Tips for Vegans & Vegetarians Travelling Europe

Travelling Europe as a Vegan or Vegetarian? Then be sure to check out our tips for travelling in Europe, even if you don’t strictly follow the lifestyle. You’ll love the fresh and delicious food here!

Veganism and vegetarianism have become quite common, and eating your way through Europe has never been easier for people who follow these diets. While many famous European dishes contain some variety of meat or dairy, there are many ways you can still enjoy local foods and get the ultimate gastronomy experience! Read on for our tips for vegans and vegetarians while travelling Europe!

Tips for Vegans and Vegetarians Travelling Europe

Download an App

Europe is full of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, but finding them might be tough. There’s lots of apps which use your location to find vegan and vegetarian restaurants in your area. Download one to see how many amazing options you can choose from!

Visit Local Markets for Fresh Produce

One of the best things about travelling Europe as a vegan or vegetarian is the quality of food at the local markets. No matter what city you visit, you’ll find tons of open air, and indoor markets with vast selections of fruits and vegetables. If you want to have a picnic next to a river or in a park, we suggest picking some items up here! And if you find yourself travelling in the colder months, no problem. Europeans brave the low temperatures in pursuit of the best ingredients, so you’ll never miss out.

Visit Markets

Visit Supermarkets

This is a helpful tip for snacks and meals, especially if your hostel has a guest kitchen. Many countries have discount grocery shops, so ask your hostel’s reception where they’re located. Some grocery shops, like in Switzerland, offer discounts after 6 p.m. on items with shorter sell-by dates as a means to reduce waste. And in a country as expensive as Switzerland, it’s also nice to save a few bucks!

Be Wary of Menu Translations

Unless you find yourself in a very untypical destination in Europe, most restaurants and cafes will have an English menu. But be wary of translations and before ordering: it’s always advisable to double-check that the meal is actually vegan or vegetarian. And sometimes false friends exist, like the German word, ‘peperoni’. It actually translates to chilies or red peppers in English, so we think this is a pretty hand tips for vegans and vegetarians travelling in Europe.

Be Wary of Menu Translations

Bring Food Containers

This isn’t just a tip for vegans and vegetarians travelling Europe; this is a handy tip for everyone. If you make a meal to bring on a long train ride, this is a great solution. We recommend picking up some silicone bags, as they’re lightweight, compact, durable, and washable!

Of course trains have restaurants where you can buy meals and snacks, but the vegan or vegetarian options can be rather limited. You won’t want to get yourself caught in a situation like this!

Local Specialties

While most European kitchens feature many meat, fish, and dairy products, you can usually find vegan and vegetarian varieties almost anywhere you go. For example, Swiss cheese fondue, German Schnitzel, vegan cheese, milks, and more can all be found in Europe! It’s always a good tip to ask reception at your hostel if they know of any places serving up vegan or vegetarian options.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe's Famous Hostels is a network of hostels located across Europe and Israel. All locations maintain a high customer rating, meet and exceed hygiene and COVID-19 safety standards, and are fully equipped. Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, as a couple, or a family, we have something for you! All our locations offer a variety of rooms to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

And that’s not all. Our hostels are famous for their facilities and social atmospheres: from Happy Hours, Free Walking Tours, to saunas, and more, you’ll love being our guest. From the highlands of Scotland to the Dead Sea in Israel, stay famous when you stay with Europe’s Famous Hostels.

Balmer’s Hostel in Interlaken, Switzerland