TL;DRHungary is dotted with hundreds of thermal springs, their mineral-rich waters said to ease rheumatism, arthritis and skin conditions. The best-known spas include Budapest’s Széchenyi, with its indoor and outdoor pools, the thermal lake at Hévíz (the largest biologically active thermal lake in the world), and Gellért, famed for its grand architecture (though it’s closed for renovation until 2028). Most spas stay open all year round — just bring your swimsuit, a towel, flip-flops and a swimming cap.
If you’re looking for thermal spas, how about trying Hungary? In this guide I will share with you Hungary: 13 Best Places for Your Holiday. This country is home to hundreds of thermal springs that attract visitors not only from Europe, but also from all over the world. Let’s take a look together atwhy you should add a visit to Hungarian thermal baths to your travel list and what are the best spas in Hungary you should visit.
Why Visit Thermal Spas in Hungary and What to Bring
Thermal spas in Hungary have a truly long history. Already during the Roman Empire, the local baths were used for medicinal purposes. Many of today’s thermal spas thus grew on the foundations of those Roman ones, which were built on natural springs.
Thermal water contains various minerals, such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and sodium, and thus has a positive effect on human health. Thermal spas can help, for example, in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, and various skin problems. At the same time, the water is as warm as coffee, and bathing in it is very pleasant, so you will definitely relax.😉
Tips for Visiting:
Bring your own swimsuit, slippers, swimming cap, water, and towel.
Book your tickets in advance, especially if you plan to visit popular spas in Budapest.
Try various procedures, such as mud wraps, massages, and hydrotherapy.
Most thermal spas in Hungary are open all year round, but it’s better to check the specific opening hours and admission prices on the websites of individual spas.
Széchenyi Baths are one of the largest and most famous thermal baths in Europe. They are located in the city park and have outdoor and indoor pools with thermal water. The outdoor pools are great, especially when it’s cold outside. The architecture is Art Nouveau, and the baths are surrounded by beautiful nature. You will also find many wellness services (try the beer baths!) and restaurants on site.
And once you’ve had enough bathing, visit nearby Budapest attractions such as Heroes’ Square, the zoo, or Vajdahunyad Castle.
Gellért Baths in Budapest are famous for their beautiful architecture and luxurious environment. You’ll find various mineral water pools, saunas, and wellness procedures here.
After visiting the baths, be sure to take a walk along the Danube, from where there’s a beautiful view of the city. And if you’re interested in tips for cafes in Budapest, then read our article.
In Hévíz, there is a thermal lake, which is the largest biologically active lake in the world. The water is warm and rich in minerals, making it ideal for treating health problems and for relaxation. I recommend getting a float or a lounger for the water so you can fully enjoy your time on the lake. There is also beautiful nature and opportunities for walks around the lake.
In these baths, you will feel like you are in another world. MiskolctapolcaBaths offer a unique atmosphere with natural cave baths. Don’t forget to try the cave pools and relaxation zones, where you can also indulge in wellness procedures. The city of Miskolc is also ideal for sightseeing.
Egerszalók is known and very popular for its unique thermal pools with travertine terraces created by the thermal water. You’ll find 17 indoor and outdoor pools with healing water, as well as slides and water slides. Therefore, it’s a great place for families with children too.
A vineyard is located a short distance from the baths, so don’t miss a tasting of local wines.
Rudas Baths are located on the right bank of the Danube at the foot of Gellért Hill, and their history dates back to the 16th-century Turkish era. You can notice this in their interior. The thermal water is rich in calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, and is healing for joints, muscles, and skin.
Rudas Baths also offer various therapeutic procedures, including massages, saunas, and steam baths. At the same time, in addition to traditional Turkish baths, you will find a modern wellness center with panoramic views of the Danube here.
If you intend to visit thermal spas with your family, then Zalakaros is an ideal choice for you. The baths are modern and offer many attractions for children and adults, including a slide park. Wellness services and a pleasant atmosphere for relaxation are also available.
Mosonmagyárovár is a quiet town with popular thermal baths. The local thermal water is among the five most effective in Europe. It contains silicic acid and fluorides, making it especially suitable for inhalation. It is recommended for rehabilitation after chronic bronchitis and for nasal sinus diseases. The complex offers a total of 4 pools of various temperatures, and you can also try mud wraps or massages.
The baths in Győrare ideal for those undergoing treatment for musculoskeletal or gynecological problems. They offer several pools with healing water, a sauna world, and a wellness zone. The thermal water here springs from a depth of about 2000 meters and is mainly rich in iodide, which promotes regeneration and alleviates musculoskeletal pain.
The place is also suitable for families with children, as there are several water slides here. Don’t forget to try the cave where the water is warmest (38 degrees Celsius) or have a drink at the swim-up bar.
If you are looking for less touristy places, then the baths in Pápa are the right choice. The baths here are smaller, but still very popular. They have thermal pools, saunas, and water slides. Swimmers, in particular, will enjoy it here thanks to the large swimming pool with cooler water.
Bükfürdő Baths are among the largest baths in Hungary. They are known for their high-quality thermal water, which is ideal for treating rheumatism and other musculoskeletal problems. They also offer a wide range of wellness services and activities for families with children. You’ll find an incredible 34 pools here, and you can enjoy magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, or various types of massages.
Near the Hungarian-Slovenian border, you’ll find the town of Lenti with baths that combine thermal water and the power of earth’s energy. These baths are popular for their healing water with a high mineral content. They are located in a beautiful natural environment and, in addition to pools with healing water, also offer modern wellness services and massages.
Sárvár Baths are reportedly the best baths for families with children. Children can look forward to a 106-meter long water slide hereand several wave pools. Private nursing rooms and plenty of children’s play areas are available for mothers.
Sárvár Baths are also known for their healing springs, which are suitable for treating various health problems, including musculoskeletal issues. They offer outdoor and indoor pools, saunas, and a wellness zone.
The most famous thermal spas in Hungary are Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths in Budapest, Hévíz, Miskolctapolca, Egerszalók, and Rudas Baths.
Is bathing in thermal spas healthy?
Thermal water is rich in minerals and can help in the treatment of various health problems, such as joint pain, skin conditions, and stress.
Are thermal baths suitable for children?
Yes, many thermal spas in Hungary offer family zones with pools and attractions suitable for children.
Is it necessary to book tickets for thermal spas in advance?
In some popular spas, especially during peak season or on weekends, it is recommended to book tickets in advance. Many spas offer online booking options.
What are the admission prices for thermal spas in Hungary?
Prices vary, but mostly range from 3000 to 6000 HUF (approximately 250-500 CZK).
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRPoland’s best waterparks for families sit just across the Czech border, making them an easy trip if you’re driving over from Prague or further afield. Aquapark Wrocław is 250 km from Prague, with entry from 340 Kč, while Aqua Park Wodny Krakow, 485 km away, has eight slides to keep kids busy all day. Tropikana in Wisła is perfect for a day trip from Ostrava, just 30 km down the road. Other highlights include Suntago Water World, Europe’s largest indoor waterpark with 32 slides and 12 sauna zones, Energylandia in Zator, rated 4.8/5 with 123 attractions, and the thermal baths at Chocholowskie Termy, which have more than 30 pools. There are 11 tips in total here, with ticket prices running from 340 Kč to 770 Kč. These parks are open year-round — weekdays outside Polish public holidays are your best bet for smaller crowds.
When planning a summer vacation or a winter relaxation trip, more and more Czech families are heading to Polish water parks. Our northern neighbors offer impressive water worlds full of fun, relaxation, and unexpected experiences at affordable prices.
Let’s explore together the 10 best Polish water parks near the border that are definitely worth visiting, whether you’re looking for wild slides, relaxing thermal pools, or fun for the little ones.
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Why Visit a Water Park in Poland?
Polish water parks have become an extremely popular destination for Czech tourists in recent years, for several reasons. Not only are many of them easily accessible from the Czech border, but they also offer excellent value for money.
Modern facilities, diverse attractions, and a friendly atmosphere make Polish water parks an ideal destination for families with children and for adults seeking rest and relaxation.
Another big draw are the rich sauna worlds that are part of many water parks. For the price you would pay in Czechia just for pool entry, in Poland you can also enjoy saunas, relaxation zones, and other wellness services. This is certainly something that parents will especially appreciate after a demanding day spent with lively children.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Polish water parks have one big advantage – you can visit them year-round. In summer, they provide refreshment during hot days, while in winter they are a warm refuge where you can forget about the freezing weather outside. Most water parks are open daily from morning to evening, typically from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.
If you want to avoid queues and crowded pools, I recommend visiting on weekdays. Weekends and Polish holidays are usually much busier. The winter off-season is also a good choice, especially if you plan to combine your visit to the water park with other activities in the area, such as skiing in the Polish Beskids or Tatras.
We have a list of the best water parks in Poland for you – just choose.
1) Largest Water Park in Poland: Aqua Park Wodny Krakow
Let’s start our journey for water fun in historic Krakow, where one of the largest and most attractive water parks in Poland is located. This water park is approximately 485 km from Prague and offers an amazing number of attractions for children and adults.
On an area of 2000 m², you will find eight different slides with a total length of 800 meters. For children, there is a pirate island play area with climbing frames, while adrenaline lovers will appreciate slides such as Kongo, the multimedia TWISTER, the fiery SPEED FIRE, and the extremely fast NITRO.
In addition, you will also find a water climbing wall, a wild river, a rainbow path, and for the youngest visitors, a paddling pool with water attractions. Meanwhile, adults can relax in one of the eight hot tubs or visit the extensive sauna world.
Suitable accommodation:Hotel Swing****, which is located 50 m from the water park
Water Park Krakow
2) Largest Water Park in Europe: Park of Poland – Suntago Water World
About 30 km from Warsaw in the town of Wręcza, we find a true giant among water parks – Suntago Water World. It is the largest indoor water park not only in Poland, but in all of Europe! It was only opened in 2020, and its construction cost more than 3.5 billion CZK.
Visitors can look forward to the artificial indoor jungle Jamango, which spans 6 floors. It consists of hundreds of palm trees and offers 32 slides, 4000 sun loungers, and many other attractions. In the relaxation area, you will find a 900 m² thermal pool and a huge tropical garden with other types of pools.
The 2500 m² sauna world includes 12 themed sections, including Turkish baths, an Egyptian village, Valhalla, and Paradise Beach. You will find few comparable places in Europe, which makes Suntago an ideal destination for a trip, even if it’s a bit further from Czechia.
Practical Information:
Address: Nowy Świat 1, 96-300 Wręcza, Poland
Price of full-day ticket: from 770 CZK per adult
Rating: 4.1/5 from over 14,737 visitors
Accommodation directly at the water park:Suntago Village – highly-rated bungalows for 4 to 8 people
Suntago Water World
3) Water Park Reda
In the town of Reda in northern Poland, one of the most unique water parks in the country is located. Its biggest attraction is the possibility of “swimming with sharks” – visitors can whiz through a 60-meter-long underwater tunnel while observing these marine predators separated by safe glass.
Different parts of the water park are stylized in various forms. You will find a sunken castle with a Kraken, a pirate bay, or an adventurous “river expedition”. The areas are very nicely designed, and children will certainly be thrilled with them.
Although Reda is further from the Czech border, it is an ideal place to visit during a vacation by the Baltic Sea. You can thus combine a visit to the water park with a stay by the sea, which can be a great combination for a summer family vacation.
For residents of North Bohemia and Moravia, the Water Park in Wrocław (Wroclaw) is easily accessible – it’s just over 250 km from Prague. It has been operating since 2008 and offers a wide range of water attractions.
In the water park, you will find a large swimming pool and an entertainment zone full of smaller pools, intricate bays, and artificial rivers. Children will enjoy the pirate bay with a suspension bridge and other attractions. A pleasant Aquabar serves refreshments, and for heat lovers, a sauna world, halodarium, or tepidarium is available.
Although Water Park Wroclaw is among the smaller and simpler water parks, it is nicely equipped and pleasant. Moreover, Wrocław itself is a beautiful historical gem that is worth visiting on its own. You can thus combine water fun with a cultural experience.
The town of Zakopane has been a very well-known Polish destination for Czechs for decades. People come here for beautiful nature, skiing, markets and shopping, but also for water fun. Zakopane and its surroundings are full of thermal and other spas, some of which are among the best in Poland.
The Water Park in Zakopane offers beautiful views of the Polish Tatras from the outdoor pool. There are many intricate slides, thermal pools, and several types of saunas. Bowling or a fitness center are also available.
This water park is probably not a destination in itself that you would travel hundreds of kilometers for. However, Zakopane and its surroundings are definitely worth visiting, and the water park can be a pleasant addition to your mountain vacation or skiing trip.
In the Polish city of Poznań, specifically in the district called Malta, well-known thermal baths are located near a small lake, around which a water park has also grown. It is not among the giants, but its connection with the well-known thermal baths gives it a calmer and more “healing” atmosphere.
The water park offers nice outdoor facilities with a number of large slides. The indoor facilities also make the visit pleasant for families with children and more playful adults. The local sauna world is truly very pleasant, offering 14 stylish zones and featuring 12 different saunas, a snow cave, and other great places. There are also traditional baths with a range of top-notch procedures.
Practical Information:
Address: Termalna 1, 61-028 Poznań, Poland
Price of full-day ticket: from 460 CZK per adult
Rating: 4.4/5 from over 20,455 visitors
Accommodation tip:
Termy Maltańskie
7) Water Park Tropikana (Hotel Golebiewski)
Just a short distance beyond the Czech border in the town of Wisła, you will find the popular Water Park Tropikana, which is part of the Golebiewski Hotel. It is an ideal place for a day trip – it’s only 30 km from Ostrava.
The water park welcomes you with an exotic atmosphere, where you will feel like you’re on vacation in the tropics. Several pools, five slides, and a wave pool are available. Children will appreciate the special pool with a children’s slide and many safe attractions.
“A very nice place, suitable for the whole family – everyone will find something. Several pools, lots of hot tubs, both indoor and outdoor, a salt cave, saunas, attractions for children, children’s pools, decent prices… worth a visit,” one of the visitors comments.
Practical Information:
Opening hours: every day from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Facilities: swimming pool, recreational wave pool, water jets, hydro-massage pool, paddling pool for children, hot tubs, saunas, salt cave, relaxation room
Near Zakopane (about 10 km) are some of the largest thermal baths in Poland – Chocholowskie Termy. The total water area of the pools here reaches 3000 m² and is divided into more than thirty pools. Add to that almost ten hot tubs and a number of slides, both entertainment and relaxation features.
What makes these thermal baths truly exceptional is their magnificent location in a natural environment with perfect views of mountains and forests. Equally charming is the stylish, intricate, and unique architecture of the baths. An important part also includes spa and wellness procedures – there is more than enough space for regeneration here.
Just a short distance from Zakopane lies another magnificent thermal spa – Bukovina. They are renowned primarily for their location in the heart of nature, among endless forests and mountains. A great advantage is the use of thermal water from a nearly 2.5 km deep well. Some pools have a temperature of up to 38°C, providing perfect body warming.
The baths have very stylish architecture. Here you will find a system of outdoor pools on stone terraces, which give a monumental, almost ancient impression. The main glass building is connected to the outside by a large slide. Overall, there are several slides, as well as saunas and other wellness facilities.
Accommodation directly at the water park:Hotel Bukovina ****
Termy Bukowina
10) Energylandia
If you’re looking for entertainment on a grand scale, then Energylandia is a clear choice. It’s not just a water park, but an entire entertainment complex located in Zator near Krakow. With an area of around 70 hectares, it is the largest amusement park in Poland, offering an incredible 123 attractions.
The water park section includes numerous waterslides, rivers, a pirate bay, a play island, and countless other features. In addition, you’ll also find a roller coaster straight out of Hollywood movies and various themed sections, such as a historical village or a pyramid.
Energylandia is a remarkable place where you’d need a week rather than just a single day to fully explore it. Regardless of the length of your visit, it is sure to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Cieplice Thermal Baths offer the best combination of relaxation and fun for the whole family. Thanks to the unique thermal water, which you won’t find anywhere else in Poland, you can perfectly relax and regenerate your body here.
Just 164 km from Prague, you’ll find indoor and outdoor pools with healing water, waterslides for children, a relaxation zone, and a complete SPA with various types of saunas. After swimming, you can refresh yourself at the local restaurant. The surrounding historical parks are perfect for pleasant walks. A perfect tip for a weekend trip, after which you’ll feel reborn!
We’ve put together some practical information that might be useful for your visit.
Transport and Accessibility
Most of the mentioned aquaparks are easily accessible by car. From Prague or Ostrava, you can reach the border aquaparks within a 2-3 hour drive. For those further away (such as Suntago or aquaparks near the Baltic Sea), it’s advisable to plan a longer stay or visit them as part of a holiday in the area.
If you prefer public transport, connections between the Czech Republic and Poland are also good. Most aquaparks have parking nearby, so parking shouldn’t be an issue.
Prices and Tickets
Admission prices vary depending on the specific aquapark, day of the week, and length of stay. Generally, aquaparks in Poland are more affordable than comparable facilities in the Czech Republic. Many of them offer discounts for children, students, and seniors.
For some more popular aquaparks, such as Suntago or Energylandia, I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid potential queues at the ticket office, especially during weekends and holidays.
For families with children, these accommodation options are ideal because you have water attractions at your fingertips and don’t have to waste time commuting.
What to Bring with You
When visiting a Polish aquapark, don’t forget:
Swimwear (some aquaparks may have regulations regarding appropriate attire)
Towel (in some places, it’s possible to rent one for a fee)
Slippers or flip-flops for the pool
Swimming goggles (especially for children)
Swimming cap (some pools require it)
Waterproof case for valuables
Payment card or Polish złoty in cash (for card payments abroad, we recommend Revolut)
If you’re not heading to Poland, then visit one of the other aquaparks in Europe, for example:
Siam Park (Spain)
Aquashow Park (Portugal)
Fasouri Watermania (Cyprus)
Aquapark Istralandia (Croatia)
Aquapark CanevaWorld (Italy)
Water Park Rhodes (Greece)
Tropical Islands (Germany)
Etnaland (Italy)
Aqua Dome (Austria)
Conclusion: Water Fun for Everyone
Polish aquaparks are a great option for spending time with family, whether on a day trip or a longer stay. Thanks to the diverse offerings, everyone will find an aquapark to their liking – from giant complexes with numerous adrenaline attractions to quieter thermal baths focused on relaxation and regeneration.
The biggest advantage of Polish aquaparks is undoubtedly the combination of high-quality services, affordable prices, and easy accessibility from the Czech Republic. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they are becoming increasingly popular.
Whichever of the listed aquaparks you choose, you certainly won’t regret it.
FAQ
Which is the best Polish aquapark for families with small children?
For families with small children, I recommend Aquapark Kraków or Tropikana in Wisła. Both offer special children’s zones, safe attractions, and paddling pools with various play elements adapted for the youngest visitors.
Is it necessary to speak Polish when visiting aquaparks in Poland?
In most Polish aquaparks, especially those located near the borders or in large cities, the staff can communicate in English or German. A basic knowledge of Polish can be useful, but it’s not essential. Information boards and instructions are often multilingual.
How is payment handled in Polish aquaparks?
Most aquaparks accept payment cards, but we recommend having some cash in Polish złoty with you in case of a terminal malfunction or for small expenses (such as locker rental, refreshments, etc.).
Is it possible to visit Polish aquaparks year-round?
Yes, all mentioned aquaparks are open year-round. Many of them have both indoor and outdoor pools, with the outdoor ones potentially being closed or operating on a limited basis during winter months.
Are Polish aquaparks safe?
Polish aquaparks adhere to strict safety standards, and in most of them, trained lifeguards are present. Nevertheless, it’s always important to follow safety rules and instructions, especially when using waterslides and other attractions, and to pay increased attention to children.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRThe best Hungarian water parks for 2025 come in 13 picks, from the giant Aquaworld Budapest with its 11 slides and a dome inspired by Angkor Wat, to a record-breaking 23 slides at Zalakaros, right through to unique cave bathing in Miskolctapolca, where the water sits at 30 degrees. The closest option is Rába Quelle Győr, just two hours away by car. Entry runs from roughly 4,000 to 11,500 HUF depending on the park and day. Weekdays outside July and August are the cheapest and quietest time to go — prices and crowds both climb once summer hits full swing.
If you’re wondering where to head for some serious water fun, the best aquaparks in Hungary are a sure bet. This country is quite literally a thermal superpower, with healing hot water bubbling away beneath its surface — water the locals have masterfully combined with endless kilometres of adrenaline-pumping slides and chutes.
You may already have come across the Hungarian word élményfürdő, which roughly translates as “experience baths”. In practice, it’s the perfect compromise for the whole family, because these huge aquaparks connected to thermal springs offer wild slides for the kids alongside hot healing pools where the grown-ups can unwind.
Before you start packing, don’t forget one crucial thing about payment. Hungary doesn’t use the euro — you’ll pay in forints (HUF), so as a rough guide reckon that 400 HUF is about €1 (or roughly 1,000 HUF to €2.50). You can pay by card almost everywhere, but a little cash for the locker deposit always comes in handy — as does the courage to try the local sauna worlds, which often run on a swimwear-free, gender-separated basis.
TL;DR: the best Hungarian aquaparks at a glance
Aquaworld Budapest: One of the largest indoor aquaparks in Europe, with a giant dome and 11 slides just a stone’s throw from central Budapest.
Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló: A gigantic bathing mecca spread across 30 hectares, with extreme outdoor slides and a covered palace.
Napfényfürdő Aquapolis Szeged: Home of the Blue Anaconda and a huge slide complex in the south of the country.
Aquaticum Debrecen: A unique tropical dome in the forest where you’ll feel like you’re somewhere exotic, even in winter.
Miskolctapolca Barlangfürdő: A world-class one-off where you swim right through natural cave passages.
Rába Quelle Győr: A modern complex with a giant slide tower and the largest water playground, and one of the easiest to reach from abroad.
Sárvár: A top-tier modern complex with the AquaSphere water roller coaster and a giant wave pool.
Zalakaros: The absolute record holder with 23 slides and a fantastic Adrenalin park near Lake Balaton.
Bükfürdő: Enormous baths with 27 pools, loved by families with younger kids and fans of quieter relaxation alike.
Aquasziget Esztergom: A pleasant year-round aquapark right by the Slovak border in the beautiful Danube Bend.
Cegléd Aqua Centrum: A fun park styled like a medieval castle, with 18 slides and a unique pendulum chute.
Gyula AquaPalota: Gorgeous bathing with views of a medieval brick castle and a brilliant indoor experience palace.
Palatinus Budapest: A legendary outdoor summer lido on Margaret Island with a historic wave pool.
Thanks to the omnipresent hot thermal water, Hungary is an absolutely ideal year-round destination, so you can head here pretty much whenever you like. If you’re craving an escape from grey winter weather, just pick one of the big covered complexes with warm water.
The biggest season naturally arrives with summer, when the sprawling outdoor sites known as strand open up, offering huge grassy lawns and dozens of summer attractions. During July and August you’ll have to expect bigger crowds and higher weekend admission, so it pays to plan your visit for a weekday.
In spring and autumn, on the other hand, you’ll get the best balance of price and empty pools, especially if you go Monday to Thursday. These months are also far more pleasant for combining an aquapark visit with exploring the surrounding towns or going for a walk in nature.
Where to stay near Hungary’s aquaparks
Accommodation in Hungary is wonderfully varied, and it’s worth looking for hotels directly connected to the aquaparks, which saves you plenty of time getting back and forth. The unbeatable advantage of these spa hotels is that they often include pool access in the room rate, so you can stroll straight from your room in your bathrobe.
If you’re heading to Budapest, a great choice is the Aquaworld Resort Budapest, a beautiful four-star hotel linked to the local aquapark. Parking is free and with the kids you’ll be at the slides in a matter of minutes — pure bliss.
In western Hungary I can warmly recommend the luxurious Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa in the town of Sárvár, which has its own thermal springs and perfect relaxation just steps from the public aquapark. If you’re after something family-friendly in Zalakaros, be sure to check out the MenDan Magic Spa & Wellness Hotel, a firm favourite with families thanks to its great service and proximity to the slides. You can easily book all of these through Booking.com.
Aquapark, or thermal baths? If you’re after total peace, quiet and healing treatments without the shrieks of kids on slides, I’d recommend exploring our separate article on thermal baths in Hungary. There you’ll find everything about the famous Széchenyi Baths or the thermal Lake Hévíz.
13 best aquaparks in Hungary for slide lovers
Let’s take a look at the specific spots that are guaranteed to take your breath away, whether you’re after gigantic complexes for the whole family or just a quick weekend getaway.
Big aquaparks with nationwide appeal
1. Aquaworld Budapest (Ramada Resort)
This enormous complex sits on the northern edge of Budapest and ranks among the largest indoor aquaparks in Europe. It’s an ideal choice if you want to combine sightseeing in the capital with endless water fun. Budapest is well connected by direct flights from the UK, so it’s easy to reach for a long weekend.
The whole space is dominated by a huge glass dome inspired by the temple at Angkor Wat, beneath which hides a year-round tropical paradise. You’ll find a total of 11 slides spanning nearly a kilometre, a great artificial wave pool, and for adults there’s the gorgeous Saunaworld with eleven different saunas.
An all-day adult ticket will set you back around 8,500 HUF on a weekday and 11,500 HUF at the weekend (roughly €21 to €29). If you stay at the adjoining four-star hotel, entry is often included and you can enjoy the site from seven in the morning until nine at night.
💡 Tip: Buy your tickets online in advance — on weekends and holidays the queues at the box office get seriously long, and online tickets are sometimes discounted too.
2. Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló
In the east of the country, near Debrecen, lies an absolute bathing mecca spread across an incredible thirty hectares. It’s the largest spa complex in Hungary, and trust me — it’s well worth the trip.
The site is divided into several parts, the most tempting being the summer Aquapark with fifteen slides and the year-round covered Aqua-Palace. If you love adrenaline, you’ll be thrilled by the outdoor zone with its sixteen-metre starting tower, from which extreme slides plunge — including a free fall and a water loop.
Entry to the covered palace costs around 7,400 HUF (about €18) in high season, but watch out — the outdoor extreme aquapark often has a separate or combined ticket. You can stay right at the connected Hunguest Hotel Aqua-Sol or in countless cosy guesthouses nearby.
3. Napfényfürdő Aquapolis Szeged
The city of Szeged in southern Hungary hides a fantastic year-round aquapark that’s a real treat for lovers of warm water. It’s a fair way from the capital, but the reward is a top-class site split into a livelier experience zone and a calmer spa section.
The main draw here is the famous Blue Anaconda (Kék Anaconda), measuring an impressive 272 metres, which you reach by taking a lift up a thirty-metre tower. Beyond the thirteen slides totalling a kilometre in length, you’ll enjoy thermal pools heated up to 40 degrees and excellent kids’ zones.
A full day of fun costs a pleasant 5,700 HUF Monday to Thursday (roughly €14), rising to 9,500 HUF at the weekend. Lovely accommodation is offered by the connected Hunguest Hotel Szeged, from which you can walk to the pools without getting your feet wet.
4. Aquaticum Debrecen
Right in the middle of the beautiful Nagyerdő oak forest in Debrecen stands an utterly unique Mediterranean aquapark beneath a giant dome. It has an amazing 66-metre diameter and shelters dense tropical vegetation, so even in the middle of January you’ll feel like you’re on holiday in the Caribbean.
Inside, pools of alkaline-chloride thermal water await you, heated to a lovely 33 to 38 degrees. There are several superb slides including a wild kamikaze, a lazy river, and in summer the outdoor section opens up with its popular ring slides.
The price list changes fairly often and a combined ticket runs to around 6,000 HUF (about €15), so it’s best to check exact figures on their website. Great facilities for families are provided by the namesake Hotel Aquaticum, located right by the baths.
5. Miskolctapolca Barlangfürdő
If you’re after something you won’t see anywhere else in Europe, head to northern Hungary at the foot of the Bükk Mountains. These baths are built right inside a natural karst cave, where you swim through a labyrinth of mysteriously lit limestone passages.
Don’t expect the usual colourful slides and giant towers here — this place is all about the magical experience and relaxation. The water in the cave stays at a steady 30 degrees, allowing for unlimited swimming, and outside there are a further six pools surrounded by a lovely park.
The all-day ticket is among the cheapest around, at roughly 4,000 HUF (about €10). Be very careful with the current opening hours, though, as the indoor cave section occasionally undergoes essential renovation, so it’s vital to check before you travel on their official website. Look for accommodation in the cosy spa hotels right in the little town of Miskolctapolca.
Western Hungary — the easiest to reach
6. Rába Quelle Győr
If you’re after great water fun in western Hungary, the town of Győr is an ideal choice. It sits conveniently on the route towards Budapest from Vienna, so it’s easy to fit in even as a day trip if you’re already exploring the region.
This modern experience park boasts a huge thirty-two-metre tower shaped like a siphon, from which four different slides descend. The kids will be absolutely thrilled by the largest water Spray-park in the country, while adults can savour the lagoon pool and the superb Japanese sauna world (don’t look for a wave pool here, though).
Tickets are very friendly, with an all-day pass costing 4,900 HUF on a weekday (about €12) and 6,900 HUF at the weekend. Győr also has a beautiful baroque centre full of cafés, where you can stay after your swim in one of the romantic city hotels.
Lukáš and Lucie recommend
Where to stay in Hungary
6 accommodations — hotels, wellness hotels and other accommodation options
Just a short hop from the Austrian border lies Sárvár, which offers some of the most modern slides in all of Hungary. Waiting for you is a huge covered wellness building complemented by a sprawling outdoor summer strand.
The biggest draw here is undoubtedly the AquaSphere, an amazing 163-metre water roller coaster, plus the fact that the artificial wave pool here works even in winter under cover. The outdoor section offers a further tangle of eight giant slides and thermal water drawn from one of the deepest boreholes in the country.
Weekday admission will set you back 6,600 HUF (roughly €16), while in summer and at weekends reckon on around 8,700 HUF. Excellent accommodation with direct pool access is offered by the luxurious VitalMed Hotel or the very popular Park Inn by Radisson.
💡 Tip: If you don’t want to pay twice, Sárvár is ideal in that you get both the slide-filled experience section and the calm thermal pools on a single ticket.
8. Zalakaros
If you love slides of every kind, Zalakaros is the outright record holder with a total of 23 chutes. It lies close to famous Lake Balaton, making it a brilliant tip for a long weekend.
The experience section here is honed to perfection, and alongside the covered Black Hole with its light effects you’ll also find the outdoor Adrenalin park with five slides plunging from a height of twenty metres. The local thermal water is beautifully warmed to 28–32 degrees, and the kids will have a whale of a time in the spacious water world.
For a full day of fun an adult pays 6,700 HUF off-peak (about €16) and 7,400 HUF during the summer holidays and weekends. Accommodation here is genuinely varied, and families often opt for spacious apartments or the aforementioned MenDan Magic Spa hotel.
9. Bük (Bükfürdő)
The baths in the little town of Bük are among the very largest in Europe, and what struck me most was their incredible total of 27 pools. They’re just a short distance from Sárvár and make an ideal choice for families with younger kids who don’t need extreme adrenaline, but rather a relaxed vibe and warm water.
The basic ticket gives you access to the Toboganpark with its seven slides, among which you’ll find the popular centrifugal Onion and the classic Anaconda. The healing water here is great for joints and muscles, and adults will certainly appreciate the huge sauna world with ten different steam rooms.
A ticket costs 6,550 HUF on weekdays (roughly €16) and 7,650 HUF at peak times, with afternoon tickets after 3 p.m. usually significantly cheaper. You can stay, for example, at the gorgeous Hotel Caramell or right in the Danubius Health Spa Resort complex with a passageway to the pools.
Budapest and beyond / other easy options
10. Aquasziget Esztergom
Right on the border with Slovakia in the picturesque Danube Bend, you’ll find a very pleasant year-round aquapark with a thermal element. It’s actually even quicker to reach than Budapest itself, making it a handy stop if you’re touring the region.
The site offers a total of ten pools and four slides, the most fun being the outdoor ones measuring 72 and 93 metres (one even has its own timer). You’ll also find great experience pools with geysers and waterfalls, plus excellent kids’ zones with a climbing wall.
An all-day ticket costs a likeable 5,700 HUF on a weekday (about €14) and 7,000 HUF at the weekend. You can stay either right in Esztergom at the Grand Hotel Esztergom, or choose a cheaper option just across the river in the Slovak town of Štúrovo.
11. Cegléd Aqua Centrum
About an hour’s drive southeast of Budapest hides a fantastic summer aquapark styled like a medieval castle. This site usually opens its outdoor section in mid-June and is an absolute paradise for fans of fast rides.
A total of 18 slides await you here, ruled over by the giant Dragon Slide plunging from a height of sixteen metres, on which you’ll reach speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour. Another huge one-off is the special pendulum slide, the Pendulum, which in its day was the first of its kind in all of Hungary.
Entry to the thermal section and strand costs roughly 5,500 HUF, with access to the slides charged separately at 8,500 HUF (about €21). If you’re looking for accommodation, a great choice is the four-star Hotel Aquarell, located right next to the baths.
12. Gyula AquaPalota
In the southeastern tip of Hungary, near the Romanian border, you’ll find baths boasting an utterly one-of-a-kind view of a medieval brick castle. It’s a long way out, but this blend of history and modern bathing is simply enchanting.
The site consists of an outdoor thermal area and the year-round covered AquaPalota experience palace. Inside you’ll find three great slides (two of them running through an artificial volcano), a lazy river and a brilliant wave pool, while the outdoor therapeutic pools reach an amazing 34 to 38 degrees.
Entry to the thermal section costs roughly 5,200 HUF and access to the palace with slides adds around 3,000 HUF, but I’d recommend checking the good-value packages directly on their website. You can stay at the connected Hunguest Hotel Gyula, from which you reach the water via a heated covered corridor.
13. Palatinus Budapest
Right in the middle of the River Danube, on picturesque Margaret Island, lies a legendary lido whose history dates all the way back to 1919. You can’t reach the island by car (you’ll need to take the bus or tram), and it’s the largest outdoor site in the capital.
Be very careful, though, as the main experience section is a purely summer affair and the slides usually open only from mid-June. There are four large slides here including the Magic Tunnel and Kamikaze, but the greatest gem is the historic wave pool from 1937, adorned with beautiful surrealist mosaics.
All-day summer admission costs 6,000 HUF on weekdays (about €15) and 6,500 HUF at the weekend, making it a cheaper and less crowded alternative to the famous Széchenyi Baths. There’s no shortage of accommodation in Budapest and you can pick exactly to suit your budget.
Where to go next from Hungary’s aquaparks
If water fun is your thing and you love discovering new places, be sure to check out the other options in neighbouring countries too. You’ll find great inspiration in our article on the best aquaparks in the Czech Republic, where you’ll discover some fantastic slides not far from Hungary.
An interesting alternative is also the Polish aquaparks near the border, which often surprise with their modern facilities and very reasonable prices.
Practical tips
💡 Tip: Buy your tickets online in advance. Many of the big sites offer a discount for online purchases, and above all you’ll avoid the endless summer queues at the box office. 💡 Tip: Go on weekdays. From Monday to Thursday, admission to aquaparks (for example in Szeged or Győr) is significantly cheaper, and you’ll enjoy half the queues for the attractions. 💡 Tip: Take advantage of afternoon discounts. If you don’t need to spend the whole day at the water, places like Hajdúszoboszló, Bük or Cegléd offer much cheaper tickets after 4 p.m.
Looking for more water-fun tips? Take a look at our big hub of the best aquaparks and thermal baths in Europe, where you’ll find icons from across countries and a selection based on exactly what you’re after.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the largest aquapark in Hungary?
Among the absolute largest is Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló, which spans an impressive 30 hectares and offers over 20 water slides. Other giants include Napfényfürdő Szeged and also Aquaworld Budapest, which is considered one of the largest indoor complexes in Europe. If you’re primarily looking for the most water slides in one place, Zalakaros takes first place with 23 slides.
Which Hungarian aquapark is best for families with children?
For families with smaller children, Rába Quelle Győr is absolutely ideal, where you’ll find the largest Spray-park in the country and it’s very close from the Czech Republic, or alternatively the Bük thermal baths with calmer and shallow pools. For older children and teenagers looking for adrenaline, I recommend heading to Zalakaros or Sárvár, where you’ll find the most modern and fastest slides.
What is Aquaworld Budapest?
This is one of the largest indoor aquaparks in Europe, which you’ll find on the northern edge of Budapest. Its dominant feature is a huge dome, under which 11 water slides with a total length of almost one kilometre, wave pools, lazy rivers and a fantastic sauna world are hidden year-round. A great advantage is its own four-star resort hotel connected directly to the pools.
Which Hungarian aquaparks are closest from Czechia?
You can get to western Hungary the fastest. From Brno, you’ll reach Rába Quelle Győr in just about two hours, and you can make it to Aquasziget Esztergom via Slovak Štúrovo in under three and a half hours. The top-notch facilities at Sárvár, Bük, and Zalakaros are also very easily accessible, with the journey from Moravia taking between three to four hours of driving.
How much does the entrance to the aquapark in Hungary cost?
A full-day ticket for an adult typically ranges between 5,000 to 9,000 HUF, which works out to roughly €13 to €17 depending on the specific facility. Remember that you pay in forints and not euros. Prices are usually significantly lower on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and conversely rise on weekends and during summer holidays.
What is cave bathing in Miskolctapolca and the Aquaticum dome?
In Miskolctapolca (Barlangfürdő) you bathe directly in natural karst passages in limestone with water heated to 30 degrees, which is an absolute world unique (but always check opening times before visiting due to occasional renovations). Aquaticum Debrecen, on the other hand, is a massive indoor tropical dome measuring 66 meters in diameter, where you can enjoy pools with temperatures up to 38 degrees beneath real palm trees.
When to visit a Hungarian aquapark without queues?
The best time for a peaceful visit is on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) outside the main summer holidays, ideally first thing in the morning right after opening time. For year-round fun without tourist crowds, it’s worth visiting indoor aquaparks like Aquaworld, Sárvár or Gyula during spring, autumn and winter. Summer outdoor complexes, on the other hand, are extremely crowded on weekends in July and August.
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TL;DRThis round-up covers 13 of Austria’s best thermal spas and water parks for 2026. Top picks include the iconic Aqua Dome in Tyrol with its futuristic outdoor pools, Therme Wien – Europe’s largest spa, reachable on the U1 metro line – and the architectural one-off Rogner Bad Blumau, designed by Hundertwasser. Closest to the Czech border you’ll find Therme Laa an der Thaya (about 30 minutes from Mikulov) and Sole Felsen Welt Gmünd near České Velenice. A full day’s entry costs roughly €27 to €60, depending on the complex and season. Winter is when these places look their best, with steam rising off the hot water as snow falls around you, while weekdays outside school holidays are your best bet for dodging the crowds. The thermal water typically sits at 33 to 42°C, and the sauna areas are, as is standard here, clothing-optional.
Austria is definitely not just about skiing and mountain hikes — it also hides an absolute treasure in the form of world-famous spa complexes. If you’re looking for the perfect way to unwind not far from home, the best thermal spas in Austria are guaranteed to impress you with their quality and stunning architecture. You’ll find absolutely everything here, from futuristic outdoor pools with breathtaking views of alpine peaks to enormous family water parks packed with wild slides.
Before you head over, it’s well worth understanding the difference between a traditional thermal spa complex and an ordinary water park. While a Therme means calm thermal wellness with hot mineral water at temperatures of 34 to 37 °C and saunas, the so-called Erlebnisbad is more of an adventure water park aimed primarily at family fun. The big advantage of Austria’s giant resorts, though, is that they often combine these two completely different worlds into one large complex with separate zones.
For many first-time visitors, the local sauna culture can come as a huge surprise, as it has its own firm rules. The classic sauna world in Austria is traditionally FKK, meaning swimsuit-free, so you’re only allowed inside completely naked and with just a sheet or a towel. The regular pool area, of course, is enjoyed in the usual way in swimwear, and you don’t have to enter the sauna world at all unless you happen to be a fan of nude sauna sessions.
TL;DR: the best Austrian thermal spas at a glance
Aqua Dome: Iconic Tyrolean thermal spa with futuristic outdoor pools and breathtaking views of snow-capped alpine peaks.
Therme Wien: The largest city thermal spa in Europe, easily reached by the Vienna metro — ideal for a quick day escape.
Therme Loipersdorf: A huge Styrian complex offering both a wild family water park and a strictly separated luxury adults-only zone.
Rogner Bad Blumau: A unique design spa by architect Hundertwasser, where you literally bathe inside a fairytale work of art.
Tauern Spa Kaprun: A modern alpine resort beneath the Kitzsteinhorn glacier that makes the perfect combination with a ski trip.
Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg: An absolute paradise for babies and toddlers with superb facilities, plus the longest indoor slide in Austria.
St. Martins Therme & Lodge: A calm, stylish spa right by Lake Neusiedl that perfectly blends thermal water with nature.
H2O Hotel-Therme-Resort: A great family adventure park with a fun wave pool and a brilliant mascot that delights the little ones.
Erlebnistherme Zillertal: A popular mountain water park with a fantastic slide tower, where travellers most often head for some evening relaxation after a day on the slopes.
Therme Laa an der Thaya: A spa just minutes from the border, tempting visitors with the luxurious quiet Silent Spa zone for the most demanding guests.
Sole Felsen Welt Gmünd: A spa right on the border, whose biggest draw is a pool with a high salt content.
Therme Geinberg: A gorgeous tropical resort near the Bavarian border, where a genuine Caribbean lagoon with palm trees and a sandy beach awaits you.
EurothermenResort Bad Schallerbach: An amazing pirate-themed water park with wild slides and plenty of themed attractions for the whole family.
If you’re planning a trip to the thermal baths, you’ll be pleased to know that the season here runs all year round and most complexes are open literally every day. The most magical atmosphere, though, comes in the winter months, when you’re sitting in hot mineral water with thick steam rising around you while snow slowly falls. Crisp autumn days are also hugely popular, when the hot water reliably warms up a tired body and chases away any seasonal fatigue.
On the flip side, Austrian spas face the biggest crowds at weekends and especially during the holidays. If you want to enjoy a truly peaceful soak without being squeezed into a packed pool, it’s better to go on a weekday, ideally right at opening time. It also pays to keep a close eye not only on UK school holidays and bank holidays but also on the Austrian ones, because during these dates the capacity of popular spots is often completely sold out.
Where to stay near the thermal spas in Austria
Most of the large Austrian spa complexes offer a huge advantage in the form of their own on-site accommodation, usually connected to the pools by a heated corridor. In the morning all you have to do is get out of bed, slip into a comfy hotel bathrobe and walk straight to the hot springs before the first day visitors arrive. What’s more, the price of such a stay very often includes not only unlimited access to the water world but also a fantastic half-board dinner.
If you’re after the absolute mountain top tier, I recommend taking a look at the Hotel AQUA DOME 4* Superior in Längenfeld, Tyrol, which ranks among the most luxurious in all of Austria. For weekend stays, travellers often choose the Hotel Therme Laa 4* Superior, which offers special packages including access to its luxurious quiet zone. A beautiful experience is also promised by the Sole-Felsen-Bad Hotel in Gmünd, from where it’s just a few steps to the salt pools. Of course, always book your accommodation well in advance, because the best rooms disappear via Booking incredibly fast.
13 of the best thermal spas and water parks in Austria
The big famous Therme and wellness icons
The following five spa complexes represent the absolute top tier — well worth travelling several hours for. You’ll find first-class architecture, premium services and vast spaces dedicated to adult relaxation.
1. Aqua Dome (Längenfeld, Tyrol)
This is an absolute mountain icon set in the gorgeous Tyrolean Ötztal valley, and it regularly tops the rankings of the most beautiful thermal spas in the Alps. Its greatest pride are three futuristic outdoor thermal pools that seem to float in the air and offer a truly incredible view straight onto the snow-capped alpine peaks. In total you’ll find twelve pools here filled with healing sulphur water at a lovely 34 to 36 °C.
While adults will most appreciate the sauna world with ten different saunas, families with children will find their haven in the separate AQUAKI world with a ship and a safe slide. From the UK the journey takes some planning — you’d typically fly into Innsbruck and then drive into the Ötztal — but this spot is absolutely worth the effort. A full-day adult ticket starts at around €46, but cheaper three-hour options are also available.
💡 Tip: If you’re heading to Tyrol for a winter holiday, Aqua Dome is the perfect stop after a demanding day on the slopes, when your muscles will literally thank you for the hot water.
2. Therme Wien (Vienna)
If you’re looking for a huge thermal spa that’s genuinely easy to reach without complicated planning, Vienna’s Therme Wien is an obvious choice. It’s the largest city thermal spa in Europe, and from the centre of the Austrian capital you can get there incredibly comfortably on the red U1 metro line all the way to the Oberlaa terminus. With direct flights from London and other UK airports to Vienna, it makes a perfect target for a spa day during a city break.
This sprawling year-round complex offers indoor pools as well as a vast outdoor garden covering 13,000 square metres, where you could easily spend hours. You’ll find everything from a quiet health zone to fun slides, so every member of the family will be happy. Full-day tickets for the pool area start at around €30 for the locker option, but it’s better to buy online in advance, as the spa uses dynamic pricing.
3. Therme Loipersdorf (Styria)
This sprawling Styrian complex ranks among the largest in all of Europe and is a long-standing weekend favourite. It boasts an incredible thirty-five pools of thermal water that holds a constant 36 °C and flows from four deep springs. The site is cleverly divided into several zones, so families with children and couples seeking peace never get in each other’s way.
While kids will be thrilled by the five slides in the colourful Fun Park and the covered Baby Beach, adults can pay a little extra for the luxurious Schaffelbad zone reserved for guests over 16. Given the enormous range of family and evening tariffs, it’s best to check current prices directly in the official online shop. ⚠️ If you’re travelling in 2026, watch out: the adult Schaffelbad zone will be closed for maintenance from 15 June to 5 July.
4. Rogner Bad Blumau (Styria)
Stepping into this spa feels like entering a completely different dimension, because the entire complex was designed by the famous eccentric architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. This isn’t a classic noisy water park but a fascinating, inhabitable work of art full of golden domes, curving lines and grassy roofs that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. You’ll find fourteen pools here, fed by the highly therapeutic Vulkania spring from a remarkable depth of three kilometres.
This place is made for romantic couples and lovers of unusual design who can appreciate the calm and architectural uniqueness of the space. A full-day adult ticket comes to around €60 on a weekday, with a slight surcharge at weekends, but the price already includes a bathrobe, towels and access to the saunas. The best experience of all, though, is to stay in the fairytale on-site hotel and wander the corridors in your robe from early morning.
5. Tauern Spa (Kaprun / Zell am See, Salzburg region)
This modern alpine resort, located near the famous Kitzsteinhorn glacier, is the embodiment of the perfect mountain getaway. You can look forward to twelve differently designed pools, including a flow channel, a mysterious grotto and a stunning glass-fronted view pool, from which you can watch the snowy alpine summits straight from the hot water. There’s also a brilliant Kidstein zone with three fantastic slides for the children.
The resort works as an absolutely ideal base for combining winter sports with evening relaxation in the warm saunas. ⚠️ If you’re planning to visit in 2026, however, you need to be very careful, because the complex faces an extensive modernisation and the water and sauna worlds will be completely closed from 13 April to 11 May. After that it will run in limited operation until mid-October, so it’s best to double-check the current situation on the official website.
Family thermal spas with kids and slides
This group of spas specialises primarily in families with younger and older children. You’ll find perfect facilities for babies, shallow heated pools and, above all, amazing slides that will keep teenagers entertained all day long.
6. Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg (Burgenland)
If you have a baby or toddler at home and you’re wondering where to take them for a splash, this spot near the Hungarian border is Austria’s absolute number one. The local Babyworld offers wonderfully warm water at around 35 °C and special graduated pools for the very smallest, complete with fully equipped feeding zones and children’s kitchens. Everything here is tailored to families down to the last detail, so with a pram and nappies in tow you’ll feel completely in your element.
Older children and teenagers definitely won’t be sitting in the corner either, because the complex hides an incredible six main slides. The most famous is the gigantic XXL Monster Ride, 270 metres long, which makes it the longest indoor slide in all of Austria, and the unique virtual-reality ride is also worth a mention. It’s wise to buy tickets online in advance due to limited capacity, with adults paying from around €42.50 for a full day.
7. St. Martins Therme & Lodge (Frauenkirchen, Burgenland)
This beautiful and immensely elegant spa lies on the edge of a national park right by the renowned Lake Neusiedl, and it tempts visitors with a close connection to nature. Don’t expect a crazy, colourful water park here — instead, it’s a very tasteful design complex with its own natural lake and eleven pools of warm water. The architecture resembles a luxury safari lodge, set among the reeds and wide-open Burgenland plains.
Although the place feels very calm, families with children are warmly welcomed and have their own acoustically separated Summer Island. Children will find a water playground here, an eighty-metre slide and even a special children’s cinema right by the water, so they certainly won’t be bored. Ticket prices vary dynamically, but as a guide an adult day pass costs around €40, while children under three get in completely free.
This Styrian adventure resort is entirely dedicated to family fun, with the whole place fronted by a friendly, comical mascot in the shape of a duck called HopiHo. You’ll find great indoor and outdoor pools and a fun wave pool with a gradual beach entry, which the little ones especially love. Parents with the tiniest tots will appreciate the safe baby pool with its elephant slide and the relaxing lazy river.
For bigger swimmers there are two fantastic slides, with the widest, called Blauer Blitz, allowing you to ride on giant rings. Another big plus of the complex is the professional childcare and varied entertainment programmes, thanks to which parents can take a moment to rest in a separate quiet zone. A children’s day ticket costs around €27, while adults pay just over €30 according to the current price list.
9. Erlebnistherme Zillertal (Fügen, Tyrol)
This hugely popular mountain water park lies in the famous Tyrolean Zillertal valley and is perfectly accessible from nearby Innsbruck — making it a great Innsbruck thermal spa option for anyone exploring the area. The site cleverly combines five main pools at around 33 °C, including an excellent wave pool, salt pools and a calm panoramic zone. From the outdoor pool you can also soak up the gorgeous panorama of the surrounding alpine massifs, which really hits the spot after a sporty day.
The biggest draw for adrenaline lovers is undoubtedly the impressive slide tower, which hides the dark Black Hole slide, over 130 metres long. Travellers love to head here in the afternoon after skiing to soothe their aching muscles, so it can get pretty lively in winter. ⚠️ If you’re planning a trip before summer 2026, watch out for the dates of 8 to 21 June, when the whole site will be completely closed for its regular inspection.
Just over the eastern border
These four spa complexes sit in eastern Austria within easy reach of Vienna, making them ideal add-ons if you’re already exploring the capital or the wider region. They’re perfect for spontaneous day escapes.
10. Therme Laa an der Thaya (Lower Austria)
Sitting in the far north of Lower Austria, this spa offers excellent year-round operation with five different pools and a very hot sodium-chloride-iodine spring that reaches up to 42 °C at the source. You’ll find a classic indoor area here, a wild river and the ninety-metre Fantasia slide, which reliably entertains younger visitors.
For demanding adults craving absolute silence, there’s a stunning luxury temple of quiet called Silent Spa, accessible only to those over 16. Basic day admission to the regular thermal area costs around €30, while the luxury quiet zone sets you back roughly €104. ⚠️ For maintenance reasons, bear in mind that the outdoor salt pool will be briefly out of service in 2026 from 18 to 21 May.
11. Sole Felsen Welt Gmünd (Lower Austria)
This immensely pleasant salt-water spa sits right on the edge of Austria in the town of Gmünd. The whole site is set against a beautiful rocky backdrop, and its biggest draw is the outdoor granite pool with a five-percent salt content, in which you’ll float almost as if you were in the Dead Sea. All the pools maintain a wonderfully relaxing temperature of around 33 °C all year round.
While children let off steam on the sixty-five-metre slide and in the flow channel, adults will fall in love with the magnificent sauna world. Inside you’ll find a wonderful forest sauna, a stone hammam and steam baths, and on the first weekend of each month the popular sauna festivals take place here. A full day of bathing costs an adult a very pleasant €29.50, and if you arrive on the evening tariff the price drops to just under €22.
12. Therme Geinberg (Upper Austria)
If you long for an exotic holiday but don’t fancy sitting on a plane for ten hours, this gorgeous tropical resort near the Bavarian border will completely win you over. The moment you arrive you find yourself in a genuine Caribbean lagoon surrounded by tall palm trees and a wonderful sandy beach. The water in the lagoon is even salty, so the illusion of a distant ocean is truly convincing.
The resort is aimed primarily at couples and adult visitors who want to enjoy tropical cocktails right in the water and relax in a top-class sauna world. Waiting for you here are eleven themed saunas and steam baths in Caribbean style, where fragrant sauna rituals take place regularly. A full-day adult ticket costs around €38 on a weekday, rising slightly to €42 at weekends.
13. EurothermenResort Bad Schallerbach (Upper Austria)
Although this complex near Linz also offers a great calm thermal area for adults, most visitors come here primarily for the incredible pirate-themed water park called Aquapulco. Waiting for you is a vast South Seas world packed with water attractions and gigantic slides. It’s an absolutely ideal destination for a full-day family trip that will leave your children beside themselves with excitement.
The biggest attention-grabber is the rugged double slide Die Krake, guarded by a giant octopus and a shipwreck, but the extremely steep Kamikaze slide with its fifty-percent gradient is also worth a go. The wild Canyon river is amazing too, with twenty thousand litres of water flowing through it every minute. Adult admission for a full day comes to around €39, while children from six pay just under €35.
💡 Tip: If you’re heading here with the whole family, it pays to arrive right at opening time, because this pirate world is extremely popular and at weekends unpleasant queues can form at the favourite slides.
Where to go next from Austria’s thermal spas
If Austria’s spa culture has won you over and you want to elevate your stay into a multi-day experience of pure pampering, be sure to check out our overview of the best wellness hotels in Austria. Many of them even have their own smaller thermal springs and offer complete privacy far from the big crowds.
Don’t fancy crossing more borders for your hot soak? No problem at all, because there are plenty of great spots for relaxation closer to home. We’ve put together a detailed guide mapping out the best thermal spas in Czechia, where you’ll discover where to head for salt water or outdoor bathing. And if you’d rather head east, be sure to explore the popular thermal spas in Slovakia.
Practical tips
Before visiting any large Austrian complex it’s always best to buy your tickets online in advance directly on the official website. Popular spots like Therme Wien or St. Martins use dynamic pricing, so booking early saves money, and you also get a hundred-percent guarantee that you’ll be let in even if the site is reporting full capacity.
If you’re not planning to soak in the water for ten hours straight, definitely keep an eye on shortened and evening tariffs. For example, the Vienna spa offers a great After-Work tariff after six in the evening, and discounted evening entry can also be found in Gmünd or Geinberg, which is especially worthwhile on the way back from a trip or the slopes.
Looking for more tips on watery fun? Take a look at our big hub of the best water parks and thermal spas in Europe, where you’ll find icons across countries and a selection based on exactly what you’re after.
Frequently asked questions
Which Austrian thermal spas are closest to the Czech Republic?
The closest are definitely Therme Laa an der Thaya, which you can reach from Mikulov in about 30 minutes (23 km). Right on the border is also Sole Felsen Welt in Austrian Gmünd, which is only about 5 kilometers from České Velenice. Both complexes are absolutely ideal for an easy day trip.
What is Aqua Dome?
Aqua Dome is an absolutely iconic mountain thermal spa in the Tyrolean Ötztal valley. Its most famous feature is the three futuristic outdoor thermal bowls filled with hot water, offering fantastic views directly onto the snow-capped Alps, which is why it’s a very popular après-ski destination.
What’s the difference between a Therme and a water park?
Traditional Therme focuses on thermal wellness, which means hot healing water, relaxation zones and sauna worlds. Aquapark (or Erlebnisbad) is, on the other hand, full of slides and noisy family fun. Large Austrian complexes today very often offer both under one roof.
How much does entry to Austrian thermal baths cost?
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Expect to budget around 29 to 46 euros per adult for a full day. Border spa towns like Laa or Gmünd are around 30 euros, while premium mountain icons and design resorts can cost over 60 euros. The sauna world usually comes with a small surcharge.
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Which Austrian thermal spas are best for families with children?
For the very youngest babies and toddlers, Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg is absolutely top-notch. Older kids will be thrilled with the adventure-filled H2O Bad Waltersdorf or the pirate-themed aquapark Aquapulco in Bad Schallerbach, where they’ll find the craziest slides.
Are saunas in Austrian thermal baths nude (FKK)?
Yes, the sauna world in Austria is traditionally textilfrei, which means you enter it exclusively without swimwear and only with a towel. However, you naturally take your swimwear to the regular pool area of the complex, and you don’t have to go to the sauna at all.
When to visit Austrian thermal spas without crowds?
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You’ll experience the most peace and quiet on weekdays outside of school holidays, ideally either right in the morning after opening or during the discounted evening rates. Definitely avoid weekends, Christmas holidays, and dates when Austrians or Czechs have their school breaks.
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Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRHonfleur is a Normandy port where the Seine meets the Channel, known for its old harbour Vieux Bassin, the wooden church of Sainte-Catherine and the Eugène Boudin museum, which inspired Claude Monet and helped give birth to Impressionism. There are 11 tips here for exploring the town, from the Saint-Léonard quarter to the Côte de Grâce viewpoint, Plage du Butin (a 25-minute walk from the centre), and day trips along the Flower Coast or to Étretat. Late spring or early autumn is the best time to go, with temperatures around 20°C and fewer crowds — one day up to a long weekend is enough for the town itself. In 2026 a room costs €120–€150 a night at Hôtel Le Dauphin, or up to €350 a night at the luxurious La Ferme Saint Siméon, while entry to the Eugène Boudin museum is about €8.
If you’re looking for a place in France that looks like it stepped straight off a painter’s canvas, you’ve just found it. Honfleur, in France, is the most photogenic jewel of Normandy, a region that will completely captivate you with its raw beauty, ever-changing weather, and the smell of the sea mingling with fermenting apple cider. Here, time has stood still since the glory days of the great maritime discoveries.
The town sits at the mouth of the Seine where it meets the English Channel and, unlike many other Norman towns, it miraculously survived the bombing of the Second World War. So you can wander through medieval lanes and admire the original half-timbered houses that have stood for centuries. The light here is so magical that it drew an entire generation of artists in the nineteenth century, giving birth to the movement we know today as Impressionism.
Be prepared to fall in love with this little town at first sight. In this article I’m bringing you a complete guide for 2026, so you’ll know exactly what awaits you here. I’ll show you where to find the best cidre, which neighbourhoods to head for a bit of peace and quiet, and how to plan days full of unforgettable experiences.
Photo: Ввласенко / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
TL;DR
The most iconic spot: The heart of the town is the old harbour, Vieux Bassin, where the narrow slate-clad houses are reflected in the water.
Unique architecture: The wooden church of Sainte-Catherine is an architectural marvel built by local shipwrights.
A paradise for art lovers: The atmosphere here inspired Claude Monet and his teacher Eugène Boudin, whose paintings you’ll find in the local museum.
Gourmet experiences: Normandy doesn’t do wine — here, honest apple cidre and strong calvados flow freely, pairing wonderfully with the local cheeses.
The best time to visit: Come in spring or early autumn to avoid the biggest crowds that pour in during the summer holidays.
A great base: Honfleur is a perfect starting point for trips along the Côte Fleurie (Flower Coast) and to the cliffs at Étretat.
Photo: Ввласенко / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Normandy is famous for its highly unpredictable weather, and you definitely shouldn’t expect the steady summer heat you’d find on the French Riviera. The air carries a strong scent of salt all year round, and the wind off the ocean can be pretty sharp even in months when the calendar suggests otherwise. So always pack a light waterproof jacket and, above all, comfortable closed shoes — the wet medieval cobbles get genuinely treacherous if you’re wearing summer sandals.
The loveliest time to visit is without a doubt late spring and early autumn, when all of Normandy turns a gorgeous green and the apple trees blossom in the orchards. Temperatures in May and June hover around a very pleasant twenty degrees, which is ideal for a full day of exploring the sights. September, on the other hand, offers that famous soft autumn light the Impressionist painters loved so much — the very reason they came here to create their greatest works. In these months you’ll also enjoy the town in relative calm, without having to elbow your way through tourist crowds at every café.
If you’re planning a summer trip, arm yourself with plenty of patience — during July and August the narrow lanes are bursting at the seams and accommodation prices shoot up to astronomical heights. What’s more, 2026 is expected to bring an extreme surge of visitors across Normandy, with huge celebrations for the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings and the grand Normandie Impressionniste festival marking the centenary of Claude Monet’s death. Around the 5th and 6th of June especially, the whole region will be heaving and roads may be completely closed for state visits. If you can, it’s best to avoid the summer peak — or at least get up early and hit the streets right after dawn. The winter months, by contrast, have their own melancholy charm, when you can warm up in a cosy café with a hot chocolate and find a room for a fraction of the usual price.
Photo: Photochrom Print Collection / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Where to Stay in Honfleur
💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We like to look for our stays on Booking.com, which tends to have the best cancellation policies. For tickets, tours and activities, it pays to compare and book through GetYourGuide.
Choosing the right location is absolutely crucial for your stay, as the historic centre is fairly compact and getting back to the main sights from some of the outlying areas means a rather unpleasant uphill slog. The greatest luxury is staying right by the old Vieux Bassin harbour, but bear in mind you’ll pay handsomely for that iconic view, and it can get noisy in the evening from the surrounding busy restaurants. If you’re travelling by car, parking in the very heart of town is a literal nightmare and you’ll have to use the paid car parks on the edge of town.
If you’re after romance and quieter streets, focus on the area around the wooden church of Sainte-Catherine, which has kept its authentic character. This picturesque quarter is full of independent art galleries, small boutiques and cosy cafés where locals like to sit. It’s an absolutely ideal base from which you can walk everywhere in a few minutes, while still enjoying perfect peace in the evening, away from the bustle of the main promenade. Another great alternative is the historic Saint-Léonard quarter, just a short walk from the centre, which offers far more local life at much friendlier prices.
Here are some specific hotel tips you can easily book through Booking, for example:
Hôtel Le Dauphin: A beautiful traditional hotel in the heart of the Sainte-Catherine quarter, set in a typical timber-framed house. The rooms are cosy, the breakfast surprisingly generous, and in 2026 a night here costs roughly €120 to €150 for two. It’s an absolutely brilliant compromise between a reasonable price and a perfect location within walking distance of everything that matters.
La Ferme Saint Siméon: If you’re after pure five-star luxury and want to sleep where the famous Impressionists, led by Monet, once drank and painted, this is it. This restored historic inn, with its stunning gardens and views over the Seine estuary, offers an unforgettable experience — but prices here typically start at €350 for a single night.
L’Absinthe Hotel: This charming hotel occupies the carefully restored building of a former sixteenth-century presbytery, right by the main harbour. It offers very modern comfort in a historic setting and a superb location for romantic evening strolls along the illuminated yachts, and the hotel restaurant is one of the very best in town.
Photo: Kayologist / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
11 Tips on What to See and Do in Honfleur
Let’s take a look together at the very best this charming Norman town has to offer. From the famous old harbour to the hidden lanes steeped in history, you’ll find a heap of inspiration here — easily enough for a long weekend.
Photo: Jean-Baptiste Tuby / After Charles Le Brun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
1. The Old Vieux Bassin Harbour
This is exactly the fairytale spot you know so well from every postcard and famous Impressionist painting. The old harbour, known in French as the Vieux Bassin, is the absolute heart of the whole town, and your very first steps should lead right here. It was built in the seventeenth century by the powerful minister Colbert, and ever since it has been a proud symbol of Norman seafaring and rich overseas trade.
But the most visually striking thing about the whole harbour is the houses themselves, lining it on three sides. They’re incredibly narrow and tall, and almost entirely clad on the outside in dark slate, which protected them for centuries from the harsh sea wind and aggressive salt. The reflection of these centuries-old dark façades on the calm water, full of modern sailing boats and old fishing dinghies, is a sight you simply never tire of.
Around the harbour you’ll find dozens of cafés and bistros which, while admittedly priced for tourists, are at least worth it for one coffee just for that view. 💡 Tip: Get up early and come here first thing in the morning, before the shops open and the first noisy coach tours from Paris arrive. The morning mist drifting lazily over the water, and the deep silence broken only by the cries of the ever-present gulls, create an utterly magical atmosphere you’ll fall in love with.
Photo: PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
2. The Wooden Church of Sainte-Catherine
Just a few steps from the bustling harbour you’ll come across a building that will leave you standing in silent wonder. The church of Sainte-Catherine is the largest all-wooden church in the whole of France, and its history is a fascinating display of folk ingenuity. After the devastating Hundred Years’ War, the town lay in ruins and the locals had neither the money nor the materials to build a grand stone cathedral.
So they turned for help to the best craftsmen the town had — its experienced shipwrights. They took quality oak from the nearby forests and built the church using the techniques they knew best from their docks. When you step inside and look high up at the ceiling, you’re effectively looking at two giant upturned ships’ hulls forming the main nave. It’s an architectural one-off that smells wonderfully of old timber and breathes humble centuries of history.
Interestingly, the massive bell tower doesn’t stand on the church roof itself but was built entirely separately, on the little square opposite. The reason was purely practical: the wooden roof simply couldn’t have borne the heavy metal bells, and the townspeople were also terrified of lightning, which could easily set the precious structure ablaze. Entry to the church is completely free, and you definitely shouldn’t miss a visit.
Photo: Eugène Delacroix / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
3. The Eugène Boudin Museum
If you want to truly understand why Honfleur became such a huge mecca for artists from around the world, you have to visit this excellent museum. It’s named after the town’s famous local son, Eugène Boudin, who is considered by art historians to be one of the main forerunners of Impressionism. He was among the very first to start painting outdoors in the fresh air, and he taught this then-revolutionary technique to his young pupil Claude Monet.
The museum holds a fantastic and very valuable collection of paintings that perfectly capture the windswept Norman coast, the cloudy skies and everyday harbour life in the nineteenth century. Boudin was an absolute master at capturing the ever-changing sky and could paint the most delicate pastel shades of clouds drifting over the wide mouth of the Seine — something even his more famous contemporaries admired.
Beyond Boudin’s canvases you’ll also find works by other notable artists who painted in the town, as well as a very interesting ethnographic exhibition with traditional Norman costumes and chunky wooden furniture. 💡 Tip: In 2026 basic admission costs around €8, and given the big celebrations for the centenary of Impressionism, it’s worth coming first thing in the morning. Set aside at least two hours for a relaxed visit, as the collections are genuinely extensive and beautifully arranged by theme.
Photo: Geralix / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
4. In the Footsteps of the Impressionists and the Ferme Saint-Siméon
In the nineteenth century this little town was literally packed with painters who fled here in droves from stuffy, dirty Paris in search of natural light and fresh sea air. Their main refuge became the unassuming Ferme Saint-Siméon inn, on a hill high above the town. It was effectively the first unofficial open-air school of Impressionism, where they gathered, drank cheap local cidre, argued passionately about art and, above all, painted constantly.
The regular — and very rowdy — guests included, besides Boudin and Monet, the famous Gustave Courbet and the Dutch master Johan Barthold Jongkind. The kind-hearted landlady, known as Mother Toutain, let them lodge for a pittance, and they often paid her for their board with their fresh paintings. Today nothing remains of this poor bohemian den, as the Ferme Saint-Siméon is now an extremely luxurious five-star hotel.
Even if you’re not staying here and don’t have the budget for an expensive coffee on the terrace, you can freely stroll along the well-kept paths around the river mouth and seek out the exact spots where these famous painters set up their wooden easels. The town has cleverly installed information panels with quality reproductions of the famous paintings at many viewpoints, so you can compare the historic canvas with the real landscape spreading out before you, right there on the spot.
Photo: Christian David / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
5. The Saint-Léonard Quarter
While the vast majority of tourists stick to the immediate surroundings of the harbour and the wooden church, you should definitely head into the neighbouring Saint-Léonard quarter too. It lies just a stone’s throw from the main centre, yet the atmosphere here is far calmer and noticeably more authentic. There are beautiful winding lanes full of old half-timbered houses and small artisan shops that have thankfully not yet succumbed to mass tourism and the sale of cheap souvenirs.
The main landmark of the whole quarter is the gorgeous Gothic church of Saint-Léonard, with its beautifully ornate portal and well-preserved frescoes. Over the centuries it was rebuilt several times in complex ways, so it organically blends different architectural styles, and right in front of it you’ll find a pleasant little square where locals love to sit on the benches and chat about life.
A huge and often overlooked hidden gem of this quarter is the historic public washhouse, the so-called lavoir. These covered washhouses were once the absolute hub of local women’s social life, and this particular one has been beautifully preserved, complete with its original stone troughs and a chunky wooden roof. 💡 Tip: A very inconspicuous, narrow path runs alongside the washhouse, leading you down to a small babbling brook — a wonderfully photogenic and utterly peaceful spot to rest.
Photo: Jiří Sedláček / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Once you’ve explored the historic centre in detail, it’s the perfect time to head a little uphill and get some fresh air into your lungs. Above the town rises the densely wooded Côte de Grâce hill, which offers the very best panoramic views across the wider area. The way up leads through romantic, shady lanes and takes roughly twenty minutes at a leisurely walking pace, but that little bit of physical effort is well worth it.
From the top you’ll see not only Honfleur itself and the wide mouth of the Seine, but in good, clear weather you can make out the modern city of Le Havre across the water and the stunning Pont de Normandie cable-stayed bridge. On this wooded hill stands the little chapel of Notre-Dame de Grâce, which is one of the most moving and powerful places in the whole region.
It was built as early as the start of the seventeenth century, and for centuries local sailors came here regularly to pray for protection before their long ocean voyages, or to humbly give thanks for a safe return home. The interior is utterly unique, because dozens of perfect wooden ship models hang from the ceiling, brought here by sailors as votive offerings. The atmosphere inside is very quiet, intimate and full of deep humility before the destructive power of the ocean.
7. Tasting Local Cidre and Calvados
To be in Normandy and not taste the region’s celebrated apple specialities would be perhaps the greatest travel sin of all. The cooler, windier climate here doesn’t favour growing grapes for wine, but all sorts of apple varieties thrive absolutely fantastically. The sprawling local orchards produce a harvest that’s used to make, with great pride, demonstrably the best cidre in all of France.
The cidre here is certainly no artificial, over-sweetened fizzy drink, but an honest, lightly sparkling and mildly alcoholic beverage with deep flavour. You can choose between the sweeter variety called doux, or the dry, stronger brut version. If you fancy something noticeably sharper, you have to try the famous calvados, a strong apple brandy that ages for years in oak barrels. Locals drink it as the perfect digestif after every good meal, fondly calling it the “trou normand.”
In the town centre you’ll find plenty of specialist shops and old stone cellars — the so-called caves — where they’ll happily give you a taste before you buy. 💡 Tip: Try the excellent Pommeau too, a sweeter, smoother aperitif made by cleverly blending fresh apple must with one-year-old calvados. It’s an absolute delicacy, and if you have a car, head out onto the nearby rural Route du Cidre, where you can buy directly from friendly farmers.
8. A Walk Along the Nearby Beaches
Although Honfleur itself doesn’t sit right on the open sea but rather in the wide mouth of the Seine, you’ll find surprisingly nice spots to relax by the water. The most accessible is the Plage du Butin beach, which you can reach from the centre on a very comfortable twenty-five-minute walk. The route runs right along the coast and offers lovely views of cargo ships sailing inland.
The beach is pleasantly sandy, practically equipped with showers, and in the main summer season a small beach bar with refreshments operates here too. Don’t expect crystal-clear turquoise water like somewhere in the Caribbean, though — the sea here is naturally murkier due to the heavy river silt, and the water is fairly refreshing even in the height of summer. Still, it’s an absolutely ideal spot to relax with a book, build sandcastles, or have an evening picnic at sunset.
An interesting and very dramatic phenomenon here is the extreme low tide, which is typical of Normandy. When the sea retreats, it exposes vast stretches of sand and mud reaching hundreds of metres out. A walk across the wet sand at low tide is a great experience — just be very careful not to wander too far from the shore, because the incoming tide here can be very fast, silent and unexpectedly treacherous.
9. A Trip Along the Flower Coast (Côte Fleurie)
Honfleur serves as the perfect gateway to the famous Flower Coast, which stretches westward from here. It would be a great shame to spend the whole time in town and not explore the region’s other breathtaking beauties. The coast is literally dotted with gorgeous seaside resorts, which enjoyed their greatest and richest heyday at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The best-known by far are the sister towns of Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer. While Deauville is the absolute synonym for luxury — home to majestic Belle Époque villas, an expensive casino and the famous wooden promenade Les Planches — neighbouring Trouville has a noticeably more relaxed, family atmosphere, with a renowned fish market and a beautiful sandy beach.
You can get there by car in roughly half an hour, or with a bit of planning you can use the local NOMAD bus lines. 💡 Tip: If you don’t want to deal with transport logistics at all and pore over confusing timetables, take a look at the organised half-day trips on GetYourGuide, which conveniently take you around the best spots on the Flower Coast and very often include attractive stops for photographing the limestone cliffs. More energetic travellers can hire a bike and set off along the excellent coastal Vélomaritime cycle route.
10. Wandering the Lanes of the L’Enclos Quarter
The oldest and most historic part of town, the so-called L’Enclos, lies right behind the old harbour. Massive city walls once stood here, built to protect the wealthy harbour from constant English raids across the Channel. Today it’s a wonderful maze of narrow cobbled lanes steeped in history, where you can wander completely aimlessly for hours and keep discovering something new.
The biggest historical draw of this quarter is the enormous old salt stores, known as the Greniers à Sel. These vast stone buildings from the seventeenth century were built for the strategic storage of thousands of tonnes of precious salt, which was absolutely essential for preserving the cod caught on long fishing expeditions. Today these impressive, superbly acoustic spaces are used for modern exhibitions and evening concerts.
On a slow stroll through this quarter you’ll come across plenty of beautiful nooks, picturesque little squares and old houses with incredibly intricately carved wooden details. Put away your map and the satnav on your phone for a while and simply get lost in the web of medieval lanes — it’s the only way you’ll stumble upon the very best little galleries and tucked-away antique bookshops that you definitely won’t find in any official guidebook.
11. Visiting the Markets for Local Cheeses and Delicacies
French gastronomy is a huge concept in its own right, and Normandy plays in the absolute top league in this respect. If you want to soak up the real, lively local atmosphere and buy the best ingredients, you have to head to the traditional big Saturday market, held on the main square by the church of Sainte-Catherine and spilling out into all the adjoining lanes.
The markets are an absolute feast for all the senses. The stalls literally overflow with fresh vegetables, homemade jams and, above all, phenomenal cheeses. Norman cows graze on grass full of sea salt, which produces fantastic milk that’s turned into the world-famous protected-origin (AOP) cheeses. You’re sure to come across genuine, strong Camembert de Normandie, the aromatic square Pont-l’Évêque, the punchy Livarot, or the heart-shaped Neufchâtel.
For vegetarians, the famous local oysters aren’t much of a temptation, but at the markets and in the bistros you’ll find an endless array of other meat-free treats. 💡 Tip: Stop by a local crêperie and order a warm savoury galette made from buckwheat flour, generously filled with delicious camembert and onion marmalade. Order a glass of chilled dry cidre to go with it and you’ve got the makings of an absolutely perfect Norman lunch full of local flavours. Just don’t forget that lunch here is served strictly between noon and two o’clock — after that you’ll go hungry.
Where to Go Next from Honfleur
Once you’ve explored all the harbour lanes, it pays to venture beyond the town’s borders too. Normandy is incredibly varied and offers places that have left their mark on world history and on the canvases of famous painters alike.
If you want to see the most iconic natural scenery, definitely head across the Seine via the enormous Pont de Normandie bridge, heading north. Your destination should be the little town of Étretat. It’s here you’ll find breathtaking chalk cliffs and rock arches rising from the sea like giant sculptures — the very ones Claude Monet loved so much.
If you’re interested in the wider context and want to plan a longer road trip across the whole region, be sure to read our big guide to Normandy. You’ll find tips for visiting the famous abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, which seems to float on the border between sea and land, as well as detailed information about the D-Day landing beaches, where modern European history was written. Both of these spots are a bit further from Honfleur, but with a car you’ll manage them with no trouble at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to explore Honfleur?
You’ll have more than enough time to explore the city itself and its main historical monuments in one full day or a long weekend. However, if you want to cleverly use it as a strategic base for trips along the entire Côte Fleurie and to stunning Étretat, I recommend staying for at least three to four nights, so you don’t have to constantly move around and tediously pack your suitcases.
Where’s the best place to park your car?
Parking in the narrow historic streets is an absolute nightmare and often impossible. The easiest option is to leave your car at the large paid car park Parking du Bassin right by the harbour, but it fills up very quickly in summer. A cheaper and often less crowded alternative is the spacious Naturospace car park, from where you can reach the centre in about ten minutes with a comfortable walk along the coast.
Is Normandy an expensive destination?
Prices here are generally higher than in southern parts of Europe, but somewhat more favorable than in central Paris. In 2026, expect to pay around 20 to 25 € for a main course in a regular restaurant, coffee will cost you 3 €, and a bottle of quality local cider in a shop you’ll get for about 6 €. You’ll save most reliably if you opt for the budget-friendly menu of the day (plat du jour) for lunch.
What to try here if I don’t eat meat or fish?
The renowned local restaurants may build their menus primarily on seafood, but for vegetarians, the ubiquitous quality cheese and traditional crêperies are a huge lifesaver. Try the excellent savoury buckwheat galettes filled with melted camembert and onion marmalade, or the sweet crêpes with apples richly caramelised in strong calvados.
When are the traditional markets held?
The largest and most famous market takes place every Saturday morning in the area around the wooden church of Sainte-Catherine and the adjacent streets. You’ll find dozens of stalls with local food products and renowned cheeses from across the region. On Wednesday mornings, a somewhat smaller market is held in the same location, focused primarily on organic products from local Norman farmers.
Can you swim normally around the city?
Swimming here has its clear specifics. The water at the mouth of the Seine near the main Butin beach tends to be murkier due to river sediments and quite cold even in the middle of summer. For classic beach lounging and comfortable swimming, it’s much better to head a few kilometers west to the resorts of Deauville or Trouville, where there are long sandy beaches with far better access to cleaner open sea.
How do I get here from Paris?
The fastest and most comfortable way is by car on the A13 motorway, the journey takes roughly two and a half hours. If you don’t have a rental car, unfortunately there’s no direct train service. You have to take a train from Paris’s Saint-Lazare station to the town of Deauville-Trouville or to Le Havre, and from there continue by local bus, which takes about three to four hours in total.
Are monuments and shops open even in winter?
While larger hotels and most major attractions operate year-round, be prepared that many smaller independent boutiques, art galleries, and family-run restaurants often have significantly reduced opening hours in January and February, or the owners take a well-deserved vacation. The city is wonderfully quiet and romantic in winter, but services are simply somewhat limited.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRZermatt and the Matterhorn come with 17 specific tips, the best of which are the Gornergrat viewpoint (the train climbs to 3,089m and costs around 132 CHF in summer), the mirror-like Riffelsee lake, the Rothorn summit, and Europe’s highest cable car station, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883m (return ticket 143–207 CHF). Zermatt itself is car-free — you leave your car in Täsch (17 CHF a day) and take the shuttle train into the village, which runs every 20 minutes. The best time to visit is late June to September, or the quieter window between September and October, ideally over 2–3 full days, since the Matterhorn’s peak tends to disappear into cloud from around 10am onwards. Round it off with the 5-Seenweg five-lakes trek, the Gorner Gorge, the little village of Zmutt, and a ride on the legendary Glacier Express to St Moritz.
That iconic mountain from the Toblerone chocolate bar is probably the first thing most of us picture when someone mentions Switzerland. Zermatt, Switzerland and its majestic Matterhorn are one of those places that look completely unreal in photos, yet in reality they’re even more breathtaking and monumental.
What’s fascinating is that you aren’t allowed to drive into this famous Alpine village at all, which gives it a wonderfully unique and beautifully calm atmosphere. The trains and cable cars run so precisely that you almost feel like you’re dreaming, or simply like you’re in Switzerland. 😁 And instead of cars, little electric taxis weave quietly between the wooden chalets.
I’ve put together seventeen tips for you, from the highest cable cars in Europe to hidden little lakes that most tourists never even reach from the main path. You’ll also find all the practical info on ticket prices, advice on choosing a strategically located place to stay, and plenty of tips on how not to blow your entire paycheck on this high-mountain holiday.
Zermatt is a car-free zone: You have to leave your car in the huge parking terminal in Täsch and take the shuttle train the rest of the way, which runs every twenty minutes. The terminal is easy to reach via well-signed roads.
The early bird catches the views: Clouds very often start forming around the Matterhorn’s summit as early as 10 a.m., so head out to all the main viewpoints on the very first morning service.
The best views of the mountain: You’ll capture the prettiest postcard shots from the Gornergrat viewpoint, the Riffelsee lake, or the summit of Rothorn, where you can see the entire mountain.
Europe’s highest cable car: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise takes you up to 3,883 metres above sea level, where you can stroll through an ice palace or even go skiing in the middle of a hot summer.
Save with passes: If you’re planning to stay several days and ride the cable cars, definitely work out whether the summer Peak Pass or the year-round Half Fare Card pays off for you.
Food from Coop: The biggest item in your budget will probably be eating out, but luckily there are Coop and Migros supermarkets here with excellent ready-made meals.
Book accommodation early: Zermatt is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world and the best hotels tend to sell out months in advance.
Photo: Jean-Paul Wettstein / Pexels
When to visit Zermatt and what to expect from the weather
The weather in the Alps can be seriously unpredictable, and for Zermatt that goes double. Your best shot at clear skies is early in the morning, because according to local statistics, clouds start gathering around the Matterhorn’s peak right around 10 a.m. In the summer months, fast-moving mountain storms often roll in during the afternoon, so plan all your important outdoor activities exclusively for the first half of the day. The local webcams are a brilliant helper here, showing you first thing in the morning whether it’s worth buying tickets to go up.
If you’re coming primarily for the high-mountain hiking, the ideal time to visit is summer, from late June to September, when there’s no longer any snow on the trails above 2,500 metres. Just be prepared that July and August are the absolute peak of the season, which means the biggest crowds and the highest dynamic cable car ticket prices.
For those who love peace and quiet, the turn of September into October is an absolutely fantastic choice, when the surrounding larch forests turn unbelievable shades of gold. Winter, from December to April, is a paradise for skiers, but bear in mind that some cable cars have regular maintenance closures in November and in spring. So if you’re travelling off-season, check everything carefully before you go.
Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels
Where to stay in Zermatt village
💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We like to look for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. For tickets, tours and activities, it pays to compare and book through GetYourGuide.
Zermatt is famous for selling out well in advance, so definitely don’t leave your Booking reservation until the last minute. The accommodation here ranges from absolute five-star luxury all the way down to simple backpacker hostels, and my advice is to choose mainly based on how close you want to be to the station or the cable cars.
If you’re after something for a truly special occasion and budget isn’t an issue, take a look at The Omnia. It’s a top-tier five-star design hotel rated 9.7, built on a rock right above the centre, with a private lift inside the rock to take you up.
Lovers of beautiful wellness and skiing will definitely appreciate CERVO Mountain Resort, scoring 9.1, which sits right at the bottom of the slope and offers the very best in modern Alpine style. For a happy middle ground, Hotel Pollux is great, a very popular hotel right on the main shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse, with everything just a few steps away.
And then there’s 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, the highest-altitude hotel in all of Switzerland. Spending a night at this elevation and stepping outside in the morning for a private sunrise over the Matterhorn while the tourists are still asleep? I rest my case. ☺️
Travellers on a tighter budget, on the other hand, give a lot of praise to Hotel Bahnhof, which offers perfect value for money right across from the main station. And if you’re just looking for the absolute cheapest bed in a shared room, you can try the no-frills Matterhorn Hostel, which does the job purely for a quick overnight stay.
Photo: Christian Marohn / Pexels
17 things to see and do in Zermatt, Switzerland
There are seventeen tips in total here, but feel free to pick only the ones that suit your pace and your wallet. 😉
Photo: Jean-Paul Wettstein / Pexels
1. The Gornergrat cog railway and its breathtaking viewpoint
This is an absolute classic that would be a sin to skip on your visit. The historic Gornergratbahn cog railway is the oldest electric rack railway in Switzerland and has been carrying excited travellers from the centre of Zermatt up to 3,089 metres above sea level since 1898. The ride itself takes a little over half an hour, and the whole way up you get absolutely fantastic views of the surrounding Alpine giants. For the best views along the way, try sitting on the right-hand side of the train in the direction of travel, and you’ll have the Matterhorn right in front of you the entire time.
From the upper viewing platform you’ll see no fewer than 29 four-thousand-metre peaks, including the Monte Rosa massif, where Switzerland’s highest mountain, the Dufourspitze, also rises. A return ticket costs 132 CHF (about £120) in the summer season and 96 CHF in winter, but if you hold a Half Fare Card discount card, you’ll pay half that.
💡 Tip: If you want something extra and to avoid the crowds, buy a ticket for the very first morning service, which departs around 7 a.m. It’s best to sort out your tickets in advance on the official gornergrat.ch website, and if you enjoy organised guided tours, you can also check out the packages on GetYourGuide.
Photo: Tim L / Pexels
2. Riffelsee and the Matterhorn reflection
If you’ve ever seen that perfect photo of the Matterhorn mirrored on the calm surface of a mountain lake, it was most likely taken right here. The Riffelsee lake is just a five-minute walk from the Rotenboden train stop, which is the second-to-last station on the cog railway up to Gornergrat.
The best strategy is to head up really early in the morning, get off at Rotenboden station and walk to the lake while there’s no wind and the surface is perfectly still. The mountain’s reflection in the water looks incredibly crisp, and you’ll come away with photos everyone will envy.
After that, you can either continue by train all the way to the Gornergrat summit, or do a roughly forty-minute walk uphill, which offers plenty more beautiful photo spots. The path leads gently uphill and is fairly easy, so even less experienced hikers can manage it.
Photo: Bran HAO / Pexels
3. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Get ready to find yourself really high up, because Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cable car station in Europe. It sits at 3,883 metres above sea level, and even just the journey up in the luxurious Crystal Ride cabin with its glass floor is a huge, breathtaking experience.
Ticket prices here are dynamic and change with the season, with a return ticket costing from 207 CHF at the summer peak, while in winter prices start at 143 CHF. At the top there’s a fantastic viewing platform from which, on a clear day, you can see all the way to France’s Mont Blanc, plus an amazing ice palace with sculptures carved directly into the ice.
Just a word of caution: at nearly four thousand metres the air is already significantly thinner, so move very slowly, keep yourself hydrated, and if you feel dizzy, head one station down by cable car. Even though it might be twenty-five degrees down in Zermatt and you’re walking around in a T-shirt, up on the glacier it can easily be below zero, so make sure to pack a proper winter jacket and a hat. Always check current prices and opening hours on the matterhornparadise.ch website.
Photo: Christian Marohn / Pexels
4. The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to Italy
Did you know you can cross the Alps from one country to another using nothing but cable cars? The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing project was fully launched in 2023 and lets travellers continue from the highest Swiss station over the Testa Grigia peak straight into the Italian ski resort of Cervinia.
Crossing from one country to another in just a cable car cabin is honestly one of those experiences that’s hard to explain, you simply have to try it. From the cabin you’ll see glacier crevasses up close, and on the Italian side a completely different atmosphere and great coffee await. Make sure you don’t forget your passport, since you’re physically crossing a national border, and check the current opening times in advance, because this section runs primarily during the season.
Photo: Léonard Dinichert / Pexels
5. The 5-Seenweg, or Five Lakes Walk
If you only have time for one proper full-day trip into nature in Zermatt, I’d definitely recommend taking on the 5-Seenweg route. It’s a wonderful loop just under ten kilometres long that takes you past five gorgeous high-mountain lakes and takes roughly three hours of easy walking.
The route traditionally starts at Blauherd station at 2,571 metres and descends down to the Sunnegga stop. The undisputed star of the whole trek is Lake Stellisee, in which, in good weather, the Matterhorn is reflected just as perfectly as in the better-known Riffelsee, but there are usually a few fewer people here.
An interesting fact is that you’ll see the famous mountain reflected in three of the five lakes, and in two of them, namely Grünsee and Leisee, you can even go for a swim on hot summer days. So definitely throw your swimsuit in your backpack, because a cool-off after a more demanding stretch feels incredibly good.
Photo: Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto / Pexels
6. Sunnegga for families and easy days
The Sunnegga station is a little paradise for anyone who wants to see the Matterhorn quickly and without any complicated travel. You get here on a unique underground funicular straight from the centre of Zermatt, which covers the whole route in just four minutes, with a return ticket costing roughly 26 CHF.
For families with smaller children, this is probably the most laid-back spot in all of Zermatt: the kids play by the water, you sip a coffee with a view of the Matterhorn, and nobody is rushing anybody anywhere. 😅 In the morning you can occasionally spot marmots scurrying about, which is usually the single biggest highlight of the day for kids. The place is beautifully maintained, and you’ll find more about it on the official Zermatt website.
Photo: Christian Buergi / Pexels
7. Rothorn with a view of the entire mountain
While from Gornergrat you see the Matterhorn somewhat nestled into the surrounding landscape, from the Rothorn viewpoint at 3,103 metres you’ll see the whole mountain, from its rocky base right up to that famous needle towering into the sky. The journey here is a little longer, because you have to change at Sunnegga and then again at Blauherd station.
At the height of summer you’ll pay around 89 CHF for a return ticket from Zermatt up to Rothorn, but your reward will be a far calmer atmosphere than on the main tourist arteries. The great thing is that you can easily combine this viewpoint with a subsequent hike down via the Five Lakes Walk mentioned above.
The Hörnlihütte mountain hut, sitting at 3,260 metres, is a legendary spot from which experienced climbers set off at night for the Matterhorn summit itself. For the rest of us, who leave the rock climbing to the pros, this is the closest you can get to the mountain.
The climb to the hut starts at the Schwarzsee cable car station and it’s a demanding four-kilometre trek with over 700 metres of elevation gain, taking roughly two hours of steep ascent. The route also includes sections secured with metal chains and steps, so only set out here with very sturdy footwear, plenty of water and good physical fitness. The weather here changes unbelievably fast.
The hut is open from late June to mid-September, and booking in advance is an absolute must. And one more thing: bring cash in coins, because even a shower here costs around 6 CHF and cards are practically non-existent.
Photo: Jean-Paul Wettstein / Pexels
9. The Schwarzsee stop and chapel
The cable car heading up to Glacier Paradise has a very strategic stop called Schwarzsee, which sits right beneath the menacing-looking north face of the Matterhorn. Here you’ll find a picturesque black lake and the small Maria zum Schnee chapel, which adds to the already dramatic atmosphere of the whole place.
Besides being the starting point for the Hörnlihütte, it’s also a great location for anyone looking for less crowded views. You can just take a short stroll around the water, photograph the mountain’s reflection, and then smoothly continue by cable car to higher elevations.
Photo: Oskar Gross / Pexels
10. The mysterious Gorner Gorge
When the mountain weather turns bad or you have a free afternoon after coming back down from the high altitudes, definitely visit the amazing Gorner Gorge (Gornerschlucht). It lies just about fifteen minutes’ walk from the southern edge of Zermatt and is an absolutely fantastic and, on top of that, very cheap activity.
You’ll walk along wooden walkways fixed directly to the rock, high above the rushing turquoise Gornervispa river. Entry costs 5 CHF for an adult, payable in cash only (bring change!), and the gorge is usually accessible from roughly late May to mid-October.
Photo: Ella Preuss / Pexels
11. Zmutt and its ancient atmosphere
Travellers often admire only the high peaks, but the walk to the traditional hamlet of Zmutt is one of my favourite relaxing routes. This tiny village consists of about twenty wooden houses, tanned completely black by the mountain sun, that have stood here for nearly five hundred years.
You can reach it from Zermatt at a comfortable pace in a mere couple of hours, covering just under three kilometres with very gentle elevation gain. The path leads you through beautiful flowering meadows and shady larch forests, and once you arrive, you can reward yourself with a coffee at the small local restaurant.
Photo: Ilia Bronskiy / Pexels
12. The Hinterdorf lanes and excellent food
Zermatt’s old centre, known as Hinterdorf, is a place where real history breathes from the days when there were no cable cars here yet. You’ll find original Valais wooden cabins and old granaries, built on strange stone mushrooms, which was a clever defence the inhabitants of the time used against mice.
Wandering through these ancient lanes is likely to make you hungry. Vegetarians and vegans won’t be lost in Zermatt either, and I warmly recommend Vegistube and the Bazaar restaurant, both with fully plant-based menus that travellers sing nothing but praise for in their reviews.
If, on the other hand, you’re after traditional Swiss mountain classics, definitely go for an honest cheese fondue or raclette. Among the absolute legends in Zermatt is the famous Whymper-Stube or the slightly more welcoming restaurant Du Pont, where the cheese melts exactly the way you know from the adverts.
Photo: Christopher Politano / Pexels
13. The iconic Kirchbrücke bridge
Most of the photos you see on social media with a view of the Matterhorn right from the middle of town are taken right here. The Kirchbrücke bridge arches over the rushing Vispa river near the local church and offers the most classic postcard composition, and what’s more, completely free of charge.
I recommend coming here early in the morning or in the early evening, when the light is softest, and you also won’t have to fight for a spot with dozens of other photographers with big tripods. It’s one of those little details that’s guaranteed to lift your mood on every walk through town.
Photo: Jean-Paul Wettstein / Pexels
14. The Matterhorn Museum full of history
The underground Zermatlantis museum, which you’ll find right next to the church on a small square, offers a fascinating look into the harsh history of conquering Alpine peaks. The biggest draw of the exhibition is the original snapped rope from 1865, from the very first ascent by Edward Whymper’s expedition, which ended in enormous tragedy.
Besides that, you can walk through faithful replicas of old mountain houses and watch interesting multimedia presentations. Admission for an adult comes to 12 CHF and it’s an absolutely perfect programme rescue the moment heavy, persistent rain hits Zermatt.
Photo: Christopher Politano / Pexels
15. Year-round skiing in Zermatt on the glacier
Zermatt is a paradise for all winter sports fanatics, thanks to the huge Matterhorn Ski Paradise here. Together with the Italian side, it offers an impressive 360 kilometres of slopes, and most importantly, thanks to the glacier’s high altitude, the ski season here never ends and you can ski even in July.
Ski pass prices here are very variable depending on how far in advance you buy them, but reckon on around 96 CHF for a single day of skiing in winter. If you’re coming in summer and want to ski, you’ll have to pay roughly an extra 38 CHF on top of the summer Peak Pass, but for most people the experience of skiing in a T-shirt is absolutely worth it.
Photo: Christian Buergi / Pexels
16. A ride on the Glacier Express train
You’ll remember a journey on this legendary glass-roofed train for the rest of your life. The Glacier Express (nicknamed the slowest express train in the world) takes you on a fascinating eight-hour journey from Zermatt all the way to the luxurious St. Moritz, over 291 bridges and viaducts.
A second-class ticket costs around 153 CHF, but watch out, on top of the fare itself you must also pay a mandatory seat reservation of 54 CHF. Given the enormous popularity, the booking system opens exactly 93 days in advance and seats vanish at lightning speed. So keep an eye on the date and book through the official sbb.ch website. The ride on this panoramic-windowed train offers the most amazing views of deep valleys and snow-capped peaks, so those eight hours fly by in no time.
Photo: Christian Buergi / Pexels
17. How to survive Zermatt and save money
Photo: David McElwee / Pexels
Let’s be honest, Switzerland is expensive and Zermatt is one of its priciest corners, but even so you can save money very cleverly here. The key is to leave your car in the big car park in Täsch for 17 CHF a day and take the comfortable shuttle train into Zermatt, which runs every twenty minutes and costs 16.40 CHF for a return ticket.
If you know you’ll be riding the cable cars in the mountains for several days in a row, investing in the summer Peak Pass will pay off enormously; it costs roughly 320 CHF for four days and covers absolutely all the lines and cable cars in the area. An alternative for a longer stay in Switzerland is getting the Half Fare Card for 150 CHF, which gives you all your tickets at half price.
But you’ll spend the most money on food, which is why the local Coop supermarket, located right across from the station, is an absolute lifesaver. You can buy excellent ready meals and fresh sandwiches here for anywhere between three and seven francs, which is an unbelievable difference compared to fifty francs in a regular restaurant. And don’t forget that the tap water and the water from all the fountains in town is crystal clear and drinkable.
Where to go next from Zermatt
Once you’ve had your fill of Matterhorn views and walked all the beautiful trails, Switzerland has plenty more absolutely unique places up its sleeve that are worth a visit. The train connections here are so brilliant that you can easily move on to other magical Alpine valleys or to huge, crystal-clear lakes.
I’ve picked out a few of our other articles to help you plan your next route:
I’ve put together answers to the most common questions that come up when planning a trip to Zermatt. I hope they make your preparations easier.
How much does the cable car to the Matterhorn cost?
No cable car goes all the way to the very summit of the Matterhorn. You can ride up to the highest station, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at an altitude of 3,883 metres, with a return ticket costing roughly from 143 CHF in winter to 207 CHF at the peak of summer, depending on the season (approx. €155 to €225).
Can you drive directly to Zermatt by car?
No, Zermatt is a strict car-free zone and entry by regular cars is prohibited. You must park your vehicle in the enormous terminal in the village of Täsch (parking costs 17 CHF per day) and cover the last few kilometres by shuttle train, which runs very reliably every twenty minutes.
When is the Matterhorn best seen without clouds?
Set out for the viewpoints as early in the morning as possible is rule number one. After ten o’clock in the morning, clouds very often start to form around the summit and in the afternoon the mountain is frequently completely shrouded, with regular afternoon thunderstorms also threatening in summer.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it for Zermatt?
If you’re planning to spend your holiday only in Zermatt and the surrounding area, the Swiss Travel Pass probably won’t be worth it, as it only provides a 50% discount on the expensive mountain cable cars. In that case, it’s much better to get the summer Peak Pass or the cheaper Half Fare Card.
Can you climb the Matterhorn at a regular tourist pace?
No, the ascent to the summit itself at 4,478 meters is a serious and very difficult mountaineering expedition that can only be undertaken with an experienced mountain guide. The furthest you can get as regular and physically fit hikers is to the Hörnlihütte hut at an elevation of 3,260 meters.
How many days should I plan for Zermatt?
To make your visit more than just a stressful race between cable cars, two to three full days is ideal. On the first day you can head to Gornergrat and Riffelsee, on the second day explore the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and save the third day for the amazing Five Lakes hike 5-Seenweg.
Can you really ski in Zermatt even in summer?
Yes, and it’s a huge experience. The glacier slopes in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area are open year-round, which makes this resort absolutely unique in the entire Alps, although you’ll pay a bit extra on top of the regular pass for summer skiing.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRBern, Switzerland’s federal capital since 1848, is packed with things to do, and this guide narrows it down to fifteen highlights. Top of the list are the medieval Zytglogge clock tower, the Gothic Münster cathedral with its 344-step tower climb, and a swim in the turquoise Aare river at the free Marzilibad lido. Set aside at least two days, ideally three if you want to fit in a trip to Lake Blausee, about forty minutes away. June to September is best for swimming and festivals, while November and December bring the famous Zibelemärit onion market and the Christmas market on Münsterplatz. One big perk: guests staying at an official hotel get a free Bern Ticket, covering unlimited travel on the city’s public transport, including the Marzilibahn and Gurtenbahn funiculars.
Switzerland is a country full of surprises, and one of the biggest ones concerns its very capital. De iure, Switzerland actually has no capital city at all, even though Bern has served as the so-called federal city since 1848. The government and parliament are based here, and the whole of Bern, Switzerland has this peculiar ability to slow you down within the first ten minutes — and you won’t mind one bit.
Unlike bustling Zurich or business-minded Geneva, locals here really know how to savour life to the fullest. The medieval lanes listed by UNESCO flow seamlessly into kilometres of picturesque arcades, hiding cosy little cafés and luxury boutiques beneath them. The ever-present turquoise River Aare adds an incredible charm to the place, and in summer it turns into one enormous natural swimming pool.
So what’s in store for you? Fifteen tips on the very best Bern has to offer — from the medieval clock tower to swimming in the river, plus a genius trick for riding public transport for free. And also where to stay so it makes sense for your wallet, too.
Photo: David Taljat / Pexels
TL;DR
Free transport: With every official overnight stay you get a Bern Ticket for free travel on city public transport, including selected funiculars.
Best views: For the perfect photo, head to the Rosengarten flower garden or climb the 344 steps up the tower of the Gothic Münster cathedral.
River swimming: A beloved local summer tradition is drifting along the current of the clean River Aare and relaxing at the free Marzilibad area.
History and science: Don’t miss a tour of the medieval Zytglogge clock tower and visit the old flat where Albert Einstein dreamed up his theory of relativity.
Local food: Try the Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant ZOE or the legendary self-service paradise tibits near the station.
Bern works wonderfully all year round, but depending on when you arrive you’ll experience a completely different city. If you love warm weather and want to taste a proper Swiss summer, go between June and September. These are the months when the swimming season in the River Aare is in full swing, every outdoor terrace is packed, and in July a big music festival takes place on the Gurten hill.
Spring and autumn, on the other hand, are ideal for a more relaxed exploration of the sights without big crowds. Traditional farmers’ markets run all year, but autumn has one huge draw in the form of the famous onion market, Zibelemärit. It always takes place on the fourth Monday in November, which in 2026 falls on 23 November, and it’s an utterly quirky folk festival.
Winter then brings a magical Advent atmosphere. Bern’s Christmas markets are among the most beautiful in Switzerland, with the main one on Münsterplatz running from late November all the way to Christmas Eve. In the winter months you should expect the occasional fog and temperatures around freezing, but the historic arcades will reliably shield you from rain and snow.
Photo: Zhenning SHI / Pexels
Where to stay in Bern
💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation policies. Tickets, trips and activities are then worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.
Choosing the right hotel in Bern will save you a lot of money and hassle. The city has a wonderful rule whereby every guest staying in an official establishment gets a so-called Bern Ticket for free. This app lets you use all public transport in zones 100 and 101 free of charge, including the journey from Belp airport and rides on selected funiculars. You’ll get this perk at all the hotels listed below.
If you’re after pure luxury for a special occasion, book a room at the five-star Bellevue Palace. It’s the official residence for guests of the Swiss government, with a gorgeous terrace and views of the Alps. Another excellent premium choice is the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern, located right opposite the main station and offering a fantastic rooftop spa.
For solid mid-range, I recommend the Hotel Bären am Bundesplatz, a dependable Swiss classic right next to the parliament building. The Hotel Goldener Schlüssel also has enormous charm — it’s the oldest hotel in the city, just a few steps from the famous clock tower. A great location at a reasonable price is guaranteed here.
Travellers on a smaller budget will appreciate Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke, which offers affordable accommodation right in the heart of the old town. If you’re looking for a quieter, budget-friendly base, check out Hotel Marthahaus, a very pleasant and inexpensive guesthouse in a quiet neighbourhood across the river. You can comfortably browse and book all of these places on the popular Booking portal.
Photo: Melike B / Pexels
Where to eat well in Bern
Finding great food in Switzerland is no problem, but Bern also has an utterly unique culinary scene that will please both lovers of traditional Alpine cuisine and those after modern plant-based fare. Whether you fancy a cheese fondue or you’re craving something lighter after a full day of sightseeing, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
For lovers of Swiss classics, here’s one great tip straight away. If you’re planning to try a classic Swiss cheese fondue, you don’t need any meat for it and the experience will be tremendous. Traditional fondue is done beautifully in Bern at Restaurant Lötschberg, where you can even sit inside a retired cable-car cabin. Excellent traditional Swiss rösti is then served at the Altes Tramdepot brewery, which you’ll find right next to the bear park in an old tram shed. They even brew their own beer there, which always hits the spot after a long afternoon.
At the same time, Bern is a huge paradise for vegetarians. A complete safe bet and a real legend is the self-service restaurant tibits on Bahnhofplatz. It’s been running since 2003 and offers a vast buffet with dozens of fresh meat-free dishes that you pile onto your plate and simply pay for by total weight. If, on the other hand, you’re after an exceptional gastronomic experience, definitely visit the restaurant ZOE on Münstergasse. This is vegetarian fine dining boasting not only a classic Michelin star but also the green one for outstanding sustainability.
And a little tip for a sweet finish: if you want to taste the renowned Swiss chocolate, stop by Confiserie Tschirren on the Kramgasse lane. This family chocolaterie has been running since 1919 and their champagne-flavoured truffles are utterly famous all over the country.
Photo: Julia Khalimova / Pexels
15 best things to see and do in Bern
So, what’s really worth doing in Bern? Here are my fifteen tips, roughly ordered by location so you don’t have to crisscross the whole city unnecessarily.
Photo: ILOVESwitzerland / Pexels
1. The UNESCO-listed old town
Bern’s historic centre got its UNESCO stamp back in 1983 — and honestly, once you walk through it, that comes as no surprise. The entire old town has kept its original medieval layout from the twelfth to fifteenth centuries. Most of the buildings are made of the typical greenish sandstone, which gives the lanes a completely unique and unified character.
A huge advantage is the fact that most of the old town is a car-free pedestrian zone. You can stroll calmly over the old cobbles, admire the historic towers and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. This entire peninsula is wrapped on three sides by the River Aare, so whichever way you head, you’ll eventually reach some beautiful bridge with a view over the water.
💡 Tip: Definitely bring comfortable flat-soled shoes for the centre. The historic cobbles look lovely in photos, but a full day of walking in heels would turn into a fair bit of suffering here.
Photo: Alexandre Perotto / Pexels
2. The Lauben and shopping under the arcades
One of Bern’s most iconic features are the so-called Lauben. These are an incredible six kilometres of covered historic arcades, thanks to which Bern holds the title of the longest covered shopping promenade in all of Europe. It’s an absolutely genius piece of architecture, because even when it’s pouring with rain or snowing outside, you can still stroll from one shop to the next in the dry.
Under these arcades you’ll find everything from small family boutiques to luxury brands. A great Bern speciality are also the original vaulted cellars called Kellergewölbe. These spaces below street level originally served as goods stores, since back then valuable commodities needed protecting from the weather and from fires. Today they house very stylish bars, independent theatres and cosy cafés, reached down steep wooden stairs.
Photo: Louis / Pexels
3. The Zytglogge and a clock-tower tour
The Zytglogge clock tower once served as the main western gate to the city and today it’s one of the most photographed spots in all of Switzerland. Since its founding in the twelfth century the structure has gone through many changes, survived a devastating fire in 1405, and gradually lost its defensive function as the city expanded further west. Today its most important part is the beautiful astronomical dial and figure mechanism from 1530. Around four minutes before every full hour a crowd gathers in front of the tower to watch the mechanical figures spring into motion.
The view from the outside is lovely, but the real magic is hidden inside. You can only get in on an official guided tour, which lasts about an hour and takes you right up to the historic machinery itself. You’ll see the massive cogwheels in action and learn fascinating details about how time was measured in the Middle Ages.
This tour is hugely popular with visitors and at weekends it’s often sold out. You can arrange tickets through the official tourist centre, or simply book the tour online. The GetYourGuide portal works great for this, with various ticket options to choose from.
💡 Tip: The price for a tour of the clock tower’s interior is around 25 CHF (about £22), but I’d recommend checking the exact figures on the bern.com tourist board website before you travel.
Photo: senanur yılmaz / Pexels
4. The Münster cathedral and the tallest tower
Bern’s Münster is a stunning late-Gothic cathedral whose construction began as early as 1421. Building took place in several phases and lasted more than a hundred and fifty years before the main nave was completely finished. The architects were clearly inspired by French cathedrals, which shows in the buttress system and the richly decorated stained-glass windows. Right at the main entrance you’ll be wowed by the massive portal depicting the Last Judgement, made up of over two hundred and thirty intricately crafted sculptures and figures. Entry to the cathedral’s main nave is completely free for all visitors.
The main draw, however, is the climb up the church tower, which at 100.6 metres is the tallest in all of Switzerland. There’s no lift, so you’ll have to honestly tackle the 344 stone steps. Your reward will be an absolutely fantastic panoramic view of the red roofs of the old town and, in the distance, the snowy peaks of the Bernese Alps.
The admission for the viewing platform is very reasonable. Adults pay 6 CHF (around £5), students get in for 4 CHF and children up to sixteen pay just 3 CHF. No advance booking is needed — you simply buy tickets at the entrance before you start the climb.
💡 Tip: The tower actually has two viewing platforms. Most people stop at the first one after about 250 steps, but I definitely recommend gathering your strength and going all the way up to the second one, where there’s far more room for photos.
Photo: Louis / Pexels
5. The Bundeshaus and a parliament tour
Since Bern is the political centre of the whole of Switzerland, you can’t miss the Federal Palace, which locals call the Bundeshaus. This imposing building with its green domes was completed at the start of the twentieth century, and more than thirty Swiss artists and craftsmen worked on its decoration, tasked with representing the wealth of the entire country. The dominant complex offers free guided tours for the public. They run in several languages including English, last sixty minutes, and take place from Tuesday to Saturday outside parliamentary sessions.
Interest in these tours is enormous and capacity for a single slot is limited to just thirty places. You have to book online up to 180 days in advance on the official website of the Swiss parliament. Don’t forget to bring a valid passport or ID card, as there’s a fairly strict security check at the entrance.
In front of the building stretches Bundesplatz, famous for its water feature. Exactly 26 water fountains spurt from the paving, symbolising the individual Swiss cantons. On hot summer days the square turns into one big playground where local children dash gleefully between the jets of water.
💡 Tip: If you don’t manage to snag a spot for the interior tour, walk around behind the parliament building. There’s a spacious terrace there with a gorgeous view of the River Aare and the luxury Bellevue Palace hotel.
Photo: Louis / Pexels
6. BärenPark with live bears
The bear has been a proud symbol of Bern ever since its founding. According to an old legend, Duke Berchtold V named his new city after the first animal he hunted in the local forests. Bears have been kept in the city for many centuries, but in 2009 a brand-new, modern BärenPark was created for them on a steep slope right above the River Aare.
This spacious natural enclosure adjoins the original historic bear pit and gives the bears plenty of room for bathing, climbing and resting. The whole area is completely free and open round the clock all year long. The paths around the enclosure are also fully accessible, so you can easily get here with a pushchair too.
You’ll get the best view of the playing bears from the nearby Nydeggbrücke bridge. Feel free to stop here for a good while and watch the animals catch fish in their private little pool or rest in the shade of the big trees.
💡 Tip: From the bear park there’s a very pleasant trail running right along the bank of the River Aare, which leads you back to the centre from a completely different perspective. It’s a great shortcut for a peaceful walk.
When you head about ten minutes up the steep hill from the bear park, you’ll reach one of the most beautiful spots in all of Bern. The Rosengarten is a sprawling flower garden that requires no admission and is freely open to the wider public. You’ll find over two hundred different rose varieties here, spreading an incredible fragrance all around.
The main reason everyone heads here, though, is the absolutely iconic panoramic view of the old town. It’s from here that you’ll see that famous loop of the River Aare hugging the historic centre tightly on three sides. The tower of the Münster cathedral rises proudly above the red roofs of the houses, creating an utterly perfect composition for your photos.
The garden also includes a very pleasant restaurant of the same name with a large outdoor terrace. You can have a coffee here and gaze at the city below — you won’t find a better view with a coffee in hand anywhere in Bern.
💡 Tip: The walk up to the Rosengarten is short but fairly steep. If you’d rather not go on foot, you can take bus number 10, which carries you from the centre straight to the main entrance of the garden.
Photo: Margo Evardson / Pexels
8. Swimming in the River Aare and Marzilibad
If you visit Bern in summer, you’ll witness an absolutely unique sight that is even listed among Switzerland’s living traditions. On hot days locals throw themselves into the turquoise waters of the River Aare and let the fairly strong current carry them across the city. They often bring waterproof bags called Aarebooli, in which they carry dry clothes and valuables.
The centre of this summer fun is the city pool Marzilibad, which lies right beneath the parliament building. And now the best part – entry to this enormous area is completely free. You’ll find a fifty-metre swimming pool, paddling pools for children and ten thousand square metres of lawns for perfect relaxation. The season runs roughly from mid-May to mid-September.
Swimming in the river is a huge experience, but it demands great respect. The water has a really strong pull and is only suitable for very strong swimmers. Before entering the water, always study the exit points marked with red poles and ladders, and never get into the river under the influence of alcohol.
💡 Tip: You can reach the Marzili district from the city centre on the Marzilibahn funicular. It’s only 105 metres long, which makes it the shortest public funicular in Europe, and with your Bern Ticket you ride it for free.
Photo: Shootcase Chronicles / Pexels
9. Einsteinhaus on Kramgasse
Few people know that one of the most important physics theories in human history was born right in the historic lanes of Bern. Albert Einstein lived with his wife Mileva from 1903 to 1905 in a flat at Kramgasse 49. Einstein lived fairly modestly here, because the monthly rent at the time wasn’t exactly low and his job at the patent office gave the family the stable income it needed. It was during his time here that the so-called miracle year of 1905 arrived, when he worked out his famous special theory of relativity.
Today this unassuming house under the arcades is home to a small but immensely captivating museum. Admission for adults is 7 CHF (about £6), students and seniors pay two francs less, and children up to fifteen pay 4 CHF. The flat is furnished with period furniture and faithfully evokes the atmosphere of the early twentieth century. The building has survived the centuries almost unchanged, so climbing the old stairs really does make you feel as if you’re back at the start of the twentieth century.
You’ll see Einstein’s desk, historic photographs and family documents. The space isn’t large, so half an hour is plenty for a visit; it’s open every day from ten to five.
💡 Tip: If Einstein’s life fascinates you and you want to learn more about his scientific work, also visit the more extensive Einstein Museum, which is part of the Bern Historical Museum on the other side of the river.
Photo: Joerg Hartmann / Pexels
10. Zentrum Paul Klee
On the eastern edge of the city you’ll find an architectural gem that no lover of modern art should miss. Zentrum Paul Klee was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano and the building takes the form of three giant steel waves that blend seamlessly into the surrounding rolling landscape. Even just the view from outside is a tremendous experience.
Inside is hidden the largest collection of works by the painter Paul Klee in the world. This famous native of the Bern area left behind an enormous quantity of paintings, drawings and sketches, which the museum rotates regularly in themed exhibitions. Admission to the gallery costs an adult 20 CHF (around £18).
Families with children will be pleased that on Sundays children and young people up to sixteen get into the gallery completely free. The museum is also very easy to reach from the city centre on bus number 12, and if you arrive by public transport you get a ten percent discount on admission at the ticket desk.
💡 Tip: Always check the current opening hours and the programme of ongoing exhibitions in advance on the official website of the Zentrum Paul Klee, so an unexpected change doesn’t catch you out.
Photo: Christian Wasserfallen / Pexels
11. Kunstmuseum Bern and the old masters
Speaking of fine art, we mustn’t forget the Kunstmuseum Bern. It’s the oldest art museum in Switzerland with a permanent collection, numbering more than fifty thousand works of art. You’ll find everything here from medieval Gothic to works by Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler or the very same Paul Klee.
The museum sits in a beautiful historic building a stone’s throw from the main station, and if you get caught in the rain in Bern, this is exactly the right place to head. A basic adult ticket costs 24 CHF (about £21), seniors pay 20 CHF and students get a reduced entry for 12 CHF. The good news is that children up to sixteen get in free all year round.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and on Tuesdays it stays open until eight in the evening, which is handy if you want to head outdoors during the day and save the culture for the afternoon.
💡 Tip: The collection really is massive and a detailed visit can easily take you three hours. Pick up a plan at the entrance and focus only on the artistic periods that genuinely interest you most.
Photo: Louis / Pexels
12. Fountains with allegorical figures
As you stroll through Bern’s old town you’ll soon notice a huge number of historic fountains. In total there are around a hundred of them across the city, but the most attention is drawn by the eleven Renaissance column fountains with colourful allegorical figures. Most of them were created in the mid-sixteenth century by the sculptor Hans Gieng and today they give the lanes a unique character.
An absolute one-of-a-kind that sends a chill down your spine is the Kindlifresserbrunnen on Kornhausplatz. Its name translates as “child eater”, and the statue depicts a terrifying ogre stuffing a crying little child into his mouth, while he has more children ready in his pocket. Exactly why this bizarre statue was created remains a bit of a historical mystery, but be sure not to miss photographing it.
Other famous fountains include, for example, the Zähringerbrunnen with a bear in full armour or the Mosesbrunnen with the figure of Moses. A huge advantage for all travellers is the fact that the water in all of Bern’s fountains is drinkable and perfectly clean.
💡 Tip: Don’t buy overpriced bottled water in the supermarkets. Bring your own bottle from home and refill it throughout the day straight from the historic fountains, completely free.
Photo: Jean-Paul Wettstein / Pexels
13. Gurten hill and views over the city
Every proper Swiss city has its own hill, and for Bern it’s clearly Gurten, rising to 858 metres above sea level. City residents love coming here for sport, picnics or simply for an afternoon coffee with the family. A regular funicular called the Gurtenbahn runs to the top, departing from the Wabern district roughly every fifteen minutes.
A return ticket on the funicular normally costs an adult 12.60 CHF (around £11). But here comes the huge bonus of your accommodation – if you have a valid Bern Ticket, the ride up Gurten is included and you pay nothing at all. The funicular runs from seven in the morning, and the last descent leaves at half past eleven at night from Monday to Saturday.
At the top awaits a spacious green park with a wooden lookout tower, a large children’s playground and a fantastic view over the whole city on one side and the snowy Alpine peaks on the other. In winter there’s even a small toboggan slope here.
💡 Tip: In mid-July the Gurtenfestival is regularly held on this hill. It’s one of the biggest and most popular open-air music festivals in Switzerland, so if you’re planning a summer trip, expect it to be very lively here.
Photo: Christian Wasserfallen / Pexels
14. Markets and the famous Zibelemärit
Bern lives for its markets, and it would be a real shame to come and miss them all. The traditional farmers’ markets take place all year round every Tuesday and Saturday on Bärenplatz and the adjoining Münstergasse. You’ll find stalls with fresh vegetables, fragrant local cheeses, artisan bread and a flood of colourful flowers.
A genuine phenomenon, though, is the autumn onion market called Zibelemärit. It takes place only once a year, always on the fourth Monday in November. In 2026 the date falls on 23 November, and believe me, you won’t experience an atmosphere like it anywhere else. The market begins as early as four in the morning, when the city fills with stalls selling artistically braided onion plaits and garlic wreaths.
During this day confetti is thrown about the streets, the scent of hot mulled wine (Glühwein) is everywhere and people pin onion badges to their coats. It’s one of the city’s oldest folk festivals and the locals throw themselves into it with enormous enthusiasm.
💡 Tip: During the Zibelemärit festival, expect the city centre to be extremely crowded. If you want to enjoy the atmosphere and admire the beautifully crafted onion wreaths in peace, head out ideally before six in the morning.
Photo: Louis / Pexels
15. Christmas markets full of magic
If you plan your trip to Bern for the Advent season, a true winter fairy tale awaits you. The historic backdrop of the old town gives the Christmas markets an incredibly romantic touch. You’ll find the main and most beautiful market on Münsterplatz, right in the shadow of the mighty cathedral. In 2026 it will run from 28 November all the way to Christmas Eve.
This market focuses above all on traditional Swiss crafts. You can buy hand-carved wooden toys, beautiful ceramics, woollen jumpers and plenty of original gifts. The ever-present scent of roasted almonds, cinnamon and baked chestnuts will quickly put you in the right Christmas mood.
The second major market is located on Waisenhausplatz and begins a day earlier, on 27 November 2026. This market even runs after Christmas until 3 January 2027, which is great news for those heading to Switzerland over the New Year. The range here is a touch more ordinary, but thanks to the festive lighting the atmosphere is still gorgeous.
💡 Tip: Before you head to the markets, take a look at the bernerweihnachtsmarkt.ch website, where you’ll find exact opening hours for individual days of the week, as they can vary slightly at weekends.
Where to go next from Bern
Bern has a strategic location in the very heart of the country, so it works as an ideal base for further exploring. Around the city you’ll find stunning nature, and from here you can easily reach every corner of Switzerland by train.
Fairy-tale Blausee: This beautifully blue little lake in the middle of the Kandergrund nature park is about forty minutes from Bern by train and bus. Admission varies by day of the week, but a ride in a glass-bottomed boat, described on the nature park website, is definitely worth it.
Glacial Oeschinensee: A breathtaking high-mountain lake listed by UNESCO. From Bern you can reach Kandersteg by train in an hour. The cable car will cost you roughly 36 to 40 CHF depending on the season. Watch out for a new rule for 2026, when the popular Berner Oberland Pass no longer applies to this cable car.
Planning your trip and still have a few practical little things nagging at you? You’re not alone. I’ve gathered the answers to the most common questions that come up around a visit to Bern.
From the tricky business of its capital-city status to the real safety of that famous swimming in the River Aare. Here you have everything important clearly in one place, so you can set off with a completely clear head.
Is Bern the capital of Switzerland?
From a legal perspective, no, because Switzerland has no official capital city according to its constitution. However, since 1848, Bern has functioned as the so-called “Bundesstadt” or federal city, where the government and parliament are located. It was chosen as a political compromise to prevent all power from being concentrated in wealthy Zurich.
How many days should you set aside for a visit?
200000
You can comfortably explore the main historical sights in the old town in one very packed day. However, two days are ideal so you have time for museums, a trip to Gurten, and swimming in the river. Three days will then allow you to take a fantastic excursion to Lake Blausee.
Can you really swim safely in the Aare River?
Yes, during the summer months this is the most popular local activity and even an official Swiss “living tradition”. However, the water has a strong current, so swimming is only suitable for confident swimmers. Make sure to check out the exit points beforehand and if needed, use the freely accessible pools in the Marzilibad area.
What exactly does the Bern Ticket include?
It’s a tourist card that you get for free with every official accommodation in the city. It allows you to use all public transport in zones 100 and 101 free of charge throughout your stay. It’s also valid for trips to Belp Airport and for rides on the Marzilibahn and Gurtenbahn funiculars.
How long does the trip from Zurich take?
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The train connection is incredibly fast and convenient. The fastest direct trains cover the route from Zurich to Bern in just 56 minutes, and there are roughly ninety connections running daily. Plus, the station is located right on the edge of the old town, so you can head straight out to explore the sights.
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Where can you get a good meat-free meal in the center?
Bern has an amazing vegetarian scene. A sure bet is the self-service chain tibits right by the station, which has been operating here since 2003 and offers a huge buffet. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, book a table at restaurant ZOE, which boasts a Michelin star for its meat-free menu.
Is a trip to Bern worth it even in winter?
Definitely yes. While you’ll miss out on swimming in the river, the city offers beautiful Christmas markets at Münsterplatz and Waisenhausplatz. Plus, in November there’s the unique onion market Zibelemärit. You’ll be reliably protected from bad weather by six kilometers of historic arcades called Lauben.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRYou can save serious money on car hire by combining three tricks: book through a comparison site (DiscoverCars, for instance, covers over 160 countries and 50,000 pick-up locations), sort your own excess insurance in advance rather than getting stung at the counter, and skip airport pick-up, which typically adds 10 to 30% to the price. There are 15 practical tips here, including picking the car up in town instead of at the airport, going for the “full-to-full” fuel policy, using your own offline maps instead of paying $15 a day for GPS, and photographing the car at both pick-up and drop-off. If you’re driving on a UK licence, make sure you’ve got a physical credit card in the main driver’s name and separate excess insurance sorted, since standard travel insurance usually won’t cover damage to a hired car. In Iceland, bear in mind that standard cover won’t pay out for damage from gravel, sand or volcanic ash either.
There we were, Lukáš and I, standing at the rental desk at Keflavík airport, a classic Nordic autumn gale howling outside, and the chap behind the counter giving us a sympathetic look. It was autumn 2018 and we were just collecting a little black Suzuki SUV for our two-week loop around Iceland. Within five minutes, the rental agent had laid out a list of potential disasters, from doors ripped off in the wind to a wrecked chassis, and offered us insurance that cost almost as much as the rental itself. That moment taught us everything we now know about saving on car rental.
At that point I felt a strange mix of pure excitement about the road trip ahead and mild panic about our travel budget. That was when it really hit me that with a rental car you can save money, but you can also lose a fortune. And the worst thing you can possibly do is sort all this out exhausted after a flight, right there at the desk, where you’re holding the short end of the stick.
Since then, Lukáš and I have hired cars in plenty of other countries and we’ve gradually fine-tuned our whole process. 😁 We started relying on comparison sites, specifically our favourite DiscoverCars.com, which has made our lives so much easier. If you’re sitting at home right now, planning a trip and Googling how to save on car rental or how to hire a car cheaply, pour yourself a glass of wine and read on. I’ll give you 15 specific, tried-and-tested tips that mean no rental company will ever catch you out again.
Our rented Suzuki on the two-week loop around Iceland.
TL;DR
Always book through a comparison site: The same car from the same company costs different amounts on different websites — we use the DiscoverCars aggregator.
Sort out insurance in advance: Never buy overpriced insurance at the desk — get excess (CDW top-up) cover online.
Book early with free cancellation: Keep an eye on prices and if they drop, cancel the booking and make a new one.
Pick up away from the airport: Airport surcharges can bump the price up by tens of percent.
Pay with the right card: You need a physical credit card in the main driver’s name.
Watch the fuel policy: Always choose “full-to-full” so you don’t pay for overpriced petrol.
Decline pointless add-ons: Your own phone with an offline map beats an expensive rental GPS.
Photograph everything: When you collect and return the car, take detailed photos and video — it’s your only defence.
Why a comparison site matters (and what DiscoverCars is)
You might think the best move is to go straight to the source and book directly on a specific rental company’s website. Logic suggests that cutting out the middleman gives you the lowest price. In the real world of car rental, though, it works completely differently and the same car on the same dates has a totally different price tag across different platforms. Big booking systems have wholesale rates negotiated with the rental companies — rates you simply can’t reach as an ordinary punter walking in off the street.
1. Compare across a comparison site, not on a single rental company’s site
When you open up a comparison site, within seconds it scans the huge multinational brands like Hertz, Avis or Sixt, as well as smaller local firms you’d otherwise never even hear of. You get an instant overview of the market in one place. Local companies often have far friendlier prices, and thanks to the reviews on the comparison site you can immediately see whether they can be trusted. The platforms themselves quote savings of tens of percent, and from our experience that easily adds up to hundreds of pounds saved on a single holiday.
2. Why we bet on DiscoverCars
When I’m planning a car for our next trip, my first move is automatically over to DiscoverCars.com. It’s not a rental company itself, but an independent aggregator that, according to SimilarWeb data (2026), is the most-visited standalone car rental comparison site in the world. It covers over 160 countries, an incredible 50,000 pick-up locations and connects more than a thousand providers. For us, though, the most important thing is how easy it is to use.
I really like that the whole site works in English and shows prices straight in pounds, so I don’t have to faff about converting exchange rates. On top of that there’s 24/7 support and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up, which gives you huge freedom. On Trustpilot it holds a 4.6 out of 5 from more than a quarter of a million reviews, which is a small miracle in this industry. I won’t claim they’re always the absolute cheapest down to the last penny, but the overall combination of clarity, good reviews and great-value insurance makes them our clear choice.
When and where to pick up the car so you pay less
Choosing the right car is only the beginning. How far in advance and where you collect the keys has a massive impact on the final price too. The rules of the game keep changing, and what was true five years ago may not work today. Whoever plays around with dates and pick-up location saves the most, and a bit of smart planning can easily put a few extra pounds back in your budget for some good dinners.
3. Book early, but with free cancellation (and watch the price)
Opinions on the ideal booking window vary, and even the experts at NerdWallet have different data on the best time. My personal approach is to book the car as early as possible, the moment I know my flight dates, but always on condition of free cancellation. Then roughly every few weeks I make a coffee, sit down at the computer and check current prices. If a cheaper offer pops up, I simply cancel the original booking and make a new one — a perfectly legal, common trick that genuinely pays off. There are even services like AutoSlash that track price drops for you and let you know automatically.
4. Pick up the car away from the airport
It’s terribly tempting to land, walk a few metres into the hall with your suitcase and drive straight off. The trouble is, airports charge so-called concession fees for this luxury, typically adding 10 to 30% to the rental price. On longer road trips it often pays to hop on a bus or train into the city centre and pick up the car from a downtown branch instead. For a family on a weekend getaway it doesn’t make sense — you’ll lose time and pay for public transport — but on a two-week trip you’ll really notice the difference.
Picking up away from the airport can save you tens of percent.
5. Play with the rental length (a week is often cheaper than five days)
This sounds completely illogical, but booking systems often work with weekend or weekly packages. So you get the bizarre situation where the system charges a lower amount for a weekly rate than for five individual daily rates added together. If you need a car for five and a half days, try entering a full seven days into the search. You’ll be surprised that a longer period can occasionally generate a lower total price — you just hand the car back a bit earlier.
6. Take the smallest category (and let them offer you a free upgrade)
When the two of us travel, we always go for the smallest car category available. Not only is it the cheapest option for the rental itself, but a small car also uses less fuel and is far easier to park in the narrow lanes of historic towns. There’s one nice thing that happens, especially in peak summer season: rental companies often run out of the smallest cars, and in that case they have to give you a free upgrade to a higher class. It’s not guaranteed, of course, but it’s a lovely bonus.
Iceland’s roads call for a small, nimble car.
Insurance: where you’ll save (or lose) the most
We’ve arrived at the single most important point of this whole article. Insurance is exactly the area where a cheap car for a few quid turns into a nightmare costing thousands. The key is understanding the difference between basic insurance (CDW), which is usually already included in the price, and the so-called excess. The excess on an accident can easily be £900 to £1,800 or more, and the rental company will place a deposit (a hold) for this amount on your card. If you scratch the car, the company simply deducts the relevant sum from that blocked deposit.
7. Never buy excess insurance at the desk
Get yourself insured in advance, because insurance at the desk tends to be hugely overpriced. The agents earn commission on it, and for rental companies it’s one of the main ways to make money on you through upselling. As even the UK regulator the CMA warns, desk tactics can be very aggressive. They’ll insist that without their insurance you’re risking enormous debts. Don’t let yourself be manipulated by fear — breathe deeply and decline with a smile if you already have your own cover.
8. Get your own excess insurance in advance (Full Coverage)
Here’s an important point for us travellers from the UK. Standard UK travel insurance usually won’t cover damage to a hire car, and most UK credit cards don’t offer excess cover automatically the way some US cards do. That’s why standalone excess insurance is essentially a necessity, not a luxury. We handle this by always adding “Full Coverage” directly through the comparison site.
This insurance, when you book through DiscoverCars, tends to be far cheaper than the desk version, costing only around £8 a day. MoneySavingExpert has long advised buying excess insurance separately, because at the desk you’ll pay several times over for the same cover. The great thing about it is that it covers the excess for both accidents and theft, and on top of that it includes the things basic insurance excludes — glass, tyres, chassis, roof, mirrors, lost keys and towing. It works as a reimbursement. At the desk they’ll still place the deposit and, in the event of damage, you pay the rental company first, but DiscoverCars refunds you the money once you submit the documents, with claims processed within 28 days.
9. Pay with a credit card in the main driver’s name
It sounds trivial, but I’ve seen more than one traveller in tears because of it. To pick up the car you need a physical credit card issued in exactly the name of the main driver on the booking. A debit card will often be refused at the desk with a smile, or they’ll block an absurdly high amount for an absurdly long time. Prepaid cards like Revolut usually aren’t accepted at all. And one extra tip: when paying or having a hold placed at the terminal, always choose the local currency, never pounds, otherwise you’ll fall victim to so-called dynamic currency conversion (DCC) and the exchange rate will cost you dearly.
On longer routes, your own excess insurance pays off twice over.
Hidden car hire fees to watch out for
Rental companies are masters at dreaming up all sorts of surcharges. If you’re not careful, that originally tempting price will balloon before your eyes, easily by a third or more. Some fees are easy to avoid, others you just have to grit your teeth and accept, but it’s good to know about them in advance so you can work out the real cost. I’ve put together a little table of the most common ones.
Item
Typical extra cost
Our tip
Airport surcharge
10–30% of the price
Pick up the car in the city instead
Full-to-empty fuel
Hidden margin per litre of fuel
Always insist on full-to-full
GPS navigation
~£12 / day
Use your own phone with an offline map
Child seat
£8–12 / day
Airlines often carry yours for free
Second driver
£9–13 / day
If you don’t need to swap, just one of you drives
Young driver (under 25)
£5–35 / day
Can’t be avoided — budget for it
Driver 70+
Various surcharges / restrictions
Check the rules of the specific country
Motorway vignette
Depends on country (e.g. Austria €12.40)
Better to buy it yourself at the border
Cross-border travel
£35–55 one-off
Always declare it in advance and request permission
10. Fuel: always “full-to-full”
The fairest way to handle fuel is the full-tank-on-pick-up, full-tank-on-return system. Some rental companies will try to lure you into a prepaid fuel option (full-to-empty), where you pay for a whole tank up front and return the car empty. It sounds convenient, but any fuel you don’t use isn’t refunded, and especially in the US the rental company’s refuelling rate tends to be several times higher than at a normal petrol station. Fill up yourself and keep the receipt from the last station carefully.
11. Decline GPS, child seats and other add-ons (bring your own)
At the desk they’ll cheerfully offer you sat-nav for around £12 a day. In the age of smartphones, that’s money thrown away for nothing. Lukáš and I always download offline maps to our phones at home and they get us absolutely everywhere. The same goes for a child seat, which costs another £8 to £12 a day, when plenty of airlines let you check in your own child car seat completely free.
12. Watch out for driver fees (young, 70+, second driver)
If you’re under 25, be prepared to pay a young driver surcharge, which in Europe commonly runs at £5 to £35 a day. It can be similar for drivers over 70, and in countries like Greece or Portugal there are even upper age limits. Another popular trap is charging for a second driver. Never let anyone drive who isn’t explicitly named on the agreement, because in the event of an accident your insurance would instantly be void and you’d be paying for the damage entirely out of your own pocket.
13. Sort out vignettes and cross-border travel yourself
When you hire a car registered in the country you’re in, it usually already has the local motorway vignette. But if you’re heading to a neighbouring country, it’s better to buy the vignette yourself once you’re across the border. In Austria, for example, a ten-day one costs around €12.40, which is incomparably cheaper than an add-on package from the rental company. And watch out for the border crossing itself. In some places you’ll pay a fee — in the Balkans even £35 to £55 — but most importantly you must declare that you’re leaving the country and have written permission. Without it you risk seriously hefty penalties.
On our Iceland road trip we ran into one more huge quirk you won’t experience many other places. Standard insurance there doesn’t cover damage from gravel and flying stones on unpaved roads, and certainly not damage caused by sand or volcanic ash. These are arranged separately, and trips into the interior involving river crossings are often strictly forbidden in many cars.
How to fight a bill for damage you didn’t cause
I keep coming across this on travel forums. Loads of people discover after their holiday that they’ve been billed for damage they had no idea about, or they feel they paid for something that was on the car long before they got it. Surveys back this up: being charged for damage you didn’t cause is far from a rarity. The best defence is to be meticulous and behave a little like a detective.
14. Photograph and film the car at pick-up and return
This is your absolute number one defence in any potential dispute, and Lukáš and I take it deadly seriously. Before we drive off the rental car park, I get out my phone and film a smooth video all around the car. I take detailed photos of scratches, the chassis, wheels and glass, including the number plate and ideally the rental company sign in the background. I also photograph the fuel gauge and odometer reading.
When returning the car, I repeat the whole process. Some big rental companies are even rolling out AI scanners these days, which you drive the car through on return and they automatically flag any new marks. But if you spot a defect at pick-up, don’t be lazy about going back to the desk and insist that every scratch is noted in the printed handover report. Back up your photos to the cloud straight away, too, because a damage dispute can land a good month after you’ve returned home.
15. Read reviews of the specific supplier, not just the price
When comparing offers, don’t be dazzled by just that big bold price glowing at the top. On comparison sites you can see each rental company’s customer rating too. We personally steer clear of suppliers with a low rating, even if they’re offering the car for half the price. As a rule, budget brands tend to have far more complaints about fake damage and rude staff than established firms. Those few pounds saved simply aren’t worth the stress on holiday.
Where to go next
If Iceland tempts you as much as it does us, take a look at these two more articles. In one I describe driving and hiring a car on the island itself, and the other will advise you when to actually go. You’ll also find plenty more of our itineraries and road trips on the blog:
From our personal experience, it’s absolutely worth it. The system works by searching offers from both large and small rental companies and finds you options that would otherwise be hard to click through to. We like to compare prices on DiscoverCars.com because it saves us time, the website is in Czech, and we often come across much better prices than when searching directly.
Is DiscoverCars safe and trustworthy?
Definitely yes, on Trustpilot they have 4.6 out of 5 from more than a quarter of a million real reviews. On top of that, they offer 24/7 support and free cancellation up to 48 hours before picking up the car, which works reliably and without any hidden catches.
When is it cheapest to book a car?
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The best strategy is to book your car as soon as you have your flights booked, but make sure you have free cancellation. Then keep monitoring the price developments. If you come across a lower rate, simply cancel your original reservation and make a new one for a better price.
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Do I need excess insurance as a Czech?
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Yes, this is quite specific for us. Our standard Czech travel insurance typically doesn’t cover damage to rental vehicles, and Czech credit cards usually don’t offer this benefit either. Separate excess insurance is thus the only way to avoid losing a high deposit in case of an accident or scratch.
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Is a debit card enough to rent a car?
In most cases, a regular debit card won’t be enough. Rental companies require a classic physical credit card issued in the name of the main driver, on which they’ll block a deposit, which is usually around a thousand dollars, approximately €920. With a debit card, you risk that they won’t give you the car at all or they’ll force you to buy the most expensive insurance possible at the counter.
What is full-to-full fuel?
It’s the fairest fuel policy. It means you pick up the car with a full tank and return it to the rental company with a full tank as well. This way, you only pay for the petrol or diesel you actually used on your trips, and you avoid hidden margins and refueling handling fees.
How to defend against fake damage claims?
The key is to take photos and videos. When picking up the car, make a detailed record from all sides, don’t skip the roof, wheels and windows. Every time, photograph the fuel gauge and mileage. Anything that seems off to you, have it immediately recorded by the rental company employee in the paper handover protocol. Do the same when returning.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRNomad eSIM is a virtual data SIM covering more than 190 countries, with prices from $3.50 per 1 GB, easy QR code activation, and a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot (28,000+ reviews). It’s a solid pick if you’re heading to Asia, the US or Europe and want cheap, fast connectivity (5G/LTE averaging 75 Mbps) without needing a physical SIM or calling — voice only works in the US, Canada and the UK. Nomad offers regional bundles (Europe covering 36 countries, global plans spanning 81–113 countries) and frequent discounts of up to 50%, though the app is English only and loyalty points expire after 6 months. For round-the-clock support or hotspot use, users rate Nomad as one of the most reliable options out there.
If you’re planning a trip abroad and want to stay online without the hassle of hunting down local SIM cards, the Nomad travel eSIM could be exactly what you’re looking for. This provider has quickly earned travellers’ trust thanks to its simple setup, reliable connection and competitive prices. In this review, we’ll look at everything Nomad eSIM offers and whether it’s worth a try.
What is Nomad eSIM: A virtual SIM card for internet abroad with no physical card required
Coverage: More than 190 countries, with regional and global packages
Prices: From $3.50 per 1 GB, often with discounts of up to 50%
Installation: Easy activation via QR code in just a few minutes
Speed: 5G/LTE connection with an average speed of 75 Mbps
Support: 24/7 live chat in English, response within 24 hours
Pros: Low prices, easy to use, hotspot capability, frequent deals
Cons: Data only (no calls/SMS), app in English only, points expire after 6 months
Rating: 4.5/5 on Trustpilot (28,000+ reviews)
Best for: Travellers to Asia, the USA and Europe looking for cheap data
Nomad is a virtual eSIM provider that has been around since 2020. There’s no physical SIM card required – you simply buy a data package online, scan a QR code, and within a few minutes you can be connected to the internet in more than 190 countries around the world.
The whole process is designed to be as simple as possible. After buying a package you receive a QR code, which you scan in your phone’s settings. The eSIM activates automatically once you land in your destination country, or manually via the app depending on the type of package. There’s no complicated setup needed – your phone connects to the local network on its own.
Nomad eSIM review
Who is Nomad eSIM for?
Nomad eSIM will appeal above all to:
digital nomads and frequent travellers who need a reliable connection across different countries,
tourists who don’t want to deal with physical SIM cards in every country,
business travellers who need to stay online for emails, video calls and work apps,
anyone who wants to save on expensive roaming outside the EU.
Thanks to its wide range of packages and a straightforward app, even those who have never used an eSIM before will get on just fine with Nomad.
Coverage and availability
Nomad offers coverage in more than 190 countries and regions. Alongside individual countries, you can also choose regional packages – for example for Europe (36 countries), Asia, North America or the Middle East. There are also global plans that work in 81 to 113 countries, making this one of the best eSIM options for international travel.
A big advantage is that both the website and the app show you not only the list of supported countries, but also which mobile network you’ll connect to and what speed you can expect (5G or 4G/LTE).
Data packages and prices
Nomad offers data packages ranging from 1 GB up to 50 GB, and in selected countries even unlimited data. Most packages are valid for 7 to 30 days, with the occasional annual plan available too.
Example prices:
USA: 1 GB for 7 days at around $4
Europe (36 countries): 5 GB for 30 days at around $12
Thailand: 1 GB for 7 days at $3.50
Global package (81 countries): 20 GB for 365 days at $32
Prices are generally very competitive, especially for Asia, North America and Australia. On top of that, Nomad frequently offers discounts of up to 50%, which you can see right on the homepage or in the app.
TIP: With some packages you can top up extra data on an eSIM you’ve already installed, which also extends its validity without having to reinstall anything.
Easy setup: Activation via QR code takes just a few minutes.
Clear app: Works on both iOS and Android, and makes it easy to track data usage.
Competitive prices: Often cheaper than other providers such as Airalo.
Hotspot support: You can share your internet with other devices.
Fast connection: 5G and LTE in many destinations, with average speeds of around 75 Mbps.
Wide range: A big choice of packages for individual countries and regions.
Frequent discounts: Bonus deals with up to 50% off.
❌ Cons
Data only: Nomad eSIM doesn’t provide a phone number for calls and SMS (with the exception of the USA, Canada and the UK).
App in English only: This can be trickier for those who aren’t confident in English.
Limited regional plans: Some areas, such as the Balkans, are missing from the European package.
Loyalty points expire: Credits you collect are only valid for 6 months.
Activation time limit: You must activate the eSIM within 30 days of purchase.
Weaker coverage in rural areas: The network can be less stable in more remote spots.
User experiences
Nomad has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on more than 28,000 reviews. Users most often praise:
Easy installation and quick activation after landing.
A reliable connection in Europe, the USA, Asia and other destinations.
Good internet speeds (5G where available).
Reasonable prices compared with the competition.
Fast customer support (typically within 24 hours).
Occasional negative comments include dropouts in more remote areas or technical issues during installation, though customer support usually resolved these quickly.
Nomad eSIM review
Reviews on Trustpilot, the App Store and travel forums reveal these recurring patterns:
What people praise:
Fast activation – the eSIM kicks in within a few minutes of landing.
A clear app with high ratings in the app stores.
A stable connection in developed countries thanks to strong partner operators.
Good value for money on larger packages and less aggressive throttling.
What they complain about:
A weaker connection in some countries (Japan comes up repeatedly), depending on the local operator.
Inaccurate usage tracking – the data meter sometimes “freezes”.
Slower problem-solving from support (friendly in tone, but resolution takes time).
Strict refund conditions and impractical top-ups on some plans.
💡 Tip: People recommend Nomad mainly for working online and hotspot use, where stability is valued. For low-key or budget trips, cheaper competitors are often mentioned.
Customer support
Nomad eSIM offers 24/7 live chat, where a chatbot answers you first. If it can’t solve your problem, it passes the request to a real agent. Responses tend to be quick – within a few minutes during working hours, and within a few hours outside them. Support communicates in English, which may be a limitation for some.
Loyalty programme
Nomad eSIM has a loyalty points system, where you earn credits for completing your profile (50 points = $0.50) or referring a friend (500 points = $5). For purchases you receive cashback in the form of additional points.
Heads-up: The points you collect expire after 6 months, which can be a downside for those who don’t travel often.
Travel eSIM comparison with the competition
For a quick overview, we’ve put Nomad side by side with its most common rivals. This is a rough comparison – prices vary by destination and current deals.
Check compatibility: Make sure your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+ and others).
Choose a package: Pick your country and a suitable data plan on the website or in the app.
Pay: By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Install the eSIM: Scan the QR code or enter the details manually.
Activate: Usually automatically once you arrive in your destination country.
Why choose Nomad eSIM?
Final verdict
Nomad eSIM is a reliable and affordable way to stay online while travelling. You’ll especially appreciate its simple operation, wide coverage and frequent discount deals. While it has a few small drawbacks, such as the English-only app or time-limited loyalty points, overall it’s a quality service we’re happy to recommend.
Who Nomad is ideal for: Travellers heading to Asia, North America or Europe who are looking for fast data at a reasonable price.
When to choose a different service: If you need a phone number for calls, longer-term packages or more comprehensive regional coverage.
Prices, coverage and conditions for eSIM services change frequently. The figures in this article are approximate and were verified in June 2026 – always check the current offer directly in the provider’s app before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nomad eSIM?
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Nomad eSIM is a virtual SIM card that allows you to connect to the internet abroad without needing to change your physical SIM card. It works as a digital alternative to a classic SIM and is activated by simply scanning a QR code.
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Is Nomad eSIM a trustworthy provider?
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Yes, Nomad is legitimate and reliable, founded in 2020 by LotusFlare. It has a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot with over 28,000 reviews and is one of the most popular eSIM providers for travelers.
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Which countries does Nomad eSIM work in?
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Nomad offers coverage in more than 190 countries and regions worldwide, including Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Local, regional and global packages are available.
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How is Nomad eSIM activated?
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Most packages activate automatically upon arrival in the destination country as soon as your phone connects to the local network. Some packages require manual activation in the Nomad app. Validity begins from the moment of activation.
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Can I make phone calls and send text messages with Nomad eSIM?
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Nomad eSIM is primarily designed for data connection. Voice calls and SMS are not supported in most countries. The exceptions are the USA, Canada, and Great Britain, where packages including SMS are available.
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Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
TL;DRA 2025 Scotland trip has 30 tips covering Edinburgh and Glasgow, the wild Highlands with Glencoe and Ben Nevis, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the 830-kilometre NC500 route north. May and September are the best months, with pleasant weather and fewer midges biting; 5 to 7 days covers Edinburgh and a taste of the countryside, while a proper road trip needs 10 to 14 days. From 2 April 2025, UK visitors need an electronic UK ETA costing £20. Key spots include Luskentyre beach in the Outer Hebrides, Eilean Donan Castle, the Glenfinnan Viaduct with the Jacobite Steam Train, and the neolithic sites on Orkney.
Scotland is exactly the kind of destination that looks absolutely unbelievable in photos, but the moment you start digging deeper, you realise reality is even a touch more dramatic. A land of rugged Highlands, deep lochs and ancient castles, it draws travellers from all over the world, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. You’ll find everything here, from vibrant cities with an amazing food scene to deserted islands where your only company is sheep and seagulls.
If you’re thinking of heading up to the north of the United Kingdom, I have to flag one crucial thing right at the start, and that’s the weather. Be prepared to experience all four seasons in a single day, so a good waterproof jacket will become your best friend. Always keep a jumper, a t-shirt and ideally a warmer layer on hand, because the weather changes from one minute to the next. Your reward, though, will be views of mist-shrouded mountains and valleys that inspired the makers of films like Harry Potter and James Bond.
So I’ve put together a neat 30 tips on what to see and do, from Edinburgh through the wild Highlands all the way to the northernmost tips where the wind howls and the air smells of the sea. I’ll also throw in advice on how to survive the midges, how to cope with driving on the left, and where to stay so you don’t end up sleeping in a ditch.
Foto: Clément Proust / Pexels
TL;DR
Entry requirement: Since 2 April 2025, EU and many other nationals need a UK ETA electronic travel authorisation to enter the UK; it costs £16 and you apply online via the official app.
When to go: The best months are May and September, when the weather is pleasant and you’ll dodge the worst of the dreaded midges.
Getting around: To explore the Highlands and the islands, hiring a car is practically essential — just remember you drive on the left and rural areas have narrow single-track roads.
How long to stay: The minimum for Edinburgh plus a slice of nature is 5 to 7 days, but for a proper road trip set aside ideally 10 to 14 days.
Book accommodation early: The Isle of Skye and the NC500 route in particular tend to sell out in summer half a year to a year in advance.
Tickets in advance: Seats on the famous Jacobite Steam Train or Loch Ness cruises are worth booking well ahead, easily through GetYourGuide.
When to Visit Scotland and How to Survive the Midges
The weather up north is unpredictable all year round, but if you want the best shot at fine days, the best months to travel are May and September. By then the days are pleasantly long, there are slightly fewer tourists than during the school holidays, and crucially you’ll dodge the worst onslaught of annoying insects. In summer, temperatures do climb to a comfortable 20 degrees and there’s daylight for a good 17 hours a day around late June, but the price you pay is full car parks and ever-present midges 😅.
Those tiny biting flies, the so-called midges, are a nightmare for many travellers. Their season starts in late May and runs into early September, with the absolute peak in July and August, mainly along the west coast and on the islands. They attack most at dawn and dusk, they love damp, still conditions, but fortunately they don’t fly at all once the wind picks up to more than 10 kilometres an hour.
If you travel in summer, you definitely won’t manage without a good local repellent. Standard sprays from home simply don’t work on them, so grab a bottle of Smidge as soon as you arrive, or go for the legendary local tip — Avon Skin So Soft body oil. If you plan to camp or spend most of your time outdoors near the lochs, consider buying a special head net too. It might sound a bit over the top, but pack some light, long-sleeved clothing just in case, because once you live through your first proper midge attack, you’ll be unbelievably grateful for that protection.
Foto: Phil Evenden / Pexels
How to Get There and Getting Around
If you’re travelling from elsewhere in the UK, getting to Scotland couldn’t be simpler. Direct flights to Edinburgh or Glasgow run from cities like London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham with airlines such as British Airways, easyJet and Jet2, and from London the hop takes barely 90 minutes. Outside peak season you can grab return fares from as little as £40 to £90 if you keep an eye on a search engine like Kiwi.com. A handy trick is to book a so-called open-jaw ticket, flying into one city and out of the other, since they’re only about an hour apart by train. If you’d rather go by rail, the LNER and Avanti West Coast trains from London reach Edinburgh and Glasgow in around 4.5 to 5 hours.
You absolutely don’t need a car for getting around the cities, but for exploring the Highlands, the islands and remote beaches, hiring a car is practically essential. The easiest way is to compare all the rental deals and pick the car up right at the airport.
Rental prices for a smaller car hover around £16 to £25 a day, but bear in mind you drive on the left and petrol comes to roughly £1.59 a litre. Out in the countryside you’ll also hit so-called single-track roads, narrow lanes for one car with passing places, where it’s good manners to give way and always thank the other driver with a wave ☺️. Remember that passing places are strictly for letting vehicles past — never use them to park or to take photos of the scenery.
If you don’t fancy driving on the left, you can make use of Scotland’s rather decent ScotRail network, which will carry you through some of the most beautiful scenery. To reach the islands you’ll take the reliable CalMac ferries, though it’s essential to book a car space well in advance. Cheaper Citylink buses run between the cities too, you just need to accept the journey takes noticeably longer.
Foto: Angelo Capitanio / Pexels
Key Update: The Mandatory UK ETA
If you’re a UK resident travelling within Britain, this section won’t apply to you, but it’s worth knowing if you’re inviting friends or family from abroad. Since 2 April 2025, a new requirement applies to all EU citizens and many other nationalities. To enter the United Kingdom, a valid passport is no longer enough — they must arrange an electronic travel authorisation called the UK ETA in advance. It’s not a classic visa, more of a security registration that you may already know from the United States or Canada.
The authorisation costs a fee of £16 and is valid for a full two years, or until the passport expires. During that time the holder can travel to Britain repeatedly, with each visit not exceeding six months. Apply ideally at least three working days before departure, and only through the official UK ETA app or on the gov.uk website.
Be very wary of the various scam sites that try to charge much higher amounts for so-called “processing”. The only correct place is the official UK government website or app. Every single traveller must hold the authorisation, including small children and infants, so don’t forget about this when planning a family trip. Approval itself usually comes through within a few minutes.
Foto: Duna Jbara / Pexels
Where to Stay in Scotland
💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, where the cancellation terms tend to be the best. For tickets, tours and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.
The country is too vast to tour from a single hotel, so you’ll need to split your accommodation into several logical legs. I strongly recommend not leaving bookings to the last minute, because popular regions like the Isle of Skye, Glencoe valley or the NC500 route tend to sell out in the summer months half a year ahead. Book through Booking with free cancellation if you can, so you’ve got a back door if plans change.
If you head for the popular Isle of Skye, the harbour town of Portree makes a great base for day trips. For couples after gorgeous views, the Victorian The Cuillin Hills Hotel is ideal, while sauna and pretty-garden lovers will appreciate the more upmarket The Marmalade Hotel. If you’d rather sleep inland near the mountains, a legendary Highland base with its own brewery is the historic Sligachan Hotel.
In the dramatic Glencoe valley and around Fort William, you can treat yourself to real luxury at the special Glencoe House, which offers huge suites with breathtaking views. Another excellent choice is The Lime Tree in Fort William, home to an award-winning restaurant and gallery, or the conveniently located Highland Home, just a short hop from the famous steam train.
On the iconic Loch Lomond, a pampering night at Cameron House is on offer for special occasions — a vast Gothic mansion right on the shore with its own spa and golf course. Near Inverness you can try the traditional Loch Ness Country House Hotel, and if you set off on the northern NC500 loop, bag a room at the lovely The Castle Hotel in Dornoch or the intimate Mackay’s Rooms in the far north at Durness.
Foto: Clément Proust / Pexels
What to Eat in Scotland (Vegetarians Included)
Scottish cuisine doesn’t do much PR for itself and, honestly, at first glance it doesn’t look all that tempting. But then you tuck into a proper haggis with tatties and neeps and suddenly you understand how people survive the winter here. The absolute staple is, of course, the famous haggis — sheep’s offal cooked with oats inside a stomach lining — but if you don’t eat meat, there’s no need to despair. Vegetarian haggis is completely standard here, you can buy it in an ordinary supermarket, and restaurants serve it with traditional mashed neeps and tatties.
Glasgow is even often dubbed the vegan capital of all Britain, so plant-based food lovers are in for a treat here. Definitely try the cult vegan bar attached to a record shop, Mono, the brilliant gastropub Stereo, or the celebrated bistro Picnic. In Edinburgh, don’t miss the legendary Henderson’s, the more upscale David Bann, or the cosy Harmonium in the Leith district.
Among the classic specialities that contain meat or fish, menus often feature the smoked-fish soup Cullen skink, prized Scottish salmon or Aberdeen Angus steaks. On the meat-free sweet side, treats you can happily indulge in include shortbread butter biscuits, the unbelievably sweet confection tablet, or the traditional dessert cranachan, which blends cream, oats, raspberries and a good slug of whisky. And don’t forget to wash it all down with the luridly orange soft drink Irn-Bru 😁.
Foto: Sue Jones / Pexels
Cities and the Lowlands: 6 Tips on What to See and Do
Let’s take a look together at the southern part of the country, home to the biggest cities and plenty of historic sites. This area is ideal for those travelling without a car, because you can move between the various spots quickly and effortlessly by comfortable trains. The Lowlands are also generally friendlier when it comes to weather, and you’ll only run into pesky midges as a rare exception.
Foto: Saffron Blaze / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
1. Edinburgh: the Capital Steeped in History
Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe, and its historic centre with the castle rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll along the famous Royal Mile, which links the majestic Edinburgh Castle with the royal palace, and don’t miss the hike up the extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat, where you’ll have the whole city laid out at your feet. Be sure to take a quick detour to photogenic Victoria Street, whose colourful shop fronts selling wizarding souvenirs reportedly inspired J. K. Rowling when she created the famous Diagon Alley.
💡 Tip: If you come in August, the city buzzes with the enormous Fringe festival, but expect accommodation to vanish at lightning speed. Definitely buy castle tickets online in advance. You’ll find more details in our article Edinburgh: 31 Tips on What to See and Do.
Foto: Rich Tea / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
2. Glasgow: UNESCO City of Music and Design
Scotland’s biggest city has a completely different vibe from historic Edinburgh — far more industrial, and it boasts the title of UNESCO City of Music with more than 130 gigs a week. The famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born here, and you’ll spot his influence on many buildings, although the renowned Glasgow School of Art is sadly still under reconstruction after a devastating fire.
Don’t miss a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the most-visited British museum outside London, with free entry. Inside this imposing Victorian building you’ll find, among other things, an original painting by Salvador Dalí. You can also visit the transport-themed Riverside Museum or the historic sailing ship Glenlee free of charge. In the evening I recommend dropping by the King Tut’s club, where the band Oasis signed their deal, or simply wandering the streets — the city is also easy to explore on the local subway.
Foto: DeFacto / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
3. Stirling: Key Castles and Battlefields
Stirling is often nicknamed the “gateway to the Highlands”, and some of the most important battles in Scottish history played out here, including William Wallace’s famous victory in 1297. The landmark is the gorgeous Stirling Castle. A ticket costs £18.50, £11 for children, and in summer it opens at 9:30. But for the money, it’s genuinely worth it.
Another big highlight is the National Wallace Monument, a tall tower on a hill that you reach by climbing 246 steps. Entry costs £12.20 and on a clear day you can spot a full seven historic battlefields from the top. If you’re keen on history in depth, stop by the modern visitor centre at the Bannockburn battlefield too, where £11 buys you an interactive 3D recreation of the famous battle.
Just beyond Glasgow lies Scotland’s first national park, founded in 2002, home to Loch Lomond, the largest loch by surface area in all of Britain. Entry to the whole national park is completely free; you only pay for any activities, such as the sightseeing cruises from the town of Balloch or a ride on a historic steamer on neighbouring Loch Katrine.
You can get here from Glasgow on a direct train to Balloch station in under 50 minutes, so you don’t even need your own car. 💡 Tip: If you enjoy hiking, definitely climb Conic Hill above the little village of Balmaha. The walk takes about two to three hours there and back and rewards you with possibly the best panoramic views of the entire loch, dotted with little islands.
Foto: Steven Straiton / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
5. The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel
Just off the route between Edinburgh and Glasgow you’ll find two utterly unique modern structures that are well worth a quick stop. The Kelpies are two enormous, 30-metre-high steel horse heads that represent mythical water spirits and are the largest equine sculptures in the world. The Helix Park where they stand is free to enter; the only paid bit is a tour inside the sculptures for £8.50.
Just a few kilometres away sits the Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift in the world, elegantly connecting two canals with an enormous difference in height. You can walk around the site for free, but if you want to experience the rotation itself aboard a boat, a ticket for the roughly hour-long ride costs £17.95. Both spots are at their most photogenic in the early evening, when they’re beautifully lit.
Foto: KPapageorgiou / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
6. St Andrews: the Home of Golf and a University
The picturesque university town on the coast of the Fife bay is world-famous as the absolute home of golf. A round on the legendary Old Course costs £355 in peak season, but if you don’t play golf you can walk the course on a Sunday, when it’s closed to play and serves as a public park, completely free of charge — including the obligatory photo on the famous Swilcan Bridge.
Beyond golf, you’ll find Scotland’s oldest university, dating from 1413, where, incidentally, Prince William and Kate met, plus the ruins of St Andrews Castle with admission of £11. The castle sits right on a coastal cliff and conceals a unique historic mine tunnel you can even venture into. The lovely sandy West Sands beach, which you might recognise from the opening scene of the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, is also worth a walk. From Edinburgh you can reach St Andrews by train to Leuchars station and a short bus ride after, taking about an hour and a half.
Foto: Nunzio Guerrera / Pexels
Highlands and Lochs: 11 Tips for Nature Lovers
Here you enter a landscape where the roads hug the water for so long you stop counting the miles, and where every bend reveals a view that forces you to stop and just stare. In this part you’ll find it pretty hard to get around without a car, but in return you’ll experience the real, untamed Scottish wilderness you’ve been looking forward to all along.
Foto: Andrew Abbott / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
7. Pitlochry and Perthshire
The little town of Pitlochry serves as a popular gateway to the central Highlands and sits in the wooded region of Perthshire, known in autumn as Big Tree Country. Be sure to stop at the Queen’s View lookout for the iconic vista over Loch Tummel, and take a short walk along the dramatic Killiecrankie gorge, the scene of yet another bloody battle in the past.
This area is also a great place for your first introduction to whisky-making, because right around Pitlochry you’ll find the traditional Blair Athol distillery and also Edradour, which boasts the title of one of the smallest distilleries in all of Scotland. The town is also beautifully accessible by train on the main route from Edinburgh heading north, so you can make a stop here even when travelling without a car.
Foto: Billyshiverstick / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
8. Glencoe — the Most Dramatic Valley
If you only had time to see one single spot in Scotland, the Glencoe valley would be a hot favourite, because the sheer majesty of the mountains along the A82 road simply blows you away. The best-known scene is the massif called the Three Sisters, beneath which lurks a dark history, because it was right here, in 1692, that the infamous massacre of the MacDonald clan took place. The entire valley, meanwhile, is completely free to access.
For hiking lovers, the roughly four-kilometre trek to the so-called Hidden Valley, or Lost Valley, is an absolute must — it was once a hiding place for stolen cattle. Expect the walk to take about three hours, with occasional scrambling using your hands and a small river crossing along the way. 💡 Tip: Arrive as early in the morning as you can, and you’ll dodge not only the crowds but often also catch that gorgeous morning mist that gives the place its proper atmosphere.
Foto: Tim Glover / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
9. Fort William and Climbing Ben Nevis
The town of Fort William sits on the shore of a sea loch and rightly claims the title of the UK’s outdoor capital, serving as the starting point for the famous long-distance West Highland Way. The main draw, though, is the highest mountain in the whole kingdom, the majestic Ben Nevis, which rises to 1,345 metres above sea level and attracts thousands of eager walkers every year.
The ascent follows the so-called Mountain Track, a roughly 16.5-kilometre round trip with 1,300 metres of elevation gain that will take you a solid 8 to 9 hours. It’s a physically very demanding route, with freezing temperatures and mist common at the summit even in midsummer, so mountain gear is an absolute necessity. Stick to the path religiously, because the summit plateau is trickier than it looks in poor visibility.
Foto: Eric Kilby / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
10. Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Jacobite Steam Train
Who doesn’t know the famous bridge the Hogwarts Express thunders across every year in the Harry Potter films? This 21-arch viaduct from 1901 spans the valley above Loch Shiel, and in summer the historic Jacobite steam train crosses it twice a day, running the route from Fort William to the port of Mallaig. From the viewpoint below the bridge you can photograph the whole spectacle completely free — you only pay £3.50 for parking.
If you want to ride the historic train itself, a standard return ticket costs £76, with first class at £116 and a child ticket at £43. Only return tickets are sold and, thanks to the enormous demand, booking is essential as much as 12 weeks ahead, because the train sells out at lightning speed. 💡 Tip: Ordinary ScotRail trains run the exact same route with identical views for a fraction of the price — you just won’t get that stylish puff of steam from the chimney 😅.
Foto: Richard West / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
11. West Highland Line: the Most Beautiful Rail Journey
Since we’re on the subject of trains, the West Highland Line regularly ranks among the most beautiful railway lines in the entire world. This line begins in Glasgow and stretches across wild Rannoch Moor to the west coast, splitting at one point — one branch ends at the port of Oban, the other runs through the Glencoe valley and the Glenfinnan viaduct all the way to Mallaig.
It’s an absolutely fantastic alternative to hiring a car, letting you soak up the scenery without the stress of narrow lanes. The journey from Glasgow to coastal Mallaig takes about five and a half hours, and you can buy a ticket with ScotRail from £45.70, while the shorter option to Oban starts at £32.20. Along the way you can also feast your eyes on pristine nature that no road can reach.
Foto: Eusebius / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
12. Loch Ness and the Ruins of Urquhart Castle
Scotland’s most famous loch, Loch Ness, may not be the most beautiful, but it holds by far the most water of any British loch — up to 230 metres deep — and was, of course, made famous by the legend of the mythical monster Nessie. Right on the shore stands the romantic ruin of Urquhart Castle, where a ticket bought online costs £14, while on the day you’ll pay two pounds more.
A very popular way to see the loch is on a boat trip, with the best-known being the Jacobite Freedom cruise at £33, which includes two hours on the water and entry to the castle itself. If you’re interested in the history of hunting for the monster, the nearby town of Drumnadrochit hosts the modern Loch Ness Centre exhibition, with admission at £17, where a gripping multimedia tour walks you through the history of the searches and mysteries. You can even see the equipment scientists used to scan the loch bed. 💡 Tip: Arrive at the castle right at opening time, because from eleven o’clock the place fills with coach tours from Edinburgh.
Foto: Lucas Kendall / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lukáš and Lucie recommend
Where to Stay in Scotland
6 accommodations — hotels, wellness hotels and other lodging options
Inverness sits at the northern end of Loch Ness and serves as the cultural and administrative centre of the whole Highlands region. It’s a perfect, surprisingly calm base for exploring northern Scotland, and also the official start and finish point of the famous NC500 route. The River Ness flows through the city and you’ll find plenty of pleasant cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops.
A big draw will be the newly refurbished Inverness Castle, whose huge interior exhibition reopens to travellers on 10 December 2025 after a multi-year break. The city also has excellent transport links with the rest of the country — a direct train from Edinburgh gets you here in about three and a half hours, and roughly three from Glasgow.
Foto: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
14. Culloden: a Battlefield Full of Emotion
Just beyond the edge of Inverness lies one of the most important and saddest places in Scottish history, the ominous Culloden moor. It was right here, in 1746, that the last battle on British soil took place, marking the definitive and bloody end of the entire Jacobite rising. For fans of the popular series Outlander, this place is an absolute must.
Today you’ll find a deeply atmospheric battlefield you can walk through, and a modern visitor centre run by the National Trust. The interactive exhibition tour helps you grasp the complex story of the clans and the politics of the time, while the place itself leaves you with a hard-to-describe but very powerful impression.
Foto: Colin Park / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
15. Cairngorms National Park and Wild Reindeer
While most tourists head for Loch Ness or the west coast, the enormous Cairngorms National Park offers a completely different type of landscape. It’s the largest national park in the entire United Kingdom, covering over 4,500 square kilometres, home to remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest and dozens of mountains topping three thousand feet, the so-called Munros.
The great news is that since 27 February 2025 the Cairngorm Funicular mountain railway is running again after a long closure, whisking you up to Britain’s highest restaurant at an altitude of 1,097 metres for £17.95. Don’t miss a visit to the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd either, the only free-ranging herd of reindeer in the isles. A special expedition to see them costs £20, but you can’t book in advance, so you’ll need to arrive early enough in the morning.
Foto: my friend, Y. Kohno / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
16. The Speyside Malt Whisky Trail
Scotland and whisky go hand in hand, and the Moray Speyside region east of Inverness is home to more than half of all the working distilleries in the country. You’ll find here the only signposted distillery trail in the world, the so-called Malt Whisky Trail, which runs for around 100 kilometres and links nine unique sites rich in history and fragrant warehouses full of casks.
Among the best known is a tour of the family-run Glenfiddich distillery, where the basic tour costs £30, while the visitor centre with its exhibition is free. If you’re after luxury, you can pre-book a tour of the architecturally stunning The Macallan building, where prices hover around £250. 💡 Tip: If you’re driving, never get behind the wheel after a tasting — distilleries are prepared for this and will happily pack drivers a so-called “driver’s pack” with samples to take away for the evening.
Foto: Diliff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
17. Eilean Donan Castle: the Fairytale Castle from the Films
Travelling from central Scotland towards the Isle of Skye, about 15 minutes before the bridge you’ll hit a spot you simply can’t drive past. Eilean Donan is probably the castle you know from a thousand Pinterest photos, even if you don’t realise it. It sits on a tiny island in Loch Duich, linked to the mainland by a romantic stone bridge. It has starred in films like Highlander and the Bond film The World Is Not Enough.
Entry to the interior exhibitions costs £13 for an adult and tickets can only be bought on site, so there’s no online presale. If you want to save money and time, though, the most beautiful photos are taken from outside, from the shores of the loch — which is, of course, completely free. The best light tends to be at dusk, and at high tide the castle looks as though it’s floating right on the water.
Foto: Pixabay / Pexels
Isle of Skye and Other Islands: 8 Day-Trip Tips
Scotland’s west coast is lined with hundreds of islands, some deserted, others offering the most iconic natural wonders in all of Europe. If you have the time, definitely build at least one of them into your itinerary. Just remember that apart from the Isle of Skye, reached by a free bridge, you have to hop between all the others by ferry, which tends to be very busy.
Foto: Klaus with K / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
18. Isle of Skye: the Magical Old Man of Storr
The Isle of Skye is without doubt the biggest star among Scotland’s islands, and a visit is simply a sure bet. Its absolute landmark is the Old Man of Storr, a roughly 50-metre-high rock pinnacle rising on the Trotternish peninsula and watching over the surrounding area. You reach the island, by the way, across the Skye Bridge completely free, since the old toll was scrapped back in 2004.
The walk to the rock and back is just under 4 kilometres, and the climb, including photos, will take you about two to three hours, so brace yourself for fairly steep steps and elevation gain. The car park beneath the hill is paid, costing £6 for six hours, and in peak season it fills up by around 9:30 in the morning, so be sure to get up early so you don’t have to park kilometres away on a narrow verge.
Foto: Stefan Krause, Germany / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
19. Isle of Skye: Quiraing, Neist Point and Portree
A little north of the Storr you’ll find the Quiraing, a spectacular landslip full of needles, cliffs and hidden plateaus. The full loop is almost 7 kilometres, takes up to four hours and involves some light scrambling, so only set off here in genuinely good, clear weather. At the opposite, westernmost tip of the island sits Neist Point with its lighthouse from 1909, hands down the best spot for watching the sunset.
The ideal base for all these excursions is the picturesque harbour of Portree, with just under 2,300 residents, recognisable by the row of colourful houses lining the bay. You’ll find a large supermarket, a petrol station and plenty of great cafés where you can warm up nicely after a demanding day on the windswept cliffs.
Foto: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
20. Isle of Skye: Swimming in the Fairy Pools
If you don’t mind a bit of icy water, head to the south of the island beneath the majestic Cuillins into Glen Brittle. The Fairy Pools are cascades of gorgeous blue-green pools and little waterfalls on a mountain stream, practically begging you to take a wild swim, which is very popular here and completely free. The route from the car park to the pools is about 2.4 kilometres and it’s an easy walk suitable even for families with kids.
Parking at the Fairy Pools costs £6 for the whole day, and overall, to explore all the island’s wonders, set aside ideally two to three full days. The attractions are scattered at opposite ends of the island and getting around on the local single-track roads is fairly slow. If you’d rather not take the bridge, you can also reach the island by ferry from Mallaig to the port of Armadale for £13.25 per car, but booking is an absolute must.
Foto: Virtual-Pano / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
21. Oban: the Bustling Gateway to the Islands
The town of Oban on the mainland serves as the main transport hub for those heading to the Hebrides, and the atmosphere here is incredibly lively. The town’s landmark is the curious circular structure McCaig’s Tower, which looks a little like Rome’s Colosseum and offers wonderful views over the whole bay. Be sure to stroll along the harbour and soak up that typical seafaring bustle.
From the harbour, the large yellow-and-black CalMac ferries sail daily, carrying tourists and locals alike to the surrounding islands. Oban is a great overnight stop if you’ve got an early-morning ferry ticket for the next day, and it’s also easily reached on the gorgeous West Highland Line directly from Glasgow.
Foto: Roger D Kidd / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
22. Isle of Mull, Sacred Iona and the Cave on Staffa
This trio of so-called Inner Hebrides makes for a fantastic full-day trip from Oban that you can manage even without a car. Mull welcomes you with the colourful harbour of Tobermory and wild nature, while tiny Iona is the cradle of Scottish Christianity, home to the famous Iona Abbey with admission of £10. What’s more, ordinary tourists’ cars aren’t allowed on Iona at all, so a perfect calm reigns there.
The real jewel, though, is the uninhabited island of Staffa with its iconic Fingal’s Cave, formed by perfect hexagonal basalt columns that once inspired the composer Mendelssohn. Boat trips from the port of Fionnphort cost around £45 and the whole season runs from roughly April to the end of October. 💡 Tip: If you can, don’t plan your Staffa trip for the very last day of your holiday, because the boats are often cancelled at the last minute due to high waves.
Foto: Adam Forsyth / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
23. The Outer Hebrides and Luskentyre Beach
If you long for total isolation and beaches that look Caribbean — until the water temperature quickly reminds you that you’re still in Britain — head for the Outer Hebrides. The twin island of Lewis and Harris offers completely unspoilt nature and is home to Luskentyre beach, which regularly ranks among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The white sand and turquoise water are free.
This area is also the origin of the famous protected woollen cloth Harris Tweed, which you’ll recognise by its Orb trademark, and where you can pick up the very finest souvenir. You can reach the Outer Hebrides by ferry from Uig on the Isle of Skye or from Ullapool in the north, with the crossing taking from just under two to two and a half hours. A curiosity is the neighbouring island of Barra, home to the only commercial airport in the world where planes land directly on the beach.
Foto: Bill Henderson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
24. Orkney: a Journey into the Neolithic
The Orkney archipelago at the very north of the country is a paradise for all lovers of ancient history, because you’ll find some of the oldest prehistoric monuments in all of Europe. The main draw is the UNESCO-listed group of sites known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which includes the five-thousand-year-old village of Skara Brae, older than the Egyptian pyramids, with an online ticket costing £14.
A huge bonus is that the famous stone circles Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness can be visited completely free and with no opening hours. From the mainland you can get here by ferry from Scrabster, or the cheaper option from Gills Bay, taking about an hour and a half. I recommend setting aside at least two days to explore the islands, and if you want perfect photos, head to the stone circles early in the morning at sunrise.
Foto: Valaskin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
25. Isle of Arran: Scotland in Miniature
The Isle of Arran lies just off the west coast near Glasgow and is often nicknamed “Scotland in miniature”, because in a small area you’ll find absolutely everything. In the north rise rugged mountain peaks crowned by the highest summit, Goat Fell, while in the south you can stroll along quiet sandy beaches. It’s an ideal destination if you don’t have time to go all the way up to the far north but still want to experience an island vibe.
The main attractions include the beautiful Brodick Castle with its sprawling gardens and also the local Arran Distillery. Getting to the island is very easy — just travel to the port of Ardrossan (easily by direct train from Glasgow) and hop on the ferry, which carries you to the village of Brodick in under an hour.
Foto: Clément Proust / Pexels
The North Coast and NC500: 5 Tips for an Epic Road Trip
The northern edge of Britain was overlooked for a long time, but with the arrival of the NC500 route it has become a massive hit. This area is wild, windy, almost treeless and unbelievably beautiful. Definitely don’t head up here, though, unless you’ve got enough time, because rushing along the narrow lanes without stopping would be a tremendous shame.
Foto: Scottish Government / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
26. NC500 (North Coast 500): the Scottish Route 66
The official tourist route named the North Coast 500 measures exactly 516 miles, around 830 kilometres, and runs around the entire northern coast. This loop starts and finishes in the city of Inverness and takes you through the most remote regions like Wester Ross, Assynt and Sutherland. You’ll see enormous cliffs, the deep sea cave of Smoo Cave and the northernmost point of the mainland, John o’ Groats.
If you want to drive the route at a truly relaxed pace, I recommend setting aside at least 5 to 7 full days and not trying to break any speed records. The best months for this expedition are April, May or September, when there are fewer campervans on the narrow roads and the biting midges give you a miss. Locals recommend driving the whole loop clockwise.
Foto: Peter Jeffery / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
27. Bealach na Bà and Applecross
Right at the start of the NC500 route a genuine driving test awaits you, the mountain pass of Bealach na Bà. It’s the steepest road climb in all of Great Britain, rising from sea level to an altitude of 626 metres, via wild single-track hairpins that resemble Alpine roads more than British ones.
The road brings you to the remote Applecross peninsula, from where, on a clear day, there are gorgeous views all the way to the Isle of Skye. A stern warning applies to drivers of large motorhomes and caravans, for whom this road is officially not recommended, because they could easily get stuck in the sharp bends. If you want to enjoy the drive without the nerves, set off early in the morning before the convoy of other tourists hits the road.
Foto: Dunrobin_Castle_-Sutherland_-Scotland-26May2008.jpg: jack_sp / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
28. Dunrobin Castle: a Fairytale on the East Coast
While most castles in Scotland feel fairly rugged and defensive, Dunrobin Castle in the Sutherland region looks as though it dropped in straight from France. This incredibly photogenic castle boasts hundreds of rooms, white turrets and gorgeous symmetrical gardens inspired by Versailles, which slope right down to the sea coast.
The castle sits right on the NC500 route and besides a stroll through the interiors, it offers fantastic summer falconry displays on the lawns. It’s a pleasant and very elegant stop before you plunge back into the wild, untamed nature of the north coast.
Foto: Mimihitam / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
29. Dunnottar Castle and Dramatic Cliffs
If you travel along the east coast towards Aberdeen, definitely make a stop near the town of Stonehaven, home to one of the most striking ruins in the country. Dunnottar Castle is a dramatic fortress built on a rocky headland about 50 metres above the churning sea, where, incidentally, the Scottish crown jewels were hidden in the 17th century, and the castle also featured in the 1990 film Hamlet.
Entry to this private castle costs £13.50 and it’s open from April to the end of September, nine to six, but beware, in strong winds the site closes for safety reasons. From nearby Stonehaven you can walk here in about forty-five minutes along a gorgeous cliff path, from which, by the way, you’ll capture the best and most dramatic silhouette of the castle for your photos.
Foto: Daniel Kraft / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
30. Aberdeen and Royal Balmoral in the Deeside Region
Scotland’s third-largest city, Aberdeen, is often called the “Granite City”, because most of its historic buildings are built from the typically grey stone that sparkles beautifully in the sun. Just outside the city begins the picturesque Royal Deeside valley, beloved by Queen Victoria and home to Balmoral Castle, which to this day serves as the summer residence of the British royal family and where Elizabeth II died in 2022.
The beautiful gardens are open to the public in season from 28 March to 9 August 2026, with admission at £18.50. An absolute novelty since last year are the limited tours of the castle’s interior rooms themselves, costing £110 per person, running in groups of no more than twelve people and selling out practically the moment they go on sale, so if you’re interested, you’ll have to be very quick.
Foto: Neil Aitkenhead / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Where to Go Next from Scotland
If you’re planning a wider trip around Great Britain and looking for inspiration for an exact schedule, definitely take a look at our detailed article Scotland Road Trip: a 7–10 Day Itinerary, where you’ll find the whole route laid out step by step. For the journey back south, I warmly recommend a stop in the capital, which the guide London: 56+ Tips on What to See and Do + Map will help you with.
And if you want to spend more time exploring the Scottish capital itself, which definitely deserves more than a single afternoon, you’ll uncover all the useful info and hidden corners in the article Edinburgh: 31 Tips on What to See and Do.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your trip and still puzzling over a few practical things? Here I’ve gathered answers to the most common questions, which will definitely help you prepare for your Scottish adventure.
What is a UK ETA and will I need one?
Yes, from April 2, 2025, all EU citizens need an electronic travel authorization called UK ETA to enter the UK. The application costs £20 (approximately €23), is processed exclusively through the official app, and the authorization is valid for two years for multiple entries. You must apply at least three working days in advance, and the requirement applies to small children as well. It’s therefore worth sorting everything out well in advance, even a few weeks before your planned departure, to avoid unnecessary stress.
When is the best time to visit in terms of midges?
Midges are most active from late May to early September, with the absolute peak in July and August on the west coast and islands. If you want to avoid them while still having a chance of nice weather, May or September are ideal months. Buy Smidge repellent or Avon Skin So Soft oil as soon as you arrive.
Do I absolutely need a car for traveling around Scotland?
Do big cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and even places like Pitlochry or Inverness you can comfortably get by reliable trains. But if you want to explore the wild nature, remote islands like Skye or drive the northern NC500 route, renting your own car is practically essential.
Is driving on the left side challenging in Scotland?
The first few hours require great concentration and ideally a navigator in the passenger seat, but you’ll get used to it surprisingly quickly. In the countryside, a special feature are the so-called single-track roads, meaning single-lane roads with passing places, where the courtesy rule is to give way and say thank you. Never park in passing places and don’t leave your car there overnight. Local police fine this very strictly and, most importantly, you’ll be blocking the way for farmers with tractors and ambulances. And remember that right of way is handled a bit differently here – at roundabouts you always give way to vehicles already on the roundabout coming from the right.
Do I need to book attractions and accommodation in advance?
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During the main summer season, absolutely essential. Accommodation on the Isle of Skye or along the NC500 route tends to be sold out six to twelve months in advance. Similarly, tickets for the famous Jacobite steam train or cruises on Loch Ness disappear months ahead. I highly recommend buying popular tours online in advance and booking accommodation through Booking with free cancellation option.
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What to pack for the trip?
The key is layering. Even in the middle of summer, you’ll appreciate quality functional underwear, a fleece jacket, and especially a waterproof jacket and trousers. Better leave your umbrella at home, as it’ll be useless in the strong Scottish wind. Don’t forget sturdy, ideally ankle-high waterproof boots for nature hikes and a British-type plug adapter so you can charge all your devices.
What should vegetarians eat in Scotland?
You definitely won’t go hungry, because even in the smallest villages they cater for meat-free options. Traditional haggis is nowadays quite commonly made in a vegetarian version and you’ll find it on many menus. Moreover, the city of Glasgow is considered the vegan capital of Britain with establishments like Mono or Stereo.
Do I need euros in Scotland, or do I have to exchange money?
The pound is what you’ll need in Scotland, as British pounds (£) are the official currency. Scottish banks also print their own banknotes, which are valid throughout the United Kingdom, though they’re sometimes accepted rather reluctantly in England. Fortunately, these days you can pay for the vast majority of things from petrol to coffee without any problems using a payment card or Apple Pay.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
