Berlin is undoubtedly one of my favorite cities. I’ve visited it four times, and each visit felt like a completely new experience. The first time was with Roman, later I traveled alone in September, and the last two times were for the ITB tourism conference – but even then, I made sure to find time to explore the city and discover new and unique spots.

In addition, I’ve included recommendations from 8 other bloggers with their favorite places in Berlin, so you now have an up-to-date 2025 list of all the coolest things to do in the city (I’m sure there are spots on the list you haven’t heard of before! 🙂 ).

Berlin has a unique vibe that blends rich history, modern culture, and endless entertainment options. Around every corner, you’ll find cool restaurants, stylish cafés, lively bars, iconic clubs, fascinating museums, fun tours, and bustling markets – making it the perfect destination for any type of trip. I felt safe exploring it alone and enjoyed being there both in winter and summer (though I preferred summer).

Go to a hilarious standup show

One of my favorite entertainments are standup shows , so when I found an ad about a standup show that cost 18 euro (including pizza) and had great reviews, I knew that I had to go there – Cosmic Comedy show.

Every Thursday and Saturday they have an open mic night. It means that eight different comedians (some with a lot of experience and some that are pretty new) star for about 10 minutes each.  They open the doors at 8pm (I recommend to go early in order to get a good seat), at 8:30 they serve the pizza and at 9pm they start the show.

I enjoyed the show so much. Some of the comedians really made me laugh out loud and some of them less, but they were all good and the host was really funny too.  At the end of the show my cheeks were in pain because I had laughed so much.

They also have nights on which only two experienced comedians appear for about 40 minutes each. I wanted to go to that night too but I had so many things to do that I didn’t have the chance to go there again.

Address
Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 41, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Cool Food tour

Before we arrived in Berlin, we checked with Visit Berlin about things we could do in town and one of the recommendations was a food tour. We always like to do food tours on our travels because it’s a great way to see the city and taste the local food, so of course we thought it was a good idea. We received a recommendation for the tour with Fork and Walk Berlin tours and were very pleased. The tour was about 4 hours in East Berlin on Saturday. We got to know a really cool area we hadn’t known much about previously, and also to visit special local places and eat great food. Our guide Dov was really charming and interesting. In short, we highly recommend this tour.

Markthalle neun erste Market

I love markets, and somehow had never previously visited this one. I recommend coming hungry, as it has a ton of food stalls, but it’s also nice to simply wander around and have a coffee, especially when it’s raining outside. It has many local produce stalls as well, offering cheeses, sausages, beers and more. For those with small children, it also has a cute corner with wooden toys. Directions.

Berlin Cathedral

I think this is one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever seen. Its structure and turquoise domes make it very special (directions). Although it was a gloomy day and a little rainy we decided we would not give up on going to see it. When it started to rain we decided to enter the Allegretto cran cafe. A refined and prestigious cafe where we drank cappuccino and enjoyed the warmth. We waited until the rain stopped and then we went on walking around town.

In addition, there is a whole area of ​​museums near the cathedral. Our last time in Berlin, we were at the Pergamon Museum. Due to the uniqueness of its exhibits, UNESCO decided that this museum, together with other museums on Museum island, would constitute a World Heritage Site. The museum contains a collection of antiquities from ancient times (ancient Greece and ancient Rome), a Museum of Ancient Eastern Antiquities and a museum of Islamic art. We spent a whole day in this museum and it was very fascinating. We took an audio guide and covered the museum part by part. The area of ancient Greece impressed me the most.

Victoria park

This is a park in the Kreuzberg neighborhood. It’s a very lovely park and also has a pretty waterfall, which unfortunately was dry this time, but I got to see it on my last visit when it was flowing and it’s a location not many tourists know about. The park itself is large and filled with greenery, while also offering a good vantage point over the city. Directions.

It’s a great place to go for a walk in or even have a picnic. By the park is a high-quality café, Café Freiraum. We had lasagna and a vegetable casserole with cheese there, and they were both delicious. They also have great looking cookies, so it’s worth a try. Directions.

Vivid Grand Show

Content update – this show is no longer available – you can find other shows options here

A few years ago, while visiting Berlin, we got to watch two shows and had a great time, we thought this could be a good recommendation for those looking for something to do on an evening in Berlin. We’ve come across many recommendations for Vivid Grand Show, and to our delight, Friedrichstadt-Palast theatre wanted to host us for the show. The theatre itself is impressive and very prestigious. Beyond that, the show was amazing. Some parts were funny, while others left us astonished. The set was also really high-quality and the dancing and acrobatics were amazing. We left the show very excited, and I definitely think it’s something worth going to see if you’re in Berlin.

Tropical Island

I was looking online for things to do in winter in Berlin and then I came across something that looked really cool. Tropical Islands (to the official website or through the Get Your Guide attraction reservation website which allows you to reserve without payment in advance and free cancellation up to three days before) at a distance of 60 km from Berlin.

It’s actually a huge dome-shaped structure that has an artificial beach, a rain forest, a water wave, a hot air balloon, a spa, restaurants and even a resort where you sleep. We drove to search and when we arrived, we felt like we had entered another world. Outside it was snowy and terribly cold and inside we were suddenly wearing a bathing suit in tropical weather.

There is a complex for adults only that includes saunas and a jacuzzi (note, you can only enter there fully naked. It was very strange at first but then I got used to it). There are restaurants there. Hot air balloon and all kinds of facilities for children.

Enjoy a drink on a rooftop bar – Klunkerkranich Bar

I really like bars that are on rooftops. This way you can drink wine and enjoy a nice view, with a good breeze. A girl that I met in a bike tour (Chi-An) told me that her Airbnb host recommended her a bar, so we decided to go there together and check it out.

We went there around 6pm, which was a great time before the sunset. The bar is a big roof with many tables and places to sit and there is also a covered area with a DJ and place to drink. I chose a rosé and Chi-An had a beer.

At the entrance we paid 3 euro each. They charge 3 euro after 4pm because after that hour they bring a DJ and need to cover this expense. I really loved this bar. It’s a popular place among the locals and it’s highly recommended.

Address
Karl-Marx-Straße 66, 12043 Berlin, Germany

Go to the Blue Man Show

Content update – this activity is no longer available – you can find other shows options here

If you are looking for another great idea for a fun evening I highly recommend the Blue Man Show. It’s a very elaborate show that’s very funny and enjoyable. It’s fit for both kids and adults. I went there with Roman the first time I visited berlin and we really liked it.

Sit in good coffee shops

In Berlin there are so many good coffee shops that every few steps you want to stop and sit in one, to relax in between the different activities. There are healthy coffee shops, ones with special designs, fancy ones, and coffee shops that are great for just working on your laptop or reading a book. I wrote about my favorite place in the post “Trendy coffee shops in Berlin”.

Go to a huge flea market on Sunday

Every Sunday there is a huge flea market in Mauerpark. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s really nice to wander around there and be impressed by the cool things they sell like: furniture, bags, clothes, souvenirs, tools, wallets, and more.

Another great thing to do is to sit in the park itself and enjoy the street performances there are there.

In the market itself there are many drinks and food stalls so my recommendation is to wander around and then to buy some food and drinks and have a little picnic on the grass in the park and enjoy the shows.

Go on awesome tours

I love tours – special tours are my favorite activity to discover any city and honestly in Berlin is where I have done the most. One of the main reasons is because I travelled solo and tours are a great way to meet people. I chose different and unique tours like a self-guided food tour, a beer tour, an abandoned places tour and a bike one.

Beer tour

I must admit that I’m more of a wine and cocktail person and less a beer one, but I love to learn about the drink’s history and how they make it and I love to try new things. So when I saw that there’s a beer tour that includes tasting unique beers and that you can learn about the beer’s history, I decided to give it a try.

The tour was through the company Sandemans Europe (I had already done a great tour with them in Jerusalem, in Israel). The tour starts at 6pm.

We were a pretty small group of only seven people and the guide. The guide was from Chile and already from the beginning I liked him. Because he started to tell interesting facts about beer and to ask us questions that no one knew the answer to, like, in which country do people consume the most beer?

Turns out it’s in the Czech Republic (surprising, isn’t it?).

During the tour we passed through old breweries and tasted different kinds of beers. We learned about the preparation process and the things you can learn about beer before you even taste it. The tour was easy-going and fun, and the other guys were super nice.

The tour lasted 3 hours and we finished it in a cool bar with great music and special beers, like strawberry beer which was really good. Also when the tour ended, we all stayed there to drink and afterwards went to eat something.

The tour was really awesome and I really liked hanging out with the other participants. I highly recommend this tour even if you are not a big beer drinker.

Sights bike tour

The last time that I’d been in Berlin it was with Roman in the winter and we did the free tour in order to get to know the city and learn about its history. This time I traveled alone and I wanted to see the sights on a bike. The tour was through the company Berlin on Bikes and I booked it from the website Get your guide.

I was a little bit worried about the bikes tour because I thought that the roads would be too crowded but it turns out that Berlin is a great city for cycling. Most areas have cycling trails and, if not, you can cycle on the road and there are not too many cars, especially during the weekend.

The tour included stopping in some of the most famous sights in Berlin and at each spot that we stopped, the guide told us about the place.

We were a group of 12 people and in the middle of the tour we had a break in a coffee shop which was nice.

The tour was supposed to last 3.5 hours but on the way back we ran into a huge parade against racism (which was a fascinating thing to see), so many roads were closed and the guide had to take us through improvised ways back, so the tour was about 4 hours. But I can’t complain about having to cycle more, it was so much fun.

The cycling is mostly on flat roads and there are many stops, but if you are not used to riding, it could be too hard for you. The tour was very interesting and fun. The bikes are well-maintained and easy for riding. If you are a cycling lover I’m sure you will love this tour.

Book the tour online

Abandoned places tour

As this tour is not available any more, you can look for other cool graffiti and art tours in Berlin.

I booked this tour through the local Guddy website (This tour and website are permanently closed by now). It was a great site that offers different types of tour with local people; it’s not with a guide from a company but with someone that’s a local.

The picture you saw on Pinterest is a picture from a tour I took to abandoned places in Berlin. During the tour we visited an abandoned hospital and school. This tour was in 2017 and unfortunately it is no longer available (also the website through which I booked the tour has already closed).

Self-guided food tour

As this tour is not available any more, you can look at this food to Kreuzberg and Neukölln Walking Food Tour in Berlin.

I did this tour through the BiteMojo Application. This app offers self-guided food tours and the price included the food (5 different dishes). They offer this tour in some big cities in Europe.

In the beginning I looked for a group food tour but the prices were too expensive for me, until I found this kind of tour, which’s prices were much more affordable and it sounded like a nice experience.

The tour is through a map which directs you each time to a new landmark. Some of the landmarks are really cool places like hidden courtyards or special shops and some are restaurants or food stalls where you get a dish to taste.

BiteMojo offers some different food tours in Berlin. I chose the one in the Kreuzberg neighborhood, because the bites looked good and it was a neighborhood that I wanted to explore.

Visit cool Neighborhoods

Berlin is full of cool Neighborhoods that are worth visiting. You can wander for hours and stop to eat in a nice restaurant or a coffee shop.

I liked the hipster neighborhoods Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. In Kreuzberg I wandered a lot during my self-guided tour. It’s a lovely neighborhood with so many beautiful buildings and good places to eat at. Friedrichshain is full of street art and cool shops.

Digital LightHouse

By Ulysse at slowsightsoul-slowtravelblog

In Berlin, there is an underrated place where you can dive into a hypnotic blend of light, sound, and space. Located in a former industrial site which has been transformed into a pop and underground culture neighbourhood, this is an experience you shouldn’t miss when travelling slowly in Europe.

Unlike traditional museums, this one challenges your senses with its immersive digital art experience and large-scale installations that pulse, shimmer, and react around you. From light sculptures and infinite mirror rooms to AI generated 3D painting, the whole environment invites you to lose track of time, and be fascinated by this intersection between technology, lights, sounds, and emotion.

I stumbled upon the digital lighthouse by coincidence, and it has been one of my highlights in Berlin. I paid 18€, and in my opinion, each euro is worth it for every curious traveller or couple interested in a new kind of immersive art.  Directions.

Berlin Spy Museum

By Anna & Anne at Germany things to do

If you’re into spies, secrets, and Cold War intrigue, the Spy Museum Berlin (Deutsches Spionagemuseum) is a must-visit. Just steps from Potsdamer Platz and the Berlin Wall, this unique museum lets you explore the shadowy world of intelligence and covert operations.

You can try hacking passwords, cracking codes, or sneaking through a laser maze like a real undercover agent. The Berlin spy museum is worth it for anyone curious about espionage, German history, or hands-on museum experiences—from spy drama fans to families with kids aged 9+..

It’s open Monday to Sunday (10 AM–8 PM). Plan for 2–3 hours, and if you can, go on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds and get the most out of it.

Park Inn viewing platform

By Ali at Berlin Travel Tips

Berlin has so many amazing things to do, especially if you enjoy views from above. One of the best views of Berlin is somehow still a little under the radar. It’s the viewing platform in the Park Inn hotel, where you’ll get the most amazing view of the Berlin TV Tower. It’s on the 39th floor of the hotel, but to reach it, you have to take the elevator to the 35th floor and walk up about 80 stairs after that. Unfortunately, that means it’s not a good fit for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues. This fantastic view will only cost you 6 euros, and since not a lot of people know about it, it’s usually not crowded. Just be aware that it could close due to bad weather. Park Inn is located here, at Alexanderplatz, and is easy to reach with public transport.

Dancing city tour

By Lisi at Escaping worlds

Dancing through a beautiful Museum Island in Berlin

This is an alternative city tour that is a lot of fun. Spoiler: It gets sweaty. The tour starts at “Unter der Linden 3”. There you will be given headphones. The guide will lead you through the Museum Island of Berlin, stopping at large squares where you can dance to 80’s and 90’s tunes. The entertainment portion of the tour is included, making it interactive and a fun way to explore this area of Berlin. If you are trying to learn about the breathtaking architecture of Museum Island, you are on the wrong tour. This tour is like a moving silent disco that promises to be a blast. It takes place every Friday at 9 pm.

The silent move tour is for anyone looking for an alternative city tour and a unique experience in Berlin. Alternatively, the company also offers tours at the government district every Saturday.

DDR Museum

By Shweta at Zest in a tote

If you want a lesson in history, an interactive space to touch and feel and see what life was like in GDR (German Democratic Republic), visit the DDR museum. Even if you are travelling to Berlin with kids, this museum is a good addition. From the economy to the military to goods to schooling system to jobs, this museum tells you a lot about life in East Germany. The presentation style is very engaging. Visitors are encouraged to touch, hold and interact with a range of objects and installations, from products used in East Germany to the workings of the Stasi to a fresco in praise of Communism. 

My daughter and I even sat in a Trabant – the car produced then and used in East Germany – and drove it virtually through video footage of roads back then. You must give this a try! Directions.

Tempelhofer Feld

By Steff at JustTravelous

Tempelhofer Feld is one of Berlin’s most unique public spaces—an abandoned airport turned into a massive urban park. Located in the heart of the city’s Neukölln and Tempelhof districts (Directions), it’s where you can cycle, skate, or kite-surf down the former runways. Bring a picnic or just sprawl out on the grass with locals and enjoy the wide-open sky—something pretty rare in a city this big. If you’re into photography, sunsets here are next level. It’s perfect for cyclists, runners, families, and anyone needing a break from the usual urban buzz. Whether you’re a traveler looking for a very Berlin experience or a local in search of space to breathe, Tempelhofer Feld is the place to be.

Teufelsberg

By Marga at Discover Portugal

Teufelsberg is a unique place on the outskirts of Berlin. It was once a listing station that was used during the Cold War. The hill on which it was built contains rubble from the Second World War. After the Cold War, Teufelsberg was abandoned, and nowadays, it’s a place filled with graffiti and a popular spot for a day out. It’s located in the woods of Grunewald and is perfect for anyone who enjoys art and culture, as well as the edge of abandoned buildings. Before you enter the grounds of the former NSA Field Station, you pay a small entrance fee. You can explore several buildings and climb the tower. From the top, you have an incredible view of Grunewald Forest and Berlin.

Trabrennbahn Karlshorst

By Chris at Spritzience

For something unique in Berlin, try visiting the Trabrennbahn Karlshorst, in the Karlshorst section of Berlin (about 40 minutes on public transit from the Brandenburg Gate).  While the course has been open since 1884, it’s wasn’t until GDR days that it started hosting harness horse races. 

I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good race and something off the typical tourist track. You can bet as little as a Euro, with races generally held on Fridays and Sundays.  For the more adventure-minded, you can pre-book a 1-hour course at the trotting driving school.  You’ll be paired with an instructor to ride together in the sulky (cart), where you take the reins.

It’s also a great spot for vintage antique fans, as on the 1^st Saturday of the month (and Sunday),  there’s a vintage antiques fair.  You can usually score vintage Christmas ornaments, vases, GDR pins and knick knacks of all sorts. 

Be forewarned, depending upon which entrance you use, it may look like you’re walking into a time warp.  That’s because much of the park fell into decay after the fall of the Berlin Wall.  To raise funds to revitalize it, some sections were sold off, and others were knocked down.  

Eat yummy food – Recommended Restaurants in Berlin

In Berlin there are endless restaurants with all the cousins in the world. There are many local traditional restaurants, Asian ones, Mediterranean ones, and more. There are also many street foods like Currywurst which is the most popular food. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should.

Currywurst – Bergmann Curry

Currywurst is one of the most popular street foods in Berlin. Everywhere you go you will find a Currywurst stall. This is a great dish if you are looking for something fast, cheap, and yummy to snack on. I really liked a stall that I visited during a self-guided food tour that I did.

When I arrived to this place I was already pretty full, so I ate only half of the dish, but it was really good. Both the wurst and the fries were so delicious.
They also have a vegan option.

Address
Bergmannstraße 88, 10961 Berlin, Germany

Vietnamese restaurant- Monsieur Vuong

I went to this restaurant the previous time I had traveled with Roman to Berlin and already then we had claimed that this is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Europe. So, when I traveled now to Berlin there was no way I was going to give up on this culinary experience.

From the moment you enter the restaurant you feel like you step into Vietnam. This is a very popular restaurant and I recommend you book a table before you go. Since I went alone I was lucky to get a seat.

The menu is pretty limited, but each dish is excellent.

Ramen restaurant- Cocolo Ramen Mitte

During the bike tour that I did, I met two nice guys, one from Japan that had moved to Berlin a month ago, and a girl from Chicago, and we decided to go to a restaurant together. The guy said that he missed Japanese food and that he wanted to eat ramen. I’m a ramen lover, so of course I wanted some too.

We looked for a recommended restaurant. We saw a few options but we chose the one that was located pretty close to us and had really good reviews.

We had to wait a bit for a table (so I recommend to book one before going). For my first dish I ordered dumplings filled with shrimp. Is was really good. The guy said that it’s a high standard for dumplings.

For main dishes we ordered a ramen soup (of course). I ordered a spicy minced meat one, and they ordered the belly pork one. Both of the soups were excellent (I preferred my version because I don’t like fatty meat). My soup was really tasty but this version came without an egg. So I ordered an extra egg (it’s one of the things that I like the most in ramen soup).
The ramen’s price range is 7.5-9.5 euro.

Address
Gipsstraße 3, 10119 Berlin, Germany

German restaurant- Weihenstephaner

This is a traditional German restaurant which is also a famous brewery in Berlin. I visited this restaurant during a beer tour that I did, so after the tour I went back there to have a late dinner.

The design of the place and the waiter’s uniforms immediately will insert you into a happy, German atmosphere.

I ordered a grilled sausages with steamed cabbage dish and an award-winning beer – Vitus spicy single- bock. The sausages were very good. Sometimes I don’t like sausage too much but those were great.

The cabbage was ok and the beer was excellent. Unique flavors. I didn’t feel the spiciness too well, but it’s definitely a good beer that’s worth the try.

Address
Neue Promenade 5, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Local German restaurant Max und Moritz

If you are craving local and delicious German food, then this restaurant will suit you perfectly. This is a restaurant with really good dishes and the truth is also really big and satisfying (I took half a takeaway portion). Roman ordered a potato and meat soup for a starter and a pork dish for the main and he said that both dishes were successful. I took sausages in apple sauce with potatoes which was excellent. Directions.

Amrit Indian Restaurant

At first, we thought it was a palace (the entrance and interior are very impressive and golden) but it turned out to be an Indian restaurant. I do not usually like big restaurants but this one had good reviews and we decided to try it. The prices at the restaurant are very worthwhile because the dishes also include rice and a large salad.

We ordered a vegetarian dish of Paneer cheese in a tomato and cashew sauce that was really tasty and a serving of chicken in a curry sauce that was also great. The dishes arrived within a few minutes (quite rare in Indian restaurants) but they were also very tasty, so the speed wasn’t detrimental to the flavor. In short, if you are looking for an Indian restaurant, this is a recommended restaurant.  Amrit restaurant. Directions.

Mercosy Korean Restaurant

A small restaurant with six tables serving one dish of Bibimbap with various additions such as salmon or beef or pork or tofu.

This is a bowl full of sticky rice with a rich selection of stir-fried vegetables and, above it all, chili sauce. The dish is large and very satisfying. I got a bowl with salmon and Roman chose pork and we were both satisfied. Great option for anyone looking for a different and tasty dinner. Mercosy.  Directions

PHO – Noodlebar Vietnamese Restaurant (Kreuzberg)

As you can see, we are fans of Asian food. It is light and usually healthy and very tasty. On one of the evenings we decided to eat Vietnamese food and found the Pho-noodles bar. This was a charming restaurant with courteous and good service. We ordered a Vietnamese roll, a salad off the specials with strips of meat and a hamburger in a steamed bun. All the dishes were delicious and we had a great time at the restaurant.  PHO – Noodlebar . Directions

Chai Ji Indian Restaurant

Indian food is among my favorites and when I was walking around the hipster neighborhood Friedrichshain I came across this restaurant and decided to try it.

I ordered one of my favorite dishes Palak paneer which is a spinach stew with Indian cheese. In addition, I ordered naan (Indian flat bread in a pan) with garlic, rahita which is yogurt with tomatoes and cucumber that is delicious to eat with flak cheese on the naan and I ordered mango chutney sauce.

Address: Rigaer Str. 30, 10247 Berlin, Germany

Yorckschlösschen, great Jazz Bar

We went to this bar with someone who was our guide in Swiss Franconia. She saw on Instagram that we were in town and suggested we meet for dinner. She got a recommendation for this bar from a friend of hers living in Berlin and it turned out to be a good one. This is a bar that has live jazz concerts. It is recommended to book a table in advance, when we arrived we were lucky there was one table available.

The show costs EUR 4 per person. We also ordered beer and wine and a portion of curry sausages with French fries and a local version of Macaroni and cheese. The music was excellent and it was a very nice evening and definitely a place that is recommended both as a place to eat and as a place to spend an evening. Bar Yorckschlösschen. Directions

Wander around the city

The public transportation in Berlin is very simple and makes it easy to move around, but I recommend you to sometimes give up on using the train and to walk instead. You’ll be surprised how much it is fun to walk on Berlin’s streets. You will see lots of street art and graffiti and discover some cool parks and hidden gems. Walking in Berlin is addictive; you can spend hours without noticing, so walk with comfortable shoes.

Go shopping

Usually I don’t shop while traveling, but I found the store Primark in Alexander Platz. I must admit that I had never been in a store of this chain but I had heard a lot about it, so when I saw it, I decided to go in. The store was three floors with clothes and accessories.

At one point I got a headache but I found two cute sweaters, a coat, and a hat. I barely managed to close my suitcase after this unpredicted buying, but after sitting on it and with a lot of strength I was able to close it eventually.

There are many other shops and malls in Berlin so if you are looking for a shopping experience, don’t worry; you will find it. For me one store was enough 🙂

Tips before flying to Berlin

SIM card

On previous occasions I purchased a Sim card for 20 Euros in the Alexanderplatz area. This time we found a shop in the Kreuzberg neighborhood where we bought a Sim for 10 Euros with 4 Gb of data for a period of up to one month. Arrival instructions. Please consider the first time there is a registration process where you need to be authenticated with your passport by an employee. This is why I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Where to sleep in Berlin?

Berlin has many cool neighborhoods to sleep in. We liked the Kreuzberg Neighborhood, which is fun and young. The areas of Alexanderplatz and Mite are also very comfortable for those who want to explore Berlin.

When I traveled alone, I stayed at the Circus Hostel, which was amazing and in an excellent location. I found a pretty good price for it: 50 euro per night for a single room (tips on how to find cheap hotels). Across the street, they also have the Circus Hotel.
To search for a hotel or apartment in Berlin

Car rental in Berlin

Berlin and Germany in general have very convenient public transportation. But for those who want to explore the suburbs or reach more distant attractions like the Tropical Islands, I recommend renting a car. You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through it because it saves me time (instead of going to several websites) and it also has the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies. 

How to get from Schoenfeld Airport to the city center?

When we landed, we went to the WelcomeBerlin stand to collect our transport ticket which we received courtesy of Visit Berlin. The Berlin Welcome card can be purchased from the stand before leaving the airport. This is a card that reduces the costs of public transportation in the city, according to the number of days you plan to spend in the city. You can buy an ABC card that also includes the trip from the airport to the city.

Once you have this card, you only need to use it once at the machine next to the train or on the bus and from that moment just make sure the card is with you at all times, thus allowing you to travel freely by public transport.

From the airport we took the S9 train and after 9 stops we switched to the subway u3 to the area of ​​our apartment. I recommend using Google Maps to see which public transit is best for your route. There are trains every few minutes and it’s very simple to use public transport in the city.

You can also ask at the booth you buy the ticket from which train you need to get to your hotel or apartment. You can even ask at the airport information stand and buy a ticket at it, if you do not want to purchase the ticket for multiple trips.

Attractions & Activities in Berlin

There are many more cool things to do in Berlin that I did not do and do not appear on the list. You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price).

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about Berlin ? I have in the blog more posts about Berlin and posts about Germany.

Pin below to save on Pinterest 

Berlin is an awesome city with plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, museums, markets, colorful houses, tours, attractions, and actually everything you could wish for in a big modern city. I’ve decided to write a post with the best coffee shops in Berlin (I know there are many more but I didn’t have time to explore them all :))

High-standard coffee shop- Districk Cafe

I found this coffee shop while wandering in Instagram. I searched for Berlin foodies and saw a healthy bowl that looked super yummy. I checked on the map to see where the coffee shop was located and discovered that it was 10 minutes walking from my hostel, Circus Hostel. So of course this was the first coffee shop I went to for breakfast.

The coffee shop was popular and was full all the time. It is a little bit pricier than regular coffee shops where you can find breakfasts for around 5 euro but it was definitely worth the price if you want to spoil yourself with yummy food.

I ordered the healthy bowl I saw on Instagram which was kind of like a smoothie with banana, berries, and soy milk and on top of it there were toppings like granola, chia seeds, cacao nibs, goji, and coconut. Like I said; a healthy bowl. It cost us 8 euro. The dish was really tasty and light. I’d be willing to start my day every day like this.

There were other dishes which looked good, like poached eggs on toast and toasted brioche with apricot and cream. Next to me there were some guys who ordered those dishes so I asked them if I could take pictures in order to show them here 🙂 (so if you are less into healthy foods, there are some other good options).

Address
Bergstraße 68, 10115 Berlin, Germany

Coffee shop with an intellectual atmosphere- Cafe Tasso

This coffee shop also has a selection of used books, newspapers, and magazines, and a place for intimate concerts. I went in the afternoon and discovered that sometimes in the evening they have concerts there, so it’s worth it to check it out.

You can borrow a book or choose to buy one. There are two shelves with books in English. It’s a great place to go and just read a book. I ordered a Chai latte which was good and enjoyed the calm atmosphere. They also serve food and desserts.

Address
Frankfurter Allee 11, 10247 Berlin, Germany

Porridge and coffee – Haferkater

My favorite breakfast is oatmeal porridge. I guess some people are not porridge lovers, but for me it’s one of the best ways to start my day.

After 3 days in Berlin I missed my porridge in the morning, so I decided to google and search for a coffee shop that served it. To my surprise, I discovered that there is a coffee shop which’s concept is porridge and coffee. Yay 🙂 I was so excited about it and decided to go and check it immediately.

It’s a lovely place which serves porridge with different kind of toppings like: granola, chocolate, applesauce, banana, honey, and more. I ordered mine with berries, banana, maple, and coconut. The porridge was so delicious. Exactly like I love it. Not too sweet and with yummy toppings.

Address Boxhagener Str. 76, 10245 Berlin, Germany

A cozy coffee shop with frozen yogurt – Good Q

It’s a cute little coffee shop with homemade dessert and frozen yogurt. I sat there before the beer tour I did.

I was full from lunch so I only ordered a Chai latte.

Address
Tucholskystraße 43, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Coffee shop with summer vibes- Café Hüftengold / Foodshop Hüftengold

It’s a coffee shop with a colorful and happy design. It’s located on a street that I really liked, that had many coffee shops with sitting areas outside and the buildings are really beautiful, so you have a nice view.

It’s an idyllic coffee shop for breakfast or a drink on a sunny day. It serves pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, and more and also refreshing drinks for the summer. They also have vegan options.

I went there after I had eaten the porridge, so I just ordered a coffee, but as always I looked at what other people took and their dishes looked good.

Address
Oderberger Str. 27, 10435 Berlin, Germany

Great vibes and a nice buffet

This coffee shop belongs to the hostel I was staying at; Circus hostel. It offers an affordable buffet for 5 euro from 08:00-13:00. It includes filtered coffee/tea and nice buffet options with breads, mini waffles, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, granola, yogurt, and more. Definitely a value for money breakfast.

I wasn’t in the mood for a buffet so I had a bagel sandwich with cheddar cheese and sundried tomatoes. I asked the worker to put it in the toaster so it would be crunchy. And I also ordered a cappuccino, with was good.

They also have cakes, fruit salads, and cookies.

Address
The Circus Hostel Weinbergsweg 1a

Der Milchladen café

An intimate café with high-quality coffee, sandwiches, cakes, quiches, rice pudding and more. I had rice pudding there with apples and cinnamon, a light breakfast for those looking for nice and small for their morning, along with a coffee. On one of the days we also got a vanilla cream pastry there which was especially good. Der Milchladen. Map

Kremanski café

A café operating from morning till night and has a variety of healthy breakfasts such as oatmeal and fruitshakes. It also offers sandwiches, croissants and more. I ordered a simple yellow cheese sandwich there and a cappuccino there.  Kremanski. Directions

Fraulein wild café

A café with some of the best bagel sandwiches I’ve ever had. I order an avocado, tomato and egg bagel there and it was delicious and filling. Additionally, the café itself is very nice and has good service. You can also sit down and work on your laptop there. They have a variety of breakfasts, as well as cakes and pastries.    Fraulein wild cafe. Directions.

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Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria and a seaside resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea. Varna is a cheap destination where you can find beaches, bars, a huge park with attractions for kids, big malls, interesting museums, and a central street with many restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

I must mention that it’s not a lively city others in Europe (Berlin, Rome, etc.) but it’s a nice place where you can spend a few days. I also recommend to do a day trip to the town of Balchik (post about Balchik) or to visit the Golden Sands area, especially if you are looking for nightlife and a promenade with many stalls and restaurants (post about things to do in Golden Sands).

We stayed at the Golden Sands area in the all-inclusive HVD Viva Club Hotel (Tips on how to find cheap hotels). We arrived in Varna with a taxi that cost 25 leva for a one-way ride, but there are also buses that ride to Varna and back to the Golden Sands area.

Tips before flying to Varna

Sim Abroad

Today you will find wireless internet in almost every hotel or restaurant you visit, but it is always convenient to have internet everywhere. In Bulgaria you can buy a local SIM in the shops of the local telecommunications company Yettel for a fairly low price of about 20 to 40 BGN. Here is a photo of the packages they offer to tourists and you can just buy their sim and put it in your phone and start surfing. In my opinion, the smallest package of 25GB will be enough for most visitors and will only cost 10 euro.

I personally recommend using an eSIM, which is an electronic SIM, and highly recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of a SIM card abroad as well as about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for Airalo to purchase an eSIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link.

Where to sleep in Varna?

We will sleep in the Golden Sands area at the Viva Club Hotel, an all-inclusive hotel (tips on how to find cheap hotels). We took a taxi from the airport to the center of Varna. It cost 25 Lev each way, but there are also buses that go to the city of Varna and back to the Golden Sands area.  It is recommended to visit there in the months of May – September. In the off season many places for tourists will be closed but if you are not planning on the beach or water parks, you will find enough things to do because Varna is a big city after all.

How do you get to Varna?

There is an airport in the city of Varna and from many European destinations you can find direct flights there.

Car rental in Varna

There is no need to rent a car in Varna, but if you plan to take a trip and leave Varna (like we did to Balchik or the Golden Sands), then the most convenient thing is to rent a car, certainly if you are traveling with children. Car rental in Varna and Bulgaria is very cheap compared to Europe and you can rent a small car for 25 Euro per day.

You can search for a car in the search engine Paapm Paapm. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

Events and festivals in Varna 2024

Summer music festival Borne 22.6-5.10 – link to all the events in the festival
Opera performances in the theatre in summer 15.6-30.8 Link to all performances
Jazz Festival 11.7-13.7 Link to all the details

Recommended beaches in Varna

Rappongi Beach Beach with restaurant bar and sunbeds.

Varna beach, a virgin beach with only sand and no sunbeds, but there are many restaurants and cafes nearby Directions

Beach Buna Beach First Buna Beach that is mainly suitable for a walk along the beach Directions

Retro Museum

One of the coolest museums we have ever visited. It’s located on the first floor in the Grand Mall and it’s nostalgic, filled with cars from the communism period (what awesome cars they had back then!), there is also music from this period and toys and daily stuff that help you see how they lived back then.

In this museum you will feel like you went back in time. There are also wax figures of famous people who drove those cars then.

We wandered around the museum for about an hour and really enjoyed to see these unique cars and reading about the figures.

An entrance ticket costs 10 leva. There’s an option to buy a combined ticket with the wax museum (which is also in the mall), but we chose to enter only the Retro Museum because we had already been in the wax museum in Berlin.

Visit Primorski Park

This is the largest, oldest, and most familiar park in Varna. We loved it. It’s a huge park and you can wander there for hours. There’s a big area with attractions for kids and a small Luna Park. There is also a dolphinarium in the park.

There are many walking trails in the park and you can go right down to the beach and the promenade from it. Along the promenade there are bars and restaurants.

We sat at the “Beach Selfie Bar”. I drank a cappuccino and Roman ordered a Bloody Mary cocktail which was good. The view to the beach was beautiful and we liked the bar’s design.

The only thing that was missing in the park was that there wasn’t any place to rent bikes from. And this park is perfect for bike-riding.

Shopping

Varna is a cheap destination for shopping. We usually don’t shop during our trips (we travel a lot and we try to travel cheap), but I bought a nice coat for 40 Leva, gloves for the gym and a bag (yes, I consider it a lot of shopping :)). The Grand Mall is a big mall with many famous brand shops like Zara, Bershka, H&M, and more. There are also local brands and designer shops.

Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral

The cathedral is located at about a 15-minute walk from the main street in Varna. This is a really beautiful cathedral. It’s impressive from the outside and from the inside. I think it’s definitely worth a short visit.

We sat there for a few minutes and loved to look at the small details and the wall paintings. I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that people spent months and years painting the walls. The most impressive one was in the Chapel in the Vatican, Rome.

Wander around the main street

In Varna’s center there’s a main street with many restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. If you are looking for a nice place for a drink or a meal with a lively atmosphere, this is the place to go.

Excursions outside the city of Varna

As I mentioned, with a rented car you can go to the areas near Varna. For example, we went to Belchik and the Golden Sands. If you are adventurous, you can also diversify with a visit to Burgas or travel west to the center of Bulgaria and visit Plovdiv, which is the ancient capital of Bulgaria and is absolutely a destination worth visiting.

Nesebar city

Nesebar is a small town that is swallowed up within the boundaries of northern Burgas. I did not visit it but one of the followers of the blog wrote to me about it. Its interesting part is the old city or the Straria Grad – which is located on a small peninsula connected by a narrow road and surrounded by ancient walls. Some people think it is simply the old town of Burgas. You can wander the alleys of the old city, admire the historical buildings, the amphitheater and the ancient churches. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site so expect lots of visitors and tourists (locals too). There are lots of souvenir shops on the streets and it’s worth a visit of a few hours.

You can park in the parking lot for a fee – at the entrance to the city turn right and continue to the parking lot.

And if you have already reached it, then you must visit Burgas. In Burgas you can find a lot of attractions and worthwhile things that I haven’t blogged about yet, but you can find a lot of information on Google.

Strandzha Nature Park

Another place I haven’t visited but one of the followers of the blog recommended is Strandza Nature Reserve. He wrote about the reserve: I visited the Strandza nature reserve on the border with Turkey and I really recommend it. There are forests, rivers and beautiful waterfalls. As a travel enthusiast, I took day trips in nature and saw that you can also ride a bike. The villages there are beautiful and full of old wooden houses that are special to the region. You can walk around the village of Brashlyan, in my opinion it is a gem that not many people know, the locals are very nice and calm and when you are there you feel as if you have gone back a hundred years in time.

And if you’ve already traveled all the way to the area, it’s really cool to reach the border with Turkey and see the huge Turkish flag flying in front of the Bulgarian flag on both sides of the Mutlu River. Drive to Rezovo and aim for the south coast or the border monument.

Things to do in Varna with children

When we traveled in Varna it was just me and Roman, but for those who come with children, there are lots of things to do in and around Varna.

• Dolphinarium Dolphinarium Varna directions
• bowling
• Carting
• The stone forest
• Zoo directions

More attractions in Varna

There were other things we wanted to do in Varna and we didn’t get to, so I’m attaching the list here:

• Casino
• Kayaking in the river, a daily trip – for more details and purchasing tickets
• 3 hour cruise in the Black Sea in Varna including lunch and drinks – for more details and ticket purchase
• Walking tour in the city of Varna – for more details and purchase of tickets
• Evksinograd Palace directions

In conclusion, Varna can be an ideal destination for a summer vacation that includes both belly and various attractions. We were there as a couple and we are waiting to go back there again with the girls.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Bulgaria? I have more posts about Bulgaria on my blog.

Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria and a seaside resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea. It’s a cheap destination where you can find beaches, bars, a huge park with attractions fo kids, big malls, interesting museums, and a central street with many restaurants, bars and coffee shops (read our post about things to do in Varna).

We stayed in the Golden Sands area in an all-inclusive hotel. It’s a 20-minute drive from the city of Varna in a taxi.

Recommended restaurants in Varna

Vegetarian and fish restaurant – Jasmin Tea House

We went to this restaurant for breakfast and we enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back again for lunch. First of all, the atmosphere is very cozy and pastoral (especially if you sit in the beautiful yard). We arrived at the restaurant exactly at the opening time, 11:00, so we were the only ones there.

We sat outside and when we got the menus we didn’t know what to choose. All the dishes sounded good and special. This is a great place for vegetarians and vegans, and there are also fish dishes.

After some deliberation we decided to order for starters a dish with 3 spreads (olive spread, hummus, and a peppers with tomato spread) with Arabic bread and a quinoa salad with peas, avocado, and goat cheese.

The spreads were very tasty. I especially liked the pepper spread. The quinoa salad was delicious; all the ingredients matched well. It was a filling dish, we didn’t even finish it because we wanted to leave space for the other dishes we ordered.

For our main courses Roman ordered a mussels dish and we also ordered a zucchini risotto with white wine and green pepper. Roman said that the mussels were very good; one of the best he had ever eaten. And the risotto was really good and light. Honestly, I was already full from the starters, but I couldn’t not try the risotto.

We also ordered Kombucha (a probiotic tea we tasted for the first time in Thailand and since then we order it on every chance we get) to drink. We ordered the rose Kombucha and it was very refreshing (if you haven’t tried it before, I recommend you to do so. It’s healthy and tasty).

Address
“Petko Karavelov” 26, 9002 Varna Center, Varna, Bulgaria
Opening hours
Every day 11:00-23:00

A traditional Bulgarian restaurant – Staria Chinar

I had received a recommendation for this restaurant from a local through Instagram (it’s a great way to get recommendations for things to do and restaurants). We arrived there for a late lunch and we loved the restaurant’s design. We sat outside (there are many sitting places in the inside and the outside).

The food there was cheap so it gave Roman the option to order many dishes to be able to taste as many as possible 🙂 For starters we ordered a grated cabbage and carrot salad and an Ikara. The salad was seasoned well with lots of lemon, the way I like it. The Ikara was the best we had ever eaten. The texture was good and the flavours were delicate.

For main courses I ordered a meatball dish which turned out to be more like 5 big kebabs. I managed to eat 2 and they were very good (the dish comes with bacon and cheese but I requested it to be without them). And I also ordered a vegetarian Moussaka which also was very good but I only managed to eat half and Roman ate the rest.

Roman ordered 3 dishes of different kinds of meat. The dishes were very big and this was one of the few times that Roman didn’t finish everything he ordered. He said that the meat was high-quality and cooked really well.

If you are looking for a cheap, traditional local Bulgarian restaurant then stop looking. This is the restaurant for you.

Address
“Makedonia” 154, 9000 Varna Center, Varna, Bulgaria
Opening hours
Every day 12:00-00:00

Local chain with good food that is also – Happy Bar & Grill

This is a local chain with 4 branches in Varna. They serve grilled food and sushi (a good combination). We were pretty skeptical about the food’s quality because it’s a cheap touristic restaurant. But our taxi driver recommend us to try it, and we also saw good reviews so we decided to give it a go.

It’s not a gourmet restaurant but the food was tasty and it was definitely a good value for our money.

I ordered different kinds of sushi and Roman ordered grilled calamari. We both enjoyed our dishes. We also ordered a mango sangria which was refreshing and yummy.

We were in the branch that’s located in the beginning of the main street. The restaurant is open 247.

Recommended coffee shops in Varna

A cozy coffee shop – Mafe Cafe

The coffee shop is located about 5 minutes walking from the main street. This is a great coffee shop with many pastries, cakes, and cookies. Its design is modern. The coffee was great. I had a jam cookie and Roman ordered a croissant. We both were happy with our choices.

You can sit inside or outside.
Address
бул.Осми полк 58, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria
Opening hours
Monday-Saturday 07:30-19:30 closed on Sunday

A cafe-bar for a cold drink – Vogue Cafe Bar

A cool cafe- bar on the main street in Varna. This is a great place for a cold drink on a sunny day. They have many different types of coffee, milkshakes, and cocktails.

I ordered a cold coffee with coconut syrup. Since I am not a fan of sweet drinks, the syrup was too strong for me. So I loved this coffee less than others. But I guess that people who love sweet beverages will probably like it. Roman ordered a mango drink that was good.

Address
“Todor Dimov” 18, 9002 Varna Center, Varna, Bulgaria
Opening hours
Every day 10:00-00:00

Bar near the beach- Selfie Bar

This bar is located on the promenade near the beach. We went there after wandering around the park. We went down in the promenade’s direction and saw this bar which looked nice. I ordered a cappuccino and Roman ordered a bloody Mary cocktail. One of the most fun things to do is to watch the sunset with a tasty drink. We enjoyed sitting there and we loved the cool, colorful design of the bar.

Address
9002 Primorski, Varna, Bulgaria
Opening hours
Every day 10:00-04:00

If you are staying in the city of Varna or the Golden Sands area in Varna, we recommend you do a day trip to the town of Balchik (The truth is that it is not a town but a small port city in northeastern Bulgaria). We stayed at the HVD Viva Club Hotel in the Golden Sands and we took a taxi to Balchik from there. The drive took around 35 minutes.

Balchik is small and beautiful. You will find beautiful botanic gardens, great local restaurants, and a lovely promenade along the black sea shore.

How to get to Balchik?

• By taxi – from the Golden Sands area the taxi costs 30 leva (BGN coin)
• By bus- a bus from the Golden Sands costs 5 leva, and from Varna, it costs 7 leva. The timetable for the bus from the central station in Varna is: 09:30, 13:30, 15:00, and 18:00
• Renting a car – you can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

The promenade

The promenade is very beautiful with a good breeze from the sea. You can find restaurants, coffee shops, and gelatos along the way. You can also rent bikes and travel with them.
In the area of the promenade, there is a small market where you can buy local jewellery, souvenirs, and more.

The beach

There’s a small beach strip, so if you want to also add some beach time to your visit to Balchik, you can definitely do so (just bring a towel and a swimsuit and you are all set).
The beach has clear water and offers various water activities such as water sports, and you can rent boats, paddleboards, or kayaks. Along the beach, there are restaurants and bars, and there are chairs and umbrellas available for rent.

Botanic Garden

There are two entrances to the botanic garden. The first one is the main entrance and it’s from the town center; the second one is from the promenade area. The difference between the entrances is that when you enter the gardens from the main one, you continue your visit in the gardens downwards and if you enter the gardens from the second entrance, you continue your visit in the gardens upwards.

If you have a problem with climbing stairs, you should probably go in through the main entrance (you can take a taxi from the promenade to the town center which would cost 5 leva). The gardens are very impressive. They are among the botanic gardens that we have liked the most (other gardens that we liked were in Villa Melzi, in Bellagio, Italy).

The gardens are very big and well-maintained. You can spend easily 2-3 hours or more there. There is a gorgeous waterfall and really pretty areas. A good thing about the gardens is that you can visit even on a hot day because there are many shaded areas.
There is also a palace in the botanic gardens, but we must say that, compared to other palaces that we’ve seen, this was the least impressive one. The entrance to the palace is an additional 8 leva. We don’t think it’s a must-see, but it depends on you.

Entrance to the botanic gardens costs 6 leva
Opening hours: every day 08:00-20:00. Directions.

Balchik Dvoretsa Palace and Park

The palace is located near the botanical gardens and is characterized by an architectural style that combines Romantic and Mediterranean elements. It was built in the 1920s and belonged to Queen Maria of Romania, who chose the city of Balchik as her holiday retreat. The palace currently serves as a museum with exhibitions about the life of the queen. Directions.
Book tickets online
Open daily 08:00-20:00

History Museum of Baltchik

The museum was founded in the 1960s and is located in a building that was once the home of an Austrian doctor. It features collections that include archaeological artifacts, photographs, and items related to the daily lives of the residents over the generations. Directions.
Museum’s website.
It’s closed on Saturday and Sunday. open from Monday- Friday 08:00-12:00, 12:30-16:30

The city center

The city center is within walking distance of the promenade and the botanical gardens. It is a small area, but it has several restaurants, including Bistro Kestana and Restaurant The Castle, among others. There are also a number of hotels and guesthouses. In addition, you can find some souvenir stands there..

Recommended restaurants in Balchik

Antik Restaurant

We started our day at a restaurant near the sea. Antik Restaurant. We decided not to eat breakfast at our hotel and instead try it in Balchik and it was a very good decision. To sit in front of the sea in a colorful restaurant is a great way to start your morning.

We ordered 2 omelettes, 2 Parlenkas (a flat, Bulgarian bread with toppings like cheese and garlic), a Greek salad, and Roman also ordered a yogurt soup. The omelet and the Parlenka were pretty big so we could have ordered only one of each of them for the both of us.

Roman ordered a beer and I ordered a cappuccino. The food was good and the atmosphere was so relaxing; we could have stayed there for hours.We ate pretty late, so some of the people were already ordering lunch and their dishes looked really yummy, so I’m sure this restaurant would also be a great choice for lunch/dinner.

Restaurant the Castle

We ate lunch in a local Bulgarian restaurant (in the town center) that our taxi driver recommended. The Castle Restaurant. Honestly, I was still full from breakfast so I just ordered a fresh orange juice. Roman ordered a Bulgarian soup like Chorba and he liked the dishes.

Even though the restaurant is in a central touristy location, the prices were cheap and the dishes’ portions were big.

Where to sleep in Balchik?

If we had more time on the trip, I would have been happy to spend a night or two in Balchik. I really loved this city. It is small and relaxing, and from what I checked, there are a few places with good reviews for accommodation, including:

• Lighthouse Golf & Spa Hotel
• Balchik Sea View Apartments in Princess Residence
• Apartments Poemia, complex Carpe Diem
• Hotel Mistral
• Hotel Samara with Relax area
• Regina Maria Spa Design Hotel

Balchik is definitely a recommended place for a half-day or a full-day trip. Don’t miss it if you are staying in Varna or the Golden Sands area.

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During our vacation in Varna we decided to stay at the Golden Sands area, because we heard that it’s a lively zone and it’s highly recommended for a vacation. We looked for a high-class hotel at a reasonable price that would be all-inclusive. After many searches on the internet, we found the HVD Viva Club Hotel.
Read more reviews about this hotel.

It’s an all-inclusive hotel and its reviews were very good. The hotel cost us 156 USD per night at the end of August- start of September. A cheap price for a 4-stars all-inclusive hotel. We booked 7 nights, which in total cost 1092 USD.

From the moment we entered the hotel, we knew that it was a good choice

About the hotel

We arrived to the hotel with a taxi from Varna’s airport. As soon as we got to the reception we got a welcome drink. The check-in process was fast (we arrived in the afternoon). During our entire stay, the service was excellent. The workers always smiled and answered every question or request with patience.

The room itself was clean, big, and had a lovely balcony.

The pool

The pool area is a lovely area with many tanning beds, a bar, and a snacks buffet which is open every day from 10am.

From the dining room there is an exit to the pool area so you can eat your meal on the tables near the pool.

The food

The food in this hotel is one of the best things it has. It’s high-standard food and it’s very diverse. In the evening the meals usually have a theme like Bulgarian night, Italian night, seafood night, and more. And the entrance setting to the dining room was done according to the theme.

There is a big selection of salads, meat, fish, desserts, fruits, and much more in all the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

There are also two restaurants in the hotel (not included in the price). A grill restaurant and an Italian one. They are both really good, with a great service. I loved the seafood pasta in the Italian restaurant and the fish from the grill was one of the best I have ever eaten (it looked pale but it was so succulent and tasty.

The entertainment staff

The entertainment staff is really good. During the day they offer many activities, games, and competitions for kids and adults, and in the evening they have diverse shows and activities like bingo, Oktoberfest, and more.

The location

The location was good in our opinion. It’s not near the beach, but we liked the fact that it was set in a quiet area. In order to get to the promenade area you need to go down several stairs (from the pool area) and to continue down for about 10 minutes. The walk itself is in a nice area with stalls, shops, bars, and restaurants.

The hotel’s beach

The hotel has a private beach, but in order to get there you need to use the shuttle service. It’s about 5 minutes driving (there are shuttles from the morning till the evening). I definitely recommend to go the hotel’s beach, because there are tanning beds and sunshades for free and all the food and drinks are all-inclusive. So you can eat lunch, snack, an ice cream, or fruit, and drink beers and soft drinks without spending a cent.

Extras

When we arrived at the hotel we discovered that if you book at least 7 nights in their hotel, you get two meals for free in their restaurants (the grill and the Italian one) and we were free to use the sauna and the Jacuzzi.

Things that could improve in the hotel

There are only two elevators in the hotel and sometimes one of them didn’t work. If the hotel is fully booked, you need to wait for a long time in order to use the elevator. We were on the 4th floor so most of the time we used the stairs, but if you have problem climbing stairs or you have small kids, I recommend you to ask for a room in a lower floor.

The spa and the gym area don’t match the hotel’s standards. They are in the lower floor and feel like a basement. We worked out in the gym one time and it was strangled.

We also got a massage and it was very good, but you need to take into consideration that the atmosphere is not like in a high-level spa. No candles, no dim lighting, and the room was not welcoming. But at least the massage itself was good and for a reasonable price.

I must mention that our vacation in Golden Sands was beyond our expectations. It’s a dreamy destination for a cheap, fun, spoiling, and awesome vacation (we have been to Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey in the past, and we think that the Golden Sands has the most value for money for a vacation).

We took a flight to Varna and from the airport we took a taxi that cost about 25 euro to the HVD Viva Club Hotel. The ride took about 40 minutes. There is also an option to take a bus from the airport but it’s a longer ride and we had landed in the afternoon so we wanted to be at the hotel as soon as possible in order to enjoy the rest of the day.

We arrived at the all-inclusive hotel around 6:30 pm. We got a room on the 4th floor with a sea view. We arranged our stuff and went down for dinner. The hotel cost us 140 euro per night, all-inclusive. A cheap price for a hotel at the end of August- start of September.

Golden Sands main season is from May – September.

How do you get to the golden sands?

Getting to the Golden Sands is by flight to the city of Varna and from there you can take a taxi like we did or take public transportation and use route 409 which is a bus that goes from the airport to the Golden Sands (costs about 2 Lev per person, the trip should be about 40 minutes fast in total and according to what I checked during the season a bus leaves every 15 minutes between 5 am and 11 pm and less frequently during the off season – every half an hour and 6 am) or rent a car and get to the Golden Sands. About half an hour from the airport to the Golden Sands area.

Link to the timetable of line 409 (the website is loading slowly so you need patience)

You can also use the Moovit application that updates the location of the buses in real time.

Stay at an all-inclusive hotel

We stayed at the HVD Viva Club Hotel. A high-standards hotel with amazing food. Great pool, good service, the entertainment staff put a lot of effort into activities and shows. The hotel has a private, all-inclusive beach too. I wrote a detailed post about the hotel. Click here to read more about the hotel.

Walk along the promenade

Wow, this promenade is so much fun. It has everything. Restaurants, bars, clubs, stalls, coffee shops, beaches, and loads of attractions for adults and kids.

You can walk for hours along the promenade and find many things to do there. There are great stalls with souvenirs, bags, things for the sea and pool, clothes, and more.

Because the promenade is very long, there is a train that you can jump on to and ride on it back and forth along the promenade (the train costs 4 leva).

Recommended bars in Golden sands

There are so many bars along the promenade and in the Golden Sands area in general. You can hop from bar to bar all day long. All the bars are high in quality and each one is designed in a cool and unique way.

Bars that we really liked:

Megapark Dolphin

A lively bar from the morning till the night which has a pool and foam parties. There is happy hour on drinks 1+1 and you can order a hookah in different flavors.

Cocktail bar Paris

it’s a bar that’s located in a mini copy of the Eifel tower. There’s a view from it to the promenade and in the evening it’s really nice to sit there and have a cocktail or glass of wine.

Cuba Bar

Located on the beach and there are different sitting options. To sit on the swing near the bar, or regular tables, or a cushion seat on the beach. During the sunset it’s a perfect place for a cocktail.

Mini golf

Mini golf is one of my favorite attractions. Not because I’m good at it, but because it’s a fun game, funny (especially if you don’t know how to play) and it’s a great way to pass time with friends.

The mini golf in Golden Sands is on the promenade and it’s good. It has 18 different stations and it’s shaded. So there’s not a problem to play there on a hot day. When we arrived at around 2pm we were the only ones there. We played for about 75 minutes.

The game for an adult costs 10 leva, and for a child (under the age 12) 5 leva.

Drink coffee with a yummy cake

One of our favorite things to do during a vacation is to drink a good coffee with a yummy cake in the middle day. There are many coffee shops along the promenade.

We really loved Cafe Wiener. It’s a high-standards cafe with amazing cakes. They also have gelatos. We ordered 2 cappuccinos with a carrot cake. The coffee was good and the cake was really tasty. You could feel the taste of the carrot and the nuts in each bite.

Clubs in Golden sands

There are many clubs along the promenade and also in the hotels area. We went to one club- Bonkers Club. This club was less fit for us, but if you are in your early 20’s I guess you would have more fun. The club’s price includes free alcohol from the bar.

We also saw a commercial for another club-Arrogance Club. Which seemed to have higher standards. But we didn’t have the chance to try it. According to the commercial this club has 5 different halls and each hall has a different music style.

Get a massage

Because there isn’t a perfect vacation without a massage (at least for me :)). I got a massage at the beach first. I love to be at the beach and to have the option to get a relaxing and quick massage. I chose the 20-minutes back treatment. I can’t say it was like a spa massage but it was good enough and definitely worth 20 leva.

The second time I got a massage, it was in the hotel that we were staying in Viva club.

Their spa is not the best in terms of decoration and atmosphere, but the massage itself was very good and the price was 70 leva for 50 minutes which was cheap for a 4-stars hotel.

Work out at the gym

Yes I know, not many of you will think that it’s something you should do on a vacation, but we did. We love to work out at the gym, especially in a gym like the one we found in the promenade area.

It’s a fitness club with a view to the sea. If you are a gym lover, you will love to work out there. The equipment is new and the view is beautiful. The entrance costs 6 leva and there’s a bathroom and a dressing room. Directions .

Beaches in Golden sands

There are many beaches along the entire promenade. Arranged beaches with sunbeds and umbrellas. We were at the private beach of the HVD Viva club hotel, but when we walked around the boardwalk we saw that there are many good beaches to be at:
Riviera beach free zone
Beach Golden Sands

Things to do with kids in the Golden Sands

As I wrote, on this trip it was just me and Roman, but I made a list of some things worth doing with children in the Golden Sands:

Play mini golf directions
Walk the boardwalk and ride the train that passes there
Go to the beach
Travel with them to the city of Varna – Things to do in the city of Varna
Go on a day trip with them to the town of Balchik
Take a walk in Priroden Park Zlatni Pyasatsi, there are hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, from easy to difficult. Directions

In conclusion, we went on vacation to the Golden Sands in Bulgaria as a couple, but it’s also an excellent vacation for families because of the all-inclusive resorts, the beaches, a promenade full of activities and a fun and light atmosphere. You can manage there without a car, which is an advantage when you come on vacation with children.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Romania is a gorgeous country, full of landscapes, nature, good food, friendly people, and so much to see and do. Oh, and it is a cheap destination so that makes it even better.

We landed in Cluj Napoca and returned from Bucharest.

Tips before traveling to Romania

SIM card

I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Car rental in Romania

I think this is the most convenient and fun way to travel. Car prices are low and the roads are easy to drive.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

Attractions in Romania

You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attractions site is tiqets the second is Get your guide and Viator.

Where to stay in Romania

You can search for places to stay in Romania via Booking.

Here’s my 10 days itinerary for Romania:

Day 1

Landed in Cluj Napoca and picked the car that we booked in advance (post about how to rent a car for cheap). We drove to the city and did a check-in into a lovely apartment hotel in the city’s center Aparthotel Gutinului.

After that, we went to eat lunch in a nice restaurant-bar and then we went to visit the botanical gardens. They were so beautiful. We wandered a little bit in the city center and then drove to a local traditional restaurant. The dinner was really good. Before ending the day we went to grab a drink in a cool bar designed as a laboratory.

Posts about Cluj Napoca.

Day 2

We went to eat breakfast in the central area which has many restaurants and coffee shops. After breakfast, we continued to a viewpoint of the city and then we drove to the Salina Turda Salt Mine. About an hour driving. The mine was absolutely stunning.

It has many attractions for adults and for kids (post about Salina Turda Salt Mine). After the visit to the salt mine we continued to Brasov. A three and a half hours ride.

In Brasov we booked an Airbnb apartment in the city’s center. We left our things there and went to a free tour at 18:00 (this free tour is given every day at 18:00). The tour was about two and a half hours long and was very interesting and informative. After the tour we went to an amazing Italian restaurant (one of the best restaurants we went to during the trip).

Day 3

We went to the cable car in Brasov. We went up and there was an incredible viewpoint of the city (post about Brasov). Then we went to the gym and later continued to a royal guest house in the Brasov province. About one hour driving.

We booked the Prince’s cabin and it was one of the most beautiful cabins we’ve ever stayed in. In the evening we ate dinner in an elegant wine cellar with the other guests. All the dishes were served at the middle of the table and we drank a lot of good wine. It was very nice to meet the other guests and to talk with them and we had a great night.

Day 4

We ate breakfast in the guest house’s yard with the other guests on picnic tables. The cabin cost us about 150 euro including dinner & breakfast. There is also an option to pay around 200 euro to also include lunch and a day activity like horse-riding, a trip to the lake, and more. From there we drove to an isolated cabin in the woods that we booked through Airbnb.

We bought some ingredients on the way. When we arrived at the cabin we had a BBQ in the yard. We loved the cabin. It cost us about 100 euro (post about the two cabins).

Day 5

We drove to the gorgeous Lake Saint Anne. A two hours ride. We went up to a viewpoint, then we had a picnic near the lake and hiked a little bit around there.

Day 6

We continued our journey to Sinaia. In Sinaia we booked a boutique hotel Pension Casa Teo  and because we were the only ones there we were upgraded to a suite. Yay!!

We ate lunch in a Serbian restaurant and in the evening we went out to an Irish bar (post about Sinaia).

Day 7

We went up 2000m’ in a cable car. There were breathtaking views from there. But it was really cold. I recommend to bring warm clothes with you for this ride and also a wool hat to protect your ears from the wind.

From there we continued to Peles Castle; a castle that looks like it was taken out of a fairy tale. Afterwards, we drove to Bucharest, returned the car to the agency, and went to the apartment near the old city. In the evening I went to get a Thai massage and after that we ate in a Japanese restaurant.

Days 8-10

We stayed in Bucharest. We had two tours there; one that was free and the other was a graffiti tour. We went to the biggest park, to a dinner at a local home, to great restaurants and coffee houses, and in the evenings we went to the bars area. There’s an insane nightlife scenery there.

Posts about Bucharest.

To sum it up: we had a blast in Romania and during the entire trip.

Roman and I have been living in Tel Aviv for few years now and the hotels that we love the most in Israel are in Jaffa – Tel Aviv. There is something really fun to just go to a hotel that it is a few minutes walking from your home and immediately feel like you’re on a vacation.

The boutique hotels that I chose to write about are the ones that we loved the most.

They both are in best locations, especially for us, foodies and markets lovers. Market House Hotel is located in the flea market in Jaffa, and Poli House is located in the Ha’Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.

They both have an amazing design, beautiful rooms and one of the greatest things about them is that their price is really reasonable compared to the prices in Israel. They both cost around 200 USD including breakfast.

The Market House Hotel – A combination of a culinary experience, urban vacation, and the history of Jaffa

When we entered The Market House Hotel, we were impressed by its design and the homey and peaceful atmosphere. The hotel was opened in 2014 and its design is urban with a touch of Jaffa’s history.

In the entrance there is a lobby with comfortable sofas, a reception, and a dining area with a European coffee shop atmosphere where they serve breakfast and have their happy hour.

The room

The room itself is a lovely boutique room with TV, a kettle to prepare coffee or tea, a nice hat (which I wore when we went out to the market), and a cool shopping bag (which we took also with us to the market to completely feel like tourists), and a bathroom with a shower.

The room is pretty basic, but I love small and functional rooms. The type that have all you need and their design gives you a good feeling. Oh, and the bed is really comfortable, too.

There are other rooms with higher standards, like a room with a big balcony that overviews the sea and has a pleasant breeze. We stayed in the basic room but we had the chance to see the other rooms there, so I can share pictures of them with you. this is the beautiful view from the room with the big balcony.

This is the superior room, which is bigger than the basic room and the best thing about it is that it has a gorgeous bath (I’m sure that this room is a great option for bath-lovers!).

Breakfast and happy hour

Aside from the beautiful design and lovely rooms, the Market House Hotel also offers a great culinary experience due to its location in the flea market and its excellent breakfast, (every day from 06:30-12:00) and its awesome Happy Hour (every day from 17:00-20:00).

The breakfast is a buffet with high-quality raw materials and products. They offer good cheeses, salmon, smoked fish, olives, fresh breads, pastries, dried fruits, bourekas, and more. You can also order an egg dish like omelets and shakshuka.

In addition, you can order whichever type of good coffee you can want.

This really good breakfast is also available to people we are not the hotel’s guests by scheduling an appointment and it costs 88 shekels per person

The Happy Hour is one of the greatest things there because, what can be better than a glass of wine with a snack in the afternoon for free? When we stayed there they served a small pizza, dried fruits, snacks, wine, and soft drinks. Yummy!

There is also a pretty lounge on the first floor if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

A little bit more about The Market House Hotel

The hotel also offers free bike rentals for its guests. We ate lunch in the flea market and in the evening we went to some bars in the market too. At those hours, the atmosphere is very lively and full of people and great music. So it’s also a great location for those who are looking for awesome nightlife.

The Market Hotel belongs to the Atlas chain. We’ve stayed before in another hotel that belongs to them in Jerusalem, called Arthur Hotel and it was amazing too. They have many other boutique hotels in Israel which all look great and have really good reviews.

So, if you are looking for a charming hotel with great service, a pleasant culinary experience, history, an amazing location close to Jaffa Port and the beach, Market House will deliver all of this and more 🙂

Before I tell you about the other hotel here some pictures of the flea market

Poli House Hotel- A combination of chic, modern design for a really good spoiling experience

Poli House Hotel is located on Nahalat Binyamin St. next to the Ha’Carmel market. The hotel was opened in 2016 and it has a cool chic design.

When we entered the hotel, we felt like we were in an awesome space ship. The style is super special and you can see that the designer thought about each and every detail.

The pool and the bar

The reception is located on the roof floor and not in the entrance, which is something different from the usual.

We arrived early to the hotel (there is an advantage of living close to it! 🙂 ), so we put our small bag in the storage space, we put on our swimsuits in the dressing room, and went up to the pool.

One of the main reasons that I booked Poli House Hotel was precisely because of the pool. It is located on the same floor as the reception and there is also a pool bar.

The hotel was fully booked but it didn’t feel crowded. Indeed, there weren’t good seats left, but we didn’t care because we came with just one target in mind: to be in the pool all day and to drink cocktails.

I ordered a Margarita and Roman ordered a cocktail based on Arak, because what can be better during a vacation than a pool, sun, and a good cocktail?

The pool is not that big, but it’s definitely great for feeling spoiled and having fun. There’s a view of the sea from it and there is a shadowed area with cabanas and lounge spaces.

In the noon we went to eat lunch in the Ha’Carmel market (click here to check out a post about a good restaurant in the Ha’Carmel market) and afterwards we got our room.

The room

Not only did the entrance look like a spaceship, but so did the halls and the room as well.

The room is a beautiful boutique room and we got a Cava bottle as a gift. Yay! 🙂 In the room there is a TV, a super comfortable bed, on the desk there is cocktail equipment and book of cocktails, which is pretty cool. There is a great shower, toilet, and many toiletries.

Also in this hotel the basic room is pretty small, but again, I think it’s part of the charm in boutique hotels. Beauty, quality, and comfort over size.

The pool and the bar in the evening

In the evening we went again to eat in the Ha’Carmel market and afterwards we came back to sit at the hotel’s bar. A roof bar is such a great thing. The breeze was pleasant and the music was good. We also invited a couple that are friends of ours there to drink some beers with us and to celebrate Roman’s birthday.

The breakfast

The breakfast is served in the LoveEat coffee shop which is located next to the hotel. There is a private transition from the hotel to the coffee shop, so the coffee shop feels like a part of the hotel.

The breakfast is a choice from the menu. There are some options like a conventional Israeli breakfast (eggs, salad, bread, spreads, and coffee), a Shakshuka dish (a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions), sandwiches, and more.

The service was good and the meal was tasty and light. Indeed, it’s not a unique breakfast, but we enjoyed sitting in the coffee shop.

A little bit more about Poli House Hotel

The hotel offers free bike rentals for its guests, and it also has a spa of its own.

The hotel belongs to the Dayan group and to the hotels company “Brown hotels”. We haven’t had the chance to stay in other hotels from the Brown chain, but if they have Poli House quality, I’m sure they are amazing.

So, if you are looking for a great hotel with a pool, bar, spa, super cool design, and an incredible location, Poli House will definitely be a great choice.

Before we say goodbye, here are some pictures from the Ha’Carmel market.

This guide shares details of the itinerary, how many days you should stay at each location, transportation, recommendations for accommodation, cool attractions, good restaurants, and tips & hacks that will come in handy. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, then keep reading.

Recommended hotels in Vietnam – According to our own experience

Hanoi

If you are looking for a place that will cost you about $14 per night, then I recommend Hanoi Home Hotel.

If you’re traveling with a larger budget and can afford $50 per night, I recommend Romance Hotel.

Tam Coc

Chez Beo guesthouse.

Hoi An

Truc Huy Villa – a lovely 3 star hotel

Saigon

If you’re on low budget, we really liked Myhotel. A higher class hotel: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a crazy city, but that’s the amazing thing about it. If you’re street food lovers, then this is the place to be.

How long should you stay? 3-5 days. The food the crazy chaos, and the cool attractions are awesome.

Where should you stay?

If you are looking for a place that will cost you about $14 per night, then I recommend Hanoi Home Hotel.

If you’re traveling with a larger budget and can afford $50 per night, I recommend Romance Hotel.

Both hotels are great and are located on allies so there’s no noise at night.

Attractions in Hanoi

I wrote a detailed post about things to do in Hanoi. Click HERE to read about them.

Recommendations for Food in Hanoi

• The original egg coffee. I know it sounds weird. But it’s really good. Address: 39 Nguyen huu huan.
• Pho – Vietnamese soup.

•  10 Ly Quoc su
• 65 Lan ong str
• bat dan 49 – open only on the morning

• Cha Ca – another great dish with fish. The price is a bit higher than the rest but you should give it a try at least once. Address: Cha ca 14
• Bun Mi – Hanoi has a lot of good sandwiched in baguettes, and you should try one at this address: Hang ca 25.
• Bun Cha – this is a dish that is serves a lot in street food. It’s amazing and addictive, so beware. You should try it, I never got disappointed.
• Bánh cuốn – this is a rice crepe that is filled with beef or chicken. It’s extremely good. Address: hang bo 68 open for dinner only.

Tam Coc

Tam Coc is a beautiful town with a lot of rice fields, mountains, and stunning views.

How long should you stay? 

3-4 days or longer. The views, the hikes and bike riding, and you can spend hours at just relaxation.

How to get to Tam Coc?

• Tourist bus
• Tourist trip from Hanoi. I am personally not a fan of organized tourist trips. When you are going to places by yourselves and you are the boss.
• Local bus.

I recommend going for the local bus because the drive is about 2 hours and costs $3 per person. The tourist bus costs about 4 times more than that.

Where you should stay in Tam Coc?

• If you’re into touristy places with restaurants and bars then you can stay at the touristy area of Tam Coc. I actually don’t have a recommendation for a specific place to stay at.
• If you like nature, and if you enjoy waking up and seeing a gorgeous view, then I recommend sleeping at Chez Beo, which is a really nice guesthouse with a lovely view.

To read more about Tam Coc, Click HERE.

Sapa

Sapa is a perfect town for those of you who love hikes. It has plenty of magical views.

How long should you stay?

At least 3 days. The views and treks are unbeatable, you also get to explore of Vietnamese old traditions and feel like you traveled back in time.

How to get to Sapa?

• You can book a planned trip from Hanoi that includes a train or bus ride and sleeping at a hotel or at a home stay. As I already mentioned, we don’t really like this idea. You go on super touristy treks and sleeping at standard places. The local guides barely get paid and you don’t really get an authentic experience. I recommend going to Sapa on your own and not with a group. Maybe you want to spend some time with new people, so in that case, you should do it, but keep in mind that the experience won’t be authentic.
• Tourist bus of 6 hours – the bus leaves Hanoi at 7am and you will get to Sapa at around 1pm. It’s about $11-14, depends on which company. We picked the more expensive one, and we had a really nice ride. We ordered before we knew there were cheaper companies, and I assume that they were nice as well.
• Night train – It leaves Hanoi at around 9pm and arrives at 6am to Lao Cai and once you get there you’ll need to take a taxi of another 40 minute ride. The train ride is about $25-35 per person. Depends on the kind of car you’re riding.
• Night Bus – Costs about $10. I actually never went on a night bus because I’d rather ride during the day. It’s more safe that way.

The advantages of taking a night bus or train is that you get to Sapa early in the morning and save money by not going to a hotel that night. If you don’t mind getting there in the afternoon then I recommend the express bus.

Attractions – Trekking in Sapa

If you’ve made it to Sapa, then you should find a local guide to take you on a 2-3 day trek, or even just one day. I recommend going on both.

• Go to the church area – this is a central area in Sapa, where there are a lot of guides you could just turn to and ask for some help. Then will most likely approach you when you get there.
• Google recommendations for guides and call them. We went for that option. We found Nu, who is a lovely and humble woman. We went on the hikes with her and we slept in her house. It was one of our most unique experiences of the entire trip and one of the most delicious. Nu is an amazing cook. If you want more details, just click here and visit the website sapadaytour.

Sleeping accommodations: Home stay at our guide, of course.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the Seven Wonders, and it is indeed a beautiful place. A lot of companies make tours to get there. You can choose to go on a 3-day trip with 2-night stay on a boat, and you can also go for the other option, which is a night on the boat and a night at a hotel. You can also get there by yourselves. You have to get to Cat Ba Island and from take a tour that doesn’t include sleeping, at around $15. It suits those who travel on a low budget.

About 2 years ago I did the 3 day tour – one night on the boat and one night on the island. Since I didn’t really like the guide nor the people, it’s hard to recommend the company I went with. There are plenty of other companies, and it’s also a matter of luck what kind of people you meet. My recommendation is to not go for the cheapest tour, because you could get a lousy boat and really bad food. Look for something intermediate and even invite some people you’ve met to go with you, so you’ll at least have some good company.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a dreamy vacation town. Some people go to Pong Ne, which is a beautiful cave area, but sadly I didn’t get the chance to go.

How long should you stay?

3-5 days. There is a beach, some nice hotels, and magical vibes you won’t find anywhere else.

How to get to Hoi An?

• A train to Danang and from there a taxi to Hoi An.
• A flight to Danang and a taxi to Hoi An.

We’ve been there twice, and both times we flew over. It was so much faster, and it is actually cheaper. If you know your flying date then you should book as soon as possible, because it will make the cost a lot cheaper. I like the website Kiwi to look at flights, it makes it really easy to look.
For some recommendations of Hoi An, you can read the post of the top 10 things to do in Hoi An by Clicking HERE.

Dalat

There are a few options to continue the itinerary after reaching Danang. You can either take a train or a bus to Nha Trang, which is a beautiful beaches area. I heard it’s pretty expensive and that they are trying to take advantage of tourists, but I haven’t been so therefore I have no opinion nor recommendations.

You can also fly to Dalat, or either take 2 buses. Dalat is a French-style town. It’s super beautiful and there are a lot of nice attractions. 2 years ago we stayed just for one night because we had a planned trip the next morning. We got picked up on motorcycles through a great company called Easy Rider.

You can go on a trip from a single day or even 3+. We really enjoyed the 3-day trip. They took us to beautiful and non-touristy places. We went to see waterfalls, flower fields, silk factory, coffee factory, and more.

The trip is about $200 per person, and that was 2 years ago so I’m not sure about today. The price includes sleeping accommodations, entry to places, and actually everything but food. When you eat locally then the prices are really cheap. Since we didn’t have a budget for this trip this time, we went from Danang straight to Saigon on a direct flight.

Saigon

Saigon is a large, modern city, with bars, restaurants, and nice hotels.

How long should you stay?

2-3days. The food is great, the nightlife, and some areas feel like you’re in New York.

Accommodations in Saigon

• If you’re looking for something that is low-budget, then I recommend going to Myhotel. It’s a small and new hotel, which is a big advantage. It’s really clean and the service is kind. The cost is $15 per night for a small room. The hotel is located in a great location, it’s right where all the backpackers go to, but on a side alley so it’s not noisey.
• If you’re traveling on a higher budget, then I recommend staying at Liberty Central Saigon Riverside, which is where I celebrated my birthday. My husband Roman surprised me with a nice hotel that is really luxurious and has a nice happy hour. There is a pool on the rooftop with a view to the mountain. There is a great bar and also a fantastic breakfast. If you feel like indulging then you should go to this hotel. It’s located in a location that is very New-York-like, with super awesome vibes.

Recommended Food in Saigon

• Right in front of Myhotel we found the most delicious Won Ton soup. It’s street food, so it doesn’t have a name, but it’s right across from the hotel. It’s open from 1 or 2pm until the evening. We didn’t only declare it as the best Won Ton, but it’s also considered that way. Even if you go and it’s closed, don’t give up. Just go on the next day.
• An amazinggg Indian restaurant – Taj Mahal. I am obsessed with Indian food and I think it’s probably the best Indian place we’ve been to the entire trip. I recommend trying the signature dishes and the fish and chicken courses.
• There is a ton of street food everywhere so don’t be shy to try it. There is a great blogger who wrote all about street food in Saigon. Just click here for Mark Weins article of street food.

Attractions in Saigon

• Cu Chi Tunnels
• The War Museum – a very interesting museum.
• Local markets
• Bui Vien bar streets
• AAA Spa – I got a mani-pedi and the spa and it was fantastic. They took really good care of me, and the result was amazing. It was only $6… I didn’t get a massage but according to the recommendations it’s supposed to be a great place.

Tips and Hacks for your trip in Vietnam

• Getting a visa – this tip will lower your costs if you’re arriving with a flight. You can get a visa upon your arrival. You have to fill out your information on the website that writes a letter for you. With this letter, you will get to the airport and give 2 passport pictures. It’s a cost of $25 per person. Then you just wait a few minutes for your visa to be ready. A lot of companies write letters as such and it can help quite a lot. I found this website online: cheapvietnamvisaonline.com – you just pay $14 per visa for a 3 month visa. If it’s just for a month then it’s $7.5 per person. Everything went smoothly through them. It’s super important to bring a passport picture with you.
• Sim card – another tip you should follow is buying a local sim card. It’s really cheap and will last you a little longer than a month. It should cost about $4. We went for Viettel and we were really happy with that company.
• Hanoi to the airport – shuttles from Hanoi to the airport leave every hour from 5am until 7pm and it costs $2 per person. You don’t have to pre-book. The shuttle leaves from Vietnam Airlines offices. Click here for a map.