When you travel, one of the best parts is getting to experience life as a local, whether it's eating at a family-run restaurant or making new friends while buying at a market off the beaten path. Book one of these six European homes-away-from-home for a long stay, and you'll get a flavour of local life while also enjoying some extra luxuries.
Madrid, Spain
Amor de Dios 17 Boutique Hotel, Madrid, Spain
For a sunny, cultural and delicious food-filled long stay in Europe, look no further than Madrid. More specifically – Amor de Dios 17 Boutique Hotel, is set within a Madrid townhouse in a quiet street in the centre of the city. It’s located between must-visits Plaza Mayor (Madrid’s expansive and atmospheric main square) and The Prado Museum (housing Spain’s largest national collection of art, and one of the largest collections in the world). First, go sightseeing and then settle in with late-night dinners at bars and beer gardens such as Cervecera Restaurante Plaza Mayor, which has outdoor seating right on the plaza and is a great place to people-watch. The Santa Eulalia Boulangerie Patisserie, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, is a nice place to grab a cup of coffee and some freshly baked bread and pastries for breakfast.
Munich, Germany
Schwan Locke, Munich, Germany
Munich has many strings to its bow; surrounded by easily accessible, resplendent nature, and known for its great beer, bakeries and pleasant pace of life, the Bavarian capital is a great place to try to settle into the local scene. To treat yourself to a little luxury while doing so, spend your long stay at Schwan Locke, where studio apartments boast modern, playful interiors in a soothing pastel and earthy colour palette.
Bath, United Kingdom
Hiding Space - Trim Street Apartments, Bath, United Kingdom
Named after its Roman-built baths, this elegant city is home to a multitude of world-class spas, making it an extra relaxing and idyllic long-stay location. And at Hiding Space - Trim Street Apartments, guests even have a hot tub on a rooftop with amazing views of the city in all its architectural grandeur. Cultural events, exhibitions, concerts, and more fill Bath's year-round calendar of events, while the city's tearooms, gastropubs, and posh restaurants are sure to please foodies. Return to your Trim Street Apartment after a day of seeing the city and admire the glistening nighttime view of Bath Abbey from the rooftop of the building.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon Art Stay Apartments Baixa, Lisbon, Portugal
Base yourself at Lisbon Art Stay Apartments in Lisbon’s Baixa district for a long stay in the Portuguese capital and you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of local cafés and scenic spots from which to watch the world go by. Azulejo, which is a type of Portuguese ceramic tilework, decorates your large suite. In the morning, you can wake up to a Pastel de nata, a traditional Portuguese custard tart, and a cup of coffee. Spend your days exploring markets, bookshops, and bars on the city's hilly streets, or go for a walk, swim, or surf on one of the many beautiful beaches that dot the Portuguese coast.
Dublin, Ireland
Zanzibar Locke - Dublin
Stay too long in Dublin – experiencing the super friendly locals, and the pulsating pub and live music scene – and you won’t want to leave. But in the meantime, make the most of the Irish capital by staying at Zanzibar Locke, a collection of glamorous studio apartments exceptionally well-located right by the river and moments from the Temple Bar neighbourhood. Even though the building is in the middle of a busy area, behind its Georgian exterior is a calm, plush, and simple Scandi-style interior. The lobby is a nice place to relax. It has a bar, but you probably won't need it since there are so many pubs nearby. It's also a nice place to eat breakfast each morning before going for a walk around the city.
The Hague, Netherlands
COVE Centrum, The Hague, Netherlands
Though often overlooked by visitors in favour of larger Dutch cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, The Hague is an infinitely charming option for those looking for a more local than touristy experience. This accessible seaside city is relatively calm yet quirky, with everything from cocktail bars and 'kibbeling' (fresh fried fish) kiosks on the beach in the summer to excellent art collections, including Vermeer's masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring, housed in The Hague's Mauritshuis museum. Stay in a chic studio suite at COVE Centrum right in the heart of the city and enjoy having all the city’s must-sees on your doorstep.
Ref: Booking.com
