5. Eat like a local<\/h3>\n
You\u2019ll come across some of the world\u2019s greatest cuisines<\/a> on a trip to Europe, so make sure to savour them. A backpacking budget needn\u2019t be a hindrance either, as if you shun tourist traps to eat and drink with the locals, there are plenty of gastronomic experiences that won\u2019t break the bank. Treat yourself to small portions but big flavours with a tapas dish or two in Spain, relish the world\u2019s favourite cuisine at an Italian trattoria or discover the art form of the open sandwich with sm\u00f8rrebr\u00f8d<\/em> in Denmark. Don\u2019t be tempted to skip breakfast, either \u2013 an oven-fresh croissant or calorie-jammed \u201cfull English\u201d are not to be missed.<\/p>\n Being on a budget doesn\u2019t mean you should miss out, even in some of the world\u2019s most sophisticated cities. Many iconic European experiences are mercifully light on the pocket: look out for free city walking tours, try the great Italian tradition of aperitivo<\/em> in Rome, make the most of the free museums in London and try cooking with local ingredients rather than eating out. We\u2019ve got lists of the top free things to do in Paris<\/a>, Barcelona<\/a>, London<\/a>, Dublin<\/a> andBerlin<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n It can be tempting to focus backpacking through Europe on a succession of capital cities \u2013 but you\u2019d be missing out on a lot. Europe offers a host of outdoor pursuits that animate its wide open spaces, too, from horseriding in Bulgaria\u2019s Rila Mountains and surfing on Portugal\u2019s gnarled Alentejo coast to cross-country skiing in Norway and watching Mother Nature\u2019s greatest show<\/a> in Swedish Lapland.<\/p>\n One advantage of budget travel is that it makes splurging all the sweeter \u2013 and for a little \u201cflashpacking\u201d guidance, we include Treat Yourself tips throughout the Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget<\/a><\/em>. If you\u2019re mostly staying in dorms, splash out on the odd private hostel room or boutique hotel; swing by a speakeasy for cocktails in Paris; gorge yourself on pasta in Rome; and allow yourself a day of watersports in Croatia.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s Berlin and London\u2019s hipster dives, flamenco in Seville, Budapest\u2019s ruin bars<\/a>, or the enotecas<\/em> that celebrate Italy\u2019s rejuvenated wine industry, there are countless reasons to stay up till sunrise. Europe lives for the wee hours and you\u2019ll be following in some famous footsteps. Think about ordering a knee-buckling Duvel beer at Brussels\u2019 historic La Fleur en Papier Dore\u0301<\/em>, a time-worn cafe\u0301 once the favourite hunt of Surrealist painter Magritte and Tintin creator Herge\u0301, or sipping pint in one of Oxford\u2019s historic pubs<\/a>, like the\u00a0Eagle and Child<\/em>, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis\u2019s old haunt.<\/p>\n Clubbed and pubbed out? It\u2019s time to hit the beach<\/a>. If you\u2019re looking for heat, Formentera\u2019s beaches are quieter and wilder than on neighbouring Ibiza, while Croatia and Italy have a slew of beautiful stretches of sand. If you want to head off the beaten track, consider Mogren in Montenegro, part of the so-called \u201cBudva Riviera\u201d that stretches either side of Montenegro\u2019s party town par excellence.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for Europe\u2019s charm without the crowds, you\u2019ll want to consider straying from the well-worn routes. Some of our favourite under-the-radar towns include Olomouc<\/a> in the Czech Republic, a pint-sized Prague with less people and more charm (and cobblestones), and Berat<\/a>, a gorgeous Albanian town where row after row of Ottoman buildings loom down at you from the sides of a steep valley.<\/p>\n Take some basic precautions to stay safe. It\u2019s not a good idea to walk around flashing an obviously expensive camera or smartphone, and keep your eyes (and hands if necessary) on your bags at all times. Exercise caution in hostels and on trains; padlocking your bags to the luggage rack if you\u2019re on an overnight train increases the likelihood that they\u2019ll still be there in the morning. It\u2019s also a good idea to take a photocopy of your passport and keep it safe somewhere online.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"thailand\"](\"http:\/\/demo.slicejack.com\/karta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/05\/thailand.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6. Find the freebies<\/h3>\n
7. Get outdoors<\/h3>\n
8. Allow yourself the odd splurge<\/h3>\n
9. Stay up late<\/h3>\n
10. Hit the beach<\/h3>\n
11. Go under the radar<\/h3>\n
12. Stay safe<\/h3>\n