#c6d7dc;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;>For

[emilyzh2019-blog]

Best Things to Do In Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

Venice feels like it shouldn’t exist. Beautiful floating palaces of stone surrounded by a network of canals. Here are some of the best things to do in Venice for your first visit!

Venice is one of the most popular Italian cities for tourists, even with all the other beautiful & historic places there are in Italy.

But there’s a good reason. The City of Water is celebrated because of its unusual circumstances, sitting on 100+ small islands connected by over 400 bridges.

There are basically no roads, transportation is accomplished via boats on a confusing network of canals. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before!

There are many quirky, unique, unusual, and secret spots to discover in Venice.

I traveled here with Anna for the famous Carnevale di Venezia in February, a crazy annual festival of costumes and masks. We had an awesome time!

Because most travelers visiting Italy stop by the city for a few days, I wanted to recommend some fun and unusual things to do in Venice during your trip.

Venice Highlights Map

How To Use This Map

Above you’ll find a map of highlights in Venice, Italy. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking a route or points of interest. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of places I mention in this travel guide. “Star” the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version. Enjoy!

Best Things To Do In Venice In 2019

1. Explore Saint Mark’s Square

Piazza San Marco in Venice

St. Mark the Evangelist is Venice’s patron saint. Signs of this connection can be found throughout the city, with an excellent example being St. Mark’s Square.

Also called Piazza San Marco, it is Venice’s main public square, basically the social heart of the city. There are a bunch of famous landmarks here, like the Clock Tower, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doges’ Palace, and the Winged Lion of Venice.

St. Mark’s is also home to many public events that have been held here for centuries. You’ll find TONS of friendly pigeons, although keep in mind that feeding them has been banned.

Cafes line the North end, so it’s a nice place to sit with an Aperol spritz or hot chocolate and people watch. Visit around sunrise to enjoy it peacefully before the large tour groups show up.

USEFUL TIP: Cafe’s in St. Mark’s often have live music, but they tack a €6 EURO cover charge onto your bill automatically. Just be aware.

2. Libreria Acqua Alta Book Store

Venice’s Coolest Book Store!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, flooding is a frequent problem for a city built on water. So various Venetian institutions have come up with unique responses to the problem.

A cool book store called Libreria Acqua Alta placed its books and magazines in bathtubs, waterproof containers, and even a full-sized gondola! It makes for a very unique and very whimsical setting.

This Venice book store has become an Instagram hotspot, with quirky little “backdrops” for photos around the store. Keep an eye out for some adopted stray cats who roam the shelves too.

Normally I’d tell you to pick out a good book, find a quiet corner, and do a little reading. Unfortunately, an onslaught of Instagram “influencers” yelling at you to get out of their shot is more likely…

3. The Bridge Of Sighs

The Famous Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge Of Sighs is a unique enclosed bridge of white limestone spanning the Rio di Palazzo in Venice. There’s an interesting story behind the name.

It once led to a notorious Venetian prison, the beautiful view through its stone “bars” was a convict’s last sight of Venice before losing their freedom… and often their life. Hence the “sighs” as they passed.

These days tourists can walk through the bridge during a tour of Doges’ Palace, or more frequently, line up for photos outside with it in the background. You can also book a gondola ride that passes under it.

Locals often lie and tell tourists that it’s named after the “sigh” of couples sailing under it, falling in love due to the magic of Venice. The reality is a bit darker!

4. The Grand Canal (Canale Grande)

Take a Trip Down the Grand Canal

Venice was once the capital of a maritime empire, and a center of commerce and culture during Europe’s Renaissance period. The Grand Canal is the most important channel running through the city.

It’s also the largest and forms a recognizable “reverse S” through Venice when the city is viewed from above. Some of the most spectacular buildings in Venice line The Grand Canal!

Many of these buildings can only be accessed by boat. So you’ll find boats of all sorts heading up and down the canal in a fascinating form of organized chaos.

You’ll see plenty of traditional wooden gondolas, the large public Vaperetto water taxis, fancy private water taxis, small locally-owned motorboats, police boats, and my personal favorite, the garbage collection boats!

5. Ponte Di Rialto Bridge

Cross Over the Rialto Bridge

There are four large bridges that span the Grand Canal. The original of them all was Rialto Bridge, which started out as a pontoon bridge in the 12th century but has since been rebuilt into what you see today.

The current bridge was built in the late 16th century, at a time when critics claimed that it would soon fall into ruin. But more than four centuries later, the Rialto Bridge still stands in splendid defiance.

The Rialto is Venice’s most popular bridge, with a great view of the city from the top. It gets a bit crowded, especially in the middle of the day during the summer!

Shops line the center of the bridge, the perfect place to pick up a Venitian souvenir — like jewelry or some famous Murano glass.

6. Ride A Gondola In Venice

Anna & I Enjoying Our Gondola Ride!

Are the Venice gondola rides worth it? Well, it depends. Are you the type of person to visit Egypt and skip the pyramids? If so, go ahead and skip the gondola, too.

But if you’re genuinely curious about history and new travel experiences, suck it up and pay the €80 EURO price to rent one for 30 minutes.

One of the most iconic images of Venice is that of a traditional gondola being propelled by a professional gondolier. I will say, not all gondola rides are created equal. You could get a bored, unfriendly gondolier.

Or you could luck out with a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide (like we did), who also sings, as you float through the canals! It’s really just a part of the whole Venice experience.

USEFUL TIP: For a more thorough 2-hour guided tour of the canals, on a normal boat, check out this option: ➜ BOOK IT HERE

7. Gallerie Dell’Accademia

The riches that once flowed into Venice made it a leading center for the arts, and artists. Examples can be found at Gallerie Dell’Accademia, a museum that specializes in pre-19th-century Venetian art.

Suffice to say that the Venetian art scene had a profound impact on European art as a whole in more than one way, thus making the museum that much more of a must-see for art lovers everywhere.

Inside you’ll find artwork by renowned artists such as Bellini, Da Vinci, Titian, and Canaletto.

The old building itself is pretty cool, a former convent that was converted to a museum in the 1700’s. It sits right on the water’s edge of the Grand Canal.

8. Visit Doges’ Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The Courtyard of Doges’ Palace

The Republic of Venice came into existence in the 8th century and continued to exist until the late 18th century when Napoleon embarked on his conquest.

During that period, the republic was presided over by The Doge, a chief magistrate elected for life by Venetian nobles. Think of him as a combination of Pope & President.

Nowadays, the iconic Palazzo Ducale (Doge Palace) that housed the Doge has become one of the most famous landmarks of Venice, and a popular museum.

The interior of Doges’ Palace is quite opulent, with some wonderful views of the city. To walk through the Bridge Of Sighs mentioned earlier, this is how you do it.

9. St. Mark’s Basilica

Beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark’s Basilica, located in St. Mark’s Square, is the most famous of Venice’s churches and the cathedral of the Patriarchate of Venice.

Style-wise, the church is a mix of influences, having been built in the 11th century before being embellished again and again over the course of centuries. Today it boasts gold-leaf mosaics and beautiful domed ceilings.

Make sure to visit the small basilica museum inside, as well as the outdoor terrace with excellent views of the public square below.

As a lavish and much-beloved symbol of Venetian history, it’s totally worth a stop. Visiting on your own is free, although keep in mind there are often long lines.

USEFUL TIP: To skip the line for a full guided tour of St. Marks Basilica as well as Doges’ Palace, check out this option: ➜ BOOK IT HERE

10. Go Up San Marco Campanile

One of Venice’s Popular Landmarks

St. Mark’s Campanile is one of the most recognizable landmarks in St. Mark’s Square, a massive 98 meter (323 ft) bell tower that looms over its surroundings.

Galileo himself used the tower as an observatory to study the skies and in 1609 he demonstrated his telescope to the Lords of the city.

There is an elevator that goes to the top providing you with an unforgettable view of one of the most magnificent parts of Venice, including the Venitian Lagoon and Santa Maria Della Salute.

The ride to the top costs €8 EURO, or €13 EURO to skip the line (buy tickets here). Because drones are banned over Venice, it’s one of the only ways to get a cool aerial and panoramic view of the city.

11. Take A Day Trip To Burano

The Colorful Island of Burano

Burano is one of the smaller islands that can be found around the Venetian Lagoon. It’s reached via a 40-minute water taxi from St. Mark’s Square.

This small fishing village is unique for its brightly painted homes of pink, blue, yellow, and green. It’s a kaleidoscope of color with its own network of canals too.

Burano is also a center for lace-making, though the traditional methods see very little use these days because of their complicated and time-consuming nature.

The main square is filled with bars and outdoor restaurants, make sure to order some fresh fish risotto for lunch! Burano is a nice half-day trip to get out of Venice and see something different.

USEFUL TIP: For a complete guided day tour of both the islands Burano and Murano, check out this option: ➜ BOOK IT HERE

12. Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute

Basilica di Santa Maria

In the 17th century, Venice suffered a particularly bad outbreak of the bubonic plague when 80,000 people died.

As thanks for its deliverance from the plague, Venetians built the Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary who they believe saved them from much worse.

The result was a wonderful Baroque style structure which came complete with a beautiful dome that has become an iconic part of the Venetian skyline.

The basilica is positioned near the entrance to the Grand Canal. Entrance is free, and many people simply chill out on the church staircase. The Vaporetto water taxi has a stop right out front.

13. Climb San Giorgio Maggiore

San Giorgio Maggiore Island

San Giorgio Maggiore is one of the Venetian islands. Moreover, it is also the name of a Benedictine church that can be found upon said island.

Built in a Renaissance style out of shining white marble, one of San Giorgio Maggiore’s most stand-out features is the bell tower with an elevator to the top and excellent views of Venice.

If you only have time for one bell tower, I’d actually recommend this one over San Marco Campanile. Because this tower is on an island further away from the city center, you get a better view of Venice proper.

Entering the church is free, but if you want to go up the tower, it costs €3 EURO. San Giorgio Maggiore can be reached by public water taxi.

14. Check Out The Canareggio District

The Quiet Canareggio Neighborhood

Need a break from the crowds? Canareggio is the northernmost of Venice’s six historic districts, and where the last of Venice’s true residents call home, and the former Jewish Ghetto of Venice.

The other areas of Venice which line the Grand Canal are popular destinations for tourists, but the Canareggio neighborhood is residential in nature, featuring various cafes, shops, and a more local experience.

One of the biggest complaints about Venice is the crowds, but it’s totally possible to leave the busy areas behind and explore less-crowded parts, like Canareggio.

15. Eat A Traditional Tramezzino

The Traditional Sandwich of Venice!

Tramezzini are Italian sandwiches that use two pieces of soft white bread with their crusts removed.

Venetian Tramezzini are famous for being stuffed fuller than most of their counterparts, with the most traditional examples using either ham or tuna.

They are great as a snack, particularly for people who want something substantial. Probably the best place to grab a Tramezzino is Bar alla Toletta (Bar at the Toilet).

This tiny local cafe & Tramezzini shop in the Dorsoduro district is always packed, but the food is excellent and a perfect example of this traditional Venetian snack.

16. Get Lost In Venice’s Narrow Alleys

The Narrow Alleys of Venice

Space comes at a premium in Venice. As a result, there are a lot of places with VERY narrow alleys, which can be a fun way to explore one of the most romanticized cities on the planet.

One of my favorite things to do while we were in Venice was to just get lost in these narrow streets. Pick a direction and just start walking. See what hidden places you can find.

There are all kinds of little shops, public squares, and lesser-visited canals and bridges if you are willing to be adventurous and put down your phone or map.

Not that your smartphone will help much, GPS doesn’t work very well in these confusing, narrow alleyways. You’ll almost certainly get lost even if you weren’t planning to!

17. Buy A Venetian Carnival Mask

Even if you’re not visiting Venice during their annual Carnival in February, it’s still possible to pick up one of the famous Venetian Carnival masks!

Scholars speculate the masks were a way to shrug off the structure of class, enabling participants to enjoy a temporary measure of freedom.

The upper class and peasants would mingle together, the masks hiding their true identity. But they’d also allow people to engage in gambling, robbery, assassination, and other illicit activities.

You can easily pick up one of your own as a souvenir. There are cheap versions sold from street carts, or the more elaborate hand-made art pieces can be bought in specialized mask shops.

18. Scala Contarini Del Bovolo

Cool Spiral Staircase

View From the Top

If you’re looking for a cool hidden attraction in Venice, there’s a palazzo in San Marco with a spiral staircase called Scala Contarini Del Bovolo, as it resembles a snail shell.

This curved set of stairs is a perfect example of Renaissance art spreading through the city in the 15th century. It became associated with not just the palace but the Contarini family who lived there.

On the top floor, you can walk out onto the “Belvedere”, getting a wonderful view of Venice, including the domes and Campanile of San Marco. Entry fee is €7.00 EUR.

19. The Fight Club Bridge

There was a time when Venice saw frequent fist-fights between rival factions on its bridges, which were popular spectacles for Venetian crowds.

The fist-fights were not held in high regard by the Venetian authorities, but they were tolerated for a time because they were an improvement on the earlier practice of stick-fights.

The Ponte Dei Pugni (aka The Bridge of Fists) was the most popular place for these fist-fights. The surface bears four footprints rendered in white marble, supposedly where fighters would stand to start their matches.

Right next to the bridge there’s also a family-owned floating vegetable market, called “La Barca”, that was featured in the classic travel movie Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.

20. Crypt Of San Zaccaria

The Flooded Crypt

San Zaccaria is a central Venetian church built using a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. However, the church tends to be best-known because of its flooded crypt.

Curiously, the water has enhanced the overall feel of the space, perfectly suitable as a resting place for some of Venice’s earliest Doges (religious and political leaders).

The stone columns and vaulted ceilings combined with the standing water make for a creepy tomb. Totally worth a quick visit while you’re in Venice!

21. Catch An Epic Venetian Sunset

Colorful Venice Sunset at San Marco Pier

Venice has some amazingly colorful sunsets. They are complemented by the city’s magnificent architecture built along all the waterways and canals. Not to mention the gondolas floating about.

Sunsets often boast deep pink, yellow, purple, and orange colors. Unfortunately this partly due to all the smog hovering over the city… but it’s great for photography!

One of the best places to view the sunset in Venice is along the ferry pier at San Marco. There are a few docks that jut out into the Grand Canal, where you can set up a tripod [MAP].

22. Rialto Market Shopping

No visit to Venice would be complete without visiting the Rialto Market, seeing as how one of the city’s chief claims to fame was as a commercial hub.

The Rialto Market’s canal-side location means that it has played an important part in the day-to-day lives of Venetians for a very long time.

You can find fruit, vegetables, and fresh fish in the food section, plus countless souvenirs in the tourist section. The market is open from 9am to 9pm, and is situated near the big white Rialto Bridge.

USEFUL TIP: If you’d like a local guide to help you navigate all the great food in Venice, maybe consider going on a food tour too! ➜ BOOK IT HERE

Squero di San Trovaso Boatyard

23. Watch A Gondola Being Made

Squero di San Trovaso is one of the last remaining Venetian gondola boat yards, where local craftsmen build and repair the €20,000 traditional boats.

While the boatyard isn’t generally open to tourists, you can watch them work from across the canal. If you’re lucky, they’ll be outside varnishing one of the boats.

Only about 10 new gondolas are built each year, made from eight different kinds of wood including mahogany, cherry, fir, walnut, oak, elm, larch and lime. The last of a dying artform!

24. Cool Off With Venetian Gelato

Eating Gelato from Suso

After a long day wandering through the city, I recommend stopping by the Suso Gelatoteca for a cold and refreshing cone of tasty Italian gelato.

One way to know if you’re getting authentic, Italian gelato is to check the colors. Are they bright and florescent? Skip it! Real gelato is much more subdued.

Another great spot for gelato in Venice is Gelato Di Natura in San Croce. Make sure to eat it fast before it melts all over your hand!

25. Teatro La Fenice

Beautiful Old Theater

Sometimes called Phoenix by English speakers, Teatro La Fenice is a beautiful old Venetian opera house.

It has been destroyed and rebuilt two separate times following different fires, hence the “phoenix” name.

The interior is the star of the show, designed in classic Italian fashion, with lots of gold and seating in closed boxes for an extra measure of privacy.

Just keep in mind that photos from inside aren’t allowed during concert/play rehearsals, which we didn’t realize on our visit. Make sure to ask at the door.

26. Grab A Drink At Hotel Danieli

Hotel Danieli’s Awesome Staircase

If you want to see how the other half do Venice, stop into the lavish 14-century palace of Hotel Danieli and grab an evening drink at their Bar Dandolo.

This 5-star hotel has hosted such notable people as Charles Dickens, Harrison Ford, and Peggy Guggenheim.

In the lobby, there’s also a beautiful grand staircase decorated in red and gold. The bar features antique furniture, Murano chandeliers, and even more gold.

The bar was featured in 3 different James Bond films: Casino Royale (2006), From Russia with Love (1963) and Moonraker (1979).

27. Basilica Of Saints John & Paul

The Basilica of Saints John & Paul

The Basilica of Saints John and Paul is a smaller basilica that can be found in Castello, and the public square around it is a popular place for families to hang out.

Curiously, it isn’t named for John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle. Instead, it is named for a more obscure pair of saints who are said to have been eunuchs belonging to the Emperor Constantine’s daughter Constantina.

Regardless, the Basilica of Saints John and Paul is a treasure trove of art and culture, as well as the place where funeral services for the Venetian Doges were held following the 15th century.

28. Ride The Vaporetto Water Taxi

The Cheapest Way To Travel Venice

By now you’ve already heard me mention the Vaporetto water taxi a few times. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around Venice.

It’s basically a floating public bus, that stops frequently at different docks around the city. It may not be quite as romantic as a wooden gondola or private boat, but it gets the job done.

Vaporettos usually run between 6am and 10pm, and you can buy a 24-hour ticket for €20 EUR, or 48-hours for €30. A single ticket costs €7.50.

You can also use them to reach some of the other islands around Venice, like Murano & Burano. If you’re traveling to Venice on a budget, this is the way to go!

29. Glass Making On Murano Island

Famous Murano Island Glass

Murano is another small island just outside Venice, reachable via water taxi. It’s become known around the world for its glass-making artisans.

You can stop into the Museo del Vetro – Museum of Glass to learn about the history of Murano glass and how its made, or even sign up for a glass blowing class and make some yourself!

If you are looking to bring home some souvenirs from your trip to Venice Italy, I highly recommend picking up some authentic Murano glass.

30. Attend Venice Carnival!

Crazy Costumes at Venice Carnival

Modeled after ancient Greek and Roman festivals, Venice Carnival is a holiday that allowed regular citizens to dress up in anonymous costumes, making fun of the aristocracy without fear.

But it eventually backfired, allowing criminals to get away with all kinds of crimes behind the masks, and Carnival was banned in 1797. The celebration & parties returned though during the 1960’s.

These days, Venice Carnival lasts for two weeks in February, with all kinds of parades, concerts, private parties, and people dressed up in elaborate costumes.

We had a ton of fun photographing all the different costumes and masks, as people pose for you at the most iconic spots around the city.

Best Time To Visit Venice

High season for Venice Italy is during the summer from June to August, when everyone is on summer break. It’s hot and very crowded! Try to avoid the summer if you can.

The best time to visit Venice is during the shoulder seasons, March – May and September – November. Still busy, but not as bad as summertime.

If you are looking to travel on a budget, visit Venice during the acqua alta, or “high water” months of October through January. This is when the city floods on a regular basis.

Venice Carnval is during February. 2020 Carnivale de Venezia dates are February 8th to February 25th.

Where To Stay In Venice

Normally I’d recommend staying at an Airbnb, but for Venice, a vacation rental investment explosion has forced locals to leave the city because they can no longer afford rent. Which is kinda shitty. Use a hotel instead!

Best Accommodation In Venice

BUDGET Generator Hostel

MID-RANGE Hotel Mezzo Pozzo

LUXURY Hotel Danieli

Transportation Around Venice

Most people get to Venice by flying into Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. From there, you can jump on the ATVO airport transfer bus to Piazzale Roma, the main bus terminal. Buses run every 20 minutes and cost €6 EUR. From the terminal, you can pick up a Vaporetto and start floating down the Grand Canal.

Vaporetto

The Venice public “water bus”. A single ticket costs €7.50 EUR. 24-hour unlimited ticket for €20 EUR. 48-hours for €30. 72-hours for €40. Timetables here.

Water Taxis

For a slightly cooler experience, you can book a motoscafi (water taxi). It’s basically a wooden speed boat that travels much faster than the public Vaporetti. But it’s more expensive.

For up to five people, the price is €110 to or from the airport. Or €82 from the train station to Plaza San Marco. So if you’re sharing with a group, it isn’t so bad.

Gondola

€80 for 30 minutes before 7pm, €100 after 7pm. The price is good for up to 6 people. This is more of a tourist attraction than a practical way to get around the city. I’d recommend trying it at least once though!

Budget Travel Tips For Venice Italy

Don’t try and see absolutely everything in Venice if don’t have much time. Pick a few things to do each day. The large crowds can be stressful.

Speaking of crowds, mentally prepare for them. Unless you’re visiting off-season, Venice is ALWAYS packed, like 60,000 – 80,000 people each day!

To avoid the huge influx of cruise ship passengers that descend upon Venice, check out this Cruise Ship Calendar to help plan your trip around them.

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE ITALY TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide on what to do in Venice! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next: Hiking Tre Cime Di Lavaredo Beautiful Lago Di Braies Biking Italy’s Apennines Mountains The Best Travel Backpacks Review

Any questions about things to do in Venice Italy? Do you have other suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

[emilyzh2019-blog]

Jess Works as a Virtual Assistant

Travel Jobs

Are you good with computers, following instructions, and social media? You might be the perfect fit to work as a virtual assistant making money online remotely.

Today, my friend (and my own VA) Jess shares her experience becoming a virutal assistant, along with tips for how to find jobs while traveling. Here’s Jess:

The Best Travel Jobs

Hi guys! My name is Jess, and I work as Matt’s virtual assistant for this blog.

After traveling around the world full time for 9-months, my savings were starting to run out, and I was determined to find a travel job that would allow me to earn an income on the road.

I was already “living the dream”, now I just needed to figure out how to afford that dream!

After many trials and errors, I finally figured out how to make extra money traveling the world while working as a virtual assistant (VA).

In this article, I’m going to share how to start working as a virtual assistant, where to find virtual assistant jobs online, what skills are important to know, and tips for working remotely.

Searching For A Travel-Friendly Job

I remember the moment I decided to become a virtual assistant. I thought to myself “If other people are doing this, why can’t I?”.

It all started when I wrote out a list of all the skills I had picked up from studying and working in digital marketing, photography & video throughout the years prior to my gap year.

I knew what I was good at, but I had no idea how I was going to find someone who needed my skills.

Somewhere along the way, I figured it all out – and now it’s time for me to pass this wisdom onto you my young Padawan. ;-)

How to Work as a VA

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

This will change from client to client, but essentially a Virtual Assistant can do any digital task you need them to!

Most virtual assistants provide support to their clients by answering customer emails, updating websites, organizing files, bookkeeping, coordinating schedules, social media management, research, or even photo & video editing.

Basically, any small task that your client doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have time for. Freeing up valuable time that can be used on his or her primary business objectives.

In modern times, the need for an executive assistant to work in the same physical office space as their clients has reduced dramatically with the power of the internet, online tools, and new software.

Virtual Assistant Duties & Tasks

Virtual assistants can work as executive assistants, administrative assistants, or personal assistants depending on the client. Tasks may include things like:

Email Management

Answering customer support emails, highlighting promising business opportunities for the client to follow up on, declining unattractive offers, clearing out spam messages, or putting together a monthly newsletter.

Social Media Management

Scheduling posts on social media accounts like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Designing graphics to use. Crafting descriptions. Researching hashtags. Maybe even responding to comments, updating profiles, and more.

Website Management

Formatting, editing, drafting, and scheduling blog posts on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) for the client’s website. Moderating the comments section. Fixing broken links and other general website maintenance tasks.

Administrative Tasks

Managing a client’s calendar, setting schedules, booking travel arrangements, creating spreadsheets, answering phone calls, etc.

Computer skills are also very important, as is knowledge of certain common software programs like:

Word Processors (Microsoft Word, Google Documents)

Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)

Blogging Platforms (WordPress)

Image Editors (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)

Social Media Tools (Tailwind, Buffer)

Just Another Day at the Office!

My Typical Day Working As Matt’s VA

While I’m going to share what my day looks like, there are all kinds of variations to this. Because virtual assistants can do all sorts of different tasks.

9 AM: Email Management Rise and shine! Time to check in on Slack (our team collaboration tool for organizing tasks, sending files and chatting about projects) to see if there’s anything to add to my to-do list for the week.

Next, I respond to and organize emails as well as approve blog comments — which can start to pile up overnight.

Matt receives a lot of similar questions & comments via email, so we have some standard replies for saving time. I save them as drafts and Matt adds his own personalizations before hitting “send”.

10 AM: Content Research & Blog Post Formatting I review Matt’s upcoming blog content, maybe do some extra research, or format unfinished blog posts so they’re ready to publish.

We are constantly working to improve Expert Vagabond content, updating older blog posts with more relevant information, plus adding maps or additional imagery to enhance the reader experience.

12 PM: Social Media Management Over the past few months, I’ve worked on creating Matt’s Pinterest ‘brand’, to ensure that there is a consistent look and feel between all of his pins. Creating some eye-catching pins using his images.

Once the Pinterest images are ready to go, it’s time to open up Tailwind to schedule the pins to go out for the next week. I create, source and schedule 15 – 20 pins per day.

Matt recently decided to try out Flipboard as another platform for sourcing and sharing content, so I usually spend 30-minutes updating our online Flipboard ‘magazines’ for the week.

Benefits Of Working As A Virtual Assistant

1. Work From Anywhere In The World

For me, this cancels out ALL of the disadvantages of VA work. I found out about this position when I was traveling through Asia earlier this year.

My bank account was telling me it was time to go home, but I wasn’t ready to stop traveling yet.

Having the opportunity to work from anywhere gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, from a different city, or even a foreign country!

2. Cut Costs On Your Commute

When I worked in a typical office in Dublin, I would spend €11 and 2.5 hours on my commute every day.

Working from home allows me to save €220 every month – that’s €2,640 every year. That’s the price of a new camera or an incredible holiday abroad. I’ll take that over commuting any day!

3. Set Your Own Hours

If working the 9 – 5 grind works for you, stick at it! But if not, how about finding a job that allows you to work at a time that suits you.

Not much a morning person? Do the late shift. Not much of a night owl either? Not a problem, working from 11am to 7pm solves that problem. This is the kind of flexibility you just don’t find in a typical office environment.

4. Spend More Time With Your Family

What would you do if someone gave you an extra 2.5 hours in your day? I spend mine with the people I love, doing the things I used to have to save for the weekends.

Coffee Shops & Coworking Spots

The Downside Of Virtual Assistant Jobs

1. Loneliness

If you are thinking of getting into the digital nomad world, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of being alone.

There’s no one sitting beside you to support you or even just have a little chat with over lunch. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you should look into co-working spaces or networking events that you can go to in the evenings to get some human interaction in your day.

2. Distractions

I’m learning how to master this slowly but surely…

When there is no one looking over your shoulder all day, making sure you are focused on the task at hand, it is easy to become distracted by anything and everything!

You have to remember that you will only get paid for the hours you actually complete, not the 40 minutes you spend daydreaming out the window.

3. Self Discipline

Tying in nicely with the last point, self-discipline is a skill. Technically, you are your own boss now, so you have to make sure that you get the task done on time.

If you lack in self-discipline, you will lag in productivity. Set yourself boundaries, time frames and rules – then stick to them.

How Much Money Can You Earn?

Virtual assistants can usually make between $10 to $35 an hour with a median hourly rate of about $16. It will really depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience level.

If you’re just doing data entry, the pay might not be that great.

But if you’ve built up some basic graphic design skills, understand WordPress, know how to edit videos and photography, have in-depth experience with social media platforms, or other specialized knowledge, you can earn more.

Where To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs

If you’re ready to start making extra money on the side with a virtual assistant business, here are a few places to get started.

Freelancer Websites

FlexJobs

Upwork

People Per Hour

Social Media

Let your family and friends know you’re looking for a virtual assistant job by posting it on social media. Networking is a powerful tool. You may be surprised who knows someone that may be able to help you up with a job.

In fact, this is how I got my job! By posting on social media that I was looking for VA work.

Reach Out To Potential Clients

I’m sure you follow some professional bloggers, YouTube video creators, or social media influencers who you’d love to work with. It doesn’t hurt to send them all a quick message via email offering your services.

Be friendly, don’t be pushy, and if they aren’t hiring — maybe they know someone who is?

Tips For Landing Your First VA Position

Step 1: Work On Your Skills

The first step is to define the skills that you can use as a Virtual Assistant. Not sure if you have the right skills for the job? No problem!

Put some hours aside every week to learn skills and within a few months, you will be ready to put your new knowledge to the test.

There are millions of Youtube videos you can watch that will teach you how to run a successful social media campaign, manage calendar appointments, edit video on Final Cut Pro, create social media images using Adobe Photoshop and more.

You can also sign up to Skillshare (2 months free with that link!) to get unlimited access to over 23,000 classes.

This is exactly what I did to improve my organizational skills, digital marketing, video editing and photography before I started to look for jobs online.

Step 2: Find The Right Industry

For me, I knew that I wanted to work in the travel industry so that immediately narrowed down my options.

A lot of people go straight to the internet to search for a job. I decided to start my job search using the “networking” route by telling everyone I knew what I wanted to do.

I told my family and friends “I’m looking for a Virtual Assisting role in the travel industry. If you know someone who might be able to help me, could you give them my details?”

Then I put the message out to my connections on Facebook and Instagram.

Within a week, a friend of mine posted that Matt from ExpertVagabond.com was looking for a virtual assistant! Moral of the story – put it out into the world, and the world will often support you.

Step 3: Create A CV & Cover Letter

Throw away that boring Microsoft Word CV that you created when you were 16 in computer class! It’s time for a modern upgrade.

My go-to tool for CV creation is Canva.com. Not only does it have a tonne of templates for you to use, but you can also customize them to really showcase your top skills and highlight the many reasons why someone should hire you.

Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of personality to your CV. Keep in mind that your potential employer is probably sifting through a hundred CV’s, so you want them to open yours and say “Ooooh, what’s this?”. Leave them feeling intrigued.

Please remember that your CV should only be 1 – 2 pages long and your cover letter should be 2 – 3 paragraphs maximum. Employers usually don’t have a lot of time to look at them, so you need to present the information as concisely as possible.

Step 4: Interview Prep

Now that you have nailed the CV & Cover Letter, it’s time to prepare for the interview stage.

It is almost 100% guaranteed that they are going to ask you to tell them more about yourself, so make sure to have a little elevator speech worked out in advance.

Remember you don’t have to solely focus on the business side of life. Give them an insight into your hobbies, where you get inspiration from and how your life has lead you to this new role.

This is your moment to show them exactly why you are perfect for their virtual assistant position, so take the time to discuss your skills, your experience, your education (even if it is just from Youtube and Skillshare!).

They will love to hear that you are constantly learning and improving your knowledge of the key skills needed for the role.

ALWAYS have 2 – 3 questions prepared to ask them at the end of the interview. If you don’t, it can look like you are not interested in finding out more about them or their business.

If they have already answered all of your questions throughout the interview, you can tell them the question you wanted to ask, and thank them for already answering it in so much detail.

Step 5: Go Above & Beyond

If you want to really knock their socks off, why not create an example of the work you will create for them.

Show them your social media image designs, or write out a sample travel blog post to show them how serious you are about taking these tasks off their hands.

Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but it will instantly build trust that you can get the job done.

In the past, I’ve created video CV’s for clients who have a background in Youtube and have even created a brand new CV in the style of my favorite book for a position to work with the book’s author.

You have to do whatever it takes to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.

The truth is there are many advantages and disadvantages to this type of job, but if you can master the art of virtual assisting, the world is your oyster!

It takes dedication, drive and an enormous amount of self-discipline, but it is definitely a dream job that will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms (and travel if you want to).

If you are attempting to find a VA job at the moment, just remember that the first client is the hardest. If you can land that first client, the next 50 clients should be no problem.

So keep on trying, keep improving your skills, and don’t stop learning until you’re living it up swinging from a hammock somewhere with your laptop in one hand and a cocktail in the other! ★

BIO

Jess Glynn is the author of The Gap Year Guru and has worked in digital marketing for over 5 years, specializing in Social Media and Content Creation. In 2017, she decided to quit her job and write about her travels through Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines for 9 months. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!

Virtual Assistant Job Resources

Remote Job Listing Websites

FlexJobs.com

Guavabean Facebook Group

Remote.co

Freelancer.com

Useful Tools & Software For VAs

Canva

Slack

Trello

WordPress

Ultimate Travel-Friendly Job Guide.

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE DIGITAL NOMAD ARTICLES

How To Find Online Translation Jobs Working On Sailing Yachts How I Make Money While Traveling Side Income Ideas: Earning Money From Home

Have any questions for Jess about working as a virtual assistant or landing your first job? Drop her a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

[emilyzh2019-blog]

Jess Works as a Virtual Assistant

Travel Jobs

Are you good with computers, following instructions, and social media? You might be the perfect fit to work as a virtual assistant making money online remotely.

Today, my friend (and my own VA) Jess shares her experience becoming a virutal assistant, along with tips for how to find jobs while traveling. Here’s Jess:

The Best Travel Jobs

Hi guys! My name is Jess, and I work as Matt’s virtual assistant for this blog.

After traveling around the world full time for 9-months, my savings were starting to run out, and I was determined to find a travel job that would allow me to earn an income on the road.

I was already “living the dream”, now I just needed to figure out how to afford that dream!

After many trials and errors, I finally figured out how to make extra money traveling the world while working as a virtual assistant (VA).

In this article, I’m going to share how to start working as a virtual assistant, where to find virtual assistant jobs online, what skills are important to know, and tips for working remotely.

Searching For A Travel-Friendly Job

I remember the moment I decided to become a virtual assistant. I thought to myself “If other people are doing this, why can’t I?”.

It all started when I wrote out a list of all the skills I had picked up from studying and working in digital marketing, photography & video throughout the years prior to my gap year.

I knew what I was good at, but I had no idea how I was going to find someone who needed my skills.

Somewhere along the way, I figured it all out – and now it’s time for me to pass this wisdom onto you my young Padawan. ;-)

How to Work as a VA

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

This will change from client to client, but essentially a Virtual Assistant can do any digital task you need them to!

Most virtual assistants provide support to their clients by answering customer emails, updating websites, organizing files, bookkeeping, coordinating schedules, social media management, research, or even photo & video editing.

Basically, any small task that your client doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have time for. Freeing up valuable time that can be used on his or her primary business objectives.

In modern times, the need for an executive assistant to work in the same physical office space as their clients has reduced dramatically with the power of the internet, online tools, and new software.

Virtual Assistant Duties & Tasks

Virtual assistants can work as executive assistants, administrative assistants, or personal assistants depending on the client. Tasks may include things like:

Email Management

Answering customer support emails, highlighting promising business opportunities for the client to follow up on, declining unattractive offers, clearing out spam messages, or putting together a monthly newsletter.

Social Media Management

Scheduling posts on social media accounts like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Designing graphics to use. Crafting descriptions. Researching hashtags. Maybe even responding to comments, updating profiles, and more.

Website Management

Formatting, editing, drafting, and scheduling blog posts on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) for the client’s website. Moderating the comments section. Fixing broken links and other general website maintenance tasks.

Administrative Tasks

Managing a client’s calendar, setting schedules, booking travel arrangements, creating spreadsheets, answering phone calls, etc.

Computer skills are also very important, as is knowledge of certain common software programs like:

Word Processors (Microsoft Word, Google Documents)

Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)

Blogging Platforms (WordPress)

Image Editors (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)

Social Media Tools (Tailwind, Buffer)

Just Another Day at the Office!

My Typical Day Working As Matt’s VA

While I’m going to share what my day looks like, there are all kinds of variations to this. Because virtual assistants can do all sorts of different tasks.

9 AM: Email Management Rise and shine! Time to check in on Slack.com (our team collaboration tool for organizing tasks, sending files and chatting about projects) to see if there’s anything to add to my to-do list for the week.

Next, I respond to and organize emails as well as approve blog comments — which can start to pile up overnight.

Matt receives a lot of similar questions & comments via email, so we have some standard replies for saving time. I save them as drafts and Matt adds his own personalizations before hitting “send”.

10 AM: Content Research & Blog Post Formatting I review Matt’s upcoming blog content, maybe do some extra research, or format unfinished blog posts so they’re ready to publish.

We are constantly working to improve Expert Vagabond content, updating older blog posts with more relevant information, plus adding maps or additional imagery to enhance the reader experience.

12 PM: Social Media Management Over the past few months, I’ve worked on creating Matt’s Pinterest ‘brand’, to ensure that there is a consistent look and feel between all of his pins. Creating some eye-catching pins using his images.

Once the Pinterest images are ready to go, it’s time to open up Tailwind to schedule the pins to go out for the next week. I create, source and schedule 15 – 20 pins per day.

Matt recently decided to try out Flipboard as another platform for sourcing and sharing content, so I usually spend 30-minutes updating our online Flipboard ‘magazines’ for the week.

Benefits Of Working As A Virtual Assistant

1. Work From Anywhere In The World

For me, this cancels out ALL of the disadvantages of VA work. I found out about this position when I was traveling through Asia earlier this year.

My bank account was telling me it was time to go home, but I wasn’t ready to stop traveling yet.

Having the opportunity to work from anywhere gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, from a different city, or even a foreign country!

2. Cut Costs On Your Commute

When I worked in a typical office in Dublin, I would spend €11 and 2.5 hours on my commute every day.

Working from home allows me to save €220 every month – that’s €2,640 every year. That’s the price of a new camera or an incredible holiday abroad. I’ll take that over commuting any day!

3. Set Your Own Hours

If working the 9 – 5 grind works for you, stick at it! But if not, how about finding a job that allows you to work at a time that suits you.

Not much a morning person? Do the late shift. Not much of a night owl either? Not a problem, working from 11am to 7pm solves that problem. This is the kind of flexibility you just don’t find in a typical office environment.

4. Spend More Time With Your Family

What would you do if someone gave you an extra 2.5 hours in your day? I spend mine with the people I love, doing the things I used to have to save for the weekends.

Coffee Shops & Coworking Spots

The Downside Of Virtual Assistant Jobs

1. Loneliness

If you are thinking of getting into the digital nomad world, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of being alone.

There’s no one sitting beside you to support you or even just have a little chat with over lunch. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you should look into co-working spaces or networking events that you can go to in the evenings to get some human interaction in your day.

2. Distractions

I’m learning how to master this slowly but surely…

When there is no one looking over your shoulder all day, making sure you are focused on the task at hand, it is easy to become distracted by anything and everything!

You have to remember that you will only get paid for the hours you actually complete, not the 40 minutes you spend daydreaming out the window.

3. Self Discipline

Tying in nicely with the last point, self-discipline is a skill. Technically, you are your own boss now, so you have to make sure that you get the task done on time.

If you lack in self-discipline, you will lag in productivity. Set yourself boundaries, time frames and rules – then stick to them.

How Much Money Can You Earn?

Virtual assistants can usually make between $10 to $35 an hour with a median hourly rate of about $16. It will really depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience level.

If you’re just doing data entry, the pay might not be that great.

But if you’ve built up some basic graphic design skills, understand WordPress, know how to edit videos and photography, have in-depth experience with social media platforms, or other specialized knowledge, you can earn more.

Where To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs

If you’re ready to start making extra money on the side with a virtual assistant business, here are a few places to get started.

Freelancer Websites

FlexJobs

Upwork

People Per Hour

Social Media

Let your family and friends know you’re looking for a virtual assistant job by posting it on social media. Networking is a powerful tool. You may be surprised who knows someone that may be able to help you up with a job.

In fact, this is how I got my job! By posting on social media that I was looking for VA work.

Reach Out To Potential Clients

I’m sure you follow some professional bloggers, YouTube video creators, or social media influencers who you’d love to work with. It doesn’t hurt to send them all a quick message via email offering your services.

Be friendly, don’t be pushy, and if they aren’t hiring — maybe they know someone who is?

Tips For Landing Your First VA Position

Step 1: Work On Your Skills

The first step is to define the skills that you can use as a Virtual Assistant. Not sure if you have the right skills for the job? No problem!

Put some hours aside every week to learn skills and within a few months, you will be ready to put your new knowledge to the test.

There are millions of Youtube videos you can watch that will teach you how to run a successful social media campaign, manage calendar appointments, edit video on Final Cut Pro, create social media images using Adobe Photoshop and more.

You can also sign up to Skillshare to get unlimited access to over 23,000 classes.

This is exactly what I did to improve my organizational skills, digital marketing, video editing and photography before I started to look for jobs online.

Step 2: Find The Right Industry

For me, I knew that I wanted to work in the travel industry so that immediately narrowed down my options.

A lot of people go straight to the internet to search for a job. I decided to start my job search using the “networking” route by telling everyone I knew what I wanted to do.

I told my family and friends “I’m looking for a Virtual Assisting role in the travel industry. If you know someone who might be able to help me, could you give them my details?”

Then I put the message out to my connections on Facebook and Instagram.

Within a week, a friend of mine posted that Matt from ExpertVagabond.com was looking for a virtual assistant! Moral of the story – put it out into the world, and the world will often support you.

Step 3: Create A CV & Cover Letter

Throw away that boring Microsoft Word CV that you created when you were 16 in computer class! It’s time for a modern upgrade.

My go-to tool for CV creation is Canva.com. Not only does it have a tonne of templates for you to use, but you can also customize them to really showcase your top skills and highlight the many reasons why someone should hire you.

Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of personality to your CV. Keep in mind that your potential employer is probably sifting through a hundred CV’s, so you want them to open yours and say “Ooooh, what’s this?”. Leave them feeling intrigued.

Please remember that your CV should only be 1 – 2 pages long and your cover letter should be 2 – 3 paragraphs maximum. Employers usually don’t have a lot of time to look at them, so you need to present the information as concisely as possible.

Step 4: Interview Prep

Now that you have nailed the CV & Cover Letter, it’s time to prepare for the interview stage.

It is almost 100% guaranteed that they are going to ask you to tell them more about yourself, so make sure to have a little elevator speech worked out in advance.

Remember you don’t have to solely focus on the business side of life. Give them an insight into your hobbies, where you get inspiration from and how your life has lead you to this new role.

This is your moment to show them exactly why you are perfect for their virtual assistant position, so take the time to discuss your skills, your experience, your education (even if it is just from Youtube and Skillshare!).

They will love to hear that you are constantly learning and improving your knowledge of the key skills needed for the role.

ALWAYS have 2 – 3 questions prepared to ask them at the end of the interview. If you don’t, it can look like you are not interested in finding out more about them or their business.

If they have already answered all of your questions throughout the interview, you can tell them the question you wanted to ask, and thank them for already answering it in so much detail.

Step 5: Go Above & Beyond

If you want to really knock their socks off, why not create an example of the work you will create for them.

Show them your social media image designs, or write out a sample travel blog post to show them how serious you are about taking these tasks off their hands.

Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but it will instantly build trust that you can get the job done.

In the past, I’ve created video CV’s for clients who have a background in Youtube and have even created a brand new CV in the style of my favorite book for a position to work with the book’s author.

You have to do whatever it takes to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.

The truth is there are many advantages and disadvantages to this type of job, but if you can master the art of virtual assisting, the world is your oyster!

It takes dedication, drive and an enormous amount of self-discipline, but it is definitely a dream job that will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms (and travel if you want to).

If you are attempting to find a VA job at the moment, just remember that the first client is the hardest. If you can land that first client, the next 50 clients should be no problem.

So keep on trying, keep improving your skills, and don’t stop learning until you’re living it up swinging from a hammock somewhere with your laptop in one hand and a cocktail in the other! ★

BIO

Jess Glynn is the author of The Gap Year Guru and has worked in digital marketing for over 5 years, specializing in Social Media and Content Creation. In 2017, she decided to quit her job and write about her travels through Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines for 9 months. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!

Virtual Assistant Job Resources

Remote Job Listing Websites

FlexJobs.com

Guavabean Facebook Group

Remote.co

Freelancer.com

Useful Tools & Software For VAs

Canva

Slack

Trello

WordPress

Ultimate Travel-Friendly Job Guide.

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE TRAVEL TIPS

How To Find Online Translation Jobs Working On Sailing Yachts How I Make Money While Traveling Side Income Ideas: Earning Money From Home

Have any questions for Jess about working as a virtual assistant or landing your first job? Drop her a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

[emilyzh2019-blog]

What’s the Best Time to Visit Iceland?

When To Visit Iceland

Learn the best time to visit Iceland this year with tips for traveling during the summer high season, the winter low season, and when to see the northern lights.

Iceland’s long days of sunlight and warm weather conditions convince most people to visit Iceland during the spring and summer months (May – September).

But the best time to go to Iceland really depends on what you want from your trip. Iceland is a popular vacation destination year-round for different reasons.

In this travel guide, I’ll help you to figure out when is the best time to visit Iceland for a Golden Circle road trip, to see the northern lights, when to see wildlife, how to experience Icelandic wildflowers, or when to avoid the crowds in the off-season.

I’ll also go over some of the best seasonal attractions, festivals, and highlights in Iceland depending on which months you’re planning to be there!

My Favorite Time To Visit Iceland

Personally, after multiple trips to the country, my favorite time to visit Iceland is during the shoulder season in autumn (fall).

The months of September and October are especially good times to visit.

Fall is a Wonderful Time to Visit!

Why Visit In The Fall?

By mid-September, many people’s “summer vacations” are over, and most of the tourists have gone home. Certainly not all, but a majority of them. It’s less crowded.

You’ll still find plenty of tourists at Iceland’s most popular attractions, but it’s more manageable in the autumn. Fall is also a great time to save money on hotels in Iceland (because they aren’t cheap!)

Iceland’s incredible Northern Lights (aurora borrelias) start to become more visible and frequent in late September and early October too.

You can also still drive around the Icelandic highlands via remote F-Roads, which usually get closed by October as the first snow storms hit.

Camping in September for Northern Lights Season in Iceland

Best Time For Northern Lights

Technically, the Northern Lights in Iceland can be seen from September through April. But September – October and February – March, particularly around the equinoxes – are the best months to see this spectacular natural light show. For a detailed guide on how to find and photograph the northern lights, click here.

Best Season For Photography

While I’m of the opinion that you’ll get great photos in Iceland no matter what season you visit, each has its own benefits. The autumn and winter light is particularly spectacular, as the sun stays low to the horizon throughout the day while sunsets and sunrises can last for hours. Plus, the northern lights of course.

Good Months For Whale Watching

Whale watching season in Iceland happens from April to October. But the peak season for whales is June, July, and August. Tours are available from Reykjavik, the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, and Akureyri.

When Is The Best Weather?

The best time to visit Iceland for great weather is during the summer high season. July and August have average highs around 13°C (55°F) however temperatures can be as high 20°C (68°F). Surprisingly, the spring months of May and June have the least amount of rain.

Best Season To Save Money

Hotels, airfare, tours, and car rentals in Iceland are cheapest during the winter months (November, December, January, February) — aside from the holidays. Everything is more expensive in the summer (July & August). For the best combination low prices and decent weather, go during the shoulder seasons: May – June or September – October.

Best Time To Avoid Crowds

Iceland has become incredibly popular over the last few years. If you’re trying to avoid the crowds, avoid visiting Iceland during the summer months of June – August. Winter has the fewest tourists, but also the coldest temperatures.

High & Low Seasons in Iceland

High & Low Seasons In Iceland

Visiting Iceland In The Summer: June – August (High Season)

Iceland’s warmest peak season sees hoards of tourists arrive in Reykjavik to take advantage of almost 24-hour sunlight. This is the warmest period to explore the country’s landscapes.

From late May to late July, Iceland’s famous midnight sun means there are almost 21 hours of daylight, from about 3am until midnight. The phenomenon peaks on June 21st, the summer solstice.

Most of the country’s popular attractions are open during the summer, and it also has the best driving conditions for a road trip. But it’s also the most crowded time to visit. Especially in July & August, the absolute peak of high season.

Summer Weather Conditions By Month

JUNE Average Rain: 36mm Average Low: 7ºC/44ºF Average High: 12ºC/53ºF

JULY Average Rain: 60mm Average Low: 8ºC/47ºF Average High: 13ºC/56ºF

AUGUST Average Rain: 118mm Average Low: 8ºC/47ºF Average High: 13ºC/56ºF

Pro’s Of Visiting In The Summer

All attractions are open

More daylight time to explore

Iceland’s best weather conditions

Con’s Of Visiting In The Summer

Overcrowded attractions

Higher prices for accommodation and car rentals

It can be hard to sleep with constant sunlight

USEFUL TIP: One way to avoid summer crowds is to sleep during the day and go sightseeing at night when everyone else is in bed, because the sun often doesn’t set until midnight and rises again at 3am!

Packing For Iceland In The Summer

Although many Icelandic locals will tell you that their summer season is nice and warm, they probably don’t have the same definition for ‘warm’ as you do!

Bring a hat, scarf and gloves just in case, it’s better to be over prepared than not being able to feel your fingers. You may also want to pack a sleep mask for the midnight sun. Especially if you’re camping in a tent!

Top Iceland Highlights In Summer

WHALE WATCHING – Animal lovers flock to Iceland during summer months to witness more than 20 different species of whales including humpbacks and orcas. Akureyri and Reykjavik are good places to go whale watching.

PUFFIN SPOTTING – Summer in Iceland is the best time of year to see some of the 8 million Puffin birds which nest in the sea cliffs. Many settle in Vestmannaeyjar and the Látrabjarg Cliffs in Westfjords from late April until mid-August.

MIDNIGHT SUN – To witness the Midnight Sun, aim to visit Iceland during the summer solstice on June 21st, the longest day of the year. In some parts of the country the sun never actually sets! It simply hits the horizon and starts to rise again.

HIKING & CAMPING – Some of Iceland’s best hiking is located in the highlands, the center part of the country. To access these remote areas, you need to drive on Iceland’s “F-Roads” which are only open from June to late September.

ROAD TRIPS – There’s nothing like a good road trip driving past geothermal areas, roaring waterfalls, or massive glaciers on Iceland’s Ring Road or the Golden Circle. Summer months provide the best driving conditions for these routes.

Fun Summer Festivals In Iceland

Iceland National Day

Secret Solstice Festival

International Viking Festival

Iceland in the Fall (My Favorite Time to Visit!)

Visiting Iceland In The Autumn: September – October (Shoulder Season)

The autumn season in Iceland begins in September and stays until late October, with colder weather creeping in more and more each day. You’ll find that accommodation and flight prices start to decline as the daylight hours get shorter too.

If you’re hoping to catch the first snowfall of the year, October is your best bet. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot the Northern Lights in late autumn too. The wind can start to get stronger, making it feel colder than it really is.

Iceland is covered in stunning autumn colors of oranges and reds, plus the rain brings a distinctive smell to the air. You’ll also spot migratory birds as they prepare to move elsewhere for the winter months.

Fall Weather Conditions By Month

SEPTEMBER Average Rain: 110mm Average Low: 5ºC/41ºF Average High: 10ºC/50ºF

OCTOBER Average Rain: 155mm Average Low: 2ºC/36ºF Average High: 7ºC/45ºF

Pro’s Of Visiting In Autumn

Attractions & hotels are often cheaper

Less tourists, overcrowding

Northern lights being to appear

Con’s Of Visiting In Autumn

Less daylight hours to explore

The weather gets colder

Packing For Iceland In The Autumn

Strong winds and rain is more frequent in the autumn, so be prepared for all weather conditions. From September to October, windproof and waterproof clothes are essential and wearing layers will help you stay on top of the ever-changing temperatures.

Freak snowstorms can also happen too, so wear comfortable footwear, pack a windproof & waterproof jacket, warm extra layers, and bring a winter hat and gloves just in case.

Top Iceland Highlights In The Autumn

FORAGING – This is the best time to go mushroom or berry-picking in the Icelandic countryside. During the autumn months, you can find and pick wild blueberries, strawberries, redcurrants and crowberries in Iceland.

EXPLORE F-ROADS – September is the last month you can still drive Iceland’s rugged & remote F-Roads that lead to the interior central highlands. Once the winter snows start in October (sometimes late September) they are no longer maintained, and only highly-modified super jeeps can attempt them.

GLACIER HIKING – Once you are kitted out by a tour company with crampons, a harness, ice ax, and a helmet — you can begin your glacier hiking adventure! Solheimajokull Glacier is one of Iceland’s most famous glaciers to hike, only about 2-hours from Reykjavik.

NATURAL HOT SPRINGS – Icelanders love to swim outside in all seasons, and fall is a great time to experience some of the many natural hot springs that dot the Icelandic landscape.

Fun Fall Festivals In Iceland

Reykjavik International Film Festival

Iceland Airwaves

Halloween

Visiting Iceland in the Winter

Visiting Iceland In The Winter: November – March (Low Season)

Even with the cold & snow, there are many advantages of traveling in Iceland during the winter. With fewer tourists visiting between October and April, you’ll find many hotels for a fraction of the high season cost.

If you’re visiting Iceland on a budget, winter is also the best time of year to find cheap flights, car rentals and tours. Although camping is a bit more complicated.

One of the downsides of visiting Iceland in the winter are icy driving conditions. The main roads are usually plowed quickly though.

There’s much less daylight too, only 4 – 6 hours depending on the month, with only 3 hours of sunlight during the winter solstice (around December 21st). Which can be great if you’re hunting Northern Lights though!

Winter Weather Conditions By Month

NOVEMBER Average Rain: 110mm Average Low: -1.5ºC/29ºF Average High: 3.5ºC/38ºF

DECEMBER Average Rain: 119mm Average Low: -3ºC/27ºF Average High: 2ºC/35ºF

JANUARY Average Rain: 129mm Average Low: -3ºC/27ºF Average High: 2ºC/35ºF

FEBRUARY Average Rain: 106mm Average Low: -2ºC/28ºF Average High: 3ºC/37ºF

MARCH Average Rain: 116mm Average Low: -2ºC/28ºF Average High: 3ºC/38ºF

Pro’s Of Visiting In Winter

Save money on hotels, flights, and rental cars

Fewer crowds, less tourists

Best time for the northern lights

Cons’s Of Visiting In Winter

Slippery winter driving conditions

Many attractions are closed

Less daylight hours to explore

Packing For Iceland In The Winter

We’ve all heard the saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. Keep this in mind when packing for Iceland in winter. Although the temperature might not be as cold as you expect, the winter winds can make it feel a lot colder, so you’ll definitely need to dress warmly.

Iceland is famous for its thick handknitted wool sweaters – so pick one up if you plan to be out in the elements. On top of this, you should pack waterproof gloves, thermal socks, winter boots and the warmest hat you can find (furry ear-flaps are a plus!)

Everything in your suitcase should either be thermal, waterproof or windproof when traveling through Iceland in the winter.

Visit the Blue Lagoon in Winter!

Top Iceland Highlights In The Winter

Due to winter weather conditions and fewer visitors, you may find that some of Iceland’s attractions are closed during this time of year, but there are still plenty of things to do.

NORTHERN LIGHTS – Winter is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland. While they’re visible for 8 months of the year, the shorter days of winter give you the best opportunities to witness this natural phenomenon.

CRYSTAL ICE CAVES – Iceland’s blue glacier ice caves can only be explored during the winter months, starting in November, when they become safe to enter. During the spring and summer many of these magical caves often collapse (when you don’t want to be inside!)

EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY – Even though it’s the darkest time of year, the sun doesn’t go down without a fight. Winter sunrises and sunsets can last for hours, featuring a beautiful golden glow over the country’s dramatic landscapes. Accentuated colors over the mountains provide the perfect backdrop for landscape photographers.

THE BLUE LAGOON – Winter is the perfect time to visit Iceland’s most famous attraction, The Blue Lagoon, located about 30 minutes away from Keflavik Airport. Along with fewer crowds, the steam rising from the warm mineral waters during the winter is very cool!

SUPER JEEP TOURS – Iceland has massive 4X4 vehicles called “super jeeps” with lifted suspensions and oversized tires to travel over deep snow and across glacier rivers. The only way to visit the remote central highlands during the winter is by traveling in one!

Purple Lupine Flowers in Vik

Visiting Iceland In The Spring: April – June (Shoulder Season)

The spring season is short and sweet, arriving later than many people think. While your chances of catching the Northern Lights starts to diminish in early April, you’ll be arriving just in time to witness the blooming of some of Iceland’s most beautiful flowers.

The most famous of which is the violet Lupin flowers, which come to light in late May and spread across the Icelandic landscape, creating the perfect backdrop for the many travel photographers who visit every year.

This is also the best time to visit some of Iceland’s many waterfalls, as the melting snow and ice create new streams of water through the rocky landscapes.

Spring Weather Conditions By Month

APRIL Average Rain: 70mm Average Low: 0.5ºC/33ºF Average High: 5.5ºC/42ºF

MAY Average Rain: 63mm Average Low: 3.5ºC/39ºF Average High: 9.5ºC/49ºF

JUNE Average Rain: 36mm Average Low: 7ºC/44ºF Average High: 12ºC/53ºF

Pros Of Visiting In Spring

Affordable accommodation and rental cars

Daylight hours increase after the winter months

Wildflower season begins

Cons Of Visiting In Spring

Winter weather may not be over yet

Long days of sunlight mean no northern lights

Packing For Iceland In The Spring

Similar to the autumn months, you can expect to find all 4 seasons in one day during the spring, so you need to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you.

Comfortable footwear and warm clothes are a must, and they should also be windproof and waterproof. No matter what time of the year, I always recommend packing layers for Iceland.

The Famous Iceberg Lagoon!

Top Iceland Highlights In The Spring

As the winter weather dies down and the evenings become brighter, many of Iceland’s most popular attractions reopen for spring and summer.

If you are a nature lover, this is also a fantastic time of year to visit as Iceland’s landscapes come into full bloom with wildflowers!

JOKULSARLON GLACIER LAGOON – The massive glacier at the top of this cold lake begins to melt as the temperature increases, resulting in huge icebergs breaking off into the water. Spring is the best time to see all the fresh icebergs floating out to sea.

PURPLE LUPINE FLOWERS – Nootka Lupine, also known as Alaskan Lupine, is an invasive species of purple wildflower that has taken over Iceland. Fields of purple lupine make for some amazing photos when they bloom in mid-June.

PUFFIN SPOTTING – Summer in Iceland is the best time of year to see some of the 8 million Puffin birds which nest in the sea cliffs. Many settle in Vestmannaeyjar and the Látrabjarg Cliffs in Westfjords from late April until mid-August.

SNORKELING BETWEEN CONTINENTS – Snorkeling this water-filled crack called Silfra between the North American and Eurasian continental plates during spring is a great time to avoid the larger summer crowds.

Fun Spring Festivals In Iceland

First Day Of Summer Festival

Reykjavik Art Festival

Festival Of The Sea

Enjoy Your Trip To Iceland In Any Season!

Well, I hope this guide to Iceland’s weather and seasons will help you better plan your trip to the land of fire and ice. However, I really think that no matter when you decide to visit Iceland, you’ll have an amazing experience! ★

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies. Also read my tips for driving in Iceland.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Iceland Suggested Reading: The Little Book Of Hidden People

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE FROM ICELAND

Where To Stay In Iceland Rental Car Driving Tips For Iceland How To Self-Drive The Ring Road 25 Strange Facts About Iceland!

Are you planning a trip to Iceland? Do you have any questions about when to visit? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

[emilyzh2019-blog]

Best Things To Do in Granada, Spain

Granada, Spain

Granada is a beautiful little city in the South of Spain where I lived for a month as a digital nomad. Here are some of the best things to do in Granada if you’re passing through!

Located at the base of the snowy Sierra Madre mountains, the city of Granada is full of history and character.

Because it was once a Muslim kingdom, much of the city has been built in a style of Islamic architecture that remains today. Granda is the ancient capital of Andalusia, a large autonomous region in Southern Spain.

Boasting a vibrant population of university students, free appetizers with your wine, skiing in the mountains, and Mediterranean beaches only an hour away, Granada is the perfect town to spend a few days while traveling in Spain.

Because I had such a great time during my visit, I wanted to share some of the top things to do in Granada with the rest of you!

Granada Spain Highlights Map

How To Use This Map

Above you’ll find a map of highlights in Granada. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking the route and points of interest. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of places I mention in this travel guide. “Star” the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version. Enjoy!

Best Things To Do In Granada 2019

The Magnificent Alhambra Palace!

Stunning Architecture at Alhambra

1. The Alhambra Palace

One of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions, Alhambra Palace sits on top of a hill surrounded by forest while overlooking the city below. It was built by Moorish king Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar in the 11th century when the area was ruled by Muslims from North Africa.

Filled with Arabic inscriptions, painted tiles, vaulted ceilings, and plentiful water fountains, the building is incredibly beautiful inside and out. It was definitely a highlight of my trip to Granada, and the reason most people make the trip.

You need to buy a ticket in advance due to a strict limit of daily visitors.

Booking Tickets For Alhambra

The cheapest tickets are from the Official Website for about €14 EURO

Or skip the line with fully guided tours of Alhambra & the Gardens.

Modern Sacromonte Cave Neighborhood

2. Sacromonte Neighboorhood

On the outskirts of Granada there’s a Roma (gypsy) neighborhood build into the side of a hill, where the inhabitants live in caves. Most of the cave-homes are pretty modern these days, but in the past, this is where the workers who built the Alhambra Palace lived.

If you keep climbing to the very top of the hill, you’ll find an odd community of hippies and immigrants squatting in more rugged caves. Just be aware that they aren’t always happy to see tourists gawking at them or their homes, and some can become aggressive.

Sacromonte Cave Museum

3. The Cave Museum

Visit the Sacromonte Cave Museum (Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte) to see what life was like in Sacromonte 100 years ago.

The museum is a short climb up from the main neighboorhood of Sacromonte. I really found this place fascinating, as it features about ten cave dwellings that give you an idea of how people lived in them historically.

The Arab Quarter in Granada

4. Explore The Albayzín

The Albayzín is the historical Arab quarter of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of Granada has a lot of Moorish history, and this had a natural impact on the area’s architecture and decor.

For example, many of the walls are covered with gorgeous tiles that were hand-painted by the Moorish population.

Walking the Carrera de Darro

5. Carrera Del Darro

Under the Albayzín neighborhood, the River Darro flows through Granada where the old walls used to be. There’s a nice walking path that follows the river’s edge.

Enjoy the mix of renaissance and Moorish architecture, listen to street-buskers play their guitars, and try to imagine what it was like way back when.

Fuente de Aceituno

6. Drink From The Fountain Of Youth

One fun little fact about Granada is that all the fuentes (fountains) in the city provide free drinking water to anyone who wants it. Probably the most famous fountain in Granada is the Fuente de Aceituno (Fountain Of Youth).

Local legends tell the story of an olive tree growing here that started producing water, which people drank and it made them younger! I took a drink, so maybe I’ll live forever now… :p

Free Tapas with Drinks!

7. Free Tapas & Spanish Wine

You can’t visit Granada Spain without going to a restaurant or bar for free tapas! During the afternoon or evening, typically between 1pm and 4pm or between 9pm and midnight, order a beer or wine and get free appetizers!

The best streets in Granada to find great tapas are Calle Navas and Calle Elvira.

A popular snack is Black Iberian Ham, also known as jamón ibérico, a common sight at these bars. The meat is cured with salt for up to 3 years, so it doesn’t need refrigeration.

Mirador San Nicolas Crowd

8. Mirador San Nicolas

One of the top highlights in Granada is this popular viewpoint above the Albayzín neighborhood. It’s quite a hike from the center of town, but views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains are awesome.

Sunsets up here can get very crowded during high season, and it can be full of street performers and vendors. For an even better 360 degrees view, you can climb the bell tower of the Church of San Nicolas for €2 EURO.

This is the perfect place to get your Granada Spain postcard photo — as seen in the lead image of this blog post.

Secret Flamenco Bar in Granada

9. Watch A Flamenco Show

Flamenco is a form of festive gypsy (Gitano) folk music that originated in Southern Spain. It’s possible to visit one of the popular cave tablaos in Sacromonte that feature full flamenco dance performances.

Cuevas los Tarantos is one of the most popular spots to watch Zambra, the regional style from Granada, and shows cost about €20 EURO.

There’s also a slightly hidden/secret local cave bar which hosts incredibly authentic performances after 1am when most tourists are back sleeping in their hotels.

I’m not going to name it, you’ll just have to meet some locals to learn what it’s called! I can’t hand you ALL the best travel secrets without doing a little work…

The Beautiful Generalife Gardens

10. Generalife Gardens

The Generalife Gardens are located on a hill next to the Alhambra, easily accessible after your visit to the Palace. You can buy a combo ticket for both Alhambra & the Gardens, or just visit the gardens on their own.

The gardens are full of flowers, trees, shrubs, reflective pools, and fountains. It can be a very peaceful place if you’re there early or late in the day. You can also visit at night!

Street Musicians in Granada

11. People Watching At Plaza Nueva

Plaza Nueva (New Square) is actually the oldest part of the city. This is where a bunch of Granada’s old buildings and monuments are located.

The square used to be the site of tournaments, games and bullfights in the city. From here you can start the climb up to Alhambra Palace, or just hang out at a local cafe and watch the tourists and street performers milling about.

It’s where most people begin walking up the river Darro, along the Carrera Del Darro, to reach The Albayzín and Sacromonte neighborhoods. You can also enter the Church Of Santa Ana for free.

12. Shopping At Alcaiceria

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir in Granada, the best place to go is Alcaiceria. In the past, this area was a Great Bazaar. Although those days are long gone, you can still find earthenware that is reminiscent of the Moorish style of the Middle Ages.

I also enjoyed taking in the artistry of authentic Granada Taracea. Some of this furniture and the other wood touches would have made a nice addition to my place if I wasn’t living out of a backpack at the time!

Skiing the Sierra Nevada in Spain

13. Sierra Nevada Mountains

These mountains are technically 30 minutes outside of Granada, but it’s a must-see for all travelers. The Sierra Nevada can be accessed via car, bus or taxi, meaning there’s no excuse not to check them out!

If you’re into skiing, this is by far the best spot in Spain. If you’re visiting in the summer there’s also mountain biking, hiking and music festivals. Make sure to check out the hanging suspension bridges of Los Cahorros!

14. Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park)

Granada is a wonderful place to learn about history and view ancient architecture. To take a break from Granada’s charming evidence of the past, check out the very modern Science Park.

Unlike many science museums, this interactive location was truly built with people of all ages in mind. I was able to participate in many hands-on activities, which were also popular with children. My favorite part of the Science Park was the planetarium.

Orange Trees Everywhere in Granada!

15. Soak In A Hammam

A hammam, if you are unaware, is a kind of steam room where people go to wash themselves (or be washed by others). Visiting an Arab hammam is a very typical thing to do in Granada.

Often, they involve bathing pools, washing down with black soap, and exfoliation of the skin. The most popular hammam in Granada is Hammam Al Andalus, located in the old city of Granada.

16. Corral del Carbón

Corral del Carbón is an interesting place to visit if you’re interested in the history of the Nasrid dynasty because it’s the oldest remaining building in Granada from that era. Plus it’s free!

Built in the fourteenth century by Yusuf the First — it was used as a warehouse for goods and a shelter for merchants. Later it was also used for stage performances.

As an added bonus, if you visit Corral del Carbón in the summer there’s a chance of running into a flamenco or play performance in the courtyard. There’s also a bookstore inside the building.

The Beautiful Cathedral in Granada

17. The Granada Cathedral

Regardless of your cultural or religious views, you simply have to make some time to visit the Granada Cathedral. This stunning example of architecture was one of my favorite parts of the city.

The combination of Gothic and Renaissance style makes it pretty cool. Make sure you have plenty of room on your memory card for photographing the stunning exterior of this 16th-century masterpiece.

18. Royal Chapel Tombs & Crypt

The tombs of the Royal Chapel, known locally as Los Reyes Catolicos, were fascinating. The Royal Chapel itself is more than worth a visit if you like history.

It’s interesting to see the graves of royalty. The chapel once held the bodies of Queen Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, but were later moved. Now only the Catholic Monarchs and their children are buried here.

The entrance to the Royal Chapel is at La Lonja, in the Cathedral Complex, and it is open from 10:15am – 6:30pm. A ticket costs €5 EURO.

First You Have to Get Here!

Getting To Granada

Flying Within Spain

Granada has a small airport that runs daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona. Flights are often cheaper to nearby Malaga though, and then you can take a bus from there. Check for deals on Skyscanner and read my guide to tips for finding cheap flights.

Renting A Car In Spain

The best site to book your car is Discover Car Hire. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Spain.

Traveling By Bus

Most people get to Granada traveling by bus from other large Spanish cities. Just be aware the bus station is slightly out of town and requires a taxi or local bus to reach the city center.

The bus from Madrid takes about 4-5 hours depending on the class. A bus from Malaga only takes about 1.5 hours. You can book tickets with ALSA.

Traveling By Train

Granada’s train station is at Avenida de Andaluces. However the trains are not high-speed, and the main routes are undergoing construction work until 2019. The train takes about 5.5 hours from Madrid, and 4 hours from Seville.

You can search for and book train tickets on Rail Europe.

Neighborhoods in Granada

Where To Stay In Granada

There are all sorts of good accommodation options in the many neighborhoods of Granada, from right next to the Alhambra Palace itself to budget backpacker hostels. Here are suggestions for places to stay on your trip to Granada Spain…

Best Accommodation In Granada

BUDGET Granada Inn Backpackers

MID-RANGE Hotel Inglaterra

LUXURY Parador de Granada

Click here to learn how to get $35 off your first booking.

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to find deals. Also read my post on how I find the cheap flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Find a great hotel in Granada. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my tips for booking cheap hotels.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE FROM SPAIN

Hiking The Caminito Del Rey Squatting With Gypsies In Spain The Best Backpacks For Travel

Any questions about things to do in Granada? Do you have other suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

[emilyzh2019-blog]

Tips For Renting A Car In Ireland

Ireland Driving Guide

Renting a car in Ireland and driving around the country yourself is a wonderful way to experience the Emerald Isle. But here’s some advice about the best way to do it.

When my family and I were planning our genealogy trip to Ireland to learn more about our ancestors, we were initially hesitant about renting a car to explore the country by ourselves.

Ireland has a bit of a reputation for narrow and scary winding roads!

Plus of course, they drive on the other side of the road, so there’s that. But the more we researched, the more we realized renting a car in Ireland would allow us to make our itinerary as imaginative as possible.

I love the freedom of road trips and planning my own travel itineraries. Ireland is such a diverse country that it made sense to rent a car so we could stop anywhere to discover small villages, castles, and go hiking in the mountains at our own pace.

Here are some important tips we learned from our experience renting a car in Ireland, to help you save money and stay safe while driving around the country!

How To Rent A Car In Ireland

Driving in Ireland for Tourists

Should You Rent A Car In Ireland?

Hey, if you love those big group bus tours, by all means, go book one. It’s a decent way to see Ireland if you don’t have a lot of time.

No planning, no driving, just sit back and let someone else do all the work!

But if you’re like me, you prefer the adventure of independent travel.

No set schedule or timetable — driving around Ireland with the freedom to stop anyplace cool you find along the way.

If that’s the kind of traveler you are, renting a car in Ireland is the way to go!

Just keep in mind that some of the backroads in Ireland can be very narrow, and often feel like a single lane (but they’re not). With some practice, you’ll gain confidence on them!

Another nice thing we enjoyed about having a car was the ability to store things in the trunk, stopping off in Irish towns with small daypacks rather than hauling luggage everywhere.

Learning to Drive on the Opposite Side!

Where To Rent Your Car In Ireland

The best site to book your car is Discover Car Hire. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Ireland.

We rented our car from Dublin Airport after spending a few days in the city. Our South West route brought us to Cork on the M8 before moving on to Killarney National Park and then Glengarriff, where my grandmother was born.

After tracking down our family history in this small coastal fishing village, we drove North on the Wild Atlantic Way up to Dingle and the famous Cliffs of Moher, then to Galway, and finally back to Dublin.

However there are many different road trip routes you can choose when driving in Ireland. Other major airports to consider picking up a car are Shannon in the Southwest and Cork in the Southeast.

Crazy Irish Winding Roads!

The Amazing Cliffs of Moher

Car Rental Insurance In Ireland

Some of the rumors about driving in Ireland are true, and the roads are VERY narrow in areas. Especially the backroads outside Ireland’s smaller towns. Don’t worry, I’ll share some tips for dealing with them below.

This is why I highly recommend getting full insurance coverage.

Typically, rental cars in Ireland come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but this isn’t exactly insurance, and only covers the car for up to €1000-3000 EUROS worth of damage.

This is the amount they hold on your credit card until you return the car in one piece. CDW typically does not include tire, cracked windshield, or undercarriage damage either.

While you can often save money booking your car with a credit card that includes car rental insurance, you REALLY must read the fine print, because many people wrongly assume their card covers them in Ireland.

If you get in a wreck driving in Ireland, declined full coverage, and you suddenly learn your credit card doesn’t actually cover the damage — you’re screwed. I can’t tell you how many travel horror stories I’ve heard like this…

It’s why I usually pre-book full coverage online. It’s cheaper than at the counter — and then you won’t have to worry about accidents at all!

The Stunning Cobh Cathedral

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car In Ireland?

Renting a car in Ireland is going to cost you around $25-$40 USD a day, depending on the type of car you get. Our 4 door sedan was about $30 per day.

I recommend renting a car with an actual trunk (no hatchbacks) to hide your luggage from prying eyes. It helps to prevent break-ins if thieves can’t see your stuff.

Gas Prices

Gas (petrol) prices in Ireland might seem cheap to Americans, but remember that the rest of the world quotes gas in Liters, not Gallons (1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters). Currently, gas costs about $5.90 per gallon (€1.40 per liter) in Ireland. Diesel cars will often save you some money on gas.

Automatic vs Manual

Automatic cars are more expensive to rent than manual cars (but manuals are more common in Ireland), and you must specify what type you want when booking.

One-Way Rentals

There’s also an additional fee for one-way car rentals, which can vary by company. For example, if you want to drop off the car in a different city than you started from.

Admin Fee

If you opt to use your own credit card insurance, companies will charge you an “admin fee” of about €30 EURO.

Credit Card Fee

I was charged an extra €5 EURO just for using a credit card. Which is strange to me, but typical in Ireland.

Irish Taxes

Car rentals in Ireland have a very high tax rate of 13.6%. Ouch!

Age Requirements For Renting A Car

The minimum age for driving in Ireland is 18 years old, however most car rental companies enforce their own age limit of 21 years old to rent a car. They also charge an additional fee if you’re under 24 years old.

Driving Through the Town of Killarney

Irish Driving Laws Tourists Should Know

The most confusing part of driving in Ireland for most tourists is driving on the left side of the road — with the driver’s seat on the right side of the car.

If you’ve never been to a country that drives on the left, it’s wise to practice a bit in a small town before you head onto the highways of Ireland.

For example, just North of Dublin Airport is the town of Swords. Maybe spend an hour or two getting the hang of driving there before you enter Dublin or onto the main highways.

While challenging at first, especially if driving a manual, you’ll get the hang of it quickly and will be ready to explore Ireland by car in no time!

The speed limit on local roads is generally around 80 km/h while on national highways it’s up to 100 km/h.

International Driver’s License

No, you do not need an international driver’s license to drive in Ireland or rent a car there. Just bring your passport, credit card, and your driver’s license from your home country.

Ross Castle at Sunrise

Helpful Tips For Driving In Ireland

Watch out for sheep! In many smaller towns, local shepherds move their sheep on the roads. You can easily round a sharp bend and find yourself stuck behind a huge flock walking down the road.

Narrow backroads in Ireland don’t have standard break-down lanes as we have in America. There’s often no room for error or pulling over.

Sometimes your side-view mirror will be inches away from stone walls or hedges while passing other cars! It can make driving here nerve-wracking.

Remember to carry some cash for road tolls on Ireland’s major highways. Irish tolls can cost between $1-$3 for a passenger car.

In the countryside, some roads are truly single lane, but with traffic in both directions. In these situations, there are pull-outs so one of you can pull over for the other to pass.

USEFUL TIP: Buy a cheap “learner” sticker (L) sold at gas stations so locals don’t get pissed off at your incompetence on their roads!

The Colorful Town of Glengarriff, Ireland

Advice For Renting A Car In Ireland

You don’t need a rental car for Dublin itself. Parking can be a pain and Dublin is very walkable with excellent public transportation too.

If you’re starting your trip in Dublin, maybe book a rental car when you’re ready to leave the city, for exploring the rest of the country.

Don’t book a car without reading the company reviews. You’ll find plenty of bad reviews for every company (people love to complain online), but try to pick one with the LEAST bad reviews.

You may not always get the make/model/type of car you booked. If they give you a smaller car, or a manual when you asked for an automatic, be pushy and ask for an upgrade.

Inspect your car thoroughly and record video on your smartphone pointing out damage before you leave. This is a backup if they attempt to charge you for damage that was already there.

Pay attention to if your car takes regular petrol or diesel fuel, so you fill up with the correct type at gas stations.

Use Google Maps on your smartphone for directions. Bring your own hands-free adapter and buy an Irish SIM card at the airport.

Enjoy Your Ireland Road Trip!

Exploring the small villages, ancient castles, green mountains, and coastal cliffs of Ireland in a rental car was definitely the right choice for us.

Self-drive road trips get off the beaten track to see things most people miss! ★

Check Car Rental Prices & Availability In Ireland

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE FROM IRELAND

How To Visit The Cliffs Of Moher The Best Of Dublin Travel Guide My Irish Genealogy Road Trip Claiming Irish Citizenship By Descent

Any questions about driving or renting a car in Ireland? Are you planning a road trip there? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.