Author: seangeismann

Spain

How to Travel to Granada and Malaga

Post author By seangeismann
Post date December 25, 2022

Andalucia- a stunning location with amazing food, people, views, and history. A true backpacker’s location.

Background

I decided to solo travel to Granada and Malaga for a week in mid-December. This is the best time of the year to visit this hot destination. Malaga is the easiest, cheapest, and closest route to take when visiting Granada via plane. The two cities are perfect to combine into one trip. I recommend following my tips on this journey if you are planning a trip to southern Spain. In general, Andalucía, Spain is an ideal backpacking destination with rich culture and amazing people!

This guide will give you knowledge when planning your budget travel to the Andalucia region of Spain. If you are looking to save money while also exploring the world, this the perfect guide for you. I will describe how to get from place to place, where to stay, and some must-see attractions.

Things to do in Malaga on a budget

Malaga is a nice well-connected city. I used stayed in Malaga for one night before catching a bus to Granada the next morning. It is a large city with tons to do, so I recommend setting some time aside when planning your Andalucia travel itinerary. The following sections are some of the fun things that you can also do in Malaga on a budget.

Playa de la Malagueta

I recommend this beach in Malaga. However, because it is the closest beach to the city center, I’m sure it is overcrowded in the summer as everyone flocks to the beach. It is a very nice place to be in the evening. There is a rock terrace that you can walk out on and take in the view of the city as the sun illuminates the colorful buildings.

Malaga Park

Malaga Park is a pretty park between the city center and the beach. The park has different types of trees that provide cool shade. It is unique because the trees and plants that grow in this park are not native, but it almost seems like they were.

Mercado Central de Atarazanas

This is the famous food market in Malaga. You have likely heard about this as you begin forming your itinerary. I think it is worth checking out, at least from a broke backpacker’s perspective, because the price of food in the market is reasonable.

Alcazaba

The Alcazaba is the lower of the two monuments that share a hill above the Mediterranean and the city of Malaga. The structure is amazing, and I recommend bringing a pair of headphones because there is a QR at the entrance that leads through each station and explains the infrastructure and where the material came from. It costs only 2.50€ to enter the monument and 1.50€ for students!

Castillo de Gibralfaro

This is the highest of the two monuments mentioned in the last section. I did not have the time to visit this, but it seems amazing. It is also only 2.50€ to enter and 1.50€ as a student.

Things to do in Granada on a budget

Granada is my favorite city in all of southern Spain. The bulk of your travel to this region could easily be spent in this ancient city. The following sections will give you an idea for some things to do while on a budget in Granada.

Dehesa del Generallife

This is a beautiful park that you can hike through. It is situated above the Alhambra. Give yourself about 3 to 4 hours to thoroughly enjoy it. There are so many beautiful views of the city, mountains, vineyards, and valleys. There is even a pinnacle point where you can see all these things simultaneously!

East-facing from highest point in park Dehesa del Generalife

Guejar Sierra

This little town just 35 minutes east of Granada should be at the top of your list. You can catch bus 0935 which runs from the Granada Bus Station. You can find a list of all the departure times throughout the day.

If you want to visit the Sierra Nevada Mountain range without having to trek in the snow, this is a beautiful alternative. The trail is marked by green and yellow paint. However, it sounds easier than it is… the area is not heavily trafficked, so the trails are very difficult to follow. Do not even bother using AllTrails for this area. You will start somewhere near the Fuente de Los 18 Canos (19160 Guejar Sierra, Granada, Spain).

After this all-day hike, I recommend taking a glass of wine (and tapas of course) at Bar Casa Maria located right next to the Guejar Sierra Bus Station number 2.

Alhambra

The Alhambra was so amazing that I dedicated an entire section of this article to it. Dive into the inspiration further down.

Albaicin Neighborhood

With so many cultural influences in Granada, the city ranges heavily based on those influences. I recommend wandering into each region of the city to grasp the differences. The Arabic neighborhoods just north of the Alhambra are particularly unique. I recommend wandering into the Albaicin neighborhood to understand the length of the difference between typical Spanish cities and Granada. Here, you will find white-washed buildings with a hint of sky blue. You will also find numerous small bars and restaurants advertising their nightly Flamenco dance shows.

Tapas in Granada

Tapas in Granada are famous. Tapas originated in the Andalucía region and Granada is at the heart of the region. When you order an alcoholic beverage in almost every restaurant or bar in Granada, you will receive a little appetizer. This is not just bread or crackers… this will feed you for the night. A glass of wine will also not cost you more than 3€. This means a small plate and a wine for only 3€.

This concept amazed me. Never in my life have I traveled to a place that is cheaper to eat at a restaurant than to go grocery shopping. There are over 2,000 restaurants and bars in Granada, so it is hard to pick out which ones to recommend. All I can say is that I went to the following locations, and they all satisfied: Papas Elivera, Pizzeria La Esquina Argentina, Bar Casa Maria, Bar El Autentico,

General rules with tapas in Granada:

Go with a group of at least 2

At times, it is too much for the bar to fire a grill just for one person to order a drink. Keep this in mind and do not take it personally!

Get at least 2 drinks at each place

Every time you order another drink, a new tapa will come to the table. Try the different options! They vary. Some bars that I experienced even brought 4 different plates out! Truly amazing.

Do not sit yourself an hour or nearer to closing time

I did this. She was angry. Never again.

Pay in cash

Because it is so cheap, the cost of using credit does not balance out nicely. It is also detrimental to the local business you are supporting due to unfavorable transaction fees.

Order in Spanish!

Like any non-English speaking country in West Europe, they will appreciate if you at least try and order your drink and food in Spanish. Follow this basic guide for everything you need to know about ordering in Spanish.

How to get around Malaga and Granada on a budget

Metro in Malaga

There are two lines that run via the metro in Malaga. The C1 line (blue) is the one you will likely use when flying to Malaga. It connects the airport to the city center. It only costs around 1.50€ for a one-way ticket.

Atra buses from Malaga to Granada and back

This is generally the cheapest way to travel between the two popular destinations. A train would cost about twice the price. The buses appear every 5 or 10 minutes. If you want to beat this price, download BlaBla Car, a ride-share app that is truly the cheapest form of transportation. It is also commonly used throughout this region.

The bus system in Granada and the surrounding area

The buses in Granada are amazing. Keep in mind that as of December 2022 (when I visited) there was still a mask mandate in place for public transportation. You will not be able to enter the bus without a mask. It is much cheaper to buy your reusable ticket at a bus stop kiosk. Do not buy the tickets on the bus as they nearly double in price. But, if you need to, bring only coins to pay for it. The bus driver will turn you away if you have any bills larger than a 10.

Visiting the Alhambra in Granada

The Alhambra began construction in 1238 and is still one of the most significant cultural sites in the world. It has stunning views from the outside, but nothing beats the intricacies on the inside. It looks like a completely different place. It is also interesting that none of the artwork in the palace has pictures. It is all sculpted in Arabic writing. It is impossible to explain just how unique this place is. Due to its vastness, I will explain the best parts, in my opinion, of each section of the monument.

Generalife

Generalife is famous for its perfect gardens. This well-kept gem cools off the hot air with its fancy hedges and perfectly trimmed landscape. The garden is littered with oranges that have fallen from the orange trees. The garden leads to the Escalera del Agua and other interesting palace rooms. This is a great area to start your day, as it gets more exciting from here. Gorgeous, nonetheless.

Torre de la Vela

This is the fortress that covers the front part of the palace. It is amazing how well-kept it remained. At the top of the fortress, you will be blessed with the best views of the city and the surrounding landscape. If you time your visit correctly, you will be able to catch an absolutely stunning sunset at the top. On the way to the top, I recommend paying attention to the old ruins of Barrio Cantanerse.

Palacios Nazaries

I saved the best for last. Due to the popularity of the palace, you must schedule a time to enter. It honestly helped with cue times, so it was not a problem. Give yourself at least an hour and a half to properly explore the rooms of the palace.

The intricacies of each of the rooms are just amazing. Some of the rooms that I enjoyed the most were Patio de los Leones and Patio de Lindaraja. When you enter the rooms, you will soon realize that you have seen them on a postcard before.

Recommended Accommodations

Malaga – The Lights Hostel

This hostel is located right in the city center. It is a good location if you plan on going out for the night. This hostel invites friendly characters. There are not many long stayers, so it is perfect for meeting some friends for a few nights! The rooftop terrace is also splendid. I only paid 20€ for one night.

Granada – Oasis Backpackers Hostel

This is my favorite hostel of all time! very comfy and perfectly located about a 20-minute walk from Alhambra. What made it special were the cool people that are attracted to a place like this. I met some people who have been to that exact hostel 3 to 4 times before! That has to say something. The price of a single night here was only 18€.

Conclusion

Granada and Malaga are some of the best backpacking destinations in Europe. As I traveled here by myself, I would recommend doing the same. There is an opportunity to meet people here within the hostel life or meet someone on a hiking trail. Give yourself at least a week here! There is truly so much to do and see.

Traveling to Riomaggiore on a Budget

Post author By seangeismann
Post date December 17, 2022
2 Comments on Traveling to Riomaggiore on a Budget

Famous Riomaggiore shot located in the Cinque Terre, Italy — Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore- the perfect adventure for an adventurer or a lounger. Explore the sea-side wine region with a fun hike.

Background

Riomaggiore is one of the 5 little towns scattered along the beautiful Ligurian Sea coast. The entire area is called the Cinque Terre, which translates to 5 fingers. The Cinque Terre is known for its wine production, natural landscapes, and gorgeous cliff-side towns. Riomaggiore is conveniently located close to the larger city of La Spezia. It is by far the most lively of the 5 towns with a beautiful beach and plenty of places to eat and shop along Via Colombo. It is also the town with the most accommodations. We ultimately decided to stay in Riomaggiore because it is had the cheapest accommodation.

Caitlyn and I visited Riomaggiore in mid-august, the busiest time of the year to visit the Cinque Terre. This was an initial concern of ours. If you decide to go here during the summer, I recommend following my recommendations quite closely, as we did everything we could to get away from the crowds (and prices)!

Recommended things to do

Hike between the 5 towns

If you like a challenging, but rewarding hike, the Riomaggiore to Monterosso hike is a necessity for your trip. The nice part about the hike is that you can start anywhere you want to! It takes you through all 5 towns. Depending on the day you are planning to visit, the ferries run almost non-stop during daylight hours between the 5 towns. Since we stayed in Riomaggiore, the furthest southern town, we set foot at 10am and reached Monterosso, the furthest town, at about 5:30pm. The elevation gain is a challenging 990m. It gets very hot in the summer, but there are water stations littered throughout the trail. I recommend that if it is taking you longer than expected, that you should hike to the closest town and take the ferry back to your town. This hike is also easy to get to if you are staying in Genoa, La Spezia, or other nearby cities. I recommend stopping in every town you can! Each one has its own feel to it. Stop for a sandwich or a coffee to immerse briefly before returning to the trial.

You can find the link to the specific hike here.

Hike to the top and bottom of each town

Since each town is positioned on a cliff, the views of the colorful buildings vary based on how you see them. The cliffs surrounding the towns are cool, but the real attraction here is the unique style of the homes and the colors that blend into the cliffs and the Mediterranean. Find every viewpoint! You will realize that you have never taken so many pictures of one place as you have here. Specifically Manarola, Riomaggiore, and Corniglia were our favorites.

If you are staying in Riomaggiore, the best views for sunset (most of the year) is at the Castello di Riomaggiore. Caitlyn and I hiked a pizza up here and sat at the benches overlooking the sea. This was one of the best moments of our trip and we recommend it to anyone seeking a romantic picnic spot.

Mediterranean view from Castello di Riomaggiore

Take a wine tour or tasting

The wine in this region is particularly interesting because they water their vineyards with Mediterranean Sea water. This gives the grapes a crisp flavor. The Cinque Terre has an extremely underrated wine reputation. If end up hiking between the towns, you will see plenty of vineyards particularly between Manarola and Corniglia.

Go swimming

We spent a lot of our time cooling off at the Spiaggia di Riomaggiore. It is not a huge beach, and because it is a free beach, expect it to be very crowded in summer months. [insert picture].

We also recommend swimming off the concrete of Manarola. We did not end up doing this ourselves, but plenty of people were laying down with towels, and jumping off the rocks into the water. If we stayed in Manarola, we would have spent all afternoon here.

Note: the Spiaggione di Corniglia looks like a great option on Google maps, but it actually closed! Do not make the same mistakes we did!

Recommended Places

Gheme

This was a cute wine bar right on Via Colombo in Riomaggiore. We recommend it because the ladies that work here are passionate about their local wine and love explaining it to us. You must come here if you want to try the local underrated wine. Also make sure to book a reservation!

Old School Cocktails and Food

This is a perfect place to sit outside from an elevated view. We came here just for a quick drink, but we could have stayed here all day.

Primo Piatto

If you want to save money and not eat out for a night, come here for some tasty take-away pizzas. Very kind staff with a conveniently located shop.

Traveling to Riomaggiore on a Budget

Accommodation

Riomaggiore is considerably more expensive than many other Italian vacation spots. We recommend biting the bullet and pay more to stay in the towns. They come alive at night and they look beautiful as the street lights reflect off the buildings. If you want to experience Riomaggiore by day, stay in La Spezia or Genoa for less than half the price for accommodation. The Cinque Terre requires a tourist tax of 20 Euros per person per night.

Eating out

There are affordable options for eating out for dinner in Riomaggiore. The general rule with these towns is to eat far away from the water. The further you go down towards the water, the more expensive the menus get. If you truly want a cheap experience, buy a take-out pizza and a bottle of wine and indulge at the beach or a viewpoint for the priceless sunsets.

Take hikes!

The surrounding mountains and villages are amazing! The more you hike, the less money you spend on shopping or other pointless things. You absolutely need to hike when you are here.

To be brief, The Cinque Terre is an expensive location in essence, but there are ways to evade high costs. nonetheless this area is one of our favorites in all of Italy!

Conclusion

Riomaggiore is the perfect town to stay in when looking in the Cinque Terre. The activities in this region are extensive, so anyone can enjoy it. Although the Cinque Terre is pricy compared to other Italian destinations, there are plenty of cost-cutting alternatives. Check out the video below from an informative vlog called Perfect Little Planet:

Italy

Traveling to Venice on a Budget

Post author By seangeismann
Post date August 23, 2022

Venice- the perfect city to aimlessly wander and explore. With so much to offer, you will find yourself lost in these beautifully preserved streets.

Background – the journey

Caitlyn and I spent 2 full days wandering the endless tight walkways and picturesque canals of Venice. The city is notably old, dating back to the sixth century. The Republic of Venice at the time was the center of international trade and controlled heaths of fortune. The history of wealth is apparent in the fancy architecture and modern fashion shops. It is a special place with rich history and a unique culture.

We stayed at the Anda Venice, a large multi-storied hostel that has a fun night life. It was affordable because it is situated in the west of the city and off the main touristy area of the countless islands. When traveling to Venice, keep in mind that the train runs from the city center to Venezia Maestra for only 3 Euros. We recommend staying in this area because of the price. Anda Venice is only a 5-minute walk from the train station.

Venice is one of the best places to aimlessly wander. I recommend getting lost in the cozy streets of this gorgeous city.

Recommended places

1. La Tana di Oberix

It is only fair to start this list off with a food suggestion. La Tana di Oberix is a small restaurant located 5 minutes from the Venezia. It is known for its Bolognese and meat dishes. This is not a good place to eat for our vegan and vegetarian friends.

2. Bar Rosa

If you want a quick Aperol Spritz to cool off from walking, check out Bar Rosa. There are many places like this one, so do not prioritize this recommendation. This recommendation will satisfy your pockets with only 3 Euro drinks.

3. La Lista Venezia

La Lista is a nice place to eat if you follow our recommendation of staying in the neighborhood near Venezia Maestra. It is right across the street from the station, making it quite convenient. We liked this place for its unique menu. It is reasonably priced, but not the cheapest option.

4. Chiesa di San Zaccaria

This Gothic-styles church stunning. Once you enter, you get a dark feeling. There are many art pieces in this church from the famous Bellini. This place surprised us with its beauty and uniqueness.

5. St Mark’s Campanile

The Campanile sits inside the Piazza San Marco. We recommend paying the 10 Euro fee to take an elevator to the top. If you are a view seeker, this should be at the top of your list. You can take a beautiful 360-view video of the entire city. Keep in mind that due to its popularity, prepare to wait in a que of at least 30 minutes.

6. Audio tour of Piazza San Marco

This recommendation is pivotal to the experience you are abour to have in Venice. Rick Steve’s Audio guides immerse the listeners into a place. If you value the cultural significance that history plays in Venice, follow this link to download the audio guide.

7. Libreria Acqua Alta

You have probably heard of this famous library on other blogs and videos, but we think it is worth inclusion because of its uniqueness. It is a library that has flooded so many times, that they now use the drenched books as protection. It is nice, but expect a que to enter the store due to its popularity.

Others

Campo Manin- quite square with and historical landmark.

Parco Delle Rimembranze- pretty park on the north part of the city with trees and water.

How to Travel to Venice on a budget

Venice surprised us with its affordability. However, it is easy to get caught in tourist traps. Just follow these simple rules:

Never eat at a restaurant next to a canal!
Never pay more than 3 Euros for an Aperol Spritz!
Avoid restaurants with menus that have pictures!
Never rent a hotel/hostel on the island!
The further you wander; the cheaper things get!

Keep in mind that starting in January 2023 the City of Venice is requiring a 10 EUR entrance fee to everyone… even day trippers! This is the first city in the world to implement a ticketing system to enter.

Costa Rica

Our Journey Through Costa Rica

Post author By seangeismann
Post date June 9, 2022

El Miro, Jaco — El Miro in Jaco, Costa Rica

Costa Rica- a dreamy adventure paradise that has something for everyone. It is truly a beautiful country with so many hidden gems.

Background

Caitlyn and I wanted a beach and mountain experience for our summer trip. We wanted to travel somewhere that offered a little bit of everything. We also wanted to visit a Spanish-speaking country to practice our Spanish. It was also the first country we really set out and explored ourselves. Costa Rica is perfect for this. We rented a car and had 8 full days to take in as much as we could.

Journey

We started off by renting a car from the Juan Santamaria Aeropuerto for roughly $100 per day. They upsold us hard because of the supposed rough road conditions. We ended up buying every protection plan available. We were also traveling during rainy season and road floods are a problem in the country. We rented a little Tiga.
When we picked the car up, it started to torrentially downpour. We knew it was rainy season, but I have never seen such a crazy sight. We were also right in the valley of San Jose and the whole city was flooding. It was 3pm and got dark at 5pm, so we continued through the storm. we had a 2-hour drive through the mountains to achieve before sundown. Our goal was to arrive in Bajos Del Toro before it got dark. The most amazing feeling in the world was getting out of the flooded city in a little Tiga and to be greeted with a beautiful sunset in the mountains of Bajos Del Toro.

We woke up to clear skies, but we knew it would not be like that all day. We got up at the crack of dawn to hit a few local hikes. Everything in this town did not open until 9am, so we ended up hiking a few miles through this neighborhood. This town is a hidden gem with untouched landscapes. After breakfast we wanted to hike one of beautiful waterfalls of this area. We chose the Tesoro Escondido (translated to hidden treasure). Caitlyn and I agreed it was one of the most beautiful sights either of us have ever experienced.

At the end of the hike, the afternoon storms started to set in, so we headed to our next destination: La Fortuna

After a 2.5 hour drive to La Fortuna, the rain was not letting up. We chose this area for the famous Arenal volcano. Unfortunately we barely got to see the mountain. We arrived at the Airbnb around dinner time, so we walked to a local restaurant for some chiliguaro shots and a traditional Costa Rican dinner. We woke up to more rain in the morning, but that did not scare us away from hitting a nature walk. We went on a trail called “Sloth Watching Trail” for about $10 per person. It was an extra $10 for a guided tour to tell you where to look for the sloths, but we are budget travelling (would actually recommend paying the fee to get a tour). After the hike we went back to the home to decide our next move for the day. We decided to ball out and go to one of the famous hot spring resorts in town. We went to Baldi Hot Springs Resort for drinks and relaxation. We do not recommend this if you are budget traveling, as the drinks cost $10 each. It was pretty cool though because it was at the base of the Arenal volcano during a lightning storm. No one seemed to care though, so we stayed in the water and watched the bolts strike the mountain above us. Very cool experience. We woke up the next day with a half day left to explore the rest of La Fortuna. We heard from a local that there was a free natural hot spring in a river. It is called the Tabacon free hot spring on Google maps.

After a swim at the Tabacon free hot spring, we made our way through the back country roads and through the mountains. Our next destination was the mountain town of Monteverde. This place is a must-see in Costa Rica, however it is not a cheap spot. All of the outdoor activities are privately owned and cost a fair amount. We avoided the popular spots like the Skybridge park to keep to our budget. We did however pay only $20 per person to have a private tour for a night hike through the rain forest. We recommend this as a move if you are not deathly afraid of spiders (they are everywhere)! Eating out in Monteverde is not a cheap activity, either. We recommend hitting a corner store for smaller eats to keep on budget.

On our way to the Pacific coast from Monteverde, we stopped at a little family coffee farm. It was the coolest tour either of us have been on. It was such a personable experience. There are so many of these farms that you can tour when in this region of the country. Costa Rican climate is perfect for coffee, so we recommend taking advantage and buying a few local bags to take home. We did the El Cafetal Coffee Tour.

After the tour we made our way to the moderately-known beach town of Jaco. Jaco is a budget-friendly surf town. We went at the end of July which was rainy season, so it was not considered as crowded as we heard it gets there. During the winter months we do not recommend coming here because it gets very touristy. Jaco is amazing because of the natural attractions that surround the town. One of the places we explored one morning was the El Miro. We also explored the sticky rainforest of Parque Nacional Carara. On the way to this park check out the Crocodile bridge, which hangs over the River Tarcoles.

An absolute must-do in Jaco is get affordable surfing lessons. We had never been surfing before and we met this guy whose son offers surfing lessons for only $40 per person for around 4 hours of lessons. It is exhausting, but well worth it. Jaco is famous for its surfing. The surfing culture bleeds into the small town of Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco. Our surf instructor told us that he was competing in this competition that night (our last night) in Playa Hermosa. We decided to check it out. This was the perfect way for our trip to end. Little did we know that Playa Hermosa turned into an amazing night life spot. We hung out at the bar called Vida Hermosa for at least 4 hours. We started by watching the competition. When all of the surfers were done, it turned into a huge party. They have “Sunday Funday” every Sunday with a DJ and cool lights. We wish we could have stayed longer.

After hanging at Playa Hermosa all Sunday, we made our way back to San Jose for our early flight out in the morning.

Recommended Places- Magnification

1. El Miro
  
  This short hike is the south part of town. it is a beautiful observation area of an abandoned mansion. It is littered with street art and graffiti. The art ranges in styles and is obviously professionally done. This was like a free entry to a beautiful art exhibit. Look out for the huge spiders that you are almost guaranteed to encounter here.
2. El Cafetal Coffee Tour
  
  We took a tour around this small property that had at least 10000000 growing things in their yard. It is so cool how anything can grow in this country. After exploring their yard, we came across their coffee growing operation. I did not realize how much sunlight, moisture, and soil types influence the taste of a coffee bean. This property seemed to have perfected the diversification of coffee beans, as we tried many different types. This specific property was very hard to find, as we were at least an hour from a bar of cell service. To continue our journey forward, we had to ask for verbal directions. Plan this out ahead of time to save yourself the stress!3.
3. Tesoro Escondido
  
  This is an absolute must-see waterfall hike. It is so far out of the way that you are guaranteed to have it to yourself. It is a property that is privately owned. We had to pay the American fee (aka gringo tax) of $15 per person. I guess my Spanish was not good enough to get the local price! Either way it was entirely worth every cent. The property offers 3 main hikes. One section takes you to an overlook on top of a mountain. This is a must-see on a clear day. It also only takes about 30 minutes to add this part of the hike. Another hike on the property is called the Emerald Pools. It is a hike that follows the flowing water from the big waterfall all the way down to these quaint little blue pools. Very cool. The grand finale of the hike is the waterfall. This is the coolest waterfall that I had ever experienced.
4. Parque Nacional Carara
  
  This nationally protected area is full of wildlife and big lizards. Out of all the hikes we did in Costa Rica, this area was the richest in biodiversity. So many cool frogs, lizards, monkeys, and even crocodiles! We considered it a requirement to wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and even a long-sleeved shirt. This is because every bug in this forest is trying to suck your blood.

United States

How to Travel to Portland on a Budget

Post author By seangeismann
Post date June 9, 2022

Portland- A fascinating city that is completely different from any other US city. Travel here to grasp the strength of local business and a tight community.

Background

Caitlyn and I went to Portland for our Christmas gifts to each other. We spent 3 full days roaming the city and discovering its identity. We can agree that there is no place quite like Portland. I mean this in both good and bad ways. Portland is a perfect city to eat, drink, and bike around. It has so many hidden breweries, bars, bowling alleys, shops, and cafes. The layout of the city is brilliant. The infrastructure in the city is a uniformed 200 by 200-foot blocks, making it super simple for walking and biking everywhere. This also allows for small businesses to thrive because the buildings are not big enough for big-box stores. We had the perfect time taking advantage of these benefits and walked everywhere we went.

The city also has a downside. In 2021, the city allowed for tents to be pitched by anyone and anywhere in the city. This sounds like a beautiful idea for the less fortunate people of our society, but it has negative repercussions for the majority of the residents. It created a very dirty city center. Many blocks of the city have been taken over by tents and they become unwalkable. We read that Portland was an “unsafe” place at night, but we only met kind people. It probably depends on where exactly you are in the city, but from our experience, these tents did not create an unsafe feeling to the city. Do not let this factor deter you from visiting Portland, as every large city has the same issue in some sense. Find out about how to travel to Portland on a budget!

Favorite Activities

The absolute best thing to do in Portland is hop around all day trying its food, beer, and donuts. The city is rich in food culture and the beer is the backbone to Portland society. I recommended some local places to check out in the section below.

The famous sport clothing company, Nike, started its fame in Portland and you can definitely tell. You can rent a BikeTown bike in every other block. All you have to do is create a Lyft account and connect the bike to the app. They are slightly motorized, so you are not working as hard as you would on a traditional bike. We picked these bikes up and rode them across the city to another park station. They are commonly used by people of Portland.

Some of the coolest natural urban parks I have ever been to have been in Portland. The city does a good job at maintaining their public spaces that surround the city. they are a little bit out of the way, but the TriMet bus system takes you to any park in the city. These parks are lush with green and flowers. They are also littered with Redwood trees (which was a nice surprise).

Recommended Places

Restaurants/brewers

The Toffee Club & Away Days Brewing (106 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214)

This little spot is a brewery on one end, and nice pub restaurant on the other. They serve the best British nitro beers I have ever had. The restaurant is known for showing European football games, so they serve brunch for early morning games. We went in the afternoon and has some tasty appetizers.

Cartopia (1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214)

This is one of Portland’s many food-truck courts. They have little fire pits outside that are covered for when it gets cold at night. This one specifically was close to our Airbnb, so we visited for food often.

Pine State Biscuits (1100 SE Division St #100, Portland, OR 97202)

This place is super famous and you probably have heard about it on another blog. We went to check out the hype. Prepare to not feel very good after going here, as it is super filling. It was worth it. It reminded me of the Denver Biscuit Company. It is very busy (especially on weekends) so prepare to take your food to-go.

Grand Central Bowl & Arcade (808 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214)

This place is kind of pricy, but a lot of fun. They only have 10 or so lanes, so make sure to make reservations. The food is also pretty good.

HOME, A Bar (719 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214)

If you are looking for a local spot where locals go when they get off work, go here. Super friendly environment. It is just another little divey bar, however we met some of the coolest people in Portland here. They gave us recommendations and were overall just real people. If you’re looking for a local experience, go here.

Creepy’s (627 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214)

Creepy’s really engulfs the eerie side of Portland. It is a dive bar with basic cocktails, but the aroma is strange and … Creepy. I was entertained by the decorations they had up in this place. Super weird and even weirder people.

Helium Comedy Club (1510 SE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97214)

Go to Helium Comedy Club if you want a cheap comedy experience. We bought $10 tickets and had a blast. This is a true local activity.

Outdoor Activities

Hoyt Arboretum

The Hoyt Arboretum was probably the coolest of the outdoor spots we went to. You can take the train from the central district to the park. It takes you on an underground tunnel and then you can take an elevator to the ground level. Pretty neat experience getting there. It is very accessible, but also out of the way. This park had so many huge trees. They had recently built the “Redwood Deck” and it is a must see inside of the park. It overlooks countless Redwood trees. It was a mini redwood forest. You can spend all day getting lost in this park. It is even cooler when it is raining.

Portland Japanese Gardens

This is in the same area as the Zoo, Hoyt, and other attractions. We thought it would be cool to see some of Portland’s famous gardens. This was the funniest mistake of our trip. Remember, we went in February. Tulips do not grow in the middle of the winter in the Pacific Northwest. However, I added this to the list because it is a must-see are of the city that is well-kept and gorgeous (with or without flowers)

Red Fox trail (1843-1889 Boca Ratan Dr, Lake Oswego, OR 97034)

This area of Portland is well out of the way, but still only a short bus ride to access. The trails start right next to the Lewis and Clark College. We walked around the campus and into the forest next to it. The hike is gorgeous, and we forgot that we were in Portland. Absolutely must see this because no one else is doing it.

Multnomah Falls

This is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. With that, comes loads of people. We went in February and still ran into crowds of people. Nonetheless it is a must-see if you are in Portland. We took an hour-long bus from the city center to the outskirts of the city. I recommend that when visiting to follow the trail behind the waterfall. The trail is paved from top to bottom of the falls, but once at the top there is another trail that is less traveled. Give yourself 3ish hours to explore the entirety of this pretty area.

Traveling on a Budget to Portland

The best way to do this is get off the beaten path. Do not go to all of the most hyped up places in Portland. Do not get a $7 donut every morning just because you hear the Portland is famous for donuts. The reality of it is that there are fancy donut places in every big city. The coffee is also kind of over priced. There is nothing special about the coffee itself, but the cafes are kind of fun to check out.

Do NOT take a Uber, Lyft, or taxi anywhere. The public transit (TriMet) pass for a day is around only $5 for the day. You can get anywhere in the city in under 45 minutes using public transit. You will see what I am talking about when you are there. It is amazing.

Always stay in a local Airbnb. When trying to find a cool neighborhood to stay in, remember that every neighborhood has its share of bars, pubs and strip clubs. Try to find a cheap Airbnb, and it will work out no matter what part of the city you are staying in.

Conclusion

Portland is a city like none other. This well-designed city is perfect for a nice weekend trip. This article provides various places to within Portland and how to travel here on a budget. With countless bars, restaurants, and entertainment, you will never be bored with the city’s offerings. Travel to Portland if you want to experience small-business America.

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