19 Things to do in San Francisco

19 Things to do in San Francisco

San Francisco might be a small walkable city, with a seven-mile by seven-mile footprint, but there’s still plenty to see and do inside the city as well as amazing places you can visit on day trips from the city. 

From crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to seeing the sea lions of Fisherman’s Wharf, or finding the most Instagrammable Staircase to exist, here are 19 of the best things to do in San Francisco!

*This blog may contain affiliate links that earn a commission to help support this free website. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links featured in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except to sometimes provide you with a discount. Learn more

19 Things to do in san Francisco

Take a trip down Lombard Street

Whether you drive or walk down, you must take a trip to Lombard Street.

Personally when I last visited San Fransico, I drove down and found a place to park up at the bottom, so I could take in the view from the bottom of the hill. However, there’s also a path so you can walk down it while staying off the main road.

I’d recommend visiting during the Spring and Summer seasons, as the flowers around the street are out and it looks a lot more beautiful!

Walk, Drive or Cycle down Golden Gate Bridge

You can’t visit the Golden State without going over the Golden Gate Bridge. At just under two miles long, the bride is easily walkable, although is quite fun to drive or cycle down as well!

Once you’re at the other side, stop at the Welcome Center by the Statue of Joseph Strauss (who designed the bridge), and grab your pictures in the famous photo spot.

While you’re there, don’t forget to read the plaques, explaining a bit about the history of the bridge!

The Golden Gate Bay Cruise

For a different view of San Francisco, take the Golden Gate Bay Cruise.

A tour in a boat along San Francisco’s waterfront, pass through San Francisco Bay, head under the Golden Gate Bridge, around the famous Alcatraz Island, and then past Peir 39.

With an audio commentary available in 16 languages, this is a great way to learn more about the city. Check it out here*:

Explore Sausalito

Sausalito is a charming, picturesque city with bright buildings, located both within the hillside and shoreline.

Famous for its stunning views of the Bay Area, hiking and biking trails, and great sailing and kayaking spots around the San Francisco Bay.

Located just 4 miles (6 km) north of the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s a great place to visit from San Francisco.

Take a trip to Muir Woods

If you’re heading to Sausalito during your stay in San Francisco, why not take a trip to Muir Woods.

 Muir Woods National Monument is in Marin County, home to over 380 different plants and animals.

Explore the giant Redwood trees, some of which are nearly 1,000 years old and reach heights of more than 250 feet.

Depending on how much hiking and exploring you want to do, you could spend anywhere between 1.5 to 5 hours in Muir Woods.

 If you’re looking to get the most out of your experience in Muir Woods, why not consider a guided tour:

Find the Hearts of San Francisco

The Hearts in San Francisco project debuted in 2004, which featured over 13 heart sculptures placed throughout San Francisco. The statues were created by local Bay Area artists, and later auctioned off to raise money for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

Each year, the tradition is carried on as new hearts are commissioned and auctioned off. The money raised from this goes towards accessible health care within San Francisco.

As well as the ‘heartworks’ being created for a great cause, it’s also super fun to try and visit as many as possible while you’re in San Franisco. Many of them are placed in common tourist areas, so you can’t fail to miss them!  

Make sure you use the tag #HeartsinSanFrancisco when posting your pictures with the hearts!  

Explore Pier 39

No visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip to Pier 39. Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll find two levels of restaurants, unique stores and entertainment located on top of the pier – there’s plenty to see and do at Pier 39.

From the pier, you can see views of Alcatraz Island, The Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown.  

See the Sea Lions at Fisherman’s Wharf

Head to Pier 39’s K-Dock and you’ll find the home of hundreds of Californian sea lions, who enjoy lounging on the floating wooden docks at Fisherman’s Wharf.

The best time to see the sea lions is late-July until mid-May, with breading season typically occurring between June and July.

During breading season, the sea lions migrate south to the Channel Islands, but a small group stay year-round at PIER 39’s K-Dock – so regardless of when you’re visiting, you’ll still have a decent change to see some sea lions!

Cruise through the city on a cable car

You’re in for one hell of a ride on San Francisco’s cable cars as the trams take the notoriously steep roads.

A fan way to get around, just make sure you hold onto the leather straps so you don’t slip down the seats!

If these cable car’s interest you, why not head to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, located at 1201 Mason Street.

Find the Most Instagrammable Staircase in San Francisco

In a city with steep hills comes a lot of staircases, but the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in San Francisco is home to one of the most iconic staircases due to its impressive mosaics.

With over 163 tiled stairs, the artwork that spans this particular staircase looks like it begins in the sea, by the time you reach the top, you’re able to see the sunrise.

To find the Mosaic Steps, head to: 16th Avenue, Morga Street, between 15th and 16th Avenue.

Shop in Union Square

Union Square is the place to be for shopaholics.  The area features major department stores such as Macy’s, and big names including Vicotria’s Secret, Urban Outfitters, Tiffany & Co., and many more!  

This area looks particularly good during Thanksgiving and Christmas, with department stores creating magical Christmas décor.  

China Town

San Fransico’s China Town is one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the US.

It’s worth a trip to explore China Town on foot, from the fascinating shops, temples, museums, restaurants, and food markets – there’s so much to see and do!

Painted Ladies

The Painted Ladies, also known as The Severn Sisters, are located along the Alamao Square in San Francisco.

These famous houses have been featured in many films and TV series including ‘The Woman in Red’, ‘Full House’, and many more!

These Victorian homes are colourful and stunning. You’ll find them on Steiner Street, near Alamo Square Park.

Definitely worth a visit to snap some pictures from the outside, but keep in mind you can’t simply walk into these buildings, as they are owned by people currently living in there.

However, as of 2021 the homeowner of the blue house, No. 712, has sometimes been offering guided tours, allowing visitors to see the top three floors of the house!

Explore the hippie town of Haight-Ashbury

Made famous by the hippie movement in the 1960’s

Neighbouring the Golden Gate Park, there’s plenty to see in the area, with a number of funky shops, restaurants, street art, and other cultural and historical activities.

The hippie vibe of Haight-Ashbury is still very much alive and thriving, with a much simpler vibe to the rest of San Francisco!

Ocean Beach

Perhaps San Fracisco isn’t the first Californian city you’d have in mind if you’re looking for beaches, but the 3.5-mile white sand Ocean Beach is still worth a visit!

Although it’s perhaps a bit colder than many beaches, there’s still often a lot going on, as it’s a popular spot for bonfires, flying kites, and windsurfing!

Ocean Beach is the perfect escape when you want a break from the busy city!

Alcatraz

If you don’t already know, Alcatraz (also known as ‘The Rock’), is a famous former prison located on an island which also happens to be called Alcatraz, in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

Some of the USA’s most notorious criminals were jailed there, and despite several attempts, no inmate ever made a successful escape from The Rock.

The Alcatraz prison was closed during the 1960s, but the stories from the prison keep it alive. Nowadays, you can visit the former prison, and it is fascinating!

When visiting, you have the opportunity to do a recorded cell-house tours, allowing you to explore the prison grounds while learning all about Alcatraz.

To take the tour, just get the Alcatraz Cruises ferry from Pier 33. It is recommended to book in advance as this is a really popular tourist activity.

If you aren’t interested in exploring the actual prison, and just want to see it close up from the outside, then you might want to opt for a cruise that goes around the Island.

Take a day trip to the Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the USA. It’s best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, there’s so much to see and do including The Half Dome Summit, El Capitan, the giant sequoia trees, and so much more!

Although some might feel that the 4-hour drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is long, it is also one of the most scenic drives in the country, full of beautiful views of winding mountain roads and ancient redwoods.

If you’re heading to Yosemite for just one day, you won’t have enough time to see everything it has to offer, but a day trip will still offer you a great amount of time to see some of the beautiful sites that the national park has to offer. Make sure to get up early to maximise the time you have!

If you are planning to organise your own visit to Yosemite and drive yourself, keep in mind that sometimes a reservation is required to visit Yosemite on particular dates and times of the year. Driving through the park may also require a reservation. You can find more information on their website here.

Tour the City on the Big Bus Sightseeing Tour

The Big Bus tour can be an effective way to see the main sights of San Francisco if you’re short on time.

The Big Bus Tour is a hop-on-hop-off tour, on a red double-decker bus. Stopping at all the main sights, the big bus tour allows you to squeeze as many sights as possible into your San Fransisco trip. If you’re not hiring a car, this can be a great way to get around the city quickly.

They offer an audio-guided tour, available in multiple languages, but you can still hop on and off at any point you want!  

The Big Bus Sightseeing Tour also offers the option for you to add on a group walking guided tour of China Town into your booking!  

Hire a GoCar

A totally fun and unique way to explore San Fransico, why not jump in a GPS-guided GoCar as part of a full-day tour of the city! With guided directions form the GoCar, you will explore 49 miles through San Francisco’s most famous landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ocean Beach, and more!

The small yellow GoCar’s  are easy and fun to drive! There’s no need to worry about navigating, as it’s GPS-guided, so if you’re not familiar with the layout of San Franscico, the GoCar will know where you are, even if you don’t!

While you’ll be the driver, GoCar will instruct you where to turn as it also tells you stories and facts about all the sites you’re seeing!

Note: to do this, you must be at least 21 years of age, with a credit card and a valid driver’s license.

San Francisco FAQ’s

What is San Francisco most known for?

San Francisco is known for its iconic landmarks and attractions such as Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, their Sea Lions and their Cable Cars.

What shouldn’t you miss in San Francisco?

You won’t want to miss a trip down Lombard Street or a drive across Golden Gate Bridge! You’ll want to spend some time at Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf spotting the sea lions, as well as taking the time to do a trip to Alcatraz and Muir Woods!

Is it expensive to visit San Francisco?

San Francisco is known for having a high cost of living, so it can be an expensive place to visit as a tourist. But there are things you can do to reduce the price of your trip such as making the most of public transport, spending time at free attractions and checking to see whether it’s worth purchasing a CityPASS to get reduced prices off transport and tickets for major attractions. 

Travelling with Worldpackers – Ultimate Guide

Travelling with Worldpackers – Ultimate Guide

Volunteering with Worldpackers – A Beginner’s Guide to volunteering abroad and travelling with Worldpackers on a budget: 

What is Worldpackers? 

Worldpackers is an international volunteering organisation, connecting people looking to volunteer abroad with hosts in over 140 countries.

Volunteering activities primarily focus on topics such as sustainability, community, or social projects – but activities listed on Worldpackers can commonly include marketing assistance, agriculture, childcare, office administration, hospitality and even jobs such as plumbing, renovation, and more!  There is quite literally something suited to everyone!

worldpackers provides travellers with the opportunity to volunteer abroad while travelling on a budget, through getting free accommodation and extras.

If this sounds good to you, then this guide has everything you need to know about Worldpackers and how to get started.

 

*This blog contains affiliate links and codes which earn a commission to help support this free website. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links featured in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except to sometimes provide you with a discount. Learn more

How does Worldpackers work?

Going on a Worldpackers trip means you will exchange volunteering hours, for free accommodation from hosts. Many also offer free meals, transportation, and other perks.

This gives people the chance to give back to local communities and businesses, while getting to explore new countries on a budget.

Is Worldpackers legit and safe?

Yes, Worldpackers is a legitimate and safe platform. They have been connecting hosts and volunteers for over 10 years!

Hundreds of hosts join Worldpackers every month and each of these are vetted, verified, and continually monitored by Worldpackers. While over 127,000 travellers have used Worldpackers since 2014!

Worldpackers offers a Safeguarding and Support group for their users, so you can get in touch if you have issues.

Volunteers have the opportunity to leave reviews once their volunteering experience is over, so you can read honest reviews from other volunteers to help you decide which host experience is right for you.

How much does Worldpackers Cost?

You can create a Worldpackers account entirely for free! With a free account, you can browse experiences, read reviews from other volunteers, and see if there’s anything that takes your fancy.

To apply for an opportunity you will need to then upgrade to a paid account. There are different tiers of paid accounts which we will break down below.

You can use code GIGSNTRAVEL to save  $10 (or the equivalent in your currency), off any Worldpackers membership.

Either type the code when signing up on the Worldpackers site, or click here to apply it directly.

Worldpackers Packages:

Worldpackers offer plans geared towards solo travellers, or group packages geared towards couples and friends.

Worldpackers membership levels have two different ‘tiers’, which include ‘Trips’ or ‘Packs’. ‘Trips’ tend to offer all the basics you need to access Worldpackers – a great choice for budget travellers. Whereas ‘Pack’ plans offer enhanced safety and compensation features.

Solo memberships:

Solo Trips

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An entry level plan for budget travellers

Cost: Approx. £49 or $62.75 USD for a 12 month membership

Includes:

  • Access to Worldpackers Safeguard (get up to $49 refunded for emergency accommodation if needed).
  • Host Response Guarantee.
  • Access to #1 world volunteering community.
  • Highly responsive support 7-days-a-week.
  • Part of your membership fee will be donated to support social and ecological projects.

Solo Pack

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The most popular and one of the safest choices for first-time and solo travellers.

Cost: Approx. £99 or $126.78 USD for 12 months

Includes:

  • All the benefits of the Trips Solo Plan.
  • Access to Worldpackers Safeguard (get up to $199 refunded for emergency accommodation if needed).
  • Priority support.
  • Access to extra academy training videos.
  • Exclusive discounts with Wise; Hostelpass, Pax, Babbel, Yesim, and Stasher.

Solo Pack Plus

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For those looking for an extra layer of safety with the Prime WP Safeguard.

Cost: Approx. £129 or $165.20 USD for 12 months

Includes:

  • All the benefits of the Solo Trips and Solo Packs plans.
  • Access to Prime Worldpackers Safeguard – get up to $399 refunded for emergency accommodation if your volunteering experience doesn’t go as planned.

Couple memberships:

With the Friends/Couples plans it is not possible for a single person to use this plan to travel solo. You must be completing the volunteer experience in your pair.

Couples/Friends Trip

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Apply to thousands of volunteer positions along with your partner or friend.

Cost: Approx. £59 ($75.56 USD) for 12 months

Includes:

  • Access to Worldpackers Safeguard (get up to $49 refunded for emergency accommodation if needed).
  • Host Response guarantee.
  • Volunteer together – connect your accounts to apply to volunteer opportunities that accept couples or friends.
  • Access to #1 world volunteering community.
  • Highly responsive support 7-days-a-week.
  • Part of your membership fee will be donated to support social and ecological projects.

Couples/Friends Pack

View here

Travel with your partner or friend while enjoying more safety and exclusive Worldpackers benefits.

Cost: Approx. £119 ($152.39 USD) for 12 months

Includes:

  • All the benefits of the Couple/Friends Trips plan.
  • Access to Worldpackers Safeguard (get up to $199 refunded for emergency accommodation if needed)
  • Priority support
  • Access to extra academy training videos
  • Exclusive discounts with Wise; Hostelpass, Pax, Babbel, Yesim, and Stasher.

Couples/Friends Pack Plus

View here

Everything Worldpackers has to offer in order for you to travel with your partner or friend.

Cost: Approx. £149 ($190.81 USD) for 12 months

Includes:

  • All the benefits of the Couples/Friends Trip and Couple/Friends Pack
  • Access to Prime Worldpackers Safeguard – get up to $399 refunded for emergency accommodation if your volunteering experience doesn’t go as planned.

Group Trips

Epic Trips

The latest Worldpackers membership option is something called Epic Trips. Worldpackers Epic Trips are another option for first-time solo female travellers to connect and join women-only group trips.

You can choose from a number of Worldpackers Epic trips that are available here.

Epic Trips include:

  • An exclusive Trip Coordinator to help during every step of the way.
  • The experiences are all inclusive (all meals, accommodation, and activities included).
  • The trips last between 1 and 2 weeks, and come to under $100 USD per day.
  • The trips take place in Worldpackers top-rated hosts.
  • A 12-month Worldpackers premium membership comes along with Epic Trips, so you’re able to continue travelling after completing a group trip!

While Epic Trips have a larger price tag upfront, you get a lot more guaranteed perks compared to a basic Worldpackers package – as well as still getting a premium Worldpackers membership after completing your Epic Trip!

This can be a great option for women who are perhaps feeling a little nervous about taking the plunge and doing their first Worldpackers experience on their own!

View Epic Trip opportunities here

How old do I need to be to volunteer abroad with Worldpackers?

You must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer abroad with Worldpackers.

 

What languages do I need to speak to volunteer with Worldpackers?

While each host requires a certain proficiency level in a given language, including English. As a volunteer, you don’t necessarily need to speak a certain language unless it is otherwise listed on the specific volunteering opportunity that you’re looking for.

Many experiences involve teaching languages, so you could always look out for opportunities that involves teaching your native language to others!

Worldpackers is a great opportunity to learn and practise new languages as well. You can use your volunteering opportunity to help others as well as learn yourself! 

What can you do with a free Worldpackers membership?

A free Worldpackers membership lets you browse opportunities and find volunteering jobs that you’d like to apply for.

To apply or message hosts, you will need to upgrade to a paid membership.

The great thing about Worldpackers offering a free membership is that there is no commitment until you find the volunteer opportunities that you know you want to apply for, there is no fee for simply accessing the platform!

How to optimise your Worldpackers profile

When applying for Worldpackers opportunities, hosts will see your profile. They can also search for profiles and reach out to you if they think they’d have a good opportunity for you.

Some volunteer experiences have high demand, so you need to make sure your profile stands out. Here’s some things you can do to optimise your profile.

Add your skills

Select your key skills from the given list and what your experience level is with each one, don’t worry about only having limited experience in certain skills. Hosts are generally very open to working with people with limited skills that are eager to learn.

 

Provide your personal, professional and travel background

The easiest way to make a big difference to your profile is updating it with some information on your personal, professional and travel background.

Good things to include here are:

  • Your work experience – provide a brief summary of your experience, whether it’s office work, babysitting, hospitality, etc.
  • Key skills – List key skills you have gained in your work experience that might be relevant to the type of volunteering you’re looking to do.
  • Travel experience – list the countries you have travelled to, and where you’re keen to explore
  • Volunteer experience – Provide any volunteering, fundraising, or charity experience you have
  • Education – Generally I’d say this is less important than other categories, so keep this section shorter. If you have relevant education that is related to the types of volunteering you want to do, then make sure to highlight this at the top.

Update your bio

Fill in your ‘About Me’ section  by writing a brief introduction about yourself. What type of travel do you like? What do you want to get out of volunteering? Are you keen to learn more about new cultures? Are you looking to improve your languages, or get out of your comfort zone?

 

Travel Motivations and Interests

You can select up to 5 travel interests and motivations from a list that sum up why you’re volunteering with Worldpackers.

 

Provide your Social Media

If you have social media profiles that are relevant, you might want to include them. For example, if you’re looking to volunteer in teaching sports and you have a fitness social media account, attaching it would be beneficial!

Additional Information

Additional information is information that includes useful information about you – for example, do you have any allergies? Are you a digital nomad who is planning to do some of your own work alongside your volunteering work? Are you a smoker? etc.

 

Presentation Video and Travel Album

To enhance your profile even more, you could include a presentation video to introduce yourself, and attach some of your previous travel pictures which show your personality off to your ‘ travel album’ – if you’ve done previous volunteer travel before, any pictures form this could be a great idea to add!

 

References

While not entirely necessary for most volunteering roles, you could attach some references from previous employers or other co-workers from previous volunteering experiences to provide you with some more credibility.

Complete the ‘How to become an outstanding Worldpacker’ course

Worldpackers offer a course called ‘How to become an outstanding Worldpacker’, which they encourage volunteers to take. The course takes about 45 minutes and is a series of 6 short videos which explain the entire Worldpackers process, what hosts value, safety, and how to ensure you have the best Worldpackers experience!

Once you’ve completed this course, it will be attached to your profile. Hosts will be able to see that you’ve completed this certification.

There are also plenty of other Worldpackers courses that you can take with the Worldpackers Academy to help give your profile an extra boost!

How to search for Worldpackers opportunities

When setting up your Worldpackers account, you can select a list of travel interests you might be interested in, such as eco programmes, social impact etc.

You can also select the type of trip you’re interested in, for example are you looking to solo travel, are you a digital nomad, perhaps you’re looking to practise a certain language, or you’re looking to travel as a couple?

As well as this you can highlight the continents you have the most interest in travelling to. While these preferences might help influence the opportunities that are suggested to you, you can still search outside of these preferences in the Worldpackers app, and you can change them anytime in the ‘Travel Interests’ tab.

If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity in a specific country, city etc. then you can search by location on Worldpackers. You can choose whether to view this in a list view, or map view and find the opportunities that are in the locations you’re looking for.

You can also search by volunteering activity on Worldpackers. For example, if you want to do gardening work, then you can search for ‘gardening’, or if you want to get involved with some marketing work, you can simply search for ‘marketing’ and Worldpackers will show you destinations around the world offering these volunteering opportunities.

Refine your searches by filtering for duration. Worldpackers programmes can last a few days, or several months, so filter down to find what you’re looking for. If you have a plan to volunteer during a set month, then you can also filter by month of availability – for example, you could bring up every Worldpackers experience in a certain country that has availability in November. 

How many hours do I need to work for Worldpackers?

Worldpackers opportunities vary in hours and days required to work. A typical overview of a volunteering week will be displayed underneath the opportunity, so you can double check the experience is right for you before applying.

According to Worldpackers, the average hours requested by Worldpackers hosts is 25 hours per week. The maximum number of hours that Worldpackers allow hosts to request is 32 hours per week.

When searching for opportunities, you can also filter by working hours per week to make sure you’re finding the right opportunity for you.

Volunteering is super rewarding, but you ideally want to make sure your schedule has free time for you to also explore the country you’re visiting in.

Schedules from hosts will vary, for example someone might advertise a 25 hour week with 5 hours per day Monday – Friday, another host might squeeze the 25 hours across 3 longer days, so you have more days for ‘free time’, while other hosts could ask you to work those 25 hours across 7 short days, which means while you’ll be doing a little bit of work each day, you’ll still have the majority of each day to go out and explore.

Your work schedule depends on the host and the work you’ll be doing. Each host discloses working patterns underneath their posting.   

Advice for applying for Worldpackers Experiences

You’re not always guaranteed to get the Worldpackers experience that you apply for. Some hosts can get extreme demand and only have limited slots, other volunteer work might be seasonal, and applications are only open during certain parts of the year.

To increase your chances of getting a volunteer experience, consider the following:

  • Check to see if an experience is ‘in demand’ to manage your expectations.
  • Apply for multiple experiences.
  • Check the host’s response rate before applying.
  • Optimise your Worldpackers profile.
  • Read reviews from other volunteers before applying.
  • Add experiences to your ‘favourites’ folder, so they’re easy to find when you need them.
  • If you’re certain about a particular location, use the map feature to see how many volunteering opportunities there are in that area and apply to multiple.

Worldpackers FAQ’s

Do you get paid for doing Worldpackers?

No, you are doing volunteer work with Worldpackers so your working hours are unpaid. In exchange, hosts will provide you with accommodation. Many hosts will also provide you with free meals. Some hosts will provide you with access to excursions, offer airport pick-ups, or use of equipment such as bicycles to go out and explore in your free time.

Is Worldpackers Safe? 

Yes, Worldpackers is a legitimate and safe platform. They have been connecting hosts and volunteers for over 10 years. Worldpackers make sure that their hosts are vetted, verified and continually monitored. They also have a Safeguarding Support Team that you can reach out to at any time while volunteering.

Worldpackers cost?

You can make a free membership to browse Worldpackers opportunities. However, if you find something you want to apply for, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. A 12-month membership can range from £49 ($62.75 USD) to £149 ($190.81 USD) annually.

Worldpackers Discount Code?

The Best Worldpackers Promo Code to use is: GIGSNTRAVEL

This will save you $10 (or the equivalent in your currency) off ANY Worldpackers membership. This code can also be used in conjunction with additional Worldpackers promos that might be running. 

Is paying for Worldpackers worth it?

Yes! If you’re looking to travel on a budget and want to volunteer abroad, then paying for Worldpackers is definitely worth it, even if you just do one volunteer experience you generally make the cost of your membership back by all the free accommodation, free meals and other benefits you get too. It’s a great choice for budget travellers. 

Do I need a work visa to volunteer with Worldpackers?

Typically you don’t need a work visa to volunteer with Worldpackers. This is because you are volunteering, so you are not earning a wage or salary. A limited number of experiences might require a Work VISA, so make sure you check with your host. You are still responsible for sorting any visas you need to travel, so you must do your research to make sure you are prepared before you travel.

Do Worldpackers host group trips?

Worldpackers have just announced they are hosting group trips for solo female travellers called ‘Epic Plans’.

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

What is the Best Disney World Park

What is the Best Disney World Park

What is the best Disney World Park? Walt Disney World Parks ranked – updated for 2024

Looking for the best Disney World park to visit during your trip to Orlando? Whether you’re planning on visiting one park, or all of them, here are the best Disney World parks updated for 2024. 

Magic Kingdom

When most people think of Disney parks, they picture the castle that appears in Magic Kingdom. The Disney castle design varies throughout different Disney parks across the world, but the Disney World Florida park remains one of the most iconic Disney castles.

Magic Kingdom was the first park created at Disney World and remains the most popular park to date, bringing in the most visitors.  

Magic Kingdom has something for everyone regardless of age and interest. Perfect for families, couples, friend groups, or solo visitors – there’s plenty for a full day of fun at Magic Kingdom.

Outside of the rides, there is plenty of entertainment at Magic Kingdom. Offering what I call the ‘classic Disney experience’, with incredible nighttime firework shows over the castle every evening, as well as the massive parades – which bring in many viewers across the park!

Magic Kingdom has the most overall rides, with over 50 to choose from! So, if you only have a chance to visit one Disney Park while in Florida, then Magic Kingdom will probably be the park for you!

What is the layout of Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

Main Street, USA: Where you enter and exit Magic Kingdom. Main Street is a Disney version of a 20th-century classic street from your typical American small town. When you enter Magic Kingdom and walk down Main Street, you will see the Castle on the horizon. Although there are no rides in this area, Main Street creates a magical first impression for your visit to Magic Kingdom.

Adventureland: As the name says, you’ll find a lot of ‘adventure’ themed attractions here, with rides such as Jungle Cruise, Aladdin’s Magic Carpets, and Pirates of the Caribbean!

Frontierland: You’ll find Frontierland next to Adventureland. The ‘American West’ theme land is home to some of the most popular rides in the park, Big Thunder Mountain, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formally Splash Mountain). There’s also a variety of table service and quick service foot spots!

Liberty Square: Liberty Square is an American-Revolution-themed area, home to the Haunted Mansion and the Liberty Square Riverboat, which departs every 30 minutes. Although there are not many attractions, you’re spoilt for choice with food as there’s a wide range of food stalls, markets, table-service restaurants, and quick-service diners to choose from.

Fantasyland: Fantasyland serves as the main area for families with young children. It contains plenty of character meet-and-greets and shows, as well as lots of family-friendly attractions. Some rides include: Dumbo Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party Spinning Cups, Peter Pan’s Flight, and one of my favourites – It’s a Small World.

Tomorrowland: Tomorrowland serves as both the present-day modern world combined with a futuristic-themed area of Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Tomorrowland is home to rides such as the Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Tomorrowland Speedway, and of course two of the most famous Magic Kingdom rides – Space Mountain and TRON Lightcyle / Run.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

I’ll admit, the first time I ever visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2007 left me feeling underwhelmed in comparison to some of the other parks that Disney World has to offer.

However, I was wrong. I’ll admit my previous mistakes as my most recent trip to Walt Disney World made me realise that my old opinions are no longer valid.  I was so impressed with how incredibly well the park has developed over the years!

Many accuse Disney’s Animal Kingdom of being a half-day theme park. This usually comes from the viewpoint that there are not enough rides at the park. While yes there are fewer rides here compared to Magic Kingdom, despite it being the largest Walt Disney World Park… there’s still plenty to see and do!

From character experiences, to the 1,500+ animals that they have, and of course, no trip to Animal Kingdom is complete without the Kilimanjaro Safari experience.  

One major plus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom is that it opens earlier than the other Walt Disney World theme parks. This makes it an ideal theme park to start your day if you’re more of a morning person and can give you a great opportunity to make use of quieter hours with shorter queue times for rides!

However, the downside is that it also closes earlier than the other Disney World theme parks. This means that there is no nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In the past, some nighttime shows have occurred, but none have been overly successful in comparison to the nighttime shows at other parks.

Of course, as the name suggests, Animals are at the forefront of the theme for this park – and it’s safe to say the theme has been executed really well! This hasn’t always been the case, but Animal Kingdom has only gotten better and better over the years! 

What is the layout of Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

The Oasis: The Oasis is the Animal Kingdom equivalent to Magic Kingdom’s Mainstreet USA – this is where you’ll enter and exit the park, with the aim to set the scene right from the start for the Animal Kingdom Park.

Discovery Island: The ‘hub’ of Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island connects up to the other lands by bridges.  This is where you’ll find the famous Animal Kingdom landmark, The Tree of Life – which is almost like the Animal Kingdom version of the Castle at Magic Kingdom. Discovery Island features a variety of character meet-and-greets, shows, as well as shops and restaurant diners.  

DinoLand USA: DinoLand has something for all the family, from the children’s play area, to a nature trail,  the 1.5k capacity amphitheater, and DINOSAUR – one of the major Animal Kingdom thrill rides. DinoLand USA is great for families with the TriceraTop Spin ride as well as the ‘Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond’ show!

Africa: Africa is the largest of all Animal Kingdom lands, inspired by a town called Lamu, located on an island off the east coast of Kenya. In Africa, you’ll find the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail as well as the iconic Kilimanjaro Safaris – a must-do for your visit to Animal Kingdom! You’ll also find the part-stage show/ part-parade performance here, The Festival of the Lion King! There’s plenty of food options in Africa, with table service restaurants, quick-service diners, and food stalls to choose from!

Asia: Asia features architecture inspired by India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Nepal. Two of Animal Kingdom’s major attractions feature here, Kali River Rapids, and Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. Here you’ll also find The Maharajah Jungle Trek – an Asian animal-based walk that includes Komodo dragons, fruit bats, Bengal tigers, and more! 

Pandora: The World of Avatar: Disney brought the Avatar film franchise to life at Animal Kingdom back in 2017. Since opening, Pandora has become one of the most popular areas of the park. This is typically the area of the park where you’ll find the most crowds – but no trip to Animal Kingdom can be done without a visit to Pandora. Home to the Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey! The main reason Pandora is so popular is due to the incredible landscaping and theming of this land – you can’t miss the Valley of Mo-ara while you’re there!    

Rafiki’s Planet Watch:  Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a small area in Animal Kingdom, it’s home to a variety of animal experiences, such as petting zoos and environmental exhibits.

Epcot

EPCOT, a concept devised by Walt Disney himself, was initially intended to be an ever-developing community of tomorrow.

Over the recent years, it has been on what seems like constant construction, continuously changing for better or worse.

While the theming of Epcot hasn’t always been clear, over time, EPCOT has evolved into a festival theme park, with festivals running for over 50% of the year.

Each festival has a theme:

  • Festival of the Arts
  • Flower and Garden Festival
  • Food and Wine Festival
  • Festival of the Holidays

During these festivals, the park will be transformed with decorations, activities, entertainment, and food/ drinks to match each festival theme.

You don’t have to pay extra for tickets to enter the festivals, the events occur across the park during regular park hours. I personally wouldn’t plan a trip specifically for the festivals, but given the fact they’re on more often than they’re not – there’s a good chance you’ll end up being present for one anyways.

If you love food and drink and want a more ‘adult feel’ to the typical Disney Park, then EPCOT makes an excellent choice for you!

To be honest, Epcot can be a bit like Marmite, you love it, or you hate it – and I’ve spoken to people on both sides of the argument!

Personally, I really enjoy Epcot and would never skip it when I’m visiting Disney World, however, it has become my least favourite park over the years.

If you’re in Disney for an extended period, it’s worth a day trip, or at least a half-day trip here so you can say you’ve seen it – but you might want to focus on spending more days at the other parks.

 

What is the layout of EPCOT?

EPCOT is divided into four distinct neighbourhoods. They are:

World Celebration: This neighbourhood is near the main entrance, at World Celebration you will find EPCOT’s signature landmark, Spaceship Earth! While it’s great to snap a picture outside of it, don’t forget to ride it too! World Celebration is also home to the Journey Into Imagination with Figment ride, as well as ‘Club Cool’ – not a ride, but a really interesting Disney experience where they have free unlimited samples of soft drinks from around the world, try the Italian ‘Beverly’ drink, or perhaps a ‘VIVA’ from Moldova.

World Discovery: World Discovery is EPCOT’s neighbourhood of science and technology. This neighbourhood is home to the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, The Test Track, and the Mission Space rides. There are also plenty of food and drink choices here, from quick-service diners, bars, and lounges, as well as plenty of food stands!

World Nature: As the name suggests, World Nature is EPCOT’s neighbourhood that revolves around the natural world. This is where you’ll find a variety of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory rides and shows, as well as Moana’s Journey of Water. In terms of the theming of attractions, this is probably one of my favourite areas of EPCOT!  

World Showcase: World Showcase is one of EPCOT’s main events, this neighbourhood is split into different sections, which all represent a different country and culture.

The countries include: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

In the World Showcase, there are plenty of pavilions and gardens to explore, however, one popular activity here tends to be ‘drinking your way around the world’ – so if you’re a family with young children, be aware that this is potentially a boozier, more adult area of EPCOT. With that in mind, I’ve been visiting EPCOT, including World Showcase since I was 7 years old – and have always had a lot of fun!  

If you’re looking for table-service restaurants, this is the place to go – but be prepared to have to wait for a table!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Formally known as MGM Studios back in the day, this theme park opened in 1989 in a race between Disney and Universal to open a “movie studio” based park in Central Florida first.

As much as I really enjoy visiting Hollywood Studios, you can tell it most definitely was a ‘race’ between Disney and Universal, as the different ‘lands’ and attractions within them often feel a bit all over the place.

Hollywood Studios aims to celebrate all aspects of movies and entertainment and also has some of the best rides for thrill seekers, such as Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster!

Adding to the thrills, there’s a variety of shows aired across the park, including the famous Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular!

While Hollywood Studios tries to appeal to thrill seekers, there are still plenty of great attractions for families with young children, particularly since the addition of Toy Story Land in 2018.

With plenty of character experiences and interactions happening at Hollywood Studios, the sporadic appearances from the Storm Troopers have to be one of the best! Speaking of Storm Troopers, if you’re a Star Wars fan then Hollywood Studio’s is the park for you!

What is the layout of Hollywood Studios?

Hollywood Boulevard: Hollywood Boulevard is inspired by the traditional Los Angeles background used as settings in films. Here you’ll find a lot of film and movie-based attractions, such as Disney Movie Magic (the history of Disney movies), Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway cartoon showings, and the Wonderful World of Animation. 

Sunset Boulevard:One of the best areas for thrill-seekers, with the famous Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror proving to be some of the most popular attractions at Hollywood Studios. It’s not just thrill rides here, Sunset Boulevard is also home to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy theatre show, the Fantasmic mixed-media show, and the Beauty and the Beast Live Stage show!

Commissary Lane: Commissary Lane isn’t really a major land as such, but more of a walk-through on the way to get elsewhere. The main thing happening here is the Mickey and Minnie meet-and-greet, which tends to be quite popular – particularly for families with young children!There are also some quick-service and table-service dining options here!

Echo Lake: Echo Lake is home to the miniature lake located near the middle of Hollywood Studios Park. This land features a variety of shows, including the ever-so-popular Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! The ‘Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie’ Theatre show, as well as the Frozen Singalong, and Olaf meet-and-greet means that this area is great to keep children entertained! However, Echo Lake is great for all ages as this is where you’ll find Disney’s very first modern simulator ride, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues.

Grand Avenue: What was formally a Muppets Themed land known as Muppets Courtyard, before (for better, or for worse… in my opinion for worse), changing to Grand Avenue. Grand Avenue is inspired by the present-day downtown Los Angeles. Thankfully as a huge Muppets fan, Disney has kept the Muppet Vision 3D experience in, a sensory theatre experience that has always proven to be popular! Other than this, there isn’t a lot going on in terms of attractions, however there are plenty of dining options!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is a full land dedicated to the Star Wars Franchise. With some great rides such as Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Build your own miniature version of R2-D2 or BB-8 at the Droid Dept, or create your own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop (note: this is extremely popular and you’ll want to book this at least two months in advance!)

Pixar Plaza: At the front of Toy Story Land, you’ll find Pixar Plaza – home to Pixar character meet-and-greets as well as a variety of Pixar-themed eateries. Pixar Plaza just tends to be a build-up to Tory Story Land (why they didn’t at least include Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy here, I don’t know!)  

Toy Story Land: As a huge Toy Story fan, the addition of Toy Story Land was very much welcomed! The idea around this land is that you’ve shrunk down to the size of a toy and placed in Andy’s Garden, where you get to meet and play with the other toys. Although Toy Story Land’s attractions are designed to appeal to younger children, they’re perfect for all ages – if it’s thrill rides you’re after, then this might not be the land for you, but the theming of this land is worth a visit nonetheless! Toy Story Land is home to the Alien Swirling Saucers, Slinky Dog Dash Coaster, and Toy Story Mania, as well as a variety of Toy Story-themed table service, food stands and quick-service diners! Make sure you don’t miss the Green Army Drum Corps running about!

Animation Courtyard: Animation Courtyard is home to two large theatres which are used for live shows. There’s also plenty of character-greeting locations in this land. Animation Courtyard is home to a variety of Star Wars-themed attractions – perfect for Star Wars super fans!

Overall

Each Disney Park is better for different things, depending on what you and your group are interested in. In my opinion, each park is best for the following things:

  • Magic Kingdom– the best overall park, the overall best entertainment (fireworks, parades, character experiences), gives the most traditional and nostalgic Disney experience, and has something for everyone in your group.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the best park for animal lovers, the park with the best overall theming – and the best park for unique experiences (safari, character meet-and-greet and dining experiences, etc.)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios– the best park for thrill seekers, Star Wars fans, people who enjoy watching live stunt shows, and Toy Story fans!
  • EPCOT – the best theme park for adults, and the best cultural experience.

This list also happens to be in order from my overall favourite park to least, with Magic Kingdom coming in at the number one spot, and Epcot is my least favourite (despite this, I still love it there!).

If your trip to Disney is long enough to do a day at each park, then I would say it’s worth doing, but if your trip is only a couple of days long, then I’d look to prioritise a full day at Magic Kingdom  and perhaps half days from a choice of Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or EPCOT (although I think they’re worth full-day trips if you can fit it in!)

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

Where to stay in Mallorca (Majorca)

Where to stay in Mallorca (Majorca)

 Where to stay in Mallorca (Majorca)

Mallorca is one of my favourite European beach destinations. With beautiful sandy beaches, old towns to explore, with family-friendly resorts, or lively scenes on the south of the island for those who are party animals – there’s something for everyone.

After travelling to Mallorca a few times over the course of 15+ years, and visiting different areas of the island while out there, I’ve made the ultimate list of the best places to stay depending on how you want your holiday to look!

While I wouldn’t say there are necessarily bad places to stay in Mallorca, there are certain things that aren’t particularly my scene or style of travel.

But it’s good to get an understanding of different areas of the island and what they each have to offer, so you can make the best decision for you! 

 

Before you Travel: If you are planning to travel to multiple places in Mallorca then I recommend renting a car. There are very limited taxi services, with some areas of the Island having absolutely no taxi services at all. Public transport can also run on limited schedules and take a long time, which might limit your travel around the island.

 

*Links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase anything linked to external sites. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links that feature in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except sometimes to provide you with a discount. Affiliate links help to support the maintenance of this free website. Learn more

Palma

Starting with the capital city, Palma is a great city to visit with a huge selection of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

A short 15-25 minute transfer from the airport, Palma is a convenient place to base for easy transport links.  

With it being the capital of Mallorca, it has the best public transport connections. If you want to visit Mallorca but are unable to or don’t want to rent a car, then Palma might be your best option to base. This way you can access other areas of the Island more easily with public transport.

Palma is also a popular spot for those who are seeking a party-based holiday – with a variety of bars, clubs, and party boat events going on. However, those who are not into party holidays might want to avoid staying overnight here!

With a large number of cafes, restaurants, and shops to explore in Palma, there’s a lot to see! There’s a great mixture of chain stores as well as independent retailers and restaurants in the city.

I am always impressed with how busy and booming Palma tends to be in terms of shopping – which is a nice change from many other cities in Europe with the rise of high streets dying a bit of a death!

 

There’s a variety of fun and unique things to do in Palma: 

Palma Cathedral

The architecture in Palma is impressive, boasting beautiful buildings – particularly Palma Cathedral!

Check out Palma Cathedral, a huge Gothic-style cathedral that is beautifully decorated! With paid entry to the top of the cathedral from where you get a very beautiful 360-degree view of Palma, it’s a unique way to see the city!

Image from: Get Your Guide

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 

Get around the city easily and visit all the major sites by jumping on a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.

Both 24-hour and 48-hour bus passes are available to purchase.   

Palma Aquarium

Open from 9:30am until 6:30pm every day, why not visit Palma Aquarium?

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even do a shark diving experience while you’re there! Don’t worry if you don’t have a diving license – there are two different options for the Shark Diving experience, one for people who have a diving license and one for people who don’t!

Image from: Get Your Guide

The Génova Caves

The Génova Caves are the closest caves to Palma city, it’s easy to get there by public transport by bus or by car. These caves are quite small, so the €12 price tag is a bit steep for the length of time it takes to actually explore these caves – nonetheless, if cave tours is something you’ve never tried, it’s worth doing!

These aren’t the only caves in Mallorca, so it’s worth researching which ones might be best for you to visit if you’re not planning to stay in Palma!

Find things to do in Palma Mallorca:

Should I stay in Palma?

While you won’t be able to see and do absolutely everything, you can see a large amount of Palma within one day – so it is not necessary to stay there overnight. I’ve never stayed in Palma but have visited on day trips from elsewhere on the island.

The downside to Palma is that during the summer months (peak season), it can get very busy and overrun. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, then I’d recommend staying elsewhere.

As well as this, the beaches in this area are nowhere near as nice, or as clean, as most other beach destinations in Mallorca. I visited the Platja de Can Pere Antoni beach, and it was largely underwhelming with no shade, no nearby facilities, and dirty water – the beaches almost anywhere else in Mallorca are much nicer.

My personal opinion on Palma is that it’s nice to visit on a day trip, but other than that I’d only consider staying there if I had no car, or was wanting to visit a lively party area of Mallorca.

If you have your heart set on staying in Palma, but want to avoid the crowds and party atmosphere, then consider visiting during the off-season where it is much quieter!

Magaluf 

Magaluf is located in the southwest of the island, it’s a lively party town, with plenty of hotel options. If you’re someone who’s looking to go out and party the night away, you’ll have lots of fun options here!

However, if you’re someone who prefers a less party-cantered trip, it’s best to avoid this area.

During peak season (June to mid-September), Magaluf is a popular party destination for younger generations – a common ‘first lads holiday’, or ‘first girls holiday’ spot for younger-party makers. This means that the culture in Magaluf is largely based on alcohol when it comes to tourism.

The Spanish government of the Balearic Islands has cracked down on laws that ban drinking alcohol on public roads, tightened rules on party boats, and prevented stores from selling alcohol late at night. Tourists found to be breaking the rules can face fines of up to €3,000.

During the off-peak months, many of the bars and clubs are closed and this area can then become more popular for older generations seeking warmer weather.

Outside of drinking activities, Magaluf is home to many beaches, waterparks, and shops.

Things to do in Magaluf: 

Waterparks and theme parks

Magaluf is home to two popular waterparks, the Western Water Park and the Katmandu Theme Park and Water Park.

The Western Waterpark is the largest park in Magaluf, which is home to the 11th tallest slide in the world!

With multiple slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and more – there is something for all ages, making it a great option for a day out regardless of who you’re holidaying with!

Keep in mind that as well as the entry ticket, there are additional costs such as parking, locker hire, and hammocks.

Although Katmandu Park has a waterpark with slides located in it, it’s actually considered to be more of a theme park. It’s home to a variety of activities such as mini golf, a virtual rollercoaster, character meet-and-greets, life-size games, and more!

Most of the attractions at Katmandu Park tend to be focused on children up to 10 years old, so this can be a place to spend the day as a family!

Image from: Get Your Guide

Party the night away

As a popular party destination, Magaluf has plenty to do for party-goers, from a range of bars and nightclubs, to boozy bingo nights, and even party boats!

Note: The Balearic Islands have toughed laws surrounding alcohol in an attempt to clamp down on the negative behaviour seen from tourists in destinations such as Magaluf. These laws effect where you can drink alcohol, when you can purchase alcohol, and regulations surrounding party boats. Always read up on laws and rules before you travel for the most up-to-date guidance.

Sightseeing Cruise

If you don’t fancy a booze cruise, then why not try a sightseeing cruise?

Head out on a boat and explore the coastline, dine out on the sea with lunch, and experience an exciting guided tour of the coastline between Magaluf and Palma!

If you fancy, some boats will offer a dedicated swimming time, where you can dive off the boats and enjoy a swim in the water!

Enjoy the famous Pirate Acrobatics Dinner Show!

The Pirates Adventure Dinner Show is a well-known theatre show in Magaluf, which can seat over 800 guests!

Enjoy the acrobatic pirate show while enjoying a meal and drinks throughout the evening!

The show is designed to be appropriate for all ages, so this is a great option for evening entertainment regardless of your group dynamics!

Image from: Get Your Guide

Have a beach day

Cala Vinyes Beach

Cala Vinyes Beach, which is a short distance outside of Magaluf, is a beautiful cove with a sandy beach, featuring a number of sunbeds as well as space to bring your own towel and chill out.

Cala Vinyes Beach is often a bit quieter than some other beaches in the area, there is both a beach bar and supermarket nearby if you’re looking to spend the whole day here.

 

Cala Falcó Beach

A little bit further out again, you’ll find the beach of Cala Falcó. A beach located within a secluded cove, it is quite small and can get busy during peak season as it’s a popular spot. Cala Falcó has a beach bar located on-site, selling a variety of food and drinks, including fresh smoothies!

Sunbeds can be rented out, but during peak season these need to be booked in advance as they tend to get full very quickly! However, there is still space to bring your own towel to lie on as well.

Find Things to do in Magaluf:

Should I stay in Magaluf? 

Magaluf could be a great choice for you if you want a lively party-based destination – but if that’s not your holiday preference, then I’d avoid this area and stay in one of the following areas Mallorca…

Port d’Alcudia

At the opposite end of the Island, you’ll find Alcudia. Port d’Alcudia is a beautiful beach town, with plenty of hotel and villa options.

The Port d’Alcudia beach is one of my favourites on the island, with plenty of space it stretches across 7 kilometres in length and up to 200 metres wide, making it both the longest and largest beach in Mallorca.

When visiting Alcudia beach, I would recommend heading towards the middle of the beach, away from the Port. This is a more common spot for locals to hang out and tends to be a lot quieter, so you’ll have a lot more space!

There’s also plenty of shade along this area, with trees lining the back of the beach.

Not to mention that the beach and sea are significantly cleaner the further away from the Port you go –  so it’s definitely worth the longer walk down the beach!

If you’re looking for an active holiday, with a variety of water-based activities – from Jet Ski’s to boat tours, to dolphin sightseeing, snorkelling, waterparks and more… then Alcudia is the place for you!

Does Alcudia have much nightlife?

Although Alcudia can be a lively town, containing a strip with lively bars and clubs for the vast majority of Alcudia, you’ll find it to be family-friendly with plenty to do for all ages – from the beautiful beach, the boardwalk, a vast selection of restaurants, shops, and hotel resorts, as well as ferry trips to the nearby island of Menorca.

If you’re looking for somewhere with a lively atmosphere, without it being quite as party-based or as intense as Palma or Magaluf – then Alcudia is the place to go!

What is there to do in Alcudia?

Port d’Alcudia Beach

The longest and largest beach in Mallorca, Port d’Alcudia Beach has plenty of room for everyone! A popular, but clean and large beach – with plenty of amenities such as restaurants, supermarkets, take-aways, and shops nearby!

Here you will find sun loungers, as well as plenty of space to bring your own towels to lie on. Areas of the beach have trees running down the side to shade you from the sun!

Day trip to Menorca

Head to Puerto Alcudia and hop on a boat tour to the smaller neighbouring island of Menorca! Explore the island before heading back to Alcudia!

Water sports

Alcudia is a great spot for getting involved with water activities, rent some Jet skis, try stand-up paddle boarding, go snorkelling, or head out on various different types of boat tours!

There’s something for all ages and abilities depending on what you want to do!

Dolphin watching tours

Head out on a guided trip along the coast and have the chance to see dolphins out in the wild! Although it’s not guaranteed you’ll see them, these tours offer beautiful scenic views along the coast and into the Balearic sea!

Image from: Get Your Guide

Image from: Get Your Guide

Buggy Tours

If you want a unique way to explore Alcudia, why not hop on a buggy tour and explore the area?  

Join a tour guide in a buggy, quadbike, moped, or scooter and spend the day exploring Alcudia and surrounding areas!

Hidropark Alcudia

Alcudia is home to the waterpark known as Hidropark – with something for all the family, this can be a great day out regardless of page! Hidropark offers a variety of slides, wave pools, as well as a shallow play area for younger children.

Hidropark is a convenient and fun option for a day out if you’re staying in Alcudia!

If you’re visiting Hidropark, keep in mind that as well as the entry fee, there are additional costs such as locker and sunbed hire. 

Image from: Get Your Guide

Alcudia Old Town

The stunning Alcudia Old Town is a beautiful place to explore, walk along the medieval streets and explore the Church of St. Jaume.

 

Make sure to visit the Alcudia Market which is held every Tuesday and Sunday from 8:00 am until 1:30 pm!

Vineyard Tour

If you fancy some Spanish wine tasting, why not head to a local Vineyard? Alcudia is only a short trip away from several vineyards, offering wine tasting and vineyard tours!

Image from: Get Your Guide

Find things to do in Alcudia:

Should I stay in Alcudia?

If you’re looking for somewhere with a lively atmosphere (without it being quite as rowdy as Palma or Magaluf), as well as plenty of adventurous activities and a large beach – Alcudia is the place for you!

It is recommended that you have a car to explore further areas surrounding Alcudia, but it is possible to see and do a lot in the town without a car, as long as you stay near the town centre!

Campanet

Just a 20-minute drive away from Alcudia, you’ll find a town called Campanet!

Campanet is a town in the northeast of Mallorca, which isn’t a particularly touristy area compared to everywhere else mentioned in this blog. This is a popular choice for people who want to be close to Alcudia without staying in Alcudia itself. Campanet also attracts tourists who want beautiful mountain views, and a desire to stay in a more authentic town in Mallorca.  

With a good choice of restaurants, bars, cafes, as well as local bakeries in its main square – there are however, very few shops apart from your typical small grocers and a weekly market, which appears on a Tuesday.

Campanet is well-known for its spring water and natural springs, which flow from the mountains and ancient wells – which you can still see when you visit!

Things to do in Campanet:

Coves de Campanet (Campanet Caves)

Campanet is home to the Campanet Caves (Coves de Campanet).

I found these caves particularly interesting; they were large enough for me to spend about 45 minutes to an hour exploring!

What made this place even better was the treetop café attached to the entrance/ exit of the cave! The views were beautiful and the staff were lovely!

These caves aren’t as well-known to tourists due to Campanet not being a hugely touristy area, which meant the crowds were low and there was plenty of room to walk around the caves and find a place to sit in the café!

Sant Miquel de Campanet

A small and quiet Christian Church with a café, located in the main square of Campanet.  It is thought to be one of the oldest churches on the island of Mallorca!

Ses Font Ufanes

Ses Font Ufanes is a nature reserve that has great hiking and walking trails. Surrounded by nature. It’s best to visit Ses Font Ufanes after a period of rain, as you will get to see the natural springs!

It is not unusual for some to stop flowing when there has been a long period of dry weather, but even if you don’t get to see them, the walk through Ses Font Ufanes is beautiful regardless!

Ses Font Ufanes is an easy walk/ hike, which is suitable for children.

Campanet Summer Festival

On the second Sunday of July there a festival that runs in Campanet, during the late afternoon into the evening. This happens for eight to ten days!

I actually visited while the festival was on in 2023, with homemade fancy dress costumes, Spanish bands playing a mix of Spanish and English covers, as well as food trucks, and loads of decorations – the atmosphere was incredible!  

I didn’t plan to visit specifically for this event, it just happened to be on, but it was a great experience to celebrate among the locals and I’d definitely recommend it if you happen to be in the area around this time! 

Take a trip to Alcudia

The beach town of Alcudia is only a 20-minute drive away from Campanet, which makes Campanet a great place to stay if you want to visit Alcudia while staying somewhere a bit quieter!

 

Should I stay in Campanet?

Campanet still has a number of villas and Airbnb’s which you can rent for your stay, these tend to be cheaper than many other places in Mallorca due to Campanet not being right on the coast. Often you can get more for your money here, as it’s not a major tourist area.  

Campanet is great if you want to stay somewhere that feels more authentic, so you can embrace the day-to-day lifestyle in Mallorca. However, if you’re looking for somewhere with a bit more to do on your immediate doorstep without having to drive anywhere, then Campanet is probably not the place for you.

It is recommended to rent a car so you can get around easily. However, Campanet does have a bus running semi-regularly to towns and cities such as Inca (where you can change to catch another bus to Palma and other places), as well as changing to catch a bus to the beach towns of Pollensa and Alcudia. 

Sóller and Port de Sóller

Sóller is a traditional and charming town, located in the Tramuntana Mountains on the northwest coast of Mallorca.

Sóller  is a popular town with many shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as the famous Sant Bartomeu Church in Sóller town centre.

Things to do in Soller:

Hiking

If you’re into hiking, then Sóller is the perfect place to base on your Mallorca trip.

From Sóller, you can easily get to the Barranc de Biniaraix to Cornador Gran peak hike, Puig des Tossals Verds circuit trail, and Cúber to Puig de l’Ofre hike!

Port de Sóller

Hop on a tram from Sóller and head to the coastal village of Port de Sóller, where you’ll find beautiful views of boats, water, and waterside restaurants.

Port de Soller is also home to the sandy beaches of Platja den Repic and Sóller Playa.

Jardines de Alfabia – House and Botanical Garden Tour

Just a short drive outside of Sóller, you’ll find Jardines de Alfabia – one of Mallorca’s oldest buildings and its stunning gardens!

Jardines de Alfabia is a beautiful property set in a stunning mountain view landscape, with breathtaking botanical gardens to roll around!

Go on a Boat Tour

Hop on a boat tour and leave the port of Sóller, stopping at multiple beautiful areas along the coast – exploring caves, beaches, and more!

Should I stay in Sóller?

Sóller and Port de Sóller are charming towns, popular but not as touristy as many other locations in Mallorca. It’s close proximity to Palma makes it an easy choice for getting to-and-from the airport, as well as doing day trips to Palma! 

If you’re looking for great views and tranquility , then Sóller would be a great option for you! 

Cala d’Or

Cala d’Or, also known as the ‘Golden Bay’, is a beautiful and popular beach area on the southeast coast of Mallorca.

In this area, the beaches are often smaller, but are some of the most beautiful beaches on the island!

Beaches in Cala d’Or tend to be within coves, where the sea often looks sparkly with more of a green-blue colour as a result of the combination of the sun and surrounding pine trees.

This was the first place in Mallorca I ever visited, and safe to say that there is plenty to do! With a wide range of water sports, excursions, shopping, and restaurants.  

Cala d’Or has plenty of nighttime entertainment but is not a clubbing or party destination, unlike Magaluf. If you want a place where you can enjoy a few cocktails in the evening, without the noise of nightclubs – then Cala d’Or is the place for you!

There are plenty of family-friendly hotel resorts, adults-only sites, or private villas and apartments in Cala d’Or – so there’s something for everyone!

However, it can get rather busy during school holidays – as the years have gone on, Cala d’Or has grown in popularity when it comes to Mallorca destinations, which is something to keep in mind if you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter!

Things to do in Cala d’Or:

Beaches

There are a variety of beaches in Cala d’Or, such as Cala Petita Beach, Playa Cala Gran Beach, and Cala Esmeralda Beach!

Sit back and relax on some sun loungers or go snorkelling in the sea!

Explore the Marina

The Marina de Cala d’Or is a great area with a lot going on! A popular place to dine at, the port offers some gorgeous views!

There are also a number of designer clothing boutiques along the port, which are interesting to browse. 

You’ll commonly find a lot of water sports and diving companies offering excursions and courses near the port, which you can book on! 

Drach Caves (Coves del Drach)

The Drach Caves is an approximate 1200m long walk in underground caves, which tend to take around an hour to walk through.

The caves themselves offer a fairy-tale-like experience and are hugely popular due to the giant lake at the end of the cave tour where a classical music concert is hosted!

Water sports

From jet skis to diving courses, there are plenty of water sports-based activities to do in Cala d’Or. If you’re looking for some adventurous activities to do on your Mallorca holiday, Cala d’Or has plenty to offer in terms of water activities!

Should I stay in Cala d’Or?

Cala d’Or is a great option regardless of your group dynamics. It’s family-friendly, and also has many options for adult-only resorts. 

However, it is very popular during peak season, so if you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter then you might want to consider places outside of Cala d’Or! 

Cala d’Or tends to have everything you need to keep you and the rest of your party occupied during your trip to Mallorca, so is a great option! 

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

The Greenhouse Spa Retreat – Cornwall Eco Glamping

The Greenhouse Spa Retreat – Cornwall Eco Glamping

Located in a wild garden grown over thirty years from seed, The Greenhouse Spa Retreat is a Cornish haven offering the perfect detachment from the rest of the world.

Owned by a couple named Daniel and Victoria, as soon as you enter The Greenhouse Glamping and Spa Retreat, you’ll be immersed in a serene, beautiful environment 

With different types of glamping accommodation, you will be spoilt for choice!

The Greenhouse Spa and Glamping Retreat – Cornwall

This is an adult-only glamping site, with no pets allowed in order to maintain the quiet, zen vibes at the site.

But fear not – for all the animal lovers, there is a field with horses in, which backs onto the site! As well as hedgehogs, birds, frogs and voles roaming around the home they’ve created in the resort’s beautiful wild gardens!

Juniper, Redwood, and Wollemia Glamping Pods – Sleeps 2

There are several different accommodation options at The Greenhouse Spa Retreat, with The Juniper, Redwood, and Wollemia pods starting from £95 per night.

These cosy pods offer a king-size bed, table and chairs, bespoke furniture and handmade furnishings. There is an outside gas stove and a log burner located on the pod’s very own private patios.

Encouraging you to completely switch off, there is no TV inside the pods. However, there is still Wi-fi for those that want to stay connected.

There is no private washroom located inside the pods, but the shared washroom is only a 25-metre walk away, which houses a shower and toilet.

Bedding, towels and cooking utensils are all provided.

These pods are so cosy and perfect for a couple’s romantic getaway in the peace and quiet!

Credit: The Greenhouse Spa Retreat Glamping website

Spa Facilities 

To add to the relaxing atmosphere, there is a hot tub to sit back and relax in, as well as a firepit to dry off and cozy up to afterwards as the night draws in.

As you can expect by the name, The Greenhouse Glamping and Spa Resort also offer its very own spa! Providing massages, facials, manicures/ pedicures, eye treatments, waxing and makeup. Check out the full list of treatments here!

All products used are green, clean and cruelty-free. Dan and Victoria who run this site are vegans and welcome others to encourage this lifestyle.

Although I’m not a vegan, I had a great time learning about that lifestyle, as well as eating only plant-based foods while I was staying at the cabin, as they requested you try to do if possible.  

Even better, the site runs entirely on renewable energy, through recycling, composting, solar panels, and the use of a completely renewable electricity provider.

The Maple Glamping Cabin – Sleeps 4 

We stayed in the Maple Cabin, which begins at £110 per night. We booked via Airbnb for one night, however looking at The Greenhouse Glamping and Spa Retreat website, it does state a two-night minimum stay!

A king-sized bed and two small sofa beds mean the Maple Cabin is a little bigger than the cosy pods, sleeping up to 4 people.

The Maple was a spacious yet cosy feeling cabin, nestled away in a peaceful spot of the glamping site. All the pods and cabins are beautifully decorated, with handmade recycled furniture decorating each pod.

Walking into the cabin, the first thing that jumps out at you is the stunning view outside of the large window directly opposite, located inside a cosy lounge area. Overlooking a field, filled with horses, it offered a gorgeous and peaceful landscape. It was one of my favourite things about the Cabin!

This little nook featured a sofa which folds out into a sofa bed, along with a fireplace, and a bookshelf filled with books and various games! The games were such a great addition, we had such a fun games night that evening!

Walking into the main living area, an open plan kitchen, combined with a dining room and living room all shared one area. The kitchen was well equipped, with plenty of utensils and cutlery for all four of us.

There was only an electric hob, rather than an oven. However, there was an outdoor stove, but unfortunately as it was tipping it down with rain the day we visited, so we opted for cooking something easy on the electric hob! This didn’t faze us for a one-night stay – but is something to keep in mind if you’re looking to stay a little longer!

A decent-sized TV hung on the wall, which allowed you to connect to various streaming services if you fancied a cosy night in! Underneath the TV was a large wooden dining table with chairs, although everything was compact, it still felt spacious even with four of us in the cabin!

Heading towards the opposite side of the cabin, the bedroom was large, and beautifully decorated with hanging paintings of leaves and flowers above the king-size bed.

This accompanied a large bathroom next door, with both a shower and a bath.

The Maple Cabin is stocked with everything you need for a comfortable glamping experience!

My only criticism is that I’d say the cabin definitely slept two comfortably as opposed to four.

The ‘sofa beds’ advertised were essentially just sleeping on folded-out sofa cushions on the floor, rather than there being any kind of bed frame that popped out. As it states on their website, you also need to bring extra bedding with you for the sofa beds, as this is not provided.  Granted for one night, this sleeping situation was absolutely fine, and I did sleep pretty well. I don’t think I would’ve wanted to sleep more than one night like that though!

That’s the thing about glamping, there are various levels of glamping, and everyone has different preferences. Always make sure you consider what’s important to you, and read reviews of places you visit to check what they are equipped with!   

Things to do nearby

Staying in these cabins, you’ll also get access to the China Fleet Country Club at a discounted rate of £10 for the day. I personally spent a good few hours of the rainy day here, with it featuring a gym,  a 25-metre pool with a water slide, as well as a spa – including a hot tub, sauna, steam room, rainforest showers, and more!

If that doesn’t take your fancy, there are plenty of things to do in the area, with St. Mellion Golf Club nearby for keen golfers, as well as access to the city of Plymouth just across the Tamar bridge which separates the Devon city of Plymouth, from the Cornish Saltash.

With a large shopping centre and plenty of cafes, you can definitely spend a few hours here. If you’re looking for something a bit different then check out the one-hour scenic harbour cruise*

Photo Credit: Plymouth 1-Hour Scenic Habour Cruise via Get Your Guide 

 

Both Tregantle Beach and Sharrow Beach are a short drive away (approx. 25 minutes).

Both beaches are largely unspoilt, with Tregantle offering a beautiful long stretch of sand, and Sharrow Beach with a mix of sand and rocks!

Overall staying at The Greenhouse Glamping and Spa Resort felt like really good value, and despite the weather I had an amazing and relaxing stay.

The rain didn’t stop us from having a great time here, it was so peaceful being in and amongst nature and I definitely enjoyed my stay! For me, I feel like a one or two-night stay here is the perfect break from the hustle and bustle of life!  

It was a peaceful, revitalizing place which immerses you in nature, with the added comforts of a glamping pod.

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

Budapest Christmas Markets: A Guide to Budapest at Christmas

Budapest Christmas Markets: A Guide to Budapest at Christmas

After being voted as the Best Christmas Market in Europe in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023; it’s safe to say a trip to Budapest’s Christmas markets should definitely be on your winter bucket list!

Not only are the Christmas markets in Budapest amazing, but they’re also a lot more affordable than some other European alternatives.

Budapest is a great place to visit, particularly for budget travellers. There is so much to see and do in the city without breaking the bank! With great nightlife, great value, and great Christmas markets – what more do you need? 

Wondering what exactly are all the festive things you can do in Budapest? Here’s my guide to Budapest at Christmas time, including Christmas Markets and more:

*This blog may contain affiliate links that earn a commission to help support this free website. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links featured in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except to sometimes provide you with a discount. Learn more

Budapest Christmas Markets: A Guide to Budapest at Christmas time

Elizabeth Square Christmas Market 

Head to Elizabeth Square and check out their small Christmas Market. Here you’ll typically find a variety of food stalls, and handmade winter clothing such as jackets, hats, and scarves.

What I loved most about Elizabeth Square was the illuminated Ferris Wheel, which is great fun for all ages and really added something extra fun to the Christmas market there!

In terms of the number of stalls and variety of things for sale, this was my least Christmas market out of the three that I visited while in Budapest – however, it is still worth a look at!

Just don’t expect to spend ages there as it’s a lot smaller than the other main markets in Vorosmarty Square and St Stephen’s Basilica, which are only a short walk away from Elizabeth Square.

Vorosmarty Square Christmas Markets

In Vorosmarty Square you will find the main Christmas tree, as well as the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Markets! In my opinion, the Christmas Markets here are the second best in Budapest and are definitely worth exploring!

Around 100 stalls are set up around the Christmas tree along the main square, from food stalls, to Christmas decorations, to yummy sweets, and ceramic garden ornaments – there’s something for everyone here!

Pick up some Christmas presents to take back for your loved ones, or perhaps pick out a handmade Christmas decoration for your tree!

Pick up some traditional Hungarian Goulash, grab a Mulled Wine, or try a Chimney Cake!

It’s worth pointing out that getting food from the stalls in Budapest can be a lot more expensive than going for food in their local cafes and restaurants when it comes to value for money. I headed to Karavan Street Food when it came to trying some Hungarian Goulash.

Fashion Street Christmas Lights

Next door to Vorosmarty Square, you’ll find Fashion Street.

Fashion Street and a pedestrian-only street filled with upscale fashion stores, restaurants and bars.

During the festive season, you’ll find Fashion Street lit up with loads of Christmas lights dangling from above, and a large, illuminated Christmas Tree!

Many of the stores down Fashion Street also decorate their buildings, usually the Hugo Boss store does a particularly impressive display.

Make sure to walk down here once the sun as set to see the lights really pop!

St Stephen’s Basilica  Christmas Market

St Stephen’s Basilica had to be my favourite Christmas market in Budapest, and still one of my favourites in Europe! The Christmas market, also commonly known as Advent Fest, has plenty to do for everyone!

They had the most interesting stalls selling the cutest homemade Christmas decorations, this is also the market that had the best-tasting food on offer!

Here I ended up trying something a bit different from the traditional Hungarian food I’d eaten elsewhere, and instead opted for food such as nachos, loaded fries, and mini pancakes – all of which tasted incredible, albeit more expensive than sitting in cafes, but still nowhere near as expensive as some Christmas markets I’ve been to elsewhere in Europe!

If you’re on a budget, perhaps consider skipping over the food when it comes to the Christmas markets, there’s a lot of café’s nearby – my favourite was Punto Gelato, where I had one of the best hot chocolates I have ever tasted!

There’s also a small ice rink in the centre of the market, which is mainly for children and is great to keep them occupied! Although the ice rink at Városliget is much better for older children and adults!

St Stephen’s Basilica also does a light show which is projected onto the Basilica! During Advent Fest, it happens daily, every 30 minutes, between the hours of 4:30pm and 10pm.

Although I wouldn’t come specifically for the light show, it was cool to take a break from roaming round the Christmas stands and watch the light show for a little while instead!  

As far as the stalls go, the Christmas market at St Stephen’s Basilica has the best choice! I spent hours walking through these markets.

They were full of the cutest handmade Christmas decorations I’d ever seen! As well as a variety of candles and wax melts, home and garden decorations, and plenty of cute accessories – I grabbed myself hand crated felt bag for the equivalent of just £5!  

The market definitely gets a lot busier towards the evening, if you’re in Budapest for a few days then I’d recommend visiting a couple of times, first look around in the morning – the markets are open, but there are less crowds, meaning its easier and a lot quicker to browse and purchase the things you want.

I’d definitely still come in the evening, just because the atmosphere is a lot better. When I last visited, I came and picked up the bits I wanted in the morning, headed out to explore Budapest during the day, and then headed back to the market in the evening where I grabbed some food from the stalls for my dinner and watched the light show!

Jump on the Winter Sunset Cruise along the Danube River

The River Danube Cruise was my favourite thing I did in Budapest! I would recommend booking for when the sun is setting so you can get the most beautiful view of the golden sky on the way down the river, followed by getting to see the Parliament building lit up as the night draws in on your way back down the river!

This was something that I timed absolutely perfectly on my trip to Budapest, during the Winter Season, the sun sets around 4pm, but it’s worth doing a quick search to find the precise time for the day you’re planning to do a river cruise.

The Danube River Cruise are really popular, and it’s particularly popular to go during sunset and dusk, for this reason, I’d recommend booking online via Get Your Guide. 

There are a variety of different cruises that you can book onto, I opted for one where you got given a complimentary glass of prosecco which I thought was great value considering you get an hour long cruise and a drink!

Get Your Guide has multiple different options, depending on the type of river cruise you want to do – check them out here*: 

I would recommend getting to your meeting point at least 30 minutes in advance in order to secure a good spot on the boat! These tours are popular and are typically fully booked! I arrived 40 minutes in advance yet there were still other people who had arrived before me! 

If you’re here across New Years Eve, you should also consider celebrating the New Year by attending the Fireworks display by the Danube River and Parliament Building while you’re in the area!

 Fancy Celebrating New Years Eve on a Danube boat cruise with unlimited drinks?

Városliget City Park and Ice Rink

Városliget City Park is a stunning park in Budapest, which is not only a beautiful place to walk around but is also where you’ll find a huge ice rink during the winter season!  

This rink is much bigger than the one at St Stephen’s Basilica, despite it being fairly popular, the rink was so big that there was a lot of space for everyone to skate around!

Opposite the ice rink, you’ll find Városliget Café. This was the perfect place to stop for lunch and some mulled wine!

It offered some beautiful views of the ice rink and Városliget City Park itself. The Christmas decorations in the Café added to the festive vibes even more!

Városliget City Park is also where you’ll find the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle, The Hot Air Balloon viewing point, and more – so you won’t want to miss this off your trip to Budapest!

Budapest’s District VI and VII Christmas Decorations

Another way to find some hidden gems during Christmas time at Budapest is just by letting yourself get lost exploring the side streets. I love the decorations particularly in District VI and VII!

I went in a few cafes and restaurants in these areas which are so beautifully decorated in general, but they went to town with the Christmas decorations also!

Budapest Christmas Market FAQ’s

Is the Christmas market in Budapest worth it?

Yes, visiting Budapest’s Christmas markets are definitely worth it! They are some of the best and most affordable Christmas markets in Europe, with there being plenty to see and do in Budapest on top of that, visiting Budapest during Christmas market season is a great idea!

What dates are the Budapest Christmas markets?

In 2024, Budapest Christmas Markets begin on November 15th and run until December 31st, when New Years Eve celebrations will take place. 

Is Budapest nice at Christmas?

Budapest is decorated across the whole city during Christmas time, with there being three Christmas markets, as well as plenty of impressive decorations in places such as Fashion Street – Budapest is a must-see city during the Christmas season!

Which is the best Christmas Market in Budapest?

The best Christmas market in Budapest is located at St Stephen’s Basilica, followed by the Christmas market in Vorosmarty Square, and then the market in Elizabeth Square.

What is the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe?

Budapest

After their fourth win, Budapest’s Christmas markets definitely deserve the title of the best Christmas market in Europe, having been chosen in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023!

How to do Disneyland Paris on a Budget

How to do Disneyland Paris on a Budget

How to do Disneyland Paris for cheap 

Disney is great for any age, but it can get expensive. The good news is that it is possible to save a considerable amount of money during a trip to Disneyland Paris!

I’ve been to several Disney Parks around the world, including multiple visits to Disneyland Paris over the years!

Here are my top tips to consider when it comes to saving money on your trip to Disneyland Paris:

Skip to the end to find out how much I spent on my most recent trip to Disneyland Paris, as someone who had a relatively small budget, but still stayed at Disneyland.

*This blog may contain affiliate links that earn a commission to help support this free website. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links featured in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except to sometimes provide you with a discount. Learn more

Getting to Disneyland – Transportation

Your choice of transportation to Disneyland Paris can significantly affect the overall cost of your trip to Disneyland Paris from the get-go, it’s important to check your airport choices and transfer options as they can significantly differ between the three main Paris airports.

 

Flying into CGD Airport

CDG is the most convenient airport to fly to when visiting Disneyland Paris.

From here, you can get the TGV Fast Train to Marne-la-Vallee station, next door to Disneyland Paris.

Getting the TGV Fast Train from CDG Airport to Disneyland Paris

The TGV Fast Trian takes about 10 minutes to get from the airport to Disneyland.

The train station at Paris-Charles de Gaulle is attached to the airport between terminals 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F, on the lower ground. If you’re flying into Terminals 1 and 3, then you can get the shuttle train that gets into the main station, and then get the TGV Fast Train from there.

I wouldn’t recommend booking your train too far in advance, as strangely the price is much higher the further in advance you book! I booked my train less than a week in advance, and it cost approximately £12 for a one way trip to Disneyland.

Had I booked this four weeks or more in advance, the same ticket was going to cost me around £33.40 to book online.

Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy station is right next door to Disneyland. When you arrive, simply follow the signs to leave the station and Disneyland will be about a two minute walk away.

Getting the Disney Magic Shuttle Bus to Disneyland Paris

Alternatively, you can get the Disney Magic Shuttle Bus, which takes approximately 60 minutes, and has departures between every 20-90 minutes

Magical Shuttle operates every day, including public holidays, and costs €24 each way for an adult, €11 each way for a child up to 12 years old, and children 0-2 years old go free.

Taxi from CDG Airport to Disneyland Paris

If you’re arriving late at CDG, then you might have to get a taxi to Disneyland Paris. This is typically the most expensive option, as the prices will vary – especially if you are traveling later at night.

However, if there are enough of you to split the cost, then this might end up becoming better value. The prices really depend on the amount of people and therefore the size of the vehicle you need, but typically can cost upwards of €75 for one way.

If you are a group of adults travelling to Disney, there might be a chance that a taxi can sometimes work out cheaper than alternative options.

You need to consider the number of people you’d be dividing the cost between.

If you’re a family with young children, consider whether the taxi service you’re looking at requires you to pay for young children, given the fact children under two years get a free space on the Disney Magic Shuttle, and children up to 12 years get cheaper tickets – it is often still cheaper to get the Magic Shuttle Bus.

It’s about a 40 to 45 minute journey via taxi to get from CDG Airport to Disneyland.

Overall getting the TGV Fast Train tends to work out cheaper for an adult than any other option, if you book the tickets relatively last minute for £19.80-ish each way, it works out at around €46, whereas a Magic Shuttle will cost you €48 – granted there’s not much in it, but considering the TGV Fast Train is also six times quicker than the shuttle bus, then the TGV Fast Train works out at much better value.

Flying into ORLY Airport

ORLY Airport is a smaller airport with less international airline connections than CDG, however ORLY is closer to Paris City Centre, and both airports are a similar distance away from Disneyland Paris – so this can be a great option to fly into if you can get reasonably priced tickets!

You can get the Disney Magic Shuttle from ORLY Airport

An adult ticket is priced at about €24, with children up to 12 years costing €11, and children under 2 years old go free.

The Magic Shuttle service runs every day and leaves every 20-40 minutes depending on time and season. The journey takes about 45 minutes from ORLY Airport.

Taxi from ORLY Airport to Disneyland Paris

The taxi cost from ORLY Airport to Disneyland typically costs between €75-€105 each way, however this can fluctuate massively depending on group size and time you are traveling to and from Disneyland – so keep this in mind.

Similarly to CDG, it’s approximately a 45 minute drive from ORLY Airport to Disneyland Paris.

Flying into BVA Airport

Many low cost airlines fly to BVA airport, so often flights here are cheaper than flights to CDG or ORLY, however this is because the airport is a lot further out of Paris and Disneyland than other airports.

Taxi from BVA Airport to Disneyland Paris

Beauvais Airport to Disneyland Paris Transfer is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Disneyland Paris – typically costing €160 to €250 for a one-way taxi, depending on the number of passengers.

Typically the price of the cheap flights to Beauvais Airport is not worth the cost of the transfer, so you’re better off flying into CDG, or ORLY for both convenience of transfer time, and better value transfer cost.

Bus and Trains from BVA Airport to Disneyland Paris

Unfortunately, the bus service the Magical Shuttle service that used to run from BVA Airport to Disneyland Paris is no longer available anymore.

As a result, there is no direct rail line between Beauvais airport and Disneyland resort, meaning travelling via public transport is very time consuming.

If you want to travel via public transport from BVA to Disneyland, you would first need to go to the Beauvais train station by bus or taxi, and then take a train into Paris City Centre.

There is also an airport coach service to Paris city centre from BVA airport. Running times of this shuttle can vary, so it’s best to check ahead.

From Paris Centre, you’d need to take a commuter train (RER A) to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy, which is next door to the Disney Hotels.

All together this can take you anywhere between 2-3.5 hours to get to Disneyland, and can cost you anywhere between €17 to €80, depending on the bus or train routes you get.

My recommendation would be to avoid flying into BVA airport if possible, as the transfer route and cost often ends up meaning you’ll pay more than if you paid for a more expensive flight into CDG or ORLY.

Driving

The costs of driving to Paris/ Disneyland Paris will significantly differ depending on where you’re driving from.

You will need to consider the country/ countries you will be driving through, fuel costs, toll roads and transport if you need to cross water. For example, if you are driving from the UK to Paris then you will need to go through the Channel Tunnel.

Driving tends to be a lot more time consuming than flying, but if this works out cheaper for you, then you should definitely consider it!

Eurostar

The Eurostar is a train which connects the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

UK to Disneyland Paris Eurostar

The easiest way to get the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris from the UK is by taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Lille Europe station, and then change to get the French TGV train, which take you to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy, next door to Disneyland.

This route will take you about 3 hours.

Prices can vary, although you can often get good deals. I’ve never gotten the Eurostar to Disneyland as it has always been a more expensive option than flying into CDG in my case.

This isn’t always the case for everyone, it depends on the dates you’re planning to travel, and whether you can be flexible when it comes to getting a good Eurostar deal.

Sometimes Eurostar have sales on, which can provide you to get discounted tickets for a limited number of dates.

From researching the Eurostar website, the cheapest tickets I was able to find were in April, heading to Paris on a Tuesday and returning to London on a Thursday. The cheapest standard ticket was £168.44 for a return for one adult. This ran from London St Pancras, changing at Lille, and then onto Marne-la- Vallée-Chessy.

Belgium to Disneyland Paris Eurostar

To get the Eurostar from Belgium to Disneyland Paris, you will need to depart from Brussel-Zuid station to  Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy station next door to Disneyland Paris. This journey takes as little as 1 hour 30 minutes.

 

Netherlands to Disneyland Paris Eurostar

To get the Eurostar from the Netherlands to Disneyland Paris, you will need to head to Schiphol airport, which is just outside of Amsterdam.

The train station at Schiphol is on the bottom floor of the airport. From here you can get a Eurostar to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, which will take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

There are also a limited number of direct routes that run from Amsterdam City Centre to Disneyland Paris.

Thalys, who are now owned by the Eurostar Group, also operate a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy five times a week.

It will take you about 3 hours and 50 minutes to get to the Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy station at Disneyland, but currently these trains run much less frequently than the trains going from Schiphol.

Eurostar vs Flying from the UK

To compare this with flights at various major airports around the UK, for the exact same dates – this is what I found:

  • London Gatwick, into Paris ORLY ranging from a £54-£57 return, with a free carry-on and flying with Vueling.
  • Heathrow had similarly priced flights ranging from £65 – £108 for a return, with options to fly with either Vueling or British Airways, as well as options to fly into both ORLY and CDG airports.
  • London Luton had flights with EasyJet, ranging from £59-£61 for a return flight, with one free under-seat carry-on, flying into CDG.
  • Birmingham International had return flights for the same dates with EasyJet, for £81 for a return, with one free under-seat carry-on, flying into CDG.
  • Manchester airport had flights ranging from £57-£70 for a return, flying with EasyJet, with one free under-seat carry-on, and flying into CDG.
  • Edinburgh airport had flights ranging from £86-£150 for a return, with EasyJet, including one free under-seat carry-on, and flying into CGD Airport.

However, you need to consider luggage costs and how much you’d like to bring with you.

The last time I visited Disneyland Paris it was December and very cold. I packed several layers, yet still managed to fit everything into just the free carry-on bag that EasyJet let you have. To provide context with how long I went for – I spent two nights at Disneyland Paris and one night in Paris City Centre.

If you want to fly on a budget, it’s best to pack light if possible. If you’re heading in Spring, Summer or early Autumn, this might be a lot easier. If you’re heading during Winter, I’ve proven it’s still possible – just be clever with what you pack!

I personally found having compression packaging cubes and having this bag, ideal for managing to fit everything in.

Flying in and out of different airports

Sometimes it makes it cheaper to fly in and out of different airports, if this is viable for you, then you should definitely check the cost of one-way flights, and the costs of getting to and from the airports and back home.

Last time I flew to Disneyland Paris, I flew from Manchester and back into Birmingham – managing to get cheap train tickets back in the UK made getting to and from the different airports relatively cheap, and more cost effective then it was to get an expensive return flight back into the same airport!

This is not always the case, so you need to play around with your options. I recommend using both Skyscanner and Goole Flights as an easy way to look at your options when it comes to flights.

 

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the major price factors when it comes to a budget Disneyland Paris stay, so making sure to consider all your options is vital.

 

Benefits of staying at a Disney Hotel

Disney offers a range of accommodations, including their budget-friendly options.

The benefit of staying in Disney Accommodation is the fact that the stay includes park hopper tickets for the duration of your stay. This means you can enter and leave both the Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park as many times as you want throughout the day.

As an extra bonus, staying in Disney accommodation also means you get to make use of Magic Hour – which is an additional hour in the park before it is open to the general public. This always gives a great advantage when it comes to fast queue times. I typically tend to ride the attractions that usually have famously long lines, such as Crush’s Coaster, Big Thunder Mountain, or Peter Pan.

Typically mid-January to the start of March are the cheapest times to stay at Disneyland Paris, but you might have to play around with dates in order to get a deal.

Disney’s Budget-Friendly Hotel Options

Santa Fe Hotel

The cheapest options when staying on-site at Disneyland Paris is the Cars themed hotel,  Disney Hotel Santa Fe, which is a 2-star Hotel. Santa Fe is a 20 minute walk to the Disney Parks, or an 8 minute shuttle bus, which is free.

Based on four people, staying 2 nights in one room off-season, then the cheapest you can typically book these hotels for around £87 per person, per night. This includes park tickets.

These prices will vary depending on the dates you wish to visit and the number of people you visit with.

Hotel Cheyenne and Disney Sequoia Lodge

The Disney Hotel Cheyenne and Disney Sequoia Lodge Hotels are 3-star hotels, which can also be great options, these are both a 15-20 minute walk from the Disney parks, or an 8 minute free shuttle bus.

Based on four people, staying 2 nights in one room off-season, then the cheapest you can typically book either of these hotels for around £95 per person, per night. This includes park tickets, and hotel features such as use of the swimming pool.

These prices will vary depending on the dates you wish to visit and the number of people you visit with. 

 Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch

The Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch is another budget-friendly Disney accommodation. It is a self-catering 3-star hotel.

However the catch is that it is not based on the main stie at Disney, but in a forest that’s approximately a 15 minute drive away. There is also no free shuttle bus to the parks, unlike all the other Disney hotels on-site offer.

Credit: Ibis Hotels

Non-Disney Hotels

Typically it’s cheaper to stay at a hotel a short drive away from Disney.

If you’re on a budget, then there are several Ibis Budget Hotels, that range from between a 10 to 30 minute drive from the parks.

  • ibis budget Marne la Vallée Pontault Combault
  • ibis budget Marne la Vallée
  • ibis budget Pontault Combault RN4 Marne La Vallée
  • ibis budget Marne la Vallée Bry sur Marne

You can search for budget accommodation on Booking.com – if you’re a regular user you can unlock various levels of their Genius discounts scheme, allowing you to save more money.

However, I would still consider looking at booking through the hotels directly, just to compare the prices also.  

Eurocamp

If you’re looking to stay somewhere with a few more on-site activities to do, a Eurocamp might be a good option.

There is a Eurocamp called ‘La Croix du Vieux Pont’ park in Berny-Rivière.

With a number of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from, from swimming pools to laser tag, there’s plenty to keep people of all ages busy!

Not to mention the shuttle service running to Disneyland Paris makes this a perfect place to base for your Disneyland Paris trip.

With accommodation to suit a range of budgets – whether you stay in a tent, mobile home, log cabin, lodge, chalet, or an apartment!

Credit: Eurocamp

Ticket Prices

If you’re not staying at a Disney Hotel, you’ll have to purchase your Disney tickets separately.

The price of Disney tickets can fluctuate significantly across the year, but there are a few ways in which you can reduce the price.

Visiting off-peak

If possible, visit during off-peak seasons, or during the weekday.

Visiting on the weekend will be a lot more expensive and also a lot busier, so its worse value for money.

During my most recent trip, we had access to the parks form Thursday to Saturday, with rides that had 15 minute wait times on the Thursday and Friday having wait times of 60+ minutes on the Saturday.

We left the park on the Saturday, as the price to stay the night also increased drastically at the weekend. 

If we had booked to stay the Saturday night, I would’ve definitely been disappointed with the value for money for that day. 

Dated tickets

It’s typically much cheaper to purchase tickets for specific dates rather than purchasing a flexible ticket.

If you purchase a dated Adult 1-Day/1 Park ticket rather than an Adult 1-Day/1 Park undated ticket, then you can save you up to €49 for each day that you visit.

Dated tickets for 1-4 days can be cancelled and refunded up to 3 days before your chosen date, so if you’re not 100% sure on your dates or your plans change, then you can get a refund until three days prior to your visit.

If you need to change your visit date, you must cancel your existing tickets and purchase new tickets for a different visit date, which might result in you paying more or less depending on the dates you’re booking.

Regardless, this still tends to be cheaper than buying undated tickets.

Authorised ticket resellers

Some authorised ticket resellers offer discounts of up to 20 per cent less.

But be aware that sometimes they also sell tickets for more, so I’d always recommend checking the official Disneyland Paris ticket page before purchasing from a reseller.

It’s important to also be aware of scammers. Although there are legitimate ticket resellers, Disney doesn’t list its authorised resellers.  So it’s best to read reviews and check sites such as Trustpilot before handing over your card details.

For added protection, it is best to book with credit card if you are going to go down this route, and never purchase anything that requires bank transfer as the payment method.

 

Use the Disney annual pass hack

Depending on how often, or how long you’re wanting to come to Disneyland, it could be cheaper to get a Disney annual pass.

Unfortunately, the benefits of the Disney annual passes changed in July 2022, and with that came a rather steep price increase of over €200 for the new pass scheme compared to the old Infinity Pass that was in place previously. The new annual passes costs approximately €289 to €699 per year, depending on whether you buy the Bronze, Silver, or Gold pass.

However, if you are planning on spending around 8 to 12 days a year at Disneyland Paris, then the Disneyland Paris annual pass could provide significant savings over bookings when you compare it to booking a Disney package or booking a booking a hotel and tickets separately.

Previously, the old annual pass was worthwhile in most instances if you were planning to visit Disneyland Paris for 4 days or more throughout the year. So the value of the pass has definitely decreased.

However, if you like to attend multiple times throughout the year for the different events Disneyland put on, such as the Halloween Festival, and Disney’s Enchanted Christmas, the annual pass could be worth it.

There’s no way to say whether the annual pass is the best option for those travelling for 8 to 12 days under every circumstance, because it completely depends on the prices of the entry tickets on the days you’d be planning to visit, and these can vary significantly throughout the week and time of year.

It’s worth crunching the numbers if you know exactly when you’d like to visit throughout the year, so that you can check whether the pas is worth it.  

You should always check the validity period of the annual passes, the cheapest annual pass starts at €289 for the year, but this only gives you access to the park for 170 days o the year, which doesn’t cover peak periods – this will essentially make the pass useless if you typically need to visit during school holidays.

Food options

The good news is that Disneyland Paris allow you to bring your own food and drink into the park! Packaging up some sandwiches and snacks and carrying them around for the day can end up saving you a lot of money.

There’s a variety of restaurants at Disneyland Paris, from fast-food, to fine dining, or all-you-can-eat buffets. With a variety of restaurant choices, also comes a variety of prices.

Restaurants such as Walt’s and Auberge de Cendrillon will set you back a hefty amount.

However, Disney does have more budget friendly, set menu options which usually contain a main such as pizza or pasta, along with fires or salad, and a drink, which typically comes to about €16 (approx. £13).

This tends to be a much better option than dining in themed restaurants, but you’re likely still better off bringing in your own food where possible. However, if you’re staying on-site at Disney then a lot of the hotels won’t have a fridge, this is something to keep in mind.

Disneyland Paris also has a McDonald’s within the Disney Village, which is another option for if you’re looking to eat-out somewhere fast and easy while on a budget.

Avoid unnecessary and expensive add-ons

It’s easy to convince yourself to add on some of the extras during your trip to Disneyland Paris, but if you haven’t been before then I’m here to tell you it’s most likely not worth it.

 

What add-on’s are there?

Disney Premier Access (Fast-track)

Premier Access, or fast-track essentially lets you pay to join a separate shorter queue, the idea is that you skip the queue and get priority access to get on the rides first compared to people waiting in the normal queue. However, there is absolutely no need for fast track when ride times are 5 minutes, which was really common during my trip.

My first two days in the park were Thursday evening and Friday (full-day), during these days my longest wait time was about 20 minutes. 

This did change significantly on Saturday, which was my final day at the park. Here, I was waiting around 45 – 60 minutes for most rides. I can’t vouch for whether this improved throughout the day as I left by 2pm to head to explore Paris. 

Although fast-track was not necessary for my visit, if I only had one day at the park and it was that Saturday – I might have considered purchasing Premier Access / Fast-track. Fortunately for me, I’d already been on all the rides on Thursday and Friday, so spent the Saturday picking out a few of my favourites to ride one last time before I left. 

If you’re visiting Disneyland across a couple of days or more, you should have plenty of time to ride the rides you want. You’ll have access to the Disneyland Pairs app, which will let you know the estimated wait times for rides, so you can plan accordingly.

Tip: If you have access to Magic Hour, my advice is to make use of that hour to ride the rides that typically have the longest wait times (Crush’s Coaster, Peter Pan, Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, etc.) 

Photo Pass

Perhaps this is because on my list visit to Disneyland I didn’t do any character experiences or meet-and-greets, but I did not see a single option where I would’ve used the photo pass. Unlike the times I’ve been in the various Disney World Florida Parks, and have seen members of staff constantly walking round with cameras at the popular photo areas, I did not see this at all at Disneyland Paris.

When most people carry smart phones, and you can bring a digital camera with a non-detachable lens, then why would you pay for a Disneyland Paris Photo Pass?

Guaranteed Access to shows

With shows held regularly, there wasn’t any need to pay to have guaranteed access to shows during my trip to Disneyland Paris. As long as you went and queued for a short period of time before the show, then you were essentially guaranteed a spot.

Perhaps this differs during the peak times of school holidays, but unless this is something that you or your family are desperate to do, then I wouldn’t bother paying for Guaranteed Access.

Particularly as there are other pop-up parades that happen which are not listed on the app. During my most recent three day park visit to Disneyland, I went to three organised parades and firework shows. Yet I still happened to stumble into two other surprise parades which were not listed on the app, and therefore had much smaller crowds (and were much more enjoyable).

Merch

If you want merch, I recommend buying some before your trip. If you are based in the UK and Europe, then Primark often sells Disney merchandise, including Disney Ears for much cheaper than the cost of buying merch at Disneyland.  

If you don’t mind about merchandise not being official, then you can often find some great and affordable designs on Etsy!

How much did my trip to Disneyland Paris cost?

I have done two stays at Disneyland Paris. My most recent was in December 2023 – although I was not on a super strict budget during my trip to Disneyland as I was only paying for myself to go, I still did not want to spend a fortune and was conscious of prices and saving money. 

 

Here is what I did, and how I could’ve made it cheaper:

For Context: I visited while Disney’s Enchanted Christmas 2023 was on.

I visited from the final weekend of November to the very start of December.

I stayed on-site at Disney from Thursday to Saturday, before getting on a train and staying in Paris City Centre from Saturday to Sunday.

I have not included the cost of my stay in Paris City Centre within this pricing, as I want to focus on Disney.

I booked this entire trip relatively last-minute, booking the hotels around a month in advance, and the flights a little later.

Flights

Total: £160 (€186.64 approx.)

I flew with EasyJet from Manchester to CDG, and returned from CDG to Birmingham.

I travelled with carry-on only to save money, and didn’t pay to reserve a seat, so had randomly allocated seats.

I definitely could’ve done this cheaper, but I booked this trip relatively last minute (less than a month in advance), so the plane ticket prices were more expensive than I could’ve booked them for had I organised this trip sooner.

Airport Transfer

I got the TGV Fast Train from CDG Airport to Disneyland, which cost £12 (€13.83).

Accommodation

Two nights at the Disney Sequoia Lodge, in a room that slept four people.

  • This is not the cheapest hotel I could’ve stayed in but is still largely classed as a budget option at Disney.
  • The cost of the room was £863.34 in total (€1,007.09).
  • This was split between 3 adults, which worked out at £287.78pp (or €340.20pp).
  • However, the room slept 4, which could’ve made it approximately £215.83pp depending on whether the price of park tickets for an additional person would’ve altered the overall cost.

Keep in mind that this price also included 3 days’ worth of park hopper tickets with magic hour for each guest.

Food

I didn’t plan how I was going to do food at Disney.

For context: on my first night I bought some snacks from the train station.

During the first and only full day I was at the park for, I ate at the Mcdonald’s in the Disney Village, as well as visiting the New York Style Sandwich shop in the Disney Village.

This offered the set menu where I got the Mickey Pizza, a salad and drink for €16.

On my final day at the park, I tried the Mickey Waffles for breakfast. I stayed at the park until about 2pm and then bought my lunch from the Pret at the train station before I got my train to Paris city centre.

I did buy various drinks at different times throughout my days at the parks, as well as the odd snack here and there, but overall kept my costs fairly low. 

I did not dine in at any of the themed restaurants during my time here (as much as I wanted to – but that’s a plan for another visit!).

In total across my days at Disneyland, I spent £68.58 (€80) on food.

Spending money

I spent £17.35 (€20) on a pair of Disney Ears.

This obviously was not a necessary cost at all, however this was something I’d already decided I wanted to purchase ahead of my trip, so accounted for the costs.

 

Train to leave Disneyland

I got the train from Disneyland (Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy) into Paris City Centre where I then went on to stay another night.

This cost me £5.14 (€6)

 

Grand total

Grand Total: £550.85 (or €638.18) – This works out at £275.42 per night. Keep in mind that this will also vary based on exchange rates. 

Could I have done it cheaper?

I certainly could have done it much cheaper, if I…  

  • Booked my flights in advance, or via other airports.
  • Travelled with another friend so that we divided our room costs by four adults rather than three.
  • Stayed at one of the cheaper Disney Resorts, such as Santa Fe Hotel or Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch.
  • Stayed at an off-site non-Disney hotel and booked my tickets separately. (However had I not done this, I wouldn’t have got the extra magic hour, which I made really great use of during my trip).
  • Not bought any merchandise.
  • Not bought my lunch from the train station on my final day – this was actually my most expensive meal (costing me about £17), it would’ve been cheaper for me to grab a set meal at one of the Disney Village budget diners again or had gone to McDonald’s.

Disneyland Paris FAQ’s

How much does it cost to go to Disneyland Paris?

Day tickets typically vary from £75 to £150 per person per day, depending on the number of parks you wish to visit.

An overnight stay at Disney can vary from £349 to £2,000+ for one night, this is based on one room for two guests. This depends on which Disney Hotel you stay in – with The Disneyland Hotel being the most expensive, and the Santa Fe Hotel being a more budget-friendly option.  

However, these prices include two days worth of Park Hopper Tickets with Magic Hour for each guest!

Which Disneyland Paris is better?

The Main Disneyland Park is definitely the best value out of the two parks at Disneyland Paris. In comparison to Walt Disney Studios, The Main Disneyland Park has more rides, character opportunities, parades, plus a fireworks show.

What is the cheapest month to go to Disneyland?

Typically mid-January to the start of March are the cheapest times to go to Disneyland. The end of November can also be cheap, which is typically just before or just as the Enchanted Christmas celebrations begin.

Can you do two parks in one day at Disneyland Paris

Yes, you can do two parks in one day, but it will take a lot of planning and walking. To get the most out of both parks, you ideally will need to visit during off-peak hours, and during a week day!

Can you take food into EuroDisney?

Yes, you can take your own food to EuroDisney! Just make sure your food is locked away in containers or sandwich bags!

Does Disneyland Paris have fireworks every night?

Yes, the Firework displays at Disneyland Paris happen over the Sleeping Beauty Castle every night! The timings can vary depending on park opening and closing times, so check the Disneyland Paris app to find out when the fireworks display will be happening during your visit!

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

24 Things to do at the Atlantis Bahamas

24 Things to do at the Atlantis Bahamas

24 Things to do at the Atlantis Bahamas, Paradise Island 

The Atlantis Bahamas Resort is home to an impressive 141-acre water park, including 14 unique pools, 5 miles of white sand beaches, and countless marine experiences for all the family.

The Luxury Resort has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re planning your first visit, a return visit, or perhaps it’s on your bucket list for the future, here is everything you need to know about what there is to do at the Atlantis Bahamas Paradise Island.

The Atlantis Hotels exist in the Bahamas, Dubai, and Sanya, with the Bahamas Paradise Island resort being the original, it’s no wonder it’s a top choice for so many!

*This blog may contain affiliate links that earn a commission to help support this free website. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links featured in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except to sometimes provide you with a discount. Learn more

Aquaventure

We can’t begin the list without starting with Aquaventure. Aquaventure is the Atlantis Bahamas biggest attraction, commonly voted to be in the top 10 waterparks around the world!

Aquaventure is a 141-acre waterpark, with 11 water  slides, both a lazy river and rapids river, 14 swimming pools, and 6 beaches!

The exhilarating waterpark has complimentary admission for overnight guests of the Atlantis Hotel, but if you’re not staying at the Atlantis and still want to visit then you can purchase a day pass!

Tip: Plan your visit and purchase your passes in advance of when you’d like to visit Aquaventure, as there are only a limited number of passes available each day!

Credit: Atlantis Bahamas Facebook page

Take a dip in the many swimming pools

As already mentioned, Atlantis Bahamas is home to 14 unique swimming pools!

With a totally different experience at each pool, why not try them all out?

One of my favourites was the Grotto Pool, a relaxing pool containing two waterfalls, which deepens gradually as you enter, giving you the same feeling as if you were walking into the ocean.

The Baths Colonnade Pool was also super unique, with large columns with hieroglyphs and rock structures dotted all around and inside the pool.

If you’re coming with children, check out the Ripples Pool, perfect for toddlers and younger children. The Ripples pool features small waterslides, flower water fountains

And if you’re on an adults-only vacation, why not head to The Cove Pool, only available to adults aged 18 and over.

Beaches

With Atlantis Bahamas offering 6 beaches, make sure to check them all out during your stay!

Various beaches offer different atmospheres and activities depending if you want to swim in the water, chill out on the beach, or go down the more adventurous route of snorkelling, paddle boarding, and kayaking!

In total, there are 5 miles worth of golden sand beaches, so there is plenty of space for you and your party to chill out. 

Tip: If you are not staying at the hotel, purchasing a day pass is mandatory to access the beaches at Atlantis. A limited amount of day passes are available each day.

Dolphin Cay

Dolphin Cay is one of the world’s most sophisticated marine habitats with the Caribbean’s premier marine life rescue and rehabilitation facility.

The Dolphin Cay program supports the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation. Founded in 2005, the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation is a non-profit working to protect coral reefs and sea life throughout The Bahamas and surrounding Caribbean seas.

There are various experiences you can participate in at Dolphin Cay, with the money guests spend there going towards the Foundation.

By far the most popular activity over the years has been the dolphin meet-and-greet and swim experience – where you join a group, and meet dolphins face-to-face while having the opportunity to ask questions as you learn about the animals!

You also have the opportunity to swim with them for a few minutes each, an on-site photographer takes pictures throughout the entire experience, which you have the opportunity to purchase at the end.

However, over the years Atlantis Bahamas has diversified the activities and experiences offered, from swimming with sea lions, to joining the veterinary team for an afternoon to find out how they care for dolphins and sea lions!

Credit: Atlantis Bahamas Facebook page

For those feeling more adventurous, the Underwater Explorer activity allows you to snorkel alongside dolphins with a hand-held underwater scooter, and swim with the friendly creatures in a deep-water lagoon.

Or, the Swim in Wonder package, is a huge bucket list activity for many – swim freely in a natural ocean-fed, deep-water lagoon alongside the bottlenose dolphins!

You can even do a paddle boarding or kayak experience with dolphins, paddle around as the playful animals follow you along!

As part of your Dolphin Cay experience, you will also gain all-day access to the Dolphin Cay private beach.

Note: Day passes are required for non-Atlantis guests to access Dolphin Cay and beaches. The passes can be purchased on a limited basis.

Marine Adventures

The Atlantis Marine Adventures offers an educational, and personal experience with their trained animal care experts, learning about their conservation and protection efforts of the local marine life.

Every Marine Adventure supports the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, helping to conserve and protect coral reefs and local sea life.

There’s an experience for everyone at the Marine Adventures in Atlantis, from informative talks about how the Bahamas is protecting its endangered species to the opportunity to meet some of the rescued wildlife that is currently being cared for, with the Rescue Tails and Tales programme.

Or perhaps you’re looking for something more adventurous, then why not take part in the snorkelling at the Atlantis Ruins, where you get to snorkel amongst Stingrays? Another stingray activity known as the Stingray Experience also offers a hands-on encounter with stingrays and tropical fish.  

Tours and Excursions

Want to explore outside of the Atlantis Bahamas resort? Why not book a tour or excursion!

There are a number of excursions you can do within the Bahamas

Find an excursion company or tour guides with GetYourGuide*, from swimming with pigs, to exploring the capital city of Nassau!

 

Tours and Excursions in the Bahamas:

Marine Exhibits

From lagoons, caves, coral formations, and underwater ruins filled with exotic marine life, you don’t want to miss the impressive Marine Exhibits!

There are so many exhibits to explore with over 250 marine species, check out the Sharks, Rays, Smalltooth Sawfish and more!

Thanks to the help of the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, Atlantis is the first and only facility to have reproductive success of the Smalltooth Sawfish, which is a critically endangered species.

One of the most popular exhibits, The Dig, will allow you an exciting way to discover the Lost City of Atlantis and experience the exotic marine life that are home to it.

The Predator Lagoon Tunnel is another particularly popular exhibit. You’ll walk through a transparent 100-foot underwater tunnel within the depths of a lagoon. Offering a 360-degree view from above and below, see sharks, rays, sawfish and more living among bright schools of fish!

Tip: Don’t forget to check out the feeding schedules so you can go watch! 

Picture of taken from a boat of two other boats going into a cave known as the Benagil Cave. There is a hole in the top of the cave with sunlight beaming through.

Credit: Atlantis Bahamas Facebook page.

Fitness and Sports Center

The Fitness Center at the Atlantis Bahamas offers a variety of weight training and cardio equipment, including free weights, machines, as well as spin class studios.

For those people that enjoy wellness, there’s also yoga classes and a wellness area within the Fitness Center!

If all the other pools in Atlantis are a bit too laid back for you, head to the Fitness Center and lack out their four-lane, 25-meter lap pool.

Atlantis has a variety of personal trainers and fitness instructors on site that are certified in yoga, calisthenics, gymnastics, spin classes, and more; there’s bound to be something for everyone.

There are additional costs to personal training or class hires, and you must book in advance of your stay, for more information or to book, check it out here 

 

Rent a tennis court

With six tennis courts, including three Har-Tru courts, and three hard courts, why not play a game or two of Tennis during your stay at the Atlantis?

Whether you want to rent a court, or perhaps book some private tennis lessons, you’ll definitely be able to enjoy a few games here.

Atlantis Bahamas Tennis Courts (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Play a game of basket ball

If Tennis isn’t quite your thing, why not check out the basketball courts? Head over to the fitness center and have a game on the large six-hoop basketball court!

Atlantis Bahamas Basket Ball Court (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Relax in the Spa

Kick back and relax, at Atlantis’ very own award-winning Mandara Spa!

There is something for everyone, from Balinese healing touches, traditional European therapies, and natural elements indigenous to The Bahamas.

The Mandara Spa offers a variety of body treatments, facials, and massages; and is also equipped with warm or cold plunge pools, a steam room, and a sauna.

You’ll also find a full-service salon at the Mandara Spa, including haircare, nails, and men’s grooming services.

 

Atlantis Bahamas Spa (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Golfing

If you’re a keen golfer, you might want to head over to the Ocean Club Golf Course, an 18-hole, par 72 course which is located on Paradise Island’s Oceanside peninsula.

Book a round of golf for up to 4 players, or if you’re thinking of staying at the Atlantis for at least 5-nights, you could book the Golf Getaway Package.

Not an experienced golfer? Why not take part in the Golf Academy, offering private one-to-one or group lessons by PGA Professional staff?

Atlantis Bahamas Golf Course (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Non-Motorised Water Sports

Looking for family-friendly adventurous activities, then head to the South Paradise Lagoon Beach for snorkelling, paddle boats, and other water sports.

Paradise Lagoon Beach offers calm, blue waters in a protected cove with a gradual beach entry perfect for both children and adults!

Paddleboards, water bikes, kayaks, masks and snorkels are available for rent.

Rent a private Cabana

Relax in style by renting a private Cabana for you and your group!

With private Cabanas located around different sites, such as the Coral pool, Mayan Temple, the Current Riverbend, the adults only Cove Pool, the family-friendly Poseidon’s Cabana – which are overlooking the Tirton’s Tower water-play fort and Ripples Pool; or rent a Cabana by the largest pool area – the Bath Colonnades Pool.

Visit the Casino

Both the Sea Glass Casino and the Cove Poolside offer a variety of gambling games, with over 700 of the latest slot machines, and 85 gaming tables with popular games such as Blackjacks, Roulette, and Craps available.

Age restrictions apply when gambling.

Atlantis Casino (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Crush Club (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Hit up the Aura Nightclub

Looking for a good night ‘out’, then head up the grand staircase of the Atlantis Casino to discover Aura, the adults-only Atlantis nightclub.

Mingle in the luxurious club and dance the night away! With incredible dancers and DJ’s, signature cocktails, it’s the perfect way to end an evening at the Atlantis!

Aura Nightclub is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm until 4am.

For teenagers aged 13 to 17, the Crush Nightclub offers the perfect teenage hangout, selling a variety of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a wealth of entertainment! Filled with pool tables, air hickey, foosball, as well as a Gaming Stadium which has 24 gaming consoles – there is plenty to keep them entertained for the evening!

 

Charter a Yacht

AQUAZEAL is a Yacht Chartering company, based at Atlantis’ Marina Village.  You can charter yachts ranging from 60 to 240 feet, accommodating up to 12 guests at a time. You’ll be in safe hands with experienced captains and crew that provide an incredible service!

Find out more here

Shopping at Crystal Court and the Marina Village

Crystal Court is a luxury, high-end shopping centre, which Atlantis Bahamas claims rivals the likes of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. It’s open daily from 10am – 10pm, offering the likes of Belengciago, Cartier, Rolex, Saint Laurent, and many more!

Marina Village is an outdoor marketplace, with over 20 stores, including many Bahamas-based stores that are not available anywhere else.

Marina Village is open to the public, 10am – 10pm daily and has a variety of Dining options.

From the chilled island-vibe of The Dilly Club Bar, to French Inspired Dining at Café Martinqiue, to the causal family burger diner at The Burger Shack – there is something for everyone!

Make sure to check out the Atlantis Bahamas website to check out the dress codes of the different restaurants and bars, as the atmosphere and dress code can vary depending on where you choose to dine!

Find unique souvenirs at the Art Walk

The Art Walk at Marina village offers a variety of local vendors, showcasing their unique Bahamian art.

I really enjoyed exploring the Art Walk, and even picked up a couple things for myself.

There was a variety of creative and unique artwork and trinkets, unlike anything I’d seen back home!

Grab something to remember your stay and support local artists!

 

Create your own Atlantis Pal Stuffed Toy

The Atlantis Pal is essentially the Atlantis version of ‘Build a Bear’. Great for kids (or adults who want something to take home to remember the Atlantis!)

Choose from a selection of bears, dogs, cats, and pink flamingos, and then stuff them yourself! After that, pick out some accessories to dress your new Atlantis Pal in!

 

Celebrate at the Junkanoo Festival

The Junkanoo Rush Outs is one of the Caribbean’s most famous carnivals. Taking place every Tuesday and Friday at 9pm in the Marina Village.  

Junkanoo gives you an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself and celebrate Bahamian culture.

Atlantis Junkanoo (Credit: Atlantis Bahamas)

Enjoy the bright, beautiful handmade costumes, the sounds of the drums, whistles, and horns and celebrate the incredible culture of the Bahamas!

Do some Pottery Painting

A perfect family activity, Atlantis is home to Fire and Earth Pottery Painting.

This was something a bit different from the typical activities I would usually do while staying in a resort but was definitely a lot of fun!

There’s a variety of pottery choices to paint before they’re kiln-dried and you can pick them up the following day!

Here was our recreation of Patrick Star!

If you’re not going to be available to pick it up the next day, Fire and Earth also have a variety of quick pottery sessions available, which you can take back the same day.

Note: The Atlantis Bahamas website states Fire and Earth Pottery is temporarily closed. There is currently no information on reopening dates.

 

Have some quiet time in the Library

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, why not escape to the Atlantis Library?  

The Atlantis Library has over 2,000-volume collections across fiction, history, science, sports, leisure, and Bahamian culture – so there’s something for everyone!

Open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, you can also keep your young children entertained in the toddler section, which offers a small obstacle course, children’s bookings, and a colouring and crafts station.  

Head to an Atlantis Live Concert

Big names with the likes of Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, Bruno Mars, Lizzo, Justin Bieber, Lionel Richie, and many more have taken to the stage at the Atlantis Bahamas. Janet Jackson is one of the latest big names to be added to the list as she takes to the stage in 2024! 

When I last visited the likes of the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus were playing!

Keep an eye out to see if any artists are playing when you’re visiting. You will have to purchase tickets, but when the concert is right on your doorstep it’s definitely worth it!

View upcoming events and concerts here.

So here is an extensive up-to-date list of everything to keep you occupied during your trip to the Bahamas! 

If you haven’t booked to stay already and this list has just persuaded you, why not check out the Atlantis Hotel options now? 

Atlantis Bahamas FAQ’s

How much is the Atlantis Bahamas?

The cost of visiting Atlantis Bahamas depends how many people you’re travelling with, and which resort you’re staying in. Typically the cheapest resort you can stay in is The Coral. The cheapest this has been booked for recently is around $296 per night, but this can range significantly depending on when you book and when you visit.

Is the Atlantis Bahamas all inclusive?

The Atlantis Bahamas is NOT an all inclusive resort, it is a full-service resort. However, you can sign up to meal plans, which offer guests various options depending on where you would like to dine and which Atlantis resort you are staying in.

What is the best month to go to the Atlantis Bahamas?

High season: mid-December to April (best weather)

Shoulder season: Mid-April to mid-June (less crowds, cheaper, and still high chances of nice weather)

Low season: August to November (cheapest and best for budget travellers)

Keep in mind that hurricane season can run from June to November

Is the waterpark free if you stay at Atlantis Bahamas?

Yes, the Aquaventure water park is free to use if you’re staying at the Atlantis. As an Atlantis Bahamas guest, you will have access to the 141-acre waterpark.

Beach towels are provided daily free of charge at the Aquaventure Guest Service locations.

Other Atlantis services including the Mandara Spa, the Comedy Club, and the Business Center, are available for an additional fee.

Can I walk around the Atlantis Bahamas?

You can walk around the shopping villages and Casino (age restrictions apply) at the Atlantis Bahamas. However, you cannot access the waterpark areas without purchasing a day pass. Atlantis Bahamas has stepped up its security due to people trying to sneak in without paying for a pass.

How many days do you need at Atlantis Bahamas?

Atlantis Bahamas has a minimum two night stay, however you probably won’t have time to see everything the resort has to offer in that time frame.

Four to Five days is generally enough to see everything that the Atlantis has to offer, including use of all pools and beaches at the Aquaventure Waterpark, as well as trying a dolphin experience with Dolphin Cay and perhaps making use of the other facilities such as the Fitness Center and Mandara Spa.

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

How to get to Benagil Cave

How to get to Benagil Cave

How to visit the Benagil Cave

The Benagil Cave is one of the most famous attractions in Portugal and the Algarve area in particular. It absolutely has to be on your list to see on your next visit to the Algarve!

But what is the Benagil Cave and how do you get to it? Here is your ultimate guide to getting the most out of your visit to the Benagil Cave and making sure you see everything the area has to offer!

*This blog may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission to help support this free website. All opinions remain my own. Affiliate links featured in my blog posts will never affect the price you pay, except to sometimes provide you with a discount. Learn more

What is the Benagil Cave?

The Benagil Cave is a large cave with a small beach inside, there is a large hole in the ceiling where the light flows in, creating a magical ambiance.

It all began with a small crack in the limestone rocks that form the Algarve’s coast. Rain caused the roof of the cave to erode, creating a large hole in its ceiling. The waves form the ocean crashing against the limestone rocks caused the arches that you enter through to get into the cave.

It’s a huge natural area of interest and there are thousands of people that visit by boat, kayak and on foot every year!

One day the Benagil Cave will cease to exist as waves will continue to erode the cave and the cave will likely collapse – so it’s really worth prioritising your visit to the Benagil Caves, there is no better time than now!

Is the Benagil Cave Closed?

No the Benagil Cave is not closed, however there have been restrictions put in place as of Autumn 2023 that have resulted in kayak tours being temporarily suspended. T

In order to ensure the safety of all visitors and protect human life at sea, authorities have announced the temporary closure of access to the renowned Benagil Cave, effective from September 10, 2023 for certain watercrafts. This decision comes as a response to a record number of incidents involving canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards in and around the Benagil Cave area.

In a statement released on the 11th of October 2023 (11/10/2023), local authorities have updated the rules relating to visiting inside the Benagil Cave with certain types of watercrafts.

These rules are currently still in place as of 2024 Summer season, and have since been updated to ban swimming in the caves also. Fear not – you can still visit the Benagil Caves in a couple of different ways!  

With this latest update, they have announced the continued  temporary closure of access to the Benagil Cave for specific types of watercraft, including: canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

Restrictions have also temporarily suspended the hiring of kayaks from both Benagil Beach and Marinha Beach.

In other areas where rentals are allowed to resume, they can only be done with increased supervision and safety measures. For example, with a designated tour guide.

Potentially the most important update has included the creation of the ‘restricted area’, also known as the ‘Benagil Area’, where the rental of kayaks and paddleboards are entirely forbidden.

New rules have also been put in place to prevent people from docking up on the small beach inside the cave; swimming in the water inside the cave has also been banned.

However, boats and other engine powered watercrafts that can carry multiple passengers are not banned from navigating near the Benagil cave area.

Are these Restrictions Temporary?

The initial statement released seems to suggest these restrictions are temporary until efficient safety procedures and a sustainable plan to preserve the natural environment are in place for trips to the Benagil Cave. As of the 2024 summer season, restrictions are still being debated by the local authorities and tourism companies. 

The current restrictions that are in place should not put you off visiting the Algarve area in 2024, you still have plenty of chance to see Benagil Cave, you will just need to ensure you do this by going on a boat tour to increase your chances of visiting the cave.

Please note that I aim to keep my blogs as up to date as possible, and will update this post with any Benagil Cave restriction updates as soon as possible.

How do I visit the Benagil Cave?

Typically, you can get into the Benagil Cave via boat tour or renting kayak. You can get boats and kayaks from most major beachside towns across the Algarve.

You can also visit the top of the cave on foot, giving you a stunning view of the inside of the cave all the way from its highest point!

Please note: Kayak rental to the Benagil Caves has been temporarily suspended as of Autumn 2023. I aim to keep my posts as up to date as possible and will update my posts as soon as I’m aware of any changes or ends to the suspension.

 

By Boat Tour

Getting on a boat tour to the Benagil Cave is the safest way to travel inside of the cave. Boat tours depart from most major towns, such as Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Portimão, Lagos, Vilamoura, Armação de Pêra, Ferragudo, Alvor and more.

What Type of Boat Tour should I do?

Most boat tours don’t just take you to the Benagil Caves, but in so many other amazing caves, beaches, or sometimes swimming spots and dolphin watching areas around the Algarve coast.

Aside from Bengali Cave, my personal favourites were visiting the Heart Cave and Marinah Beach!

The type of boat tour you take depends on what you want to see!

Tip: It’s worth going on a smaller speed boat as they can fit in some of the caves that bigger boats are unable to fit in!

Picture of taken from a boat of two other boats going into a cave known as the Benagil Cave. There is a hole in the top of the cave with sunlight beaming through.

Boat Tour Price

The price of a boat tour varies depending on the town you’re coming from. Typically if you’re in a town that’s further away from Benagil then the cost of the boat tour will be more than if you were in a town nearby.

However, the price difference isn’t usually significant enough for you to feel the need to travel to a closer town.

Boat tours also vary in length as some boat tours also combine with dolphin tours, so they will take you out to see the common spots where the dolphins are before heading in some other caves on the way to the final destination of Benagil Cave.

The tour I went on was run by Carvoeiro Tours and took 1 hour and 15 minutes, departed from Carvoeiro beach and went inside loads of caves, ending at Benagil Cave and then Marinah Beach, on my way back to Carvoeiro we saw some dolphins! The boat trip cost about 30 Euros per person.

 

Here some boat tours from different major towns in the Algarve area*:

Other ways to book

It’s not always necessary to book online, in most cases you will find a kiosk near main beaches in most seaside Algarve towns. I went to ‘Carvoeiro Tours’ by Praia de Carvoeiro and booked a tour for the following day.

However, keep in mind that during peak season, you might need to book for a few days in advance in order to be able to get on a boat tours. Some boats are bigger and seat several dozens of people, but others are small and might only fit 8-10 people on a boat.

Outside of peak season I would still aim to book a boat tour for at least the day before you want to go.

Picture of taken from a boat of two other boats going into a cave known as the Benagil Cave. There is a hole in the top of the cave with sunlight beaming through.

Due to the current restrictions on Kayak and SUP rental to Benagil Cave, boat tours are likely going to see a higher demand than in previous years. I recommend booking boat tours online and in advance of your trip to the Algarve. This will help to guarantee you can get a space on a boat tour.

Kayak Rental

As well as getting a boat tour, a popular way to get to the Benagil Caves in the past has included kayaking!

Typically, you can rent a kayak and go out on your own, or you can join a guided tour.

I only recommend renting a kayak if you’d class yourself as a strong swimmer, the waves can be quite choppy and you sometimes need quite a lot of strength to remain in control, especially if you happen to capsize.

To avoid the stronger waves, I’d recommend going out in the morning, as often it gets windier in the afternoon which will cause the water to get choppier.

Kayak rental is not as easy to come by as boat tours are. There are kiosks that you can walk up to by nearby beaches such as Benagil Beach and Marinha Beach. However, it is probably easier is to book Kayak rental online. Searching online is usually easier when wanting to find kayak rental nearest to you.

 As of September 2023, kayak rental has been temporarily suspended due to the large increase of accidents which happened across the summer season throughout 2023. Kayak rental is still possible from certain beaches; however the Benagil Cave currently lies within the ‘Restricted Area’, preventing kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards from entering this area.

Although I aim to keep my articles as up to date as possible, at the time of writing this, it is currently unknown when Kayak rental to the Benagil Cave will resume. 

Guided Kayaking Tour

What might be a better option if you haven’t kayaked in the ocean/ sea before is going on a guided kayaking tour.

This is done in a group with a professional guide, the only downside is that you must travel with your tour group as opposed to being able to kayak at your own pace and spend time in the caves and private beaches that you’d like to. However, guided tours are a much safer option compared to solo kayaking hire.

 Note: Due to current restrictions, kayaking tours inside the Benagil Cave are currently forbidden. You can still join kayaking tours that go elsewhere along the Algarve coast. 

Kayaking vs Boat Tour

Regardless of whether you have a preference, I would always recommend doing the boat tour first if you have never been to the Benagil Caves. This is because the skippers and boat drivers are experts, having done the routes many times before.

They took us inside loads of caves on our way to the Benagil Cave that we weren’t even aware were there! They explained a lot of the history and tales about different caves, and even pointed out beaches along the coast that they recommended we visit! The whole thing gave us a really interesting perspective from people that are local!

Most importantly, they offered lots of tips and explained to us the best times to come by boat and kayaks, as well as what dangers to look out for if we were to come back on our own. They explained how most accidents that have happened during the summer 2023 season have involved kayak users getting injured as opposed to people on boats, which is why kayaks were temporarily suspended part way through their summer season, with new rules around kayak hire planning to be implemented before solo kayak trips are resumed.

After doing a boat tour and knowing the route, it can be a good idea to rent a kayak to visit the caves! The main advantage of kayaks over the boat trip is that you can dock up on the mini beach inside the Benagil Cave. However keep in mind that during peak season this gets extremely busy, and it can be hard to dock up inside the cave. I recommended going as early as possible in the morning, as the crowds get too busy by the afternoon! If you’re choosing to kayak, or even swim in the water in the Benagil Cave, keep the weather forecast in mind in order to stay safe, the water can be very choppy in and around the caves. Swim and kayak at your own risk and consider doing a boat tour instead, especially if you are not a strong swimmer, as it is generally a safter option.

 

Can you Swim in the Benagil Cave?

Swimming inside the Benagil Cave is no longer allowed. New rules and restrictions have been put in place as of Autumn 2023 in order to keep people safe as well as preserve the cave.

Previously, swimming in the caves was allowed, however it was not recommended due to the choppiness of the waves and the number of boats manoeuvring in and out.

It is also now forbidden to disembark on the small beach that sits inside Benagil Cave – but you can still visit the inside of the cave via boat, provided you remain in the boat and the boat doesn’t dock up on the beach.

 

Visiting the Benagil Cave on Foot

Now that you’ve seen the Benagil Cave by boat, why not see it on foot? With a free carpark just a short walk away from the top of the cave, you can walk to the roof of the cave for a completely different view.

Look into the big hole on the ceiling and get a magic view of the cave from above.  You do not need to join a tour in order to see this, you can easily head there by yourself!

Where to Park?

It will take you approximately 50-60 minutes to drive from Faro, 30-40 from Albufeira, around 10-15 minutes from Carvoeiro, and 40-45 minutes from Lagos.

There is a large car park a short walk from the beach and caves, and even better it has free parking!

The carpark is just called ‘Free Parking Benagil’ and is located on Estr. de Benagil 8400.

Keep in mind, during peak season there might be a lot of people driving to the area to see the Benagil Cave by foot. 

 

Do I need to pay to visit Benagil Cave on foot?

You do not to pay to visit the Benagil Cave on foot! You might see walking guides advertised, but it is not necessary to book onto one of these. You can walk up to the cave on your own and view it for free!

 

What are the rules for visiting Benagil Cave for the Summer 2024 season?

While rules are still being debated, motorboats currently remain the only approved way of getting to Benagil Cave.

Authorities have proposed installing a CCTV system inside the cave to ensure people are following the rules.

There have been discussions about letting kayak rental to Benagil Cave resume, but with a strict 7-kayak limitation inside the cave, if this goes ahead then it is likely that the ban on disembarking on the mini beach inside the cave will remain.

Authorities are also discussing a time limitation, with boats only allowed inside the Benagil Cave for 3 minutes, and kayaks and other non-motorised boats would have a 5-minute limit. These plans are yet to be approved as authorities and tourism service providers have entered a debation period as of June 2024.

We aim to keep this post as up-to-date as possible and plan to update this post as soon as we are aware of new information.

Benagil Cave FAQ’s

Where is the Benagil Cave?

The Benagil Cave is located in the Algarve area in Portugal. It is one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks, located in Lagoa, Portugal.

Is the Benagil Cave closed?

As of Autumn 2023, the Benagil Cave is currently closed off to specific watercrafts including kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards. A statement in October 2023 has suggested that you can still enter the cave via boat and other engine powered watercrafts. However, the rules could change at any time, so it is best to check with the authorities before you plan your visit.

How do you get inside the Benagil Cave?

As of Autumn 2023, the best way to get to the Benagil Cave is by boat tour. Kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding and swimming to the cave have currently been suspended. This means that your best chance of getting to Benagil Cave is by going on a guided boat tour from one of the many Algarve beaches.

Can you walk to the Benagil Cave?

It is possible to walk to the top of the Benagil Cave on foot. You can stand on the top of the cave and look from the top inside. To walk to the cave, you will need to walk on the paths along the cliffs next to Benagil Beach (Praia Benagil). However, it is not possible to go inside the cave on foot. In order to visit the inside of the cave you will need to visit by boat.

Where do you park to see the Benagil Cave?

There are several carparks by Benagil Beach which you can park at to walk to the cave. There’s a large free car park a short walk from Benagil Cave which is called ‘Free Parking Benagil’ and is located on Estr. de Benagil 8400.

Is it better to see the Benagil Caves in the morning or afternoon?

It tends to be recommended that you plan a boat tour to the Benagil Caves in the first half of the day. In the afternoon, the sea often gets choppier and sometimes this will prevent boats from leaving the shore due to safety measures. To increase your likelihood of being able to visit the Benagil Cave without your boat tour being cancelled, aim to book a morning boat trip.  

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

Best Things to do in Carvoeiro, Portugal

Best Things to do in Carvoeiro, Portugal

The 12  Best Things to do in Carvoeiro, Portugal 

Formerly a fishing village, Carvoeiro is a charming town with plenty of beaches along its coastline. Approximately a 55 minute transfer from Faro Airport, Carvoeiro is a popular choice for those who went a relaxing getaway, there’s still plenty to do in the town and the surrounding area to keep you busy.

Here’s the Gigs n Travel Guide to Things to do in Carvoeiro and the surrounding areas:

*Please note this article might contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission if you purchase or book something using the link attached to this blog. This does not alter the end price, so will come at no extra cost to you. 

Carvoeiro Boardwalk

The Carvoeiro Boardwalk was one of my favourite things I did in Carvoeiro and defiantly exceeded my expectations!

The Boardwalk is a gentle walk, across a route that is about 600 meters long, so it’s great if you’re looking for something easy. Walking it there and back will see you completing a nice 1.2km stroll.

Along the boardwalk you’ll find a few places where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean and cliffs, if you’re as lucky as me you might even spot some dolphins!

If you’re feeling adventurous you can go down a few clifftop stairs and explore the limestone cliffs, and the natural pools, caves and holes which have been created over the years by the ocean. There’s even some popular cliff jumping areas around here!

To find the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, head over to the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort. The Boardwalk starts right next to here.

The end of the boardwalk will bring you our at Algar Seco, where you can explore the Boneca Caves and where you’ll also find the most unique restaurant & bar in Carvoeiro, more on that next…

Algar Seco Natural Pool

When you reach the end of the Carvoeiro Boardwalk in Algar Seco, you will have the opportunity to go down some stairs and head either left or right. Don’t worry we’re going to cover both, but first let’s go down to the left.

Walking down the stairs you’ll begin to see a viewing deck with the Algar Seco Natural Pool underneath. Really, it’s just a cool spot to stand and watch the waves crash. You can also walk down the side of some pretty cool limestone cliffs and explore the rocks more.

 

Circular golden coloured limestone rock structure which has eroded away in the middle to create natural swimming pools from the ocean's sea water. Round one of the lower edge of the cliffs are some pedestrian access steps, which lead into the Algar Seco Natural pool. Attached to the same side of the cliffside is a wooden decking, used as a viewing platform.

You might spot some steps heading into the water, which some people will say you can head down to swim – however I wouldn’t recommend it, the waves were very strong when I was there, and you could easily get hit against the hard rocks.

The tides does change here throughout the day, which is yet another risk factor you need to keep in-mind. If you’d like to go swimming, then the popular cliff jumping area back along the Carvoeiro Boardwalk and down the limestone stairs is a much more popular place for swimming.

If you do choose to swim here, swim at your own risk and always remember to check tide times and keep an eye out for each other.

Circular golden coloured limestone rock structure which has eroded away in the middle to create natural swimming pools from the ocean's sea water. Round one of the lower edge of the cliffs are some pedestrian access steps, which lead into the Algar Seco Natural pool. Attached to the same side of the cliffside is a wooden decking, used as a viewing platform.

Boneca Caves in Algar Seco

Now heading towards the right side of the stairs when you come off the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, you might be able to spot a little restaurant in between the rocks (more on this coming up).

If you walk past this restaurant, you’ll spot a sign that reads ‘Boneca’,  which is Portuguese for ‘Doll’. Head towards this sign and you’ll find a narrow walk-way inside the cave, keep walking down it and you’ll come to a stop at two windows within the cave, looking out to a beautiful view of the ocean.

It’s a great picture opportunity, and place to take in the incredible views! It is quite small inside these caves, so you might have to queue to get inside!

The reason Boneca Caves are named after a Doll is because it’s said to look like a dolls face, with the ocean view through the windows formed in the cave resembling the dolls eyes, hence why these windows are commonly referred to as ‘Blue Eyes’.

Boneca Bar and Restaurant

After exploring the natural wonders of Algar Seco, it’s definitely worth a stop at Carvoeiro’s most unique Bar & Restaurant: The Boneca Bar! Located in between the rocks, Boneca Bar offers a gorgeous view of the ocean and limestone cliffs that run down the Carvoeiro Coast.

It’s worth stopping here for at least a quick ice cream or drink, they make great cocktails! Although we didn’t stop for a bite to eat, from what I saw the food looked absolutely incredible and left me wishing I had eaten here to try it out, it’s definitely something on my list for next time!

Check out their menu on their website here.

Two small speed boats entering a large limestone cave, with golden coloured walls, which is known as Benagil Cave. Inside the cave features a small sand beach, and a large hole can be seen at the roof of the cave, letting in the sunlight.

Boat Tour or Kayak to Benagil Cave

The Benagil Cave is the most famous sea cave in the Algarve, and one of the Algarve’s biggest attractions! Algar de Benagil is a breath-taking cave with a mini beach inside, natural light floods in through the hole in the roof, creating a magical ambiance.

There are two main ways you can visit the inside Algar de Benagil, which is by boat tour, or by kayak.

Regardless of whether you have a preference, I would always recommend doing the boat tour first if you have never been to the Benagil Caves.

 

 

This is because the skippers and boat drivers are experts, having done the routes many times before. They took us inside loads of caves on our way to Algar de Benagil that we weren’t even aware were there! They explained a lot of the history and tales about different caves, and even pointed out beaches along the cost that they recommended we visit! The whole thing gave us a really interesting perspective form people that are local!

Arguably most importantly, they offered lots of tips and explained to us the best times to come by boat and kayaks, as well as what dangers to look out for if we were to come back on our own. 

I set off on a small boat which had myself and about 10 other people in it, as well as the skipper and driver. In my opinion, it’s worth going on a smaller boat as they can fit in some of the caves that bigger boats are unable to fit in, but just prepare yourself for a potentially bumpy ride!

I set off from Praia de Carvoeiro, the tour took us along the coast, up to the Benagil Caves, and back to Praia de Carvoeiro afterwards. It cost about 30 Euros each and was definitely my favourite thing that I did during my time in Carvoeiro!

I went with a company called ‘Carvoeiro Tours’ and cannot recommend them enough! You’re able to book online, or from the kiosk located at Praia de Carvoeiro.

I recommend booking at least a day in advance in order to get the time slot you’d like. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and try to pick a day that isn’t too windy, as sometimes boats won’t go into the Benagil Caves if the water is too choppy and unsafe.

After doing a boat tour and knowing the route, it can be a good idea to rent a kayak to visit the caves! The main advantage of kayaks over the boat trip is that you can dock up on the mini beach inside Algar de Benagil. However keep in mind that during peak season this gets extremely busy, and it can be hard to dock up inside the cave. I recommended going as early as possible in the morning, as the crowds get too busy by the afternoon! If you’re choosing to kayak, or even swim in the water by Algar de Benagil, keep the weather forecast in mind in order to stay safe, the water can be very choppy in and around the caves. Swim and kayak at your own risk, and consider doing a boat tour instead as a safter option.

As of September 2023 kayak rental has been temporarily suspended due to the large increase of accidents which happened across summer 2023. There are plants for Kayak rental to resume in the Algarve, but under tighter rules and guidelines in order to keep everyone safe. Although I aim to keep my articles as up-to-date as possible, at the time of writing this, it is currently unknown when Kayak rental will resume.

Read my full Benagil Caves Guide for more information on everything to do with the Benagil Caves.

Explore Benagil Caves by Foot

Although it’s arguably most impressive to visit the Benagil Caves from the inside, it’s definitely worth a trip to the caves by foot and take in the view from the top! You do not need to join a tour in order to see this, you can easily head there by yourself!

Head over to either Praia de Benagil and walk the short distance along the coastline until you to the top of the Benagil Caves. If you’re driving to Praia de Benagil from Carvoeiro, it will take you approximately 10-15 minutes, there’s free carparking in a large car park a short walk from the beach and caves called ‘Free Parking Benagil’.

It’s important to stay safe when visiting the Benagil Caves by foot and you should always stay behind the safety barriers that are there to prevent people from going too close to the age. It’s important to understand that these caves have been created as a result of natural erosion and have the potential collapse and further erode at any time. Enjoy the view but keep away from the edge.

 

Dolphin Watching

As well as boat tours to the Benagil Caves, you can also grab a boat trip to go Dolphin spotting! If you want to combine the two, there are many boat companies that will also offer a ride to the common dolphin spotting areas before taking you to the caves! However keep in mind that some of these boats a lot larger than some of the boats that just take you round the caves, so during this tour you might not be able to go in some of the smaller caves if the boat you’re on is too big. This isn’t the case for every company, so it really depends on the company you pick to go with!

You also don’t necessarily need to go on a dolphin tour to see the dolphins! During my most recent trip to Carvoeiro I managed to see some dolphins from the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, and during my boat trip to the Benagil Caves with Carvoeiro Tours!

However, if you don’t happen to get as lucky and you’re itching to see some dolphins out in the wild, then I’d recommend hopping on a designated boat tour to go dolphin spotting. Unfortunately the tour doesn’t guarantee you will definitely see the dolphins, but they do tend to have pretty high success rates due to knowing the places in the ocean where the dolphins typically swim!

Most dolphin tours happen from Albufeira or Portimão and go along the cost to Praia da Marinha and back. To get to Albufeira from Carvoeiro, you’ll be looking at a drive of approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on whether you’re avoiding toll roads or not. Whereas heading to Portimão from Carvoeiro will take you approximately 20-25 minutes.

Keep in mind you are not guaranteed to see dolphins during tours. However you will get to see some beautiful views, and caves along the Algarve coast!

Here are a few popular boat tours that can give you the chance to potentially see some dolphins*:

The Carvoeiro Tourist Train Ride

Fancy a tour of Carvoeiro? Check out the tourist train. It departs every 40 minutes from the main square at the bottom of the hill in Carvoeiro. Enjoy a 30-minute trip around the town, stopping at all the main resorts. On Tuesdays and Fridays there are tours to nearby Ferragudo, which is known as one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal! During this tour you will get a two hour stop to explore the village.

Prices typically range from 5-10 Euros depending on the type of trip you’re doing.

Please note: Although I aim to keep my posts as up-to-date as possible, the Carvoeiro Tourist Train Ride can be subject to change, check their website for the most up-to-date information regarding train schedules.

Praia de Carvoeiro

No trip to Carvoeiro is complete without visiting the beach! Located in the main square, Praia de Carvoeiro is the main beach in Carvoeiro. Surrounded by restaurants, beach bars and shops – it’s easy to spend multiple days lay on this beach. Located between two cliffs, Praia de Carvoeiro is a small but popular beach. If you’re visiting at peak time (July-August), I’d recommend coming early to secure your space. However, outside of peak tourism you shouldn’t struggle to find a spot.

There isn’t much shade unless you plan to lounge right next to the cliffs, which I wouldn’t recommend for cliff fall safety reasons. But there are loungers under shade which you can rent for a small fee. If you’re more on the adventurous side, you can rent pedal boats with slides on the back of them to take out into the water, book a boat tour to see the caves, explore the rocks and rock pools, or see if you can find any fish while snorkelling!

Praia de Carvoeiro Beach. Pictured is the golden sand beach surrounded by cliff tops, with colourful shops and houses running down the cliffs. A bright blue coloured sea is in the distance, with various boats sailing. There are also boats for hire on the beach.

As for the sea, it begins shallow but has a fairly steep drop where the water becomes a lot deeper. You don’t need to venture far to be able to float about. The water is at its warmest in September and was very enjoyable! Make sure to swim in the designated swimming area between the flags, as the other part of the beach is where the boats dock up and leave from when taking people on the cave tours.

Depending on the weather, the water can be choppy with big waves, so always make sure to supervise children. If you don’t class yourself as a strong swimmer, then I’d recommend staying nearer to the beach.

The great thing about this beach is that the tides don’t seem to come up too high, so if you fancy an evening stroll along the sand, there is plenty of room for you to do so!

Praia do Vale de Centeanes

Praia do Vale de Centeanes is another beach located about a 5 minute drive outside of Carvoeiro town centre. This beach is a lot less crowded than Praia de Carvoeiro – I really enjoyed my visit! There are a couple of restaurants such as O Stop, as well as a Sushi Restaurant and Bar at the ‘Tivoli Hotel Algarve Resort’ just down the road.

Access to the beach can be found in two ways, the first of which is a set of steps near the carpark. However, these steps are quite unstable, I would not be taking young children down these steps. The good news is, if you walk past these steps along the decking, you’ll come to a ramp that will lead you further down onto the main part of the beach.

There are some caves you can access by swimming when the tide is low, but you must keep an eye out for the tides here as unlike Praia de Carvoeiro, the water comes up a lot further up the beach, and the caves are only safely accessible at low tide.

You are also able to do boat tours to Bengali Caves from Praia do Vale de Centeanes, the water here can be fairly choppy with large waves, so I always recommend checking the weather forecast before booking your boat trip and when possible, aim to book a boat tour in the morning.  

The only downfall is there is often large amounts of seaweed covering part of the beach, which was definitely less of a problem at Praia de Carvoeiro – but nonetheless it was easy to find a seaweed-free spot due to how quiet the beach was!

There is free parking at the beach, but bear in mind that parking can get full rather quickly during the peak season.

360 Sky Bar

Located in the main square in Carvoeiro, you’ll find the Tivoli Hotel. Head up to the rooftop there to experience the 360 Sky Bar for some of the best views of Carvoeiro’s main square and beach! You do not have to be staying at the hotel to have access to the bar.

Something to keep in mind is that there are two Tivoli Hotels in the Carvoeiro area, which both have sky bars. Make sure you head over to the one in Carvoeiro town centre, which is called the ‘360 Sky Bar’, as opposed to ‘Sky Bar’.

To find out more about the 360 Sky Bar in Carvoeiro, check out my Carvoeiro Bars & Restaurants Guide.

Cocktail on a table, overlooking the Carvoeiro beach from a rooftop.

Explore the Markets

One thing I loved a lot about Carvoeiro is that I barely saw any big brand chains! I love exploring independent shops and markets when travelling, they’re a lot more authentic and unique compared to the chains that you can get almost everywhere.

I had a lot of fun exploring the different markets and stores that Carvoeiro had to offer! Did you know Portugal is famous for its leather and cork? In fact, Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world! Make sure to check out some of the cork products they sell! I had to grab myself a cork postcard to stick on my postcard wall back home!

 

So here’s a list to get you started for your next trip to Carvoeiro, Portugal! Check out some FAQ’s below, as well as other Algarve-related articles at the bottom of this post to continue planning your next trip to the Algarve!

FAQ’s about Carvoeiro, Alrgarve

Is Carvoeiro in Portugal worth visiting?

Absolutely! Carvoeiro is a relaxing, laid-back former fishing village, but there is still plenty to do! No trip is complete without a visit to the beautiful Paria de Carvoeiro, or a walk along the Carvoeiro Boardwalk with a visit to the beautiful Boneca Cave in Algar Seco at the end!

What is Carvoeiro like in Portugal?

Carvoeiro is a former fishing village, it is known for its stunning golden sand beaches, incredible restaurants, and the famous Boneca Caves in Algar Seco! Carvoeiro is a small, picturesque getaway destination in the Algarve, it’s often quieter than the likes of Lagos or Albufeira, but still with plenty to see and do!

Should I stay in Carvoeiro or Albufeira?

It depends on the aim of your holiday! Albufeira is known for being a beach town with vibrant nightlife, bars and clubs. Whereas Carvoeiro is a much more laid-back beach destination, with plenty of restaurants, without the crazy party-scene. Carvoeiro is also a perfect location for seeing sites such as the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, Boncea Caves in Algar Seco, Bengali Caves, and the many beaches that the area has to offer. Why not visit both? Rent a car and travel between different towns and see what the Algarve really has to offer!

Should I rent a car when visitng Carvoeiro?

Car rental can be useful if you’re not staying near Carvoeiro town centre or would wish to visit other towns in the Algarve. However, a car is not necessary as there are plenty of Taxi’s available – Uber and Bolt are also both widely used. Public transport is also available, but keep in mind that this can often increase the length of your journey and buses do not always run frequently.

How long is the boardwalk in Carvoeiro?

The Carvoeiro Boardwalk is 600 meters. Beginning right next to Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort and finishing in Algar Seco. Walking to the end on the boardwalk and back will see you completing a 1.2km walk.

Can you visit the Benagil Cave by foot?

If you walk down the coat, you can visit the top of the Bengail Cave by foot and look down to the inside of the cave through the large hole that is in the ceiling. You cannot go inside the cave on foot. You can only reach the inside of the cave by sea access, you can do this by joining a boat tour, or renting a kayak. Always stay safe when visiting the Benagil Caves and take the necessary precautions.

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

The Top 7 Things to do in Bellagio Lake Como

The Top 7 Things to do in Bellagio Lake Como

The Top 7 Things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como

Lake Como is one of the most popular luxury European destinations, and with Bellagio being known as ‘the pearl of Lake Como’, it’s easy to understand why it’s so popular!

With regular ferry links with Varenna, Bellagio is both a great place to base if you’re staying in Lake Como for a little while, as well as a popular place to pair with Varenna and visit on a day trip from Milan.

Known for its cobbled lanes, picturesque postcard views, and the gardens of Villa Melzi – there is so much to see in Bellagio, suitable for all budgets!

*Please note this article might contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission if you purchase or book something using links I have attached to this blog. This does not alter the end price, so will come at no extra cost to you. An asterisk symbol (*) will mark sections where affiliate links are contained. 

From Lake Como’s most famous street, to incredible Villa’s – Here are the Top 7 Things to do in Bellagio, Lake Como

Metal red arches hang between a stone wall and the blue water of Lake Como, known as Lovers' Walk. A girl wearing a pink shirt is walking through the archway while taking a photo of the view. In the distance is bright red and yellow buildings.

Walk down the Waterfront Promenade

As the Ferry pulls into the Bellagio, this is the first area you will witness. The first time I visited Bellagio, the first thing I did was walk up and down the Waterfront Promenade a few times, just so soak in the atmosphere and the gorgeous views!

Just head South from the ferry terminal and you’ll be able to enjoy some of the vest views of the lake, as well as Bellagio itself.

Bellagio offers some of the best views of Lake Como due to the position of where the town lies within the Lake – so make the most of it while walking down the waterfront promenade!

There’s many great places to stop for a quick bite or a few drinks on the waterfront as well, some of my favourites were Hotel Florence for lunch and a few drinks, or if you fancy some lite bites and cocktails, Restaurant La Terrazza offered a limited but yummy selection of sandwiches and panini’s along with some of the best selection of cocktails I’d seen while I was in Italy!

Bright red and yellow buildings overlooking the Wharf of Varenna, with boats docked up in the water that is overlooked by the buildings. Red barriers run across the wharf.

Head to the famous street of Salita Serbelloni

No trip to Bellagio is complete without walking down one of the most famous streets, Salita Serbelloni. Once you climb to the top of the stairs, turn around so you’re facing the Lake, and then you’ll find one of the most common and famous Lake Como postcard scenes (as seen below).

With cobbled steps, beautiful colourful buildings, Salita Serbelloni is the perfect stop for picture opportunities, but  don’t forget to stop in some of the boutique shops and cafes on your way up and down the street!

Tip: During peak season much of Bellagio, and Salita Serbelloni in particular, can get crowded – so head over early in the morning if you want to escape the crowds!

Explore the gardens of Villa Melzi

Villa Melzi is a gorgeous lakeside villa in Bellagio, where the gardens are open to the public to explore.

In the gardens you will find Egyptian sculptures, Roman statues, an even a Japanese garden area, which during the months of April and May, you can see the Azaleas and Rhododendrons plants in full bloom!

Villa Melzi is a private residence, you cannot enter the villa, however when I’ve visited other villa’s in Lake Como, such as Villa Monastero, I’ve found the gardens ten times more interesting and beautiful than the inside of the villa’s – so in my opinion, just going to the gardens of the villa’s in Lake Como is good enough!

View from the point of view of looking through the trees. Dark green trees cover either corner of the landscape, in the middle is the blue water from Lake Como. Part of a mountain is pictured in the distance, with many white and yellow houses at the bottom of the mountain, overlooking the lake.

Entry is approximately 8 Euro per person, and you can get tickets online.

As Villa Melzi is one of the most popular things to do in Bellagio, I would recommend booking tickets in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak season.

 

Villa Melzi opens at 10 AM , but closing hours tend to var between 4:30pm and 7pm depending on the time of year.

Please note that the gardens of Villa Melzi are closed from the 5th November 2023, they are currently planned to re-open towards the end of March 2024.

Go on a boat tour

To see Bellagio from a different point of view, take a boat tour out across the lake!

As Lake Como is typically a luxury destination, it’s safe to say private boat tours can be a bit more on the expensive side – this does depend on whether you have a private boat, join a tour, have a driver, or are driving yourself.

You don’t need a boat licence to hire a boat, but you will need some form of identification. Personally, I prefer to take the stress out of the boat trip and rather have a driver or join a tour with a driver that’s more experienced at captaining the boat than I certainly am!

Boat trips happen all across the Lake, most frequently they start in the Lake’s capital, Como City and pass through Bellagio. However I still saw plenty of people renting boats from Bellagio when I last visited!

Check out some options here*:

Tip: There are often additional costs for boat rental due to the increase in petrol costs. This should always be disclosed when booking, so make sure you read descriptions, and always bring cash with you when attending boat tours.

The good news is that getting the water taxi’s/ Ferries are all part of the Lake Como experience and a lot of fun, so if this hiring a boat or doing a boat tour doesn’t fit in your budget, then don’t feel like you’re missing out! If you’re on a tighter budget but still want a chance to ride on a boat on the lake, then just hop on a water taxi from the Ferry port. From Bellagio, you can get ferries to various other towns in Lake Como, the quickest being Varenna, Tremezzo, and Menaggio . Check the official Lake Como Ferry website for up-to-date schedules.

Rent a Kayak

Not sure about the idea of renting a private boat or joining a tour?

Rent a stand up paddle board instead with Bellagio Water Sports!

You must pre-book in advance, last minute spontaneous show up’s are usually not accepted!

Check out their website here.

Explore Bellagio Town Centre

In Bellagio’s town centre you will find so much to see and do .The town is truly beautiful, with bright buildings lining the streets. I had a lot of fun going in independent boutique shops, gift shops, and dessert parlours!

Make sure to stop for gelato at Pasticceria Castelli – it was some of the best I’d had! They also sell a variety of cakes and pastries. I’d opted for gelato, so didn’t have chance to try the cakes and pastries, but they looked amazing. If the taste of the gelato was anything to go by, I’ll definitely be swinging by Pasticceria Castelli next time I visit Bellagio and trying everything else out!

Visit the Hidden Gem of Pescallo

Take this pathway to find Pescallo! Pescallo is a small village neighbouring Bellagio, it’s less than a mile away which makes it a convenient place to visit while you’re in Bellagio!

 

In Pescallo you will find a mini beach, which is often quiet due to the hidden away location, fairly unknown by the majority of tourists visiting Bellagio!

It’s a great hidden gem to escape to, with a stark contrast in how quiet it typically is compared to Bellagio.

 

Tip: Although the route to Pescallo is less than a mile long, it does involve a lot of cobbled stairs like this! It’s not necessarily an easy walk, so make sure you bring appropriate footwear!

So here’s a list to get you started on your trip to The Pearl of Lake Como!

Bellagio is a great place to base if you’re staying in Lake Como, with a train station in Varenna, which is only a short ferry ride away from Bellagio, navigating the nearby towns and villages in Lake Como is pretty easy from Bellagio!

Whether you’re on a budget, or looking for a luxury destination, or whether you’re visiting for a day trip or planning to stay – there is something for everyone in Bellagio!

FAQ’s about Bellagio

Is Bellagio in Lake Como worth visiting?

Bellagio, Italy is one of the most popular Lake Como destinations – it’s commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’. Not only is Bellagio a perfect place to explore, with so much to see and do, it’s also a convenient location to get to other Lake Como towns and villages – Varenna, Tremezzo, and Menaggio are only a 10-20 minute Ferry ride away!

 

How long is the boat ride from Como City to Bellagio?

Getting from Como City to Bellagio takes approximately 2 hours on the ferry, or around 1 hour with the express service.

 

How long should I spend in Bellagio?

If you want to base in Bellagio and see other areas of Lake Como then you should consider staying for 4-7 days, depending on the amount of areas you want to see. If you’re not staying in Bellagio, but are thinking of visiting on a day trip, then spending 1 day, or even half a day here should still give you plenty of opportunity to see a lot of what Bellagio has to offer!

 

Which area of Lake Como is the most beautiful?

Bellagio. Bellagio is commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’, due to where it is situated in the Lake – this means that Bellagio offers some of the most beautiful views of Lake Como that you can get!

 

Is Bellagio Lake Como walkable?

Yes, Bellagio is a walkable city, it is fairly small plenty of shops and restaurants close together. However, it does have many stairs and cobblestone paths, so be aware of that when planning your visit!

 

Can you get the train from Milan to Bellagio?

There is no direct train from Milan to Bellagio. The easiest way you can get to Bellagio from Milan is to get the train to Varenna-Esino, and then get a direct ferry from Varenna to Bellagio. Trains from Milan to Varenna are direct and take approximately 1 hour, and Ferry’s from Varenna to Bellagio take around 20 minutes.

 

What type of holiday is Lake Como?

Lake Como is commonly classed as both a luxury and romantic destination. It is a popular destination for celebrities, and there are plenty of luxurious villa’s and hotels. However, the great transport links between Varenna and Milan mean more people can visit Lake Como on a budget!

There’s plenty more where that came from…

Read related Gigs n’ Travel articles

Three mistakes to avoid when travelling to Budapest

Three mistakes to avoid when travelling to Budapest

Budapest has become one of the most popular European cities to visit recently, and there’s no surprise why. There is SO much to do, it’s pretty easy to get around, and it’s definitely possible to travel there on a budget.

All sounds great? And it is.

But it is still very easy to make some mistakes which could there quickly ruin your trip if you’re not careful.

So before you hop on your flight to Budapest, make sure you keep these things in mind!

1. Validate your tram tickets, without FAIL

Budapest transport can be great. It’s the most affordable way to travel the city with a ticket for a single ticket costing 350 HUF – which is about the equivalent of £1.

You will need to download the Budapest GO app to purchase your ticket. It doesn’t matter where you destination is, a single ticket with no transfer will cost the same price no matter how long you’re planning to be on the tram for.

But here’s the catch – paying for your ticket alone is not enough, you NEED to validate your tram ticket before getting on the tram by scanning a QR code on your app. This then provides you with some kind of image, which should match the image that the ticket attendant will have. Sometimes, they will also ask you to show them a code – once your ticket is validated there should be a button which says something along the lines of ‘show code’ or ‘generate code’, you need to press this and show the code to the ticket attendant otherwise they will still threaten to fine you.  Unfortunately if you’re not familiar with the transport in Budapest, the whole process seems a bit complicated.

The issue is the trams don’t stop for long at all, so if you’re travelling in a relatively big group (like I was), then you’re best to split in half and get on at different doors so everyone has chance to scan the code and get on the tram, otherwise you might risk the doors shutting in your face.

Unfortunately for me the 5 other friends that I travelled with, we didn’t do this. Although three of us (including me) all scanned on before we got on, the rest of my friends decided to jump on without validating their tickets since nobody has checked them the entire time we’d been in Budapest.

Unluckily for them, the one time they chose to jump on without validating their ticket – the ticket attendants came down. They also came straight to people who were clearly tourists (I can only assume it was because they knew it was their best chance of making some extra money with the fines). My friends showed they had purchased a ticket, but because it was not validated the ticket attendants didn’t like it. There were actually some QR codes to validate tickets on the inside of the tram we were on, yet for some reason the ticket attendants didn’t let them scan to validate their tickets.

Instead they pushed my 3 friends off at the next stop and got off with them. As my 2 other friends and I tried to get off the tram to go with them, the doors shut in our face (classic – you couldn’t make this up if you tried), and we were then separated (but thankfully in two groups of 3).

Yellow and white tram pulled up at a tram stop in Budapest. On the outside of the tram, two small stickers with QR codes can be seen next to the door to get on the tram. This is where passengers are requested to scan in order to validate their tram tickets.

We got off at the next stop and texted our friends to let them know where we were, so they knew where to go once they had delt with the situation. But I then suddenly got a call – the ticket attendants had taken my friends ID’s off of them and were refusing to give them back until they paid a fine of 8,000 HUF total (about £18.50), and were also threatening to call the police. Unfortunately, none of my friends really brought much cash with them despite my nagging (TIP – ALWAYS BRING AN EMERGENCY SET OF CASH WHEN TRAVELING). Thankfully, I had enough money on me so told them to get on the next tram with the ticket attendants and come to the next stop where I could give them the money.

Once they got to me, suddenly the fine price was changed to 12,000 HUF per person (about £28 each), they also refused to hand over my friends ID’s until they had the money – we even had some lovely local Hungarian residents try to step in to help us out and get the ticket attendants to hand over the ID’s first. But they continued to threaten to call the police.

 Thankfully, once I gave them the money, they gave my friends ID’s back. As a group of 6 girls the experience felt quite scary for some people involved and the aggressiveness of the ticket attendants left some of my friends rather shaken up.

This is really common in Budapest – fines can go up as high as 16,000 HUF each. Proof of payment of a ticket will not save you from getting fined. It’s common that many of the ticket officers will even threaten to call the police, sometimes ticket officers have followed through and called the police – to which the police just tell you that it’s best you pay the fine.

They often will target tourists as they know they’re most likely to be caught out, so keep this in mind and don’t let what should be super cheap transport suddenly become very expensive. 

Currently as I’m writing this in 2023, Citizens of the European Union countries and Switzerland aged 65 and up can use all public transport lines for free in Budapest. But they have to show a valid ID in order to verify age and nationality if asked by a ticket inspector. If this is appropriate for you, please ensure to research this before travelling to ensure this still remains in place at the time of your travel.

 

Tip: Remember it’s essential to download the Budapest Go app!

2. Avoid travelling on Lomtalanítás Day 

Believe it or not, various districts in Budapest have a day which is dedicated to throwing rubbish out on the side of the roads. When I first heard of it, I thought the concept sounded crazy, but this is something the Hungarian Government has organised for years.

Every district in Budapest has a couple of days during the year where the council will organise garbage trucks go around the Budapest districts and collect unwanted items that have been put out on the streets. They do this completely for free and it gives chance for residents to give unwanted items that they might’ve struggled to get rid of during the rest of the year. It also gives residents the chance to scavenge and find hidden treasures to take away for themselves.

When I was last in Budapest last November, I woke up bright and early for my first full day after our evening flight to find people throwing rubbish out onto the sidewalks, it stretched all the way down our street and several streets after.

After walking so long, there was no more rubbish on the sidewalks. But as we returned to our Airbnb in the evening, the rubbish was piled up so high that you couldn’t walk down the pavements. The only clear space on the pavements being in front of entrances to the various shops, restaurants and bars that remained open. But all I could think about was what is it doing there and why did nobody seem to care that it swamped the streets?

Overnight, it was extremely noisy with removal vans removing all the rubbish. By the following morning the streets were pristine. As someone who was totally unaware that this was a thing, it felt rather bizarre, and all the rubbish piled up high with random screws poking out of the piles and dirty matrasses leaning up against the walls of various stores, it did make me feel a bit uneasy about the safety of the area I was staying in.

We tried searching tried searching for “Budapest Rubbish on Streets” and struggled to find anything, until coming across as random Reddit thread which managed to give us the name ‘Lomtalanítás Day’. As soon as you go to search for that, you can find endless information about the tradition. 

With Lomtalanítás Day very roughly translating to “get-rid-of-junk day”, it’s definitely something to keep in mind when planning your trip to Budapest.

Typically, this happens throughout the year as different districts in the city have different set dates, last year it happened between February and November. So if you’re planning a trip make sure to check which districts might be participating in Lomtalanítás Day and try to avoid staying there. 

Now I understand what Lomtalanítás Day is, it wouldn’t throw me off witnessing it during my next visit to Budapest, but I’d definitely aim to stay in a district that didn’t have their disposal dates during my visit, purely for noise purposes and getting a decent nights sleep!

In a way, I think Lomtalanítás Day is a pretty cool concept. Imagine having a day each year where all your items that are useless to you are just taken away or taken by other residents who might have a use for them. You wouldn’t have to worry about taking your items to finding new homes for items.

3. The Bar Bill and the Tourist Menu Scam

The Bar Bill Scam

The Bar Bill Scam has been going on for well over a decade. This scam is primarily targeted at Male travellers and will involve more than one attractive females approaching you, and asking you if you’d like to join them for some drinks. They’ll take you to a bar that ‘they know is great’, and soon enough, a very expensive bill will arrive – typically worth hundreds, and in some cases, people have reported thousands of pounds or dollars’ worth.

The bar will typically have a conveniently placed ATM outside it, and sometimes the barmen that work there will escort you to the bar so you can’t run off.

Most of the places that have been reported to be out to get you, are located in one of the main tourist spots, Váci utca street.

If you walk into a club or bar that conveniently happens to have its own ATM, my advice would be to turn around and go elsewhere.

Keep in mind that it’s not just girls you might get approached by, but Taxi drivers have commonly been involved in the scam too. Do not take suggestions from seemingly friendly Taxi drivers. There have been cases where Taxi drivers have been known to take you to certain bars, because they will earn a commission from the owners that are ready and waiting to charge you an extortionate price.

The Tourist Menu Scam

As for the Tourist Menu scam, this is another kind of scam which has previously occurred in many bars and restaurants, whereby if you are obviously a tourist, the restaurant or bar might swap menus to one with higher prices when you go to pay, or not show you a menu to start with at all. In Budapest, most places will display menu’s in the windows of cafes and restaurants, so if you’re considering checking out somewhere for a bite to eat, or a couple drinks, and you notice they don’t have a menu outside, then it’s best you walk on elsewhere. Again this commonly happens around the Váci utca area, I would aim to avoid this area for food and drinks in the evening – but do keep in mind that these scams could still happen anywhere.

Make sure you always verify the price prior to the purchase and look out for any hidden costs.

Don’t let this put you off Visiting Budapest!

Budapest is a great city to visit, and in my opinion one of the cities in Europe with the most to do. It’s a great city to visit in the Summertime or during Winter, and they have some of the best Christmas markets in Europe!

Truth be told, a lot of this stuff can happen in any major city – I would always advise that you make sure you are aware of your surroundings wherever you are.

It’s always good to keep common scams, and mistakes that are easy to make in mind, so you can be aware what to look out for in Budapest. Although there are a few mistakes you need to make sure you don’t make, it doesn’t take from the fact that Budapest is an incredible place with lots to see and do – I can’t wait to visit again one day!

There’s plenty more where that came from…

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