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STOCKHOLM WINTER TRAVEL: WHAT TO DO IN 3 DAYS IN STOCKHOLM SWEDEN

stockholm winter
By | On December 04,23 | 0 Comment

I visited Stockholm, Sweden in February in the dead of Stockholm winter after wanting to visit this Nordic city for a while and paired it with a trip to the North of Sweden. I spent 3 days in Stockholm exploring this city made up of thousands of islands that delivers stunning views, beautiful European architecture and a huge food scene. And if you know Nordic winters – they are COLD. Keep reading for how to travel during Stockholm Winter and what to do in 3 days in Stockholm.

Disclosure: This “Stockholm winter travel guide” guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

Stockholm Winter Travel Tips

  • If you want to head up to Swedish Lapland during your time in Stockholm, check out my detailed Swedish Lapland travel guide and Sweden Country Guide. Again, we did this in the dead of winter and it was stunning.
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 

Stockholm Packing Tips: Stockholm is coldddddd in the winter and not SO warm in the summer. Pack accordingly. These hand and toe warmers are my lifesaver for cold destinations (buy here). I would not have survived around Stockholm without them. For the rest of my fave travel essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

How To Get To Stockholm

The main airport you will fly into internationally is Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. Most airlines fly here as it is a major hub. We took Norwegian Air from NYC and I really loved the airline. They were extremely nice and the seats had a large amount of leg space (compared to US airlines). We also had an empty middle seat between us so that was huge for the overnight flight!

Once arrived, there are 3 ways to get to the main area of Stockholm:

  • High-Speed Train: 196 SEK ($21): Book this 30 days in advance for this price, if closer to date will be a little more. 20 minute ride, runs every 15 minutes from airport. Goes to Central Station in Norrmalm (T-Centralen). We took this route and highly suggest – train was clean and quick. Book Stockholm train here.
  • Coach Bus: 99 SEK ($11): 35-45 minute ride, runs every 10-15 minutes. Goes to Central Station in Norrmalm (Cityterminalen). Most popular route due to price, but takes a longer time and is dependent on traffic. Book Stockholm bus here.
  • Taxi: 675 SEK ($70). Around 45 minute drive.

Related Post: Sweden Travel Guide

3 DAYS IN STOCKHOLM ITINERARY

Stockholm consists of thousands of islands (the largest archipelago in Sweden) with a few main ones to note and visit. Even in the middle of Stockholm winter, this city is beautiful and you must take advantage of the different islands and seeing them from the water – as long as you wear layers!

Day One In Stockholm

Spend Full Morning In Gamla Stan

The Old Town of Gamla Stan is a tiny, tiny island in the center of the city and is the main area of Stockholm. It includes the main square and the Royal Palace and is very touristy, however, this island is the cutest! You can get lost in the little winding streets for hours. I suggest spending half of your first day in your 3 days in Stockholm in Gamla Stan. Find more information on Gamla Stan here. Here is what to do in Gamla Stan:

  • Stotorget: The famous square with lines of colorful buildings. Just stand in here and admire the beauty and people.
  • Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet): See the Changing of the Guards during the day and/or do a tour inside of the Palace.
  • Swedish Parliament (Riksdag): Can do a tour inside if interested.
  • Alley of Mårten Trotzigs: The smallest street in country – can touch both sides at once!
  • Västerlånggatan Street: Main tourist/souvenir shop drag.
  • Walk around the hundreds of winding tiny streets and get lost, eat and shop.
3 days in stockholm
marten trotzigs stockholm
gamla stan stockholm
3 days in stockholm sweden
 

Related Post: Swedish Lapland Travel Guide

Spend Afternoon/Evening In Sodermalm

Sodermalm is the trendy/young area and is south of Gamla Stan. It was also voted one of the coolest neighborhood in Europe by Vogue a few years ago.

  • Fotografiska: really good contemporary photography exhibitions, along the waterfront. good cafe/coffee place on top floor w good views
  • Monteliusvägen: Walk to this small walking path that starts on Mariatorget for the best view of Stockholm (best sunset viewing point).
  • SoFo: Trendiest area of Sodermalm. Lots of cool restaurants/bar/clubs, definitely have dinner here tonight (restaurant recommendations below).
stockholm fotografiska
stockholm fotografiska
 

Related Post: St. Petersburg Russia Travel Guide

Day Two In Stockholm

Morning In Djugarden: 2-3 Hours

Djugarden is also known as the Museum Island and is a really pretty, green island to walk around (as well as visit all the museums).

  • Vasa Museum: Must do, a massive ship that sank in 1628 and they resurrected in one piece.
  • Skansen Museum: Open-air interactive museum that shows the Swedish way of life, architecture, zoo. A very kid-oriented, young tour.
  • ABBA Museum: If you are into ABBA then it is a must-see.
  • Grona Lund: Big amusement park (better for an activity in summer).
vasa museum stockholm
 

Boat Ride Around Stockholm Archipelago

As I mentioned, Stockholm is a massive Archipelago: the name for all of the little islands around Stockholm is Skärgård. You MUST take a boat tour (even in the winter!!!) operated by Stromma Boat Tours. This was a highlight of my time in Stockholm and highly recommended! It is a great way to see all the islands and the outsides of the city. It was so, so picturesque in the winter with snow on all the islands. The tour is 1.5 hours and leaves from Stromkajen.

Afternoon In Ostermalm & Norrmalm

Ostermalm and Norrmalm are nice, popular areas north of Gamla Stan where a lot of Swedes live and are bustling with locals and tourists alike. This is generally the main, busiest area of the city and is on the mainland of Sweden.

Related Post: Reykjavik City Travel Guide

 

Day Three In Stockholm

Half-Day Trip Outside Of Stockholm

Drottningholm Palace is a world UNESCO heritage site and is a massive gorgeous palace inspired by Versailles that is a quick trip from Stockholm. I highly recommend doing this for a half-day tour from Stockholm! Have to take steamer boat here which runs from Stockholm and is super easy to catch. You can buy your round trip boat tickets to Drottningholm here in advance!

Afternoon Metro Station Hop

The Stockholm metro stations have awesome art installations in them. It is known as the largest art exhibit in the world. I suggest getting on the subway and just getting on and off at random stops to walk around underground. There are also official metro station tours to take – book a metro tour here!

stockholm metro art
what to do in stockholm, stockholm metro station
stockholm itinerary
 

Related Post: 6 Day Iceland Itinerary

If you’re going to Stockholm during Christmas, read this perfect Christmas Stockholm guide!

Check out this other great itinerary for some inspiration while visiting Stockholm.

Where To Eat In Stockholm

Swede’s love their Fika break, which is just coffee break during the day! You have to take advantage of their favorite pasttime. If you go during Stockholm Winter, you must try Semla. This is their signature pastry only available during this time period and it is delicious. Every main restaurant/cafe/bakery serves it! The Semla in Stockholm is delicious and can’t be missed in-season in winter in Stockholm.

Coffee/Breakfast/Lunch in Stockholm

Best Restaurants in Stockholm

  • Sturehof: Amazing culinary destination, famous and expensive.
  • Brasserie Le Rouge: Very good, famous, expensive restaurant.
  • Koh Phangan: Popular Pan Asian food. Really cool atmosphere and decorations. Amazing Pad Thai.
  • Pelikan: Award-winning menu, restaurant decorated like Ikea.
  • Herman’s: Mostly a local’s spot. Vegetarian buffet with amazing views and food. Unlimited food for cheap. Student discount with ID also. There is also live music Saturday nights from 7-9pm.
  • Fem Små Hus: Speciality Swedish food, next to royal palace.
  • Smak: Creative multi-dish dinner. Good deal; 3 dishes for $40.
  • Grill: 8 different themed rooms, very cool and good food.
  • Babette: Trendy pizza/wine place, casual, Michelin star.

Click all the restaurant links above to find out more/make reservations!

semla fika break stockholm
Semla
koh phangan restaurant stockholm
Koh Phangan Restaurant
 

Related Post: What To Do In London On Your Own

Stockholm Nightlife

Click the bar links above to find out more!

Where To Stay In Stockholm

I stayed with my cousin who lives there in the Norrmalm area and it was perfect. I suggest staying in Norrmalm or Sodermalm depending on your interests. Everything is walking distance and very close. Search and book Stockholm hotels here!

AIRBNB Stockholm: There are also so many cute apartments in Stockholm with extra nice hosts. They are generally cheaper than hotels so if you like the Airbnb route instead of hotels I definitely recommend it. Also, if you use my Airbnb link you get $40 off your first stay!

Search and book Stockholm hotels here!

 
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stockholm winter
3 days in stockholm pinterest
stockholm winter travel itinerary

Did I miss something in this 3 day Stockholm Winter Itinerary that you loved? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! See the rest of my Sweden country travel guide here! Looking to head North to Swedish Lapland? Check out my Swedish Lapland (Abisko and Kiruna) travel guide here!

 
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rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

United Kingdom

TRAVELING TO LONDON ALONE TRAVEL GUIDE: THINGS TO DO IN LONDON BY YOURSELF

traveling to london alone
By | On December 03,23 | 2 Comments

My sister was transferred to London for work for three months so I obviously took advantage of her living there and decided I was going to be traveling to London alone to see her since she was working everyday. I visited London solo for five total days – I did 4 days of touring London solo (which was still not close to enough) and a half-day trip outside the city. London is a great solo touring city! All of the London tourist attractions are amazing things to do in London by yourself! Keep reading to find out how to conquer solo travel in London and London day trips!

Disclosure: This traveling to London alone guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

Traveling To London Alone Tips

  • All the museums in London are free!
  • Bring your Student ID if it applies – lots of good student discounts on the tourist spots!
  • While traveling to London alone, I recommend using Big Bus Tours London (or any of the Hop on Hop Off companies – but I liked this well-known company) to see all the sights. This makes it easy to get to all the must-sees under a pre-paid 24- or 48-hour ticket. Of course you’ll hit some serious London traffic but you’ll still be overground looking at the amazing city. The Hop on Hop Off is one of the top things to do in London on your own.
  • Insurance: When visiting London, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what may happen to your flights, a death/personal emergency in your family, or an accident happening while traveling (think: getting mugged, falling while hiking and spraining your ankle, literally any accident than can happen ANYWHERE!). World Nomads makes it super easy and I never leave for a trip without getting their insurance. Most importantly it’s extremely affordable: get your World Nomads travel insurance before your trip here!
  • Traveling to London with a dog? Check out these dog-friendly London tips here.

LONDON PACKING: For all of my travel/packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

How To Get To London

Flying from America is beyond easy and is a quick 5/6 hour flight from New York. I suggest Virgin Atlantic personally, I have flown them many times, including all the way to South Africa, and love the airline, however all major carriers fly direct to London. Head to this detailed guide on how to get from Heathrow Airport to London.

BEST THINGS TO DO ALONE IN LONDON

There is way too much to do in London to squeeze in five days. Solo travel in London is one of the best ways to TRY to see everything as you can visit at your own pace! Below is a list of all of the AMAZING things to see in London by yourself that I couldn’t even get through.

London Bridge

Most famous name (and songs), least famous bridge. London Bridge is cool to see just to say you went there, but Tower Bridge is the famous, gorgeous one.

Tower Bridge

Definitely walk over Tower Bridge, maybe even multiple times. It is a gorgeous, historical, massive bridge with amazing views of the city. I also suggest coming here to watch the sunset if you can work that into your itinerary.

best things to do in london tower bridge
best things to do in london tower bridge

Top of the Shard

One of the newest buildings in London, the Shard provides the best views of London from the highest point – it is twice the highest of any viewing point in London. The building is modern and is a must-go. You also must buy your tickets in advance on their website (you will save 6 euros!) so plan this in advance! You can buy them on their website or through a London tour here: Top of the Shard information. The journey up is also awesome – they made a whole experience on the elevator ride. The picture below shows what the Shard building looks like (can’t miss it!) and the picture at the top of the article is the view from the top!

best things to do in london shard building london england

Related Post: United Kingdom Travel Guide

Borough Market

Most famous food market that is an absolute must when visiting London – preferably more than once. Borough Market is an indoor food market with all the food/drink/snack possibilities you could possibly imagine – it is heaven – and everything tastes amazing. Going to Borough Market is one of the best things to do alone in London because you can spend as much time as you want sampling all the foods!

best things to do in london borough market london uk great britain england

Tower of London/Crown Jewels

One of the most popular attractions and the lines wind around the city. This is an essential visit, most notably the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels exhibit is inside the Tower of London and showcases all of the crowns and jewels (duh) of the previous kings and queens dating back far beyond our years.

London Eye

Duh! The most famous attraction probably in Europe. Everyone waits on lines forever to ride the fun ferris wheel to get the best views in London. This is also such an easy and fun thing to do for solo travel in London since you are in a pod with other people! Can’t go to London and not ride the London Eye – but definitely get a fast pass online beforehand so you can skip to the front!

Westminster Abbey/House of Parliament

The famous church in London, and one of the most famous in the world, and an essential to visit if you love gothic churches – it is also gorgeous to marvel at from the outside.

best things to do in london house of parliament westminster abbey london britain england

Big Ben

Can’t miss a famous picture of the Big Ben clocktower outside Westminster Abbey in the heart of London.

best things to do in london big ben
best things to do in london big ben
best things to do in london big ben

Buckingham Palace

Where the Royal Family lives! Usually people go just for the changing of the guards (which I suggest) (you can find the timings each day online here), but some seasons they have tours inside the palace. I happened to go during this time (while the family was at their summer house) and I was able to tour the castle and see a special Queen’s fashion exhibit there. Definitely try to get inside Buckingham Palace if a tour is available – it is stunning.

best things to do in london buckingham palace
best things to do in london buckingham palace
best things to do in london buckingham palace

Harrods

The famous department store people travel from all over the world to come to! Everything is very high-end and it is easy to get lost in the massive store and try to buy something! Harrod’s is a definite experience when traveling to London alone – who doesn’t like to shop without the pressure of others?? 🙂 Check out other trendy things to do in London here.

Notting Hill/Portobello Market

An area accessible by the metro in central London and probably my favorite part of London. You could spend hours just walking through Notting Hill and through the Portobello Market and the colorful houses. A standard London experience that you cannot miss.

best things to do in london notting hill portobello market london england

Regent Street

Regent Street is the main, huge boulevard in London near Piccadilly Circle and is famous for its high-end shopping. Take some time to walk around the Regent Street, Covent Garden and SoHo area.

regent street london travel guide

See a Broadway Show

Broadway is just as huge in London as it is in New York! I recommend going to their theater district and seeing a show there. I saw “Book of Mormon” there and it was incredible. This is also an amazing activity to do on your own in London!

Other Popular Things To Do By Yourself In London

Other places to see in London/attractions that are popular, depending on your tastes, are:

covent garden london travel guide
covent garden london travel guide

Check out more reasons why London is the best!

 

Where To Eat In London

Brunch/Lunch in London

Afternoon Tea in London

You must take advantage of the UK’s favorite pasttime – afternoon tea! It is one of the best things in London to enjoy! Afternoon tea is just another one of the amazing things to do alone in London. While most restaurants offer specials and afternoon tea options, I would suggest making a reservation in advance at one of the fancier places below for a real, pampered experience.

best things to do in london afternoon tea

Related Post: Brunch Guide To New York City

Dinner Restaurants in London

  • Cecconi’s – very good and near Theater District.
  • Holborn Dining Room – get the burrata.
  • Bocconcino – good Italian restaurant also near Theater District.
  • Franco Manca – Very good pizza in Soho area.
  • Bocca Di Lupo – One of the top restaurants in London, very good Italian. Near Piccadilly/Theater district. Highly recommended.
  • L’Antico – Very good burrata and pasta, across London bridge.
  • Novikov – Famous for pasta inside a parmesan cheese bowl.

London Dessert Spots

best things to do in london cotton candy ice cream milk train cafe london

Click any of the London restaurant names above to learn more/make reservations!

Related Post: Porto Food Tour Guide

Best Day Trips From London

There is SO much to see around Great Britain and I highly suggest taking some of the amazing options of day trips from London. I only had a half day and chose Windsor Castle and it is definitely a must-visit and a super easy London day trip when traveling to London alone. If I had a full day trip option I would have done this combination Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath trip, which you can book by clicking here. This would be the most efficient way to see the most amount of areas from London! There are a bunch of other options here that cater to anyone’s interests, so pick which you would benefit from most!

best things to do in london windsor castle
best things to do in london windsor castle
best things to do in london windsor castle

Also check out this First Timers London guide.

Related Post: Day Trips From Tel Aviv

Where To Stay In London

I stayed with my sister while she was living in London but you can search here for London hotels and I suggest booking quickly as soon as you know your travel dates since it’s a popular city! You can also search reviews for London hotels on TripAdvisor here. If you are traveling with kids, I highly suggest check out this list of the best kid-friendly London hotels.

Search and book London hotels and hostels here!

best things to do in london london photo booth
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london pinterest
5 days in london pinterest pin london england
london solo travel guide pinterest

Did I miss something in my things to do on your own in London? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! Don’t forget to check out my general United Kingdom travel guide here for more tips!

Some emails suck. Mine don’t. Sign up to be the first to see my new travel itineraries and secret insider travel tips and hacks only my email subscribers get! I promise I will never spam you!

rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Greece

3 DAYS IN MYKONOS ITINERARY: WHAT TO DO IN MYKONOS GREECE

mykonos greece travel guide
By | On July 20,23 | 0 Comment
   

I had high expectations going in to Mykonos, with my love for house music and little stunning towns, and I was not disappointed…Not to mention the sunsets while sipping amazing cocktails. And did I mention the parties. I have visited Mykonos twice (once in 2015 once in 2022) and lived to tell the tale. This guide will tell you everything to do in Mykonos in a long weekend (3 days in Mykonos is perfect), including where to eat, where to party, where to stay and where to soak up the amazing Greek weather.

Disclosure: This 3 days in Mykonos guide post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

3 Days In Mykonos Travel Tips

  • For all of my Greece travel tips, head to my Greece Travel Guide!
  • NOTE: Most of the restaurants, beaches and clubs in Mykonos are only open during the summer/shoulder months as it primarily shuts down in the winter.
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 

MYKONOS PACKING: For all of my fave travel/packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here! It’s suuuper hot in the summer (when you will likely be visiting) don’t forget your sunscreen (my fave travel one here) and your water bottle (my fave here)! Also if you are planning on hitting the day parties/nightlife here get your most trendy outfits + heels together (lots linked on my amazon page)!

How To Get To Mykonos

  • My first visit I took the ferry from Athens to Mykonos which was super easy and quick and honestly quite beautiful. We took it from the Rafina port, which has more time options than Pireus. The ferry was about 2 hours with assigned seating, like an airplane. It was a really interesting experience as well as affordable (around $60). You can book your ferries here.
  • My second trip we flew directly to Mykonos from Tel Aviv. There are TONS of flights daily from Athens and many other European cities in the summer and this is great option if you are coming from far away and don’t want to spend hours on a ferry!

Mykonos Itinerary: Everything to do in Mykonos Greece

 

Explore Chora town

Spend a full day in Chora (the main town) and get lost in the alleys. The whole town is tiny but you can easily get lost roaming these streets, eating amazing food, marveling at the all-white buildings and blue accents and shopping in the stores. The shopping is incredible. The cutest boutiques you will ever see with honestly the nicest people! I did a lot of shopping damage on my most recent 3 days in Mykonos trip in 2022 and I love everything I bought! I suggest spending your morning and early afternoon doing this and eating plenty of good meals (eat gyro at Jimmy’s Gyro!!!) and ice cream in between!

3 days in mykonos
3 days in mykonos
chora mykonos town
3 days in mykonos
what to do in mykonos
3 days in mykonos
3 days in mykonos
what to do in mykonos
3 days in mykonos
 

Related Post: Greece Travel Guide

Mykonos Windmills

One stop you must make is on the top of Chora at the windmills – it’s an amazing site. Four windmills line the hill and you can look over the water and edge of Chora and Little Venice together. This is the most famous view of Mykonos. Sunset views here are also amazing.

mykonos windmills
 

Little Venice Sunsets

When the afternoon starts to come to an end, head to the Little Venice area (part of the town on the border of the water). This area consists of tons of bars that overlook the sunset. It is the most stunning view…and the cocktails are amazing, but they will cost you. There are a myriad of bars to choose from, and I suggest picking wherever you can get a seat legitimately on the water.  We sat at Scarpa and the drinks were amazing. Galleraki is another great option right next door. The sunset is absolutely perfect.

3 days in mykonos
 

Related Post: Athens Travel Guide

Rent ATVs Scooters

Rent them for a day and ride around the island stopping at different areas like the locals do. There are many gorgeous beaches on the island that you can travel to on them. You can rent one from any beach or area in town.

Beaches: Best Mykonos Beaches To Visit

If you are staying in town and not on a beach, I highly suggest going to check out and lay at one of the famous beaches in Mykonos. Some gorgeous ones are: Paradise Beach (a party one, but gorgeous), Psarou (trendy, famous celebrity-heavy beach), Platis Gialos (close to town) and Paraga (one of most popular and crowded). You will find paradise at any of the Mykonos beaches.

Delos Island: Best Mykonos Day Trip

While I didn’t have time for this, I heard this day activity was amazing if you have more time in Mykonos. You can take a short ferry trip (30 minutes) to Delos Island which is known for its awesome archaeological ruins.

 Click on any of the Mykonos activities above to get more information!

Related Post: Santorini Travel Guide

Where To Party In Mykonos: Best Mykonos Clubs (Day & Night!)

Ok so this is probably what you have been waiting for in this guide anyway but many people that come to Mykonos to party. Daytime parties nighttime parties until the morning, bar hopping, restaurants with breaking plates…. Mykonos party scene has it all.

  • Mykonos nightclubs: Mykonos is the elite party scene in Europe. No question. Generally the party area is on Paradise Beach. This is where the two biggest clubs are on the island for the nighttime, both making the top 20 in the world, Cavo Paradiso and Paradise Club. They alternate nights so not to worry, you can go to both. These clubs hold the top DJs in the world, so they do not disappoint. Do not worry, all of the bars in Chora town are also a huge party every night of the week so you can go out in town in a much more toned down bar instead of a huge club – highly recommend Caprice Club – the back opens onto the water and it’s amazing.
  • Mykonos day clubs: There are a few famous beach day parties in Mykonos. And by a few I mean a lot. Nammos, Alemagou, Principote, Sant Anna, Tropicana Beach Club, and, of course, Scorpios. Scorpios on a Sunday late afternoon into night is an absolute necessity. Make a reservation well in advance. It is stunning and massive and everything you want in a sunset club. All of these beach clubs you can also just eat lunch at so they are perfect for any type of person. 
cavo paradiso mykonos
Cavo Paradiso
alemagou mykonos
Alemagou
scorpios mykonos
Scorpios
scorpios mykonos
Scorpios
scorpios mykonos
Scorpios
scorpios mykonos
Scorpios
alemagou mykonos
Alemagou
cavo paradiso mykonos
Cavo Paradiso
tropicana beach club mykonos
Tropicana
alemagou mykonos
Alemagou
 

Where To Eat In Mykonos: Best Restaurants in Mykonos

We went to amazing places for dinners as well as sunset drinks (mentioned above)! Greek food is amazing. You must, must, must make reservations at all of these places beforehand (as far in advance as possible in peak months!)

  • Sea Satin: If you want a party at dinner, this is your spot. Come here any night of the week and what will start as a chill, good dinner will slowly turn into a party into the late hours with everyone dancing on the chairs. Highly recommended. One of my favorite nights in my 3 days in Greece.
  • Interni
  • Spillia
  • Jimmy’s Gyros
  • Hippie Fish
  • Principote
  • Nikos Taverna: Traditional Greek food, definitely recommended.
  • M-Eating: Another option for great traditional Greek food.
  • Raya: Cute little restaurant overlooking the old port in Chora. Good breakfast food!
  • Nobu Matsuhisa: If you are feeling fancy. In the Belvedere Hotel.
  • Nammos: This restaurant is on one of the beaches, Psarou. It is one of the most famous (and nicest) restaurants and beaches in Mykonos. Go here for lunch. This is the beach all of the famous celebrities tend to go to.

Click on any of the restaurants above to learn more and book reservations!

sea satin mykonos
Sea Satin
hippie fish mykonos
Hippie Fish
gyro greece mykonos
Gyro
hippie fish mykonos
Hippie Fish
principote mykonos
Principote
hippie fish mykonos
Hippie Fish
 

Related Post: Paphos, Cyprus Travel Guide

Where To Stay In Mykonos

  • On my first visit, we stayed in Paradise Beach, where the late-night (and daytime!) beach partying happens. There is a bus that goes straight into Chora and leaves every 30 minutes right from the hotel and only takes 15-20 minutes to get there, it was so convenient. The hotel was Tropicana Hotel and it was absolutely perfect for what we were looking for (2 people only) with stunning views and a balcony. While many other people would say to stay in the middle of town, I say otherwise if you are there to party. We much preferred to take a bus to and from town during the day as opposed to 2 AM from the club and back into town.
  • On my second visit, we were a group of friends and we rented a villa about 15 minutes from town and 15 minutes from most of the beach clubs and it was the perfect house and location. If you rent a villa or stay outside of town, you must must MUST hire a driver company, which you can easily find by googling. They were ready for us on demand whenever we wanted, multiple times a day and at any time a night. In our 3 days in Mykonos we did 17 rides total! It was so convenient and I promise you do not want to see the lines of busses and people calling taxis at 6 AM in the morning after the clubs when you just want to get to sleep. There are also minimal taxis on the island so this is a must.
  • If you are visiting Mykonos for the town only and not the clubs, then there are plenty of good hostels and small hotels located right in the middle of the town, check out some Mykonos town hotel options here!

Book Tropicana Hotel Mykonos here or book other Mykonos town hotel options here!

mykonos greece
mykonos greece
 
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Did I miss something in a 3 days in Mykonos itinerary that you loved? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! Don’t forget to check out my full Greece travel guide here! Looking for more Greek city travel guides? If you are visiting Athens head here and if you are visiting Santorini head here.

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rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Iceland

6 DAY ICELAND ITINERARY ROAD TRIP

6 day iceland itinerary
By | On November 25,22 | 39 Comments

As I mentioned on my Iceland travel blog here, I did a 6 day Iceland trip in September with my family and planned out the whole itinerary myself through much research. This is the ideal Iceland road trip for getting in as much as possible in a short time while seeing the top attractions. Six days in Iceland is a perfect duration for seeing the entire South Coast of Iceland and the best way to tour Iceland. It has some of the most stunning attractions, is easy to do with little time, and has many locations for Northern Lights spotting! Keep reading for an ideal driving 6 Day Iceland Itinerary guide!

Disclosure: This Iceland Itinerary guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

Related Post: What To Do In Reykjavik

TIPS For My Six Day Iceland Itinerary

  • Iceland Weather: Their 50 degrees in September feels like New York’s 30 degrees so make sure to pack more layers than you think you’ll need, depending on the time of year. I promise, I was not prepared even a little.
  • ICELAND DRIVINGTIPS
    • Renting a car in Iceland on your own is essential for this Iceland itinerary as it’s a full road trip adventure.
    • There is one highway that spans the entire perimeter of Iceland called the Ring Road. This is Route 1 and what you will be staying on at all times for this Iceland itinerary! This Iceland Ring Road driving itinerary will help you plan everything you need!
    • Stop at the rest stops/gas stations on the Ring Road in Iceland for cheap snacks and good lunch!
    • Stop along the way to pet the gorgeous wild horses; they are friendly horses, you can just walk up to them and pet them.
  • ICELAND BUDGET: This Iceland itinerary is not the cheapest and will set you back, but I truly believe this was one of the best trips of my life and I wouldn’t do anything differently. Also this is still way cheaper than booking a week Iceland tour from a company!
  • INSURANCE: Travel Insurance: Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

ICELAND PACKING TIPS: Check my full packing guide on my Iceland travel blog before your trip to Iceland! DON’T FORGET LAYERS AND HIKING BOOTS. All of the glaciers, volcanoes, etc. tours REQUIRE real hiking boots. Not sneakers. No exceptions. These are essential for any Iceland itinerary. Mine were super comfortable and perfect in all terrains (and waterproof!). You can purchase them here: KEEN Hiking Boots. Keen is one of the best brands in hiking apparel. Also you NEED hand/toe warmers. These are the ones I have (click here). Perfect multi-pack. For all of my general travel/packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list of my favorite travel apparel, camera and tech gear or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

THE Six Day Iceland Itinerary Road Trip

 

Day 1: Arrive early morning –> Blue Lagoon –> South Coast Waterfalls –> End in Vik

Most flights land in Iceland in the early morning (6 AM) from America to give you a full day. If for some reason you are meeting someone there who already rented a car, then you can take the Grayline Bus directly to the Blue Lagoon from the airport, but if not, then drive here straight from the airport after picking up your rental car.

  • TIP: The Blue Lagoon is close to the airport and not near anything else so it is a perfect first destination when entering Iceland or last destination before leaving.

1. The Blue Lagoon Iceland

The Blue Lagoon Iceland is a must-do and one of the top things to do in Iceland! The natural springs are rejuvenating and gorgeous. The water is clear blue and it really is awesome. We were there while it was hailing and 40 degrees and it was still amazing to be outside. The face masks are also a fun touch. Do not miss the Blue Lagoon on your Iceland road trip. Book your tickets for the Blue Lagoon here.

  • 15 minute drive from airport
  • You must make a reservation far in advance and do the VIP package. These packages book quick.
  • Stay here for 3-4 hours. Each lunch at LAVA Restaurant – it is one of the best restaurants in Iceland.
  • They give you a waterproof wristband that links to your Credit Card to purchase drinks while you’re in the water so you won’t have to worry about bringing cash (yes there is a bar in the water 🙂 )
6 day iceland itinerary blue lagoon reykjavik iceland rachel shulman
from east to west rachel shulman blue lagoon iceland
6 day iceland itinerary blue lagoon reykjavik iceland rachel shulman
6 day iceland itinerary blue lagoon reykjavik iceland rachel shulman
blue lagoon iceland

After visiting the Blue Lagoon, you will start your official Iceland road trip down the Iceland South Coast (Route 1 – Ring Road).

2. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

~2 hour drive to get here. These falls are gorgeous AND you can walk behind them for some amazing views and pictures. Around 1 hour stay here. Make sure you wear rain boots and a rain jacket as it’s misty and muddy. This is a must stop and one of the most popular Iceland attractions.

6 day iceland itinerary seljalandsfoss waterfall south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary seljalandsfoss waterfall south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary seljalandsfoss waterfall south iceland
seljalandsfoss south coast iceland
  • From Seljalandsfoss, walk to the hidden Gljufrabui Waterfall. It is a 4 minute walk to the left on the path. This was definitely a highlight for a few reasons, but mostly because there are 1/4 amount of tourists compared to Seljalandsfoss so it was serene, hidden and solo (also very muddy and wet and you are walking through a light stream of water and rocks). Wear raincoats because you get up close and personal in the small waterfall.  
6 day iceland itinerary GLJUFURARBUI WATERFALL south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary GLJUFURARBUI WATERFALL south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary GLJUFURARBUI WATERFALL south iceland

Related Post: Full Iceland Travel Tips

3. SKOGAFOSS WATERFALL

30 minute drive further East on the Ring Road to Skogafoss Waterfall is the next stop on your Iceland itinerary. Another top thing to do in Iceland on the South Coast. It is a massive stunning waterfall and you can walk the staircase to the top (2 hour stay) or just look from the bottom (30 minute stay). There is a very good chance of seeing rainbows here, too!

6 day iceland itinerary skogafoss waterfall south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary skogafoss waterfall south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary skogafoss waterfall south iceland
skogafoss iceland
  • Continue the drive on Ring Road and stay overnight in Vik or Kirkjubaejarklauster (Klauster) town.
    • We stayed in Klauster so that the drive on day 2 would be less, but Vik has more hotel/food options if you want to do that instead. Search Vik hotels here. The best hotels in Klauster Iceland are Hotel Laki (where we stayed) and Hotel Klauster. Both highly recommended. Read Hotel Laki reviews on TripAdvisor here.   
    • #1 restaurant in Klauster: Systrakaffi at Klausturvegi 13. A good cafe with pizza and burgers. Ate here both nights we stayed here. It was a very good restaurant (at least for Iceland’s standard).

Search Vik hotels here or book Hotel Laki or Hotel Klauster.

Day 2: Driving Further East On Ring Road Iceland (Glacier Hikes & Ice Lagoons)

1. SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK 

  • Drive 50 minutes from hotel (1.5 hours from Vik) to Skaftafell National Park.
  • Skaftafell is part of Vatnajokull National Park – the largest glacier in Europe!
  • Here you can either do a Glacier hike (Skaftafellsjokull Glacier) or Waterfall hike (Svartafoss Waterfall). Probably can’t do both due to time constraints. Also good to note that different activities are offered during different seasons – these were the options when we went in September. 
  • We opted for the Glacier Wonders hike (book here!).
    • It was around 4 hours and was really informational and cool! The guide was great. It wasn’t as awesome as our second glacier hike the next day (see more below), but it is the largest glacier in Europe so it is pretty amazing to say you hiked it so I would 100% do it.

Book the Glacier Wonders hike here!

6 day iceland itinerary skaftafell national park iceland
6 day iceland itinerary skaftafell national park iceland
6 day iceland itinerary skaftafell national park iceland
skaftafell iceland

Related Post: Stockholm Travel Guide

2. JOKULSARLON GLACIER ICE LAGOON

  • Drive another 40 minutes East to Jokulsarlon Glacier Ice Lagoon and do a boat tour. This was the absolute highlight of my Iceland itinerary and one of the COOLEST places I have ever been. It was mind-blowing and the pictures don’t do these icebergs justice at all. It is considered the most beautiful place in Iceland. 
    • You can opt for the Amphibian Boat Tour (a big group boat that starts on the ground then drives into the water) or the Zodiac Boat Tour (a small personal boat for 6 people)  
  • Jokulsarlon Tickets here: There is no fixed schedule for the Iceland Amphibian boat tour you just show up and get the time for your excursion. Note that the last amphibian boat tour departs about one hour before closing time. CLOSES AT 5 PM. Zodiac Tour you have to book in advance!
6 day iceland itinerary jokulsarlon glacier ice lagoon iceland
6 day iceland itinerary jokulsarlon glacier ice lagoon iceland
6 day iceland itinerary jokulsarlon glacier ice lagoon iceland
6 day iceland itinerary jokulsarlon glacier ice lagoon iceland rachel shulman
6 day iceland itinerary jokulsarlon glacier ice lagoon iceland rachel shulman
6 day iceland itinerary jokulsarlon glacier ice lagoon iceland
jokulsarlon iceland lagoon
  • Drive 1.5 hour back to Kirkjubaejarklauster (or Vik – 2 hours) Stay over at Hotel Laki again.
  • Make sure to look up for the Northern Lights!

Search Vik hotels here or book Hotel Laki or Hotel Klauster.

Day 3: Driving back West on Ring Road to Hella (Black Sand Beach & Glacier Hikes)

1. BLACK SAND BEACH (REYNISFJARA)

Drive an hour back west on the Ring Road (10 minutes if staying in Vik) to the Black Sand Beach in Vik (Reynisfjara).Really cool beach with black sand (duh) that has basalt columns, caves and sea stacks. Don’t go close to water (there is a strong tide). Walk around here for a bit to see the famous Reynisdrangur rock formations. Need 10-15 minutes here.

6 day iceland itinerary reynisfjara black sand beach vik iceland
6 day iceland itinerary reynisfjara black sand beach vik iceland
6 day iceland itinerary reynisfjara black sand beach vik iceland
6 day iceland itinerary reynisfjara black sand beach vik iceland

2. DYRHOLAEY

Drive another 20 minutes to Dyrhólaey, a peninsula with a cliff with amazing views on the water. This is a great puffin and other sea birds viewing location (in the right season – spring/summer). It is a long windy road up a steep hill to get there. You are going to think you’re going the wrong way because it’s barely a road and there are few signs but this is correct – don’t turn around, your big rental car can handle it.

6 day iceland itinerary dyrholaey south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary dyrholaey south iceland

3. SOLHEIMASANDUR PLANE WRECK

Drive another 20 minutes and then stop on Route 1 where all the cars are for the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck. You have to walk about an hour on the sand to find it after parking on the road. It is RIGHT before you turn right to go to the next glacier tour. We didn’t make it here because we were rushed for timing to get to our glacier hike but I highly recommend if you can squeeze it.

4. SOLHEIMAJOKULL GLACIER

Drive 2 minutes more and make a right on Road #221 and drive about 4 Km to get to Solheimajokull Glacier Hike – another Iceland road trip highlight of my trip. They pick up at the cafe at the base. There are lots of signs here for the glacier.

  • BOOK TOUR HERE. Meeting point at Solheimajokull cafe. 2-3 hour hike.
  • This glacier hike was amazing and exceeded our expectations after our other one. I definitely suggest this one as you get to do different activities and see different aspects of the glacier (and hike further up). The water is so clean on the glaciers that they encourage you to drink it! Definitely another top thing to do in Iceland you must do.
6 day iceland itinerary solheimajokull glacier hike rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary solheimajokull glacier hike rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary solheimajokull glacier hike rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary solheimajokull glacier hike rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary solheimajokull glacier hike rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary solheimajokull glacier hike rachel shulman iceland
  • Drive another 50 minutes west to Hotel Ranga for the night – the BEST HOTEL EVER.
    • Hotel Ranga is THE TOP hotel in Iceland and only 4 star hotel in South Iceland. The hotel is amazing and the restaurant is fantastic. If there is one thing I recommend more than anything else it is staying at Hotel Ranga when on a trip to Iceland. Also best restaurant in Iceland by a landslide.
    • This hotel was MADE for Northern Lights searching, there is an astrologist on site and stargazing center with amazing telescopes and stories about the sky. Hotel Ranga is an absolute must when visiting Iceland – book here! And read reviews for Hotel Ranga on TripAdvisor here.
    • There are also Northern Lights wakeup calls at Ranga incase they come out in the middle of the night 🙂

Book Hotel Ranga (the best hotel in Iceland) here!

Day 4: Iceland Golden Circle Day (Craters, Waterfalls, Snowmobiling and Geysers)

1. KERID CRATER

Kerid Crater is a 45 minute drive from Hotel Ranga. Really cool crater to look at. You can walk to the bottom but we just took pictures from the top since we had a packed day.

kerid crater iceland
6 day iceland itinerary kerid crater golden circle iceland rachel shulman

2. BRUARFOSS WATERFALL

30 minute drive. This is a magical very hidden waterfall and you have to walk through the woods to get to. This is an absolute MUST do and by far the best place I saw in the entire country. Follow my directions specifically so you can find this hidden treasure. 

  • Directions: Take Road 35 from Gullfoss, turns into Route 37 AKA Laugarvatnvugr stay on that for 8 km, then will reach a large summer house area on the right side (Brekkuskogur). Take the first road into this area and drive straight ahead. Just follow this way until you reach a bigger path with two tracks. Keep left there to stay on Brekkuskogur when you reach the end of this road and stay left. When you see the #12 parking spot, turn left for a few meters then park in the little dirt alcove on the right (so small, only fits about 2 cars) and then start walking on the path on the left there and follow it down to the right. It’s about a 10 minute walk through the muddy woods but it’s easy. Just listen for the falls and you will find them!
6 day iceland itinerary bruarfoss waterfall iceland
6 day iceland itinerary bruarfoss waterfall rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary bruarfoss waterfall rachel shulman iceland
6 day iceland itinerary bruarfoss waterfall rachel shulman iceland

3. GULFOSS WATERFALL

The Gulfoss Waterfall is one of the 3 destinations on the Iceland Golden Circle and top attractions. It is a massive, stunning waterfall that you can hike around. The cafe here also has great food (and warmth!).

  • This is also where you get picked up for the main Snowmobiling Tour company that I highly suggest (see below).
6 day iceland itinerary gulfoss waterfall iceland
6 day iceland itinerary gulfoss waterfall iceland rachel shulman

4. SNOWMOBILING TOUR

A must-do top Iceland activity! It includes a (long) large jeep tour to Langjokull Glacier and then about an hour or so of snowmobiling on the glacier! You can book the Snowmobiling Tour online here and must book in advance. 3-4 hour tour. 1230 PM departures daily. Obviously it is an investment but it is so worth it in my opinion. This tour is one of the top in Iceland.

6 day iceland itinerary snowmobiling tour golden circle gulfoss iceland
6 day iceland itinerary snowmobiling tour golden circle gulfoss iceland
6 day iceland itinerary snowmobiling tour golden circle gulfoss iceland rachel shulman
6 day iceland itinerary snowmobiling tour golden circle gulfoss iceland

Related Post: Swedish Lapland Travel Guide

5. STROKKUR GEYSER

10 minute drive from Gulfoss. This is another one of the 3 destinations on the Golden Circle that is a must hit. It is very touristy but cool! The Strokkur Geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes and produces a gorgeous bright blue circle right before erupting. I have seen geysers in other locations (see my Atacama Desert tours guide here which has the 3rd largest geysers in the world) and the Iceland geyser’s are way more fascinating. 

6 day iceland itinerary strokkur geyser south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary strokkur geyser south iceland
6 day iceland itinerary strokkur geyser south iceland

6. THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

45 min drive to Thingviller National Park, where the first Icelandic, and longest, parliament was and also where the two tectonic plates separate Europe and North America. This is the last of 3 destinations on the Golden Circle. It is a nice park to walk around in and see the plates divide. Usually need only 30 minutes – hour here. You can also go scubadiving here, which is a popular Iceland summer activity between the tectonic plates. 

Related Post: London Travel Guide

Day 5: Reykjavik & Helicopter Tour

See my full, detailed Reykjavik specific travel guide here for the best helicopter tours and what to do/where to stay in Reykjavik!

Day 6: 1/2 Day Reykjavik & Leave

See my full, detailed Reykjavik specific travel guide here for what to do in Reykjavik.

Most flights out of Iceland back to America are in the early afternoon so you have the morning to explore Reykjavik and then that’s the end of the 6 Day Iceland Itinerary! You could easily spend one week in Iceland on this itinerary and spend more time in Reykjavik. We had the best time during our 6 days in Iceland – one of my favorite adventures to date. Don’t miss this amazing location while it’s popular!

 

Did I miss something on my 6 Day Iceland Itinerary that you loved? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! See the rest of my Iceland Travel Blog here or check out my Reykjavik city guide here.

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rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Cyprus

PAPHOS EXCURSIONS & PAPHOS CITY GUIDE IN CYPRUS

akamas peninsula paphos excursions paphos city guide
By | On May 22,22 | 2 Comments

I visited Cyprus for a short weekend while I was traveling around Israel in March 2018. We only had two days and knew we wanted an adventure and to see both the beaches and the nature of Cyprus. We chose the West coast of South Cyprus’ main city to base ourselves in: Paphos! Paphos is known for its amazing beaches, cute little town, and its proximity to a TON of activities and excursions no matter your interest. Also: Paphos was voted the European Capital of Culture 2017 so you know it is a hot destination right now! Keep reading to find out all the things to do in Paphos city and one of the most popular Paphos excursions to take: an Akamas Peninsula Jeep Tour and all the amazing sites you see in this day tour!

Disclosure: This Paphos Excursions & Paphos City Guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

I used EcoTour Adventures to help us plan an excursion for one of our full days in Cyprus. Andreas, the owner of EcoTour Adventures, was beyond easy to work with and quick to respond. He customized a private jeep tour for us catering to our personal interests and desires. I found their prices for a private tour (and also their group tour offerings) to be comparable and better to other tour companies and the customer service is fantastic. Don’t go to Paphos without checking out EcoTour Adventures offerings and booking through them!

Cyprus Packing & Travel Tips

  • For everything you need to know about traveling to and visiting Cyprus head to my Cyprus Travel Guide.
  • Airport: If you are visiting Paphos, I highly suggest flying into Paphos Airport. Its 10 minutes from the town. Larnaca is also a popular international airport but it’s a two hour drive from Paphos. We did the drive one way, and the Paphos airport was much easier!!!!
  • Travel Insurance: Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

CYPRUS PACKING TIPS: Cyprus is one of the warmest locations in all of Europe year-round. In the summer, it is extremely hot! Especially if you are doing outdoor activities while visiting Cyprus (which you likely are) BE PREPARED and bring A LOT of sunscreen. I love this Sunbum sunscreen stick here that I always travel with since it fits in a small purse and is solid, and you can re-apply without needing a mirror. I also am obsessed with my S’well water bottle which keeps your water freezing cold for 24 hours – much needed in the heat and long hiking days. For all of my fave packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

How To Get To Paphos Cyprus

As I mentioned in my Cyprus travel blog guide, Cyprus is divided into two; the North occupied by Turkey and the South by the UN. There are two airports in South Cyprus: Larnaca International Airport (the biggest airport, code: LCA) and then a much smaller one in Paphos (Paphos International Airport, code: PFO)! There are plenty of airlines that fly to Paphos from all around Europe and the Middle East so if you are basing yourself in Paphos, definitely try to fly in and out of there as it’s only a ten minute drive to the Paphos town. We ended up flying into Paphos with Ryanair and then flying out of Larnaca with El Al Up since it was the latest flight out and we wanted to maximize our time. Larnaca International Airport is only an hour and a half drive from Paphos so it really isn’t TOO bad and is definitely doable if you can’t use Paphos Airport!

What To Do In Paphos Cyprus

Paphos is a tiny, tiny town situated on the West Coast of Cyprus right on the Mediterranean Sea – making way for some of the best sunsets over the water you will ever see in your life! There’s not SO much to do in the town of Cyprus – you really only need a few hours (like 2) to walk around the Paphos town and eat lunch outside at one of the many waterfront restaurants. Oh, and the beaches are pretty amazing! Most people come to Paphos to do an excursion around the country!

As I mentioned above, we chose to do the Akamas Peninsula Jeep Tour Excursion with EcoTour Adventures and could not have been happier with our choice. Below I outline all of the stops you can make and then some other Paphos day trips and excursions you can take, as well as what to do in the town of Paphos! If you want to book the Akamas tour, head here! Please note they have group tour options and private tours – we did a private tour so we could customize as we liked!

Paphos Excursions

Akamas Peninsula Jeep Tour

We purposely chose to stay in Paphos to do the Akamas Peninsula tour when I was doing my Cyprus planning. The Akamas Peninsula’s top spots are largely only accessible by jeep and we were up for the adventure and the drastic different types of locations we could see on a full-day tour. Andreas gave us tips on which places to go to and an ideal itinerary leading up to the trip. I would highly recommend Ecotour Adventures for any tour you choose when visiting Cyprus. The tour was beyond better than we had expected and Andreas, the owner, was fantastic, and he was our own tour guide! Below is the Akamas itinerary and a little about each stop!

Stop 1: Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra Tou Romiou)

Ok so *technically* Aphrodite’s Rock is NOT on the Akamas Peninsula BUT it’s SO close to Paphos (20 minute drive South) and one of the most famous mythological spots in the world that I couldn’t not visit it! Since we did a private tour, we were able to fully customize our tour and add the Rocks of Aphrodite to our destinations. It did not disappoint. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was said to have been born here. There is a myth that if you swim 3 times around the rocks it will bring eternal beauty and youth to you, however it is generally discouraged to swim here because of the rough waters in this area. This is a must-stop in my opinion when visiting Paphos and visiting Cyprus in general! TIP: Do NOT cross the highway from the parking lot across the street at the cafe. Walk down the stairs next to the cafe and walk in the underpass.

aphrodite rock cyprus
rock of aphrodite cyprus
aphrodites rock cyprus
aphrodites rock paphos
rock of aphrodite
Stop 2: Cypriot Bakery in Polis, Cyprus

Our second stop was at the border of the Akamas Peninsula (about an hour and a half drive from Aphrodite’s Rock, only an hour drive from Paphos) at a well-known bakery in the small town of Polis, Cyprus. This was to pick up lunch and snacks for later since this would be our last time in civilization for a few hours. The baked goods here were so unreal we had such an issue picking out what to get! Ultimately we went with a lot of chocolate goods as well as sandwiches with Cyprus’ best known cheese, Halloumi! After this quick stop we were off into the Peninsula and onto the off-roading (and fun) part of the trip. After this you will not be on a real road for another four to five hours!

cyprus bakery
cyprus bakery
cyprus bakery
Stop 3: Baths of Aphrodite (Latchi)

This is one of the most famous places to see in all of Cyprus, but to me it was quite underwhelming. It is the first stop in the true Akamas Peninsula and is a natural cave where it is said that the mythological goddess of love, Aphrodite, used to take her baths. One of the many myths surrounding the Baths of Aphrodite is that if you bathe in them, you are restored of your fertility. However, it is now prohibited to swim in these baths. The Baths of Aphrodite can be reached by nature trails in the Akamas and is only a 2 minute walk from where you park the jeep!

baths of aphrodite

Related Post: Cyprus Travel Guide

Stop 4: *Secret* Private Lagoon

Ok so this was probably our favorite stop of the whole trip! Andreas, our guide, brought us to his secret lagoon spot on the way to the popular Blue Lagoon. It is totally peaceful here with no one around and you just stare out into the perfect turquoise sea and watch the waves crash onto the rocks. Normally you could go for a swim here but the tide was way too high and the waves were insane. We were perfectly happy just looking out into the water (and taking lots of pictures)!

paphos akamas peninsula
akamas peninsula lagoon
Stop 5: Blue Lagoon Cyprus

The famous Cyprus Blue Lagoon is another main stop on an Akamas Peninsula tour. This was underwhelming to us, to be honest, after visiting the private lagoon, but it was still beautiful nonetheless. It is known for its clear water here and there are usually Blue Lagoon boat tours running that you can take as well, but since we were there in the off season and it was rough in the water, there were no tours running at this time. During the summer I would definitely take a boat out here or lay on the beach and go in the water! This is usually the stop that you spend a bunch of time at relaxing.

blue lagoon akamas peninsula
cyprus blue lagoon
Stop 6: Lara Bay

Lara Bay is another staple on an Akamas Peninsula tour. It may look like just another beach on the island upon arrival, however it is actually known for its turtle conservatory station! Here, you can learn about the endangered green turtles that hatch here. If you visit Cyprus in the summer, you will even get to see them during their hatching season! On the off season, you will see where their eggs are placed on the beach and learn more about them. If the weather holds up you can also swim on this beautiful beach.

lara bay akamas peninsula

Related Post: Athens Greece Travel Guide

Stop 7: Avakas Gorge

Okay so this is one of the most popular stops on the Akamas Peninsula tours but since we added in Aphrodite’s Rock and the secret lagoon we were beyond tired by the time we got to the end that we ended up skipping this BUT I highly suggest it because the pictures look amazing! It’s about a 30 minute hike (an easy hike though) to get to the gorge from the parking lot nearby so just factor that in!

…And that’s the end of the Akamas Peninsula Tour! Overall it was a huge success of a day and one of the most fun, adventurous wild tours I have ever done. Off-roading in a jeep for 5 hours is no easy task and we had the best time that I couldn’t recommend this tour, or a variation of this tour, more! The Akamas Peninsula region is so beautiful with breathtaking views everywhere you look that you cannot go wrong with any of these stops. Check out some more pictures of the beautiful nature and wildlife surrounding the Akamas Peninsula.

cyprus ecotour adventures
akamas peninsula cyprus
paphos akamas peninsula
cyprus sheep
cyprus wildlife

Click on any of the stop names above to get more information on the destination!

Other Things to Do in Paphos City and Paphos Day Trips/Paphos Excursions

paphos harbor cyprus
paphos city cyprus

Find out more about all of these activities in Cyprus by clicking their names!

Related Post: Mykonos Travel Guide

Where To Eat In Paphos

The Paphos town as I mentioned is super small and cute and there are a ton of restaurants lining the Mediterranean Sea. Check out some of these restaurants that are well-known!

  • The Pelican: We ate lunch here and sat here for around 3 hours just enjoying the outdoors and being on the sea drinking wine and eating lots of little plates! It is also known that you can see pelicans regularly walking around here (hence the name) but we weren’t so lucky!
  • Theos: Theos is another one of the best restaurants in Paphos that I highly suggest!
  • Suite 48: This restaurant is located directly next to Amphora hotel with a beautiful outdoor and indoor seating spot. We ate here the first night and loved it! Such good salad, mezzes and food all around!
  • Mare Mare: Mare Mare is another great restaurant I highly recommend right along the Mediterranean Sea in Paphos!
paphos restaurants

Click the Paphos restaurant names above to find out more.

Bars In Paphos

  • Mare Mare: Like I mentioned above, Mare Mare has one of the best views, which makes for a great bar spot as well!
  • Baywatch Cocktail Bar: A fun bar in Paphos, a few blocks inland from the sea strip.
  • Alea Cafe Lounge Bar: A fun lounge bar right along the waterfront.

Click the Paphos bar names above to find out more.

Related Post: Santorini Travel Guide

Where To Stay In Paphos

I recommend staying at Amphora Hotel and Suites. I was obsessed with this hotel. Amphora was right on the Mediterranean and every room faces the sea with amazing balconies and views. The hotel was all modern and updated and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The pools and pool bar are amazing and the location is perfection. Additionally, the hotel was beyond affordable coming in at less than $200 total for 2 nights for a Superior Double Room (note: we did go during off-season). This also included a free buffet breakfast which was huge and delicious. I can’t recommend Amphora enough!

Book Amphora Hotel and Suites here or search for other Paphos hotels below! Read reviews on Amphora Hotel on TripAdvisor here.

amphora hotel paphos cyprus

AIRBNB Paphos: Many people also choose to stay in Airbnb in Paphos. I personally chose the hotel route because we only had two quick nights there, but I suggest an Airbnb in Paphos if you are staying longer than a weekend! If you use my Airbnb link you get $40 off your first stay!

*Thanks to Ecotour Adventures for helping set up our private Akamas tour and customizing it to our desires in order to make this blog post possible! While I did receive discounts on my Paphos excursions through Ecotour Adventures, my review and experience with them is, as always, 100% personal and honest*

Like this Cyprus & Paphos Excursions travel guide? Pin it for later or share with friends!
paphos cyprus pinterest
paphos pinterest

Did I miss something in my Paphos Excursions and Paphos City Guide that you loved? Let me know in the comments for my next visit and check out my Cyprus Travel Blog for more tips and what to expect when visiting Cyprus!

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rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Austria

5 STAR HOTELS IN VIENNA AUSTRIA: FULL HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL VIENNA REVIEW

5 star hotels intercontinental vienna
By | On September 12,21 | 0 Comment

Looking for where to stay in Vienna Austria? Look no further. I stayed as a guest in Vienna’s Intercontinental Hotel dead in the center of Vienna and it was fantastic. I have been to plenty of 5 star hotels in my time as well as multiple Intercontinental’s across the globe and this one was one of the top. Vienna is a cute, small city and the Intercontinental Vienna was the perfect homebase for seeing everything you must see in Vienna. Keep reading for a full review of my stay at Intercontinental Vienna and what to expect when staying here and why you definitely should consider Intercontinental Wien (Vienna) on your next holiday to Vienna as the best 5 star hotel in Vienna.

Disclosure: This Intercontinental Vienna Hotel Review may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

On a trip to Vienna Austria in August 2021 (my first solo trip since COVID-19!), I was lucky enough to have the Intercontinental Vienna sponsor my stay for my visit. Even though it is sponsored, my review and experience is, as always, 100% personal and honest.

Tips Before Staying at Intercontinental Vienna

  • For all of my Austria travel tips head to my Austria travel guide here.
  • The center of Vienna is less than a 30 minute drive/train from the Vienna International airport. The best way to get to Intercontinental Vienna from the airport is by the metro or Uber. I took an Uber due to the time I got in, they arrived at the airport less than 5 minutes after hailing it, and dropped me off at the hotel in less than 30 minutes.
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: When visiting Vienna, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what may happen to your flights, a death/personal emergency in your family, or an accident happening while traveling (think: getting mugged, falling while hiking and spraining your ankle, literally any accident than can happen ANYWHERE!). World Nomads makes it super easy and I never leave for a trip without getting their insurance. Most importantly it’s extremely affordable: get your World Nomads travel insurance before your trip here!

PACKING: Austria is known for its cold winter (and amazing Christmas markets) and their summer is very mild. I went in August and it was the most ideal temperature. However, for winter, pack layers, hats, gloves and lots of them! For all of my travel packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

What To Expect When Staying at Intercontinental Vienna: The Best of 5 Star Hotels in Vienna

Intercontinental Vienna is not your average 5 star hotel in Europe or your average Intercontinental. Intercontinental Wien has history and its shown in all of its details. Between the contemporary and traditional decor to its location next to Stadtpark, you can’t go wrong staying at the Intercontinental Vienna – the best of 5 star hotels in Vienna. The Intercontinental Vienna was the first international hotel in Vienna and is still known as one of the most prestigious hotels in the region. From the moment I pulled up to the hotel I was treated with 5 star customer service and was checked on every day of my stay. The people at concierge were spectacularly nice (something I was surprised about as Austrians are known to be a bit rude, especially in customer service) to the people in the lobby bar to the hotel breakfast – everyone was unbelievably nice – maybe the best hotel staff I have experienced yet. The Vienna Intercontinental staff made me feel at ease from the moment I arrived for my solo trip – the best feeling. This is super important to me when traveling alone as a woman.

The rooms in Intercontinental Vienna are absolutely massive, especially for Europe and all the necessary amenities are provided. Additionally, If you book a suite or club room at Intercontinental Wien you will also get access to the Club Lounge on the 12th floor which has 360 views of the whole city and includes private breakfast, cocktail hour, private check-in/out, a conference room and more. I highly recommend Intercontinental Vienna for all these reasons and the reasons detailed out in this guide. Intercontinental Vienna is one of the best hotels in Vienna to stay in during your trip.

You can book Hotel Intercontinental Vienna right here!

Related Post: Austria Travel Guide

Intercontinental Vienna Hotel Rooms

The rooms in Intercontinental Vienna are clean, large and have all the amenities you expect at a 5 star hotel. Their style is a mix of traditional and modern and matches the Vienna style. The views (more on that below) look over Stadtpark and the center of Vienna which makes it an ideal view to wake up to every morning. I stayed in a standard room on the 8th floor and it was much larger than I expected (especially for Europe hotel standards). I loved the traditional style and decor matching the city and the fact that they restocked the amenities daily and everything was pristinely clean – you can’t get anything better than that.

intercontinental vienna room
intercontinental vienna room
intercontinental vienna room

Related Post: Fes Morocco Palais Amani Riad Stay Review

Intercontinental Vienna Room VIEWS

The views from the Intercontinental Vienna rooms need its own section. One side of the hotel, the rooms look over the famous Stadtpark and over central Vienna from the high floor rooms and it was spectacular. In other rooms you can see over the famous Wiener Eislaufverein ice-skating rink (fun in the winter activity) as well as of course see the famous St. Charles Church. I loved waking up to this view every morning – it got me so excited to explore Vienna each day. The rooms were also bright and airy due to the view and I loved that. Just another reason the Vienna Intercontinental is a must. And don’t get me started on the sunset – it was absolutely insane.

intercontinental vienna room
intercontinental vienna sunset
intercontinental wien
intercontinental wien

Hotel Intercontinental Vienna Breakfast Buffet

Your stay at Intercontinental Vienna has to include their breakfast as it’s one of the best hotel breakfasts I have ever been to in my life. This is quite standard at Intercontinentals I have found – the Intercontinental Tel Aviv also has the best hotel brunch in the country! The Vienna Intercontinental buffet was truly insane – every type of breakfast food you could ever want in your life – omelette station, little salads, tons of fresh juices, all of the breads and croissants in the world, a whole fruit bar, a massive cereal and granola bar, and more. As much as I love exploring brunch and breakfast spots in new cities, a hotel that has a massive breakfast buffet is far superior. Intercontinental Vienna’s breakfast was top notch – another reason it’s one of the best 5 star hotels in Vienna.

intercontinental vienna breakfast
intercontinental vienna breakfast
intercontinental vienna breakfast
intercontinental vienna breakfast

Related Post: Germany Travel Guide

Restaurants & Bars in the Intercontinental Vienna

There are multiple restaurants and bars in the Intercontinental catered to anyone’s desires. For its nicest restaurant, there is the parlor which offers classic Austrian cuisine. This is also where breakfast is served (above). Cafe Vienna is located in the lobby and is exactly where you need to be to take part of the regular coffee culture that Austrians love. Also the lobby is stunning so why wouldn’t you!? Intermezzo Bar is where you should end your night and is decorated with stunning, massive chandeliers that make it one of the best bars in the Vienna to visit – 150 variations of whisky and tons of wines and cocktails! The bar is open until 2AM. Of course, there is also room service at all hours of the day to make sure you never go hungry when staying at the Intercontinental Vienna.

intercontinental intermezzo bar vienna

WHY Intercontinental Vienna?

Intercontinental Vienna is a perfect, one of the best 5 star hotels in Vienna hands down. It is right in the center of Vienna – walking distance to EVERYTHING you could want to see in Vienna and more. It is across the street from a main metro station as well – connecting you to everything around the main part of the city. Additionally, the rooms are clean and big with amazing views and offer all of the amenities. The hotel staff is overly friendly and the breakfast is top notch. In my opinion, location, cleanliness and service is the most important to me and Intercontinental Wien has all of these and more. I especially loved the traditional decor of the hotel! The hotel also has other facilities such as a complimentary gym, a salon and a souvenir shop. There is also underground parking and electric charging stations. Intercontinental Vienna is your spot for a 5 star hotel in Vienna.

You can book Hotel Intercontinental Vienna right here!

WHY NOT Intercontinental Vienna?

Of COURSE the hotel is not for everyone and I would never want to steer someone the wrong way when providing accommodations for Vienna. If you are looking for lower mid-range or hostel when staying in Vienna, this is not for you. If you are looking for a newer hotel, this is not for you. But if you are looking for consistently solid perfect 5 star hotel in Vienna with walking distance to everything, than the Intercontinental Vienna is definitely for you.

Related Post: Hungary Travel Guide

Final Thoughts on Hotel Intercontinental Vienna

HIGHLY recommend Intercontinental Vienna for your stay. The location could not be better, the rooms and lobby were clean, beautiful, the included breakfast was my favorite hotel breakfast ever and I loved the traditional design within. Don’t miss out on Intercontinental Vienna when you’re visiting Vienna.

You can book Hotel Intercontinental Vienna right here!

*Thanks to Intercontinental Vienna for sponsoring my hotel stay while traveling to Vienna Austria. While I did receive this stay as a gift, my review and experience with them is, as always, 100% personal and honest*

vienna intercontinental
vienna intercontinental

Related Post: Czech Republic Travel Guide

Loved this Intercontinental Wien: best five star hotels in Vienna review? Pin it for later or share with friends!

Have questions about the best 5 star hotel in Vienna or are you planning on staying here on your next visit? Let me know in the comments below! Check out more of what to expect when going on holidays to Austria here.

Some emails suck. Mine don’t. Sign up to be the first to see my new travel itineraries and secret insider travel tips and hacks only my email subscribers get! I promise I will never spam you!

rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Russia

ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA ATTRACTIONS: EVERYTHING TO DO IN ST. PETERSBURG

st petersburg russia attractions
By | On January 02,20 | 0 Comment

I was definitely nervous landing in Russia, truly unsure of how passport control, security and everything in between was going to go as an American. (You can read more about safety/visa/travel tips to Russia on my Russia travel guide here) However, Saint Petersburg has become one of my top 5 most amazing places I have ever visited. Keep reading to explore the best St Petersburg Russia attractions – everything you need to see, eat and do in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Note: I visited St Petersburg in the dead of winter so it was so cold that the main rivers were frozen (as shown above). Summer is a totally different experience, one that I hope to experience ASAP as I can only imagine how gorgeous it is during their primetime months.

Disclosure: This St Petersburg attractions guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

Saint Petersburg Travel Tips

  • You must must must read my full Russia Travel Guide before traveling to Russia. That guide is full of everything you need to know including getting your Russian visa, how to deal with Russian police, and everything else safety and logistics related to traveling to Russia!
  • TIP: Don’t forget your Student ID when doing St Petersburg Russia travel – half of the tourist places of interest are free!
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: When visiting St Petersburg, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what may happen to your flights, a death/personal emergency in your family, or an accident happening while traveling (think: getting mugged, falling while hiking and spraining your ankle, literally any accident than can happen ANYWHERE!). World Nomads makes it super easy and I never leave for a trip without getting their insurance. Most importantly it’s extremely affordable: get your World Nomads travel insurance before your trip here!

ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA PACKING: Like I said, I went in the dead of winter. It was freezing. These hand and toe warmers (buy here) are life saviors for cold weather destinations. For help on packing for St Petersburg Russia, check out the rest of my fave travel essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

How To Get To St Petersburg Russia

We flew from Sweden, which was a quick 2 hour flight! All major airlines fly to St Petersburg Russia direct from America or Europe so you should not have a problem. You can also take a boat here from Helsinki or a cruise, but there are different visa rules for that- I believe you can be in Russia for less than 72 hours without a visa if coming from a boat. From the airport, we booked a private transfer ahead of time to our hostel just to be safe, considering our Russian speaking is non-existent. We booked through LingoTaxi and I highly recommend – they were on time, waiting for us after baggage claim, spoke perfect English and our drive was super friendly. 

Related Post: Russia Travel Guide

ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA ATTRACTIONS: Everything to do in St Petersburg

Kazan Cathedral

A massive, gorgeous cathedral in the middle of the city. This is one of the earliest openings for the St Petersburg Russia tourist spots (830am) so I would go here first. We went right in the morning while they were still praying so it was a pretty real experience.

kazan cathedral st. petersburg russia

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Duh! The most famous spot in St Petersburg Russia attractions due to its jaw-dropping architecture. The insane walls are just as insane as the outside. I went here 3 times in two days because I couldn’t get enough of how stunning the building was from the outside. Must check out inside as well! Open 11am-7pm.

  • church of spilled blood
  • st petersburg russia attractions
  • church of spilled blood

State Hermitage Museum

One of the most famous museums in the entire world. You could spend three days here and STILL not see everything, it is that massive. The Hermitage building itself dates back to the 1700s and even if you took out all the artifacts and history, the building itself is beyond gorgeous, inside and out. You can’t miss this massive turquoise building from anywhere and the city and you must make plenty of time for the Hermitage. If you do only have less than or only 1 day in St Petersburg Russia, just do the main complex in the Palace Square, which includes the Winter Palace, the buildings of the Small, Old and New Hermitage, the Hermitage Theatre St Petersburg and the Reserve House. You can book tickets to the State Hermitage Museum here.

  • hermitage st petersburg russia
  • st petersburg russia hermitage
  • state hermitage st petersburg
  • hermitage museum

General Staff Building

Usually included in the Hermitage tour, we just took pictures of it outside. You can’t miss it as it’s right in the main square next to the Hermitage Museum and is bright yellow and massive!

general staff st petersburg russia

Related Post: Stockholm Sweden Travel Guide

St. Isaacs Cathedral

The most famous Cathedral in St. Petersburg points of interest and a must-go. Make sure to go all the way to the top for panoramic views of the city! The Cathedral is huge and the inside walls are unreal.

  • st isaacs st petersburg russia
  • st isaacs cathedral st petersburg russia
  • st isaacs cathedral st petersburg russia
  • st isaacs cathedral st petersburg russia

Peter The Great Statue (Bronze Horseman)

A famous statue tributing Peter The Great, definitely go and take pictures here. It is right behind St. Isaacs Cathedral and right along the water, in Senate Square.

peter the great bronze horseman statue saint petersburg

See the Russian Ballet & Opera

Mariinsky Theater is the most famous theater in St. Petersburg Russia (equal to Bolshoi Theater in Moscow) and is an absolute St Petersburg must-see for its stunning decor. While we were visiting the city though, only opera was playing there, and we really wanted to see a Russian ballet. So we went to the second most famous theater in Saint Petersburg, Mikhailovsky Theater. This theater was no worse or uglier than Mariinsky that’s for sure; it was beyond stunning. We sat in the front box here so we had amazing seats where we also got to overlook the amazing orchestra…and Swan Lake was AMAZING. I highly, highly recommend. I never was into ballet but Swan Lake was truly stellar. We went to Mariinsky on the second night to see an opera in the cheapest seats, just so we could see the theater. While i’m glad we went to see the theater (it lived up to the hype), i’m definitely still not an opera fan. I recommend going to both as a once and a lifetime Russia experience!

  • st petersburg ballet russia
  • st petersburg mikhailovsky teater
  • st petersburg russia points of interest
  • st petersburg russia ballet

Nevsky Prospect

Biggest/most famous street right in the center of the city. You will absolutely walk on it while touring the city. All the souvenir shops are naturally here as well.

Summer Gardens

Beautiful gardens to walk around and are directly on the way to the Peter and Paul Cathedral/Fortress. Very pretty when it’s snowing as well as in the summer!

Peter and Paul Cathedral/Fortress

The former political prison and fortress to the city. It’s a decent walk from the Hermitage and The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, but a good walk nonetheless (and we did it in snow and freezing temps!). Don’t get tickets for the entire complex, the cathedral is the most worth it to see. You definitely can spend a lot of time walking around the island and seeing the old fortress grounds, too. The Peter and Paul Fortress St Petersburg is by far one of the top St Petersburg attractions that you cannot miss! Don’t forget to check out the views of the Cathedral while walking on the bridge to get there (over the frozen river!)

  • peter and paul fortress in st petersburg russia
  • peter and paul fortress in st petersburg russia

Related Post: Swedish Lapland Travel Guide

Trinity Cathedral

A gorgeous cathedral with amazing roofs. You just need to go take pictures outside for a few minutes, no need to go inside.

trinity cathedral saint petersburg russia

St. Nicholas Cathedral St Petersburg

Another stunning St Petersburg cathedral (seriously why do they have the brightest, prettiest churches in Russia?!). No need to go inside, just take pictures outside and marvel at the blue.

st nicholas naval cathedral st petersburg russia

Anichkov Bridge

Saint Petersburg is sometimes named “the Venice of Eastern Europe” and rightly so! The city is made up of rivers and canals with bridges to walk over them. In the summer the canals are flowing and it is busy at night. In the winter, the canals are totally frozen, but just as gorgeous. Anichkov is just one of the main bridges that you should walk over.

st petersburg russia points of interest bridge over canals saint petersburg russia

Other Must-See St Petersburg Russia Attractions

  • Catherine Palace – Gorgeous palace outside of town for the summertime
  • Peterhof Palace – Another gorgeous palace outside of town, it surpasses the Palace of Versailles. There are famous fountains here that you must see (which are only on during the summer). Can also see the Gulf of Finland from here. In the winter it is not as crucial to visit since the fountains are the best part, so I would save this and check out other great things to do during a summertime St. Petersburg visit.
  • Kunstkamera Museum – First museum in Russia, an anthropology/ethnography museum. A slightly freaky museum.
  • Moika (Yusupov) Palace: Another palace in the middle of the city, we walked by it and decided not to do the tour of the inside because of timing, but if you have enough time you definitely should!
  • You can check out some other places to visit in St. Petersburg besides my list here.

Click on any of the attraction titles to learn more/book tickets!

Where To Eat In St. Petersburg Russia

Food in Russia is GOOD and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Here are some awesome St Petersburg restaurant suggestions we went to or heard about that I highly recommend.

Brunch in St. Petersburg

  • Wood Bar: a bar with really good brunch staples.
  • Cake & Breakfast: good local spot, breakfast all day, opens early.
  • Candies by Coffee Room: Cafe/restaurant with awesome vibes. Kind of mix between a hipster-y and trendy little American cafe. We had really good lunch and drinks here, so good that the person I was traveling with got his chicken entree twice during the same meal.

Best Restaurants in St. Petersburg Russia

  • Any of the Ginza Restaurants: This is a group of very well-known restaurants around the city and country. Specifically, I highly suggest the below in Saint Petersburg, but all of them are definitely recommended.
    • Gastronomika – trendy international cuisine
    • Baklazhan – a must-try themed restaurant
    • Terrassa – views of city and great food/bar too. This place is massive and trendy, and has outdoor seating during the summer. However, we sat inside and had an amazing view of the Church on Spilled Blood so it was just as fantastic.
      • Tip: They are very pushy here. The owner of the restaurant came over to our table (and was so nice, with perfect English) and tried to get us to get the most expensive items on the menu. He also somehow coerced us to get a massive bottle of still water ($10!) and bread ($8!). Just watch out.
      • This restaurant is also pricey compared to others in St. Petersburg restaurants, but very delicious real authentic Russian food!
  • Zoom Café: famous casual lunch/dinner spot, very popular
  • L’Europe: a must, Russia’s oldest restaurant
  • Stroganoff: meat-centric, good steakhouse
  • Gogol: various cuisines, loved by everyone
  • Percorso: recommended by friend, trendy, in Four Seasons Hotel
  • I’m Thankful For Today: Hipster lunch place highly recommended
  • Idiot Cafe: famous expat restaurant. Get the borscht!

Related Post: London Travel Guide

St. Petersburg Nightlife

Touring all day for two days straight really got to the best of us, especially since we saw a performance both nights we were there, so we didn’t go out too hard in Saint Petersburg, plus we stayed at an awesome hostel that had Russian Vodka gatherings there. These are some bars/clubs I’d recommend for a rowdy night out, Russians definitely know how to have a good time.

Where To Stay In St. Petersburg Russia

There are a ton of nice hotels in St Petersburg since it’s a major city in Russia, and in Europe in general. St Petersburg is also a backpackers haven and there are a ton of amazing St Petersburg Russia hostels to look through too. Search and book for St. Petersburg Russia hotels here.

AIRBNB St. Petersburg: There are also so many apartments in St. Petersburg. They are generally cheaper than hotels so if you like the Airbnb route instead of hotels I definitely recommend it. Also, if you use my Airbnb link you get $40 off your first stay!

Search and book St Petersburg Russia hotels here.

st petersburg russia attractioms
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Did I miss any St Petersburg Russia attractions that you loved? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! See the rest of my Russia travel guide here for everything you MUST know before traveling to Russia.

Some emails suck. Mine don’t. Sign up to be the first to see my new travel itineraries and secret insider travel tips and hacks only my email subscribers get! I promise I will never spam you!

rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Sweden

NORTHERN LIGHTS SWEDEN TRIP IN SWEDISH LAPLAND GUIDE

swedish lapland
By | On December 19,19 | 0 Comment

Lapland is the PERFECT northern lights Sweden trip and can hit two beautiful areas. Lapland is the area in the Northern part of the Nordic countries (Finnish Lapland, Norwegian Lapland and Swedish Lapland). It is a gorgeous area north of the Arctic Circle and provides stunning winters, nature, hikes, and of course Northern Lights and Midnight Sun viewings. I visited Lapland in Northern Sweden in February and it lived up to the picturesque photos I had researched prior to. Keep reading to find all the best things to do in Swedish Lapland and how to make this Northern Lights Sweden Trip itinerary work!

My Northern Lights Sweden Trip spanned three nights and four days. We stayed in Abisko National Park (arguably one of the best places to spot the Auroras) and one night in Kiruna, Sweden, an adorable little town (and the biggest town) in the Arctic Circle in Sweden.

Disclosure: This Northern Lights Trip: Swedish Lapland guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

Northern Sweden Travel Tips

  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: When visiting Swedish Lapland, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what may happen to your flights, a death/personal emergency in your family, or an accident happening while traveling (think: getting mugged, falling while hiking and spraining your ankle, literally any accident than can happen ANYWHERE!). World Nomads makes it super easy and I never leave for a trip without getting their insurance. Most importantly it’s extremely affordable: get your World Nomads travel insurance before your trip here!

SWEDISH LAPLAND PACKING TIPS: IT’S FREEZING IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE! But it is so gorgeous, so don’t let it deter you. Make sure you are prepared for alllll freezing weather. YOU NEED Serious Snow Boots. There really is no way around it; there are multiple feet of snow in all locations! I highly suggest these Sorel Women’s Joan of Arctic Boots (buy here). I have them and wore them everyday and they were AMAZING. Another MUST are these Hand/Toe Warmers they are my life savior in all cold destinations! I recommend these hand & toe warmer combos you can buy here. For more of my fave travel essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

How To Get To Lapland

  • FLY: There is only one airport near Lapland Sweden, Kiruna Airport. There are 3 nonstop flights there from Stockholm daily on SAS and Norwegian Air. It is about an hour and a half flight from Stockholm. There are also direct flights to Kiruna from a few European cities (specifically London) so if you live in the UK/Europe or are coming from there first it is pretty easy to get to Lapland.
  • TRAIN: You can also get from Stockholm to Abisko National Park or Kiruna via long overnight trains. The train is 8 hours from Stockholm, all overnight. The Swedish railway isn’t as high-tech and advanced as in other countries, so I would fly if possible, but if you love the overnight train route then this is your go-to.

We arrived at Kiruna airport at around noon and went straight to Abisko National Park. We booked a private transfer through Visit Abisko and it worked out great. You can also take a train or bus there (depending on the season) but the timings didn’t work out in our favor. The train also leaves from outside Kiruna City Center, not the airport, so we would have had to transfer a few times (and cabs are ridiculously expensive in Sweden) so the private transfer was the best bet. It was a massive bus with USB ports, nice guides, and even a stop to see reindeer on the way!

Related Post: Sweden Travel Guide

FULL NORTHERN LIGHTS SWEDEN TRIP ITINERARY

 

1. ABISKO NATIONAL PARK

Abisko National Park has been named one of the top places to view the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun due to the Aurora Sky Station it has built on top of a mountain, where 90% of the nights per year are completely clear! It is a stunning place with so many different activities to do to cater to all types of people. It is by far the best place in Sweden for Northern lights viewings.

ABISKO HOTELS

There are only three main hotels to stay at in Abisko. We stayed at STF Turist Station and I highly recommend (click on the link to book!). These places book up fast since there are only 3 hotels so I would book this ASAP after planning your trip. We liked STF Turist Station because it had a great restaurant, was the main base for many excursions, and had multiple on-your-own marked hikes to do right from the base. There are also many different types of room options (hostel dorm situation, private twins, private doubles, etc) that it caters to families, solos, and friends alike. The other hotels are Abisko Mountain Lodge and Abisko Guesthouse and are just a little further down the same road.

Book STF Turist Station here and read Abisko hotel reviews on TripAdvisor here!

ABISKO ACTIVITIES: WHAT TO DO IN ABISKO

TOUR EXCURSIONS: There are at least 50 different Abisko activities to do in Abisko: Dogsledding, snowmobiling, Sami culture tour (the indigenous culture here), a day tour to Norway, skiing, snowshoeing and more. They also have all these activities paired with Aurora searching at nighttime. The possibilities are endless and vary across seasons. You can book any of these tours on the Visit Abisko site here.

  • We chose to do dogsledding as our main daytime excursion and I LOVED it. It was a magical experience and a top highlight of my trip. The dogs were beautiful and friendly and our sled navigator couldn’t have been nicer. You even stop in the middle of the mountains and go inside a teepee where they build a fire and give you coffee and cinnamon buns. I booked this through the Visit Abisko site here. It is pricey but SO worth it.
  • swedish lapland dogsledding abisko
  • swedish lapland dogsledding abisko

Related Post: Reykjavik Iceland Travel Guide

ABISKO NATURE HIKES: There are SO many hiking trails around the surroundings that you can do on your own and are gorgeous. One walk I suggest, in the winter, is the short walk (30 minutes from STF Turist Station) down to the lake. This is Lake Tornetrask, one of the largest lakes in Sweden. In the winter, it is totally frozen and you can walk, sit, jump all over it (see main picture at top of article!). It is so awesome and the views are amazing. You can do any of the hikes available (maps at hotel desk) on your own or book a guided tour in advance here.

  • swedish lapland abisko national park
  • swedish lapland abisko national park
  • swedish lapland abisko national park

NORTHERN LIGHTS & MIDNIGHT SUN: If you want to see the Northern Lights in Sweden, Abisko is your number one spot due to their famous Abisko Sky Station! This tiny 1-room building is high on top of a mountain with the best viewing spot. You take a 25 minute ski lift up late at night (in the pitch black) and stay up there for hours. As I said above, 90% of the nights are clear here so your odds are good. The Abisko Sky Station is not cheap however, so make sure you budget for it and it’s not guaranteed to see them. Of course, the two nights we were in Abisko were both cloudy so we didn’t get so lucky, we only saw them very faintly on our way up. Do not forget to wear layers and layers and layers. The ski lift was beyond freezing, snowing and windy. You can book the Aurora Sky Station here (must reserve in advance!).

ABISKO RESTAURANTS

There are limited restaurants in Abisko, just as there are limited accommodations. The one restaurant in STF Turist Station is actually amazing, but it is expensive. I suggest doing the big lunch; its only around $12 and all you can eat. If you do this you can choose the one-course meal at dinner instead of the three-course $45 meal. The food is delicious though so if you can splurge, do it! Make sure to try reindeer, Sweden’s speciality food!

Related Post: Stockholm City Guide

 

2. KIRUNA, SWEDEN

Kiruna is the main and most populated town in Swedish Lapland and where you fly into as noted above. We took a train directly from Abisko National Park to Kiruna, which took about 1 hour and was extremely easy! Kiruna is a small mining town that has a really cool history and are currently undergoing transformation, the whole town is moving a few kilometers over because of the mining. I would definitely talk to your hotel or guides about this, it is fascinating. You can learn more in depth about Kiruna here.

KIRUNA HOTELS

There are limited hotels and hostels in Kiruna since it is so remote and small. We stayed at SpIS Hotel (book here) and I couldn’t recommend it more! It is a 5 minute walk from the main bus stop and is centrally located. The best part is the restaurant in the hotel is the top restaurant in the entire time and was delicious. There is also a bar here and a great breakfast. We stayed in the hostel side to save money and it was about $60/night per person. We still had a private room for two of us and just shared a bathroom down the hall so it was perfect.If you want to splurge then I highly suggest staying at the Do book SpIS Hotel here. You can read reviews for SpIS Hotel on TripAdvisor here!

Alternatively, stay at the Ice Hotel for a night or two! You can stay in the ice rooms or the warm rooms. These are very expensive but an unbelievable experience nonetheless and I definitely would do it if you can splurge.

You can book the Ice Hotel here. You can read reviews for the Ice Hotel on TripAdvisor here.

KIRUNA ACTIVITIES: WHAT TO DO IN KIRUNA SWEDEN

  • ICE HOTEL SWEDEN: If you are anywhere near Kiruna you must go to the Ice Hotel. It is the first ice hotel in the world and it is beyond mind blowing. EVERYTHING is made out of ice right down to every detail. You can take a quick 30 minute bus here from Kiruna bus station. It is Bus #501 and is ~$10 roundtrip. 
  • Take an organized tour of the Ice Hotel where you will learn about the history & see some of the main features- I highly suggest this. Afterwards you can walk around the hotel yourself and look at all the different art installations in each room! The Ice Hotel is a major tourist trap but it is a must see. And if you can splurge, stay IN the Ice Hotel for a night (book here!)! Make sure to spend sometime in the Ice Bar here as well (more details below!)
swedish lapland front icehotel rachel sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden
  • ice hotel kiruna sweden

KIRUNA TOURS AND EXCURSIONS: Like Abisko, Kiruna is another amazing destination for a northern lights trip. There are various excursions leaving from Kiruna to chase the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun. Here are a few links to tour companies – they’re all amazing! Kiruna Northern Lights tours are very popular so you should book in advance.

You can book the Kiruna Northern Lights photo tour HERE, a dogsledding day tour HERE, or a snowmobiling northern lights tour HERE.

KIRUNA RESTAURANTS

KIRUNA BARS

  • The Bishop Arms: good beer pub
  • Icebar at Icehotel: If you visit the Ice Hotel you have to stop for a drink at the Ice bar here! It is the original ice bar of all ice bars and is amazing!
  • kiruna ice hotel
  • kiruna ice hotel
  • kiruna ice hotel
  • kiruna ice hotel

Related Post: 6 Day Iceland Itinerary

  • swedish lapland reindeer
  • sweden icehotel teepee
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  • swedish lapland pinterest

Did I miss something in my Northern Lights Trip: Swedish Lapland travel guide that you loved? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! Looking for a Stockholm guide? Head here! See the rest of my full country Sweden travel guide here!

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rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Latvia

HOTEL JUSTUS RIGA LATVIA REVIEW

hotel justus riga review
By | On October 11,19 | 0 Comment

Looking for where to stay in Riga Latvia? Look no further. I stayed as a guest in Riga’s Hotel Justus dead in the center of Old Town Riga and it was fantastic. The old town of Riga is a small, cute, walkable town this hotel really embodies the culture and history of Riga. Keep reading for a full review of my stay at Justus Hotel Riga Latvia and what to expect when staying here and why you definitely should consider Hotel Justus on your next holiday to Riga.

Disclosure: This Hotel Justus Riga Latvia Review may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

On a trip to Riga Latvia in April 2019, I was lucky enough to have Hotel Justus sponsor my stay for my visit. Even though it is sponsored, my review and experience is, as always, 100% personal and honest.

Tips Before Staying at Hotel Justus in Riga

  • For all of my Latvia travel tips head to my Latvia travel guide here.
  • Old Town Riga is less than a 15 minute drive from the Riga Airport. The best way to get to Hotel Justus in Riga from the airport is a taxi or BOLT. This is Latvia’s answer to Uber. They work the exact same way that Uber does and is super simple – make sure you set it up on your phone ahead of time so you’re not wasting time in the airport (which has WiFi). My driver came within one minute of me hailing it and the whole trip took a whopping 12 minutes to get to Hotel Justus and Old Town Riga from the Riga Airport.
  • Travel Insurance: Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world. We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

PACKING: The Baltics are cold most of the year!!! I went in early April and it was pretty damn cold. Pack layers, hats, gloves and lots of them! For all of my travel packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

What To Expect When Staying at Hotel Justus Riga

Hotel Justus is not your average boutique hotel in Europe. Hotel Justus has history and its shown in all of its details. Between the rustic walls in the lobby and restaurant, to the amazing staircases, to the walls marking what they used to be in the rooms, you can feel the pieces of history within the hotel. Hotel Justus staff is so friendly and I immediately felt at ease when I arrived at the hotel for my solo travel. This is super important to me when traveling alone as a woman. The rooms in Hotel Justus are absolutely massive, especially for Europe and all the necessary amenities are provided. The best part of Hotel Justus has to be the location – its in the dead center of Riga’s old town which is exactly where you want to be when touring Riga. I highly recommend Hotel Justus for all these reasons and the reasons detailed out in this guide. Hotel Justus is one of the best hotels in Riga to stay in during your trip.

You can book Hotel Justus right here!

Related Post: What To Do In St. Petersburg, Russia

Riga Justus Hotel Rooms

The rooms in Hotel Justus are clean, basic, and rustic…in a good way. They are also massive. I stayed in a standard double room and it was huge, this is a HUGE plus especially for Europe where things are usually much smaller than the West! I loved the rustic walls that were literally a part of the Dome Cathedral wall from the 14th century – which is insane. Definitely can’t get that any any standard hotel. The rooms come with all basic amenities such as a stocked mini bar

Related Post: Hotel Intercontinental Vienna Austria Review

Hotel Justus Breakfast Buffet

A stay at Riga’s Hotel Justus includes a complimentary breakfast which is what I ALWAYS look for when booking a hotel. As much as I love exploring brunch and breakfast spots in new cities, a hotel that INCLUDES a basic breakfast brunch is far superior. Hotel Justus‘ restaurant decor went along with the rest of the theme of the hotel and the brunch was basic and delicious with options for everyone (breads, eggs, fruits, veggies, etc).

Related Post: What To Do In Stockholm, Sweden

WHY Hotel Justus?

Hotel Justus is the perfect, quintessential Latvian hotel and is beyond PERFECT for a stay in Riga. It is DEAD center in the Old Town of Riga, which is exactly where you want to be staying when visiting Riga. It is clean, historic, rustic, includes breakfast, and the rooms are EXTREMELY big, especially in European standards, which are notoriously small. In my opinion, location and cleanliness is the most important to me and Hotel Justus has both of these plus more. I loved the historic vibes of the hotel that made me feel like I was staying somewhere special! The maps, decor and walls around the hotel are fun to look at and I love the circular staircase (but don’t worry, there are elevators too). Hotel Justus is your spot.

You can book Hotel Justus right here!

WHY NOT Hotel Justus?

Of COURSE the hotel is not for everyone and I would never want to steer someone the wrong way when providing accommodations for Riga. If you are looking for a full-service fancy 5 star Riga hotel, it is not Hotel Justus. The hotel offers the basic amenities, breakfast and is perfect for any type of traveler but if you are looking for 5 star fancy services and rooms, then don’t stay here. But do you really need that on a quick trip to Riga? 🙂

Related Post: Latvia Country Travel Guide

Final Thoughts on Hotel Justus Riga

HIGHLY recommend Hotel Justus in Riga for your stay. The location could not be better, the rooms and lobby were clean, the included breakfast was an awesome buffet, the rooms are huge, and I love the historical architecture and design within. Don’t miss out on Hotel Justus when you’re visiting Riga.

*Thanks to Hotel Justus in Riga for sponsoring my hotel stay while traveling to Riga Latvia. While I did receive this stay as a gif, my review and experience with them is, as always, 100% personal and honest*

Book Hotel Justus in Riga Latvia right here!

Related Post: Fes Morocco Palais Amani Riad Review

Loved this Hotel Justus Riga review? Pin it for later or share with friends!

Have questions about Hotel Justus or are you planning on staying here on your next visit? Let me know in the comments below! Check out more of what to expect when visiting Latvia here.

Some emails suck. Mine don’t. Sign up to be the first to see my new travel itineraries and secret insider travel tips and hacks only my email subscribers get! I promise I will never spam you!

rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

Portugal

DOURO VALLEY TOURS FROM PORTO WITH THE OTHER SIDE PORTO

douro valley tour portugal
By | On December 03,18 | 0 Comment

I visited Porto Portugal in September 2018 solo and only had two full days in my nine day itinerary traveling around Portugal. I knew I had to get to the Douro Valley for one of these days and knew I wanted to take one of the best day trips from Porto. As a wine and vineyard lover, this wasn’t negotiable. Even though I wish I had more days in the city of Porto, spending a full day in the Douro Valley was amazing and I would do it again. This was an amazing tour to compliment my food tour in Porto I did the day previously. Bottom line: You cannot visit Porto without visiting the Douro Valley.

Disclosure: This Douro Valley Tour from Porto guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

The Douro Valley is the countryside of Porto in North Portugal where you can find wineries and vineyards galore. There are an insane number of wineries, and the countryside is beautiful with the Douro River running through it. I knew I wanted to get as much out of as possible with only one day in the Douro Valley, so after a lot of research on the best Douro Valley tours from Porto, I found The Other Side, a company that runs various Porto and vineyard tours. I booked their Douro & Vineyards Tour and was excited to try all of the famous port wine.  There are a bunch of different Porto tour companies offering day trips from Porto to the Douro Valley but I liked The Other Side’s offerings the best! I’ll talk about a full travel guide to Porto in another guide, but this one is all Douro Valley Wine Tour related. Keep reading to see all of the details that you will get on a Douro Valley Tour, including how to book the tour, each of the wineries and locations you will visit (including a beautiful boat ride), as well as the pros and cons to this Douro Valley Wine Tour.

The Other Side Douro Valley Wine Tour Tips

  • Going to the Douro Valley is the absolute best and most popular Porto day trip and I highly recommend going when you are in this region as this UNESCO world heritage area cannot be missed.
  • The Other Side has a bunch of different tours around the city of Porto, but this guide is referring specifically to their Douro & Vineyards Tour.
  • The tour is the entire day and includes pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Porto as well as private guide. The group is less than 15 people so it feels almost private, even though it is not.
  • Getting from Porto to Douro Valley is no easy feat. There is a LOT of time in a small van and the roads in the Douro Valley are extremely windy on cliffs. If you get car sickness this might not be the trip for you, or make sure you take a lot of Dramamine with you. I don’t get car sick but even I was a bit nauseous during one of the trips between vineyards after drinking wine! Wine + curved roads are not a good combination.
  • I went solo on the trip, and my one negative of the Douro Valley Tour was that it was almost all 50+ year olds. Honestly not a big deal at all, but as a 27 year old, it would have been nice to have someone younger to converse with and be more on the same page with, or know in advance this is the usual age! It was very slow moving.
  • There is a one-hour boat ride down the Douro River that is not included in the price. It is an extra 10 euros. Don’t miss this boat ride. The Douro River boat ride is beautiful and totally worth the extra price to see the views from a different perspective.
  • The cost of the entire trip (minus the boat ride) is 95 euros and includes a feast of a lunch that is amazing as well as all the tastings. The lunch is located in the famous town of Pinhão in the Douro Valley which also is known for its stunning train station.
  • For more information on traveling to Portugal head to my Portugal travel guide here and for a food tour in Porto head here. 

FULL DOURO VALLEY TOUR ITINERARY WITH THE OTHER SIDE PORTO

Our Douro Valley tour began with a pick-up at everyones individual hotel. They email you the night before and tell you what time they will be picking you up. It really is a great perk (especially when you are solo) to get picked up at your own hotel! Getting from Porto to Douro Valley is no easy feat as it’s about a two hour drive to get there (mostly on highway until you arrive), but mostly everyone slept on the way so it didn’t feel that bad.

Douro Valley Tour Stop #1: Boat Dam

We made a quick pit stop to break up the drive on our way to the Douro Valley to watch a boat get lifted above a dam to continue into the Douro Valley. It was actually really cool! I have personally never seen a boat get lifted like that. There are a bunch of boat tours that go all the way from Porto to the Douro Valley vineyards (this takes much longer, naturally) and this is the way they get there, since the Douro River passes through Porto. This was just a quick 10 minute pit stop to stretch our legs and was also our first glimpse into the Douro Valley views.

  • douro valley
  • douro valley douro river
  • douro river portugal

Douro Valley Tour Stop #2: Pinhão Train Station

Our next stop was to Pinhão. Pinhão is one of the biggest towns in the Douro Valley. We had a quick bathroom and coffee pit stop at the famous Pinhão train station which is known for its tiled walls and exterior. Personally I didn’t think it was as beautiful and stunning as the Porto São Bento Train Station but it was still cool to see! We also were able to head to a cafe across the street for a bite and coffee as we were pretty hungry after driving for 2 hours! We only stayed here for about a half hour.

  • pinhao train station
  • portugal pinhao train station douro valley

Douro Valley Tour Stop #3: Douro River Boat Tour

Next, we drove all the way down to the bottom of Pinhão to the river for our boat tour. While this was optional, everyone on our tour opted to take the boat tour (right move!). This was my favorite part of the tour. We spent an hour on the boat going up and down the Douro River and it is absolutely stunning. I loved seeing the views of all the vineyards surrounding the Douro River from a different perspective than from the top of the hills. It was extremely relaxing and serene during this calm boat ride. They even let me steer the boat for a few minutes (I didn’t do much!).

  • portugal douro valley tours
  • porto douro valley tours boat
  • portugal douro river
  • douro valley tour from porto
  • douro river cruise
  • douro valley river cruise

Douro Valley Tour Stop #4: Winery 1: D’Origem (Casal de Loivos)

The first winery we visited was D’Origem. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It was up on a massive hill (which provided lots of curved roads up and around cliffs), but the view at the top was worth it. You look down along the Douro Valley and Douro River and it is absolutely stunning. There are floor to ceiling windows and a patio overlooking the valley and I could stare at the view all day. I love looking at vineyards in different regions and this might be my favorite vineyard area ever. We tried a white, red and rosé here and all of them were great. We also got a quick tour (pre-tasting) on how the winery used to be run back in the days and you can see how old and family-run and bred it is.

  • winery porto
  • douro valley tours from porto
  • douro valley portugal
  • dorigem winery portugal
  • douro valley winery

Douro Valley Tour Stop #5: Lunch!

After the first winery and lots of tastings, we definitely worked up an appetite. We made our way down the curvy roads again, and back into Pinhão and headed to lunch for a big Northern Portugal feast. There were tons of courses and meal options for everyone and we were definitely full and ready for more wine (there was also free wine at lunch, in typical wine tour fashion).

Related Post: Porto Food Tour Guide

Douro Valley Tour Stop #6: Winery 2: Quinta Do Portal

Our last and final stop was to the second winery which was a bit farther from lunch and was a LOT of curvy roads uphill. But, again, at the top it provided stunning views over the Douro Valley. Here we toured the winery and the different rooms for the different types of wines (white, red and port all get stored in different temperatures and lights). Afterwards we tried one of each. I liked this winery and getting to walk through some of the vineyards and seeing the grapevines!

  • quinta do portal douro valley
  • quinta do portal portugal

This was the end of our long tour and after lots of wine, I was ready for the two hour ride home to sleep it off. The trip and Douro Valley was so beautiful and I can’t wait to go back and visit more Douro Valley wine regions and tours in the future.

Find out more about all of these Douro Valley wineries by clicking their names!

Related Post: Portugal Travel Guide

Final notes on The Other Side Porto Douro Valley Tour: Highly recommend! The tour was on time, organized and really gave a taste of the Douro Valley wine region and the wines it is known for! They took us to beautiful wineries and viewpoints  so you can get the true Douro Valley wineries experience. I would recommend The Other Side to anyone visiting Porto Portugal and wanting a Porto day trip to Douro Valley! You can book your tour right here! They also have a ton of other tour options around the Douro Valley and Porto so I highly recommend checking out their tour options.

*Thanks to The Other Side for inviting me on their Douro & Vineyards Tour to learn about all that the Douro Valley has to offer and visit its amazing wineries as well as  and making this blog post possible! While I did receive this tour as a gift, my review and experience with The Other Side is, as always, 100% personal and honest*

Other Porto Portugal Travel Tips

How To Get To Porto

Porto is the second biggest city to Lisbon and there are plenty of international flights (though not as many as Lisbon). You can fly direct from NYC and many other cities around Europe. You can also take a quick 2.5 hour train from Lisbon to get here. I was in Lisbon first so I took the train there. The train was insanely easy, clean and honestly a pleasure to take and travel through the Portugal countryside. You can book your train tickets here: Portugal Train Tickets. I went from Lisbon Santa Apolónia station to Porto Campanhã station, so that it was a direct train with no transfers. Book online ahead of time to get a cheaper price than booking at the station. The train only cost 25 euros. For the airport, the Porto International Airport is only a 15 minute drive from the center of Porto. You can learn more about visiting Portugal and getting around the country in my Portugal country travel guide here.

Where To Stay in Porto Portugal

There are a TON of hostels and hotels in Porto for any budget – take your pick! I LOVED the area I stayed in and I definitely recommend staying right near Livraria Lello, it’s the best nightlife area and right in the center of the city so it is walking distance to every single imaginable spot that is on your list of things to do in Porto!

Search Porto hotels on Booking.com by clicking here or searching below. Find more hotel reviews on TripAdvisor here!

AIRBNB Porto: Many people also choose to stay in Airbnb in Porto because it is insanely affordable! I personally chose the hotel route for safety precautions since I was solo, but I would definitely recommend Airbnb if I were with friends! They’re definitely cheaper than the hotels around the city. Also, if you use my Airbnb link you get $40 off your first stay!

Porto Travel Tips

  • PACKING FOR PORTO: Porto’s weather is perfect. I went in the beginning of September and it was a nice high 70s. It was very sunny so don’t forget sunscreen. For all of my travel/packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: When visiting Porto, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what may happen to your flights, a death/personal emergency in your family, or an accident happening while traveling (think: getting mugged, falling while hiking and spraining your ankle, literally any accident than can happen ANYWHERE!). World Nomads makes it super easy and I never leave for a trip without getting their insurance. Most importantly it’s extremely affordable: get your World Nomads travel insurance before your trip here!
  • UBER: Uber is insanely cheap in Portugal around the entire country. I’m still not over it. Sure, I come from NYC with astronomical prices, but I have used Uber in plenty of countries and nothing compares to the prices in Portugal. You could go on a 20 minute drive and it would be 2 euros. It’s insane. Take Uber in Portugal!

Related Post: What To Do In London On Your Own Guide

Like this Douro Valley Tours from Porto with The Other Side guide? Pin it for later or share with friends!
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Now you can see how much of a MUST visiting the Douro Valley from Porto is right!? Looking for what to expect before visiting Portugal? Check out my Visit Portugal Travel Blog guide for more tips. Looking for an epic food tour in Porto? Head to my Porto Food Tour with Taste Porto review!

Some emails suck. Mine don’t. Sign up to be the first to see my new travel itineraries and secret insider travel tips and hacks only my email subscribers get! I promise I will never spam you!

rachel shulman

About The Author

Rachel Shulman is the owner of From East To West and a seasoned traveler having been to 45+ countries and no intention of stopping soon. She is obsessed with planning and specializes in creating detailed, efficient travel itineraries and guides so you don’t have to when planning your next destination.

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