6 luxurious long stays in Europe

One way to travel that’s the most enjoyable and rewarding is when you live like a local, escaping the tourist trail to find a family-run restaurant or make friends while shopping at a local market. And when you book a long stay (an accommodation offering stays of up to 90 days) in one of these six European homes-away-from-home, you’ll get a taste of local life – with a dose of luxury thrown in, too.

For a sunny, cultural, and delicious-food-filled long stay in Europe, look no further than Madrid. Specifically, Amor de Dios 17 Boutique Hotel, set within a Madrid townhouse in a quiet street in the center of the city. It’s located between must-see sites – Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s massive and atmospheric main square, and the Prado Museum, which houses Spain’s largest national collection of art and is one of the largest collections in the world. You’ll likely spend the first few days sightseeing and settling into local life filled with siestas and late-night dinners. Try a beer and tapas bar, Cervecería Restaurante Plaza Mayor, with al fresco seating on the plaza that’s perfect for people-watching. In the morning, wake up, step onto your soft rug, draw your plum curtains, and head out for a strong coffee like the average Madrileño. Only a 15-minute walk from the hotel, Santa Eulalia Boulangerie Patisserie has great coffee, freshly baked breads, and pastries.

Munich has it all: Surrounded by easily accessible, magnificent nature and known for its great beer, bakeries, and pleasant pace of life, the Bavarian capital is a great place to settle into the local scene. Treat yourself to a little luxury and spend your long stay at Schwan Locke. Here, studio apartments feature modern, playful interiors in soothing pastel and earthy colors, and are bookable for stays of up to 90 days.

Named after its Roman baths, this elegant city is home to a ton of world-class spas, making it an extra relaxing and idyllic location to spend a month or so. And at Hiding Space – Trim Street Apartments, guests even have a rooftop hot tub with amazing views of the city in all its architectural glory. Bath’s cultural calendar is always full of festivals, exhibitions, performances, and more, while lovers of fine food and drink will appreciate the many tearooms, gastropubs, and sophisticated restaurants. Come home after days of exploring the city to your Trim Street Apartment and check out the glittering nighttime view featuring Bath Abbey from the rooftop.

Get settled at Lisbon Art Stay Apartments in Lisbon’s Baixa district for a month or two in the Portuguese capital – you’ll enjoy a huge choice of local cafés and scenic spots from which to watch the world go by. Sleep deeply in your spacious suite featuring “Azulejo” (Portuguese ceramic tilework) and wake up to a morning “Pastel de nata,” a traditional Portuguese custard tart, and coffee. Spend your days wandering in the city’s hilly streets and exploring markets, bookshops, and bars, or go for a walk, swim, or surf on one of the many beautiful beaches that dot the Portuguese coast.

Stay too long in Dublin experiencing the super friendly locals and the vibrant pub and live music scene – and you won’t want to leave. But in the meantime, make the most of the Irish capital by staying at Zanzibar Locke, a collection of glamorous studio apartments exceptionally well-located right by the river, steps from the Temple Bar neighborhood. Despite being in the thick of it, the building’s Georgian façade hides a serene, Scandi-style interior that’s minimal and luxurious. The relaxing lobby has a bar (though you probably won’t need it, given the variety of local pubs) and is also a nice place to enjoy breakfast every day before heading out for a stroll around the city.

Though often overlooked by visitors in favor of larger Dutch cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, The Hague is an infinitely charming option for those looking for a more local rather than touristy experience. This walkable (though to truly experience local life, you’ll have to rent a bike) seaside city is relatively quiet but quirky, with everything from cocktail bars and “kibbeling” (fresh fried fish) stands on the beach in the summer to exceptional art collections. The Hague’s Mauritshuis museum is home to Vermeer’s masterpiece, “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Stay in a chic studio suite at COVE Centrum right in the heart of the city and enjoy all the city’s must-see sites at your doorstep.

Check out Booking.com’s top places to stay for up to 90 days, featuring over 900,000 properties – choose from homes, hotels, and everything in-between.