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written by Eleanor Aldridge
updated 4.07.2023
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written by Eleanor Aldridge
updated 4.07.2023
Europe has it all: sprawling cities and quaint villages; boulevards, promenades and railways; mountains, beaches and lakes. Some places will be exactly how you imagined. Others will surprise, with their under-the-radar nature or statement-making modern architecture. Whether you're planning to see it all or explore the hidden corners of the continent, these are our top 15 tips for backpacking through Europe.
The information in this article is inspired by the Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget - your essential guide for visiting Europe.
Wintertime brings world-class skiing and epic New Year parties. Come spring it’s worth heading north to the Netherlands, Scandinavia, France and the British Isles, where you’ll find beautifully long days and relatively affordable prices.
Depending on your time and budget, choose one corner of the continent then consider a budget flight for that unmissable experience elsewhere.
If you’re prepared to camp, you can get by on very little while staying at some excellently equipped sites. Come summer, university accommodation can be a cheap option in some countries. Be sure to book in advance regardless of your budget during the peak summer months.
Some of the most spectacular extravaganzas include:
Treat yourself to small portions but big flavours with a tapas dish or two in Spain; relish the world’s favourite cuisine at an Italian trattoria; or discover the art form of the open sandwich with smørrebrød in Denmark. Don’t skip breakfast, either – an oven-fresh croissant or calorie-jammed “full English” are not to be missed.
Look out for free city walking tours, try the great Italian tradition of aperitivo in Rome, make the most of the free museums in London and try cooking with local ingredients rather than eating out. We've got lists of the top free things to do in Paris, Barcelona, London, Lisbon and Berlin to get you started.
Think about ordering a knee-buckling Duvel beer at Brussels’ historic La Fleur en Papier Doré, a time-worn café once the favourite hunt of Surrealist painter Magritte and Tintin creator Hergé. Sip a pint in one of Oxford's historic pubs, like the Eagle and Child, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis's old haunt.
Exercise caution in hostels and on trains. Padlocking your bags to the luggage rack if you’re on an overnight train increases the likelihood that they’ll still be there in the morning. It’s also a good idea to take a photocopy of your passport and keep it safe somewhere online.
Also, keep in mind that 90 per cent of the time street food will cost you less than in a restaurant, and often it can be even better than restaurant food. For example, the latest trend in London is gourmet street food, with food trucks popping up all over the capital selling everything from pork sandwiches to custard cakes.
On longer trips, you have the chance to fully experience and explore several cities or even countries in Europe. In addition, your travel itinerary becomes more flexible and allows you to edit your plan using, for instance, advice from travellers you meet during your trip.
Depending on your chosen destination and the season, you should approach your travel essentials wisely. Especially when travelling in colder seasons or to countries like Norway or Switzerland, make sure you take warm clothes and boots with you, even in summer, to help you explore the snowy mountains.
Feel inspired? Check out our Rough Guides books and start planning your perfect trip.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
We may earn commission from some of the external websites linked in this article, but this does not influence our editorial standards - we only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.
Top image © RossHelen/Shutterstock
written by Eleanor Aldridge
updated 4.07.2023
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