You needn’t travel far for unique travelling experiences.
Europe, whilst being closer to home, is full of places where you can learn about new cultures, meet people from all over the world and have bags of fun in the process. Needless to say, this will come as no news to seasoned travellers, who know that sometimes the greatest places to explore are on your own doorstep. Hell you can even travel on home turf in the UK!
Europe offers a choice for backpackers desperate to get away without the crippling air fares associated with destinations further afield. With that in mind, we’ve put together a few of our favourite European backpacking destinations, to help you choose somewhere to escape to that promises all the pleasures that travelling affords, whilst being easy on the pocket.
Berlin
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Our first stop is Berlin, which, even after all this time after Germany’s reunification, still manages to be cheaper than Munich or Hamburg on the backpacker’s wallet. As with all European destinations, it is always a frugal choice to opt for a backpackers’ hostel rather than a hotel.
Many Berlin hostels offer private rooms, if you don’t fancy sharing a dorm, although sharing can lead to some hilarious experiences and a chance to get to know fellow travellers a little better. Many of the hostels are set in the midst of streets filled with typically Berlin-esque quirky cafes and art galleries, so you will appreciate the pleasure to be had in staying pretty centrally. It is easy, however, to wax all your travelling money on the outstanding nightlife that Berlin is famous for. It takes a strong sense of restraint not to find yourself forking out for hip nightclubs like Berghain. Although, while you’re in this ultimately trendy city, you should allow yourself to experience the best nightclub (reputably) in the world.
You can save a bit on other things, like your airport transfer from Berlin Schönefeld Airport, which is pretty inexpensive as the airport is so close to the city centre. You can also save money by taking a free walking tour from New Berlin, which is a great way to see the sights without forking out a penny. Cheap pub crawls are also a blast, and again, a good way to meet fellow travellers.
Prague
From Berlin, we head east, to the popular city break destination of Prague. Regrettably, Prague is not quite as cheap as it once was, although it is still more than possible to enjoy this city on a budget. By rigorously avoiding tourist hotspots, and especially bars with big signs outside, you stand a good chance of saving yourself a few quid. Seek out small, family-run drinking dens where the prices are still scandalously cheap.
You may feel like you’ve stepped into a local pub for local people only, but just don’t act like an overexcited tourist, keep yourself to yourself and don’t be an idiot, and they’ll soon warm to you. So, if you keep your drinking nice and local, feeding small businesses rather than the money pits, and do the same when eating out, you’ll save money that you can then spend on enjoying Prague’s nightlife. Which is ace, if you know where to go.
Skip through Poland, perhaps stopping in Krakow for a few days, as this city is one of the cheapest in Europe, with some great old-European charm to its architecture and general ambiance.
Budapest
From here, head to Budapest in Hungary, which is pretty inexpensive, as well as stunningly beautiful. It is also a city absolutely jammed with things to do; your only dilemma is choosing which activities to prioritise for your budget. We suggest renting a bike to explore along the number two tram route, and down through downtown Budapest, which is a relaxing and novel way to take in the sights such as the beautiful bridges over the Danube. Bars, pubs and eateries in Budapest often have a real idiosyncratic charm to them, with antiquey interiors and cosy atmosphere frequently on the cards. Beer at just over 2 Euros is the standard, making it all the more easy to get comfortable over a few. Oh, and in addition to the plethora of hostels that Budapest has on offer, there are also a couple of great, cheap campsites if you happen to come during warmer months. However, saying that, Budapest makes a cracking Christmas location. This city under snow is simply breathtaking.
Istanbul
Further east still, our next favourite is Istanbul, where it is startlingly easy to stay on a budget. Hotels, of course, remain the expensive option, so stick with hostels and rent a private room if you’re travelling as a couple.
The main airport for Istanbul is Ataturk, situated fifteen miles west of the city, so a cheap airport taxi or shuttle is the best way to reach the city once you arrive. Be sure to pre-book in advance to make as much saving as possible. Istanbul is great for cheap alcohol, and you can eat both well and frugally by munching down on the wide variety of utterly delicious street food that is available on pretty much every street.
Istanbul Tourism has heaps to offer too – it’s an outstanding city for culture and architecture, with many tourists keen to visit the Hagia Sofia, a sixth century temple in the city, as well as the ottoman Topkapi Palace. Istanbul peaks in heat during the summer months, with mild winters averaging between six and eight degrees Celsius in December through to March.
Barcelona
On our journey westwards, no European backpacking trip would be complete without a visit to the wonderful Barcelona. This city simply oozes charm and cool without any sense of pretention, making it a dream for laid-back, outgoing backpackers in search of fun and new friends. Though this city is not ideal for the tight-budgeted, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Barcelona without breaking the bank.
First of all, you can split your time quite nicely between the pleasures of the city and those of Barcelona’s awesome beaches. Touring the inside of sights such as the Sagrada Familia is not entirely necessary, unless you specifically want to. If you do decide to fork out to see tourist attractions like the Sagrada Familia, you can still save later on by grabbing a few cans of Estrella and heading down to the beach with some fellow backpackers to watch the sun go down and share conversation and good times through the night.
Good food can be picked up at markets, such as the mouth-watering Boqueria market on Las Ramblas. Picnicking on the beach with your own selection of hand-picked munch is as pleasurable as eating in one of Barcelona’s many outstanding restaurants or tapas bars, without the price tag.
With flights to Europe still hovering pretty low, there is little reason not to take off to one of these fine cities for a spot of short-term travel. A week or two in a European city is a good way to take the edge off that insatiable travel itch, while you keep on putting those savings away for your big round the world trip!
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