear from travelers who do a hotel search, and then book the cheapest hotel they can find, only to realize it’s located far outside the center (or in a neighboring town!), and isn’t easily accessible to areas they want to visit. This can cause an undue expenditure of both time and money, not to mention often a crummy hotel experience.

Fortunately, this can be avoided with advance planning. Really zoom in on the hotel’s location when researching. How far is it from a subway or bus line? Consider paying just a bit more for something more central or closer to public transportation.

2. Be flexible with your travel schedule.

If your trip itinerary spends quite a bit of time in one geographic area, flexibility with your itinerary can help save money. Once you start searching for hotels, you might find that one stop is more expensive on certain dates than others. Juggling around your itinerary can allow you book hotels when they’re at their cheapest.

For example, say you’re spending a week in Belgium, visiting both Brussels and Bruges. Once you start searching for hotels, you’ll likely find that hotel rates in Brussels are lower on the weekends (because there are fewer business travelers and Eurocrats booking them). Thus, why not visit Bruges during the week, and spend the weekend in Brussels, when hotels are at their cheapest?

3. More stars do not always make a better hotel.

Hotel star ratings in Europe are confusing. Every country has their own standards and system of classification, usually set by a government-run tourism board. Thus, what qualifies as a three-star hotel in the Netherlands will probably be different from a three-star hotel in Italy.

In short, the more amenities and services a hotel offers, the higher the star rating. Inspectors visit with clipboards and literally check off everything they see in the lobby, hotel room and elsewhere. The more stuff to check off, the higher the star rating. But obviously, more “stuff” doesn’t always make a better-run, friendlier or more memorable hotel.

You can be fairly certain that a four-star hotel offers elevators, room service, private baths, cable TV, Internet, air conditioning and so forth. But it doesn’t say anything about the room décor, the hotel’s location or the helpfulness of the staff. A four-star hotel may actually be far less charming than a two-star hotel.

We’ve visited many hotels that are stuck, for reasons outside their control, with a low star rating. A two-star hotel located in a historic neighborhood in Paris, for example, will probably have restrictions placed upon its ability to do renovations. This might make adding an elevator impossible, which would prevent the hotel from achieving three-star status, no matter how lovely the rooms or how cordial the management.

Also, note that one-star hotels will often offer things for free (like Internet access) that four-star hotels might still charge for. Read more about star ratings in Europe.

4. Which amenities do you really need? Really?

If you can reduce the number of amenities you need, and reduce the star rating, you can probably score a better deal. Consider which room amenities you really need to enjoy your visit. Do you need air conditioning in Vienna in early June? Do you need a safe? Hairdryer? Toiletries? The difference between a one-star and a three-star hotel might be more noticeable in your wallet than in your room.

5. Know when to book.

When’s the best time to book to save on hotels in Europe? Unfortunately, it depends. Booking in advance helps you arrange your travel plans before you take off, but you miss out on the possibility of last-minute travel deals. Booking at the last minute (even same day!), can result in amazing deals, but it can also lead to stress… and finding yourself without a place to sleep.

I wrote an entire post about when to book hotels for the best rates. But basically, it boils down to this:

We recommend booking well in advance if:

• You need to secure a favorite hotel. Book it before it fills up.
• You see very limited availability when you search. Book now — it’s only going to get worse. (This is especially the case during high season.)
• You just want to get everything checked off your list and relax.
• You have a pretty rigid schedule.

We recommend booking closer to your travel date if:

• You see lots of availability and cheapo options when you search for hotels. You can hang back and see if prices come down. (This is often the case when traveling during the off season.)
• You want more flexibility when you’re traveling. Are you the kind of traveler who likes to switch your itinerary at the last minute? You may just want to hold off. (Or at least book refundable rates! See next point.)

6. Consider first booking a hotel with free cancellation.

Another option is to book a hotel right now that offers free cancellation, and then cancel the reservation later if you find a better deal. This can at least calm your nerves (hey, you’ve got a place!), and allow you some flexibility in terms of finding something better later.

One warning: Most hotels now charge a bit more for free cancellation (so you’re actually spending money to have this flexibility). Also, be aware that the definition of “free cancellation” varies widely. Free… until when? Are you free to cancel until the day of your reservation… or only free to cancel up to one week before check-in? There’s a big difference — pay attention to the details.

7. Consider renting an apartment.

Even though we have a special love for small hotels, we can’t deny that apartments can be handy and sometimes even more affordable than hotels, especially for longer stays or when traveling with a family. You can browse apartment listings by searching on our partner, Booking.com, or on any number of apartment search sites, like VRBO or (of course) Airbnb.

Be aware that some European cities, like Paris and Berlin, are cracking down on illegal apartment rentals on these sites, so double-check before booking that it’s legal! Also make sure that all of the check-in logistics are squared away in advance, and that you know exactly how to get into the apartment, and how to contact the apartment’s owner for any questions or emergencies.

8. Hostels are for everyone.

Hostels in Europe aren’t just for “youth” anymore. In fact, in the past 10-15 years scores of stylish and hip hostels, like the Generator chain, have reinvented what it means to be a hostel. Today’s “hip hostels” often offer fresh design themes (often developed by local artists), low-cost group activities, healthy food options, and lots of shared space.

As you’ll see when you search and filter by “hostels”, the bedroom situation ranges widely depending on the hostel, but most offer both private rooms that are cheaper than you’d find in most hotels (you’ve got the room to yourself, although you might share a bathroom) and really cheap shared rooms (you’re probably sleeping in a bunk with others in the room). Regardless, rooms tend to be simply furnished, but often hostels make up for it with extensive public rooms meant for reading, hanging out, and meeting other travelers.

That said… the hostel landscape still includes plenty of more traditional “youth hostel” options, as well, especially those official and non-profit hostels affiliated with Hostelling International.

9. Take our hotel advice

We’ve spent a lot of time inspecting hotels and rounding up the best affordable hotel options in Europe’s priciest destinations. We especially like small, family-run and independent hotels that really capture the spirit of the destination — and we try to stay away from recommending big international chain hotels. I always say that I prefer to wake up in Rome and immediately feel that I’m in Rome — and not next to the Milwaukee airport.

You can easily save on hotels in Europe by booking one of our picks in Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice or any of these cities. We’ve already done the hard work for you!

10. Keep saving once you’ve checked in.

Once you arrive, there are still ways to save on your hotels in Europe even after you’ve checked in. These include:

Head for the nearest grocery store: Don’t touch that minibar! As soon as we plop our things down in our room, we typically head out to a nearby supermarket for some essentials: Bottles of water, fruit, snacks, missing toiletries, and anything else that would cost us a small fortune if purchased from the hotel or (double yikes!) taken from the mini-fridge.

Think twice about breakfast: When you check in, the receptionist will probably ask you, “Are you taking breakfast?” Don’t be shy here — ask for more specifics before committing to their breakfast offerings. How much does it cost? And what exactly does it consist of? (You might be surprised!) If you’re staying in the middle of a city or town, chances are you can easily walk to a cafe or restaurant and get a better deal.

Be clear when making your hotel reservation.

One final word of advice (from an article I wrote about how to not get stuck with the worst room in the hotel): Be as clear as possible when reserving your room. What exactly are you looking for in a room? Do you prefer one on a high floor overlooking the street? Or perhaps you like lower floors with windows opening to the courtyard? Maybe you dream of a room with a balcony? Do you need a bathtub instead of a shower?

Mention these preferences in your correspondence with the hotel when reserving. (When reserving through EuroCheapo, there is a field in the reservation form to add any special requests). Your requests will almost always be considered. The hotel wants you to be a happy guest (and they especially want you to write a glowing review). They’ll try hard to accommodate.

The post How to Save on Hotels in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Standard Swedish breakfast fare

The most common Swedish breakfast is made at home and centers around a smörgås (open-faced sandwich) consisting of bread, margarine or butter and a slice of cheese. You can spice up your smörgås with a variety of traditional toppings, including gurka (cucumber), tomat (tomato), and cold cuts such as skinka and nötkött (ham and beef). Contrary to popular belief, Swedish pancakes are not typically served for breakfast. (Sorry folks, IHOP got it wrong!)

Muesli, a common breakfast item in Switzerland, is also very popular among the Swedes. The blend of flakes, grains and sometimes dried fruits is usually served with filmjölk, a soured yogurt similar to buttermilk.

Coffee (kaffee) is an absolute must with any Swedish breakfast. The Swedes love their coffee strong; don’t be surprised by the lingering caffeine buzz…

Common for Swedes, daring for foreigners

For a more authentic (and fishy) morning treat, try knäckebröd (crisp bread) with kalles caviar. This delightful combination of fish paste and bread is not for the faint of heart. But, if you want the full Swedish breakfast experience, by all means try it. It tastes great on eggs, too!

You can also opt for an interesting dish consisting of makrill fillet (mackerel fish in tomato sauce) on a piece of soft bread topped with cucumber. This may sound a bit strange, but it’s actually quite tasty.

For a DIY-breakfast, you can purchase the above items from any local COOP or ICA grocery store in Stockholm.

Best restaurants for a Swedish breakfast

If you’d like to have a nice sit-down meal, here are three good options:

Cafe String

Nytorgsgatan 38
Breakfast: Saturday–Sunday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Website

Café String is situated in the heart of SOFO, the bohemian district of south of Stockholm’s city center. It has a relaxed, friendly vibe with a good selection of Swedish breakfast foods, including waffles, fresh fruit and a variety of juices. String is very popular with the locals, so come early!

Sirap

Surbrunnsgatan 31 A
Breakfast: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Website

Café Sirap is Stockholm’s best choice for an “American- style” breakfast, and it should be — the owners are American. The contemporary atmosphere is very inviting, and the large portions remind you that America is king when it comes to big breakfasts.

Clarion Hotel

Ringvägen 98
Breakfast: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m
Website

The Clarion offers more than your average hotel breakfast buffet. Expect a wide variety of warm and cold options along with Asian-style breakfast favorites (lactose- and gluten-free alternatives are available). If you stay at the hotel, the room rate does include breakfast.

Your favorite Swedish breakfast dishes

Have a favorite breakfast spot in Stockholm? A delicious recipe that can be made, even in a hotel kitchenette? Share your favorite Swedish breakfast tips below!

The post Stockholm: What’s a typical Swedish breakfast? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Why? Well, in Italy we do not have breakfast, or at least we do not have breakfast the way other people usually have it. For a Venetian, morning calories are usually consumed in the form of sweet things: a shot of espresso coffee or a cappuccino and maybe (but only maybe) a small croissant (called brioche) or a small doughnut (called krafen or bombolone, depending on which part of Italy you’re in) and fruit.

Breakfast at the bar

If your hotel doesn’t provide breakfast, then you should head down to a local bar (there is one in every corner in Venice) and order an espresso or cappuccino and a freshly baked croissant or krafen.

Important: Make sure to have your coffee and pastry at the counter because it will be much cheaper than sitting down. If you take a table, you will be charged extra for table service. At the bar, you can experience a very quick breakfast, Italian-style.

Breakfast at the pasticceria

If you prefer a longer and more relaxing breakfast, then head to a local pasticceria (cake shop) where they have some small tables and get yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea (make sure to order milk with it, otherwise it will come with lemon) and a nice freshly baked pastry. In Venice, go for a bignè al cioccolato (a choux pastry filled with chocolate cream) or a slice of strudel. This will be a bit more expensive, but the cakes are worth trying.

Here are three of my favorite pasticcerie:

Pasticceria Rosa Salva is a classic Venice bakery. Photo: Miquel R

1. Pasticceria Rosa Salva

Campo SS Giovanni e Paolo
Tel: +39 (0)41 5227949
Website

This is one of the oldest bakeries in Venice, dating back to the 19th century. Here you can try a large selection of typical Venetian cakes, cookies, brioches, rolls, sandwiches, tramezzini (a typical Venetian triangle soft bread sandwich), fritters, meringues, millefeuilles and much more.

2. Pasticceria Tonolo

Campo San Pantalon, just at the back of Chiesa di San Rocco near Frari
Tel: +39 (0)41 5237209
Hours: Tues-Sat 7:45 AM – 8 PM, Sun 7:45 AM -1 PM

Pasticceria Tonolo is usually ambushed with customers on Sunday mornings. (Italians often buy cakes on a Sunday to take as presents for whatever lunch they might be invited to.) Expect long lines, but wait with patience: It is worth it!

If you’re in Venice around Christmas, try the focaccia (a special Venetian sweet bread). At Carnival time, try the frittelle. Bignè alla crema (cream puffs) are a good choice all year-round.

Right in St. Mark’s Square, Caffe Florian has been a favorite spot for decades. Photo: Son of Groucho

3. Caffe Florian

Piazza San Marco 56-59
+39 (0)41 5205641
Website

Caffe Florian in St. Mark’s Square is the oldest café in Italy and one of the oldest in Europe. It’s a great place for an upmarket late breakfast or brunch. It will not be cheap, though you cannot compare the location and the setting to any other in the world. The café offers also a whole menu dedicated to breakfast, with all kinds of dishes and drinks. Try their selection of teas and pastries: You will not be disappointed.

Note: This article was updated on July 24, 2014 with new information, links and photos.

The post Venice: 3 “pasticcerie” to try for breakfast appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s some photo inspiration of tasty bites and spots to dine in Barcelona, Spain.

BREAKFAST- The breakfast of champions, frothy coffee with flaky croissants in the sun! (Read more about breakfast in Barcelona, with addresses for the best breakfast in each neighborhood.)

TAPAS – What would a trip to Spain be without tapas? Afternoon snack or for dinner, tapas should be an important part of your diet in Barcelona. Pictured above: patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and seasonal wild mushrooms (common in the fall). (Read more about tapas in Barcelona.)

LUNCH SPECIAL- Monday – Friday (and in some places on the weekend) look for chalkboards like this one featuring the Menú del Día or “Daily Special”; a set menu usually under $15 for three courses.

LENTILS – Legumes anyone? Spain is big on lentils, garbanzos, and other legumes. Above is a veggie lentil soup eaten at Blavis, a restaurant in the Gracia hood.

SEA SNAILS- Snails are often eaten in Spain. Their texture is, um, not for everyone. The snails above are sea snails served with rock salt.

ROASTED VEGETABLES- Asparagus, potatoes, spicy peppers, eggplant… all grilled up and served with thick, flavorful romesco red sauce.

SPANISH RICE- Otherwise known as paella, this is a must when in Barcelona or traveling along Spain’s eastern Mediterranean seaside. Paella can be made with seafood or meats, such as rabbit and chicken.

BURGERS – Suddenly, beer and burgers are popular in Barcelona, and “American-style” diners are appearing all over the city. Apolo Diner in the Poble Sec hood is a good choice.

COZY BARS AND RESTAURANTS – Barcelona has an endless selection of bars and eateries hidden away on cobblestone plazas and tucked down tiny streets. Avoid Las Ramblas and find something special and more local in El Raval, El Born or La Ribera.

The post 8 tasty and cheapo meals in Barcelona (with mouth-watering photos) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

London is awash with options for brunch, but steer clear of the pricey smart hotels that target tourists and head to some of these local’s favorites instead:

The Diner’s Soho location. Photo: Ewan-M

The Diner
18 Ganton Street
W1F 6BU
Web site

Tucked away just off London’s Carnaby Street and a safe distance from the bustle of Oxford Street, The Diner offers all-American indulgence in the form of tasty all-day breakfasts and shakes to those in need of a little TLC. Pancake stacks, muffins, huevos rancheros and omelettes stuffed with all the ingredients you could wish for grace the menu, making it the ideal retreat for when you’re feeling a little on the fragile side.

The prices are nice too, with breakfasts ranging between £5 and £9 each, so you’re even left with some change for a bit of retail therapy afterwards.

Homa
71-73 Stoke Newington Church Street
N16 0AS
Web site

“Stokey” is an area well worth exploring if you haven’t already discovered it and Church Street is absolutely packed with quirky little cafés and bars. Homa is a beautifully airy restaurant and an absolutely perfect spot for reading the paper and enjoying brunch on a lazy morning. The product of the Turkish and Italian owners, the menu is quite unusual, offering everything from bruschetta with wild field mushrooms to taleggio cheese and rocket, and smoked haddock kedgeree with slow cooked hen’s egg.

Prices are very reasonable, with most dishes costing between £6-£8.50, unless you decide to splash out on the sumptuous champagne English muffin combo, which rocks in at £14. Brunch is served from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and until 4 p.m. on weekends.

Bill’s
St Martin’s Courtyard (off Long Acre)
WC2E 9AB
Web site

A small, funky chain with six outlets across England, Bill’s is a really fun choice for brunch with a laid-back vibe and delicious food. The colorful Covent Garden branch is definitely my favorite, mainly due to its hard-to-find location in a relaxed square in the city centre. Choose from full English breakfasts, to all kinds of eggs (benedict, florentine, royale) or indulge that sweet tooth with the amazing french toast topped with banana, strawberries, walnut yogurt and maple syrup… heavenly.

Breakfast prices range from £2.95 to £9.50 and is served weekdays until midday and weekends until 1 p.m.

The Breakfast Club
33 D’Arblay Street
W1F 8EU
Web site

This place is so popular on weekends that queues have been known to stretch right down the street, but Londoners “in the know” are happy to wait as their patience will be rewarded. The Breakfast Club’s brunch menu is extensive and covers all bases, from generous English breakfasts and all-American pancakes, to green eggs and ham or breakfast burritos. For those who like their brunch with a twist, the posh sausage sandwich (with smoked cheddar cheese, red onion chutney and portobello mushrooms) really hits the spot, and the chorizo hash browns are also well worth sampling.

The Soho branch is the original and most central Breakfast Club, but other branches can also be found in Hoxton, Spitalfields and Angel. Brunch is served every day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Also in our guide: Now that you have your brunch plans settled, we’re here to help out with choosing a hotel, as well. Our editors sneak around London, inspecting budget hotels and choosing their favorites — only hotels that are central, clean and cheap. Read their suggestions in our London hotel guide.

The post Best restaurants for an affordable brunch in central London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Yesterday over dinner I asked my sweetie if he remembered the last time it rained in Barcelona. We both tried to remember. It’s been weeks. While the sun is shining and there’s not a cloud in the sky, mornings are crisp and chilly and it feels like winter.

On these nippy winter days and nights, nothing is tastier than a frothy cappuccino, a thick hot chocolate or a aromatic cup of herbal tea. When you want to get out of the cold and warm frozen fingers, these are the cafes and restaurants to hit up:

A serious cup of chocolate at a Granja-Xocolateria in Barcelona. Photo: Pedro Rebelo

1. La Pallaresa: Granja-Xocolateria
c/ Petritxol 11 – Barcelona 08002
Gothic Quarter

There will be a line out the door at this spot on the weekend in the evenings. Locals love to dunk “churros” in lava-like cups of Swiss hot chocolate. I say go for the calorie explosion and get your coco with a slab of whip-cream on top. Heaven in a cup and well worth the wait.

**There are Granja-Xocolaterias all over Barcelona. They are a sort of cafe serving chocolate drinks and desserts.

2. La Nena
c/ Ramón y Cajal 36 – Barcelona 08012
Gracia

Also a Granja-Xocolateria like La Pallaresa but in Gracia. Less of a wait at this one and in an interesting, fun area. They also have teas and cakes.

3. Buenas Migas
Web site

During the winter months Buenas Migas, an excellent cafe chain, serves up several hot cocoa options at all of its restaurants. Try the “xocolata suïssa” topped with whip-cream and chocolate syrup or the “xocolata amb galetes” for a cocoa topped with whipped cream and cookies! Buenas Migas also serves teas, cakes, pies, and all sorts of coffee drinks year-round.

4.Farga
Web site

Another chain, Farga is known for their chocolate, ice cream and sweets. Try a cappuccino and a slice of something sweet and wonderful at their Diagonal location.

5. Federal
Web site

Known for their Aussie brunch more than anything else, Federal is also an excellent place for a morning coffee or an afternoon teatime snack. They serve tempting desserts and pastries and have a full coffee bar.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Barcelona and trying to find an affordable place to sleep? Check out our reviews of the best and most affordable hotels in Barcelona, all of them inspected, photographed and reviewed by our editors.

The post Barcelona: Best hot chocolate, coffee and tea on cold days appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The key to sticking to your budget is finding affordable places to eat and free things to do. Keep reading for a full itinerary on a 20-euro Dublin day.

Breakfast at the Queen of Tarts. Photo: Spinksy

BREAKFAST

Start your day at Queen of Tarts, one of the best known bakeries in Dublin. You will have many choices for €5 or less here, including homemade apple scones with raspberry preserves (€2.95) or hot oatmeal with apple compote and maple syrup (€4.50).

Order at the counter and you won’t have to worry about leaving a tip (read more about tipping in Dublin).

MORNING ACTIVITY

Breakfast at Queen of Tarts will place you right at the far edge of Temple Bar. While this district is known for its rowdy tourist pubs, it is re-identifying itself as the cultural quarter of Dublin. Explore during the day when you will encounter street performers and markets full of €1 books and records.

Book enthusiasts will want to check out the shelves at the Gutter Bookshop while art lovers might want to duck into the (free) Gallery of Photography to catch an exhibition.

LUNCH

Finish wandering through Temple Bar at Curved Street, home to the Curved Street Café. This 2nd floor café is a cozy space serving up filling lunch options like hearty soups and sandwiches. The best value is the soups for €4 (served with a hunk of bread) while sandwiches cost about €6.

Once again, because you order at the counter, don’t worry about a tip. If you have a sweet tooth, all cakes here  (€2 to €3) are made at the excellent local Cake Café. Free Wi-Fi is also available here.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITY

After lunch, leave Temple Bar behind and cross the River Liffey over the whimsical Ha’Penney Bridge. Stroll along the Quays towards Dublin’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, and head north towards Parnell Square. Step down into the Garden of Remembrance, a peaceful outdoor space that serves as a memorial to all those people who gave their lives seeking Irish independence from British rule.

Right nearby on Parnell Square is the Hugh Lane Gallery. Entrance here is free, and the gallery is home to one extremely popular exhibit: Francis Bacon’s studio. Here the artist’s studio has been recreated exactly as it was found on the day of his death. Several of his paintings are also on display.

DINNER

This area on the north side is well known for being home to many of Dublin’s best ethnic eateries. One of my favorites is the cozy Hop House, a restaurant serving Korean and Japanese food. All orders come with a free cup of steaming miso soup to warm you up when you step off the street.

All of the noodle dishes – such as Japanese noodles with tempura prawns – are priced around €11. There are a few sushi options for under €10 and teriyaki chicken wings (€8.90) are another local favorite. One trick is if you arrive before 5 p.m., you get to order off the lunch menu which is very similar to the dinner menu, only with cheaper prices.

Any coins left?

If you have any coins left in your budget, head to the attached pub next door to enjoy a Korean or Japanese beer and some live music.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin and looking to keep it cheap? Be sure to check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in Dublin, all of them visited, inspected and photographed by our editors. Read more in our Dublin guide.

The post Dublin: A full day for under €20 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This piece of advice may seem quite obvious, but it’s also surprisingly easy to forget or brush off. After all, when you get thirsty walking down the rue de Rivoli toward the Louvre, dropping a euro or two for a small, yet convenient bottle of water seems like the best option.

Quite often, however, a giant bottle for a fraction of the price sits waiting for you on a shelf, only a minute or two away…

Check in and hit the grocery store

I’m quite proud to say that I’ve now got my grocery routine down. As soon as I check into a hotel in Paris, I usually ask at reception for directions to the nearest grocery store. Not only are French supermarkets fun (you can spend an hour in the cheese section alone) and mix you right in with the locals, they save you money and offer healthy food alternatives to boot.

I usually pick up several bottles of water, along with bananas and oranges, and, if I have a mini-fridge back in my hotel room, yogurt for breakfast. All of these items will be much cheaper in the grocery store (perhaps 50-60 cents for a bottle of Evian that would cost €2-3 at a train station), and they allow me to eat something healthier than the usual hotel offering for breakfast. (I don’t know about you, but after a week of a morning croissant, I start to look a bit like a stick of butter.)

After my cheapo breakfast en chambre, I head to a cafe for a tasty espresso or cappuccino (standing at the bar, of course!).

Back to those water bottles

One note about those bottles of water waiting for you at the supermarket: They’ll be packaged in groups of six or so, and usually priced to be sold as one unit. Don’t panic, in most cases you’re allowed to break up the packs and buy single bottles.

I took the above photo in a supermarket near the Bastille. Note that the packages of Vittel, Badoit and Evian have all been broken up into single bottles. If you don’t see any evidence of single sales, ask somebody working (if you can find anyone). Otherwise, just rip into a package, grab some bottles, and head to the cashier.

Your grocery advice?

Have some advice to share about Parisian supermarkets? Do you have your own rituals for shopping after check-in? Do you make your own breakfast en chambre? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

Also in our guide: If you’re heading to Paris, be sure to check out the reviews of our favorite inexpensive hotels. Our editors have scoured the city’s streets, visiting, inspecting and photographing every budget hotel we can find (water bottle in hand). Read more in our Paris guide.

The post Paris: Only buy your water at the supermarket! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are three Cheapo picks for my favorite pancake shops in Amsterdam:

Pannekoekenboot (Pancake Boat)
Web site (in Dutch)
4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pancakes on a boat? Only in the Netherlands. The Pancake Boat organizes one hour, 90-minute, and three-hour boat rides throughout the city on their large and authentic-looking boat. While patrons cruise through the canals the servers bring out rounds and rounds of pancakes. It’s an all-you-can-eat ordeal as you taste pancakes flavored with apple, or bacon, and add toppings like cheese or chocolate sprinkles.

The boat also offers theme cruises for kids, Sunday brunches, and romantic pancake excursions. The price starts at €15 per person per hour, and the normal cruise starts at 4:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.

Carousel Pancake House
Weteringschans

This pancake house, round in shape like a pancake, boasts its own vintage carousel. The location is central, smack dab in the middle of Weteringschans roundabout, just next to the Heineken Brewery, and their menu is extensive. Prices are normal, about €12 for a typical ham and cheese pancake, although many patrons flock here for their sweet and sugary mini pancakes, or poffertjes.

What sets this pancake place aside from the others is its special character and relaxed atmosphere. Sure it’s for tourists and non locals, but it’s cute and their prices are reasonable. The service is decent, and the place is nice and spacious.

The Pancake Bakery
Prinsengracht 191
Web site
Open daily noon to 9:30 p.m.

The Pancake Bakery offers the real Dutch pancake experience when it comes to look, feel and flavor. Centrally located along the Prinsengracht, the two-level house offers an oh-so cozy and candlelit lower level and a high-ceiling top floor with a canal view. The space is small, and it’s common to share tables with other patrons, however the friendly atmosphere makes it all comfortable.

Tables are equipped with a pot of stroop syrup and powdered sugar, but we’d recommend getting creative with their exotic pancake menu. Why settle for the blueberry when you can dive into a pineapple? Or how about the Egyptian pancake with lamp, red pepper, garlic sauce and salad? Those with a sweet tooth will love dishes like “French”– a pancake with apple, raisins, vanilla ice cream, Cointreau and whipped cream.

Prices vary from €7 for the basics and €14 for the fancy selections.

Other cakes in town

There are dozens of pancake places around Amsterdam, many of them with an extensive menu and prices that aren’t too expensive. But your best bet is to venture off the busy plazas and select one that’s within your budget and memorable.

Do you have a favorite pancake provider? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Amsterdam: Our 3 favorite pancake joints appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Bakery sandwiches

Bakeries also usually sell sandwiches, which are typically “sub” style on a half or whole baguette. These are called bocatas or bocadillos. Expect to find bocatas with the following popular combos: ham with olive oil and tomato, Spanish omelet with olive oil and tomato, cheese with olive oil and tomato, dried sausage olive oil and tomato…

They don’t do the mustard and mayo combo here much, though you might come across the more standard American-style sandwich (called “sandwich”) in some bakeries. These will have mayo, lettuce and tomato, etc.

Bakeries are a good place to get cheap yet delicious and usually healthy breakfast and lunch food. You could also buy bread at the bakery and then grab some cheese at the market and make your own bocatas to take with you for the day. This is definitely the cheapest option.

A few bakeries I adore are:

Baluard
C/ Baluard 38
Barceloneta, Spain

The best bakery in Barcelona? Not sure, but it was ranked number two by Time Out. It’s fabulous, and on the weekends there’s a line out the door and down the block for its buns. They do bocatas, many sorts of breads, muffins, cupcakes, “pizza,” empanadas and a whole array of mouthwatering desserts.

BoPan
Various locations
Web site

With quite a few locations around town, this bakery is a bit more high-end, offering specialty breads and sweets.

Panadaria Paul
C/ Rosselló, 490
08025 Barcelona

One of my top-five bakeries in which to enjoy a coffee and a sweet raisin roll. It’s a love-hate thing, because Paul has caused me to break my diet routine many a time. Fresh baked bread, morning pastries, desserts with gooey chocolate and fresh berries.

Other options

While these bakeries offer something special, any bakery will do. Wherever you stay, there is sure to be a bakery nearby. If you don’t see one, ask the receptionist, as he probably has one close by that he likes!

I will never understand how Spaniards eat so much bread and sugar and stay so thin…. It’s a mystery.

The post Barcelona: Best bakeries for delicious cheap eats appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.