According to a recent survey of more than 1,400 TripAdvisor(R) travelers, 65 percent of respondents worldwide, and 50 percent of Americans, are planning to travel to/within Europe in the next 12 months. As travelers prepare for their European trips this year, TripAdvisor wanted to offer recommendations on places to stay, eat at, and see while visiting some of the most popular capitals in Europe: London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin. These lists were determined based on the opinions and experiences of TripAdvisor travelers and editors. All prices below are listed in U.S. dollars, and hotel prices reflect year-round average nightly rates.
LONDON Hotels: 1. Bay Tree House B&B - 59 Brookdale, New Southgate Top-rated B&B in London on TripAdvisor, New Southgate gem is $127/night. 2. Arran House Hotel - 77-79 Gower Street, Central London Cozy Central London B&B with great location and is only $129/night. 3. Melrose House - 89 Lennard Road, East Penge Fifteen-minute tube ride into Central London, East Penge B&B is $103/night. Attractions: 1. British Museum - Great Russell Street, London Expansive and diverse collection of antiques makes it one of many outstanding and free London museums. 2. Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace Road, London Watch the regularly scheduled famous changing of the guard at 11 a.m. 3. Richmond Park - Richmond Park, Surrey The largest royal park in London with about 2,500 acres of beautiful and peaceful landscape. Restaurants: 1. The Stockpot - 18 Old Compton Street, London About $60 for a three-course meal for two with wine and coffee. 2. The Neal's Yard Salad Bar - 1, 8/10 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden Great take-out specials, often complete meals less than $10. 3. Mr. Wu - 6-7 Irving Street, Leicester Square Less than $10 all-you-can-eat Chinese food buffet in Leicester Square. PARIS Hotels: 1. Hotel de la Porte Doree - 273 ave Daumesnil, Paris Cozy Daumesnil establishment, $97/night, 20 minute Metro ride into center city. 2. Residence Les Gobelins - 9 rue des Gobelins, Paris Close to Metro and Mouffetard market area, $111/night, a Parisian bargain. 3. Comfort Inn Saint Pierre - 10, rue de Clignancourt, Paris Modest, but clean hotel near Sacre Coeur/Montmartre is $145/night. Attractions: 1. Notre Dame Cathedral - 6 place du Parvis, Ile de la Cite, Paris Visitors are welcome free-of-charge to this beautiful, historic church. 2. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery - 16 rue du Repos, Paris Burial site of numerous French luminaries, with stunning views of Paris. 3. Champs-Elysees - Avenue des Champs Elysees, Paris Famously beautiful tree-lined boulevard with wonderful boutiques, cafes and shops. Restaurants: 1. Le Vieux Belleville - 12 rue des Envierges, Paris Fun family restaurant combines good food, live music and meals for under $30. 2. Le Petit Vatel - 5 rue Lobineau, Saint Germain des Pres Quaint Saint Germain restaurant offering 3 course meals at about $30. 3. Chartiers - 7 rue Faubourg, Montmartre Montmartre eatery where main course and entrée can go for less than $20. ROME Hotels: 1. Hotel Parlamento - Via delle Convertite 5, Rome Centrally located near the Spanish Steps, this comfortable hotel is $153/night. 2. Hotel San Pietrino - Via Giovanni Bettolo, 43, Rome Conveniently located near the Vatican, simple, cozy accommodation at $159/night. 3. II Colle degli Ulivi - Via Colle Palazzola, 36, Zagarolo Amazing B&B in Zagarolo, 30 minutes from Rome's city center and $106/night. Attractions: 1. Trevi Fountain - Piazza di Trevi, Rome Stunning Baroque work-of-art is free and does not require a guide. 2. Porta Portese Market - Rome Renowned flea market open on Sundays where travelers can shop and eat on the cheap. 3. The Pantheon - Piazza della Rotonda, Rome Amazing ancient historic structure has free tours in the evening. Restaurants: 1. Da Corrado - Va della Pelliccia, 39 Trastevere Trastavere family-run business is simple, but good and inexpensive - can be less than $15/person. 2. Trattoria Dar Pallaro - Largo del Pallaro 15 Warm atmosphere and five-course meals for around $30. 3. Da Michele - Via Merulana, 236 Choose from dozens of pizzas for about $25. MADRID Hotels: 1. Hotel Room Mate Alicia - C/ Prado, 2 Madrid Funky, hip hotel located on Santa Ana Square costs $191/night. 2. Best Western Atlantico - Gran Via 38, Madrid Great location on the Grand Via is $188/night. 3. Room Mate Mario - Campomanes 4, Madrid Central Madrid, near the Royal Place, with a friendly staff at $165/night. Attractions: 1. Retiro Park - Between C. Alfonso XII and Avenida de Menendez Pelayo, Madrid Stunning urban park complete with fountains, a lake, and a rose garden. 2. Prado Museum - Paseo del Prado s/n Madrid Perhaps the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings and free every night from 6-8 p.m. 3. Plaza de Oriente - Opposite Palacio Real Madrid Spain Bursting with attractions, including the Royal Palace, Royal Theatre and Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants: 1. Jhambala - Calle de Perez Galdos, 3 Madrid Cozy, Mediterranean restaurant with colorful decor and less than $30 per person. 2. Wagaboo - Calle Gravina, 18 Madrid Fun eating for under $30 at this noodle haven. 3. Bazaar - C/ Libertad, 21, Madrid Great Mediterranean food in a trendy environment, around $25 per person. BERLIN Hotels: 1. Arcotel Velvet - Oranienburger Strasse 52 Berlin Stylish hotel in good location, with most attractions within walking distance at $198/night. 2. Winter's Hotel Berlin Mitte - Rudolfstadter Strasse 42 Wilmersdorf Berlin Central location near Checkpoint Charlie with clean, spacious rooms, accommodations at $142/night. 3. Goethe87 Hotel - Goethestrasse 87 Berlin West Berlin gem near train station with spacious, modern rooms at $159 a night. Attractions: 1. Pergamon Museum - Museumsinsel, Am Kupfergraben Berlin Historic museum with free admission from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday nights. 2. Reichstag - Platz der Republik Tiergarten Berlin Great historic building with incredible views from the top. 3. Berlin Wall - Niederkirchnerstrasse Berlin Scattered pieces throughout Berlin, head to Potsdamer Platz for a decent stretch. Restaurants: 1. Cenacolo - Sredzkistrasse 23 Berlin Authentic Italian food and furnishings with great atmosphere and less than $25/person. 2. Monsieur Vuong - Alte Schonhauser Strasse 46 Berlin Affordable and delicious Vietnamese cuisine, and costs less than $25. 3. Zur Letzten Instanz - Waisenstrasse 14-16 Berlin The oldest restaurant in Berlin with traditional fare, expect to spend around $30 per meal.
"It is remarkable how many hidden gems TripAdvisor travelers uncover to make traveling on a budget a reality, even in the most expensive European cities," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor.
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