Manhattan Basics

The long, slender island of Manhattan is broken into neighborhoods in an organized, sensible way. Uptown is north, downtown is south, the west side hugs the Hudson River (next stop: New Jersey), and the east side flanks the East River with landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge.

Each neighborhood has its own character and attracts different kinds of people. Are you right for the Lower East Side, Hell’s Kitchen, TriBeCa, or somewhere in between? Decide after consulting these neighborhood descriptions.

Staying in the blocks near Central Park South gives you easy access to the park and to Midtown. Photo: Nouhailler

Central Park South

This micro-neighborhood—squeezed between the southern edge of Central Park and the much more bustling Theater District—is just about the dead center of Manhattan. Some people will choose this locale from 55th to 59th Street for close proximity to Central Park’s bike trails or sunbathing meadows, while others want to be near landmarks like Carnegie Hall and a variety of subway lines.

For nightlife, boutique shopping, and intimate restaurants—go elsewhere.

The High Line, an elevated outdoor park, draws throngs of tourists and locals to the west side of Chelsea. Photo: Michaeltk

Chelsea

Once you’ve seen the major midtown landmarks, you might want to get a feel for local neighborhoods instead. Chelsea, on the west side just north of the West Village, is home to blocks of historic brownstones, a thriving gallery scene, and a variety of businesses that cater to the local gay community.

One Chelsea highlight is the High Line, an old elevated train track that has been converted into a park with Hudson River views. This sophisticated neighborhood appeals to creative types seeking the latest in art and style.

Hotel suggestions: Try the Chelsea Inn or the Inn on 23rd.

East Village

The East Village may have shed some of its edgy reputation in recent decades, but it’s still one of Manhattan’s best hubs for cheap eats, rowdy bars, and affordable stores. These days you are just as likely to find a proper cocktail (with a proper price tag to match) as a cheap beer, but that’s part of today’s East Village appeal.

If late night pizza by the slice, noodle bars full of local NYU students, and streets with quirky characters sounds right up your alley—go with the East Village. Some streets may have been somewhat dodgy in the past, but are now safe.

Hotel suggestions: Try St. Marks Hotel or East Village Bed and Coffee.

Greenwich Village and West Village

There is a distinct energy in Greenwich Village, from the musicians playing in Washington Square Park to the cafés, used book stores, and cheap ethnic restaurants that cater to local NYU students. Late night the volume gets turned up a bit too loud around Bleecker and MacDougal streets, so visit during the day.

Or simply cross 7th Avenue into the West Village, home to some of Manhattan’s most charming (and confusing) streets, local bars, literary history, and every type of restaurant imaginable. Affordable hotel choices are slim, but worth investigating, as most New Yorkers dream of one day moving in to that perfect West Village apartment.

Hotel suggestions: Try the Jane Hotel or the Larchmont Hotel.

Hell’s Kitchen

The story of the westernmost area of Midtown is the story of ever-changing New York City: one of the least desirable neighborhoods is now red hot. The turf wars and crime scenes are gone from Hell’s Kitchen, with trendy wine bars and restaurants serving small plates taking over. If you want your New York with a bit of grit, it still exists in Hell’s Kitchen. Locals have followed the shiny new condos and promising young chefs into the neighborhood. For some of the best cheapo shopping in the city, check out the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market.

Hotel suggestions: Try Hotel 414 or Yotel.

Lower East Side

A former tenement neighborhood full of immigrants, the Lower East Side is in a state of flux. Here, boutique hotels are located across the street from penny candy stores. Stylish young people share the streets with a new wave of immigrants and young families.

This is a neighborhood for the hungry: Eat your way through the Essex Street Market, tackle a huge pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Deli, or sample a classic New York sandwich of lox on a bagel at historic Russ and Daughters. Nightlife and live music thrive all week long here, with plenty of during-the-day things to do like exploring the Tenement Museum.

Hotel suggestions: Try Hotel East Houston or SoHotel.

Midtown East / Murray Hill

Stretching from Fifth Avenue east to the river, Midtown East is a neighborhood of skyscrapers filled with businesses. Visitors are drawn here by the iconic sights—Grand Central Terminal, the New York Public Library, the United Nations—but local character is just about absent. Sure, bars and restaurants are packed at Happy Hour with people just off work, but later the streets can feel a bit deserted. Stay here for a convenient, quiet base between downtown and midtown attractions, just don’t expect charming cafés and pretty brownstones.

Hotel suggestions: Try the Pod Hotel.

SoHo and TriBeCa

Short for “South of Houston,” SoHo has morphed from an artist’s enclave to upscale shopper’s paradise, but it is still home to some of the prettiest cobbled streets in the city. Scamper down Crosby Street to browse at the Housing Works Bookstore, stop into the Balthazar Bakery for the perfect croissant, or venture into west SoHo and check out the ‘hood’s Italian background at small shops like Alidoro for sandwiches or Joe’s Dairy for mozzarella made daily.

Short for Triangle Below Canal, TriBeCa is also home to cobbled, non-numbered streets that feel like a neighborhood. Expect to see mothers pushing strollers towards the farmer’s market as well as financial types stopping into the excellent local restaurants on their lunch break. An artistic background and a sophisticated edge combine in TriBeCa, where wine bars and new restaurants are opening at a quick pace. Nearby Chinatown is great for cheap eats. Both neighborhoods offer nightlife, but aren’t as rowdy (or young) as neighboring Lower East Side or East Village.

Hotel suggestions: Try Hotel Azure.

Staying near Times Square gives you easy access to theaters, Central Park, and lots of subways. Photo: Gane

Times Square / Theater District

Congestion is the best single word to describe Times Square and the Theater District. Many visitors think they want to stay here—especially with sights like the Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, and Broadway theaters nearby—but clogged streets might make you think twice.

A better option might be to plan a visit to see the neon lights and electronic billboards, but choose a more local neighborhood instead. That being said, depending on the time of year, there are great deals to be found in the Times Square area, and the escape of Central Park is close by.

Hotel suggestions: Try the Ameritania or the Milford.

Union Square / Gramercy

If you want upscale, local, and somewhat quiet, set your sights on Union Square or Gramercy. Union Square is home to one of New York’s most beloved greenmarkets, a source of both delicious picnic supplies and entertaining people watching. Victorian townhouses line the leafy streets of Gramercy, along with a few historic pubs and dependable, small restaurants. With the East Village on its fringe, nightlife isn’t too far away from this quiet area.

Hotel suggestions: Try Ye Olde Carlton Arms Hotel.

Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is truly its own world, one where wealth is pretty normal and every block is home to a Chanel, Armani, or similar caliber store. However, beyond this façade is a local neighborhood, with small coffee shops, excellent bakeries, and some of the city’s best museums along Museum Mile. If you want to spend your days between the sunny paths of Central Park and the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Upper East Side is a decent choice, but nightlife is pretty nonexistent and restaurants can be pricey. Keep in mind, the UES is a few short express subway stops away from a downtown neighborhood.

Upper West Side to Harlem

On the opposite side of the park, the Upper West Side is the down-to-earth sibling of its eastern neighbor. This residential area has historic bagel shops and classic food stores like Zabar’s, along with landmarks such as Lincoln Center and the Natural History Museum. Central Park is never too far away, and unlike the Upper East Side, affordable restaurant choices like Shake Shack are firmly rooted in the neighborhood.

At the northern stretches of Central Park is Harlem, a changing neighborhood that is attracting ever-more attention for its restaurants. These brownstone-lined streets often offer good bang for your buck.

Hotel suggestions: Try Harlem Flophouse.

The post New York City: Which neighborhood is right for your trip? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The streets were filled with experimental theater and art projects. Those in the know frequented hidden, illegal bars and impromptu jazz concerts taking place in the ruins of old factory buildings.

However, such underground hipness is now a thing of the past. Mitte has long since been gentrified and commands some of the highest rents in the city, meaning that, these days, the occupant of a spacious apartment on Rosenthaler Strasse is far more likely to be a media mogul than a starving ceramicist.

A subway stop in Mitte. Photo: Oh-Berlin.com

Located in the center of Berlin (Mitte means “middle” in English), the neighborhood is now also a hotspot for tourists, with many hostels, hotels, and vacation apartments to choose from. If you notice any of the locals grumbling, don’t take it personally. Because of the neighborhood’s popularity, it’s likely they were disturbed yet again at 5 am by the sound of suitcase wheels being dragged across cobblestones on their way to an early morning flight at Schönefeld Airport — a constant complaint of anyone who lives in Mitte.

EuroCheapo’s Mitte budget travel guide

But, all this aside, Mitte is still one of the most fascinating and historic parts of the city and well worth a visit. To help you best explore the neighborhood, we’ve put together a Mitte budget travel guide, comprised of the following tips to save on sleeping, eating and sightseeing.

Stay in the thick of the action in Mitte at Hotel 38.

Sleep for less in Mitte

Staying in Mitte puts you within walking distance of many of the top sightseeing spots, the Museumsinsel (Museum Island), grand buildings (like the Reichstag), and close to public transportation. Because it’s such a popular location, Mitte has lots of great hostels and hotels at a nice price for all you bargain hunters. You can search hotels in Mitte on EuroCheapo for rooms starting as low as $49.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Hotel 38
Nestled right in the heart of Mitte, this 3-star hotel features sleek rooms in a turn-of-the-century building. Layouts vary from tiny to spacious, but all rooms feature flat-screen TVs and come with a free breakfast. Double rooms start at around $90.

art’otel berlin mitte
Blending local art with modern decor, this 4-star hotel doesn’t look like a typical cheapo stay at first glance. However, if you book in advance, you can find “Art Double Rooms” for around $100. Join the diverse crowd of artists, tourists, and musicians for a fun Berlin experience!

Culture on the cheap

No doubt about it, if you’re a museum junkie, Mitte is the place for you. Museum Island alone has five major museums, including the Pergamon Museum. Even if you’re not in the mood for any art or culture, the island is worth a stroll for the views it offers over the Spree River as you cross one of the picturesque bridges.

Other museums here include the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) and Alte National Galerie, as well as the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial), which is free of charge. And don’t forget to visit the Naturkundemuseum (Museum of Natural History), home to the wildly popular T-Rex skeleton named Tristan — and a steal at only €8 for adults and €5 for children and students.

Related: 15 Berlin museums for free or under €10

Tips on how to save on culture

If you’re planning to visit several of the major museums in Mitte, you may want to look into buying the Berlin Museum Pass to save on admission fees.

The neighborhood is also home to several museums free of charge, including Tränenpalast and the Topography of Terror, and many museums with an admission fee of under €10 euros, such as the art museum Berlinische Galerie, Berlin’s city museum Märkisches Museum, and the Museum für Kommunikation, the interactive communications museum which offers plenty of fun for all ages.

Checkpoint Charlie is worth a quick (and free) look. Photo: Craig Nelson

Tourist attractions for less

In Mitte, you’ll also find many of Berlin’s major non-museum tourist attractions. These include:

• the world famous Brandenburg Gate
• the Night of Shame Monument on Bebelplatz, in remembrance of the infamous Nazi book burning ceremonies that once took place there
• Deutscher Dom, Berlin’s largest church,
• Gendarmenmarkt, a square filled with architectural masterpieces designed by the famous German architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, among others
• the Reichstag building with its modern glass dome
• the haunting Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, whose columns are easy to get lost in
• and Checkpoint Charlie, the former east-west border checkpoint during the Cold War era

Luckily most of the attractions listed above are free to visit and admire. Although several of the building on Gendarmenmarkt charge admission, as does the Deutscher Dom and the museum at Checkpoint Charlie, in most cases a peek from outside is all you need to get a feel for the place and, of course, won’t cost you a dime.

Shopping in Mitte

Berlin’s major shopping street, Friedrichstrasse, is lined with chain stores like H&M as well as high fashion boutiques by the likes of Gucci, Prada, and so on. You’ll also find several shopping malls and department stores near Potsdamer Platz and Alexanderplatz.

If you’re more in the mood to browse small, fashionable boutiques and design stores, check out Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Strasse, and Tor Strasse. Although you’re not likely to find many bargains in any of these areas, they do boast unique shops that are fun to browse. And window shopping is always free!

Tips on how to save on shopping

Avoid the touristy shops on Unter den Linden. You can find all the typical tourist ware and souvenirs at most department stores in Berlin at a slightly lower price.

Germany also still follows two standard yearly sales, Sommerschlussverkauf, the official summer sale, and Winterschlussverkauf, the official winter sale. Although the actual dates can vary year to year, the summer sale is usually for two weeks in July, and the winter sale for two weeks in February. During these sales, you’ll find many deals and discounts at both big box stores as well as little independent shops.

Our tip: Some of the best deals can be found a few weeks after each sale when unsold sale goods are marked down even further.

Cheap food & drink in Mitte

Like many touristy districts around the world, Mitte is not the best place in the city to search for cheap eats. Many of the restaurants and bars are overpriced and mediocre, particularly around the major tourist centers, such as Friedrichstrasse, Potsdamer Platz, and Alexanderplatz. You’ve been warned!

A few cheap eats we recommend are:

• Co Co Banh Mi Deli (Rosenthaler Str. 2), a popular place for Vietnamese sandwiches
• Dada Falafel (Lininenstrasse 132), which makes one of the city’s best falafel sandwiches
• Gaststätte Suppengrün (Inselstrasse 1a), a lunch-only café with many fresh and delicious homemade soups and salads on offer for around €5. Although the café is standing room only, when the weather is good you can take your food to go and enjoy it in the lovely park around the corner near Märkisches Museum, once home to two actual bears housed in a small, outdoor cage.

Tips on how to save on eating out

If you do get hungry in one of the more touristy areas, head for a bakery or German grocery store. Bakeries in Mitte all offer small sandwiches and salads for less than €5 and many grocery stores (located in the basement floor of every mall) also sell pre-packaged snacks and meals, as well as beer.

For less than a euro, you can grab a beer to pop open and sip or gulp down on the go.

Your Mitte tips

Have some tips to add about saving on your trip to Berlin’s Mitte neighborhood? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post A Budget guide to Mitte, the heart of Berlin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Although the saying doesn’t have the same ring in English as it does in German, it still gives you a good feel for the differences between the two areas: SO36 still has a gritty, punky vibe and attracts a younger party crowd while 61 is a quieter, more gentrified oasis popular with hipsters, urban families, and those 30 or over.

Known as the “third largest Turkish city”, Kreuzberg also has a thriving Turkish community, particularly SO36. Here are some budget-friendly travel tips for the two areas of the neighborhood.

Kreuzberg SO36

Getting there: Take the U-Bahn to stations Kottbusser Tor (U-8/U-1 lines), Görlitzer Bahnhof (U-1 line) and Schlesiches Tor (U-1 line)

Free and affordable things to do

The streets Oranienstrasse and Adalbertstraße make up the heart of SO36. They are located directly at the U-Bahn station Kottbusser Tor, which is affectionately called “Kotti” by locals. Take a stroll around the area and browse through the funky clothing stores and Turkish shops. For a little urban culture, check out the street art and graffiti covering many of the walls.

Museums
Two nicely-priced cultural highlights are Museum der Dinge, a design museum for everyday objects from the 20th and 21st century (admission price: €6), and the Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain (FHBX) Museum, a museum chronicling the history of the neighborhood, which is free of charge.

Catch a film
Located around the corner, the Babylon movie theater often shows original language films with subtitles (called “OmU” in German). To save on the regular admission fee (about €8), go on Mondays, when tickets only cost €6.50.

Historic Park
The park Görlitzer Park once housed a large train station, Görlitzer Bahnhof, which was destroyed during the war. You can still see some of the ruins in the main field, popular with Frisbee players, picnicking hipsters and students lounging with a beer and one hand and a cigarette in the other.

Although the park has had drug problems in recent years, the Children’s Farm is still very popular with kids and families. Hang a right when you get off at the U-Bahn station Schlesisches Tor for more cafes and bars with a hip, 20-something crowd.

Cheap Eats

Luckily, you’ll find many cheap eats around Oranienstrasse, Wienerstrasse (near Görlitzer Park) and Schlesisches Tor. Some of the best options under €5 euros include:

• Tadim (Adalbertstr. 98), a Turkish fast food restaurant with great kebab and Lahmacun, a.k.a. “Turkish” pizza
• Maroush (Adalbertstr. 93), a Lebanese place with great falafel and chicken shwarma sandwiches
• Spätzleexpress (Wiener Str. 11), a small restaurant serving Spätzle and Maultaschen, two tasty noodle treats from the Swabian region in Southern Germany
• Rissani (Spreewald platz 4-6), another great Lebanese restaurant which is more of a sit-down place than Maroush.
• If you’re jonesing for a burger and fries, check out Burgermeister (Oberbaumstr. 8), conveniently located under the elevated u-bahn tracks at Schlesisches Tor.

Nightlife

If you’re in the mood to party, then SO36 is the place to be. Dozens of bars and cafes line the streets around all three U-bahn stops.

If you’re in the mood for an urban, industrial vibe mixed in with a little kitsch (there’s a weeping Virgin Mary projection on the wall) all packed in a gay-friendly atmosphere, then check out Möbelolfe (Reichenberger Str. 177).

Franken (Oranienstr. 19a) is an unpretentious watering hole with a punky edge and Wild at Heart (Wiener Straße 20) is a well-known punk rock and rockabilly bar.

The club SO36 (Oranienstr. 190) on Oranienstrasse offers live shows as well as regular events like a Monday after work skate night and Kiezbingo (neighborhood bingo).

Kreuzberg 61 (aka “Bergmannkiez”)

Getting There: Take the U-Bahn to stations Südstern, Gneisenaustrasse and Mehringdamm (U-7 line) or stations Hallesches Tor and Prinzenstrasse (U-1 line)

Playing bocce in Kreuzberg’s Viktoriapark. Photo: Eugene K

Free and affordable things to do

If Oranienstrasse is Kreuzberg’s punk rock wild child, then Bergmannstrasse is its tamer, older sister. Popular with tourist, the street is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Cemeteries
At the quieter, leafy green section of Bergmannstrasse (close to U-7 Südstern station) you’ll find the large cemetery, Friedrichswerder Friedhof II. The cemetery has many old graves from the 18th and 19th century with impressive statues and headstones. Head up the hill and you’ll also find many mausoleums in a glorious state of gothic decay.

The cemetery at Hallesches Tor has many beautiful Art Nouveau graves and is the final resting place of the classical composers Mendelssohn and Brahms, and the German poet E.T.A Hoffmann.

Canals and window shopping
A walk along the Landwehrkanal is also an absolute must. In the summer, the banks along the canal are full with young people picnicking or popping open a beer or two. It also leads to Gräfekiez, the upscale, stylish part of 61. Although the designer boutiques are not priced with the budget traveler in mind, Dieffenbachstrasse and Gräfestrasse are still worth a peek and a little window shopping.

Parks
Kreuzberg 61 is also home to two parks, Volkspark Hasenheide and Viktoriapark. Located on one of Berlin’s only hills, Viktoriapark is also home to the Nationaldenkmal für die Befreiungskriege (National Monument for the Liberation Wars), which offers great views over the city.

Cheap Eats

Like SO36, Kreuzberg 61 has a wide range of cafes and restaurants, although they tend to be a bit more expensive. But there are still plenty of great cheap eat options.

• The Marheinike Markthalle (Marheinekepl. 15), a large market hall located at the corner of Bermannstrasse and Zossenerstrasse, has plenty of food stands where you can get lunch or dinner at a nice price.
• Curry 36, (Mehringdamm 36) a snack bar near U-7 Mehringdamm has arguably the best curry wurst and fries in the city and is just up the street from the ever-popular Mustafa’s Vegetable Kebab stand (Mehringdamm 32).
• The King of Falafel (Urbanstr. 68) also has fabulous falafel as well as lesser known vegetarian and vegan treats.

Related: Best Berlin cheap eats from currywurst to falafel

Nightlife

If you’re in the mood to party, SO36 is a better option. Still, Kreuzberg 61 does have a few highlights:

• Bad Kreuzberg (Blücherstr. 17) is an unpretentious dive bar which offers free pretzels and peanuts with drinks.
• Junction Bar (Gneisenaustr.18) is a basement club for jazz and blues with a no-frills pub on top.
• Minibar (Graefestr. 77) is a small-but-cozy option in Gräfekiez.
• Die Legende von Paula & Ben (Gneisenaustr. 58) is a nice neighborhood place with a friendly vibe.

Sleep for cheap

Looking for a hotel to be near the action in Kreuzberg? Check out our Kreuzberg listings for local hotels and hostels with rates starting as low as $39 for a double room.

The post Berlin: Kreuzberg’s best affordable sights, bars and restaurants appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You’ll find a wide and colorful range of items on offer, from fashion, design and secondhand shops, as well as everyday necessities and luxuries, that you simply can’t buy anywhere else.

To get a feel for this up and coming district, we asked three Hamburg residents to share their tips for visiting this very cool neighborhood.

Annete Rufeger’s boutique offers locally designed fashions in a stylish setting.

Delicious lunch, coffee and shopping in the Schanze

Annette Rufeger has been selling clothing designs under her own label in the Schanze since 1997. A large portion of her fashions are made right in Hamburg in her studio; when she’s not there, you can talk to the designer herself at her retail location at Bartelstrasse 2.

Annette’s Secrets:

• Tasty lunch: Polokantine is my dear neighbor on Bartelstrasse, and serves up the tastiest lunch in the entire Schanze. Katja Ledebrink makes everything from the freshest ingredients: casseroles, a different pasta dish everyday and slow food with seasonal vegetables that please vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Her salads are unbelievably diverse and creatively assembled. Simply fantastic! (Bartelsstraße 26)

• Espresso bar: Juwelier is a comfortable specialty food shop and cafe. I especially love their espresso bar that serves homemade schnittchen (sandwiches), delicious coffee and homemade treats that can be taken away or even packaged as a gift. The restaurant, open evenings, is just as delicious—but due to its small size, reservations are recommended. (Weidenallee 27/29)

• Retro frames: Six Million Glasses is my hot tip for eyewear! This retro-styled shop invites you in to try on their stylish and well-made frames. It’s possible to lose track of time while testing various pairs of glasses from across the decades. The owners are brothers with a true passion for their business. I regularly borrow glasses for my fashion shoots from them! (Schulterblatt 3)

Anna Golightly is a must-visit shop along Marktstrasse.

Italian eats, organic coffee and unique gifts in Marktstrasse

Anna Jakob runs Anna Golightly, a design and accessories store featuring handmade and one-of-a-kind articles. Especially eye-catching are items such as pillows made from colorful textiles, including a number of vintage prints. Her shop just celebrated its eighth birthday at Marktstrasse 147 .

Anna’s Advice:

• Italian food: Guests at Cento Lire are warmly welcomed by their host Antonio. Delicious, fresh Italian food is served in a perfect Mediterranean ambiance, both indoors or out. Reservations are recommended on weekend nights and during convention weeks, and always plan to pay in cash! (Karolinenstrasse 12)

• Organic cafe: De zmarten Panter is a popular neighborhood cafe serving snacks, cakes, sandwiches and good coffee. Their entire menu is organic and their staff is especially friendly. All orders are placed at and retrieved from the counter—come early on sunny days to score a people-watching seat on the beloved wooden benches out front. (Marktstrasse 3)

• Unique gifts: Gisela Aguire’s Kunsthaltestelle offers a rich selection of gifts and items for daily use, from the artful to the kitschy, from jewelry to housewares and decorations. Her shop displays a large number of unique prints and the last Friday of every month hosts an exhibition opening for various local artists. (Marktstrasse 147)

Hallo Frau Nachbar is a monthly flea market with art, food, fashion and more.

Flea markets, cakes and fashionistas in Karo

Dannie Quilitzsch is a sustainability and communications consultant and an organizer of the monthly Hallo Frau Nachbar Market. Bringing together artists, producers and independent marketeers from the district, the market offers regional home- and handmade items as well as delicious gastronomical offerings from local culinary specialists. Neighbors enjoy gathering in the Schanze-Höfe the first Sunday of every month, with live music and special programming for children guaranteeing young and old alike forget themselves and simply soak up the atmosphere. (Lagerstrasse 30a)

Dannie’s Tips:

• Watch out for Sunday: The Karo district is an enduring Hamburg favorite of mine. There are so many little boutiques, cute cafes and comfy bars to fall into! However, be aware that on Sundays most shops are closed, so plan accordingly.

• Casual meals and cakes: Even when I’m just running a quick errand in the Marktstrasse, I cannot help but stop for some delicious cake at Gretchens Villa. At lunchtime, Gretchen serves a small selection of delicious, freshly-prepared meals, making this a great place to meet for a business or casual lunch. It’s not unusual to find me here on weekends, wiling the day away with my girlfriends over a fantastic breakfast. (Marktstrasse 142)

• Fashionistas: Immediately next door is a stop for every trend hunter: Anna Angelina Wolfers has her finger on the pulse of fashion, stocking GOLDIG with the hottest clothes and accessories of the moment. This sweet little store is full of finds—if not for you, then surely for your best friend—but beware that popular sizes sell out quickly, making this the kind of place you’ll want to pop into regularly to check out (and snap up!) the new selection. Every few weeks, Anna organizes a girls’ clothing flea market here, and the store’s annual parties are legendary. To see what’s happening during your visit, take a gander at GOLDIG’s Facebook page. (Marktstrasse 143)

The post Hamburg: Local tips for exploring the Schanze and Karo districts appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There are still lots of budget accommodation available in the area, while the large student contingent, courtesy of University College London, means Bloomsbury offers plenty of cheap eats and entertainment options, too. What more could a Cheapo ask for?

Where To Stay

The Ridgemount Hotel
65–67 Gower Street

One of the few hotels on Gower Street that is still family run, the Rees family are charming hosts (you can read our interview with Aled Rees here). This is a clean and comfortable base for a stay in London that offers excellent value for money. Accommodation is split between private and shared bathrooms. Doubles from £64.

The family-run Celtic Hotel offers affordable rooms with private bath (and a yummy breakfast). Photo: EuroCheapo

Celtic Hotel
61–63 Guildford Street

Owner Rosanna Marazzi is also one of our favorite proprietors (read our interview here) and is responsible for the warm welcome visitors receive at the Celtic Hotel. This traditional townhouse is homely and bedrooms are small but pretty, and exceptionally clean. No wonder past guests have been known to refer to it as their “home in London”. Doubles from £79.

Generator Hostel
37 Tavistock Place, Russell Square

For a different kind of accommodation option, head to this socially inclined hostel. It sleeps over 800 and, while perhaps not the place for those seeking some peace and quiet, it is perfect for those on the look out for something more lively. It’s even got its own nightclub offering different events every evening. Doubles from £60

Want more options? Here’s a full list of our recommended budget hotel picks in Bloomsbury.

Where To Eat

Mary Ward Centre
42 Queen Square WC1N 3AQ

This small but perfectly formed veggie café offers a hearty and healthy pit stop. Prices are extremely reasonable and you can indulge in a homemade soup for £2.15 or a hot main for £4.30. There are always vegan and gluten free options on the menu, too. The café is situated within an adult education centre and opening hours can echo the times of classes, so it’s worth checking ahead before making a special journey there, especially over the weekend.

Gig’s
12 Tottenham Street

Gig’s comes with the recommendation of many, including Aled Rees of the Ridgemount Hotel (see above). It’s been based here since 1958 and offers generous portions of traditional British fish and chips in all their fried and battered glory. You can take away, or eat in to enjoy the charming service on offer from the staff. Its owners are Greek, so expect some kebabs and Greek specialties on the menu alongside the usual cod and haddock.

Sfizio Caffe
35–37 Theobalds Road

This family run Italian café bar will service your culinary needs for breakfast, lunch and evening. It’s all traditional fare, and better quality than many of the “Italian” chains you’ll find around the city. Generously filled focaccie are about £5 and you can pick up a pizza for less than £8. It’s well worth popping in for an aperitivo, served up with tasty finger food between 5 pm and 7 pm every day.

Cheap drinks and no-fuss environment at the Fitzroy Tavern. Photo: Ewan-M

Where To Drink

Fitzroy Tavern
15 Charlotte Street

Samuel Smiths pubs are always worth seeking out for their cheap drinks served in no-fuss environments. In this case, the Fitzroy Tavern’s rich history is simply another bonus. Built as a coffee house in the 19th century, it’s been a meeting place for many bohemians over the years including Dylan Thomas and George Orwell. Who knows whom you’ll be drinking your pint next to?

Calthorpe Arms
252 Grays Inn Road

This Grade II listed pub was originally built to serve traders and shopkeepers and, for a busy area of central London, it still attracts a friendly local crowd. It’s very much a traditional boozer, with chat taking the place of music or TV screen, and Young’s Ales on tap. There’s pub food available, too.

Walk like an Egyptian at the Petrie Museum. Photo: Nics Events

Bonus attraction:

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology
Malet Place

If you would rather avoid all the crowds in the Egyptian galleries at the British Museum, the Petrie is worth a visit. Part of University College London, it’s free and has one of greatest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archeology in the world, with over 80,000 objects revealing what life was like in the Nile Valley thousands of years ago.

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• Also see our complete list of Barcelona neighborhoods in our city guide.

Where to eat

The Santa Caterina Market is one of the prettier in the city. I prefer it to La Boqueria. Find seasonal foods here as well as bakeries and bars. You can’t miss it from the outside, it’s the enormous structure with the undulating rooftop.

Santa Caterina Market

Tapas at Santa Caterina Market

What to drink

Have a glass of wine at Vila Viniteca’s La Teca bar. They have a wide selection of Spanish wines, cold tapas and cheeses (over 300 types of cheese!).

Wine in El Born

What to see

Santa Maria del Mar Church is a stunner, even if you’re not much for religious architecture. Some people like it better than the Cathedral… take a look inside and decide for yourself.

Santa Maria del Mar

Where to dine

Have lunch or dinner at the tucked-away Salero Restaurant, which serves seasonal, Mediterranean dishes.

Salero

Salero in El Born

Take a stroll

Barcelona is a city to walk in. There are balconies to ogle, architecture to ponder, window shopping galore, and excellent people watching to boot. Wander the maze of streets in El Born for an hour or so to get a feel for it.

Wander El Born

Have a snack

Have a coffee and a tasty snack at Cafe del Born Nou. Find a seat inside or search out their terrace seating.

Snack on some fluffy pastries.

Where to stay

The Hostal Nuevo Colon is located in El Born, and is recommended as a great value.

And don’t miss…

All the amazing street art in the area.

Street art in El Born

Counting street art in El Born

The post Barcelona Neighborhood Snapshots: El Born appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But while the center of Barcelona can be fun, with plenty of fascinating sights on offer, the bars, eateries and boutiques here are always a bit more spendy, cashing in on the fact that you don’t know the exchange rate, or the local cost of things.

One way to avoid getting gouged is to stay in parts of the city which are less frequented by tourists. Here are a few hotels that get our stamp of approval for being “off the beaten tourist track”:

Take a break with a game of ping pong at the HelloBCN Hostel.

Poble Sec

HelloBCN Hostel
Lafont, 8-10
Doubles from $80 to $134

Quickly becoming the next “hip” spot in Barcelona, a title that El Raval has had for years, Poble Sec has always been a working-class neighborhood behind Barcelona’s theater district, on the foot of Montjuïc Mountain.

HelloBCN Hostel is a superb 148-bed establishment located right around the corner from Paral-lel Metro stop, the Apolo Club and concert hall, and the countless bars, shops and restaurants in Poble Sec.

The hostel is decorated in red, charcoal and metal tones, with numerous black leather sofas throughout. It’s comfortable, it’s cool. There is always music playing, and the vibe is inviting and festive.

Most of Poble Sec is on a hill, and walking up it can be brutal. However, HelloBCN is right at the beginning of this incline, meaning it’s easy to get to with bags and backpacks in-tow.

The Astoria Hotel provides a swanky setting off the beaten track.

Eixample (upper)

Astoria Hotel
Paris, 203
Doubles from $94 to $257

You won’t find many tourists here unless they are lost or going to the Astoria Hotel. Though the Astoria is tucked away in the upper Eixample, it’s actually not far from Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona’s main shopping drag where many a Gaudí building are located.

The 114-room Astoria Hotel is a splurge-worthy pamper palace and one of the top three-star hotels we’ve seen, with great extras like a fitness center and rooftop swimming pool.

The Hostal Girona may be a hidden gem, but it’s still close to most major sights!

Eixample (lower)

Hostal Girona
Girona, 24 1º-1ª
Doubles from $67 to $114

Staying at Hostal Girona means that even though you’re off the tourist track, you’ll still be in the heart of town, with all the benefits that provides.  In close proximity, you can find the Gothic Quarter, Plaça Catalunya, the metro, the bus, Parc de la Ciutadella, Gaudí sights, and many restaurants, bars, and cafes.

The hostal has all the perks of being in the center without the excessive noise, pickpockets, and price gouging. The 19-room pension tends toward bare-bones, but it’s spic-and-span and its peak season rates top out at €60 for a standard double.

Do you stay “off the beaten path?”

Have you stayed in a hostel or hotel in Barcelona and loved its non-touristy location? Let us know!

The post Barcelona: Best “off the beaten path” hotels for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While these properties may be too far away from the traditional touristic routes for some tourists, other travelers (mainly practical and independent souls) do purposely seek out a sojourn in a quiet and safe neighborhood, and a sleep undisturbed by the droves of tourists and night owls that literally take over some prime downtown locations.

Staying in the 19th or the 20th means, in other words, being as far away as possible from the rue Cler and the crowds that overflow these and other quarters!

As you may have read, I enjoy keeping my eye on Paris’ budget hotel scene. Below are six hotels in less touristic neighborhoods not yet chosen by EuroCheapo’s editors as “picks” that I think deserve consideration.

Hotel Nadaud
8 Rue de la Bidassoa

One of the most notable up-and-coming hotels in the 20th arrondissement is the Hotel Nadaud. Seasoned travelers rave about the exceptionally welcoming staff, pristine rooms, convenient location and affordable prices. After her sojourn in this hospitable and ultra-serviceable hotel one patron wrote: “I had not been to Paris since many years and this visit even changed my opinion of the Parisians.” A laudable feat for the Nadaud! Doubles from €65.

The Hotel de la Perdrix Rouge is another pick near the Parc de Bellville.

Hotel Paris Villette
56 Rue Curial

Located in the 19th, the Hotel Paris Villette has seen its popularity skyrocket, with its clientele routinely praising the friendly and multilingual staff, the neatness of the rooms, the quiet neighborhood and the excellent quality/price ratio. With singles starting at €58, doubles at €65 and triples at €70, this property would be a worthwhile candidate for EuroCheapo’s “Classic Cheapo” category.

Abricotel
15 Rue Lally Tollendal

A group of convenient and unpretentious budget hotels dot the northeast of the city. The Abricotel, also located in the 19th, has recently been renovated and offers rooms all equipped with a salle de bain, as well as a 24-hour front desk, direct telephone and Wi-Fi at prices starting as low as €55.

Hotel de la Perdrix Rouge
5 Rue Lassus

Currently riding a wave of popularity, the Hotel de la Perdrix Rouge (“Hotel of the Red Partridge”), another 19th arrondissement sleep, lies in the vicinity of the Parc des Buttes Chaumont and the Parc de Belleville. Guests commend the quietness of the quarter, the hotel’s cleanliness, value for money, proximity to the Metro and the decent breakfast. The reasonable rates (€86 for a single and €93- €103 for a double) have earned it quite a bit of attention.

Hotel Crimée
188 Rue De Crimée

The Hotel Crimée was refurbished not long ago and, as a result, earned a third star. However, it didn’t let it go to its head. Indeed, with nightly rates starting at €85 (singles) and €95 (doubles), the property has amassed a well-merited reputation among budget-savvy travelers. It offers free Wi-Fi, an Internet station in the lobby and air-conditioned rooms. The Crimée is located in the 19th arrondissement not far from the Parc de la Villette and about 50 yards from a Metro station. Guests praise the clean and functional rooms, the comfortable bedding, the friendly staff and especially the excellent quality/price ratio.

Hotel du Moulin
3 Rue Aristide Bruant

Finally, in the 18th, the Hotel du Moulin is quite popular among fans of the Montmartre area, who praise its spotless rooms, good location and convenient rates (singles from €100, doubles from €110).

More options

Stay tuned for more hotel suggestions that should be up for consideration by EuroCheapo’s editors. Next week I’ll jump down to the 10th and 11th arrondissements. Of course, for many more hotel recommendations, visit EuroCheapo’s guide to cheap hotels in Paris.

Your favorite hotels in Paris

Do you enjoy staying in the 19th and 20th arrondissements? Tell us about your experiences and favorite hotels in our comments section.

The post Paris: Popular budget hotels in less touristic neighborhoods appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s right, it’s not all hotels all the time here at EuroCheapo (just most of the time). We love to recommend hostels, as long as they’re clean, central, and have the option of booking a private room. And if they have a little bit of character, all the better. Prague has a bunch of properties that meet these criteria with flying colors.

So if you’re willing to step out of your hotel comfort zone, you might want to Czech, er, check out the following Prague hostels. (Note that each of these properties offers privates in addition to dorms.)

Czech Inn
Francouzska 76,10100 (Vinohrady)
Dorms from $15; Doubles from $64
Great for: hostel doubters

For anyone skeptical of trying a hostel in place of more traditional accommodation, the Czech Inn (bonus points for “Czech” puns!) would be a good place to start. Featuring privates and apartments in addition to dorms, the hostel has a sleek, artsy feel to match its location in the hip Vinohrady neighborhood.

Some nice touches (chandeliers, fancy showers) help the Czech Inn transcend typical expectations of budget sleeps. With a bar area and lobby that houses an art gallery, you may forget you’re in a hostel at all.

The breakfast room at the Dlouha Hostel acts as a lively bar at night.

Dlouha Pension and Hostel
Dlouha 33,11000 (Stare Mesto)
Dorms from $17; Doubles from $44
Great for: party-seekers

Of course, not everyone wants to forget they’re in a hostel, and many are looking for certain elements associated with this breed of accommodation–namely, youthfulness and a place to party.

If that’s the case, the Dlouha Pension and Hostel would be a good choice. Its location on the lively Dlouha Street in Stare Mesto provides easy access to plenty of trendy nighttime hotspots.  The hostel itself isn’t just a snoozer either,  featuring a fun bar complete with foosball and a jukebox.  And while the furnishings are basic, this doesn’t seem to bother the hostel’s youthful clientele.

Hostel Sokol
Nosticova 2, Prague 1 (Mala Strana)
Dorms from $15; Doubles from $35
Great for: strict budgets

If all you need out of your hostel is a super-Cheapo sleep, the Hostel Sokol is your best bet.  The barracks-like accommodations are as plain as can be–but they’re clean, comfortable and bargain-bin cheap. As an added bonus, the ever-friendly Sokol provides a great Mala Strana location and a rooftop terrace with unbeatable views.

Hostel Tyn
Tynska 19, Praha 1 (Stare Mesto)
Dorms from $18; Doubles from $50
Great for: sightseers

In a neighborhood where hotel rates can make it seem more like you’re in London than Prague, the Hostel Tyn provides a breath of Cheapo fresh air.  While the furnishings and decor are fairly basic, the Tyn’s great rates and location (a stone’s throw from Old Town Square) are perfect for those who want to step right into Prague’s Gothic charm without feeling it in their wallets.

The garden at Sir Toby’s Hostel is a great place to hang out.

Sir Toby’s Hostel
Delnicka 24,17000 Prague 7 (Holešovice)
Dorms from $12; Doubles from $65
Great for: socializing

It may be a little out of city center, but Sir Toby’s Hostel in the up-and-coming Holešovice neighborhood provides enough laidback comfort to make up for a slightly longer hike to the main sights.

The hostel provides a home away from home, with funky dorm-room furnishings to complement hip common areas that include a cellar bar and delightful backyard garden.  All of this, plus a sociable staff, combines to make Sir Toby’s a great place to set up shop in Prague and make a few travel buddies.

Want more? Check out our list of recommended hostels in Prague or our favorite budget hotels in Prague.

Your favorite hostels?

Have you stayed at any of these hostels? Or do you have other hostels in Prague you’d like to recommend?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

The post Prague: 5 hostel picks for every kind of Cheapo appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s our Cheapo guide to enjoying Soho for less:

Where To Stay

The Seven Dials Hotel will put you very close to Covent Garden.

Seven Dials Hotel
7 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DA
Doubles from $159

Found in the more upmarket Covent Garden end of the area, the Seven Dials is a good and basic family-run hotel. In the tradition of Soho’s finest establishments, it’s slightly crammed and dated, but its location – in the midst of London’s theaterland and some of the city’s most vibrant nightlife – is undeniably brilliant.

YHA Oxford Street
14 Noel Street, W1F 8GJ
Doubles from $62

Given its position in the heart of Soho, the YHA could happily sit back and sell itself simply on the strengths of its location. Instead, this hostel’s bright and fresh décor and useful amenities (which include its own café) put some more expensive hotels to shame. Rooms on the higher floors even get a view of the London Eye thrown in for free.

Give your arteries a break at Bi Bim Bap. Photo: Richard Lee

Where To Eat

Bi Bim Bap
11 Greek Street, W1D 4DJ

When your arteries are crying out for something other than the traditional English stodge of chips and crisps, aim for a Korean Bibimbap bowl of hearty and healthy fare. With prices starting from £6.95, dishes range from the “nutritious” (a virtuous combination of brown rice, dates, ginkgo, chestnuts and ginseng) to the slightly more indulgent spicy pork. It’s worth paying extra for the deliciousness of adding a fried egg to your bowl, but eschew the expensive bottled beer in favor of the £1 Korean or Green tea.

Gaby’s Diner
30 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DE

Tottering on the brink of closure due to a hefty rent hike, a well-publicized public campaign backed by several of Britain’s most celebrated actors has given Gaby’s Deli a momentary reprieve and has let lovers of its Middle Eastern fare breathe a temporary sigh of relief. Gaby’s has been a reliable source of cheap and tasty falafel since the 1960s – it’s even been claimed it was the first in London to sell the stuff. Sit in to enjoy a salt beef bagel and show your support, or take out a hefty container filled with a selection from their well-stocked salad bar for only £3.

Gaby’s Diner has been a reliable source of cheap and delicious Middle Eastern food since the 1960s. Photo: el dweebio

Gelupo
7 Archer Street, W1D 7AU

The little sister to the pricey but oh-so-tasty Bocca di Lupo across the road, Gelupo’s innovative gelato and granita flavors (try the burnt caramel or ricotta coffee and honey) draw crowds for a £3 double scoop. Lesser known, but more of a bargain, are the sandwiches available for the same price. Made in the kitchens at Bocca di Lupo, they’ve got fillings more unusual than the average lunch offerings (spicy pork paste, anyone?). Grab a coffee, too, and perch at one of their stools to watch the city go by. Their deli section also sells freshly-made pasta sauce for livening up self-catering options.

Stockpot
18 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TN

With a clientele that seems to encompass both Soho’s has-beens and next-big-things, Stockpot’s wooden booths and laminate menus look as though they may not have been altered since the café opened back in the 1950s. Stockpot’s undeniable appeal is the option of a three-course meal in central London for less than £10. Serving classic British “nursery” food – such as breaded chicken, pork chops or spaghetti Bolognese, with crumble or sponge pudding with custard to follow – it’s practically the definition of cheap but cheerful.

Bradley’s Spanish Bar is scruffy but friendly. Photo: Ewan-M

Where To Drink

Bradley’s Spanish Bar
42–44 Hanway Street, W1T 1UT

It’s definitely the tackier side of Spanish culture celebrated at this scruffy but friendly dive bar – think tequila rather than tapas. Spread over two levels, Bradley’s is rightly proud of its jukebox, with a selection of vinyl dating from the birth of rock ‘n roll through to the present. The bottled beer is on the expensive side, so go “continental” and plump for the wine instead. Or, for brave souls, there’s always the house special of Tequila Sangrita.

Glasshouse Stores
55 Brewer Street, W1F 9UJ

For all of its long-standing reputation for debauched drinking, it’s difficult to find a decent and affordable pint in Soho. Glasshouse Stores is a Samuel Smith pub, a Northern brewery whose formula of cheap pints served in traditional surroundings has won them a cult-like following. With its ornate glass fittings and regulars propping up the bar, this pub certainly looks the part. Ask nicely and they might even enlighten you on the obscure rules of their bar billiards table.

Glasshouse Stores is a reliable pick for a cheap pint with old-fashioned atmosphere. Photo: SBA73

New Evaristo Club
57 Greek Street, W1D 3DY

Fortune favors the brave at this drinking den. Once you’ve found your way through its unmarked doorway and downstairs past the bouncers (you may have to ask someone to sign you in), you’re rewarded with nothing grander than a room decorated with a few chairs and tables and some pictures of Italian footballers and boxers. The appeal lies in the club’s convivial spirit, its devoted, long-serving clientele, and its basic and basically-priced booze which makes for the kind of nights that become Soho legend. It’s great fun but not for the faint of heart.

Bonus

Ray’s Jazz at Foyles
113–119 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0EB

Bibliophiles will find it hard to escape Foyles – a huge bookstore dating back over 100 years – even before discovering Ray’s Jazz, their café-cum-music venue on the first floor. By day, enjoy great coffees and cakes and free Wi-Fi to the soundtrack of jazz records. In the evenings and on the weekend, you can catch some of the world’s best jazz musicians performing for free. Look at their website to find out who is playing next.

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