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.

While river cruising is generally not considered a budget vacation, with a little planning and a solid understanding of your cruise options, most budget-conscious travelers can get on board and experience a high quality, memorable time. As we point out below, there are several ways to save when planning a cruise.

How to Save on European River Cruises

Here are nine tips to help you get the best value out of your river cruise.

1. Book early for selection or book late for discounts

River cruises tend to be booked almost a year in advance. If you have cabin preferences, we recommend that you book early. The suites and the lowest priced cabins typically book up quickly.

On the other hand, when certain cabins aren’t booked within a few months of sailing, companies tend to offer discounts. If you don’t have your heart set on a specific cabin or even a particular itinerary, you might save money by booking late.

2. Ask questions about what’s included

For example, ask what “all-inclusive” means. The definition varies from one cruise company to another. With some companies, it means that your booking price includes port charges and all excursions, but not so with others. Or, you might not care that all alcoholic drinks are included if you are not much of a drinker. So, ask before booking and expect clear answers.

This cabin has a French balcony — that is, a sliding door that opens to let in air, but doesn’t lead to an outdoor balcony.

3. Consider opting for a “French balcony” for more space

When you consider the square footage of a cabin, that number includes the space on the outdoor balcony, a space that is generally not available to you as living space. Whereas, with a French balcony, the sliding glass panel opens to give you fresh air and a great view without reducing living space. We now prefer the French balconies!

4. Compare apples to apples

Take a good look at the square footage of your cabin, and remember that all river cruise boats are the same length and the same width. The locks and bridges that need to be navigated determine the size of the ship. So, if a river cruise ship allows 128 passengers and another holds 190 passengers, guess which will have more spacious cabins? Pay attention to cabin size and pricing. Why spend more for a tiny cabin?

5. You can save by booking a lower deck cabin

The least expensive cabins on river cruise ships are on the lower deck, and they do not have French balconies. They are partially underwater, so they have high windows that do not open, though they are generally as large as the other regular cabins. You may feel some motor vibrations in these cabins, but generally not enough to be a problem.

So, if you are of the type of traveler who says “I don’t spend any time in my room anyway,” go for these lower-fare rooms. Lots of people must feel the same way, because these cabins tend to book very fast.

6. Organize a group and save

If you can put together a group of 10 people (five cabins) for a cruise, there are perks for you and your group. Talk to your river cruise specialist, who can give you the money-saving details.

7. Ask about discounted airfare

Every river cruise company offers discounted, round-trip airfare from your home city to and from your cruise-embarking city. You will usually get airport transfers included, too. There may be restrictions, but it is often a very good bargain.

8. Ask about pre- and post-cruise options

Buying pre- and post-cruise tour extensions can be expensive if arranged by the cruise company. If you want to extend your stay a few days on either end of the cruise, ask your travel agent to price-out some independent travel options. Or, plan your own adventure.

One advantage to using the cruise company to arrange a pre- and post-travel extension is that they tend to choose only very good hotels and they generally include excursions and tours.

9. Book through a professional for the same cost as booking directly

Finally, if you find cruise advertisements that sound too good to be true, they probably are. I have seen some pretty ragged-looking river cruise ships in port, and when I looked online after getting home, I found that the cruise company was misrepresenting the condition of their cruise ships. I can only imagine how disappointed some cruise customers may have been upon seeing the cruise ship in port.

There are many river cruise companies out there, so it is important to enlist the aid and services of a travel agent or cruise specialist who has the knowledge and experience of selecting and booking river cruises. A river cruise specialist will help you find the right itinerary and the right cruise company to meet your individual needs.

And, of great importance, it costs you no more to book with a river cruise specialist than with the company directly. In fact, you can actually save a bundle because the cruise specialist knows where to find the best buys. We, therefore, strongly recommend that cruise customers avoid buying online before consulting a professional river cruise specialist. Ask your travel agent for more information, or feel free to contact me directly.

An AMA Waterways cruise passing through Regensburg, Germany.

Popular River Cruise Lines

Here are some of the most popular and well-regarded river cruise lines in Europe:

5-Star All-Inclusive: Scenic

This line, which is out of Australia, has been around for a long while but is now marketing to the American market. Scenic accepts 128 to 169 passengers aboard their Europe-based ships.

Scenic includes your own butler, gratuities, transfers and all on-board beverages (alcoholic and non) in the cruise rate. It also offers several dining options, complimentary Wi-Fi, personal GPS and electric bikes. There are always sales, but booking early is recommended.

4- Star: AMA Waterways

This line is American, based in California, but owned by pioneers in the river cruise industry. AMA Waterways accepts 158-162 passengers aboard their Europe-based ships.

I have taken two AMA Waterways cruises and can highly recommend this line. The food is excellent, and the service is fabulous. Wine and beer are included at lunch and dinner. Look out for their sales; they make their cruises very affordable.

4-star: Avalon Waterways

Part of the Globus family, Avalon accepts up to 168 passengers aboard. Avalon has designed a new concept called panorama suites. There are no outside balconies; instead, there is a wall of windows that open for a unique balcony experience.

Wine and beer are included at dinner. Avalon has great pricing and offers lots of sales and promotions.

4- star: Viking

Everyone has heard of Viking because of their enticing commercials. And, their ships are beautiful; we took a Viking cruise last winter. Viking accepts up to 190 passengers aboard. Because of the many passengers and smaller lounge space, we found it a bit crowded, but our room was spacious and the service was impeccable.

Viking serves their own wines at meals, so I missed tasting wines from the regions we were visiting.

Comparing the costs of a 7-night Danube cruise

Below, we compare these cruise lines for a seven-night cruise on the Danube for April 2023. As you can see, prices are quite comparable. but make sure you are comparing all the amenities and inclusions.

Scenic
Beginning standard cabin (160 sq. ft.): $3,495 per person
Balcony suite (205 sq. ft.): $4,895 pp
Royal suite (360 sq. ft.): $6,495 pp

AMA Waterways
Beginning standard cabin (160 sq. ft.): $2,899 pp
French/outside balcony (210 sq. ft.): $4,498 pp
Suite (350 sq. ft.): $6,498 pp

Avalon Waterways
Beginning standard cabin (160 sq. ft.): $2,549 pp
Panorama suite (200 sq. ft.): $3,848 pp
Royal suite (300 sq. ft.): $5,048 pp

Viking River Cruises
Beginning standard cabin (150 sq. ft.): $2,399 pp
French balcony (135 sq. ft.): $2,799 pp
Veranda suite (275 sq. ft.): $4,499 pp

Your river cruise tips

Have you taken a European river cruise? Tell us about it, and how you saved on your cruise, in the comments section below.

The post European River Cruises: Tips for getting the best deal on your cruise appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The New York Times reported last night that fully vaccinated American tourists will be permitted to travel to all 27 European Union member countries this summer, according to an interview conducted with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Related: Tips for traveling to France during Covid-19

No official timeline has been announced, but one could be coming soon — especially as “summer” officially begins in less than two months. According to the news report, it seems likely an announcement will take place once a vaccination certificate becomes available that is acceptable to both E.U. and American authorities.

According to the article:

“These discussions are continuing, officials in Brussels said, and it is possible that a low-tech solution would be used in the near future to enable people to travel freely on the basis of vaccination. For example, a traveler to Europe could get an E.U. vaccine-certificate equivalent on arrival after showing a bona fide certificate issued by his or her own government. The hope, officials said, is that this step would soon be unnecessary as government-issued vaccine certificates issued by foreign governments would be acceptable and readable in the European Union, and vice versa.”

Read the full article

So what does this mean?

A number of questions remain, all of which we’ll be following with keen interest:

• When will this new policy go into effect? Unknown.
• What about unvaccinated travelers who can show a recent negative COVID test result? The statement from the EU doesn’t address them, and seems unlikely to include them.
• What about children under 16, who are unable to get the vaccine? As children under 16 years old are also not given any of these vaccines in Europe, it seems unlikely that unvaccinated American children would also be excluded, but again, this has not been clarified.
• Will this policy be reciprocated? Will vaccinated European travelers be permitted to travel to the US? Unknown — we’re waiting to hear from US officials on this.

What can you do to get ready?

Get vaccinated: And obviously, if you want to have the chance to go to Europe this summer, get your shots!

Passports: Check your passport’s expiration date. If it has been sitting in that drawer for 13 months, you are going to want to make sure you are ready to go when the world opens up and your feel ready to travel.

Book those flights: We’ve already booked tickets to France for August, because airfare was low and the tickets fully changeable. We’d recommend booking flights before they get any more expensive. However, make sure that they’re able to be changed without penalty.

The post European Union to allow vaccinated American travelers this summer appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Do I have a direct line to researchers developing a COVID-19 vaccine? Nope. Do I know something you don’t know about what the outgoing or incoming U.S. federal administration is going to do with regards to vaccine distribution? Nuh-uh. Do I have a crystal ball? (It had to be asked.) No, I do not (we wish!).

Am I nevertheless going to plan my return to Europe for 2021? Yes, I am.

Here are 11 tips I think will make planning your return trip to Europe in 2021 easier, safer, and less expensive than you’ve been imagining it could be.

Related: 11 Tips for Traveling to France in 2021 (Pass Sanitaire, Covid Testing, ete.)

Tips for a safe and Cheapo trip to Europe in 2021

1. Go with a friend

When we get sick or are injured at home, we all need someone who will advocate for us with health care providers when we can’t advocate for ourselves. While we Cheapos do love a great solo adventure, during these times of COVID-19 I’m opting to travel with a buddy. Then, if I get sick or injured, my buddy will be able to make sure I receive the treatment I require and vice versa.

This was already a good point to consider pre-COVID-19, but now planning for the worst is the only sensible way to travel.

Visiting Athen’s Acropolis helps the local economy — and is an open-air attraction. Photo: dariosusanj

2. Plan to visit places that rely on tourism

This has been a crazy hard year for most of us. But for nations whose economies rely primarily on tourism, this year has been especially difficult.

That’s why I’m heading to Greece. Not only has the nation suffered a TKO to its tourism industry, its primary source of income for the great majority of Greeks, but Greece has also provided asylum for more refugees per capita than most other EU nations.

And besides, after the year we’ve had here in the U.S., heading to paradise for my first trip outside the U.S. since the pandemic began seems like a pretty good idea.

3. Go during the off-season… for several reasons

Is there even still an off-season, with so many employees telecommuting and the majority of students studying remotely now? Yes, there most certainly is.

Even if students are attending class virtually, the majority of families who have taken any holidays in 2020 have done so during school breaks. That means the off-season is still when most schools are in session, so avoid planning travel for Thanksgiving week, the winter holidays, or June through August.

Why does off-season travel matter in the first place? That’s when the fewest people will be traveling, so you are less likely to find yourself seated beside a center-seat companion on airplanes, less likely to sit back-to-back with other guests at outdoor restaurants and cafes, less likely to have neighbors in the hotel room across from yours, and so on. Fewer fellow travelers almost always translates into cheaper room rates and flights, too.

Having fewer people to jostle around has always been a treat during the off-season, but during these COVID-19 times having more space to move and sit and eat is more than a bonus. It’s now a health consideration, too.

4. Buy trip insurance for peace of mind

You most likely won’t need to purchase travel insurance to protect you from expenses associated with rescheduling or altogether canceling your flights, because many airlines are including that in their airfares these days (of course, if the ticket you buy doesn’t include it, we always recommend purchasing it).

But medical evacuation and repatriation insurance are a must. Should you become ill or injured overseas, you may need to be evacuated in order to receive proper medical care–especially if you’re hiking or otherwise exploring more remote areas. Repatriation insurance covers the cost of flying your body back home, should you die while traveling abroad.

Of course, we hope you will waste your money on this and never have any need for it, but having it in your pocket is a necessity… just in case of the very worst-case scenario actually happening to you during your trip.

For more information on this topic, read our post on travel insurance.

JFK to Madrid in June… for under $500 nonstop? You could book it now and cancel if need be.

5. Book your airfare now for deals

We have no idea (though some speculate) how airfares will be impacted by COVID-19 or anything else over the course of 2021. We do, however, know how airfares are looking right now, and they’re cheap.

Really cheap.

We found round-trip September airfares from SFO to ATH with only one layover for as low as $687, and round-trip airfares as low as $603 for flights with two layovers. That’s less than we paid to fly to Greece in 2004.

6. Book a window seat to reduce risk

Studies have shown that the greatest risk of contracting COVID-19 during a flight is derived from the people sitting two seats ahead of you, two seats behind you, and two seats to either side of you. So, if you select a window seat, you’ve just reduced your risk by 25% simply because there are no seats to one side of you. According to this article from MIT Medical:

… Whatever your airline’s middle-seat policy may be, when it comes to the risk of contracting an illness in flight, a window seat may be your safest bet. Having a wall on one side automatically reduces your number of close-proximity contacts. A window seat also protects you from the inadvertent close contacts that can occur when other passengers are hoisting bags into overhead bins at the start of a flight or crowding aisles to deplane after landing.

7. Book your accommodations now for deals

As with flights, there is no sure-fire way to know what will happen to hotel room rates in 2021. But many hotels are offering deals to encourage travelers to book now so they can have a sense of how many guests they might expect to serve, so they can entice travelers to take advantage of the lower rates, and quite frankly so they can determine if they can even keep their doors open.

Nevertheless, most of these hotels are still offering complete refunds if you cancel within forty-eight hours of your arrival date, so you win if you go and you win if you don’t. Check the full details before you book.

Search for hotels in Europe on EuroCheapo.

Where will you go when it’s safe to ravel again? Photo: Unsplash

8. Pack these items for extra safety

• A roll or two of toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfectant wipes
• Disposable protective masks
• Cloth face coverings
• Disposable safety gloves
• Ballpoint pens

If you’re in the habit of getting off the beaten path quite often, you have probably long been in the habit of packing your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Continue to do that, even if you’re planning to stay primarily in urban areas when you return to Europe. Then, pack disinfectant wipes so you can wipe down high-traffic areas in your hotel rooms and at outdoor cafes, along with a supply of disposable masks that’s double the length of time you plan to be away.

So, if your trip will be for 14 days, pack 28 disposable masks. Here at home you use cloth face coverings and wash them after each use to limit your environmental footprint. Continue that practice by taking a few cloth face coverings with you when you travel, but in case you take one of your cloth face coverings off at a cafe to eat and then one falls onto the ground while you’re affixing it to your sweaty face before entering a shop, you want to have a back-up. (You definitely do not want to get stuck having to stay outside of a place you really want to enter and may not have a chance to return to simply because your mask fell on the ground or you left it behind and now you have no face covering to protect others and yourself.)

Though there’s not much use for disposable gloves if you are able to wash your hands, you may find yourself somewhere where you won’t be able to count on washing your hands before eating. What if you lose your hand sanitizer or it falls out of your bag and there is no sink available to wash your hands? That’s when the disposable gloves will come in handy. Just make sure you are smart about how you remove them.

Finally, bring at least three ballpoint pens with you so you always have your own to sign hotel guest registries and credit card receipts.

9. Take these precautions everywhere you go

Washing your hands often, wearing a protective face covering, and staying 6+ feet away from others isn’t just good advice for when you are around others back home; it’s good advice everywhere. Though you may be enchanted by your surroundings, always remember to keep your mouth and nose covered and keep a safe distance from others as you explore Europe.

And if you feel unwell while overseas, stay in your hotel and avoid potentially exposing others to your illness. If you test positive for COVID-19 while abroad, isolate yourself from others for 10 days, plus three more if your symptoms have not resolved themselves within seven days of starting your 10-day isolation period.

It will be a bummer to have to stay in your hotel room watching local television shows and reading the 99 books you brought with you on your e-reader, but that’s what must be done in order to be a good global citizen during these times of COVID-19.

Driving through Spain. Photo: kentwang

10. Stay safe while renting a car, and riding a train or ferry

Rent a car. Rent a car. Rent a car. (Seriously, rent a car.) Wear your mask when you initially enter it and for the first few hours of driving it, wipe it down with your disinfectant wipes, and drive with the windows down for the first few hours.

Just as you would here at home, wear your protective face covering when you fill your rental car’s tank with petrol, and apply hand sanitizer to your hands before removing your mask or putting your hands on your steering wheel once you’re back in your vehicle.

If you’re going to take the train (who doesn’t love the trains in Europe?), splurge on a couchette/sleeper car. You can wipe it down with your disinfectant wipes, wear a mask for the first few hours you are in it, and if the window opens you can open it up to get air circulating while keeping the door to the couchette closed so as to restrict air flow from the main cabin.

If you’re traveling to a country like Greece where you would typically use ferries to move from one island to another, consider staying on the mainland and solely using your rental car for transport, or fly among islands instead of taking ferries. Even if you can find sufficient space on a ferry to keep yourself and others safe, simply standing in the crowd waiting to board the ferry could be unnecessarily risky.

Search car rentals throughout Europe here.

11. Embrace the outdoors

If you don’t absolutely have to go inside shops, museums, and exhibits, skip them altogether this time around. Instead, enjoy the outdoor offerings of the place you’re visiting. For instance, although the Benaki Museum and Acropolis Museum are brilliant, during my 2021 return to Athens I will focus solely on visiting Lykavittos; the Parthenon; Hephaestus; other archaeological finds and architectural remains that can be enjoyed in open spaces; beaches; mountainous regions where we can hike to our hearts’ content; and the abundance of outdoor markets, cafes, and gardens.

Final thoughts

There’s no reason to fear returning to Europe (assuming those of us with U.S. passports are admitted…!) in 2021. Simply be smart about it and take every reasonable safety precaution, just as you would right here at home. Safe and joyous travels to you!

Your tips?

Planning a trip abroad in 2021? How do you plan to stay safe?

The post 11 Tips for Planning Your Return Trip to Europe in 2021 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Our advice is to visit your top picks on the free or reduced price days, or even better, stick to the many galleries and collections that are free and open to the public all day, every day.

More tips for visiting museums and attractions
• Tips for beating the crowds at top sites in Paris
• 10 Free museums in Stockholm
• How to save money and time at the Prado in Madrid

10 Free museums in Europe

You are probably familiar with the big-name museums, so we came up with a list of 10 favorites that you might not expect. From Paris to Berlin, add these free museums to your to-do list for your next trip.

Free Museums in Paris

Paris hosts a few of the world’s most beloved collections  — among them the Louvre and Musée de Orsay. We’re not at all suggesting you should skip these gems if it’s your first time exploring the City of Light. That said, if you’re not a first-timer or you’re a museum-lover with excess time on your hands, 14 of the City of Paris Museums are free to the public throughout the year. Want a couple of more specific suggestions? Here are two of our favorite free collections in the French capital.

1. The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris

11 Avenue Du Président Wilson
website

MaM, located in the east wing of the Palais de Tokyo a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, is an excellent free option to get a look at contemporary art. The collection contains more than 8,000 works of art including pieces by Picasso and Matisse.

2. The Musée de la Vie Romantique

Hôtel Scheffer-Renan – 16 rue Chaptal
website

Located in the former residence of the painter Ary Scheffer, this 1830 home in Paris’ Pigalle neighborhood gives visitors the chance to relive life in Paris’ romantic period. The artwork by George Sand and Ary Scheffer is set amid furniture, portraits and jewelry from the 18th and 19th century.

Check out our full list of free museums in Paris and book a cheap hotel for your trip.

Virreina Palace in Barcelona is home to art and photo exhibits. Photo: Katherine

Free Museums in Barcelona

Spain’s second-largest city, Barcelona boasts noteworthy collections you simply won’t find anywhere else. Beyond everything Gaudi, there are also museums dedicated to Spanish and Catalan artists like Picasso, Miró, and Tàpies. While most major museums have at minimum, a free afternoon during the week and free first Sundays, there are a few always-free options in the Catalan capital as well.

3. Museo de Carruajes Fúnebres de Barcelona

Carrer de la Mare de Déu de Port, 56
website

While it may be a bit out of the way, Barcelona’s collection of funeral carriages is worth a visit as it features everything from the carriages themselves to funerary ornaments and artifacts. Besides, it’s in Barcelona’s most famous cemetery (Montjüic), which should be on your itinerary for while you’re in town anyway. It’s more than just funerary art — it’s a great place to get sweeping views of Barcelona and beyond.

4. La Virreina Centre de la Imatge

Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla 99
website

Perched near the top end of La Rambla, this 18th-century baroque and rococo palace hosts temporary photo exhibitions and is always free of charge. Even folks who aren’t particularly interested in photography should take a few moments to explore this relatively peaceful space amidst the hubbub of Barcelona’s most boisterous street. You can also see Barcelona’s massive puppets that are used in parades housed on the ground floor here.

Related: Tips for saving at Barcelona’s top attractions 

The Natural History Museum in London. Photo: mapa mundi

Free Museums in London

Keeping more of your pounds in your pocket can be a tall order in the British capital. There are loads of things to see in London, and most of it can cost a pretty penny. But don’t despair. If there’s one thing London has more of than most European capitals, it’s free museums open to the public. Near the top of your list should be the British Museum, aka, the magical place where the Rosetta Stone lives. Sure, there’s usually a suggested donation, but you don’t technically have to pay it. Here are two other world-class spots that are always free.

5. The Natural History Museum

Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD
website

Learn about the natural world in one of the world’s best science museums with an extensive collection of fossils (including dinosaurs and stuffed animal specimens, many of them now extinct) and interactive exhibits on volcanoes and earthquakes.

6. The National Gallery

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
website

Gawk at over 2,300 pieces of artwork in Britain’s National Gallery, free of charge. There’s something for every type of art-lover here from masterpieces by Italian greats like Titian to impressionists like Cézanne.

Looking for even more freebies? Read our guide to 20 free museums in London. If you need a place to stay, check out our top budget hotels in London.

Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. Photo: shadowgate

Free Museums in Dublin

While comparisons between Ireland and England aren’t typically welcomed by either party, there’s one good thing that these two countries have in common — the wide range of free national museums that are open to the public. In Dublin, this means visitors can see all of the artifacts at the National Museum’s collections around town and all of the art at the National Gallery of Ireland without paying admission. The National Gallery even offers free tours on weekends. Meet at the information desk at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm.

7. Irish Museum of Modern Art

Royal Hospital, Kilmainham
website

A former hospital, this museum is considered Ireland’s most important modern art gallery. Add to that the fact that it’s surrounded by gorgeous gardens perfect for a leisurely stroll, and it’s worth a visit even in a city like Dublin with a multitude of free museum options.

8. Chester Beatty Library

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, Ireland
website

Head to Dublin Castle for a look around book-lover Alfred Chester Beatty’s worldly goods and explore his collection of ancient scrolls, books and art objects.

Walking through the Topography of Terror Museum in Berlin. Photo: Craig Nelson

Free Museums in Berlin

Good news! Almost all of Berlin’s regional museums and memorial sites charge no admission, no matter the date. But unfortunately, gone are the days of free admission on Berlin’s famous Museum Island, unless of course, you’re a minor (admission is free for folks under 18 years of age). That said, if it’s your first time in town and you’re much of a museum buff, you probably should shell out the €18 for entry to all five museums. You can also look into picking up a Berlin WelcomCard for discounts. But for everyone else, or folks that have already been, here are two free options we highly recommend.

9. Topography of Terror

Niederkirchnerstraße 8
website

This museum near Potsdamer Platz stands on the historical site of Gestapo offices and SS leadership headquarters in Berlin. It’s the place where the persecution and extermination of political opponents to the Nazis, as well as the coordination of the extermination of Jews, Sinti, and Roma, was organized and managed. The emotional exhibition examines this dark history in a very open and honest manner. Parts of it are outdoors, so bring a jacket.

10. Museum der Unerhörten Dinge

Crellestrasse 5
website

The Museum of Unheard Things is above all things about the story. This curio cabinet — in museum form — showcases a wide range of curious objects (everything from a letter written by Freud to a cowpie), and more importantly, tells the story of their significance.

Are you headed to Berlin soon? Add these 15 free museums in Berlin to your to-do list and browse our top cheap hotels in the city.

Your picks

What are your favorite free museums in Europe? Are there any places you’d add to our list? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 10 Free museums in Europe to visit on your vacation appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But hold on: Is it always cheaper? And is a trip always better when you book every aspect of it yourself?

It might surprise independent-minded travelers to learn that sometimes, in fact, you can find quite a deal by hooking up with a European tour group or travel package. How is it cheaper? Tour operators who run the group tours are able to negotiate special deals with hotels, guides, coach companies and restaurants that aren’t available to independent travelers — and, in turn, they’re able to offer an entire tour package cheaper than you could book it yourself.

And aside from the cost, organized group travel is, well, organized. A guide is in charge and traveling with you. He or she can crack a whip, which can result in a fuller travel experience. You might, after all, be the kind of traveler who needs to be told to meet downstairs at 8 am… sharp.

In the best cases, your guide will also be a wonderful source of insight, educating you about the places you’re visiting, introducing you to new experiences and inspiring you in ways that you might have missed out on if managing everything on your own. A great guide can make a great trip.

Okay, so you’re sold on the potential benefits of group travel. Now, how can you find a good deal? Or at least avoid a clunker?

Our research

We’ve spent a lot of time over the past month researching many of the most popular tour operators and their group tour offerings. We’ll soon be launching a comprehensive list of the top value group tours on the market. But first, we thought we’d compile some of the advice we’ve gleaned while analyzing all of these tours.

Most of the tours that we’ve analyzed are offered by major tour operators, including Contiki, Cosmos, Discovery Nomads, Europamundo, Exodus Travels, Expat Explore Tours, Flag Travel Holidays, Globus, Intrepid Travels, Trafalgar, and many more.

These tour packages are being offered through our tour partner, Tourradar, which is a booking site for group tours. We’ve used the most current pricing information offered in order to judge the relative value of the tour.

Traveling with a group tour by coach in Europe. Photo: Glen Wallace

Travel packages vs group tours

First of all, if you’re new to this, the terminology might be confusing and should be cleared up. “Travel packages” are deals put together by travel agencies and bookings sites that package together the big-ticket items from your trip. This usually means selling you flights and hotels together, along with perhaps a rental car and sightseeing tickets. When booked together, you can certainly find substantial savings over booking everything separately.

A group tour is a different beast altogether — it involves joining a group that travels together (usually by bus or coach) throughout Europe. The group stays in the same hotel, eats at least some meals together, and takes part in sightseeing activities together. These tours are usually led by one or two guides, although other guides may join you at stops along the way (for example, a walking tour in a particular city or museum).

For this article, we’ll be exploring ways to save on group tours in Europe. Although for excellent deals on travel packages, we can recommend checking out another one of our partners, Great Value Vacations. (That have some shockingly good prices for bundled travel.)

Types of European group tours

When shopping for group tours in Europe, you’ll find a wide range of types of tours. These include:

• Multi-country “grand tours” of Europe (i.e. “Best of Europe in 24 days”)
• Tours that focus on one country or city (i.e. “Best of France in 8 days”)
• Tours focused on one kind of traveler: Youth, retirees, cultural travelers, etc.
• Specialty tours: Culinary tours, wine tours, bicycle tours, boat tours/river cruises, etc.

There are hundreds of tour operators and thousands of travel agencies who will book them for you.

For this article, we’ll be focusing on the most common of these tours: The multi-country and single-country tours.

How much will you spend on a typical European group tour?

A little bit of searching will show you that it’s easy to find tours for every budget, from budget-friendly to deluxe. The cost of the tour is usually linked to a number of key factors that we’ll address in greater detail below. These include:

• Tour itinerary
• Size of the group
• Hotel locations
• Hotel quality
• Meals
• Included activities
• Extra perks and “overall quality”

Some tours will include the cost of flying to the city of the tour’s departure. (We haven’t factored this in, as it’s usually an additional expense.)

And then there’s one more biggie: Timing. Off-season tours will almost always be cheaper than summertime, and if you’re flexible and open to last-minute offers, you could score big. When a tour group has a lot of extra spaces, the tour operator often cuts the cost of the tour — sometimes dramatically — in order to fill those seats.

Thus, prices vary widely depending on all of these factors. One thing we look at in analyzing the tours is the per-day cost. Most of the tours we’ve selected as Editor’s Picks have daily rates in the $100-$200 range.

Note, however, that price is not always an indicator of quality: You can have a lackluster experience on an expensive tour and a fabulous time on a budget tour. That’s why you’re doing your homework!

Tips for finding the best deal on European group travel

We’ve spent the last few weeks here at EuroCheapo researching the best deals on European group travel in order to put together a comprehensive list of the best group travel deals. One thing that’s become abundantly clear is that, as with hotels, finding the best value tour is much more difficult than simply finding the cheapest.

If you want to book the cheapest tour out there, well… search for tours and choose the cheapest! However, you’ll probably wind up with a tour crammed with more than 50 other participants, sleeping out in the suburbs, eating sub-par food, and paying extra fees for sightseeing. Not a good choice.

So how can you sift through the offers and find the best possible group travel experience for your budget? Here are some things to look out for when shopping around:

1. Be wary of “Best of Europe” tours that over promise.

A 10-day “Best of Europe” tour that whisks you from London to Rome via Paris, Nice, Florence, Venice — and 10 other cities — is going to leave you with whiplash, a blur of memories, and aches from sitting so much on your tour bus as you sped from city to city.

Most of the “Best of” tours are marketed to first-time tourists to Europe who want to cram everything in and are looking for a rock bottom price. These travelers are probably not as familiar with the cities they’ll be visiting, so they probably won’t notice when booking that the hotels included are outside of the city center, and the meals are typical tourist fare.

Our advice: Stay away if anyone expects you to see Rome in a day.

2. Itineraries affect cost.

A quick note that’s obvious, but sometimes overlooked: Certain destinations cost much more than others. All else being equal, a one-week tour through the Czech Republic should cost quite a bit less than a one-week tour through Switzerland.

Our advice: Want more bang for your buck in Europe? Choose tours that stick to more budget-friendly destinations, like Eastern and Central Europe, and Portugal. When opting for France, Italy, Spain and the UK, rural or smaller destinations can be much cheaper than the big cities.

3. Group size is key.

Think about it: A group of 16 travelers can fit into a local restaurant. They can be divided into three or four tables and it really won’t be a big deal. They can be led around a museum, they can walk through the streets without creating a traffic jam or pushing locals off the sidewalk.

A group of 50, on the other hand, is another beast. Granted, sometimes 50+ person groups will get divided up into smaller groups for sightseeing purposes, but don’t count on that happening, especially if you’re booking a budget tour.

And that’s just eating and sightseeing. Logistics are speedier with a small group — checking 16 people into a hotel (in eight rooms) moves much faster than checking in 50 (in 25 rooms). Ditto for taking headcounts when out and about.

But probably the biggest advantage is on the coach (or “bus”). Smaller groups require smaller buses, which allows for more freedom to explore small, curving European streets that large coaches simply couldn’t drive on. Smaller groups also usually result in more free spaces on a bus, which makes things much more comfortable for everyone.

Of course, larger groups usually mean cheaper tours and vice versa. But not always! So do your homework and factor in the group size when choosing between tour options.

Our advice: Smaller is always better when it comes to group size.

4. Know where you’re sleeping.

Regular readers know that we’re obsessed with European hotels, especially those with great rates and super central locations. When shopping for a tour to join, we insist on getting as much information as possible about where exactly we’ll be sleeping at night. However, it can be surprisingly difficult to get this information out of tour operators!

Why? Because accommodation is probably the tour operator’s biggest expense when organizing the tour. A cheaper hotel is going to allow them to offer the tour at a lower rate, which will probably attract more interest from customers.

And a really cheap hotel (located way off in the outskirts near a freeway) will allow them to offer the tour at a much lower rate. See where I’m going here?

As we researched hundreds of tour packages, we realized that most — although not all — of the cheapest group tours lodged their travelers in far-from-central hotels. These might lower the price of the tour, but it means that you’re basically stranded in the hotel and at the mercy of your tour organizer. (Want a night off to run around Venice? You’re out of luck — because you can only return to that hotel in Maestre by bus.)

Fortunately, many tour agencies will show you where their groups sleep. Look up those hotels, double check their locations, and read some reviews. If you have a free afternoon or want to take the evening off, can you imagine yourself being able to easily get around?

And if they don’t offer any hotel information before you book? That’s not a good sign. If they were proud of where they were putting you, they’d tell you!

Our advice: The more central your hotels, the better.

5. Double-check that hotel rating.

Aside from the hotel’s location, what hotel category will your group be frequenting? Will you be staying in two-star budget hotels? Three-star comfort hotels? Four-star upscale hotels? Or on the other end… youth hostels?

Along with a hotel’s location, a hotel’s classification has a huge impact on the price of the tour. However, be aware that hotel star ratings change from one country to the next, and can be easily manipulated. Furthermore, a four-star hotel next to the highway may be much less desirable than a three-star hotel in the center of Florence. It’s all relative.

Some of the low-cost tours that we researched only use hostels for accommodation, which is an effective way of lowering costs. However, hostels are clearly not for everyone, and some even require single travelers to sleep in a room with another member of the tour. That just isn’t going to work for everyone.

Our advice: Know exactly where you’ll be sleeping.

6. What’s for dinner?

On the subject of meals, one thing is almost entire certain: Breakfast is nearly always included in any group tour. It’ll be served at your hotel. You might grow tired of it (croissants again?!?), but at least it’s reliable.

Lunch and dinner are another story. You might think that the more meals that are included, the better. But hold on — just because lunch or dinner is included doesn’t make it desirable. Let me explain…

Having all of your meals covered can be a good thing if you have a small group, and if your group makes it clear that you’ll be eating in great local restaurants. What you want to avoid is a group tour that feeds your enormous group at low-quality “tourist grade” restaurants, often at off-peak hours.

Case in point: My first trip to Europe was as a high school student, traveling with a large academic tour company. Our group was more than 50 students and adult chaperones, and we most definitely slept on the outskirts of most of the cities we visited. We also ate rather uninspired meals in restaurants often hours before the locals ate in the same spots.

Granted, they usually use the “they’re American” excuse to feed you much earlier, and, to top it off, we were a group of students. But the same thing happens with large groups of adults. Given the choice, I’d rather venture off to find dinner on my own than be forced into a lackluster meal every night with a huge group.

Some group tours only include a handful of lunches and dinners — which at first might seem underwhelming, until you note that they’re all “special” meals, perhaps a lunch on a boat or dinner at a castle. And meanwhile, some group tours don’t include any lunches or dinners — in which case, the price of the tour should reflect this.

So take note of which meals are included, and pay special attention to where those meals are located. Do they name restaurants? Do they seem special? Or will you be eating second-rate pasta with a group of 50?

Our advice: More meals isn’t necessarily a great thing. Research where you’ll be eating.

7. Which activities are included?

Most tour operators will make it clear to you which activities and sights are included on the tour — it’s part of their sales pitch. (“Get ready to spend an unforgettable afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica!”) However, they probably won’t be promoting what isn’t included until you get there. (For example, you’ll need to pay extra for a guided visit of the Vatican Museum, which is located next door to St. Peter’s.)

On the flip side, many tour companies pride themselves in how much sightseeing they do include. So read the trip details closely and try your best to read between the lines. It can be helpful here to read the reviews left by previous tour participants. Are there several complaints about extra charges?

The most common extra sightseeing charges are city walking tours, museum tours, wine tastings, boat tours, and extra day trips. And then, of course, there are restaurant outings, and add-on entertainment options (think “an evening at the Moulin Rouge”).

These extra activities will be optional, and will hardly ever be so unique that you couldn’t still do them on your own. Do you need to pay the extra fee to take the private tour of the Vatican Museum? You might spend less (and have a better time!) by going to the museum on your own.

Our advice: Know what’s covered before you get there, and then choose your “extras” wisely.

8. Other quality factors

The factors that I’ve listed above are all things we take into account when trying to determine the value of a group tour. They’re the major factors — the lodging, food, and sightseeing. But there are other considerations that are a bit harder to quantify. These revolve around the “quality” of the travel experience. These include:

Quality of transportation

Most likely, most of your tour’s transportation will be handled by coach (or “tour bus” for American readers). Some are more comfortable than others — with more spacious seating, better facilities, better air conditioning, etc. You’ll be spending a lot of time on board your bus, so it’s not a trivial concern.

The guide

How’s your tour guide? Is she or he a student just getting started or a professor or an expert in the region you’ll be visiting? How much experience do they have leading this tour? How much access do you have to the guide (the smaller the group, the greater the access)? As I mentioned above, a great guide can make a trip truly extraordinary.

Unfortunately, most tour companies don’t publish specific information about their guides. For this, you’ll need to dig into the user reviews (which can also be tricky, as some tour operators pressure their participants into writing reviews while still on the tour). And speaking of reviews…

Number of reviews and most recent

Just because a tour receives a 5-star rating doesn’t mean you should drop everything and book it right away. Take a moment to see how many reviews there are for that tour. A tour with 250 4-star reviews is almost certainly more reliable than a four-star tour with only 3 reviews. Our rating system gives more weight to tours with several reviews — especially if they number in the hundreds.

We also like glancing at the most recent reviews which probably carry a bit more weight than reviews from two or three years ago. The more recent comments might directly apply to the guide you might get or the hotels you will stay at if you are traveling on the same tour a few months after the review was left.

Quality of sightseeing

As with group meals, all sightseeing is not created equal. Imagine that two Paris tours both include a “Latin Quarter tour”. One of them is conducted by your guide reading a prepared overview into a mic while you sit with 50 others on your bus. The other tour is a walking tour for a group of 10 of you, conducted by an expat who’s been living in Paris for 20 years. These are dramatically different experiences.

In our research, we tend to account for this by awarding extra points for exceptional quality. When conducting your own research, I’d recommend doing the same.

Final thoughts

Reserving a space on a group tour can offer a fabulous and affordable way to see Europe. Sometimes it’s just easier to let someone else do the driving and planning. You have more time for reading up on the history or capturing the perfect moment on film before trying to figure out how to get to the bus station at 11 pm. You can budget your trip a little easier too — you’ll know exactly how much you’re spending on the tour, then you can set aside money for meals, experience, and souvenirs that aren’t covered by the cost.

Are group tours for everyone? Certainly not. However, some of our favorite travel moments we’ve experienced since we started EuroCheapo in 2001 have come in group settings. With the right guide and group of people, you may just come away with a new set of friends with plans to come back the next year!

Search now

Are you ready to take off on your next European adventure? Start searching through our favorite group tours in Europe to find the best deals.

The post Tips for finding great deals on European group tours appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you’re picking up souvenirs for friends, family members or me, myself and I, we’ve gathered our best tips on what to buy, where to buy it, and how to save on souvenirs.

Read on for 10 of our favorite cheap souvenirs from around Europe from 2€ and up.

More tips for saving in Europe:
• 50 things to do in Europe for under €5
• 12 tips for traveling solo in Europe
• Buying a SIM Card in Europe: The cheapest way to use your smartphone

10 European souvenirs to pick up on your trip

Cava – Barcelona, Spain

Unlike in Paris, where champagne is every bit as expensive as it is in the states, in Barcelona, the local sparkling wine known as cava can sell for half as much as it does at home. Bottles start around €2 in supermarkets, but we recommend you splurge and spend at least €8 for a bottle that would sell for closer to $20 at home.

Or better yet, spend the day in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia touring bodegas like Recaredo and Gramona to buy a vintage you’d be hard-pressed to find even in American specialty wine shops.

Canned fish – Lisbon, Portugal

Sardines, tuna, anchovies — even eel and octopus! — come in brightly colored tins in Lisbon. They make a perfectly portable (and inexpensive) souvenir and have been a part of the city’s food culture since the canning industry was born in 1853.

While it’s such a popular souvenir that you can buy beautiful tins of sea creatures in the Lisbon airport, we recommend Conserveira de Lisboa (Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 34) in the Baixa neighborhood for a traditional experience (they’ve been open since 1930) or Loja das Conservas (Rua do Arsenal 130). Keep an eye out for local brands like La Tricana and La Gondola and expect to pay €2 and up for each can.

Chocolate – Florence, Italy

Italian chocolate is excellent but not as widely exported as Swiss or Belgian varieties. Nice bars made by Italian chocolate brand Novi, start at less than €2 in grocery stores in Florence and other cities.

For more elaborate confections in elegant packaging, Head to Venchi at the Santa Maria Novena Station. But be ready to pay more. Tinned gift sets of sweets start at €12.

Related: Affordable souvenirs in Florence for everyone on your list

Bulbs and seeds – Amsterdam, Holland

If you want to grow tulips like the Dutch, Amsterdam’s floating flower market is the place to buy them. Just make sure they’re marked for export with a label that says “Cleared for US Customs,” or you might get them confiscated. They’ll cost slightly more (a few euros per bulb depending on the variety) than the exact same thing without the label, but it beats losing your investment.

Related: 5 cheapo gifts to bring home from Amsterdam

Another good place to buy bulbs and seed for import into the US is Schipol airport. If you’d rather not risk it, grab a decorative tin of stroopwafel (thin wafer-like waffles stuck together with creamy caramel) at a local supermarket — a small container shouldn’t run more than €5.

Yum! Pick up a bag of the original Irish crisps. Photo: Lou

Tayto Potato Crisps – Dublin, Ireland

Typically Irish, and consistently delish, these potato chips or “crisps” are a favorite with locals. The most popular flavor is cheese and onion, but if you’re not into it, there’s also salt and vinegar, smoky bacon, and prawn cocktail to choose from, all ringing it at around 1€ for smaller packages.

Serious Mr. Tayto fans can head to Tayto Park, where they can meet Mr. Tayto himself, and ride the rides at Ireland’s only theme park.

Vintage clothes – Berlin, Germany

When it comes to vintage finds, Berlin’s got some of the best deals in Europe. This writer once bought a vintage 1980s Hermès scarf for less than €2 in a shop there. Some of the best deals involve rummaging through bins and buying finds by weight. It’s important to note that heavier items like jeans can get expensive using this system.

Related: Pick up authentic GDR souvenirs at Ostpaket

Another great tactic is hitting off-season sale racks which can start as low as €3 per piece. Try Garage (2 Ahornstrasse) or Pick’n’Weight (Alte Schonhauser Str. 30).

So many olives, so little time when you visit Greece. Photo: Marco

Olives – Athens, Greece

Even if you’re not a fan of Greece’s most famous exported olives, kalamatas, there are plenty of other options for you. Head to the open market on Athinas Street for all sorts of olives (and olive oils) at a fraction of the price you’ll pay stateside, plus, they come vacuum-packed and jarred for safe transport.

And if you’re not a fan of edible olive by-products, check out spoons and cutting boards made from olive wood. They’re gorgeous and cheaper in Greece than in the States, Spain or Italy.

Slices of Turrón in a Spanish shop. Photo: Nacho

Turrón – Madrid, Spain

Part of a traditional Spanish Christmas, turrón is a sugary treat usually served in slivers at holiday meals. But fortunately for Cheapos who aren’t in Madrid for Navidades, it’s now available in specialty shops like Casa Mira (c/Sant Jeronimo, 30) and Turrones Vicens (c/Mayor, 41) year-round.

Be sure to sample turrón de jijona, an almond-paste and honey confection roughly the consistency of fudge, one of the oldest varieties. If you’re in town between November and January, head to large supermarket chains like Día and Mercadona for the lowest prices (starting from €3).

Dried vegetables – Rome, Italy

It may sound a little strange, but dried vegetables make excellent souvenirs from Rome and beside their very reasonable price, offer a second advantage — they weigh nearly nothing. Our picks are dried mushrooms (porcini are excellent for pasta) and sun-dried tomatoes (good in everything). Both can be bought in small packages at supermarkets for a few euros. Or if you don’t want to fuss with reconstituting dried vegetables, you could also spring for a fancy vegetable-flavored dry pasta.

Ceramics – Krakow, Poland

Poland is famous for its blue-and-white traditional Boleslawiec pottery, and it’s sold at most of the souvenir shops around Krakow. But for the best prices and variety, Cheapos should make their way to Asortyment Shop (ul. Bozego Ciala 22). Spoon rests and smaller pieces start at around€5.

More souvenir tips

If you’re headed to the City of Light, we enjoy shopping for these 5 souvenirs under €5 in Paris. You can also read out souvenir favorites in Copenhagen, Venice, Budapest, Brussels, and Prague.

And how about you? Tell us your favorite souvenir in the comments below.

The post 10 affordable souvenirs from across Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But do you really have to? Probably not — in many European destinations boozy beverages don’t cost much. Sometimes they’re the same price or even less than soft drinks!

For example, in Prague, beer is the cheapest thing to drink after tap water, and in Spain, a glass of house wine often costs the same as a Coke. The key to drinking inexpensively in Europe? Knowing what to order depending on what country you’re in.

Related: Hungry? 10 favorite cheap snacks in Europe

10 Cheap drinks we like to sip in Europe

While a basic knowledge of what locals drink will lead you in the right direction, here are ten of our favorite cheap drinks from around Europe. Regarding cost, all of these drinks are typically available for €3-5 or less, especially if you order them away from major attractions.

Here’s how to get booze (and a buzz) while traveling on a budget in Europe.

1. Calimocho – Spain

Also spelled kalimotxo, this ’70s era student drink is equal parts cola and cheap red wine. Thought to have originated in Basque Country, the drink is widespread throughout Spain. It’s best ordered any place where university students congregate and in small neighborhood joints.

Want to order something slightly more grown up? Try a tinto de verano, a refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda or sweetened soda water.

Related: 5 tips for saving on wine in Spain

Enjoying a beer in Prague. Photo: Jeffrey

2. Beer – Czech Republic

Drinking on a budget in Prague is easy. Just stick to local brews like Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, and Budweiser Budvar. At $1-2 on average, a frosty pint is pretty much always cheaper than anything else you’d be tempted to drink — including coffee and wine.

Some other countries where you’re typically best off drinking beer to keep costs under control include Germany, Holland, and Belgium.

3. Vinho Verde – Portugal

While Portugal is also famous for its barrel-aged port and meaty Douro reds, its young, or “green” white wines make for a refreshing and budget-friendly option. They’re especially lovely when paired with local cod dishes and warm weather (which lasts well into fall around the country).

Related: Exploring Portugal: 10 days through Lisbon, Porto & Braga

4. Prosecco – Italy

It’s not always cheap to drink in Italy. But that said, wine and the sparkling wine known as Prosecco can be acquired for the bargain price of €5 or less per flute. Prosecco-based cocktails like a Bellini and Negroni spritz are also usually economically priced.

5. Radler – Austria

Refreshing and a little sweet, this local shandy is perfect for the warmer spring and summer months or year-round for folks who want something very lightly alcoholic to drink. Traditionally made from a mixture of local beer and the Austrian national drink, Almdudler (herb-flavored soda), it’s also sometimes prepared with lemonade, grapefruit, or lemon soda.

6. Froccs – Hungary

This summery drink mixes wine with soda water and is called different things depending on the water to wine ratio. Made with a 2-to-1 wine ratio this drink is called “nagyfröccs”, and with a 3-to-2 ratio it’s called “házmester”. If you’re visiting during Hungary’s frosty winter months, sub in “forralt bor”, a traditional mulled wine to warm you up instead.

Accommodations: The best budget hotels in Budapest

7. Kir – France

This white wine-based cocktail is thought to have come about in the 1950s when the mayor of Dijon tried to make the most of a bad batch of wine by adding black currant liquor. It’s typically served as an aperitif (before the meal) and should be the color of a rose or blush wine, not darker.

If you’re feeling particularly spendy or celebratory, splurge on a Kir Royale, the Kir’s fancy cousin made with Champagne instead of white wine.

A selection of ouzo at a bar in Athens. Photo: Mark

8. Ouzo – Greece

Considered the national drink of Greece, this distilled liquor isn’t for folks who don’t appreciate black licorice as it’s heavily flavored with anise seed. The most famous varieties are from Lesvos and Tyrnavos. It’s best served ice-cold.

To stretch your drink, and your euros further, dilute it with water to release essential oils in the liquor and make it even more aromatic.

9. Vodka – Russia, Estonia & Poland

If you’re traveling in a country that could be described as the former Eastern block or belongs to Europe’s famed vodka belt, the drink of the same name is your safest bet for bargain booze of quality. Consumed chilled before, during, and after special occasion meals (like when you go out with visiting friends or colleagues), it’s name is Slavic for water. It’s usually sipped neat.

Related: A budget travel guide to Warsaw

10. Vermouth – Spain, Italy & France

Long regarded as an old-fashioned and out of style drink, vermouth is having a comeback in big Spanish, French, and Italian cities. This fortified and herbed wine is typically served either neat, over ice, or with a slice of citrus fruit and some soda water.

Bonus Tip

And whatever you do, skip imported tipples if you want to save on your drink bill. That means no tequila, rum, or bourbon. Drink like a local and reap maximum savings.

Do you have a favorite cheap drink in Europe? Tell us about it in the comments below.

The post Cheers! 10 cheap drinks in Europe that we love to sip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So what’s a hungry Cheapo to do?  Do as the locals do. Grab a quick and affordable snack!

More cheap travel tips in Europe:
• 10 Ways to save time and money before your trip
• 12 Tips for traveling solo in Europe
• 50 Things to do in Europe for €5 or less

10 Cheap snacks in Europe

Here are 10 favorites from our travels across Europe that typically cost €5 or less.

1. Greece: Sesame seed bread rings

Called koulouri, this street snack comes plain or stuffed with cheese. In Greece locals say it was “born” in Thessaloniki, but it’s probably a variation of the Turkish simit, a similar bread ring still prized as a breakfast staple and on sale throughout the former Ottoman Empire (think Eastern Europe and Turkey).

It’s even available stateside where it’s known as the Turkish bagel, although since this is not boiled bread, the texture isn’t bagel like at all. Just beware of the end of the day koulouri, as they tend to go stale quickly.

Related: 5 Tips for visiting Athens on a budget

2. Spain: Churros

When freshly fried and sugared, this fried dough snack is the best late-night, post-bar treat around.  Churros and a thicker version called porras are easy to find throughout Spain and Portugal and thought to have been brought to Europe from China by the Portuguese. Typically accompanied by a thick, nearly pudding consistency hot chocolate as a dipping sauce, they’re sure to send your hangover packing.

Pro tip: buy churros that are freshly fried while you wait.

Spanish food: 7 top contenders for the best eats in Spain

3. France: Crepes

Whether you like them straight up and sprinkled with powdered sugar or full of veggies and cheese (savory crepes that are called galettes), authentic French crepes are an inexpensive and authentic local snack. While the story goes that crepes originated in Brittany, they’re widely available throughout France, as well as larger cities throughout Europe.

Skip anywhere that proffers pre-made crepes. This is not a food that should be microwaved. Half the fun (and most of the flavor) comes from watching a pro make them from scratch in front of your eyes.

4. Hungary: Fried bread

Called langos in Hungary, this deep-fried yeast-raised dough is usually served topped with sour cream and grated cheese or just doused with garlic butter. You can also find it in Croatia, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, and even the UK, where it’s appropriately named “Hungarian Fried Bread.”

Related: Our favorite budget hotels in Budapest

5.  Germany: Curry sausage

What do you get when you combine fried pork sausage with curried ketchup? Currywurst! Invented in 1949 in Berlin, it’s become Germany’s favorite meal on the go. But if you don’t love curry, you can always order up a traditional German bratwurst (a pork sausage with a history that dates back to 1313).

Berlin Cheap Eats: Döner, currywurst, and outdoor dining

The center of an Italian rice ball is where you’ll find the good stuff. Photo: Wim

6. Italy: Fried rice balls

With a variety of shapes and fillings, the most commonly available version is arancini.  This 10th-century concoction is ball-shaped in most places (although it’s cone-shaped in parts of Sicily) and filled with ragu meat sauce, peas and mozzarella. In Rome, hungry Cheapos can look for a similar cheese-stuffed snack called suppli.

Exploring Milan: Where the locals eat for cheap

7. Portugal: Marinated pork steak sandwich

Known as a bifana, in the north it’s served with the spiced juices from the slow cooked meat on a white bread roll. In the south it’s served with mustard on a toasted roll. Prefer not to eat pork? Try a prego which is a similar sandwich made with beef instead.

8. Slovenia: Carniolan Sausage

This small sausage, called kranjska klobasa in Slovenian, is traditionally served cooked in wine and baked in dough or all by it’s lonesome sliced on a plate. Because it’s a protected European product, it’s always made of 80% pork and 20% bacon prepared with only salt, water, garlic and black pepper. If you like Polish kielbasa sausage, you’ll love it.

Read more: How to visit Slovenia on the cheap

A flaky banitsa, a Bulgarian specialty. Photo: squeedler

9. Bulgaria: Cheese and filo roll

Called banitsa, this traditional spiral-shaped pastry of layered whisked eggs and sirene (a feta-style cheese) in a filo pastry is served for special occasions in Bulgaria. For New Year’s Eve, lucky charms like coins or best wishes on paper wrapped in foil are put inside it. Sweet varieties made with milk and pumpkin filling as well as more creative spins are on offer in bigger bakeries around Bulgaria.

Related: A budget guide to Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Headed to Finlan? Don’t miss out on a karjalanpiirakka! Photo: Northsky71

10. Finland: Rice pasties

Known as karjalanpiirakka, these treats are called Karelian pasties or pies in English. The most traditional versions have a rye crust with rice. They are then topped off with butter and stuffed with hard-boiled eggs as a filling although mashed potatoes or rice and carrot mixes are also common.

This dish has a protected status in Europe, and while it’s popular in neighboring Estonia and Russia, it can not be called by its Finnish name in regions that haven’t been certified. Instead, it can be found labeled as riisipiirakka (rice) and perunapiirakka (potato) pasties.

Related: The best budget hotels in Helsinki

Bonus: What’s a cheapo snack you can find almost anywhere in Europe? Keep an eye out for Middle Eastern wraps and stuffed pitas! Kebabs, shawarma and falafel are ubiquitous in Europe. Every locale has adapted what they offer to local preferences, and these sandwiches are one of the best options for cheap and filling fare on the go. That said, Berlin’s kebabs are notorious in a good way as some of the best around outside of Turkey.

Do you have a favorite cheap snack in Europe? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 10 Cheap and tasty snacks in Europe that we crave appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Beyond the fact that getting to Europe is truly cheaper than ever from the US (with crazy bargains on budget airlines), there are lots of ways to save once you’re across the pond, too.

You don’t need to empty your wallet for incredible city views, world-class art, and tasty cheap eats. So grab a handful of euros and come along as we tour across Europe.

Budget tips for traveling in Europe

• Buying a SIM Card in Europe: The cheapest way to use a smartphone while traveling
• Planning a trip to Europe? Avoid these 10 costly mistakes
• 8 Tips for finding cheap flights to Europe

50 Things to do in Europe on the cheap

To give you a taste of some of the best deals around Europe, we’ve gathered a list of some of our favorite things to do for €5 or less — even in pricier cities like Paris, London, and Rome. Check them out, organized by city below.

Paris

A trip to the City of Light is priceless. And pricey! One way to save is to stay at one of our favorite budget hotels in Paris. When it’s time to explore the city, stick to these cheap things to do in Paris:

1. Go treasure hunting at the world’s largest flea market

Bargain hunt at the world’s largest flea market, Paris’ Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. This seven-hectare behemoth showcases everything from antiques to second-hand books, but you’ll have to haggle (ideally in flawless French) for the best price. On the bright side, there’s no admission charge.

Related: Guide to shopping at the top flea markets in Paris

2. See world-famous art for free

Tour Paris’ most famous museums for free on first Sundays. Choose from the Louvre, the Musée de Orsay or Centre Pompidou for free (on first Sundays October through March). If you can’t make a first Sunday work, head to the studio of sculptor Constantin Brancusi (next door to Pompidou Centre) for a free option.

3. Picnic in the park with gourmet goodies

Pick up €5 worth of your favorite French delicacies at your market of choice and get away from it all at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in Paris’s Belleville neighborhood. Wander winding paths through lush greenery to find tranquil temples and striking waterfalls and cliffs. Or if you’re short on time, head to the Jardin du Luxembourg instead. Home to the first model of the Statue of Liberty, and within stumbling distance of city center, it’s gorgeous, if admittedly, a little less tranquil.

Related: 8 Great picnic spots in Paris

4. Take a selfie with sweeping views

Stroll through Montmartre all the way up to Sacre Coeur for sweeping views of the city. While you’re up there, don’t miss the Love Wall, where you can snap a selfie in front of the words “I Love You” in hundreds of languages.

5. Enjoy an outdoor film with a glass of wine

A movie and a bottle of red in the park? Yes, please. Make the most of summer in Paris by catching a free film at Parc de la Villette July and August. Make sure to grab a nice bottle of wine for €3 or less in a supermarket beforehand to keep you company. If you’re feeling really spendy, spring for a chair at €7.

6. Explore Paris’ largest cemetery

Père Lachaise is a joy to wander. Search out the tombs of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison among 100 acres of funerary art. Come at closing time to hear the guards ringing the bells, so you don’t get locked in for the night!

London

We love London but we don’t always love the exchange rate! Add these affordable things to do to your itinerary and check out our list of budget hotels in Central London.

7. Get one of London’s best vistas for free

Take a stroll across the Millennium Bridge over the Thames after the sun goes down to see the city all lit up. Right in front of you is the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral. And you won’t have to worry about traffic because the bridge is for pedestrians only.

8. Tour the Old Royal Naval College

Head to Greenwich to visit this riverside masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren for free — open between 10 am and 5 pm (grounds from 8 am to 11 pm). You can even book a free 45-minute guided walk with a visit to the Victorian Skittle Alley, where you can learn to play a game with wooden cannonballs originally designed to entertain naval retirees.

9. Go back in time with a glimpse of Londinium

Make a point of seeking out the bits and pieces of London’s Roman wall that remain. Intended to keep the city safe by controlling access in and out, it’s all but disappeared but there’s a big piece at Tower Hill Station with the tower of London in the background. For more head to Historic UK’s piece on the walk complete with a map of stops on the route.

10. Visit the Bishop’s seat

Want a very historic but less crowded alternative to Buckingham Palace? Head to Fulham Place, a short walk from Putney Bridge Underground Station, home to the Bishop’s seat of London for over 1,300 years, with the oldest part of the current buildings dating back to 1495. Admission is free daily.

Related: 10 Tips for riding the Tube like a local

11. See the largest Catholic building in England & Wales

Skip the steep admission charge at Westminster Abbey in Favor of Westminster Cathedral. The striking neo-Byzantine building with its golden mosaics and red and white exterior is open to the public free of charge.

12. Examine priceless documents at the British Library

Get a closer look at the Magna Carta, original drawings by Da Vinci, and handwritten song lyrics by John Lennon for free at the British Library.

13. Spend a rainy day touring the British Museum

While all of the British Museum’s permanent collections are free and offer free tours, talks, and activities, we’d still recommend you make a donation as your budget allows. €5 to see the amazing artifacts and exhibits seem like a steal to us.

Related: 20 Free museums to see in London

14. Grab a snack at Camden Market

Sure, it’s very popular with tourists, but that doesn’t mean there are no deals to be had at Camden Market. You can still find a snack and some trinkets for a few pounds, you’ve just got to keep your eyes peeled. For a flat white and a slice of cake for around £5 — yes we know that depending on the exchange rate that’s a bit more than €5 — try the Coffee Jar, a few minutes on foot from the Market.

15. Graffiti hunt on Brick Lane

Brick Lane is the destination for London’s best street art. Afterwards, stick around for inexpensive Asian eats.

16. Fill up on cereal for breakfast

Starting at £2.60, you can fill a bowl up at Cereal Killer Café. They have all kinds from around the world. Or voyage back in time to your childhood and munch on pop tarts. Folks on a shoestring should stick to regular milk and British cereals for the best price.

17. Shop for books on the water

At Words on the Water, regularly priced paperbacks start at £3 pounds and make a great gift — you can impress the recipient by telling them that you bought it on a 100-year-old Dutch barge with a wood-burning stove floating on a London Canal.

18. Sip tea for free

Sample a cup of Twinings best teas while browsing the Twinings Tea Shop and Museum, the oldest tea shop in London.

19. Browse the wares at world’s oldest toy store

There are over 50,000 toys on seven floors at the historic Hamley’s location on Regent Street.

Related: A Budget guide to shopping in London

20.  See Shakespeare on a budget

Grab a standing-room-only ticket for £5 at the modern replica of the Globe Theatre next door to the Tate Modern.

Rome

The Eternal City can be eternally expensive. Check in at one of the best affordable hotels in Rome and read up on our tips for saving in Italy, then head out to these affordable attractions. You’ll have plenty of euros left over for pasta and wine!

21. Look up in the Pantheon

The largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built is now a Catholic church dedicated to St. Mary and is free to visit. Yes, the Pantheon is worth a visit!

22. Gaze at masterpieces by Michelangelo for free

Queue up to see Michelangelo’s Pietà at St. Peter’s Basilica or head to Basilica di San Pietro at the Vatican instead and see a very buff Moses, also by the master in this 5th-century church.

Related: 10 Ways to save time and money at the Vatican

23. Ensure your return to Rome for spare change

Throw a coin into Trevi Fountain to guarantee you’ll be back to the eternal city — the value of the coin is up to you — but make sure to throw it over your shoulder with your back facing the fountain.

24. Explore a cemetery in Rome

Make your way to Cimitero Acattolico and find the final resting place of famous poets Keats and Shelley.

25. Savor a scoop of gelato

Whatever the time of year, or neighborhood you’re in, chances are you can have two scoops of gelato for €5 or less. So go ahead, indulge your sweet tooth. When in Rome….

26. Check out a Colosseum clone

You might want to skip the Colosseum in favor of a near replica, Teatro de Marcello, an ancient stadium that offers free entry without the crowds. If you must head to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, do it on the first Sunday of the month when it’s free, along with all state museums in Rome.

Related: 25 Free things to do in Rome

27. Enjoy free food with an aperitivo

Romans don’t like to drink on an empty stomach, so most local bars offer a happy hour or aperitivo — where an alcoholic beverage is the price of admission to a buffet of local treats. We like Freni and Frizioni with wine from €5.

28. Sip drinks by the fountain

Want to drink like a budget-conscious local? BYOB to Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. Just be forewarned, while enforcement is fairly lax, open containers are only legal until 10 pm. Get your wine for €5 or less at any supermarket during regular business hours of you’ll be stuck going to a 24-hour shop that is substantially more expensive.

Churros and chocolate is a Barcelona tradition you can enjoy for just a few euros. Photo: yosoynuts

Barcelona

Millions of visitors flock to Barcelona for good reason — the city is absolutely beautiful and the price is right if you stick to our cheapo tips. Save even more on your hotel bill at these top budget hotels in Barcelona. Need even more ideas? Read our Budget Travel Guide to Barcelona.

29. Treat yourself to churros and chocolate

Savor a rich cup of hot chocolate, the consistency of pudding, with a batch of freshly fried Churros on Peritxol Street in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. For atmosphere, service, and price, our favorite is Granja Dulcinea where a cup of chocolate and a small order of churros will run you just under €5. Don’t worry if you can’t make it there because most of the joints along this street are good.

Related: Cheapo guide to the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona

30. Wander the grounds at Barcelona’s oldest park

While the Garden Labyrinth is a little out of the way, these sprawling gardens with a neoclassical labyrinth featured in the movie, Perfume, are a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city center.  Admission is around €2 and free on Sundays and Wednesdays. The park is occasionally closed for maintenance, so be sure to check that it’s open before making the trip – it’s a bit of a trek.

31. Try a different kind of Spanish omelet

Have a slice of eggplant omelet and a beer at El Ombu, a neighborhood bar in Eixample. This hearty snack will run around €5, depending on the size of your beer. If they’re out of the eggplant omelet — by far their best tapa, try their tasty housemade ham croquettes. But if you’re snacking alone, ask for a half order. Check our more cheap eats in Barcelona.

32. Take in Spain’s best medieval art collection for free

The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is free Saturday after 3 pm and the first Sunday of every month. It features furniture designed by none other than Gaudí. Want to see moreGaudí? Check out our guides to Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, and Casa Batlló.

33. Climb up Turó de la Rovira

At the top of Turó de la Rovira, get an eyeful of Barcelona from a distance and check out the Carmel Bunkers — a battery built to defend the city from air attacks in 1938.

34. Barter for bargains at flea markets

For €5 or less, find something cool to take home at El Rastro de la Virgén in Raval or Els Encants in Glories. In both spots the key to a successful transaction is knowing what you’re willing to spend, offering less, and being prepared to walk away and circle back around. Bonus points and faster negotiation for folks who can manage to do so in Spanish or Catalan.

Related: 7 Phrases in Spanish to help you save in Barcelona

35. Take the Elevator to the top of Barcelona’s Gothic Cathedral

Time it right and you’re in for a sunset to remember for the bargain price of €3 from the roof of Catedral de Barcelona.

36.  See 17th and 18th-century ruins for free

at El Borne Centre de Cultura I Memòria

They were buried under El Borne’s market for centuries. If you’d like a closer look and guided visit—tours start at €5.50, depending on the day and information presented.

37. Taste one of Barcelona’s best kebabs

Kebabs are a popular street food in Barcelona. We recommend Bismilla Kebabish that serves up Shawarma with housemade pita bread from €3.50. We also like the Durum; it’s thinner bread that’s stuffed, rolled up,  and served burrito-style.

This view from the Reichstag is free… as long as you book in advance! Photo: Maria

Berlin

Cheapos have been flocking to Berlin for years because a lot of the best things to do are free! For a cheap and central hotel room, check out our favorite accommodations in Berlin and read up on our 50 best tips for saving in Germany.

38. Visit the German Parliament for free

This building designed by Norman Foster is a highlight of Berlin. You’ll have to book tickets before you go since it’s free and very popular, but it’s worth it to take a tour of the top of the Reichstag including an audio guide and excellent views of Berlin.

Related: How to save at Berlin’s top 10 attractions

39. Get up close and personal with the Berlin Wall

The East Side Gallery is not only the longest remaining section of the Berlin wall, it’s also an open-air art museum covered in murals. Want to learn more about the Wall? Read our 10 ways to explore the history of the Berlin Wall.

40. Visit Berlin’s Daimler Art Collection

This contemporary art museum is always free and features exhibits showcasing artists from around the world. If you need more affordable attractions, here’s a list of 15 museums that are free or under €10.

40. Buy a Berlin souvenir for less

Head to the Berlin flea markets for the best deals. Weekends only, check out Akronaplatz (for vintage wares) or amble over to Mauerpark for beer and people-watching with a more eclectic selection of goods.

Related: Tips for saving big on shopping on your trip to Berlin

42. Pose for pictures with the Brandenburg Gate

Easily the most iconic landmark in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate was originally erected as a royal city gate and topped with a sculpture of the winged goddess of victory driving a chariot. Before the city was reunified, people used to climb it to get a glimpse of the world behind the Iron Curtain and the wall.

43. Try Berlin’s most iconic dish

Most often eaten from food stalls on the street, Currywurst is a hot dog sliced and doused in spicy, curried ketchup that can be had almost anywhere in Berlin for around €2.50. At that price, you can even add fries! But whatever you do, be sure to order it boiled and naked (as in without skin) for the best texture.

Hop on Lisbon Tram #28 for a cheap tour of the city. Photo: Miroslav

Lisbon

As you stroll around Lisbon, check out these free or cheap attractions to see art, tour the city, or try the local cuisine. Use our list of favorite cheap hotels in Lisbon to save even more.

44. Admire art by world-renowned artists for a few euros

At Colecção Berardo in the Lisbon suburb, Belèm, you can gaze on masterpieces by Picasso, Dalí, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, and Mark Rothko for the bargain price of €5 or free on Saturdays.

45. See Lisbon’s Archeological nucleus

This relatively tiny but fascinating museum, Nùcleo museológico do Millenium BCP, is off the radar for most visitors, despite its location in the center of Lisbon’s Baixa neighborhood.That said, you will have to reserve ahead of time — guided visits are twice a week but the collection is worth the effort because it includes Roman-era fish tanks and the wooden pillars that keep central Lisbon from sinking and disappearing into oblivion.

Related: The best free things to do in Lisbon

46. Barter for Lisbon’s treasures at Feira de Ladra

Tuesday and Saturday mornings are perfect for people watching and bargain hunting at Feira de Ladra, a flea market selling everything from broken electronics to antiques from around Portugal and its former colonies.

47. Get on the water

For €1.25 each way, get a different vantage point of Lisbon on the ferry across the Tagus River from one of the two main terminals Cais do Sodre or Terreiro do Paço. On the other side, find a beer and seafood joint in Cacilhas (a traditional fisherman’s neighborhood) or grab bus 101 to the Cristo Rei statue.

48. Fill your plate on the cheap

Head to the Portuguese supermarket chain, Pingo Doce, for cheap eats. Many of these stores, like the one in Rossio in the city center, have a café that offers inexpensive local fare sold by the weight — for €5 you’ll get plenty, and if you’re really starving, double that, and you’ll get a multi-course meal with wine! Oh, an always ask for tap water with your order—it’s free, and locals do it too. Still hungry? Check out our tips for dining in Lisbon on a budget.

49. Tram around town

Hop tram 28 in Baixa and ride it all the way to the end of the line to take in the city’s best sights. You’ll go through historical Graça and Bairro Alto, finally hopping off at Estrela Basilica, built to commemorate the birth of a son and heir by Portugal’s Queen Maria I. A one-way ticket is a steal at €2.90. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.

50. Escape Lisbon for the day

Get away from Lisbon’s bustling old town for a few hours. For €4.30 round trip, you can choose between the beachy fishing town, Cascais, or to the fairy-tale castle in Sintra, or for the price, if you have time, we’d recommend doing both. Check out this Sintra, Cascais and Coimbra itinerary for more details.

Your favorite cheap things to do in Europe

What are your favorite things to do in Europe for €5 or less? Have we left anything out? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 50 Things to do in Europe for €5 or less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.