One of the most enjoyable and informative ways to travel is to live like a local; to break away from the typical tourist itinerary and seek out a family-owned restaurant or make friends while shopping at a local market. And when you book an extended stay (accommodations that offer stays of up to 90 days) at one of these six European accommodations, you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as a local while enjoying luxurious amenities.
Madrid, Spain
Amor de Dios 17 Boutique Hotel, Madrid, Spain
If you’re looking for a long sunny vacation with diverse cultural and culinary activities in Europe, nowhere is better than Madrid. Specifically, the Amor de Dios 17 Boutique Hotel, located in a townhouse in Madrid, on a quiet street in the city center. The hotel is between Plaza Mayor (the main large square of Madrid that visitors must visit) and the Prado Museum (home to the largest national art collection in Spain and one of the largest in the world). You can spend the first few days exploring while immersing yourself in local life with siestas and late-night meals. Try the Cervecería Restaurante Plaza Mayor, a bar serving beer and light food with outdoor seating on the square, a perfect location to people-watch. In the morning, wake up, step onto the soft floral carpet, draw the plum-colored curtains, and step outside to enjoy a rich coffee like atrue Madrileño. Just a 15-minute walk from the hotel, Santa Eulalia Boulangerie Patisserie serves excellent coffee along with freshly baked bread and pastries.
Munich, Germany
Schwan Locke, Munich, Germany
Munich has almost everything from beautiful nature scenes to excellent beer, delicious pastries, and a comfortable lifestyle. The capital of Bavaria is a great place to immerse yourself in local life. While doing so, treat yourself to a long stay at Schwan Locke. Here, the studio apartments are equipped with modern and vibrant furniture with light and natural pastel tones. You can book stays for up to 90 days.
Bath, United Kingdom
Hiding Space – Trim Street Apartments, Bath, United Kingdom
Named after the Roman bathhouse, this elegant city has numerous world-class spas, making it a perfect relaxation destination for long stays of about a month. And at Hiding Space – Trim Street Apartments, guests even have a hot tub on the rooftop with a great view of the magnificent city. Bath is a city full of festivals, exhibitions, performances, and more. In addition, food connoisseurs will appreciate the many tea rooms, gastropubs, and upscale restaurants. After returning from exploring the city, the Trim Street Apartment is a cozy home to admire the sparkling scenery at night with Bath Abbey from the rooftop.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon Art Stay Apartments Baixa, Lisbon, Portugal
Stay at the Lisbon Art Stay Apartments in the Baixa district of Lisbon for one or two months in the Portuguese capital and you’ll have plenty of local cafes to choose from, as well as scenic spots from which to observe the world go by in everyday life. Rest in the spacious suite decorated with Azulejo tiles (Portuguese ceramic floor tiles) before enjoying breakfast with “Pastel de nata” (traditional Portuguese egg tart) and coffee. Spend the day walking the hilly streets of the city, exploring the markets, bookstores, and bars, or take a stroll, swim, and surf at one of the beautiful beaches along the Portuguese coast.
Dublin, Ireland
Zanzibar Locke – Dublin
When you’ve been staying in Dublin for too long, experiencing the friendly local life, immersing yourself in music and lively pubs, you won’t want to leave. But in the meantime, enjoy the Irish capital by staying at Zanzibar Locke with luxurious studio apartments right by the river and not far from the Temple Bar area. Behind the Georgian facade of the building is a simple and elegant Scandinavian-style interior. The relaxing lobby has a bar (although you may not need it as there are plenty of local pubs) and is also a great place to enjoy breakfast each day before taking astroll around the city.
The Hague, Netherlands
COVE Centrum, The Hague, Netherlands
Although often overlooked by tourists who prefer the larger cities in the Netherlands like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, The Hague is a very attractive option for those seeking a more local experience than traditional tourism. This coastal city can be quite quiet to walk around (although to truly experience local life, you’ll need to rent a bike), but it’s also quite interesting, with everything from cocktail bars and “kibbeling” (fresh fried fish) stands on the beach in the summer, to special art collections; The Hague’s Mauritshuis museum displays Vermeer’s masterpieces, “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. Stay in a luxurious studio suite at COVE Centrum right in the heart of the city and enjoy everything this city has to offer within a few steps.