13 Cool Things to Do in Nouakchott, Mauritania

Most people visit Nouakchott as a starting point for riding the iron ore train and don’t intend to spend much time in the city. If I could take back the two days I spent there, I would.

Nouakchott is probably my least favorite city I’ve ever visited. There isn’t much to do, it’s dirty, and parts of it smelled pretty bad. I most likely won’t ever be back. But if you’re traveling to Mauritania, you’re almost guaranteed to spend at least a day here, whether your flight lands here, you’re meeting a tour, or you’re just passing through.

Don’t let my feelings about the capital deter you from visiting Mauritania as a whole. The country is incredible. Most people come just to ride the iron ore train, but there’s so much more to explore. Nouakchott might not be much, but the rest of Mauritania is absolutely worth the trip.

I booked an 8 day tour of Mauritania with Against the Compass, and Nouakchott was our meeting point, so I had a bit of time to explore. You honestly don’t need more than a day in Nouakchott to see everything, and in this guide, I list everything worth doing.

12 Cool Things to do in Nouakchott, Mauritania

National Museum of Mauritania

The National Museum of Mauritania is worth a visit if you intend to spend any time in Nouakchott. The capital isn’t exactly packed with things to do, but regardless, it’s still pretty cool to walk around and see all the artifacts.

The National Museum is housed in a building constructed in 1972, making it one of Nouakchott’s longest-standing cultural institutions. Inside you’ll find fascinating archaeological and ethnographic collections spread across two main galleries. The prehistoric section showcases tools and artifacts from the Mousterian, Aterian, and Neolithic periods. You’ll see collections of sherds, arrowheads, and traditional costumes.

You’ll also see artifacts dug up from three different excavations: Koumbi Saleh (the former capital of the Ghana Empire), Aoudaghost (a major trading post on the caravan routes for over five centuries), and Azougui (the old Almoravid capital).

All the text is in French and Arabic, so if you don’t speak either of those languages, a translation app would be helpful, or you can do what I did and just wander around without reading anything.

Camel Market

About 10 kilometers east of the city center, you’ll find the camel market. Camels are an essential part of life in many parts of Africa and the Middle East. Since Mauritania is all desert, camels are used to haul things across the country; they also provide milk and meat, and people even give them as wedding presents. A single camel can cost between $850 – $1,000, so if you see someone with many camels, you know they are pretty well off.

This is supposedly the second-largest camel market in Africa, and around 250 camels are sold here on average per day. What a camel costs comes down to several factors: its age, gender, and physical build.

When I was walking around, I got many sweet camel nudges. I think they were smelling me to see if I had food or maybe seeing if I was food. I will say, this is the most humane animal market I have been to in Africa. The camels weren’t tied up, they weren’t being hit, and they seemed pretty happy overall.

Divorced Women’s Market

The divorced women’s market is a place that started in the 1980s. It’s a marketplace run entirely by women where they sell secondhand furniture, kitchen stuff, clothes, and all the household items they got to keep after their marriages ended.

In Mauritania, divorce is actually relatively common and more socially accepted than in many other countries. Divorce isn’t stigmatized in the same way it is elsewhere. In fact, in some communities, being divorced is considered a sign of desirability or experience.

The economic realities can be challenging for these women. After divorce, women often need to support themselves and sometimes their children. In traditional Mauritanian society, family structures and support networks play a massive role, but women still need to make money.

The divorced women’s markets emerged as a response to this economic need. These markets give divorced women agency and economic power in a society where job opportunities, especially for women, can be limited.

At this market you will find everything from traditional Mauritanian crafts, fabrics, jewelry, and furniture, and if you pay some money and have a translator, you can hire one of the women to tell you about the market.

I will say, the market is very difficult to find, and I tried going on my own, but even my driver and hotel receptionist did not know where it was. Luckily, a lot of people on my tour wanted to go, so it was added as a stop.

This is the map link to where it is, but I would recommend hiring a guide who knows where the market is. It’s really diofficult to find and even locals can’t locate ot on the map.

Saudi Mosque

The Saudi Mosque is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the city. It’s officially called the Saudi Mosque because it was funded and built by Saudi Arabia, a gift that reflects the religious and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

I managed to sneak a brief look inside, but after about five minutes, someone outside started yelling at me. I’m pretty sure he was telling me I wasn’t allowed in there. Then another guy who was leaving the mosque told me it was fine for me to go in, and the two of them ended up arguing with each other about whether I was actually permitted inside or not. I ended up leaving, not to cause any more trouble.

I later read that non-Muslims aren’t allowed in the mosque, which is standard for most mosques in Mauritania, but I had no idea. It’s a shame because the inside was stunning.

Get a pastry and coffee from La Palmeraie Patisserie

La Palmeraie is a popular cafe among expats and wealthier Mauritanians. It’s a French-style bakery attached to a cafe and restaurant, and honestly, finding a place like this in Nouakchott was a surprise.

The pastries here are spectacular. My personal favorite was the eclair, but they also had cronuts that looked excellent. You order your pastry at the bakery counter, then head to the restaurant area where they’ll bring it to you. You can order coffee or food from the menu once you’re seated. The cappuccino was the best I had in all of Mauritania.

Since there isn’t a ton to do in Nouakchott, this makes for a great spot to relax for a while. They have fast wifi, and they have an outdoor seating area with a shaded terrace that is really nice.

Port de Pêche (Fish Market)

Port De Peche is one of the largest and liveliest fishing ports in West Africa. If you walk along the beach, you’ll find tons of beautiful and brightly colored wooden pirogues (traditional fishing boats) lined up on the sand. These boats are built mostly by Senegalese craftsmen, and each one is hand-painted with unique designs.

The best time to visit is late afternoon, typically between 2pm and 5pm, when the fishing boats return from sea with their daily catch. You will see so much variety! They sell everything from tuna and swordfish to grouper, shrimp, lobster, and crab. The fish gets divided into three quality classes: Grade 1 is for export, while Grades 2 and 3 are for local consumption.

Fair warning, it’s chaotic and loud with people shouting. The smell of fish is pretty overwhelming, and your shoes will reek afterward. Our guide told us to watch out for pickpockets, so we kept a tight grip on our stuff the whole time.

That being said, as long as you are careful, this is a very fascinating market to visit and definitely one of the best things to do in Nouakchott.

Have Dinner at the View Restaurant

The view is a restaurant located inside MH Hotel. There aren’t a ton of food options in Nouakchott, so this is a good place for lunch or dinner. I got a meat platter with sausages, chicken, veggies & fries and an avocado juice mixed with fresh orange juice.

FYI, I know the meat platter looks like poop, but I promise it’s good and tastes nothing like poop.

Grande Mosquée de La Capitale

This mosque unfortuately can only be admired from the outside. but it’s still beautiful nonetheless. The best part is the minaret, which stands 55 meters (about 180 feet) tall. It’s covered in intricate Islamic mosaic patterns in white, blue, and greenish colors. At the very top, there’s an iron rod that ends with a hilal (the Islamic crescent moon symbol).

Attached to the mosque is an Islamic education center where imams and other religious leaders gather for lessons and religious instruction. The mosque serves as a landmark in the city. Its green roof and tall minaret make it easy to spot from various parts of Nouakchott.

Unfortunately, nobody seems to know exactly when the Mosque was built. Like other mosques in Mauritania, non-Muslims aren’t allowed inside.

Cinquieme Gardens

These gardens were a nice retreat from the chaos of Nouakchott. On maps, it’s listed as a botanical garden, but it felt more like a park than a garden.

Most of Nouakchott has trash scattered everywhere, and there was even some litter near the entrance, but once I got inside, it was surprisingly clean and pleasant. It was a nice spot to wander around.

Morocaine Market

This market is where most people do their shopping, and it is hectic! There is a constant stream of cars and motorbikes driving through, people carrying wagons filled with items to sell, people selling raw fish and meat (that has been sitting out in the sun), so it does not smell very nice.

To be honest, if you want to really immerse yourself in the Mauritanian culture, this is a good spot to visit. You will probably want to leave just as quickly as you arrived. I found it very overstimulating and loud.

I know I am not selling this, but chances are, you will find yourself walking through this market if you are exploring some other sites in this article, like the Grande Mosquée de La Capitale.

Smoke Shisha at Tapis Rouge.

A group from my tour wanted to smoke shisha our first night, and my guide recommended Tapis Rouge. It was about a 15-minute walk from where we were staying. Luckily, a few guys in our group spoke French, so we were able to order our shishas. But when we asked about the price, they quoted us an amount that was way higher than it should have been.

Turns out, many businesses will try to overcharge tourists by quoting triple prices for what they should be. Once we called them out on it, the price magically dropped. Make sure you know the correct price before ordering, and always do the currency exchange yourself to avoid getting ripped off.

Anyway, the shisha was strong, but it was a nice spot to sit and relax. We got a table outside and ordered tea as well.

Visit the Fanciest PAUL

PAUL is a French bakery café chain that’s been around since 1889 and has locations in over 40 countries. The Nouakchott location opened in 2022.

PAUL Nouakchott is housed in a brand-new building. They serve French pastries and breads, along with coffee, hot chocolate, and a full breakfast menu. The place has clean, air-conditioned rooms spread across multiple floors. The first floor features a room with a trompe-l’oeil (optical illusion) library design. They also have a terrace on the top floor.

I’ve only been to Paul in London, but this was definitely the fanciest PAUL I’ve ever visited. There are four floors, and it’s worth going in at least and exploring them all.

Have a Local Meal at Al Fantasia Restaurant 

This is by far one of the best restaurants in Nouakchott. They’re known for their couscous, which you can get with lamb, chicken, or vegetables, but they also serve other dishes like fish, pizza, shawarma, and chicken.

We went twice during our trip. The first time, we all ordered couscous, and the second time, we tried different dishes. I got the shawarma, which was wonderful, while others in our group ordered the fish, pizza, and chicken, all of which looked great too.

Where to Stay in Nouakchott

Nouakchott Hotel: This was a nice hotel in a pretty calm part of the city. My room was massive, with a living room and a huge bed. The breakfast was also excellent, and the Wi-Fi was fast.

Sunset Hotel: This is only a 3-minute walk from Nouakchott Hotel, and I stayed here with my tour group. It was really comfortable, breakfast was good, and my room wasn’t huge, but the wifi was fast and the bed was really comfy.

Sheraton: I didn’t stay here, but I was shocked to see a Sheraton in Nouakchott. I was told this hotel recently opened. If you’re seeking a high-end option, this is your best bet. I can’t comment on the amenities or comfort since I didn’t stay there, but given that it’s a Sheraton, I’m sure it’s a comfortable place to stay.

Find more accommodation in Nouakchott by searching for hotels below!

Brief History of Noukachott

Nouakchott started as a tiny fishing village with only around 200-500 people in the 1950s. When Mauritania was preparing for independence from France, they needed a capital city.

In 1958, they chose this small village for a few strategic reasons: it was centrally located between the former colonial capital of Saint-Louis in Senegal and Nouadhibou, it wasn’t dominated by any single ethnic group (which helped promote national unity), and it had a relatively moderate climate.

The city was designed and built from scratch to house about 15,000 people and officially became the capital when Mauritania gained independence in 1960.
Everything changed in the 1970s when devastating Sahel droughts struck the region.

Nomadic families and subsistence farmers fled the desert and countryside, pouring into Nouakchott searching for water and work. The city’s population exploded by the mid-1980s; it had grown to 400,000-500,000 people. Today, Nouakchott is home to approximately 1.5 million people, roughly one-third of Mauritania’s entire population.

This rapid, unplanned growth created sprawling shanty towns (called “kebbes”) and explains why the city feels so chaotic and unorganized. It was never designed to handle anywhere near this many people.

The name “Nouakchott” means “place of the winds” in Berber, a fitting name for a city perched between the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic Ocean.

Things to Do in Nouakchott: FAQS

How to get to Nouakchott

By Air

Nouakchott is served by Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC), which opened in 2016 and is located about 25-40 kilometers north of the city center. The airport has direct flights from 12 destinations in 10 countries. The most common routes are from:

Morocco: Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc, Mauritania Airlines)
Senegal: Dakar (Air Senegal, Mauritania Airlines)
France: Paris (Air France)
Spain: Gran Canaria/Las Palmas (Binter Canarias, Mauritania Airlines)
Turkey: Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
Tunisia: Tunis (Tunisair, Mauritania Airlines)
Algeria: Algiers (Air Algerie)

There are no direct flights from the Americas, Asia, or Oceania, so travelers from those regions will need to connect through Europe or North Africa.

From the Airport to City Center

The only option is by taxi, with prices around 1,000-2,000 Mauritanian ouguiya (about €24-48), depending on your negotiation skills. The ATMs at the airport don’t always work, so it’s smart to have euros or US dollars on hand that you can change at the airport.

You can also see if your hotel will arrange a pickup.

Do you need a visa for Mauritania, and what is the arrival process like?

Most travelers need a visa to enter Mauritania. Only citizens from a handful of countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Specifically Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Tunisia. Everyone else needs to sort out a visa before arrival.

The E-Visa Process

As of January 2025, Mauritania changed their visa system. You can no longer just show up at the airport and get a visa on arrival. You now have to apply for an e-visa online before you travel.

Here’s how it works:

• Go to the Mauritanian National Agency website and fill out the online application form.
• Upload a digital copy of your passport (must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date with at least one blank page).
• Submit a recent passport style photo. They are very particular about the image sizing, and pixels. If it’s even slightly off, the visa won’t submit. When you are filling out the form, they will tell you exactly the size the images have to be.
• Answer some questions, and submit.
• Keep your visa request number because you will not be notified by email when it has been approved. You need to check the portal every day and need that number as well as your passport number. The e-visa approval usually takes 1-3 days. Once it’s approved, you download and print it out.

It’s important to apply at least 3 weeks before your trip in case there are any issues.

Make sure you hang on to your visa the entire trip because you will have to present it when you leave the country.

When you arrive in Mauritania, you’ll need to:

• Show your printed e-visa
• Pay the visa fee in cash, which was $60 when I went (exact change in euros or US dollars). They don’t give change or receipts)
• Provide fingerprints

Arriving can take a couple of hours. We were there for about 2 hours. You need to go to a few windows. The first window will check your visa, and the second window will be where you pay. Also, you will need to fill out an arrival form and present that at the immigration window with your passport. This was not clear to us, but luckily I saw others filling it out and figured I probably needed one as well.

The visa allows you to stay for up to 30 days.

Is Nouakchott Safe for Tourists?

This is probably the biggest question people have about visiting Mauritania, and honestly, the answer is a bit complicated. Like many places, the government travel advisories paint a pretty grim picture, but the reality is often quite different from what you’ll read online.

Nouakchott itself is generally safe for tourists. Crime rates are actually quite low. Violent crime is rare, and the heavy military presence throughout the country has been effective at maintaining security. I felt very safe walking around.

Where to Be Careful

The main place you need to watch your belongings is at the Port de Pêche (fish market). It’s crowded and chaotic, and pickpockets do operate there, so keep your valuables close and stay aware of your surroundings. When we visited, our guide even told us to hold on to our cameras and phones.

While government advisories warn against travel to Mauritania, many travelers (including myself) have visited without incident. The key is being smart about where you go and respecting local customs. That said, Mauritania isn’t a typical tourist destination, and infrastructure is limited, so you need to be more self-sufficient and aware than you would be in more developed countries.

How Do I Get Around the City?

Taxis and walking are the best options. I hired a taxi to take me to the city center, and then I walked back to my hotel, stopping at several sites along the way. I recommend downloading a map of Nouakchott on Google Maps because data won’t work unless you have a SIM, and Airalo (which is what I use) didn’t have an option for Mauritania.

What’s the Best Time to Visit Nouakchott?

The best time to visit Nouakchott is during the cooler winter months from November to February (or even stretching into March).

Winter (November – February)

This is peak season for a reason. Daytime temperatures hover around 29-31°C (84-88°F), which is warm but manageable, and nights can actually get quite cool, sometimes dropping to 10-15°C (50-60°F). It’s sunny, it rarely rains, and the weather is generally pleasant for exploring the city. Just be aware that the Harmattan winds can blow in from the northeast during this time, bringing dust and sand with them.

Spring (March – May)

March is still pretty good, though temperatures start climbing. By May and June, you’re looking at daytime highs around 34°C (93°F), and it can get uncomfortable, especially when the wind shifts and blows in from the desert, which can push temperatures up to 45°C (113°F).

Summer (June – August)

This is the hottest time of year. Temperatures are scorching, though July and August see slightly more humidity and occasional rain as the African monsoon creeps up from the south. August is actually the wettest month, though “wettest” in Nouakchott still only means about 36mm of rain for the entire month. The heat is intense and not ideal for being outside.

Fall (September – October)

September and October are the absolute worst months to visit. These are the hottest months of the year, with temperatures regularly hitting 35-36°C (95-97°F) during the day.

Stick to November through February if you can. The weather is as comfortable as it’s going to get.

What currency is used in Mauritania?

The currency in Mauritania is the ouguiya (abbreviated as MRU or UM). It’s been the country’s official currency since June 1, 1973, when it replaced the CFA franc.

The ouguiya is actually one of only two currencies in the world that’s divided into 5 units instead of 10 or 100. One ouguiya is divided into 5 khoums, though you’re unlikely to see khoums in everyday transactions.

Exchange Rate

As of early 2026, the exchange rate is roughly 40 ouguiya to 1 US dollar, or about 0.025 USD per ouguiya. So 1,000 ouguiya is approximately $25 USD or €24 EUR.

Payment Options

Cash is king in Mauritania. While some hotels and upscale restaurants in Nouakchott accept credit cards, you should plan to use cash for most transactions. ATMs exist in Nouakchott, but they don’t always work and may not accept foreign cards.

Your best bet is to bring enough euros or US dollars with you for your entire trip and exchange them at official money exchanges or banks once you arrive. Since I was on a tour, I didn’t end up spending much money. I only changed about $70 for my entire 8 day trip.

The airport has an exchange bureau, though the rates aren’t great. Just make sure you have enough cash to get into town from the airport and then change the rest in the city.

What Language is Spoken in Mauritania?

Arabic (Official Language)

Arabic is the official language of Mauritania. However, the Arabic spoken on the streets is Hassaniya, a local dialect that’s heavily influenced by Berber words and differs quite a bit from Modern Standard Arabic. Hassaniya is what you’ll hear in everyday conversations at markets, taxis, and shops.

French (Widely Spoken)

Even though French doesn’t have official status, it’s still widely used in Mauritania. It’s taught in schools starting in second grade. If you speak French, you’ll be able to get by pretty well in the city.

English is not widely spoken in Mauritania, so I recommend downloading Arabic and French on Google Translate.

What’s the Food Like in Nouakchott?

The food scene in Nouakchott is fairly straightforward and it’s not going to blow your mind with variety, but the places I ate were very good.

Traditional Mauritanian Cuisine

Mauritanian food is pretty simple and heavily meat-based. The cuisine revolves around lamb, goat, and camel meat paired with rice, couscous, or other grains. Since Nouakchott is on the coast, you’ll also find plenty of fresh seafood, grilled fish, and seafood stews.

The French Influence

You’ll also find several French patisseries serving incredible pastries and crepes.

International Options

Most restaurants in Nouakchott serve a fairly standardized menu: pizzas, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, steak, and seafood. There are also Lebanese, Moroccan, Chinese, and even Indian restaurants scattered around the city.

Dining Culture

Traditionally, Mauritanians eat communally from one large bowl on the floor, using their right hand (often with a piece of bread). Lunch is the main meal of the day, typically eaten between 1-3 PM, and many businesses close for extended lunch breaks. Dinner is lighter and typically eaten quite late, but restaurants will be open most of the day.

Important Notes

• Mauritania is an Islamic country, so alcohol is completely illegal. You won’t find it anywhere, even at the Sheraton (a few guys on my tour checked)
• Mint tea (called “attaya”) is a huge part of the culture and is served at practically every social gathering
• Most meals come with dates, which are grown locally and served as a snack

The food won’t be the highlight of your trip, but you will find good food around the city.

Is the Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Tap water in all of Mauritania is not safe to drink.

Stick to bottled water only. Also, avoid ice cubes unless you know for certain they’re made from bottled or purified water, and skip the ice in your drinks at restaurants.

Be careful with fresh produce. Salads and raw vegetables are often washed with tap water, so you might want to stick to cooked foods to be safe.

What should I wear in Nouakchott?

Mauritania is a conservative Islamic country, so dressing modestly is essential. Here’s what you need to know:

For Women

• Cover your shoulders and knees
• Avoid tight or form-fitting clothing
• Covering hair is not needed, but you may want to wear a head scarf anyway, because it is quite sandy.

For Men

Long pants are preferred as well as T-shirts with sleeves.

Where to Buy Local Clothes

If you want to wear traditional Mauritanian clothing, you can easily buy it at the central market.

Can I buy a local SIM card?

Yes, you can buy a local SIM card in Nouakchott, but keep in mind data in other parts of Mauritania isn’t reliable, so if you can, I recommend not getting one and just using hotel wifi. If you do want to get one, here is how:

Where to Buy

You can purchase SIM cards from:

• Small phone shops throughout the city
• The airport
• Markets and street vendors
• Official telecom provider stores

Mobile Providers

Mauritania has several mobile network providers, with the main ones being:

• Chinguitel (one of the largest)
• Mattel
• Mauritel

What You’ll Need

Your passport (required for registration)
Cash in ouguiya to pay for the SIM card and credit

Cost

SIM cards are relatively inexpensive, though exact prices vary by provider. You’ll also need to buy credit separately to top up your phone.

Important Note

Be careful with vendors. There have been reports of scams at small phone shops. Make sure you’re getting what you paid for and that the price is correct.

Coverage

Mobile coverage is generally decent in Nouakchott and along major roads, but can be spotty or non-existent in remote desert areas

Is Nouakchott accessible?

Unfortunately, no. Nouakchott is inaccessible. The U.S. State Department states that “individuals with disabilities will find accessibility and accommodation very limited” in Mauritania.

Infrastructure Problems

• No sidewalks or paved walkways: Much of the city is sandy, with many streets covered in sand. Even able-bodied travelers find walking challenging. I had a lot of trouble walking in Nouakchott.
• Most of the buildings did not have wheelchair ramps, and besides the hotels, there were not any elevators.
• Even small amounts of rain can make roads impassable. Roads outside the city often require 4×4 vehicles

Hotels

Accessibility standards in Mauritania are far below what you’d find in Western countries. I’d recommend contacting hotels directly to verify they are accessible before booking.

Beyond physical accessibility, Mauritania has very limited infrastructure overall:

• Limited healthcare facilities (especially outside Nouakchott)
• Minimal English speakers
• Very few amenities that travelers with disabilities might rely on

If you have mobility issues or require wheelchair access, Nouakchott is unfortunately not a practical destination to visit. The infrastructure simply isn’t there to support accessible travel.

Is Mauritania safe for LGBTQ?

No, sadly Mauritania is extremely dangerous for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Mauritania has some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world:

• Same-sex relationships between men can be punishable by death under Mauritanian law. While the government hasn’t enforced the death penalty in recent years, the law remains on the books
• Same-sex relationships between women are punishable by 3 months to 2 years in prison plus monetary fines
• There are no legal protections against discrimination based on orientation

Mauritania is an Islamic Republic where 100% of citizens are officially Muslim. Social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people are extremely conservative and hostile. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples would be dangerous, and being openly LGBTQ+ could result in harassment, violence, or arrest.

If you are LGBTQ+:

• Do not be open about your sexual orientation or gender identity
• Avoid any public displays of affection with a same-sex partner
• Be extremely discreet in all situations
• Do not discuss LGBTQ+ topics with locals

Was this article helpful to you? Well, go ahead and save it by pinning it so you can reference it later on.

Travel Resources

First off, if you want to browse all my favorite travel resources, check out my Travel Resources page.

Trip Planning: I have put together the ultimate trip planning guide that will walk you through everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip.

Book your Flight: Check out Momondo! They are my go to for booking flights. Airfarewatchdog is also a favorite of mine. I get notified by email every time there is a good deal from my local airport. WayAway is also a good option. They list mistake fares so many times, you can get an international ticket for as little as $300!

Book your Transportation: Busbud is usually where I check first. They check hundreds of different transportation companies all over the world and find you the best bus deal. Flixbus is one of my favorite cheap options for Europe. The buses generally aren’t too bad, and they go to most countries around Europe. It’s the perfect option for short distances. Train travel is my favorite mode of transportation, and I always use Rail Europe to book my tickets. If you need a transfer from the airport or if you are going somewhere where transport is limited (like a festival in the middle of nowhere or even a day trip) Welcome Pickups is a great option. I have used them on multiple occasions, and you can book a ride 5 hours in advance!

Book your Accommodation: My number one is Booking. If you book enough hotels from them, you can get huge discounts and perks like free breakfast and room upgrade. On a budget and looking for cheap accommodation? Hostelworld is my preferred site to book cheap and reliable hostels. Hotwire has a fun mystery to it. It’s a great site to use for last-minute bookings. They don’t actually tell you the name of the hotel when you are browsing. You will just get the area of the city it’s in, the price, and how many stars it has. I love the surprise aspect of it! Traveling to Asia? Agoda is the best accommodation booking site! If you are traveling with a big group, Vrbo is a good option. They have a huge selection of vacation rentals. Hotellook allows you to compare hotel prices around the world, so you can find the best deal!

Book your Travel Insurance: Getting travel insurance is such a crucial part of preparing for a trip. You never know what could happen, and why take the risk? Before I travel anywhere, I always book my insurance through Visitors Coverage.

Book your Activities: Now, you have planned all the logistics, time to think about what you will do once you get to your destination! These are a few of my favorite trip planning sites. I always use Get Your Guide and Viator when I am looking for tours. If you are traveling to Asia, Klook is widely used to book activities. Go City sells tickets to top attractions for up to 65% off. Eat With allows you to book dinners or cooking classes with local families. If you enjoy self-guided walking tours, We Go Trip has audio guides you can download. Big Bus Tours offers open-top sightseeing tours.

Store Your Luggage: Do you have a long layover or a late flight and need to store your luggage? Radical Storage has got you covered.

Get an eSim: Airlalo has been an amazing way for me to stay connected on the road. They have eSims in 200 countries and set up is super easy.