Activities & Adventure 4 MINS READ

5 Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam on Budget

5 Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam on Budget

Activities & Adventure 4 MINS READ

If one goes for budget accommodations, yet wants to get the most value out of the money, enjoying all the perks of traveling and exploring new places, exotic locations, an abundance of fresh fruits, then South East Asia is the place to go. Even high-class places and luxury hotels here in Vietnam are priced very moderately. From hotels to cafes to even haircuts and foods are extremely budget-friendly. Here we list 10 experiences you should have when visiting Hanoi, Vietnam.

Why Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of the countries of South-East Asia that in the West is mostly known for its clothing and apparel industry, tea, coffee, and war. However, the history of Vietnam makes it much more alluring. If you for a Vietnam 10 day itinerary, you will definitely see it. From the early days of inhabitation, the rule of Chinese and European arrival and colonization, Vietnam has survived and blossomed throughout centuries and preserves the diversity of cultures, customs, and traditions. French architecture, Chinese temples, Vietnamese coffee, and traditional religion has been well preserved and not yet destroyed by globalization, tourism, and catering to travelers.

what to do in hanoi vietnam food

Eat Out and Good

If you are a foodie, then Vietnam will be a paradise for you. We promise this. From healthy vegetarian Pho soups with tofu to crunchy spring rolls to green clean-eating vegan Morning Glory dishes, Vietnamese cuisine is simple, yet super delicious and good for your belly. And the best thing is, you can eat like a queen for just a couple of dollars a day. Even at the fanciest restaurants, your meals are unlikely to cost you more than 5 dollars. Make sure you try street food as well, like spice mango slices everyone gets crazy about!

what to do in hanoi vietnam egg coffee

Taste the Egg Coffee and Vietnamese Coffee

Food is food, but desserts are a whole different level. What could be better than a freshly picked mango, dragon fruit, or guava fruit for breakfast? These exotic fruits are deliciously sweet, ripe, and well preserved. Look for the best prices at night markets, on the streets of Hanoi in the daytime, or grab a snack of mango and spices on the street at night. The best market we recommend for you to visit is Cho Hom Market. Get some cash before though, as looking for an ATM that accepts your Western card in Hanoi can be a bit of a hassle.

If you are more into nuts, seeds, and other salty and savory snacks, here is great news for you! Vietnam is the largest exporter in the world of blood cashew nuts. As an exporter country, Vietnam also offers the best prices for cashew nuts. So do not wait and dive straight in!

what to do in hanoi vietnam silk shopping

Shop for Silk Clothing for Cheap

Along with cotton fabrics and sports clothing manufactured for Nike, H&M, Zara, and other consumer labels around the world, silk is one of the top export fabrics of Vietnam. If you happen to look for a new dress, shirt, or some other clothing, then go and visit Hang Da Market in the Old Quarter which is open every day from 5 AM to 5 PM. You will find deals you would never imagine.

what to do in hanoi vietnam massage

Go to Body Massage

If you wish to relax a bit, you should definitely go and try a Vietnamese massage. You will find posters advertising cheap foot massages or full-body massages on every single street for one of the best prices in the world available, but in case you want to visit a trusted review, go and have a massage at TRE Massage.

what to do in hanoi vietnam bike

Ride a Bike

Are you more into action? Hanoi (and the whole of Vietnam) is best enjoyed and discovered while riding a motorbike. If you live on the outskirts of the city, make sure you rent a bike. In case you are staying here for longer, it is even better to buy one and sell it further when you leave. Many go on a full-fledged adventure from South to North or the other way around, discovering Vietnam on a whole different level.

All in all, you can enjoy just about any experience in Vietnam on a budget. Be it a fancy restaurant, a street food market, tailoring services, or even hairdressers, you can have it all, not wasting money and having the best travel experience and quality time. Not sure you want to go to Vietnam? Here is our guide on how to choose between Vietnam vs Thailand trip.

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Activities & Adventure 6 MINS READ

Must-See Game of Thrones Locations in Spain

Must-See Game of Thrones Locations in Spain

Activities & Adventure 6 MINS READ

August 18, 2019/in EuropeSpain

 Ever wanted to find yourself at Dragonstone Castle or visiting Dorne, the Water Palace of Sunspear? We already set you up for a guided visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia, where the majority of scenes for King’s Landing is set. But if you want to explore the real-life locations of the Seven Kingdoms and wander around other Game of Thrones Season 7 shooting locations, then look no further, as we’ve gathered this 7-day tour of Spain Game of Thrones locations for you. Now you will be able to visit all the incredible filming locations in just one week. So, let’s get started!

Days 1 and 2: Visit Seville 

It’s clear why the directors chose to shoot some of this series in Seville – it is one of Spain’s most beautiful and historically rich cities, with architecture ranging from the Gothic cathedral and Mudéjar (Moorish) palaces to churches in baroque style. If you don’t have a lot of time, then at least visit María Luisa Park and Plaza de España – these two wonders tell the story of the Andalusian capital throughout the centuries.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Royal Alcazar of Seville, Game of Thrones Spain, Dorne

This part of the series is set in the very center of Sevilla, the Royal Alcazar of Seville. To shoot here, the film crew had to get special permission to close half of the palace for the time being, which is not an easy task, as the palace is the tourist hotspot and the general policy is against movie shooting here.

However, the Dorne scenes were shot here, capturing the summers of the royal Martell family. Before you go to Seville, watch Season 5, Episode #2, showing the Water Garden. From there on, you can see almost every corner of the Dornish Palace. From Ambassador’s Hall where Jamie Lannister, Doran Martell, and Ellaria Sand are resting on the royal couches, to the real-life Golden Ceilings which Jamie Lannister walks under. You can also climb down to the Moorish Baths of the Alcazar, where Myrcella Lannister was killed by Ellaria and Sand Snakes.

Open from 9:30 am to 5 pm daily, the palace is a top attraction for tourists. We suggest you go there in the early hours to have enough time to explore everything and skip the crowds taking over the palace starting at noon.

Look up more information on the museum website.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Italica, Game of Thrones Spain Dragonpit

Just outside Seville, in the ancient amphitheater ruins featuring Roman columns and beautiful floor mosaics dating back to Roman times in Iberia, the production of Game of Thrones season 7 and season 8 was set. In the series, you can recognize the amphitheater as the King’s Landing Dragonpit. Once used to hold over 25,000 spectators, this indeed a must-visit for all GOT fans, especially if you want to take a short break from the tourist crowds in Sevilla.

How to get here?

Get on a bus from Sevilla Villanueva Serena to Santipoce. The ticket costs 10,34€ – you can buy it from the company website or get on the bus.

Day 2. Visit Osuna and Castillo de Almodóvar del Río

To continue your explorations where the filming of Game of Thrones occurred, go to Osuna and Castillo de Almodóvar del Río, which you will recognize as Daznak’s Pit and Highgarden.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Osuna, Daznak’s Pit

About an hour ride from Seville lies Osuna, a small but extremely beautiful historic town. In the series, the bullring hosts a scene where Daenerys settles a score with Meereen slave masters in the Dance of Dragons.

You will not only be able to visit the scene where the crew spent 12 days shooting the scene (requiring hundreds of re-shoots), but you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in the Spanish bullfighting tradition, brought to Spain by the Moors hundreds of years ago. Traditionally on feast days, Moors would kill the bulls while riding on horseback. Modern-day Matador style bullfighting, though, came around only in the 18th century. Contrary to popular belief, the tradition is not banned entirely, but has lost its popularity with 93% of young adults opposing the practice.

Game of Thrones (film still)

How to get here?

Take a train to Almeria from Sevilla Santa Justa to Osuna. The train runs every hour and costs Є11.50. We suggest planning the early arrival, so you can take your time in Osuna and make it to the Highgarden shooting location the same day.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Game of Thrones (film still)

Castillo de Almodóvar del Río, Highgarden

The 8th-century medieval castle serving as the set of Highgarden in the series will astound you with its magnificent sights. First screened in season 7, the castle hill finds itself under Lannister rule.

Just like in the series you can see it from far away – the castle hill stands out in the landscape, as it is the only hill for miles. There is an easy and scenic trail, and you can climb the towers to see the amazing views of the surrounding flatlands.

Game of Thrones (film still)

We recommend to come here either by bus or – if you rent a car – then know that parking space is limited and will cost you Є9.00. The castle is open on weekends from 11 am to 8 pm, but beware the weekdays – the Spanish siesta takes place from 2.30 om to 4 pm, and the castle is open to visitors only in the mornings and evenings.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Day 3. Visit Game of Thrones Spain Los Barruecos

The nature reserve Los Barruecos is located just near Caceres, a 3-hour drive away from Madrid, where Game of Thrones filmed the Loot Train Attack. You can recall how, in this scene, Daenerys released her dragon against the Lannisters for the first time.

To get from Highgarden to here, we suggest you go by BlaBla car and get a ride-share through Merida. Or, you can skip the public transport hassle and head straight to Castillo de Zafra via Madrid.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Days 4 – 5. Longstop in Madrid and Castillo de Zafra

Either coming from Caceres or Cordoba, there is no way to avoid Madrid, the capital of Spain, on your way to Castillo de Zafra, where the Tower of Joy which first appeared in Season 6 is located. Located between Madrid and Barcelona, the Tower of Joy houses Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark after their secret wedding. It was also the birthplace of Jon Snow.

The Zafra Castle – Bastion of Molina Manor is a magnificent 12th-century building and became one of the strongest castles in the kingdom by the 16th century. Originally an Arab fortress, the castle is only open to visitation from the outside.

Game of Thrones (film still)

Days 6 – 7. Stay in Zaragoza and Game of Thrones Spain Bardenas Reales

As the Bastion of Molina Manor is located near Zaragoza, we encourage you to share a ride on BlaBlaCar to Zaragoza and visit its beautiful city center, and then ride to the Bardenas Reales. By car, it takes around 1 hour to get to the breathtaking landscape. After seeing the soaring canyons, sandstone cliffs, and rocky outcrops, it is clear why the film crew chose the location to shoot the Dothraki Sea. The Spanish badlands made from clay, chalk, and sandstone have been molded by water and wind for centuries, turning the landscape into an otherwordly location for some scenes from Season 6.

Browse. Book. Stay.

CuddlyNest provides all accommodations to all travelers at the best price. Find unlimited travel inspiration on our blog and social media channels

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