Royal Palace of Madrid

Your Guide To Visiting The Royal Palace of Madrid

***Please note that this Guide To Visiting The Royal Palace of Madrid will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date dining scene. This travel guide was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

During our bestie European adventure to Spain and Portugal Shivani and I spent our first leg of it in Madrid, Spain (which I outline our full experiences on more here and where we stayed here!). While there, we visited the well-known and largest royal palace in all of Europe: The Royal Palace of Madrid. Truly, visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid was such an incredible experience and a fun one, too! As someone who proudly calls herself a grand millennial, visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid was a worthy choice for our time in Madrid. 

In this blog post, I will outline how to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, so that your dreams of being in the same place as many Spanish royals in the past do come true. 

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Pink Chickadee.*

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Your Guide To Visiting The Royal Palace of Madrid 

Royal Palace of Madrid entry

Table of Contents

About The Royal Palace of Madrid

Getting There

Opening Hours & Admission

Know Before You Go

Points of Interest

About The Royal Palace of Madrid:

Constructed in 1735, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family. Today, it is primarily used for state ceremonies, official receptions, and state dinners but not for royal living quarters. With over 1,450,000 square footage and 3,418 rooms, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the largest royal palaces in the world. Annually, the Royal Palace of Madrid receives over 2 million visitors from all across the world who take in its royal baroque and classical architecture style. 

Getting There:

Walking at Royal Palace of Madrid

Address: C. de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain

Although Shivani and I walked due to our hotel’s close proximity to the Royal Palace of Madrid, it is worth noting that there are a few options that visitors have to get there besides walking. Although I won’t outline in-depth the ways in which you can navigate public transportation and getting around Madrid, this excellent resource from the Royal Palace of Madrid’s website has the most up-to-date information on doing so. 

  • Bus 
  • Metro
  • Train 
  • Taxi 
  • Driving 

Opening Hours & Admission:

The Royal Palace of Madrid’s opening hours are as follows:

  • Monday-Saturday (access until 5pm): 10am-6pm
  • Sunday (access until 3pm): 10am-4pm
  • Free entry to the palace is offered Monday-Thursday: 4pm-6pm

**Note: While free entry to the palace is an excellent option for any visitor, it is worth noting that you must get in a line for free entry and arrive 1 hour-90 minutes before free entry begins to ensure you are able to get in and fully enjoy it before it closes. Although we did not do the free entry option for visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, we did do free entry for another museum in Madrid on a free entry day and have learned from other fellow visitors’ experiences that this is typically the case. 

The Royal Palace of Madrid’s adjacent garden’s opening hours are as follows:

  • Daily: 10am-6pm

In addition to free entry Monday-Thursday, there are also multiple ways to get admission to the Royal Palace of Madrid through Get Your Guide which offers skip the line tickets, guided tours, and entry tickets valid throughout the day in which visitors choose to go. In addition to pre-reserved tickets, visitors can purchase tickets onsite upon arrival at the Royal Palace. I do recommend, if traveling during a peak season, to pre-book your tickets in advance to ensure you are able to go. 

In terms of accessibility and accommodations for everyone who visits the Royal Palace of Madrid, feel free refer to this resource from their website to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Know Before You Go:

In front of Royal Palace of Madrid

Before visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you have the best visit possible (from my own personal experience visiting):

  • If you have any larger bags (including Longchamp Le Pilage totes) and/or a backpack, you will be asked to check it into a secure locker onsite.
  • All visitors must go through security before entering into the palace’s interiors.
  • Cameras and phones for pictures are allowed, however, there is no flash photography permitted.
  • Be sure to keep in mind that there may be groups of visitors on guided tours while visiting the interiors of the Royal Palace of Madrid alongside visitors who are choosing a self—paced option. There will likely be multiple occasions in which there are a high volume of people. Hence, you must be prepared for the crowds!

Points of Interest:

Grand Staircase

There are several points of interest throughout the beautiful, opulent interiors of the Royal Palace of Madrid:

  • Main Staircase – The grand place that greets all who enter its doors! A two-level staircase with a statue of King Charles 111.
  • Throne Room – Features historic tapestries, red velvet, and sculptures from centuries’ past.
  • Royal Chapel – A baroque masterpiece that features religiously artwork.
  • Stradivarius Hall – Showcases opulent and exquisite musical instruments by Stradivari.
  • Gala Dining Room – Shows off opulent decor and is used for state banquets.

For more information on all of the highlights and rooms when visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, then look no further than this resource from the Royal Palace of Madrid’s website. Truly, this Spanish royal palace is one-of-a-kind!

Wrap-Up:

Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid

Having the opportunity to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid was truly a dream come true! As someone who was lucky enough to be able to tour Buckingham Palace in London in July 2018 during Queen Elizabeth 11’s reign, I have found myself falling in love with touring royal palaces all across Europe. And, one thing that reigns true about visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid is that it is, indeed, a bit more underrated than other European palaces, yet it is just as if not even more magnificent than them! If you are in Madrid, Spain, then I highly suggest adding a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid to your itinerary. You will not regret it!

XOXO – Katie <3 

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How To Plan The Perfect Lisbon To Sintra Day Trip Without A Car

***Please note that this Guide To Plan The Perfect Lisbon To Sintra Day Trip Without A Car will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date dining scene. This travel guide was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

When my bestie Shivani and I went on our two-week long trip through Spain and Portugal, the final leg of it was in Lisbon, Portugal. We spent 2 days in Lisbon (which I share more about here!) and knew that we wanted to live out our fairytale dreams by visiting Pena Palace in the nearby town of Sintra, Portugal. That all being said, we found ourselves planning a Lisbon to Sintra day trip without a car, as we navigated our trip via planes and trains and *a few* Ubers!

In this blog post, I will outline how to plan a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, given the options you have as a visitor without a rental car and which option we chose!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Your Guide To Planning The Perfect Lisbon To Sintra Day Trip Without A Car

This guide to planning a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip Without A Car is split up into the following sections: About Sintra, Portugal, Options for a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip, and My Personal Verdict.

Friends at Pena Palace

About Sintra, Portugal:

A princess moment at Pena Palace

Sintra is a fairytale-like town home to castles, including the well-known Pena Palace, located on the foothills of the Sintra Mountains within close proximity to Lisbon, Portugal. Sintra has been a long-time sanctuary and retreat for the Portuguese Royals and Nobles, hence the multiple castles – including Pena Palace, The Castle of the Moors, and the National Palace of Sintra – that call it home. Alongside its Lucious terrain and palaces to visit, downtown Sintra is known for its beautiful pastel-colored homes that look as if they’ve been taken out of a painting and brought to life. When in Sintra, not only are the multiple palaces and terrain worthwhile taking all in, but the town is also a wonderful place to enjoy a picturesque stroll, a coffee/glass of wine, and perhaps grab a souvenir for the road home.

For more information on visiting Sintra, Portugal and all that it has to offer, look no further than here.


 

How To Get From Lisbon To Sintra (Car-Free Options):

***It is worth noting that this blog post will focus on car-free options for your Sintra day trip! If renting a car though, Sintra is an excellent stop to add to your Portugal road trip experience. 

Besties at Pena palace

I will note that for Shivani and I’s Lisbon to Sintra day trip, we opted to use a tour group as we didn’t want to have to worry about navigating the public transportation system in Portugal. Full transparency: we were pretty tired on our final leg of our Spanish and Portuguese adventure and wanted to simply show up someplace hassle-free and have them show us around (I realized that I enjoy tour groups on occasion when abroad during my solo trip to Ireland!). I will share more on our tour group experience alongside other outlined options that are at your disposal for your Sintra day trip: 

Option 1: Taking the Train from Rossio or Oriente Stations

About: Starting at 3 Euros one-way, there are direct train options for your Lisbon to Sintra day trip via public transportation. The train ride lasts approximately 40 minutes and departs from either Rossio Station or Oriente Station in downtown Lisbon. This resource from the Portugal Tourism Guide outlines the timetables, schedule, and train ride experience from Lisbon to Sintra in more depth.

Keep in Mind: Like when using public transit in any other city, you will be getting your steps in when you take the train to Sintra. I say this as someone who lives in the Washington, DC area and finds myself navigating the public transportation system back at home on a regular basis! At the same time, the train tickets to/from Sintra are extremely cost-effective and will save you a lot of money. Just be sure to book all tickets to any palaces, including Pena Palace, with a reserved time slot that you want to visit before going or upon arrival and prepare to do LOTS of uphill walking all around Sintra. If you do decide to take the train to Sintra, then be sure to use the 434 Tourist Bus to get from Sintra’s train station to all of the palaces.

Option 2: Taking an Uber or Bolt

About: When I got in my Uber from the Lisbon airport, I had the friendliest Uber driver who shared with me his words of wisdom on Ubering to/from Sintra from Lisbon. He said that he had enjoyed taking visitors around Sintra from Lisbon on many occasions and said it was a wonderful option, too. He also mentioned that visitors can request that their Uber drivers wait X amount of time as they sightsee around Sintra and some of the palaces there. 

Keep in Mind: The drive from Lisbon to Sintra is approximately 30 minutes. Ubers are extremely cheap compared to the United States in both Porto and Lisbon in Portugal. Ubers cost approximately 20-25 Euros one-way from Lisbon to Sintra. Like with taking the train, be sure to book all tickets to any palaces, including Pena Palace, with a reserved time slot that you want to visit before going or upon arrival and prepare to do LOTS of uphill walking all around Sintra. 

Option 3: Joining a Small-Group Tour

About: Several tour groups offer Sintra small group tour day trips from Lisbon. The best part?!?! These small group tours will typically take care of the purchasing of admission tickets to palaces such as Pena Palace and will chauffeur you with a guide throughout the day. We opted to go with a tour through Modern Tours small group tour that offered admission to tour the interiors of Pena Palace, visit downtown Sintra, the coast of Portugal, and have a brief amount of time in Cascais, Portugal. Many tour groups from Lisbon to Sintra offer the option of seeing the coastline of Portugal a bit, including the well-known coastal town of Cascais. 

Keep in Mind: While tour groups will typically take care of the purchasing of admission tickets to palaces such as Pena Palace and other points of interest around Sintra, each tour offered by a tour group will have their own unique itinerary so be sure to look at the different options available to you before making your decision. Unlike taking a train or an Uber, a tour group will run on a schedule and will not be self-paced which if you prefer that, then a train or uber is probably the better option for your Sintra day trip. 

My Personal Verdict:

A royal moment at Pena palace

If I were to take another day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, I would opt to take the train and Uber if needed from downtown Sintra to some of the many palaces that call it home. While I did enjoy the opportunity to show up to Pena Palace and stroll around Sintra briefly before visiting Cascais and some scenic views alongside the Portuguese coastline without any hassle, I’d rather spend my time more self-paced in Sintra and explore more of what the town has to offer. While my first time to Sintra was via a wonderful tour group, I found it to be the perfect first time of hopefully many to Sintra. I definitely got a taste of what Portugal has to offer beyond Lisbon hassle-free. 

At the same time, every person is different. All of us have unique travel preferences that factor into which option we’d choose for our day trip to Sintra from Lisbon. Luckily for all of us, there are multiple options to choose from that can suit us. 

Wrap-Up:

Pena palace in the clouds

Above all else, I truly adored my brief time in Sintra, Portugal. I LOVED getting to live out my fairytale dreams at Pena Palace and take in the beautiful views of the Sintra mountains alongside admire the gorgeous town of Sintra. What I LOVE about Sintra is that there’s so many great ways to get there from Lisbon without needing to rent a car, which can be so daunting. Would I go again?!?! Most definitely!! 

XOXO – Katie <3 

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What To Do in Rome, Italy Travel Guide

***Please note that this What To Do in Rome, Italy Travel Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have been sharing ALL about my 6 days in Rome, Italy! If you have watched the Lizze McQuire movie which takes place in Rome, there is SO much to do in this incredible city as in the movie the characters are sightseeing for two weeks with a jam-packed schedule. Rome, Italy – also known as the Eternal City – is an incredible city with literally an eternal amount of things to do. While it may be overwhelming to decide what to do in Rome, Italy, I decided to put together this travel guide to help you do just that.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

What To Do In Rome, Italy Travel Guide

This What To Do in Rome, Italy Travel Guide will walk you through not only things to do in the Eternal City but also share: About, Getting There (from the United States/Canada), Getting Around, and Where to Eat. That way, when you land in Rome, you will have a plethora of knowledge at your finger tips and be ready for some sightseeing!

But, before I get into all of the things to do in Rome, Italy, feel free to peruse lodging options for your trip!

 

About Rome, Italy:

Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is also the most populated city within Italy and has its home in the country’s Lazio region. Fun fact: Italy is made up of 20 regions, including the very well-known Tuscany alongside Umbria, Lazio (where Rome is!), and Abruzzo. Rome has a vast history, dating back to 753 AD at its establishment as the heart of the then-Roman Empire where much of its ancient ruins and sites remain today and are visited by thousands each year, to a mega center of the Christian faith and Renaissance, and to this day as the capital of a unified Italy since 1870. Rome is also home to Vatican City – an independent nation that ensures the Catholic Church’s autonomy on a global front. Vatican City was established on February 11, 1929 and is where the Pope resides. Today, Rome has left a huge mark and legacy on our world today, being the place where Christianity was established as a major world religion, the modern Western calendar and alphabet were developed, world-renowned artists like Michelangelo practiced and succeed in their artistic talents, and romance languages such as Italian, French, and Spanish were developed and nourished here.

Getting There (from the United States/Canada):

Within Italy, the two cities with major airports are Rome and Milan. The major airport in Rome is Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO). FCO has several direct flight options from several major United States cities, including on American Airlines and United Airlines. As a United Loyalty member, I opted to fly a direct flight option round-trip out of Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) aka my home airport. From Washington, DC, I took an overnight flight to Rome that was 8 hours long there and 10 hours long to get home from Italy. As for those beyond the East Coast of the United States and Canada, I know cities such as Los Angeles on the West Coast have flight times of approximately 11-15 hours each way. So many fellow United States tourists that I chatted with in Rome happened to have connecting flight(s), so I felt very lucky to have been able to have a direct flight for my round-trip.

It is also worth noting that upon departure and arrival in/out of FCO airport, all visitors must have their passports ready to go through Italian customs. In addition to Italian customs upon arrival and departure, all visitors must go through the United States/Canadian customs upon arrival within their home country. Within Italy, the Italian customs process can be a bit confusing, however, there are staff members and usually crowds of people to help make it less so.

Getting Around:

While Rome does have its own transit system, I opted to either walk given my hotel’s central location downtown, take Ubers/taxis (you can find taxis on the Uber app in Italy!), or book a Big Bus Tours pass (which I will share more about below in the What To Do section!). From previous experiences, Rome’s transit system gets very crowded very fast, which is something I wanted to avoid in the August heat when I was there this time around. It is also worth downloading the Freenow app, which is essentially a digital platform for hailing taxis at least within Rome. Whatever mode(s) of transportation that you use within Rome, you are for sure to get your steps in!

What To Do:

Before I get into the meat of what to do in Rome, Italy, it is worth mentioning that I primarily used Get Your Guide to book all of my activities and have all of my tickets and vouchers in a central place on my phone. All of my activities were booked via Get Your Guide and you can pretty much find any ticketed item on this app.

Hop on & off of Rome via a Big Bus Tour – It is NO secret that Rome, Italy is notorious like any other big city for all of the walking! One of the best ways to get around Rome is by booking a Big Bus Tour pass. There are several Big Bus Tour options for Rome, including a 24 hour day pass, 48 hour day pass, and 72 hour day pass – all of which you can use the next day as long as it’s within the 24-72 hours in which you book it for – as well as a 3 hour and 1 day pass option. Alongside a Big Bus ticket, pass holders depending on their ticket can book discounted tickets at an additional cost to the Colosseum, The Vatican, and receive a complimentary cup of gelato at participating locations. To limit the amount of walking and Uber fares myself, I booked a 72 hour pass which included a complimentary night tour route to see the Eternal City all lit up! See more on all of the Big Bus Tour options in Rome here.

Take a sunset guided tour of the Colosseum – The Colosseum is a amphitheatre that dates back to the Roman Empire with its construction starting around 72 AD. It is one of the most well-known structures to this day. When I visited Rome back in 2018 as a college student studying abroad in Tuscany and visited the Colosseum, I wanted to learn more about it. At the same time, it was pretty crowded when I went. SO, this time around I decided to book an excellent guided sunset tour of the Colosseum on Get Your Guide. The tour operator is Rome Tours and the tour was excellent and interactive, especially for the kids within my tour group who got to pretend to be gladiators! Since the tour started around 6pm/18:00, the crowds were extremely minimal and allowed for tons of breathing room and cooler golden hour temperatures to enjoy the Colosseum. I highly recommend a guided tour of the Colosseum, especially to learn more about this iconic structure and its history over the centuries! Book the exact tour I booked here.

Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain – Hey now, hey now! This is what dreams are made of!!! You may as well have your Lizzie McGuire moment (if you get my reference!) at the Trevi Fountain and make a wish! It is worth noting that at pretty much all daylight hours, the Trevi Fountain gets pretty crowded, so it’s suggested to avoid the crowds and visit around 6-7am if you want to avoid them. Somehow, I went at 5pm and got a nice photo spot though, so maybe luck will be on your side!

Climb (or just admire!) the Spanish Steps – The Spanish Steps are a famous Baroque monumental stairway in the heart of Rome. There are 135 steps to climb if you so choose to (I did not!). However, if you’re like me, it is worthwhile to admire the Spanish Steps in all of their monumental glory and beauty and indulge in some retail therapy  at one of the many shops nearby while you’re in the area.

Sit in the Papal Audience at The Vatican – One of the neatest experiences of my life was sitting in the Papal Audience at The Vatican! I write my in-depth about my experience, where to find the most up-to-date Papal Audience Schedule, and how to be apart of the Papal Audience yourself here.

Tour The Vatican & Sistine Chapel – Personally, I think that every person who visits Rome should tour The Vatican and Sistine Chapel at least once in their lifetime! I toured The Vatican & Sistine Chapel in July 2018 when I studied abroad in Tuscany and found it to be a super neat experience, however, it was super overwhelming and packed with tourists. The vast amount of magnificent artwork makes it worthwhile to do at least once in your lifetime! I highly suggest booking an early morning entrance (before 8am) if you’re able to to reduce the crowds and have a more enjoyable experience.

Take in city views and learn about Rome’s history at Castel Sant’Angelo – Constructed in 135 AD by Roman Emperor Hadrian and situated right alongside the Tiber River, Castel Sant’Angelo also known as Manusoleum of Hadrian, was initially used for Emperor Hadrian and his family. In the following centuries, Castel Sant’Angelo was used as a fortress and castle for the Popes. Today, Castel Sant’Angelo is a museum, showcasing the ancient rooms of Emperor Hadrian, beautiful Renaissance frescoes, and stunning riverfront and city views of the Eternal City. It is worth noting that Castel Sant’Angelo involves a lot of walking on uneven, cobblestone pathways and staircases.

Indulge in some retail therapy – There’s no shortage of opportunities to indulge in some retail therapy in Rome! From luxury shopping on Via Condotti and the surrounding streets near the Spanish Steps to vintage shopping and thrifting in the Monti neighborhood, the Eternal City truly has something for every shopper!

Admire sculptures and masterpieces at the crowd-controlled Galleria Borghese – Housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana which was home to the Roman Borghese family, Galleria Borghese is a breathtaking art gallery featuring the Borghese family’s vast collection of Roman sculptures and artwork. At every turn, Galleria Borghese has magnificent pieces of artwork and will leave you in awe! A unique feature of Galleria Borghese is that the museum is crowd-controlled and every visitor only gets 2 hours in the museum to ensure everyone has a crowd-free experience. It is highly recommended to reserve your tickets in advance and show up early to your ticket time.

Stroll the magical Villa Borghese – Villa Borghese is a landscape garden in the heart of Rome that is home a several buildings, attractions, and museums including the Galleria Borghese. It is the largest park in central Rome and has close proximity to the Spanish Steps and luxury shopping at Via Condotti. Villa Borghese also has several magical photo opportunities and architectural delights to enjoy, spots to rest and read to book or take it all in, an onsite cafe and cocktail bar, and gorgeous gardens. There are also opportunities to rent a golf cart or bike to enjoy all that Villa Borghese has to offer!

Take in the incredible palace-like interiors and gardens of Colonna Palace – One of the oldest and private homes in Rome, Colonna Palace has belonged to the Colonna family for over 20 generations. Colonna Palace has onsite gardens and Galleria Colonna which showcases authentic Roman Baroque. Truly, Colonna Palace is a hidden gem in the heart of Rome and will leave you with your jaw on the floor! Be sure to reserve your tickets to this Roman jewel as its only open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays and be appointment any other day.

Say a prayer and blessing and tour the museums at Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore – Also known as the Basilica of Saint Mary The Great, the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of four Papal basilicas in Rome and one of seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Most notably, the Basilica enshrines the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani which depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary as the health and protector of the Roman people. Additionally, eight Popes are buried within the Basilica, which is also known for its intricate Baroque architecture. Alongside saying a prayer and admiring the baroque architecture within the church from the ceiling to the floors, the Basilica also has an incredible museum with a 360 degrees terrace to take in the Eternal City from up above. The museum is less crowded and showcases some neat facts about the Basilica as well as the Catholic faith, including one of the world’s oldest Nativity sets! If visiting just the Basilica there is free admission with no reservation needed, otherwise reserve your tickets to the museum, terrace, or a guided tour here.

Stroll the Roman Forum and take several moments to learn about Roman history and enjoy the historic sight’s atmosphere – The Roman Forum was the city center of ancient Rome, a key political, civic, religious place. It is a rectangular forum that is surrounded by several ruins of key government buildings of ancient Rome. Ancient Roman citizens referred to this space which was originally a marketplace as Forum Magnum or simply Forum. While an archaeological site in the heart of Rome, the Roman Forum also functions as a historical park containing not only ruins but greenery and is truly a magical place to take in tons of history and scenic views. It is worth noting that tickets must be reserved in advance to visit the Roman Forum. Reserve your tickets here.

Get lost in the magical streets of the Eternal City – Last but not least, Rome offers no shortage of opportunities for LOTS of walking! Why not get lost in the gorgeous and incredible streets of the Eternal City?!?! There’s truly something unique and beautiful at every turn!

Where To Eat:

Before I get into sharing where I ate in Rome, it is worth mentioning that there are several places to dine at across the city. Whether it be an upscale restaurant, wine bar, Gelateria, cafe, pizzeria, or sandwich shop, the Eternal City has eternal dining options! You truly cannot go wrong with any spot!! I will mainly list out where I ate while in Rome, but, as previously mentioned, you can’t go wrong at many different spots!

  • Lunch at Alla Rampa
  • Wine, snacks, & gelato at White Bar & Restaurant
  • Dinner at Angelino “ai Fori” dal 1947
  • Gelato at Gold Ice
  • Dinner at Ristorante Plebiscito
  • Wine at La Bottega del Caffe
  • Gelato at Caffe Roma Gelateria
  • Lunch at Bistro Monti
  • Dinner at Santa Maria Osteria
  • Lunch at Moderno Bar Bakery & Cucina
  • Dinner at Le Bistro Roma
  • Lunch at Alimentari
  • Snacks at Autogrill

Wrap-Up:

When figuring out what to do in Rome, Italy, it is tough to narrow down all that I wanted to do. There is SO MUCH to do in Rome, Italy that you truly cannot go wrong with anything! My biggest piece of advice for deciding what to do in Rome, Italy is to prioritize activities that you and your group are interested in the most and use GetYourGuide to book them so you have your tickets in one central location. GetYourGuide was my central spot for finding out what to do in Rome, Italy but also a place to decide what to do and learn more about all of the incredible sights to see. Indeed, you cannot go wrong with whatever you decide to do in Rome!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Papal Audience Schedule 2026 + My Experience!

***Please note that this Guide on the Papal Audience Schedule 2026 + My Experience will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date papal audience schedule. This guide was most recently updated as of late December 2025.***

Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have been sharing A TON about my 6 glorious days in Rome, Italy. While there, I had the incredible opportunity to sit in the papal audience and be in the same room as Pope Leo XIV which was AMAZING (!!!!). Now, if you’re traveling to Rome soon or just curious to learn more, you may be wondering what is the Papal Audience schedule 2026?!?!

In this blog post, I will be outlining where to find the Papal Audience schedule 2026 as well as my own personal experience being in the Papal Audience!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

Papal Audience Schedule 2026 + My Experience!

Table of Contents

What is the Papal Audience?

Papal Audience Schedule 2026

My Experience in the Papal Audience

What is the Papal Audience?

The Papal Audience gives the general public an opportunity to see the Pope every Wednesday if the Pope is at The Vatican. Pope Leo XIV is fluent in several different languages – Italian, English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Polish, and sometimes others including Chinese depending on the visitors on that specific day – which he speaks throughout the Papal Audience. The structure of the Papal Audience begins with welcoming remarks to those visiting from across the world in each language before the Pope takes the stage, including parishes and churches. Then, the Pope does a greeting and speech translated in each language with a prayer and blessing at the end for all attendees. Typically, the Papal Audience is set to start around 9am with security opening at 7:30am at The Vatican. It is worth noting that many people arrive to The Vatican about 3 hours early with the line to get seats starting at around 6am or even earlier. For the best experience possible, giving the Papal Audience Schedule 2025, it is recommended to arrive early and book an escorted Papal Audience experience.

For more information on the Papal Audience and where to get free tickets, look no further than here.

Papal Audience Schedule 2026

The Papal Audience Schedule 2026 is every Wednesday as long as Pope Leo XIV is at The Vatican. Whereas, Papal masses are on Sundays in St. Peter’s Square. For the Papal Audience Schedule 2026, look no further than here (as of December 30, 2025, January 2026 schedule has yet to be announced). Please refer to the following link for future schedule updates into 2026 (and beyond!).

There are different options for getting a ticket to the Papal Audience, including free ticket options via the Papal Audience website or paid options via platforms such as GetYourGuide with a guide and escorted reserved seating.

My Experience in the Papal Audience

My experience in the Papal Audience took place on a Wednesday at the end of August 2025. As previously mentioned, there are a variety of ways to be a part of the Papal Audience. I opted do a Papal Audience experience via GetYourGuide to be guaranteed a seat within the Papal Audience as well as a guide to escort my group and to learn more about The Vatican as well as the Papal Audience experience, which I am grateful for. When booking a guided Papal Audience experience, it is worth noting that the meeting time is around 6am and your tour guide will escort you and your group into The Vatican and throughout the line to your reserved seating within the Papal Audience. Personally, I was extremely overwhelmed by the huge crowds (which are to be expected) and navigating the line to get to our seats, however, I am super grateful to have been with a group and a tour guide throughout it all. Upon getting to our seats which were GREAT SEATS (!!!!), we waited just over an hour for Pope Leo XIV to make his appearance and hear him speak in 7 different languages, alongside translators in those languages. Overall, being in the Papal Audience was such a neat multicultural and multi-lingual experience alongside *of course* being in the same room and hearing Pope Leo XIV speak!

Wrap-Up

Would I sit in the Papal Audience again?!?! YES! I would definitely book a ticket via GetYourGuide to ensure I get reserved seating with an escort. I will note that while a crowded and a bit overwhelming experience to navigate into The Vatican and our reserved seating, it is totally worth it in the end. My experience in the Papal Audience is something that I’ll remember and cherish for the rest of my life. If you’re interested in attending the Papal Audience yourself, then be sure to check out the most up-to-date Papal Audience Schedule before going!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Lisbon, Portugal Travel Diary

Our final leg of our European adventure throughout Spain and Portugal was to … 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal! I met up with my best friend Shivani in Lisbon after my solo leg in Porto, Portugal (here) and week in Spain by way of Madrid (here) and Barcelona (here). Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal and is a popular travel destination within Portugal. Lisbon is close to the Atlantic Ocean and offer several lovely waterfront opportunities for its visitors to enjoy amongst its vibrant and fun colorful buildings and tiles. Being a preppy and pink grand millennial, I, indeed, fit right in whilst in Lisbon!

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Lisbon, Portugal Travel Diary

Getting There (From Europe & the United States):

There are a variety of different ways to get to Lisbon, depending on where you’re coming from. Our 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal started with me coming from Porto, Portugal and leaving Europe to go back to the United States via my home base in Washington, DC. Whilst, there’s several options to get to/from Lisbon depending on where you’re going to/coming from.

From Europe: Getting to the capital city of Portugal is best reached by plane if coming from another European country. Portugal and even between Spain and Portugal do not have a reliable unified train line. That all being said, Portugal is best reached by plane, if you’re coming from another European country. If coming from another city within Portugal, I would suggest either taking the train or plane. I opted to fly via Tap Air Portugal – Portugal’s *very own* airlines from Porto to Lisbon, as Portugal’s train line doesn’t have many options for checked bags on their trains (it’s usually carry-on only) and the price was about the same as the train to fly.

From the United States: Lisbon was my last city on my Spain and Portugal European adventure. Back to Washington, DC, I ended up lucking out with a direct flight on my airline of choice: United Airlines. Upon landing, I learned that Washington, DC-Lisbon is a daily offered flight on United Airlines. In addition to United Airlines, TAP Air Portugal which I flew within Portugal offers several direct flights and Transatlantic options, depending on where you’re coming from.

Tip on Taxi vs Uber: Upon arrival into Lisbon, avoid taking taxis at ALL costs. There will be taxis within a taxi pickup line outside of each airport and train station. However, unlike Spain which is the exact opposite, taxis are much more expensive in Portugal than Ubers. Each of my Ubers were under $20 with tip each way, including to/from the airport.

Where To Stay:

We called the Editory Riverside Hotel our home for 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal. And, I will say that the Editory Riverside Hotel is probably my favorite hotel that I’ve EVER stayed at! Located within one of Lisbon’s iconic train stations, the Editory Riverside Hotel was renovated from previously train station offices into hotel rooms and includes the original tile work alongside its hallways and in each of the rooms. The hotel also overlooks the waterfront and we could see cargo ships each day, which was pretty neat. Each day that we were around for lunch and happy hour, I would enjoy a lovely lunch and cocktail at their onsite Impulso Restaurante (more on that below!) and was truly blown away. At the same time, the people who work at the Editory Riverside Hotel are lovely and extremely kind and hospitable – something that I learned throughout my time in Portugal is how wonderful the people are! Truly, you will feel right at home at the Editory Riverside Hotel (whether it’s for 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal or more!).

What To Do:

Get lost in the colorful streets – Lisbon is known for its magnificent colorful streets! One of my favorite things to do, as previously mentioned in pretty much all of my European city guides, is to simply explore and get lost in the city streets. And, Lisbon has no shortage of beautiful streets to explore!

Take a day trip to Sintra & Cascais – One of the things that we were highly eyeing doing while in Lisbon is living out our royalty dreams at Peña Palace in nearby Sintra. We ended up going on a group bus tour to Sintra as well as the gorgeous coastal town of Cascais and made some friends while at it. On our day trip, we got to see Peña Palace and tour its interior alongside seeing the stunning Portuguese beaches. Stay tuned for a travel diary alongside more about our lovely tour operator on our day to Sintra and Cascais soon!

Catch a streetcar going by – One of the things that Lisbon is known for is their beautiful streetcars! While wandering the city’s magical streets, be sure to catch a streetcar (or two!) going by!!

Tour the Lisbon Cathedral – Built in 1147, Lisbon Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Lisbon. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral that is open to visitors to come and tour. Please note that tickets must be purchased either onsite or online via GetYourGuide.

Do some retail therapy at Women’s Secret & CHIcoracao– Lisbon has several opportunities for those looking to do some retail therapy to do just that! We happened to make some purchases at a few different unique to Portugal shops. Women’s Secret is a Spanish and Portuguese lingerie, loungewear, and pajama shop known for its fun printed clothing items that my preppy and grand millennial self LOVED. CHIcoracao is a unique to Lisbon shop selling high quality Portuguese woolen goods handmade on a loom. Everything from scarves to blankets are sold at CHIcoracao and is something unique to get while in Lisbon.

Admire tile work at the magnificent National Azulejo Museum – On our *very* last day in Lisbon, Shivani and I checked out the National Azulejo Museum. The National Azulejo Museum showcases some of the many magnificent Portuguese tile work from centuries prior to today. Truly, the tiles that we saw were incredible and totally Instagram-worthy and fun to admire, too! Tickets can be reserved onsite or via GetYourGuide.

Where To Eat:

Personally, some of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at and experiences at them were in Lisbon. Before I get into where to eat in Lisbon, I am going to mention that Shivani and I had THE BEST TIME at the restaurants that we dined at during our first day in Lisbon SOOOO much so that we ended up dining at them multiple times! That all being said, the quality of the food and restaurants in Lisbon are superb and there are several delicious dining options to choose from. At the same time though, there are incredible restaurants that you’ll want to dine at multiple times and I highly recommend giving yourself the wiggle room to do so while in Lisbon!

Bica dos Cavalos – Our absolute favorite restaurant where we dined both Monday and Wednesday evenings, Bica dos Cavalos is a newer-to-Lisbon restaurant with a variety of delicious Portuguese eats to choose from. We enjoyed some lovely wine more specifically the “Catarina” white wine aka my name Katie in Portuguese alongside some delicious dessert and seafood/vegetarian dishes. At Bica dos Cavalos alongside the amazingly delicious eats offered, the people ranging from their owner, waiters, and chefs are truly some of the most hospitable, kind, and welcoming people I have ever met. If you are in Lisbon, I highly recommend you immediately make a reservation at Bica dos Cavalos!

Impulso Restaurante – The delicious onsite restaurant at our hotel, Impulso Restaurante is open not only to hotel guests but to the general public. I had the BEST seafood rice at the Impulso Restaurante both Monday and Wednesday for lunch and enjoyed taking part in the restaurant’s hosted happy hour on both of those days, too, with an Aperol Spritz in-hand!

Azul e Branco Restaurant – I stumbled upon Azul e Branco Restaurant as I was looking for a nice early afternoon pick-me-up. I ended up ordering an Aperol spritz alongside some oysters and was truly AMAZED at how yummy these oysters were. The location of Azul e Branco within a town square in Lisbon makes it to also be a fun place to people watch!

Wrap-Up:

Not only is Lisbon such a beautiful city and place to be, especially weather-wise in late February, but the people made our experience in Lisbon such a memorable one, too. There is so much to enjoy, eat, and take in within Lisbon and I am so lucky that I’ve been able to experience this incredible city. 48 hours in Lisbon, Portugal truly isn’t enough time!! Til next time, Lisbon!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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5 Car-Free Day Trips From Dublin, Ireland

As I’m writing this, this time a year ago I was on my first-ever incredible solo adventure to Ireland. My solo adventure to Ireland is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Throughout my time in Ireland, I decided to create a home base for myself in Dublin (here), given that I am NOT interested in solo driving on the other side of the road – LOLLLL! Not only did my solo adventure teach me tons about myself, but it also taught me so much about Ireland, including how to visit different places within the Emerald Isle and meet so many incredible people and hear so many impactful stories all along the way. During my trip, I took 5 car-free day trips from Dublin, Ireland via local bus tour operators.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Where To Book?!

If you’re considering I highly recommend downloading the GetYourGuide app on your phone to help you select which day trip(s) make the most sense for you. That way, you’re able to see which tour operators have availability on the days that work for you given your group’s interests and preferences.

Additionally, if you’re looking for lodging while in Dublin, Ireland, there are plenty of options to choose from!

5 Car-Free Day Trips from Dublin, Ireland

1 – Cork County

Cork County, Ireland covers the majority of Ireland’s southwest coast upwards. From fertile farmlands and castle country to the North to rugged coastlines and peninsulas to the South, Cork County, Ireland truly has it all. It is also home to Ireland’s second-largest city and the 2nd stop on my Ireland tour … Cork! Cork is home to much of Ireland’s tech hub, having both Apple’s and Amazon’s international headquarters (including several other tech companies) located there. Some of the most notable sights in Cork County (which I saw on my incredible day there) include Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle which is home to the well-known Blarney Stone.

Book your Cork County adventure here.

Read more about my day trip to Cork County here.

2 – Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are rugged cliffs that stretch approximately 14 kilometers across Ireland’s Atlantic Way in County Clare. The Cliffs of Moher are walkable and you can *even* hike across them, too, although it may not be highly suggested throughout parts of it. Just like with Netflix’s Irish Wish, the Cliffs of Moher are featured in several well-known films, photos, etc. Truly, I GASPED when I saw the Cliffs of Moher in-person, as it was such a grand sight to see!

Book your Cliffs of Moher adventure here.

Read more about my day trip to the Cliffs of Moher here.

3 – Northern Ireland (Giant’s Causeway & Belfast)

Northern Ireland is apart of the United Kingdom, sitting on a part of the Emerald Isle aka Ireland. Ireland is a predominantly Catholic nation, whereas, Northern Ireland, a British territory has a Protestant majority. Though Northern Ireland has a Protestant majority, it does have a Catholic minority and hence caused conflicts between the residents: a Protestant majority who wanted Northern Ireland to remain apart of the United Kingdom and a Catholic minority who wanted Northern Ireland to reunify with Ireland. From 1968-1998, Belfast as the heart of Northern Ireland, was central to these secular conflicts that created unrest worldwide. As a result of these conflicts, over 3,500 people died with many more people injured and a heightened level of trauma, suffering, and anxiety face and linger amongst the people of Northern Ireland to this day. It is said, according to the tour guide, that the people of Northern Ireland are known to have a darker sense of humor as a way to cope with the things that they’ve been through over the decades. And, in some towns, such as Londonderry, Northern Ireland, the Catholic people and Protestant people remain separated to some extent. I find it important to share the history of Northern Ireland as it shows the power that conflict has in our world as a whole and especially in Northern Ireland and with their people and culture. While a small part of the world, a brutal 3-decades long conflict is still significant as shown throughout Northern Ireland.

Book your Northern Ireland adventure here.

Read more about my day trip to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland here and here.

4 – Connemara

Connemara is rather remote for Ireland (which is a country the size of the state of South Carolina in the United States!), yet boasts some unique stories. With a population of ~32,000 people, Connemara is the only region in Ireland where the majority of its population speaks the native Irish language. In fact, Irish families send their kids in ~middle school-high school for a Summer away to stay with a host family in Connemara to learn their native tongue. I learned from my tour guide that some of the Irish’s Summers away in Connemara were where many teenagers experienced their first kiss, went to parties, went on dates, and more! Connemara’s economy is mostly focused on agriculture, fishing, artisan crafts, and tourism. One of the most distinct things about Connemara is its gorgeously unique landscapes and scenery playing homage to Ireland’s only fjord.

Book your Connemara adventure here.

Read more about my day trip to Connemara here.

5 – Glendalough

Located in a glacial valley with two stunning adjacent lakes within the gorgeous Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough is home to a 6th century monastic heritage sight. This 6th century monastic heritage sight was founded by St. Kevin who resided there as a hermit and attracted followers of the Christian faith who aspired to do the same. Indeed, Glendalough is a placed of pilgrimage and has been for over 1,500 years. While not much is accurately known about St. Kevin’s time at Glendalough, stories have been passed down over the centuries, some of which are of Irish mythology (which is contains a fascinating array of stories in itself!). Surrounded by natural beauty with an upper and lower lake, the Wicklow Mountains, the remains of two mining sites, and the monastic settlement, truly Glendalough is a peaceful place to simply reflect, enjoy your surroundings, and feel pride for those that have done the same before us. Learn more here, including information on the first-ever pilgrimage aka a series of walks on St. Kevin’s day on June 1, 2024!

Book your Glendalough adventure here.

Read more about my day trip to Glendalough here.

Wrap-Up

Ireland is truly such a magical country and there are so many options to see the Emerald Isle without the hassle of driving. Dublin is an excellent city and home basis within Ireland, making most of the country easily accessible within a day’s trip reach. Truly, there are SO many car-free day trips to take from Dublin!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Porto, Portugal Travel Guide

Annddddd after a week in Spain via Madrid and Barcelona, I headed for 2 days in Porto, Portugal while my best friend Shivani went elsewhere. It was a LOVELY time getting to explore a brand new-to-me city in a brand new-to-me country solo before our final stretch of our European adventure in Lisbon, Portugal. I was drawn to Porto due to its appealing historic charm, beautiful tile work, and Port wine. Nevertheless, Porto totally blew me away and I cannot wait to come back to this coastal Portuguese city!

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Porto, Portugal Travel Guide

About Porto:

Located alongside the Douro River in northwestern Portugal, Porto is a coastal city notorious for producing Port wine and its iconic Six Bridges. It is the second largest city in Portugal (after Lisbon) and has a vast industrial industry in addition to producing Port wine. Porto also has gorgeous cobblestone streets with a beautiful a lively historic district and several tile-lined walls and ancient churches. Personally, I found Porto to be an extremely walkable city filled with lively and colorful buildings as well as distinct architecture that I had never seen before! Porto has also been known to be an extremely romantic city with its charming streets and unique cafes and restaurants, as well as stunning riverside views and … PORT WINE!

One of the biggest things that I’ll mention about Porto and Portugal as a whole is HOW CHEAP it is to travel there! From Ubers with tips being under $20 USD to/from the airport to most meals being under $30 USD with drinks and tip, you can truly have a lovely time in Portugal without breaking the bank.

Getting There (From Spain):

I ended up traveling from Barcelona, Spain (see my adventures there here!) to Porto, Portugal. Coming from Spain to Portugal, it is much easier to travel via plane than train, as direct international train rides are pretty limited on the Iberian Peninsula and bus rides are pretty long. Being fully transparent, I experienced a pretty stressful time at the Barcelona Airport flying to Porto, Portugal. I ended up flying RyanAir, as it was the cheapest option and will likely choose not to fly RyanAir again moving forward if given the choice. Here are my tips for navigating RyanAir and European airports if you do fly within Europe:

  • Most airports won’t post your gate upon entering Security until about 30-45 minutes before boarding the plane. That being said, make use of your time at the terminal if you do arrive at the airport and make it through security early. Perhaps, grab a snack or a drink or *even* do a little bit of Duty-Free shopping as most European airports have plenty of Duty-Free shopping opportunities!
  • Some budget airlines won’t allow you to check your bag if you arrive too early to the airport. Airlines (such as RyanAir) will make you wait until a certain time before your plane departs to have you even get in line to check your bags. This happened to me and it was very frustrating at first, but it is something that the airlines across the Atlantic do in terms of crowd control.
  • RyanAir and potentially other budget airlines will have you stand in line to board your plane. The boarding process is rather than organized in into boarding groups, but is based on priority boarding versus general boarding. People upon immediately arriving at the gate will wait in line to get the first dibs on boarding.

Overall, I found the RyanAir flying experience to be an extremely stressful one for me. I learned while in Barcelona from other fellow Europeans that this airline gets a bad reputation and I honestly see why. However, I am aware that sometimes flying budget airlines such as RyanAir may be someone’s only option in terms of travel and should not deter you or anyone else from traveling. Instead, I’d rather empower you and others with the tips to best navigate flying a budget airlines such as RyanAir if you do so.

Where To Stay:

I stayed at the beautiful Vincci Porto alongside the iconic Douro River. Overlooking my hotel room, I had a beautiful view of the colorful Porto skyline! Within the mini fridge, there was a mini bottle of Port Wine – which Porto is *very* well-known for at an additional cost that I enjoyed throughout my stay. And, immediately upon exiting the doors of Vincci Porto, I was greeted not only by the beautiful Douro River but also one of the city’s well-known Six Bridges. I ended up ordering room service one night while at Vincci Porto and it definitely impressed me alongside their delicious breakfast, which you can opt to include within your reservation upon reserving or during your stay. Although this hotel is not within the heart of Porto’s city center and is about a scenic 15-20 minute walk, its riverside location and overall luxury definitely adds to its appeal! Overall, I was pretty impressed with the quality and overall value of Vincci Porto. I would definitely stay at Vincci Porto next time I visit Porto, as I loved the additional opportunities to get lost in the city’s magical streets!

What To Do:

Port Wine tasting + tour at Calem – Calem is one of Porto’s many Port wine wineries! I learned ALL about Port wine also known as port – a Portuguese fortified wine which is produced in Northern Portugal’s Douro Valley region – while on a guided tour of Calem. Throughout my guided tour, my group’s wonderful guide transported us to the world of developing Port wine, from the temperature-controlled rooms full of barrels producing it, to learning about port food pairings, and the heritage of what Portugal proudly calls a “spiritual drink.” At the end of the guided tour, a complimentary Port wine flight and tasting was included and such a lovely time to end the tour! Book your guided tour at Calem or one of Porto’s many other wineries producing Port wine via GetYourGuide.

Wander alongside the Douro River and walk across the Six Bridges – One of the best ways to savor your time in Porto is to simply enjoy the several waterfront views alongside the city’s notable Six Bridges. Visitors can also walk across several of the Six Bridges, too, via pedestrian walkways (I recommend following the people and crowds, though, for safety purposes whenever you do!). Whether it be sunrise, sunset, or midday, you will easily never get over the riverside beauty and charm that Porto has to offer!

Port Wine tasting at Ramos Pinto – Ramos Pinto is one of the Douro Valley’s oldest and well-known wine producers. After walking across one of Porto’s notable Six Bridges, I found myself strolling into Ramos Pinto for a nice glass of Port wine within its tasting room. Ramos Pinto also offers tastings, too!

Get lost in the streets – One of my absolute FAVORITE things to do when I travel as previously mentioned in both my Madrid and Barcelona posts (here and here), especially when in a brand new-to-me city is to simply get lost in the streets. Luckily for you, Porto is home to some of the most brightest and colorful buildings, some of which consist of unique tile work on its magnificent structures. Portugal is known for its gorgeous tiles and Porto has no shortage of them!

Take a Six Bridges Douro River Cruise – An excellent way to learn more about wonderful Porto is to see the city on the river via a Six Bridges River Cruise. I opted to do a Sunday afternoon river cruise lasting approximately an hour, which was a great way to see the city in Portugal’s semi-chilly late February weather. Personally, I could not stop snapping photos on my camera and getting to know Porto from the river! Book your Six Bridges Douro River Cruise via GetYourGuide.

Where To Eat:

UVA By Calem – Offering a friendly atmosphere and quality hospitality while overlooking Porto, UVA By Calem focuses on curating delicious Portuguese eats with incredible wine pairings to top it all off!

Miradouro Ignez – A hilltop terrace bar overlooking the city as well as the Douro River. Coincidentally, I happened to stumble upon this lovely spot upon getting lost in the stunning Porto streets near my hotel. And, Miradouro Ignez was a TOTAL surprise and dream come true of a spot to be, as I happened to show up during sunset. Indeed, a right place at the right time moment!!

Restaurante Provas – A riverside restaurant overlooking Porto, Restaurante Provas had some of the BEST seafood dishes that I’ve ever had! Truly, I was blown away by the high-quality Portuguese cuisine that is offered.

Tasquinha do Be – Offering Portuguese cuisine with gluten-free and other dietary-friendly options, Tasquinha do Be has extremely friendly staff that make you feel right at home alongside their menu full of authentic eats and beverages.

Wrap-Up:

With its magical lust from vast tile work to colorful architecture and the river and port, Porto is seriously such a lovely gem of a place. Not only does Porto make for an incredible romantic destination to add to your European getaway, but it is also just as perfect of a destination to add to your solo European getaway, too. Through it all, I am SO glad that I visited Porto and I hope this post has shown you the love I have for this amazingly vibrant city, too!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Barcelona, Spain Travel Guide

Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have been sharing ALLLL about my adventures with my best friend Shivani via our 2-week long trip throughout Spain and Portugal via Porto and Lisbon. Our first leg of our adventures in the Iberian Peninsula started off in Madrid, Spain (read all about our time there here!) and continued onto 3 days in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona, Spain is a cosmopolitan city and capital of Spain’s Catalonia region. Notably known for its art and architecture, including La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Barcelona Cathedral, Barcelona truly has something for everybody! In fact, while there, Shivani and I both agreed that you could easily spend weeks in Barcelona before getting to do/see everything on your list!!

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Barcelona, Spain Travel Guide

Getting There (From Madrid):

Barcelona was our second stop on our European adventure throughout Spain and Portugal. We happened to travel by train to Barcelona Sants from Madrid Atocha. Shivani graciously booked our train tickets on the Iryo train line through Omio’s website. Our train ride was a direct ride from Madrid to Barcelona with assigned seats together (I highly recommend booking train tickets together in order to be seated together throughout Europe) as well as a checked bag. Here are my tips for taking the train within Spain:

  • It is recommended to get to the train stations within Spain about 30 minutes (we played it safe and arrived about an hour before) beforehand.
  • You WILL go through security and put your luggage on a conveyer scanner of sorts like in the airport. It is quick and easy and less stressful than at the airport, though!
  • At least at Madrid Atocha train station, gates for trains are announced once the train arrives at the station for boarding.
  • Madrid Atocha train station has connivence and tech shops and cafes, alongside seating as passengers must carry on all of their luggage on/off the train. There is a place to store your checked luggage in each train car alongside overhead compartments for smaller carry-on luggage.
  • As for most of Spain, it is highly recommended that you take a taxi instead of Ubering, as it is cheaper and more cost-effective. We called a taxi 10 minutes beforehand at our hotel in Madrid. As for Barcelona, we waited in the taxi pick-up line outside of the train station (which is standard in Spain and Portugal) to retrieve our taxi. Taxis do accept credit cards and Apple Pay is commonly used.

As for our experience on the train, I napped (LOLLLLL!!!!) for most of the ride. However, when I did look out the window, I was truly IN AWE at the unique landscapes that I saw which Spain has to offer. Truly, it is like nothing I have ever seen before!!

Where To Stay:

Hotel 1898 was our lovely home in Barcelona! Located on La Rambla aka central Barcelona’s most well-known street with close proximity to the city’s historic Gothic Quarter, Hotel 1898 is a 4-star hotel with an onsite Spa Siargo and restaurant Cuisine H1898. Hotel 1898 was a lovely home for us during our time in Barcelona. We spent LOTS of time at Hotel 1898 enjoying some of the many offerings available to us as well as interacting with fellow hotel guests! Offerings include:

  • Live music on select nights
  • Complimentary group wine tasting offering Spanish-made wines for all hotel guests on Wednesdays at 6pm
  • Complimentary cocktail making class for all hotel guests on Thursdays at 6pm
  • Access to Spa Siargo at an additional cost
  • Breakfast buffet either included within reservation or at an additional cost per day at Cuisine H1898 for all hotel guests. Note: free coffee is available to all hotel guests, regardless of if they choose to indulge in the breakfast buffet.
  • Access to the rooftop Terrace La Isabela in the warmer months for all hotel guests
  • The opportunity to enjoy Catalan cuisine at Cuisine H1898 at an additional cost for dinner
  • Enjoy a drink at the onsite Bar H1898
  • Complimentary tea + snacks around 4pm daily

Throughout our stay, Shivani and I LOVED our experience at Hotel 1898!! We both enjoyed the complimentary wine tasting and LOVED getting to meet fellow hotel guests from England that we befriended throughout our stay. We also befriended the hotel staff who were lovely and helped make our wine tasting one for the books. We, indeed, happened to stay at the wine tasting an hour after it ended just chatting with our new friends and enjoying some local Spanish and more specifically Catalan wines! The same goes for the cocktail making class which Shivani attended solo while I was at Casa Batlló however I did not miss the after party of meeting *even* more new friends from Canada and *of course* England! It is also worth mentioning that alongside our fellow hotel guest friends, the staff at the hotel were also ultra-kind and fun to chat with, too! Truly, the people made our experience at Hotel 1898 one for the books!! Needless to say, I highly recommend staying at Hotel 1898 and will only stay there when in Barcelona.

What To Do:

Guided tour of La Sagrada Familia with The Tour Guy – La Sagrada Familia is a Catholic church under construction in downtown Barcelona. One of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpieces, it is currently the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world, with its construction beginning on March 19, 1882 and having yet to be completed. My Mom visited Barcelona in 2022 and could not stop recommending to me that I book a guided tour of La Sagrada Familia. I knew that I wanted to visit La Sagrada Familia while in Barcelona. Though, I was on the fence initially about booking a guided tour, as I usually prefer to simply wander places of my own. However, I *finally* caved in and did so. I booked my guided tour of La Sagrada Familia through GetYourGuide in English with The Tour Guy. ANDDDD, let me just say, that it was SOOOOO worth it!! Our tour guide was AMAZING and did an incredible job highlighting the story of La Sagrada Familia throughout our tour as well as the life and story of the famous architect behind this magnificent cathedral Gaudi. Today, La Sagrada Familia is still under construction with buildings being constructed around where the church is to have additional construction take place. The construction of La Sagrada Familia runs on donations including ticketed entry and tours (even through third-party vendors such as The Tour Guy!). Although not fully completed yet, La Sagrada Familia is magnificent and one of my favorite places I have ever been to. Book the same tour I booked here!

Visit + order a glass of Cava at Casa Batlló – I visited Casa Batlló – a building designed by Antoni Gaudi (who also designed La Sagrada Familia!) and consider to also be one of his masterpieces that is currently a museum. Casa Batlló was redesigned in 1904 by Gaudi, himself, and has since been refurbished. Upon entry into the museum, all guests are given an iPad and headset to walk through the museum and reimagine it as if it were 1904. One of the most admirable things about Casa Batlló is its commitment to Autism awareness and being an Autism acceptance and friendly museum and is the first international cultural organization to do so. They also hire people who are neurodiverse! After 7pm, guests can go up to the rooftop terrace and order a glass of Cava amongst other drinks to enjoy while admiring the city of Barcelona from up above!! It is important to note that Casa Batlló offers timed-entry tickets and is suggested that you book them in advance. Book them here!

Soak in the Mediterranean at Barceloneta Beach – A special thanks to Shivani for routing us to see the Mediterranean! Barceloneta Beach is a popular beachfront spot alongside the Mediterranean in Barcelona. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby and it was in easy walking distance (about 25 minutes each way!) from our hotel on La Ramblas. We mainly walked to the beach, took in the Mediterranean views and simply soaked it ALLLL in. At the same time, it was lovely to see downtown Barcelona at a distance from the beach, especially the Gothic Quarter!

Get lost in the streets – Alongside taking in the views of Barcelona from afar via walking to Barceloneta Beach, I also enjoyed getting lost in the streets! I CANNOT attest enough that getting lost in the streets is such a GREAT way to get to know a city and its charm in a less stressful manner. Through getting lost in the streets of Barcelona, specifically within the Gothic Quarter nearby our hotel and by walking to/from La Sagrada Familia, I truly got to know and see Barcelona and many of its neighborhoods. I stumbled upon several unique local shops, cafes, bars, and beautiful buildings!

Visit the Barcelona Cathedral – Located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, this Barcelona Cathedral is home to the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. It was constructed between the 13th-15th centuries. Alongside admiring the interior gothic architecture, visitors can climb to the top of the cathedral to take in the scenic skyline views. At the same time, I highly recommend checking out the outdoor courtyard in the center of the cathedral to see … ducks!!! Tickets can be reserved onsite or in-advance via GetYourGuide.

Wonder around Park Güell – Built and designed by Antoni Gaudi just like La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló, Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its captivating architecture and stunning skyline views. Shivani and I LOVED strolling throughout Park Güell and taking in the city of Barcelona from up above as well as admiring the unique architecture and local flora, whether it be palm trees of beautiful blooming flowers. While a bit of a hike (about a 30 minute taxi ride from our hotel in La Rambla) from the rest of the city, Park Güell overlooks the beautiful Barcelona from mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. Truly, Park Güell was worth a visit!

Note: Tickets are to be purchased in order to visit and walk throughout Park Güell. We purchased ours via GetYourGuide. A security checkpoint is required for all admitted visitors upon entrance to the park. There is also a designated taxi pick-up/drop-off point, given its location within Barcelona. 

Shop at the local boutiques – Right by Hotel 1898 aka our home in Barcelona nearby the Gothic Quarter, we had the opportunity to check out several local boutiques. My favorite of those boutiques was Bolsos Bella – a Barcelona-based handbag boutique selling beautiful Italian handbags that currently ships internationally! I bought TWO handbags from Bolsos Bella and the ladies who work there are LOVELY. I also shopped and/or browsed at Soruka aka a sustainable leather handbags and goods shop, Charly Therapy aka an adorable sunglasses boutique, and Kathe Wohlfahrt aka the CUTEST and MERRIEST Christmas shop. Needless to say, while in Barcelona, I LOVED getting to shop and support local!!

Where To Eat:

Buenas Migas – A bakery located a block away from my hotel in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, I popped into Buenas Migas for a coffee and delicious tomatoes + toast. I opted to sit outside in the courtyard that this lovely cafe calls its home and had a wonderful time. Needless to say, not only did my breakfast hit the spot, but the scenic views and people watching opportunities did as well!

Bilbao Berria – Serving great cocktails and Catalonian meat and fish delights, I enjoyed one of THE BEST meals that I’ve had throughout my 2 week European adventure at Bilbao Berria! I had a swordfish and potatoes and it was AMAZING! To this *very* day, I fondly dream about eating that meal again.

Bar Centric Raval – Upon getting lost in the Gothic Quarter streets as I did practically daily while in Barcelona, I came across Bar Centric Raval and decided to pop in for some local Catalonian wine! With some help from the ultra-kind bartender, I opted for one of the house red wines and it did not disappoint (alongside the bar’s intimate yet opulent setting!).

Restaurant Nuria – Early on in our in time Barcelona, Shivani solo dined at Restaurant Nuria and had an excellent experience. SO, we decided to be ladies who lunch at Restaurant Nuria after our morning strolls at Park Güell. We ended up having the same wonderful waitress that Shivani initially had and enjoyed a delicious wine and lunch together!

Bristol Cafe – During my walk from La Sagrada Familia back to the hotel, I stopped by Bristol Cafe for a delicious quick lunch and glass of wine. What caught my eye about Bristol Cafe was the ADORABLE Tiffany Blue exterior and interiors as well as the bistro chairs. Definitely worth a stop and pick-me-up!!

Wrap-Up:

Barcelona is a very distinct city when compared to Madrid, despite them both being cities within Spain. Like Madrid, I learned SO much culturally about Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain as a whole. Barcelona is such a unique city that has something much for all of its visitors to learn about and grow from learning. I LOVED the people that we met, both from near and far, via coming together during our 3 days in Barcelona, Spain. Truly, I feel oh so grateful for our time in Barcelona and hop to visit again someday!!

And, as always, if you have any questions/concerns about planning your own 3 days2 in Barcelona, Spain, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at Katefrancesthompson@gmail.com.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Madrid, Spain Travel Guide

After years of trying to plan a bestie trip, my college best friend Shivani and I *finally* made it happen!!! My most recent European trip was an 8-day getaway to Dublin, Ireland (here), and I am SO glad I got to do a trip across the Atlantic with one of my favorite people. We ended up doing a 2 week long European adventure throughout Spain and Portugal via Barcelona, Porto, and Lisbon, spending approximately 3 days (or 72 hours!) in each city that we went to (see what I wore over those 2 weeks here!). Over the next month, I will be sharing my itinerary and recap from each city that we went to in Spain and Portugal. The first stop on our journey that I’m sharing about with y’all today is … 3 days in Madrid, Spain!

Upon landing for our 3 days in Madrid, Spain, I was *in awe* at the unique and gorgeous landscapes from the sky to touchdown. Madrid and Spain as a whole, indeed, has a distinct landscape that I hadn’t seen until visiting! And, that gorgeous landing into Spain made me SOOOO excited for our time in Madrid! While short-lived, it was one for the books and I am grateful to have visited.

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Madrid, Spain Travel Guide

Getting There:

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is the biggest flight hub in all of Spain. From my home base of Washington, DC, I had two airline options out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) around the same cost round-trip: take a connecting flight on United Airlines or a direct flight on Iberian Airlines. Given my ongoing loyalty with United Airlines and MileagePlus membership status and Mom’s and Step Dad’s horror stories flying Iberian Airlines on their Spain trip in Winter 2022, I opted to use my United Airlines loyalty and gain more miles and take a connecting flight to Madrid. My choice to fly United was NOT a regret of mine either, as I had peace of mind the entire trip that my luggage would successfully make it to Madrid as well as myself, unlike some of the stories I’ve heard on Instagram and TikTok regarding Iberian Airlines alongside my own family members’ stories. At the end of the day, I am glad I flew United and was able to gain more Miles as a MileagePlus member, too!

As for my connecting flight to Madrid from Washington, DC, I flew first to Brussels Airport (BRU) and went through customs upon arrival and transferring terminals my next flight’s gate. My next flight was on Brussels Airlines, which is apart of the Star Alliance alongside United Airlines. Funny enough, I didn’t realize that I had to check in for my connecting flight to Madrid on Brussels Airlines NOT on the United Airlines app, although I booked my trip through that, until I landed in Brussels – WHOOPS! Immediately upon landing in Brussels, I downloaded the Brussels Airlines app, checked into my flight, and was on my merry way to Madrid upon boarding my flight.

Where To Stay:

We LOVED our home away from home for 72 hours in Madrid, Spain!! We stayed at Motel One Plaza de España (C. del Tutor, 1, Moncloa – Aravaca) – a design hotel in the heart of Madrid. I book ALL of my hotel stays through *none other than* Booking.com! Honestly, upon a search on Booking.com in Madrid on my dates there, I look at the hotels whose vibes *yes, vibes!* I like the best within my budget and book accordingly. For Madrid, I ended up LOVING Motel One Plaza de España‘s vibes THE BEST online and I loved them EVEN MORE once I arrived! Upon arrival, check-in was at the hotel bar, which is already a win in my book (!!!!) and my room was ready a few hours early, which was AMAZING for my exhausted and 12+ hours of traveling-self. The rooms are beautiful and we had a nice street-view room to overlook the gorgeous narrow streets of Madrid. Shivani and I ended up enjoying daily breakfast and evening drinks at the hotel lobby (by way of the front desk bar!!) and chatted with the ultra-kind staff each morning and evening. The staff are ultra-kind and made our stay at Motel One Plaza de España one for the books! I also write a whole hotel review + guide here.

What To Do:

For many activities and things to do for 72 hours in Madrid, Spain, I highly recommend checking out and downloading GetYourGuide for booking and reserving activities. It is suggested that you reserve most activities in advance, especially when traveling during peak season and busy times during the day to guarantee that you get to go.

Shop, stroll, and sightsee at Plaza de España – Marking the end of Gran Via (Madrid’s iconic shopping street), Plaza de España is a popular square with a statue of Don Quixote and beautiful Spanish architecture. Shivani and I would shop and browse at the Zara and Mango located on Plaza de España and stroll here many times during our time in Madrid, given its close proximity to our hotel. Plaza de España is also conveniently located in the heart of downtown Madrid, Spain and a lovely place to visit when in Spain’s capital city!

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid – The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in the city of Madrid, even though it’s currently now only used for state ceremonies. In Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace with over 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms. Shivani and I were in AWE at how magnificent and beautiful the Royal Palace of Madrid is! From the gorgeously opulent state rooms to the elegant hallways and staircases, the Royal Palace of Madrid is totally worth a visit!! Check out my full guide on visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid here.

Note: It takes about 1.5-2 hours to tour the Royal Palace of Madrid on a self-guided tour which we opted to do. It is also worth noting that tickets must be purchased to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid either via walk-in or in advance (which I recommend doing!). Advanced reservation tickets can be purchased on GetYourGuide for under $20/person!

See a Live Flamenco show – Shivani ended up booking us a Live Flamenco Show with food/drink options via GetYourGuide. We opted for tickets with a complimentary drink: Sangria! The Flamenco show was hosted on the lower level of Tablao Torres Bermejas in a BEAUTIFULLY tile-lined lounge. The sangria was amazing alongside the talent of the Flamenco dancers and live musicians. And, we *also* made friends in line and while waiting for the performance to start!

Visit the Cerralbo Museum – One of the National Museums of Spain that is also attached to the Ministry of Culture, the Cerralbo Museum is an art museum in the heart of Madrid that was a former 19th century mansion. It houses the vast artworks and antiques of Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, Marquis of Cerrablo. Today, people from all across the world flock to see these beautiful collections, from the magnificent artworks and hallways to the vast staircase of sheer elegance.

Note: The Cerralbo Museum offers free admission 5-8pm on Thursdays and all day Sundays. Free admission is on a first come, first served basis and visitors line up early. Shivani and I opted to do the free admission on Sundays and got in line around 10am on Sunday and waited for 2+ hours, as the museum is crowd-controlled (which I love and respect so much!!). It was definitely worth the wait, but be prepared to wait for a couple of hours, if you opt to do the free admission. However, if you choose to visit beyond free admission hours, admission is, I believe, around 3 Euros/person.

Climb to the top of the Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena – The Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena was recommended to us by a fellow Washington, DC area-based visitor we met while watching the Flamenco Show and it was SOOO worth it!! Located adjacent to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena is a less crowded with tourists (well compared to the Royal Palace!) place to visit, learn about the Catholic diocese in Spain and specifically in Madrid via an exhibit, and climb to the top of to take in ALL of the Madrid skyline views! It is a Catholic cathedral in Madrid home to the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid. Admission at the door was around 8 Euros/person and well worth it *even* for the skyline views alone!

Shop on La Gran Via – As previously mentioned up above, La Gran Via is the main shopping street in Madrid. To me, La Gran Via also gives off the vibes of Times Square Spain edition in a much more elegant and less chaotic way! Shivani and I spent a few afternoons and evenings shopping and dining on La Gran Via. Shops that we checked out included H&M, Zara (besides the location we frequented on Plaza de España), and Primark. We also checked out a bookstore whose name I forget that carries primarily books in Spanish, which was SUCH A UNIQUE experience (!!!).

Explore the colorful streets – Madrid, Spain is home to several beautiful and magical colorful streets! One of my biggest pieces of advice for traveling is just to find the opportunity to get lost in the streets. And, Madrid has NO shortage of unique colorful streets to enjoy. Don’t forget to bring your camera/phone to snap some photos!

Next Time: Visit the Prado Museum – Although we didn’t make it to the Prado Museum this time around, it remained (and still does) high on my Madrid bucket list! Situated in the heart of Madrid, the Prado Museum is the National Art Museum of Spain, housing intricate masterpieces from Spanish and European artists.

Where To Dine:

Before I get into where to dine in Madrid, I wanted to share *just* a few observations about dining in Madrid! 1 – dining in Madrid overall is much cheaper than dining in the United States. For the two of us, dinner (including drinks, appetizers, and entrees) costed us under $50. As for the ingredients within the food, it is MUCH fresher than in the United States due to stricter food and drug regulations. Needless to say, a win, win!!

La Tasca de Ventura (C. de Ventura Rodríguez, 9, Moncloa – Aravaca) – Just a block away from my home away from home in Madrid aka Motel One Plaza de España, La Tasca de Ventura is a delicious tapas and wine bar. I ended up going here twice – once solo and once with Shivani. Both times, I ordered the lovely house wine and a variation of octopus and each time was PHENOMENAL!

La Toscana (Gran Vía, 59, Centro) – Located on La Gran Via, Shivani and I stopped into La Toscana for dinner as we were tired from the crowds on the streets – LOLLL! We were, indeed, in for a treat!! La Toscana is an Italian restaurant ANDDD the pastas and garlic bread (which we ordered both by the way!) were delicious.

La Carmen Cerveceria-Taperia (C. Mayor, 88, Centro) – Just across the street from the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, La Carmen Cerveceria-Taperia was a much-needed and devoured spot for lunch! I ended up ordering lamb shoulder + fries and a glass of red wine and would come back again for more!!

Tapa Tapa (multiple locations) – A tapas restaurant with multiple locations around Madrid, Tapa Tapa blew us AWAY and kept us coming back not once but twice! The tapas at Tapa Tapa are easily shareable or small enough for a light meal on your own.

Espresso Americano (C. de Preciados, 33, Centro) – We ended up stopping at Espresso Americano via getting lost in the streets off of La Gran Via for coffee and it was a lovely pick-me-up on a Monday afternoon filled with walking!!

Wrap-Up:

Truly, I had an incredible time getting to spend 72 hours in Madrid, Spain and hope to go back someday and spend more time museum hopping and getting lost in the city’s beautiful streets. Shivani and I had an incredible time and hope to visit again *very soon*. But for now, if you have any questions/concerns about visiting Madrid, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at Katefrancesthompson@gmail.com. Cheers!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Dublin, Ireland Travel Guide

It may be 10 months after my trip to Dublin, Ireland and I am *finally* getting around to writing my final post here about my first-ever and amazing 8 day solo trip to Ireland. Throughout my 8 days in Ireland, I spent it all in the country’s capital city of Dublin which I chose to make my home base. Dublin holds such a happy place in my heart and I am SOOO excited to share with y’all more about my time there!

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Dublin, Ireland Travel Guide

Getting There:

To get to Dublin from Washington, DC, there are luckily a few great direct flight options. The major airport in Dublin is Dublin Airport. To my knowledge, both United Airlines and Aer Lingus (an Irish-owned and run airlines!) offer frequent direct flight options out of Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD). My dog Rosie’s dog walker is from Ireland and highly recommended Aer Lingus to me, given her experiences, and I was highly impressed! Personally, I loved being on a smaller plane for a Transatlantic flight via Aer Lingus and getting to enjoy Irish flair to/from Ireland. At the same time, the flights offered on Aer Lingus are reasonably priced and offer several flight connection options to/from Dublin, too. Currently, I am on Aer Lingus’s email list and am constantly getting updates on the Irish airline’s sales which I suggest anyone interested in traveling to Ireland signs up for to get the insider scoop on! Alongside Washington, DC, Aer Lingus offers several frequent direct flight options to/from many major United States cities, such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

One of the unique aspects of the travel experience in and out of Ireland is that Ireland is one of a few if not the only European country that offers the United States customs in all of their airports in Ireland. Upon arrival at all Irish airports upon departure to the United States, all passengers go through airport security and wait in the duty-free shopping section upon being called via a timed entry given flight times to go through United States customs. All passengers flying to the United States will go through airport security and then United States customs and will be given their gate number once they go through United States customs and can then go to their gate and board their flight across the Atlantic. Indeed, doing United States customs before boarding my flight back to the United States was SO nice and such a stress relief! At the same time, this process gave me more time to relax on the flight home and enjoy time being reunited with those that I love.

Where I Stayed:

While in Ireland, I was initially going to stay in Dublin and Galway, but once I landed in Ireland, I made the executive decision to make Dublin my home base for the entire trip. Hence, I spent 8 days in Dublin, Ireland! That all being said, logistically speaking, I switched hotels a couple of nights into my trip as it made the most sense financially for me to do so. 

In addition to the hotels I stayed at, there are several lodging options within Dublin!


 

Castle Hotel – My first two nights, I stayed at the elegant Castle Hotel. It’s conveniently located just off of one of Dublin’s main streets: O’Connell Street. The Castle Hotel is essentially a grand millennial’s paradise! The hotel’s Georgian-inspired flair offers an interiors filled with antiques galore alongside an onsite The Castle Vaults Bar & Restaurant (more on that below!) as well as a high tea in the afternoons which guests must reserve in advance. Complimentary breakfast (both buffet style and traditional Irish breakfast) is offered to guests each morning. If I were to come back to Dublin, I would recommend you make the Castle Hotel your home the entirety of your trip, given its plethora of offerings and sheer grand millennial elegance!

Hotel St. George by Nina – My second hotel where I stayed for the remainder of my trip was Hotel St. George by Nina. The hotel’s lobby has a truly elegant appeal with an onsite breakfast bar at an additional cost to guests. I had a room with a huge window facing O’Connell Street, which made it a great location to be. Compared to The Castle Hotel, while a nice location and a cheaper price, the amenities weren’t as great and due to its major street location it got pretty loud at night making it tough to fall asleep. That all being said, there are benefits and costs to any hotel!

What I Did (in Dublin):

St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Founded in 1191 as a Roman Catholic Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a magnificent cathedral, serves as the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. The interiors and exterior alongside the surrounding gardens of this almost-1,000 years’ old cathedral are seriously worth visiting! Visitors can attend a show, worship via a Sermon, or book a ticket to experience and tour the cathedral’s interiors.

Trinity College – With notable alumna such as Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, and Willam Rowan Hamilton, Trinity College is a research university founded in Dublin on March 3, 1592. To this very day, Trinity College is an active college and research institution where students still live and learn and study at. The campus grounds are free to walk and attract tourists from all across the world (alongside its student body and staff and faculty!). One of the most notable attractions visitors can pay to see is the Book of Kells Experience (I write about it more in-depth here). It is worth noting that visitors must reserve their prepaid ticket to the Book of Kells Experience in advance as they do not accept walk-in’s.

Stroll Georgian Row – An activity I was REALLY looking forward to while in Dublin was strolling Georgian Row to see *none other than* the iconic colorful doors of Dublin (!!!!). Georgian houses have the Georgian architecture that is prominent all across Dublin. Georgian Row is the longest stretch of Georgian houses that runs from the corner of Merrion Square all the way to Leeson Street Bridge. Let’s just say that Georgian Row is GREAT for photos and for highlighting the many beautiful and unique doors of Dublin!

Christ Church Cathedral – Christ Church Cathedral was founded circa 1030 in Dublin, Ireland and was formally known as The Cathedral of The Holy Trinity. Almost 1,000 years later, Christ Church Cathedral serves as a magnificent part of Ireland’s heritage and offers visitors the opportunity to tour its grounds, worship via a Sermon, or host their own event. Although I didn’t get a chance to tour this time around, I would definitely add Christ Church Cathedral to the top of my list for my next trip to Dublin!

Dublin Castle – Located on Dublin’s Dame Street, Dublin Castle is an Irish government complex, conference center, and nowadays tourist attraction. Dublin Castle opened its doors in 1204 and still stands today in its original glory. The interiors of Dublin Castle’s exhibits offer a tribute to Ireland’s history, including highlighting its female leadership and remains a grand millennial’s paradise through showcasing gorgeous pristine antiques from centuries’ past. Guests can reserve timed entry tickets in advance.

Stroll St. Stephen’s Green – One of Ireland’s most well-known public parks, St. Stephen’s Green has served as the setting for numerous turbulent times within Ireland’s history. Most notably, St. Stephen’s Green is where the 1916 Easter Monday Rising took place when the Irish Citizen Army attempted to overthrow the then-governing powers of Great Britain. Today, St. Stephen’s Green is a gorgeous park to stroll through to admire local flora and fauna and be reminded of how far the nation of Ireland has come over the centuries.

What I Did (Beyond Dublin):

Throughout my time in Dublin, I used Dublin as a home basis to explore other parts of Ireland. Ireland is actually the size of the state of South Carolina in the United States. Hence, traveling from one end of Ireland and back is pretty doable to do within a day trip’s reach. I am so grateful that my 8 days in Dublin, Ireland offered me the opportunity to visit other parts of the Emerald Isle. Moreover, feel free to check out where else I visited beyond Dublin more in-depth below:

I’ve also compiled a list of car-free day trips to take around Ireland from Dublin.

Where I Dined:

The Winding Stair (40 Ormond Quay Lower) – Located above its *very own* downstairs bookshop (more on that below!), The Winding Stair overlooks Dublin’s River Liffey and serves delicious eats. The Winding Stair’s menu and bar is small but curated to perfection and was one of my favorite meals during my time in Dublin. Whether or not you choose to dine here and climb up its windy stairs to do so, I highly suggest checking out The Winding Stair Bookshop. I will also note that The Winding Stair is a bit of a splurge even for lunch when I went, however, my meal was SO GOOD I would make sure I dined there on my next trip to Dublin!

Murray’s Bar (33-34 O’Connell Street Upper) – Probably my FAVORITE pub in all of Dublin! Murray’s was coincidentally located just a block away from each hotel I stayed at making it the perfect hangout spot for a delicious Irish meal. Each time, I would *always* order a Guinness and usually some fish n’ chips aka my favorite traditionally Irish (and English!) meal! Typically, I’d pop up a chair right at the gorgeous bar and listen to some live music and talk with fellow visitors and locals, alike. The interiors of Murray’s are stunning and filled with gorgeously stained glass windows. The best part besides LOVING Murray’s and making it my go-to spot?!?! My Uncle James also unknowingly that I did the same thing made his go-to spot Murray’s when he went to Dublin a few months later!

Temple Bar Pub (47-48 Temple Bar) – Known for its live music and rich history as one of the most popular pubs in Dublin, Temple Bar Pub is one of the most famous pubs in all of the Irish capital. Temple Bar Pub is coincidentally located in Dublin’s Temple Bar neighborhood and is truly the heart and soul of it. Here, I had a good time hanging at the bar, enjoying a Guinness, and taking in the fun historic pub known for a good time.

Flanagans Restaurant (61 O’Connell Street Upper) – Given that Flanagan is a family name, I knew I *had* to dine at Flanagans Restaurant when I passed by it on my first night in Ireland. While definitely popular with tourists, I found this restaurant to be highly organized and efficient, however, I would suggest dining elsewhere for better meal quality and lower cost.

Starbucks – College Green (1 College Green) – As a MAJOR Starbucks lover and at least once a week goer, I had to try out a Starbucks while in the Emerald Isle! I fueled up at the Starbucks on College Green, as I was severely combatting jet lag during my first morning in Dublin via stumbling upon it while strolling. I was IN AWE at the huge variety of options to choose from when it came to baked goods, coffee, sandwiches, and more. Not to mention the fact that the ingredients are all well-made and fresher due to Europe’s stricter food chemical regulations. I highly recommend visiting a Starbucks abroad, as it’s truly a taste of home in case you feel home sick and *of course* for the experience! See all Starbucks locations in Dublin here.

The Castle Vaults Bar & Restaurant (1-4 Gardiner Row) – Located on the lower level of the Castle Hotel, the Castle Vaults Bar & Restaurant is amazing! The restaurant offers live music during dinner hours alongside a delicious menu. I came here for dinner on my second and final night at the Castle Hotel and would totally dine here every night if I ever come back to Dublin and stay at the Castle Hotel (which would be my first hotel choice!). I was able to chat with several fellow travelers from all across the United States, including somebody also from the Washington, DC area! Truly, that meal was a memorable night alongside the amazing salmon I had!!

Yamamori (38 Ormond Quay Lower) – I stumbled upon Yamamori after a long bus ride from Galway after my day trip to Connemara. Personally, I am a HUGE Asian cuisine fan and was missing Asian cuisine while in Europe, so I was excited to have some abroad! Yamamori truly did not disappoint and seriously brought me so much joy to enjoy after a long day away from Dublin!

Dunne and Crescenzi (14-16 Frederick Street South) – Like many of the restaurants previously mentioned, I *again* stumbled across Dunne and Crescenzi after I was strolling through Dublin’s Georgian Row and got a bit … hangry. Let’s just say that this delicious Italian meal with wine was light and truly hit the spot. The staff here were extremely friendly and the restaurant’s interiors were small yet elegant and transported you to a restaurant in what felt like an urban Italian wine shop.

Restaurant Six (6 Cavendish Row, O’Connell Street Upper) – I knew I wanted to dine at Restaurant Six when I saw its lovely menu outside of the nearby hotel to both of mine: Cassidys Hotel. I ordered a gnocchi and it was AMAZING! The vibes were sheer elegance as well as the meal. Truly a delight and one of my favorites on this trip!

The Church Cafe, Late Bar & Restaurant (Jervis Street, North City) – Located in a former church converted to a restaurant, The Church Cafe is known for its delicious eats, drinks, and live music. I ended up coming here for an espresso martini at the bar, since it was super crowded and tough to get a table and let me tell y’all that it was SO WORTH IT! To be able to dine in a former church like I did in Louisville, Kentucky (here) is such a neat experience while at the same time enjoying live traditional Irish music. What a wonderful experience and place to enjoy a martini!!

Where I Shopped:

Avoca (11-13 Suffolk Street) – Dating back to 1723 as a co-operative weaving mill on the banks of Ireland’s Avoca River, Avoca has since become an Irish-based and Irish-made shop selling clothing, home goods, and several weaved items. I came across Avoca while strolling the shops alongside Dublin’s well-known shopping street – Grafton Street – and fell *in love* with the grand millennial merchandise is all of the windows. I *of course* popped into the storefront and fell in love with ALL that I saw. After internally debating, I ultimately came home with a new pair of Irish-made pajamas that I adore!

The Winding Stair (40 Ormond Quay Lower) – The Winding Stair bookstore lives on the lower level of the winding stairs below the restaurant that I dined at and wrote about above while in Dublin. It is one of the oldest surviving independent bookstores in the city and focuses on being a creative outlet for its readers and visitors, alike. The Winding Stair bookstore focuses on Irish writers and literature, which is SO neat to see and learn more about as a visitor.

Wrap-Up:

I still almost feel like crying when I remember the plane landing in Dublin as this city remains the place where I had my first-ever solo trip! Truly, Dublin and all of Ireland is and will always be a special place. The people of Dublin and beyond are some of the kindest, most welcoming people that I have ever met. Ireland is an incredible country and Dublin truly is at the heart of it all boasting much of the nation’s history, culture, and heritage.

Until next time, Dublin!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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