The Unexpected, Affordable Housing Rick Steves Recommends In Europe For A Tranquil Sleep

Finding safe, reliable, and budget-friendly accommodations at a new destination is often a frustrating game of trial and error. From navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods to dealing with potentially false listings and getting scammed, choosing the perfect home base can be overwhelming. And although platforms like Airbnb offer some promising alternatives to traditional hotels, the reality is that the platform's service costs and varying cleaning fees oftentimes push prices way beyond what some travelers can comfortably afford. Throw in concerns about safety and location — which can be hard to gauge if you're venturing out somewhere new — and the search becomes even more challenging.

Thankfully, travel expert and writer Rick Steves has a practical solution for any accommodation woes. It's a discovery he made way back when during his backpacking days, when full hostels meant he had to get creative. "The youth hostel where I had planned to stay was full, and the staff directed me to a nearby convent instead," Steves writes in his blog. "It turned out to be a beautiful, warmly welcoming, and deeply restful experience."

If you, like Steves, think overnight convent stays are all about prayers — think again. All throughout Europe, these religious guesthouses offer visitors clean, simple rooms in historic buildings conveniently located in prime city-center locations. Unlike hostels or budget hotels, convents provide a quiet environment with structured routines. In fact, most even enforce an 11:30 p.m. curfew to help maintain peaceful common areas. The rooms typically feature basic amenities, like twin beds and shared bathrooms, immaculate facilities, and rates often under $100 a night. Better yet, these accommodations welcome all travelers — regardless of their religious beliefs.

For the best selection of convent stays, you'll ideally want to focus on traditionally Catholic countries like Italy, Spain, and France. From there, you can either choose to book in advance through specialized websites like Monastery Stays — which has been compiling detailed listings, photos, and reviews since 2005 — or head directly to the source. 

For example, and per Steves' own recommendation, St. Patrick's Church in Rome keeps a comprehensive directory of Italian convent accommodations you can choose from (also available online). That said, while some religious orders might use third-party operators to help manage their guesthouses, most convents today still prefer to handle their own hospitality, which results in a much more authentic experience.

Beyond a peaceful night's sleep, many convents also provide unique cultural experiences that you're unlikely to find anywhere else. In Ávila, Spain, Steves mentions for example, you can sample "yemas" — the nuns' specialty pastries made from sugared egg yolks. Meanwhile, in Italy, convents like Casa di Santa Brigida in Rome welcome guests to their roof gardens and libraries — although stays here tend to hover around the $200 price tag. And in France, places like Saint Peter's Abbey of Solesmes even encourage visitors to listen to their world-famous Gregorian chants during morning prayers. Ultimately, all of these small touches make convent stays a much more enriching experience than simply going for the first cheap place with decent reviews you find online.