Why Aldi (and Hofer!) Is a Hidden Gem for European Travelers
Wait! Is this an Aldi in disguise?
When we plan our travels across Europe, there’s one stop we always get excited about and it’s not a castle or a cathedral. It’s Aldi. Yep, Aldi—the no-frills grocery store many of us love and know from home. And when you’re in Austria or Slovenia? It’s called Hofer, but it’s essentially the same awesome store.
If you’ve ever shopped at Aldi in the U.S., you already know the basics: bring a quarter (or a €1 coin), pack your own bags, and expect great prices. The beauty of traveling in Europe is that the Aldi experience is basically the same—just with a local twist and a lot of similar, but slightly different foods. It’s one of those rare moments while traveling where you feel like you just might know what’s going on.
Looks just like home, right?
🛒 Familiar Setup, Local Flavor
We’ve visited Aldi (and Hofer) stores in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Slovenia and every single one felt like walking into a version of home… with better cheese. The layout is similar, the checkout process is just as efficient and it’s easy to navigate even if you don’t speak the language. If you’re new to Aldi, you can even “practice” at home before your trip—learn how the carts work, how to bag quickly and what to expect in terms of store flow. It really does make the whole experience less stressful abroad.
🌍 Where You’ll Find Aldi and Hofer
Aldi is in: Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, the UK, and more.
Hofer (Aldi’s Austrian name) is in: Austria and Slovenia (though some Slovenian stores are now called Aldi, too).
We’ve even made it a little tradition: first stop after landing = find the nearest Aldi!
Here’s an Aldi in The Netherlands
🥨 Cheap, Fresh, and Local
We’ve stocked up on €0.49 pretzels in Germany, got bakery baguettes in France, and grabbed ice cream in Switzerland. It's the perfect place to grab breakfast on the go, snacks for a hike, or a picnic lunch without draining your travel budget.
When traveling with kids, Aldi is a lifesaver. They can pick out fun local treats (like stroopwafels in the Netherlands!) or grab fruit, yogurt, and even frozen pizza(!) on nights when you’re too tired to eat out. Another favorite quick and easy dinner is a charcuterie board! Plus, it’s not just groceries—sometimes the aisle of mystery treasures has things like art supplies, pool floats, or sandals for a few euros.
Checkout this Aldi sweatshirt I found at the Aldi in Offenburg, Germany
🎁 Surprisingly Awesome Souvenirs
One of our favorite tips? Aldi is a great place for inexpensive, unique souvenirs. On our recent trip:
We picked up adorable Dutch sprinkles (called hagelslag) in the Netherlands that made it home safely in our carry-on.
Found official Olympics T-shirts in France from the summer games—€5 for something we actually wanted to wear!
Bought regional chocolates and cookies that our friends back home loved (and they cost a fraction of the airport prices).
❤️ Little Wins on the Road
Travel can be unpredictable, but finding an Aldi or Hofer on the map feels like a win. It's clean, efficient, affordable, and stocked with treasures that make daily life on the road a bit easier. For us, it’s not just about saving money—it’s about feeling prepared, even in a country where we barely speak the language.
If you're planning a trip and feeling overwhelmed by food costs or unfamiliar routines, put Aldi or Hofer on your radar. Your wallet (and your stomach) will thank you.
Bonus tip: After you load your groceries into the car—don’t forget to close the trunk before you drive off. Not that that's ever happened to us, of course. But if it did… we might have chased a runaway watermelon down an Austrian road. Just sayin’.
So long, Aldi — until next time!
