The city of San Sebastián in northern Spain has more incredible food and drink experiences than some entire countries, packed into a picturesque jumble of streets, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and easily accessible beaches.
The top item on most visitors’ to-do lists is, quite rightly, downing a plethora of pintxos (small bites) and fizzy txakoli wine in San Sebastián’s bars and cafes, or snagging reservations at some of the world’s most famous restaurants. But that’s just the beginning.
Even if you’re not just here to eat your way through your bucket list, San Sebastián has a lot more going for it than just food. This region has an identity that’s all its own – the Basque Country is home to some of Europe’s oldest traditions, and it boasts its own language, with mysterious and ancient origins. If you visit during a local festival, you’ll see everything from Basque dancing to bertsolari poets performing improvised songs – a tradition dating back centuries.
San Sebastián’s stunning Belle Époque architecture is a byproduct of the city’s regal history, while its position on the Cantabrian coast in the foothills of the Pyrenees means that visitors can enjoy a packed roster of outdoor activities, especially if you want to take some day trips into the Basque hinterland.
The bottom line? Stay in San Sebastián for as long as you can! Here are the top things to do in San Sebastián to soak up the city’s rich Basque culture, fine food and gorgeous surroundings.
Curving La Concha beach is San Sebastián’s most famous landmark. Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock Marc Bruxelle / Shutterstock
1. Sunbathe on the famous La Concha beach
Hailed as one of Europe’s best beaches, La Concha’s wow factor is as much about its surroundings as the sand. Nearly a mile long, this city beach looks out onto a giant green mountain, the town’s pretty-as-a-postcard port, and the imposing island of Santa Clara, with its striking white lighthouse. The water is shallow and the waves are gentle, with bars and the city’s bright lights right up the steps from the sand – it’s a perfect playa specimen.
2. Learn the art of pintxo hopping
San Sebastián locals have their own way of eating – before lunch or dinner, people routinely stop for a snack and a drink with friends. These snacks are called pintxos, and they line nearly every bartop in the city. Just pop in, order a drink, grab a bite off the bar, and pay for everything when you’re done. This is one of the world’s most sociable and entertaining dining rituals, born right in the old town of San Sebastián.
San Sebastián’s picturesque bay is bookendedd at Mount Urgull. Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock
3. Explore the hidden cemeteries and cafes of Monte Urgull
The green mountain casting a shadow over the old town of San Sebastián is Monte Urgull – a maze of treasures waiting to be discovered. Well-traversed by locals clocking up their daily steps or looking for a spot for a romantic rendezvous, the headland is crisscrossed by trails. It may be tempting to try to follow the map, but the easiest approach is to just start walking. You’ll stumble across all sorts of charming corners, from an ammunition depot reinvented as a bar to the cemetery commemorating the 1813 Siege of San Sebastián. Go all the way to the feet of the hilltop statue of Jesus and you’ll find a free museum with displays on the history of the city.
4. Stroll the beaches all the way to the Peine del Viento
Along with drinking beers at a sidewalk café, strolling ranks as one of San Sebastián’s favorite pastimes, and the town has the perfect promenade for a morning or afternoon wander. Start in the old town and head west along the beachside balustrade for a two-mile walk that should take around 40 minutes if you stop to ooh and aah at the views of Isla de Santa Clara and the handsome villas that line the water. The walk ends at Peine del Viento, a trio of massive sculptures by Eduardo Chillida. Some 30 tons of oxidized steel rise from the waterside rocks, suspended over the ocean spray.
Local Tip: Come at high tide, when the water’s force causes blowholes along the shore to expel powerful blasts of vapor, making for some surprises (and incredible photos).
With a wetsuit, Playa de la Zurriola becomes a surfing playground. Shutterstock YuryKara / Shutterstock
5. Surf the Basque Coast at Playa de la Zurriola
The Basque coast is known as one of Europe’s top surfing spots, famous for the left-hand break at Mundaka – one of the world’s best waves. While Playa de la Zurriola may not be the peak spot for swell on the coast, it is the easiest surf beach to access. Grab a board and a wetsuit (essential outside of the warm summer months of July and August) and catch a wave. Even if you don’t, the views of the city and Mount Ulia from the water are more than enough reward for the effort.
Planning Tip: There are multiple spots for renting boards and taking lessons right on the beach, all offering a similarly high standard of service.
6. Run from the rain at La Perla Spa
If you wake up to rain on your trip, make tracks for the La Perla spa. Located right on La Concha beach, this popular thalassotherapy center has gorgeous views and a large spa circuit with enough pools, jets, and activities to extend the unwinding over several hours. Do as the locals and take a cold plunge in the sea after your sauna – there’s a door in the main swimming pool room that’s always kept open just for this purpose.
Planning Tip: Set aside half a day so you have enough time to relax and enjoy the entire spa experience. Reserve a spot ahead during the busy summer months.
The trails on Monte Ulia offer some of the best coastal views around San Sebastián. Unai Huizi/Shutterstock Shutterstock / Unai Huizi Photography
7. Hike the stunning trails of Mount Ulia
The top activity for nature lovers in San Sebastián is hiking along the coast of Monte Ulia, the headland northeast of Playa de la Zurriola. After a slightly steep ascent from the eastern edge of Gros, the going levels out and suddenly all you can see are wild waves crashing against stunning cliffs, with the sound of the sea and seagulls drowning out the city noise. The path is easy to follow, with white-and-red GR-121 markers to keep you on track.
An amusement park might sound like a day out for kids, but the Monte Igeldo amusement park genuinely offers fun for every generation. For starters, the park is reached via a 100-year-old cable car – its rickety vibes will definitely get your heart pumping, as will the unparalleled views of the bay and city. Don’t miss the vintage Montaña Suiza roller coaster, a century-old wooden affair that hangs off the edge of a cliff for guaranteed adrenaline.
Planning Tip: Outside of summer, be sure to check opening hours; in winter, the attractions only operate at weekends in the winter and timings are dependent on the weather.
Sitting in the bay off San Sebastián, Isla de Santa Clara calls out to be explored. Shutterstock PhotoFires / Shutterstock
9. Swim, ride or float to Isla de Santa Clara
As well as being incredibly picturesque, the island in the middle of La Concha Bay has a fascinating history as a military outpost. Isla de Santa Clara is covered in zigzagging trails terminating at a photogenic lighthouse. A ferry service (more frequent in summer) is the easiest way to reach the island, but you can also get here by stand-up paddleboard, or even swim out at low tide. The island hosts regular art installations and in summer, the small bar is a great escape when La Concha gets too crowded.
Planning Tip: Motoras de la Isla offers direct ferry transfers to the island, or a longer ride that circles the bay for bonus views en route.
10. Taste the world-famous Basque cheesecake
Welcome to the hometown of what could very well be the most widely traveled dessert of all time. You can now find Basque-style burnt cheesecake on menus everywhere from the Philippines to America’s Cheesecake Factory, and no wonder – the perfect flavors and burnished bronze finish make this creamy wonder irresistible. Head to famous La Viña to try the original incarnation.
The Victoria Eugenia Theater is one of San Sebastián’s most eye-catching buildings. Francesco Bonino/Shutterstock Shutterstock /
11. Catch a show at the Victoria Eugenia Theater
Lovely sandstone Belle Époque buildings line the river in San Sebastián, including the elegant Victoria Eugenia Theater. This cultural powerhouse is more than 100 years old but still draws full houses of music, dance and theater lovers. Get tickets for whatever’s on – the programming is a flawless mix of contemporary music, dance performances, and theater shows of very high quality. Get a seat in the balconies, or palcos, for the full period experience.
Planning Tip: Check the schedule of shows and book well in advance as the theater’s shows are extremely popular and often sell out.
12. Make a pilgrimage to Eduardo Chillida’s farmhouse
If the Peine del Viento has whet your appetite for Eduardo Chillida’s larger-than-life sculptures, hop on the bus to the outskirts of town to visit the sculptor’s family home at Chillida Leku. This historic Basque farmhouse has been converted into a breathtaking museum, housing sculptures that can reach a whopping 30ft in height and 18 tons in weight. Its indoor-outdoor display spaces allow works such as In Praise of Iron III to breathe among rolling green hills.
Planning Tip: Bus BU05 to Chillida Leku runs regularly from Calle Okendo.
From fine wines to cocktails, San Sebastián is celebrated for its drinks as well as its food. Rafa Elias/Getty Images Rafa Elias/Getty Images
13. Sample the local gin and tonic
Did the Spanish invent the gin and tonic? Of course not. Did they perfect it? Possibly. You can be the judge in San Sebastián, where the culinary attention to detail extends to cocktails. Spanish gin tonica is a sight to behold, served in a fishbowl glass and almost unrecognizable compared to its counterparts in other countries. Amongst other things, it’s bigger, more balanced, and often made with premium tonic and ice.
Local Tip: For one of the city’s best gin and tonics, gussied up with botanicals and dry ice, head to La Gintonería Donostiarra. They have nearly 150 gins to choose from.
14. Soak up local history at San Telmo
For culture vultures, there is one place to go to get a roundup of Basque Country’s history with a distinctly artistic bent: San Telmo Museum. Built in the 16th century, the building was once a Dominican convent and now houses exhibits exploring Basque art and culture. The murals by local artist José María Sert are reason enough to visit, with their stylized depictions of key scenes from Basque history.
Rio de Janeiro is a huge and chaotic city, full of music, dancing, delicious food, captivating smells, incredible landscapes, and all of the marvels and mess that come with it.
It’s not, however, a place where you can easily fight against the current, and the happiest Cariocas – residents of Rio – have learned that you shouldn’t even try.
Cariocas are free-flowing, open-minded, friendly people who let things happen in their own time, and taking up their lifestyle is the best way to make your trip to Rio de Janeiro a success.
Here are some tips from a local about how to be a Carioca for your upcoming Rio de Janeiro adventure.
1. Plan one thing each day
Whenever I meet anyone newly arrived in Rio, I always give them this piece of advice. Plan to do one thing today, and let the rest happen. Rio isn’t a place where over-planning works out, but it is a place where magic happens if you let things go the way they do.
The best way to be a Carioca is to walk out onto the street, smile at the beauty in the world, do something that brings you joy, and talk to people along the way. You’re sure to find out about some cool event, wander into an epic shop, get invited to the opening of an exhibition or simply make new friends to share a beer with.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Rio is how absurdly nice people are. Cariocas love to converse (with you, with your kids, your dogs, with anyone that passes in the street or shares an elevator ride).
They’ll happily offer their suggestions and tell you about their favorite places to go and things to do (it’s not a ploy to get anything from you). Cariocas are just really friendly people who love to gab.
Always say “hello,” engage in small talk and make new friends – it will open up doors for you to places you didn’t even know existed. You might even get invited along and, as long as you feel good about it, feel free to say “yes” to an invitation.
Just remember that invitations made for another day (for example: “Let’s get together for a drink sometime!”) are often empty promises. Not because Cariocas are lying or impolite, but simply because they aren’t really ones to make plans for the future.
You can visit Rio in a day if you’d like – there are tour companies like Xplora Rio that offer full-day, whirlwind trips to all of the city’s major sights for those on 24-hour layovers.
However, if you want to feel what it’s really like to be a Carioca, unpack your bags and stay awhile. Rio isn’t just a place, it’s a lifestyle – and being a Carioca doesn’t happen in a day.
You need to relax into the rhythm to really understand what the city is all about and, honestly, there is so much to do and see that it’s basically impossible to ever get bored. Plan for a day, three days, five days or five weeks – just remember that your love affair with the Marvelous City will only deepen the longer you stay.
4. When you head out, take these things
Always bring a few things with you to make sure you’re ready for any situation. Chuck a canga (sarong) in your bag, along with a bathing suit. Temperatures can hit over 40℃ (104℉) in the city and you never know when you might need to swim to cool off, or something to sit on for an impromptu picnic.
Make sure you have a water bottle and sunscreen because, let’s be fair, it’s hot. Have your bank card (widely accepted) and a bit of cash (but not too much) on hand in case you have trouble with your cards.
Add a telephone and charger – you might be out longer than you think – and maybe a book or notebook if that’s your thing. Leave anything that you’re worried about losing at home.
When you’re traveling around Rio, really, leave your valuables at home. Take your jewelry off, your watches, your nice earrings…. Take off that necklace that your grandma gave you. Trust me on this one: try not to show your wealth in Rio.
If you have enough money to leave your home country and travel to Brazil, you are wealthy in comparison to most of the population here. If you are carrying around something of value, like a beautiful new camera, perhaps put it in an old cloth bag.
Stop inside a shop if you’re going to use your phone. Don’t put anything in your back pocket. Don’t hang your bags on the back of a chair at a restaurant.
Unfortunately, you’re just making yourself a target wearing that fancy watch and designer shoes. Leave the bling at home.
In fact, leave everything at home unless you really need it (although everything you need for an enjoyable time in Rio you can get on the street.) Make your life simpler and easier, with more space to enjoy what Rio has to offer, by traveling light.
Each year, millions of straw-colored fruit bats descend on Kasanka National Park for a few months, and scientists are working to understand their mysterious journey
In the young, tiny nation, inventive chefs are putting their own twists on classic regional dishes, using river trout, berries and other locally sourced delicacies to create some of the hautest cuisine around
Since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has been naming America’s most endangered historic places, attracting much-needed awareness and funding
You may be familiar with Coney dogs and Detroit-style pizza. Yet those standbys are just the beginning of Detroit’s dining scene, which continues to grow and evolve at a breakneck rate.
The incredible agricultural productivity and diversity of Michigan pushes chefs in the state’s biggest city to get creative – especially through seasonal menus that change all the time. Other factors, too, combine to make the city’s food scene exciting. The city is home to historic Eastern Market, the nation’s largest outdoor farmers market, and hot spot for food trucks. A huge urban-farm network, one of the most extensive in the USA, ensures that produce is as local as it gets. And a growing movement of independent Black-led grocers, including the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op and Neighborhood Grocery, are helping to bring top-notch food to every community in the city.
Here’s just a small taste of what the Motor City has to offer right now.
1. Behold the Big Baby burger at Food Exchange
Corned beef has always been huge in Detroit. And over the years, the staple has inspired unique creations – like the corned beef egg rolls found at Asian Cornedbeef and What’s The Dill’s Yum Yum pickle sandwich. Yet no dish is bolder and beefier than the corned beef burger. For 25 years, it’s been a staple at Food Exchange on the city’s east side, in the form of the Big Baby, a work of love created by the restaurant’s owner, the late Bruce Harvey. On an onion roll, you’ll find a massive hand-shaped patty grilled to perfection and topped with corned beef, two melted cheeses (Swiss and American) plus all the classic burger fixings.
How to get it: The burger takes about 25 minutes to cook, and seating is limited (it’s a takeout-style place). Depending on your hunger level, consider calling ahead or ordering online.
Don’t miss Baobab Fare’s kuku, pan-fried chicken served in a mustard sauce with plantains, beans and rice. Baobab Fare Baobab Fare
2. Crave the kuku at Baobab Fare
Detroit is home to a burgeoning African food scene, with acclaimed restaurants like Maty’s, Saffron De Twah and Yum Village joining the mix over the past decade. Baobab Fare owners Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere – partners in hospitality and in life – came to Detroit as refugees before growing their pop-up into a nationally acclaimed brick-and-mortar serving their native Burundian cuisine in the New Center district. An excellent entry point is the kuku: pan-fried chicken served in a delightfully tangy mustard sauce with soft plantains, earthy yellow beans, and your choice of their spiced rice pilau or coconut rice.
How to get it: Walk on in and wait to be seated. Paid street parking is available along Woodward Ave and West Grand Blvd. It’s also near a bus and Q Line stop.
The sumptuous mole poblano at El Barzon takes days to prepare. Jack Thomas for Lonely Planet Jack Thomas for Lonely Planet
3. Savor the mole at El Barzon
James Beard–honored chef Norberto Garita made his name in Italian kitchens before opening his own restaurant in Southwest Detroit, home to Mexicantown and a long-active Mexican-food scene. At El Barzon, classic Italian dishes Garita has perfected over the years share the menu with sumptuous dishes from his hometown of Puebla, Mexico (arguably Mexico’s culinary capital). Garita’s mole poblano – a family recipe – is a soulful sauce that blends chile seco, tomatillo, anise, bread, banana and chocolate, and which takes days to prepare. Slather it onto enchiladas, pavo (turkey) or pollo (chicken).
How to get it: Reservations are recommended. On-site parking is available through the alley off of Junction. Dress nicely, and have a good answer ready for when your host asks, “What occasion are you celebrating today?”
4. Let Michigan mushroom dumplings blow your mind at Marrow
Marrow is both a restaurant and a butcher shop in the city’s West Village neighborhood. Helmed by 2019 Top Chef finalist Sarah Welch, the James Beard–nominated restaurant aims to operate sustainably, offering seasonal dishes made with Michigan produce and meat the company butchers itself. There’s one dish that will always remain on the menu, however, due to its year-round seasonality: the mushroom dumplings, made with the maitake that can be found growing in forests around Michigan year-round. The delicate dumplings arrived served on a bed of corn butter, and topped with Welch’s signature spicy, savory, sensational Szechuan sauce.
How to get it: The dumplings are available à la carte, and may need to be ordered separately if you’re considering the five-course tasting menu. It’s a good idea to reserve ahead online. Free street parking is available along Kercheval or down one of the side streets.
The team at Alpino specializes in elevated takes on such classics as schnitzel, raclette and fondue. Jess Nosal, via Alpino Jess Nosal, via Alpino
5. Celebrate the cuisine of the mountains at Alpino
A James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2024, Corktown’s Alpino explores the cuisine of what it calls “the backbone of Europe.” With meticulously sourced ingredients, the team here cultivates elevated interpretations of regional dishes found in the Alpine countries of Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Though staples like schnitzel, raclette and fondue remain a constant, a recent addition from Chef Colin Campbell is the pizzoccheri, a hearty and sage-forward pasta dish from Northern Italy. House-made buckwheat pasta, Savoy cabbage and soft potatoes are coated in garlic and sage butter, with soft chunks of nutty Fontina cheese to complete the effect.
How to get it: Reservations are a requirement, and may need to be made in advance to avoid being waitlisted. On-site parking is available.
In the Detroit style, the pizza at Michigan & Trumbull has an airy, focaccia-like crust that’s perfectly crispy on the edges. Jack Thomas for Lonely Planet Jack Thomas for Lonely Planet
6. Munch on modern Detroit-style pizza at Michigan & Trumbull
In the 1940s, Gus Guerrara perfected his pizza recipe – a square pie, with deliciously crunchy crusts and corners – and it soon become famous as his adopted city’s version of the Neapolitan treat. So it’s perhaps ironic that the place serving the best homage to Guerrara’s Detroit-style pizza was founded in Pittsburgh seven years ago – albeit by two Detroit natives, Nathan Peck and Kristen Calverley. In 2020, the two returned to their hometown, bringing Michigan & Trumbull back with them. The pies here have an airy, focaccia-like crust that’s perfectly crispy on the edges, complemented by innovative topping builds like the Long Drive Home (a rich combination of vodka sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, sausage and banana peppers).
How to get it: Walk in, and ask for a table. While this full-service eatery doesn’t have a liquor license, you’re welcome to bring your own drinks. On site-parking is available in the lot off of Lincoln St.
The döner kebab at Balkan House is a savory blend of roasted meats, vegetables and a garlicky, tangy sauce. Jack Thomas for Lonely Planet Jack Thomas for Lonely Planet
7. Devour a Berlin-style Turkish sandwich with Detroit flair at Balkan House
Michigan’s most diverse municipality, Hamtramck is a city of only about 2 square miles almost entirely within the city limits of Detroit. The dense city is home to a flourishing food scene, with a wide assortment of restaurants and bakeries – many Middle Eastern and Eastern European – as well as stylish bars, shops and live venues. An intriguing, semi-recent addition is the Bosnian restaurant Balkan House, credited with bringing the German-style Turkish döner kebab to the Detroit area. The signature sandwich is a mouthwatering mix of vertical-rotisserie lamb, beef, crunchy vegetables and a garlicky yogurt-based döner sauce stuffed in lepinja (Balkan flatbread).
How to get it: Head over to the stand at the back and ask for a table; or get an order to go. Free street parking is available on Caniff.
8. Take on the day with salmon patties at The Clique
Sometimes, the best things to eat right now have been around for years. The Clique, a classic diner on the ground level of the Jefferson Avenue Rivertown Inn & Suites, knows how to do breakfast: it’s been a go-to for Detroiters since 1968. Only open for breakfast and lunch, it’s home to one of the most heartfelt and delicious breakfasts in the city: two flattop-grilled crispy salmon patties, served with eggs your way and your choice of toast or pancakes.
How to get it: The Clique is a walk-in, full-service type of restaurant, though carry-out is also an option. The restaurant is cash only, so be sure to have enough on hand to leave a decent tip. Parking is available in the hotel lot.
A remarkable culinary feat, Chartreuse’s twice-cooked egg is first poached, then deep fried. Chartreuse Chartreuse
9. Start with the twice-cooked egg at Chartreuse
Chartreuse sits at the ground level of the historic Park Shelton building, across from the Detroit Institute of Arts. It’s one of several acclaimed eateries owned by the James Beard–recognized duo of local restaurateur Sandy Levine and executive chef Doug Hewett. Chartreuse’s menu of shareable, farm-to-table dishes changes frequently with the seasons – though one constant is a take on a frisée salad, which stars an egg cooked two different ways. The egg is first poached, then lightly coated in panko breadcrumbs and deep fried to a light golden hue. The runny yolk blends marvelously with the shallot vinaigrette, coating the crispy Brussels sprouts, shredded Locatelli cheese and greens (frisée and arugula) from Werp Farms in northern Michigan.
How to get it: Make a reservation. You’ll have to put your credit card on file – understanding that you may be charged $25 per person for a no-show or a cancellation less than 2 days in advance. Street parking and a structure are available; it’s also located near Q Line and bus stops.
10. For dessert, order a highbrow s’more at Leña
In Detroit’s Brush Park, Leña is a new, hot and happening neighborhood restaurant with a wood-fire grill. It serves seasonal Spanish-inspired small plates with a made-in-Michigan spirit, prepared with ingredients that are often grown or procured within Detroit’s borders. The dessert program, headed by James Beard–recognized Lena Sareini, turns out inventive and pleasing inventions like the Algunas Mas (Spanish for “some more”), a sweet and smoky torched marshmallow topped with chocolate sorbet, cinnamon sugar tuile, whipped cream and crushed almonds.
How to get it: Though walk-ins are sometimes possible, reservations are recommended. Your best bet for parking is the 440 Alfred lot, which can be validated inside, as most of the surrounding street parking is reserved for residents come nighttime.
There is no one best time to visit Malaysia, not least because this country is spread over two separate landmasses that have different local climates. It’s as far from Kuala Lumpur in Peninsular Malaysia to Sandakan in Malaysian Borneo as it is from New York City to Miami.
Even over smaller distances, the climate can vary depending on which coast you are standing on, or even from island to island. It’s only 122km (76 miles) from Langkawi to Penang, but the weather can be different on the same day.
Broadly, Malaysia has two climatic seasons: dry and hot, and wet and hot. Don’t let the term ‘dry season’ fool you – it’s humid in Malaysia year-round and there’s always a chance of rain. The only place where it might feel cold is in upcountry areas such as the Cameron Highlands, where the temperature can veer from lows of 14ºC (58ºF) to highs of 24ºC (76ºF).
What marks out the wet season is buckets of monsoon rain, although the bulk of the precipitation tends to arrive in the afternoon. The eastern side of the peninsula sees its heaviest rainfall during the northeast monsoon from mid-October to March, while the west coast sees more rain during the southwest monsoon from May to October. Borneo gets drenched from November to February.
Tourism never really shuts down in Malaysia, so there’s not really a low season. The busiest times of year tend to coincide with school holidays, which see large numbers of visitors (particularly families) arriving from Europe, the Gulf and neighboring Asian states.
The December–February high season is the best time to visit the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia
The northeast monsoon drenches the east coast of the peninsula from October to March, with the heaviest rainfall from December to February. You’ll find dryer weather on the west coast, which fronts the Andaman Sea. This is a good time to hit the beaches on tropical islands such as Langkawi, or wander the narrow, shophouse-lined alleyways of George Town in Penang. On the flip side, this is the wettest time of year in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo.
The downside of the good weather in the west is more crowds and higher hotel rates. On the other hand, several major cultural festivals – including the Chinese New Year and the Hindu festival of Thaipusam – occur in late January or early February. If you roam across to Sarawak, hotel rates fall in Kuching, but in the hinterland, good roads become bad and bad roads become mud.
The June–September high season is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur and the east coast
The Northern Hemisphere summer months are the driest time of year in Kuala Lumpur, although ‘dry’ is a relative term in this tropical country. You should always expect humidity to be a factor, especially in Malaysia’s cities, where buildings can block the breezes. The weather is also comparatively dry on the east coast of the peninsula, and in many parts of Borneo.
This season is a popular time for tourism from the Gulf States, and there’s an upturn in visits to dive resorts on the drier east coast as underwater visibility improves. By August, the rains begin to return, building up towards the northeast monsoon.
The March–May shoulder season sees the best weather across (most of) Malaysia
Large areas of Malaysia get a break from the rains (and the worst of the humidity) during the Northern Hemisphere spring from March to May. If you’re coming here for beaches and warm but not sweltering weather, this is as reliable a window as you’ll find. Not coincidentally, this is also a good time for spotting wildlife in Malaysia’s wonderful national parks.
April is a particularly fine time to visit Sabah, as the dryer days sync well with outdoor activities such as diving and hiking to the summit of Mt Kinabalu. But Malaysia’s regional variations come into play; April is one of the wettest months to visit Kuala Lumpur.
The October-November shoulder season is the top time to visit Melaka and the Cameron Highlands
The rains really pick up on the Peninsula from October to November, although they weirdly spare the historical port of Melaka. The start of the northeast monsoon is also a good time to explore the Cameron Highlands, as the upcountry flora bursts into life thanks to all the rainfall.
In other areas of the country, this is a time to look for competitive hotel rates (and an umbrella). However, this is a good season to visit if you’re into malls, museums and other indoor activities; shops will be offering sales and the big cities offer plenty of indoor fun.
January is the time for spectacular religious celebrations
January is peak season in Langkawi and Penang, two of the most popular offshore islands on the west coast of the peninsula. Notable events include Thaipusam, a spectacular Hindu religious procession featuring piercings and ritual mortification, and – depending on the year – the beginning of the Lunar New Year for Malaysia’s Chinese community. But it’s rainy on the east coast and in Borneo (particularly in Sarawak). Key events: Thaipusam, Chinese New Year (can also fall in February), Ponggal
February is a busy time on the west coast islands
In some years, the Chinese Lunar New Year hits in February, bringing heavy demand for transport and hotels. Beyond this, there’s not much difference between January and February in Malaysia in terms of weather. Peak season crowds continue in Langkawi and Penang. Key events: Chinese New Year (can also fall in January), Federal Territory Day
March sees dry skies in the east and rain in the west
March marks the beginning of drier weather on the east coast, though the rain starts to pick up in the west and in Kuala Lumpur. There are fewer crowds, except during the Malaysian school holidays near the end of the month, when families head to resorts. Key events: Birthday of Kuan Yin, Raptor Watch, Le Tour de Langkawi (March or February)
April is beach and trekking weather
One of the best months to take advantage of the dry season weather – a good time for beaches and for all kinds of outdoor activities, particularly mountain trekking. The Declaration of Malacca as a Historical City in 1989 is celebrated annually as a kind of ‘Melaka Day’ in this small state. Key events: Declaration of Malacca as a Historical City (Melaka), Nuzul Al-Quran, Regatta Lepa in Semporna
More dry-ish weather makes May a good time for travelers. Wesak Day is one of the main holidays for Malaysian Buddhists, while Hari Raya Aidilfitri at the end of Ramadan (equivalent to Eid al-Fitr) is a huge event for the majority Muslim population. Look out for special feasts of local delicacies. Key events: Wesak Day, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Harvest Festival (Sabah)
June sees bigger tourist crowds
The tourist crowds start swelling around now, as dry weather makes for easy exploring in Kuala Lumpur. The east coast of the peninsula sees dry days and good weather for diving. The Gawai Festival celebrates the culture of the Dayak people of Borneo. Key events: Dragon Boat Festival (Penang), Gawai Festival (Sarawak), Pesta San Pedro (Melaka)
July is hot and crowded, but the cultural calendar is packed
With Malaysia being so close to the equator, it shouldn’t be a big surprise that July gets really hot. Holiday-making family crowds only intensify in the coastal resorts along the peninsula. Major cultural events come to George Town, Sabah and Sarawak. Key events:Sabah International Folklore Festival (Kota Kinabalu), George Town World Heritage City Day (Penang), George Town Festival (Penang), Rainforest World Music Festival (Kuching)
August sees the return of the rain and displays of civic pride
The rain – and the accompanying humidity it brings, even on dry days – picks up by the end of August, which ends with Hari Merdeka, Malaysia’s National Day, marked by parades and patriotic events. This is still a busy time for tourists, with good diving conditions on the east coast. Key events: Hari Merdeka (National Day), Chinese Hungry Ghosts Festival (runs into September)
The rains really start lashing East Malaysia (Borneo) around now. There’s a lingering tourism presence throughout the month, but most vacation-related businesses start prepping for a quieter tourist season. Some big cultural events bring artistic energy to the capital. Key events:Cooler Lumpur Festival (Kuala Lumpur), DiverseCity (Kuala Lumpur)
October is a big time for rain
The Hindu holiday of Diwali/Deepavali hits in October or November, bringing festival color to Malaysia’s Indian enclaves, particularly Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Rainy weather is common on both the east and west coast of the peninsula. Key events: Diwali/Deepavali (can fall in November)
November is quiet and cool – by Malaysian standards at least!
The ‘coldest’ month in Malaysia usually sees lows of around 23ºC (74ºF) and highs of around 29ºC (85ºF), though it’s cooler in the highlands. This is as quiet as the tourism scene gets, with plenty of rain on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in Borneo. Key events: Diwali/Deepavali (can fall in October), George Town Literary Festival (Penang), Urbanscapes (Kuala Lumpur)
December sees holiday celebrations in Christian hubs
Christmas is an important holiday in parts of the country with large Christian populations, including Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and Melaka. New Year’s Eve is a party throughout the country, though it’s celebrated most enthusiastically in bigger cities. Expect lots of rain in Borneo and on the east coast of the peninsula. Key events: Christmas, New Year’s Eve
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
Advertiser Disclosure: This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*, World of Hyatt Credit Card, and the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card has been collected independently by Lonely Planet. These cards are not available through Lonely Planet. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Choosing the right hotel means you can immerse yourself in a destination. Beautiful design, events and tours that bring in local culture and amazing food can make you feel less like a tourist and more like a traveler. The best travel credits for hotels can help get you there faster, with plenty of perks to boot.
The best travel credit cards provide exclusive benefits and rewards to cardholders, often elevating you to VIP status when traveling. The perk lists range from early check-in and extended to check-out times, complimentary breakfast and free upgrades, and coveted free nights. Your ascent to VIP has never been easier to obtain with the best hotel credit cards, making getaways that much more enjoyable.
You don’t have to pay a high annual fee to get valuable benefits from a hotel credit card. Annual fees range from $0 to $695, with the best cards often falling in the middle of that range and offering plenty of perks to offset their annual fee. The market is saturated with hotel credit cards, so how do you narrow down the best options? If you’re in the market for a hotel credit card and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered with our hand-picked list.
While “the best” card is subjective, we’ve narrowed it down based on criteria that include the card’s welcome bonus, recurring benefits, travel protections and elite status perks. All the cards we chose carry no foreign transaction fees, so you can use them abroad without incurring a 3% fee. Beyond that, each card we chose fits a different traveler and brand loyalist type.
Here’s a look at the best travel credit cards for hotels:
Best travel credit cards for hotels for 2024
Best Hilton card: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*
Best Hilton card: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is hands down the best Hilton credit card – and is arguably the best hotel credit card. The Hilton Aspire is the only hotel credit card offering automatic top-tier elite status, which comes with valuable perks like complimentary food and beverage credit, club lounge access and 100% bonus points on paid stays, to name a few. The card also has a high welcome bonus, which you can swap for up to 30 free nights at Hilton hotels.
Most importantly, the Aspire Card comes packed with several recurring perks that offset the $450 annual fee: A $250 annual Hilton resort credit, up to a $250 airline fee credit, an annual free night award and Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access. The card also earns up to 14 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, making it an excellent way to earn Hilton points.
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
Rewards: Earn 14X points at Hilton hotels and resorts; 7X points on flights booked with airlines or American Express Travel, 7X points on rental cars booked with rental companies; 7X points on dining at US restaurants; 3X points on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: Automatic Hilton Diamond status, Priority Pass Select membership, annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit and up to $250 in airline fee credit, annual free night award, secondary rental car coverage (excludes certain international destinations), baggage insurance plan.*
World of Hyatt is arguably the most popular hotel rewards program, thanks to a portfolio of unique hotel brands, excellent elite status benefits and reasonable award redemption rates. The World of Hyatt Credit Card is an excellent hotel card for earning more Hyatt points and elite status perks. The card’s welcome bonus isn’t the highest, but it can still go a long way since free nights at Hyatt hotels start at 3,500 points.
The card includes an annual free night award valid at Category 1-4 hotels and is easily worth the $95 annual fee. Cardholders receive automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, with the option to earn additional elite night credits through card spending (all the way up to Globalist). Overall, the World of Hyatt Card is excellent for loyalists who want to earn free nights and fast-track to elite status.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Rewards: Earn 4 points per dollar spent on purchases at all Hyatt hotels; 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, as well as fitness club and gym membership; 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: Annual free night award valid at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel; automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, plus 5 annual elite night credits towards the next status tier; two elite night credits for every $5,000 spent; trip cancellation and interruption insurance; baggage delay insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; secondary rental car insurance; no foreign transaction fees.
Best Marriott Card: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
As the world’s largest hotel chain, Marriott offers more hotel credit cards than anyone else. There are currently four personal co-branded credit cards, but the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is the best option for most consumers. The card strikes the perfect balance in offering meaningful benefits at a reasonable annual fee.
Cardholders earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after using their new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Cardholders also receive an annual free night award after spending $15,000 on the card. The free night is valid for hotels requiring 50,000 points or less, which is generous.
The Bonvoy Bevy provides automatic Marriott Gold Elite Status, which normally requires 25 nights. Bonvoy Gold Elite members receive 25% bonus points on paid stays, space-available room upgrades, late checkout, 250-500 points per stay and other perks. The card also comes with 15 elite night credits annually to help you fast-track your way to higher status.
Welcome bonus: Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards: Earn 6X points at Marriott hotels; 4X points at US supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, then 2X points); 2X points on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: Automatic Bonvoy Gold Elite Status; 15 annual elite night credits towards the next status tier; annual free night award after spending $15,000 per calendar year (valid on award nights at or under 50,000 points; earn 1,000 bonus points per stay; trip delay insurance; baggage insurance plan; secondary rental car insurance*; No foreign transaction fees.
Best IHG Card: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG One has three credit cards issued by Chase, but the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card strikes the best balance. The card offers a large welcome bonus and high earnings on travel and everyday spending categories. The annual free night is capped at 40,000 points but can still provide value exceeding the card’s $99 annual fee.
Cardholders can stretch their points further with the fourth night free on award bookings and a 20% discount on IHG point purchases. IHG regularly sells points at 0.5 cents each, so it can make sense to buy points for a specific award redemption.
The IHG One Rewards Premier card rewards credit card spending generously, with up to 10 points per dollar spent and 10,000 bonus points when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year. An automatic upgrade to Platinum elite status will get you valuable perks like 60% bonus points, guaranteed room availability, late check-out and more.
Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards: Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: Annual free night award (valid on award nights of 40,000 points or less); IHG Platinum status; fourth night free on award night bookings; $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 each calendar year; 20% discount on IHG point purchases; no foreign transaction fees; trip cancellation and interruption insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; baggage delay insurance.
Best for families: Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card Card
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card is a great hotel credit card for families. Wyndham makes free night awards attainable, starting at just 7500 points per bedroom. Families can use their points at hotels, vacation home rentals, condos and other family-friendly properties. This versatility is great for families that need multiple rooms since Wyndham provides more space and affordable redemption rates.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card also provides automatic Platinum elite status, so families can enjoy extra perks during their hotel stays. The card offers up to 4X points on common spending categories, making free nights even more attainable. When you redeem your Wyndham points, you’ll receive a 10% discount to help you stretch your points even further. With a $75 annual fee, this card is a budget-friendly option for families.
Welcome bonus: 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Rewards: Earn 6X points on eligible purchases at Hotels by Wyndham, qualifying gas purchases; 4X points on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 1X point on all other purchases (excludes Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments).
Travel benefits: Upgrade to Wyndham Rewards Platinum elite status, cardmember booking discount, annual 7,500-point bonus, no foreign transaction fees.
Credit score required: Good to excellent.
Annual fee: $75.
Pros
Large welcome bonus that can be redeemed for up to ten nights at Wyndham hotels.
Points can be stretched further with a 10% rebate on award bookings.
The card offers high bonuses in common spending categories.
With the Platinum status upgrade, families can enjoy useful perks like early check-in and late checkout.
Best for hotel perks at multiple brands: The Platinum Card® from American Express
If you want hotel perks without being tied to a single hotel loyalty program, then The Platinum Card® from American Express is a great choice. The card offers Gold Elite Status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. In addition, cardholders can get elite-type perks at select hotels through a program called American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts. Benefits vary by property but generally include free nights, complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades, hotel credits and more.
The Amex Platinum card has a high annual fee but includes multiple statement credits, including $200 annually towards American Express Travel hotel bookings (Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay). If you’re not loyal to a single hotel chain and want to earn flexible points, you can transfer your points to Hilton, Marriott or Choice Hotels, then the Amex Platinum is a great choice. The Gold status upgrades are even extended to authorized user on the card.
Welcome bonus: 80,000 points after $8,000 spent within six months of account opening.
Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel on amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1X); 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel; 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: Hilton and Marriott Gold Elite Status; $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay; up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit; up to $200 annual airline fee credit, up to $200 annual Uber cash distributed in monthly increments; up to $300 annual Equinox credit; $155 Walmart+ Credit; up to $100 annual credit at Saks Fifth Avenue; $199 annual CLEAR® Plus credit; Amex Global Lounge Collection access; elite status with Avis, Hertz and National rental car; trip delay insurance; trip cancellation and interruption insurance*.
Best for flexibility: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those wanting a hotel credit card without being tied to a single currency. The Venture X card earns Capital One miles which can be used towards travel purchases (including hotel stays) at one cent each. Alternatively, miles can be transferred to over a dozen airline and hotel programs, providing ultimate flexibility. Capital One’s 1:1 hotel transfer partners include Accord, Choice Hotels and Wyndham.
While transferring miles usually results in the best value, redeeming them for hotel bookings is straightforward and simple. If you prefer the latter, you’ll appreciate the Venture X over a co-branded hotel credit card. The card also comes with an annual $300 travel credit that can be applied towards hotel stays booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Rewards: Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; 2X miles on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel; 10,000 bonus miles every card anniversary; access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass Select membership; up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; complimentary PRIOR subscription, 6-month Cultivist membership; $300 towards Gravity Haus social club membership; cell phone protection (up to $800); Hertz President’s Circle status; access to Premier Collection hotels for discounts and perks; primary rental coverage; trip cancellation and interruption; trip delay reimbursement; travel accident insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; travel and emergency assistance services.
Anyone who frequently stays in hotels should consider getting a hotel credit card. These cards typically offer rewards such as free nights, bonus points on stays, elite status and hotel credits. They can also provide additional perks like airport lounge access and travel protections. Hotel credit card annual fees range from $0 to $695, so there are options for every budget.
Even if you only book one hotel stay a year, you might benefit from having a hotel credit card.
When choosing the best hotel credit card, it’s important to consider your travel needs and spending habits. If you’re loyal to one hotel chain, it makes sense to get a co-branded hotel credit card and earn points faster. But if you like to stay at a variety of hotel brands, then you might be better off with a non-branded card like the Amex Platinum, which still offers perks at a wide range of hotel brands.
Once you’ve determined that a hotel credit card is a good fit, you should hone in on the hotel chain you most often stay with (IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Wyndham, etc.). Getting a co-branded credit card can enhance your stay and help you achieve elite status faster. When a hotel chain offers multiple credit cards, it’s important to consider the annual fees and benefits to determine which might be the best fit.
Some hotel cards carry high annual fees but offer resort credits and free night awards that can make the fee worthwhile. For example, the Hilton Aspire Card offers top-tier Diamond Elite Status, which usually requires spending 60 nights and spending thousands of dollars. So even though the $450 annual fee seems steep compared to the $95 annual fee of the Hilton Surpass card, it can be worth it.
Hotel credit cards can be worth it depending on how often you stay in hotels and the benefits the card offers. A great hotel credit card will reward you for the categories in which you spend the most money and provide recurring perks like elite status and free nights.
Why is it better to book hotels with a credit card?
Booking hotels with a credit card is beneficial because it offers more protection and security than other payment methods. Credit cards allow you to dispute charges if something goes wrong, such as a hotel overcharging you or not dropping incidental holds. Additionally, many credit cards offer extra benefits such as travel insurance, rewards and travel credits.
Hotels also put incidental holds on your credit card when you check-in. Depending on the hotel, these can range from $50-$100 or more. If you pay with a debit card, that money is subtracted from your account, meaning you can’t access those funds for other purchases. On the other hand, credit card holds are temporary, making it better to book hotels with a credit card.
How much do hotels usually hold on your credit card?
The amount of a hotel credit card hold will vary by property. Generally, hotels will place a hold of up to the total amount of your stay plus an additional amount to cover incidentals.
It depends on the hotel. Some hotels may require a credit card to book a room, while others may accept cash or other forms of payment. It is best to check with the individual hotel before booking.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
