20 Mar 2018

I always enjoy a city more when I know some insider tips. These can be anything from the best neighbourhoods to explore, how to socialise the way the locals do, and more.

I’m lucky enough to have visited lots of major European destinations. Along the way I’ve picked up a tip or two from the locals. To save you doing the homework on some of Europe’s top cities, I’ve put together a list of 30 top tips for your trip to Europe this summer…

1 Lisbon – Explore the city on tram #28

Like other European capitals, Lisbon has open-top bus tours visiting the city’s top sights. But save yourself some Euro by taking a ride on tram No. 28 instead. It passes lots of top sights like Rua Augusta, the cathedral and the castle.

2 Dublin – Don’t spend too much time in Temple Bar. Visit these bars instead…

Some people say you should avoid Temple Bar in Dublin. I disagree. I think you should go at least once because being touristy is good (places are touristy for a reason). But I wouldn’t spend too much time there – instead go to more authentic Irish bars like Kehoe’s on South Anne Street, Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street and Toner’s on Baggot Street.

3 Berlin – Chill out in the Prenzlauer Berg

Like London, New York, Paris and Tokyo, Berlin is a city that’s all about the neighbourhoods. Kreuzberg is one of the most popular, but my advice is to check out Prenzlauer Berg instead. There’s a lovely vibe in this part of the city. In particular, check out the bars around Helmholtzplatz – my favourite being Wohnzimmer.

4 Venice – Get cheap (but good) wine

Since Venice has no cars, you end up doing a lot of walking there. Subsequently, you’ll find you’ll drink a lot of water. Rather than throwing away those empty water bottles though, hang on to them – Venice has lots of wine shops where you can fill them up for next to nothing with good, quality wine.

5 Dubrovnik – Spend a day away from the Old Town in Lapad

Dubrovnik’s old town is one of the most stunning places on the planet. But it isn’t cheap and there are tourists everywhere. If you want to get away from it for a day, visit the seaside neighbourhood of Lapad. There’s a nice beach there along with lots of bars and restaurants. Lots more locals too.

6 Glasgow – Visit the free museums and galleries

If museums are your thing then you’ll love Glasgow - many of them are free. This includes the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Argyle Street), the Hunterian Museum (Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow) and the Museum of Modern Art (Royal Exchange Square).

7 Amsterdam – Rent a bike that looks like a local’s bike

My top tip for anybody going to Amsterdam is always rent a bike. It’s the best way to see the Dutch capital. My second tip is to avoid branded ones. They make you look like a tourist, and you stick out like a sore thumb. If you want an unbranded bike visit ‘Rent-A-Bike’ just off Dam Square. They’ve got plenty of them available to rent.

8 Budapest – Go for a dip in the Rudas Baths

People always rush to the Gellert Baths or the Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, and rightly so – they’re amazing. But if you want to enjoy a more local experience, visit the Rudas Baths along the river. They’re extremely authentic and they’ve got the hottest steam room I’ve ever been in. Ever.

9 London – Grab a bite to eat in the Borough Market

Just below London Bridge train station south of the River Thames is the Borough Market (open Mon-Sat from 10am-5pm, closed Sunday). A source of exceptional British produce since the 13th century, lunch here is a quintessential London experience.

10 Florence – Catch a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo

Want to know how Florentines spend their evenings in the summer? They grab a bottle of wine and they enjoy a sunset from this square overlooking Florence. Join them and you’ll witness a sunset that will be etched in your memory forever.

11 Barcelona – Enjoy the mayhem in Can Paixano

Image courtesy of Hector Garcia.

This tapas bar on Carrer de la Reina Cristiana is different to other bars in Barcelona – people don’t come for the tapas. They go for the budget bottles of cava. Arrive early, pick a spot and enjoy what is one of the city’s most unique places.

12 Vienna – Go for a lap of the Ringstrasse on tram #1 or #2

Vienna’s Ringstrasse is a boulevard that bounds every section of central Vienna. All along it are breath-taking buildings such as the state opera house, the city hall and more. To see them all in a blissful 45-minute journey, hop on tram #1 or #2 as they loop the famous ring road.

13 Rome – Save money on drinking water

Rome is another Italian city where you’ll find yourself doing a lot of walking. As with Venice, rather than throwing those bottles of water away, hang on to them. All over Rome are fountains that produce thousands of litres of water that is suitable for drinking. Get your fresh water from these, not from shops.

14 Galway – Go for a walk along the Salthill Promenade

Galway is synonymous with traditional Irish music, great pubs and copious pints of Guinness. But for an experience that’s a bit more local and energetic, walk along the Salthill Promenade, enjoying views over Galway Bay as you stroll.

15 Granada – How to score a free meal

All over Granada are tapas bars that are extremely kind on the budget. Why? Because when you order a ‘cerveza’ (beer) you get a portion of tapas to go with it. This could be ham, meatballs, patatas bravas or other niceties. You’ll find lots of them around Calle Elvira in the Albaycin area.

16 Paris - Enjoy a night like a Parisian along the Seine

If you’re looking for a typical Parisian night, forget the bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Instead get some wine, crackers, cheese and grapes and relax for an evening along the banks of the Seine. This is easily one of Europe’s most enjoyable experiences.

17 Brussels – Socialise around Place St Gery

This small square in Brussels, not far from the Grand Place, is where the Belgian capital’s offspring like to let their hair down at the weekends. It’s also where you’ll find non-touristy restaurants like those along Rue de Bouchers.

18 Porto – Relax on the beach in Matosinhos

Due to its location, things can hot up in Porto during the summer. When you want to cool down and get away from the city make your way to the town of Matosinhos where you can swim, sunbathe or maybe even try your hand at windsurfing.

19 Nice – Keep fit along Promenade des Anglais

Overlooking the Baie de Agnes, Nice’s Promenade des Anglais is arguably Europe’s most famous beachfront path. Those who live here enjoy keeping fit which is understandable considering they spend a lot of their time in their swimwear during the summer months. They keep fit by running up and down the prom. This is an activity that is free, keeps you fit and affords spectacular views.

20 Prague – Socialise with the locals and save a fortune

Prague can either be very cheap or very expensive. Where you eat and drink plays a big part in this. When it comes to going out, avoid the bars around the main squares. Instead check out bars like U Sudu (Vodickova) or U Rodolfina (Křížovnická) for a more local and budget-friendly experience.

21 Milan – Enjoy a full meal for free

Every evening in Milan, the city experiences ‘aperitivo hour’. During this time (it usually lasts two hours) many bars around the city offer all types of food for free – you can enjoy this food once you buy yourself a drink to accompany it. La Bicyclette on Via Torti and Bar Brera on Via Brera are two worth hunting down.

22 Krakow – Explore Kazimierz

About ten minutes from Krakow’s stunning main square is the old Jewish neighbourhood of Kazimierz. This is where the cool locals hang out while the tourists spend their money in the centre. Along Estery, around Plac Nowy and other parts of the neighbourhood are lots of bars and restaurants – the perfect place to relax for the day.

23 Athens – Mix with the beautiful people in Kolonaki

Just minutes from Syntagma metro station is Kolonaki – a neighbourhood where Athens’ more privileged people like to spend their time. Here they dip in and out of shops selling designer labels and sip on their mocha lattes. It’s worth joining them for a while to see how different this area is to other parts of the Greek capital.

24 Edinburgh – Sip a glass of Shiraz in Ecco Vino

Despite it’s location between Waverly Bridge and the Royal Mile, Ecco Vino is a wine bar that isn’t overrun with camera-wielding tourists. Instead you’ll encounter extremely helpful staff, beautiful food and wine to choose from and accents that are undeniably Scottish.

25 Seville – Enjoy Flamenco dancing in La Carboneria

As tourists spend large sums of money on combo-deals offering Flamenco dancing and three-course meals, those who wish to see Flamenco for free visit this bar on Calle Levies in Barrio de Santa Cruz. There are performances in both the front and back of the venue, although the ones in the front are far more intimate.

26 Oslo – Visit the Bla Sunday Market

If your visit to Oslo takes in a Sunday, pencil in a visit to this popular market. Here you’ll pick up fresh local produce along with bric-a-brac also.

27 Madrid – See the city’s top museums for free

Going to Madrid? Then take note – two of the city’s most popular museums are free at certain times. The Reina Sofia gallery is free on Monday to Friday 7pm - 9pm, Saturday from 2.30pm to 9pm and on Sunday from 10am to 7pm. And the Prado is free Monday to Saturday 6pm - 8pm, and Sundays and holidays 5pm - 7pm also.

28 Bath – See how the locals enjoy stunning architecture

Two of Bath’s main sites are residential areas. This might not sound too appealing, but when you visit the Royal Crescent and the Circus you’ll be envious of the inhabitants who call these buildings their home.

29 Warsaw – Sample the local food

As you’d expect from a capital city, Warsaw is full of restaurants serving Italian, Indian and Chinese fair. But ‘When in Rome…’ as the saying goes. A good place to try Polish food is in Pierrogeria on ul. Krzywe Kolo in the old town where you can try ‘pierogi’ – traditional Polish dumplings.

30 Valencia – Get lost in the bars and restaurants along Calle Cabelleros

When it comes to nightlife, Valencians spend all their time in the Barrio del Carmen neighbourhood, and in particular along Calle Cabelleros. If you’re one who likes to sample the local nightlife, this is where you should set your sights on.

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