Posts by author Chris Ciolli
Photo: Calvin Hanson on Unsplash
Shorter jaunts to Europe are nothing to sniff at, but what about when you’d like to stay a little longer than a couple of weeks? Have you ever dreamed of taking a few months or even a year off to travel around Europe? Maybe you’ve finally saved up your money and vacation time, and you’re ready » Read more
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela marks the end of the pilgrimage route. Photo: Elentir
The final stop on Spain’s epic St. John’s Way pilgrimage, Santiago de Compostela has much more in store for visitors than just the holy relics housed by its world-famous cathedral — although the cathedral is certainly worth a visit. Full of granite edifices with greenery springing out of hidden crevices and decorated with gargoyles, in » Read more
A waterfront restaurant in Lisbon. Photo: Frank S.
Portugal is one of our favorite budget destinations for food and drink. A multitude of fish and meat dishes, not to mention amazing wines for every palette, are available for very reasonable prices in Portugal’s capital city. But in Lisbon, just like in any other large metropolis in Europe, it matters when, where, and what » Read more
Let's eat in Madrid! Photo: SubtlePanda
Spain’s capital city (like the rest of the Iberian Peninsula) is a budget-travelers’ paradise. And dining out in Madrid offers a fun experience from tapas bars to cafes. But even so, as in all popular European destinations, if you’re not careful, you may end up spending more than you’d like on a pretty lackluster dining » Read more
The serene landscape of Switzerland. Photo: Guillaume V on Flickr
Ready to make your Swiss dreams of pristine mountain villages and rich, cheesy fondue come true? You’re not alone. Switzerland’s stunning scenery and rich cuisine have it at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. Unfortunately for Cheapos, the Alpine paradise is not exactly Europe’s most budget-friendly destination. In fact, it often goes down as » Read more
A train rolling through vineyards in Portugal. Photo: Pablo
When it comes to eating, drinking, and sleeping, Portugal’s a steal of a deal compared to other countries in Western Europe, even in popular destinations like Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. But what ways to save on transportation in Portugal? What should you expect to spend getting from Lisbon to Sintra, and Porto to Guimarães and » Read more
Lovely San Sebastian in all its beauty. Photo: Photo by ultrash ricco on Unsplash
San Sebastián, a famous resort city on the bay, boasts beautiful beaches, some of Basque country’s best pintxos, (traditional bar snacks), and a charming Belle Époque old town. It’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary. And while San Sebastián (like most of Basque Country) doesn’t normally figure among Spain’s most budget-friendly destination, with a little » Read more
Overlooking Málaga. Photo: Manolo Franco
The birthplace of Spain’s most famous artist, Pablo Picasso, Málaga is often a point of arrival — and little more — on visitors’ Costa del Sol itineraries, which is a shame really. Why? Because past an outer ring of unattractive high-rise housing, the city boasts a pedestrianized city center packed with charming squares and lively » Read more
Yes, it's possible to save on your trip to Interlaken. Photo: Othree
The Swiss resort town of Interlaken is famous the world over as a jumping off point for skiing, snow sports and exploring the Bernese Highlands region of the Swiss Alps. Wedged between two crystalline alpine lakes, this small city of 23,300 residents has been an international resort since the 1800s when Swiss landscape artists immortalized » Read more
A secluded lake in the Spanish Pyrenees. Photo: Manel
Most Barcelona side-trips focus on the coast and beachy paradises like Sitges and Figueres. But a few hours further inland, there’s an equally dramatic (and much more budget-friendly) landscape to explore — the Spanish Pyrenees. Popular come winter and summer with Catalans and folks from around Spain, this striking mountain playground offers many of the » Read more
Basel from the river. Photo: Myri Roet
Switzerland’s third biggest city (after Zurich and Geneva), Basel is best-known for its world-famous museums and its wild Mardi Gras celebration — one of Europe’s most famous — Basler Fasnacht. It’s not, however, known for being a budget traveler’s paradise, or even a budget-friendly destination — and with good reason. That’s why we came up » Read more
Keep an eye out for "No Parking" and "Do Not Enter" signs! Photo: miguelb
We all know that renting a car in Portugal offers travelers much more freedom that being constantly tied to public transportation. (And, in case you haven’t already read it, be sure to check out our tips on saving on your car rental in Portugal.) But what do you need to know about driving in Portugal » Read more
Driving in Portugal can be a challenge! Photo: daooga
Whatever your European landscape of choice — be it beaches, vineyards, medieval villages or historic old towns — you’ll find it all in Portugal, generally at a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere in Europe. But what’s the best way to see it all? We love the bus and train, but renting a » Read more
Try BlaBla Car for ride-share trips in Europe. Photo: BlaBla Car
Looking for a cheaper way to travel by car around Europe? You might want to try a ride-sharing service like BlaBlaCar. Founded in 2006, this sharing economy business is a good option to get between points A and B, especially on longer routes or those without an affordable public transport option. It can also work really » Read more
Fly into Porto to kick off your trip to Portugal. Photo: FO
Portugal regularly tops lists of budget-friendly destinations in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. The far western slice of Iberia is home to gorgeous beaches, a seemingly endless list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wide selection of basic (but comfortable) accommodation starting at around $30 per night. Related: Search for hotel rooms » Read more
A view over Alicante, Spain. Photo: Enrique D.
It’s always easy to find a reason to visit Spain. Topping many travelers’ lists are tapas, aka the world’s best bar food, miles of sandy beaches (many of them along the mild waters of the Mediterranean), and of course, some of the world’s best wine. On top of that list, you can add friendly locals, » Read more
Strolling the beach in Sitges, Spain. Photo: Jef N.
Known worldwide for its Film Festival and Carnival, Sitges is a beachy escape less than an hour from Barcelona. With 17 beaches to choose from and an estimated 300+ sunny days a year, you’re sure to find a stretch of sand to call your own. When you get tired of soaking of the sun, just » Read more
Gaudi's stunning Casa Batlló in Barcelona. Photo: Jose Ramirez
Also known as Casa dels Ossos, or the “house of bones”, Casa Batlló in Barcelona looks like something Tim Burton and Walt Disney might have dreamed up for a movie set. Famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí built it in 1877 for one family, then renovated it into the masterpiece that it is today for another family » Read more
Beautiful Porto. Photo: Gregorio
Days 9 and 10: Porto Porto is days nine and ten in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. Spend your final two days getting to know Portugal’s second largest city. Walkable, well-connected with inexpensive public transportation and visually stunning, Porto is a budget traveler’s paradise. Free and Cheap Things to Do in Porto Without spending a single » Read more
Days 7 and 8: Braga and Guimarães Braga and Guimarães are days five and six in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. These two college towns are among the oldest and most historically important cities in the entire country. Whereas Guimarães is considered the birthplace of the Portuguese kingdom, Braga, is hailed as the place where the Catholic » Read more
Days 5 and 6: Valença and Ponte de Lima Valença and Ponte de Lima are days five and six in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. Make the trek north to Minho: It’s about four hours in bus or train or 2.5 hours in a car from Coimbra to Valença. This region of Portugal’s known for its production » Read more
Sintra Vila looks like something out of a children's storybook. Photo: Peter Curb
Days 3 and 4: Sintra, Cascais and Coimbra Sintra, Cascais and Coimbra are days three and four in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. With both destinations clocking in at around half an hour from the Portuguese capital for €5 or less, it’s no surprise that Sintra and Cascais rank high among popular day trips from » Read more
Check out the 16th century Belem Tower on your trip to Lisbon. Luis A.
Days 1 and 2: Lisbon Lisbon is our first stop in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. Continuing with what might be an increasingly obnoxious California metaphor, Lisbon is to Portugal as San Francisco is to California; it’s hilly, coastal, quirky, and complete with cable-cars and foodie culture to boot. As Portugal’s largest city and capital, » Read more
The rooftops of Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Elisa Michelet
Portugal is long and skinny. With your choice of sandy beaches for sunbathing and rocky outcrops for climbing along the coast, a booming artisan food culture that includes a well-established wine and olive oil industry, historic cable cars, and quirky, captivating cities, it’s not unlike California, albeit a particularly European version. But here the striking » Read more
An 18th-century church in Braga, Portugal. Photo: domjisch
Portugal’s third biggest city, Braga offers cobblestone streets crammed with more churches (nearly four dozen!) and bells chiming than many other cities in Europe combined. Pair the city’s rich cultural heritage with a lively student population, thanks to the Universidade do Minho (hello, low-cost bars and restaurants), and you’ve got an exceptional destination for Cheapos. » Read more
