This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Carcassonne, the famed medieval walled city, is a popular destination with tourists the world over. It can be said that the modern Carcassonne area is divided into two distinct parts β the world-renowned walled city, and the slightly more βmodernβ town. To call the non-walled city of Carcassonne βmodernβ is a slight misnomer, as it is dotted with charming historic buildings and bisected by narrow streets.
When choosing a Carcassonne hostel, visitors must decide whether they would like to stay in the walled or the non-walled part of town. The walled city is pedestrian-only, and is quite a distance from the railway station. While the distance can be walked, it is difficult with luggage or when the weather is bad, and therefore it is better to take a bus or taxi if arriving by train and staying in the old town. The walled city offers a unique historic atmosphere, small shops and several restaurants and ice cream kiosks,. However, many of these also offer tourist prices. The non-walled part of town offers a typical French town experience and a wider variety of eating establishments. Also here one can find grocery stores, pharmacies and the like.
Although there is a bus system, it can be limited on the weekends, so visitors are advised to be prepared to walk through the city or to rent a car. Carcassonne is situated in the heart of βCathar countryβ, and can be used as a base for exploring other small towns and cities in the vicinity, such as Montsegur.
Take a look at the available Carcassonne hostels listed here and enjoy your stay.