I remember becoming completely hooked to Formula 1 while at University. It helped that we had Lewis Hamilton bringing home gold each time, not to mention Jenson Button doing pretty decent as well (maybe that’s hinting to my age now).
One thing I found at the time was that a fair amount of Formula 1 fans were travelling to see the events live. I had never contemplated it before this point, but it made complete sense. They’re all held in beautiful areas and the lavish lifestyle in the area is often matched with spectacular restaurants and bars.
So below is a dive into the best destinations you can visit if you’re a die-hard Formula 1 fan.
Monaco
Who else guessed I would start here? It almost goes without saying but this one offers you such a closeby view of the cars racing by. This is a true ‘glitz and glamour’ option, while the French Riviera is stunning and offers a number of other activities to try from boat rides to snorkelling.
I would look to combine your trip potentially with a journey over to Nice and Menton, as they’re close by and absolutely incredible.
So where should you stay in Monaco? Well if you want to be close to the action then Monte Carlo is inevitably top of the list, but at a price, as the luxury hotels in this area are exceptionally expensive and the price goes up when the Formula 1 is in town.
You could also stay near the harbour in La Condamine, where the atmosphere is arguably just as good as Monte Carlo. Now if your other half is less keen on the racing and is more eager to get to the beach then you could opt for Larvotto.
While you’re in town, make sure to watch the changing of the guard. You also might want to visit the Oceanographic museum, I unfortunately haven’t been inside but my mum told me it was amazing.
The only negative (apart from price) to Monaco is that there really aren’t many overtakes, as it’s just so hard with the narrow streets, so some races haven’t been exciting as others.
Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium
Located in the Ardennes, this isn’t a big city option, however it can be reached from the UK via Eurostar, albeit with a few changes, starting at London St Pancras.
When you go to book a hotel, it is VERY IMPORTANT you don’t just look for hotels in Spa, as it’s closer to Francorchamps (hence the name) and is quite a distance. There also aren’t too many hotels, so make sure to book early to avoid disappointment, especially with this being the biggest date in the calendar for the area.
I actually betted on this race and won thanks to Lewis Hamilton (I’m going to say 2008, my second year of University, but I’m not 100% confident on that). There are a number of betting shops near-ish the stadium, such as in Spa town centre and Verviers if you fancy having a flutter, or opt for online betting bd if you can’t make it over to Belgium.
While you’re in the Ardennes, it’s worth making the most of the thermal facilities (who would have known a place called Spa would have such great spa facilities). You can also hire a bike and they have some amazing scenic routes.
Belgian fries have exploded in Brighton, with about 5 different restaurants purely selling these, so it would be great to eat them at the source, as well as waffles, something you have to tick off on your holiday.
Budapest, Hungary
I loved visiting Budapest. In fact, I’ve now been 4 times! Admittedly, two were on stag do’s, therefore they were a bit blurry, but Budapest is somewhere you have to go in your lifetime. Just like Spa in Belgium, the spa facilities were a key aspect!
The Hungaroring circuit is actually just outside central Budapest, but it’s not too difficult to reach via public transport or Uber.
This is a great option if you don’t want to spend ‘Monaco money’. A pint is certainly a lot cheaper here than back home. The summer can be quite warm, so remember to pack your sun tan lotion if you’re going to watch the Hungarian Grand Prix as it’s known to hit ridiculous temperatures.
There are a few areas you could stay, but District V is quite ideal as it’s so central and you’re surrounded by restaurants and bars, however you will pay a bit more and can expect it to be pretty busy.
Alternatively, there are plenty of restaurants in VI while being a bit more quiet (depending on where you stay, as there are still bars and nightclubs in the area). If you fancy visiting the ruin-bar area then you should opt for District VII
Also, if you do take a taxi, make sure to agree the price before getting in, something we had issues with a few times while there.
Beyond the thermal baths, which I’m obviously going to highlight to visit (plus the Sparty if you fancy it), you should also check out Buda castle and the Hungarian Parliament building if you have time on your trip. There are some really nice restaurants and bars along the waterfront, while you can also get a Danube cruise in the early evening and into the night.
I love goulash and this was the place I had it for the first time, so now I strongly want to recommend it to everyone!
Austin, Texas
‘Keep Austin Weird’ was the slogan everyone repeated while I was in Austin and I couldn’t agree more. It was completely different to the rest of Texas, the locals were proud to be odd, they loved fancy dress and they partied hard.
They also run a pretty damn good Formula 1 modern circuit. You will find a number of great barbecue joints nearby to enjoy and embrace the Texas culture. I remember eating so much steak and mac & cheese while here!
If you do get to see the race live, if possible you might want to see turn 1, as the sharp and steep climb makes for a really impressive watch and you often see the different racers change position at this point.
If you’re looking for hotels, the Downtown area is a safe bet, as it’s close to the main restaurants and bars, but the prices skyrocket during the Grand Prix.
If you would prefer to save some money, then you could opt for either East Austin or South Congress, both are great options with shops, bars and restaurants nearby, but tend to be slightly cheaper than Downtown.
