If you are culturally curious and love to explore new destinations, then a European River Cruise could be for you. On my cruises on the Rhine, Rhone and Danube I’ve visited vibrant capitals like Vienna and Amsterdam and explored charming riverside towns and villages, each with their stories to tell. For the richness and variety of the destination experience, combined with the convenience of staying on board a small floating hotel, I think a river cruise wins over an ocean cruise.
10 reasons to enjoy a European river cruise
Read on to discover whether you’ll enjoy a European River Cruise, as well as some ‘watch out’ reasons why this type of holiday may not be for everyone.
1. Get to the heart of the destination
River cruises are all about showcasing the destinations you visit. Where an ocean cruise often places more emphasis on the entertainment and activities on board, on a river cruise the destination is the star.
Due to their small size, river cruise ships offer limited facilities, but this is more than made up for by the places you visit each day.
These smaller ships can get you into the heart of some of the most beautiful cities in Europe, such as Budapest, Amsterdam and Vienna – the ones that an ocean cruise would have to bus you to.
Read about all the sights we explored in Amsterdam at the start of our river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium – by taking a local ferry we found some gems of street art and trendy waterside cafes.
Visiting Amsterdam on a river cruise
You’ll also moor up within a short walk of charming riverside towns that you can easily explore on your own.
On this Rhine river cruise we visited a succession of small towns, such as Speyer, Cochem and Koblenz, each with their unique things to see, such as a medieval Jewish baths, a music museum and a romantic castle on the hill.
Cochem on our Rhine River Cruise
2. The convenience of only unpacking once
On a river cruise in Europe, you’ll enjoy the variety of a touring holiday, but the convenience of unpacking once.
No more stuffing creased clothes back into your case as you get ready to move to the next place. Instead, everything hangs neatly in your wardrobe, ready for you to look your best at the end of a day’s sightseeing.
Personally I prefer to travel light, even on a cruise holiday. But if you are the sort of person that packs an outfit for every eventuality, you won’t have to worry about lifting your luggage until the end of the trip.
Think of your river cruise ship as a floating boutique hotel. There may not be all the facilities of a larger ocean cruise ship, but you’ll have every comfort you need. And I didn’t miss those casinos, mini shopping malls, art galleries and waterslides that some of the larger cruise ships offer!
Restaurant on board a river cruise
Instead, what you’ll typically experience on board is a comfortable and modern en-suite bedroom, with views of the passing scenery. On the river cruises I’ve tried I invariably found a cabin equipped with plenty of plugs, a dressing table/desk space, wardrobe storage and everything else you’d normally find in a hotel room.
Add to this a spacious lounge for relaxing in the daytime and a dining room for lunch and evening meals. The sun deck on the top deck is perfect for relaxing and admiring the scenery, and there’s sometimes a small plunge pool, gym or area for deck games.
Heidelberg on our Rhine River Cruise
River cruise ships normally offer some low key evening entertainment, where local musicians or singers come on board, or there’s an event of cultural interest.
In other words you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay, but the experience is similar to staying in a smaller hotel, rather than a large scale resort.
4. Slow down and relax
River cruise ships move at a slower pace, allowing you to unwind as the scenery drifts by. Because most aspects of the holiday are taken care of once you step on board, the stressful elements of travel are removed.
Relax and watch the scenery drift by on a river cruise
You won’t need to worry about which bus to catch, which restaurant to choose or which tour to book, since they are all part of the package. And because you are normally accompanied by a tour guide or cruise representative, there’s always someone on hand to ask for information, so you can make the most of your free time on shore.
For those worried about sea sickness on board ocean cruises, there’s less to be concerned about, since the inland waterways and rivers of Europe are so much calmer than being at sea.
5. It’s on a small and friendly scale
Most river cruise ships have 100-200 guests in 80-100 cabins – that’s similar to a small to medium size hotel. It’s a far cry from the larger ocean cruise ships that sail with thousands of passengers on board, so makes for an intimate and cosy experience.
Staff will get to know you and your preferences, there’s always a friendly and familiar face around, and you’ll get to know your fellow guests more quickly. On one memorable occasion, we even got to meet the captain and go onto the bridge to chat about how he navigated the ship.
Since you will likely see the same guests on daily excursions, in the lounge or at dinner, it’s easy to make friends or find people to chat to. For this reason, I think river cruises are ideal for solo travellers, as well as couples and groups of friends.
The smaller size of ship also has it’s advantages when you check in and disembark, since there won’t be the long queues that you can find on larger ocean cruise ships.
5. River cruises to suit all budgets
While a river cruise is not the cheapest holiday option, there are a range of different providers, so that you can scale up or down according to your budget. Since the size of river cruise ship is limited by the river it travels on, the overall cost of your river cruise is determined mainly by the level of luxury on board and by the cost of the excursions.
Luxurious accommodation on a European river cruise
I’ve sailed on river cruise ships that had the luxurious decor of a 5 star hotel, with gorgeous artworks and excellent wines included at dinner. There were others that put a big emphasis on the type of excursion, offering culinary experiences such as cookery classes, wine tasting or adventure activities such as river kayaking.
Different styles of cabin on a European river cruise
On other cruise lines, the emphasis is on value for money, with a quality experience but at an all inclusive price. When deciding between different cruise lines, you can check all these things to decide which approach suits your budget and book accordingly.
6. A lot is included in your cruise
While river cruises are not the cheapest form of travel, you generally get excellent value for money. The package may vary depending which river cruise line you choose, but accommodation, meals, certain beverages, transport and some excursions are normally included.
That means you have peace of mind knowing that once you’ve paid for the holiday there shouldn’t be too many extras. There are a few things that vary by cruise line, so it’s worth making a comparison in these before you book.
Gratuities for the hard working staff are often an extra to budget for, although some cruise lines will include these. Optional tips for local tour guides are rarely included.
Drinks such as table wine, beer, coffees and soft drinks are normally included at meal times but may be an extra if you order from the bar in between meals. Premium brands or fine wines normally come at an extra charge.
Costs for excursions vary by cruise line. Often a walking tour or other excursion is included in the cost, but other premium excursions may be extra.
Flights to get you to the departure destination are not always included, since the cost of these will vary for different guests.
7. Immerse yourself in the local culture
On a river cruise, you can immerse yourself in the local culture much more fully than you do on most ocean cruises. The towns and cities of Europe are rich in beautiful and historic buildings as well as breathtaking scenery.
Most cruise lines arrange excursions with local tour guides, who are the experts in their location’s culture. They are the ones who will explain in depth the history and context of the places you’ll visit, as well as bringing them to life with entertaining stories and nuggets of local insights.
As a lover of art, I remember visiting the Van Gough Museum in Arles on a Rhone river cruise, then seeing the exact streets and buildings that featured in the pictures. Or exploring the wonderful riverside town of Heidelberg on a Rhine cruise, with its imposing castle and historic bridge.
Heidelberg on our Rhine River Cruise
Each river cruise may take you through multiple countries or regions of a country, each with their different landscapes, cultures and stories to tell. Sometimes the cultural flavour also comes on board, with talks, wine tastings or musical performances.
8. Enjoy the culinary highlights
While you don’t get the multiple themed restaurants of an ocean cruise ship or resort, we found the standard of food on board our river cruises was very high. Breakfast and lunch are often served buffet style, with a selection of hot and cold dishes, while dinner offers a menu with choice of a la carte dishes.
Daily menus manage to pack in a lot of variety, with themed menus on some evening. Most cruise lines also make an effort to reflect local flavours in their menus. So you may find the seasonal vegetable you saw in the market or local pastry you spotted in a shop window, on your menu at dinner that evening.
Another highlight of river cruises are the excursions with a culinary theme, such as wine tasting in the local vineyards, or cookery classes that highlight local dishes.
Alsace Wine Route on our Rhine River Cruise
If you take a river cruise on the Rhine, you will probably spot the vineyards on the river banks and have the opportunity to taste some of the delicious Riesling wines, as we did on an Alsace Wine Route excursion.
I also have fond memories of our bakery class in Vienna, as we plaited the dough and scattered poppy seeds over our rolls, before taking them back to the ship, where they were served for lunch.
9. Get active on a river cruise
While European river cruises are heaven for those who enjoy culture and history, there’s plenty of opportunity to stay active if you like. The riverside towns and cities you’ll visit lend themselves to walking tours, so you’ll find that your step count rises effortlessly as you explore each new destination.
Cochem on our Rhine River Cruise
More and more river cruise lines have bikes on board that they lend to their guests, so that you can explore the riverside paths as an alternative to a walking excursion. Others go further and offer activities such as kayaking or cycle tours as an alternative to the more cultural excursions.
On a river cruise in Austria, we took an excursion to paddle Canadian canoes down a section of the Danube. It gave me a different perspective as we drifted past the banks clothed in neat rows of vines, overlooked by romantic castles perched on rocky outcrops overlooking the river.
Canoing on the Danube in Austria
10. A relaxed dress code
Some ocean cruise lines have a more formal dress code, with the opportunity to dress up at black tie events, with tuxedos, glamorous gowns and sparkly cocktail dresses. But if the idea of having to pack lots of extra evening outfits fills you with dread, you can rest assured that the dress code on a river cruise is generally a lot more relaxed.
This style of cruising suits those who like to keep things casual, and understand that cobbled streets and walking tours call for comfortable footwear. On board you can keep things informal too, and while most guests do dress up a bit for dinner, a smart shirt or pretty top is all that’s really required.
Personally as I like to pack light, I welcome this kind of relaxed dressing where my clothes multi-task, being dressed up with a pretty scarf or some interesting jewellery. Read all my tips on what to pack on a river cruise.
If a river cruise sounds like your kind of holiday, check out some of the best river cruises in Europe on rivers such as the Rhine, Rhone or Danube.
Who may not love a European River Cruise
While we think that river cruising is a great way to experience Europe, there are some travellers who may not enjoy it.
Family Travellers
If you are travelling with a young family, this is probably not the holiday for you. River cruises traditionally attract an older and culturally curious traveller and many ships will not accept children under a certain age.
It’s true that there are river cruises aimed specifically at families. But personally I think families would be better to choose a larger ocean cruise or resort style holiday, where the wide range of facilities and space to run around is more suited to entertaining young children.
Adventure Travellers
River cruises in Europe offer a relaxed style of travel combined with some gentle outdoor activities. I’ve certainly enjoyed activities such as cycling and kayaking on river cruises, and have notched up some miles on the walking tours and sightseeing activities.
But if you’re into extreme sports or adventure activities, then you’d be better choosing a different kind of land based holiday, to suit your interests.
You want to explore a destination in depth
By its nature, river cruising means that you’re moving on to a different location each day. This kind of holiday is great to give you a taste of many different places, rather than a detailed exploration of each one. That’s not to say that the expert tour guides don’t give you a great deal of insight into the places you visit.
However, those who want to stay longer in a particular place can easily tack on some extra days at the beginning or end of the cruise. This is a great idea if you want to explore some of the great cities of Europe, that you may have passed through on your river cruise.
The Greek island of Andros in the Cyclades, offers a network of well marked hiking trails, often with a beach to swim at the end. Now that’s my idea of a perfect activity holiday! I spent a week hiking in Andros on the Andros Routes, that offer scenic day hikes, easy circular routes and a 100km long distance trail.
Follow our 7 day itinerary for a hiking holiday in Andros with the best coastal views, charming mountain villages and swimming in river pools.
Hiking in Andros Greece
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Why go hiking in Andros?
Andros is unusual in the Greek islands for offering a well developed network of hiking trails, with something for every ability. Here’s why you should consider Andros for a hiking holiday:
Andros offers 240km of marked hiking trails that are easy to follow, with maps available to plan your hiking routes. The traditional kalderimia or mule paths between villages, have been restored and signposted by a group of volunteers through the Andros Routes organisation.
Hiking in Andros Greece
Unlike the other islands in the Cyclades group, Andros is relatively mountainous with elevations of up to 1000 metres. There are plenty of springs and rivers, that tumble down the hillside to the sea, creating a landscape with beautiful views, green wooded valleys and sheltered beaches for swimming.
While there is no airport, Andros is quick to access by ferry from Athens, making it an ideal add-on from a sightseeing trip in Greece’s capital. Andros is only 2 hours by ferry from the port of Rafina, which is 30 minutes from Athens airport or an hour from central Athens.
Like most of Greece, Andros enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with warm sunny days from March to November. So Andros is the ideal place for an active holiday in spring or autumn, to escape the cold of northern Europe.
Andros Chora Greece
About Andros Routes
Andros has established itself as a top Greek hiking destination, largely due to Andros Routes. The project was formed as a means of promoting sustainable tourism on Andros, to highlight the island’s unique landscapes and culture.
Apikia – Hiking in Andros Greece
In 2012 an initiative was started to restore and repair the island’s ancient paths, traditionally used to get from village to village. Now 240km of paths have been restored and signposted by groups of volunteers, with regular meetups during the low season to walk and maintain the paths.
In addition to the day hikes and shorter circular routes, there’s a 100km continuous long distance trail that links the north of the island with the south. In 2015 the Andros Routes paths were certified as one of the Leading Quality Trails by the European Rambler’s Association.
Due to Andros Routes, we found the hiking trails on Andros extremely easy to follow, with plenty of information and maps on their website to help plan our trip.
Pytharas waterfall Andros Greece
Our 5 days of hiking in Andros
We planned for 5 full days of hiking, with a bit of sightseeing and relaxation thrown in. If you allow a day on either side to travel from Athens to Andros by ferry, this makes an ideal 1 week hiking holiday itinerary.
We recommend staying in the island’s capital Chora, and there are some hotel recommendations later in the article.
We started our walk at Apikia, an attractive village in the hills, which is a 15 minute taxi ride from Chora. A few steps from the hiking information board is a marble water fountain for the Sariza Spring, which is known for its pure drinking quality.
Spring at Apikia – Hiking in Andros Greece
From the road at Apikia, we made a 30 minute circular detour to see the Pytharas waterfalls (Route 2a). The path followed a mountain stream up through a series of shallow pools, to a spot with flat rocks and a small waterfall cascading over the lip.
Pytharas waterfall – Hiking in Andros Greece
Returning to Apikia, the path led us downhill through a pretty rural landscape. We enjoyed a stop at the Agadaki Estate Botanical Garden, with a small museum to explain the unique habitats of Andros with terraces of old olives, fruit trees and aromatic plants.
Agadaki Estate Botanical Garden – Hiking in Andros Greece
At the next village of Stenies we climbed up a side path to see the abandoned stone water mill and ‘Fabrica’ meaning factory, which made bread and pasta in the past. We sat on the bridge below the mill for a picnic, and could have made a detour to see more of the village of Stenies set on the hillside.
Fabrica factory Stenies – Hiking in Andros Greece
With the sea in sight, it was an easy walk downhill to arrive at Gialia beach for a cool drink at the beach restaurant and refreshing swim in the quiet cove. Then we followed the road over the hill to Neimporio Beach, the main beach of Chora and back to the town.
Gialia Beach – Hiking in Andros Greece
Distance: 8.2 km Total time including stops: 6.5 hours
This was the longest day we walked, but thanks to the 15 minute taxi ride from Chora up to the monastery, it was mostly downhill. Although we arrived at the Panachrantou monastery around 9.30am, it was a while before we were invited in, since the friendly monk was busy sweeping the courtyard and chasing away the peacocks.
Panachrantou Monastery in Andros Greece
Panachrantou monastery is well worth a visit, with fortress like walls and ramparts from which we had stunning views over the valley. The monastery is said to have been founded in 960 AD when two monks saw a light which led them to a cave, in which they found an icon of the Virgin Mary.
Panachrantou Monastery in Andros Greece
The small church within the walls was unlocked by a monk, to show us the holy treasures of silver and gold, with beautiful icons and frescoes of the saints (unfortunately photos are not allowed). Then, as is traditional in Greek monasteries, we were offered a Loukoumi sweet in the monastery dining room.
Panachrantou Monastery in Andros Greece
From the monastery we followed the well marked Route 1 down the steep hill, passing the stone walls of a ruined hamlet. With beautiful views towards Chora, we traversed the hillside moving downhill until we crossed the stone arched bridge of Stoicheiomeni where the river bed was dry after the summer but would later fill up with winter rains.
Hiking from Panachrantou Monastery in Andros Greece
From the bridge it was a hot uphill walk, crossing the road at the newer part of Menites village, and a short uphill stretch into the old village with its famous spring. The route between houses and stone terraces was pleasantly shady, alongside a water channel that brought water from the spring, and following the path of the mountain stream.
Spring at Menites – Hiking in Andros Greece
We emerged back onto the road in the old village of Menites, to have a refreshing drink in one of the tavernas near the famous lion heads spouting the cold spring water.
Menites – Hiking in Andros Greece
From Menites it was a scenic walk along the valley past the scattered villages of Lamyra and Ypsilou before the path led us down to the beach just below Andros Chora.
Distance: 11.5 km Total time including stops: 8 hrs
Day 3 – River trekking to Gerolimni waterfall on Route 6
We had seen enticing pictures of the Gerolimni waterfall, with its natural swimming pool, fed by icy water from the spring at Vourkoti mountain village. After a bit of research, we realised that it might be difficult to find on our own, so we decided to book the excursion run by Explore Andros, to take us there.
Gerolimni waterfall – Achla river – Hiking in Andros Greece
Our guide from Explore Andros picked us up at the hotel in Chora and drove us on a steep, winding mountain road, past the scattered village of Vourkoti. This area is the highest point on Andros, often shrouded in cloud, although for us the skies were clear and the views amazing.
We arrived at the monastery of Agios Nikolaos, where we parked the car in the parking area above. Since the monastery was open, we took the opportunity to make a visit, and a lady opened the church to show us the beautiful icons with silver lamps hanging from the ceiling.
Agios Nikolaos monastery – Hiking in Andros Greece
By tradition the monastery is thought to have been built in the 8th century and is renowned for a miraculous icon that streams tears of fragrant myrrh. If you’d like to visit more of the mountain monasteries of Andros, Explore Andros offer this Monasteries of Andros half day tour.
From the monastery, we followed the zig zag path down into the valley of the Achla river, which reaches the coast at Achla beach. Soon, we were in shady woodland, crossing an arched stone bridge from the Venetian period and following the river upstream in the direction of Vourkoti.
Agios Nikolaos monastery – Hiking in Andros Greece
At some point the official Route 6 path veered away from the river, but this is where we continued along a faint path. Sometimes we clambered over boulders and fallen trees, changing levels on the old farming terraces, always keeping the river in sight.
Luckily our guide from Explore Andros knew the path well and was able to help us over any obstacles and guide us to the best footholds.
Achla River – Hiking in Andros Greece
After around an hour’s walking from the monastery, we could hear the waterfall gushing down the rockface, into a deep pool below us. Even though the walk had been mostly shaded by the trees, it was a refreshing sight, and we couldn’t wait to jump into the ice cold water.
Gerolimni waterfall – Achla river – Hiking in Andros Greece
While it was possible to jump or even dive in, I preferred to lower myself gingerly, despite the cold taking my breath away. First dip and we could barely breathe from the cold shock, second dip and we swam around briskly, third dip and we felt positively euphoric from the effects of the icy water!
Stone bridge Achla River – Hiking in Andros Greece
After relaxing a while by the pool, we made our way back on the same route. This time we posed for photos under the old stone bridge, which looked even more impressive from the river level.
Back at the monastery, we could see Achla Beach in the distance. It’s reputed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Andros, but is only accessible on a long dirt track, or by hiking down from the monastery.
It would be wonderful to walk the whole Route 6 hike, which runs from the mountain village of Vourkoti past Agios Nikolaos monastery to Achla Beach.
The problem is that you need transport to reach the start of the walk at Vourkoti village, a 30-45 minute drive on the winding mountain road from either Batsi or Chora.
Near Vourkoti – view to Achla beach – Hiking in Andros Greece
Achla beach where the walk ends is also very remote, with no bus service. If you want to visit the beach without the hike, it’s probably best to take a boat trip, like the one offered by Explore Andros, allowing you to see some of the more remote northern beaches and coastline.
I’d highly recommend taking the River Trekking tour, but if you prefer to hike Route 6 independently using a hire car, I’d suggest parking at the Agios Nikolaos monastery. From the monastery it’s around 1 hour to hike downhill to Achla Beach and 1 hour back. You can also could attempt to hike in the other direction and try to find the Gerolimni waterfall and pool, again 1 hour there and 1 hour back.
Total time: 3hrs round trip hiking from the monastery to the waterfall, including the stop at the pool. Driving time to Agios Nikolaos monastery from Batsi 45 minutes. Driving time from Chora 30 minutes.
Day 4 – Route 3 – Syneti village – Syneti Beach – Chora
We were hoping to hike to Korthi, the smallest of the four towns of Andros. It sits on the coast in a bowl of mountains, to the south of Chora where we were staying. Korthi is so sleepy, it’s where the residents of laid back Chora go to unwind even more!
Ideally we would have taken a taxi part of the way to Syneti, and from there walked over the crest of the mountain downhill into Korthi. The timetable told us there would be an afternoon bus to bring us back to Chora.
Syneti beach – Hiking in Andros Greece
But on checking at the bus station, the afternoon bus did not seem to run after the end of September. We were worried that a taxi might not be available in Korthi, or be too expensive for the 45 minute drive back. So we decided to cut the route in half and just walk back from Syneti, incorporating a swim at Syneti bay.
Syneti village – Hiking in Andros Greece
Our taxi dropped us off by the road at the top of Syneti village, and we walked down through the mainly pedestrianised streets, with cute houses clinging to the hillside.
Folk Museum at Syneti village – Hiking in Andros Greece
There’s a folklore museum in the middle of the village, housed in an attractive building that was once the village’s primary school. It was closed when we visited, so we continued down the narrow road that snaked down the hillside towards the beach.
Syneti beach – Hiking in Andros Greece
The bay at Syneti is backed by a beach of small pebbles, with clear turquoise water and high rocky cliffs on the southern side. We had the beach entirely to ourselves, apart from a lone white goose who seemed to live there. After a refreshing swim, a couple of locals appeared who also enjoyed a solitary swim, one of them calling to the duck as if it was his friend.
Hiking in Andros Greece – Syneti to Chora
We discovered there was a direct path from the beach up the hillside, although a little overgrown, and used this as a short cut to get back to the village and the road. From there we picked up the Route 3 path, which mainly followed the road but short-cutting its curves.
Hiking in Andros Greece – Syneti to Chora
We had some lovely views over Chora and arrived at the broad sweep of Paraporti beach. Here there’s an area of wetlands along the Megalos river, with a larger flock of ducks, so perhaps our solitary feathered swimming companion was part of this group.
Paraporti beach – Hiking in Andros Greece
Later in the holiday I was able to visit Korthi by car, and the drive along the mountain road gave us stunning views, so it would definitely be worth trying to make the full hike down into Korthi if you get a chance.
Korthi Andros Greece
Day 5 – Route 17 – Easy circular walk from Chora around Livadia
For our final day hiking we decided to make an easy walk from Chora around the area of Livadia.
Livadia – Hiking in Andros Greece
This flat valley close to Chora is irrigated by the Megalos Potamos ( literally Great River ), so it’s full of small fields and citrus orchards, dotted with village houses.
Livadia – Hiking in Andros Greece
It was a peaceful, rural setting, punctuated only by the ubiquitous barking dogs that most home owners seemed to keep as an early warning of visitors.
Livadia – Hiking in Andros Greece
The hike meandered through the valley and up the slope on the other side, before circling back to bring us into Chora on a different path. Because we wanted to spend some of our last day on the beach, we retraced the same path back and arrived at Paraporti beach for a swim.
Paraporti beach – Hiking in Andros Greece
Other hikes to try in Andros
There are numerous other Andros Routes hikes to try depending on where you are staying, whether that’s Chora, Gavrio, Batsi or Korthi. Rather than trying to list them all, we recommend that you buy the map showing all the Andros Routes and check the descriptions on the Andros Routes website.
Ask a local or a taxi driver for the best place to be dropped off, and then walk from the high ground in the centre of the island, back down to the coast, to ensure the best views and minimise the uphill slog!
View of Paraporti beach from Chora – Hiking in Andros Greece
Best months to hike in Andros
The main tourist season in Andros is relatively short, stretching from beginning of May to end of September. The high season months of July and August are too hot for hiking (above 30 degrees C), and even second half of June and first half of September may see days of 25-30 degrees Celcius.
We found the optimum time on Andros to enjoy both good weather for hiking ( 20-25 degrees C) and also find most hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses open, is beginning May to mid June or mid September to mid October.
Hiking to Andros Chora Greece
If you are only there for the hiking and not so worried about having a smaller selection of hotels and restaurants to choose from, the shoulder season of March – April and October- November can have some sunny and warm days (18-25 degrees C) for hiking. Be aware that Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls in April and is a busy time for Greek visitors.
We spent a week hiking in the last week of September and found it to be a perfect time of year to visit, with great weather for both hiking and swimming, as well as the chance to enjoy the atmosphere of restaurants where you could sit outside in the evening.
I stayed on a further week at the beginning of October for sightseeing and noticed a big difference in atmosphere, as the temperatures started to drop in the evening and many restaurants and hotels had closed.
Where to stay in Andros
If hiking is your main purpose, I’d strongly recommend basing yourself for all or most of the time in Andros Chora, also known locally as just ‘Chora’ (pronounced Hora). The island’s capital is a charming small town, with a wide range of accommodation, shops and restaurants.
Andros Chora Greece
Many of the island’s hiking trails start or end in this area. It’s also easy to find a taxi at the taxi rank in the square to take you to a start of the trails that lead back into Chora.
Batsi Andros Greece
Many other hiking routes can be accessed from the island’s other three main towns of Korthi, Batsi and Gavrio. If you have more time, you may wish to tack on a couple of days staying at any of these, to make it easier to hike these routes.
Batsi Andros Greece
If you want to do some more remote mountain trails, add on a couple of days in Korthi, while if you prefer some hiking combined with relaxation, choose Batsi for its holiday resort vibe. Gavrio is mainly a ferry port with no beach, but staying here would allow you to access some of the island’s northern trails.
Korthi Andros Greece
If you prefer to base yourself in one place, but are keen to hike some of the more remote routes to the north or south of Andros, I recommend contacting Explore Andros based in Chora. They have knowledgeable guides and can arrange a bespoke itinerary that includes drop off and pick ups in remote locations where there’s no public transport.
Venetian fort Andros Chora Greece
They are also the ideal partner if you are arranging a group hiking trip, as they also own or manage a range of hotels and other accommodation, so can offer a complete package for a group hiking holiday.
Recommended hotels in Chora
Archontiko Eleni (we stayed here) – this small hotel in a neo-classical townhouse, is a good value option with elegant traditional style. It offers breakfast and is well located by the main square, a short walk from all the restaurants and shops.
With only 8 rooms the hotel feels like staying in someone’s rather grand home. This is a good option for hikers since it opens all year round, and there’s public parking nearby if you have a hire car.
Anemomiloi Andros Boutique Hotel (we stayed here) – a stylish boutique hotel with swimming pool on the edge of Chora town. They offer a good breakfast but there’s also a small kitchenette in the rooms.
The hotel is attractively designed with different level rooms overlooking a central courtyard or countryside views. The family who own the hotel also run Explore Andros, making this a popular choice for walkers who use the tour company to arrange their transport.
Castel Abaso Boutique Apartments – a stylish self catering option in the oldest part of Chora, with 3 separate apartments, two of which have private roof terraces. This part of Chora is entirely pedestrianised and quiet at night, so it’s a good option for those who don’t have a hire car.
The apartments are popular with couples, families or small groups who want to have a bit more space, while being a few steps away from the restaurants and amenities of Chora.
In Batsi, we recommend Hotel Chryssi Akti, which is well located in the centre of the town opposite the beach, but there’s a wide range of accommodation in Batsi. In Korthi there are only a few studio or apartment options – check out the accommodation in Korthi here. Gavrio also has a limited range of accommodation, since it is the island’s main ferry port – check out accommodation in Gavrio here.
What to pack for hiking in Andros
Here’s what you need for tackling the Andros Routes hiking trails, assuming you are mainly doing the day hikes like us. The shorter, circular trails that take a couple of hours don’t need any special equipment, other than trainers or hiking shoes.
Hiking in Andros Greece
Andros Routes map and guidebook
Andros Routes produce a map of all the trails, which is recommended for planning and navigation. The map should be sufficient to guide you, as all the trails are well marked.
However, if you want more information Andros Routes also produce a guidebook, with detailed descriptions of the trails. All profits from the map and guidebook go to support the work of Andros Routes in maintaining the trails – more information here.
You can buy this map on arrival in Andros at a number of hotels and locations, or in the UK from Stamfords bookshops – online order here. The Andros Routes hiking guide can also be purchased on Andros, and the e-book is available to download in English and Dutch – more information here.
Use the Andros Routes map and guidebook showing all the Andros Routes trails for planning and navigation
Hiking / trail shoes
I recommend sturdy hiking shoes, but if you only plan to do one or two trails, well supported trainers would also be fine. Hiking boots are too hot for most times of year in Greece, but fine for early (March / April) or late (November) in the season. My current summer hiking shoes are from Keen – I like the NXIS EVO or Terradora styles.
Andros Chora Greece
Hiking shorts
These are ideal for the warmer months May – September. Full or 3/4 length walking trousers would be suitable for early (March / April) or late (November) in the season. Quick dry fabric is ideal for overnight washing.
A day backpack
I find a 15L or 20L backpack is the ideal size for day hiking. In my backpack I carry water, picnic or snacks, map, small medical kit, sunscreen, spare socks, an extra layer for warmth or waterproof jacket for showery weather. I also keep valuables like cash, bank cards and mobile phone in a separate waist pouch.
Hiking to Andros Chora Greece
Hiking poles
This is an optional item as not everyone likes hiking with poles. However, I always hike with them as they give support on steep or slippery paths and reduce the strain on knees and ankles. My favourites are these collapsible Leki poles.
They aren’t the cheapest, but they are well made, sturdy and best of all collapse down for packing in a case or rucksack. I’ve had years of wear out of mine so they were a good investment.
Other items of clothing
Pack sports t-shirts or any t-shirt that’s comfortable for hiking, a light sweatshirt or waterproof, hiking socks, a hat or cap to protect from the sun, sunglasses.
How difficult is the hiking in Andros?
I’d rate most of the trails in Andros as easy to moderate. The longer day hikes are moderate in length and difficulty, with a few steep climbs or descents. However there are plenty of shorter or easier routes where you can park the car and make a circular trail for an hour or two. The trails are well marked and maintained by the Andros Routes volunteers, so it’s difficult to get lost.
Andros Routes signposts Greece
I consider myself moderately fit and was able to do the trails with no special training. Having said that, we did take care to start the trail at the highest points, so that we could walk downhill for most of the way, which was much more enjoyable than a gruelling uphill slog!
Transport for hiking in Andros
The biggest challenge was the logistics in reaching the start of some of the more remote trails, or how to get back at the end of a one way route, where there’s no public transport.
Since public buses in Andros are designed mainly to take people to the ferry ports, you’ll need to overcome this issue, either by budgeting for longer taxi rides (€20-30) or by making transfer arrangements with a tour company like Explore Andros (ideal if there’s a group of you).
A hire car can be used to reach all the trails, however most of the more remote or scenic trails are one way, so a drop off / pickup is preferable.
Andros Chora Greece
How to get to Andros
Ferry to Andros
There’s no airport on Andros, so most visitors will fly into Athens or Mykonos airports, then take the ferry. Ferries run from the Athens port of Rafina to Andros and then on to neighbouring Tinos and Mykonos. They come back from Mykonos by the same route, stopping at Tinos, Andros and then Rafina.
Ferry at Gavrio Port Andros Greece
Ferries run several times a day from Rafina ( Fast Ferries or Golden Star Ferries) and the journey takes 2 hours, or 1 hour 10 mins on the slightly more expensive Seajets ferry. From Mykonos, the ferry time is 2 hours 25 mins. When we travelled the one way ferry ticket from Rafina to Andros was from €25 per person for a foot passenger.
Although you can buy ferry tickets at the port, we found it easier to book online in advance using a service like Ferryscanner. You’ll receive a ticket with bar code by email so that you can go straight on board the ferry. Check the ferry fares, timetables and book your ferry here.
Ferry at Gavrio Port Andros Greece
On arrival in Andros
The ferries arrive at Gavrio Port in Andros, so you will probably need to arrange a taxi transfer from the port to either Batsi (15 mins) or Chora (45-60 mins), depending on where you are staying. Alternatively, the KTEL public buses run from Gavrio port to Batsi and Chora, and are timed to leave soon after the ferry’s arrival.
How to get to Rafina port
To reach Rafina from Athens Airport, you can take a taxi (30 mins) or a regular KTEL Attikis bus (30 mins) – find the timetable here. The bus stop is opposite the Sofitel Hotel, leaving the arrivals hall by Exit 3.
Ferry at Gavrio Port Andros Greece
To reach Rafina from central Athens you have a few options. You could take the KTEL Attikis bus from Nomismatokopio Station in Athens to Rafina (60 mins). Alternatively take Line 3 of the Athens Metro to Athens airport and from there take the bus or a taxi to Rafina. The most expensive option, but economic if there is a group of you, is to arrange a taxi from any point in Central Athens to Rafina (60 mins).
Read our tips for hiking the Thames Path National Trail, a 300km long distance path that runs from the source of the River Thames in Gloucestershire, to the start of the Thames estuary in London. On the way you’ll see the river transition from a muddy puddle, through tranquil water meadows and an ever more urban landscape, until you reach the historic landmarks of London.
Tips for hiking the Thames Trail
How long does it take to walk the Thames Path Trail?
The path is divided into 15 day long stages, which can be walked consecutively or in any order. Some of the days break easily into a couple of shorter half day sections, if you want to add additional rest time or sightseeing stops.
We chose to walk the trail in stages of 1-2 days over the course of a year. If want to walk the whole trail but have limited time, one option is to miss out some of the stages and just walk the parts that interest you most. I think this is better than trying to speed up the walk and then missing the points of interest along the way.
Inglesham – Thames Path National Trail
We found the timings and distances in our guidebook to be pretty accurate, but they didn’t allow for any stops, so we normally added 1-1.5 hours to each day. Our average walking speed including all breaks was around 3.4 miles per hour and we normally walked around 6 hours each day.
I’ve broken the trail into 4 separate articles, each covering 3-4 days that could be walked over a long weekend. You can read all the articles below.
What can I expect to see on the Thames Path National Trail?
From a trickle of water at its source, the Thames meanders through the Cotswolds in verdant fields and water meadows, transitioning from stream to navigable river. For these first four days, the path offers a taste of English rural life, strolling through fields and small villages.
Along this part of the Thames lie charming towns and villages, that prospered from trade flowing down the river, transporting goods from the Cotswolds to London.
You’ll enjoy wild and isolated water meadows, but there’s also the pleasant buzz of canalboats passing through flower filled locks and riverside towns going about their business.
This section offers a blend of rural to urban landscapes, as the river flows steadily towards the outskirts of London. You’ll pass the prosperous riverside towns of Henley and Marlow, known for their rowing traditions and ornate Edwardian boathouses.
As the railways developed westwards from the 1850s, this stretch of the Thames came within the reach of Londoners for day trips, when regattas and rowing boats were all the rage.
The final section of the walk brings you through the centre of London. You’ll pass through the leafy suburbs of Richmond and Kew, past the historic landmarks of central London, ending in the old industrial area of London’s Docklands at Woolwich.
How difficult is the Thames Path National Trail?
I’d rate the Thames Path as an easy route, but one that’s most enjoyable for all ages and abilities. The Thames Path is well marked in all parts of the route, even the most rural.
Mostly the path runs alongside the river, so it’s difficult to get lost. The path is flat and varies between rural grass or stone footpaths and, as you get closer to London, paved paths alongside the river.
Approaching Richmond Bridge – Thames Path National Trail
The exception is the first few stages in the Cotswolds that can be muddy and a bit slippery in autumn and winter. If this is a problem, I’d skip sections 1 and 2 from Kemble to Lechlade and start the walk at Lechlade.
Oxford Towpath – Thames Path National Trail
The only challenge we found was that a couple of the rural sections between Lechlade and Oxford are quite long, without an obvious place to break the day’s walk. In this case you might have to plan for an early start with only short breaks.
There are also a few sections where footbridges or parts of the path may be closed for repairs (often for months or years at a time). This is an annoyance, but there are always detours in place which may add to length of the walk. Where we encountered these, I’ve explained the options in my more detailed articles about each section of the walk.
Where to stay on The Thames Path Trail
In most of the small towns in the Cotswold sections of the walk, you’ll find a choice of pubs, B&Bs and hotels. We normally stayed in a pub, as they offer modest but comfortable accommodation and reasonably priced food in the evening.
Stay in riverside pubs on the Thames Path National Trail
Another great choice for walkers is a B&B, where you’ll normally find a friendly welcome and comfortable, well priced room. However, you’ll need to find a place to eat in the evening and these days breakfast may or may not be included, so check first.
If you prefer something a bit more stylish and luxurious, some of the larger towns and villages have very nice hotels. If you like camping, there are some campsites on the route, but personally I’d rather pay a little more and not have to carry all the kit.
I use Booking.com to book hotels, as it’s easy to see all information about the hotels and keep track of the bookings, as well as obtain their Genius discounts if you’re a regular user. You can also find all the places we stayed on Expedia if that’s your preference.
Henley Thames Path National Trail
We didn’t find any hostels along the trail, although once you reach the London sections of the route, these may be a short bus or train ride away. A couple of the more rural stretches of the trail only have one or two options for accommodation, in which case you’ll need to book up in advance.
List of recommended accommodation for each day
Here’s our list of recommended places to stay at the end of each day’s walk, and you can find more options in the relevant articles.
What to wear on the Thames Path Trail
The trail is mostly easy and flat, so if walking short sections of the trail you don’t need any special clothing. However as we wanted to be comfortable for full day walks in all weathers here’s what we used.
Marlow Bridge Thames Path National Trail
Hiking boots, hiking shoes or supportive trainers – the more rural sections of the walk can get muddy or even waterlogged outside the summer months. My favourite hiking shoes are from Keen as I find their wide toe-bed very comfortable and I’d recommend the Keen Targhee or Nxis Evo hiking shoes for this kind of trail.
Quick drying walking trousers, leggings or shorts. Avoid materials like denim or heavy cotton that won’t easily dry after a rain shower.
T-shirts that are comfortable and breathable – I usually wear a sports t-shirt.
Wearing a sports t-shirt on the Thames Path National Trail
A neckerlike the ones from Buff guards against chills around the neck in Spring and Autumn and can also double up as a beanie style hat. A hat for either cold weather or to shade against the sun like this sports cap is also useful.
Using my hiking pole on the Thames Path National Trail
Packing for the Thames Path Trail
If walking just a day at a time, where you can leave most of your luggage in a car or hotel, you’ll need a day sack. I find 15 – 20 Litres is about the right size for me, like this Osprey Hikelite 18L day sack.
If you are walking for several days at a time from hotel to hotel, you’ll need a slightly larger rucksack to accommodate overnight clothes. In this case I’d recommend a 25 – 30L rucksack like the Osprey Hikelite 26L rucksack.
Fiddler’s Bridge Oxford – Thames Path National Trail
In my day sack I normally pack;
Tissues / wet wipes / a small amount of toilet paper
A small home made first aid kit with plasters and basic medication
A few reuseable ziplock bags for picnics and other small items
Water bottles – I don’t have a special water bottle but instead have several 500ml plastic water bottles which I refill and re-use, then recycle once beyond reuse. For this walk I carried 3 x 500ml water bottles as there were plenty of places to fill up along the route.
Picnic items and snacks – these can easily be purchased in a convenience store at the start of each day.
A spare pair of socks in case your feet get soaked
My lightweight fleece and waterproof jacket are stored in my backpack when not worn.
Best time of year to walk the Thames Path National Trail
The optimum months for walking the Thames Path Trail as a whole are May, June and September. These are the months when you’ll find most sunny days and the river and surrounding meadows are less likely to be waterlogged.
Flooding can be an issue along the Thames, especially in the winter months. Before making firm plans you can check for flood warnings along the Thames Path Trail here and for detours on the path here.
Hiking the Thames Path National Trail in early summer
Spring (March – May) – you may get bright sunny days for day walks. However until May the more rural sections of the path may experience flooding or be waterlogged.
Summer (June – August) – warm sunny days and the riverside meadows and footpaths will be at their driest. These are the months when temperatures can climb so check the weather forecast and avoid really hot days. Accommodation will be most expensive in summer, especially in July and August. On the sections that run through London you may find a lot of tourists.
Hiking the Thames Path National Trail in Autumn
Autumn (September – October) – the weather is normally bright and sunny, but as you move into winter the paths may become more muddy after rain. Check for flood warnings after heavy rain.
Winter (November – February) – avoid walking the more rural sections of the trail during the winter months due to muddy paths and flooded water meadows that lead to endless detours. However, on bright winter days it is possible to walk the paved sections of the path in and around London. Check first for flood warnings, as the river may overflow even paved riverside paths.
Hiking the Thames Path in winter
Best day walks on the Thames Path National Trail
If you only have time to walk a few sections of the whole trail, these were our favourites;
Day 4 – Newbridge to Oxford – an idyllic rural stretch with pretty stone bridges and locks, although it’s difficult to get to Newbridge by public transport – Read more about this stretch.
Northmoor Lock on the Thames path national trail
Day 5 – Oxford to Abingdon – from the ancient university town through leafy water meadows to the attractive town of Abingdon – Read more about this stretch.
Osney Lock Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Day 9 – Henley to Marlow – pretty villages and riverside spots on part of the river famous for its rowing regattas (although you may have to make a detour if Temple Bridge is closed) – Read more about this stretch.
Thames Path at Marlow Bridge
Day 10 – Marlow to Windsor – picturesque riverside towns with views of Edwardian mansions and boathouses – Read more about this stretch.
Cliveden Boathouse – Hiking on the Thames Path National Trail
Day 13 – Kingston to Putney – past the prettiest London suburbs of Teddington, Richmond, Kew and Putney – Read more about this stretch.
Richmond on the Thames Path National Trail
Day 14 – Putney to Tower Bridge – covering the South Bank and most of London’s historic landmarks – Read more about this stretch.
South Bank on the Thames Path National Trail
Attractions to visit on the Thames Path National Trail
If you are interested in visiting historic attractions on your journey, these are worth a stop, although you may need to build in extra days to do them justice. Check opening times of individual attractions as some may not be open all year round.
Kelmscott Manor on the Thames path national trail
Stage 3 – Kelmscott Manor – the manor house and gardens were owned by 19th century artist William Morris, whose designs epitomise the ‘Arts and Crafts’ movement.
Day 4 & 5 – Oxford – this ancient university town is worthy of adding an extra day to soak up the beautiful architecture of the colleges. Read more about things to do in Oxford.
Day 10 – Cookham – the pretty village has the Stanley Spencer gallery dedicated to the 20th century artist Stanley Spencer who lived here.
Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham – Hiking on the Thames Path National Trail
Day 10 & 11 – Windsor – Windsor Castle is one of the main residences of the English Royal Family with a chapel where many of them were married.
Day 11 – Runnymede Meadow – this is the location of an historic meeting in 1215 between King John and his barons, leading to the Magna Carta, which curtailed the powers of the monarchy.
Day 12 – Hampton Court – the royal palace with extensive gardens was the home of King Henry VIII and later monarchs.
Gates of Hampton Court – Thames Path National Trail
Day 13 – Ham House – a 17th century mansion with formal gardens, managed by the National Trust.
Day 13 – Kew Gardens – the Royal botanical gardens with floral displays, exhibitions and Victorian glasshouses.
Day 13 – Barnes Wetland Centre – a nature reserve that was created from the Barn Elms reservoir.
Day 15 – Greenwich – there are several historic attractions here that come under the Royal Museums Greenwich, including the Royal Naval College, Queen’s House, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory.
Where to take a rest day on the Thames Path National Trail
The best places to plan a rest day are;
Oxford – Days 4 & 5 – explore the ancient colleges and soak up the history of this university town. Read about all the things to do in Oxford.
Henley on the Thames Path National Trail
Henley – Day 8 & 9 – a pretty riverside town famous for its rowing regatta in July.
Windsor – Day 10 & 11 – a sizeable town with the attractions of Windsor Castle and nearby Cliveden.
Richmond Hill – Thames Path National Trail
Richmond – Day 13 – a pretty riverside suburb of London with a park, green spaces, riverside walks, shops and restaurants. Read about the view from Richmond Hill.
London – Day 14 & 15 – the city has numerous cultural attractions, museums, shops and interesting neighbourhoods to explore.
Tower Bridge on the Thames Path National Trail
Can you camp on the Thames Path National Trail?
Wild camping without permission is not permitted by the Thames Path, which mainly passes across privately owned farmland. The first few stages between the Thames Source and Oxford are quite rural but the landscape is open fields with few secluded spots.
After Oxford the area around the river becomes more heavily populated, so it would be difficult to find a quiet camping spot other than in an official campsite.
Thames Path National Trail Pangbourne to Goring
There are a few campsites that are close to the Thames Path, although some only operate in the summer months.
Day 1 – Source to Cricklade – Elm Lea Camping near Cricklade (Camping and Caravanning Club members only site)
Day 2 – Cricklade to Lechlade – Bridge House Campsite near Lechlade (closed in winter)
We found it easy to find picnic supplies and places to eat along the trail. Most of the start and end points of the day’s stage are in small towns or villages, with a convenience store selling a range of picnic supplies.
The place you stay overnight will have at least one pub and often a range of restaurants for an evening meal.
Paper Boat Cafe Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Every stage also passes at least one pub or cafe on the route, although most pubs don’t open until around 11am in case you are looking for an early coffee. On the more rural section in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, you may need to check what’s available at your start and end point, since occasionally it’s just a pub with no convenience store.
In this case you’ll need to carry enough picnic supplies for a two days. We would typically pack a picnic and snacks to eat throughout the walk, but make one or two stops for coffee or a drink at a pub or cafe. Tap water in England is fine to drink and any pub or cafe will fill up your water bottle for you.
Tearoom at Cookham – Hiking on the Thames Path National Trail
Transport on The Thames Path Trail
I walked the Thames Path trail with my sister in 2 day stages and we tried to use public transport where possible.
We found the closer you get to London, the more regular and easy the public transport becomes. In the more rural sections of Gloucestershire near the Thames source, there is more limited public transport and even the buses may not take you where you need to go.
On the upper part of the river, from the Thames source to around Reading we found transport needed to be planned carefully.
Cows near Cookham – Hiking on the Thames Path National Trail
As we live fairly locally, we were able to get around this by driving to a start or end point and then using the bus or train to return to the car at the end of the day. On some occasions we had to use two cars, positioning one at either end of the day’s walk.
Of course, transport is much less of an issue if you plan to walk all 15 days sequentially. Another good option is to break the walk into sections of 2-4 days, starting and ending at the locations that are most accessible by bus or train (use Trainline to plan your train journeys).
For this reason I have written separate articles, each covering a 3-4 day section of the trail, that starts and ends at a convenient point with good transport links. The articles below have more detailed public transport information for each day’s walk.
Many of the points along the Thames Path are accessible by train, especially the Great Western Railway line that runs from London to Bristol. We recommend using Trainline to check timings and book train tickets online.
There’s also a pretty good network of local buses running between smaller towns and villages, but you need to check timetables carefully as they may run every hour or less.
I used my mapping app to identify which buses serve which routes, then used the bus provider’s website to check exact timings. Once you get close to London, there’s an excellent network of overground trains, underground trains and local buses.
In the rural areas there aren’t lots of taxis, but calling one from a pub (they can often give you the number of a local taxi company) would be an option if you are really stuck.
You can find detailed transport information for each day in my individual articles about the Thames Path National Trail.
We walked the Thames Path from its source in the Cotswolds to its end in London. This seemed to us the most logical route, since we saw the river’s evolution from a muddy ditch to a mighty flow through London’s impressive urban landscape.
Thames Source – Thames Path National Trail
We were also influenced by living in Bristol, so we started at the point closest to us. However, if you live in London it might make sense to start there and follow the river to its source.
You might also be influenced by the season you decide to walk, since the more rural sections closest to the source can be very muddy and waterlogged through autumn and winter. Other than these considerations there is no right or wrong place to start and end the Thames Path.
Lechlade on Thames Trail
Is the Thames Path easy to follow?
We found the Thames Path extremely easy to follow. All the sections are well marked with clear signposts and wherever we met a diversion, due to flooding or building works, this was also well signposted. There are other footpaths that cross the Thames Path, but it was easy to distinguish between the Thames Path and other footpaths.
As it generally follows the river, you can’t go far wrong if you have it in your sight, although it’s worth mentioning that sometimes the path does divert a little way from the Thames river itself. It would certainly be possible to follow the Thames Path Trail by just following the signposts.
Wandsworth – Thames Path National Trail
However, we do recommend taking a guidebook to get more information about the places you’ll pass, distance and timings and some history and context for the walk.
The guidebook we used and recommend is the Trailblazer Thames Path Guide. We liked the easy to follow maps and the fact that it’s just as easy to follow for walking in either direction.
Resources for hiking the Thames Path National Trail
Train bookings – we recommend Trainline for easy online rail bookings. Buses can be paid for by tapping on and off with your debit card.
Book accommodation: to book hotels online and conveniently have all your bookings in once place, we used Booking.com but if you prefer you could also use Expedia.
Guidebook – we used and recommend the Trailblazer Thames Path Guide – this is the one we used and we liked the easy to follow maps and the fact that it’s just as easy to follow for walking in either direction.
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Walking from Oxford to Henley on the Thames Path National Trail, you’ll enjoy wild and isolated water meadows, but there’s also the pleasant buzz of canalboats passing through flower filled locks and riverside towns going about their business. Along this part of the Thames lie charming towns and villages, that prospered from trade flowing down the river, transporting goods from the Cotswolds to London.
Thames Path National Trail Day 5-8 Oxford to Henley
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Days 5-8 – Oxford to Henley
The beauty of the Thames Path National Trail is that the 15 days of walking can easily be split up into sections, if you don’t want to walk it in one go. My sister and I took around a year to complete the whole trail, normally walking for a couple of days at a time.
We chose to start from the Thames Source and walk towards London, but this four day leg from Oxford to Henley or any part of the trail can be walked in either direction.
As the Thames Path is 15 days long, I decided to break my articles into 4 sections, each covering 3-4 days walking on the trail. I hope to provide detailed information for walkers on all the practicalities such transport and accommodation, as well as what to see on the trail.
You’re reading the second of the 4 articles describing Days 5-8 of our walk on the Thames Path National Trail, and if you haven’t already done so, you can also read:
Essential planning for Days 5-8 – Oxford to Henley
If you are walking sections 5-8 of the Thames Trail over a 4 day period, here are the planning essentials. Day 8 is one of the longest sections at 17 miles, so you might want to consider breaking it up at Reading, which would add a fifth day to the walk.
Book the train or coach to Oxford for the start of the walk – There are direct trains from London Paddington or London Marylebone. We recommend Trainline for easy rail and coach bookings. You can also get coaches from London and other cities to Oxford, or from London take the frequent Oxford Tube bus service.
Book accommodation: For the night before starting the walk at Oxford (if required) – there are numerous options, check these Oxford hotels | Day 5 Abingdon – Old Abbey House | Day 6 Wallingford – The Town Arms | Day 7 Pangbourne – Elephant Hotel | Day 8 ends in Henley. This is a long walking day so you may prefer to break it in two at Reading – The Market House or walk the full day to Henley – The Catherine Wheel
Book the train from Henley at the end of this 4 day section – if heading to London you can change at Twyford, for the GWR Bristol to London Paddington line or the Elizabeth Line. We recommend Trainline for easy rail bookings.
Guidebook – buy the Trailblazer Thames Path Guide – this is the one we used and found it excellent for walking in either direction. While a guidebook is not essential, we enjoyed using this one as it added useful information and context to our walk.
I’ll be publishing further articles in this Thames Path series very soon. In the meantime, if you have questions about our walk on the Thames Path National Trail, feel free to email me at heather(at)heatheronhertravels(dot)com
Osney Bridge Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Day 5 – Oxford to Abingdon
The university town of Oxford, with colleges dating back to the 13th century, is well worth lingering a while. So if you enjoy sightseeing, arrive the day before your walk, allowing extra time to soak up all that history and gorgeous architecture. You can get some more inspiration from my article: A weekend in Oxford – our 48 hour itinerary
The day’s walk starts at Osney Bridge which is conveniently close to Oxford’s train station. Through Oxford, the Thames ribbons into a number of canals and waterways. The towpath is shared with a constant flow of cyclists, so you should keep an eye out for them or risk being run down!
Osney Lock Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Finally the Thames path leaves Oxford behind at Folly Bridge, named after a quirky 19th century building and tower, with a wharf opposite the Head of the River pub, where boat trips leave for Abingdon.
Folly Bridge Oxford Thames Path National Trail
The river, which is also known as the Isis at this point, now meanders through meadows until you pass Isis Farmhouse. Operating as a pub open mainly at weekends, this old farmhouse has large gardens to sup a pint overlooking the river.
Isis Farmhouse Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Nearby is Iffley Lock with its arched stone punter’s bridge, which is the starting point for the Oxford University boat races. The next stretch includes Sandford Lock and then a long walk alongside water meadows until you reach Abingdon Lock.
Heather at Iffley Lock Thames Path National Trail
From here it’s just a short stroll to Abingdon Bridge, which you cross to enter the town.
Abingdon Thames Path National Trail
Day 5 – Distance and timings
Oxford to Abingdon is aprox 9.5 miles / 15.2 km. It took us around 5.5 hrs to walk, including a coffee stop at Paper Boat Cafe and a picnic break at one of the locks.
Day 5 – Where to stay
Oxford – there’s a huge choice of pubs, guest houses, hotels and hostels, but book ahead as the city is a popular tourist hotspot – check all Oxford hotels.
The Old Abbey House is located in Abingdon, 10 miles from University of Oxford
Abingdon – the town offers a wide range of pubs, hotels and guest houses for accommodation. For charming and affordable accommodation in Abingdon, we recommend S Howard B & B where we stayed or for a centrally located alternative try Old Abbey House.
Abingdon Thames Path National Trail
Day 5 – Where to eat
Oxford – there are many food shops, cafes and pubs at Oxford. By Folly Bridge, we enjoyed a coffee overlooking the river at the charming Paper Boat Cafe. Opposite the bridge is the Head of the River pub, which would be another dining option.
Paper Boat Cafe Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Pub stops after this are Isis Farmhouse (Friday – Sunday from midday) or the Kings Arms at Sandford Lock.
Abingdon – there are many shops and restaurants in the town, and we enjoyed a drink in the riverside garden of the Nag’s Head.
Nag’s Head Abingdon Thames Path National Trail
Day 5 – Transport for this stage
Oxford – the town has a station and is well connected by rail and coach to London and other towns on the Thames path.
Abingdon – there is no station, the nearest being at Radley, which is 15 mins by No 35 bus or 1 hour walk. From London take the train from Paddington station to Didcot Parkway, then change for the branch line to Radley.
Frequent buses ( X1, X2, X3, X15) run between Oxford and Abingdon and the journey time is 30 minutes.
Meadows near Sandford Thames Path National Trail
Options by car – At both Oxford and Abingdon, there are several public car parks to choose from, where you can leave your car for the day. In Oxford try the Oatlands Road Car Park in Botley, or the Port Meadow South Parking, both of which are close to the Thames Path.
For this leg we left our car in the car park at Abingdon, took the bus to Oxford, then walked the Thames path back to Abingdon, where we stayed the night.
Osney Bridge Oxford Thames Path National Trail
Day 6 – Abingdon – Dorchester – Wallingford
Abingdon is a pretty riverside town, named after the Medieval Abbey that was founded here. Crossing the stone bridge from the town, the path runs alongside water meadows to Dorchester and this section has a rather wild and isolated feel.
Abingdon Thames Path National Trail
In two sections at Culham and Long Wittenham, the path follows a canal making a short cut away from the meandering loops of the river. Clifton Lock was a riot of colour with gardens in full bloom and a friendly lock-keeper who sold us ice creams.
Clifton Hampden Lock Thames Path National Trail
The riverside village of Clifton Hampden makes a good lunch stop since it has this section’s only pub, The Barley Mow. Another big loop through water meadows brings you to Day’s Lock close to Dorchester, although the town is out of sight.
Heather at Clifton Hampden Thames Path National Trail
It’s possible to walk into Dorchester and break your journey here, but we continued on to Shillingford Bridge, where the footpath takes a short diversion away from the river.
Shillingford Bridge Thames Path National Trail
At Benson Lock you need to cross the river, but the footbridge was undergoing repairs and we took the ferry that runs back and forth instead. Check that in advance that the ferry is running, or you may have to take a diversion from the footpath to reach Wallingford. Benson Lock also has a busy Waterside Cafe, that serves the customers of the holiday boat hire business that operates from here.
Heather on the Benson Lock Ferry Thames Path National Trail
Once you’ve crossed by ferry at Benson Lock, it’s a short walk to Wallingford, an attractive market town with shops and cafes around the central square.
Day 6 – Distance and timings
Abingdon to Wallingford is aprox 14 miles / 22.5 km. This was one of our longer days but it could be broken into 2 shorter legs at Dorchester. It took us around 7.5 hrs to walk, including a coffee at Benson Lock, picnic break and drink at Clifton Hampden.
Meadows near Culham Thames Path National Trail
Day 6 – Where to stay
Abingdon – there’s a wide range of pubs, hotels and guest houses. For charming and affordable accommodation, we recommend S Howard B & B where we stayed, or for a centrally located alternative try Old Abbey House.
Wallingford also has a few places to stay, we recommend The Town Arms, which is centrally located.
In Wallingford The Town Arms has a comfortable rooms, a restaurant and pub garden
Wallingford Bridge Thames Path National Trail
Day 6 – Where to eat
Abingdon – there are many shops and supermarkets to buy picnic supplies.
Clifton Hampden – on the stretch between Abbingdon and Dorchester the only pub is The Barley Mow, and the post office here also stocks some basic food supplies.
Dorchester – the town has pubs and restaurants but is a bit of a walk away from the Thames Path.
Wallingford – close to Wallingford, you could stop for coffee or lunch at the Waterfront Cafe at Benson Lock. Wallingford is a charming small town, with many shops and cafes.
Barley Mow at Clifton Hampden Thames Path National Trail
Day 6 – Transport for this stage
Abingdon – there is no station at Abingdon, the nearest being at Radley. From London change at Didcot Parkway, for the branch line to Radley, then take the No 35 bus.
Wallingford – there is no station at Wallingford, the nearest being at Cholsey. From London Paddington take the train to Cholsey, then take the No 136 bus to Wallingford. The No 33 bus runs between Abingdon and Wallingford, with a journey time of 1 hour.
Options by car – At Abingdon, there are several public car parks to choose from, to leave your car for the day. For this leg we left our car in the car park at Abingdon, took the No 33 bus to Wallingford, walking the Thames path back to Abingdon.
Heather at Wallingford – Thames Path National Trail
Day 7 – Wallingford – Goring – Pangbourne
This was one of my less favourite stages of the Thames path, as much of it ran through woodland or was out of sight of the river. However the section around Goring was more attractive with views of pretty Edwardian boathouses on the opposite bank.
Streatley Thames Path National Trail
Leaving Wallingford, the path was at first quite muddy around Watermead Nature Reserve and we passed some impressive boathouses, owned by Oxford Brookes University.
Near Wallingford Thames Path National Trail
We passed under the double arch railway bridge, constructed by celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. While undoubtedly a feat of Victorian engineering, it had a rather damp and spooky atmosphere!
Brunel Railway Bridge Moulsford Thames Path National Trail
Around Moulsford the path runs briefly away from the river, before arriving at the Beetle and Wedge, a pleasant riverside inn, where we ordered a drink and sat outside overlooking the river. Soon after, look out for the Egyptian House, a modern mansion with colourful Egyptian motifs which felt quite out of keeping with the rural English setting.
Streatley Thames Path National Trail
Running alongside the river, the path now brings you past the Swan Inn at Streatley (its Coppa Club bar is a good coffee or lunch stop), on the opposite bank from the town of Goring. An alternative on the Goring side of the bridge, is the busy Pierreponts Cafe.
Goring was an ancient crossing place of the Thames and marks a change in landscape from the flatter Oxford plain upstream, to the steeper sided valley downstream.
Goring Lock Thames Path National Trail
Having crossed the river at Goring, the path now continues on the northern bank, past the attractive Goring lock, with its canal boat moorings.
Thames Path National Trail Pangbourne to Goring
After a short flat stretch beside the river, the path climbs and unusually runs on the side of a chalk cliff through Hartslock Wood, with glimpses of the Thames below through the trees.
Pangbourne to Goring – Thames Path National Trail
The final stretch into Pangbourne runs away from the river through Whitchurch, before bringing you back to the Victorian iron Whitchurch toll bridge (a small charge for cars but free for pedestrians).
Day 7 – Distance and timings
Wallingford to Pangbourne is aprox 11 miles / 17.6 km. This was a comfortable day’s walk but could be broken into 2 shorter legs at Goring. It took us around 6 hrs to walk, including a coffee at Goring and a picnic break at the Beetle and Wedge Riverside pub.
Day 7 – Where to stay
If staying in Wallingford, we recommend The Town Arms, which is centrally located.
In Wallingford, The Town Arms has comfortable rooms, a restaurant and pub garden.
In Pangbourne, we recommend the boutique style Elephant Hotel which is in the centre of town.
Day 7 – Where to eat
Both Wallingford and Pangbourne are small towns, with a range of shops and cafes.
On the section between Wallingford and Goring, the Beetle and Wedge is a friendly riverside pub, with outside and inside seating. We didn’t find anywhere to stop between Goring and Pangbourne.
Beetle and Wedge pub Thames Path National Trail
Goring and Streatley – the options closest to the river are the Pierreponts Cafe and the Coppa Club on the other side of the bridge at Streatley. Both of these serve coffees, snacks and lunches, although the Pierreponts Cafe is quite small. So if it seems busy head to the more spacious Coppa Club within The Swan Hotel instead. If you need picnic supplies, there are also shops in Goring.
Swan Hotel at Streatley Thames Path National Trail
Day 7 – Transport for this stage
Wallingford – there is no station, the nearest being at Cholsey. From London Paddington take the train to Cholsey, then the No 136 bus to Wallingford.
Pangbourne – there is a station, which is on the GWR route from Bristol Parkway to London Paddington, with direct connections to Reading and Maidenhead, both on the Thames Path.
Pangbourne Station Thames Path National Trail
Options by car – For this leg we left our car in the Cattlemarket car park at Wallingford, took the No 136 bus from Wallingford to Cholsey (11 mins), then the train from Cholsey to Pangbourne (20 mins). Then we walked on the Thames path from Pangbourne back to Wallingford.
Goring Lock Thames Path National Trail
Day 8 – Pangbourne – Reading – Henley
On leaving the small town of Pangbourne at the striking iron Whitchurch Bridge, the path skirts the river through Pangbourne Meadow, with a glimpse on the opposite bank of Hardwick House. This Tudor House was visited by Elizabeth I and is thought to be the model for ‘Toad Hall’ in Kenneth Grahame’s book The Wind in the Willows.
At Purley, the path leaves the river bank behind a Marina and returns to the river near Tilehurst Station. Now the route skirts the river through open fields and past the Rowing Club towards Caversham Bridge, which marks the entry into Reading.
Caversham Bridge – Thames Path
The stretch through Reading is surprisingly charming for such a busy town, with views of Fry’s island and Caversham Lock in the centre of the river. We enjoyed a coffee in the Thames Lido, a stylish reinvention of the old riverside Lido where you can watch the swimmers doing their lengths.
Thames Lido Reading
It’s worth making a short detour here onto Caversham Lock, to cross the weir for views of the river and the old ladies swimming club, now a community hydro-electric facility.
Caversham Lock Reading – Thames Path
The path follows the river through King’s Meadow, a community leisure space, passing through woodland near a large Tesco supermarket (toilets, cafe and picnic supplies). Beyond this, the area of Caversham Lakes and Marina can be seen beyond the opposite river bank, until you reach Sonning.
The old Saxon village has a bridge across the river, with a 17th century water mill (now a theatre) and a few places to eat. At Sonning the Thames Path crosses the road bridge and a further footbridge, to continue on the north bank of the Thames as far as Henley.
Reading Bridge – Thames Path
The riverside path meanders on towards Shiplake where there is a station and the path then continues along a lane behind the series of grand houses that face the river. One of the grand mansions that has been split into smaller residences has a narrow gauge railway that can be seen from the lane.
Returning to the river you’ll now walk through water meadows, until a long wooden horse bridge runs out into the river to Marsh Lock, before returning you to the bank again. The way is now a broad paved path that takes you past the River and Rowing Museum and into Henley itself.
Henley on Thames is known for its rowing regatta, which takes place in July and is a feature of the English society calendar.
Henley Thames Path National Trail
Day 8 – Distance and timings
Pangbourne to Henley is aprox 17 miles / 27 km, so you need to start early, for a longer day’s walk. It took us around 8.5 hrs to walk. You can also break this stage into two shorter stages: Pangbourne to Reading (7 miles / 11 km) and Reading to Henley (10 miles / 16 km).
Day 8 – Where to stay
Pangbourne: There is less choice of places to stay than Henley or Reading. We recommend The Elephant Hotel (boutique style) which is in the centre of town.
Henley: For budget options try The Catherine Wheel (traditional pub) or RIOSHOUSE (contemporary no-reception rooms). For more luxurious options, look at The Relais ( the former historic Red Lion Inn) or Hotel du Vin. All of these are well located in the centre of Henley, close to the many shops and restaurants.
RIOSHOUSEis a contemporary no-reception style hotel well situated in Henley on Thames
Reading: This busy town is a less charming place to stay than Pangbourne or Henley. If you decide to break the stage here, we recommend The Market House (budget boutique style) or Ibis Reading Centre (contemporary budget hotel), both of which are close to the station and 10 mins walk from the Thames Path.
Tilehurst – Thames Path
Day 8 – Where to eat
Pangbourne – several shops for picnic supplies and a good choice of bars, restaurants and pub options around the town centre.
Purley – Between Pangbourne and Reading, you’ll pass the Mad Duck Cafe at Purley.
Reading – near the bridge is the stylish Thames Lido for coffees and lunch, with picnic benches overlooking the river nearby.
Near Reading – Soon after leaving Reading, the path runs close to a large Tescos where you can buy picnic supplies or eat in their cafe.
Sonning – the next pub on the Reading to Henley stretch is The Bull Inn at Sonning.
Henley – the town has numerous excellent pubs and restaurants, as well as shops to pick up picnic supplies, if you are continuing the walk.
Tilehurst – Thames Path
Day 8 – Transport for this stage
Pangbourne – there is a station which is on the GWR route from Bristol Parkway to London Paddington, with direct connections to Reading and Maidenhead, both on the Thames Path.
Reading – there is a station, which is a busy junction on the main London to Bristol line.
Henley – there is a station, which connects via Twyford, where you can change to the GWR Bristol to London line or the Elizabeth Line.
More articles about the Thames Path National Trail
I’ll be publishing more articles in this Thames Path series very soon. In the meantime, if you have questions about our walk on the Thames Path National Trail, feel free to email me at heather(at)heatheronhertravels(dot)com
Coming Soon – Tips for hiking the Thames Path National Trail
Resources for hiking the Thames Path National Trail
Train bookings – to get you to the start and end of this section of the walk, we recommend Trainline for easy rail bookings.
Book accommodation: to book hotels online and conveniently have all your bookings in once place, we used Booking.com but if you prefer you could also use Expedia.
Guidebook – we used and recommend the Trailblazer Thames Path Guide – this is the one we used and we liked the easy to follow maps and the fact that it’s just as easy to follow for walking in either direction.
The Spanish city of Malaga is often overlooked, as travellers rush through its airport on their way to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. Yet there are so many fun things to do in Malaga, with its sandy Malagueta beach, charming historic centre, Moorish palace and Roman theatre, world class museums and plenty of delicious food.
Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying a little longer, our Malaga travel guide covers the top things to see and other essentials for a fun visit. With so much packed into a small area, this city makes a perfect short break destination.
Picasso statue Malaga Spain
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10 Top things to do in Malaga
If you are short of time in Malaga, here are our top things to see and do.
Historic Centre – wander around the pedestrianised streets of the old centre, with its attractive and well restored buildings.
Enjoy eating al fresco – the weather is mild enough to sit out year round in the many bars and restaurants, feasting on tapas and seafood or just sipping a coffee.
Wander along the port – past the boulevard of Muelle Uno with its shops and restaurants, as far as the landmark Farola de Malaga lighthouse.
Chill out on Malagueta Beach – swim, relax on the sand and eat seafood in one of the many Chiringuitos or beach bars.
Malagueta beach Malaga Spain
Discover the Picasso connection – visit the Picasso Museum housing his artworks, take a selfie with his statue and visit the small museum of his birthplace.
Explore the Alcazaba – a Moorish Palace set on the hill above the town, then climb up to the Gibralfaro fortress.
Visit Malaga Cathedral in the heart of the old town – the roofop tour (if open) is a highlight.
Malaga Cathedral Spain
Enjoy the many museums and galleries – there are numerous art galleries and museums, often housed in stunning palacios – our favourites are the Automobile and Fashion museum and the Carmen Thyssen Gallery.
Caminito del Rey – if you make one day trip from Malaga, it should be to the Caminito del Rey, a walkway that clings to the side of sheer cliff above the river.
Attractions: Check availability for the Alcazaba and Picasso Museum, as tickets may get booked up at busy times.
Tours: Book this 2 hour city walking tour, if you’d like to get your bearings on the major Malaga sites.
Malaga port Spain
Now let’s take a look around the city of Malaga.
Malaga’s Historic Old Town
Much of central Malaga is pedestrianised, giving you even more chance to enjoy the historic centre with its narrow streets, shady squares and charming older buildings. Malaga’s main sites are concentrated in this very walkable old town area, so it’s the obvious place to start your visit to the city.
Old Town Malaga Spain
One of the main squares is Plaza de la Constitucion, with its elegant marble fountain and pretty surrounding buildings. From here, the wide boulevard of Calle Larios runs towards the port and is a great place for shopping, since many of the upscale brands are located here.
For a more local feel, wander around the narrow streets around Museuo Carmen Thyssen to find coffee shops and smaller boutiques. As you head towards Malaga Cathedral, the streets become busier, as this is the tourist heart of Malaga, nevertheless there are numerous pleasant restaurants and bars.
Old Town Malaga Spain
Close to the cathedral is the Roman Theatre and Picasso Museum, and many of the beautiful Palacios have been converted for use as hotels and museums.
This 2 hour city walking tour is a good way to get your bearings in the historic centre and see some of the main sites.
While Malaga’s Historic Centre can be packed in summer, it’s just as magical (and less crowded) in Spring and Autumn, when Malaga’s sunny climate allows for al fresco dining. At Christmas the city has a wonderfully festive feel, with light shows on Calle Larios and projections on the walls of the Cathedral.
Stay at the Palacio Solecio – a small luxury hotel in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre
Muelle Uno and the Port
An essential part of the Malaga experience, is to stroll along the shaded boulevard that runs between the modern port and the Centre Pompidou. Here you’ll find plenty of terrace bars and rows of souvenir stalls, with a view of the large harbour.
It’s worth a stop at the coloured glass cube of the Centre Pompidou, to see its collection of modern art. Afterwards browse in the nearby street market for holiday fashions and souvenirs.
Muelle Uno Malaga Spain
Turn the corner to continue past Muelle Uno, with its tourist oriented shops and cafes, designed to please the cruise passengers who dock near here. After walking under the palm trees, where the swanky yachts moor up, you’ll reach La Farola Lighthouse, one of Malaga’s landmarks.
Muelle Uno Malaga Spain
From here, cross over onto Malaga’s main beach where you can stop for refreshments in one of the Chiringuito beach bars, and watch the city at play.
Malagueta Beach
Malaga’s main city beach of La Malagueta offers a broad stretch of sand, backed by grassy areas and palm trees. The promenade that runs behind the beach is a favourite place to stroll, cycle or roller-skate, since this path stretches the length of the beach and beyond.
La Malagueta beach, Malaga, Spain
There are a number of Chiringuito beach bars along the beach, where you can buy drinks and order seafood with the sand between your toes. Look out for their traditional charcoal grills, where fresh sardines are grilled on skewers or ‘Espetos’, putting out an appetising aroma.
Sardines on Malaga beach Spain
As a Blue Flag beach, the water is clean, shallow and normally calm here, for easy swimming. La Malagueta is well provided with facilities, such as sunbeds, toilets, showers, childrens’ play areas and summer activities.
Alcazaba Moorish Palace
Visit the Alcazaba, the beautiful Moorish palace on the hill, with fountains and courtyard gardens. Built in the 11th century by the Arab rulers of Malaga at the time, the Alcazaba was designed both for defence, and as the residence of Malaga’s governor.
Walk up the hill, through a series of protective gateways with high walls and watch towers to reach the inner courtyards and formal gardens. The small courtyards of the palace, with their ornamental pools, tiled decoration and shady porticos, were designed to stay cool during Malaga’s hot summers.
While smaller than the Moorish palaces of Seville and Grenada, the Alcazaba of Malaga is a beautiful historic monument that has been well restored, and well worth a visit.
Alcazaba palace Malaga Spain
The entrance and ticket office are just above the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba is open daily. You can also buy a combined ticket, together with the Gibralfaro Castle that sits a little higher up the hill.
The Gibralfaro castle is set on the hill immediately above the Alcazaba, and can be entered with a joint ticket.
It is best reached along a paved path leading steeply up from the Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso, which are filled with bitter orange trees in fruit around Christmas. As you walk up the hill, there are some lovely views over the port, bullring and beach towards the sea.
Views of Malaga Spain
The castle was built in the 14th century as a garrison, and its strategic position at the top of the hill allowed it to protect the Alcazaba below. One of the main features of the castle are the thick defensive walls. You can walk along the top of the Bastion, to get wonderful views of Malaga town and the surrounding area. There’s also a small museum and a cafe/restaurant within the walls.
Gibralfaro castle Malaga Spain
For those that might find the walk up from the town a little steep, it is possible to access the castle by taxi or the No 35 bus that stops outside the entrance.
Tip: If visiting on a hot day, take your time on the walk up the hill and be sure to take some water.
Gibralfaro castle Malaga Spain
Roman Theatre
On the edge of the historic centre, the remains of the Roman Theatre date back to the first century BC, with a small museum to explain about its history. The theatre is set into the hillside and was discovered under another building in the 1950s, and gradually renovated in the 1960s.
Roman Theatre Malaga Spain
Well preserved Roman remains show a tiered seating area, orchestra and stage, which can easily be viewed from the plaza. To learn more, visit the small interpretation centre (free) and then walk through the site for a closer look, or enter past the Alcazaba ticket office, for a view looking down on the archaeological site from above.
Malaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral sits at the heart of the historic centre, and can be seen from almost every spot in the city. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Incarnation, the cathedral is one of the city’s most popular visitor attractions. It was built in the 16th century by the ‘Catholic Monarchs’, Ferdinand and Isabella on the site of a former mosque, after they reconquered Malaga.
Malaga Cathedral Spain
As you approach, you may notice that the cathedral has only one bell tower. The other was left unfinished due to lack of funds, giving it the local name of La Manquita or the one armed lady. There is a lot to see in the cathedral’s interior, with side chapels, stained glass windows, intricately carved choir stalls and a museum housing paintings and sculptures.
One of the highlights is a tour of the rooftop, with walkways that allow you to better understand the construction of the building. However, these tours are currently suspended due to roof renovation works.
Malaga Cathedral Spain
On our visit in December, we enjoyed visiting the famous Belenes or Nativity Scene in the cathedral, as well as watching the free light and music show that is projected against the tower of the cathedral every evening. Read about this and all the other things to do in Malaga at Christmas.
There is a fee to visit (unless you are attending morning mass) and an audioguide is included in the ticket price of €10.
Pedro Luis Alfonso Gardens
While the nearby Parque de Malaga offers a shady, green space close to the port, the Pedro Luis Alfonso Garden on the other side of the road is a smaller formal gardens offering a quiet space to relax.
Pedro Luis Alfonso Gardens Malaga Spain
The design is reminiscent of the Moorish gardens of the region, with geometric parterres, hedges and pools, planted with groves of shady orange trees. In between the hedges are some colourful floral plantings, and we enjoyed the fragrance of bitter orange fruit on the trees, when we visited in December.
Atarazanas Market
In the centre of Malaga, the covered Atarazanas Market in the centre of Malaga is a feast for the eyes. Colourful displays of fruit, meat and fish give you a sense for what’s fresh and in season.
The current market building dates back to the 19th century and is known for its attractive stained glass windows, depicting moments from Malaga’s history.
Atarazanas Market Malaga Spain
The market is also a good place if you want to shop for some Spanish foodie souvenirs at the deli or charcuterie counters. Look out for finely sliced jamon, which is sold in sealed packets, a staple of every Andalusian restaurant to nibble with a drink.
Atarazanas Market Malaga Spain
At the end of the market and just outside are stalls, bars and restaurants selling fried fish and other seafood dishes. This is a good place to stop for a snack or lunch, knowing that the produce will be fresh from the market.
For a different perspective, wander around the Soho neighbourhood, which is close to the port. This area has been through a regeneration, and is now considered one of the most trendy areas of the city, with numerous bars and restaurants.
Street art in Malaga Spain
Known as the Barrio de las Artes (Neighbourhood of the Arts), Soho is a mecca for lovers of street art, with murals and smaller pieces from big names on many of the buildings.
The open air art gallery has QR codes by many of the pieces to inform you about the artists. For a downloadable street art map and more information about the project, visit the MAUS website (Malaga Arte Urbano Soho).
Street art in Soho Malaga Spain
Due to its proximity to the bus and train stations, historic centre and port area, Soho is also a well located place to stay, with boutique hotels and rental apartments. We recommend Room Mate Collection Valeria or Soho Boutique Colón.
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is one of Malaga’s most popular visitor attractions, housed in a beautiful 16th century Palacio Buenavista. Over 200 works by Pablo Picasso are on display, a permanent collection that spans his whole artistic career and represents the breadth of media in which he worked.
The museum also hosts changing exhibitions of other artists that have some connection to Picasso. At times the Picasso Museum can have long queues to buy tickets, so you may want to buy your tickets in advance here.
Picasso was born in Malaga, and you can also discover more about his life at the Casa Natal Picasso museum, located nearby in the house where he was born.
Picasso Museum Malaga Spain
More Art Galleries in Malaga
Carmen Thyssen Museum
A beautiful art museum set in a 16th century palace, with art from the old masters to impressionists and early 20th century Spanish artists. The museum shop is a good place for gifts. Check the website for more information.
Carmen Thyssen Museum Malaga Spain
Pompidou Centre
This outpost of the Pompidou Centre in Paris is topped by a colourful transparent cube El Cubo, in the port area by Muelle Uno. It houses a collection of modern and contemporary artworks, with permanent collections and changing exhibitions. Check the website for more information.
Pompidou Centre Malaga Spain
CAC Malaga
The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga (CAC Malaga) is an art museum located close to the river and port, housing a collection of Spanish and international contemporary artists. CAC Malaga is currently closed for renovation, planned to reopen in 2026.
CAC Malaga Spain
Our favourite museums in Malaga
Malaga Museum
Malaga museum is set in the 18th century Palacio de la Aduana that was formerly Malaga’s Customs House. The port once extended in front of the building, but now, with the reclamation of land where Parque de Malaga stands, it is set some way back from the sea.
Malaga Museum, Malaga Spain
This art and history museum offers insights in Malaga’s past, with artworks by notable Spanish and Malaga artists, as well as archaeological collections from the region.
The charming 17th century mansions houses a collection of glass and ceramics from across the centuries. The museum is located on the northern edge of the historic centre. All visits are part of a guided tour, normally taking place on the hour, but there’s no need to book in advance.
The museum is in an old tobacco factory, La Tabacalera, and houses nearly 100 classic cars that were part of a private collection. Each car is paired with couture fashions from leading international designers since the 1920s, showing how trends in fashion and car design went hand in hand.
Automobile and Fashion Museum Malaga Spain
This was one of our favourite museums in Malaga, since I love fashion and Guy loves cars, the perfect couple’s experience! The museum is a little way south of the historic centre, but can be easily reached in a short bus ride.
Malaga enjoys a sunny climate all year round, and even in winter it’s often mild enough to sit outside on a sheltered restaurant terrace. Eating out is also affordable relative to other parts of Europe, so it’s common to see extended families or groups of friends eating out together.
If you’re in a large group or at weekends, you may need to reserve a table in advance. Otherwise, if a restaurant appears busy you could just wait or have a drink at the bar until a table becomes available.
Al Fresco lunch in Malaga Spain
There are endless bars and restaurants in Malaga, so I’d recommend walking around the pedestrianised streets of the old town, to see what takes your fancy. The most touristy areas are around the Cathedral and Plaza de la Constitucion, so if you want a more local experience, you may need to look for restaurants that are a few blocks away from these.
While I hesitate to make recommendations, because there are so many good restaurants, here are a few where we ate or were recommended by our friends who are Malaga locals.
Russian Salad in Malaga Spain
Recommended restaurants in Malaga
El Cenachero Centro (Calle Compania 16) – busy and atmospheric seafood restaurant on three floors close to the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
Carmen Thyssen Museum Cafe (Calle Compania 10) – if you are looking for a quiet spot for lunch, this museum cafe serves a good value Menu del Dia at lunchtime.
O Mamma Mia (Plaza de las Flores 7) – a family run Italian pizza & pasta restaurant in a central but quiet square with outdoor terrace, a good bet if you need somewhere that’s family friendly.
L’Experience (Plaza Obispo 4 ) – While you are in prime tourist territory, there’s something magical about this tapas restaurant’s terrace overlooking the cathedral. There are plenty more nice looking restaurants in the streets around the Cathedral.
Seafood in Malaga Spain
If like me you are picky about your barista style coffee, head to Next Level Coffee (Calle San Juan 27) or Syra Coffee – takeaway only (Calle Martires 13).
Casa Mira (Calle Cister 8) – This Malaga institution serving ice cream, sweets and turon has several locations, but the one near the cathedral is especially nice and has a few tables outside for coffee or ice cream.
Turon ice cream at Casa Mira in Malaga Spain
For foodie souvenirs or picnic supplies, head to Atarazanas Market in the centre of Malaga or the food hall on the Lower Ground floor of El Corte Ingles.
There are numerous Chiringuito or beach restaurants serving seafood on Malagueta beach. We enjoyed lunch at Chiringuito Tropicana but there are several others, so take your pick of what looks busy and open.
Chiringuito on Malaga beach Spain
More things to do in Malaga
We’ve covered some of the top things to see in Malaga, including our favourite museums and art galleries. Here are a few more unusual things to do in Malaga, that are worth considering if you have more time.
Hammam Arab Baths
The Hammam Arab Baths is a great place for couples, a girl’s getaway, or on days when the weather isn’t being kind. Enjoy the modern Spa experience in a traditional Arab style Hammam, with hot and cold baths, steam rooms, massage and treatments. It’s tucked away in the historic centre, close to the Carmen Thyssen museum.
The beautiful La Concepcion botanical garden in Malaga covers 3.5 hectares of palms, water features and glasshouses, spread over the hillside overlooking Malaga. It’s particularly popular to visit around Christmas time, when there’s a festive light trail, Las Luces de la Concepcion.
The Botanical Garden is located a little outside the centre of Malaga, but there are good public transport options and shuttle buses to get there.
Light Trail at the Botanical Garden in Malaga Spain
Visit at Christmas lights
Christmas in Malaga is a special time to visit, when the city is buzzing with festive atmosphere. The pedestrianised streets of the historic centre are strung with sparkling Christmas lights and there are nightly free light shows, on Calle Larios and the Cathedral square.
The generally mild and sunny weather, wide range of shopping, fantastic restaurants and Belénes nativity scenes around the city, make this a great alternative to the chillier Christmas Market destinations.
If visiting Malaga for a short break, we recommend you stay in the Historic Centre or Soho neighbourhoods, close to all the main attractions. However there are many bars and restaurants in this area, so be sure to read the reviews to avoid places mentioning street noise.
A good budget option is to stay just across the river in the neighbourhoods of Marmoles, Alameda or Perchel Sur. These are an easy walk to the historic centre, yet well located for the bus and train stations. As these neighbourhoods are more residential there are many options for apartment stays, as well as some more budget hotels.
Old Town Malaga Spain
Hotels we recommend
Luxury – Palacio Solecio – a small luxury hotel in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre.
2 bedroom apartment – You Trip Malaga – this 2 bedroom apartment owned by our friend (where we stayed) is clean and modern, just a 10 minute walk from the historic centre.
Stay at the Palacio Solecio – a small luxury hotel in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre
YouTripMalaga is a clean, modern 2 bedroom apartment 10 minutes from the historic center
Getting to Malaga
By plane
Most international visitors to Malaga arrive at Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, located 13km to the south-west of the city (25 mins by road).
From here, we recommend using the rail link (Line C1) from the airport to Maria Zambrano station, which takes around 15 mins. Alternatively, take the public bus Express Line 3 from outside Terminal 3, which takes around 25-45 mins depending on traffic, but may be more convenient as it has stops closer to the historic centre and port.
Gibralfaro castle Malaga Spain
By Train
If you have been travelling in Spain, there are good rail connections to Malaga from Madrid and other Spanish cities in the south, such as Seville, Grenada and Cordoba. Trains arrive to Malaga Maria Zambrano station, which is just outside the historic centre.
We normally use Trainline to work out train times and prices in Europe and you can use their app to book your tickets online.
If you want to visit Malaga as part of a wider trip by train around Europe, we recommend Byway Travel, who specialise in arranging no-fly holidays.
Malagueta beach Malaga Spain
By Bus
There’s a good network of inter-city buses in Spain, so if travelling around the country, you may find it convenient to arrive in Malaga by bus. There are many different bus companies, so we recommend checking the Malaga Bus Station website, to see which bus companies travel where, or alternatively use your favourite mapping tool to find the bus options.
Views over Malaga Spain
Getting around Malaga
Malaga has an excellent public transport system, and the historic centre is largely pedestrianised, so you don’t need to hire a car for use in the city. For public transport the options are shown below.
While most places in the historic centre are easily walkable, a bus is your best bet for longer journeys. The Metro and Suburban trains are useful for getting from the centre to the city suburbs.
By Metro
There are two lines, L1 and L2, which run from Atarazanas metro station (close to Atarazanas market and the port) and continue towards the west of the city. Both L1 and L2 run through El Perchal metro station, which is the Intercambiador (central station linking bus, metro and suburban trains). Check the metro map here.
Pompidou centre Malaga Spain
By Suburban train
The state owned train operator RENFE run the Cercanias (commuter) Malaga trains. There are two lines C1 and C2, both is which start at the central train station in Malaga, Maria Zambrano station. C1 runs south-west along the coast, stopping at the airport, and ends in Fuengirola. C2 runs west to Alora. Maria Zambrano station is also the Intercambiador, so you can connect here with metro trains and buses. Check the Cercanias / Suburban train map here.
By Bus
The bus service in Malaga is provided by the Empresa Municipal de Transportes (Municipal Bus Company). You can tap on and off the buses, using a debit card. Check their website for Lines and Schedules.
To find out the best transport options in real time when out sightseeing, I generally use the Citymapper app, which covers Malaga.
The lights are twinkling in the trees, the baubles are up and the Bristol Christmas Markets are in full swing. Yes, Christmas in Bristol is well and truly here! I love exploring my home town at Christmas and here are the top Christmas events in Bristol for 2024, to check out this holiday season.
Christmas in Bristol
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Bristol Christmas Market – Christmas in Bristol
Christmas Markets in Bristol
Christmas markets? You may have visited them in Germany, but did you know we have plenty in Bristol too?
1. Bristol Christmas Market
While walking through the Bristol Christmas Market in the Broadmead shopping area, I was definitely feeling the festive spirit.
At the centre of it all there’s the Jäger Barn Bar, where the shoppers of Bristol were having a drink in the bubble Iglus and ski gondolas, amid the Christmas baubles and wooden carved figures of giants, elves and reindeer. From Thursday through Sundays, the bar will feature live music from local performers.
Christmas Market in Broadmead Bristol
The 15 metre high big wheel offers stunning views over the Christmas Market. New for 2024 is the Christmas Express kid’s train ride and on Merchant Street is the Candy Factory Christmas themed escape room.
Bristol Christmas Market – Christmas in Bristol
The wooden chalets selling food and gifts stretch towards the Cabot Circus shopping centre. The 35 market stalls are open from 1 November – 23 December 2024 10am-7pm and the food stalls 10am – 10pm.
But that’s not all! There are plenty more seasonal markets around Bristol for you to enjoy.
2. Castle Park Christmas Village
New for this 2024 is a Christmas Village in Castle Park, centred around the historic St Peter’s church, which will be illuminated with an evening light show. There will be classic funfair rides, like Dodgems, Walzer and Balloon carousel, as well as activities like the rollerblading, curling and traditional fairground games.
The Castle Park Christmas village will be open 5 Dec – 3 Jan, daily except Christmas Day.
Broadmead Christmas Market in Bristol
3. Corn Street Christmas Market
In the run up to Christmas, the outdoor markets along Corn Street will also take on a festive flavour. Enjoy the best of Bristol food, vintage and gifts, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 10 December, then daily until Christmas eve.
The regular street food markets also run Tuesday and Friday 11am – 2.30pm and the Farmer’s Market runs every other Wednesday 9.30am – 2.30pm. More info: St Nicholas Market website
There’s a Vintage Winter Wonderland with carousels and family friendly fairground rides in Bristol’s Millennium Square, near the harbour side.
The food stalls in Millennium Square sell everything from German Bratwurst and Cheesy Krakauer to Vegan street eats and hot Belgian waffles, so you won’t be going hungry!
Millennium Square – Christmas in Bristol
While the kids are having fun on the rides, the adults can enjoy the ski themed Après Bar. Mulled wine and cider will be flowing, with blankets to keep away the chills and live music on Thursdays and DJs at the weekend.
The Vintage Winter Wonderland is open in Millennium Square from 9 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
Harbourside – Christmas in Bristol
Christmas shopping in Bristol
5. Christmas shopping in central Bristol
For shoppers working their way through the Christmas shopping list, the central Bristol shopping centres of Cabot Circus and Broadmead will have most of your needs covered.
In Broadmead, the Galleries shopping centre is hosting the Bristol Pop up Shop in The Galleries 14 Nov – 24 December 2024 with gifts from 100 of Bristol’s finest designers and makers – find it between Boots and Smiths.
I also enjoy shopping on Park Street, with its strings of lights, where there’s a winning mix of upscale high street brands, independents and vintage. One of my favourites is Diana Porter, if you want to splash out on unique and hand made contemporary jewellery, for that special Christmas gift.
The indoor St Nick’s Market is a great place to stock on unique gifts from Bristol’s indie traders. In 2024 the indoor market will open Monday – Saturday 9.30 – 5pm with additional Sunday opening 10am – 5pm from 14 November until Christmas Eve.
St Nicholas Market – Christmas in Bristol
7. Clifton Village – stylish boutiques and cafes
For atmosphere, you can’t beat Clifton Village, where the elegant Georgian townhouses and stylish boutiques make for a charming atmosphere. There’s plenty of opportunity to shop for that party frock or pair of sparkly heels, so look out for tempting Christmas displays in all the shop windows.
Clifton Village – Christmas in Bristol
A 50 ft Christmas tree towers impressively over the Mall Gardens, with Community Carol singing and the Clifton illuminations being turned on from 6.00pm Weds 20 November 2024. Clifton Village is full of bars, cafes and restaurants, so it’s a great place to meet friends for brunch or a festive drink.
Clifton Village – Christmas in Bristol
Among my favourite places to get into the Christmas spirit are The Ivy with their festive menus (13 Nov – 2 Jan), East Village Vegan Cafe to brunch while you shop and The Dirty Bird for festive cocktails.
An Elf on the Shelf trail will be in Clifton Village between 23 November and 21 December. Grab a map and search out for hidden elves in the shop windows as you walk around the charming streets of Clifton.
If you’re looking for something a bit more arty in the centre of Bristol, explore the area around the aptly named Christmas Steps, where the Christmas lights will be sparkling and you can get a flavour of medieval Bristol.
The steps once led down to Bristol’s Harbourside where merchants ships from around the world unloaded their cargo onto the quayside and into sugar warehouses, like the one that is now Hotel du Vin.
Christmas Steps – Christmas in Bristol
Now the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is home to 50 small independent businesses on the steps and Colston Street at the top,. It’s worth continuing up the steps to Perry Road for the art galleries and other creative businesses there.
At dusk capture those Dickensian vibes with a photo looking down from the top of the steps, then treat yourself to a gooey cake from Ahh Toots at the bottom.
To find original gifts that are unique and often made in Bristol, visit one of the many craft markets around Bristol in the run up to Christmas.
Bristol Beacon Fair- Christmas in Bristol
Bristol Beacon Made in Bristol Gift Fair2024 – The fair takes place on Sat 23 Nov, Sat 7 Dec, Sat 14 Dec 10am – 4pm. Five floors of gifts by Bristol artists and makers.
Bristol Pop up Shop in The Galleries 2024 (On the Ground Floor between Smiths and Boots) – Daily from 14 November until 24 December – a huge range of gifts from 100 of Bristol’s finest designers and makers. The shop is run as a collective and staffed by the artists themselves.
Bristol Pop up Shop – Christmas in Bristol
St Nicholas Market 2024 – Open daily – an indoor market in the city’s old Corn Exchange with the largest collection of independent retailers in the city.
Prior Shop Sustainable Design Workshops 2024 – Specialising in sustainable Bristol designers, the Prior Shop in Quakers Friars is hosting several workshops in December, including making Christmas wreaths, festive scented candles and Christmas tree decorations.
Estate of the Arts Winter Fair 2024 – Maker’s stalls among the artists studios in Bedminster on 23rd and 24th November 2024, with hot food and live music.
Future Leap Festive Market 2024 – Sustainable Pop-up Christmas market at 1-3 Gloucester Rd on Sat 30 November, Sat 7 December, Sat 14 December and Sat 21 December 2024 10am – 5pm.
Better Christmas Market 2024 – In the undercroft at St Mary Redcliffe, as part of the Treefest event, an arts and crafts market is being held, with carols, workshops, food and mulled wine. Treefest is a festive display of Christmas trees, each decorated by a different charity or community group. Thurs 5 – Sun 8 Dec 2024
Bristol Beacon Market – Christmas in Bristol
10. Shop for Vintage partywear in Bristol
For some fun party wear, why not shop vintage in Bristol this season? Much of the sparkle we wear during the festive season only gets worn once or twice, so it makes sense to save money and the planet by shopping in Bristol’s many vintage shops.
Good locations to shop, with a range of vintage, dress exchange and upmarket charity shops include Park Street, Broadmead, Gloucester Road and Clifton Village.
Sparks – Christmas in Bristol
Sparks Bristol – the old Marks & Spencer in Broadmead has been transformed into a hub of sustainability in the heart of Broadmead. They have a great selection of vintage clothing, as well as departments for ethical, sustainable and Bristol made gifts.
Vintage personal styling sessions – Meg from Clothmod (She has a stall in Sparks Bristol) runs a 2 hour vintage styling session at Clothing X change in Bristol Broadmead, to help you choose outfits that create your own unique look. There are options to book individual places at her group events, or a session that’s just for you and your friends. Book tickets here.
Ashwell and Co Bristol
Ashwell & Co – tucked away in the side streets of Clifton, this vintage boutique is just the place to shop for beautiful outfits or accessories with your girlfriends, then indulge in their Christmas afternoon tea.
Foodie ways to get festive in Bristol
11. Sweet treats in Bristol
It seems that minced pies and mulled wine are everywhere and now is the time to savour them, before the Christmas flavours are swept away with the diet books and clean eating of January.
Look out for seasonal flavours, like gingerbread and gorgeous gelato cakes at my favourite gelataria Swoon on College Green.
Recently opened Knoops on Park Street offers endless variations of hot chocolate, with ginger marshmallows and seasonal spice blends.
Also on Parks Street, indulge in a warming hot chocolate at Mrs Potts or book for their Christmas Pudding Club on 13 and 14 December 2024.
Swoon Gelato – Christmas in Bristol
If you’re in Clifton Village, the Bar Chocolat Cafe is a cosy space to sip your hot chocolate while browsing for chocolates to gift or enjoy at home.
Over on North Street Bedminster, stock up on festive chocolate stocking fillers at Zara’s chocolates, while sipping a hot chocolate to take away.
Zara’s Chocolates Bristol Photo Zara’s chocolates
12. Festive Pies in Bristol
For something that will warm away the winter chill, Bristolians love to head for Pieminister who have several branches around the city, serving their award winning pies. Find their two restaurants on Broad Quay or on Stokes Croft, with the Festive Christmas pie flavours available from mid November.
There’s also a food stall at St Nicholas Market, where you can buy the pies to take away, or eat at their tables in the market.
Festive pies from Pieminster Bristol Photo Pieminster
Christmas pie favourites include Mistlemoo (steak and port), The Cracker (turkey and cranberry) or Christingle (veggie parsnips, chestnut and cheese). If you’re eating Vegan, they have you covered with The Good Elf, with vegan “turkey”, cranberry and port.
For a cheeky post shopping drink, head to Dirty Martini. At this stylish cocktail bar on Corn Street the Happy Hour Martinis and selected cocktails are half price. They have some fun Christmas cocktails too, like the Christmas Martini with cranberry juice and orange bitters or Santa’s punch, with rum and pomegranate.
Dirty Martini – Christmas in Bristol
Also just off Corn Street is Brozen, who specialise in unusual frozen cocktails using alcoholic sorbets that are frozen individually using liquid nitrogen.
Or head to Welsh Back, where the The Granary has a late night Granary Club cocktail Bar as well as serving an all day menu in its upstairs restaurant. They are also offering a Breakfast with Santa event on Sat 8 Dec 9.30 – 11am, with a family breakfast, Santa Singalong and present for the kids.
Christmas drinks in Bristol
14. Bristol made drinks to take home for Christmas
No self respecting West County Household would be without their cider at Christmas. You can order in from the Bristol Cider Shop for a drink on Christmas afternoon in front of the telly.
They have a cider advent calendar, cider tasting kit and plenty of other gifts for cider lovers. Everything can be delivered in the UK and gift subscriptions are also available.
Also look out for the floating gin bar from 6 O’clock Gin at the Glass Boat, which is moored by Bristol Bridge. In addition to the bar area, there’s a shop selling the locally produced gin in distinctive blue glass bottles, with mini sizes that are perfect for stocking fillers.
They have seasonal flavours too, so try the Spiced Orange and Cranberry or the Damson Gin, for a Christmas treat.
6 O Clock Gin – Christmas in Bristol
15. Food markets in Bristol for Christmas
In the run up to Christmas, the Finzel’s Reach Market is the place to try local street food, with markets on Wednesdays and Fridays offering a huge range of street food over the lunchtime period (11am – 2pm).
Feast on globally inspired street food inspired by Sri Lanka, Asia and BBQ, or stock up for your Christmas table with local beers and ciders as well as artisan sausages and cheeses.
Finzel’s Reach – Christmas in Bristol
Another wonderful foodie spot is Wapping Wharf, with plenty of choice from Bristol’s finest independent restaurants and food retailers. To launch the Christmas season, they have an event on Thursday 28 November 5.30-8pm, with Father Christmas and live music from the Ambling Band.
Many of the restaurants will be showcasing their Christmas drinks and dishes, from Festive bagels and Turkey Schnitzel Burgers to mulled wine and cocktails.
Christmas Light shows in Bristol
16. Christmas Carol Drone Light Show
The Christmas Carol Drone Light Show, brings to life Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic in the night sky with a 45-minute animated drone light show display, narrated by Matt Lucas.
It’s taking place at the Seat Unique Stadium off the top end of the Gloucester Road on Thurs 19, Fri 20 and Sat 21 December 2024 – book tickets here.
The event is family friendly, with the venue opening 2 hours before the show for a festive funfair and refreshment stalls.
Christmas Carol Drone Show Bristol
17. Luxmuralis: In the beginning at Bristol Cathedral
In the run up to Christmas, the interior of Bristol Cathedral will be transformed with an immersive sound and light artwork. This year’s experience is themed on a reimagined Nativity story and is suitable for all the family.
Luxmuralis: in the beginning is taking place on Monday 25 to Friday 29 November 2024 and you can book tickets here.
Note that as an immersive experience, the sound levels can be very loud, but the sessions prior to 6pm will be at reduced volume. We attended a session at 5pm and the sound level was perfect for us!
Luxmuralis at Bristol Cathedral
18. More Light Trails near Bristol
Other Christmas light trails within an hour’s drive of central Bristol include:
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park2024– A family focussed Christmas Nights Light Trail around the park through twinkling displays and sparkling trees, with live music in the bar every night. The light trail is from 6 – 31 December 2024. In addition the Avon Valley Christmas Experience offers a day of fun, with timed Christmas show, visit to Santa’s toy factory, gingerbread kitchen and Elf Express miniature railway. Christmas Experience selected dates from 30 Nov – 24 Dec.
Old Down Estate Illumination Trail 2024 – The Festive Illumination trail guides you around Old Down Estate, with music, colour and interactive areas along the way. There’s a festive village, where you can toast marshmallows, sip mulled wine and feast on loaded roasties. Dates from 24 November – 24 December 2024.
Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas Photo Johnny Hathaway
Westonbirt Arboretum 2025 – A brand new Christmas light trail with a million twinkling lights, seasonal sounds in the air and illuminations in the forest. Discover luminous birds roosting in the branches, colourful neon trees, sparkling tunnels of light and the arboretum filled with all the colours of the rainbow. There’s a Christmas village of street food vendors offering festive treats. Selected evenings from 28 November – 31 December 2025.
Longleat Festival of light 2025 – This year’s festival of light features features a “Journey Through Time” from the age of the dinosaurs to historic events and mythology. 800 lanterns are set against the historic backdrop of Longleat House. There’s also a 15 metre high singing Christmas tree, Santa’s train and a light projection on the facade of Longleat House. Selected dates from 8 November until 11 January 2025.
Sudeley castle Spectacle of Light2025 – An illuminated trail around the beautiful castle grounds, with a chance to meet characters from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. There’s festive food available on the castle terrace, with hot chocolate, donuts and spiced mulled wine. Dates from 21 November – 30 December 2025.
College Green – Christmas in Bristol
Christmas in Bristol with the family
19. SS GreatBritain Victorian Christmas
Bristol’s leading visitor attraction, SS Great Britain, is a great choice to keep the family entertained over the school holidays.
Celebrations kick off on 26 November 2024 with the Christmas Light Switch On 4.30-6pm, when the 20ft Christmas tree in Brunel Square will have its lights switched on. This free event is just outside the main SS Great Britain site.
Look out for the Victorian Christmas weekend on 7/8 December 2024 (included in the SS Great Britain ticket). The dockside will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland with local bands and choirs, “Ragged Victorian” characters and falling snow.
You can meet Old Father Christmas, dressed in his traditional green robes, as well as make a Victorian Christmas card or enjoy some festive food.
SS Great Britain Victorian Christmas
Other events include festive lunches in the First Class Dining room and a Christmas Wreath Workshop on 1 December. More info: SS Great Britain Website
20. Wallace and Gromit Christmas Experience
New for 2024, the historic Friary Building at Quakers Friars has been taken over by Wallace and Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Experience. During this 30 minute, family friendly experience, you can immerse yourself in hands on activities at Wallace’s Christmas workshop and help him save Christmas.
Wallace and Gromit – Christmas in Bristol
This is partly a performance, with puzzle solving, cheesy jokes and festive Christmas themed inventions, and partly an interactive play session.
Wallace and Gromit – Christmas in Bristol
After you’ve helped Wallace save Christmas, relax in the Wallace and Gromit cafe and have a souvenir photo taken with Wallace and Gromit. The experience runs on select days 16 November to 24 December and you can buy tickets here.
21. Retro-Mega-Mas at Wake the Tiger
Wake the Tiger ‘Amazement Park’ is one of those difficult to describe but truly original Bristol experiences. An old paint factory has been transformed with 40 colourful and immersive spaces. It’s a bit like walking through the film set of a sci-fi film and trying to imagine the story behind this lost and dreamlike world.
Wake the Tiger Retro Mega Mas
For the festive season, this experience has been layered with surreal retro objects, vibrant nostalgic toys and robots singing classic Christmas songs. The whole thing can be enjoyed by any age and is perfect to capture those social media moments.
Retro-Mega-Mas is taking place 9 November 2024 – Mon 6 January 2025 – book tickets here
22. Elf on the shelf in Bristol
The giant Elf on the Shelf trail returns for 2024, with the Scout Elf appearing at locations around Bristol between 22 November – 24 December 2024. More information on locations here
Snap a selfie with one of the Scout Elfs around Bristol and post it on your socials, tagging @redcliffeandtemplebid or @bristolbid for a chance to win a prize of a £500 Love Bristol gift voucher.
23. Sail with Santa from Bristol Ferry
On weekends in December Bristol Ferry are offering a Sail with Santa experience. Together with Santa’s elves, you’ll sail around Bristol Harbour on the search for Santa.
Once you’ve found him, Santa will climb on board with gifts for the little ones to continue the trip with you. The experience includes a gift for the children, festive snacks and a drink for the grown-ups.
Sail with Santa Bristol Ferry
24. More Bristol holiday activities 2024
Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery – Bristol’s free city museum is one of the best for pre-school and primary school age children. All areas are buggy friendly, with a large ground floor cafe area alongside the Curiosity play area for under 5’s. There are free drop-in family activities throughout December as well as Special Event days. More info: Bristol Museums Website
M-Shed – This free museum on the harbour side, is a great place to visit with the family over the Christmas holidays. It features personal stories and objects that highlight Bristol’s past and present. More info: M-shed website
Bristol Aquarium – During the school holidays look out for Fishmas Families events (Sat 21 Jan – Sun 5 Jan) where children can meet Charlie the clownfish to receive a gift and pass a message on to Santa Claus. There’s a winter trail around the Aquarium and some festive family crafting activities. More info: Bristolaquarium.co.uk
We the Curious (formerly At Bristol) – Bristol’s hands on science centre offers two floors of interactive experiences for all ages. It’s the ideal place for a day out during the Christmas holidays, where you can play, discover or create, mess around in the Rainbow Restaurant or make music in the Studio. Check their website for what’s on: Wethecurious.org
Bristol City Museum – Christmas in Bristol
A Theatrical Christmas in Bristol
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the panto or Christmas show. Preferably with lots of cheesy Bristol jokes that likely only us locals will understand. In Bristol there are numerous entertaining and thought provoking theatrical shows, including many that are suitable for younger children.
Bristol Old Vic – Christmas in Bristol
25. Christmas shows at Bristol Old Vic
We really enjoyed our night out to see the performance in the magical setting of Bristol Old Vic, where the beautifully restored Georgian theatre is married with a creative modern extension housing the foyer and bar (a G&T paired with a Pieminster pie for me!)
Bristol Old Vic – Christmas in Bristol
For 2024 Bristol Old Vic is staging The Little Mermaid over the Christmas period from 5 December 2024 to 11 January 2025.
Sereia, the Little Mermaid lives in the Southern Waters with her friends the sharks, rays, seahorse and anemones. But her friend Coral is bleached white and sickening.
The Little Mermaid (Bristol Old Vic) – photo by Johan Persson
It seems that Coral’s estranged sister Inky Slick is to blame as the pipeline sunk by the Open Tide corporation is leaking. Can balance be restored in the Southern Waters?
The Little Mermaid won’t give up on her friends and after meeting DJ-to-the-fishes Kai, she gives up her tail to live on land and enlist Kai’s help.
We loved the way that aerial acrobatics, dance and music are used to convey the underwater world of the Southern Waters, as the Little Mermaid and her friends swim above the stage. While definitely not a Panto, this production of The Little Mermaid has plenty of comic moments with a few Bristol references sprinkled in.
The Little Mermaid (Bristol Old Vic) – photo by Johan Persson
We were in awe of the supremely talented cast, who played all the parts with comedy and song, switching from fishes to oil barons. The costumes are fantastically imaginative and the two on stage musicians seemed to play a different instrument in each scene.
We can highly recommend Bristol Old Vic’s production of The Little Mermaid, with its feel good message of hope and strong eco theme (as you’d expect in Bristol!)
Little Red Bristol Old Vic
Also at Bristol Old Vic in their Weston Studio for 2024, but aimed at younger audiences, is Little Red. Join Little Red in the deep dark woods for music, adventure and overcoming the monsters in a modern re-telling of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
The bar and foyer of Bristol Old Vic cleverly fuses the old and modern parts of the theatre, creating a great space to meet friends for a pre-performance drink and a pie from Pieminster.
26. More Bristol theatre shows
The Hippodrome’s Christmas shows are always worth seeing. Their 2024 panto is Goldilocks and the Three Bears featuring some well known TV and comic personalities. Goldilocks’ circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner but, with the help of the Three Bears, the Big Top can be saved from ruin! From 5 Dec 2024 – 5 January 2025
Bristol Hippodrome Goldilocks and the three bears
Tobacco Factory Theatre offers Hansel and Gretel, an adaptation of the famous fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. Lost in the dark forest, Hansel and Gretel come across a tiny gingerbread cottage, decorated in sugar and chocolate – but what’s inside? From 28 November 2024 – 19 January 2025 in the Factory Theatre ( suitable for children aged 5+)
Also at the Tobacco Factory for 2024 is a comic take on A Christmas Carol, starring Craig Edwards as the mean and miserable Scrooge. 9 December 2024 to 5 January 2025 in the Spielman Theatre, suitable for children aged 12+.
For younger children (aged 2+) Me… is the story of a cute baby penguin, told with puppets amid the shimmering stars and glistening snow. 5 December 24 – 5 January 2025 for daytime performances in the Spielman Theatre.
The Redgrave Theatre in Clifton is running a classic pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk for 2024. Expect audience participation, sing-alongs, jokes and dazzling costumes. 11 December 2024 – 5 January 2025. There are also a few shorter runs of festive productions through late November and December – check the website for details.
The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market is running Snow Baby, a magical children’s Christmas show with puppetry, storytelling and original music. Runs 20-30 December 2024 (suitable for children aged 3-8 and their families)
A musical Christmas in Bristol
27. St Georges Bristol Christmas concerts
We always try to fit in a visit to St George’s Brandon Hill for one of their concerts in the week before Christmas, from the community choirs where we often have a friend performing. The choirs are pleasingly colour coordinated, often looking as if they’ve chosen all the colours from the Quality Sweets tin.
The music is a mixture of reworked pop favourites, carols and foot-tapping Christmas oldies. There are some comic moments and high jinks thrown in, often led by choirmaster David Ogden.
St Georges – Christmas in Bristol
For Christmas 2024 look out for City Voices, Gasworks Choir and City of Bristol Choir, as well as more traditional carol services and choral Christmas concerts at St George’s in December.
28. Bristol Beacon Christmas events
Following their reopening last year Bristol Beacon is now running a full programme of events for 2024. In the run up to Christmas there’s a huge range of performances from rock and pop to comedy and classical.
Look out for their Christmas themed events, such as a film screening of The Snowman, with live orchestra. Check the website for details of seasonal performances and markets.
29. Christmas at the Spiegeltent
During the Christmas season, the Spiegeltent big top is erected on the Harbourside, with a Christmas at the Spiegeltent programme of cabaret and musical entertainment. Their dinner and cabaret events are popular for groups of friends or work colleagues, who want to celebrate with a Christmas party atmosphere.
Christmas at the Spiegeltent Bristol
However, the programme includes many more cabaret based events that are family friendly. You can also enjoy live music (Bridgerton in concert by Candlelight) musical film screenings (Cary Grant’s To Catch a Thief) and kids discos.
Christmas in Bristol with the animals
Away in a manger and all that! Animals are a big part of the Christmas story so a visit to some of Bristol’s animal attractions at Christmas seems quite appropriate.
30. Christmas at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm just outside Bristol have plenty of Christmas activities in December. Meet Santa in his library, come for one of Santa’s storytelling sessions or dress up as a Nativity character in the Home Educator’s session.
There are Christmas Markets on 30 November – 1 December and a Brass Band performing holiday classics on 1 December. Wonky Christmas trees are on sale in the Farm shop and festive treats can be found in the Food Barn.
Sheep at Noahs Ark Farm
There’s an impressive amount of space for the animals around the zoo as well as the range of activities in the play areas and animal experiences. The regular programme includes daily talks and you can see giraffe, rhino and lions at the zoo, as well as plenty of smaller domestic and farm animals.
Elephant at Noahs Ark Zoo Farm
31. Christmas at Bristol Zoo Project
Bristol Zoo Project – Bristol Zoo has moved to the Wild Place site is on the northern edge of Bristol. For Christmas 2024, they have a festive family art trail, featuring Shaun the Sheep from Aardman animations (9 Nov – 12 Jan). On Sat 7 December 10am – 2pm there’s also a Festive Thank You event, with carols, market stalls and craft activities.
Bristol Zoo Project – Shaun the Sheep
During the school holidays, you’ll find wildlife encounters with lemur, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, bears, wolves and eland in large and natural enclosures. The conservation themed outdoor play area Explorer’s Basecamp is also open, with something for all ages and abilities. Check the website for details of animal talks and feeding times, with refreshments available in the Courtyard Cafe.
32. Bristol City Farms for free family activities
If you’d like to take the kids to the farm over the Christmas holidays St Werburgh’s City farm is open daily 9am-4pm (free) and there’s a winter fair Sunday 1 December 2024.
Windmill Hill City Farm is open daily 9am-4pm (free) and has the Windmill Hill Market on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December 2024 as well as some other seasonal family events.
A spiritual Christmas in Bristol
There’s plenty of fun and celebration at Christmas, but in our household we try not to forget the spiritual part of the holiday. We like to go to Midnight Mass with our extended family and fit in a carol service during Advent.
Bristol Cathedral
33. Bristol Cathedral Christmas Events 2024
Bristol Cathedral – The beautiful cathedral on College Green is even more special during Advent when there are Advent services on all the Sundays in December.
Throughout December the cathedral holds carol services including Advent Carols (1 Dec) Carols by Candlelight (13 & 14 Dec), Shoppers’ Carols (17 Dec), Toddler’s Carols (18 Dec), Festival of lessons and carols (20 Dec) and Family Carol Service (22 Dec). There are also the usual evensong, Christmas eve and Christmas day Eucharistic services of Christmas.
New for 2024 is the “Beer and Carols” (Thurs 19 Dec) on College Green, outside the Cathedral. This informal event sees the Cathedral Choir accompanied by the band of St Nicholas Church performing all the carol classics, with the audience invited to join in. There’s a pop up bar with drinks from Bristol Beer Factory, so you can have a pint with a sing along.
Just across College Green on Park Street is the beautiful Lord Mayor’s Chapel, a hidden gem of Bristol’s history, which is open to visit on Thursday and Saturday, with services every Sunday.
34. John Wesley’s New Rooms
John Wesley’s New Rooms are a treasure, tucked away in the centre of Bristol’s Broadmead area. The Grade 1 listed building is the oldest Methodist preaching house, founded by the preacher John Wesley. Wesley, together with his brother Charles, started the Methodist Christian movement in the 18th century.
In the rooms above the chapel, the old preacher’s lodgings have been transformed into a fascinating museum about the life of John Wesley in Bristol and the times he lived through, including the abolition of slavery.
John Wesley New Rooms Museum Bristol
Christmas activities at the John Wesley New Rooms include lunchtime carols at 1pm on 11 Dec and evening carols at 6pm on 11 Dec.
The Charles Wesley House nearby on Charles Street, is where Charles Wesley lived and wrote many of his famous hymns like “Hark the herald angels sing”. The Georgian house is currently undergoing renovation but there’s a digital Christmas tour available to view online.
35. St Mary Redcliffe
Most churches in Bristol will have Christmas Carol services as well as the Christmas religious services, so check what’s on at your local church.
At St Mary Redcliffe, activities include a Nine lessons and Carols (14/15 Dec), Family Christingle Service on 22 Dec and Salvation Army Carol service on 17 Dec.
There are also several ticketed Christmas concerts, like the Nadia Eide Christmas Concert (2 Dec), Christmas Star Concert (12 Dec) and Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight (21 Dec).
Within St Mary Redcliffe the Treefest (5-8 Dec 24) is a festive display of Christmas trees, each decorated by a different charity or community group. There’s music, refreshments and a Christmas market too.
36. Christmas gifts from Bristol
We Bristolians love to support our independent businesses. There is so much creative stuff going on around the city that it’s easy to spend your money locally, rather than sending it to the online giants.
Love Bristol Gift Card – the ideal gift for the West Country lad-or-lass-about-town. Spend the gift card at over 160 different food, drink, shopping, accommodation and attraction venues around Bristol City Centre.
Love Bristol gift card – Christmas in Bristol
Yuup – the place to find unusual Bristol experiences that are ideal for gifting. This is perfect for those who don’t need more “stuff” in their life but would appreciate a fun activity they can enjoy together.
There are lots of festive pre-Christmas activities too, such as wreath making, Christmas card printing or chocolate workshops.
Food Tours of Bristol – Yuup
On my gift list for experiences to try after Christmas are:
Food Tours of Bristol – They run mouthwatering food tours in Wapping Wharf and Broad Street in Bedminster.
Bristol’s Quirkiest Corners Tour – run by the highly knowledgeable Martin Booth, editor of Bristol 24/7. I can personally recommend this walking tour which we tried last year. Even Bristol locals like us discovered plenty of hidden corners that were new to us.
Balloons at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Both Bristol Balloons and Bailey Balloons offer flights or gift vouchers from £169. If you want to get a feel of what it’s like to drift over Bristol in a balloon, read my article about the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
37. Charity giving at Christmas
While it’s lovely to celebrate Christmas with gifts for our loved ones, I also try to make some charity donations at this time of year. Bristol suffers from a big issue of homelessness and if you’re out and about in the centre you’ll probably observe this.
However you can help spread good cheer, through the instant payment donation points you can see around Bristol city centre. Whenever you’re out shopping and see one, consider making a donation. It helps local charities make Christmas a better time for those who, like baby Jesus on that first Christmas, don’t have a place to go.
Also follow the work on instagram of Natacha @thebeautyofcaring_cic who provides beauty treatments in Bristol for vulnerable men and women. You can contact her to support her work via instagram.
38. Christmas Events around Bristol
While most of the things I’ve mentioned are within the central area of Bristol, there are some other fun Christmas activities that are just outside Bristol. Some of the best light trails and Christmas activities include:
Westonbirt Arboretum– Christmas light trail with a million twinkling lights, seasonal sounds in the air and illuminations in the forest. Dates from 29 November – 31 December 2024
Tyntesfield – This National Trust house is decorated in Victorian Winter fashion. There are carol concerts in the chapel, craft making sessions and Christmas trails. New for 2024 is a carousel in front of the house and a Dickensian street scene in the chapel courtyard. Open daily in December except 24 / 25 Dec.
Tyntesfield Christmas
Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland2024 – The caves are decked with over 100,000 lights, with tickets including a Santa’s grotto and Christmas theme circus show. The winter wonderland takes place on weekends from 23 November and daily from 21 December – 24 December 2024.
Longleat Festival of light 2024 – This light trail features a “Journey Through Time” from the age of the dinosaurs to historic events and mythology. 800 lanterns are set against the historic backdrop of Longleat House. Dates from 9 November until 5 January 2024.
Mendip Activity Centre 2024 – The toboggan slope is decked out with fairy lights, with twilight tobogganing from 8 November until 5 January. There’s also a woodland walk to a magical grotto, to find toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.
Christmas at Stourhead 2024 – The National Trust estate is lit up with festive illuminations, sparkling tunnels of light and trees lit up in jewel like colours. Dates from 29 November – 1 January.
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park2024 – A family focussed Christmas Nights Light Trail around the park with twinkling displays, sparkling trees and live music. There are many other family activities including a Santa show, gingerbread kitchen and Elf Express miniature train. Dates from 30 Nov – 24 December.
Sudeley Spectacle of Light
Sudeley castle Spectacle of Light 2024 – An illuminated trail around the beautiful castle grounds, with a chance to meet characters from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Dates from Dates from 22 November – 30 December 2024.
Old Down Estate Illumination Trail 2024 – The Festive Illumination trail guides you around Old Down Estate, with music, colour and interactive areas along the way. Dates from 24 November – 24 December 2024.
Where to stay in Bristol for your festive break
There’s still time to book a cheeky weekend in Bristol to get into the Christmas spirit, eat some great food and shop for unusual and thoughtful gifts. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bristol, read on for my recommendations;
Corn Street Market – Christmas in Bristol
Best budget accommodation with character in Bristol
If you want stylish accommodation that won’t break the bank, these are the places we recommend for best value, with rooms typically £100 – £120.
Brooks Guest House (Old City) – A boutique guest house in St Nicholas Market with cosy, contemporary rooms, centrally located in the heart of the Old City. Excellent value for stylish guest house accommodation.
Stay at the Brooks Guest House – a small boutique hotel in the heart of Bristol Old City
Rodney Hotel (Clifton Village) – The hotel is in a mellow stone Georgian building, in the heart of picturesque Clifton Village. The rooms can be small and the decor a little dated, but this is reflected in the price, and you can’t beat the location.
Stay at the Rodney Hotel – centrally-located in the historic village of Clifton
Beech House (Clifton) – If you prefer the flexibility of self-catering accommodation, Beech House is an excellent choice. It’s within walking distance of both the city centre and Clifton Village. The decor is stylish and contemporary and there are a choice of small apartments, with the studios offering good value for money.
Stay at the Beech House – stylish boutique apartments conveniently located in Clifton
Best Hotels for friends in Bristol
If you are visiting Bristol with a group of friends, these hotels offer stylish accommodation with plenty of facilities and room options. With plenty of rooms to fill, these hotels operate variable pricing so check different dates for the best rates.
The Bristol (Harbour side) – The perfect harbourside location with a 1960’s modernist facade and boutique-style rooms that overlook the waterfront. Ideal for both weekend and business travellers.
Clayton Hotel (Old City) – a modern, contemporary hotel with 255 rooms, behind the facade of the historic Everard’s print works. Located in the heart of Bristol’s Old City.
Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel (Old City) – This grand Victorian hotel with 186 rooms has been renovated in contemporary style, decorated with artworks from the city’s street art scene.
Best luxury hotels in Bristol
If you are travelling as a couple and want to treat yourself, these are the places we recommend for a touch of luxury and individual service.
Artist Residence (City Centre) – Located minutes from the city centre in a historic Georgian square. Rooms are individually designed in eclectic, boutique style and full of artworks.
Stay at the boutique Artist Residence hotel located in an old boot factory in the heart of the city
Harbour Hotel and Spa (Old City) – a luxurious hotel and spa, that was formed out of two iconic bank properties in the heart of Bristol’s Old City. The decor is quirky and contemporary, there’s an excellent seafood restaurant in The Jetty. An underground spa features some of the old safe doors in what was formerly the bank vaults.
The Avon Gorge Hotel (Clifton Village) – Overlooking Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Clifton Village, this historic hotel has been renovated in contemporary style.
Stay at Bristol’s historic Avon Gorge Hotel overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge
Or, check out more hotels in Bristol to plan your pre-Christmas break.
More information on visiting Bristol
For lots of information on visiting Bristol check out the official tourism website of Visit Bristol.
Christmas in Malaga is a time when the city is buzzing with festive atmosphere. The pedestrianised streets of the historic centre are strung with sparkling Christmas lights. Restaurants are full to bursting as friends gather for an al fresco lunch or dinner, enjoying the mild temperatures and sunny days. Discover a different kind of Christmas experience in Malaga, with free light shows, sweet Turon and sardines on the beach.
Christmas lights in Malaga Spain
Here are our 10 festive reasons why you should consider visiting Malaga at Christmas time.
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10 festive things to do in Malaga at Christmas
View the Christmas lights – especially the free daily light show on Calle Larios
The Cathedral light show – free light show with music and video projections on the cathedral tower
Botanical Garden light trail – a magical light trail through the Botanical Gardens
Festival of lanterns – a trail of colourful Chinese lanterns in Parque del Oeste
Nativity scenes or Belénes – on display in churches and public buildings around Malaga
Christmas markets – two big markets in Malaga, with smaller markets throughout December
Christmas shopping – there’s a huge range of shopping for elegant outfits and gifts to take home
Christmas feasting and eating out – discover Malaga’s Christmas food specialties and eat out in the many excellent restaurants.
Eating Sardines on the beach – enjoy an al fresco lunch in one of the Chiringuitos that line the beach.
Sightseeing in the sunshine – there’s so much to see with generally mild and sunny weather in December.
Christmas in Malaga
1. The Christmas lights in Malaga
If you are used to the Christmas markets of Germany and Austria, you might need to reset your expectations when visiting Malaga at Christmas. With the weather balmy rather than snowy, in Spain the focus is less on markets and more on Christmas lights and light shows in public spaces, that you can enjoy while socialising outdoors.
Every street seems to have a different set of colourful Christmas lights, with the most impressive being on the main shopping boulevard of Calle Larios.
Christmas lights in Malaga Spain
Christmas lights in Malaga generally go up around the last weekend of November, being taken down after 6 January when the Three King’s parade marks the end of festivities.
Christmas lights in Malaga Spain
Each evening, the lights are turned on throughout the city promptly at 6pm, leading to a collective Ahhh… moment in Malaga.
Christmas lights in Malaga Spain
On Calle Marques de Larios, the lights sparkle silver and gold on pillars, with angels hovering overhead. The boulevard hosts a popular daily light show at 6.30pm, 8pm and 10pm, with lights turning on and off in time to a sound track of festive music.
Make sure you see the (completely free) light show on Calle Marques de Larios when visiting Malaga, although be aware that at weekends it can be very crowded.
Stay at the Palacio Solecio – a small luxury hotel in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre
2. The Malaga Cathedral light show
Almost more impressive than the Calle Larios light show, is the one on Malaga Cathedral. The video-mapping sound and light show is projected on the facade of the cathedral’s bell tower, and can be viewed from the square of Calle de Molina Lario.
Light show Malaga Cathedral Spain
The light show takes place three times each evening at 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 10pm, with the timings making it easy to see it right after the Calle Larios light show.
Light show Malaga Cathedral Spain
When we visited, the Cathedral light show was on the theme of Manto de Estrellas (Mantle of stars). It included plenty of colourful and fun moments, with music, voiceover and cute cartoon like characters running up and down the facade.
Light show Malaga Cathedral Spain
Even though part of the show had voiceover in Spanish, it didn’t really matter for us English speakers, since the music and light projections didn’t need any translation.
3. Botanical Garden “Las Luces de la Concepcion” light trail
One of the best known and established light trails in Malaga is held each Christmas at the La Concepcion Botanical Gardens, located on the northern edge of Malaga.
After dark the botanical garden is transformed into a magical trail, meandering through different Christmas themed zones. From the Polar express train with its cheery engine driver to the slightly scary Grinch’s hideout in the bamboo thicket, we progressed up to the Christmas Mansion with a musical video light projection.
Light Trail at the Botanical Garden in Malaga Spain
The Las Luces de la Conception light trail then took us up the hill through the candy cane grotto to a pavilion at the highest point of the park, where we could see the lights of Malaga city in the distance.
Light Trail at the Botanical Garden in Malaga Spain
The “Lights of the Concepcion” trail at the Botanical Garden takes place between end of November and 6 January each year from 6.30pm – 10.30pm. It takes at least an hour to walk around the light trail and there are steps in a few places.
The cost of the timed tickets for adults was around €15.50. To ensure entry, these should be purchased online in advance, although if there’s availability they can also be purchased at the entrance.
Heather at the Light Trail in the Botanical Garden Malaga Spain
Getting to the Botanical Garden light trail
The Botanical Garden is located a little outside the centre of Malaga, so you’ll need to find transport to get there. We were driven by a friend and used the paid car parking, which can be quite crowded on weekends.
In general it’s better to use the public transport options available to get to the Botanical Garden. The tourist bus makes a round trip from Malaga train station and historic centre to the Botanical Garden (cost €5) or take the EMT Line 2 bus to Ciudad Jardin, from where a free shuttle bus runs to the Botanical garden during the light show opening hours.
Light Trail at the Botanical Garden in Malaga Spain
4. The Chinese lantern trail
We really enjoyed our visit to the Festival of Lanterns (Festival de las Linternas) in Malaga, located in a park that’s a little to the west of Malaga centre. The light trail has 600 Chinese style lanterns arranged in colourful groups on the grassy areas of the park.
Chinese Lantern Show in Malaga
Although you can’t touch the lanterns, you can get close enough to see all the details of lantern groups, ranging from pandas and snakes, to mushrooms and exotic flowers.
In the centre of the park is a lake with an enormous Chinese dragon, reflecting pretty colours in the water. There’s a soundscape of music to accompany each section of the light displays, changing as you move through the trail.
Chinese Lantern Show in Malaga
At the furthest end of the lake from the entrance was an area of food kiosks and a small stage, where we watched a show of Chinese circus performers and acrobats. The stage shows are held at 6pm, 7.15pm, 8.30pm and 9.45pm.
However, other than the stage performances, the lantern displays are static and you have to walk around to see them. Paths are flat, so the whole show is pushchair and wheelchair friendly.
Chinese Lantern Show in Malaga
You can book tickets for the Festival of Lanterns online, although we just paid at the entrance on Calle Francisco de Cossío. Tickets start from €15 weekdays and €20 weekends. The festival runs from end of November until 12 February, which is longer than the other Malaga light shows, as it also covers the Chinese New Year.
Chinese Lantern Show in Malaga
Getting to the Festival of Lanterns
The Chinese lantern festival is located in Parque del Oeste to the west of Malaga city centre and you can easily get there by public transport. Take Metro Line 2 to the La Luz-La Paz station and then walk 15 minutes to the festival entrance on Calle Francisco de Cossío. Alternatively EMT bus lines 7 and 15 stop 400 metres from the park entrance.
5. Visit the Nativity scenes or Belénes
Aside from the light shows in Malaga, a big part of Christmas in Malaga is the nativity scenes or Belénes on display around the city. These displays can be found in around 70 locations, such as churches, museums and other public places, the idea being that you pop in to have a look as you walk around Malaga.
Belenes at the Malaga Museum in Malaga Spain, featuring the lighthouse
The huge range of figures on display in the Belénes show not only scenes from the birth and early life of Jesus, but also street scenes, markets, house interiors and water features. They are a Spanish version of what daily life might have been like at the time of Jesus’s birth.
Belenes in Malaga Spain
There are published maps of all the Belénes in Malaga provided by the City Hall, so you can easily locate them as you walk around the city. To find the latest year’s map just search online or ask at the Malaga Tourist Information.
Belenes in Malaga Spain
Our favourite Belénes
Malaga Cathedral – this is one of the best known and at certain times there might be a queue. It’s a really long Belénes that you file past, with lots of details to look at.
Patio del Ayuntamiento – the Town Hall facing Paseo del Parque. Don’t be put off by the security checks, there are clear signs to direct you inside to the Belénes and it’s considered one of the best.
Museo Carmen Thyssen – this was a charming smaller nativity scene in the courtyard of the museum, you can enter to see it without paying if you ask at the desk.
Malaga Glass and Crystal Museum – although it’s a bit out of the way, the Belénes is particularly nice, set in the mansion’s courtyard and made of Lladro porcelain figures.
Belenes in the Glass Museum – Malaga Spain
Cofradia de Estudiantes – this is located near the Roman Amphitheatre and we enjoyed walking around the Belénes as well as looking at the huge float that is used in the Easter parades.
Malaga Museum – If you walk through the courtyard of the museum, there was an exhibition of smaller Belénes from Malaga, and one that featured the city’s landmark lighthouse.
Should you wish to buy your own nativity figures to make a scene at home, they are often on sale in the Christmas market on Paseo del Parque, or there’s a permanent shop selling them called Nazareno de Malaga (Calle Carreteria 2).
6. Christmas markets in Malaga
Don’t come to Spain expecting the kind of Christmas markets that you find in Germany and Austria. Indeed, I’d say that Christmas Markets in Malaga are less of an attraction, compared to the Christmas light displays and feasting al fresco with friends.
Nevertheless there are a couple of markets that run through December and until the Feast of 3 Kings (6 January).
Christmas Market Malaga
Paseo del Parque – the biggest Christmas market in Malaga, close to the historic centre, with a long row of around 90 stalls selling gifts and crafts.
Malaga Port / Muelle Uno – a long row of stalls on the promenade that runs parallel with the Park, and another cluster of stalls near the Pompidou Centre. These stalls are here all year round, but take on a more seasonal flavour in December.
Muelle Uno Christmas Market Malaga
I found both of these markets somewhat uninspiring, with a commercial feel and only a sprinkling of authentic local craft stalls. One exception is the stalls we saw selling nativity figures, which are a big feature of Christmas in Malaga, as people display nativity scenes in their homes and churches.
If you’d like to buy figures to make your own Christmas nativity scene (every year we put out the one we bought at a craft market years ago), this would be a good place to look for one.
Nativity scenes in the Christmas Market Malaga
In addition you may find smaller craft markets being held on certain weekends before Christmas. We heard about one-off Christmas fairs in Plaza de la Merced, Calle Tomas Heredia in Soho and the English Cemetery, but didn’t manage to be there on the right days.
Sabor a Malaga
This 6 day outdoor food market is held in the first or second week of December on Paseo del Parque, and unfortunately we just missed it. Expect to find stalls that showcase the best produce from Malaga and the surrounding regions, such as cheese, charcuterie, wine, honey and olive oil. More information on the Sabor a Malaga website.
7. Christmas shopping in Malaga
While I prefer to spend my holiday money on experiences rather than shopping, I have to confess I did enjoy looking around the shops in Malaga. As the capital city of the Malaga region, there’s a huge range of high street and independent shops in the pedestrianised Old Centre.
Spanish women enjoy dressing up when they go out and there’s plenty of choice and quality if you are looking for an elegant outfit that you might not find at home. There’s something about shopping in beautiful and traffic free surroundings, that makes it more of a pleasure to browse for fashion.
Christmas shopping on Calle Larios in Malaga Spain
Calle Larios is where you’ll find some major upscale brands and the streets on either side also have a wide range of fashion stores. Across the river in the newer part of town, El Corte Ingles stocks a huge range of Spanish and international fashion brands.
If you want to find some smaller and uniquely Malaga items for Christmas gifts, you might find them in the Museo Carmen Thyssen shop or the Temporanea Concept Shop, which sells artisan souvenirs from Malaga.
Christmas decorations at AC Hotel Malaga Palacio in Malaga
8. Christmas food and eating out in Malaga
One of the joys of Malaga at Christmas is the festive atmosphere from packed bars and restaurants in the old town, where the weather is normally mild enough for people to sit outside in the covered restaurant terraces.
Sweet treats in Malaga at Christmas
Turon is an almond based soft nougat that’s a speciality of Malaga and an indispensable part of the Christmas festivities. There are numerous shops selling it, but the most authentic and best is considered to be Casa Mira, which has branches on Calle Larios and Calle Cister near the cathedral.
Both these branches sell their own ice cream, and I can vouch that the Turon flavour ice cream is particularly delicious! While Turon is sold all year round, there are some other sweet treats that are just for the Christmas season.
Turon ice cream at Casa Mira in Malaga Spain
More traditional sweets in Malaga
Mantecados – round shortbread cookies that come in different flavours individually wrapped in a paper twist.
Polvorones – similar to Matecados, a small crumbly shortbread cookie that’s dusted with sugar.
Borrachuelos– a deep fried pastry filled with a fruit or pumpkin puree, served as a desert around Christmas time.
Roscos de Vino – a small ring shaped donut that’s cooked in wine then dusted with sugar.
Roscón de Reyes – a ring cake filled with cream that’s served for the feast of the Three Kings on 6 January.
Turon at Casa Mira in Malaga Spain
Roasted chestnut stalls also pop up in the streets around Christmas time, with the chestnuts roasted over an open brazier, then served peeled ready to eat in a cone of paper.
Roast chestnuts in Malaga Spain
Al fresco feasting in Malaga
One of the lovely things about Malaga in the run up to Christmas, is that the generally mild weather allows plenty of al fresco dining. At lunchtime, when the sun is out, the restaurant terraces are packed with friends enjoying a meal out together.
Dining out in Spain is more affordable than many parts of Europe, and the atmosphere of locals gathering for a lunch with family or work colleagues is very festive.
Just bear in mind that at weekends or for larger groups you may need to reserve a table, or otherwise ask if you can be seated at the bar until space becomes available.
This is the time to take advantage of Malaga’s excellent and affordable seafood, which is considered a big part of the Christmas feasting in Spain.
Al Fresco lunch in Malaga Spain
There are endless bars and restaurants in Malaga, so I’d hesitate to recommend any particular ones. Instead I’d suggest that you meander around the pedestrianised Old Town, looking for some of the quieter side streets that are a few blocks from the Cathedral and Plaza de la Constitucion.
Here you’re more likely to find the restaurants that locals favour because the food is excellent and the prices more moderate. If you push me I’ll mention a few that looked nice or were recommended by our friends who are Malaga locals.
Russian Salad in Malaga Spain
Recommended restaurants in Malaga
El Cenachero Centro (Calle Compania 16) – busy and atmospheric seafood restaurant on three floors close to the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
Carmen Thyssen Museum Cafe (Calle Compania 10) – if you are looking for a quiet spot for lunch, this museum cafe serves a good value Menu del Dia at lunchtime.
O Mamma Mia (Plaza de las Flores 7) – a family run Italian pizza & pasta restaurant in a central but quiet square with outdoor terrace, a good bet if you need somewhere that’s family friendly.
L’Experience (Plaza Obispo 4 ) – While you are in prime tourist territory, there’s something magical about this tapas restaurant’s terrace overlooking the cathedral. There are plenty more nice looking restaurants in the streets around the Cathedral.
Seafood in Malaga Spain
If like me you are picky about your barista style coffee, head to Next Level Coffee (Calle San Juan 27) or Syra Coffee – takeaway only ( Calle Martires 13).
Casa Mira (Calle Cister 8) – This Malaga institution serving ice cream, sweets and turon has several locations, but the one near the cathedral is especially nice and has a few tables outside for coffee or ice cream.
Markets and foodie souvenirs in Malaga
While we were keen to enjoy Malaga’s buzzing restaurant scene, we enjoyed a walk around the covered Atarazanas Market in the centre of Malaga. It’s a feast for the eyes with colourful displays of fruit and veg, where you can get a sense for what’s fresh and in season.
The market is also a good place if you want to shop for some Spanish foodie souvenirs. Look out for finely sliced jamon, which is sold in sealed packets to take any home for your own Christmas table.
Mercado de Atarazanas Malaga Spain
Another excellent place for upscale food shopping is the food hall on the Lower Ground floor of El Corte Ingles. Because it’s a supermarket that has extra deli and specialty food counters, this a good place for a no-pressure wander, although it’s a bit of a walk from the main tourist centre of Malaga.
9. Sardines on the beach in Malaga
The Chiringuito or beach restaurants are a classic fixture on the beaches of southern Spain. But the good news is that this sand-in-the-toes seafood experience is not just reserved for the summer months.
Even in December we found it warm enough to sit on the semi-covered terrace of Chiringuito Tropicana overlooking Malagueta beach for lunch. There are several Chiringuitos set on the sand or beach promenade of Malaga beach, so take your pick of what looks busy and open.
Heather enjoys fish soup on the beach in Malaga Spain
Unfortunately the beach was not looking its very best when we were there. During our lunch, the bulldozers drove up and down, cleaning and moving sand around after the autumn’s heavy rainstorms. But we still had a grandstand sea view and plenty of fresh air, as we soaked up the warm sun on our face.
Sardines on the beach in Malaga Spain
The chiringuitos specialise in seafood, but they are pretty relaxed if you just want to order a few light dishes. We tried the local specialty of sardines, grilled over charcoal in an old wooden boat beside the restaurant. I also ordered a bowl of warming Sopa de marisco (seafood soup), full of flavour with chunks of fish, clams and prawns.
It’s one of the joys of the Malaga’s mild climate, that even in December, you can sit by the sea enjoying freshly grilled sardines!
YouTripMalaga is a clean, modern 2 bedroom apartment 10 minutes from the historic center
10. Glorious weather for sightseeing
While I can’t guarantee the weather, the climate of Malaga is generally mild into December, often with clear blue skies and temperatures up to 18 degrees celcius on sunny days. That makes ideal weather for sightseeing, although there’s also plenty to do in Malaga if it rains.
Fine weather sightseeing in Malaga
If the weather is good you can enjoy outdoor activities like:
Views over Malaga Spain
Stroll around the port area, past shops and restaurants on Muelle Uno, to La Farola Lighthouse, then round the point onto Malaga’s main beach where you can stop in a Chiringuito for refreshments.
Stroll through the Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso filled with trees laden with bitter oranges fruiting around Christmas. Then walk up the hill to the Gibralfaro castle, with lovely views on the way.
Visit the remains of the Roman Theatre, with its small museum to explain about its history.
Roman Ampitheatre in Malaga Spain
Indoor sightseeing in Malaga
If the weather is too cold or rainy, there are still plenty of indoor highlights.
Picasso Museum – 200 works by Pablo Picasso, who was born in Malaga, set in a 16th century Palace. Buy your tickets here.
Carmen Thyssen Museum – a beautiful art museum set in a 16th century palace, with art from the old masters to impressionists and early 20th century Spanish artists. The museum shop is a good place for gifts.
Malaga Museum – set in an 18th century palace that was once Malaga’s Customs House, now an art and history museum to give you insights in Malaga’s past.
Malaga Glass and Crystal Museum – a collection of glass and ceramics set in a charming 1700s mansion.
The Hammam Arab Baths – Enjoy the modern Spa experience in a traditional Arab style Hammam, with hot and cold baths, steam rooms, massage and treatments.
Orange trees in Malaga Spain
Where to stay in Malaga for your Christmas break
If visiting Malaga in winter, we recommend you stay in the Old Town or Soho neighbourhoods, close to all the Christmas activities. However as there are many bars and restaurants in this area, just check what is around your accommodation, and read the reviews to avoid places mentioning street noise.
Luxury – Palacio Solecio – a small luxury hotel in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre.
Mid-range – AC Hotel Malaga Palacio by Marriott – a smart modern hotel that’s well located in Malaga’s central area. Also the Christmas decorations were impressive!
2 bedroom apartment – You Trip Malaga – this 2 bedroom apartment owned by our friend (where we stayed) is clean and modern, just a 10 minute walk from the historic centre.
Stay at the Palacio Solecio – a small luxury hotel in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre
YouTripMalaga is a clean, modern 2 bedroom apartment 10 minutes from the historic center
The Three Kings Parade in Malaga
The feast of the Three Kings on 6 January is a big event in Malaga. Through the city centre there’s a procession of floats with each of the three kings on a separate float, surrounded by their courtiers. This is the last day of the Christmas festivities and after 6 January the Christmas lights are turned off and taken down.
Christmas wreath in Malaga Spain
Public holidays over Christmas in Malaga
If you are visiting Malaga over the Christmas period, be aware that 25 December, 1 January, 6 January (Feast of the 3 Kings) are public holidays. On these days all shops and visitor attractions will be closed, with many shops closing early the day before a public holiday. Light shows don’t take place on 24 December and 31 December.
Bars and restaurants are also generally closed, so if not visiting friends and family, you should make sure that you have stocked up on everything you need for your festivities. Some larger restaurants may be open, but you will need to have reserved these in advance.
If you only have one day in Sydney Australia, and want to see the highlights, we’ve created this 1 day itinerary to give you a taste of this very walkable city. We’ll explore Sydney’s history, enjoy waterfront views at the Sydney Opera House, dip into some art and culture and enjoy the relaxing green space of the Botanic Garden.
Sydney 1 day itinerary
For those with an additional day or two, or anyone wanting more time at the beach, we also have some day trip ideas. Just a short bus or ferry ride from the city centre, you can dip into Sydney’s beach lifestyle at Bondi Beach, Manly or Watsons Bay.
If you are visiting Sydney for the first time, whether on a cruise or as part of a wider tour of Australia, this 1 day Sydney itinerary offers something for everyone.
Bondi Beach Sydney
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Let’s start our day in Sydney at Circular Quay. Not only is this where the cruise ships dock, but all the harbour ferries come and go from here and it’s centrally located on bus and train routes.
Keen to see Sydney?
Here’s a quick version of the Sydney highlights in one day. All the attractions mentioned are free to visit, although of course you’ll need to budget for refreshments and any booked tours. We also have a short and printable version of this itinerary to download below.
The Rocks – an historic neighbourhood where the colony was founded. (1 Hour)
Coffee break at Museum of Contemporary Art ground floor cafe
Sydney Opera House – Sydney’s most iconic cultural attraction (1 Hour)
Royal Botanic Garden – 30 hectares of lawns, trees and themed gardens (1 hour)
Lunch break at Farm Cove Eatery in the Botanic Garden
Option to head to the beach at Bondi, Manly or Wilson Bay for the afternoon or alternatively stay in central Sydney
Art Gallery of New South Wales ( 1 hour) – a free art gallery of indigenous and other Australian artworks – or alternatively
Hyde Park Barracks (1 hour) – a free museum dedicated to the experiences of the convicts who helped found Sydney
MacQuarie Street – (30 mins) – walk past some of Sydney’s imposing 19th century government buildings
Martin Place (Central Business District) – (30 mins) – soak up the buzz of Sydney’s business district
Ice Cream at Messina Gelato
Walk back to Circular Quay – admiring the varied architecture along George St or Pitt St (30 mins)
Sunset drinks at the Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House
Circular Quay and CBD Sydney
The early history of the Sydney area
Before we visit the areas that formed the first colony in the early 19th century, we need to acknowledge the Gadigal clans of the Eora Nation who lived here before those English settlers arrived. These aboriginal people lived in family clan groups all around the Sydney Bay area, living from harvested plants, fish and seafood that were plentiful in the area.
Australia Museum, Sydney Australia
Many place names in Sydney originate from aboriginal descriptions, and indigenous rock carvings can be seen around the Sydney Bay area.
A few aboriginal men such Benelong and Bungaree acted as mediators and interpreters between their culture and the early settlers – they are remembered in place names around Sydney. However, over time the Gadigal territory around Sydney was taken over by the new colony, and conflicts often arose between the two cultures.
You can discover some of the stories behind these early contacts in the Cadi Jam Ora Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden and the Yiribana Gallery in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, as well as in other museums around Sydney.
The Rocks
The neighbourhood known as The Rocks is a grid of streets to one side of Circular Quay, named after the rocky cliffs that you’ll see as you walk through the area. This was the commercial centre of the earliest colony, with warehouses for stores and close packed houses.
The Rocks, Sydney Australia
Water was supplied from The Tank stream that ran through the area into Sydney Bay. Later, a road (now Argyle street) was hewn through the sold rock, known as ‘The Cut’, which allowed the colony to expand.
Today the area is less residential and more of a tourist hub, with art galleries and souvenir shops. Since cruise ships dock right alongside this area, it can be crowded in high season. Nevertheless, we found the area charming, and care has been taken to promote high quality Australian souvenirs and crafts in the shops here.
We recommend spending an hour looking around ‘The Rocks’ – here’s what to look out for;
The Museum of Contemporary Art is worth visiting on another day, but for our 1 day in Sydney we recommend a coffee stop in the pleasant terrace cafe.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Australia
Walk past Cadman’s cottage and the warehouse buildings of Campbell’s Stores, now housing restaurants. In front of you is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, another landmark of the city.
Cadman’s Cottage, Sydney Australia
Skirt back to Playfair Street, a pedestrianised area where there are many 19th century buildings, now housing galleries and craft shops. The Rocks Market with craft stalls is held here at weekends. There’s more shopping and some street food stands in the adjoining Rocks Centre.
Campbell’s Storehouses, The Rocks Sydney Australia
Stop at The Rocks Discovery Museum (free) located in one of the older buildings, to learn about the area’s history.
At The junction of Playfair Street and Argyle Street, look right to see how the road was cut through the rock, now running under the highway leading to the Harbour Bridge.
The Cut, Argyle St, Sydney Australia
Continue your stroll down some of the narrow lanes, such as Nurses’s Walk to soak up the area’s atmosphere.
Coffee Stop: We recommend the ground floor cafe of the Museum of Contemporary Art for a coffee in the shady open air terrace with views of the harbour.
Cafe at Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Australia
Now walk past the ferry piers at Circular Quay and along the Eastern Pontoon to the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House
The Opera House is Sydney’s best known landmark, sitting on the prominent Bennelong Point overlooking the harbour. It was intended to build Sydney’s reputation as a world class centre for culture and the performing arts, replacing a tram depot that previously stood on this spot.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
After an international design competition in 1957, the design of Danish architect Jorn Utzon was chosen, with shell-like roof structures housing two large concert halls, a restaurant and smaller performance spaces.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
The actual construction caused an engineering conundrum and Utzon was forced to resign from the project. Eventually the building was completed by an architectural team led by Peter Hall and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Sydney Opera House is a magnet for visitors, who swirl around the different levels of the building to take their photos. But to see the interiors you’ll need to book a tour, which is worth planning ahead as they are often booked up on the day.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
We recommend spending an hour here on our 1 day Sydney itinerary, so here’s what to look out for;
View the building’s exterior from all angles and levels. You can walk up the steps on the land side, walk around on the harbour side and explore the different levels of terraces housing bars and restaurants.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Walk up the steps to enter the foyer and get a sense of the interior, which is as much as you’ll see inside without taking a tour. Here you’ll find the ticket sales counters, a small gift shop and a kiosk cafe, with some seating in the Lounge area.
Foyer at Sydney Opera House, Australia
Back on the ground level, there’s a passage under the steps leading to a bar by the Midden by Mark Olive restaurant, where there are sometimes photographic exhibitions.
Head down the steps or escalator to the lower ground level visitor centre. There’s a small gift shop and some exhibition space about the building of the opera house. Tickets are also sold here for the opera house tours, although these are often sold out on the day so better to book ahead.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
On this lower ground level is the House Canteen, with Asian inspired all day dining and the Opera Bar, which we recommend for a sunset drink.
Opera Bar at Sydney Opera House, Australia
Check back at dusk when there are often colourful light projections onto the sails of the opera house – while we were there there was a daily Baud Gili projection taking place several times after sunset.
Take a tour of Sydney Opera House, Australia
We highly recommend taking a tour of Sydney Opera House if you have more time another day, to see the stunning interiors of the Opera House. On our tour, we really enjoyed the sculptural quality of the building, stories of its construction and close ups of the distinctive roof tiles and structure.
Close ups of the roof tiles at Sydney Opera House, Australia
We also booked tickets for a ballet performance of Nijinsky, which was a fun evening, offering another way to experience the Opera House from the inside. If you are Sydney for a while, check what’s on, as it’s a memorable experience.
Heather attending a performance at Sydney Opera House, Australia
Now walk through the Opera House Gate into the Botanical Gardens.
Botanic Gardens of Sydney
We recommend spending up to an hour in the Botanic Gardens and having lunch there – it’s a calming oasis after the crowds around the Sydney Opera House. The 30 hectare garden overlooks Farm Cove and was the site of the first farm planted, to sustain the European colony.
Heather in the Botanic Garden Sydney Australia
After entering from the Opera House Gate, follow the path slightly up hill to get a glimpse of Government House through the railings, which is the office and residence of the Governor of New South Wales.
Botanic Garden Sydney Australia
Tip: If you want to have a picnic in the Botanic Garden, a great place is the Bennelong Lawn, tucked between Government House and the Sydney Opera House, where you can sit under a shady tree looking down over the Opera House.
Best place for a picnic – Bennelong Lawn, Botanic Garden Sydney Australia
There are a number of ‘gardens within gardens’ in the Botanic Garden of Sydney, as well as plenty of lawns and shady trees to sit and relax. We recommend wandering around for an hour, making your way up through the garden, in the direction of the exit opposite the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Our favourite garden spots were:
Succulent Garden, Botanic Garden Sydney Australia
The Succulent Garden – a walled area with cactus and other sculptural succulents
Palace Rose Garden – with a pergola of climbing roses as well as beds of bush and species roses
The Palm Grove – full of colourful kaffir lilies in springtime
The Calyx – a modern glasshouse with a living green wall that hosts exhibitions and events
The Herb Garden – a formal garden with aromatic plants
Cadi Jam Ora – with boards telling the stories of first encounters between the Gadigal people and the European settlers
Cadi Jam Ora Botanic Garden Sydney Australia
Lunch stop: We recommend a relaxed light lunch in the ground floor Farm Cove Eatery, within the Botanical gardens. If you prefer a more formal table service lunch, try the Botanic House restaurant by Luke Nguyen on the upper floor, offering an upscale Asian fusion menu.
Botanic House restaurant, Botanic Garden Sydney Australia
After lunch it’s time to enjoy one of Sydney’s outstanding museums and galleries. We have two recommendations for you, both of which are free. You should allocate at least an hour to each of them, so it’s better to choose one or the other, as you probably won’t have time for both.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
The gallery is a haven for art lovers, with the focus on Australian art and photography and a strong collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. We especially recommend the newer glass wing, where you can see some Aboriginal art in the Yirbana Gallery.
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Australia
The Art Gallery campus comprises two connected buildings, the original 19th century sandstone classical facade, and the newer glass pavilions named Naala Badu.
Naala Badu Wing, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Australia
If you are short of time, I’d enter the glass pavilions first, as this is where the Yirbana Gallery is located. The gallery, meaning ‘This way’ in the language of the Eora people, houses the collection of Aborigonal and Torres Strait Islander art, and is one of the highlights of the whole museum.
Indigenous art in the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Australia
The galleries of the 19th century building also offer beautifully displayed collections of Australian and European art. I enjoyed the way that art from different eras was mixed together in the galleries, based on themes, rather than centuries, which give the galleries a lively and contemporary feel.
After spending around an hour here, walk across the Domain, an open green space, to Hyde Park Barracks Museum.
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
If you are interested in the early beginnings of Sydney as a colony, the Hyde Park Barracks Museum covers the convict history of those who were deported from England to build a new life here.
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Australia
The classically proportioned sandstone building, by convict architect Francis Greenway, is beautiful in its own right and was built by convict labour in 1819. It originally housed convicts who slept in cramped rows of hammocks. Later the building provided accommodation for newly arrived female immigrants until they could find work.
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Australia
The rooms are based on different themes and take you on a journey from the first arrival of the convicts after a long sea journey, to the work they were set to do and the expansion of the new colony.
It’s a relaxing museum to visit, since you are provided with an audio guide and headphones, that automatically start their commentary as you pass through each room.
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Australia
If you’ve spent your time at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (you probably won’t have time to do both museums), you can still admire Hyde Park Barracks from the outside.
Then walk down Macquarie Street to see some of the 19th century historic buildings, from the early days of the colony, as you make your way back to the starting point at Circular Quay.
Macquarie Street
Named after Lachlan Macquarie, one of the early governors of New South Wales, Macquarie Street was set out in the 1800’s. It was intended as a ceremonial route from the harbour, with a number of imposing public buildings. Many were designed by a convict architect, Francis Greenway and are still used today for government or civic purposes.
Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney Australia
Spend half an hour walking along the street, to admire the architecture of these imposing buildings as you head towards Martin Place.
Hyde Park Barracks – Built to house convicts and later accommodation for newly arrived female immigrants, now a museum.
St James’ Church – across the street from Hyde Park Barracks, with an elegant exterior and steeple. The interior is quite simple, but there’s a beautiful modern stained glass window in the side chapel.
St James Church Sydney Australia
The Mint – formerly a wing of the Sydney Hospital, later used as a mint, to process the gold discovered in Australia. The building has been beautifully restored and houses a small coffee shop and some limited exhibits, with museum offices at the back. You can walk through the portico to see the courtyard space behind.
The Mint Macquarie Street Sydney Australia
Sydney Hospital – this is a working hospital and the current building stands on the site of the original Sydney Hospital, which was built with two wings, now the Mint and the Parliament Building. At the front is a replica of Il Porcellino, the brass boar statue that stands in Florence, Italy.
Sydney Hospital Sydney Australia
Parliament House – a mirror image of The Mint, this now houses the State Parliament of New South Wales, however tours need to be booked in advance.
State library of NSW Sydney Australia
A little further is the State Library of New South Wales, but our route now takes us across the road from the Parliament Building, and down the hill to Martin Place in the Central Business District.
Central Business District (CBD)
Cross the road and head down the hill into Martin Place and the Central Business District (CBD). Depending on where you are staying, you may want to catch the train or bus from Martin Place back to your accommodation.
Martin Place, Sydney Australia
It’s a 10-15 minute walk back to Circular Quay from here, but if you prefer, hop on a 333 bus from Martin Place or the light railway (tram) from Wynyard stop, to take you back to Circular Quay.
If returning on foot to Circular Quay, you could now walk back along Pitt Street or George Street through the Central Business District, soaking up the atmosphere of suited office workers catching an after work drink or heading home.
Central Business District, Sydney Australia
It’s fun to observe the different ages and styles of architecture, with a mixture of 19th century buildings and sleek modern office complexes.
Messina Gelato Sydney Australia
Ice Cream Stop: We highly recommend the amazing ice cream at Gelato Messina (25 Martin Place)
Aperitifs at The Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House
Finish your day with an early evening drink at The Opera Bar, set on the lower concourse of the Sydney Opera House. When the weather is fine, the atmosphere is buzzing and there’s often live music to accompany your sunset drink with a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Opera Bar at Sydney Opera House, Australia
It’s a fine way to end your day in Sydney.
Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House, Australia
Spend a second day in Sydney?
If you have a second day in Sydney or just want to pack in some beach time, we have three different options, for excursions to Bondi Beach, Watsons Bay or Manly.
Each of these excursions warrant a full day. However if you don’t mind a packed itinerary, you could spend the morning in central Sydney visiting the Rocks, Sydney Opera House and Botanical garden. Then make a shorter excursion to spend the afternoon in Bondi Bay, Watson’s Bay or Manly.
Heather at Pavilion on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
A day at Bondi Beach
Bondi is Sydney’s best known surf beach and has something for everyone. It’s a huge beach but can get very busy in summer and at weekends.
Things to do in Bondi Beach
Chill out, sunbathe, swim and people watch on the broad expanse of sand at Bondi Beach. This is known as a surfer’s beach and you can book lessons with Lets go surfing or one of the other surf schools that operate here. If you go swimming, check the height and strength of the waves and only swim between the red and yellow flags that are surveyed by lifeguards.
Swim between the flags – Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Icebergs – Bondi’s famous ocean pool is located at the south end of the beach and is a good place to swim if you find the crashing surf a little too challenging. There’s an entrance fee (10 AUD when we were there) and a cafe inside. Upstairs is the Bistro, which is technically a member’s club but they welcome all visitors as long as you have an ID and sign in at the entrance.
Icebergs, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
The Pavillion – this seafront pavilion has been fully renovated as a cafe, arts and community hub. Inside, it’s a 1930s beauty with great views from the first floor balcony, which serves drinks in summer. There’s an art exhibition space, information centre and green shady courtyard, with regular music and theatre events. The two cafes Glory Days and Surfish are great to hang out in the day, with Promenade Restaurant for chilled lunches, evening drinks and dining.
Pavilion on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Brunch on Bondi beach – Australians love coffee culture and brunch is an art form, nowhere more than Bondi Beach. The cafes in front of the pavilion (Glory Days and Surfish) are great for daytime coffee and snacks with a sea view. But if you want to brunch like a local, head to Speedo’s or The Depot, both at the north end of the beach. There are numerous other great places that are further from the beach, such as Blackwoods, but they are set in more residential areas.
Brunch at Blackwoods Bondi, Sydney, Australia
Check out the murals along the beach – Between Bondi Pavilion and the Skate Park, the wall backing the beach promenade has a series of murals, many with a beach theme.
Bondi Beach Murals, Sydney, Australia
Shopping around Campbell Parade – Many of the top swimwear and fashion brands have branches at Bondi Beach, and you’ll find them along Campbell Parade, Gould Street and Hall Street.
Lifeguard mosaics Campbells Parade, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Hang out at the Bondi weekend market – it’s held at Bondi Beach Public School on Campbell Parade on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is for food stalls and farmer’s market, Sunday for crafts and vintage.
Bondi Beach Market, Sydney, Australia
Walk some of the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail – Even if you only have an hour or two to spare, you could make it as far as Tamarama beach or Bronte beach where there’s a lovely ocean pool.
Bondi to Clovelly walk, Sydney, Australia
Getting to Bondi Beach
Bus: From Circular Quay or Martin Place take the 333 bus all the way to Bondi Beach. Journey time around 40 mins.
Train + Bus: From the centre take the train to Bondi Junction. From Bondi Junction bus station (right above the rail station) take the 333 or 380 bus to Bondi Beach. Journey time 45-60 mins.
North Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Refreshment stops in Bondi Beach
There are numerous good options – these were our favourites.
Drinks on the beach – Surfish or Glory Days
Brunch – Speedos or The Depot
Dinner – Promenade, North Bondi Fish or Rocker
Cafes at The Pavilion on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
A day in Manly
Manly is another popular surf beach and you get the bonus of a ferry ride to get there, seeing Sydney Harbour from the water on the way.
Things to do around Manly
From Manly wharf where the ferry stops, follow the crowds along The Corso, a pedestrianised boulevard, to reach Manly’s main surfing beach.
Manly beach is known for its rolling surf and you can book a lesson with Manly surf school. Due to the strong waves and rip currents, you should only swim between the red and yellow flags which are patrolled by lifeguards.
Manly Beach Sydney Australia
To find calmer waters, walk along Marine Parade at the south of the beach, past the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic reserve which is a good spot for snorkelling. A little further is the Fairy Bower sea pool where you could take a dip, then continue to Shelly Beach, which is a more sheltered beach for swimming.
Fairy Bower Pool Manly Sydney Australia
Shelly Beach Sydney Australia
Walk up onto the headland above Shelly beach, for a bird’s eye view of the surfers hanging offshore ready to catch the waves.
Surfers at Manly Sydney Australia
For a longer circular walk continue from the Shelly beach car park on the Shelly Beach to Barrack Precinct walk. The trail takes you over the headland, past Old Quarry Swamp and we ended up at Collin’s beach. From here, follow the coast path around to Little Manly beach and return to the Manly ferry wharf. This walk takes 2-3 hours.
Heather at Old Quarry Swamp above Manly Sydney Australia
With a whole day to spend, you could make the Manly Cove to Spit Bridge coastal walk, passing numerous small beaches and rocky swimming places. From Spit bridge, return by bus to Manly, or catch an Uber back to central Sydney.
Heather on the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk Sydney Australia
If you just have an hour to spare you could walk from Manly ferry wharf and Manly Cove to the next bays of Delwood beach and Fairwood beach for some swimming off the rocks. Being on the Sydney Bay side, you don’t get the crashing surf of the main Manly beach.
Fairlight Beach Manly Sydney Australia
Getting to Manly
From Circular Quay take the ferry to Manly. Ferries normally run at least 3 times an hour. Journey time 25 mins
Ferry to Manly Sydney Australia
Refreshment stops in Manly
Brunch in Manly Sydney
The Bower near Shelly beach – coffee and brunch with a view of the ocean
The Boathouse on Shelly Beach – brunch and lunch on the beach
Manly to Spit Bridge Walk Sydney Australia
A day at Watsons Bay
Watsons Bay has some nice beach areas, but it’s mainly known as a relaxing place to eat fish and chips and take some short walks up onto the headland at the mouth of Sydney Bay.
Things to do around Watsons Bay
Eat fish & chips at Doyles. They have a busy sit down restaurant, but we preferred to order from the takeaway counter next to the ferry pier and use the seating area behind it, which offers the same view over the water. Tip: If you don’t like too much fried food, they have plenty of healthier seafood options.
Fish & chips at Doyle’s Watson Bay
At the end of Marine Parade, walk past all the pretty cottages in Cove Street, to arrive at Camp Cove Beach, with its cute beach kiosk cafe (try their fresh orange juice). The beach is sheltered, with calm water for swimming.
From Camp Cove Beach, walk up onto the headland past the canons, to the Hornby Lighthouse.
Heather at Hornby Lighthouse Watsons Bay Sydney Australia
From the Watsons Bay ferry wharf, walk across Robertson Park and up onto the walking trail at Gap Bluff. Here you’ll see the contrast between the calm waters on the harbour side and the crashing waves on the ocean side, where the tragic wreck of the Dunbar in 1857 is marked by its salvaged anchor.
Gap Bluff Watsons Bay Sydney Australia
If you have a whole day to spend, you might like to hike the coastal path in the direction of Rose Bay, past a succession of lovely coves and beaches. Even if you only have half a day, you could fit in swims at Kutti Beach, the Parsley Bay wharf and arrive at Shark Beach, before retracing your steps.
Heather at Shark Beach Sydney Australia
Gettingto Watsons Bay
From Circular Quay take the ferry to Watsons Bay. Normally runs 2 times an hour. Journey time 30 mins. Tip: As the ferries are not as frequent later in the day, be sure to check the afternoon ferry times for your return trip.
Watsons Bay Sydney Australia
Refreshment stops in Watsons Bay
Doyles – restaurant or takeaway for fish & chips or seafood
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel – for sunset drinks
Camp Cove Kiosk – for coffee, orange juice and snacks
Watsons Bay Tea Rooms – for drinks and light meals
Mykonos and Santorini are two of the most popular Greek islands; both are easy to visit, close to each other and well connected to Athens, which explains why most people visit them together. But if you can see only one and need to decide between Mykonos vs Santorini, you’ll most likely face a difficult decision.
Mykonos vs. Santorini
Which island is more accessible? Which one has a more romantic vibe? Is one island more fun to explore than the other? These are all good questions to ask if you have to decide whether to include Mykonos or Santorini into your Greek islands itinerary.
Most people who have been to both have a strong preference for one or the other (including us!). But the truth is that having to choose between Mykonos vs Santorini is really difficult. Both islands are beautiful, yet very different.
Here is my advice to help with your difficult choice.
Choose Mykonos If…
… You Like to Party
Mykonos is known for its vibrant nightlife and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The island has become a hotspot for beach clubs, and glamorous beach parties. Whether lounging by the beach, enjoying a world-class meal, or dancing the night away at an exclusive club, Mykonos offers a dynamic blend of relaxation and excitement that attracts travelers from around the world.
The main square in Mykonos
… You Plan to Spend More Time at the Beach
When it comes to beaches, Mykonos has more sandy shores than Santorini. Beyond a handful of wilder shores such as sleepy Agios Sostis, the best beaches are in the south. From Platis Gialos to Paradise, you’ll have more laid-back beaches, while beaches like Psarou and Super Paradise are more for see-and-be-seen beach clubs.
Beautiful, quiet beach in Mykonos
… You Like More Peace and Quiet
Despite having a reputation for a party island, Mykonos seemed quieter, more peaceful, and overall less hectic than Santorini. Except for Mykonos town, which swarms with people at any time of day, if you stay in one of the many beautiful resorts on the island you’ll be able to enjoy some quiet time.
Sunset in Mykonos
Choose Santorini If…
…You Are Looking for a Romantic Location
Santorini is famous for being an idilic island with one-of-a-kind views, amazing sunsets and unique architecture. If you are looking for a stunning place to spend your honeymoon or a romantic weekend, this is the island to choose.
Beautiful view of the caldera in Santorini
The island’s unique architecture, whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches and luxurious amenities, create a very romantic atmosphere. The combination of these factors makes Santorini a popular destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway or honeymoon.
… You Seek to Take Great Photos
Due to its unique and visually striking landscape, abundant natural light and vibrant colors, Santorini is an ideal place for taking stunning photos. The iconic whitewashed buildings, dramatic cliffs, and volcanic caldera offer endless opportunities for captivating images.
… You Like Spectacular Views
I think Santorini is one of those places that you don’t find anywhere else on earth. The island offers stunning views of the caldera, romantic sunsets, and a more relaxed atmosphere.One of my favorite memories was finding a quiet restaurant in the outskirts of Fira and just sitting there soaking up the view of the shimmering water in the caldera.
Spectacular views in Santorini
… You Want to See Minoan Ruins
If you have an interest in prehistoric ruins, Santorini offers quite a few interesting sights. The most important one is Akrotiri archeological site, which might not look as impressive as the Parthenon, but it’s mind-blowing if you consider it is 3600 years old.
Akrotiri archeological site
Once a Minoan Bronze Age settlement, Akrotiri was preserved by a volcanic eruption that covered the town in ash around 1600 BCE. This eruption effectively sealed the site, creating a time capsule that has allowed for the remarkable preservation of buildings, streets, and artifacts, offering a unique glimpse into Minoan life.
There are also the classic greek ruins of Ancient Thera, which are worth exploring.
Mykonos vs Santorini: Accessibility
… From the Mainland
Both Mykonos and Santorini are easily accessible from Greece’s mainland, either by plane or by ferry. although Santorini is slightly farther away from Athens than Mykonos, there isn’t much of a difference when it comes to flight times (about 50 minutes from Athens). However, if you decide to go by ferry, expect a longer ferry ride from Athens to Santorini (5-8 hours).
Ferryboat between the islands
… Accessibility Within Each Island
When it comes to traveling within each island, Mykonos and Santorini differ quite a bit. If you travel by car you’ll find it easier to drive in Mykonos than in Santorini, which is perched on a cliff. Also, although both islands have an extensive bus system, it’s much easier to take busses and taxis in Mykonos than in Santorini – where transferring is necessary every time. Transfers in Santorini take place in the town of Oia and the time you spend on a bus starts to add up.
Donkeys are often used for moving people from the coast to the elevated villages in Santorini
Also, due to the challenging terrain in Santorini, donkeys and mules are often used for moving people and supplies from the coast to the elevated regions where most villages are located.
Mikonos vs Santorini: Costs
In terms of costs, both islands are tourist hotspots so it’s no surprise that Mykonos and Santorini are both very expensive. When it comes to lodging, depending on the type of accommodation you choose you’ll pay more in Mykonos for a luxury hotel than in Santorini. However, both islands are renowned for their outrageously expensive prices for food and drinks.
Expensive boutiques in Mykonos
Nonetheless, you don’t have to break the bank to visit Santorini or Mykonos mainly because both island are relatively small and you won’t need to stay longer than 3 nights on either one of them. Besides, unless you want to eat in one of the prime location restaurants like Oia and Paradise Beach, it’s easy to find more affordable alternatives outside these areas.
Main beach in Mykonos town
Mykonos vs Santorini: Crowds
As a general observation, both Santorini and Mykonos are very crowded islands. But although much smaller, Mykonos feels less congested than Santorini, especially outside the main towns. But even Mikonos town, the island’s biggest attraction, seems less crowded because it’s wider and has many alleys, piazzas and places to visit.
Oia Town
Santorini on the other hand, is famous for its iconic caldera views and unique architecture. Unfortunately, these qualities attract huge crowds, especially during the summer months or when cruise ships dock here as well. The island’s two big attractions – Fira and Oia – hang up on the mountain side and the only way of visiting them is by walking the narrow strip at the top of the Santorini caldera.
So Which One to Choose: Mykonos, or Santorini?
Between the two, my preferred island was Mykonos – but Santorini is one of those places that you don’t find anywhere else on earth. So deciding which one would be a better choice for you depends on what you hope to get out of your vacation. I hope this guide can help you get an idea of these two islands!
