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. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Carcassonne.
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 – the world-renowned walled city, and the slightly more ‘modern’ town. To call the non-walled city of Carcassonne ‘modern’ 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 “Cathar country”, 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.
