Travel

Colorful boats drifting down scenic canals. Enormous Pyramids built by an ancient civilization. Bustling markets filled with handmade treasures. Mexico City is a sprawling wonderland filled with both old and new, hidden spots, and with a cultural identity uniquely its own. And on this 5-day Mexico City Itinerary, you will get a taste (literally) of what it has to offer!

Psst: Planning a trip to Central America? Here are some other helpful posts:

5-day Mexico City Itinerary FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Mexico City, called “Ciudad de Mexico” in Spanish (CDMX for short):

Is Mexico City Safe?

Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, sprawling over 573 square miles and hosting 16,000 people per square mile. Like any large city, Mexico City has areas that are more tourist-friendly than others. This Mexico City Itinerary will be in areas that are generally safe, but like anywhere you go it’s important to keep your wits about you and an eye on your belongings!

Where I stayed in Condesa I felt completely safe my entire trip. I walked around with my friends in Parque México late at night, had midnight tacos after Lucha Libre, and took Ubers back to my place. It’s a relatively safe city!

When’s the Best Time to go to Mexico City?

When I visited Mexico City in early April the temperature fluctuated between the mid 50s to the mid 80s, making for cool and comfortable mornings and evenings and warm afternoons. The city itself has plenty of trees, providing shade in the dry heat.

Since Mexico City is in a desert climate, the temperatures don’t vary extremely like other hotter parts of the country. Year-round you can expect the temperature to be mid-40s to mid-to-high-70s, while in April/May the temperature can get into the low 80s. Since April is one of the “hottest” months, it’s great for this itinerary.

How Do I Get To Mexico City?

Flying will be your best bet to get to Mexico City, unless you live close by in which case you’re probably not using this itinerary! 

Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is the main airport of Mexico City and it’s easy to get to where you’ll be staying for this itinerary from here. All you’ll need is an Uber!

How Do I Get Around Mexico City?

Mexico City has a complex system of buses and subways that are all extremely cheap options, but honestly, since you’ll only be here for about a week I’d recommend Uber in most cases. Taking an Uber in Mexico City is also very cheap – in most cases $5-10 USD.

There are longer excursions on this itinerary that are more costly, but I find the price of Uber outweighs the value of the time it takes to take public transportation versus a car (public transit can also get pretty crowded). Most things in Mexico City are pretty inexpensive so it’s still a very budget-friendly option.

Can I Drink the Water in Mexico City?

Water from the tap in Mexico City is non-potable, though it is completely safe to brush your teeth with, take a shower, etc, as long as you’re not gulping it down.

If you’re staying somewhere that does not have a filter on the sink, you can easily buy a garrafón, a big jug of water that holds 20 liters (which is over 5 gallons) from a convenience store like 7-Eleven or Oxxo. You can also buy bottled water of course, but buying a garrafón will last longer and save on plastic waste (you can also re-fill your plastic bottle from your garrafón).

Most restaurants will serve filtered water/ice, so you shouldn’t worry much when going out to eat since even Mexican residents don’t drink the tap water. Some street food vendors will use tap water to make ice however to skimp on costs, so just use your intuition when buying from them.

What about the Elevation and Air Quality?

Mexico City is at 7,349′ elevation, which as someone from Kentucky who is at sea level, is about 7000 feet higher!

If you’re not used to higher elevations, you may feel the effects of the lower oxygen levels at this height, even if you don’t in the first few days. I experience some light-headedness and higher blood pressure by the end of the week there, so keep an eye on symptoms and don’t push yourself too hard.

Mexico City has so many people and industries that emissions are very high in Mexico City, even with the implementations on what day of the week certain drivers can be on the road. 

During my stay, air quality was between poor and very poor, so just be wary this may contribute to how you feel in the city as well.  

Is Mexico City Sinking? Is it running out of water?

Yes, Mexico City is sinking about 20 inches per year. This is because most water in Mexico City is pumped from underground, compacting the land, and the Spanish colonizers drained Lake Texcoco, which was the home of the Aztec city Tenochtitlán, and built a city on top of it… 

And yes, Mexico City is also running out of water. The reliance on underground water, and the fact that the city was literally built over a water supply has caused water shortages in the city. It’s a complicated situation, which may affect how you approach Mexico City as a tourist. Being extra vigilant with your water usage is recommended when visit.

Do I need to Know Spanish?

Spanish is extremely important and helpful in Mexico City, even a little bit. If you don’t speak Spanish, expect Google Translate to be your best friend and be aware you will have some lost in translation moments.

Though it’s a big city, I’d say only about 20% of the people I spoke to spoke English to some degree. Getting something like this Lonely Planet Mexican Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary is great to study ahead of time, but in the moment Google Translate is probably still your best bet.

Here are a few words and phrases that I came across a lot on my trip:

• Listo – This means “ready”. It can be used as a question from someone to you (“ready to order?”) or as a statement (“I’m ready”).
• Todo Bien – “All good.” This is a great response if your server is checking on you and you don’t need anything else.
• Basic greetings like “Buenas días”, “Buenas Tardes”  and “Buenas Noches”.

How Do I Get Pesos?

Pesos are not something you need to bring with you to Mexico City, rather you can get them out of an ATM with your debit card (avoid the airport as the rates will be higher).

If you have a debit card that reimburses fees, amazing, if not just make sure no machine charges you over 20-30 Pesos to get cash out (which is under $2 USD), such as Citibanamex. BBVA bank has a really high fee for some reason (about $12), so avoid these ATMs.

Also, most ATMs will ask you if you want to accept the conversion rate once you’ve put in the amount you want, and you will always DECLINE this. The ATM will do this automatically, so if you accept it will do it twice and it will charge you more. It tricks you into thinking you need to accept this to get your cash, but you do not and should not accept it.

In most cases, you will not need Pesos in Mexico, but they’re good to have if you want to haggle on souvenirs, make small purchases, and in case some places are cash only.

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary

Now that you have that info under your belt, let’s dive into the 5-Day Mexico City Itinerary! It is important to note this itinerary is 5 full days, not including arrival and departure days.

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Arrival Day, Monday

• Today you’ll be arriving in Mexico City!

Today you’ll be flying into Mexico City Airport, also called Benito Juárez International Airport, and checking into your place for the week in the fabulous and walkable neighborhood of Condesa (where to stay recommendations are at the bottom of this article).

This day is all about getting your bearings and exploring Condesa, which is a stunning, low-key neighborhood with lots of amazing restaurants, shops and bars. Not to mention lots of trees and beautiful, tropical plants, like the ones you can find in Parque México.

Parque México was originally part of the hacienda of the Countess (Condesa) of Miravalle where it was used as a horserace track, but was later developed into a park. Today it is the Art Deco jewel of the neighborhood, with a huge plaza (Foro Lindbergh) with a statue of a naked woman called the “Fountain of the Jugs” out front (which I assume is a reference to the actual jugs in her hands).

This park is a great place to walk around and bask in the feeling of Mexican culture – people walking their dogs, roller skating and working out in the plaza, and even dancing into the night. This is a great, safe neighborhood to walk around even as it gets later!

For your first meal in Mexico, check out Tortas Al Fuego, a little hole in the wall which was the first place I ate after my 9-hour excursion to get to the city. Let’s just say, the Tacos Al Pastor I ordered tasted real good after not eating that long, but they were also just excellent. Have this with a Michelada (a cerveza with spices and lime and salt on the rim) or my favorite, a Chelada (a cerveza with just lime juice) and you’ll be in absolute heaven.

Needless to say, their main claim to fame are tortas (a Mexican sandwich), so don’t shy away from trying their mainstay. With all my restaurant suggestions – order what speaks to you! Also Mexico City has thousands of affordable and unique places to eat, so let Google Maps be your guide!

For the rest of the evening, walk around the park, check out local bars, or just go back to your room and crash. You have a big week ahead of you!

Day 1 Summary:

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 1, Tuesday 

• Today you’ll be visiting some of the cultural attractions of Mexico City, such as the Anthropology Museum or Chapultepec Castle and Frida Kahlo Museum!

This morning you’ll be starting your day by having breakfast at Chilpa, which is famous for their chilaquiles! Chilaquiles are a Mexican breakfast staple with fried tortilla chips, salsa, and fried eggs, and lucky for you, Chilpa has a create your own Chilaquiles menu meaning you can have exactly what you want! 

You’ll choose cheese or eggs (or both), what kind of salsa, protein, veggies, etc. until you’ve made your own epic creation. The small portion is still very large, so it’ll fill you up for the day – if you can finish it! The dish is both light with its citrusy flavors and filling in its sheer portion size. It was honestly love at first bite for me!

Visit a Museum in Chapultepec Park

Once you have breakfast, head to Chapultepec Park, which is a cultural oasis in the middle of the city that is the oldest urban park in Latin America, with vestiges of a pre-Hispanic aqueduct created by the Aztecs and even a mural by Diego Rivera. The park itself is sprawling at over 1700 acres, with a zoo, plenty of museums, and even an amusement park within its foliage. The park has somewhat of a circus feel, with plenty of vendors selling candy and souvenirs and plenty of families and tourists wandering among the winding paths.

This morning you can choose between two historical museums to visit, as you’ll be traveling to another part of town for your afternoon activity! The two I recommend are:

• Museo Nacional de Antropología – This is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico, so you won’t necessarily be able to see it all this morning! The largest collection is that of the Aztec artifacts, which include the famous Aztec sun stone. In the courtyard, there is a nearly 100-foot-tall water feature called “the umbrella” which to me looks like a giant mushroom that spills water below. 
• Chapultepec Castle – Perched on the top of Chapultepec Hill, Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez started construction on this castle in 1785, though it was originally a sacred space of the Aztec people. Since its construction, it’s been home to a president, a military college, an Emperor and eventually a museum which opened in 1939. Today you can learn about the Mexican War of Independence through various galleries, check out enormous murals and stained glass pieces, and peruse the formal gardens.

Head to Coyoacán and the Frida Kahlo Museum

After checking out Chapultepec Park, it’s time to head to Coyoacán, which is about a 30-minute ride-share journey. Coyoacán means “place of Coyotes” and features over five centuries of architecture. Basically, Mexico City swallowed up this historic borough and it’s like stepping back in time – colorful buildings, markets, enormous churches and of course, the Frida Kahlo Museum.

Before you explore the neighborhood too deeply, pop into Coyoacán Market for a quick and cheap lunch! You’ll find food stalls in the middle of the market, with food made right in front of you. I had quesadillas at Huaraches Y Quesadillas Carmelita, which were delicious and a fast way to grab a bite, but check out any stand that appeals to you. See where locals are eating – that’s how we made our choice!

After you get food, head to the Frida Kahlo Museum, which is about a seven-minute walk from the market. You will need to reserve tickets in advance for the museum for an allotted time (3pm or so should be a safe time to book a ticket). 

The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the La Casa Azul, is easy to find with its cobalt blue walls and the line of people outside. This is the house where Kahlo was born, grew up, lived with Diego Rivera, and eventually died. All phases of her life are reflected in this lively, artistic house, and you can see the tangible essence of Kahlo and Rivera though they are long gone.

Winding through the various decorative rooms, you observe countless artifacts from Kahlo’s life – from the body casts she wore (and painted) due to a bus accident at age 18 to everyday items like letters and the dresses she wore. The house itself is a work of art, from the blue walls, to the paintings and murals throughout, the gardens and intricate tilework. 

The museum takes about an hour to peruse, and features exhibits based on the life of Kahlo, like the gorgeous gowns designed by Jean Paul Gaultier which are on display. Even if you have no point of reference for Kahlo’s work, this space is so personal and immediate you almost expect her to round the corner at any moment. A color video of Kahlo and Rivera in the garden makes it all the more real. It’s very moving.

Once you are done exploring the life of a fabulous artist, walk back to the center of Coyoacán to Parroquia San Juan Bautista, one of the oldest churches in Mexico City. Construction began in 1522 on this stunning Catholic church, and inside there are colorful murals that pop alongside the saturated colors of the red carpet and green ferns that flank the main aisle. There is so much to take in, from the bas-reliefs with golden baroque decoration to the small altars all around the church, and you’re welcome to explore, as long as you do it respectfully. 

Once outside the church, walk around the Jardín Centenario, the main plaza where you will see families and people out having fun. It’s a good place to grab a bag of fresh churros or elote (my fav), and don’t forget to visit the Fountain of the Coyotes, which is especially stunning at golden hour with the sun shining through the trees.

Just a few steps away from the fountain is the Mercado Artesanal Mexicano, a fabulous place to get homemade craft goods. Mexico loves a market, and it’s fun to wander around and find souvenirs for yourself and others. Here I picked up handmade copal incense, which you will smell burning all around the city, and plenty of jewelry, paintings, and clothing. I brought way more souvenirs from Mexico than I ever thought I would!

For dinner, Coyoacán is bustling and full of options. La Cocina de Mi Mamá, a casual, family-owned restaurant with recipes that have been passed down for generations and sports a large craft beer selection. The verde enchiladas and chicken mole are a great bet – savory and the perfect way to end the day!

Day 2 Summary:

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 2, Wednesday 

• Today you’ll explore Teotihuacán, the ancient Aztec pyramids, have lunch in a cave, and have a relaxing evening!

Teotihuacán, which means “the place where the gods were created”, is situated about an hour away from Mexico City by rideshare. The rideshare is not super cheap, about $70, but if you’re traveling with several people it’s worth it, or you can take a much cheaper bus but it’ll take more time and coordination. 

Your goal is to get to Teotihuacán early (they open at 8am, we arrived by 9am or so). The earlier you get there, the less hot it will be and the less crowded it will be. Bring a hat, water and sunscreen! Before you head out, grab a Chilaquiles sandwich (I got the verde kind with chicken and it was divine and filling) from the famous La Esquina del Chilaquil food stand by your place and get going early!

On your way to the pyramids, you’ll see the city roll away as you enter the Mexican desert. Bring cash if you rideshare – our first driver didn’t have any and apparently didn’t have a toll pass (our driver back did) so we paid about $9.06 USD in tolls.

Once you arrive, you’ll buy your ticket in cash at the entrance (80MX, about $4), and you’ll enter the site! There are plenty of guides if you’d like to hire one, and the going rate is about $50 for two hours. Or you can just wander, it’s pretty easy to figure out where you’re going!

Teotihuacán was one of the largest pre-Hispanic Cities and is now a Unesco World Heritage site, built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD. Until its mysterious collapse around the 7th or 8th century, it had an estimated population of over 100,000 inhabitants. Today we see the ruins of this civilization, with three huge pyramids, a main thoroughfare, and plenty of other structures.

Entering Gate 1, the main gate, you’ll first come across Templo de Quetzalcoatl (Temple of the Feathered Serpent), the only temple structure you can climb up (and over). The stairs are steep, and you’ll notice people taking their time. 

At the top you’ll take several steps down to the other side of the temple where you can see elaborate carvings of the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl, as well as other Aztec gods adorned with feathers, shells, and jewels. Excavations at the site have revealed offerings, including human sacrifices – since the 1980s archaeologists have discovered 137 sacrificial remains.

After you’ve made your way down safely from the temple, head down the Avenue of the Dead, the central boulevard, which runs 1.5 miles towards the Pyramid of the Sun on the Right and the Pyramid of the Moon ahead. 

Unfortunately, you can no longer climb either pyramid (or fortunately, for the structure and safety), but just to take in the sheer size from the ground is profound. The Pyramid of the Moon is approximately 141 feet, while the Pyramid of the Sun is about 233 feet. 

From the impressive Palaza of the Moon which stands before the Moon pyramid, there is an altar from which all corners of the expansive plaza can hear you, even from hundreds of feet away. I saw a guide demonstrate this by whispering – asking the people on his tour to jump, wave, dance, etc. all from the center of the Plaza. 

Before you leave, head to the museum that is onsite which is behind the Pyramid of the Sun. At this point it’s probably getting more crowded (and hotter), so it’s a good idea to step inside and explore this small museum. Inside there are plenty of cool artifacts, from bones, necklaces made from bone, a diorama reconstructing the civilization, a stunning crest of Venus, and more bones, probably. 

Once you are ready for lunch, head out of Gate 5, the one close to the museum. You will walk to your lunch spot, La Gruta, which is only a few minutes away. We only had a group of 3, so did not make a reservation, but if you have a larger group that is ideal!

Lunch at La Gruta

La Gruta means “the cave”, and guess what, you’re eating lunch in an actual cave. This was a place I was so excited to visit with its candles burning on the cave walls and colorful chairs – ambiance for days – and I am happy to report the food, which is inspired by pre-Hispanic cuisine of the state of Mexico, did not let me down. Try the Mexican Mortar “La Gruta” as an app which is an assortment of guacamole, grilled spring onions and crisp pork rinds.

The entrees are seasonal, and what I ordered is already off the menu, but this is a great place to get a traditional mole – Mole “La Gruta” since 1927 with creole turkey and white rice. As you eat, soak in the vibes, and at the end of your meal your waiter will tell you the story of La Gruta and you will receive a candle to place on the walls of the cave. It’s all around a magical experience!

Once you’re finally ready to leave, check out the La Gruta gift shop for some amazing Mexican artwork, and take your rideshare or bus back to your place for a little rest. Since this is more or less a day trip, tonight you will just have drinks and dinner!

Get some Mezcal at Tlecān

Tonight you will walk to a mezcal bar, because if you’re going to visit one it has to be in Mexico! Mezcal is known for its smoky flavor (though not all mezcals are smoky) and unlike tequila which needs to be made of 51% or more agave, mezcal is made with 100% agave. 

Tlecān is a dark, moody, cave-like bar (see a theme?) that focuses solely on mezcal. The dark ambiance is heightened by a replica of the iconic Aztec disc of death on the wall. Tlecan means “place of fire” in Nahuatl, the Aztec language, and this bar pays homage to Pre-Hispanic Mexican culture.

This is a great place to try a drink inspired by the Aztecs, like the Tascalate Sour, with Tascalate (tortilla water, just trust me), fermented cocoa, egg whites, lemon juice and mezcal giving it an earthy, nutty, cocoa-y flavor. 

If you want something more familiar, try the Margarita Texcoco with green lemon juice, honey agave, orange liqueur, and mezcal which is close to a traditional marg with just a bit more smoky flavor.

Dinner at Taquería Orinoco

Tonight is a simple, fast, and fun dinner at Taquería Orinoco, a place I ended up eating at several times during my trip (there are several locations). Lucky for you, it’s just a block over from Tlecan as well!

This is a quick-service restaurant with a limited, inexpensive menu, making it a great easy option. My favorite thing is the trompo tacos, which is another name for Al Pastor (trompo means “spinning top”, AKA the Shawarma where the pork is shaved from). Get those bad boys covered with pineapple, onions, and cilantro and you have an amazing meal!

I also love all the sauces this place brings out to you – so many different, spicy kinds! You can load up your tacos and really get a good meal in.

Once you’re done, I suggest a walk around Condesa or a stroll around the park. Stop by Churrería El Moro Condesa to get some fresh churros. Enjoy the evening – more to come tomorrow!

Day 3 Summary:

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 3, Thursday 

• Today you’ll explore the Centro Histórico area of Mexico City on a walking tour, head over to Chinatown, and visit one of the best markets in the city.

This morning you have a walking tour at 10am, so before you head to the central district grab breakfast at Peltre and get the chilaquiles and a strong cup of coffee!!

Walking Tour of Centro Histórico

Centro Histórico, as you can probably guess from the name, is the historic center of Mexico City. It contains some of the city’s most brilliant Colonial buildings, as well as the Aztec ancient city of Tenochtitlan. So much of Mexico City feels cultural, but this is the hub from which it all stems.

When I visited this area I made the mistake of A). trying to do it all on my own and B). waiting until the last day of my trip when I was completely burnt out. I ended up missing some of the best things to see and getting to deep dive into the history. But I won’t let you do that!

I recommend taking a Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Mexico City, which not only will take you where you need to go but also put these places into cultural context. I did explore the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which is the iconic image that usually comes up when you research Mexico city, but without the insight, it just felt like a pretty building.

On this 3.5-hour walking tour which begins at 10am you’ll not only explore Palacio de Bellas Artes but 6 other stops, including places like the Museo del Templo Mayor, which are the archaeological ruins of the Templo Mayor dedicated to the god of rain and the god of the sun. You’ll also visit the very photographable House of Tiles which I am sad to have missed!

The tour ends at the Palacio de Bellas Artes which is perfect, because you’re going to have lunch just next door!

Lunch at Torre Latinoamericana

One of the most stunning ways to have lunch in Mexico is at the Miralto restaurant in Torre Latinoamericana, which was once the tallest building in Mexico City (702’) but whose title has since been usurped. It is still the tallest building in the direct area though, and gives you gorgeous, sweeping views of the city through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

While you can purchase a ticket to go all the way to the top to the viewing platform, it’s more enjoyable to go almost all-the-way to the top and have lunch with the money you would have spent on a ticket instead!

When I went I wasn’t starving (I obviously hadn’t done a walking tour) so opted for the Sopa Azteca (Aztec soup) Aztec Soup which is a house recipe with tomato broth, guojillo chili and pasilla, accompanied by julienne tortilla, avocado, fresh cheese, sour cream and fried chili. It was so rich and decadent and paired perfectly with my cerveza.

For something heavier, two of their Miralto specialties are the Shrimp with Tequila or Mezcal which includes six U10 shrimp flamed at your table and mounted on a bed of shish chips, or their Mustard Filet which is a ​​center-cut filet bathed in mustard sauce with a garnish of your choice. 

The food here is prepared well and a little more elevated (get it?!), so it’s a bit pricier but it definitely delivers!

Shop at the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela

A place I did manage to make it to while in the Centro area was the Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, an incredible artisan market that is full of handcrafted Mexican delights!

This market is only about a 16-minute walk from the Torre Latinoamericana, and along the way you’ll pass Chinatown, while quite small, is worth exploring if you’re into it!

The market is the perfect size to explore, about the size of a city block. Here I ended up buying most of my souvenirs, especially for myself… There are some impressive jewelry shops in here with flashing, fire opal, which I resisted buying because I bought a bracelet at the pyramids (which I lost at the airport coming home).

My favorite shop though was the Mexican mask shop, which featured hundreds of wooden Mexican masks which the owner told me were made by his family. They are a little pricey, but I ended up buying a mask of an Aztec Goddes (I think…) and she currently hangs above my dresser.

I wasn’t expecting to love the arts and crafts of Mexico as much as I did, so just make sure you leave room in your suitcase to take treasures home! Also keep in mind that most vendors only accept cash (or at least prefer it). The market closes at 7pm.

Get Dinner at Mog Bistro 

There may be a time in your trip when you need a change from all the Mexican food (though you may have no limit on Mexican food, which is very understandable).

Mog Bistro in the Roma neighborhood is a popular Japanese restaurant that is the perfect place to order a bunch of different apps and mains and share everything. I went with a group of four and someone in our party ordered us a ton of food (they had to put some of it on the table next to us) and we still managed to pack it all away.

Some of the highlights were the Ten Don Especial, which was tempura shrimp and veggies on rice with soy sauce, the melty Wagyu Skewer, the Salmon Salad with lettuce, chives, ikura and ponzu sauce. 

Probably my favorite thing was the Shogayaki which includes thin pork strips with ginger and soy sauce sautéed with onion and accompanied with Japanese cabbage and mayonnaise. You also can never go wrong with Karaage, Japanese fried chicken with a green salad.

They also have plenty of sushi, udon, and ramen to tickle all your Japanese food fancies.

After dinner, walk around the neighborhood, grab a drink at a place like Handshake Speaskeasy, or just head home and rest for tomorrow!

Day 4 Summary:

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 4, Friday 

• Today you’ll take an epic food tour of Roma and see an ultra-fun Lucha Libre match!

If there is one thing that Mexico City has in droves, it’s good food, which you probably have figured out already by this time! 

Take a Food Tour

One of the best ways to really get to know a place and its culture is through its food, so taking a food tour is one of my personal favorite ways to get full and to learn. Today, you can skip breakfast as you will be taking a 4-hour Colonia Roma Food Tour at noon that will require every inch of your stomach capacity.

This food tour explores 6+ local eateries, where you’ll try dishes that are pre-Hispanic, regional, and now contemporary Mexican. Our guide Joseph was excellent, and encouraged us (all of whom were tourists) to ask questions about Mexico we’ve always wanted to ask.

Joseph puts Mexican history into perspective, explaining how the Indigenous People didn’t eat much meat (except sometimes Axolotls and, er, humans during rites). It wasn’t until 1512 with the arrival of the Spanish that they brought domesticated animals and started mixing meat and tortillas, giving us what we think of as “Mexican food”. He said that “Tex Mex” is Mexican food – just not traditional indigenous food.

You’ll learn other fun facts like how cilantro is from southeast Asia, how the Roma neighborhood is named for the Italian-inspired architecture, and that September 19th is the worst time to visit Mexico City – they’ve had three major earthquakes in three different years on that date!

Along the way, you’ll try an array of tamales, tacos fish and shrimp, cactus ceviche, Birria (which was originally a soup), wine, a rum and cinnamon drink, coffee, and more. If it sounds like a lot – it is! By the end of the tour I was only taking a bite or two – they get you full!

After your walking tour, take a break – you deserve it! 

Dinner at Maestro Taquero

Once you’re (finally) ready for some food again, go to Maestro Taquero, which won my heart immediately when they handed me a mini cerveza as we walked in the restaurant. Free surprise beer? How did they know that’s my love language?

I started with a mango margarita (next to my mini beer of course) and enjoyed sitting outside on the upper-level balcony. The music in the restaurant is loud, but fun, so sitting on the balcony gives you a little more fresh air.

Their specialty is ‘Don Roberto’ tacos, which are Ribeye with cheese and avocado on freshly made corn tortilla accompanied by bone marrow with shredded cheese, mushrooms, crushed chile de arbol and habanero mango sauce. The ‘Don Meño’ Tacos are a good choice too with

flour tortilla with poached chili güero, stuffed with gouda cheese, flank steak, accompanied by house-made chimichurri and garlic chili chicharrón sauce.

After dinner, you have about a 15-minute Uber ride to Arena México for Lucha Libre!

Experience Lucha Libre

Tonight it’s time to experience something unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before… unless you’ve been to Lucha Libre. Or WWE. But you get it!

Lucha Libre means “freestyle wrestling” and you probably know it from the colorful masks, ostentatious outfits, and the over-the-top theatrics. It’s campy, kitschy, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, perfect for someone who has no real interest in wrestling, or does!

Friday is the best night to experience Lucha Libre at Arena México, as it draws the biggest crowd and is filmed for TV. Buy your tickets in advance so you can get good seats – anywhere around the ring has good visibility and you can snag a good seat for about $35.

Once you arrive at the stadium, the outside will be bustling with vendors selling souvenirs like Lucha Libre masks. If any pop out to you, get one! They are super fun to have for the match.

Lucha Libre begins at 8:30pm, but you can expect the crowd to be somewhat sparse at the beginning of the first match. Grab yourself a big michelada and take your seats. As the announcer booms overhead, the fighters enter the arena to fanfare, with fire and lights blazing through the stadium.

It doesn’t really matter if you understand Spanish or not – pick your fighter! Cheer, boo, hiss, get into the spirit of the action. Watch them flip, twist, spin, and jump from the ropes onto one another in a blur of neon. It’s non-stop ridiculous action and I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time! That’s what Lucha Libre is.

The fights usually last until about 11:30pm, and if you’re hungry afterward, there are plenty of food stands around the arena to grab a snack! 

Day 4 Summary:

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Day 5, Saturday 

• On your last full day, you’ll take a ride on the neon boats of Xochimilco, shop for artisan-made crafts at El Sabado Bazaar, and have an early dinner at the stunning San Angel Inn. 

Your last full day in Mexico City blends the cultural and artistic sides of the city. If you’ve ever been to EPCOT at Disney World you have probably ridden the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion, and the colorful little boats you pass along the ride are based on real boats!

Xochimilco means “flower field” in the Aztec language Nahuatl, and refers to the flowers and other crops grown in this area since the pre-Hispanic period. Today “Xochimilco” generally refers to the area where neon-painted boats float serenely down the river and the music of the mariachi fills the air. 

On Saturdays, the canals are busy and booming – which is a good thing as you want the vibes to be high! Xochimilco is best experienced with a group of friends as the boats hold up to 20 people (let’s say 15 top be comfy), so the more friends come along the bigger party you’ll have (the other option is to try to make friends at the port). 

The boats (known as trajineras) cost about 600MX an hour, or about $33 USD. The more people, the cheaper it is too! You’ll simply procure one of the many boats by talking to the driver (they row your boat) and deciding on how long of a tour you want and the price which you will pay in cash up front (tips are nice at the end too). Keep in mind your driver probably only speaks Spanish!

The main port is Embarcadero Nueva Nativitas, which has plenty of food options and huge Micheladas (you can bring your own beer, alcohol, and food too procured from stores like Oxxo), all of which you can bring onboard. Getting to the port can be here is stressful and here’s why – men on motorbikes will tell your Uber driver the road is closed and try to have you follow them to smaller ports. 

There is nothing wrong with these smaller ports, but they may have fewer food options, and if you’re meeting a group, you need to arrive at the same port. We were lucky in that our ride-share driver spoke English – but he still fell for it despite me telling him not to follow them. Eventually, we had to turn around and drive back to the correct port, much to the apologies of our driver (he was sweet).

If you have a good group of people, you should do a 4-hour boat tour (we only did a three-hour one – it went by too fast)! This gives you time to relax and get into the spirit – listen to the mariachi play (or pay them to play right in front of you when they row up to your boat), buy tequila shots from boats passing by, and stop at the restrooms along the way (remember you will need cash for all of this). The boats are also covered on the top which is great for staying out of the hot Mexican sun.

One of the main draws of a long boat tour was the Island of the Dolls, a slightly terrifying spot with hundreds of creepy dolls hanging from the branches of trees, a sad homage to a girl who once drowned in the canal. Unfortunately, the old man who built this spot has sadly passed away and his family has removed almost everything from the island. You will see a “fake” island of the dolls on the side of the canal along your way, however.

The port opens at around 8am, but 9 or 10am is a great time to start and it’s about a 50-minute rideshare trip from the Roma area.

Late Lunch at San Angel Inn

After you’ve been in the heat all afternoon (and potentially drinking), it’s time for a nice late lunch/early dinner at San Angel Inn (making a reservation here is a good idea). This gorgeous restaurant was once a private residence originally built to be a monastery in 1616 and expanded over the next several hundred years until the San Angel Inn Restaurant opened in 1963. It even became the inspiration for the San Angel Inn in EPCOT at Disney World (all roads lead to Disney today!). 

This restaurant specializes in beautifully presented, elevated Mexican cuisine surrounded by Mexican-colonial architecture with intricate tile work, arches, tastefully decorated interiors, and sweeping gardens and fountains outside.  

To drink, get one of their margaritas made with fresh lime juice and top-shelf tequila, or a unique option like the Margarita de Tamarindo (tamarind). To start, try any of the ceviche or the Aztec tortilla soup, and the Carne Asada is a great main with thinly sliced steak, mole sauce, chile rajas and Mexican rice. 

The Crepes with Cajeta (caramelized milk and sugar) are the perfect way to end your meal in this fairytale setting.

Once you’re done with dinner, you can take under a 20-minute walk over to the craft fair (which is open until 6pm).

El Sabado Bazaar

El Bazaar Sábado is the Saturday Bazaar, the perfect place to get handmade arts, crafts, and jewelry and find things beyond some of the imported crap stuff you’ll find at other markets. This is the market I bought the most at – paintings, wooden masks, prints… I was genuinely getting worried if I had enough room in my suitcase to take it all home.

You can see most of the bazaar within an hour, and there are plenty of restaurants and food stands around if you need additional snacks after your last meal. 

Day 5 Summary:

5-Day Mexico City Itinerary: Departure Day, Sunday

• All good things must come to an end, and today you’ll be leaving the magic of Mexico City.

Today it’s time to say Adios! If you have time for breakfast, check out Esencial Barra de Café for some coffee and pastries, or try something new at Peltre or Chilpa. 

As a bonus if you have some time to kill, go to Museo Casa de las Mil Muñecas (museum house of a thousand dolls) if this sounds like your kind of thing. They truly have thousands of dolls, doll houses, miniatures, and even a cafe.

It took me an hour to walk through, exploring dolls from folk art, popular dolls through the ages, and finely crafted art dolls. They have a huge fairy exhibit upstairs as well. 

I know this will only appeal to a certain audience (why it’s a bonus), but it’s a very special and beautiful new museum!

Where to Stay in Mexico City

For this itinerary, the best area is to Condesa, which is super safe, walkable, and absolutely stunning with lush greenery by Parque Mexico. I tried to find rentals hosted by locals as to support the local economy, and not hosted by Americans!

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10 Things to do in Ollantaytambo, Peru: The Ultimate Guide to Ollantaytambo

About The Author: Richie Goff is a Louisville, Kentucky native with a great love of the outdoors. When he is not growing flowers for fun, he is the Editor-in-Chief of Practical Wanderlust and Let’s Go Louisville. He has been a friend of Lia’s since high school, and they have taken plenty of their own disaster-prone adventures together!

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Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

• Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
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• Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
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• Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
• Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
• Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
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Gazing at a million lights shining from the top of the city. Wandering the dark streets learning the spooky history of NYC. Drinking a cocktail under neon lights in a basement speakeasy.  New York City at night is a magical adventure, where the hustle and bustle never stops even when the sun goes down.

Frank Sinatra once sang “​​I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps” and of course, he could only be talking about one place – New York, New York! At night the city comes alive with bright lights, bumping clubs, museums (open late, of course), live shows, excellent restaurants and so much more!

In a place like New York City, where the subway never closes, people are out and about all hours of the night and there is always something to do. You can go hard dancing all night, or just enjoy a lovely slice of NYC pizza. Welcome to New York City at night!

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New York City at Night FAQs

If you’re visiting NYC and wandering around at night you may have some questions… Like is New York City at night safe? Should I really take the subway after midnight? Does everyone turn into vampires and zombies in the city after the clock strikes twelve? (No one has ever asked that…). Here are some answers to your questions below!

Is it Safe to Walk around New York City at Night?

The short answer is — yes! Most of New York City at night is safe to walk around, and since the city never sleeps (nor do its residents), you’ll most likely find yourself surrounded by plenty of people at night. The city in general is extremely well-lit, so as long as you stick to the main thoroughfares you shouldn’t find yourself down any dark alleys.

At nighttime, you’ll probably find most activities are in midtown, which is a popular nightlife spot and one of the safer areas for you to explore. Like anywhere else, stay aware of your surroundings and your possessions. There is always a chance of something bad happening anywhere so always stay vigilant.

Can I Take the Subway at Night?

New Yorkers tend to avoid the subway after midnight, since fewer people ride it and it can be a little more sketchy (as well as the trains running more infrequently after 10pm and the routes being slighty changed).

If you are unable to take a ride share late at night (which I would recommend), try to ride in a subway car with other people (who are not acting erratically) and try not to put yourself in a situation where you are alone and vulnerable. Once again, be wary and remember there is safety in numbers.

If you are new to taking the Subway, check out this NYC Subway Guide for a very complete guide.

When’s the Best Time to Visit New York City at Night?

New York is best experienced in warmer weather, so I recommend going in April-June, or September-November. 

NYC in July-August is a hot, sticky, asphalt jungle mess, with sweltering subway trains making it feel like you’re on the express train to hell. While it’s not so hot at night, during the day it will be much warmer, and it’s also high tourist season (locals who can flee the city) which means that everything is more expensive. Basically, you’ll pay more to be miserable!

New York City in Winter is also a great time to visit if you don’t mind the cold and potential snow, and you’ll see way fewer crowds after the holiday season. But of course, a lot of the outdoor activities won’t be as enjoyable, and of course more of it will be “at night” since the sun goes down so early!

Things to do in New York City at Night

Here are some of the best things to do in New York City at Night, from the best restaurants and bars, museums that are open late, shows, city views and more!

See A Broadway Show

One of the most classic New York City at Night activities is visiting the Great White Way, also known as Broadway. Broadway is the name for the 41 theaters in the area that have 500 seats or more. That is the real definition of Broadway, not just the theatres that are actually on the street!

Here you’re going to see the largest, most spectacular shows on Earth, and even if flashy musicals aren’t your thing, they usually have regular plays with some of the best actors in the country gracing the floorboards. 

Below are some of the best shows on Broadway right now, and remember you can view all the shows on the Broadway website:

• Kimberly Akimbo – This show won the Tony Award Winner for Best Musical 2023, and tells the story of a 16-year-old girl with a rare disease that makes her have the body of an old woman. This show isn’t a flashy spectacle like some others but it is witty, funny, and relatable – perfectly expressing the human experience.
• Wicked – Since it opened in 2003, Wicked has remained one of the most well-attended shows on Broadway (and soon to be a movie!), and for good reason. It has spectacle, humor, drama, and explores the story of the Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch’s point of view!
• Sweeny Todd – Sondheim has created some of the best American musicals, and the darkly macabre and humourous Sweeny Todd turns the cutesy Broadway musical on its head. Never has the story of one man’s murderous, revenge rampage been so beautifully operatic.

See A Non-Broadway Show

New York City is more than just Broadway shows, even if they are fantastic! There are plenty of unique theatrical experiences in NYC just waiting for you to discover them. 

• See a live TV Taping – Have you ever wanted to be in a live studio audience? Well, NYC has you covered! You can see your favorite shows live like Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and so many more. Saturday Night Live is the only show that truly tapes at night (many of the “night shows” are taped at 5pm), so it’s your best bet if you want the “nightlife” experience. Check out this excellent guide to score tickets for your favorite shows.
• Lips Drag Queen Show Palace Restaurant & Bar – If you’re looking for a New York at nighttime activity with a bit more glitz and glamour, Lips is the place to be! Here you can see one of NYC’s premier drag shows with gorgeous divas singing, dancing, and putting on an unforgettable show. You can just get drinks from the bar (two-drink minimum) or enjoy a 3-course meal! This is one dinner and a show that will be a drag, in a good way!
• Slipper Room – For even more titillating action, check out the Slipper Room in Lower Manhattan. Here you can find some of the best burlesque, featuring comedy, sideshow, magic, strip tease, circus, and more! The performances are light-hearted and fun, and the staff will make you feel welcome. It’s like stepping back into the days of vaudeville and getting to see a bunch of unique talents!
• Shakespeare in the Park – One of the best free things you can do is check out Shakespeare in the Park in the Summer! Put on by The Public Theater, these shows play in Central Park (but not in 2024 as the theatre is being renovated) and feature traditional versions and colorful adaptations of the Bard’s work. These professional productions make Shaekspeare’s work accessible and understandable even if you weren’t a theatre kid *ahem*. 
• See a Yankees Game – While not a show per se, baseball is kind of a show! You know, there are players, a stage, costumes (er…). Anyway, even if you’re not a huge sports fan going to a big arena game is electric. Fans cheering, home runs, hot dogs, beer – you know, the important parts! 

Get A Fancy Drink

Nighttime and cocktails go hand-in-hand, so why not find your new favorite haunt. There is even a speakeasy tour if you want to find three “secret” spots and learn this history of NYC prohibition!

• Ophelia Lounge – Drinks with a view? This stunning sky lounge is in a 1928 Art Deco building that has sweeping views of the Hudson River, and is a great place to take in the city from above on a chilly night (like the Pepsi Cola sign!). Under the twinkling star lights hanging from the ceiling sip on the Purple Tuxedo, with gin, absinthe, plum bitters, and more which makes it purple, sweet and refreshing as well as the Beekman classic palo santo martini, a gin martini with a smokey twist.
• Lillie’s Victorian Establishment – At this bar, red leather chairs and gilded mirrors line the bar, stained glass windows are illuminated on the walls alongside portraits of Oscar Wilde, and they have plenty of handcrafted cocktails on the menu, many named for Old Hollywood celebrities. Try the Humphrey Bogart with Yellowstone Bourbon, House Smoked Syrup, Angostura & Orange Bitters.This drink is “cedar smoked” and came fully on fire!
• Dante – Dante opened in 1915 is a registered historic landmark where famous faces like Al Pacino, Whoopi Goldberg, Alec Baldwin, and Bob Dylan have stopped in for a drink or two. You’ll feel very Parisian sitting at the bar surrounded by mint green and white accents, soft lighting and music floating in the background. The bar is famous for Martinis and aperitivo, and from 3 to 5 pm you can enjoy discount martinis during “martini hour”. Try the With A Twist martini with hints of grapefruit, lemon, and lime, and if martinis aren’t your thing, try the Negroni Bianco garnished with little white flowers. 
• Rudy’s Bar & Grill – This hole in the wall in Hell’s Kitchen is easily findable by the statue of a big pig in a red jacket waving out front. Inside you’ll find cheap beer and drinks, and free hot dogs with any purchase! I love this place because it’s a true dive – dark, unpretentious, and inexpensive, something NYC sometimes fails to provide. The music and good and the vibes are right. Be aware Rudy’s is cash only!
• HiLot – This vision in pink in Alphabet City is home to fancy cocktails, with rose gold mirrors, green lamps, and heavy velvet curtains lining the interior. It’s like stepping into a mod, elegant spaceship with gorgeous glassware to match. The drinks are fancy as the interior, like the fuschia Lavender Haze with Bombay London Dry Gin, Hibiscus, Cinnamon, Butterfly Pea Flower, Lemon and Co2. You can make a reservation, but they usually keep tables for walk-ins.
• The Woo Woo – The Woo Woo is an 80s-themed speakeasy bar (yes you read that right) decked out in neon in the basement of a building in Times Square. The ambiance here is top-notch, and you are required to enter through a secret doorway (which is very well-themed – but I won’t spoil it!). They have lots of fun drinks here (I got the Wednesday) and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a nightcap after a Broadway show! 

Eat A Delicious Meal

You can’t go wrong eating an amazing meal you can only get in NYC, and these are some of our favorite places in the city:

• Thai Diner – Thai Diner is like if you mixed a Thai restaurant with a Tiki Bar, with whimsical decorations to match. The dishes epitomize Thai with a twist, like the decadent Kaeng Kieow Waan with curry braised beef short ribs with eggplant, shallots, and basil. They also have fun combination drinks, like the Thai-rish coffee, with Jameson whiskey, espresso, and condensed milk whipped cream. 
• Left Bank – Left Bank features simple farm-to-table food that leans into American/Italian fare. The best part is that from 5-7pm Monday-Friday and 4-6pm Saturday & Sunday you can order from their happy hour menu, which includes pasta and a glass of wine, a burger and beer, and two appetizers at a fixed price. For your app, try the the shaved brussel salad or the half dozen East Coast oysters and and for your entree the capricci cacio e pepe (with your choice of wine, of course). Their parmesan fries are also on the happy hour menu, which makes a great additional app if you want something truly decadent.
• Capizzi– This pizzeria was born out of the owner working in his own father’s pizzeria as a child, so this is some ancestral pizza action. The restaurant is intimate and decorated in a cozy, Italian way, with a wood-burning pizza oven which is the sign you’ll be getting some incredible pizza. Start with their Arancini Spinaci which are spinach, garlic & cheese rice balls, that are crispy and so decadent. For your pizza order, I highly recommend the Hot Honey pepperoni pizza if they currently have it on the menu (it seems to rotate), if not the Loaded Pizza with provolone, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, roasted peppers & whole roasted garlic should do the trick.

Enjoy a Night at the Museum

I get it, you’re a brainiac who wants to not only explore the museums during the day but at night too! Here are some of the museums that are regularly open late so you can get your exploration on once the sun goes down. 

• Fotografiska New York: The Contemporary Museum of Photography, Art & Culture –  This museum is for all you photography lovers! Come explore the art of the image in this gorgeous museum, which has new shows constantly rotating through. Be sure to check out the speakeasy-style Chapel Bar for a drink before you head out as well. Fotografiska is open until 9pm every night.
• Museum of Sex – The Museum of Sex is hot, real hot, and explores sex and sexuality from the middle of the century through today! Be sure to check out the Super Funland: Journey into the Erotic Carnival for an interactive, neon wonderland that explores the link between sex and the history of carnivals. Stop by the Carnal Carnival Bar to grab a drink to sip while you explore! The museum is open til 10pm most nights, and some nights 12am!
• New York Historical Society Museum & Library – Open until 8pm on Fridays, you can explore 400 years of NY history alongside Tiffany lamps, Picasso works, films, and so much more! It’s easy to spend a fancy Friday night here!
• Whitney Museum of American Art – This museum is not only open until 10pm on Fridays, but free between 5-10pm! Here you’ll see premier contemporary American art, with over 20,000 works in the permanent collection, including pieces by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and many more. You have quite the evening set out for you see as much as you can! Just be sure you reserve advance tickets.
• Brooklyn Museum – The first Saturday of each month the Brooklyn Museum is open until 11pm, and it’s free (just make sure you make a reservation in advance)! This special night includes performances/films and/or activities, making it a truly engaging evening. Explore the museum and have a blast into the night!

Dance the Night Away

Wanna go to the clerb? Well,  NYC’s got you covered for that! So many places to dance, whether you wanna see live DJs, go salsa dancing, or just bop to some Jazz. Here’s what we recommend:

• Swing 46 Jazz & Supper Club – This club is located on historic Restaurant Row in New York City’s Times Square neighborhood and is based on the swinging supper clubs of the 1940s. While you can reserve a table for dinner, no reservation is necessary to show up Tuesday-Sunday for a free dance lesson between 8:30-9pm (there is a cover however). They will teach you the basics of classic dances such as the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Shag, Waltz, Foxtrot, Charleston, and more! So grab a drink and get dancing!
• House of Yes – This colorful club in Bushwick, Brooklyn is home to high-intensity music, performances by acrobats over the dancefloor, and enough energy to keep you going all night. The point of HoY is to participate, which you can do by wearing your craziest club outfit and going along for the ride! Check out their calendar for different themed nights and performances.
• Retroclubnyc – If you’re an elder Millenial like me you may be craving tunes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s specializing in disco and freestyle music. Well, hey, here’s a place! Retroclubnyc is less snooty than other clubs and towns and is musically curated for those who want to dance but maybe also have a bedtime.

Take a Stroll Through the Park

New York is the city that never sleeps, remember? Luckily, if you want to go on a nighttime park stroll you can! That being said, you don’t want to go too late and open yourself up to anything bad happening. Stick to well-lit areas, use the buddy system, and have an idea of where you’re going!

• Central Park – Central Park at nighttime has the allure of your natural surroundings – trees, ponds, sprawling lawns – with the added bonus of skyscrapers glowing right beyond them. It definitely feels like the convergence of natural and manmade, and has the true NYC magic. Some of the best places to stick to at night at the Mall & Literary Walk, the Reservoir, and the Ramble. While Central Park is open until 1am, I’d say 10pm is probably the best cut-off time for you to be wandering the park.
• The High Line – This historic elevated rail line has been transformed into a park in the sky, allowing you to walk past native plants and trees, sit on benches, admire huge murals, sculptures, and performance art, and see NYC shining at nighttime from an entirely different point of view. The High Line is 1.45 miles long and makes for a great stroll for about an hour. The Highline is open until 10pm between April 1- November 30.
• Little Island – Little Island is hard to miss, it looks like little white floating clouds on the Hudson River with a lush, green park on top! It’s beautifully manicured with flowers and grasses, filled with art installations, and has beautiful overviews of the river and city perfect for nighttime shots. It also happens to be right off the High Line! Click here to check the hours, but should be open until 11pm or 12am depending on when you visit.

Do Late Night Shopping (& Eating) at a Night Market

Night markets are electric – people coming together to shop, eat, and listen to music underneath the lights of the city! Luckily NYC has several to choose from!

• Chelsea Market – This 1.2 million sq feet building is one of the most bustling, exciting, and delicious indoor markets in the world (also close to the High Line), and a fabulous place to grab a bite since it is open until 10pm every night (though some stores close early, check the website). Make sure you get to Los Tacos No. 1, a quick-service restaurant that has a limited menu that is all fantastic, like the Adobada pork tacos with pineapple on top is the best taco I’ve ever had in my life (you can find Los Tacos No. 1 all over NYC as well). 
• Uptown Market – On the second Thursday between April and October from 4-10pm you will find the Uptown Market in Harlem, which tous 80+ vendors, food, local musical talent, and celebrates the unique cultural flavors of Harlem! 
• Brooklyn Market – The last Monday of the month between April and October from 4-10pm the Brooklyn Market takes place at Industry City, a hip industrial complex that houses plenty of it’s own shops and eateries. But during the Brooklyn Market you get an additional 60 vendors and music in their beautiful outdoor space overlooking the water beyond!cultural flavors of Harlemunique cultural flavors of Harlem unique cultural flavors of Harle

Explore Chinatown

Chinatown at night is an explosion of color, with red lanterns hanging above, great places to eat, and shopping! While it’s quieter than during the day, it’s very atmospheric to walk around and take in all the culture and history. 

• Take a stroll down Doyers Street – Once known as Bloody Angle due to the Chinese gang violence on the street in the early 1900s, Doyers Street today is the colorful, mural-covered heart of Chinatown. Here you can take in the ambiance, including gazing at the pegasus made entirely of noodles soaring over adjoining Pell Street. This is a great place to start your Chinatown adventure, and then roam Mulberry, Mott, Elizabeth, and Pell Streets.
• Nom Wah Tea Parlor – Also located on Doyers Street is Nom Wah Tea Parlor which opened in the 1920s and is the oldest continuously running restaurant in Chinatown. This incredible dumpling and dim sum joint cannot be missed. Get the pan-fried pork dumplings, chicken soup dumplings, sticky rice with Chinese sausage, and steamed lotus buns. Be aware this place is cash-only (but very affordable), with small dishes perfect for sharing. You may also need to wait outside for a table, but the line generally moves quickly!
• Rooftop93 – Above the Wyndham Garden Chinatown Hotel is Rooftop93, a sophisticated rooftop bar and indoor lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows that give you some of the most stunning views of Manhattan. This is a great place to end your Chinatown exploration and take in the city lights, or start here and watch the gorgeous colors of the sunset over the city. The drinks here are classic, from margaritas to Aperol Spritz to martinis, so take in Chinatown from above!

Bop Around Brooklyn at Night

Brooklyn may not be Manhattan, but it’s right there – and it’s cool! Brooklyn is a great place to check out at night, with plenty of great views, fun activities, and drinking options! 

• Brooklyn Bridge – The Brooklyn Bridge is magical, if not more magical, at night. Fewer crowds, city lights, cool air blowing across the East River – it’s the total NYC experience. After 9pm there are fewer crowds, but still enough people and lighting to be safe. Stroll across the ⅓ mile bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn or do an out-and-back from Brooklyn for unforgettable Manhattan views!
• The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club – I know what you’re thinking: isn’t shuffleboard for retirees in Florida? Well, yes, but if you’re in Brooklyn it’s cool, okay! The ambiance here is Florida flamingo chic and you can rent shuffleboard courts with your friends, while jamming to loud music and getting great beer and cocktails from the bar. Haven’t played? They’ll give you a quick rundown (it’s easy!) and in no time you’ll be shuffling!
• Randolph Beer – For more views of Manhattan, check out Randolph Beer’s Rooftop patio. Randolph Beer is known for its super fun game room (downstairs) and is only one of 5 places in the country with Belgian feather bowling, but the real star is the view of Manhattan, the bridges, and the beer! They have over 20 beers on tap including such delightful flavors as the Orange You Lovely IPA and the Left On Red Wheat Beer. If beer isn’t your thing, they also have some excellent cocktails like the smokey yet refreshing  EL Pepino Fresco with mezcal, St. Germain, lime, cucumber, and Peychaud’s.
• House of Wax Bar – This has to be one of the oddest places to get a drink – a bar… full of waxwork sculptures? Here you can find life-size and realistic displays of anatomy, anthropology, and even death masks of famous folks with some truly horrific sights – we’re talking wax depictions of syphilis, lungs overtaken with tuberculosis, and even realistic birth scenes. This collection was last seen in 1922 in Berlin, where it was packed away for good – until it was purchased in 2016 and put on display in this rendition of an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. So grab a drink, check out the wax oddities, and stay for a movie if you like!
• Nowadays – This is the perfect outdoor summer spot, where you can dance the night away in a garden! They also do cinema nights so you can take a movie under the twinkling lights of the garden. They serve food (Mexican cuisine) and have some great mixed drinks. Really, this place is somewhat out of a fairytale!

Take a New York City Night Tour

New York City at night can be even more exciting with a guide, highlighting the sites and the stories of the city. 

• Greenwich Ghost Tour – A fabulous way to learn about the spooks and stories of the city is on this 2-hour Greenwich Ghost Tour. This tour is not a collection of silly and unverified ghost stories, but rather a collection of true tales in NYC’s history you’ll hear while visiting the sites where they took place. You’ll go past where the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory stood, where one of the deadliest industrial fires in the country where 146 garment workers died, an eerie hanging tree, and stroll through Washington Square Park and more. Our guide Luke had a lot of energy and great storytelling skills – this is not a tour to miss. Also, stop by Bleecker Street Pizza after the tour for an excellent slice of NY pizza!
• Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise – On this 2-hour cruise, you can take in the sparkling lights of the city from the water! You’ll see landmarks like One World Trade Center’s Freedom Tower, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and many more. Besides the stunning views (which are worth the cruise alone), it is the most comprehensive and fun way to learn about the city from one of the fabulous commentators – you’ll learn things like how Manhattan means “land of many hills” in the Lenape language, how Wall Street used to have a literal wall built by the Dutch to keep the English out, and that Brooklyn is almost the size of Chicago. You can also get beer, wine, and cocktails as you learn about the city. This is a must-do activity!
• New York Catacombs by Candlelight – This has to be one of the strangest tours you can take in New York City at night… exploring catacombs, under the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral?? On this 1.5-hour tour, you’ll explore the Basilica in-depth, pun intended, as you dive into the only Catholic catacombs in NYC and even get to wander around the graveyard. While this tour is spooky in essence, it’s not a ghost tour per se so expect to learn a bit more about the history of the church, Catholicism, and spirituality rather than just the ooky spooky bits.

See The City from the Top of the Rock

Seeing New York City at night from above is like nothing else, especially if you get to experience the sunset followed by the lights twinkling on illuminating the city. The scope of the city is hard to take in from below! While there are several observation decks, Top of the Rock takes the cake for the best views and atmosphere.

From the Top of the Rock, you’ll be able to see some iconic spots in NYC including the Empire State Building, the One World Trade Center, and Central Park. It’s located right in Midtown and has expansive, 360-degree views from 850ft over Manhattan. It may not be the highest platform in the city, but it has a less expensive admission ticket, fewer crowds, a great location and gorgeous Art Deco architecture.

If you can, try to arrive a little bit before sunset (also keep in mind it takes about 20-30 minutes to actually get up on the deck). This way you can see the city during golden hour and then watch the city light up all around you. There is something so special about seeing millions of twinkling city lights that feels so NYC.

One of the biggest selling points is that there is an outdoor deck, meaning you’ll get stunning pictures and really get to see the city with your own eyes (some observation decks don’t have outdoor space!). There are also several more stairs up to higher platforms than the level you enter from the elevator, so don’t forget to explore those too! Plan to spend about 45 minutes to an hour on the observation deck. 

Where to stay in New York City at Night

•  citizenM Time Square – Located near Time Square, The citizenM has everything you need – three outdoor terraces, a rooftop bar, and hot & cold breakfast buffet! Not to mention the hotel itself is super cozy and modern rooms where you can control all aspects of the room with an iPad. You’ll be super close to the action of Manhattan and the subway, so this is the perfect place to base yourself!
• Pod Times Square – These “pod” rooms may be on the smaller side, but they are inexpensive and don’t leave out the comfort of staying in a hotel! The hotel itself is stylish and cool with its own bar, and they even have double bunk rooms, which is a great option if traveling with a friend. It’s a few blocks away from Times Square, so super convenient!
• The Standard, High Line – Now if you truly want to stay right on top of the High Line park with some truly gorgeous views of the Hudson River, check out the Standard. This hotel exudes luxury without the price tag of full-blown luxury, with white and wooden accents, and each room features floor-to-ceiling windows and a city or river view. Also, check out the adjoining biergarten under the High Line.

About The Author: Richie Goff is a Louisville, Kentucky native with a great love of the outdoors. When he is not growing flowers for fun, he is the Editor-in-Chief of Practical Wanderlust and Let’s Go Louisville. He has been a friend of Lia’s since high school, and they have taken plenty of their own disaster-prone adventures together!

What are your thoughts on these things to do in New York City at night? Let us know below!

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Terracotta rooftops shimmering in the Tuscan sun, the Arno river flowing calmly beneath centuries-old bridges and the sound of footsteps on cobbled streets. The same cobblestones artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo once walked on, but now worn in time. The lovely smell of freshly baked pastries and the rich aroma of espresso fills the warm Mediterranean air. Welcome to what’s in store on this Florence Italy 3-Day itinerary!

Italy is one of those countries that boasts a lot of world-famous cities (so many, I feel bad for other countries). How about a world-famous city in a world-famous province? Florence, in Tuscany, ticks all the boxes! This city was once home to many of the great Renaissance artists of Italy and today, centuries later, you can still feel their presence and influence everywhere you go.

Luckily we have our good friend David who’s visited Florence, fallen in love, and written a fantastic Florence Italy 3-Day Itinerary!

Psst: Planning a trip to Italy & Europe? Here are some other helpful posts:

Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary FAQs

If you’ve never been to Florence – or Firenze as it’s called in Italian – you probably have some questions! Here is some basic info you’ll need for your Florence itinerary:

What is the best time to visit Florence? 

Spring and autumn are probably the best time for most people. Especially for first-time visitors Temperatures are very pleasant, between 60 and 70 Fahrenheit, while the city is not packed with other tourists. It will be busy, but nothing like the crowds you’ll experience in summer. 

If you can’t handle crowds, or you love your photos to have as many strangers in as possible, then winter is perfect for you. Temperatures in winter range between 30s and 50s Fahrenheit.

But don’t cancel your plans for summer yet! I prefer to visit Florence in summer! Yes, it’s busy and there are queues to get in the attractions and sites, but it’s hot and sunny. It creates the quintessential hazy skies and slightly dimmed light I love so much about Italy, which is great if you’re into photography. The nights are warm too, ideal for a late-night, romantic stroll through the city.

How Do I get to Florence?

Florence is really well-connected. It has its own airport with flights to and from major destinations in Europe. Florence also has great railway connections with Pisa, Perugia, Bologna, Milan, Rome and Genoa. 

If you fly in from the US or Canada, you will most likely fly to Rome, Milan or Bologna, then take a train to Florence.

How do I get around Florence?

Getting around Florence is a piece of tiramisu. You can walk from one end of the city to the other in about 30 minutes. (In a straight line that is! There is so much to see, that this is a challenge). Either way, you really don’t need to use public transport, unless you can’t walk longer distances. In that case, there are bus and tram services, as well as taxis. 

Bus routes C1, C2, C3 and C4 take you around the city of Florence. Lines 12 and 13 go up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo. There are three tram routes, but they don’t go through the city center. Take them if you want to get out of the city (but really, Florence is not a place you would want to leave). Buy your tram or bus tickets at newsagents and tobacco kiosks (it’s random, I know), or get a public transport pass from them if you’re going to use the buses and trams a lot. This pass is called Agile 10 and is good for ten 90-minute journeys.

Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary

Florence is not an enormous city, but there is plenty to see and do for a first-visit weekend getaway. This city will call you back for more though (I know it worked its magic on me!). But first things first: time to explore Florence with this essential three-day itinerary for first-time visitors!

• Note: We have assigned days of the week to this itinerary to be a weekend itinerary. This itinerary can of course work for weekdays as well, just make sure you check that businesses are open on the days you plan on visiting.

Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary: Friday Arrival

Once you’ve made your way from the airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station, make your way to the hotel, freshen up and get back out as soon as you can. Don’t do too much today, but definitely take in this new destination. A walk through the city is just perfect for some gentle sightseeing and getting your bearings. 

Dinner at Trattoria Mario

You must be hungry by now. It’s probably quite late for dinner, but Italians love to dine late and take their time. Join them! (When in Rome… oh, never mind.)

Trattoria Mario is a very typical Italian restaurant. Eating here is like being in someone’s house, where your Italian uncle (Mario) has prepared a delicious meal. How fresh is the food? Well the menu changes every day. But according to them “you will always find the Fiorentina Steak, our super Ragù and the Ribollita“! This spot is a great introduction to Florentine cuisine!

Saturday, Day 1: Artistic Delights

Today you’ll get to see art. A lot of art! In my case, it was probably more art in a day than I’ve ever seen in my life, but that’s a story for later. The entire city of Florence is like a museum. There’s history and art everywhere. It’s a bit like Rome, but much more concentrated.

Meet David at the Galleria dell’Accademia

Start early to see a celebrity here. The moment you step into the Galleria dell’Accademia there is a buzz. The atmosphere is electric. People are here to see David, not me David the author, but the slightly more famous David! I’m talking about Michelangelo’s statue “David” of course. 

Tourists flock around the statue for a quick photo, while art lovers gaze at every detail of this stunning statue. You can see people are excited, but play it cool because it’s still a museum. There’s no doubt about it, David is the star of this gallery. Time to leave then? Absolutely not! There is a lot more to see at Galleria dell’Academia.

You should explore the rest of the gallery. It’s full of Michelangelo’s lesser-known works and unfinished sculptures. It makes you wonder why he hadn’t managed to finish them. Or how long they have been standing in his workshop, exactly the way you can see them today. It’s like a treasure chest full of Renaissance art, including works by Sandro Botticelli and Andrea del Sarto!

Galleria dell’Academia gets busy, as it is so popular. Get skip-the-line tickets here (unless you’re someone who finds immense satisfaction in queueing for some reason).

Climb the Duomo di Firenze

I’m a bit weird with cathedrals. Once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all, right? I feel bad for having this thought because every cathedral is an awe-inspiring structure that took so much effort and time to build. Still, they are all a bit the same. Ssh, don’t tell anyone!

The Cathedral of Florence is different (woohoo!). It’s one of the few cathedrals that really stands out to me. It’s the one I easily remember as well. (Brain! Give me a picture of the cathedral of Florence! Ah yes, the one with the big dome of course!)  

The first thing you’ll notice is the enormous central dome. The next thing is the size of the entire structure. When Florence Cathedral was built in 1436, it was the largest church in the world. And even now we have modern building techniques, the dome still remains the biggest structure ever built from bricks. Impressive!

What makes the cathedral stand out from others – for me at least – is the facade. It’s not just one color. The beautiful white marble contrasts with the dark green windows and edges, which makes it look different to any cathedral I’ve ever seen.

Back to that enormous dome…you can climb it! You should climb it! I have to admit, the way to the top is not easy. The staircases are steep and very narrow at times. Give it a miss if you’re not fit or claustrophobic (or if you’re scared of heights, of course). Once you’re at the top, you’ll be able to see the whole city of Florence and its surroundings. An unforgettable view!

Buy skip-the-line tickets for Duomo di Firenze before you go, unless you love waiting in line (yeah, me neither).

Lunch at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti

Apostrophes in weird places, I know, but the actual restaurant is great! You’re in Florence, so have a sandwich for lunch! A sandwich you say? Hell yes! Think sandwich, but made with freshly baked focaccia bread, fresh cold meats, the best tomatoes and vegetables. Amazing!

The people who work at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti are super friendly and will find and make you your new favorite sandwich in no time! It’s a takeaway restaurant, although they put some chairs outside sometimes, so you can eat your sandwich. Expect queues, but also expect the best sandwiches you can get in Florence!

Experience Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is not just a square you stroll across and call it a day. There is so much to see and do here, that you can easily spend a few hours here. Some of the things you have to see in the piazza are:

• Visit Palazzo Vecchio – You can’t miss this building. It’s huge! It was built in 1299 and modified throughout the centuries. Nowadays it’s the town hall and you can visit it to admire all the art that covers the walls and ceilings. I would recommend a guided tour, so you can learn more about its secrets. This old palace is full of secret passages, built by the influential Medici family to escape their enemies.
• Admire the statues – Basically, Piazza della Signoria is an open-air sculpture gallery. There’s a replica of Michelangelo’s David, “Perseus with the head of Medusa” by Cellini and “Hercules and Cacus” by Baccio Bandinelli (which was actually commissioned to Michelangelo, but the large block didn’t make it to Florence in time).
• Peep into Loggia dei Lanzi – On the corner of the square, you can see a big shelter. This was originally used to lodge the German pikemen of Grand Duke Cosimo I. Now it is a shelter for sculptures such as “The Marzocco Lion” and “Hercules and Nessus”.
• Fountain of Neptune – You won’t be surprised that even the fountain on Piazza della Signoria is adorned with beautiful sculptures of mythological gods and creatures. The fountain was designed by Baccio Bandinelli, but made by Bartolomeo Ammannati in 1574. It took 14 years to make.
• Get Hot Chocolate from a Cafe – People-watching is best done from a terrace of one of the cafes on the square. Enjoy a pastry and a cup of coffee, while you watch the world go by. My favorite is Caffè Rivoire, which is famous for its hot chocolate. Italian hot chocolate is rich and smooth and this one is perfection. Do you only drink hot chocolate in winter? Well, you shouldn’t!

Get your dose of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi is one of the most famous galleries in the world and a must-see when you’re in Florence. At the beginning of this post I mentioned you will see more art than you’ll ever see in your life and I meant the Uffizi. Storytime!

The first time I visited the Uffizi was with a travel partner (ok, it was my mom). I flew her in for a weekend in Florence. I wanted to show her the Uffizi because I knew she loves paintings. We spent most of the day there though it was 90 Fahrenheit outside and probably not much cooler inside the Uffizi. At some point, all the paintings started to look the same to me, but that’s what you do for your mom right? 

Just when I couldn’t take it anymore we finally left. As we enjoyed a well-deserved coffee on Piazza della Signoria she said, “Sorry, I couldn’t take it any longer. I love a good painting, but that was way too much. I didn’t know you were THAT into art!” You. Didn’t. Know. Whaaat? We still laugh about that now.

So yes, please visit the Uffizi, but make sure you don’t spend all day there. Unless you’re really into art of course (like my mom!). Get your head around this: the Uffizi has more than 100 rooms with over 2,200 paintings. You need a plan! Here’s a plan!

Must-sees in the Uffizi:

• “Primavera” by Sandro Botticelli
• “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli
• “Madonna of the Goldfinch” by Raphael
• “Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci
• “Madonna with the Long Neck” by Parmigianino
• “Venus of Urbino” by Titian
• “Doni Tondo” by Michelangelo
• “Medusa” by Caravaggio
• “Laocoön and His Sons” by Baccio Bandinelli

If you want to see the best artworks, while learning more about the paintings, I recommend booking this guided tour of the Uffizi on GetYourGuide.

Walk across Ponte Vecchio at sunset

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is the only medieval bridge in Florence that wasn’t destroyed in World War II. When it was time for the Nazis to retreat from Florence, they blew up all the bridges across the river. All except Ponte Vecchio, because Hitler liked the look of this elegant bridge. This is also where he made the Pact of Steel with Mussolini, so he saved the bridge.

Of course, Ponte Vecchio has been through a lot more before that. After all, it was built in 1345, so it really is an Old Bridge! Back in its glory days, there were houses, shops and taverns alongside the bridge, bustling with vendors. Later on, it was mainly tanners and butchers that worked here. When the Medici family took over Florence in the 16th century, this changed.

They had to cross the bridge to get from town to their home – Palazzo Pitti – and couldn’t stand all the mess and smells of the butchered meat. The Grand Duke ordered that the tanners and butchers were moved from the bridge, to be replaced by jewelers and goldsmiths. Still today, the bridge is adorned with gold shops.

If you time it right, try to arrive at Ponte Vecchio at the end of the day, when the light gets softer. Photographers call this ‘golden hour’. This is when I think the bridge is at its most beautiful: on a sunny day, about an hour before the sun goes down. Then walk across it.

When you see the bridge from a distance, look for the small windows at the top level. This is where the Medici family built a secret passage, so they could escape and look out for their enemies. This enclosed passage is called the Vasari Corridor and it has recently re-opened for tours. It covers almost three-quarter miles, from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti.

• Pro-tip: If you want to have a great view of the entire bridge across the Arno River, head to Ponte Santa Trinita, which is the next bridge west of Ponte Vecchio. You can see Ponte Vecchio in all its glory from here. 

Dinner at La Buchetta

La Buchetta is an old-school Italian bistro with a matching menu. Expect to find classic pasta dishes, risotto, ravioli and steak dishes. I had gnocchi here that was so delicious, not to mention they edible flowers they garnish the dishes with! Try the Tiramisu for dessert. You won’t be disappointed! 

I’m setting the bar high here, because I had one of the best meals in Italy here. There I said it! Don’t miss out!

Have a night out

Florence is perhaps not the right city if you want to go clubbing until early in the morning, but an evening walk and the numerous bars make up for it. You’re in Italy – no, even better, you’re in Tuscany – so a glass of good wine is never far away! Or cocktails of course. You have to try a Negroni when you’re in the city it was invented in. 

Three of the best bars in Florence:

• Mad Souls and Spirits – I can recommend this bar for its quirky, crafted cocktails. No fancy, mainstream drinks here, but just really great cocktails. They have their own version of a Negroni called the Negroni Di Provincia (De)nuclearizzata.
• Diorama – Italy is not all about wine. It has a rich craft beer culture, and they all seem to be sold in this fantastic little bar.
• Enoteca Alessi – This bar looks like a wine cellar. The place is stacked floor to ceiling with wine bottles. Lovely place to sit down and have a glass!

Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary: Sunday, Day 2 – Cultural and Historic Wonders

Spend today exploring more of the iconic, historic buildings of Florence. Dive deeper into Florentine cuisine and discover one of Florence’s most authentic neighborhoods. 

Visit Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens

Start your morning visiting Pitti Palace, one of Florence’s iconic buildings. This palace started out as Luca Pitti’s residence. He was a merchant – who was remarkably good at it – who decided to have his house built here. He died before it was finished. The dynasties that lived here after, the Medici, the Hapsburg-Lorraine and the Savoy, finished and extended the building to the enormous palace it is now.

It now houses a few museums. On the ground floor is the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, also known as the Silver Museum. This is where the Medici’s silverware, jewelry and porcelain collection is displayed. The Palatine Gallery is on the first floor, which showcases a collection of paintings from the 16th and 17th Century. Go all the way to the top for the Gallery of Modern Art. Throughout the building, you’ll see original furnishings, so it’s easy to imagine what it would be like to live here.

Behind Palazzo Pitti are the Boboli Gardens. Go for a stroll (or a hike!) on these beautifully landscaped grounds. Imagine living here and having all this lavish space to yourself. The 111 acres are enough to spend hours exploring every corner of these royal gardens. Just a Pitti you don’t have more time (I’ll see myself out).

Make the most of your morning visiting Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens by booking a guided tour.

Lunch at Mangiafuoco Bracerie

It’s difficult to order any food in Italy and be disappointed. Italian cuisine is all about fairly simple meals with few, but high-quality fresh ingredients. Tuscan cuisine is a very authentic cuisine, where popular dishes that were originally cooked at home made their way into the restaurants. Mangiafuoco Bracerie is an authentic restaurant where you can try local specialties.

For lunch, you should try one of the following typical Florentine meals:

• Pappa al Pomodoro: a rustic tomato soup, made with Tuscan ribbed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil. The soup is thickened with stale bread. More of a tomato porridge than soup, this is a delicious and perfect option for lunch.
• Ribollita: another hearty soup (again, more like a stew), made with vegetables, beans and bread. It’s often made the day before it’s served, to give it a rich flavor. 
• Sandwiches: a sandwich you say? Hell yes! Think sandwich, but made with freshly baked focaccia bread, fresh cold meats, the best tomatoes and vegetables. Amazing!

Shop local at the San Lorenzo market

I love local markets. Seeing products and food for sale, gives you a very good idea of the city’s local culture. The San Lorenzo Market is so good that it must be on your list of sights to see. 

San Lorenzo consists of two different markets. There is an indoor market, called Mercato Centrale, and an outdoor market in the surrounding streets. Mercato Centrale is where you want to go for everything food, whether it’s ingredients or freshly prepared ready-to-eat goodness. Dessert anyone?

The outdoor market has pretty much everything for sale. It’s a must if you want to bring some souvenirs back home. Whether it’s a Florence fridge magnet, or a stylish Italian leather bag to rock on a night out back home, you’ll find it here. 

Anyway, start your San Lorenzo adventure outside. It’s so nice to be outside, strolling past the stalls. It’s a welcome change from all the museums and palaces of Florence. The museums are beautiful, but you can easily spend hours inside. And there are a lot of them in Florence. I get it!

You can easily spend the whole afternoon exploring the outdoor market, so enjoy the sun, the fresh air and the atmosphere at the market. The only challenge this afternoon is not spending all your money on the first few vendors you see. It pays to compare prices farther down the streets!

Slowly work your way to the Mercato Centrale, where you can see fruit and vegetable vendors at work, as well as butchers and ice cream makers. You won’t go hungry here!

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Enjoy an aperitivo at Mercato Centrale

Feeling hungry? Remember, Italians eat late, but they manage to do so because of the aperitivo, which are basically small, bite-sized portions of dishes. This is normally served between 5.30-8.30 The Mercato Centrale has a food court, which is perfect for creating your own aperitivo. 

Order a glass of wine and choose one of the small aperitivo items to go with it for €10, or order it all separately. Can’t choose? Don’t worry, you can always order more food. Or have the same wine and food again, of course.

One to try is bruschetta with lampredotto, a popular Florentine delicacy is the fourth stomach of a cow, slowly cooked in a vegetable broth. It’s then chopped-up and put on a bit of bread with salsa verde on top. If you can stomach it (pun intended), this is as typical Florentine as it gets. It’s absolutely delicious and tender! (But then I’m the kind of person who eats then thinks.)

Leave a bit of room for dinner, which is just about…now.

Go for a stroll through the city

Yes, it is about time for dinner, but it can wait. Italians eat late, remember? Maybe let your food down before you – well – are going to have more delicious food. This is the perfect time of day to go for a stroll, without really going somewhere. This is a favorite Italian activity, to just go for a walk after a meal.

The sun has just set. As Florence slowly gets darker, the city becomes even more atmospheric. The cobblestone streets light up under the yellow streetlights. Just walk and explore the streets, or walk across Ponte Vecchio to see how different it looks when it’s dark. Or see how beautifully the Cathedral is lit up at night. It’s almost impossible, but Florence looks even better in the evening!

Dinner at Angel

Angel Roofbar & Dining is located on the roof terrace of Hotel Calimala. The rooftop has three levels, with a restaurant, two bars (they make a mean Negroni!) and a patio with breath-taking 360º views. I mean it, this must be one of the best views of Florence. From here, you’re looking over the rooftops of the city, with that majestic dome of the cathedral sticking out as if it was right next to you. 

Even if you’ve eaten a bit too much at the Central Market aperitivo, try to order at least a light dinner. The food here is brilliant, with a small but delicious choice of cold and hot Southern Mediterranean dishes!

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Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary: Monday, Day 3 – Oltrarno and departure

Ok, you’re leaving today, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to visit Oltrarno. This is only the coolest neighborhood in Florence! Think similar old buildings, but with greenery, parks and art mixed in. 

It’s full of artisan boutique shops, trendy places to eat, art galleries and nature everywhere. It’s a short walk from the city center. Explore freely, as there is enough to discover. Oltrarno runs between the Santo Spirito Basilisk and San Frediano and it’s easy to walk the whole neighborhood.

One place you can’t miss is Piazzale Michelangelo. This square/viewpoint is the perfect place to just sit on the steps with a coffee, and enjoy a great view of the city, with the sun on your face.

If you have time for lunch, I can recommend All’Antico Vinaio, a legendary Florentine sandwich shop! Here you can have beef, salami, prosciutto, and so much more between foccacia that is fresh, crispy and soft. There may be a line – but it’s worth it.

Enjoy this great Florentine staple while you take in la dolce vita of your last afternoon in Firenze!

Where to Stay in Florence

On a trip to Florence, you should really stay in the city center. It gives you a much more authentic experience because you’re right in the middle of all the places of interest. Florence has a certain vibe. It’s a brilliant blend of art, history, culture and timeless beauty. You can experience this best by leaving your hotel and walking right into it.

The best places to stay in Florence:

• Oro Nero Florence – This property offers small but stylish suites with a bedroom, a kitchenette and a seating area. There was a bottle of wine waiting in the room for us (a very welcome welcome!)
• Palazzo Testa – Excellent bed & breakfast in a villa. The rooms are super modern and really comfortable. It’s right in the city center too!
• Hotel David – This is a no-nonsense yet stylish hotel that feels very homely. The staff are superstars and will happily help you with any questions about your trip.

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3-DAY FLORENCE ITINERARY SUMMARY

Friday Arrival:

• Dinner at Trattoria Mario | Address: Via Rosina 2r, angolo Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123, Firenze

Saturday, Day 1:

• Meet David at the Galleria dell’Accademia | Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze
• Climb the Cathedral of Florence | Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze
• Lunch at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti | Address: Via dei Cimatori, 23, 50122 Firenze
• Get a dose of Renaissance Art at Uffizi Gallery | Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze
• Walk across Ponte Vecchio at sunset | Address: Ponte Vecchio, Firenze
• Dinner at La Buchetta | Address: Via dei Benci, 3, 50122 Firenze
• Have a night out | Choose your venue

Sunday, Day 2: 

Monday, Day 3 & Departure:

• Visit the cool neighborhood of Oltrarno | Address: Between Santo Spirito and San Frediano
• Lunch at All’Antico Vinaio | Address: Via de’ Neri 65R, 50122, Firenze

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Two Super Detailed Winter Europe Itineraries (for Two Weeks)

About Our Contributor: David Breeker loves visiting Italy. The mix of art, history, food and vibe makes Florence one of his favorite cities that he keeps coming back to. 

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Our Top Travel Tips & Resources

Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

• Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
• Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they’ve got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
• Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
• Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
• Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
• Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
• Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
• VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
• What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

Picture yourself in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, listening to the birds chirp overhead while lying by the beach in a cabana. A delicious drink appears next to you, rimmed with Tajin and a sweet, crunchy starfruit. You head to a beachfront restaurant for some delicious, fresh ceviche overlooking the ocean, then get a luxurious massage at the spa before taking a relaxing dip in the pool. You left your wallet upstairs in your room, but you won’t need it, because everything is included at your resort.

Now, I have to admit something: I’ve never been an all-inclusive resort person. Historically. I’ve been of a “book whatever’s cheap, you’ll just sleep there” type. And trips were never for relaxing: they were for exploring, adventuring, and doing. Time spent relaxing in a new place felt like time wasted!

Well, then I turned 30, had a baby, and learned to deeply appreciate time spent relaxing. Things change, and priorities change – and while I still love a busy, fun-filled trip full of doing things, I’ve learned that every so often, booking a vacation – as opposed to a trip – is incredibly rejuvenating. Laying on a beach, languishing by the pool, sleeping late while watching the sun come up over Banderas Bay from your private balcony before calling up room service – this is a type of travel that I’ve learned to love and make space for in my life.

So when I was invited to experience Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa, I jumped at the opportunity. Puerto Vallarta offers the perfect balance of exploration and relaxing, because there’s plenty to do outside of the “Hotel Zone” where most resorts are located. My trip included plenty of fun activities, from exploring Old Town to taking a food tour to going whale watching to visiting a private island for a mind-blowing circus show – you can read all about it and plan your own perfectly balanced trip in my Puerto Vallarta itinerary.

In this post, I want to focus on the star of my visit to Puerto Vallarta, the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa, one of the best Puerto Vallarta resorts for families! If you’re considering making it a base for your trip to Puerto Vallarta (especially if you’ll be bringing kiddos along), read on.

Planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta? Here are a few posts that might help:

All-Inclusive Resorts in Puerto Vallarta

For a destination like Puerto Vallarta, an all-inclusive resort is the perfect haven. Located in the “Hotel Zone,” conveniently situated between the airport and downtown/Old Town areas, resorts offer the ideal combination of comfort and accessibility.

Of course, not just any resort will do. It’s gotta have beachfront access, a stunning pool, legitimately good food and drinks (all included in your rate, hence “all-inclusive”) and, for bonus points, a really good spa, too.

But unlike many resort destinations, Puerto Vallarta has a LOT to offer in Old Town, so you can balance your resort relaxation with getaways to explore. If you’re like me and get cabin fever easily, that’s a huge advantage. I’m always excited to explore a new place, and Puerto Vallarta is safe, beautiful, and easy to explore.

To get into Old Town from the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa, you can ask the front desk to book you a taxi or just walk a few feet out to the main street to hop on a public bus. Old Town is just 10 minutes away!

When you’re had your fill of the hustle and bustle of the Zona Romantic, your resort is waiting for you a short ride away, ready to lull you back into a blissful state of relaxation. Honestly, it’s perfect.

What are the rooms like at Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta?

One thing I LOVED at the Fiesta Americana is that every room boasts a private balcony overlooking the pool and ocean, regardless of the price point.

This means everyone, no matter what they’re paying, gets a beautiful ocean view. Every single room faces in the same stunning direction. We love an equitable resort!

Each room includes amenities like a robe and slippers, marble floors, large shower, a coffee maker and small fridge/minibar. And, ya know, a private balcony with jaw-dropping ocean views.

That said, opting for the top three floors – aka the Fiesta Club rooms – enhances your experience.

Sure, the views from up there are incredible, but there are daily happy hours in the lounge, access to a heated adults-only hot tub and pool area, an exclusive restaurant and premium restaurant seating.

Surprisingly. even though my room was located on the top floor, I could still hear the waves crashing on the beach clear as day. This was the perfect soundtrack to fall asleep and wake up to, so I kept my windows open all night long (and not a single bug bothered me during my trip!)

Is there anything better than throwing on a cozy hotel robe and slippers and winding down at night while listening to ocean waves on a nearby shore? There is not.

Another perk with the Fiesta Club Room was having access to the adults-only pool- especially nice when I wanted to escape the larger pool for somewhere smaller and quieter. It’s located on the rooftop of a restaurant overlooking the ocean, so the views are phenomenal. You can relax in a private cabana and order drinks and food poolside, which I took full advantage of.

The premium restaurant seating meant enjoying breakfast each morning on a beachfront patio. And one night during your stay, you’ll get to enjoy a wonderful 4-course dinner on a palapa in the center of the pool at L’Isola Restaurant, only available to Fiesta Club members.

Speaking of restaurants, the food at this resort is INCREDIBLE!

Restaurants at the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta

When you’ll be eating most of your meals at the resort, the quality of the food can make or break your experience. Well, Fiesta Americana has consistently earned a AAA Four-Diamond award for an impressive 20 years in a row, and the culinary experience at its multiple onsite restaurants is a standout feature.

Yes – there are a LOT of restaurants. So I went to as many as I could. You know, for research!

• La Cevicheria: Casual seafood dining on an open-air beachfront patio. The perfect for a relaxed, casual lunch by the pool and beach. The ceviche is fresh and delicious, and the snack platter offers several filling options.
• El Mexicano: Traditional Mexican cuisine! You’ll find multiple regions of Mexican dishes represented here, and they’re all phenomenal. This is a great spot to try Jalisco specialties like tacos birria!
• The Grill: Open-air BBQ spot located right by the pool and kids area, so when your little one gets hungry and wants a burger, you barely have to move.
• Rosato: Italian/Mediterranean deliciousness. Think perfectly plated pastas and fresh-caught fish.
• L’Isola Restaurant: This restaurant serves an incredible 4-course meal on a palapa overlooking the glowing pool, which Fiesta Club rooms can enjoy once per trip. This was my favorite restaurant and dining experience at the resort!
• Restaurant Asiatico Tiantang: The onsite Asian restaurant includes Hibachi (which is a blast for kiddos to watch) and fresh, delicious sushi. My favorite here was the sushi.
• Chulavista: The all-day buffet, with a beautiful patio overlooking the beach. My favorites at breakfast were the fresh green juice and chilaquiles!
• Bonus – Coffee Shop: The coffee shop has the best coffee in the resort and I stopped there every morning for a cappuccino to go. It’s tucked away through the gift shop in the lobby. There are also delicious fresh pastries – all included, of course.

The incredible food options at Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa made each meal feel special and exciting. And anyone who’s ever met a hungry toddler can agree that with kiddos in tow, there’s nothing better than 24/7 access to a wide variety of options!

Family-Friendly Amenities at Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa

While I didn’t bring my toddler along with me this trip (and thoroughly enjoyed my kid-free time), I felt pangs of longing watching the excited toddlers and families around me. I can’t wait to bring Little Bug back here, y’all!

Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa is really a perfect family-friendly resort and a fantastic way to enjoy an actual vacation (as in, not just parenting with better scenery). Here’s are the family-friendly amenities that made me feel the most excited about returning with my 2-year old:

• There’s a huge pool with a separate wading pool for littles and an island in the center of the pool for kiddos to relax, climb on, and practice jumping off of
• The beach has a natural sandbar buffering the waves, making it the perfect little lagoon for tiny ones
• There’s an awesome on-site playground right by the pool
• A fun rotation of daily kids activities for all ages, which means there’s no shortage of activities for little ones to enjoy while you and your partner switch off who’s out doing stuff or simply relax on the beach or at the pool (while keeping one watchful eye, of course).
• Onsite daycare, so you can hand your kiddo off to a qualified adult and go sit by the pool and enjoy a drink by yourself –or even get a massage, take a tour or explore Old Town Puerto Vallarta for a few hours kid-free while your little one has a blast!
• There’s delicious food available at all hours, prepared by someone else, ready in moments. The Chulavista buffet is open all day long, so you don’t even need to wait when hanger hits.

One concern I initially had was the atmosphere of the resort – would it be dominated by honeymooners or exude an air of pretentiousness? Would kids and families get dirty looks from kid-free groups?

To my delight, the Fiesta Americana struck a perfect balance, feeling both luxurious and approachable, and family-friendly with enough separation of amenities for all groups to feel accommodated.

What truly impressed me was the resort’s versatility, catering seamlessly to families, couples, and even bachelor/ette parties.

Another concern I had was that the abundance of bar service and unlimited, delicious drinks might lead to over-indulgence. But I didn’t see any of that during my trip: guests were responsibly enjoying their time, and drinks were poured on the lighter side (which I appreciated).

Families with toddlers reveled in the amenities, from the kid-friendly pool to the charming playground.

And while I deeply enjoyed my solo adventure, witnessing the family-friendly environment left me excited about returning with my little one and husband in tow!

My stay at the Fiesta Americana was nothing short of exceptional, and I wholeheartedly recommend making it your home base for an unforgettable Puerto Vallarta getaway.

Do you have questions about my stay at Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta? Drop me a comment below!

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Disclaimer: Our trip was hosted by the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa. All opinions, bad jokes, overly enthusiastic use of adjectives, and the embarrassing amount of time I spent stalking the peacocks that live at the resort are 100% my own and totally not their fault. BTW, how handsome is this peacock?! Too handsome not to be shoehorned into this post, that’s for sure.

Picturesque canals with houseboats, cobble-stone streets and bustling squares, historical narrow houses and laid-back attitude. Welcome to Amsterdam! The capital of the Netherlands is not just about windmills, tulips and wooden shoes. This vibrant city destination offers an unforgettable experience to a great variety of visitors, whether you love history and architecture, world-class art, non-stop nightlife, or weird and wonderful food. And in this 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary, you’ll explore all of these things!

It’s a city where people can be individuals, without being judged for being themselves. That’s why the city is very tolerant towards drugs, prostitution, the LGBTQIA+ community and foreign cultures. And how can it not be? The 180 different nationalities that live in Amsterdam (mind, there are 223 nationalities in the world), make this city an eclectic, multicultural melting pot that’s still very Dutch, like you’ve never seen before. Come and experience it yourself!

Luckily our friend David is not only a huge fan of Amsterdam, but a Netherlands native himself! He has written the best 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary to show you the best of the city on your trip. So take it away, David!

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3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary FAQs

Amsterdam is my city. Not that I own it or anything (can you actually own a city?), but it’s where I’m from (well, close enough anyway). To me, the biggest attraction of Amsterdam has always been its vibe. It has a very tolerant and laid-back culture.

Every time I visit Amsterdam -the city where anything goes- I get a buzz (no, this has nothing to do with marijuana). I love the energy of this place, its people and its culture. I hope you will too!

How Do I Get Around Amsterdam?

Public transport in Amsterdam is excellent for such a compact city. There are local trains within Amsterdam, buses, trams, ferries and underground trains. The underground line was recently expanded and now gets you to the other side of the city in less than 30 minutes. City transport is organized by GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoersbedrijf). 

Public transport is not cheap in Amsterdam, but it’s reasonable. You get much better value if you buy a day or multi-day ticket. To find your way around Amsterdam, downloading the 9292OV app is a must. It helps you plan your journeys in the whole country, but works great for just Amsterdam too.

Not really public transport (although bicycles get stolen so often they are pretty much public property), cycling is an efficient and green way to get around the city. You need to be used to riding a bike and have eyes in the back of your head though. Traffic and pedestrians are everywhere. There is a network of cycle lanes that get you around safely. 

Do I need an I Amsterdam City Card?

Yes absolutely. A 72-hour I Amsterdam City Card costs €100 ($110) and fits perfectly with this three-day itinerary. It saves you money in the end. It includes public transport within the city, free entry to a lot of museums, a free canal cruise and a free one-day bicycle rental. Go figure!

Every activity in this itinerary marks which activities you can use with the I Amsterdam City Card, so you can see how much you’ll save!

What’s the thing with coffeeshops?

The tolerant nature of the city of Amsterdam means that the use of substances like weed, hash and magic truffles are legal. They are sold in places called coffeeshops (I know, confusing!), where you can relax and smoke marijuana. Whether you are pro or against marijuana, it is admirable that it’s legal in The Netherlands, without causing too much trouble in the country. Still, we have left a visit to a coffeeshop out of the itinerary as an activity, so you can decide whether or not to try it yourself.

If you would like to try smoking marijuana for the first time, there is no better place to do it than Amsterdam. Marijuana is legalized in some states in the US now, but you must realize that in The Netherlands, weed has never been illegal. The market is mature, people are used to it and it’s basically ‘nothing special’. Smoking a joint in The Netherlands is as acceptable as drinking a beer.

Coffeeshops are like any ordinary bar. They look a bit like a chill out lounge, where you can smoke and have a (non-alcoholic) drink. There is a menu with all the weed and hash species. Tell the person behind the bar that it’s your first time, so they can advise you accordingly. Don’t take the advice lightly…some of the stuff is pretty strong! It’s best to buy a pre-rolled joint, so you are sure there’s not too much in it. Be aware that you’re not allowed to smoke tobacco inside anymore.

So, the use of marijuana is allowed, but it doesn’t mean that abuse is tolerated! Mushrooms used to be legal too, but have been banned since 2007 because some tourists took too much, leading to fatal incidents. Magic truffles are still legal though (because they are sooo different, right?).

Without trying to sound like a dad, enjoy yourself and try it by all means, but just don’t overdo it (oh sh*t, I really sounded like a dad there!). Have fun!

Now you know all you need to know about preparing for your three days in Amsterdam, let’s get started. It’s a lot to read, but you’ll have the best trip ever!

3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary

The time has come! Let’s dive into our 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary.

Amsterdam Itinerary, Thursday: Arrival Day

• Today it’s all about slowly adjusting to being in a new place, so you’ll be having dinner and taking a little stroll if you like. Take it easy and relax for now, because tomorrow this fully packed itinerary really kicks off.

Airport transfer to Amsterdam

Flying into the Netherlands, you’ll arrive at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. For a small country, Amsterdam Airport is big, but you shouldn’t have any trouble making your way out. I say out, but you don’t actually have to leave the building to get to your next mode of transport.

Depending on your hotel, they may offer an airport shuttle service. You can also take a taxi into the city center, but I wouldn’t bother. Take the train! It’s easy, quick and cheap (and it’s adventurous, right?).

The platforms are below ground. From arrivals, all you need to do is walk into the central hall, find your train and go downstairs to the right platform. Most trains, no matter where they go in the country, stop at Amsterdam Centraal Station (I’ll help you out! That’s Amsterdam Central Station in English. You’re welcome!)

Dinner at Hap-Hmm

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, take some time to adjust until dinner. Now you’ve arrived in Amsterdam, it’s time for some typical Dutch food. Remember there are 180 different nationalities that live in Amsterdam! It makes going out for food an adventure, because there are a lot of different cuisines on offer. So much, that it’s actually quite hard to find typical Dutch food (don’t panic, I’ve got you!)

Hap-Hmm is a lovely small restaurant in the center of Amsterdam. On the menu you’ll find typical Dutch dishes. Don’t expect haute cuisine: most typical Dutch food is based on potatoes, cooked vegetables and meat. Not very exciting, but so comforting! I can really recommend any of their soups for starters and Grootmoeders Gehaktbal (Grandma’s Meatball) as a main. It’s a large meatball like only Dutch grandma’s can make them (yes, any grandma in the Netherlands, no exceptions!). Order some stoofpeertjes (sweet pears stewed in red wine) on the side and you’ll be a happy person!

If you still have the energy to do anything else after this filling meal (I salute you!), perhaps go for a little walk to explore the area around the restaurant. Check out the 17th-century architecture and have a wander through Vondelpark if it’s still light outside. Amsterdam is generally safe, but I wouldn’t go to the park at night. If you fancy a drink, there are quite a few bars around here (“café” in Dutch). Ones to try are Bariq Espresso & Wine Bar or PARCK if you enjoy a drink and a game of ping pong (of course you do!).

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 1, Friday: Getting Your Bearings

On this first day, you’ll explore a lot on foot, but feel free to use public transport in between. You’ll see most of the inner city of Amsterdam and you’ll get an understanding of the layout of the city. Ready? Let’s go!

Anne Frank House

I don’t think Anne Frank needs any introduction. This museum is the house where the young Jewish girl lived for almost two years, hidden away, before she was captured and taken to a concentration camp. Her diary was later published and her tragic story became known worldwide.

It’s good to start your city trip with the Anne Frank House, as it’s very popular and because it’s literally a house, a limited number of people are allowed in at the same time. Inside, you’ll see the different rooms of the house, including the attic where the family used to hide. There are pages of her diary to read, as well as photographs and items that belonged to the Frank family.

This is one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam, which means tickets sell out unfortunately. Book yours ahead of your trip, on the official website. The visit takes around one hour.

De Negen Straatjes

Walk five minutes south (see, I told you Amsterdam is very walkable!) to get to De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets). You’ll find this area behind the Royal Palace, between Singel and Prinsengracht. It consists of nine streets and four canals, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage canal belt.

The nine small shopping streets are very picturesque. Boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops (the coffee kind!) and 17th-century architecture…it’s all here! 

De Bloemenmarkt (Flower market)

From De Negen Straatjes, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market). This market is full of flowers (duh!). This is where you can buy Dutch tulips in lots of different colors, as well as other flowers. Buy a colorful bunch of tulips to bring back home as a souvenir! (Great! Wilted flowers.) You can buy wooden souvenir tulips here, too. Or even better, buy some bulbs of your favorite tulips, so you can watch them grow at home!

• Note: When you bring back tulip (or any flower) bulbs back to the US, please keep in mind you can’t bring more than 12 bulbs. The bulbs need to be packaged with a phytosanitary certificate. At customs, you need to declare them on your customs form, and have them packed in an easy place, to be inspected. The sellers at the Flower Market sell bulbs that are marked US approved. These bulbs will have the certificate on the packaging.

Lunch at Beers & Barrels

I hope you’ve worked up an appetite walking around this morning exploring Amsterdam. There will be a lot more exploring to do, but now…time to eat. I can recommend Beers & Barrels on Rembrandtplein (not because it has beers in its name, honestly!). This steakhouse has some excellent burgers and lighter bites on their lunch menu, as well as an abundance of different beers on tap (oh you got me, busted!). 

I love their pulled pork nachos. The meat is so tender, which goes really well the crunchy tortilla chips. I think you should also order a portion of bitterballen (they don’t taste of bitter balls, don’t worry). Bitterballen are typical Dutch snacks that go really well with a beer or two (oh snap!). It’s basically a very thick roux and beef stock based stew, loaded with pulled beef and/or veal. The stew is rolled into balls, breaded and deep-fried (hey, I never said they were healthy). You eat them dipped in a bit of sweet mustard. Yum!

While you’re here, you might as well order a beer. It’s Amsterdam after all, where anything goes!

Dessert: Poffertjes at Mama Pancake

Hope you didn’t eat too many bitterballen, because now it’s time to try a Dutch dessert. You can’t beat poffertjes! These are small, puffy pancakes, made in a special pan called a poffertjespan. They are served with butter and powdered sugar. Walk towards Dam Square along one of the main streets called Rokin. Mama Pancake is at number 100, where you can get some tasty poffertjes to take out.

Dam Square

Following Rokin, you’ll eventually end up on Dam Square. It just might take a while, as there are so many interesting buildings and shops to see. Dam Square -or The Dam, as locals call it- is the absolute center of Amsterdam. There is always something to see and do here. The cenotaph in the middle is the National Monument, which symbolizes the respect the population has for Dutch war victims all over the world.

The big building to the west is the Royal Palace (one of a few, as the Dutch royal family doesn’t live here). The street in the northern direction leads to Amsterdam Central train station. (Wait, don’t go there yet! This is only your first day!)

You can easily spend an hour on Dam Square. The vibe is amazing! It’s where everybody in Amsterdam seems to come together. There are street performers, food stalls and maybe you’ll even see an old-fashioned organ player, shaking his coin-collecting tray.

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Sex Museum De Venustempel

Most museums in Amsterdam are the opposite of the big, serious exhibitions that you may think of. The Sex Museum is one of them. This museum exhibits the historic and artistic side of eroticism throughout the centuries, including statues, drawings, clothing and devices. 

Amsterdam being a tolerant city, this very popular museum is a fun way to spend an hour. It’s in an old townhouse, so it does get hot upstairs, especially in summer (I mean high temperatures, what were you thinking?)

Blush your way through the exhibition, while you see lots of nudity. Great to have a laugh alone, as a couple, or with friends. (Just don’t go with your mum, dad or in-laws… awkward.)

Red Light District

Sex sells, and in Amsterdam it’s big business! The most natural thing in the world is probably also the oldest thing in the world, so why not visit the 600+ year old Red Light District? This infamous district is called De Wallen in Dutch and is renowned for prostitution. In The Netherlands, this is a legally recognized profession. The girls make money and pay taxes like any other employed person in the country. Pretty open-minded!

The neighborhood is a unique place full of opposites. De Oudekerk (Old Church) -of all buildings- is the center of the Red Light District. (You can visit the church for free with an I Amsterdam Card.) Boasting 200 windows, 350 sex workers, brothels and sex clubs, it’s also a residential area for more than 2,500 people. There’s a day nursery for the children who live here, right next to the 5D Porn Cinema and windows with sex workers! Unthinkable in most other places, but this is Amsterdam after all! The biggest opposite is the time of day you visit. The difference is like…day and night (hey, is that tumbleweed?). 

I recommend visiting during the day. It’s quieter, you can feel the vibe of the neighbourhood better, and you can still have a good idea of what goes on here in terms of red lights. At night it’s often crowded and the atmosphere changes. It’s not dangerous, but definitely seedier. 

Want to prepare a bit, so you know what to expect? You can find lots of information here, and you can also book a 2-hour audio tour. Walking tours of the Red Light District are now no longer allowed, so if anyone offers, please decline.

Walking around by yourself is very easy to do. I would really recommend visiting PIC Amsterdam (Prostitution Information Center), right next to the church. This is a very friendly place where you can just walk in and read about prostitution, or ask any questions you may have. It gives you an insight into sex work from the perspective of sex workers. This center is founded by Mariska Majoor, a former sex worker, who is the absolute expert on sex work in The Netherlands.

• Insider tip: PIC Amsterdam organizes Walk & Talks, starting at 5:00 PM on Wednesday till Saturday. These talks are super informative and give you an excellent tour from the sex worker’s point of view. As guided walks are no longer allowed in the Red Light District, you get the talk first, then walk on your own.

Dinner in Chinatown

Amsterdam’s Chinatown is right next to the Red Light District. Don’t expect a Chinatown like in New York City. It’s very small in comparison and not strictly Chinese (and no one’s hawking fake designer bags either). It’s a great representation of different Asian cultures, only covering a few city blocks. Great food, either way!

These are the best restaurants in Chinatown:

• Nam Kee – The most famous of all. It featured in a Dutch film in 2002 (Oysters at Nam Kee’s) and still carries its fame. The simple decor makes the restaurant feel authentic. Try their famous black bean sauce oysters, and their Cantonese menu is great!
• Wing Kee – Not as famous, but this is my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. With over 100 Cantonese dishes on the menu, you might find it hard to choose (try Peking duck!). Don’t worry, I’ve never had a bad meal here!
• New King – This restaurant offers Mandarin cuisine. They don’t take reservations, so it’s first come first serve, but the food always arrives very quickly. It’s the perfect restaurant for a quick bite. The dim sum is to die for!

Do you feel like going for a drink after this long first day? In Amsterdam you never have to look too hard to find a bar. There is a cluster of great bars around Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 2, Saturday: Arts & Culture

• Cycle and swerve your way through Amsterdam. Admire the arts of the Dutch master painters and see the city from a different point of view. If you can, start early today.

Rent a bike

Today we’re going to cycle around the city, like a local. You may have been on a bike before, but this is a whole different level. You need to have eyes in the back of your head (and on the sides, ideally!). There are bicycle lanes, but still watch out for cars and pedestrians (especially tourists who think it’s a great idea to stand in the middle of a cycle lane, taking a photo of some wooden shoe or windmill). You have a bell, you will use it. It’s your right of way! Now be careful, and have fun!

Have you never ridden a bicycle, or did you see how the cyclists swerve around everybody and everything and thought that was scary enough? Don’t worry, the places you visit today can easily be reached by public transport too!

If you have the I Amsterdam City Card , hiring a bike for a day is free at Discount Rental Bikes, Yellow Bike Rental, A-Bike Rental, Macbike and Amsterbike. Without the I Amsterdam City Card, the average rental price is $15-$20 a day.

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Visit the Rijksmuseum

As soon as you’ve got your bike sorted, cycle straight in the direction of Museumplein. The Rijksmuseum is where you can see famous paintings by the Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, Steen and Van Gogh. Amongst more than 8,000 paintings are the famous Milkmaid by Vermeer, Van Gogh’s self-portrait and the impressive (enormous) Night Watch by Rembrandt.

The Rijksmuseum is absolutely stunning! The building itself, as well as all the fine art, historical books and collections of porcelain, historical objects, furniture and photographs, make this a unique place to visit. The collection tells 800 years of Dutch history. Can you see it all in a day? No chance! But you can easily spend most of your morning here.

Best of all, the Rijksmuseum is free with the I Amsterdam City Card!

Load up at the Foodhallen Amsterdam

A short bicycle ride away is Foodhallen, a large food market with independent pop-up stalls. You can find anything here, from Dutch food to Asian and Italian cuisine. Your challenge is to refrain from eating so much you can’t move anymore (I would 100% fail this challenge). Find some food that you can take with you, think picnic (yes, bitterballen are totally picnic food!).

Lunch at Vondelpark

Cycle to Vondelpark. This is one of the biggest parks in Amsterdam, with 116 acres of winding paths, little bridges, ponds, green lawns and lovely cafes (good thing you brought your bike!). Cycle around the park for a bit, until you find the best picnic spot. My favorite spot is the peninsula in the middle of the Grote Vijver (Big Pond). It’s nice and quiet, plus there are toilets nearby. Sit down in the grass, unwind and enjoy your loot from the food market. Save some space for dessert!

Shop (and dessert) at the Albert Cuypmarkt

This is where the locals shop. The Albert Cuypmarkt is a street market in district De Pijp (on a map it has the shape of a pipe). This market has been here since 1905 and is famous in the whole country. This is where the locals shop. Not only because they’re -well- local, but also because you can pretty much buy anything you need at this market. Whether it’s fresh fish, fruit, cheap clothes, jewelry, that USA-to-Euro adapter you forgot to pack, or some great souvenirs to take back home, you’ll find it here.

Ready for dessert? Have a stroopwafel! Stroopwafels are thin waffles stuck together with a sticky caramel syrup. You can buy them in supermarkets, stacked up to about the size of a mug, cold, 10 in a pack, and they are delicious.

The only versions that are even better, are the freshly baked ones on markets. If you get your stroopwafels from Rudi’s at the Albert Cuypmarket, you’re talking big league. One of the best family recipes in the country, hot waffles the size of a small plate and made to order. I’ve seen Rudi’s food truck change throughout the years, but the quality has always been amazing! They cost around $2. (I sincerely apologize for not introducing you to these earlier. Have another stroopwafel to make you feel better!)

Enjoy a beer (or two)

You may have heard of a small beer brand that is brewed in Amsterdam, has been around for years, and is sold in a green can or bottle, called Heineken? I’m only joking. Heineken is sold around the world and you’ve most likely had a few of these bad boys before. Because it’s so famous, there’s the Heineken Experience at close distance to the Albert Cuypmarket. 

This tour gives you access to the old brewery and the first brew room, where the beer was produced before the company grew too big and moved elsewhere. You’ll learn everything about Heineken and end up on the roof terrace where you can enjoy two beers, included in the tour. With your I Amsterdam City Card you get a 25% discount, but tours must be booked with your card in advance.

Or…if you don’t care too much about the brand and you know what Heineken beer tastes like (you know!), I have a more local suggestion for you: have a beer at Brouwerij ’t IJ.

This brewery, right on the IJ-Kanaal, is a 15-minute, cross-city bicycle ride away from the Albert Cuypmarket (but you’ve made it in one piece this far, so you’ll be absolutely fine, based on absolutely nothing). This industrial-style brewery in an old bath house, is right next to a windmill. The beers are tasty, the atmosphere is amazing and they have some great pub snacks on offer too. Just a cool place to hang out and try a few beers.

They do (cheap!) tours too, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 3.30 pm. You can’t pre-book them and it’s limited to a maximum of 20 people, so be early. Private tours can be booked too. Just send an email for prices and availability. It’s a great opportunity to see a small, local brewery and windmill at the same time!

Dinner at Kartika

Many people in The Netherlands are Indonesian, or of Indonesian descent. This has to do with the colonial past of Indonesia. Representing such a large part of the population, The Netherlands is blessed with Indonesian restaurants. It’s a cuisine you really need to experience. Stir-fries, satays and curries with complex flavors is what Indonesian food is all about. You should really try it at Restaurant Kartika when you’re in Amsterdam.

If you have never had Indonesian food, I can recommend a rijsttafel (rice table). It’s basically the best of Indonesian cuisine in one meal. Your table will be covered with small portions of the most popular dishes. Hope you’re hungry, because this will be a lot of food!

Not haven’t-eaten-for-days-hungry? Maybe it’s better to choose a separate dish. Try rendang daging sapi, a slow-cooked beef stew that is out of this world. Or maybe soto, a light chicken and vegetable soup you eat with rice. Want something hot? Try sambal goreng, which is made with fried red chili peppers. Nasi goreng is Indonesian fried rice. Combine this with chicken satay if you want some comfort food.

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Have a legendary night out in Amsterdam

Tomorrow is your last full day in Amsterdam. If you don’t want to be sleep-deprived and/or hung-over on the flight back (flights leaving Amsterdam must be the quietest in the world!), tonight is the night to go out. A big night out in Amsterdam is pretty big. Clubs start going when most people go to bed. House and techno is the choice of music, the venues industrial and most clubs only close when the sun comes up.

Three of the hippest (yes, I’m that old!) clubs in Amsterdam:

• Radio Radio – this is a fairly new club, but is very popular. It’s a club, a radio station and a pizza restaurant, all at the same time (why the f*ck not!). It’s in the trendy Westerpark area, just west of Central Station.
• Canvas – This is a hotel, bar and restaurant in an old newspaper office. On the 7th floor, on Friday and Saturday, the tables are removed and the space is turned into a club. The terraces and chill-out areas are beautifully lit and offer amazing views of the city at night. Club nights are free!

It always pays to buy tickets in advance, where applicable, so you won’t be disappointed if they sell out.

If all-night clubbing is not your thing, there are lots of bars and smaller venues where you can drink and dance (part of) the night away:

• Hannekes Boom – This bar is one of my favorites in summer. Right on the waterfront, close to the NEMO Science Museum is this gem of a bar. It feels a bit like being in someone’s (admittedly big) garden. Colorful picnic tables, green lawns and terraces by the water. It all feels very homemade, with an amazing atmosphere. Boats dock, people have drinks and even have a quick swim if it’s hot. Amazing location.
• Waterkant – This bar is in a wild location. Right at the bottom of a large multi-story carpark, by the water. This unlikely location houses one of the best bars in Amsterdam. It is inspired by the Waterkant, an area in Paramaribo, the capital of Surinam. Drinks are great, the Surinam food is amazing, and on Fridays and Saturdays the place changes into a club.
• De Druif – Looking for an old-fashioned Dutch bar? This is the one! De Druif has been around for at least 400 years. The wooden casks and dark furniture add to the atmosphere. This is the perfect place to try a Dutch jenever (genever), the forerunner of gin, even though technically it isn’t the same drink. Jenever is more malty and junipery (surely that’s not a word, but you get what I mean). You can also have a beer here. Or both in quick succession, which is called a kopstoot – head butt in Dutch (I would tell you why it’s called a head butt, but I had one and forgot).

This is only a small selection, as there are over 1,400 bars in Amsterdam. That’s a lot, but luckily it means you never have to look far to have fun in this city.

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 3, Sunday: Touring & Eating

Your last full day in Amsterdam! The last two days have been pretty intense, and if you had one of those legendary nights out last night, chances are you’ve missed your hotel breakfast this morning. Or maybe you hung out in a coffeeshop and had the best night’s sleep of your life. Either way, we’ll take it easy today.

Van Gogh Museum

As far as museums go in Amsterdam, there is -in my humble opinion– only one museum that beats the amazing Rijksmuseum: the Van Gogh Museum. It gets very busy throughout the day, so let’s start the day with this must-see attraction. Head to Museumplein. As you don’t have a bike and we’re taking it easy, take the tram.  

Vincent van Gogh doesn’t need much introduction. The man is world-famous for his beautiful paintings. Yes there are other famous painters from his era, but Van Gogh was a legend (in an I’m-going-to-cut-off-my-ear-with-a-razor kind of way). Troubled mind, but a brilliant artist. 

This museum tells his life story and showcases his masterpieces. Get up close and personal with his self-portraits, The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers and 200 other paintings of the master. This is the largest Van Gogh collection in the world, as it also showcases 400 drawings and 700 letters by Van Gogh. It felt amazing to see those famous paintings, and the ones I didn’t know, in real life. You can see clearly that he went through different styles and techniques.

You can find tickets for the Van Goh Musuem here.

Take a guided foodie tour of the Jordaan

De Jordaan is a district of Amsterdam that many people consider to be über Amsterdam. This is where people have the strongest accents, a strong community feel and the best stories. The Jordaan was built in 1612 and was named after the French word for garden – jardin. 

You will find lovely hidden hofjes (inner courtyards), hidden behind and between the houses. From the street, you often don’t see much more than a very unassuming door. Opening the door takes you to small, secret gardens that you would never expect to be there.

On this food tour, a guide will walk you through the Jordaan in 3 and a half hours, telling you the stories of the neighborhood and showing you the best spots. De Jordaan has always been a working-class area, but now it has transformed to a trendy district, famous for street markets, artisan food, art galleries, bars and restaurants. You will visit the best places to eat and try some of the local specialties. 

This gentle walking tour guided by great storytellers is a fantastic experience and a great way to get to know the Jordaan and its foods. Book the Jordaan foodie walking tour here on GetYourGuide. 

This tour is worth the price, but if you prefer something more low-key, there is a good self-guided tour available on GPSMyCity. You’ll miss out on the food and the great stories though!

Go on a Canal Cruise

See Amsterdam from a different point of view. A canal cruise is a perfect way to relax, see more of the city and listen to interesting and fun stories about the city (the guides are real characters!). I love going past the houseboats to see how people live on the water, seeing the different narrow houses glide by, sights like the Westerkerk, Anne Frank House and the Skinny Bridge and watching people living their life while you sail past. It’s a serene experience!

The barges are low and wide with panoramic glass roofs. The moment you sail under the first bridge you know why. To say things get tight is an understatement! The captains do three-point turns like they’re maneuvering their car. Impressive!

There are many different cruise operators and cruises. I can recommend just the standard cruise, but there are also cheese and wine cruises, pancake cruises, smoke and chill cruises, city lights cruises and pizza cruises, to name a few. You can book them all here on GetYourGuide. The LOVERS Canal Cruises, Amsterdam Circle Line, and Amsterdam Boat Cruises can all be booked for free with your I Amsterdam City Card.

Cruises depart from Prins Hendrikkade (in front of Centraal Station), Damrak, Rokin or near the Rijksmuseum.

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Dinner at FEBO

Time for some insight into Dutch food culture! So, the Dutch have places called snack bars, where you can buy fries. Not French fries, but the thick, home-style version. The Dutch eat them with mayonnaise and they love it (what’s with your “I-just-ate-a-lemon facial expression?). All I can say is to just try it. Mayo isn’t the sour stuff you know. It’s much sweeter in The Netherlands. You can also have fries with mayonnaise, tomato ketchup and finely cut raw onions (order “speciaal”), or with mayonnaise, satay sauce and raw onions (order “oorlog”).

There are lots of deep-fried snacks to go with your fries. Most of them are meat-based and that’s pretty much all you need to know (don’t want to know what’s in it? Don’t ask!), apart from the fact they taste delicious! 

These are the most popular (and delicious!) deep-fried snacks. Add the word “broodje” in front of the snack to have it in a soft white roll. 

• Frikandel: meat and herb sausage, popular as “speciaal”, so with mayo, ketchup and onions.
• Kroket: beef ragout-filled breaded snack, basically a sausage-shaped bitterbal, great with mustard.
• Berenhap: sliced meatball with onion rings between the slices, on a stick, deep fried. Popular with satay sauce.
• Kipcorn: sausage-shaped breaded chicken nugget.
• Bamibal: Indonesian fried noodles dish, breaded and deep-fried. Eat this on its own.
• Nasibal: Indonesian fried rice dish, breaded and deep-fried. Eat this on its own.
• Mexicano: flat, square, spicy sausage. Like a frikandel, but with a bit of heat.
• Loempia: a large spring roll, deep fried. This is a meal on its own.

The oldest and most famous chain of snack bars in Amsterdam is FEBO. It’s named after the street the first FEBO snack bar was opened in: Ferdinand Bolstraat. Now you’ll find them everywhere in The Netherlands. 

FEBO invented de ‘automatiek’, columns of hatches in the wall. An employee on the other side of the wall places the deep-fried snacks in the hatch (which keeps them warm). You insert coins or swipe your card, and you can open a hatch to grab your hot snack. (You think you know fast-food? Think again!). The food is fresh and waiting for you to open a hatch. 

Amazing for a quick snack or meal!

Depending on which cruise you’ve chosen, you will be in a different location. Luckily there are many FEBO’s in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Itinerary, Monday: Departure Day

Today is the worst day of your life, because you’re leaving Amsterdam (dramatic much?). You have seen a lot of Amsterdam, especially for a first visit! Depending on what time your flight is, you still have time to get some souvenir shopping in, revisit a place you really loved, or explore another part of the city you haven’t seen yet. Here are some great I Amsterdam City Card activities if you need inspiration.

Please don’t go dragging your suitcase through the streets (the cobblestones will kill it in no-time). Your hotel will most likely have an option to keep your baggage for you, until you take the train to the airport.

Don’t forget to buy three packs of stroopwafels to bring home. Why three? Easy! One won’t even make it back home, as it will be eaten on your way to the airport. The second one is to enjoy back home and the third one is to share with other people!

Where Should I Stay in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a small city. The city’s layout with cobbled streets, low-rise buildings and excellent public transport network, makes it feel more like a large town than a country’s capital. There are plenty of places to stay in the city center, but they come at a higher price. If you stay just outside the city center, you’ll find lower rates at maybe only a ten-minute walk away. Hotels in Amsterdam are not cheap, but I’ve found some great options for you.

• Hans Brinker Hostel – Do you like quirky hotels? Hans Brinker Hostel is just that (although, their marketing is more quirky than the actual hotel). This place used to profile itself as the worst hotel in Amsterdam. Their funny ads with slogans like “It can’t get any worse, but we’ll try our best” made the place really popular. Nowadays it’s more of a cheap, no-frills hostel, but with a great atmosphere. They have dorms, so you need to enjoy sleeping with strangers in a room (yep, didn’t think so). Luckily there are some private rooms too. The philosophy behind this hotel is that you only really need a simple bed on a city trip. The adventure is what you experience in Amsterdam, which makes sense. It’s in a perfect location too, right in the city center. 
• Outside Inn – If quirky is not enough and you’re looking for something different, this one’s for you! Outside Inn is an open indoor space that’s made to look like an outdoor space. A campsite/music festival in this case. You sleep in a caravan, a shepherd’s hut, a VW camper van, or a surf shack, all on fake grass, but all indoors! (Absolutely bonkers, right? But why not!). There are even outdoor (indoor) movie nights and lawn games! You will come across other guests here, which may or may not be your thing. It’s in the Duivendrecht area of Amsterdam, which is a short train or underground ride away. Unfortunately, because it’s outside of the historic city center, it doesn’t look like the Amsterdam you know. 
• The Times Hotel – This boutique hotel has a bit of everything. It’s in a great location, right on the Herengracht Canal, at a short distance from most sights. It’s reasonably priced and offers nice rooms in a beautiful building. Choose this hotel if you’re looking for something a bit more standard than the other options, whilst still getting the full Amsterdam vibe. If canal views, a small boutique hotel in a quiet but central location is all you need for your Amsterdam city trip, look no further!

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3-DAY AMSTERDAM ITINERARY SUMMARY

Here’s an easy breakdown of this 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary:

Thursday Arrival:

• Dinner at Hap-Hmm | Address: 1e Helmersstraat 33, Amsterdam

Friday Day 1:

• Visit Anne Frank House | Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, Amsterdam
• Walk around De Negen Straatjes | Address: Between Leidsegracht and Raadhuisstraat, Amsterdam
• Stroll around the Bloemenmarkt | Address: Singel, between Muntplein and Koningsplein, Amsterdam
• Lunch at Beers & Barrels | Address: Rembrandtplein 27, Amsterdam
• Poffertjes for dessert at Mama Pancake | Address: Rokin 100, Amsterdam
• Feel the vibe at Dam Square | Address: Dam Square, Amsterdam
• Visit the Sex Museum | Address: Damrak 18, Amsterdam
• Experience the Red Light District and PIC | Address: Enge Kerksteeg 3, Amsterdam
• Dinner in Chinatown | Address: Zeedijk 111-113, Amsterdam

Saturday Day 2: 

• Experience the Rijksmuseum | Address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam
• Shop at the Foodhallen | Address: Hannie Dankbaarpassage 16, Amsterdam
• Picnic lunch at Vondelpark | Address: Vondelpark, Amsterdam
• Shop and dessert at Albert Cuypmarkt | Address: Albert Cuypmarkt, Amsterdam
• Enjoy a tour and a beer at Brouwerij ’t IJ | Address: Funenkade 7, Amsterdam
• Indonesian dinner at Kartika | Address: Overtook 68, Amsterdam
• Night out, choose your venue

Sunday Day 3:

• Famous masterpieces at Van Gogh Museum | Address: Museumplein 6, Amsterdam
• Discover the Jordaan on a Foodie Tour | Address: meet at Prinsengracht 2, Amsterdam
• Go on a canal cruise | Address: embark at Prins Hendrikkade, Damrak, Rokin or Rijksmuseum
• Deep-fried snacks for dinner at FEBO | Address: Leidsestraat 94, Amsterdam

Monday Departure

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About Our Guest Poster: David Breeker was born and raised just outside of Amsterdam. This being his nearest big city, he spent a lot of time exploring the city until he knew it like the back of his hand.

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Our Top Travel Tips & Resources

Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

• Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
• Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they’ve got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
• Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
• Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
• Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
• Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
• Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
• VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
• What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

A crystalline bay surrounded by towering green mountains. Pink bougainvillea blooms climbing onto balconies. Colorful papel picados strung above cobblestone streets waving cheerfully in the breeze. Welcome to Puerto Vallarta, an enchanting coastal haven on Mexico’s Pacific coast ringed by the lush Sierra Madres mountain range in the Mexican state of Jalisco, home of tequila and tacos birra – two of the most delicious culinary gifts to the world. Puerto Vallarta is a hop, skip, and a jump from the Western coast of the US and too often overlooked for the destinations along Mexico’s eastern shores!

In this Puerto Vallarta itinerary, we’ll unlock the best experiences this seaside destination has to offer, from exploring the charming Old Town and lounging on sun-kissed beaches to whale watching with humpback whales and a truly one-of-a-kind circus show/experience thing on like, a jungle island which somehow ended in a campy drag show on a boat? I’ll explain later.

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Puerto Vallarta Travel Tips

Before we jump into the Puerto Vallarta itinerary, here are a few tips to help you plan your trip to Puerto Vallarta:

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

Between October and April is the best time of year for traveling to Puerto Vallarta. The weather during the winter months is lovely. It’s warm but not hot and the humidity is manageable. It’s the perfect weather for turning off the AC in your room, throwing open the balcony doors, and letting the scent of sea salt and the lapping of ocean waves waft up to your room!

Plus, you’ll be able to go whale watching from December through March, during the annual humpback whale seasonal migration! Humpbacks come to Puerto Vallarta to give birth, so you’ll get to see moms and their babies all around the bay.

How to get around Puerto Vallarta?

You can get around Puerto Vallarta using taxis, Uber, or public buses, and book an inexpensive shuttle to and from the airport. I wouldn’t rent a car unless you plan to leave the city – and for our Puerto Vallarta itinerary, you won’t need one!

How many days in Puerto Vallarta is ideal?

I’d recommend no less than 3. Our itinerary includes 2 FULL days of activities, plus a half-day when you arrive and when you leave – and I’d say that’s the absolute minimum.

An extra day would allow you more time to relax at your resort or venture outside of the town to explore the highly-rated Botanical Gardens about 45 minutes away from town, or head into the mountains for an adventure, like ziplining, kayaking, and tequila tasting!

Is Puerto Vallarta safe?

Yes! Once described as the most friendly city in the world, this charming getaway is clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone from families to LGBTQ travelers. 

I was surprised to find that Puerto Vallarta felt very safe, especially in comparison to some of the other places I’ve visited in Mexico. I wasn’t hassled by anyone during my visit – no aggressive taxi drivers, vendors or scammers. I wasn’t warned to avoid taking Uber so that my driver wouldn’t be attacked, like I was told in Cancun, or stopped repeatedly by policemen for bribes like in Tulum. 

I’ve grown so used to having to yell NO GRACIAS or outright ignore people that I had my guard up, so I almost ignored an attendant at the airport who offered to help me with a ride to my hotel, or the friendly vendor on La Isla who simply wanted to point out an iguana in a tree overhead. He was lovely and we had a whole chat about where I was from, and he never once tried to sell me anything. It was a relief to enjoy some travel magic and make connections with locals instead of feeling like a target!

That said, as always, I recommend buying travel insurance for your trip. It covers everything from replacing your stuff if your bags are delayed or lost to trip cancellation or illness during your trip. It’s inexpensive and I’ve used it more times than I care to admit! My preferred travel insurance providers are World Nomads and Safety Wing – learn more in our travel insurance guide.

Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta?

I recommend choosing between staying at an all-inclusive resort in the “hotel zone,” or a boutique hotel in the Zone Romantica, Old Town, or along the Malecon.

Each accommodation type has its appeals and drawbacks, and both are an excellent base for a trip to Puerto Vallarta. To help you decide which option is the best fit for your trip, read on!

All-Inclusive Resort: Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa

An all-inclusive resort is the perfect base for a relaxing trip to Puerto Vallarta. Most are located within the “Hotel Zone,” which is a short drive or bus ride to both the airport and the downtown/Old Town areas, located in between both. For the ideal all-inclusive experience in Puerto Vallarta, look for beachfront access, a gorgeous pool, delicious food and drinks (all included in your hotel rate!), stunning views, and a phenomenal spa.

During my trip, I was hosted by the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa. It was my first all-inclusive experience, and frankly, it’s going to be hard to top!

This resort is one of the first built in Puerto Vallarta, and it set a high standard for the hotels that came later, winning Triple A Four Diamond awards for 20 straight years in a row. And importantly, the food at all 5 onsite restaurants is excellent!

How does an all-inclusive resort work? Essentially, all the food and drinks you care to enjoy is included in the price of your room. So at the hotel, none of the menus have prices. You can order whatever you want from any restaurant on site, including the coffee shop and even room service – all without limits. You can even hop from restaurant to restaurant (like I did… for research!) 

One thing I was nervous about was whether the resort would be filled with honeymooners stumbling around holding drinks at 9am, or perhaps well-dressed elites who all own expensive watches or whatever, exuding White Lotus levels of pretentiousness. But neither was the case. The resort felt both luxurious and totally approachable for regular vacationers, including groups of excited Millennials, relaxed couples, and families. And while bar service is plentiful and the drinks are both delicious and unlimited, everyone seemed to be staying within their limits.

The resort manages to strike a fantastic balance between being family-friendly and the perfect place for couples and bachelor/ette parties of all ages. Families with toddlers were enjoying the amenities just as much as happy couples and groups of 20-somethings!

Speaking of little ones, I didn’t bring my toddler along on this trip (I was extremely excited to fly solo for the chance to take a much-needed parenting break) but when I saw how incredible the resort was set up for kids (and dogs!) I felt a few pangs of longing. From the charming playground, organized kids activities throughout the day, quiet beach cove perfect for wading, huge kid-friendly pool with a wading area, and even a kids center where parents can safely leave their child behind to go off on adventures, this is the perfect place for a family getaway. Snacks and food are available all day long – there’s even a buffet for instant gratification. I saw lots of happy toddlers during my trip and can’t wait to return with my Little Bug!

I also loved that all the rooms are essentially the same, complete with a private balcony overlooking the pool and ocean – even at the most inexpensive price point. Views and amenities improve when your room is on the top 3 floors, giving you access to happy hours with hors d’oeuvres, a heated adults-only hot tub and rooftop pool, premium restaurant seating, and a private veranda for breakfast. 

I truly enjoyed staying at the Fiesta Americana and would highly recommend making it your home base during your trip to Puerto Vallarta!

Hotel in Old Town Puerto Vallarta

If an all-inclusive resort isn’t for you or you prefer to be located closer to Old Town, check out the historic Hotel Rosita. Built in 1948 right along the Malecon, Hotel Rosita was the first formal hotel in Puerto Vallarta, with a gorgeous oceanfront design that’s been well maintained and gives vintage 1940s glamour. The rooms are budget-friendly, there’s a pool, and you’ll be steps away from everything in Old Town.

Another option to look at is the Paramar Beachfront Boutique Hotel. Located next to the beach within easy walking distance to the center, the hotel boasts a beautiful rooftop pool and terrace overlooking the ocean (an unbeatable location for the free morning yoga!) and a delicious included breakfast.

Puerto Vallarta Itinerary

Day One: Relax – or Take a Taco Tour

When I disembarked from my plane at around noon, I had big plans. I thought I would check into the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa, stash my bags in my room, and immediately hop in a taxi to head into town and explore the Zona Romantica.

But instead I just … relaxed. I laid on a beach chair and listened to the waves and ate some ceviche and fish tacos and drank a delicious pineapple mezcalina with a tajin rim, which appeared almost magically by my side. I even got a massage in the spa – there is nothing better than a relaxing massage and a shower after spending your day crammed inside a plane!

After my massage, I dipped my toe in the Pacific Ocean and thought about jumping in for a swim, but decided it was too cold and I am too much of a wuss, so instead I headed to a heated infinity pool with a beautiful view. As I relaxed and the stress of a travel day melted away, my brain slowly turned off and went into vacation mode. And y’all, I suddenly understood the appeal of an all-inclusive resort.

So that’s what I want you to do on your first day. Shake off your travel stress, breathe in the salty air, and let yourself fully relax. Take a nice long walk on the shore, and watch a stunning sunset from the beach, have dinner at your resort (or within close walking distance of your hotel), and enjoy a delicious meal steps away from your hotel room.

But hey, if you’re too excited to relax (hey, I get it! I was young once too) hop into a taxi or take a bus into Old Town Puerto Vallarta for an evening taco tour!

On the Tacos After Dark Tour, you’ll get to know the city by night while taking a deep dive into Mexico’s most celebrated culinary creation and enjoy several types of tacos like fish, al pastor (marinated grilled pork), and de cabeza (beef cheek), try Mexican quesadillas (nope, they’re not the same as the US version) and meet a local master of churros.

• Puerto Vallarta Itinerary Day One Summary: Arrive, check in, eat something, and relax. Schedule a massage! Swim in the pool.  You’ve arrived! Watch the sunset from the beach and enjoy a leisurely dinner at your resort. Alternatively,  take an evening food tour in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.

Day Two: Food Tour of Old Town & Rhythms of the Night

Now that you’ve had a chance to fully relax, it’s time to explore. You’ll start with the absolute best way to get to know a new place: a food tour! (Ahem – yes, we’re HUGE food tour fans – we even run our own in our hometown!) 

Your expert local guide will show you hidden gems, locally owned restaurants, and street food stands to get to know the city through its delicious cuisine, all while explaining Jalisco’s culture and history and guiding you through the most beautiful parts of Old Town Puerto Vallarta. 

Some of the highlights of this tour include crispy birria tacos (a Jalisco original!), chilaquiles, fresh tortillas, mole, tequila, and Mexican chocolate. Make sure to skip breakfast – you’ll be eating at 8-10 different spots over the course of 3.5 hours!

• Travel Tip: Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes that can handle cobblestones (here is our travel shoe guide for women and for men), and be prepared to climb some stairs – Puerto Vallarta is built into the mountains, and the best views are seen from above.

After a few hours of exploring the colorful cobblestone streets and winding jungle paths of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll be full and tired, so head back to your resort or hotel to relax for a few hours! This is a great time to book a massage, take a dip in the pool, or lay by the beach. You’re on vacation, after all.

After you’re feeling relaxed and refreshed again, put on your best tropical cocktail attire, because tonight’s activity is going to be incredible. You’ll be taking a sunset boat ride, followed by a candlelit dinner in the jungle and an amazing show under the stars on Puerto Vallarta’s absolute best experience: Alma by Rythyms of the Night!

It’s hard to describe this enchanting experience, but here goes. You’ll start with a sunset boat ride, sipping margaritas and pina coladas and vibing to music that’ll have you dancing along with your crew (who seem to all be professional dancers and/or drag queens). As the sun sets below the horizon and rays of peach and tangering reflect on the sparkling waves underneath your boat, you’ll end your cruise at a secluded beach nestled among rugged rock formations and decorated with the glimmering lights of thousands of candles and torches. Welcome to Las Caletas, a paradise tropical beach hideaway that’s been described as Mexico’s Garden of Eden. 

This is where your evening really begins. First, you’ll follow the firelit paths through the jungle to a beachfront table to indulge in a gourmet meal illuminated by candlelight. And honestly, if you would have told me that was it and it was time to leave after that meal, I’d have been thrilled with that experience as-is. But the meal is just the precursor to the main event, the renowned Rhythms of the Night show.

This show is like if Cirque de Soleil and the Big Apple Circus went to Mexico, took some peyote, and had a spiritual jungle experience. It’s irreverent, it’s whimsical, it’s breathtaking. There are fire dancers and singing and campy, silly fun and contortionists and trampoline monkeys and hauntingly beautiful music and it’s absolutely awesome. This surreal experience was by FAR the highlight of my trip!

After the show, you’ll wander back along the candlelit paths through the jungle to board your boats for the return trip home. And I kind of expected this part to be a little bit … idk, chill? Boring, maybe? I thought for sure, that was it! The evening is over now, this is just the transportation back to town. Right??

But … nope. The experience continued on the boat, where things went from silly and fun to downright ridiculous and campy. Let me put it this way: the last thing I was expecting was for our friendly boat crew to break out into a full-on dance-off, magic show, and drag performance, but it turns out that the staff of Vallarta Adventures are some of the most multitalented folks out there, serving drinks AND serving lewks. We danced and laughed the entire ride back home.

All in all, I can’t say this enough: do NOT skip this experience. From the boat cruise at sunset with dance jams and drinks, to the delicious dinner by candlelight in the jungle, to a full-on circus in the jungle, to the afterparty and campy show on the boat ride home – every minute was delightful. What an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. ( And it’s surprisingly reasonably priced, too!!) Y’all, it’s is well worth flying to Puerto Vallarta JUST to experience Rhythms of the Night.

• Travel Tip: Your boat will embark at Puerto Magico which is like an airport or bus terminal but for boats, complete with shops and restaurants. Your tour operator should give you a certificate for the port fee and a boarding pass. There are lots of different boats and tours departing from here, so wait until they call you through security for Rhythms of the Night. 
• Puerto Vallarta Itinerary Day Two Summary: Take a late-morning food tour to explore Old Town with an expert guide. After your tour, relax at the pool or on the beach. At 5 PM head to the marina for the boat ride to Alma by Rhythms of the Night, an incredible dinner and show in the jungle.

Day Three: Whale Watching & Exploring the Zona Romantica

Enjoy breakfast at your resort or hotel this morning. If you’re staying at the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa, I HIGHLY recommend ordering room service (ALL INCLUSIVE includes room service, you guys!!) to enjoy on your private balcony overlooking the ocean.

There’s nothing better than waking up and eating some chilaquiles while sipping fresh juice and watching the waves come in (also drinking coffee, I’m not the kind of person who can function off of juice and vibes. Luckily, there’s a (free) coffee ship in the Fiesta Americana which makes an excellent cappuccino!)

Once you’ve enjoyed your morning, slather on some sunscreen and head out to take a whale-watching tour! Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta is one of the best places in the world to see Humpback Whales, who migrate here each year to give birth. Humpback mothers and their babies can be seen in the bay from December to March (occasionally as early as November or as late as May), peaking in January and February.

There are several options for whale-watching tours in Puerto Vallarta. Most will include drinks, some food, and about 3 hours spent circling Banderas Bay. We’ve got a couple of recommendations:

• This tour leaves a little later (9:30 AM) which is great for folks like me who are incapable of doing things early in the morning. The tour includes lunch, and the large, yacht-like boat has comfy hammocks to stretch out and relax on while enjoying the views – not to mention plenty of room to walk around and even bathrooms!
• This tour gets you up close and personal with the whales on a smaller boat (limited to just 10 participants), and you’ll even be able to hear the whales communicate underwater using hydrophones! The company is focused on sustainable eco-tourism and conservation, which we love. There is a morning and afternoon departure time, or you can choose to add on a visit to the Marietas Islands to snorkel.

After your tour, head back into vibrant downtown Puerto Vallarta in the afternoon to explore at your own pace. You’ve been sitting on a boat all morning and it’s time to stretch your legs!

Here are a few highlights of Old Town:

• Visit Parroquia de Guadalupe, a beautiful Neo-Gothic church and fantastic spot for photos. There are always colorful flags waving in the wind in front of this church, which change seasonally for each local holiday!
• Nearby, climb up to Faro de Matamoros Mirador for an incredible view that’s worth all the stairs.
• Stroll along the Malecon, a palm-tree lined, pedestrian-only paved boardwalk along the beach. The Malecon is lined with sculptures and colorful murals created by artists, as well as inlaid with stone symbols. The stone artworks embedded along the boardwalk were designed by the Indigenous Huichol people, and depict designs such as blooming peyote flowers, which are used in their religious ceremonies.
• Try La Tuba, a refreshing drink made from fresh-squeezed heart of palm or coconut with a hint of vinegar, topped with floating pecan or apple pieces. It’s unique to this part of the world and wonderfully refreshing. You’ll find vendors selling it along the Malecon.
• Wander across the hanging bridges and onto La Isla, a lush green walking path between two rivers with a vibrant Mercado full of handicrafts. You can spend hours here strolling under the trees, listening to the rushing waters, and shopping at the beautiful artisan shops as iguanas perch overhead. This was by far my favorite part of Old Town Puerto Vallarta – it feels like a jungle village in the center of a bustling city!
• Parque Lázaro Cardenas, also called Parque de los Azulejos – aka Tile Park. In this plaza, you’ll find benches sparkling in the sunlight, covered in vibrant mosaics made from colorful ceramics and mirrors. On Saturdays, you’ll find a bustling Mercado here!

• Playa Los Muertos and the Pier: This beach is known as the “Beach of the Dead” because pirates used to abandon corpses there, allowing them to be carried away by the tides and leaving only bones behind. Today, it is full of happy beachgoers sunbathing and enjoying meals on the shore, and the pirate ships have been replaced with water taxis ready to whisk adventurers away to hidden beaches and tucked-away towns. Take in the view on the Pier, a winding path leading out over the emerald-green waves dominated by a giant sail harkening back to the dark history of this beautiful, vibrant place. This area is also the rainbow-studded entrance to the vibrant LGBTQ+ part of Puerto Vallarta! While you’re here, dip your toes in the water and order a fresh coconut juice from one of the vendors along the beach.
• If you’re hungry for a quick mid-afternoon snack, head to the tiny Tacos de Birria Chanfay taco shop for authentic birria tacos. I ordered both beef/res and pork/puerco, medium fried (medio), with the consume dip, and it was absolute heaven. (Psst: there’s also a beautiful shop next door to shop for hand-painted ceramics and leather goods at insanely reasonable prices!) Alternatively, try a shrimp burrito or taco at It’s Taco Time, a small stand along the Malecon that serves up amazing food!
• If you need a place to rest and relax, head to Mar Vino for lunch. The tables are placed in a shallow pool, so you can soak your feet and enjoy lunch while overlooking the beach from above. Try the Nayarit-style fish crackling or soft shell crab tacos. And save room for green guava pie for dessert!

After exploring Old Town Puerto Vallarta all afternoon, enjoy dinner at your resort. At the Fiesta Americana, I recommend making a reservation for El Mexicano, one of the restaurants located on-site. If you haven’t tried them yet, order birria tacos, a Jalisco original consisting of crunchy, deep-fried corn tortillas stuffed with stewed beef and served with a rich dipping sauce, sweet pickled onions and hot peppers, cilantro and lime.

Stay local for your entree with Nayarit-style shrimp served with chili butter, or pick from Mexican classics like Oaxacan or Pepian mole or Veracruz-style fish. Enjoy a drink from the swim-up bar before heading up to your room to throw the balcony doors open and let the waves lull you to sleep.

Alternatively, stroll the Malecon and have a romantic dinner in Old Town. For foodies, Cafe de Artist is a must-try, as one of the best and most renowned restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance! 

For vibes, head to La Palapa to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beach paired with traditional Mexican specialties or international cuisine.

• Puerto Vallarta Itinerary Day Three Summary: Have breakfast at your resort before heading out on a whale-watching tour. Spend the morning on a boat in the bay in the company of humpback whales! After your tour, stroll the Malecon, shop under the tree canopy of La Isla, and explore the iconic sights of Old Town Puerto Vallarta before heading back to your resort for dinner.

Day Four: Final Adventures

Sadly, this is your last day in Puerto Vallarta! Roll out of bed for one last relaxing breakfast overlooking the bay ringed with mountains. If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend the next several hours frantically packing in a rush, but you might be able to squeeze in one last stroll along the beach or dip in the pool.

If you have a little bit of time to pop into town before your flight home, it’s the perfect time to pick up some last-minute souvenirs on La Isla or at the flea market! (I had to do all my souvenir shopping in the airport and probably paid triple what I would have otherwise, oh well.) Stop for a quick and inexpensive lunch at Loncheria de Don Jorge, a small tipico diner located just outside of the flea market in Old Town.

If you’ve got a full extra day, I’d recommend taking a taxi to explore the highly-rated Botanical Gardens about 45 minutes away from town. Or head into the mountains for an adventure, like ziplining, kayaking, and tequila tasting!

And then, sadly, it’s time to check out, say adios, and head to the airport for your flight home. Until next time, Puerto Vallarta!

What to Pack for Puerto Vallarta

While Puerto Vallarta is usually pretty hot and tropical, during my trip in December, the weather was pleasantly mild – I even needed a light jacket at some points!

During my trip, I found myself returning to a few staples: a breezy linen shirt + pant set, and a tank top paired with these stretchy wide-leg cropped pants or this flowy skirt. I also wore my Xero sandals and this sunhat pretty much every day.

I’m not going to tell you exactly how many dresses or pairs or shorts to pack (we trust you can figure that out on your own) BUT I do have some suggestions for must-have beach vacation essentials. Throw these in your carry-on suitcase (this is our favorite!) and you’ll be all set.

Looking for more beachy packing tips? We’ve got a super detailed beach vacation packing list post!

• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Going into the ocean? You need to wear reef-safe sunscreen. Unless you hate coral, fish, and also all of human life. Reef-safe sunscreen is designed to biodegrade and not harm ocean life. Regular sunscreen bleaches coral and ensures humanity’s swift death from climate change. So please, for the love of society’s inevitable collapse, wear reef-safe sunscreen if you’re going into the ocean! As a fun bonus incentive, it’s actually required by law in several places. Here’s a full-sized bottle and here’s a travel sized bottle for carry-on luggage.
• Mineral Sunscreen: For everyday use, this is the least harmful type of sunscreen, according to science. It’s better both for your body and for the environment.
• Rash Guard and Swim Leggings: Since you’ll be snorkeling and swimming and generally spending a lot of time with your bare back facing the harsh sun, I highly recommend bringing along a long-sleeved rash guard, which is basically a shirt specially designed for swimming in saltwater. I also recommend swim leggings made from swimwear material, which I love because my butt is always the first thing to burn when I’m snorkeling – read my full review here. Covering up cuts down on the amount of sunscreen you need, which is a win/win since I hate wearing sunscreen and it’s not great for marine life!
• Travel Towel: There is absolutely no guarantee that the towels at your hotel are going to fit around your waist. Frankly, they rarely fit around my left thigh. So just to be safe, I always bring my own travel-friendly, lightweight, quick-drying travel towel!
• Snorkel Stuff: Although snorkel tour operators will have gear for you to borrow, it’s not always good quality and it’s always used. Throw a snorkel mask and a little bottle of anti-fog spray in your suitcase, just in case.
• Travel Clothesline: Newsflash: your hotel’s moist, dark bathroom is the absolute WORST place to hang your clothing up to dry. Instead, hang this tiny travel clothesline up somewhere that gets plenty of airflow and sun – like on a curtain rod in front of the window! Your wet swimsuit and travel towel will be dry in no time.
• Beach Tote: I’m a backpack girl, but that doesn’t cut it on the beach. A good beach tote will do more than just hold all of your stuff: it will also repel sand, zip closed so you can lock it while you swim, and even keep your lunch cold in a detachable cooler. Yes, for real.
• Sand Repelling Beach Mat: I hate sand SO MUCH and this mat is made with magical sand-repelling qualities. If sand doesn’t make you want to go live in an igloo forever, you can always just use your towel as a mat instead!
• Adorable Swimsuit Cover-Up: I know they’re supposed to go over your swimsuit or whatever, but I wear mine all the time, along with my beloved rose gold heart-shaped sunglasses.
• Wear-Anywhere Sandals: You need a pair of sandals that’s down for a day at the beach, a long hike, exploring on pavement, AND a romantic evening out. Luckily, my favorite pair has been up to every challenge I’ve thrown at them for the past 10 years (er, to clarify: I’m on pair #4 of the same style, but still). I also love these super-minimalist sandals. Read more about my favorite tried-and-true travel shoes for women and for men!
• Cute Bathing Suit: I literally have this suit in 3 different colors. It’s amazing. It’s perfect. It’s a freakin’ steal! Pick one up in every color from Amazon! I also recommend browsing Swimsuits For All, which sells adorable suits for sizes 10-34. Check out my curvy girl’s swimwear guide for more of my favorite swimsuits.
• Sunhat: I searched high and low to find a sunhat that’s cute, packable, stays on your head on windy days and boat rides (the drawstring is ESSENTIAL), and won’t be ruined by water. And I found it! This cute lil’ hat comes with me on every single sunny trip (FWIW, I’m about 99.9% more likely to wear a cute hat than I am to apply, and then re-apply, sunscreen.)

Need more packing tips? Head over to our beach vacation packing guide, or our hot climate packing guide.

Is your mouth watering for birria tacos? Which part of this Puerto Vallarta itinerary are you most excited about? Drop me questions and comments below!

Psst: Here are a few more posts to help you plan your trip:

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Disclaimer: Our trip was hosted by the Fiesta Americana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa. All opinions, bad jokes, overly enthusiastic use of adjectives, and the embarrassing amount of time I spent stalking the peacocks that live at the resort are 100% my own and totally not their fault. BTW, how handsome is this peacock?! Too handsome not to be shoehorned into this post, that’s for sure.

Christmas markets in cobblestone streets, historic sandstone buildings, magical lights, storytellers, a stunning medieval castle and probably the highest concentration of the best whisky in the world to warm you up. Welcome to Edinburgh in the winter!

Scotland’s capital city is a special one. Edinburgh has been the capital since the 15th century and when you walk through the cobblestone streets, you can just feel its history. The sandstone buildings, with their typical sandy color (genius observation right here!), turns to a dark brown when it’s raining (pretty much all the time!), which contributes to the old feel of the place. 

Popular with visitors, Edinburgh can feel really busy in summertime. Especially in some famous spots, like the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the museums. Add the festivals and events to that, and this small city can get very crowded. That’s why I like to visit in winter. The atmosphere is magical and mysterious at the same time, you feel like you have the city to yourself, and I’ve always had an amazing time!

Luckily we have our good friend David who knows all about the best things to do in Edinburgh in the winter, so take it away, David!

Psst: Planning a trip to Europe in winter? Here are some other helpful posts:

Oh hey, guess what? We’ve created a printable e-book version of our Two Super Detailed Winter Europe Itineraries (for Two Weeks) post available fo’ free! It’s a solid 30 pages of travel tips, printable packing lists, and all the itinerary details you need to plan your Europe in winter trip. Sign up below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox:

Edinburgh in the Winter FAQs

Convinced? Let’s get you sorted with some useful information to prepare for your trip, and then I’ll share some things you must experience in Edinburgh in the winter (hope you like whisky!).

Does it get cold in Edinburgh in the winter?

Yes, but not uncomfortably cold. The temperatures in Edinburgh in the winter typically range between 33 and 44 degrees F, which is very manageable with warm clothes and boots. It does freeze sometimes, but it’s not very common. A white Christmas is pretty rare, but you can expect snow in January and February.

Not too bad then, to visit in winter? Well, no, but then there’s the rain. It rains a lot in Edinburgh – at any time of year – and the weather changes more often than I change my underwear. So come prepared with at least a good waterproof, warm jacket. Just knowing what to expect really helps.

I f*cking hate rain. I get very grumpy the moment it starts to pour (my friends call me Rain Man). Still, I love Edinburgh, and that shows how incredible this city is!

How to get around in Edinburgh In the Winter

Edinburgh is a pretty small city. Public transport is good, but most places of interest are within walking distance. If you stay in the town center, you can get by with just using the occasional bus – when it’s raining a lot for example and you really need to go somewhere. Otherwise just find a pub and have a drink, like the locals.

The buses run 24 hours a day, which is great if you get stuck in said pub and walking back is not an option anymore. (“Here, try this whisky after the one you’re drinking now.”). There is a tramline with 15 stops that runs between Edinburgh Airport and the New Town. The airport is 8 miles from the city, so this is a very convenient way to get to and from the airport. It runs every 15 minutes, between 6:45 AM and 10:45 PM.

14 Enchanting Things to do in Edinburgh in the Winter

Now you know everything to prepare for your trip, all you need to do is pack, get on a plane, (re-)watch Braveheart and shout “Freedoooommm” from the top of your lungs when you get off in Edinburgh. Here are 14 magical things to do in Edinburgh in the winter.

Get into the spirit at the Christmas markets

The traditional Christmas market is right in the historic center, with 70 stalls and funfair rides spread across the city from East Princes Street Gardens to George Street. Christmas in Edinburgh is magical because you’re surrounded by medieval buildings, with yellow lights reflecting off the cobbled streets, and Edinburgh Castle proudly sitting in the background…it doesn’t get much better than this!

The Christmas market stalls are mostly run by independent, local companies. It is the perfect place to find some original presents to put under the tree. The food is as varied as it is delicious. From hot pies and pulled beef subs, to pad thai and Peruvian empanadas, you won’t be disappointed. 

Sweet treats include churros, waffles and chocolates. To keep warm, there’s mulled wine, local whisky and (non-dairy) hot chocolate. The handmade hot pies from Jarvis Pickle are to die for!

The Christmas market is open from mid-November until early Janaury, from 10:00 AM till 10:00 PM. 

Experience Hogmanay

If you are visiting Edinburgh around New Year’s Eve, you are in for a treat! The New Year’s celebration in Edinburgh is called Hogmanay. It is a festival like I’ve never experienced before, most of all because there’s so much going on. Remember I wrote that Edinburgh is quiet in winter? Well, forget that for Hogmanay, as this is a massive celebration!

Hogmanay starts on December 29th and lasts into the New Year. There are a lot of different ticketed and free events going on. The main events are the torch procession, the New Year’s Eve street party and the concert in the gardens, all with separate tickets. The good thing is that you can opt in or out of events, because Hogmanay can get a bit hectic. 

The torch procession (the medieval fire kind) is a must. Imagine being in a dark medieval city and seeing people dressed up as Shetland Vikings leading a procession of more than 8,500 torches, literally lighting up the city. It’s breathtaking! You can participate by buying a torch for $20 and walking along (some of the proceeds goes towards helping homeless folks), or just watch it from the side. Either way, it will be an experience you will never forget!

Going to one of the street parties to lead in the new year is another event you should attend. Buildings are lit up in colorful lights, there’s music, singing and dancing, while enormous, mysterious creatures tower above the crowds. This all culminates in the countdown, followed by a spectacular fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle.

You’ll find all the information about Hogmanay on the official website.

Loony Dook in the Firth of Forth

The amazing New Year’s event of Hogmanay is immediately followed by another event, which is – in my opinion – completely bonkers. Dook is Scottish for ‘dip’, the Firth of Forth is an estuary with freezing water. You see where this is going, right?

Started in 1986 by a few locals in a pub, who had the brilliant idea to dive in the Firth of Forth as a hangover cure (hard to avoid after Hogmanay!). “If you do it, I’ll do it”. You can imagine, it didn’t take long before everybody joined in, and on January 1st, 1987, the first Loony Dook took place with a small group of people.

Skip forward to now, and the Loony Dook is an enormous event with thousands of Dookers jumping in the Firth of Forth every year, in fancy dress (in costumes to the American readers!). There is a pre-Dook parade that goes to the water, where participants are welcomed by bagpipers and a warm bowl of porridge. 

Since 2023 the Loony Dook has been dropped from the official Hogmanay celebrations, but it’s still a very popular event, just now organized by the local community. At least it’s free now, so you’ll save $20 and can still freeze your ass off.

Rather stay in bed and enjoy your delicious hotel breakfast? Yeah, me too! Want to participate and find out if it really cures your hangover? (I reckon you’ll find out you’re a masochist!) Head here for more information about Loony Dook.

Warm up in a pub

Scottish pubs are lovely places, where you can enjoy some food and a drink, in a homely setting. Pub is short for public house after all (and synonym to drinking loads in Edinburgh). In winter they are even better! With the log fire on, they are warm and cozy refuges where you can meet up with friends and “coorie doon”, Scottish for “snuggle up”. No friends? No problem! The locals are always up for a drink and a laugh (in that order!).

The best pubs in Edinburgh:

• The Jolly Judge – This pub is in a basement and it’s tiny. It’s a no-frills pub, with a brown wooden interior, but there’s something about it. Just a lovely place to bunker down and have a drink by the log fire.
• Sandy Bell’s – This pub has been there for more than 100 years and is popular amongst Scottish folk musicians. What I love is that you can just sit down with a beer or a malt whisky, while musicians get together and play spontaneously. 
• Moonwake Beer Co. – If you like local beers, don’t skip Moonwake. This microbrewery has some excellent beers on offer, as well as sustainable wines, all served in their colorful, industrial taproom. The milk stout is excellent!

Visit Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh’s best-known attraction is Edinburgh Castle. The castle is pretty much always visible from the city, as it’s built on the top of Castle Rock, an inactive volcano (you can’t really build a castle on an active one anyway). It was built in 1103. Imagine all the things that happened and the people who lived here in the last 920 years! This place has a lot of stories to tell.

You can visit the castle by yourself. It’s a short and fairly steep walk up the castle, but it’s worth it! The castle itself is very impressive, as you follow the route through Portcullis Gate, Argyle Battery, Lang Stairs, Argyle Tower and various exhibitions. Once you’re on the castle walls, you’re treated to beautiful, wintery panoramas of Edinburgh and its surroundings.

If you have time, I would recommend booking the 2-hour Highlights Tour on Get Your Guide. It gives a lot more depth to your visit, as the guide will tell you lively stories about the castle. The price included a skip-the-line ticket, which is great value and a fantastic experience! 

Climb up Calton Hill

It’s very easy to get amazing winter views of the city from Edinburgh Castle. The only problem is that one significant landmark is missing from the views…the castle! From the top of Calton Hill you’ll get great views of Edinburgh with the castle in the background. The National Monument is also on this hill, which looks a bit like a Greek temple.

Calton Hill, sounds like hard work? It isn’t! There is a staircase from Regent Road that takes you up the south side in five minutes! You can also walk up the north side via Royal Terrace. I like walking up stairs, so I climb up that way, then walk back down the Northside. The best time is around sunset, if you get a dry, not too cloudy day.

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Visit Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Palace, also known as Holyroodhouse, is right at the bottom of Royal Mile, the main shopping street (I wonder how long that street is?). The Royal Mile is the street that connects Edinburgh Castle at the top, with Holyrood Palace at the bottom, about a mile apart (what?).

Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the King when he’s in Scotland. You can visit it all year round. An entry ticket costs around $23 and gives you access to some of the beautiful rooms (sorry if you’re a fan, not King Charles’ bedroom), collection of art and the lovely gardens.

I love to visit this palace in winter. The whole place is decorated with Christmas trees, lights, wreaths and garlands. It makes it very Christmassy, especially when the grounds are covered in snow.

Hike to Arthur’s Seat

This is the last activity where you have to climb, I promise! Arthur’s Seat is the biggest hill on the eastern edge of Edinburgh, and the views from there are spectacular, especially in winter. You start the walk from Holyroodhouse. It’s a bit of a hike, with a steep, tricky climb at the end. It makes it even harder when it’s raining or freezing (scrap that, just assume the path is always slippery). How hard is it though? Well, I only said “f*ck this, I’m going back” twice, which probably means it’s moderate level for most people.

The problem is that the official path gets icy in winter. To prevent slipping and saying “f*ck this, I’m going back”, it’s better to carry on walking on the grass. Closer to the top, there are some chain-railings to hold on to.

The 360-degree view is absolutely worth it though. You can see the entire city from here, with the castle placed majestically in the middle. The waters of the Firth of Forth behind the city, with the remarkable Forth Bridge. Turn around and you’ll see the beautiful surrounding hills. Climbing Arthur’s seat really feels like you’ve been on a real adventure. And there’s always a whisky to warm up after!

Scotch Whisky Experience

You may have figured out by now that Scotland is famous for its high-quality malt whisky (this is not a typo: whisky produced in Scotland must legally be spelled without the ‘e’). That’s why you can’t miss out on the  Scotch Whisky Experience while you’re in Edinburgh! This museum shows you all about how whisky is made, in an interactive way, with an entertaining guide.

This is a great experience in winter, especially cuddling up in the immersive 180° presentation of Scotland’s dramatic countryside (without the rain!). The museum is warm, but the whisky is what keeps you really warm. It’s very common in Edinburgh to enjoy a dram of whisky on a cold day. It warms you up like nothing else!

You will see a lot of whisky! And I mean thousands of different bottles. Luckily you get to try some too. You’ll notice that there are sweet, smoky and fruity aromas. Perhaps you’ll find your new favorite. Good thing there’s a shop too, where you can buy a bottle to take home. How convenient!

Feast on a full Scottish breakfast

So you’ve found your new favorite drink at the Scotch Whisky Experience, went to a pub after to drink more of the stuff, and now you woke up feeling a bit hungover? (Hey, I don’t blame you at all. These things happen!) You need a full Scottish breakfast. The best hangover cure in the world! Hope you’re hungry.

A full Scottish breakfast is a good old fry up, that tastes even better in winter, as it’s so comforting and filling. This fatty meal is what people needed in the cold, wet winters of Scotland. This is what you get on your plate: a square Lorne sausage, pork sausages, baked beans, fried eggs, fried mushrooms and tomatoes, black pudding (blood sausage), a slice of haggis, tattie (potato) scones and buttered toast. (Yes, that’s a sh*tload of food!)

This is where you can get the best Scottish breakfasts in Edinburgh:

• Butternut Squash – This lovely little café has an all-day breakfast too, with massive portions (you know, just in case a normal full Scottish isn’t enough). Quite a few veggie and vegan options for breakfast too!
• The Urban Fox – Friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere and a full breakfast with all the bells and whistles. What else do you need? The portions are huge and the food is delicious. They do a full veggie breakfast too.
• Edinburgh Larder – Winning awards such as “the best cafe in Edinburgh”, this is a wonderful place to pop in for a warm, hearty Full Scottish Breakfast! Located in Old Town, come try their farm fresh food and they even take reservations, so you know you can get in easily!

Celebrate Burns Night & Try Haggis

If you happen to be in Edinburgh on January 25th, you are in luck! This is when the Scottish people celebrate Burns Nights, to celebrate the life of Robert Burns, the author of many famous Scottish poems. His life is still celebrated every year, more than 200 years after his death, when a few friends came together to commemorate him. They had a meal of Haggis and performed his work.

Nowadays, Burns Night hasn’t changed much. It normally starts with a reading of Burns’ “Address to a Haggis”, the haggis is then served on a silver platter, for everyone to enjoy. Officially, a bagpiper plays it in. After the meal, more poems will be read, and there is live music and dance.

Haggis is a Scottish national dish. Even if it’s not on Burns Night, you will have many opportunities to try it. Whether you want to, is a different thing. The first time I tried it was on Burns Night. It was a delicious, meaty meal and I absolutely loved it. I didn’t know what it was made of…

You might want to sit down for this one: Haggis is a mixture of sheep’s liver, lungs and heart, suet, onion, oatmeal, stock and spices. This is all packaged in a sheep’s stomach and cooked. It’s served with neeps and tatties (mashed turnip and potatoes). If you’re not keen on Haggis (which might be the case now), there are other Scottish meals you can try on Burns Night, or perhaps a vegetarian version of Haggis.

Want to celebrate Burns Night? Best way is to book a table at one of the venues, for a three-course Burns supper, poetry and live music. Great venues are Ghillie Dhu, Prestonfield House or Whiski Rooms.

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Wintery walk in Dean Village

Dean Village is an area only a 10-minute walk away from Princes Street. It’s a small, secret oasis along the Water of Leith, used for water milling in the past. You can still see old millstones everywhere. I think this is Edinburgh’s most beautiful neighborhood, especially on a clear winter’s day, when the banks of the Water of Leith are covered in snow. The houses are made of sandstone too, but the roofs are pointy. The way the buildings are clustered together gives it a cozy feel, like you only get in small villages. It really feels like a magical place.

To get to Dean Village, start at the west end of Princes Street. From there, follow Queensferry Road until you see a small, steep road called Bell’s Brae on your left, just before you reach Dean Bridge. Walk down it to get to Well Court, which is the center of Dean Village. Follow the water back in the direction you came from to admire the picturesque Dean Bridge. You can’t miss it, it’s big!

Visit Victoria Street

One street you must see in Edinburgh in the winter is Victoria Street. This winding, cobblestone lane is one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets. It’s also UNESCO World Heritage. You can see why, the moment you get there. The street was designed by Thomas Hamilton, inspired by ancient Greek architecture, and named after Queen Victoria.

The facades are colorful, which contrasts beautifully with the dark skies and wet sandstone buildings of Edinburgh in the winter. The street is well-known for its abundance of independent boutique shops. If you are looking for unique Christmas presents to take home, this is where you’ll find them.

• The Whisky Shop – Need I say more? If you’re looking for a great local whisky – even limited editions, or any other local drinks, this is the shop to go to!
• The Enchanted Galaxy – Are you a Harry Potter fan? (who isn’t!) This shop is full of merchandise and other items that have to do with the wizard. Why have a Harry Potter shop here? Victoria Street was J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley!
• Armchair Books – I love old book shops, even though I hardly ever buy books. They are just beautiful and smell nice. Armchair Books is one of the smallest book shops I’ve ever seen, and it’s absolutely filled from floor to ceiling.

Get spooked in the underground vaults

A city as old as Edinburgh comes with a fascinating history and incredible stories. To make its history come to live, you need a brilliant storyteller. The guides on the Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard tour are amazing!

This sounds like a standard ghost tour, which you can find in pretty much every capital, but it’s not. The tour is more of a history tour, with some spooky stories (hope you don’t mind ghost dogs).  It will take you past some historic and haunted streets, to Greyfriars Graveyard (ok, that is spooky!), and you will go underground to visit the vaults, which are surprisingly warm in winter.

The underground vaults are situated under Old Town, supposedly haunted, and have loads of history. Back in the day, this is where homeless people took refuge. There were illegal gambling taverns, an illegal whisky distillery and apparently bodysnatchers used this underground city to store dead bodies (yeah, nice place!).

We didn’t see or hear any ghosts on this tour, but it’s one of those experiences that I won’t forget. It was so interesting to walk around secret places of the city, to hear the spooky stories. The guide made it so much fun and I’ve learned a lot!

You can book the Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour on Get Your Guide.

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Where to stay in Edinburgh in the winter

Because Edinburgh is such a compact city, it makes sense to stay in the city center to have the best experience. Hotel prices are very reasonable in winter. You can get a double room in a great hotel for less than $100 a night, which is not bad at all for staying in a capital city.

The only choice you have to make is whether to stay in the Old Town or New Town. They are both right in the center of all the sights and activities. “What’s the difference?”, I hear you wonder. Well one is old, and the other is…(ok, I’ll get outta here). 

The Old Town is full of medieval history, with Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile. It has lots of secret alleyways and courtyards to explore. New Town feels more European, with wider streets and squares. This is where you’ll find striking Georgian architecture. It’s also better for restaurants and nightlife, in my humble opinion.

Here are three amazing hotels to stay in Edinburgh in the winter:

• Adagio Aparthotel Royal Mile – If you want the best of both worlds, and stay in a prime location, look no further. The apartments have a bedroom, small lounge and kitchenette. The hotel offers a self-service laundry room (great with all that rain) and serves a delicious breakfast. Double rooms around $100 a night.
• CoDE Pod The Court – Is budget your main driver? This quirky hostel in Old Town has modern dorms with pods. If you just need a good night’s sleep and breakfast –and you’re not claustrophobic!– this is a cheap option. Pods in dorms with shared bathrooms from around $25 a night.
• Roomzzz – This hotel offers spacious studios with a balcony, a little seating area and kitchen. It’s in a great location in New Town, with views of Edinburgh castle. The lobby has a coffee bar and grab & go style shop. Perfect for getting some snacks and drinks on your way out to explore the city. Studios from around $120 a night.

What to Pack for Edinburgh in the Winter

Ever heard that saying, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing?”  In addition to keeping you warm as you explore, weatherproof clothing is especially important if you’re going to do outdoor activities. So, be sure to bundle up in your favorite cozy sweaters, a warm coat, and waterproof winter boots! We’ve got all the details you need.

We recommend wearing a base layer underneath your clothing on cold days during your winter trip – that means that the layer closest to your skin should all be made from merino wool. Merino wool is super warm, incredibly soft (nope, it’s not itchy) and much more lightweight than synthetic fabrics, as well as being naturally antibacterial, which means you can re-wear it without the re-wear funk. If wool isn’t your thing, wear an equally insulating textile like hemp or silk. Avoid non-insulating fabrics like cotton, and remember that natural fibers are pretty much always better than manmade textiles like polyester.

After your base layer, you’ll need to add on at least 1 additional layer before your outerwear, like a pair of pants and a sweater. On REALLY cold days, where the temperatures are below 10 degrees, we recommend adding on another base layer before your clothing layer & outerwear. And if you’re doing winter activities, add a waterproof layer as well, like lined snow pants. For more winter travel packing tips, head over to our Cold Weather Packing Guide.

Here are our tried and true travel essentials for winter travel.

• Merino Wool Base Layer Leggings: These super comfy 100% wool leggings function just like long underwear. They’re made of soft, super-luxurious wool and make your legs feel like they’re being hugged by an extremely soft sheep. Jeremy has this pair. You’ll want to wear these underneath your pants on cold days during your trip.
• Merino Wool Base Layer Undershirt: Laying is crucial when it’s this cold, and you’ll need to start with a layer of insulation on top and bottom. If it’s not terribly cold that day, I can sometimes get away with a short sleeved or even sleeveless wool base layer. I also defintey just wear my long sleeved base layer as a shirt somtimes! This is mine and this is Jeremy’s.
• Wool Socks: Make sure you don’t just have run-of-the-mill acrylic socks for your trip – they won’t keep your feet warm while you’re out in the snow! Instead, bring socks that are primarily made of soft, heat-regulating wool, like these or these.
• Warm Walking Boots: We recommend boots that can withstand ice or snow, are weatherproof and waterproof, and are comfortable enough to walk in for HOURS. Sounds darn near impossible, right? Well, it’s not. We’ve found the best boots for winter, and we’re OBSESSED with them (and yes, we both have the same ones. Because we’re kinda gross like that). They’re cute, they’re insanely comfortable, they’re waterproof leather with warm thermal insoles, and they’re extremely lightweight and foldable so you can stuff them in your bag when you travel. We can’t recommend these boots enough, and they’re the only shoes we bring on cold weather trips. They’re made to last and they’re worth every cent. Here are my boots and Jeremy’s boots. You can read more about them in our round-up of our favorite travel shoes for women or for men.
• Travel Jeans:  My favorite travel jeans have 6 POCKETS. 6!! And 2 of them are zipped and hidden inside other pockets, for extra pickpocket protection. They’re super stretchy and buttery soft, dry quickly even after walking through the snow, and roomy enough to layer over an insulating base layer (or two). They’re cozy enough to wear on a plane, stretchy enough to accommodate that 5 extra pounds of holiday weight I always seem to bring back home with me, and they’re super cute! We’re both obsessed. You can get a pair of men’s or women’s jeans on the Aviator USA website.
• Warm Flannel Shirt: I’m in LOVE with the MerinoLux flannel button-down from Royal Robbins. It’s stretchy, it’s cozy, it’s blended with merino wool (yassss) and most importantly, it’s warm AF and super breathable. It’s also wrinkle-resistant, odor-resistant, and moisture-wicking, and has a hidden zip pocket – so basically everything you could ever ask for in a flannel shirt. I’ve been searching for the perfect flannel for YEARS (you know, like one that didn’t give me that annoying button-down boob gap and allowed me to actually cross my arms) and this is The One. I love it! Here’s mine and Jeremy’s.

• Lined Leggings: On very cold days, I add an extra layer of insulating warmth by throwing a pair of lined leggings on over my base layer and under my jeans (I’ve also worn them without extra pants on top of my base layer because leggings are real pants, fight me). I have two pairs of warm lined winter leggings, one lined with merino wool and one lined with fleece.
• Warm Hat: A warm hat is an absolute necessity. It also doubles as a super cute accessory! Did I just rhyme? You want a hat that will stay on your head when it’s windy wind and keep your ears nice and warm – bonus points if it’s lined. Personally I’m a fan of the ones with poofs on top, like this or this. Jeremy is more of a purist, and likes to wear beanies like this one, which is made from earth-friendly recycled wool and nylon.
• Warm Coat: Your jacket is arguably the most important thing you’ll bring on a winter trip other than your shoes. It has a big job – namely, keeping you warm but not sweaty, allowing you to actually move your arms, and letting you explore for hours without feeling heavy or restrictive. Plus, it’s gonna be in almost all of your photos.  I bring this this cozy fleece-lined coat with me, and Jeremy wears a wool-blend coat similar to this one and this one.
• Packable Down Jacket: Jeremy and I each bring two jackets each on our winter trips: our heavy/bulky coats, and a lightweight, travel-friendly packable down jacket. It’s perfect for those days when I want the freedom of not wearing a big heavy coat, and it’s also a fantastic added layer of warmth on super cold days. For this trip, I brought this down jacket and Jeremy brought this down jacket.
• Gloves: Don’t go outside in the winter without gloves on! Jeremy and I both have these wool gloves that work with touchscreens, because let’s face it, I have a hard enough time using my phone without wearing gloves. Over those gloves we layer on a thicker pair that allows us to do things like throw snowballs at each other.
• Scarves:  I LOVE a chunky scarf. They’re my favorite accessory! I love this super soft scarf from Royal Robbins, which is blended with wool and turns into a cute shawl or infinity scarf with a few well-placed buttons. I’m also a big fan of scarves that are big enough to double as blankets, like this one or this one.
• Winter Sports Gear: If you’re planning to go skiing or snowboarding on your trip, bringing a few things can easily be packed in your suitcase will save you cash on rentals. We recommend these goggles and these gloves for snowboarding, and these travel-friendly crampons for snowshoeing.  

Whew! That should keep you warm and toasty. Oh hey, want a printable version? Just sign up below and we’ll send a checklist straight to your inbox.

Printable Winter Packing List

This FREE 3-page printable packing list will help make sure you don’t forget anything for your next winter trip. We’ll also send you our favorite travel tips!

Awesome! Check your email for the PDF. Make sure to add contact@practicalwanderlust.com to your address book so we don’t end up in spam!

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About The Author: David loves visiting Edinburgh in the winter. His favorite things in Edinburgh are the Christmas market, the unforgettable Hogmanay celebrations and whisky, of course!

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What are you looking forward to doing in Edinburgh in the winter first? Comment below!

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Our Top Travel Tips & Resources

Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

• Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
• Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they’ve got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
• Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
• Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
• Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
• Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
• Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
• VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
• What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

As a seasoned traveler, I have embarked on countless adventures that have shaped my life in profound ways. Like a compass guiding me through uncharted territories, solo travel has been my trusted companion, unveiling the compelling benefits that lie beneath the surface.

It is an exhilarating journey of self-discovery and personal growth, where confidence blooms and mental well-being thrives. Join me as we delve into the transformative power of traveling alone, unlocking a world of possibilities and igniting the flames of empowerment within ourselves.

Key Takeaways

• Boosting Confidence and Personal Growth: Solo travel builds confidence in decision-making and problem-solving abilities, strengthens belief in oneself, encourages independence and self-reliance, and fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance.
• Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: Solo travel allows for introspection and self-reflection, helps clarify personal values and aspirations, promotes self-awareness and self-acceptance, and provides space for personal growth and transformation.
• Flexibility and Immersion in Solo Travel: Solo travel allows for fully immersing in new experiences and seizing unexpected opportunities, enables spontaneous decision-making and itinerary changes, provides freedom to explore at one’s own pace, and facilitates immersion in local cultures and traditions.
• Impact on Mental Health and Well-being: Solo travel provides a break from routine and promotes self-reflection and introspection, improves clarity and perspective on life, nurtures mental well-being and personal growth, and reduces stress and promotes relaxation.

Boosting Confidence Through Solo Travel

Solo travel can definitely boost your confidence and help you become more independent. As someone who has embarked on numerous solo adventures, I can attest to the transformative power of traveling alone.

When you navigate unfamiliar territories on your own, you are forced to rely solely on yourself for decision-making and problem-solving. This sense of self-reliance builds confidence in your abilities and strengthens your belief in yourself. It is through facing challenges head-on that you truly discover what you are capable of accomplishing.

Moreover, solo travel provides ample opportunities for personal growth by pushing you out of your comfort zone. Stepping outside familiar surroundings allows you to embrace new experiences, cultures, and people with an open mind. This exposure broadens your perspective, increases empathy, and fosters a deeper understanding of the world around us. By immersing ourselves in different environments and engaging in meaningful interactions with locals and fellow travelers, we uncover aspects of ourselves we never knew existed.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about ‘uncovering self-discovery while traveling alone’, this newfound self-awareness opens doors to incredible journeys within ourselves that often get overshadowed by our busy lives back home.

Uncovering Self-Discovery While Traveling Alone

While exploring new destinations alone, I have had the opportunity to uncover my true self and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Solo travel has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and experience the world in a way that is uniquely mine. Here are some ways that traveling alone has helped me discover more about myself:

• Embracing solitude: Being alone in a foreign land forces me to confront my own thoughts and emotions, leading to a deeper understanding of who I am.

• Trying new things: Without the influence or expectations of others, I am free to experiment with activities and experiences that truly interest me, helping me discover new passions and interests.

• Meeting new people: Traveling solo pushes me out of my shell and encourages interaction with locals and fellow travelers. These connections often lead to meaningful conversations and valuable insights into different cultures.

Traveling alone has been an incredibly transformative experience for me, allowing me to grow as an individual while gaining a broader perspective on life. It is through this journey of self-discovery that I have learned how important it is to embrace solitude, try new things, and connect with people from all walks of life.

Embracing the Flexibility of Solo Travel

When you embark on a journey of self-discovery through traveling alone, embracing the flexibility of your itinerary allows you to fully immerse yourself in new experiences and seize unexpected opportunities. This freedom to go wherever your heart desires opens doors to endless possibilities.

No longer bound by the constraints of group travel, you can adapt your plans as you see fit, giving yourself the chance to stumble upon hidden gems or follow spontaneous adventures. It is in these moments of spontaneity that true growth occurs, as you learn to trust yourself and embrace uncertainty.

By surrendering control and surrendering to the flow of your solo journey, you will uncover newfound confidence and resilience, preparing you for whatever life may throw at you next.

Now let us explore how this flexibility impacts our mental health.

Transition: As we delve into the impact of solo travel on mental health…

Exploring the Impact of Solo Travel on Mental Health

Experience the freedom to shape your own journey and prioritize your mental well-being through solo travel. As someone who has embarked on numerous solo adventures, I can attest to the profound impact it can have on your mental health.

Here are some ways solo travel can positively affect your well-being:

• A break from routine: Solo travel allows you to escape the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in new experiences, providing a much-needed respite for your mind.

• Self-reflection: Being alone with your thoughts in a new environment promotes self-reflection and introspection, helping you gain clarity and perspective on your life.

• Building resilience: Navigating unfamiliar situations on your own strengthens your problem-solving skills and builds resilience, boosting your confidence in facing challenges.

  

By embracing the transformative power of solo travel, you can nurture not only your wanderlust but also improve your mental health and personal growth.

Catalyzing Personal Growth Through Solo Adventures

Embracing the transformative power of embarking on solo adventures can be a catalyst for profound personal growth. Through my own experiences as a solo traveler, I have discovered that venturing into the unknown alone allows one to step out of their comfort zone and truly connect with themselves.

The solitude offers an opportunity for self-reflection, introspection, and deep soul-searching. It enables us to gain a clearer understanding of our values, strengths, and weaknesses.

Moreover, traveling alone fosters independence and self-reliance. Navigating through unfamiliar territories and immersing oneself in diverse cultures builds resilience and adaptability. It teaches us how to overcome challenges with grace and courage.

By pushing ourselves beyond our limits, we develop not only as individuals but also as compassionate global citizens ready to serve others on their journeys of personal growth.

As I delve into the next section about overcoming challenges and building resilience as a solo traveler…

Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience as a Solo Traveler

As a solo traveler, I have faced numerous challenges on my journeys. However, these challenges have not only shaped me into a more resilient individual but also provided valuable life lessons. Here are some of the obstacles I’ve encountered and how they have helped me build resilience:

• Language barriers: Overcoming language barriers has taught me to adapt and find alternative ways to communicate effectively.

• Getting lost: Navigating unfamiliar places alone has empowered me to trust my instincts and problem-solving skills.

• Dealing with uncertainty: Embracing uncertainty has made me more adaptable and open-minded.

Through overcoming these challenges, I have developed a sense of inner strength and belief in myself. Solo travel has shown me that I am capable of handling any situation that comes my way, fostering resilience that extends beyond my adventures into all aspects of my life.

Nurturing Independence and Empowerment Through Solo Journeys

Exploring new destinations on my own has allowed me to discover the power of independence and empowerment. Traveling solo has been a transformative experience, one that has nurtured my sense of self-reliance and inner strength. The freedom to make decisions based solely on my desires and preferences is liberating, empowering me to trust in my own abilities. Through navigating unfamiliar territories, I have learned to rely on myself for problem-solving and decision-making, cultivating a newfound sense of independence.

Solo journeys also offer a unique opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. Without the distractions or influences of others, I have been able to tune into my own thoughts, desires, and aspirations. This introspection has allowed me to gain clarity about who I am as an individual and what truly matters to me.

Furthermore, traveling alone fosters adaptability and resilience. Being solely responsible for every aspect of my journey has taught me how to be flexible when faced with unexpected challenges or changes in plans. It has strengthened my ability to think quickly on my feet and find creative solutions in unfamiliar situations.

Moreover, solo travel provides ample opportunities for connecting with local communities. By immersing myself in different cultures without the comfort of companionship, I have been pushed outside of my comfort zone. This has enabled me to develop interpersonal skills such as effective communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.

In serving others through volunteer work during solo travels, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact one person can make in the lives of others. The act of giving back not only enriches the lives of those being served but also nourishes our own souls by fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Overall, embarking on solo journeys allows individuals like myself to explore their true potential while gaining valuable life experiences along the way. The independent nature of solo travel empowers us to step out into the world with confidence while embracing new perspectives and fostering personal growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Common Challenges That Solo Travelers Face?

As a solo traveler, I’ve faced challenges such as feeling lonely, navigating unfamiliar places alone, and dealing with unexpected situations without support. However, these challenges have also taught me resilience and independence.

How Can Solo Travel Help Improve Problem-Solving Skills?

Solo travel can improve problem-solving skills by forcing you to navigate unfamiliar situations independently. This builds resilience and adaptability, as you learn to think on your feet and find creative solutions to challenges that arise during your journey.

Is Solo Travel Suitable for Introverted Individuals?

As an introverted individual, I can say that solo travel is definitely suitable. It allows me to recharge in solitude, explore at my own pace, and push myself out of my comfort zone when I’m ready.

What Are Some Safety Tips for Solo Travelers?

As a seasoned solo traveler, I’ve learned that safety is paramount. Some tips include researching your destination, staying alert and aware of your surroundings, and trusting your instincts when it comes to making decisions.

Can Solo Travel Help Individuals Overcome Their Fears and Insecurities?

Solo travel has the potential to help individuals overcome their fears and insecurities. By venturing out into the unknown alone, we are forced to confront our anxieties head-on, ultimately leading to personal growth and increased self-confidence.