While these destinations are one of the best things to do in Maine in the fall, winter is also a magical time in town, and visiting in spring will save you from the crowds.

And don’t worry, if you’re not a hiker, you can explore most of the area from your car! Of course, the best views are rewarded by some effort but don’t fret, I’ll share spots with you that you can drive up to and not sacrifice the view 🙂

Don’t forget to save the map at the bottom of this guide!

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂

Quick Maine Logistics

• Since l live on the East Coast, when I went on this awesome Maine getaway, I drove to all my destinations. If you’re not from the area, you can fly into Portland, Maine, and rent a car there. It will be difficult to explore the area without one.
• September and October are the best months to visit Maine but an early November or even Christmas visit will save you from the peak season crowds. Don’t forget spring either before the summer crowds start flocking in.
• A lot of businesses are seasonal being closed between mid-November to mid-April. Check the hours before heading out!
• Weather is very important to check when visiting especially if you want to spend time outdoors. We got one full day of rain forcing us to stay inside and needing to extend the trip by one more night!
• Speaking of the weather, pack accordingly! You will be pretty high up north so the temperatures might be slightly more chill than what you’re expecting!

Now, let’s get to your Perfect Fall Maine Getaway

My itinerary below can be done in 3-4 days depending on how much time you’d like to dedicate to the outdoor activities. I would recommend spending a full day in Portland and then the remaining in Bar Harbor and Acadia. These two cities are located about 3 hours from each other but depending on your in-between spots along the scenic drive, that time can be longer.

A Day in Portland

Portland deserves at least a day of your attention. It’s such a charming town lined with cobblestone streets, brick buildings, small shops, harbor views, and delicious food. Walking around them fills my soul with happiness and I promise it will fill yours too! Here is a day plan of things to see in Portland, Maine:

Portland Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse is located a short drive from the city center. I’d recommend going there first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the area before it gets busy. But before you reach this picturesque gem, stop by Omi’s Coffee Shop for coffee and breakfast. It’s on the way to the lighthouse and they serve some delicious food!

When you get to the lighthouse, spend some time walking the small trails around and soaking in some sweet ocean views. If you’re into visiting lighthouses, you can enter this one during the season. Don’t forget to walk around though and get a view of the lighthouse from a distance.

Allagash Brewery

For any beer fans, make your way toward Allagash! It was founded in Maine and the brewery is pretty awesome. While you will have to drive a little outside the city, it will be worth it! There are other breweries nearby too if you want to do a little brewery hopping like Geary Brewing Co or Foundation Brewing. If you’re driving there, you can also grab this to-go!

Old Port & Commerical Street

For the early afternoon, the Old Port, Commercial, and Exchange Street are the areas of town to walk around and soak in the vibes of Portland. You’ll find many small shops, boutiques, famous bookstores, coffee shops and restaurants, and those charming cobblestone streets. My favorite spots are all the ones that have waterfront views. There is something about boats and port cities that always gets me. Plan to spend at least half a day there exploring and eating!

Here are some food & drink spots to check out:

• Portland Lobster & Co: This place is iconic for a reason. Often, touristy and popular places don’t live up to their expectations but I have visited this place on two different trips and it was delicious! Can’t miss a stop here during your Maine getaway.
• DiMillo’s On The Water: This is another popular spot in the area but don’t worry, the food and the views are spot on!
• Flatbread Company: Since I am a big fan of anything pizza-related, I had to stop at this place. It did not disappoint! They have great outdoor seating right on the water!
• The Highroller Lobster: I was really excited to try this place. Don’t get me wrong, it was good, but it was a very pricey lunch and the lobster rolls were kinda average.
• Duckfat: Fries fired in duckfat? Sign me up!
• The Holy Donut or Hifi Donuts: Looking to satisfy your sweet cravings? Look no further with these perfect creations.
• The Bramhall: A nice speakeasy with some fancy cocktails for an after-dinner treat.
• Rosie’s Pub: I liked this spot for a late-night beer. The vibe was a little more local and it was the perfect chill pub atmosphere.

Eastern Promenade and/or Peaks Island

Eastern Promenade is a cute waterfront area for a walk or a nice picnic. The park has some romantic sailboat views and is just a pleasant place to spend some time in.

Visiting Peaks Island might be a stretch for one day in Portland but if your Maine getaway is a little longer, consider taking a short ferry ride there. Here is a quick and informative guide from Annaleise’s blog if you decide to visit this cute little gem of a destination.

Portland to Bar Harbor Drive

Now on to the next part! If you love Portland, you will LOVE Bar Harbor. Although it’s much smaller, it’s nonetheless stunning. A drive from Portland to Bar Harbor is about 3 hours but if you want to make a half-a-day adventure out of it, here are some spots to consider along your Maine getaway route. Depending on how much time you have, you can stop in all of them or choose one as they offer similar vibes.

• Freeport: Your first stop is known for its LL Bean flagship store, sweet shopping streets, and small-town charm.
• Wiscasset: Called the Prettiest Village in Maine, this small town is known for Red’s Eats, a famous lobster roll spot.
• Camden: Another charming little town on your Portland to Bar Harbor drive. Check out Harbor Park, for some pretty water views or Mount Battie for from above views! NYT wrote a cool piece on this spot with a short itinerary for a visit.
• Blue Hill: A low-key spot offering the best views without the crowds. You won’t find many things to do here but the point of this detour is to experience a small off-beaten path route and small-town life. If you make a stop here, you’re now under an hour away from Bar Harbor!

Exploring Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is one of my favorite towns on the East Coast despite being a pretty touristy spot. Located right on the water, this gateway to Acadia is just the perfect place for a fall in Maine getaway!

Since it’s a pretty popular vacation town, you have many choices for your accommodation. I stayed at Atlantic Eyrie Lodge and LOVED the views from there. Other good places in the area are Acadia Inn, Bar Harbor Motel, and Bar Harbor Cottages and Suites.

You can spend a whole day just enjoying the town and here are some highlights not to miss:

Main Street & Agamont Park

Bar Harbor’s Main Street is great. You’ll find tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and the entryway into Acadia! It’s likely you’ll have a meal and a snack there. A really pretty spot off of Main Street is Agamont Park. It may be small but the views are great. You can spend time watching boats pass by and people-watching.

Bar Island

Bar Island may seem like a small uninteresting island close to the mainland but what makes this place worth seeing is crossing it via a land bridge! As the low tide comes in, you’ll see swarms of people crossing the harbor on foot to explore the island! Don’t forget to check the times of the low tide because if you get stuck there on a high one, you’ll either have to wait for 10+ hr for the next one or have to be rescued for a hefty fee 🙂

Food

Bar Harbor has some delicious food, especially seafood. It would honestly be a sin if you didn’t try some there. Keep in mind that a lot of restaurants are seasonal so check before heading out! While the food isn’t outrageous, it is pricey due to its prime tourist location. It’s hard to go wrong as most places will serve good food but here are some top-rated recommendations:

• Stewman’s Lobster Pound: Located right on the water, this spot will likely have a long queue to enter! We stopped there for some beers which happened to have blueberries in it! The views were amazing and the vibes are the definition of Bar Harbor!
• Side Street Cafe: You’ll find this gem a couple of blocks away from the action but it’s consistently a top-rated spot in the area. It’s a more casual place with burgers, sandwiches, and lobsters of course.
• Geddy’s: This spot was one of my favorites in the area and it’s located right on Main Street! Also a pub vibe with some tasty food!
• Mainely Meat BBQ at Atlantic Brewing: You’ll have to drive a little to get to this gem because it’s located outside the city. However, this spot was amazing and so worth it! Note that there are two locations and I personally like this one in conjunction with the brewery.

For a more detailed food guide, I recommend visiting PackMoreIntoLife post on Bar Harbor eats! I love their recommendations and they even list spots that are open all year round!

Best Spots of Acadia

If you ended up in Bar Harbor, there is no way you should miss seeing Acadia National Park. Even if it’s for the sole reason that this area of the country doesn’t have that many of them. But before we get into the details of what to see, I’d like to preface that this guide is not for a very active hiker. It’s a more laid-back one although I will throw a more challenging route there for ya. Here are the spots that you should see at the very minimum:

Cadillac Moutain

This spot is the poster child for Acadia tourism. It’s where the US first sees the sun between late fall and early spring. People come here for sunrise or sunset and if you don’t feel like climbing it, well guess what, you can easily drive to the peak 🙂 Certain times of the year also require vehicle registrations. Here is the official info.

Park Loop Road

Park Loop Road is a great way to see the highlights of Acadia. This 27-mile journey will take you around the park without having to leave the car. Don’t forget to get your park pass as you are not allowed to drive the road without it.

As you’re driving through it, don’t miss the Sand Beach stop from which you can take a short and flat the Great Head Trail. Another known spot is a Thunder Hole, which is a rock inlet in which the waves crash with a big boom sound.

Beehive or Precipice Trail

There are many hiking trails in Acadia but one of the most known ones are the Beehive and Precipice Trails. The Beehive isn’t easy due to its steepness and spots where you have to climb metal rungs. I am personally not a hiker but took on the challenge and loved it. However, it is certainly not for everyone. The Precipice is very difficult but it’s on many people’s bucket list!

Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond is a quick 1 hour 3-mile loop trail with stunning views of the pond! The water is crazy clear and so worth the stop!

Long Pond

Long Pond is a short drive away from Bar Harbor but it’s worth your trip if you love kayaking. It’s such a peaceful area and you’ll love the views from there.

A Map for Your Maine Getaway

Final Thoughts

I love Maine and I know you will too. Although the best time for a Maine getaway is fall, I’d recommend seeing it in the winter too and in spring as the tourist towns slowly start to wake up. You’ll need at the very minimum 3 days to see some highlights but if I were you, I’d certainly make it at least 5.

Which spots are your favorite? Comment below!

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After visiting the city twice, I would say that 3 or even 4 days in Lisbon is a good amount of time for an introduction to the city. If you read this blog you know us professional besties like solid but quick getaways and that’s what you will get with this Lisbon guide. We’ll go over some logistics about the city and then I will give you a plan for an awesome Lisbon itinerary for your travels. What makes my blog super awesome is that you can just download this plan and you’re all set to go. No need to plan or stress over what to do and in what order, I already planned your 3 days in Lisbon!

Let’s get to the logistics

Before we dive into what there is to do in Lisbon, let’s talk about some logistics that will make your trip there much easier.

Quick things to know about Lisbon

• Lisbon is old. It’s one of the oldest cities in Europe and it’s at least 2700 years old. It’s older than Rome, London or Paris.
• Earthquake: In 1755, the city was devasted by an earthquake that ruined a big chunk of the city. The city’s history was highly influenced by this event and you will hear about it everywhere.
• Portuguese Azulejos are probably the most recognizable architectural pieces of Lisbon. These blue ceramic tiles are everywhere. While they morphed into a part of Portuguese art, if you visited places like Morocco or Spain, you can certainly see the Moorish roots in them.
• Street art: Lisbon has one of the coolest street art I have ever seen. There are many tours that take you around the Alfama neighborhood to see it but many tourists don’t venture off to see it.
• Fado: These melancholic ballads are a huge part of Portuguese culture. Make sure to set some time aside at night to see a “show” and experience this music in person.
• Portugal’s mainland is great but this country also has some sweet islands with easy flight connections from Lisbon. If you have some time to travel, consider Azores or Madeira.

Navigating Lisbon

Lisbon airport is located a short metro ride on the red line (6:30 am to 1 am). You’ll need to purchase a metro card called Viva Viagem for 0.50 cents and then you can load it up with tickets. Other options include the Aerobus or Taxi. With the Uber prices though, my recommendation would be to simply get one. Pick-up is in the departures area upstairs and a driver can only pick you up in that one spot.

Another popular Uber version in Europe is a company called Bolt. I would recommend downloading it prior to your trip because if you don’t have a sim card, you won’t be able to confirm your phone number abroad. I found Bolt to be even more affordable compared to Uber in Lisbon!

Trams are also a very popular way to travel within the city. The touristy Tram 28 runs through the main parts of the city and is usually pretty crowded. The cost is around ~ 3 euros or you can buy an unlimited ride for the day for 6.40. Here is a map for ya.

Where to stay in Lisbon

My first time in Lisbon was in a hostel and my second was in an Airbnb. If you read my guides, you know that I was obviously happier in a hostel, but Airbnb did its job 🙂

If it’s your first time in Lisbon, the best areas to stay in Lisbon are the more centrally located Baixa or Chiado neighborhoods. They’re both relatively flat for Lisbon and will allow you to see the most if you’re there for a short amount of time. Barrio Alto is quiet during the day but comes alive at night. If you’re planning to experience some nightlife in Lisbon and don’t want to be far away from it, consider staying in this area instead. Alfama is the neighborhood on the hills with distinctive street art, azulejos, and of course Fado music. I personally love Alfama but it could be exhausting to climb these hills and it is also not a first-time visitor’s ideal location.

People & Safety

Lisbon is undoubtedly becoming more and more touristy. The more tourists the more petty crime. So when you’re walking in crowded areas or taking public transport, make sure your eyes are on your belongings. If you’re walking inebriated in the narrow streets at 3 am all by yourself, don’t be surprised if you get mugged either. Other than that, Lisbon is one of the safest cities in Europe but if you’re interested in specific statistics, here is a fun resource for you to compare it to NYC.

People in Lisbon are nice and friendly although if it’s your first time in the city and you’re staying in the touristy area, you probably won’t interact with too many true locals. However, if you do spark a conversation with the Uber driver or at a restaurant, you’ll immediately notice their friendly nature.

Food in Lisbon

When you’re in Lisbon, there are a couple of bucket list culinary items you just have to try.

From the drinks side, you need to have some awesome Port wine. Porto is a great dessert wine and it’s very popular in Portugal. Ginja is my personal favorite and it is a cherry liquor. It’s best tasted from a hole-in-a-wall kind of place and even better if you spit the cherry pit on the sidewalk.

Pasteis de Nata have to be one of the most iconic pastry items you’ll encounter in Lisbon and for a good reason! They are addictive and no, one is not enough. Living in New Jersey, I am happy to be surrounded by a large Portuguese community who make the real deal Natas not too far from me. Here is a great article from the Montclair Girl on one of my favorite bakeries in Newark, NJ, Teixeira.

Seafood is a no-brainer in Portugal. Make sure to have the salty Bacalhau (cod), I personally like them in the pastry form. Polvo (octopus) and Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (clams) are also two items you shouldn’t miss. Lapas (sea mollusks) are big in Madeira but you’ll find them all over Lisbon too. Espetada (skewers) come in all combinations and even though they’re simple, they are honestly the perfect dish. Oh, and canned fish is a huge thing in Lisbon too. There are whole stores dedicated to it.

Here are some specific restaurant recommendations by Farah Trading and Daniela’s Blog.

Useful Lisbon advice

• People speak Portuguese in Lisbon. It’s better to speak English there than pretend like Portuguese is Spanish. I imagine it’s similar when people speak Russian to me while I am Polish. While I can understand some words, Russian isn’t Polish, and Polish isn’t Russian. So when you’re in Portugal, either speak Portuguese or your own language.
• Portugal is on the cheaper side of travel. If you don’t solely eat in touristy areas you can get some pretty cheap eats and drinks.
• Speaking of cheap, Uber/Bolt is so affordable that sometimes the comfort is worth it over using public transport. When you’re at the airport, it’s so much easier to Uber into town.
• Lisbon is great to travel with friends and it’s also fun to travel with a family. My first time there was with friends and the second time with my parents. It was an amazing time both times and I was able to appreciate different parts of the city with different groups.

Lisbon in my favorite travel TV shows

If you like travel shows and watching them before heading on your own journey, two of my fave people visited Lisbon at very different times. Some places overlapped between the shows and I can’t decide whether that is a good thing or not. However, here are the show references for ya:

Anthony Bourdain – No Reservations Season 8, Episode 4

• Cervejaria Ramiro – A very famous seafood place known to tourists and locals, you pick your fish here to eat for dinner.
• Sol E Pesca – Canned foods store that’s also a fishing shop!
• Tasca do Chico – A Fado joint which I recommend later on too!
• A Ginjinha – This is my favorite spot as well and it serves some delicious cherry liquor
• Cantinho do Avillez – Jose Avillez’s restaurant, he’s a very famous chef in Portugal
• 100 Maneiras – An Eastern European’s take on Portuguese food
• Alma – A fancy Michelin star place
• O Trevo – A spot for the Bifana sandwich

Somebody Feed Phil – Season 1, Episode 4

• Manteigaria at Time Out Market– A spot for a Pastel de Nata at the best market in town
• Tricana – A canned food spot
• Belcanto – The famous chef is back, Jose Avillez’s – you see a pattern yet ? 🙂
• Ponto Final – Located across the river, this actually looks like a sweet spot and I wish I made my way to visit it!
• Pastéis de Belém – A staple, wouldn’t miss it!
• Jesus é Goês – This was an interesting take on food with a mix of cultures.
• A Ginjinha – I mean you can’t skip this place right?
• Cervejaria Ramiro – Same as Tony’s stop
• Cafe Luso – Fado spot
• Additional spots – Manteigaria Silva, Croissant Gigante, Nannarella, Wurst, Alma

Lisbon Itinerary

While Lisbon is one of these cities you should certainly slow travel through if you only got a couple of days, here’s a 3 day plan for ya. Follow it for a nice introduction to Lisbon. At the bottom of the post, you can find a 3 days in Lisbon itinerary to download along with a map for your travel. But before you get there, make sure to read the post first 🙂

Day 1: Baixa and Waterfront

Downtown Lisbon: Walking Tour

When I travel to a new city, I will 9/10 times start my itinerary with a free walking tour. My first time in Lisbon, I took a tour with a hostel and it was amazing. We saw all different parts of the city, some touristy spots, some not, and at the time, I didn’t realize how lucky I was to find a tour like that.

The second time, I took a standard Free Walking Tour, and if I have to be 100% honest, it was too history-dense and too place sparse for my personal liking. Although I enjoyed it and the tour guide was super knowledgeable, I wish the tour covered a few more stops and fewer backstories. Comparing other companies in the area, I see that their routes are similar so I’ll let you decide if that’s the option you’d like to take.

• Sandemans – this is the one I took and it was very history dense.
• Hi Lisbon – A little shorter than Sandemans but has a very similar route.
• Discover Lisbon – check for the latest schedule because currently they only have Alfama tours.

If I were to do it again, I would likely take a paid tour that showed me more interesting spots and covered different parts of the city. While digging for some cool companies, I came across this business. I vibe with their whole tour model so if I visit again, I’ll try to tour with them instead.

Or Self-Guided Exploration of Baixa Neighborhood

In the case reading my humble opinion above discouraged you from a walking tour you were debating on, here are the places you’d likely see on one. You can easily follow this path on your own:

• Praca do Comercio: The main square of the city is a very nice landmark to start exploring Lisbon. There are various cafes around and although all are overpriced, I would pause for a morning cup of coffee or a glass of wine and people-watch for a little while enjoying the views of the plaza. At the entrance to Rua Augusta, The Arco (Arc) of Rua Augusta has a nice viewpoint (2.5 euro entrance) from which you can get a panoramic view of the area as well.
• Rua Augusta: This is the main shopping/touristy street in town. It’s worth a stroll to admire some nice tile work (or azulejos), Portuguese calçada stones, and a lively atmosphere. Don’t forget that touristy = pickpockety too 🙂
• Santa Justa Lift: Once you continue up Rua Augusta, you will reach the famous elevator. I wouldn’t recommend taking a ride up per se, but it is a cool landmark to see. Why shouldn’t you take a ride? Well, with a little physical effort, you can walk up the stairs to the top and admire similar views right behind the Convent instead of Terraços do Carmo without paying.
• Convento do Carmo: This catholic convent is known for still standing after the famous earthquake of 1755. If you’d like to enter, they have a short video summarizing the history, and entry costs around 5 euros. Otherwise, you can walk around, admire its medieval architecture, and even take a break on one of its many small lawns.
• Rossio Square: Rossio is another beautiful town square. When I visited in November, they had a cute artisanal holiday market but if you’re traveling during the summer, you’ll enjoy it for the lively atmosphere. To get there you’ll walk down a steep hill from the convent area.
• A Ginjinha: And now time for a very well-deserved break at my favorite place in Lisbon, A Ginjinha. It’s a little hole-in-the-wall bar serving traditional cherry liquor. Pop in for a shot or two and enjoy the historical significance of this place too.

Evening near waterfront

After a busy morning of exploring the town, a small break at your accommodation before the evening is a must. However, don’t get too comfy as we got the whole evening ahead of us. For the second part of the day, I recommend catching the sunset on the waterfront near Cais do Sodre. You’ll find local vendors there selling snacks and cold beers. People sit on the waterfront and enjoy this beautiful sunset with sailboats and bridges.

After the sunset, for a casual dinner, make sure to pop into Time Out Market in Lisbon. It’s a spot with tons of vendors and it’s an awesome place to visit. Not only can you try cool different foods, but a lot of it is also pretty traditional.

Last but not least, Lisbon is known for its nightlife. Although a full night of partying might be too much for the first day in the city, Pink Street has a good amount of bars and most importantly a great atmosphere for a night of debauchery.

Day 2: Alfama & Nightlife

Exploring Alfama

Alfama is a very distinctive neighborhood in Lisbon filled with narrow cobblestone streets, distinctive tile buildings, street art, and of course, many many hills. I personally find Alfama stunning and full of character. For your day 2 in Lisbon itinerary, I planned a walk through the highlights of this neighborhood. Disclaimer, prepare for a lot of walking and a decent amount of walking up and down hills. You can do this walk in either direction too:

• Lisbon Cathedral or Sé Cathedral: Roman catholic 12th-century historic gem. Catch the iconic tram 28 passing right in front of the church. Entry is free.
• Miradouro Sta. Luzia: Next, will make it up the hill to see our first viewpoint for the day. This viewpoint is a popular one so you’re not likely to have it to yourself.
• Miradouro Portas do Sol: Right around the corner, you’ll find another cool viewpoint. It’s very close so make sure to make a quick stop there too.
• Castelo de St. Jorge: This very old castle that stands on the hills of Alfama is a true historical gem. While you’ll have to pay for an entry ticket to see this place, I would pay just to see the camera obscura. If you read my Havana post, you know that these types of cameras are rare despite how awesome they are.
• Miradouro da Graca: After exploring the castle grounds, head over to another viewpoint for a slightly different perspective of the city. If you’re all Miradouroed out for the day, you can skip this spot.
• Pantheon: This is a church and burial site for important Portuguese people.
• Feira da Ladra: If you’re visiting on a Tuesday or Saturday, right next to the Pantheon, you’ll find this flea market full of some interesting finds.
• Get lost in Alfama: Walk toward the direction of Museo do Fado (and visit too if you’re interested in its history) but don’t take the main street route. Try to walk through the little streets and admire just how pretty Alfama is. I don’t have an exact route because the best of Alfama is found spontaneously.

After a pretty busy morning, if you still have some energy left, I would recommend grabbing an Uber to Azulejos Museum. For 5 euros you can admire the beautiful display of Lisbon’s tiles in a former convent. The place is stunning and worth an afternoon visit. Note that it closes at 6 pm and is closed on Mondays.

Evening in Lisbon

For a cool early evening activity, check out the awesome LxFactory, an industrial complex turned into a cool space for shops, restaurants, and art. It’s open until 10:30ish so make sure to make your way earlier in the evening to see the most of it.

If you still have some energy left, head over to Barrio Alto and enjoy the lively night atmosphere in the streets there. It won’t be difficult to find, just follow the people and the music 🙂

Day 3: Belem, Beach and Fado

By Day 3 of your Lisbon itinerary, you’ll have gotten what makes Lisbon so amazing. But before you say goodbye to Lisbon, you absolutely miss visiting Belem. Belem is a relatively small area in town so it should take you only a couple of hours as your morning activity. For the second part of the day, I recommend hopping on a train from Belem to spend the rest of the day exploring a cute beach town not too far from Lisbon’s city center. Don’t forget to pack your cute bathing suit and let’s enjoy an amazing last day in Lisbon.

Belem Neighborhood

I normally don’t enjoy overly hyped places but this is a place I already visited twice in my life and most likely will return to in the future as well. Yes, I am talking about the one and only Pastesis de Belem, the “birthplace” of these delicious pastries. I have no idea whether they were invented there or not and quite frankly I don’t really care because however they make them, they got it right. The place gets packed so the earlier you get there the better. You can either grab some to go, but I would recommend eating there instead.

Next, walk the area of Jeronimos Monastery, which you can also visit and learn more about this important site and burial place. The two gardens in the front provide a nice view of the stunning monastery. A short walk along the waterfront from there will lead you to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument and then the famous Belem Tower. Right behind the tower, you’ll also find a striking memorial, the Monument to the Overseas Combatants.

Beach Excursion

After you see Belem, walk over to the Alges station and hop on the train in the Cascais direction. It’s only a 30-minute ride to this cute little beach town. Oh, and did I mention that the route there is pretty scenic? when you get to Cascais, you can first enjoy some sunbathing on the beach. Then have a nice lunch in the downtown area of this cute town. If you have time, check out Boca do Inferno, a nice impressive cliff with an opening to the ocean.

Last night in Lisbon: Fado time

What’s a night in Lisbon without listening to some Fado? If you don’t know what Fado is, it’s a style of music, melancholic ballads, which are a part of the Portuguese identity. They’re beautiful and you should spend an evening in a dark bar listening to a performance of Fado on your trip. It’s a perfect way to say goodbye to Lisbon.

A more touristy and scheduled version of one with a show and dinner can be found at Clube de Fado. Other dinner shows take place at Fado ao Carmo and O Faia. More laid-back but still very popular shows happen at Tasca do Chico or Povo.

Bonus: Day 4

If you’re in town for another day and need another activity for your 4-day Lisbon itinerary, I got you. As you have probably seen the majority of the Lisbon highlights, why not venture off not too far away from town and see the magical castle of Sintra?

How to get to Sintra you ask? The easiest and cheapest way is for you to take the train from the Rossio Station. It will be about a 45-minute ride to town. You can also arrange a tour from Lisbon so you don’t have to worry about any logistics.

What can you do in Sintra?

• Pena Palace: The most recognizable palace in the town. It’s colorful, architecturally impressive, and of course, crowded 🙂
• Quinta da Regaleira: Beautiful estate which looks like something out of the movie.
• Monserrate Palace: An architectural mesh of cultures that will leave you stunned.

But I myself did not visit Sintra, so I am not equipped with the best advice. Instead, here is an amazing Sintra Day Trip resource from an awesome travel blogger Amanda from Dangerous Business who planned a whole day trip for you.

Final Thoughts on Lisbon

I visited Lisbon 10 years apart and seeing how much it has changed in such a short amount of time is pretty impressive. I’m excited to see what the next 10 years will look like for the city, especially with the influx of digital nomads. I genuinely hope it’s a positive influence and that the local quality of life won’t suffer too much. Lisbon certainly has its character and I would certainly recommend visiting it.

Map and Itinerary to Download

Before you download the itinerary, please read the post. This is a very high-level summary that can be quickly referenced on the go. However, you will be best prepared with a quick read above 🙂

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Believe it or not, I had absolutely no interest in seeing Paris. The idea of endless tourists, landmarks seen in every other cheesy movie, and some sketchy things happening in the streets, had absolutely no appeal to me. But I got sucked into seeing it by my travel buddy at the time and let me tell you… I first stepped foot in Paris in 2016 and have been back 5 times since.

This guide is simple, I’ll tell you what you need to know before visiting the city, then I’ll go into which places you should see on your trip, and lastly, I’ll give you a plan to download for your 4-day Paris getaway.

Let’s get to some Paris logistics

Before we get into an awesome 4-day Paris itinerary, let’s go over some logistics of visiting this city. Paris is really big and it’s divided into 20 Arrondissements or districts. Most places are not within walking distance so you’ll need to know how to navigate the metro. Although I tried to capture a lot in this plan, a Paris 4 day itinerary is merely an introduction to the city and there is absolutely no way that you will be able to see everything during that time.

Brutal truth first

Before we take a deep dive into the logistics, let’s get some things out of the way first. Paris is just like another large metropolitan city. It’s filled with tourists, it’s stinky and sometimes dirty, it has questionable characters in dark alleyways, the streets smell like cigarettes, oh, and don’t even get me started on the metro thieves. So whatever image you have of Paris, whether it’s a land of romance, beret-wearing humans, and everyone being happy in the streets because it’s Paris, get it out of your head.

Paris is indeed awesome and in no way am I trying to discourage you from going, but have a realistic expectations before you step foot in it.

Best time to visit Paris

While some will argue that Paris is great to visit all year round, I will politely disagree. Having visited during the early tourist season (June), peak tourist season (July and August), and also the fall (October), I will say that early summer is ideal. And yes, there will be tourists around but it is a good time to visit simply due to the weather. Fall in my opinion was a little too chilly and the constant rain didn’t make it too pleasant either but it was significantly less crowded.

Navigating Paris

Paris airports

Paris is served by a couple of popular airports all accessible from the city center: 

• Charles de Gaulle: if you’re flying internationally, most likely this will be your airport. It’s a large busy airport but everything is labeled very nicely so you should not have a problem finding gates, transport or information. To get to the city center you have a couple of options. Use the RER-B train for €11.40 each way to get to the city in about 30 mins. There is also a Roissy bus that runs from the city center but it’s a much longer journey. Lastly, you will always find taxis and Ubers at a rate of about €50.00 or more. This option makes the most sense to groups large enough to even out the cost of the train. 
• Orly: international and domestic, this is the second busiest airport. I’d recommend taking the Orlybus there because it is quick, cheap (under €10), and direct from the Paris Denfert-Rocheau stop. You can also take RER-B train to get there and then take a transfer shuttle called Orlyval at the Antony station. NOTE: RER-B north takes you to CDG and RER-B south takes you to Orly. Don’t mess this up. There is also RER-C that has a similar shuttle at Pont de Rugis. The cost is around €12. Taxi and Uber are easier options and run at about €35 each way. Point is, that the bus is the most straightforward option here. 
• Beauvais-Tillé Airport: for budget airlines. If you’re flying somewhere within Europe and you paid €15 for your flight, this is your hub. Take the shuttle from the city center stop Porte Maillot called the Beauvais shuttle for €15.90 (costing as much as your flight heheh). 

Metro & trains within the city

The Paris Metro is relatively cheap, at just €1.90 per trip. If you buy 10 tickets it will be even cheaper for a set. It runs very frequently between 5:30 am and 12:40 am and a little later (1:40 am) on the weekends. Note the difference between Paris Metro and Paris RER. RER is a train network connecting the suburbs but the city center is often connected to Metro stations. When traveling outside of certain zones out of the city center, you will need a separate ticket. Gare du Nord is the main metro/train station in the city and your hub for everything.

Navigating the Paris Metro

Having grown up in the NYC area with its infamous subway system, I always love navigating trains in new cities. Paris has an insane metro system that will get you literally anywhere you possibly want to go. Nonetheless, it can be overwhelming when you first look at it. The direction of the train is designated by the last stops so you will know easily know which side of the track you should be on. The transfers between the trains are included in your ticket so even if the closest line doesn’t go to your stop, there sure is a combination of them that will get you there.

What I recommend doing is studying this map for a couple of minutes before you get to Paris. Mark two spots on it and practice navigating from point A to point B.

Where to stay in Paris

You can budget, you can splurge, or something in between.

If you love hostels like I love hostels, I’d recommend St. Christopher’s Inn and Generator Hostel. St. Christopher’s has a fun bar and night parties, walking tours, sweet pod beds, and modern amenities. The Generator has an awesome set-up, good food, and comfy beds, but it doesn’t have the atmosphere that I look for when staying in a hostel.

If you want to splurge on your trip, I recommend doing so on Airbnb with a Parisian view. I stayed in one on my most recent trip. The beautiful courtyard and squeeky wooden doors were worth every penny. Additionally, good old hotels might be worth checking out too depending on your group size.

Wherever you decide to stay, just choose a place based on a location preference. Decide what you’d like to prioritize, a landmark, a metro stop, a social atmosphere, or some peace and quiet somewhere outside the city. Make sure to book in advance in high seasons because prices are not low in this city. If you’re a first-timer in Paris consider staying in the following arrondissements: 7th Eiffel Tower, 18th Montemarte, 5th Latin Quarter, and 1st Louvre as they’re pretty central to the places you want to see.

People & Safety

Before I visited Paris, I often heard of the rude Parisian stereotype encounter. Don’t get me wrong, when you’re being an ass in public or even your own culture’s stereotype, no matter where you go, people will give you looks and most likely judge the shit out of you. So be polite, learn how to say hello, please, thank you, cheers, and goodbye in French (and any other country you plan on traveling to) and you will most likely be treated like a normal human being. Note that greeting the staff in French is actually a must. It is considered very rude not to say hello when you enter a business.

Don’t start with immediately taking photos and making tiktoks either. Sit, enjoy your surroundings for a little and there will be time for a good picture. If you don’t act like a tourist stereotype, you won’t be treated as one.

I personally did not encounter any rude individuals and had a very pleasant experience during all my Paris visits. A Parisian lady even stopped a pickpocketing happening to my mom on a metro by screaming her lungs out at the thief.

Speaking of theft, pickpocketers are everywhere as in any other major tourist hub so don’t be an idiot and keep your valuables close to you. Be super vigilant about your belongings on a train as people will try to distract and pickpocket you. Overall you should be fine, don’t venture into dark corners alone, be careful when traveling at night and be smart.

Backpacking in Paris

While this guide is not necessarily about budgeting in Paris, two of my trips there were indeed backpacker-style ones. I stayed in a 4-bed hostel room, made sure to eat some meals at the less popular places, and visited a mix of paid and free attractions in the city. We didn’t splurge on a nice Airbnb and you’re damn right that we took at metro everywhere we went. All in all, while backpacking in Paris is certainly not backpacking in South America, it can be done and you won’t necessarily sacrifice things to do because of it.

Paris could be expensive or it could be cheap depending on your expectations. If you share an Airbnb and take public transport, you won’t spend as much as you think. For example, eating a Parisian breakfast by standing up in a cafe with a croissant and a coffee will cost you under 5 euros. Sitting down at an insta cafe for breakfast will cost you 20. Grabbing dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower will set you back a couple of hundred euros vs having a picnic in front of it will cost you 15 euros including alcohol.

Food in Paris

In Paris, you could either have the best or the worst food you’ve ever had in your life. Seriously, there are so many restaurants and cafes that you can easily fall victim to the tourist trap of yesterday’s-reheated-leftovers-spot. Be very careful when choosing a place. The general rule of thumb is to never ever eat near the main attraction but rather walk a couple of streets away to find a little gem. In Paris, I would always deeply investigate using multiple sources the restaurant I was about to enter. Google it, Yelp it, Facebook it, and read travel blogs to find some hidden gems. Don’t wing it in a city full of tourists when it comes to your main meals. 

One thing you have to try there is the bread. I promise that after one bite of that heavenly carb stick you will never look at bread the same again. Simply find the closest boulangerie (bakery) near your stay, venture there in the morning and get yourself a nice hot french baguette. Most bakeries make their own bread and pastries, serving you some quality products. Don’t settle on afternoon supermarket bread, find the real deal. 

If you’re looking for specifics here, I am not a great resource for spots however, there are other awesome people that did their homework on this topic:

• Paris By Mouth: They offer their restaurant recommendations along with some amazing food tours. If you read my other posts you know that it’s one of my favorite activities to do in any city.
• My Travel Buzzg: A good list of dishes you simply must try.
• Untold Morcels: Great guide for all sorts of restaurants.

Etiquette

• Tips are not necessary in Paris. If you really want you can leave a euro or two.
• Do not as for any substitutions. That’s an American thing and you will piss off your server.
• Speaking of being American, you are not right. The restaurant is, the waiter is, you are not.
• Ask for the bill when you’re ready because the waiter most likely won’t ask you.

Random Advice for Paris Travel

• Pickpocketters are real! If you’re a tourist, or especially a tourist with luggage, you’re a prime target. A real-case scenario that happened to me: you’ll get on a metro and a group of ladies will gather around you pretending to look lost and asking questions you can’t understand. As you’re being a confused deer in headlights, one of her friends will open your bag and steal your belongings. They will get off at the next stop and you won’t even know when you were robbed.
  • If you’re approached by some gypsy women that are asking you to sign their petition, hold your pockets and walk away asap.
• Carry change: When you go to the market, for a croissant or a bottle of water.
• Nannybag/Luggage Hero are genius services and I highly recommend them. It’s like a little Airbnb for your bags if you want to leave your luggage in a better location. Consider using luggage storage at the busier train/metro stations if that’s pricey.
• French wine and cheese are truly awesome. 
• Paris is a great hub to go Europe hopping. Consider visiting some of my favorite places like Santorini and Mykonos, Budapest or Lisbon!

Paris 4-day Itinerary

Let’s just say it can be extremely overwhelming to see all of Paris. There are so many things to see, so much history to learn and so many selfies to take. Be ok with not seeing everything. Seriously, it will make your trip much more memorable to quality-see a couple of important landmarks than to quantity-see everything. Below you will find a suggested guide to seeing Paris in 4 days.

Day 1

Let’s start your 4-day Paris itinerary at a Boulangerie.

If your accommodation is not ready for check-in, ask to store your luggage before going out to explore. You can also use lockers at the major metro stations.

Make sure to load up on some carbs and coffee for energy before a long day ahead. I suggest this for your first stop because the earlier you get to a boulangerie, the fresher your baguette will be! And there is no complete trip to Paris without having a truly fresh, still hot, perfect french baguette. So whichever part of the city you’re stationed in, please find an authentic french bakery (ask the hotel staff, search the internet, or simply ask a local in the street) and go for some morning goodies.

When you find that bakery, you’ll experience something amazing: the initial overwhelming scent of freshly baked bits of heaven, locals buying their breakfast pastries, tourists being confused by all the options, and friendly staff trying to please everyone in the store. It will be an experience within itself, but it will all get even better when you take that first bite of your baguette or pastry. 

Now let’s see what the Louvre is all about.

Why not jump right into the highlights of Paris and start your 4-day itinerary by seeing the Lourve! Well kinda because we won’t go inside just yet 🙂 Take the metro from your morning stop to Musee du Louvre station. It will drop you off at the museum grounds. I personally wouldn’t go right into a tour but rather we will save this for later in your itinerary. The museum itself goes on for (literal) miles and with its overwhelming interior, it’s a lot to take in on your first day. It will also exhaust you before you see any Paris.

Here me out why you’re here though. The outside of the Louvre is a whole artwork within itself, and I strongly recommend taking some time there to soak it all in rather than rush to get inside. There is a little (overpriced) cafe with prime views of the plaza with the famous pyramid. This area is also a good start to your Paris exploration as well.

Visiting the Louvre

I’ll save the visit for the inside for either the last day or an evening tour later in the day. As mentioned, the inside is insanely big and you won’t be able to cover it all in a couple of days let alone a couple of hours. The Mona Lisa you ask? Super overrated and super tiny so the chances of you enjoying the painting are non-existent. Going in there just to say you’ve been to the Louvre is a waste of your time and money due to how large this place is. If you enjoy art, make sure to plan what you want to see rather than blindly going inside.

If you go inside during the day here is a little hack: you can buy the tickets in a gift shop downstairs in the Louvre and enter through the underground entrance. The line is usually a lot shorter than the outside, sometimes even nonexistent. Another cool option is an after-hours tour which is much much pricier yet something worth splurging on.

Small pause at Jardin Dus Tuilries

These gardens are directly across from the museum so just continue walking in a straight direction through them. The gardens have many small ponds with chairs where you can find a ton of locals catching some sun. Wander around for a bit, grab some ice cream and take a small pause. 

Next, a shopping stop at Champs Elysee.

Once you reach the end of the park, explore the famous Champs Elysees shopping street. It is a very long avenue with many stores ranging from Zara to some high-end spots. If shopping streets give you anxiety, you can skip this part by jumping onto the Franklin D. Roosevelt metro stop to continue your journey. However, if you always wanted to see what the hype is about, continue walking and admiring all the fancy shops. This is a prime spot to get pickpocketed so be cautious my fellow explorer.

Many tourists like to stop in the famous Laduree macaroon shop. While I am the biggest critic of major tourist traps, I did give this place a chance. My judgment? The store interior and the whole experience are worth a stop so when in Paris, why not get a quick sugary snack. At the end of this street, you will reach the famous Arc de Triomphe. There is a nice viewing area on top of it so head up there to admire some city views! 

Early evening picnic at Eiffel Tower. 

The must-do for every Paris trip is a sunset picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. I would suggest first entering the area through Place du Trocadero (Trocadero Metro Stop). If you followed my route above, you can either walk ~20 min on Ave. Kleber or take a quick (3 stops) M6 ride from Charles de Gaulle – Étoile to Trocadéro.

Once you first see a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll fall into grand awe. It is truly a remarkable first sight and trust me, what you’ve seen in the movies doesn’t even begin to do its justice. Walk around a little bit, take your photo, and head towards the other side of the tower to Champ de Mars. There you’ll find a big lawn area where you can find your perfect spot for enjoying your picnic. To get your picnic supplies, venture off a little to the side streets and you should have no problem finding a small neighborhood store. Pick up some bread, cheese, fruit, and bubbly. I recommend waiting until it gets dark and you get to see the tower light up. Some find the lights cheesy and they’re probably right … I think they’re pretty badass 🙂

So there you go my fellow adventurer, your perfect first day in Paris is now done!

Day 2

Your second day in Paris should be a little easier. Hopefully, you got more comfortable with the metro, practiced your Bon Jours and Mercis and now you’re ready to explore more of this beautiful city. 

Let’s get started at a Parisian Cafe.

Yesterday you explored a nice boulangerie so today let’s try something new. Today let’s take a slow morning sitting in a typical Parisian cafe, enjoying our fresh croissants while doing some people-watching. Before I went to Paris, I always pictured wicker chairs with some color accents, small round tables, and people enjoying al fresco dining. And that is exactly what I saw the second I entered the city. Make sure to become the main character for a little and spend some time sitting in this kind of setting. 

Luxembourg Gardens

These gardens are the perfect location to start your day two in Paris. They’re not too big and will become the starting point for exploring this area of town. You can take the train to the Luxembourg stop or even Port Royal. There is a palace in the park as well which you can visit but with limited time in the city, you might want to skip it.

Next, the Latin Quarter

A short walk from the garden, you’ll find the Latin Quarter. This is a cute area of Paris because it’s not as touristy as the more popular areas. The majority of the area is academic so you’ll find a younger vibe here. Find a cute lunch spot near the Pantheon to take a small pause. Some notable landmarks here are the Pantheon, Eglise Saint-Séverin Saint-Nicolas Church, and Eglise Saint-Etienne du Mont Church. Note that the Pantheon has a nice rooftop terrace for 360 views of Paris. I also recommend grabbing lunch in this area.

If you walk down from the Pantheon via the most known street Rue St-Michel towards Rue de la Harpe, you’ll find many cute little streets with small shops here. Get lost here for a little, it’s a small area so you’ll be able to see most of it. Next, the Place Saint Michel, is a very touristy area but hey, we need a dose of that atmosphere as well. There are many shops in that area and often, you’ll find a little outdoorsy artisanal market.

Notre Dame

Following my route above, you’ll quickly notice Notre Dame if you reach the Seine River. Due to the tragic fire of April 2019, as of today, you will not be able to explore the magnificent Cathedral. However, it is still possible to see its beauty from the outside.

Your morning stops were all concentrated within short walks of one another but to this next stop, you’ll need to catch a 25-30 min train. You might want to relax a little after a busy morning but I recommend exploring the next area before sunset. Catching the sunset here is magical on a good weather day so I would make sure not to miss out on this experience.

Explore Montemarte and catch the sunset at Sacre Coeur

Ok, close your eyes and picture Paris. You probably see narrow cobblestone streets, little cafes, painters, and happy people? Well, this is actually Montemarte. Artists like Picasso, Modigliani, Miro, Renoir, and Van Gogh all made that area their home at some point and for a reason.

Take the metro to Anvers stop and make your way up the hill towards Montemarte. After a short walk, the stunning Sacre Couer church will hit you in the face like no other. It is situated on a hill which gives you amazing city views. The locals like to hang out on the stairs of this hill so be sure to give yourself a small pause there too. It offers amazing hill views of the whole city. And you know I am a sucker for a good view.  

After some time in the church area, venture off to the beautiful Montemarte neighborhood. Let yourself be lost for a little in order to soak in the beautifully intertwined narrow Paris streets. Yes I know, it will be touristy near the area but it is an awesome place to be. To catch the sunset, grab a seat on the steps of Sacre Couer. You won’t regret it. Don’t stay too long tho because the drunk locals also love this as their hang-out spot.

Day 3

Chateau du Versailles

On day 3 of the Paris 4 day itinerary, you will explore the Versailles Palace. Before you feel royal for the day you’ll need to take a not-so-royal RER C toward the Versailles Château stop. Once you’re off the train, follow the crowd for about 10 min toward the palace. The earlier you get there, the better as this location is certainly not a hidden gem. When you arrive, you’ll see a huge line of people. Don’t worry, the Iine looks intimidating but it actually passes by quickly. Tip: have some cash on you. When I visited, the card machines were not functioning and they were only accepting cash. Not having enough cash on us was quite a hassle to get back in line. 

When you finally enter the palace, you’ll be confused by the level of “boujee” that this place is. I found it rather hysterical that people associated status and their level of happiness with this structure. However, it is a true masterpiece and you should see it with your own eyes to believe it. Make sure to purchase a ticket for the gardens as well. You can simply take a stroll or better yet, have a picnic there! I’m a huge fan of picnics as they allow you to take a pause and soak in your surroundings. 

After you’re done exploring the palace and the gardens and you still have some energy left over, head over to the little charming town of Versailles. There are some more things to see there as well as some cafes to check out. 

Overall, for most explorers, this will be a full-day trip. Returning to the city center will take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half and you will probably just want to crash at that point. I hope you enjoyed your day of royalty. 

Day 4

Art in Paris

As promised, today is the day you’ll be returning to explore the Louvre or any other museum of your choice. I saved it for the last day because by now you should have seen the major landmarks of the city. Here are your art options for the morning-afternoon:

• Louvre: If you’re planning a trip to the Louvre, scroll up to day 1 plan for my tips on the visit there.
• Musée de Orsay: Mostly impressionist art and insta known for the big clock.
• Musée de l’Orangerie: More impressionist art but if you like Monet, you’ll find his famous water lily here. It’s a small museum but I really enjoyed it!
• Musée Rodin: If you’re a fan of Rodin or sculptures,  you’ll love this place. It is also an impressive building from the outside.
• Musée Picasso:  A gallery of Picasso’s various art pieces, from paintings, drawings, and sculptures to many more. As a big Picasso fan, I have to confess that I’ve seen more interesting gatherings of his works compared to this place. 
• Espace Dalí: A permanent exhibition of Dali’s works, mostly sculptures. Dali was one interesting human so if you’re a surrealist fan, make sure to stop by this place. I liked it but I also like anything that Dalí does 🙂
• The Centre Pompidou: A more modern structure that’s a library and a museum. 
• And obviously dozens more. So if you’re a fan of a particular genre of art, I’m sure Paris has a museum dedicated to it.

Shopping in Paris

Did you even go to Paris if you didn’t do some shopping damage?

• Well even if you don’t have anything specific in mind, make sure to stop by Galeries Lafayette for the magnificent building alone.
• Next, there is the Champs Elysees but it’s super packed so I wouldn’t recommend going there to shop.
• If you have the budget, for super boujee feels, right off of Champs Elysees, find Avenue Montaigne.
• Need more affordable shops? No worries, head to the Marais Area.
• Another place known for good shops is Rue De Rivoli.

If you’re traveling from abroad and want to splurge on a designer bag, know that this is the place to get one. Why? Well, one because it’s cheaper and two because you can get your tax reimbursed on your way back. Here is a step-by-step process on how to do this.

Cruise on the Seine

Although this can give a hop-on-hop-off bus vibe, I’ve done this twice. Why? Because as cheesy as it is, it’s pretty and the perfect way to end your Paris 4 day itinerary. I recommend doing this early evening so you can get a nice view of the Eiffel Tower again at night. You will probably get a guide that tells you all the history and fun facts but you’re going on this little cruise to see Paris from a different perspective. It’s cute and I strongly recommend it.

Final Thoughts on Paris

Some people find cities like Paris overrated and overdone. And yea sure, you won’t love the number of tourists there and it will be a busy city to travel through but I wouldn’t let that stop you from visiting at least once in your life. I hope that you like my plan for the 4 day Paris itinerary and that I saved you some stress associated with planning your trip.

Map and Itinerary to Download

Download the Paris 4 Day Itinerary

Remember to read the post before you download the guide. It is a very high-level summary of the plan above to grab for the road. Reading both will prepare you the best.

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This itinerary includes visiting the three cities, Gdansk, Krakow, and Zakopane. I chose them specifically because they each show a different perspective of Poland. In Gdansk, you will enjoy a port city with beautiful beaches and colorful architecture. Krakow on the other hand will give you some history and honestly the best city vibes around. Then your trip will end in the unbelievably stunning mountain town of Zakopane in the south allowing you to end on one more relaxing note.

My week in Poland guide should provide you with enough information to plan an entire trip through these cities as I personally have done this route in the summer of 2021. I know that traveling in an Eastern European city might be new to a lot of you, however, everything I outlined below will make it super easy. At the bottom of this guide, you will find a summarized downloadable pdf as well as a map.

Logistics of Visiting Poland

When is the Best Time to Visit Poland?

The best time to visit Poland is without a doubt the summer, June to August. Shoulder months like May or September are great too if you don’t mind a little bit of cooler temperatures. Winter is great for Christmas markets and the southern mountains if you like winter sports as well.

Poland’s weather is similar to the US Northeast in terms of the four distinct seasons. However, I will say that these are a bit shorter meaning summer will start to get cooler mid-August.

What is the best airport to fly into poland?

There are many airports in Poland with multiple international connections but the ones that you should be aware of for this Poland itinerary are John Paul II Airport in Krakow and Lech Walesa Airport in Gdansk. These two airports are your entry and exit points for this itinerary; however if you see a flight into Warsaw that is much cheaper, know that the Warsaw to Krakow train and Warsaw to Gdansk flight are both easy and cheap connections.

Intracity public transport is decent in Poland, too so I wouldn’t personally rent a car for this specific itinerary.

For this specific itinerary, I recommend the following route: Gdansk -> Krakow -> Zakopane all accessible via airports and public transportation.

What to Pack for poland?

Since you’re traveling between two very different parts of Poland, it’s important to plan what to pack. Gdansk is a stylish city so don’t forget a nicer outfit. Krakow is touristy so you can get away with pretty much anything. Zakopane city gets as hot if not hotter in the summer but the higher up you go in the mountains, the more layers you will need.

Remember that people in Europe don’t believe in athleisure yet. Going to the store in leggings is not something you’d usually do although as a tourist you might get a pass for that.

Here are some essential items to consider:

• City outfits – Summer dresses, pair of pants, shorts, blouse, t-shirt.
• Bathing suit & flip flops – Whether you decide to try out the thermal baths in Zakopane or hit up the beach in Sopot, you will need a bathing suit.
• Athletic clothes – If you’re planning to hike, you will need comfortable hiking clothes.
• Hiking shoes – Obvious one but if you’re planning to hike, you will need solid support on your feet. If you’re not planning to do the more intensive routes, sneakers will do since the most touristy hikes are paved.
• Trail backpack – Seems non-essential but is absolutely essential if you’ll be hiking. I completely forgot my trial pack and needed to go into town and buy one before my hikes. The good news is that they’re widely available in town.
• Rain jacket – Poland gets a decent amount of rain so rather than getting stuck with a plastic rain poncho, pack. a thin rain jacket. You don’t want to end up like me having to hide under trees while hiking either.

Are Eastern European people mean?

Eastern Europeans are often associated with coldness and brutal honesty. If you’re coming from America and smiling at strangers in the street or talking to them in grocery lines is something very common to you, the Eastern European formal way of being can be a little shocking at first. Don’t be surprised if your waitress or anyone else you interact with doesn’t greet you warmly or smile at you, they’re not being rude, they’re being Eastern European 🙂

However, even with all that being true, things are changing as tourism is growing. Don’t mistake the formality for rudeness. Also know that once a person gets to know you a little, the polish hospitality will be unmatched and the demeanor will be very different.

Poland or Ukraine, and other surrounding countries have this in common. However, this past year when I visited Hungary, I encountered the perfect mix of that Eastern European personality. I noticed that while Hungarians maintain that honest and stoic character, they bring a smile with it.

Is Poland safe?

Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe. And although Poland is catching up to the world in terms of acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, they still have some major work to do in that department.

Even with it being a safe country, don’t let your guard down, as a tourist, you’re automatically a pickpocket target. Don’t venture into sketchy parts and don’t get involved in any conflict.

Is poland expensive?

Compared to many European cities, Poland is a cheap country. Although Poland is a part of the EU, instead of the Euro, it currently still uses its own currency, the Zloty.

In 2025, 1 USD will get you ~3.5 Zloty. Even traveling through the tourist destinations in this itinerary, you won’t feel like you’re spending much. The most expensive part of your Poland trip will be the flight. Overall, you will find this country to be very budget-friendly.

What foods Should I try in Poland?

Polish cuisine is really one of the best. And I’m not just saying that because I grew up with it 🙂

• Pierogi: A true staple known all around the world. It’s a dumpling most often stuffed with cheese and potato, however, I urge you to try the meat, cabbage, or mushroom fillings. Sometimes you can even find them with fruit inside.
• Kielbasa: You must live under a rock if you haven’t heard of polish kielbasa. This amazing sausage puts us on the map of world cuisine.
• Golabki: Stuffed cabbage with rice and sausage. Depending on the region you will find them in different sauces.
• Zapiekanki: One of my favorite street foods in Poland. In its most basic form, it’s a baguette with mushrooms, cheese, and ketchup.
• Soups: We have awesome soups like Rosol, a chicken soup, Barszcz, beet soup, Zurek, sour soup, Ogorkowa and my favorite one which is pickle soup.
• Mizeria: So simple yet so delicious, mizeria is a side dish that’s made of cucumbers, dill and sour cream.
• Bigos: This is a cabbage sauerkraut and meat mixture.
• Placki Ziemniaczane: Potato pancakes in their most delicious form 🙂
• Paczki: Our heavenly donuts.

One Week in Poland Itinerary

One week in Poland is a good introduction to the country, especially for a first-timer. Poland is an easy country to travel through, and the cities in this itinerary are pretty tourist-friendly. I did this route traveling solo therefore, the plan below is an optimized version of my own itinerary.

Stop 1: Gdansk Itinerary

Gdansk is located in the northern part of Poland right on the Baltic Sea. It’s part of the tri-city coast towns: Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot. It also has a ton of historical significance. First, it is one of the oldest Polish cities. Second, it was mostly destroyed after WW2 and then completely reconstructed after. Lastly, it was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which got Poland out of the communist regime. And that’s just to name the major events. Today, you will find a lively European city with an amazing atmosphere.

Quick Logistics

Since this will be the start of your one week in Poland, you will fly into here to the Lech Walesa Airport. There are many international connections to this airport but you can always fly to Warsaw and take a quick connecting flight to Gdansk too. Another option is flying from a nearby city like Stockholm too.

The city center is located 20 minutes from the airport via taxi or Uber or 40 minutes on 210 bus in the direction of Goscinna. I paid about 50 zlotych (~$12) for my Uber which is actually pretty pricey when the bus route will cost you less than $1. To my excuse though, I arrived pretty late in the evening and was too tired to drag my stuff on the bus. Sometimes a little comfort costs you 12x the price 🙂 Within the city everything you want to see is walkable. The surrounding areas are connected by a regional train too.

Where to stay in Gdansk

For a short stay, I recommend staying near Sródmiasto or Wyspa Spichrzów so you’re right in the center of the action. There are plenty of Airbnbs and hotels in the city, so choose one that fits your budget.

I traveled solo to Gdansk and whenever I do, I always make sure to stay at hostels for the social atmosphere. I found Elewator Hostel in the central location but it was by far one of the worst hostels I have ever stayed in. If you came across it and you’re considering it, don’t 🙂

Day 1: Exploring the City of Gdansk

First Morning in Poland

Most international flights arrive early in the morning, so you’re check-in at your accommodation might not be ready in time. What I always recommend doing in this situation is reaching out prior to see if you could leave your luggage and freshen up in the lobby bathroom. 90% of the time that is an option however, sometimes with the Airbnb cleaning schedule, you might have to find local luggage storage instead. I’ve used NannyBag or LuggageHero in the past but these can be pricey. Another option is the left luggage lockers at Gdansk Train station. They cost as low as $1.5 for a small locker. More info on that here.

Quick Lunch and Old Town Walk

Once you’re situated and ready to explore start your day with the most important thing, food! I recommend diving right into the polish cuisine and finding the nearest Bar Mleczny or a polish cafeteria-style eatery. There are a ton of them in town, and most of them have delicious home-cooked meals, so just google the nearest one. See above for my recommendations of foods to try if you’re new to our dishes.

Next, it is time to start exploring the beautiful town of Gdansk! As always I start my itineraries by recommending a free walking tour for an amazing introduction to the city. I used the company Wakative which is the first Google Search result and I liked what they offered. Most tours run in the morning and then again in the afternoon. If the tour schedule doesn’t match yours or if you simply prefer your own route, walk the stops below for your Old Town route. Note that everything is walkable so you won’t need any public transport for these sites. At the bottom of this itinerary, you can also find a map to save with these places pinned.

You can start the walk from either Brama Wyzynna or Zielona Brama.

• Start your walk at Brama Wyzynna, or the main gate into the old city of Gdansk.
• Then continue to Brama Zlota or the Golden Gate which is known for the figures symbolizing peace, freedom, happiness, and glory on the west side and harmony, justice, caution, and piety on the eastern one.
• As soon as you enter you will walk the Long Market pedestrian street which is the main tourist route through the city. You’ll love it for the colorful buildings and the lively atmosphere.
• Walk towards Ratusz or Gdansk Town Hall which in the summer has a viewpoint tower from which you can admire the city.
• Right next to ratusz, you’ll see the Neptune Fountain, a beautiful sculpture converted into a fountain which is a big tourist landmark in the city.
• Speaking of towers, right next door you will find the stunning gothic St. Mary’s Basilica, which has a 400 steps tower to which you can climb for even better views from above.
• At the end of Long Market, you will see Zielona Brama, the other gate at the end of the street.
• Then you can walk along the river to get to the famous port Crane which represents the city’s role in trading. You can walk undeath it and see its size. It’s pretty impressive.
• In Old Town, there are two streets you cannot miss, Piwna (Beer Street) which is a historical spot that today you visit for amazing breweries and Mariacka, a street known for its amber shops. I would end your tour by sipping a cold beer on Piwna and people watching.

Evening in Gdansk

For the evening, I recommend strolling along the river on the town side as well as on Wyspa Spichrzow, a small island connected by multiple bridges. The walk between the two is short and the atmosphere will completely change at night. If you want a nice restaurant along the river, I personally recommend Chleb i Wino located on the island side.

Day 2: Exploring Sopot

Morning in Sopot

As I mentioned earlier, Gdansk is part of the tri-city: Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot. For your second day in Poland, I recommend taking a 20 min train towards Sopot, the cute beach resort town known for its posh vibes and the longest pier in Europe. The train from Gdansk runs every ~10 minutes from the main train station and costs about $3.

Once you arrive in Sopot, you will exit the train station and walk toward the main pedestrian street in town Bohaterow Monte Cassino. On that walk, you’ll see the cozy local architecture, cute restaurants, bars, and shops. Don’t miss the famous tilted house or Krzywy Domek.

As you reach the end, you’ll find the square right before the famous Sopot pier or Molo. You will have to pay a small entrance fee and then you can enter the biggest pier in Europe. It took me a while to walk down the pier and I’ll say that its length is pretty impressive.

After you’re done strolling, walk towards the public beach which will be right next to the pier along with a waterfront park. Sopot is a resort town so after some strolling around, and having a nice lunch followed by some beach time, you’ll be ready to go back to Gdansk. Unless of course you want to indulge in a nice spa treatment or a boat ride instead 🙂

Afternoon (or evening) in 100cznia

On your way back to the city, one of the train stops right outside of Gdansk will be 100cznia or the cool place to be in town. It’s an old shipyard converted into a hipster paradise. You’ll find art, breweries, restaurants in cargo shipping containers, music, and an awesome atmosphere that draws some interesting people to its area.

I went there during the day and enjoyed a beer in an old warehouse and then a nice Israeli meal from a shipping container. It was awesome and something I would recommend doing. The train stop there seems a little sketchy, but after a short 5 min walk, you’ll be where all the action is.

The place turns into a super awesome nightspot but as a solo female traveler, I usually have a rule of not going out too far during late hours.

Gdansk Itinerary Wrap-up

After two full days in the northern towns of Poland, get ready for Krakow! You have two options, jump on a late-night flight there or take an early morning one.

Stop 2: Krakow

Krakow vs. Warsaw

Now, you might be thinking, why Krakow and not Warsaw? Warsaw is the capital so why wouldn’t you include it on this itinerary? To visit Warsaw or Krakow seems to be one of the most asked questions for those traveling to Poland. I have been to both and I will tell you this. While Warsaw is a beautiful city, Krakow has more of a character. Especially if it’s your first time in Poland, I recommend Krakow over Warsaw by a long shot. In my opinion, Krakow is by far one of the best cities to visit in Poland.

Quick Logistics

So after your amazing time in the northern beauty of Poland named Gdansk, you’ll hop on a quick flight to get you to Krakow. I don’t recommend buses or trains for this route as those connections are necessarily long. In the summer, the flights run daily, and flight prices between Krakow and Gdansk range from $15 to $50 depending on the time and airline.

Once you reach Krakow Airport, there is a quick connection on the train to the main station in town. There are also Ubers or taxis in the city but Krakow does tend to have a lot of traffic. Within the city, you have trains and trams to take you anywhere you want to go.

Day 3: Exploring Krakow City

Morning in Old Town

One of the most popular things to do in Krakow is to see Rynek Glowny or the main town square. No matter how many times in my life I’ve seen it, I can never get enough of it. Being the largest main square in Europe, it’s honestly a true beauty. I also recommend seeing it in the morning when it’s least busy, then in the afternoon when it’s most busy and of course in the evening and at night 🙂

You will spend some time walking around but note the following landmarks:

• Sukiennice or Cloth Hall: At the very center of the square, you’ll find this historical shopping area with all artisanal products unique to the Polish culture.
• Rynek Underground: There is a cool museum under the town square for about $7.
• Town Hall Tower: You can visit the inside of this 14th-century building to learn some more history.
• St. Mary’s Basilica: This stunning church is also the place from which you will hear the famous call (Hejnal) every hour.
• Floriańska Street: One of the more famous streets branching off from the town square.

Don’t forget to grab a drink or a coffee in one of the many restaurants and cafes in the town square. Allow yourself to speak in the atmosphere before rushing off to the next spot.

Afternoon in Krakow

For your afternoon activity, I visit the famous Wawel Castle. It’s Poland’s pride and joy as it was the former residence of the royalty. Today you will find it to be a historical museum with art and other important treasures. Additionally the Wawel hill houses the Wawel Cathedral. And of course, you cannot miss the Dragon’s Den.

Depending on whether you tour it with a tour guide or just visit on your own, the time which you spend there will vary. Don’t forget to set aside some time to walk along the Vistula River located nearby.

Things to do in Krakow at night

For dinner, I recommend heading over to the Jewish Quarter. It’s not too far from the main square and today is also a lively area of town.

It’s no secret that Krakow has one of the best nightlife scenes in Poland if not in Europe 🙂 Therefore you will not have any issues with finding things to do in Krakow at night. If you’re traveling alone or even in a small group, a Pub Crawl is never a bad idea. They’re pretty cheap but more importantly, they provide you with new friends and bring you to the best bars!

If you’re planning your own night, make sure to start the night at a shot bar or Pijalnia. Shots are cheap starting at $1 and they’re pretty tasty. Then head to Old Town which has a ridiculous amount of bars. Since I always like a Latin vibe, you can find me at Teatro Cubano Club.

Some things to keep in mind are that drinking in public is not allowed (you will get fined) and security guys are assholes so don’t talk to them. Also, don’t be a hero and start drinking anything Spirytus-based. It’s never a good idea and you will regret it the next day.

Day 4: Tour in Krakow

While you can certainly spend another day in the city enjoying a different area, for your second day of the Krakow itinerary, I recommend you take one of the tours below.

Auschwitz-Birneakau

Let me just start by saying that a visit to this place will change you as a person. It’s certainly not a cheerful trip, especially after the amazing time you’ve been having, but this is just one of those places you have to see.

Auschwitz-Birneakau is one of the biggest Nazi concentration camps where Jews and Poles were gassed and then burned in crematoriums. As soon as you arrive there, you’ll feel the dark energy of this place.

As you take the tour and learn about the history, your understanding of this world will change. It’s awful, it’s horrendous but it’s important that every single person that has the chance to see it, sees it. Tours are organized at various hours in multiple languages. This is an all-day tour and you won’t be back until the evening. I booked my tour through a hostel but below you can find some highly-rated suggestions.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

In case you want to choose another tour or have an extra day in Krakow, the second place I recommend visiting is the Salt Mine. Wieliczka is impressive and the polish miners made it into a masterpiece. Note that you have to take many stairs to get down there but if you need assistance, simply email them ahead of time.

As the name suggests, the salt mine is made of salt 🙂 You’ll find an impressive network of rooms you can visit but what’s even more shocking is that the mine has over 170 miles of tunnels too. The tour highlights include the Chapel, ballroom, lakes, sculptures, tunnel walks, and a nice history lesson with a legend of the mine. If you really want to, you can even stay at the hotel for the night underground or get a spa treatment.

Last night in Krakow

For your last night in Krakow, treat yourself to a nice dinner. And since Krakow is a cheap destination, this won’t even strain your budget too much. For some higher-end places check out the following:

• Trzy Rybki
• Szara Ges
• Cafe Oranzeria
• Garden Restaurant
• Amarylis
• Wierzynek

I hope that at the end of your Krakow itinerary you’d fallen in love with the city. This town is simply incredible and very underrated as a travel destination for everything it has to offer. The last leg of the trip will be to another amazing Polish destination.

Stop 3: Zakopane Itinerary

Zakopane is a mountain town in the very southern part of Poland. It is one of the best cities in Poland for adventure lovers. I spent 3 days in the Tatra Mountains last summer hiking, relaxing, and simply enjoying the mountains. If you’re a hiker, you’re in for a treat with the trails. If you’re not a hiker, there are many things you can do in the area while still enjoying the incredible mountain views.

Zakopane is known for its highlander culture or Gorale. They have distinct mountain architecture, ornate clothing, and beautiful music.

If your itinerary doesn’t allow for the 3 days below, there are 1-day tours that take you from Krakow to Zakopane, which condense the activities into 12 hours.

Quick Transport Logistics

To get to Zakopane, you’ll have to take a bus from Krakow. There are a couple of companies running on that route so a simple Google search will return many options. Polish buses are more or less reliable so unless there is heavy traffic, you won’t have issues with them. Prices range from $5-$10 depending on the company. At the bus station, don’t always trust your ticket platform name as the source of truth. I had to find my bus by looking for the company and the bus number instead.

Remember that there is one main road that brings you into Zakopane and during the busy season (summer) it will take you 3x the time to get to the city. For that reason, during peak season, I recommend taking the train. Although the route is longer, compared to driving in or taking the bus, you will still save some time. It’s also half the price of a bus.

Transport within the city

Zakopane is the resort city of the Tatra Mountains and all the hiking trails are located within short driving distances of it. When you get there, to get to the trailheads, you can either take town buses that have more local stops or the microbuses which take you between the major hiking entry points. If you’re depending on the buses, check out the schedule that day because it changes based on the month. The microbuses are super easy to navigate and the drivers are very friendly.

Where to Stay in Zakopane

Prioritize where you’ll stay based on what you want to do. If you’re planning to enjoy the town, take the cable car to the mountain range and not do much hiking, Zakopane city will be your best bet. In case you decide to go anywhere, there are buses to take you there. Since this is a resort town, your options are hotels or Airbnbs and trust me, there is not a shortage of them.

I personally stayed at GoodBye Lenin Hostel because I was traveling solo. It was located about 15-20 minutes from the town but it was right next to a couple of trail entrances. I loved the atmosphere there and if you like hostels with a character, this is a place for you.

Day 5: Introduction to Zakopane

If you take the bus in the morning and drop off your luggage before check-in, you will be able to start exploring right away. For the next three days, I planned the activities and how I would personally lay them out. However, feel free to swap them in any other order that makes sense to you.

Kasprowy Wierch

Kasprowy Wierch is one of the most popular things to do in Zakopane, so prepare for it to be busy! While you can certainly climb this peak, the attraction is known for its cable car. You need to book tickets in advance on their official website and yes, they book far out. The views along the way will be unbelievable and then you will have some time to explore the peak before your return. Note that the top is pretty chilly compared to the summer heat in the city.

Krupowki Street

After your cable car adventure, head to the heart of town to enjoy the atmosphere of Zakopane. Krupowki is a long pedestrian street with bars, restaurants, and shops. I walked it twice, tried to spend some time in the shops looking at the artisanal products, and then I made sure to grab my beloved Aperol Spritz and spent some time people watching from my cozy seat.

Gubalowka Hill

There are two major tourist viewpoints of the Tatra Mountain range, one being Kasprowy Wierch in the actual range and the second being Gubalowska. If you imagine Zakopane being in the middle, Gubalowka will be to the north giving you a panoramic view of the mountains. It is honestly a breathtaking view the first time you see it.

Although Kasprowy is certainly much higher up, Gubalowka simply gives you another perspective of the Tatras. I like this for an afternoon activity as the restaurants and stands open up and become lively. To get there, take a quick funicular from the north end of Krupowki Street.

Day 6:

Hiking in the Tatras

Hiking in Zakopane is one of the best things you can do in Poland. I took two hikes, day one being a 7-hour hike through a more difficult route and day two being an easy flat 3-hour walk. Both gave me unbelievable views of the mountain range. If you’re interested in the routes I have taken, I wrote a guest post on We Are Travel Girls about the two hikes and included a detailed trail map.

One of the most popular attractions in the area is Morskie Oko or a lake situated in the middle of the mountains. The path there is one of the most popular ones in the area because it’s fairly flat and paved. I personally didn’t visit because I opted out for the Black Lake or Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy which is a much harder trek than Morskie Oko.

After your hiking routes you will be exhausted, probably wanting to rest for the night but if you still have some energy left in you, return to Krupowki Street for a nice dinner.

Day 7:

Thermal Baths

Before your Poland journey ends, I strongly recommend visiting one of the area’s incredible thermal baths. These mineral waters are not only pleasant but also amazing for your skin and well-being. Where you get to go depends on what kind of amenities you’d like. The most popular ones include:

• Bialka Tatrzanska and Bukowina Tatrzanska are both located about 30 minutes from Zakopane on the eastern side.
• Chocholow Termy are 20 mins away on the western side close to the Slovakian border. This one is the biggest thermal bath in Poland and it’s also more expensive than the two above.

Last Dinner

For the last day of your Zakopane itinerary make sure to treat yourself to a nice dinner. Here are some awesome places in town for you to consider:

• Bąkowo Zohylina Niźnio
• Góralska Tradycja
• Karczma Zapiecek
• Restauracja Po Widoki

Final Thoughts

I hope a week in the best cities in Poland will convince you to come back to more cities. I recommend this itinerary for a first-timer so you can see three very different parts of my country: the northern Baltic Sea, the vibrant and historic atmosphere of Krakow, and finally the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Our rich Polish culture is full of traditions, good food, history, and beautiful places. While most travelers will choose more known places when traveling to Europe, if you want an amazing, less crowded, and significantly cheaper destination, try Poland! I promise you won’t regret it 🙂

What is a polish destination you would like to see? What is your favorite polish food? Share in the comments below!

Map for your stay

Downloadable Itinerary for your week in Poland

I created a summarized version of the week in Poland itinerary above so you can print it for the road. However, I strongly recommend that you read the full guide above first as it contains a lot more details that you will need in order to get the most out of this.

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With that said, I am here to bring you an awesome one-week Dominican Republic itinerary that doesn’t involve staying at an all-inclusive resort! It will let you see three different sides of the country and give you a small glimpse into life there.

Traveling the more local way in the Dominican Republic requires some preparation, especially if you’re going to rent a car. The island is pretty big and there is a good chunk of places to visit in the Dominican Republic. People fall in love with this destination, especially a lot of older European men if you catch my drift. For me, it was probably a one-time stop but nonetheless, I did have an awesome time here. Today, I am here to give you an awesome itinerary on how to spend 7 days in the Dominican Republic!

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂

Let’s get to the logistics

Tips on traveling to the Dominican Republic

• DR ain’t cheap. I’m not sure why but I imagined that I would be spending very little money there. Although some things were indeed pretty cheap, things added up quickly at the end of the trip. FYI the currency is the Dominican dollar and the conversion between USD is about 55:1.
• Renting a car is an adventure and gas costs a shit ton. More on that below.
• Restaurant bills are confusing. First, you pay an additional 18% tax, and then a 10% service charge. That charge is supposed to be a tip but from talking to locals, I learned that a lot of times that amount doesn’t even go to the waiter. So if you really did like your service, some people leave an extra tip on top of that. When you think your beer is only $3 because of the menu price, think again.
• Speaking of restaurants, the service is honestly the worst I have EVER experienced. And in every corner of the island too. Only at a couple of places, I had amazing and friendly waiters but at most, it was just plain annoying. The locals have no problem snapping and yelling at the waitstaff but I just couldn’t do it. Patience will be your best friend when eating out.
• DR is a poor country so don’t be shocked at the number of ladies/gentlemen for hire there. An older European gentleman accompanied by a young local girl is a total norm there. Walking on certain beaches you might also be offered unsolicited services.
• While you should always be purchasing travel insurance anywhere you go, make sure to purchase it for the Dominican Republic. I always personally use Allianz as they came in clutch when I got robbed in Spain 🙂

Best time to go to the Dominican Republic

February to April is a good time because the temperatures are decent and it’s not hurricane season but it’s also peak season with a good chunk of tourists. May and June get hotter, drop a little in crowds, and chances of rain increase (most of the rain is very quick to pass through). After July the months are known for lots of rain. A detailed list of the best months along with national holidays can be found here.

I visited in March and the weather was perfect, although tbh I expected the ocean water to be slightly warmer than it was. Whenever it rained, it would pass by quickly and didn’t affect my exploring too much. The nights would be summer chilly meaning I’d have to wear a light sweater at night.

How to get to the Dominican Republic:

There is no shortage of airports in the Dominican Republic. If you’re traveling during peak season and Punta Cana flights are crazy expensive, try flying to other airports instead. I personally flew into Puerto Plata (POP) airport in the north and flew out of Santo Domingo (Las Americas SDQ). It saved me about $400 in airfare and allowed me to see more than just touristy areas of Punta Cana! There are a couple of other smaller airports on the island too, depending on your origin/destination connections. Things to consider:

• Puerto Plata Airport: Located in the north part of the island. Not very crowded and easy to fly into from the NYC area. It’s close to Puerto Plata and Cabarete.
• Santo Domingo Airport: This is a very local airport and I did not see many tourists there the two times I was there. Flights are early in the morning and late at night which makes it a little more difficult to get to. I had to drive to this airport at 3 am despite all advice not to drive at night. It’s located about 30-45 min from Santo Domingo and 2 hours from Punta Cana.
• Airport in Punta Cana: As a tourist, this is probably the most convenient location as almost all people who stay at Bavaro area resorts fly here. It’s also the most expensive.

To rent or not to rent a car in the Dominican Republic

For most countries that I visit, unless I know that the public transport is amazing, I always rent a car because I like the freedom of getting around. Before my trip, I went into the deep hole of the travel forums on the safety of renting a car in the Dominican Republic. The majority of online people tell you that it is a horrible idea due to crazy drivers, lack of rules, corrupt police, and the danger of driving at night. Naturally, I wanted to see whether everything that was said was true and rented a car there. Even after arrival when we talked to locals they were surprised that a young tourist (and a woman) would rent a car and go on a driving adventure.

Was it all true?

Yes. Yes, it was. Driving in the Dominican Republic is nuts. There are cars, motorbikes, animals, and people, sometimes not even going in the correct direction of traffic. Would I do it again? Absolutely. While driving there isn’t for the nervous driver, if you follow the rules, stay aware, and are super careful, you will be ok. However, this is coming from someone who drives in New Jersey and New York in her day-to-day life. If you’re not a confident driver and you tend to get nervous and stressed, skip the rental. Otherwise just know that while driving won’t be easy, it will give you the freedom to see more than you would otherwise.

Car Rental in Puerto Plata airport

At Puerto Plata airport, I rented my car with Europcar from Booking. I never had bad rental experiences until my trip to Mexico and since then, now I always triple-read the fine print and make sure to have all my paperwork ready. The agent was nice but he did try to pull a couple of tricks to get more $$ out of me. I used my credit car insurance which includes putting down a hefty $3k deposit. My Chase Saphire has not failed me yet with car rental coverage even when my car got broken into in Tenerife, so I always decline all coverage and go with the card one. A person in front of me said she waited over 1 hour to get the car but I got mine in about 15 minutes after finishing the paperwork.

Car Rental in Santo Domingo Airport

Even though I picked up my car in Puerto Plata, I was flying out of Santo Domingo so I had to drop off the car there. This, by the way, includes a one-way fee that you will need to pay with the rental company. Dropping off the car rental in Santo Domingo was not a great experience as the agent tried to tell me that a dime-sized imprint on the car is subject to damage. Although I took many initial pictures, the size of this was so small you couldn’t see it. He insisted on filling out a damage report in Spanish and blaming me for the “dent.” I refused to sign anything and left. It’s a shame that even after paying a ton of money (peak season rates) the car companies still try to screw you over, leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth. So, shame on you Europcar.

Gas Station Scams

Another thing that can royally piss you off is the gas-station scams. The most common is the pump not being zeroed out before you fill your tank. In DR you cannot do it yourself and there isn’t a shortage of gas attendants trying to pull tricks on tourists. During my first gas station stop (near Juan Dolio), I got out of the car and made sure to watch the zeros on the pump. The attendant could not have been nicer, washed my windows and we had a nice interaction.

My second stop (near Boca Chica) was a disaster. Although the attendant zeroed the pump, mid-way he asked me to check if my tank is full, and while I looked away for a second, he zeroed the pump and started it the second time. I didn’t get to see the first amount but I know for a fact that his number was at least double what it should have been. He also insisted I sad premium rather than regular. Despite my protest in Spanish, I had to pay most of his scam price but I disputed the charge with my credit card company. So moral of the story, when pumping your gas, get out of the car and watch the pump like a hawk.

So … with all that said, should you rent a car in the Dominican Republic?

If reading my stories above would affect your overall mood on the trip in a very negative way, then maybe you shouldn’t rent a car. If you’ve dealt with similar situations above and look at them as part of your travel experiences, then rent a car 🙂 If you choose not to rent one, there is public transportation connecting the major cities.

Ok, now that you have the basics of what to prep for before your visit, let’s get to the one-week itinerary! I divide up the plan into 3 stops and include awesome places to visit in the Dominican Republic.

An awesome one week Dominican Republic itinerary

The Dominican Republic is a big country. Compared to driving in its neighbor Puerto Rico where places were reachable within a couple of hours, in the DR, you won’t be able to see the whole island. I suggest the following general route with local activities: Puerto Plata -> Santo Domingo -> Punta Cana. These three areas are very different allowing you to see different angles of the island.

Stop 1: Puerto Plata & Cabarete – 3 days

Where to stay in Puerto Plata area

Located in the northern part of the island, Puerto Plata is an area not as commonly visited by the majority of tourists compared to Punta Cana. Not only is flying there is cheaper but you will also experience the variety of landscapes that this part offers. You will have the Atlantic Ocean side, cute beach towns, mountains, and a nice local town. It’s known for water activities, relaxing or adventure tours. Since this was my first stop, I didn’t know I would end up liking it the best. I would say that if you want similar vibes to a resort stay but don’t want the resort part, Puerto Plata area is your answer. Although there are many less crowded resorts in Puerto Plata area too.

I personally stayed at the best hotel ever Cabarete Eco Lodge. It was a beachfront eco-hotel with open-air rooms, a small pool, and a bar & restaurant. Now it’s certainly not for everyone as the open-air concept doesn’t allow for much privacy (you do have curtains though). For me though, it was brilliant. The location was decent, it took about 30 minutes by car from the airport, and then to get to the main part of Cabarete, it was another 10 minutes by car. There are many other hotels and even more Airbnbs in the area too, the only thing I would recommend is being beachfront.

Things to do in Puerto Plata

I recommend 3 days in Puerto Plata but rather than my usual day-by-day plan style, I will give you a la carte list of things to do in Puerto Plata. That way you can choose to have 3 full days of activities or 3 full days of laying on the beach.

Puerto Plata Beaches – Half to full day

Puerto Plata is an actual town and the Atlantic Ocean beaches are located east and west of the town. And Beaches in the Dominican Republic are just amazing so make sure to spend at very least half a day relaxing on one. If you like water sports, Cabarete has a ton of them including kite surfing. If you like to tan and drink cocktails on the beach instead, there are plenty of spots to do that as well. Needless to say, whatever you choose to do, you will love what the area offers for this activity. Here are the most popular spots in the area:

• Sosua: A very popular beach for locals and tourists alike. It gets very busy on the weekends too. You will have white sand and turquoise water along with many beach shops and restaurants.
• Cabarete: The small town of Cabarete has a nice beach with some bars and restaurants. There are neighboring beaches like Kite Beach known for water sports.
• Playa Dorada: A beach to the west of Puerto Plata town. Has a lot of all-inclusive resorts
• Key Paradise: This little sandbar can be accessed on a tour and includes snorkeling, swimming in crystal clear waters, and little booths for lunch. Keep in mind that mind day a ton of people arrive there.
• For a complete review of beaches, Two Monkeys post has an awesome full list of the beaches too.

27 Waterfalls/27 Charcos/Waterfalls of Damajagua – Half day

This half-day excursion is amazing and something you should certainly do when visiting Puerto Plata but before you book it, let me tell you what it entails. I personally booked the excursion without knowing what I would be doing exactly. Naively I assumed that I would simply do some hiking and admiring of the local waterfalls. When we got to the first waterfall, my heart almost exploded out of my chest as I stood on the edge …

Here is what the excursion consists of:

• You can book an excursion with tour providers ($70-80) or you can drive yourself if you have a car and pay ~$10 entry that includes the same thing. Although I had a car in DR, I choose a tour provider because I had no idea you can do this independently … If you have a car, there is no need to book a tour online.
• Once you arrive you will get your vest, helmet, and water shoes. Make sure you rent/bring water shoes! It will be very uncomfortable if you don’t. A tour guide will take you through the waterfalls.
• First, you will walk about 30 minutes through the jungle to reach the waterfalls. It’s mostly uphill but nothing crazy. Your introduction to the river will begin there, you will slowly start your walk toward the first waterfall.
• Ok, here is where I realized I had no idea what I signed up for. From the start, you’re told that you can jump, slide or go down the ladder if you’re scared. When you reach the first waterfall, you quickly realize that you pretty much only have the option of jumping. The ladder in my opinion is scarier.
• I had no idea I was scared of jumping into the water. Although the jump was a little over 20 feet, the narrowness of the caves gave me legit anxiety. I was shaking and my heart was pounding but I jumped because there was no better alternative to get down.
• You repeat this a couple more times and toward the end, there are a couple of slides.
• In my group, everyone jumped, including the older tourists too so it felt like I had to as well. Some people were just as scared as me though but we overcame our fears and just did it.
• Would I do it again? No way. As beautiful as the location and the hike are, this was not enjoyable for me because I was scared. If you know you don’t like cliff/cave jumps, do not do this. If you do enjoy this type of adrenaline you will absolutely love the whole thing 🙂

Puerto Plata Town – Half Day

Most beachfront hotels are located within the Puerto Plata area, not necessarily near the actual town. The town itself is a cute little half-day excursion so make sure to set some time aside for seeing this gem.

Start your trip by taking a ride to the peak of Mount Isabel de Torres on the local cable car or Teleferico. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes and includes stunning views of mountains and the town. When I visited in March, it was closed for maintenance but has reopened since. Its operating hours are between 8:30 am to 3 pm.

After your cable car ride, head over to Fortaleza San Felipe Fortress, a historical fortress built to defend the city. The structure offers panoramic views of the ocean and a nice park to stroll around. Locals like to catch the sunset from there too in case you want to come back later in the day.

When you’re done exploring the fortress, take a 15-minute walk into the center of the historical Puerto Plata. Parque Central is the main plaza with beautiful Victorian buildings and Cathedral San Felipe. Two blocks over you will find two cute picture stops, the Umbrella Street (Calle San Felipe) and the vibrant pink Paseo de Doña Blanca. Lastly, if you like drink/food “museums” there is the Macroix House of Rum or Del Oro Chocolate. Personally, you couldn’t pay me to go into one but some people love these types of places 🙂

Puerto Plata Nature Activities – Half Day

There are multiple awesome activities you can do in the Puerto Plata region:

• Monkey Jungle: A monkey sanctuary and/or a zipline adventure located near Cabarete.
• eXtreme Hotel: Has a trapeze school!
• ATV & Horseback Riding Tours: There are a ton of tour providers in town for both of these activities. I don’t have a specific one to recommend but a simple TripAdvisor search will give you a bunch of them.
• Kiteboarding School: Puerto Plata is known for kiteboarding. Why not try something extreme and take a lesson from the pros.
• Laguna Dudu: This beautiful Nature Preserve is located almost two hours from Cabarete. It has a cenote and a small lagoon into which you can zipline jump. There is a park in which you can picnic or a restaurant on-site too.

Where to eat in Puerto Plata

Staying in Cabarete Eco Lodge, I was spoiled with their awesome hotel restaurant’s homemade food so I honestly did not venture out much during this leg of my trip. GaminTraveler has an awesome Puerto Plata Food Guide post and Alex in Wanderland has a beautiful post on Cabarete food.

Stop 2: Santo Domingo – 2 days

From North to South

The transport between Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo is fairly easy. If you rented a car, the drive is mostly on the highways. Driving near Santo Domingo is stressful though so I won’t even sugarcoat it. If you don’t have a car, jump on a bus like Caribe Tours for example, and take this 3.5-hour journey to the southern part of the island.

Fun detour: If you have the time, you can take a small detour toward Jarbacoa, to the Jamaca de Dios restaurant. It’s certainly not a short one and the drive requires some local driving but the views from up-top are super worth it. The restaurant is located on a hill in a gated community, which honestly has the worst roads I have seen in such an upscale area. It’s an in-and-out drive though, you can’t make a loop back to the highway.

Where to stay in Santo Domingo

Whether you decide to stay in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, just stay in the Zona Colonial area. The rest of the city isn’t that appealing although the Airbnbs with rooftop pools do look enticing. As a huge fan of hostels, there aren’t many hostel options in town, you pretty much only have Island Life as an option. That is where I stayed and although there is nothing wrong with it, it wasn’t the most exciting hostel I have stayed in. I wish they organized some activities like walking tours or hostel dinners to make the stay in Santo Domingo a little more interesting.

Things to do in Santo Domingo on your Dominican Republic itinerary

Zona Colonial

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about Santo Domingo: there isn’t much to do in the city aside from Zona Colonial (and don’t be mad because you know I’m right). Zona Colonial is a charming area though so spending half to one day exploring is the ideal time there. Many people that I have met there love it as a place to live and I could see the charm of it, small town, good food, cheap cost of living and a community feel. But as a tourist, after you see the highlights, you just end up walking around the same area. Nonetheless, here is a list of places you should add to your walk:

• Parque Colon: This town square/park is the heart of Zona Colonial is where you will find many locals and tourists hanging out. There is a church, a small park (with lots of pigeons), and some restaurants surrounding the area.
• Calle El Conde: The main shopping street in town. It’s a nice walkway with some street vendors, bars, and restaurants. Connected to Parque Colon, you won’t have to go far to find it. Walk all the way down and you will reach Parque Independencia.
• Plaza de la Hispanidad: A beautiful plaza with Alcazar de Colon, a fortified palace owned by the Columbus family as the backdrop.
• Calle Las Damas: The first paved street in the Americas which has a ton of history. If you don’t read about the history you will be a lost puppy like I was. It carries a lot of significance and you should either read about it prior or do a walking tour on the street.
• Mercado Modelo: A market with tons of souvenir shops.

Don’t forget to come back to the square at night either.

Tres Ojos

Tres Ojos or Three Eyes is a park a short ride away from Zona Colonial. As the name suggests, there are 3 cave pools, kinda like the famous Mexican cenotes, which you can admire on your walk. You can enjoy this natural wonder and takes some awesome pictures too. The park is the perfect oasis in the middle of a busy since but the bad news is that you can’t swim there. The whole excursion won’t cost you much, an Uber from Zona Colonial will run you about $5, and the entrance to the park another $2.

Day Trips to Beach Towns

You can see everything you want to see in Santo Domingo in a day so I recommend heading to a local beach town for the second day of your stay in the area. You can take the highway Route 3 east or west to visit some beautiful beaches.

Boca Chica: To be clear, I am not recommending a day trip here but rather telling you to avoid this place. I actually ended up staying a night there to be close to the airport and expected a quick cute local beach town stop. A lot of travel blogs show you pictures and hide certain aspects of a place. I knew Boca Chica had its reputation but I didn’t realize to what extent. So let me be totally honest with you here, Boca Chica is grimy and unless you’re staying at a hotel with a private beach, you might not like it. The hotel I stayed at was on the cleaner side of town and I visited some crazy overpriced restaurants. A walk on the beach was gross and I was scared to walk around there at night.

Juan Dolio: There are two parts to Juan Dolio. One is a local, much nicer alternative to Boca Chica and the second is a smaller town that has some luxury gated communities near Playa Hemmingway. If you have an extra day or so, I recommend renting an Airbnb in that area as many of those complexes provide resort-style amenities. Both of the beaches have crystal clear waters, white sand, and amazing palm trees. There really isn’t much to do there aside from lounging on the beach.

Additionally, I will say that I had amazing meals there (although not cheap) so I will recommend a couple of restaurants in the area that I tried myself. Major disclaimer, these are not local style, they’re located in the more boujee Playa Hemingway area so the crowd there is very different.

• El Concón: Located literally at the very end of Juan Dolio, this place was super tasty. The ambiance of the restaurant was also super cool with all the plants and decor.
• El Mesón Español: Also another gem in the area with really tasty food. I recommend sitting outside too for a nice patio atmosphere.
• Sal Marina: The food here was 10/10. I really enjoyed this spot.
• Gulia’s: Every travel blog and TripAdvisor post talks about this place for breakfast but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to visit. Maybe you should and then report back about how it was 🙂

Dunes of Bani: Want to experience a random dessert with views of a baby blue ocean as your background? Speak no more and head to Dunes of Bani. It will take you about an hour and a half from Santo Domingo. You can rent a sandboard and have some fun sliding it down.

Stop 3: Punta Cana – 2 days

Getting there

Continuity on our Dominican Republic itinerary, to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana you can drive for about 2 hours or if you don’t have a car, the option of a $10 Aptpra bus from city to city. Private transfers run between $100-$150 for the trip. If you’re driving, as a tourist do not drive over 100 km/hr as you will be certainly stopped by police that wants to make some money 🙂

Prepare for a change of vibe – tourists

I debated going to Punta Cana on my itinerary as the goal for this trip was to stay away from resorts. But at the same time, I felt like I wanted to see that side of the country too and why it’s so popular. I didn’t hate being there but at the same time, I quickly remembered why I didn’t want to stay at a resort to begin with. As soon as I drove past the Punta Cana Airport, the “resort-tourist” vibes began.

Don’t get me wrong, people love their resorts and I love a more local way of travel. At the end of the day, I get scammed at a gas station and have to worry about bribing the local law enforcement and my resort counterpart gets to sip on margaritas in the pool …

After spending time in Cabarete, Santo Domingo, and then Juan Dolio, this was a mini-culture shock on my itinerary. I decided to add this part to the itinerary because at least this way you get to see the contrast between the North, the capital, and the touristy east.

Where to stay in Punta Cana

Obviously, Punta Cana is known for resorts, here are some decent ones too, so that might not be a horrible option if you stayed in Airbnbs and non-resort hotels for the first part of your trip. I personally stayed in an Airbnb in the Los Corales gated community. The location was right next to the beach and within a short walking distance of restaurants. The Airbnb itself was just ok so I won’t recommend it to you.

Things to do in Punta Cana

Staying two days in Punta Cana you have the following options: beach day for day 1 and a day trip to Saona Island or an adventure park. If you’re a person who likes activities, sorry pal, there aren’t that many of them here 🙂 This is truly a town for a resort person.

Beaches in Punta Cana – Full Day

Punta Cana is known for its beaches and there is a good reason for that. And if you’re going to visit any beaches in the Dominican Republic, it should be there. They are really really pretty and the first time you see that amazing baby blue water you understand why people love the location so much. If you’re not staying at a resort, don’t worry, you can rent beach chairs, hang out at bars like Soles, or do any water sports pretty much anywhere. The beach is pretty long, you can walk up and down to find the spot that vibes with you the most.

Some places will have beach chairs available to guests only but you will notice that a lot of bars and others advertise daily rentals for a small fee. There are areas in which you can simply lay on a towel too.

Day Trip to Saona Island

Ugh, I really really hoped this wasn’t a tourist trap because I booked it on Airbnb but it was a total tourist trap. Hear me out though …

You book a day excursion from Airbnb experiences where you’re promised an all-inclusive boat ride to a small island where you will lounge, starfish, and then a party catamaran return later. You look at the pictures and you think, omg this looks amazing, how can they possibly ruin this …

Ok here is the sad reality: You spend 2 hours on the bus in the morning picking up random people from resorts, you take a crowded boat to a natural pool where a photographer forces you to take photos (that you obviously have to pay for), you drink cheap rum out of mouthwash cups, you get to the island which is so crowded that you can’t find a spot to lay, the all-inclusive part is a plate of chicken and rice, and when you return on a catamaran which is actually cool.

Were the views amazing? Yes.
Did I see a starfish? From far away, could have been a crab tbh.
Was it enjoyable? Some parts.
Would I do it again? Not again but the scenery was so beautiful that the headache was worth it.

Activity Parks – Full Day

For a resort town, there aren’t many good activities in the Punta Cana area. Compare Playa del Carmen in Mexico where although touristy, the majority of the tourist parks are actually fun. I didn’t do any of the activities because the more I read people’s reviews on them, I knew that it was not really up my alley. However, in case you want to do your own research here are your options:

• Ecological Park Ojos Indigenas: An ecological park in which you can swim in some lagoons, enjoy nature and walk around. The reviews are mostly positive for this place but note that there is a $50 entry fee. It doesn’t seem like you get much out of that though.
• Scape Park: An adventure park with zip lines, cave swimming, a buggy ride (for an extra fee), and some nature trails. It’s crazy expensive for what it offers too, $130 or $160 entry fee. Reviews seem mixed, some love it others say the price is way too high for what you get.
• Bavaro Adventure Park: Another adventure park with buggy rides, horses, and zip lines. Also crazy pricey at $140 a person pop and without the ability to take your own photos. I had fun reading Google Reviews about this. It seems like this park holds you, hostage if you make a small dent in the buggy.

Final Thoughts on a week in the Dominican Republic itinerary

When I look back at my one week in the Dominican Republic, I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I really enjoyed my time in Cabarete and the northern part of the island. It was a beautiful beach destination and not crazy touristy. I wish I spent more time there and had the chance to see more of the northern cities. Visiting Santo Domingo was ok, nothing that spoke to my soul. The city felt limited in terms of what to do and outside the colonial zone, there really wasn’t much to see. Lastly, as beautiful as the beaches were in Punta Cana, that whole area was just too resort-y for me. The whole trip was pretty expensive too for what it was.

Would I recommend visiting? I’ll take a neutral stance here. I don’t think we’re meant to love each place to the same extent and each person is supposed to have their own experiences in a particular destination. I’m very happy I got to do this trip outside of resorts as it allowed me to see many different parts of the country and get a glimpse into a more local side of it. I hope that at the end of the day, my itinerary either gave you an awesome Dominican Republic itinerary for your visit or clarity if you’re on the fence about going. Rather than hyping up a destination for what it’s not, I always try to be honest about what it entails and I hope I accomplished that here too.

My favorite part was certainly the beaches in the Dominican Republic and that’s the one thing that made this whole trip worth it.

Map and Downloadable Dominican Republic Itinerary

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1) Essential logistics of traveling to Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona – the perfect trifecta for an awesome week in Spain which will show you 3 different sides of the country

2) A detailed guide on what to expect, what to do, where to stay and which tourist places are actually worth it, and which you should say adios baby to

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Now without further fluff, let’s get to your one-week in Spain itinerary!

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through there 🙂

But first, some Spain travel logistics

Useful things to about before traveling to Spain

• The currency in Spain is the euro. Rather than exchanging dollars or any other currency at the exchange booth or at the airport, I simply withdraw some euros directly from the ATM (most banks do have a fee for this but it’s usually less than the booths) and then use my no fees travel credit card for everything else when I’m there.
• In Spain though, most places accept cards. In countries that do so, I always prefer to use a good travel cards that have no transaction fees, offer purchase protection and rack up points for my future plane tickets.
• Spain is generally not an expensive country but cities like Barcelona which have a lot of tourist attractions can get pretty pricey if you choose to visit a lot of them.
• While in some cities you will come across English speakers, knowing basic Spanish is a total must when traveling there. Barcelona technically speaks Catalan but everyone understands Spanish.
• Omg don’t get me started on petty theft there. It’s a huge issue.
• Each of Spain’s regions feels like a different country sometimes. That’s why from time to time something in the news will pop up about a region wanting independence.
  • If you ever get a chance to visit the northern Basque region you will really see that there.

Best time to go to Spain

When I studied in Spain in mid-July, I was sweaty for the entire time I was there (I did get a nice tan though). The second time was a little better, a late June trip was more tolerable in terms of the sun and heat. My most recent trip was in November and even though the weather was pleasant, I personally prefer a little bit of warmer weather there.

So I’ll say this if you like heat, May, June and September months will have great weather and fewer tourists. If you want to save on flights and accommodations and chilly weather doesn’t bother you, October, November, and then March and April will be better for you.

If you’re heading to Spain, check out my Ibiza itinerary as well!

How to get to Spain

If you’re flying from the US, most likely you will be going into Madrid’s Barajas Airport and/or Barcelona’s El Prat. Here is a little trick for you, use the multi-city feature on Google Flights and create your combinations. You’d be surprised how cheap these trips can end up being. If you have the flexibility, often (not always) booking from Wednesday to Wednesday has the best prices. Here is an example of how affordable ($332!!!) a one-week nonstop flight from NYC into Madrid and out of Barcelona could be in late May:

Transport between cities

Flights between cities are super cheap so before hopping on a train, check if you can fly there instead for $20. BUT note that cheap flights usually come with no included luggage so if you want to save some money, pack light. Trains are also always an option.

Within Madrid and Barcelona, utilize the metro. It will get you from point A to point B in no time and you will not need to spend a ton of money on taxis and uber. From the airport though, if you’re traveling with a group, you might save more on an Uber. Seville has a smaller metro but I never used it since most places are walkable.

If you were traveling to the countryside, I would recommend renting a car. I will have another post on a road trip through Spain’s north coast. But traveling through Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona, public transportation will be way more convenient than worrying about parking.

People in Spain

During my study abroad, I got to live like a local for a little bit and interact with real people who live in Spain. Let me tell you that almost every single individual I have met there was genuine, sweet, and welcoming to me. As a tourist though, the story might be a little different. When you’re traveling in very touristy places, you might not get as warm of treatment there. Spaniards are straightforward and no-nonsense when it comes to the service industry or any other interactions. Don’t be a stereotypical tourist (aka don’t be an asshole), learn basic phrases in Spanish and you will be totally fine.

Safety in Spain

In terms of safety, I couldn’t tell you how many stories I have heard and also experienced petty theft firsthand on of one my trips. When you enter the metro, and I am not exaggerating, treat your belongings as your children. Don’t get distracted for even one second. Especially in Barcelona, your hand shouldn’t leave your backpack or purse at any given time.

My best friend’s purse got robbed in a matter of a 30-second oversight inside a crowded metro. And the worst part is that we were super aware of how bad theft is and those little shits still outsmarted us. Aside from small robberies, Spain is a super safe country so don’t fear.

Must-try foods in Spain

At the very very very minimum, I list the foods that you should absolutely try when visiting Spain. There are SO many more dishes than this and the list grows even longer when you add regionality to it. However, here is a super basic list for you of foods that you should sample in your Spain itinerary:

• Paella: This classic dish originally from Valencia is a Spanish staple. Paella has a rice base with either meats or seafood additions. Since it is very popular it is easy to encounter now so great versions of it in the more touristy areas. Make sure to find local restaurants for good paella.
• Croquettas: These little fried breaded snacks are one of my favorite foods in Spain. The most famous kind is a Jamon (ham) one but they come in many variations. I love them all.
• Patatas Bravas: Another gem of your tapas selection is a good dish of patatas bravas or little potatoes with some delicious aioli or other sauce on aside. A must-try in Spain.
• Tortilla Espanola: Or Spanish omelet which is made of eggs and potatoes, and sometimes onions. It is a very traditional dish in Spain.
• Chorizo: A pork sausage that can be spicy! It’s a great appetizer dish.
• Jamon Iberico: Iberian ham is a cut of pork leg. It’s very tasty and special meat that is can be very expensive outside of Spain.
• Pulpo: Octopus dish often served on the tapas menu.
• Gambas al Ajillo: Garlic shrimp is also another seafood staple dish.
• Pan con Tomate: This is a super simple concept food, a hard bread with smashed tomatoes. It is also a perfect appetizer that goes with many meals.
• Churros: There is nothing better than a thick hot chocolate along with some hot churros! Make sure to try these for dessert.

The perfect itinerary for an amazing week in Spain

A week in Spain is barely an introduction to the country but that should in no way stop you from booking it. The most beautiful cities in Spain are the local hidden gems but before you venture off to those, you need to see the big guys first.

The Spain itinerary I planned below will show you three very different cities located in three very different regions:

1) First, 2 days in Madrid, which has a more cosmopolitan version of life in Spain
2) Then 2 days in Seville in Andalusia in which you can’t miss the Moorish influence
3) Lastly, 3 days in Barcelona in Catalonia from which you will distinctively remember Gaudi’s style

As you travel through these places, you will see how unique each region is and appreciate each of them in its own way. You can do this itinerary in the opposite direction too, as transport between these cities is super easy.

Madrid Itinerary

Transport in Madrid

Arriving at Barajas Airport in Madrid, you won’t be too far from the city center. A fixed taxi fare could work for a couple of people but my suggestion is to take line 8 metro or C1 train to Atocha Station (2.60 euro per way). When you’re in the city, the metro will take you anywhere you want to go. The whole system is honestly super impressive. The metro map looks a little intimidating at first but once you get on a couple of rides, you will master it in no time. The city created a cute metro map too for tourist attractions:

Where to stay

There is certainly no shortage of hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs in the city so book one depending on your comfort and budget level. The last time I stayed in Madrid, I really wanted to be in an apartment right in Plaza Mayor with some good balcony views. I made my dream a reality but the apartment wasn’t the nicest one I have stayed in.

Day 1:

Now let’s get to the actual Madrid itinerary for the first portion of the trip. You will likely arrive early morning from the US direction so drop your bags off at your accommodation (even if check-in isn’t ready), freshen up, and get some coffee to prep for a full day ahead.

Morning Bite and Plaza Mayor

Although it is a pretty touristy spot, I still recommend grabbing a quick bite at Mercado San Miguel. There are many stands with snacks and drinks. My favorite has to be the Aperol Spritz booth too. It’s the perfect introduction to the city from a touristy angle. As with any heavily popular place, make sure to watch your belongings here. After you grab a snack, take a 2-minute walk to Plaza Mayor, the main plaza in Madrid. Although I wouldn’t say that this is my favorite plaza I have visited, it’s still nice to see.

Royal Palace and/or Campo del Moro

The next stop for the day will be Almudena Cathedral. It’s a beautiful church right next to the Royal Palace which you’ll be visiting next. There are guide tours to go into the palace and you can see a limited amount of rooms when you get there. I remember it being very grand and I personally loved learning the history behind it.

However, if visiting palaces isn’t one of your favorite things to do, you might not enjoy this part. Instead, you can head to the beautiful Versailles-inspired gardens located in the back of the palace or Campo del Moro. The entrance is located on Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto, which is a short walk away. It’s a free park perfect for some afternoon relaxation.

Afternoon Wrap

Coming back, you can walk along Calle Gran Vía, the main shopping street in Madrid. Pretty touristy and one of the more popular places in town. Next, a short detour off Gran Via will be the famous Chocolatería San Ginés. The churros there dipped in thick chocolate are out of this world. After this part, I’m sure you’ll want to rest for a little so head back to the hotel for a little siesta. Don’t worry, Spaniards eat dinner super late so you don’t need to rush to your dinner reservations.

Dinner and Flamenco maybe?

One option for dinner is booking a dinner and flamenco night in one. It is a popular activity in town but since you’re going to Seville (Flamenco originated in southern Spain), I’ll keep it as an open option for you which city you’d like to do it in. I desperately wanted to stay away from the main tourist traps and found a less-known restaurant called Cafe Ziryab which had a show on the day of my visit along with a dinner option. It was ok but certainly not the best flamenco show I have seen (the best was actually at a complete hole-in-a-wall in Granada). So I’ll say this, sometimes forcing yourself into trying not to be a tourist will leave you with a subpar experience. If you’re going to do this, do it right and book yourself a night at a place like Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco.

Day 2:

Morning at the Museum

Normally I’m a person who enjoys museums but isn’t crazy fascinated by them to the point where I have to go to one in every new city I visit. In Madrid though, I have to say that I was simply speechless when I explored not one but two of the world-famous museums. I plan to visit another time in the future because let’s just say that the artwork there is like nowhere in this world. Visiting two museums in one day may be a little much though so I’ll let you choose which one vibes more with your soul.

Museo Prado is the more classical art option with artworks by artists like Diego Velázquez, El Greco or Francisco Goya who were simply brilliant. Reina Sofia houses most of the 20-century art with artists like Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Joan Miró. My favorite painting there was the Guernica by Pablo Picasso which I wanted to see for years. Overall I’ll say that either of these museums is worth paying a visit if you’re in Madrid. They’re really impressive and magical. Entry to Prado is 15 euros and 12 euros to Reina Sofia.

Retiro Park

One of the most beautiful parks in the city is El Retiro and both of the museums mentioned above are located super close to it. It’s a pretty big park and even has a pond on which you can rent a cheesy object to paddle. This park is amazing to see in the summer. Make sure to check out Palacio de Cristal and the lake. There are so many more places located within it so you can spend the rest of the day here exploring if you really wanted to.

A little party never hurts

After a full day of exploring, head out for some tapas and then for a little party. When in Spain, you simply need to go out. Here are some party areas for your nightlife activities:

• Huertas: is an area of Madrid popular with young people
• Malasaña: a hipster, bohemian party vibe
• Chueca: a lively gay neighborhood
• Salamanca Neighborhood: a more boujee vibe for nightlife

I personally partied at El Doblón, a super cool club loved by a friend who lived in Madrid. The whole place looks like you’re inside of a ship and you probably won’t find a single tourist there.

Additional Options

If my suggestions above didn’t vibe with you, here are a couple more places to choose from:

• Santiago Bernabéu Stadium: Tour the home stadium of Real Madrid will be a treat to visit for any soccer fanatic.
• Matadero Madrid: A former slaughterhouse that is now an art space for multiple exhibitions and cool hang-out space. Check out their website for current exhibitions.
• Las Ventas Bullring: Like it or not this is still a thing in the Spanish culture, you can tour this place if you want to or even see the fight live. Personally not my thing.
• Food Tours: I love love love food tours, it’s the best way to see a city! There are many vendors to choose from in most cities and I honestly have not taken one yet that has failed me. They can be pretty pricey but you get food, drinks, and a small history tour. I always go for the mid-range prices as the cheapest ones have more people and suffer in quality. The really pricey ones are usually not that different from the midrange ones either. TripAdvisor reviews are reliable for the most part.

Here are some food picks from the locals too.

Seville Itinerary

Transportation Logistics

To get to Seville from Madrid, you can take a 1-hour flight or a 2.5-hour Renfe train from Atocha Station. Depending on the time of the year, they can have similar prices with the added flight luggage cost. I recommend arriving as early as you can in order to maximize your time in the city. Although the city is not that small 2 days in Seville is enough to see the major highlights of the city.

From the airport, you can take a Line EA bus to Plaza de Armas for 4 euros or you can take a flat rate taxi for about 20 euros there too. Within the city, most of the places of interest to you will be within walking distance. There is one metro line and some tram services too.

Where to Stay in Seville

With limited time I recommend staying central to everything in Centro or Barrio Santa Cruz. That way you won’t have to worry about transport. Airbnb is always a good option, the one I stayed at was nice but I had issues with check-in so I won’t recommend it to you guys. You can grab a nice one between $60-$120 a night price and some even have crazy views of the points of interest.

Check out amazing hostels in Seville too!

Day 3 in Spain:

Plaza de España

Start your Seville itinerary with this super grand place, Plaza de España. Despite looking like a historical structure it was constructed only in 1928 for an Expo event. There is so much detail in this plaza and each nook has something beautiful in it. The middle of the plaza has a pond on which you can rent a small boat and spend some time enjoying the surroundings from that angle. Catch an impromptu Flamenco show too!

Parque de María Luisa

Connected to the Plaza, you will find the stunning Parque de María Luisa. I loved strolling through the little paths and admiring the flowers and trees. In the southern part of the park, you will find Plaza de América which has three important structures surrounding it: the Museum of Popular Arts, the Archaeological Museum, and the Royal Pavilion.

Walk along the river

After the park stroll, you can walk back along the water towards Torre del Oro, a former military watchtower. Some parts of the walk are really nice, others very average. We made a stop at one of the small bars mid-way to grab a quick drink.

Tapas and Flamenco

Tapas are a must in Spain and you should have them every day you’re there 🙂 After a long day, spend the early evening grabbing a couple of these heavenly bites. After, you can see another Flamenco show (if you did or didn’t in Madrid) or just head to rest if this day was already long for you. If you choose to do a show, some will only have a performance while others will include a dinner option too.

I personally didn’t see any shows in Seville since I opted to see one in Madrid. However, I do wish I saw one in Seville too as the smaller city vibes would have been perfect for one. Since I can’t recommend you one, I saw that Stefania has an awesome guide for Flamenco shows (and tapas too) on her blog.

Day 4:

Don’t lose your exploring steam because day 4 will be full of activities for you in the beautiful city of Seville!

Royal Alcázar of Seville

A stunning royal palace located in the heart of Seville is a simple must. Although my personal favorite is Alhambra in Granada, this one is pretty impressive too. Its most recognized characteristic is the Mudéjar style of architecture. CultureTrip has an awesome 1-minute summary of its history which I recommend reading if you won’t be taking a guided tour.

I visited in November so I personally had no trouble with entry queues or tickets. However, I heard that lines to get inside are horrendous in the summer, so I would recommend purchasing an entry ticket ahead of time and heading there for opening hours too.

Catedral de Sevilla

Right around the corner from the palace, you will find the largest Gothic church in the world. It’s pretty impressive and worth your visit. The cathedral houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Additionally, it has the La Giralda bell tower which you can climb for a bird’s eye view of the city. You will need to purchase tickets for them too.

A nice stop near the cathedral for the early evening is a terrace bar called La Terraza. It’s pricey but it has incredible views of the lit-up cathedral. I recommend stopping for a glass of wine to take a little breather and enjoy the views from above.

Walk toward Setas de Sevilla

After a morning full of activities, you’ll have one more cool, low-effort spot in the city. From the cathedral walk along the surrounding neighborhoods toward Setas de Seville or the mushroom structure of Seville. Santa Cruz (Jewish Quarter) and El Centro are narrow streets filled with stores, bars, and restaurants. That area isn’t really big so getting lost in the streets and exploring won’t require that much effort from your end. Your destination, the crazy wooden structure, it’s worth a stroll. There is an entry fee to access the top part but you will be rewarded 360 views of Seville. It’s also a great sunset spot!

End the evening with some tapas in the area, there is an awesome spot near the Setas plaza called La Malvaloca which you should visit. For the night, I imagine you will want to rest and relax at your midpoint week in Spain.

Additional places of interest in Seville

Here are some additional spots you can visit during your 2 days in Seville:

• Triana neighborhood: Located on the other side of Guadalquivir, what used to be a working-class neighborhood is now a more authentic area of town you can visit. Start with exploring the local market, Mercado de Triana, and get lost in the streets. Don’t forget to stroll along the river for colorful views of the buildings.
• Art in Seville: Spanish artists speak to my soul for some reason so whenever I am in Spain, I try to add some amazing art stops to my itinerary. In Seville, you have the amazing Seville Museum of Fine Arts where you will find Spain’s popular artists like Velazquez or El Greco. A visit costs only 1.5 euros too. Another stunning baroque-style building dedicated primarily to the artist Velazquez is Hospital los Venerables. Entry is a little more pricey but certainly worth it if you like art.
• A tour: There are two types of tours you should consider in any major cities that you visit 1) a free-walking tour, and 2) a food tour. In Seville, you will find both and if I were you, a tapas one would be first on my list 🙂
• Plaza de Toros: A bullfighting arena that you can tour without attending a bullfight. I know it’s tradition but I personally don’t support it.

For more on Seville food and places to eat, this blog does an awesome job with recommendations.

Barcelona Itinerary

We made it to my favorite part of the week in Spain itinerary! My normal travel philosophy is to always seek new places but Barcelona is one of those cities I don’t mind coming back to over and over again. There is so much to do in the city and the vibe is just everything! Barcelona deserved its own post probably with 5-7 days of activities but for today, let’s focus on a solid Barcelona 3-day itinerary as a good introduction to the city. Keep in mind that in 3 days, you certainly won’t see everything.

Transport to and within Barcelona

From Seville, your easiest option is to take a 1.5-hour flight. Even if you’re doing the itinerary in the opposite way, the high-speed Barcelona to Seville train takes about 5.5 hours and is pretty pricey. From the airport, you have the option of a taxi, bus, train, or metro depending on where you’re staying in the city. I’ve taken the metro each time I visited. Uber is available as of last year but with some past legal issues, you should check on that before you go.

Once inside the city, utilize the metro. It amazes me how large the system is and it will get you pretty much anywhere in the city. I always suggest purchasing an unlimited pass if you’re planning to sightsee a lot because, with each trip at 2.40 euro, the costs quickly add up.

Where to stay in Barcelona

Barcelona has the following main neighborhoods near the tourist attractions:

• Gracia: the trendy upcoming neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants, and cute streets
• Gothic Quarter: touristy city center area but nonetheless stunning area especially for first-timers in Barcelona
• El Born: another trendy neighborhood that’s close to the Gothic Quarter but isn’t as crowded
• Eixample: Gaudi’s works among other major landmarks is all close here. This is where I stayed and although I was happy with this location being central to everything, it didn’t really feel very lively.
• Barceloneta: Close to the beach, this area is for those who want to spend time lounging in the sun. If you’re planning on sightseeing in the city, I wouldn’t recommend staying here as it is not as central to many sights.

During my stays in Barcelona, I stayed at the following locations:

• Yeah Hostel: Amazing hostel for walking tours and a chill atmosphere. I did two tours with them and enjoyed the breakfast and the low-key vibes. It was super clean and the beds were super comfy.
• Kabul Party Hostel: Although this hostel is located off Las Ramblas, it is actually in a little hidden plaza. It’s certainly not for everyone as the party atmosphere can be a little loud but I absolutely loved the rooftop vibes and the organized bar crawl.
• Eric Vokel Boutique Apartments: Very pretty apartments. Great for a family trip.

Things to know about Barcelona

Language: You will quickly notice that all the familiar phrases and signs don’t sound and look like what you’ve been seeing to date. That is because Barcelona speaks Catalan, not Spanish (although most if not all people there speak Spanish so no fret).

Pickpocketing: Omg this city is absolutely notorious for pickpockets. Every single area, especially Las Ramblas and the Metro, are places where 10 seconds of your distraction will cost you your belongings. My friend had her phone stolen next to me on the metro while she moved her hand from her bag for no more than a couple of seconds. So my tip is to always have your hand on your stuff and be extremely cautious of anything you’re carrying. Every time I have been there I followed the rule of guarding my things and watching everyone around me and I am happy to say I haven’t been a target of petty theft. If you look like you’re paying attention and are aware of your surroundings, the stupid thief is less likely to target you.

Las Ramblas: This is a major major tourist trap and I personally don’t see anything cute about it. I don’t know why everyone hypes it up and I guess it is just one of those places you check off your list when visiting Barcelona. There is nothing authentic or local about it, it is rather a long street with chain shops, terrible restaurants, and pickpockets.

Restaurants and going out: As Americans, we always tend to worry about the tipping culture as it’s ingrained in our veins. Tipping in Barcelona is not necessary but if you really liked the service, you are welcome to leave a couple of euros. Dinner here doesn’t start until 9-10 pm and clubs don’t open until after midnight.

Distance: Barcelona is a pretty big city. Compared to Seville or even Madrid, a lot of the sightseeing places are spaced apart so make sure to factor in a 20-30 minute metro cushion for transport!

Antoni Gaudi: An architectural genius in my eyes who had a major influence can be seen all over the city. His work is so unique, detailed, and stunning that you can spend days looking at its complexity and beauty of it.

Day 5 in Spain:

As mentioned above, since Barcelona is a pretty big city, although your itineraries might not look as busy as previous ones, they will fill up your day faster than you think. Consider how much energy you have for the day because the next couple of days require a lot of it if you want to see a decent amount of the city. From Seville, try to arrive as early as you can, drop off your bags at the hotel and start exploring one of the coolest cities in the world!

Walking tour

For the Barcelona itinerary portion of your trip, I highly highly recommend starting it with a free walking tour. There are many companies that run it and most have a morning and an afternoon timeslot to start it. Barcelona is a huge city with a shit ton of history worth knowing so I would spend my first afternoon there with someone who could at least give you the gist of what is what.

During a standard tour, you will most likely cover sights near the Gothic Quarter like the Cathedral of Barcelona, Basilica of Santa Maria, Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas, Placa Reial and La Boqueria. There will be more stops along the way with small history lessons over a typical 2-3 hour tour.

Parc Guell

After an introduction to Barcelona, take it easy for the rest of the day and head over to Parc Guell. It’s such a nice park worth the effort of a 20 min metro ride from the Gothic Quarter. Note that the nearest stop is the Vallcarca Station which is an additional 20-minute walk. Instead, if you don’t want to walk, you can Uber or take bus 24 or 92 there.

The best part is that this park is even more magical during the evening so don’t worry about arriving later in the day but do keep in mind that it closes at 6 pm. Creative Adventurer has an awesome detailed guide about the whole park if you’re interested in the details.

After your park visit, wander around the Gracia neighborhood, the trendy part of Barcelona. You can stop for some tapas there and visit the cute square Placa del Sol. This blog has an awesome guide to the best bars in that area.

Day 6:

Sagrada Familia

While in Europe, it is easy to get church-ed out, meaning that you’ve seen so many beautiful churches and cathedrals that seeing another one doesn’t even impress you anymore. Well, let me tell you this, Sagrada Familia is unlike anything you have ever seen in your life. Gaudi really outdid himself here and believe it or not, it is still under construction since the late 1800s.

If you only choose to admire it from the outside, make sure to download an audio guide that at least allows you to understand the different parts of it. An entry inside is worth the hefty 26 euro fee and for an additional 4, you can do a guided tour. In high season, these sell out fast so grab them ahead of time.

A good photo spot is Plaça de Gaudí, make sure to walk behind the pond to get a super awesome view of the cathedral.

Montjuic

Montjuic is an area on the hills of Barcelona which houses multiple landmarks. Take the metro to the cable car and then make your way up (I personally climbed it in mid-July heat and I don’t recommend you do the same). There are a couple of landmarks there, see a list here, but even if you choose not to visit any, I would simply recommend starting from the top and making your way down to the very bottom of the hill for some amazing views from all angles. You can visit landmarks based on your personal interests:

• Montjuic Castle: A 5 euro entrance fee will get you inside an old military fortress with great views.
• Joan Miro Foundation: If you’re a fan of Miro like myself, don’t miss this museum of his work.
• National Museum of Catalan Art: I didn’t visit the inside of it so I can’t tell you if it’s worth the entry fee but let me tell you that this building is insanely impressive from the outside. As you start making your way down the stairs, don’t forget to turn around at various levels to get a different perspective each time.
• Plaça de Les Cascades: As you walk down, you will notice stunning man-made waterfall structures.
• Magic Fountain Shows: A pretty impressive fountain show right at the base of Montjuic. I was lucky to see it pre-rona during the day and not so lucky when I returned in the fall of 2019 because I didn’t look up the times for it. Currently, it is suspended due to rona but keep your eye on the official website for reopening times.
• Plaça d’Espanya: Your last stop after seeing Montjuic, this plaza is a very important landmark for the city.

Bonus: A less visited place in this area is the rooftop terrace of the Arenas de Barcelona shopping mall. While you can grab a drink or some overpriced apps in one of the super cute restaurants up there, you want to go up to see the panoramic views of the city.

Night-out

When in Barcelona, you need to go out. I experienced my nights out there twice through pub crawls in my hostels. Why? Because it’s nice to have a plan and new friends for the night. Don’t worry if you’re not staying in a hostel though. There are many pub crawls organized in the city and they are the perfect way for a solo traveler to feel a little safer and not worry about choosing a good place to go to.

The only thing you should know about a good night out is that bars don’t end up opening up until late and clubs only get going after midnight or so. They’re open until 6 am so don’t be surprised if you see people grabbing breakfast after a good night out.

Here is a list of places for you from Barcelona Explorers and another from Miss Tourist which also includes an amazing list of her favorite restaurants in the city.

Day 7:

For the last day of your Barcelona itinerary, I will let you choose what you want to see. It’s hard to pick what the absolute must-see places are on a 3-day stay. I was lucky to see this city multiple times and each time I find something new and fascinating to do. The only advice that I have is to not try to do everything because you will miss out on enjoying what you’re looking at. In a true Spanish fashion, take it slow and soak it in.

Here are your options for the last day of your week in Spain:

Tibidabo

If there is anything awesome that I would recommend for your last day in Barcelona, it’s this “hidden gem.” Tibidabo is a hill overlooking all of Barcelona and even though it will take some effort to get there, it’s an unforgettable view. There is a really beautiful church Sagrat Cor, which you can visit but there is also an amusement park along with some walking sites. The unlimited amusement park entrance is pricey but there are some rides that you can pay for a single ride.

To get there, you can take a direct bus from Placa de Catalunya or the L7 line to the Tibidabo to the Tramvia Blay and then the Funicular. When I visited last in 2019, the funicular was under construction so we had to take a taxi on the last leg.

Beach time

Barcelona has a nice beach scene so if you prefer to spend your last day lounging around, make sure to head in that direction. Barceloneta is the most popular one and the most crowded one. You if don’t want to be a sardine, perhaps don’t choose that one. A more quiet beach would be Platja Sant Sebastian but feel free to check out the complete list here.

Make sure to spend time in the Barceloneta neighborhood and walk along the beachfront area that has restaurants and clubs. It’s a pretty area and it’s worth visiting. If you’re planning to hit up the clubs at night, this is where you would go too.

More Gaudi

Gaudi’s style is undoubtedly super unique. I personally took a Gaudi walking tour in addition to the free walking one because I wanted to see more of his work. Whether you choose a tour or not, in addition to Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia, he is also famous for the following structures:

• Casa Mila: Known as La Pedrera or “The stone quarry” this house has a very unique appearance. There is a stunning terrace up top and tickets start at 25 euros.
• Casa Batllo: Located not too far from Casa Mila, this building is just another instance masterpiece. There is also a rooftop terrace. Tickets sell out a week in advance and even further out in the high season. They also start at 35 euros.
• Casa Vicens: Gaudi’s first major project is located in the Gracia neighborhood. It’s less popular than the two above but not any less impressive. Tickets start at 21 euros.

If the prices of the above are a little much, especially after seeing Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia don’t worry, the houses are also stunning to look at from the outside. And if you take a Gaudi tour you’ll get the history behind them too. Remember that most major cities have apps with history audioguides which you can simply download and listen to outside the building without taking any tours.

Tapas Tour

Food tours are always my favorite way to see the city. Although they tend to be pricey, I feel like I personally learn and experience the city better compared to a free walking tour. As much as I recommend and love free walking tours, sometimes they can run pretty long. With food tours, you can eat your way through the city, try foods you wouldn’t have thought to do yourself, and get a little bit of history in between.

Here are some examples of tours you can take:

Camp Nou

The last time I visited Barcelona, I went with my parents. My dad’s only request for his entire week in Spain was to see Camp Nou, the official football stadium of FC Barcelona. To be honest, I had very little interest in seeing a stadium but nonetheless, it ended up being a fun experience and something I would have never done myself. Rather than visiting the stadium though, I would consider attending the match if you happen to be there during one.

Miscellaneous Places

• If you haven’t had a chance to stroll through Ciutadella Park, which houses the beautiful Arc de Triomf, make sure to make your way there.
• Passeig de Gràcia: A long picturesque street full of high-end shopping stores.
• Picasso Museum: If you’re a fan of Picasso, don’t miss this museum as it houses some of his best work. Admission is only 12 euros too.
• Montserrat: This would be a day trip to the neighboring mountain region. There are many trips that take you on a wine tasting and exploration of this region.

Final Thoughts

A week in Spain is nowhere near enough to experience the country. I spend 2 short months there and then returned multiple times since, and I still find new things to do each time. One of my favorite things about Spain is how distinct each region is and how it almost feels like you’re visiting a different country at each stop.

I hope that my itinerary for a week in Spain gives you a solid introduction to this amazing country. Although the Spaniards might love their siestas, you will be busy exploring 7/7 days of your trip. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below.

A Map and downloadable itinerary

Don’t forget to download the week in Spain itinerary and save the map for your stay!

Remember that the itinerary is a very high-level summary of everything described above. Before you download it, make sure to read the blog post above for the best trip preparation.

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In my itinerary below, I will talk about my experience of visiting Maderia in December and why it will not give you the full island experience that you are probably expecting. While I am not trying to discourage you 100% from visiting during that time, I hope my experience will better prepare you compared to what I was expecting. If I knew what I’d see and what I’d miss out on, I’d plan my itinerary totally differently than how I did. That’s what I hope to give you with this post, an off–season-optimized Madeira itinerary. To compare, a couple of years back, I visited Madeira’s southern neighbor Tenerife, during a similar time. My off-season vacation there was much better in terms of weather even though geographically, these two islands are pretty close.

While this itinerary tells you additional information about traveling to Madeira off-season, you can use it all year round to plan your travels too.

At the end of the post, you can download this guide as well as a map for your travels.

Traveling to Lisbon as well? Don’t forget to check out my Lisbon guide!

Madeira Logistics

Best time to visit Madeira

Let me just cut to the chase and tell you that if you want to experience all of Madeira, off-season time considered between November and April, might not be the best choice. Despite a lot of resources telling you that Madeira could be a year-round destination, I would argue otherwise. By visiting between May to late September, you’re maximizing your chances for clear skies and good temperatures.

There are some pros, however, to visiting during the off-season as I did. You will save on flights, accommodation, and car rental and you’ll avoid the crowds that come with the vacation season in Maderia. Although most attractions won’t be closed you might not be able to see everything, especially if the weather isn’t great.

Suggested length of stay

How long you will stay depends on what you’d like to do there. For example, some hikes can take an entire day, and there are multiple that people put on their Madeira itinerary. Again, when traveling off-season, you will not be able to check everything off your Madeira bucket list so 3-5 days is a decent time frame. In season, I’d say an absolute minimum of 4 days is needed to see everything, with 5-6 being more ideal for a short trip.

Traveling to Madeira

Flights to Funchal

Getting to Maderia is pretty easy with frequent flights from Lisbon and a couple of other European airports. I even saw one direct flight from NYC flying out once per week! I like breaking up my flights rather than automatically searching between origin and destination, meaning if I’m flying from NYC, I will search NYC to Lisbon and then Lisbon to Madeira. I compare my times with layovers and frequently find better deals, instead if I were to search NYC to Madeira in one shot. A round trip for the very end of November cost me under $450 for both flights. Although I’m here to argue that off-season travel isn’t ideal here, if you’re on a budget, Madeira in December might be a great money saver!

Getting around – Car rental in Maderia

Madeira is a small island and you can drive from one end to the other in a couple of hours. North to South is even faster. Seeing the whole island is indeed possible during a Madeira 5-day itinerary.

When other travelers pointed out that driving in Madeira is an adventure in itself, I didn’t quite believe it. I drove in tricky conditions and places but driving there will get its own category in my personal driving experiences. Before my trip, one of my friends said, “If it doesn’t look like a road in Madeira, it probably is” and looking back at this, that was an extremely accurate description of driving there. Most roads in Madeira are freeways and tunnels but once you venture into towns, one-way roads will magically fit two cars and 30-degree hill roads will become the norm.

I don’t want to discourage you from renting a car there but rather prepare you for what to expect. Renting a car is the absolute best way to see the island and it will save you a ton of time on sightseeing. I normally book through Rental Cars but I found a better deal on Holiday Autos. While I am a creature of habit and don’t trust new websites on deals, I had a very smooth experience will them and will rent in the future. For your reference, an automatic car rental in Maderia during the off-season cost me ~$250 for 5 days using Rodavante with car pick up and return right at the airport. A manual rental is much cheaper but unless you drive it regularly, I would not get one there.

Although driving there was certainly a challenge, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. If you’re planning to do mountain driving, watch for an automatic car’s brakes as they might start smelling, especially in wet conditions.

Where to stay in Madeira

Where you stay during your Madeira vacation depends on what you want to do. If you’re unsure, Funchal is the main city and can be a good base for taking drives throughout the island. If hiking is your main priority, consider staying in the mountains instead. Most importantly though, if you have a car, it’s fairly easy to see all nooks of the island no matter where you stay. Maderia has a ton of hotels, some hostels, and even more Airbnbs. Which you choose should depend on your personal preference. While Airbnb has its own issues, especially in bigger cities, I felt that renting one in Madeira where I was in communication with the hosts directly was the way Airbnb originally intended the platform to be.

Airbnb in Madeira

Traveling with my parents, we opted for two Airbnb in Maderia because we wanted a comfortable base for exploring. I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect combo of what we were looking for and I think I hit the jackpot with both of them. The first Airbnb located 7 min from the airport, was the entire first floor of a large house overlooking the ocean, with a beautiful pool and a walkway to the beach promenade. One of the downsides of traveling to Madeira off-season is that we didn’t get to use the pool or spend time in stunning outside space as much. As a bonus, the coolest part was watching the planes land at the nearby airport right from my bedroom.

The second Airbnb that we rented in Madeira was located near Sao Vincente. It was a huge home in the mountains with sick views and the best host I have ever experienced throughout my years of traveling. I loved having two locations, one with the ocean view and the other with the mountain one but for someone who doesn’t want to move between two locations, this might not be the best option. If you’re interested in booking either of these locations, send me an email and I’ll be happy to share the link.

What to pack for Madeira in December

Ok, I am only including this section because I packed like an idiot for this trip. Let me explain. A couple of years back, I traveled to Tenerife during a similar time of the year. I falsely assumed that the two destinations would have similar weather and that packing 5 dresses for each day would be the way to go. My outfits consisted of light athleisure, dresses, and a couple of cute outfits for the barn (shoutout to those who get the reference). I ended up wearing two heavier sweaters and the jacket that I packed for the plane for pretty much the entire time I was there. These are the items not to forget when you travel to Madeira during the off-season:

• A rainproof jacket and/or umbrella – The rain won’t last long but when it comes around, you want to have a raincoat on hand instead of looking for a place to hide.
• Light coat or cardigan – During the day, while you won’t need a heavy coat, it will get chilly when the sun is not out.
• Waterproof shoes – If hiking is on your list to do or if you want to check out the Fanal Pond, then sneakers won’t be sufficient. The ground is wet and puddly so good outdoor shoes that won’t soak are a must.
• (Bathing suit) – I saw a couple of brave souls swimming in the chilly waters of Porto Moniz pools, if you like cold swims, don’t forget to pack a suit.

People & Safety

Overall, I’d say that most locals in Madeira were really nice. My Portuguese is non-existent but I tried to use my hello/please and thank yous whenever I could. Side note, do not use Spanish in Madeira or in any of Portugal, it is not Portuguese and it’s a faux-pas there. For the most part, the experience was very positive. In terms of safety, Madeira is a very safe destination. Some common travel scams to watch out for include the following:

• Taxi scam – This isn’t so much a Madeira scam but rather a worldwide one where dishonest taxi drivers charge you ridiculous amounts for short rides. Always demand the meter to be turned on to avoid this. It has been reported to happen in Funchal on some travel forums.
• Market fruit sample – When you go to Funchal, one of the main attractions in town is Mercado dos Lavradores. It’s a cute and colorful market filled with merchants offering you fruit samples. However, a lot of the fruit is enhanced with syrup and when you taste it, you’ll naturally want to purchase some for later. The fruit will cost you an insane amount and when you get home, it will not have the same taste as that first bite you had at the market. We bought fruit in Funchal, a couple of streets away from the market but I still got ripped off. While not a true scam, just be aware of this little selling trick.

WARNING! TRAVEL SCAM IN MADEIRA

Restaurant bill additions – As a former waitress/bartender, I’d like to think that my bullshit meter is pretty good when it comes to other waiters. I could easily tell when you’re actually in the weeds or if you’re just being lazy, because hey, I’ve done the same shit 🙂

What I always make sure to do though is check the itemized bill no matter where I’m dining. During busy moments, it is genuinely possible to make a mistake and charge extra or add a wrong item. However, when your bill magically increases by 100 euros, you know something is up. This was the case at Taberna, a small highly rated restaurant in Santa Cruz. While the nice waiter chatted with my family all dinner, when the bill came, suddenly he started rushing us with the credit card machine. That triggered a red light in my head and I asked to see the itemized bill before blindly swiping my card. Our small appetizers and a couple of drinks added to over 130 euros. I noticed that one 10 euro app was charged 10 times on the bill, a small trick that made the bill look legitimate.

Now, if I wasn’t a waitress in my past life, I would buy the story that this was an honest mistake. However, when I brought up the price discrepancy to the waiter, he quickly looked at it and said, “Oops, silly me” and didn’t apologize or display any sort of remorse for what had happened. The fact that he was quick to run to us with the credit card machine was also sus. I heard about this scam in cities like Rome or even in Lisbon but I never assumed it would happen in Maderia. So despite the food being tasty and the restaurant being super cozy, don’t assume it won’t happen even in less touristy parts of any town.

Food and Drinks to try in Madeira

Out of the entire time I spent on the island and the numerous meals I ate, I only had one mediocre meal and tbh at my own fault. The lesson I fail to learn over and over is never to order pizza outside New York or New Jersey or Italy of course. Back to Madeira food though, it is so so tasty and actually extremely affordable. Here are my top picks for food to try in Madeira:

• Prego sandwich: This is the most amazing sandwich I had in my entire life. I’m serious, nothing compares. You can get it almost anywhere. It’s a steak sandwich on buttery and garlicky bread that comes in a couple of variations.
• Espetada: A long skewer of hanging meat. Its simplicity makes it super tasty.
• Espada or black scabbard fish: This was my mom’s favorite, it is usually served with bananas. This is one weird looking creature but it tastes delicious!
• Bolo de molo de mel: This traditional honey cake is pretty tasty!
• Madeira Wine: It’s heavy and has a very distinct taste and you’ll certainly feel it going down your throat! Blandy’s Madeira is a very popular spot to consume this beverage.
• Poncha: Poncha is the most delicious alcoholic drink. It’s made of cane rum and had different fruit flavor options. Get the traditional kind and enjoy the happiness that comes after drinking this 🙂

For more interesting food finds, I used Brogan Abroad’s guide before traveling to Madeira for the tastiest food finds!

Random Useful Tips for Madeira Travel

• If the weather is acting up during your visit, check the live cams! I used these to see whether mountain peaks were clear from clouds or where I could find the sun on the island.
• Miradouros are viewpoint spots all throughout the island. Some are simple pull-over style along the highway, others require short walks to reach the spot. My advice is to stop at all of them 🙂
• When visiting Tenerife which has similar viewpoint parking areas as Madeira, my car window got smashed and all my belongings got stolen during that trip a couple of years back. When you leave your car anywhere, take everything with you. Even small stops that seem safe can be targets for petty theft.

Things to do in Madeira

In terms of the number of things to see in Madeira, I’d say you can stay pretty busy during your trip. The majority of the attractions throughout the island include outdoor activities. One of the most important things to consider when traveling off-season is how important certain attractions are to you. If you need a dense itinerary with lots of outdoor attractions, consider in-season travel. Instead, if you need a simple getaway with a couple of things to do here and there, the off-season is probably a better choice.

Below, I bring you a 5-day Madeira itinerary that also gives you an off-season expectation. However, you can use my travel plan for any time of the year. Since Madeira is a small island, for the most part, it doesn’t matter which order you do the days in. However, note that the first two days are optimized for the Funchal area and the remaining for the other parts of the island.

5-day Madeira Itinerary

At the bottom of this post, you can download this travel guide to Madeira to bring along on your trip. Additionally, you will find a map of all the attractions so you don’t have to worry about saving them yourself.

Day 0

We’ll call your arrival day, Day 0. Arriving at Madeira airport (Ronaldo Cristiano Airport 🙂 ) can be quite the experience on a windy day. If you’re a nervous flyer, I wouldn’t YouTube any videos of landings there. However, despite its windy challenges, there only has been one accident in the late 1970s. Since then, the runway has been extended and only experienced pilots are allowed to approach a landing there.

The airport is on the east side of the island and is located a short ~25 min drive from Funchal. When you get off the plane, have all your paperwork ready as you’ll be asked for your Madeira Safe bar code. If you’re renting a car (which I highly recommend), the pick-up process once you land is super easy, my checkout took under 10 mins. The rental car lot is located across the street and you should be on your way within a short time of arrival. If you require public transportation, here is a helpful official link.

Flights arrive all day long so the timing of your Day 0 will depend on where you’re coming from. I personally arrived around 8 pm but my Airbnb was located 7 mins away from the airport so I was “home” very quickly. Note that restaurants and stores aren’t open too late so if you are planning a later arrival, make sure to eat before your flight.

Day 1 – Southern Part of Madeira

Valley of the Nuns

Now that you settled in, there is no better place to start your vacation than by seeing Curral das Freiras or Valley of Nuns in Madeira. It’s located a short drive from Funchal and it’s an in/out kinda trip. This small town has a couple of restaurants and tourist shops but aside from the views, there isn’t much to do there. However, these viewpoints are crazy beautiful and you shouldn’t skip this area on your Madeira adventure.

There are two major viewpoints, the first being Eira do Serrado, a very popular spot on the island. Once you arrive at the spot, there is a small parking spot with a café. In order to get to the viewpoint, you’ll have to take a short 5 min walk. I recommend grabbing a coffee and a pastel de nata at the cafe for a little longer appreciation of the area. The second point, Paredão Viewpoint, is located above the clouds and it’s not too far from the first one. It’s also a short walk from the parking area.

After admiring the views from the top, I recommend grabbing lunch in the little town which will give you a slightly different perspective of the area. Everyone recommends a restaurant called Sabores de Curral but I opted for La Perla instead. I was extremely impressed with the food but the views along with a cold beer made it even more delicious.

Off-season struggles: The area gets mixed weather during the off-season but the good news is that if it starts raining, the clouds will most likely pass. Pack an umbrella or a rain jacket. We waited out the rain having a coffee and then got rewarded with a beautiful rainbow!

Funchal

For the second part of the day, visiting Funchal will give you the exact opposite vibes from your nature-filled morning. Funchal is the capital of Madeira and is certainly worth spending some time in. If you’re driving in, the streets can get really narrow so rather than looking for street parking, I recommend finding a parking garage near the center. Garage prices are very cheap and it will save you time and a headache.

I would simply recommend walking around Zona Velha, seeing the market, and most important feeling the liveliness of the town by spending some time by the waterfront. Don’t forget a mandatory stop for some good poncha either. Note that I am not including the botanical gardens just yet. Funchal is safe but make sure to watch your belongings for pickpockets. Here are some known attractions in the city for you to check out:

• Mercado Lavaradores: Yes it is a tourist trap but hear me out for a second. The market has really pretty colors and cute souvenirs to look at. I certainly wouldn’t buy fruit here (read my scam warning above) but I do like browsing through places like these.
• Avenida Arriaga: Right next to the market, you will find this shopping street with a lot of tourists. It’s a good spot to take a stroll and window shop for a bit.
• Zona Velha: This is the Old Town part of town which includes cobblestone streets, restaurants, bars and lively nightlife.
• Cathedral of Funchal: A pretty local catholic church right in the heart of town.
• Praça do Povo & Funchal Marina: Walk along the waterfront to catch the nice atmosphere of locals and tourists. When I visited in late 2021, that area had a cute little town fair with rides.
• Parque de Santa Catarina: Cute little park with views of the town and the incoming ships.
• Cristiano Ronaldo Statue: If you make your way by the park, grab a photo with the icon of Madeira, the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. Since he was born on the island, you will see a lot of references to him. There is even a museum 🙂

Make sure to stop at Rei da Poncha, a very popular hole in the wall with some great tasting poncha and some great snacks too. The outdoor tables might be full but just linger around for a couple of minutes and a table will free up in no time.

Off-season struggles: Day one of your Maderia travel will actually work in your favor if you’re traveling off-season. Funchal won’t be too crowded with people and if you’re visiting in late November or December you will get to see fun holiday decor. The southern part of the island is usually sunny and even if it rains, the rain should pass by quickly. Places like Rei da Poncha won’t have a line and you won’t be annoyed with the crowds.

Day 2

(Pico do Arieiro)

Pico do Arierio was one of the most anticipated spots I wanted to see in Madeira. A simple google search will show you why. It’s the third-highest peak and one of the only that you don’t actually have to hike. Yes, you can simply drive there and see the most amazing views without any pain 🙂

I wanted to see the incredible sunrise overlooking Madeira under the clouds. However, we attempted this sunrise once in person and then checked the webcams for both, sunrise and sunset for the entire time we were there and were not able to successfully see this spot. One of the biggest risks you take with traveling off-season is missing amazing spots like this one. I’m including this on Day 2 because you might have to attempt to see it multiple times during your trip.

However, if you’re traveling in season, you have to check this couple’s guide to visit Pico Arieiro and actually all their Maderia guides which are extremely detailed and resourceful. There is a very popular day hike from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruvio and I recommend that blog to give you the best details on it.

Back to Funchal

While the first day in Funchal consisted of exploring the basics of the city, I did don’t want to include the botanical gardens then, as the whole experience would have been very rushed. So for day two, you can explore either Monte Palace or Madeira Botanical Gardens (or maybe even both if you love gardens). I personally only visited Monte Palace and it was a super beautiful place that I’ll recommend to you.

Here is some info on them:

• Monte Palace – An additional attraction to this place is the fact that you can take a cable car from Funchal on the Funchal – Monte line to get here scoring some awesome views from above of the city. A one-way ticket is 11 euros and a roundtrip is 16. Their Japanese-style gardens were stunning and I had a great time taking random turns and not following the map per se. We spend about 3 hours exploring which included a stop at the gift shop for some complimentary Madeira wine tasting. To get back to Funchal you can simply take a cable car back or take a ride in the famous Toboggan cart ride. It was a little too touristy for me but people swear this is a fun activity.
• Botanical Gardens – The second gardens are located not too far from Monte Palace and are connected by the Botanical – Monte line in case you wanted to take the cable car again. I haven’t visited these gardens but people often prefer Monte over this location.

Cabo Girão Skywalk

After exploring the gardens, take a short ride to the famous glass skywalk with great ocean and Funchal views. To be honest I expected a much bigger platform however it was still pretty impressive. There is no entrance fee and the spot gets pretty crowded. One thing that I loved more than the views was the strong eucalyptus scent from all the trees as you walk around. There is a small cafe with overpriced food and drinks on site but I recommend stopping there for a little break to enjoy the view even more.

Options for the afternoon

Personally, this is where I would take a little break and head back to my hotel and Airbnb to relax. Sometimes I tend to overlook how important relaxing is during vacation 🙂 However, if you’d like to continue with your day two activities, here are some ideas for the afternoon:

• Vinhos Barbeito: I found a nice family-owned winery near Funchal. It has great reviews and I imagine the wine tastes really good! Madeira wine is special within itself so why not drink it from someone that knows what they’re doing.
• Ribeira Brava: Explore this cute little town with shops, restaurants and nice mountain and ocean views. Beaches in Madeira are located all over the island but I actually found people swimming in this one off-season as the sun likes this place no matter what the month.
• Funchal at night: Local cuisine is bomb. So make sure to take yourself to a nice place, have some good traditional food and then walk around the town at night. Most towns should always be seen during the day and night. There is a whole new vibe that emerges when the lights dim!

Day 3 – Sao Lourenco toward Sao Vincente

For Day 3 of your awesome Madeira adventure, I recommend heading to the northern part of the island. Now that you got to see most of the Funchal area and its surrounding gems, it’s time to head to the super green part of the island. The one thing to note when you’re traveling to Madeira off-season is that the weather in the northern part is almost always more cloudy and wet compared to the southern part. This is what will make the biggest distinction between traveling in the off-months compared to peak season.

Ponta de São Lourenço

This awesome hike is certainly not a hidden gem of the island. If possible try to arrive before 10 am as the spot gets pretty crowded. Even better if you can make a sunrise hike! If you’re worried about weather conditions, don’t forget to check out the webcams.

This hike starts at the parking trail and goes all the way to the tippy top of Madeira. You won’t be able to reach the very end of these crazy rock formations because the very last part is separated by the ocean. The hike should take you between 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way depending on how many times you take picture stops. Towards the end, you will find a small cafe where you can use the bathroom or grab a coffee. This is a very popular part of the island so expect some crowds.

For a very detailed plan for this hike, I found this blog which does an excellent job of preparing you for it.

Off-season struggles: The weather is not going to be your best friend here. It might get more chilly and windy in the months of November and December. However, since peaks might not even be doable during that time, this is one of the few chances you have to experience Madeira’s nature.

Northern Drive Toward Sao Vincente

After the hike, you won’t probably want to do any more walking so I recommend a scenic drive along the northeastern part of the island. Here are a couple of stops to consider. Depending on the timing of your morning, you will not be able to do all of them so check out my photos below to see which ones you think you’d like best:

• Coastal Viewpoints – choose one:
  • Faial Beach: This little beach is located about 25 minutes from Sao Lourenco parking lot. I found it on accident while driving in that area. I wouldn’t swim there per say but the landscape is really nice! Off-season you probably won’t see another soul there!
  • Miradouro do Guindaste: Right above Faial Beach, there is a nice coastal viewpoint offering the awesome view the beach does but from slightly above. I’d say do one or the other since the views will be very similar.
  • Miradouro do Curtado: This one is located a short 10 min drive from the point mentioned before. It offers a nice view of local town as well as the northern coast nearby.
• Santana Houses: This was the most crowded place I encountered on my off-season trip to Madeira. Why you ask? I have no clue because as cute as the Santana Houses are unless you have some sort of historical curiosity about them, there really isn’t that much to see there. I don’t know what I expected but certainly not what I saw. I’d say you can pass this location if touristy places bother you.
• Hotel & Restaurante Quinta do Furão: This is a good place for an early dinner but before you head to the restaurant, go on a little walk around the property. There is a vineyard in the back and a garden in that is accessible to walk around patrons and it was a (hidden) place during out little drive. It’s super pretty and you can even catch a view of a waterfall from there.
• Miradouro da Beira da Quinta: Super quick stop but nonetheless a nice viewpoint of the local area.
• Sao Vincente: This is a small town that’s the base of a lot of northern hikes for people. We stayed at an Airbnb for the second part of our trip here and loved the quiet atmosphere and more local vibe compared to Funchal. The small town has a couple of restaurants and bars by the water. If you’re not staying in the area, I’d recommend grabbing some food before heading back home. I ate at Restaurante Calamar which had delicious food for amazing prices and Poncha de Sao Vincente, a local bar with awesome apps.

Off-season struggles: The northern part of the island is the rainiest and most cloudy off-season. Consider that when packing clothes for your exploration there. All the spots I mentioned above were cloudy and chilly when I visited. Comparing photos of them in the sun from other travel blogs, I certainly feel like I didn’t get the proper experience of them.

Day 4

Drive toward Porto Moniz

Before you head to see the famous swimming pools of Porto Moniz, there is a couple of quick stops you can make before heading over.

• Miradouro do Véu da Noiva: This is a very popular viewpoint on the island and while I think it was cute, I didn’t find it as fascinating as others have described. The main highlight of this stop is a waterfall that drops into the ocean but since it is pretty far and the road to access it is closed, it’s just a small stop. There is a gift shop there but it was very pricey compared to others I’ve seen.
• Seixal: What many describe as the best beach in Madeira is located in Seixal, a small town on the northern coast. It’s all black sand contrasting with vibrant green nature and surrounded by mountains. There are also small natural swimming pools located in town. While during off-season travel you won’t be able to swim, it’s worth visiting for the picturesque views.

Porto Moniz

The Porto Moniz natural swimming pools are swimming areas formed by lava and filled with fresh seawater on the northwestern side of the island. They are one of the coolest outdoor swimming pools I have seen. I hate to break it to you this early in the description but unless you like cold swimming, traveling during the off-season will unfortunately not allow you to fully enjoy them. I was super upset that I wasn’t able to swim in them, after naively reading some online comments claiming that late November is sometimes ok for swimming.

There are two pool areas in town. One with an entrance fee but only 1.5 euros, there you will find lockers and snack bars the other is free but more rocky and natural. The actual town is super small, you can walk from one pool area to the other in under 10 mins. However, my friends, I do not think you should skip visiting the town even without swimming. It is indeed impressive to see them and take some pictures in the area. I recommend making a stop in Porto Moniz for lunch or a drink.

Fanal Forest

Quick Tip: If you’re heading to Fanal Forest or Fanal Pond from Porto Moniz, make an easy and quick stop at Miradouro da Eira da Achada for more island views from above.

Fanal Forest is the one place that should work in your favor during off-season travel. Why? Because people love this place for a mystical experience of the fog and creepy vibes. If you visit during the summer peak months, the chances of the fog are said to be greatest in the morning. However, in the “winter” months, you can catch it at pretty much any time. Simply put Fanal Pond in your GPS and you will arrive in a small parking lot, then walk towards the forest. I recommend packing waterproof shoes and a waterproof jacket if you’re planning to walk around. I got soaked and cold while exploring and it wasn’t too pleasant. Overall it’s a cool place to visit for some awesome pictures. Put a pin in your map as the further you walk in the fog, the more likely you are to get lost.

There are many cows in that forest so be careful not to step in some cow poo as you’re taking your picture 🙂

Day 5

If you followed my itinerary, by day 5 you’ve seen top places that Madeira is known for. For this last day, I will give you options of things to do that are worth seeing on this stunning island depending on what you like to do.

Hikes & Levada Walks

Madeira is known for many hiking trails and Levada walks. I’m more of a drive-to-a-peak kinda gal unless I’m feeling inspired to hike as I did in Poland this summer (You can read my guest post on We Are Travel Girls about my super awesome hike in the Tatra Mountains). I did not hike in Madeira therefore I cannot give you solid advice on it. However, I found this amazing and super informative post from Claire on her blog and I recommend you follow her for the best hiking advice.

Small things to do in Madeira on the western side of the island

The western side is not as touristy as the other side of the island but that doesn’t mean if you should skip it. Although there aren’t as many attractions, here are a couple of spots to visit there:

• Garganta Funda Viewpoint: Although you will need to walk about 15 minutes to reach this viewpoint, the awesome waterfall that you will see at the end will make it worth it. The nice thing about traveling off-season is that you’re likely to see it in full action compared to the summer when it dries up. I regret not seeing this place during my visit.
• Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse: A small picturesque lighthouse on the far end of the island. It might not be a super exciting spot, but you can take a small walk in the area and admire the calm atmosphere.
• Cascata dos Anjos: The famous waterfall that falls on your car as your drive on ER101 is certainly a cool experience. If you’re driving toward the west side, you can even pull over and see it up close.

Speaking of the western side …

There is a less-known thing you do on the western side which is Achadas da Cruz cable car bringing you in the (almost) empty small local village. It’s an area only accessible by cable car (between 8 am to 6 pm) or a super steep trail. Not many (if any) locals stay there full time, it’s more of a nature getaway for them. For you, it means exploring two remote villages with stunning surrounding nature. I found a very detailed and informative guide on this hidden Madeiran location. Journey Era gives you more than enough detail about this place, he even takes the hike back up the hill in the evening.

Madeira Beaches

Although you won’t be able to comfortably swim in the ocean if you’re traveling off-season, or if you like cold water, spending some time near the beach even at a local cafe or bar is really nice.

• Calheta Beach has white imported sand and gives some nice tropical vibes. There are some all-inclusive hotels in the area too.
• Seixal Black Sand Beach: I mentioned this beach earlier but if you like black sand vibes, you should spend some time enjoying the beauty of Seixal.
• Ponta do Sol Beach: In the (almost always) sunny part of Madeira, you can find a nice small beach to enjoy without the crowds.

Porto Santo

If you’d like to do something more unique, take a day trip to Porto Santo, a small island located a 2-hour ferry ride away or even a short plane ride. There are daily morning departures with evening returns. Some people recommend spending more than a day there, while others do a day trip and are content. Here are two contrasting opinions, a day trip one, and a longer excursion. Hopefully, this lets you decide whether a day trip is worth it for you. Nonetheless, Porto Santo is a stunning destination that could be added as a bonus if you’re already in the area 🙂

Madeira Tours

If organized tours are something you enjoy, consider booking one in Madeira. Some of the more popular choices include dolphin/whale watching boat trips, jeep tours through the island, or even organized hikes. While these are not something I would opt-in to do in Madeira, as the majority of the things can be done solo, a lot of people enjoy having a pre-planned day.

While short excursions are not my thing, I personally always recommend food tours through which not only can you learn about the local cuisine, but see the area, learn history and interact with other like-minded people. I found a highly-rated tour, Madeira Food on Foot which offers different tours and even pre-made picnic baskets. I’d say that’s the best Madeira tour there is 🙂

Download this Madeira guide

Here is a free downloadable guide for you of all the places I talked about above. It’s a pocket version so I recommend reading everything above before downloading the guide for your travels 🙂

Download It HERE

Map of Madeira

Final thoughts on things to do in Madeira in December or any other off-season month

As promised at the start of the post, I tried to give you a realistic expectation of Madeira off-season. I’d say that I romanticized it too much and imagined that I could do more than I did even in the “winter” months.

To recap, here are the cons of things to do in Madeira during off-season times:

• Higher chance of poor weather: The rain and clouds will limit what you can see and do. What you imagine to be a sunny afternoon hike or a beach day will turn into hiding in cafes until the rain passes.
• Not seeing the best sunrise and sunset spots: The chances of having a clear sky up in the mountains which would normally give you out-of-this-world sunrises and sunsets are very slim. For 5/5 days of travel, there wasn’t a single day that we were able to see any peaks. I anxiously kept checking weather cams and even drove to two spots to check myself and I was not successful of seeing either of them.
• Natural Lava Pools: Despite having lava in its name, the swimming pools of Porto Moniz or Seixal will be chilly to comfortably enjoy in the colder months. They’re a really awesome way to spend a day in Madeira so the fact that I missed out makes me irked.
• Hikes: Again, this being related to the weather, everything will be wet. Walking in chilly and wet conditions is not a pleasant experience to me.

BUT, here are some pros:

• There will be very few tourists.
• Prices are usually better for hotels and flights.
• You will have a lot of places to yourself.

Sometimes off-season travel is the only time you have to take from work so you make it work. I wish I instead visited Madeira during shoulder season for example. Visiting in the months of May or September would give me the off-season vibes I love but not have limited me in the number of things I wanted to do. Knowing what I know now I would not have traveled to Madeira in December but I hope I gave you enough realistic expectations to make the decision for yourself.

Gladly, this itinerary is informative enough for any season so feel free to download it when you travel to Madeira. If you do, share a photo! Don’t forget to comment down below on whether you think Madeira is worth traveling off-season and what experiences you might have had there!

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I should preface that these expectations are for an average, non-clout-seeking traveler with a non-Hamptons salary. If you have a summer home or a large wallet, you probably won’t benefit from this guide. With that said, let’s get to the brutally honest Montauk travel guide for all the fellow “broke b*tches”. I’ll cover the logistics of getting there, things to do, and tell you what traveling there entails.

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂

Montauk Travel Guide – Most Important Things to Know

Where is Montauk

The Hamptons collectively refer to a group of towns in the Eastern part of Long Island. Montauk is at the tippy tip and it’s considered the more “low-key” of them all. What once was a quiet resort/fisherman town is now the chosen destination of many influencers that want to be seen. I wanted to see this place for myself as I’ve heard very mixed opinions about it. So I planned my 2-day route with stops along the way that would let me admire the other Hamptons even for a little and see what the hype is all about.

This itinerary is for a simple 2-day local weekend getaway. I’ll give you my best tips and first impressions that I experienced there. Before we jump into the plan though, here are some quick logistics about this destination.

Montauk Transport

Getting to Montauk is easy. The first option is to hop on the highway from NJ/NYC and in 2.5-3 hours you’ll drive through all the Hampton towns into Montauk. Note that this will not be the case in the summer when you should add an additional hour or two to your drive due to traffic. The second option is a bus from the city like the Hampton Jitney or Hampton Luxury Liner. That ranges anywhere from $30-$70 each way which is not horrible. However, it does limit you to how you’ll get around town when staying there. Lastly, you can take the good old LIRR with a ton of stops along the way for a similar rate. The main advantage of a train ride, however, is skipping that dreadful traffic.

I opted for the driving option and there was virtually no traffic getting there. However, this was done in April, off-season for that area. It took about 3 hours to reach Montauk but we also made small detours along the way.

When you arrive, getting around is easy as most of the town is more than walkable. If you want to venture out to the lighthouse, wineries, or beach though, without a car this will not be the easiest of tasks. I personally and naively estimated the town to be a bit bigger than what it ended up being so I was a tad shocked when my drive within town ended within a couple of minutes.

Hotels in Montauk

First things first, BOOK SUPER SUPER SUPER EARLY.

Montauk is a smart town, you know why? Because keeping hotel prices at $600+ a night during the season keeps the broke b*itches away. They’re doing a great job because I certainly won’t be paying that to get back there. Every travel guide you read will tell you that Gurney’s or Surf Lodge is the absolute place to be. Are they nice? Heck yes, but will I drop $1000+ for a weekend at an Instagram hotel? Probably not. Some cheaper options include Montauk Blue Hotel or Royal Atlantic.

I stayed at Sea Crest Resort in Amagansett about a 10-minute drive outside of Montauk. My room had a 1 bedroom apartment and a sea-view balcony. At $300 a weekend night, it was a great place to stay in the area (compared to the insane rates 10 minutes away). Weekdays in April/May are even sold at half that price so if you’ve been dying to see Montauk for yourself, that’s your smartest option. For a deeper dive into cool spots check out Broke Backpackers Hotel recommendations there too.

All I’m saying is that you should simply know what to expect and not be shocked when you start looking at property prices.

Useful Things to Know for Montauk Travel

• Most people are dressed to impress so pack your best outfits. Chances are that you’ll see many Birkins around. Old money, new money, and just money all around.
• Restaurants are pricey and you’ll need a reservation almost everywhere.
• Gas is insanely expensive in town. There will be at least a $2 difference compared to the average prices so fill up before getting there.
• There aren’t that many things to do in Montauk aside from dining, shopping, and lounging. Unless you’re a part of that community, this destination may not be as exciting as you might think.

Your 2-Day Montauk Itinerary

Day 1: Drive through the Hamptons & explore the town

Stop 1: Hampton Bays

If you’re driving in, your first stop will be a cute restaurant called Rumba Inspired Island Cuisine & Rum Bar in the Hampton Bays. The place is cool, with fancy tiki feels on the inside, an outdoor patio, and a vintage bus outside. It had a ton of cocktail options and the food was pretty tasty. The place got packed by 11:30 am so I certainly recommend making a reservation.

The crowd was mixed. Some families celebrating birthdays with their kids, some Instagrammers, and some other fancy humans. This place was probably my favorite spot out this weekend so I genuinely recommend grabbing a meal/drink there. Aside from the restaurant, there isn’t much to do in the Hampton Bays from a touristy perspective.

Stop 2: Southampton

The next stop isn’t so much of a stop because you can admire the beauty of Southampton from the car 🙂 Driving in the Cooper Beach direction you can spot the mansions on Meadow and Gin Lane. Although the hedges will block most of your views, it won’t be hard to see why this is the most sought-after place to be. Driving through the side streets, I appreciated the location’s beauty. Streets lined with tall trees on both sides give the place a very special vibe. If you’d like to explore more of the town, you’ll find the boutiques and restaurants clustered near Main and Jobs Street.

Stop 3: Hotel check-in

If you drove early in the morning, you might get to the hotel before check-in. I always recommend asking if your room is ready though because 7/10 times it is. I stayed at Sea Crest Resort and they let us check in early so around 2:30 pm. This particular hotel was actually nice, located in Amagansett right on the beach. The downside of an April visit is that it’s way too cold to lounge outside. While Jersey had a beautiful warm and sunny day, the cold winds of the island made the beach experience not as pleasant. However, it was nice to grab a cold beer, enjoy the peaceful views and inhale some fresh air.

To be honest I did not expect the temperature difference to be so drastic. The trees weren’t even blooming yet compared to Jersey’s super high pollen counts. I took a fall jacket with me and ended up wearing it the entire time. Make sure to check the temperature before visiting and don’t assume that it’s as warm as its 2-hour neighbor.

Stop 4: Montauk

I was so excited to check out what the hype was actually about. But this is where I have to be a major party pooper and say whomp whomp, “downtown” Montauk is not that great. There is a circle and all of its 3 streets with some shops and restaurants.

The first stop was a quick recharge at Hampton Coffee Company and Montauk Bake Shop. I wanted to stop by Left Hand Coffee for its cool vibes but it was closed. We walked around a couple of overpriced stores in that area and quickly realized that a $100+ crop top is the norm there. Being a beer fanatic, I really wanted to check out Montauk Brewing Company, but due to the long wait, I ended up getting a growler to go instead.

Here are some other places to grab a drink that most people rave about:

• The Surf Lodge: hotel and restaurant known among the Instagrammers/TikTokers. Criticized for horrible service.
• The Montauket: is known as the best sunset spot in town.
• Navy Beach: another trendy popular place with an outdoor drinking scene.
• Liar’s Saloon: located on a dock, this is your local “dive” bar.
• The Point Bar and Grill: local sports bar in the area.

Stop 5: Montauk Lighthouse & Local Nature

The drive to the lighthouse is another 10-15 minutes east of the town. It was closed for renovations when I visited but the whole area was pretty nice. It was crazy windy so I didn’t get to explore much but I imagine that in the summer it’s a nice place for a stroll.

On that route 27 drive, you can find Deep Hollow Ranch, which allows you to go horseback riding in season right on the beach. Another landmark in that area is Camp Hero State Park, a nice park to get some outdoor exercise. If you love conspiracy theories, check out this article about the dark secrets of this exact park. Another nature stop is Shadmoor State Park.

If you’re craving some exercise and outdoor activities, there are many shops in Montauk offering bike rentals. From what I saw the trails there look great. Your Montauk travel wouldn’t be complete without at least getting some of its outdoor beauty in.

Stop 6: Dinner time

After exploring Montauk, we needed some rest and headed back to the hotel. Also, a cocktail before dinner never hurt anyone 🙂 Even off-season, it was hard to get a reservation a week and a half ahead of our visit so if you’re planning to visit the town, make sure to get those in ASAP. The only thing we were able to get was a “last-minute” table at Muse at the End. The food was good but the selection wasn’t the greatest and it was hugely overpriced for what it was. The crowd was a little fancier too. Overall the experience was fine but I wouldn’t say I fell in love with this place.

Here are some other highly recommended places for dinner in town:

• Harvest on Fort Pond – a family-style town nook
• Sammys – a low-key local staple
• The Shack – a nice place right in the heart of town
• Inlet Seafood – located a little further away but known for its amazing Seafood
• Salivar’s Clam and Chowder House – seafood place located at the dock with a cool outdoor terrace
• Gosman’s – another place on the dock with a topside terrace perfect for sunsets
• Scarpetta Beach – a boujee spot at Gurney’s

Bonus stop: Nightlife in Montauk

Montauk is the place to party in the summer. At least that’s what I hear. I’m a grandma so after dinner I snuggled up in my blanket with a glass of wine and called it a day. So if all day of exploring didn’t kick your butt yet, make sure to make your way out at night. The drinking places I mentioned above usually have something going on at night.

Day 2

Stop 1: Breakfast

Since I am an espresso and a croissant kinda breakfast gal, I was happy with my chocolatey find at Hampton Coffee Company. If you’re looking for something more filling, try Joni’s a known local spot with amazing breakfast options, or Anthony’s Pancake House, a low-key spot with good prices.

Stop 2: Winery

Since this is a two-day itinerary, I recommend stopping by a winery on your drive home. Long Island is known for its wineries and a lot of people love taking their private buses there for special occasions. There are a ton of places in the Hamptons to get some quality wine so if one more person recommends Wolffer Estate and their rosè, I might quite vomit on myself. Don’t get me wrong, their rose is good but the spot became more famous for getting the Instagram picture with a location tag than the actual wine.

Here are some additional picks for you to choose from. Don’t forget to make a reservation if you’d like a tasting.

• Channing Daughters– Bridgehampton. A charming winery with a unique sculpture garden. Tastings are $25 a person and they also have small snacks available for purchase. Wine prices are typically ranging from $18 to its most expensive bottle at $60.
• Jamesport – Jamesport. Beautiful outdoor space with a kitchen on-site that serves delicious pizzas. They do have tastings by reservation and most of their bottles run between $20-$35.
• Clovis Point – Jamesport. This is a by-reservation-only spot with very specific reservation and on-site rules. Their prices are a little steeper but they have a nice outdoor space and high reviews!

North Fork wineries may be a little further out however if you have some extra time during your Montauk travel and want to see that part of Long Island, this is a good excuse to venture out in this direction.

• Duck Walk – Southold. The North Fork wineries are stealing Hampton’s spotlight. Duck Walk offers $12 tastings with reservations and allows you to purchase some snacks in addition to allowing you to bring your own picnic. A ton of their wines are under $20 too. Some of their reviews however are concerning many commenting on the disrespectful staff. Remember, sometimes you get what you pay for 🙂
• Kontokosta – Greenport. Located even further into the North Fork, this modern winery currently offers bottle sales only and no tastings due to COVID. They’re by reservation only and do not allow outside food. It’s located on the water allowing for some unique views however familiarise yourself with all their current policies before visiting.

Other miscellaneous stops along the way:

Before ending your Montauk getaway, make sure to grab a fresh lobster roll at The Clam Bar in Amagansett. I will vouch for 100% for its quality and it was totally worth the $30.

Carissa’s Bakery is highly rated in East Hampton and located centrally if you’d want to peek into this Hampton’s lifestyle.

If you’re planning to stop somewhere else on your drive home, Tutto Il Giorno in Southampton and Sag Harbor won’t disappoint. The food is delicious and the space is very bohemian chic but expects steep prices.

Summer Time Beach Time

Since I visited Montauk off-season, going to the beach was not an option. However, in its peak season, this is one of the major reasons to visit this area. Since I am not one to give you beach advice as I only spent some time on one in Amagansett, I would check out this simple beach guide by On Montauk, to give you a better idea of what to expect from each. Here is a beach list and descriptions from their website:

• Amsterdam Beach: hike to access, remote but worth the hike.
• Ditch Pains Beach: surfer, popular, and with permit parking.
• Edison Beach: central popular beach with limited public parking.
• Gin Beach: quiet family beach with permit parking.
• Hither Hills: family beach with public parking.
• Kirk Park Beach: recommend the beach if you’re only in town for a day. Public parking.
• Montauk Point State Park Beach: not really a lounging beach, rocky for hiking. Public parking.
• Navy Road Beach: pebbly quiet beach, lots of boats.

Final Thoughts on Montauk Travel

Would I visit Montauk again? Probably not. Ugh, I hate to dislike places but let me explain why Montauk is not as dreamy as you might imagine it is.

First, this is not a place for a 5 or even 6-figure income person. Even the off-season rates are nuts and paying $1000+ for a weekend in peak season for a hotel is just silly. To put things in perspective, I spent two weeks backpacking in Peru for a little over that. Yes I know I’m comparing a South American country with a famous resort town in NY but if you’re an explorer like me, you get the point. I call myself a champagne backpacker because as much as I love nice things and spending money on experiences, a trip to Montauk is contributing nothing to my travel life.

Second, there really isn’t that much to do in this town. When I tell you that you can see everything there is to see in less than a day, I mean it. Aside from restaurants, a couple of nature preserves, and boutique shops, there is nothing special to do there.

Third, this is a spot to be seen and take pictures to say you spent a day in the Hamptons. As much as I like my pictures and posting about my travels, I do things for the sake of the experiences first. If I don’t like a place, I will be honest about it and not feed you bs that it’s a wonderful place to be.

But change my mind.

I’m certain my perspective on Montauk travel would be 1000 times different if I stayed in a large house with a nice pool or got that $1000 a night resort room without even thinking about the price. This post is aimed at an average Kasia who is looking to explore what her backyard has to offer.

So with huge disappointment, I vote Montauk a pass.

But Kasia, you traveled there off-season. What do you know? Well to compare, I had a phenomenal off-season experience in Newport, Rhode Island so if you’re curious about what made it different, find it in my post about it.

So should you visit Montauk?

Depends on what you’re looking for. I gave you all the tools and opinions to make that decision for yourself. Here is the research I gathered to make it easier to decide whether Montauk travel is for you.

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The Bolivia Salt Flats or Salar de Uyuni is one of the most incredible places I have ever visited in my life. Spending three days in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by this world’s stunning nature, made my travel soul super full. Like most people, I started my Bolivian Salt Flats tour from Uyuni. Bolivia is known for being a little rougher to travel through compared to its neighbors like Peru or Argentina. The tourist industry is still developing there therefore knowing what to expect will make your travels a ton easier.

Although I read a ton of guides before my trip, there are a couple of things that I wish I took more seriously or have known before my journey into the Southern part of this incredible country.

Throughout my guide, I will share everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Bolivia salt flats. I will also share a general route that you are likely to take. If you don’t want spoilers for your trip stops, I suggest you only read the first part of the article. Note that if you take the 3-day tour (which I insist that you do), the name Salt Flats Tour is a huge understatement of what you will see. Yes, you will visit the salt flats but you will see SO MUCH MORE on days 2 and 3 that your brain won’t be able to comprehend the beauty that’s there.

This is your one-stop for everything you need to know about taking a Bolivia salt flat tour from Uyuni.

Let’s get to the logistics of the Bolivian Salt Flats tour

As stated above, there are a lot of logistics involved in taking this tour. For most long-term backpackers, a Salar de Uyuni tour is a must-do in South America, and trust me, although the nomad lifestyle tends to lean toward spontaneity, some of these people are more prepared than you think. If your Bolivia itinerary is only a couple of weeks, planning this part of the trip should be a priority for you. When I visited, my income wasn’t the greatest, so I focused on budget first. Overall I spent very little money and got a fantastic experience, but in hindsight, I would do a couple of things differently and splurge on certain things.

Uyuni was a part of my 2 week Bolivia itinerary and this is the route I took for your reference:

• Flew into La Paz to take a bus into Copacabana (base for Lake Titicaca) and stayed there a night to acclimate.
• Then took a boat to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca with an overnight stay.
• Returned to Copacabana to take a bus back to La Paz for 4 days.
• The next stop was this Salar de Uyuni tour.
• After the tour, I took an overnight bus to Sucre and stayed there for 4 days.
• My last stop was Santa Cruz to which I took a flight from Sucre. I stayed there for another 3 days.

Quick Salar de Uyuni facts

Salar de Uyuni is a huge salt flat that a really long time ago used to be a lake. After the water evaporated, it left behind this amazing formation that is 100 times bigger than the Bonneville Salt Flats in the US. It is certainly a highlight of a trip to Bolivia and should not be skipped.

Don’t let the flatness fool you. The Bolivia Salt flats are located in the altiplano at an altitude of 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) so unless you’re acclimated from La Paz or any other high city, I would not take this trip before spending a few days getting used to the air. A three-day tour can take you up even higher, all the way to 4,500 meters (15,000 ft). Altitude sickness is a real and serious thing and if you’d like to know what the experience is like and how you can prevent it, I recommend reading my Cusco post. If you have no other choice, back some altitude sickness pills like acetazolamide.

There is a wet season lasting between-ish December and April and that’s the best time to see water on the flats known as the largest mirror in the world. During the rainy season, you will likely not be able to visit the cactus island. The dry season lasting from late April to November will likely guarantee better weather but limited water reflections. If you have a good driver, he will find you a good reflection even during a dry season. I visited in June and got to see some water but certainly not as vast as you seen in some photos.

Salar de Uyuni at night is an incredible place in this world to see stars due to the fact that there are no surrounding lights to block the view. Although on most tours you will be able to see the night sky, there are separate tours that do a night photography session too.

Best time to visit Bolivia Salt Flats

While you can certainly visit the Salt Flats multiple times per year, let me break down what each season will look like. If you visit during the wet season (December to February), you will be able to see the mirror effect of the place with the water. Visiting from March to May will give you the dry as well as the wet views along with fewer crowds. Remember that the seasons in Bolivia are opposite of the northern hemisphere so visiting between June to August, which is the winter months, will be the driest but also the coldest. You will see stars and endless white desert views. September to November will be similar to the previous season but you can expect more rain.

So, what is the best time to visit the Bolivia Salt Flats? Well, it depends on what perspective of the Salar you’re looking for. I personally visited in June and loved that time.

Why do I need a Bolivian Salt Flats tour?

How to get to the Bolivia Salt Flats? Well, you need a tour. If you really really wanted to, you technically can venture out into the Bolivia Salt Flats on your own, in a 4×4 jeep. However, with the logistical nightmares, no signal/wifi, remote hostels, no official roads or routes, and fairly affordable tour prices, I would not even want to attempt it. God forbid something happens to your car, you’re now in the middle of nowhere and no one to call. And cars in Bolivia are not as reliable as what you might be used to.

The arranged tours have 1 or 3-day day options. I strongly advise you against the 1-day tour because it won’t cover the second part of the trip which includes even more beautiful landscapes than the flats. From what I know, 2-day tours are not available due to the logistics of transport but correct me if I am wrong. Starting the tour from Uyuni, you’ll follow a general route with similar times and stops with other companies. Trust me when I tell you that majority of the tours are identical. On the first day, you’ll see the Salt Flats along with a couple of other stops and on days 2 and 3, you will see SO much more of the Bolivian landscape.

Don’t expect cell service or wi-fi, you MIGHT catch some at the overnight stay or one stop along the road. The night accommodations will not be the best and it will get cold at night. Oh, and a shower on the second day is not likely.

Where to start the Bolivian Salt Flats tour from?

Do not complicate your life and just start the tour from the spot you’re closest to. Again, Bolivia is not necessarily transport-friendly so take the path of least resistance 🙂 I initially planned to leave from Tupiza but when I was in La Paz and realized how long it would take to get me there, I followed the crowds through Uyuni. You have three options that the majority of the tour operators start from. I’ll start from the least popular:

San Pedro de Atacama

If you’re arriving from Chile, this is your way into Bolivia. Tour groups have this route figured out, you can start there, end there, or even take a round trip. Depends on your planned route and budget. You will see the places in reverse, starting at the southern end of Bolivia near Laguna Colorada, making your way up to Uyuni. Make sure to know your immigration requirements and obtain the correct entry/exit passport stamps to avoid any future hiccups.

Tupiza

This is a 4-day tour as you’re farther away from the actual “starting” point. These tours tend to be a little more pricey because of the extra day as well as fewer tour operator options in town. This is a popular option for Argentine travelers as Tupiza is closest to that border.

Uyuni

As this is the most popular option, the pros of this are that 1) you can arrange your tour in La Paz or even the day off in the town of Uyuni, 2) you can bargain as the tour operators are competing for customers, 3) the transfers after to Sucre or even Chile are common so they can be easily arranged. The cons however are that you will follow the most generic route with groups of people doing the same exact thing. Let me tell you this though, even with the most “touristy” option for this tour, you won’t be disappointed.

It will take about 9 hours on an overnight bus to get to the town of Uyuni from La Paz on a “lie-flat” bus for anywhere between $15-25 (which is actually expensive for Bolivia). If 9 hours on the bus doesn’t sound like something you’d enjoy, there is a 1-hour flight between the two cities but prices can be as pricey as $100 which is almost as much as the whole 3-day tour. If you’d like even more options, here is a super informative post about the transport between the two cities. After the tour, you can return to La Paz or continue your journey to another Bolivian city like Sucre or even San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.

Packing List for the Bolivian Salt Flats tour

On the majority of the tours, your luggage will live on the roof. It will be unloaded for the overnight stops so you will be able to access your things at night. However, grab a smaller backpack with things you might want during the car ride. As far as clothes, you will need warm things. The days will be mild in temperature but the night will be cold.

Absolute must-pack items: comfy shoes, trekking clothes, warm socks, warms things to sleep in, light jacket, bathing suit, for the hot springs, flip flops, towel, water, snacks, sunscreen, wet wipes, toilet paper, a camera, extra batteries in case you don’t have electricity, and most importantly sunglasses. You can hurt your eyes if you don’t wear them as the reflection is absolutely brutal. Food will be provided by your tour. Since the nights will get super cold, you should ask whether there is an option for renting a sleeping bag.

How do I find a good Uyuni tour provider?

Repeat after me: all tours take (almost) the same route. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re lying. For an average base price is $120 (+/- $20) you’ll get the following: a Spanish speaking driver that will be your tour guide/cook, a car up to 6 people, basic accommodations in a private room on day 1 and a shared shitty and cold hostel in the middle of nowhere on day 2. What will drive the price higher (near the $200 range) is an English-speaking driver, fewer people on your tour, better accommodations, and further transfers after the trip.

There are many known tours in town like Red Planet, Quecha, Andes or luxury tours like Ruta Verde but I can’t speak for them since I didn’t take them. You can prebook a tour online but it will cost you a little more than in person. Instead, if you have some extra time in La Paz, go to different offices and negotiate on the price. If you want, you can even book a tour the morning off when you arrive in Uyuni.

My personal experience

I arranged my tour pretty last minute in La Paz based on a hostel recommendation. My tour ended up putting me with a 1-day group for the first part of the day and then transferring to a 3-day group that was coming from Tupiza at the end of the first day. My second driver spoke no English and with my basic Spanish I ended up as the group translator for the entire trip. You don’t really need the guide to speak English as the majority of the trip is looking at landscapes. My first driver didn’t care too much but the second one was phenomenal. Even though we were on the same route as everyone, he made sure to take us to places either before or after the crowds so we always had the spots to ourselves.

Don’t forget: Always tip your drivers (assuming the correct service was provided). Whatever you negotiate with the company has nothing to do with the person who will drive you around and your tip goes directly to his pocket. If you had an amazing experience, at the end of the day an extra couple of dollars that you’ll spend on beers anyway will be more useful for the driver and their family.

How to continue your travels after the tour?

If your start your tour in Uyuni, you’ll also end your tour there too, unless you request a transfer to Chile. From there, you can return to La Paz or continue your journey to Potosi or Sucre. All those transfers can be arranged through your tour company or you can just buy a bus ticket at the bus stations. My personal journey continued to Sucre on an overnight bus. Buses leaving from Uyuni “station” are a bit of a hectic mess. The buses leave between 9-10 pm and arrive in Sucre around 5-6 am. They go through Potosi, cost you around $10, and are not very comfy. Often though, this will be the option that makes the most sense after the tour.

I traveled with Trans 6 de Octubre, and I’d be lying if I said the journey was easy. The driver locked the bathroom door and the “lie-flat” seats slightly reclined back. I’ve never been happier than the moment we stopped in the dark, in the middle of nowhere for a pee break. Yes, I peed on a side of a dirt road with 10 other Bolivian ladies within 10 feet of me. Let me just tell you, now I know why their skirts are so wide 🙂

The second annoying thing is that if that’s your only option, you’ll be arriving in Sucre at 5 am. It is not ideal either unless you pay for an extra night at your accommodation and have a bed waiting for you. I wanted to save money and not pay for the extra night and let me tell you what a mistake that was. I tried to take a nap on the hostel couch and since my bed wasn’t ready until 2 pm, I struggled really hard to do anything. If I just booked it, I would’ve slept till 2 and still had the day to myself.

Miscellaneous things worth knowing before embarking on a Bolivia Salt Flats tour

1. Extra fees to expect: The entrance fee to the National Park is not included in your tour is roughly $22 USD. There is also another smaller fee (~$4 USD) for the fish island and this is something you’ll definitely want to do. Don’t forget your tip money for your driver as well.
2. Make sure to have some sort of camera with extra juice available. You may or may not get a chance to change things. My driver let us use his car outlet but don’t expect that from everyone.
3. The food will be cooked by your driver or provided at the overnight stays. It is delicious and you will love it. However, there will be no snacks or anything to munch on in between.
4. You will be spending a ton of time in the car with your tour group. Even if you have a pain-in-the-ass tourist in yours (like my group did), just accept it because it’s not worth ruining your experience. Establish a rotating system for the front seat and be respectful. People in these groups tend to be from different countries and have different customs. Understand that.
5. Unless you’re paying $700 for a personal provider and staying in upscale accommodations, this will be a rough and tiring experience. That should not stop you from taking a tour. Simply knowing that at the end of the day this is a driving tour through one of the poorest countries in South America should give you some perspective.

Ok, that was all the logistics that you need to know about taking the Bolivian salt flats tour. The next part of my guide will focus on the stops you’ll make along the route. If you’re undecided about taking the tour, I hope the next part convinces you that this is simply a must-do in your life. However, if you’ve already decided and don’t want that part spoiled for you, don’t scroll down. You’ve been warned.

Bolivian Salt Flats Tour

The itinerary below follows the route that most tour guides in Uyuni follow. There might be minor variations in the order of the stops as the route depends on the driver’s preferences. You might make a couple of bonus stops depending on the driver but don’t expect it. If you start in Chile, you’ll do this backward, if you start in Tupiza, your first day will include stops between Tupiza and Uyuni and then you will follow the route below.

Tours leaving from Uyuni start around 10 am allowing people to arrive in town. Buses start arriving around 6 or 7 am and flights from La Paz land around 8 am. Those who want to negotiate on the spot can spend an extra day in town but honestly, there is nothing to do there aside from touristy restaurants. It is totally possible to arrive in Uyuni at 7 am, find a tour, and leave at 10 am.

Day 1

Train Cemetery

Your first stop is the train cemetery or Cemeterio de Trenes, a creepy and random place. The old rusty European trains located in the middle of a Bolivian dessert with backdrops of mountains make this a rather apocalyptic site. Here is a quick backstory on them if you’re interested. When on tour, you’ll notice that all the jeeps will stop here and let you explore the grounds for about 30 or so minutes. It’s a cool place to take pictures and climb the old train. Since this is one of the first stops, be careful to not fall off or twist your ankle or your entire Salar trip will end before it even starts 🙂 I was lucky because my driver took us there twice, at the end of the last day he wanted us to experience this place without any crowds.

Colchani

A small little salt processing village, Colchani is your entrance point to the Salar. Most companies make their stop here before taking you into the Bolivia Salt Flats. It’s basically a local bazaar where you’re encouraged to either buy things you forgot to pack or silly souvenirs from your trip. People who take a one-day tour like this place because they can do their shopping. For someone going on a 3-day trip, this might not be the perfect time to buy useless things.

As I previously mentioned, I had two drivers and the first one wasn’t the greatest. He ended up leaving us there for an extended period of time to the point where my group had to call the Uyuni office to get him back. With that experience, always remember to note the phone number to the office and always take a picture of the car and license plate before you start the tour.

Salt Hotel

This is your resting place and lunch spot. Again, most tours stop here collectively and everyone eats together in a salt dome. Food is pretty good and you get some bonding times with the other travelers too. Afterward, you can check out the hotel too if that’s something that interests you. I don’t think you can stay there anymore but there are a couple of salt hotels in the area.

The coolest part about this stop is the flags outside. It’s nice for people from all over the world to walk around and look for their country flags in the middle of the Bolivian desert. Something as small as that brings a sense of unity and is just simply cute.

Uyuni Salt Flats

It’s no surprise that this stop is the centerpiece of this entire tour. There is nothing more breathtaking on this trip than seeing the Bolivia Salt Flats for the first time. The endless salt tiles take a second to process. The contrast between the baby blue sky and bright white salt is honestly mindblowing. I took a minute to just silently walk around to absorb it all.

A good tour driver will find a remote spot where you will be able to take photos without any people in the background. Most do but don’t be afraid to speak out if you have 5 jeeps surrounding you. This is the part where everyone takes silly pictures and just runs around the salt flats. It’s fun and if you have a good group, you’ll also coordinate some cool shots.

Isla del Pescado or Isla Incahuasi

This place is just trippy. Imagine an empty land of salt. You’re driving and see something in the distance that looks like a fish from far away. Then you pull up to discover a small hill filled with cacti. How random! That’s Isla del Pescado and you will be amazed at the views you can catch from there. Entry is not included in your tour but for around $5 you should certainly not skip this stop. I don’t remember exactly but the amount of time you get there is sufficient to comfortably explore it. There are snacks and water on this stop too.

Salar sunset and drive to accommodation

If you took a one-day tour, this is where it would end. But trust me this is the last thing you want to do as days 2 and 3 offer a ton more attractions. After Isla del Pescado, our driver took us to a place to see some water on the salt flats since we were traveling during the dry season. We then drove to the first accommodation which was quite pleasant. We had dinner and drinks with our fellow travelers, bonded, and went outside to watch the stars.

Day 2

Morning

After breakfast, you will start your drive into the southern part of the country with the Chilean border right on your side. Some notable stops here will include Gruta de las Galaxias and the sister salt flat called Salar de Chiguana. The next chunk is a lot of driving but you enjoy the distant Volcan Ollague and many other natural spots along the way.

Afternoon

Then you will stop at the salt lakes which honestly is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. They include Cañapa Lake, Laguna Hedionda, Laguna Hond and Laguna Ramaditas. Lunch will be outside, cooked by your driver with the lake and mountains in the background. This is honestly one of the best lunch spots I have ever eaten in. On this part of the journey, you’ll see those pink flamingos everyone also talks about too.

Evening

The night will be spent in one of the most remote places on this trip. It will be in the middle of nowhere, there will be no shower, it will be freezing inside the room and you will also share it with 6 other people. Did I sell you on this yet? Well, it’s like a fraternity initiation part of the trip. Everyone experiences the same thing, you get to talk about this part for the rest of your life, and don’t worry, your driver will wake you before sunrise to continue the journey 🙂

Day 3

Morning

Our amazing driver really wanted us to see the Sol de Manana geyser at sunrise which meant waking up super early. I don’t think that’s the traditional route as not a single soul was in sight for this. It was incredible and I am forever grateful that he made our experience a little different than the planned path. The next stop included the Dali Desert, which I was super excited to see since Dali is one of my favorite artists. We then proceeded to explore Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde & Laguna Blanca. Our last stop of the morning, again, against the current of tourists was the Termas de Polques or the hot springs. We had the whole place to ourselves which was amazing!!

Afternoon

As our trip was coming to an end, we ate lunch in a little village. All I remember is there is a ton of alpacas/llamas in the most beautiful valley ever. Walking around was just amazing. At this point, I was so blown away by all the landscapes seen during the trip that seeing a colorful field with cute alpacas seem normal. Continuing the journey or driver made one last stop at a canyon along the route home.

Evening

For the last part of the trip, we just drove back to Uyuni. I was exhausted at this point but still tried to take in the last glimpses of the Bolivian landscapes. After returning to Uyuni, we all parted with warm hugs and happy memories of this journey. We returned around 5 or 6 pm, headed to the bus station to get bus tickets to Sucre, and had some standard gringo meal in town. What I didn’t know is how awful and exhausting the bus ride would be ahead. This is something I talk about at the beginning of the post and I hope when you travel you know what to expect.

Final Thoughts

Our amazing driver Johnny made us feel like family for 3 days and went above and beyond to give us a little extra outside the typical itinerary. I was extremely lucky because my vetting of these tour companies was not the greatest. When he dropped us off in Uyuni, I was sad to have ended the journey but I knew that one more day on the road would have made this experience less magical. The trip is certainly not for the picky traveler. The combination of high altitudes, lack of basics, dust, extreme sun, and little sleep make this a pretty rough experience. However, I wouldn’t trade it for anything and do it again in a heartbeat. The Bolivian Salt Flats tour is truly one of the most perfect things you can do on this planet.

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It’s truly a rare event to meet a traveler that has disliked Sucre. On my three-week Bolivia trip, one of the most unexpected surprises was visiting Sucre. I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere of the city and deeply regretted not staying longer. Sucre is the capital of Bolivia although you will often hear the debate of La Paz being its contender. To this day, I think the answer varies with whom you actually ask. Compared to La Paz, Sucre is another world. It’s quiet, clean, everything is white and the climate is amazing. The weather in Sucre Bolivia is a dream for exploring.

This post will try to cover the basics of everything you need to know about traveling there, things to do in Sucre, and things I wish I knew. At the bottom of the post, you will find downloadable itineraries for your stay! I hope this post shows you how amazing this city is and inspires you to add it to your Bolivia itinerary!

Let’s get to the logistics

Sucre is an amazing recharging stop in the chaotic country of Bolivia. Most travelers get stuck there because it’s so simply very hard to leave this city. Sucre is welcoming, cheap, and interesting. I hope when you travel you don’t skip over it as it was certainly one of the highlights of my trip.

After being a little on the edge in La Paz and then spending 3 days in the Salt Flats, Sucre felt like paradise. I finally slept 8+ hours upon arriving there and I was able to relax and enjoy the beautiful Bolivian city.

2 weeks in Bolivia itinerary

Before we dive into the Sucre details here is an overview of my Bolivia itinerary with links to other guides I created. In the La Paz post, I also include a short summary of the costs for this trip.

• I flew into La Paz to take a bus into Copacabana and stayed there a night to acclimate.
• Then, I took a boat to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca with an overnight stay.
• I returned to Copacabana to take a bus back to La Paz and stayed there for 4 days.
• My next stop was a trip from La Paz to Uyuni for a 3-day tour.
• After the tour, I took an overnight bus to Sucre and stayed there for 4 days.
• My last stop was Santa Cruz to which I took a flight from Sucre. I stayed there for another 3 days.

Traveling to Bolivia as a US citizen

While most countries don’t need a visa while traveling to Bolivia, the US relationship with the country made it mandatory to get one in the past. That’s why it was quite rare to find many American travelers there. Obtaining a visa was fairly straightforward and I got one at the New York Bolivian embassy for a hefty fee of $160 USD.

Good news for you my fellow traveler, as of the 2020s, with the change of presidents, US citizens are no longer required to get one.

How to survive high altitude in Bolivia

Sucre has an altitude of a little over 9,000 feet. It’s not as crazy as La Paz or Copacabana, but it’s still pretty high. If you’re coming from a high altitude, you will have no problems in Sucre. However, if you’re coming in the opposite direction, from low to high altitude, be prepared to rest for at least a full day before attempting any exploration.

If you’re curious about how altitude sickness affected me, I talk about this Cusco”horror” story, so feel free to read it for some entertainment. For tips on how to survive altitude issues in Bolivia, read my La Paz guide which goes into depth on things you can do to prevent it.

Where to stay in Sucre

If you’re traveling to Sucre, chances are you’re a backpacker. I saw very few “traditional tourists” while roaming the city. Hostels will be your best bet here are they provide everything a gringo needs abroad: 1) a bar 2) a walking tour 3) a group of friends 4) an atmosphere to feel safe and happy and bonus, 5) Spanish lessons! I stayed in a private room at KulturBerlin, a fairly known hostel in the city and I can vouch for its reputation and atmosphere. It also turns into a club at night at which you can find a lot of locals. Beware though, they’re not there to hang out to, they’re on a hunt if you know what I mean.

Hotels in Sucre Bolivia are abundant and will certainly not break your bank. You can get some pretty awesome spots for a very cheap price.

Sucre Transportation Logistics

To get to Sucre you have a couple of options: a long-distance bus or a flight. Transport in Bolivia isn’t pretty so don’t be deceived by certain verbiage of what your transport actually includes. My story went like this: I wanted to save some money on accommodation and decided that I would take an overnight bus from Uyuni to Sucre. I booked a “cama” seat and assumed I would be napping the entire time. When I got on the bus, I quickly found out that there is no bathroom option, the AC would be blasting beyond any reason and my cama barely reclined. It was quite an adventure, to say the least especially when I had to pee on a side of a dirt road in the middle of the night but I honestly wouldn’t do it any other way. However, if this isn’t your type of travel, I would find a different mode of transport instead.

Within Sucre, everything is walkable. The hills in the city could be a little brutal so if altitude ends up kicking our butt, opt for a radio taxi instead. To get to common attractions outside the city, you can take a public bus.

If you’re flying in or out, make sure you’re aware of the 1-hour journey to/from the airport. I totally missed the memo of how long it would take and almost missed my flight. The mini-buses leave from Av. Gregorio Donoso and Calle Camargo and cost a little over a dollar a person. You can also get a taxi at a fixed price of about 50 bolivianos.

People & Safety in Sucre

When you’re prepping for a trip, you’ll read many warnings about scams and what can happen to you. I was well-prepped and knew that one of the most talked-about scams was getting in a taxi where the driver also picks up a local along the way. Those interactions often lead to express kidnappings too. When I got off of my overnight bus from Uyuni at the Sucre bus station at a very sketchy 5 am time, I made sure to grab a taxi that was the most legitimate in appearance. The driver helped me with the bags and after I got in the back, a local joined us in the front.

Even when you’re prepared and have all the information when you’re actually in the moment of something sketchy happening, your reaction ends up being very different than what you’d assume it’d be. This was my case because when I questioned the driver about it, he reassured me that it was a friend we were dropping off along the way. For some reason, my gut trusted him, and looking back at it, it was actually crazy that I went with the flow. The good news is that it was actually the driver’s family member and he ended up being one of the nicest humans I encountered on the trip. Luckily, he wasn’t out to get me and got my safe to the hostel.

For the remainder of my time in Sucre, I only met nice people who were happy about the tourism in their city. My taxi adventure goes to show that not everyone is out to get you and if your gut tells you that a situation is ok, trust yourself. But with that said, don’t go blindly trusting people. I probably should not have taken that ride and simply got lucky.

Eating in Sucre

No one really talks about food in Sucre and I honestly don’t know why. I legit ate my way through the city and I had the best meals at each of the places I visited. You can get a street snack for $0.50 or indulge at more upscale places for a ridiculously cheap price. At the bottom of the guide, you can find my favorite places in the city!

Sightseeing in the city

Within the city, you won’t find many sightseeing spots but the beauty of Sucre is enjoying it as a whole. It’s simply stunning, the white buildings, the tranquil atmosphere, and the awesome nightlife. You stay in Sucre to soak it in and enjoy it, not to cross off “top ten things to do” kinda style.

However, there are some things you should check out within the city so I’ll list them below for you.

Perfect Things To Do in Sucre

Plaza 25 de Mayo

I love the main plazas in every city because they usually reflect the atmosphere of the place. This is certainly the case in Sucre as Plaza 25 de Mayo is the perfect place to spend some time in. You will find many locals hanging out, vendors selling sweets or snacks, performers during the day, and cute shows at night. I kept on coming back to the plaza just to sit and enjoy it, every single day I was in Sucre. Make sure to come during the day, at night, and during the weekend if you can.

Don’t forget to check out the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe located on the corner too. It was built around the 1600s and is a beautiful religious site.

La Recoleta

It will be a painful hike to get there, but the views from this place are incredible. The arches overlooking the city are amazing too. It’s actually an old monastery that’s now the best hang-out spot in the city from views. Make sure to grab a drink at Café Gourmet Mirador, it’s a popular spot but it lets you soak in the city for a little longer.

Templo de San Felipe Neri

This amazing monastery/school is the spot for rooftop views of Sucre. The grounds are also great for some quiet exploration. I hope you’re luckier than I was and are actually able to get inside this place. It’s apparently open only between 2-6 pm and you need to knock on large wooden doors to get inside.

General Cemetery

Remember that the topic of death in South America vs. in the Western culture is very different. We don’t necessarily celebrate the dead and don’t spend time in the cemeteries for reasons other than grieving. In Sucre, a general cemetery is a place for families to return to their loved ones, celebrate them, and drop off personalized trinkets that their loved ones, once cherished.

When you visit the general cemetery, you will be fascinated by how casual (yet very respectful) the locals treat this place. You will be able to admire the beautiful blocks of graves. Don’t forget though that this is a burial site so make sure you’re also being respectful and not treating it as a backdrop for your new insta pic.

Parque Bolivar

It’s a pretty park to observe the locals strolling, especially all the local teenagers hiding from their parents and kissing. It has a strange mini replica of the Eiffel Tower too. This place is probably best for small children as it offers a ton of exciting structures for them. I liked it for a stroll and some afternoon peace.

Catch the Fuente del Bicentenario light/fountain show located in Parque Bolivar and the show occurs between 7 and 9 pm on Sundays. It’s something cute to do in town along with the locals. Double-check if it’s currently running as I couldn’t find any reliable confirmation about it still working.

Central Market

This should be a spot on your radar for some local delicacies if you’re staying long-term. The Sucre central market is the place for fresh fruit, delicious juice, and some local bites. It’s colorful, authentic and something you should also do in every town you visit. Please be respectful of the locals and don’t walk up to them and take pictures of their faces. Ask if it’s ok first or assess the situation. Sucre is not as infested with tourists as other South American cities so it’s your responsibility not to ruin the gringo reputation too much.

Tarabuco Market

This is not your typical town market. Tarabuco is a gathering of the locals of the Yampara culture. It’s not only beautiful but you can also do some cool authentic shopping. Getting there will take a little effort from your end. Catch the number 14 bus from Mercado Central to Parada de Tarabuco for less than $0.50. If local buses aren’t your thing, take a taxi. It shouldn’t cost too much either, around $15 a person. Heads up, the journey will take you 1+ hour along a very scenic route. Note, the market only happens on Sundays and closes as early as 2 pm.

This Tarabuco market article is an amazing resource if you’re planning to visit. This cool travel couple gives you the history and all the information you need for visiting. People have mixed feelings about it as locals don’t love so many tourists there and prices are known not to be the cheapest for visitors. However, if you’re staying long-term, it could be a cool experience.

Museums in Sucre

Sucre might be a tiny town but it still houses a handful of museums. If that’s something that interests you, you can spend a full day exploring them here.

• Museo del Tesoro: The treasure museum is a cool spot in town where you can find gold, silver, and other valuable gems. The fairly new museum is housed in an old building. English tours are abundant.
• House of Liberty Museum: If Bolivian history is something you’re interested in, this place should be a must-stop for you. Take a tour to understand what is happening there though.
• Museum of Indigenous Art ASUR: As the name suggests, this indigenous museum is your stop for all things indigenous, textiles, art, and way of life.
• The Ethnographic and Folklore Museum (MUSEF): Another museum about all things culturally important to Bolivians. Check out their awesome current exhibitions.

Cretaceous Park

What once was a limestone quarry is now a site to spot some authentic dinosaur footprints. To get there you’ll take bus micro 4 from Plaza de 25 mayo or a private taxi. Don’t be surprised when you find large man-made dinosaur statutes there. You’re not going there for that though. You’re going to see the Cal Orck’o limestone wall for which you need to catch the noon or 1 pm tour in order to enter it.

The place is not well-protected meaning that visitors can touch the wall and the weather is actively eroding these unique findings. Whether this is a must-do activity or not, depends on how interested in dinosaurs you are. If you’re not, I wouldn’t recommend coming all the way there to see it. However, if nerding out on dinosaur movies and books was your thing when you were a kid, skipping this place would be silly.

Spanish Classes

When you’re researching Sucre travel, this will come upon every single list of things to do if you’re staying long term. The reasons are simple: Spanish in Sucre is very clean and easy to understand, lessons are super cheap for the quality of learning, and the overall mentality of other students to learn as much as they. Even the hostel I stayed in advertised lessons inside and encouraged even a couple of days of learning.

You’ll see all the major spots in the city in a day or two but you won’t want to leave. Make use of that extra morning time and learn a new language or upgrade your existing skills. The options are honestly endless here. I suggest getting a private tutor because you will be able to learn the most in a short amount of time. If you’re looking to make some friends along the way, group classes should be your choice. You will find advertisements everywhere: hotels, hostels, restaurants, and cafes. I haven’t taken any classes so I cannot recommend a specific one but a simple google search will answer that question for you.

Maragua Crater

If you’re staying in Sucre for a longer period of time, consider doing this magnificent trek into the most scenic parts of the country. There are two ways to do it, an organized 2-day tour or a DIY tour that is often described as a logistical nightmare. Travelers often get lost due to the poorly marked trails but with the current posts now, I think you can learn from their mistakes. This blog tells you a good story about their Maragua adventure. I also like this post about this couple getting lost hiking the crater but eventually successful.

Eat eat eat drink drink drink

Sucre’s food scene is amazing and you should try as many places as you can. Since this city is quite cheap, you can get some gourmet meals for really cheap prices. On the contrary, street food is also amazing so whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Here are my picks for a good meal. Don’t forget to drink in Sucre either. This is a cool town for your nighttime adventures.

• La Taverne: This was my favorite place in town. The steaks are to die for, the wine is amazing and the cute French ambiance is an awesome touch too.
• El Huerto: This is a higher-end restaurant to which you will need to take a taxi. It offers national dishes and a nice outdoor terrace.
• Cafe Florin: This is a known backpacker/tourist stop. Food is good and you’ll also find some travelers hanging around.
• Pueblo Chico: I like this place for drinks and a cool setting. It has courtyard-style dining and it’s super cute.
• Los Balcones: The food might not be the most amazing you had, but the view of the plaza makes up for it. I liked my dish there and I would certainly recommend it for an awesome perspective of the plaza alone.
• Chifa & Thai: Love this spot for some great chifa!
• Goblin Bar: An awesome local pub with some locally brewed beers. It’s family-owned and you will often find them onsite.
• Red Lion: An English pub in town. For sure not an authentic local spot but who doesn’t crave a good pub when traveling?
• KulturBerlin: No, it’s not only a hostel, but it’s also a solid bar that turns into a club at night too!
• Joy Ride Cafe: A known tourist spot in town. Make sure to at least grab one drink there.
• Mitos: This is your local discoteca to go drink and dance at.
• Chocolates Para Ti: And lastly, don’t forget to make a stop at this town staple for some tasty chocolates 🙂

Download Perfect Itineraries for your Sucre Trip

Sucre doesn’t seem that exciting on paper but when you get there, I promise it will surprise you in the best of ways. I stayed for 4 days but I honestly wish I stayed for 2 weeks. It’s such a nice place to unwind, practice your Spanish, eat well, and spend quality time with other travelers. Sucre is truly a gem and one of the best places to visit in Bolivia. It’s nothing like La Paz and nothing like Santa Cruz either. The tranquil atmosphere can be felt throughout the city and I promise you won’t want to leave.

All my itineraries were made after I traveled to a destination so they are optimized for things I wish I did differently. I hope that my mistakes could help you avoid bumps in the road. However, if you feel like some plans can be even more perfect, please let me know in the comments below!

One Day Itinerary for Sucre

I really don’t recommend traveling to Sucre just for one day because it is such a beautiful city. However, if that’s all you have, I have highlighted the places I think you should visit in your 24 hours. You will start your Sucre itinerary with a good breakfast with my favorite recommendations of restaurants. Then you will take a walking tour or a self-guided one. For your afternoon, I recommend you visit La Recoleta for some amazing views of the city. Lastly, you will grab a super tasty dinner and come back to the main plaza for some local vibes.

Two Day Itinerary for Sucre

Two days is what I recommend at a minimum here. It will let you capture the best spots in the city, absorb some culture and relax a little too. Your first day will look just like my day one itinerary. The second one, however, will let you see the cemetery and another known local park. At night, I am sending you to enjoy some Sucre nightlife.

Three Day Itinerary for Sucre

A three-day visit is a great option if you’re not planning to take Spanish classes and want to continue your Bolivian journey. Your first and second day will be very similar to my one and two-day itinerary, seeing major spots like Plaza de 25 de mayo, La Recoleta, restaurants, parks, and museums. On the third day, you will head to the awesome dinosaur park a little outside of town. You will end your stay enjoying the nightlife.

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