Ever dreamed of exploring a forest where trees bend in impossible twists, or wandering through a castle that whispers tales of forgotten times? Step off the beaten path and into a world where the bizarre and the beautiful collide in Poland’s most captivating hidden corners.

Poland offers adventures that stretch the imagination – from the eerie remnants of the Wolf’s Lair to the subterranean magic of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Keep reading – this guide unlocks doors to the country’s most intriguing, odd, and downright weird wonders.

Weird and Unusual Places to See in Poland

Grab your sense of adventure and let’s uncover Poland’s best-kept secrets, where every discovery tells a story about this country’s unique and interesting past.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The depths of the Wieliczka Salt Mine are a subterranean display of salt sculptures and majestic chapels carved straight from the earth. This UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t just a mine; it’s an art gallery, showcasing the beauty that lies beneath our feet.

Crooked House

Step into the pages of a fairy tale at the Crooked House in Sopot.

This whimsically warped building looks like It was lifted straight out of a story book, offering visitors a glimpse into architectural fantasy. Its unique design captivates the imagination and invites curiosity.

Looking for the best photos for your social media? Feel free to use Instagram reels maker by Vista Create to showcase your outstanding trip, promote your content, and make it go viral. 

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Visit the solemn grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the memory of those lost to one of history’s darkest chapters is preserved. This powerful museum and memorial offers a deeply moving experience, reminding us of the importance of remembering the past.

Christ the King Statue

Stand in awe beneath the towering Christ the King Statue in Świebodzin, the tallest statue of Jesus in the world. This monumental sculpture (33 metres or 108 ft tall) offers breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere for reflection.

Krakow Pinball Museum

The Krakow Pinball Museum is sure to be a favorite for kids, kids-at-heart, gamers, and nostalgia seekers.

With rows of vintage and modern pinball machines, it’s a hands-on dive into the playful side of history. Lose track of time in the flashing lights and ringing bells of this unique museum as once you’ve paid your admission fee, all the games are set to free play!

Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius

Step back in time at the Collegium Maius, the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University.

This architectural gem houses a treasure trove of scientific instruments, antique books, and art, showcasing centuries of academic excellence and intellectual heritage.

University of Warsaw Library

The University of Warsaw Library is an architectural marvel, with stunning rooftop gardens with panoramic views of the city. Its blend of modern design and lush greenery makes it a serene escape and a must-visit spot for architecture lovers and students of life.

Kaplica Czaszek: The Chapel of Skulls

Skull Chapel (Polish: Kaplica Czaszek) in Czermna, is a unique and solemn place that houses the remains of over 3,000 people.

Venture into the eerie silence of the Chapel of Skulls, a macabre but fascinating site with thousands of human bones and skulls. It’s not for everyone, but this memorial to the transience of life invites reflection on mortality and our history as a species.

Upside-Down House

Enter the topsy-turvy world of the Upside-Down House in Szymbark, where everything you know is flipped on its head.

This bewildering attraction challenges your senses and perception, offering a playful and disorienting experience. It’s a quirky reminder to view the world from different perspectives.

Wawel Dragon’s Den

Explore the legendary lair of the Wawel Dragon, nestled beneath Kraków’s Wawel Hill.

This mythical cave has captivated the imaginations of visitors for centuries, with tales of dragons and heroes. Explore the depths and emerge to see the iconic fire breathing metal dragon sculpture of Smok.

Elbląg Canal

This canal in Poland is unique for its use of a system of slipways to move boats over land between water bodies, bypassing a 99.5 meter difference in water levels. It’s one of the few places in the world where boats are literally carried across the land, making it both an engineering marvel and an unusual Polish tourist attraction.

Crooked Forest

Wander through the Crooked Forest, where nearly 400 pine trees grow with a mysterious twist. This natural oddity, with its trees bent at sharp angles, provides a surreal experience and a perfect backdrop for photographers and nature lovers.

Pyramid Rapa

Discover the intriguing Pyramid of Rapa, an unexpected mausoleum hidden in the Polish countryside.

This architectural oddity, which resembles the great pyramids, serves as a family tomb and stands as a testament to the eccentricities of its creator. It’s a mysterious and somewhat eerie sight, shrouded in local lore.

Lapalice Castle

Lapalice Castle is an unfinished, vast and sprawling structure that stands as a testament to ambition and imagination gone awry. This modern-day ruin (it was only started in 1979), with its grand halls and empty windows, captures the imagination of all who visit.

Nikiszowiec

Immerse yourself in the unique charm of Nikiszowiec, a historic mining district in Katowice.

This architectural gem, with its red brick buildings and communal courtyards, captures the spirit of early 20th-century worker settlements and offers a slice of life from a bygone era.

Project Riese & Ksiaz Castle

Project Riese is a massive, unfinished Nazi construction project in the Owl Mountains comprising of seven large tunnels. Though they were never completed and no one ever knew their exact purpose, the tunnels were attached to the beautiful and 3rd largest castle in Poland, Ksiaz Castle, which was briefly owned by the Nazis but was originally built in the 1300’s.

Project Riese and Ksiaz Castle offer a journey both through dark history and architectural beauty.

Underground City of Osówka

Journey into the heart of the Owl Mountains to discover the Underground City of Osówka, part of the mysterious Project Riese from WWII. Navigate through the labyrinth of tunnels and bunkers, unearthing stories of ambition and secrecy.

Białowieża Forest

The Białowieża Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site straddling the border between Belarus and Poland. This large and ancient woodland is a sanctuary for European bison and other wildlife, offering a glimpse into the untouched beauty of Europe’s last remaining primeval forest.

Wolf’s Lair

Once Hitler’s hidden headquarters, Wolf’s Lair is a haunting relic of WWII nestled in Poland’s serene forest. Explore the eerie ruins where history’s shadows linger, offering a poignant glimpse into the past. A must-visit for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.

Bismark Tower Ruin

Stand among the ruins of the Bismark Tower, a forgotten monument that whispers tales of the past.

These historical ruins offer a peek into architectural history and stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, making it a picturesque spot for contemplation and exploration.

Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle is the world’s largest castle by land area, built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century.

This imposing fortress is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and a testament to the order’s power and influence, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore its vast halls and intricate history.

Are you ready to explore Poland’s hidden gems?

Poland is a treasure chest of the quirky, the mysterious, and the utterly breathtaking, waiting to be unlocked by the curious traveler. From the eerie silence of Osówka’s underground city to the primeval whispers of the Białowieża Forest, each site promises a unique adventure. Pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and let Poland’s hidden wonders inspire your next great adventure.

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The English capital has no shortage of great London gifts, including one-of-a-kind collectables, funny gag gifts, tasty food, and even unique antiques and tea sets.

London is notoriously expensive, but if you’re choosy, and follow our advice, you can even score some cheap London souvenirs.

The best London souvenirs

There’s so much to see and do in London that the souvenirs you can buy are almost endless. There’s a gift shop in every museum, attraction, department store, and sometimes, it seems on every other block in this UK megacity.

Whether you’re checking out the best things to do in London with kids, or being adventurous at the wonderful live theatre shows for kids in London’s West End, there are souvenirs for sale on every corner.

In this article, we show you the places with the biggest and best selection of souvenirs, the cheapest prices on London gifts, and more.

We’ll even share where to find unique London souvenirs, antique gifts from London and those hard to find, one-of-a-kind cool souvenirs from London, England.

What to buy from London

One of the most fun things to do in this city is to shop for presents from London for family and friends.

Whatever you choose, it’s a wonderful reminder of your time in London so buying something precious to you will go a long ways to making your trip memorable and a great talking point when presenting gifts to your loved ones back home after your trip is over.

Classic London souvenirs

If you’re looking for classic, standard souvenirs like London t-shirts, fridge magnets, key chains or mugs, these are easy to find. These souvenirs feature a huge variety of iconic London attractions like Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Union Jack, Black cabs, antique phone booths and double decker buses.

Classic souvenirs are available almost everywhere, from corner stores to souvenir shops, and even supermarkets.

Here are a few of the classic London souvenirs to consider:

• mugs
• fridge magnets
• t-shirts
• key chains
• sweatshirts
• posters
• Christmas ornaments
• figurines
• pillows
• bottle openers
• pillows

London street signs

London street and tube signs are popular souvenirs. That said, don’t go ripping down a real sign. There are plenty of places to buy one that won’t cause a traffic accident.

You can find them at Portobello Road market, Brick Lane market, and sellers near Oxford Street and Leicester Square.

Food and drink from London

Borough Market has a great selection of British food to take home as gifts.

Tea and biscuits

Fortnum & Mason, one of London’s most iconic department shops, sells charming tea and biscuit gift sets.

A dedicated tea shop like Whittards in Covent Garden is also a great place to browse, and find unique tea sets.

Twinings tea is an iconic London tea, available at most shops around the city.

Looking for something easier? You can buy a gorgeous Twinings boxed gift set on Amazon.

See prices here.

London chocolate

Dating back to 1875, Charbonnel et Walker is one of Britain’s finest chocolatiers. It even has a Royal Warrant as a chocolatier to His Majesty The King. The shop is in the Royal Arcade in Mayfair.

Rococo Chocolates is also a great choice, while Hotel Chocolat is where you can buy beautifully packaged souvenir London chocolate to take back home with you.

Artisan snacks and food

There are plenty of places that sell artisan treats, including local jams, jellies, and biscuits. Harrods is a solid choice, and Borough Market are also a good place to start your search.

Paddington and London-themed biscuits from Biscuiteers are a fun choice and their London inspired cookie tins make a great souvenir for anyone.

Fortnum & Mason, an upscale London department store, makes sweet and savory baskets that are easy to pack up as a London souvenir.

Alcohol

London-based Hayman’s is an iconic London souvenir for gin lovers.

Pimm’s No 1 is the quintessential ingredient in the British cocktail, a Pimm’s cup. A Pimm’s cup is made with Sprite, strawberries, orange, apple cucumber and mint.

If you’re looking for help choosing something local, Spirits near Chinatown, Gerry’s Wines, and the Whiskey Exchange in Covent Garden can offer some guidance on local London drinks.

Harry Potter souvenirs

There’s a wonderful selection of Harry Potter souvenirs from London to delight both wizards and muggles alike.

The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ is the best place in London to buy Harry Potter merchandise. This Harry Potter Shop is in King’s Cross station.

If The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ is too busy for your taste, try House of Spells in Leicester Square, or the gift shop at the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford.

Royal paraphernalia

While you can buy royal nick-knacks almost anywhere in England, if you’re looking for higher quality, consider Westminster Abbey’s gift shop or the Royal Gift Shop to buy royal souvenirs.

British clothing

There are plenty of choices for clothing souvenirs in London. Here are a few ideas:

• British country clothing at Barbour.
• an umbrella from quirky London Umbrella, one of the quirky and unusual things to do in London.
• a suit from famed Savile Row.
• a Burberry trench coat from their Regent Street shop.
• a hat or fascinator. You can find fascinators and hats in most London department stores. For a unique experience, visit a couture hat maker like Stephen Jones Millinery or a traditional hat maker like Lock & Co Hatters in St James’.
• vintage clothing and accessories on Brick Lane and Golborne Road.
• jewelry. Hatton Garden is the place to go.
• football (soccer in the USA) gear. You can pick up items for popular teas like Chelsea and Manchester United in the stores on Oxford Street and elsewhere around London. You can also buy your favorite team’s merchandise at the gift shop at the arena.

Perfume

London is famous for its perfume. Miller Harris is a great place to start, as is Harrods.

Les Senteurs, London’s oldest independent perfumery, is the place to go for posh perfume shopping.

Penhaligons has lovely, small sets that are easy to take home in your luggage.

London antiques

Portobello Road Market is the world’s largest antiques market. There are over a thousand dealers here, who sell almost anything you can think of.

If you love vintage clothing, check out Brick Lane’s Vintage Market. It seems that everything that was once fashionable makes it way through Brick Lane’s Vintage Market. Make sure to check it out for yourself.

Beatles Memorabilia

Beatles memorabilia from the London Beatles Store is sure to please any Beatles fan. The London Beatles Store carries everything from autographed vinyl, to posters, to books, and more.

London Underground

Visit the London Transport museum for London Underground items. While you can find London Underground souvenirs here and there, the best all-in-one selection is at the London Transport Museum. You also don’t need to pay museum entrance fees to browse the gifts.

The London Transport Museum is located in Covent Garden.

Toys

London is home to some of the world’s best toy shops.

Hamleys is a great choice, with seven floors packed with toys and by far the oldest toy store in London. It was originally opened in 1760 and expanded to it’s current location on Regent Street in 1881. Prepare to be overwhelmed when you walk in.

The toy section at Harrod’s is always a good bet and if you’re not in a hurry, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ includes toys and memorabilia. The Disney Store on Oxford Street is the biggest in Europe however if you want something truly unique, check out Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop in Covent Garden. It’s full of marionettes and glove puppets plus more traditional toys with a theatrical flair.

Books from a famous London bookstore

There are so many wonderful bookshops in London that it’s hard to know where to start.

One of the best, and oldest, is Stanfords in Convent Garden.

Stanfords in Covent Garden was established in 1853, and it’s the world’s biggest map and travel retailer. It’s the perfect place to find a London souvenir for travelers, with globes, travel guides, travel fiction, journals, diaries, and even custom maps, made to order.

The Foyles and Daunt Books is also a great choice. There are several locations, including Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road and Daunt Books in Marylebone.

Hatchards, London’s oldest bookshop, is a solid choice for those looking for rarities.

If you’re like me, and love stationary, Choosing Keeping in Seven Dials is for you.

Unique London souvenirs at local markets

Looking for a unique London souvenir, or something one of a kind? Try local markets like Chatsworth Road Market, Herne Hill Market, North Cross Road Market, or A South London Makers Market. There’s never a guarantee you’ll find that perfect gift but you won’t know until you’ve checked it out for yourself.

Christmas gifts from London

If you’re lucky enough to be in London during the festive season, Christmas gifts make wonderful souvenirs.

Many Christmas markets open for the holiday season, including Southbank Centre Christmas Market, Greenwich Christmas Market, Christmas in Leicester Square, and many others.

Christmas World in Harrods opens near the end of October, and is an ionic visit, filled with Christmas cheer. Selfridges is another great choice.

Other shops do a wonderful selection of Christmas themed gifts, including Liberty, 307-year-old Fortnum & Mason, family-run Marby & Elm in Exmouth Market, the stylish Conran Shop, the Tate Modern Gift Shop, and the wonderfully charming Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop.

There are so many shops that do wonderful Christmas displays and gifts that it’s impossible to list them all.

Hays Galleria is the only year round, dedicated Christmas shop we could find.

Housewares

A tea set from London is a classic British souvenir. Fortnum & Mason has teas and tea sets, including limited edition items.

If you’re looking for an iconic Wedgwood tea set, you can often find them in finer department stores.

Art

London is a vibrant city home to a thriving art scene. Backyard Markets is a good place to start looking, but there are countless galleries in the city.

A print from the National Gallery is often at an affordable price point for an art souvenir from London and the quality is top notch.

Best souvenir shops in London

Souvenir shops in London are likely the best place to buy London souvenirs.

However, they aren’t all created equal. Some English souvenir shops are more expensive, some are specialized in certain items, and still others sell everything you could imagine. Many can easily make the list of best travel gifts from London.

Harrods London

Arguably the most famous store in London, with over 300,000 people visiting daily, Harrods is known for luxury goods and the lavish luxury Food Halls.

Harrods is a fantastic place to shop for London souvenirs for children, as Harrods has an enormous toy department on the fourth floor. Iconic Harrods gifts include the classic Harrods teddy bear, bespoke hampers, gift boxes, fragrances, and cakes.

There’s a Harrods Gift Shop on the lower ground floor to make shopping easy. Rare perfumes are on the sixth floor. You’ll find Harrods in Knightsbridge, one of the richest neighborhoods in London.

Paddington Bear shop

If you love Paddington Bear, the Paddington Bear shop is the place for you.

You can, of course, pick up your very own stuffed Paddington Bear soft toy, or choose a book and enjoy Paddington’s many adventures. The adorable Paddington’s Guide to London travel guide explores famous landmarks around the city.

Gifts from a London museum

London is home to some of the best museums in the world. Check out the gift shops at V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum), Tate Modern, British Museum, and Sherlock Holmes Museum to start – these are all featured in our post on the best museums in London.

Royal Gift Shop London (Buckingham Palace gift shop London)

The Royal Gift Shop, known as the Royal Collection Shop, is just across the street from Buckingham Palace. It’s the place to buy gifts inspired by the British Monarchy and the royal palaces.

There’s a huge variety here, including jewelry, Christmas gifts, tasty treats, kitchenware, and even pet items. If you love the late Queen’s corgis, there are plenty of Corgi themed gifts, including adorable corgi plush toys.

Prices run the gamut from inexpensive stuffed animal toys to pricey tableware.

Every purchase “contributes directly to the care of the Royal Collection, which is not owned personally by The Queen, but held in trust by her as Sovereign for her successors and the nation. (source).”

London Eye souvenir shop

The London Eye gift shop is located at the exit of the London Eye.

It sells souvenirs and mementos of your London Eye experience. It’s small, and often busy, and a bit expensive, with an OK selection. You will be better off elsewhere if you’re looking for a good selection or budget price.

London Tower gift shop

The London Tower gifts shop is known more officially as the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms & Shop. It’s owned by the City of London.

This gift shop is in the original Engine Rooms of the iconic Victorian landmark. It’s a nice little gift shop, with plenty of cute souvenirs, but prices can be a bit expensive.

London Zoo gift shop

The oldest scientific zoo in the world, London Zoo is also known as ZSL (Zoological Society of London ), London Zoo, or London Zoological Gardens.

To leave the Zoo, you need to exit through the well stocked gift shop.

There are plenty of adorable soft toys, play sets, toys and games, and unique eco friendly gifts. You can even adopt an animal with ZSL.

Purchases at the online or in-person gift shop directly support the London Zoo.

London Bridge Souvenir shop

There’s no official souvenir shop at the London Bridge, but there are plenty of small souvenir shops nearby that sell souvenirs.

London souvenir shop Piccadilly Circus

There are plenty of London souvenir shops around Piccadilly Circus.

Honestly, none of them really stand out, but they’re all convenient places to get your standard London souvenirs while in the area.

London souvenir shop Oxford Street

There are plenty of souvenir stalls and shops around Oxford Street, all generally selling the same type of gifts.

The souvenir stalls around Oxford Street and Leicester Square can be a great place to pick up London street signs.

Camden Market

Camden Market is at the end of Camden high street. There’s so much on sale here, including clothing, odds and ends, crafts and food.

250,000 people visit Camden market each week. It’s open seven days a week.

London souvenirs online

Did you leave London without getting that perfect gift? Are you looking for a little piece of London to send as a gift, or to enjoy yourself, but you can’t visit in person?

Luckily, there’s a great selection of London souvenirs online.

For ease of access around the world, London souvenirs on Amazon can’t be beat.

If you’re looking for something more hand crafted or artsy, check out the selection of London souvenirs on Etsy.

In addition to dedicated online stores selling London souvenirs, many physical souvenir shops in London sell online as well. Stanfords in Covent Garden is a perfect example, with a large online selection. Even the Royal Collection Shop ships internationally.

Made in Britain gifts

Gifts made in Britain, and London specifically, make great souvenirs. While you can find London made gifts in department specialty stores and at markets, you can also find British made gifts on Etsy.

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We’ve spent weeks driving around Portugal and have had the pleasure of road tripping from the top down to the bottom. No matter where we stopped, we found the people friendly, the desserts delicious and the port wine flowing freely.

Best Road Trips in Portugal

From scenic coastal drives to inland trips, we’ve seen a lot firsthand, but know there’s always more to explore. Whether traveling as a couple, a family, with a group of friends or on your own, we’ve seen there’s something in Portugal for everyone.

Lisbon to Porto: Coastal Bliss

Excited to see what road trips Portugal has to offer? Here’s your guide to the best road trips in Portugal for a journey you’ll never forget.

Quick Summary

This classical Portugal road trip route offers a perfect blend of city, sea, and history. Starting from the vibrant capital Lisbon, you’ll cruise north along the coast, exploring stunning beaches, medieval towns, and bustling cities before reaching Porto, famous for its port wine and historic charm.

Route:

Lisbon – Cascais – Sintra – Nazaré – Coimbra – Aveiro – Porto

Distance/Time:

433km – Approx. 5.5hrs travel time – Google Maps

Road Trip Duration:

5-7 Days

Highlights:

• Lisbon: Capital city of Portugal with gorgeous architecture like the Jerónimos Monastery, cool street tiles, plenty of unusual things to do as well as the home of our favorite Portuguese dessert, the delicious Pasteis de Belem.
• Cascais: The Boca do Inferno, a dramatic cliffside chasm is worth stopping for.
• Sintra: Explore both the colorful Pena Palace as well as the beautiful Quinta da Regaleira palace (plus both their amazing gardens).
• Nazaré: Stand in awe of Nazarés huge waves, visit Our Lady of Nazaré Sanctuary plus check out the Miradouro do Suberco, a viewpoint offering awesome panoramic ocean views.
• Coimbra: Home of the Joanina Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world as well as the popular University of Coimbra.
• Aveiro: Canals adorned with brightly colored boats called moliceiros line this Portuguese city, often called the Venice of Portugal.
• Porto: Sample different ports, go on a Douro river cruise and check out Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores.

Tip:

While Nazaré is popular for day trips, consider spending a night here. At night, once the day tourists leave, you’ll get the chance to experience the quiet charm of this fishing village, which is both rich in tradition and local flavor.

Douro Valley: The Wine Circuit

Quick Summary:

For port and wine lovers, this route is paradise. Beginning in Porto, you’ll journey into the heart of Portugal’s wine country, following the Douro River through scenic towns and valleys, and stopping for vineyard tours and tastings along the way.

Route:

Porto – Amarante – Peso da Régua – Pinhão – Vila Real

Distance/Time:

188km – Approx. 3hrs travel time – Google Maps

Duration:

3-5 Days

Highlights:

• Porto: The iconic Ribeira District along the Douro River and the Porto Cathedral, a 900 year old building with amazing tile art.
• Amarante: Ponte de São Gonçalo, an arched bridge with tons of historical significance.
• Peso da Régua: Douro Museum, exploring the history and culture of the Douro region.
• Pinhão: The train station adorned with blue-and-white Azulejo tiles.
• Vila Real: The 18th-century Mateus Palace and its gorgeous gardens.
• Peso da Régua: Douro River Cruise and Museu do Douro.
• Pinhão: Wine estates and Azulejos-decorated train station.
• Vila Real: Mateus Palace.

Not sure where to start? Book your all-inclusive trip to Portugal with Voyage Privé.

Tip:

The Douro Valley is the birthplace of port wine, and no visit would be complete without diving into this local specialty. Many vineyards offer tastings and tours where you can learn about the winemaking process from grape to bottle. But it’s not just about port; the region also produces exceptional red and white wines. Make sure to take a guided tour of at least one wine estate to fully appreciate the region’s rich viticultural history.

The Algarve: Sun-Kissed Splendor

Quick Summary:

This southern loop offers the quintessential Algarve experience: golden beaches to lounge away the hot summer days, rocky coves to explore and bustling towns filled with nightlife. The route takes you from the historic city of Faro to the westernmost point of the Algarve, providing a well-rounded tour of this sun-soaked region.

Route:

Tavira – Faro – Albufeira – Lagos – Sagres

Distance/Time:

168km – Approx. 3hrs travel time – Google Maps

Duration:

5-7 Days

Highlights:

• Tavira: The Roman Bridge, a picturesque seven-arched bridge.
• Faro: Arco da Vila, an arched gateway dating back to Moorish times.
• Albufeira: Nightlife hub of the Algarve. Also check out Old Town, a vibrant area filled with shops, restaurants, and bars.
• Lagos: Ponta da Piedade, known for its stunning rock formations and Praia Dona Ana.
• Sagres: Fortaleza de Sagres, a cliff-top fortress with panoramic sea views and Cape St. Vincent. Also very popular with kite surfers.

Tip:

Tavira offers a less crowded, more authentic Algarve experience. It’s relatively untouched by large-scale tourism, making it an ideal spot for a quieter beach escape and to explore traditional Portuguese culture. If you want to be where the action is, Albufeira is where you want to be.

Madeira: The Garden Isle

Quick Summary:

Portugal’s southern island of Madeira provides a distinct road trip experience full of natural beauty and old-world charm. Starting in Funchal, this island route offers lush gardens, volcanic pools, and coastal views that are second to none.

Route:

Funchal – Câmara de Lobos – Ribeira Brava – Porto Moniz – Santana

Distance/Time:

117km – Approx. 2.5hrs travel time – Google Maps

Duration:

4-6 Days

Highlights:

• Funchal: Monte Palace Tropical Garden offering views over Funchal Bay, take a crazy Toboggan ride in a traditional wicker basket down the city roads and visit the lovely Mercado dos Lavradores.
• Câmara de Lobos: Picturesque fishing village immortalized by Winston Churchill’s paintings.
• Ribeira Brava: Forte de São Bento, a historic fort with scenic sea views.
• Porto Moniz: Natural lava pools perfect for a unique swimming experience and the Madeira Aquarium.
• Santana: Thatched-roof A-frame houses showcasing traditional Madeiran architecture Queimadas Forest Park.

Tip:

The Laurisilva Forest is a must-see in Madeira. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers about 20% of the island. A walk here reveals a rare glimpse of Europe’s prehistoric landscapes. The flora and fauna are unique, and the sense of tranquility is unparalleled.

Azores: Volcanic Adventure

Quick Summary:

Portugal’s Azores islands are an off-the-beaten-path treasure in the middle of the Atlantic. Starting in Ponta Delgada, this route offers a journey through volcanic landscapes, cliffside viewpoints, and lush greenery that encapsulates the untamed beauty of these islands.

Route:

Ponta Delgada – Sete Cidades – Furnas – Nordeste

Distance/Time:

126km – Approx. 2.5hrs travel time – Google Maps

Duration:

4-6 Days

Highlights:

• Ponta Delgada: Forte de São Brás, a 16th-century fortress plus check out Twin lakes and Vista do Rei.
• Sete Cidades: Visit Lagoa do Fogo, a stunning crater lake.
• Furnas: Terra Nostra Garden, a beautiful botanical garden with thermal pools.
• Nordeste: Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego, offering panoramic views of cliffs and ocean.

Tip:

The Azores are one of the world’s best spots for whale watching. While most visitors come between April and October, each season offers a different array of species. Book a tour with a reputable operator to enhance your chances of sightings and to ensure ethical practices.

Travel Tips for Any Route:

• Toll Roads: Portugal has many toll roads. A Via Verde (Green Lane) electronic device can be rented to automatically pay some tolls while others require a toll pass, both will save you time and fuss.
• Gas Stations: Fuel up in larger towns as rural areas may have limited services. Gas stations also often close early in remote regions.
• Local Laws: Always have your ID and driving license with you. Portuguese traffic police are known for random checks, and fines for not having proper identification or a proper toll pass can be steep.

The Best Road Trips in Portugal

With each road trip offering its own unique set of attractions and nuances, Portugal promises an adventure that caters to all kinds of travelers. We loved our time here and the entire family always enjoyed jumping into the car knowing that the next stop was going to be just as amazing as the last. Safe travels!

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We spent days scouring the web for unique things to do in Madrid well before we landed in Spain’s largest city and capital. Madrid has stood for over 1,100 years, so you know there have to be plenty of things worth checking out.

Turns out there are hundreds of quirky and weird things to do in Madrid! Once you’ve seen the touristy hotspots, like checking out the sprawling Parque del Retiro or the amazing Royal Palace of Spain, you might be crave some more hidden things to do in Madrid.

The first time we visited Madrid, we knew there were several must see and do activities in this still growing city, however even back then we didn’t realize how many fun things there were to do in this vibrant city.

Whether you’re just stopping in Madrid as a starting point for a long road trip in Spain and Portugal or taking a Madrid to Barcelona train trip, know that Madrid has plenty of things to see and do.

Unique Things to do in Madrid

Join us for 15 unique things to do in Madrid.

Eat Churros con Chocolat at San Ginés

While churros con chocolat (churros with a mug of thick chocolate) definitely isn’t unique in Spain, we’ve yet to see another Spanish city that does this combination so well.

First opening in 1894, San Ginés has been serving churros and chocolate 24 hours a day to the masses.

A favorite late night stop (especially common with after the bar patrons), the chocolate is so thick that even though it’s served in a mug, good luck drinking it. Made mostly for dipping the delicious fried churros (yummy deep-fried batter sticks covered in cinnamon and sugar), it’s not something to be missed, and was a highlight on our first trip to Madrid.

Explore a piece of Egypt at The Templo de Debod

What can be more unique than having a real, 2200 year old Egyptian temple in your city?

The Templo de Debod was an Egyptian gift as thanks for helping Egypt deal with preserving artifacts and monuments when they built the Aswan Dam. Rather than having the temple destroyed, it was torn down brick by brick and then rebuilt to exacting detail in Madrid.

The Templo de Debod was originally built to honor both the god Amun and the goddess Isis, and sits in the center of Madrid, Spain, in Parque de la Montaña, close to the Royal Palace. You can walk the grounds anytime for free, however there is a cost to enter the main building.

Get surreal at The Reina Sofia Museum

What makes the Reina Sofia Museum unique has more to do with what’s in it rather than what it is.

Get tickets here.

Filled with unique paintings and sculptures, including surrealist paintings by artists like Picasso and Dali, you can spend hours walking from one chamber to another surrounded by unique works of art.

The Reina Sofia Museum is also well known for how they group their collections.

From their avant-garde collection, to eclecticism, all to way to their apparatus collection, each room holds a narrative that blends paintings, sculptures, posters, videos and music together in a way that leaves you thinking long after you’ve left the museum.

If you’re going, make sure to check out Pablo Picasso’s ‘Guernica’, considered one of the most powerful anti-war paintings in history, and one you don’t want to miss while you’re there.

Enjoy the space at Sala Equis

Housed in the last X-rated cinema in Madrid, the famed Alba Cinema, Sala Equis is converted into a popular cocktail bar and cultural center. Divided into three zones and housed in a former mansion, it has space for you to explore and plenty to do.

The main area, the Sala Plaza, with its big screen and bar, offers a variety of different foods. You can relax on wooden benches, lounge chairs and even swings as you chat with friends and locals alike.

Finally, the cozy 55-seat cinema offers everything from horror and sci-fi classics, to modern blockbusters. They have a huge rotating schedule posted every month (no movies on Mondays though). Check out their site to see what’s playing.

Eat dirty at La Pollería and La Coñería

Unique and tasty ice cream treats? Count me in.

“Wait, what am I looking at?” is a commonly heard sentence as people arrive at either La Polleria ice cream shop or its nearby sister ice cream shop, La Coñería.

La Polleria is a racy ice cream shop in Madrid that was so successful its first year that it had to move to a bigger location and then spawned a “sister” version just down the street just has to be good.

With both male (polofres – a play on slang male genitalia and waffles) and female (coñofre – a play on slang female genitalia and waffles), they’re both a huge hit and there are lineups at both places every day. With the polofres on a stick and the conofres split with an ice cream in the middle, you’ll not only get a chuckle but a tasty ice cream treat as well.

Explore your senses at Ikono

Ever feel like you can’t touch this or play with that?

While museums are great places to expand the mind, most just let you use your eyes to take it all in. Five different senses means five different spaces at Ikono that push your senses into the next realm.

From rooms filled with balls to rooms filled with scents, Ikono takes about an hour to walk through and is chock full of photographic moments, so bring your phone or a camera.

Walk through the Prado Museum

The Prado Museum in Madrid is not only the biggest museum in Madrid, it’s also considered one of the premiere museums of the world.

Get tickets here.

The Prado Museum is housed in a gigantic neo-classical building built in 1785 and is something to see on its own.

Whether you’re an inspiring art student or just enjoy paintings you can see some of the best collections of Goya, Bosch, El Greco and Velazquez here, as well as Spanish Romanesque murals and Gothic altarpieces. You can even find works from the Italian Renaissance with masterpieces by Titia, Botticelli, Rafa and Caravaggio.

Take in Madrid’s Street Art

Madrid isn’t unique in its street art. What sets Madrid’s street art apart from the rest is the quality and sheer size of many of these large art pieces. From a wall of 150 painted CCTV cameras symbolizing Big Brother is watching, to the charming (and functional) Sombrerete sundial, there are murals and street art found all across Madrid.

Get tickets to a street art tour.

For a quick roundup of some the most well known street art in Madrid, check out this article.

Go to a Flamenco Show

While southern Spain lays claim to the Flamenco origin, Madrid is often considered the capital city of Flamenco. The largest and most theatrical flamenco shows in the country call the city home, and there are several flamenco shows happening around the city on any given night.

With the hypnotic dance, haunting vocals, Spanish guitar and rhythmic beat of the castanets, flamenco dancing is fascinating to watch and a unique experience to enjoy.

Whether you catch it in a tablao (a flamenco bar) like the ever popular Corral de la Morería (opened in 1956) or Villa Rosa (first opened in 1911) or even happen to be in the city during one of the many Flamenco festivals such as Flamenco Real, Flamenco Madrid or the end of the year Suma Flamenca, you’re in for a real treat if you’ve never experienced flamenco firsthand.

Get spooked at the Chamberí Ghost Station

First opened in 1919, the Estación de Chamberí was one of Madrid’s original metro stations. Situated between the Bilbao and Iglesia stops on the Blue Line, this former subway station was closed for decades, but could still be seen by passengers as they zipped by on the tracks.

With a long history, including providing shelter from the deadly bombing campaigns and artillery assaults of the Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, the station was eventually reopened as a museum named Andén 0 (Platform Zero in English).

It features a fully restored Chamberí station, complete with turnstiles, old ticket offices, maps and a film about how the Metro was originally built.

The highlight of the Anden 0 museum is undoubtedly the beautifully reconstructed original ads all along the metro platform. Most are composed of bright colored tiles, just as they were back when it first opened in 1919.

Admission is free, however there is often a line to get in.

Eat at the oldest restaurant in the world, the Sobrino de Botin

Marked in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest continually operated restaurant in the world, the Sobrino de Botin (Nephew of Botin – so named by the nephew of the original owner) has served food for well over two centuries.

It’s so old that when it was first opened, patrons actually brought their own food for the owners to cook up and serve.

While the most notable thing about this restaurant is obviously its age, it has kept to its Spanish roots. Whole suckling pig, faithfully prepared in an old brick oven, is still the restaurants most popular dish and the reason locals still flock to it today.

Go macabre at the Reverte Coma Forensic Museum

If you enjoy the macabre as well as grisly oddities, you will find the Reverte Coma Forensic Museum fascinating. Housing over 1,500 macabre oddities, ranging from severed heads from executions, dissected fetuses, deformed skulls of different peoples, diseased bones, mummies, 800 skeletons plus a few torture devices and a real used garrote.

It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, however if you are interested in the forensic and paleopathology sciences, or have a true fascination with the subject matter, it’s worth a look.

Most of these items are housed in the corridors of the immense Faculty of Medicine building at the Complutense University in Madrid for you to see. Mostly set up for students, you can organize a visit by phoning ahead or contacting the university directly.

Get lost in the Museum of Illusions

When is something not as it appears?

When it’s in Madrid’s Museum of Illusions. This newer museum plays on optical illusions to help fool your mind. Using tricks like forced perception and optical illusion, you’ll find upside down rooms, never ending corridors, 3D stereograms and much more.

Most rooms are set up a to trick your mind into seeing, or in some cases, not seeing what’s right in front of you. In either case, bring your camera, because some rooms at the Museum of Illusions need to be photographed to see their true potential.

Visit a real Crystal Palace

The Palacio De Cristal in Madrid’s huge Parque de Retiro is definitely something unusual. While palaces are commonplace in Europe, what makes the Palacio De Cristal special is that it’s nestled in the heart of the park, and is more large empty space rather a true palace.

Finished in 1887, the ornate glass and steel greenhouse sits on the shore of the lake in Retiro Park and was designed strictly as a space to exhibit arts and greenery in a loving baroque style. Over 130 years later, the building is still stunning and supposedly looks awesome in the fall as the foliage starts turning.

Meet your eventual overlords at The Robot Museum

Love robots? Who doesn’t?

Scared they’ll one day enslave us? Me too, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t find them fascinating. Madrid has one of the largest collections of robots around the world, and you can see and interact with some at the Robot Museum.

Founded in 2013, the museum pays homage to both the early days of robot invention, what’s happening out there today, and what may exist tomorrow. From humanoid replicas, to robotic toys and robotic animals, to replicas of the famous Star Wars androids, and the worlds smallest robot, EMROS, the Robot Museum in Madrid showcases them all.

Unique Things to do in Madrid Spain

Whether you’re heading to Madrid for a vacation, flying into Madrid as a stop to someplace else, or happen to live in the city, there’s plenty to see and do at all hours of the day and night.

Filled with restaurants, entertainment complexes, art studios, world class museums, more parks and squares than most comparably sized cities could dream of as well as enough markets and shops to make your wallet cry, Madrid is a definite world class city filled with art, music and nature. So whether you’re in Madrid with your kids, as a couple or going it solo, enjoy your trip!

Do you have anything to add to our list! Let us know in the comments!

Tired of all the beautiful artwork and great architecture and want to see something a little different?

Today our focus is on a few unusual things to do in Lisbon and the best way to see them. We’ve already covered some of the best things to do in Lisbon so make sure you check out that post after if you want some more ideas.

Lisbon is approximately 300km south of Porto, the easiest way to get there from the north is to book a train from Porto to Lisbon via Omio or you can rent a car and drive yourself. Just be aware that there are plenty of confusing Portuguese toll roads, so be mindful on which roads you’re driving on if you decide to rent a car.

Unusual Things to do in Lisbon Portugal

Here they are, our favorite unusual, weird, unique, or just plain quirky things to do in Lisbon.

Get tangled at the Museu da Marioneta (Museum of Puppetry)

If you love marionettes, then the Museu da Marioneta should be high on your list of places to check out.

It features marionettes and puppets from around the world, and plenty from Portugal itself. It has a huge selection spanning centuries and twines the rich history of puppet opera that existed in both Portugal and Europe since the middle ages.

This museum of puppetry is located in a remodelled convent originally built in 1665, and then rebuilt after the great quake in 1786. The Convento das Bernardas, at Madragoa, in the center of Lisbon was again remodeled in 2001 and features the museum, a restaurant, a café and outdoor areas.

How to Get There

Museu da Marioneta – Take Tram 25 on weekdays and bus 774 on weekends, which departs from Praça da Figueira downtown.

Stand on top of the Lisbon Bridge

Ever wished you could stand atop the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco? Well, the same developers who made the Oakland Bay Bridge made the Lisbon Bridge back in 1965.

Originally known as the Salazar bridge when first completed, it was the 5th largest suspension bridge in the world and the longest in Europe. After Salazar was removed from power, the bridge was renamed to the 25th of April Bridge (named after the day of liberation in 1974). It has a more eloquent name of Ponte 25 de Abril in Portuguese however it’s often just called the Lisbon Bridge and straddles the Tagus River connecting Lisbon to Almada in the south.

You can check out the museum located at Pier 7 (Pilar 7) that gives you a background on the bridges construction and even lets you see the huge cables holding the bridge from up close. There’s also an elevator you can take that will bring you up to the top where you can step into a glass enclosed outdoor viewing platform and see both the huge bridge and the river below. It’s a rare chance to get that close up and lets you appreciate the ingenuity and bravery of the people who built it.

Where to find the Lisbon Bridge

Ponte 25 de Abril – Pilar 7 – Open most days and free with the Lisboa Pass. There’s ample parking down below the bridge or you can take the tram to get there.

Check out the Pleasure Cemetery in Lisbon

Highly regarded as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Portugal, the Cemiterio dos Prazeres (translates to Pleasure Cemetery in English) is worth a visit.

Filled with beautiful crypts, tombs and mausoleums overlooking the bay, some people compare it to walking in a miniature town the embellishments are so intricate.

If you’re looking for a nice walk and enjoy walking on the quieter side of life then for sure check it out.

Where to find the Cemiterio dos Prazeres

Cemiterio dos Prazeres – Located near the terminus of historic Tram 28

Walk Among the Fishes at the Oceanarium of Lisbon

It’s not every day you get to stroll around and stare at fish and water creatures from below. The Oceanário de Lisboa is often rated as one of the best Aquariums in Europe and while it falls more to the popular category rather than the unusual, if you grew up in the prairies of Canada you would understand how cool and unusual it is to me.

With a center tank spanning over 3 floors, you get to witness everything from the corals and sand walkers down below to the colorful fish that populate the mid zone to the groups of smaller fish populating the top of the tank.

From sea otters to sea dragons and sun fish, there is a lot to take in and there will likely be a few species you’ve never seen before.

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to see everything and bring some good walking shoes, since I guarantee you some of the tanks will keep you spellbound for hours.

What you need to know about the Lisbon Aquarium

Oceanário de Lisboa – Located at Doca dos Olivais, Parque das Nações. There are several buses and trains going here including Red line – Oriente (East) Station.

Have a delicious snack then head over to the Belem Tower

Ok, to be 100% honest, neither of these is especially unusual, but they were some of our favorite things to do in Lisbon and I couldn’t resist adding them.

Pastéis de nata are a national dessert in Portugal. Most versions owe their start to ones first made by the Jerónimos Monastery, who passed on their closely guarded original recipe to the Pasteis De Belem pastry shop nearly 200 hundred years ago.

Either sit down and enjoy some of these delicious cooked custard tarts with a tasty cup of coffee, or grab some to go and eat in the shadow of the iconic Torre de Belém only a few blocks away.

Its long 500 years of guarding the city from water invasions, changing sea levels, a catastrophic earthquake that levelled the majority of the city and now hordes of tourists speaks to the quality of the original design.

Where to find the Torre de Belem and Pasteis De Belem

Pasteis De Belem – Rua de Belém nº 84 a 92

Torre de Belem – Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal

Go 360º at the Panoramico de Monsanto

Take 1 part street art exhibit, 2 part abandoned building and 3 parts awesome 360º views, and what do you get? That’s right, the Panoramico de Monsanto in Lisbon.

This impressive abandoned former restaurant in the heart of Monsanto Forest has been the site of festivals, a Madonna music video, a home for hideaways and is a local tagger hotspot since it shut down in the 70’s.

It has since turned into a tourist draw by the graffiti, the grittiness and the amazing 360 degree views of the city.

Open and free most days to the public, it does get closed for festivals or certain events.

Where is the Panoramico de Monsanto?

Panoramico de Monsanto – Located in the Monsato Forest just on the edge of the city, the easiest way to get here is to hire an Uber or by bus 711 or 724 from Marquis de Pombal, then walk 10 minutes through the forest.

Take a day trip to Sintra and the wonders of Pena Palace

Leaving the city for a day trip isn’t unusual, however what is unusual is the overly colorful opulence that is Pena Palace and its crazy heights overlooking the nearby mountain town of Sintra.

Just like any modern fairytale, this colorful castle was dreamed up by a prince, and then built by a king. Constructed during the 19th-century Romanticism period, the castle is a great example of the era.

It has such a rich history you can get lost in its stories just as easily as the hectares of land around it, which include the Castle of the Moors and several other structures worth investigating.

The Palace is definitely worth the short drive from Lisbon. There’s plenty to see and do around Sintra while you’re out there as well.

How to get to the Pena Palace Sintra

Only 30 minutes by car due west of Lisbon proper. It’s not hard to miss high on the mountain however getting to it can be daunting so take a map or make sure you have Google Maps with you. You can also get there via the Sintra Bus 434 To Pena Palace if you’re using public transit. Take the Sintra train from Lisbon and get off in Sintra center then grab Bus 434. You can also buy a train and bus pass before leaving Lisbon or use your Lisboa Pass. Bus 434 should take you right to the mountain top.

Become a Portuguese tile expert at The National Tile Museum

If you’re a tile art aficionado, the National Tile Museum in Lisbon or the Museu Nacional do Azulejo as it’s properly called locally, houses hundreds of painted tiles spanning five centuries from various corners of the globe.

Sure, we could tell you to walk around and stare at all the amazing street tiles in Lisbon for free, but we’ve already done that in this Portugese Pavement post, so now that you’re hooked on tile art, read on.

The gallery highlights artistic tiles or azulejos from the final part of the 1500’s to the current day. Other than tiles, it also features ceramics, porcelain and faience as well as highlights the materials and strategies used for assembling tiles over the years.

As well as tiles, the museum itself dates back to 1509, when it was the former Convent of Madre Deus. As such, it also features a beautiful chapel area complete with dozens of beautiful paintings.

Where to find the Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Museu Nacional do Azulejo – Rua da Madre de Deus, 4, 1900-312

More Unusual Things to do in Lisbon Portugal

Lisbon is a great city to explore. With plenty of hills and on the doorstep of the Atlantic Ocean, there are gorgeous views all around town. Whether you’re checking out any of a dozen museums or wandering around old cathedrals there’s plenty of architecture and history to go around.

With the great earthquake in 1755, this once world class city lost a lot of its history but I think it just made what survived all the better.

Whether you’re taking the mini train to the beach, or just checking out the many fantastic restaurants and cafes, there are many fun things to do that any bigger city has as well.

You’ll find plenty of pubs, clubs and dance centers for the younger partyers including some great sail and drink trips in the summer months. To get around you can hop aboard a funicular, an old fashioned tram or take the fast and efficient underground metro.

These days you can rent scooters, order an Uber, or go old school and jump on one of the many buses that zoom around the city, or Lisbon’s famous #28 tram.

If you have any tips or suggestions for unusual or quirky things to do in Lisbon we’d love to hear. Please drop us a comment below.

Surrounded by mountains and fjords, Bergen is a city of almost 300,000 people on the southwestern coast of Norway. It’s a perfect mixture of stunning natural beauty, coupled with world class museums and wonderful places to eat.

If you’re planning a visit to this amazing city, here are the 20 best things to do in Bergen.

Best Things to do in Bergen Norway

Many lucky visitors come to Bergen via the Oslo to Bergen train, one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe.

Bergen is called the “heart of the fjords“, and it manages small town charm, while being the second largest city in Norway. There are so many places to visit in Bergen, from day trips to the fjords, exploring the historic downtown and museums, and more.

Mount Floyen and the Funicular

The view of Bergen from easily accessible Mount Floyen (320 meters above sea level) is spectacular. It’s likely one of the most popular attractions in Bergen, simply for the stunning bird’s eye view over the city.

The base of the Funicular is conveniently located downtown, and the ride to the top is just over ten minutes.

Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

Bryggen is the historic center of Bergen. Also known as Tyskebryggen, Bryggen is one of the oldest port cities in Northern Europe. It’s packed with colorful homes, businesses and hotels, situated on narrow, winding streets.

This historic quarter of Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hanseatic Museum

Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene is a museum in the city center of Bergen. It highlights how the Hanseatic merchants lived and influenced Bergen over the course of 400 years.

Bergen Fish Market

The fish market in Bergen dates all the way back to the 1200s.

The Bergen Fish Market is one of Norway’s most visited outdoor markets. Bergen is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. There’s plenty of fresh seafood here, but be sure to try persetorsk, a traditional steamed cod dish from Bergen.

Fun fact about Norway: Norway is the largest exporter of salmon in the world.

If you’re not a seafood lover, the fish market also sells fresh fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs.

Mount Ulriken

Ulriken is the highest mountain surrounding Bergen, which sits at 643 meters above sea level.

The Ulriken Cable Car makes it easy to reach the peak, and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding islands, sea, mountains and fjords.

If you’re the energetic type, you can hike to the top with the locals. You can even zipline or paraglide from Ulriken.

Tip: The tourist bus to the base of the mountain is faster than the cheaper local bus.

Stoltzekleiven

Stoltzekleiven is a steep paved trail with stairs that lead up to the top of Sandviksfjellet mountain.

There are over 900 steps on this trail and it’s one of the most popular trails in Bergen.

The mountain is on the east side of the city in the neighborhood of Sandviken, just north of the mountain Fløyen.

Bergenhus Fortress

The Bergenhus Fortress is one of the best preserved stone castles in all of Norway. Dating back to the 1200s, it housed both Kings and criminals alike for centuries. The Rosenkrantz Tower is one of the major sights in the Bergenjus Fortress and is often considered one of the most important renaissance monuments in Norway.

Byparken

Officially called Julemarked Byparken, this beautifully manicured park surrounds a small lake near the train station. There’s a charming gazebo with flowers and plenty of green grass and trees. 

Bergen Tourist Information Building

The Bergen Tourist Information Building is near the Fish Market in the city center. It’s a handy place to book activities, fjord tours, get information on Bergen sightseeing, and buy Bergen attractions tickets or the Bergen Card.

Tip: You can buy a Bergen Card at the Tourist Information Building, online, and at some select hotels and stores. The Bergen Card gives you free entry or discounted admission to museums and attractions, events and sightseeing tours, plus discounts on restaurants and parking. A Bergen card gives you free travel on buses in Bergen and the region, as well as the Bergen Light Rail between Bergen airport and the city center. You can buy the card in 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour versions. Prices start at 300 kr (adult) or 100 kr (children 3-15 years of age).

Fantoft Stavkirke Church

Fantoft Stave Church is a reconstructed stave church in the Fana borough of Bergen. It’s a striking building, with its black color making a distinct contrast to most European churches.

University Museum of Bergen (Universitetsmuseet i Bergen)

Bergen is well known for its university. The university, in turn, houses many impressive museum collections.

The University Museum of Bergen (Universitetsmuseet i Bergen) includes the Natural History Collection, the Cultural History Collection, and the Seafaring Museum.

Troldhaugen Edvard Grieg Museum

Famous composer Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) spent his days creating music in Troldhaugen.

It’s a living museum with an exhibition center, shop and cafe, concert hall, composers’ cabin and Grieg’s villa. Guided tours are available, and you can also listen to a concert in the museum’s concert hall.

KODE Art Museums of Bergen

The KODE Museum is made up of four museums, KODE 1, 2, 3 and 4.

• Kode 1 is the museum of craft and design, and it houses the restaurant Bien Centro.
• Kode 2 is home to temporary exhibitions, as well as a large bookstore with information on architecture and design.
• Kode 3 houses the collection by Edvard Munch and the Golden Age of Norwegian Art. Munch is famous for his painting “The Scream”.
• Kode 4 is currently closed for major renovations to the buildings.

The Bergen Maritime Museum

The Bergen Maritime Museum is one of Norway’s oldest museums. It’s packed with replicas of Viking ships as well as other maritime memorabilia.

VilVite – The Bergen Science Center

VilVite is the place to explore technology and science, whether you’re a kid or adult. There are plenty of hands on activities, and exhibits on water experiments, robots and globes, making it one of the most fun things to do in Bergen with the family.

Enjoy the Aquarium

The Bergen Aquarium is Norway’s largest aquarium, and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. There’s plenty of entertainment here, including sea lion shows and penguin feedings, making it a must for kids of all ages.

View the Street Art

There’s spray-painted street art all over the city of Bergen, much of it from world-class street artists.

Make sure to check out Skostredet, which is Bergen’s famous shopping street, and an ideal starting point for a self-guided street art tour.

Catch a Concert

Bergen is well known for its successful musical bands and artists, like Kygo, Aurora and Röyksopp.

Even if you can’t catch a big name artist in the time of your visit, there are plenty of music venues throughout the city with excellent up and coming acts.

Day Trips from Bergen

Bergen’s day trips largely focus on visiting the gorgeous nearby fjords and mountains. Bergen is the most popular jumping-off point for visiting Norway’s most famous fjords. While you can visit Norway by bus, it’s usually much easier to have your own transportation, or take a tour.

Fjord Cruise

Bergen is perfectly nestled between the two biggest fjords in Norway, the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord. This makes the city an ideal starting point for fjord excursions.

You’ve likely seen Hardangerfjord’s Trolltunga on social media. Trolltunga is a rock that juts out 700 meters above Ringedalsvatnet lake, making for a stunning photo.

A lot of people join in the popular Norway in a Nutshell tour, which lets you enjoy Norway’s UNESCO fjords and mountains. The tour also includes a ride on the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway.

Vidden Trail between Mt. Fløyen and Mt. Ulriken

The hike between Ulriken and Floyen takes just over four hours. It’s a well marked trail, and popular with tourists and locals alike.

Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway is often described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. It’s certainly one of the steepest as well. The train runs from the end of Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord, up to the high mountains at Myrdal station.

The journey takes around two hours.

Best Things to do in Bergen Norway

Do you have anything to add to our must see attractions in Bergen? Let us know! We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Glamping is a mix of glamourous amenities with camping out in the wild. You get the beauty and relaxation of being near nature, while not having to give up a warm bath, a comfortable bed or even a gourmet meal depending on how much you’re willing to spend.

Glamping lets you get out in nature, without all the hassle of setting up a tent and sleeping on the ground, or the inconveniences of using public washrooms and cooking out of a cooler.

These vacation alternatives can even come accessorized with lavish features like hot tubs, luxurious washrooms, high end beds, and often stunning views.

With glamping, there’s a price point for everyone, from the most affordable and simple accommodation to high end luxury retreats catering to all your needs.

Luxury Glamping in the UK

From a yurt to a cabin in the woods, to a well provisioned caravan or oversized tent, glamping in the UK is special and inspiring. Many of these glamping options have the amenities of a five star resort giving you a luxury vacation, while others are simple, rustic and close to nature.

No matter which you chose, glamping lets you enjoy nature in comfort, while still getting outdoors and experiencing the natural world around you.

Glamping with a Hot Tub

There’s something so special about coming home from a day of hiking or exploring, and then relaxing in a hot tub. Glamping with hot tubs at Unique Hideaways lists dozens of UK hideaways that let you get outdoors and exploring. If you’re worried that a camping weekend might be too rustic, check out some of these lovely rentals with hot tubs. Spend your days fishing, hiking along the coast, horseback riding, bike riding and more, and enjoy a hot soak to relax your tired muscles.

Looking for a fun couples weekend? Romantic glamping with a hot tub can be a wonderful bonding experience as you enjoy the fresh air outdoors together, soaking your cares away. It’s a wonderful choice for London honeymoon packages.

Glamping Huts

Glamping huts give you the best of both worlds: time in nature, and a secure, cozy place to spend the evening. A camping hut, bungalow, mini cabin or cabana – whatever you want to call it – is a relaxing place to spend your holiday and offers you the security of a sturdy roof over your head. Due to them having better insulation, there are glamping huts found right across the UK including winter huts in the off seasons.

Glamping in an Airstream

Airstreams have gained a legion of fans across the globe, and for good reason. They’re a unique and fun way to spend time outdoors, and a wonderful way for beginner glampers to start.

Glamping in Safari Tents

Leave your cooler and sleeping bag at home, all you’ll need is an overnight bag when you stay in a high end glamping tent. This kind of glamping experience can come with heated floors, outdoor hot tubs, extraordinary sea views, a private ensuite bathroom, and free wireless internet access.

For me, staying in a safari tent brings images of royalty crossing the vast Sahara desert, or adventurers on a great journey across South America.

Glamping in Cornwall

Cornwall is known for its spectacular beaches and pounding surf set along a dramatic coastline. It’s also home to wonderful restaurants that serve the iconic Cornish pasty and cream teas.

Glamping in Cornwall takes advantage of these wonderful views and there’s a ton of options for every budget.

UK Camping with Sea Views

With over 12,000 km (or 7,500 miles) of coastline, the United Kingdom’s coast offers plenty of glamping with sea views.

You can stroll along the quiet beaches of the North Norfolk Coast. If you’re more in the mood for stunning views, Cornwall has plenty of them, as does the rest of the South West Coastal Path.

Dorset is a destination with a lot to offer, where you can pick fossils by the sea, or simply enjoy an afternoon strolling among scenic Dorset wineries.

Quirky Glamping in the UK

If you can imagine it, there’s likely a quirky camping experience in the UK that will meet your imagination.

Unique glamping in the UK ranges from overnights in a converted dairy barn to a cottage that looks like it could be inhabited by fairies, to a luxury safari tent overlooking the sea.

You can even choose to glamp in a houseboat as a unique hideaway. That’s one of the more unusual glamping experiences that I’ve seen.

Where is the Best Glamping in the UK?

Glamping in the UK offers experiences as diverse as staying in a seaside cottage, overnighting in a luxury airstream caravan on a working farm, or in a yurt enjoying festivals live near Chester.

So really, the best glamping in the UK allows you to see and do what matters the most to you. Whether by the sea or inland, in a modest tent or in a full on luxury retreat depends more on your budget than anything. They are as unique as you are, and there’s something for every taste.

With so many different types of glamping available, you’re sure to find a glamping option that’s perfect just for you.

Where would you love to go glamping? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

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What’s the best transportation in Spain for your trip? That really depends on your needs.

If you have plenty of time, then taking the bus may be the most affordable option. If you’re in a rush, flying may be the fastest way to see the country. If you’re looking for speed and scenery, but with a slightly bigger budget, Spain’s high speed trains may be just your ticket.

Best Options for Transportation in Spain

Spain is one of Europe’s most popular tourist and TEFL destinations, and it’s easy to see why. From the sun dappled beaches of Andalucía, to the quaintly cobbled streets of busy Madrid, to the affordable tapas and drinks in Granada there’s plenty to keep travelers occupied.

Tourists wondering how to get around Spain have plenty of options. Now that we’ve listed a few, lets compare the major modes of transportation in Spain.

Train

Traveling by train is one of the most popular types of transportation in Spain, and for good reason. Spain trains and routes are generally efficient, easily available, and affordable.

Trains travel extensively within Spain however they also connect to other countries.

The high-speed train or AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) runs between Spain’s major cities. Operated by Renfe (Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Españoles), the AVE system is the longest HSR system in Europe, and second only to China worldwide. Trains in Spain reach speeds of 300 plus kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour).

Trains offer many types of tickets, including 1st class (Preferente) and 2nd class (Turista) cabins and some offer cafe-bar facilities. You can book most train tickets via the Renfe website, Rail Europe or a 3rd party site like Rail.Ninja.

Round trip train fares are generally cheaper in Spain than getting two, separate, one-way tickets.

International connections from Spain

Spanish trains have good connections to France and Portugal.

There is no direct rail line to the country of Andorra, which doesn’t have a rail service in the country. To reach Andorra, take a train from Barcelona to L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre (France), and then switch to a bus from France to Andorra la Vella in Andorra.

Similarly, there is no direct train connection to Gibraltar, which has no rail service. However, you can take a train to the Spanish side of the border with Gibraltar), and then take a bus further into Gibraltar proper.

There’s talk of an undersea tunnel connecting Spain and Morocco, but for now there’s no train service from Spain to Morocco.

Local rail networks in Spain

In addition to the high speed network, there are also smaller regional train services in Spain, which operate a largely commuter services. They include FGC in Catalonia (including Barcelona), Cercanias RENFE (which operates many suburban rail networks), FEVE (Northern Spain), Euskotren (Bilbao, San Sabastian and a few smaller towns).

Like elsewhere in Europe, it takes a little thinking to figure out if a rail pass is worth it for you. There are three types of rail passes in Spain.

• Spain only. Spain only passes come as the Renfe Spain Pass, or the Eurail Spain Pass.
• Two country passes. You can use the Eurail Select Pass to pair Spain with Portugal, France, or Italy.
• Multiple country passes. The Eurail Global Pass lets you travel on four adjacent countries by train.

It always takes a bit of number crunching to figure out if a pass is more affordable than buying individual tickets, or more affordable than doing a combo like flying, renting a car, and taking the bus however if you love seeing the countryside by ground and prefer trains over buses or cars, then getting a train pass in Spain definitely makes sense.

Driving in Spain – Car

As Canadians, we’re used to driving everywhere. Canada’s an enormous country, and long distance public transportation is definitely lacking here.

Happily, the public transportation system in Spain, like most European countries, is excellent. During our time in Spain, we did rent a car for our road trip through Spain and Portugal, but most of the time we relied on public transportation to get around,

In Spain, you drive on the right hand side of the road, and the driver’s seat is on the left side of the vehicle. Coming from Canada, this was familiar to us, making driving easier, but if you come from the UK or Australia, where you drive on the left side the road, it may be more of a challenge to get adjusted.

The driving age in Spain is 18, and you’ll need both a valid driver’s license and an International Driver’s Permit (IDP).

Freeways (autovias in Spanish) are plentiful and well maintained throughout Spain. We found the highways we traveled in Southern Spain to be smoothly paved, with lines recently painted. We did find plenty of roundabouts on the roads in Spain, including large, busy roundabouts in Madrid.

As North Americans, we’re used to wide roads with plenty of parking. It was definitely a challenge to adjust to driving in Spain through the narrow, winding roads of historic city centers like Avila, Spain, where roads were originally designed for pedestrian or horse traffic.

Parking in Spain

Parking in large cities like Seville and Madrid was incredibly difficult, and even smaller centers like Avila’s city center didn’t have a lot of readily available parking. On street parking is often in small, tight spaces, which may be a challenge if your parallel parking skills aren’t on point however there are parking lots and even parking garages around some of the major tourist areas around the country.

Spain’s toll system

We found Spain’s road toll system to be much less complicated and confusing than toll roads in Portugal.

You can pay Spanish tolls with a credit card or cash manually, or electronically, via the Via-T system.

For manual tolls, you grab a ticket from a booth when you enter the motorway, and then pay the toll at another booth as you exit, in either the credit card or cash lane.

Some motorways allow electronic payments, but you’ll need a special VIA-T device. Look for the Telepeaje, VIA-T or T sign on the motorway. You must use one of the lanes with the VIA-T sign if you’re using a device and the device automatically registers the amount of the toll. These devices are available, for a small fee, from many banks in Spain however you’ll need an account at the bank to get one.

Toll costs vary depending on the road and the prices vary from region to region. You can find Spain’s toll costs on numerous sites however this one from Sixt (just click on Spain) is quick and simple.

Pros of Renting a Car in Spain

Renting a car in Spain let us visit small towns and villages in Spain and Portugal that would have been very difficult to see without a vehicle. It was also the most cost effective option for our family of four and allowed us to spend as much or as little time at each destination without worrying about tight timelines.

Cons of Renting a Car in Spain

One of the major hassles of renting a car in Spain was the renting a car hassle factor. We had to figure out insurance for the car, tolls on the motorways, and deal with sometimes confusing directions. The worst was probably having to find parking, especially in city centers, where parking was hard to find and often expensive.

Bus

While Spain has a good train system, buses pick up where trains aren’t available. Buses also run on many routes that are also served by trains, and we often found the bus fares to be more affordable than train fares. However, bus routes often took much longer than train routes.

We found bus transportation in Spain generally very affordable. Most smaller centers, like Nerja, Spain, are well served by public long distance bus routes.

In recent years, ALSA has bought out many smaller bus companies, giving it a more consistent feeling and more options when booking online.

Buses can be booked via Movelia, Alsa, or Avanza websites.

Advantages of Taking the Bus in Spain

One of the best things about taking the bus in Spain is that buses serve almost every small town in Spain. Sure, there are some remote parts without bus service, but most towns have good bus connections. Plus, buses are generally clean and comfortable, and run on a reasonable schedule.

Cons of Traveling by Bus in Spain

While buses are affordable in Spain, one of the main disadvantages of taking the bus is that it’s much slower than high speed trains, flying, or even driving by car. This is especially annoying on non-direct bus routes that have multiple stops. If time if of the essence, then definitely opt for the more expensive direct buses with minimal stops.

Ferries

Ferries aren’t the first thing most people think of when it comes to transportation in Spain.

That said, around 20 ferry companies operate in Spain. They operate to and from:

• the Canary Islands
• the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca (most depart from Barcelona, but some route via Dénia and Valencia.)
• Spain to Morocco
• the UK, Italy and other countries, including North Africa and Morocco.
• between islands in Spain (for example, from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote)

We took the ferry from the extreme south of Spain in the town of Tarifa to the Moroccan city of Tangier, across the Gibraltar Strait. There are two companies that run the route, FRS and Inter Shipping.

The crossing is relatively short, at only about an hour and the ferries often have food and entertainment onboard.

Tip: If the water’s choppy, the crossing from Tarifa to Tangier by ferry can be pretty nausea inducing.

You can also take a ferry directly from Barcelona to either Tanger Med (on GNV ferries) or Nador (on Grimaldi Lines) . Ferry sailings from Barcelona to Tanger Med are operated by the ferry companies GNV and Grimaldi Lines. Both crossings take about 30 hours.

Traveling by Plane in Spain

Spain is well served by discount and regular fare airlines, and flying is often the quickest (and even cheapest) way of getting around the country. Spain is a large country (the second largest in Western Europe), so it can take a while to get from the north down to south or even from east to west.

It’s a whopping 529.5 kilometers (321 miles) from the major centers of Madrid to Seville, for example. The journey takes about two and a half hours by train, five and a half hours by car, and only one hour by plane.

If time permits, many tourists prefer to slow down and see the Spanish countryside by train, bus, or car.

Spain’s main airlines are Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, Air Europa, Wamos Air, and LEVEL. Plenty of other airlines operating in Spain, including Ryanair, EasyJet and Lufthansa.

Heads up! Laws banning short haul flights in Spain are under consideration in 2022, to help shrink the region’s carbon output. It’s a serious possibility, as France set a law in effect that banned short-haul domestic flights on routes where train journeys of two and a half hours or less existed as an alternative.

Walking

While most people think of major treks like the famous El Camino de Santiago, it is possible to get around most cities and towns just by walking.

So, while walking may not be feasible for long distances between cities in Spain, it’s a fantastic way to see many of the sites in town.

Walking is one of our favorite ways to see a new country, and wandering through the narrow streets of the city center showed us the best of Seville and the centro of Madrid. Walking the winding city centers is also one of the things we loved about Spain.

Taxis, Ubers and Other Ride Hailing Options

To get around locally, taxi services and Uber* (or local ride hailing services) are generally good options in Spain. While in city rates aren’t bad, long distance rates can get pretty high so other methods of transportation is advised.

*Uber is regulated in Spain and it doesn’t operate in every city, including Valencia. It just returned to Barcelona in 2021 after a two year absence.

The Best Ways to Get Around Spain

Whether you choose trains and airplanes to buses or car rentals, there’s no denying Spain is a large, beautiful country with plenty to see and lots to do. No matter which mode of transportation you choose, Spain has lots of options for you and you can’t really go wrong with any of them.

When planning a tour of the country, pay attention to not only your budget but also your timelines. Saving a few dollars can cost you hours that might be better spent visiting a beautiful destination in Spain or chomping down on some delicious tapas.

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Safe travels!

Italy is a stunning country, with countless picturesque places to visit. It has some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, a rugged, photogenic coastline, and breathtaking vineyards.

This lovely country is also home to around 145 cities, with a wealth of art, history, architecture and natural beauty among them, making choosing the best cities in Italy a truly difficult task.

The Most Beautiful Cities in Italy

If you’re looking to visit any these gorgeous cities, tours to Italy can be a great choice. A reputable tour operator like Firebird Tours takes care of many annoying travel logistics, and can also help you truly relax and enjoy your vacation.

Back in the day, we visited all our destinations independently, but lately we’ve become a big fan of quality guided tours. A good tour guide gives you insight and the history of a city that can be hard to get on your own short of living there for an extended amount of time.

It’s also especially nice to have a tour take care of our transportation and reservations in a busy destination, so we can enjoy more time with our kids.

Here they are: our top picks for the most beautiful cities in Italy.

Venice

If you asked most people what city tops the list of Italy’s most stunning, Venice would definitely be at or near the top. In fact, Venice is often called the most beautiful city in the world.

Gondolas cruising through winding canals, and under bridges, are some of Venice’s most famed scenes.

The lack of cars in Venice lends to its beauty, without busy traffic to block the sights, and no car horns and engine noise to distract from the scenery.

The city, which is often nicknamed “The City of Canals”, “The Floating City”, or “The City of Bridges” can still be busy and crowded during peak times, despite the absence of cars. To get away from the crowds, visit off season, or take a trip to the quieter outer islands.

St. Mark’s Basilica, Palazzo Ducale, and the Canale Grande (Grand Canal) top Venice’s most popular sights, but the city is also packed with hidden passageways and seemingly endless nooks and crannies.

The low lying seaside city is built on log piles among canals, making it especially vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise. In fact, this 1600-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site has a worse-case scenario for sea level rise (by the end of the century) of 120 centimeters (3 feet, 11 inches).

Our pick for the prettiest spot in Venice: The Island of Burano. Colorful Burano showcases a bright rainbow of homes and storefronts that contrast perfectly with the teal waters that surround it.

Rome

Rome alone has so much to see that you could easily fill a week with the main sights.

Rome captivates visitors with world class architecture, museums packed with masterpieces, and lovely cobbled streets.

The most popular places in Rome for the many visiting tourists are the Colosseum, the Forum Romanum and the Pantheon. You’ll also want to take in the ancient statuary and stunning Baroque fountains near the Colosseum.

The most beautiful spot in Rome: The Colosseum. Sure, we’ve all seen hundreds of pictures of the Colosseum, but there’s good reason. It’s a strikingly beautiful structure, especially bathed in sunset light.

Bologna

The capital of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, is lined with terracotta buildings in the old town, lending to the nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Visitors to Bologna almost inevitably fall in love with the winding maze of streets in the old city, which connect several main squares. There’s so much to see here, from the Renaissance beauty of the world’s largest sundial at Basilica di San Petronio, to the Town Hall at Palazzo D’Accursio.

The streets and squares of Bologna’s medieval core sport UNESCO heritage listed porticoes, lending atmospheric shadows and lights to any walk. Bologna is a perfect city to just wander, with new charms around every corner.

There are many stunning attractions in Bologna, but the most popular include Santuario di Madonna di San Luca, Piazza Maggiore, observation areas at Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell, Basilica Santuario di Santo Stefano, and Teatro Anatomico in the old university building.

The most photogenic spot in Bologna: San Luca Church. It’s hard to pick the prettiest spot in such a lovely city, but this church overlooking the city is a gem. It’s especially gorgeous at sunset, when the setting sun turns the church many shades of pink.

Florence

Amongst Italy’s beautiful cities, Florence alone is one of the most spectacular in terms of art, architecture and history.

The streets are packed with Renaissance wonders, like the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, and the lovely Santa Maria del Fiore (also called the Duomo) while the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio grace thousands of Instagram posts.

The most beautiful spot in Florence: The Duomo. In the heart of Florence, the Duomo is lovely from all angles. There’s a picture perfect view of the surrounding area from the Bell Tower, and there’s a lovely view of the Duomo itself from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Naples

Naples, or Napoli, as it is known locally, is one of Italy’s largest cities, and also one of its most beautiful. It’s decidedly chaotic and busy, but well worth the bother and hassle. It’s also helpfully close to the ancient city of Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast (an idyllic stretch of coast), and the island of Capri.

The old town of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and packed with French, Spanish, and Arabic influences.

The most photo worthy spot in Naples: Vesuvius. Ancient Vesuvius is the only active volcano in mainland Europe, and makes a stunning backdrop to a photo of Naples’ bay.

Honorable Mention: Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre didn’t make the list of Italy’s most Instagrammable cities on an important technicality: It isn’t actually a city.

Instead, Cinque Terre is the name given to the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera. It’s made up of the five beautiful hillside towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, with Monterosso the largest of the towns.

What route should you take to see Italy’s best cities?

Taking a route from Rome, through Florence and Tuscany, and ending in Venice lets you see many of the must-see cities in Italy.

This route also lets you pass through the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, often thought to have some of Italy’s best food and drink. It’s known for its medieval cities, rich gastronomy and seaside resorts.

Looking for some more stunning urban architecture? Read our articles on the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe or the most beautiful castles in the world.

Do you have a favorite Italian city? Let us know below!

Today, 35 years later, Chernobyl and the nearby town of Pripyat, attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.

But what are they touring, exactly? What is there to see and do in Pripyat?

Touring Chernobyl: How to Visit Pripyat

To visit Chernobyl, you’ll need access to the Exclusion Zone.

The Exclusion Zone is an an area of about 2,600 square kilometers (1,000 sq mi) in Ukraine that surrounds the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Can you visit Chernobyl without a guide?

You can only enter the exclusion zone with a licensed guide, meaning you’ll need to take one of the Chernobyl tours available.

You can get tours that range from one day, two days or three days.

The one days tours last about 12 hours, with four hours in transit from nearby Kiev. If you’re in a rush, the one day tours are a great way to get in and out quickly and they’re also your most affordable tour option.

You can also get private Chernobyl tours, which are especially good for photography as they let you take your time to take photos.

While it is possible to visit the area, there are areas in the exclusion zone that are still highly dangerous. A guide can help keep you safe and away from dangerous areas and situations. English guides are plentiful, and while tours include transportation, it’s important to know that you’ll need to go through multiple checkpoints while visiting.

So, what is there to see on a tour of Chernobyl?

Chernobyl is located around 62 miles, or 100 km, from Kiev, Ukraine. It’s about a two hour shuttle ride.

Chernobyl itself is home to the power plant, but the exclusion zone includes a large forest and other towns.

There are plenty of places to visit in the Chernobyl township, from an eerie abandoned kindergarten to forests surrounding the power plant itself.

Pripyat tours

Pripyat (which is also known as Pryp’yat’ or Prypyat) is a ghost city near the Ukraine–Belarus border. The town of Pripyat is about two kilometers from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP).

When the Chernobyl disaster occurred, the town of Pripyat was home to around 49,000 people. It was evacuated after the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in April, 1986 and many of its residents have never set foot in the town since.

While you can’t get too close to the plant or stay too long, there’s a lot to see in the town of Pripyat itself.

For instance, the Pripyat amusement park was set to have its grand opening on May 1st, 1986, less than a week before the explosion. However, it was never officially opened, and to this day it remains a symbol of the disaster in nearby Chernobyl.

There are three abandoned swimming pools in Pripyat, while the Swimming Pool Azure or Lazurny is the most well-known of these.

When’s the best time to visit Chernobyl?

You can visit Chernobyl any time of year.

The clearest weather is in the summer from June to August, but it can be hot, with temperatures often hovering near 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). Summer’s also the busiest season with tons of visitors and more expensive accommodations.

Fall and Spring are good times to visit, but the weather can be more variable.

Chernobyl is quietest in the winter, and the snow and gloom make for eerie and atmospheric photos however it can get cool with daytime highs around 0 C° (40 F°) and nights around -7 C° (20 F°).

Can you visit the Chernobyl Elephant’s Foot?

The Elephant’s Foot is a nickname for a large column formed underneath the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Its made of corium and other materials, and looks like black glass and bark.

Its wrinkly surface looks a lot like an elephant’s foot, thus the name. The Elephant’s Foot is in a maintenance corridor near the remains of the Chernobyl Reactor No. 4.

Because it’s still highly radioactive, it’s unfortunately not possible to walk up and see the Elephant’s Foot up close.

How safe is a Chernobyl tour?

Licensed Chernobyl tour operators have to follow strict guidelines set out by the governing body. The level of radiation in most areas tour operators are allowed to take you are minimal (less than you get in an airplane and 300x less than a typical xray) and most tours give you a respirator (though they’re not really needed) as well as your own Geiger-Muller dosimeter (Geiger counter) to make sure you stay within safe limits.

Where to stay on a Chernobyl stay?

While there are plenty of places to stay near the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the best hotels will be in Kiev proper. Most people who choose to stay for a one day tour will often stay in Kiev and have their tour operator pick them up directly from their hotel.

While it can make for a longer tour day, Kiev has a huge selection of great hotels to choose from.

If you’re planning a multiple day tour, oftentimes the tour operators will include accommodations or direct you to the hotels they often deal with. You’re best bet if you’re unsure is to talk to your tour operator before booking any tours to make sure your hotel will work for them and for you.

Are Chernobyl tours cancelled?

As of the time of writing this article, tours to Pripyat and Chernobyl are running, but check tour operators directly, as this can change.

In 2020, forest fires near Chernobyl damaged some of the tourist attractions however it didn’t damage the Main Reactor No. 4 so tours can still run.