What are the cheapest European countries and what are the best places with beautiful architecture and a vivid local culture to visiting? Whether you are looking for azure coasts with sandy beaches or meandering mountain paths, Europe has a place that will suit your needs and interests.
There are historical sites that stretch back over a thousand years, as well as modern-day attractions. Many of these places — particularly in popular countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands — will, however, require you to push your financial resources to their limits.
Those searching for the most affordable European places to visit will have to think outside the box and go to lesser-known (but no less wonderful) locations. Using our list of the cheapest European countries, choose the destinations that appeal to you the most.
Without further ado, we present to you the cheapest destinations in Europe. Bear in mind that we took into account cheap flights and cheap places for your stay.
Czech Republic
If you plan to spend most of your time outside of the main city of Prague, you will be able to locate lots of discounts despite the fact that the Czech Republic is becoming less economical. This is particularly true during the colder months of the year (except for the second half of December, as the weeks around Christmastime are prime tourist season).
The cheapest months are January and February, with amazing deals on flights and hotels also available from March through May throughout these months. Rather than paying to be escorted to the major sights, it makes more sense to get a map and explore them on your own.
Many of Prague’s great attractions are free, although they are also included in many paid tours. Walks on Charles Bridge stops at the Astronomical Clock and strolls through the cobblestone lanes of Old Town Square and its medieval structures are all included.
Things are significantly less expensive in other major tourist destinations around the country, including the fairy-tale town of Cesky Krumlov, the unusual town of Sedlec with its ossuary chapel, and the never-ending trails and mountains of Bohemian Switzerland National Park, which is located in the Czech Republic.
Even during peak season, if you book far in advance, you will be able to find reasonably priced accommodations in these locations. A great place for an affordable trip.
Portugal
Porto, have you heard of it? Portugal’s most popular tourist spots are centered on nature, sunshine, and the great outdoors – yet they’re almost all free.
The Faro District in the country’s southernmost region is a famous tourist attraction because of its soft golden beaches, cliffs, and lighthouses, while travelers to Madeira come for the rocky volcanic hiking trails, the picturesque harbor, and the excellent scuba diving opportunities.
The most expensive aspects of a vacation to Portugal will be food and lodging while traveling outside of peak season (June to August) would significantly cut expenditures.
Price reductions are even more pronounced from November to February, but temperatures stay about 17 to 18 degrees Celsius, making this the ideal time to come if you want to get amazing deals. With the exception of transportation to and from your location, several of Portugal’s most attractive places are completely free to visit and enjoy.
These include the historic town of Evora, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ, which were built in the 12th century near the town of Tomar. Think about it, it is better to enjoy a warm ocean than a cold sea like the Baltic Sea.
Slovenia
Slovenia, a little nation surrounded by giants — Italy, Austria, and Hungary are all within striking distance of its borders — is a hilly country with dense forest cover. Despite this, the majority of people come to Slovenia for its coastline, which is bordered by the Adriatic Sea and provides a variety of reasonably priced sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine.
While the summer season brings with it more costly hotels along the coast, the beaches are all public and free, making it easy to cut spending to a bare minimum even during the busiest times of the year. Late spring is a great time to visit Koper beach and adjacent Mestna beach, Moon Bay, and the famed coastal town of Portoroz since the temperatures are already warm but the visitors haven’t yet come.
Lake Bled, located away from the shore, is possibly the most well-known resort in Slovenia. The lake, which is just 35 kilometers from the capital city of Ljubljana, is a reasonably priced vacation that also happens to be one of the most beautiful sites in the country.
Other budget-friendly attractions are the medieval town of Piran, the walled hamlet of tanjel, and Triglav National Park, where you can walk to the summit of Mount Triglav in two days, with an overnight stay in a mountain cabin in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy some cheap snacks in some of the Slovenia pubs.
Croatia
Walk around the dalmatian coast and enjoy the beaches and the rich history of the main cities.
Located between Central Europe and the Middle East, Croatia has a land border with Slovenia to the west, Hungary to the north, Serbia to the east, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south; it also shares a lengthy marine border with Italy in the Adriatic Sea, and it is a member of the European Union. The entire length of these boundaries is 2,028 kilometers.
Instead of visiting the overcrowded island of Hvar, visit the walled medieval settlement of Korcula on the Adriatic island of Korcula, which is said to have been the home of Marco Polo. Being primarily of a day-trip destination, the tourist throngs in Korcula thin out significantly by sunset, allowing those who stay to relax in the cafés and meander around the small alleyways.
A great way and a good idea to spend time are to go to the museum of broken relationships in Zagreb. While every old city in Europe has a historic section known as the Old City, Split is the only one where the downtown has been built out of the remains of an ancient Roman palace.
When the Roman Empire was divided in A.D. 305, the emperor Diocletian erected a sumptuous mansion on the Croatian coast to live out the rest of his days as the ruler of the empire’s eastern half.
After 1,700 years, the remains of his massive complex have been colonized by the people, and the structures have been changed into medieval town dwellings, while the emperor’s tomb has been transformed into the cathedral.
Enjoy a bottle of wine and delicious food in major cities with other tourist crowds around Croatia with little money. Affordable prices are also found in the central market in this popular destination.
Bulgaria
Similar to London and Leipzig, Bulgaria cities have similar architecture. Bulgaria often appears at the top of lists of the most affordable nations to visit in Europe – and for good reason. For starters, Bulgaria is still mostly unknown to tourists, with the exception of those who travel to the country during the summer months to enjoy a low-cost holiday near the Black Sea.
Even in that case, your rooms, airfare, and entertainment will still be a fraction of the expense of a trip to Western European countries. Price reductions are significant during the off-season, and you can ski, dine, and travel around the nation for less than a tenth of what it costs in the West.
In Bulgaria’s countryside, castles, villages, and hiking trails (the Central Balkan National Park is the greatest place to go for wonderful treks and stunning vistas) are all either free or extremely inexpensive to visit, making it one of the most enjoyable regions of the nation to travel through.
However, although Sofia is often the first stop for tourists, smaller towns such as Plovdiv, which is home to over 200 historic monuments, are even more affordable to visit.
Hotels in Bulgaria are extremely inexpensive outside of the summer months, and many of them provide not just free breakfast but also complimentary shuttle services.
Romania
Romania is one of the most affordable travel destinations in Europe, particularly if you’re planning a hiking trip in the Carpathian Mountains or are primarily interested in experiencing the country’s countryside.
Visits to Brasov, which is home to Dracula’s 14th-century Bran Castle, may be relatively reasonable if you take a day trip or don’t mind taking a sluggish train out of Bucharest from the city center. Trains in Romania are not always in the finest of shape, but they are safe and very inexpensive.
It is either free or extremely inexpensive to see some of the most stunning monuments in Bucharest, including the 15th-century Old Town, Revolution Square, and Romania’s own Arch of Triumph.
Renting a bike to explore smaller towns in warmer weather may be a terrific way to get about, or you can join one of the numerous free walking tours that leave from the heart of the city. The majority of the time, it is not necessary to purchase at supermarkets in Romania since dining out is inexpensive and the meals are robust and full.
Traditional Romanian delicacies such as sarmale (cabbage rolls), cozonac (sweet bread), and mamaliga (polenta, generally eaten with sour cream and strong cheese) are inexpensive, frequently available at street food booths, and a terrific way to get a taste of the country’s cuisine. Enjoy some cheap foods in a tiny village in Romania.
Hungary
Certainly an affordable European vacation. However, compared to major locations in Western Europe, Hungary is one of the most costly countries in Eastern Europe — but it is still a fraction of the price of going to key places in the Eastern half of the continent.
A broad range of free attractions can be found in Hungary’s capital, Budapest, including taking a stroll over the Chain Bridge across the Danube and wandering through the Castle Hill neighborhood.
The Buda Castle, as well as the subterranean Castle Labyrinth, are two of the most popular sites in the Castle district, despite the fact that some of them are not free to visit.
Every year in June, the city supports a “Night of the Museums,” during which you may visit several of the city’s most important attractions for free. In the neo-Gothic Great Market Hall, Budapest’s oldest indoor market, you may get inexpensive souvenirs and refreshments, as well as numerous traditional Hungarian dishes.
Another wonderful option to save money when traveling is to eat on the street. The best parts are the local markets. The nation’s favorite fast food is lángos, which is a kind of deep-fried pizza topped with cheese, tomato sauce, or sour cream, and is popular across the country.
Things are far less expensive outside of the capital. Visitors visiting the lake resort town of Tihany, as well as those seeking outdoor activity in the Bükk Mountains, will discover that costs are much cheaper there throughout the year.
Montenegro
Budva is not exactly an expensive city like Valencia or Athens in Greece but certainly a good looking one. Since regaining independence in 2006, Montenegro has been a relatively young nation, one that many people have difficulty identifying on a map.
But big dreams happen in If you stick to robust, meaty local cuisine like as burek (a meat-stuffed pie-like dish), you can anticipate extremely low food rates; everything else will be at tourist pricing. Montenegro is something of everywhere in a nation that is still struggling to identify itself.
Weekend farmer’s markets are also held in most cities, and they are a terrific opportunity to pick up a snack or a quick meal to eat for very little money. During the months of July and August, the shore of Montenegro is swarming with visitors, the majority of them are from Russia, whose nationals do not need a visa to enter the country.
Travelers to the fashionable seaside cities of Budva and Herceg Novi should avoid visiting during the summer months; otherwise, drive north to see rough mountains, glacial lakes, and UNESCO-listed walled villages. Examples include Crno Jezero, a mountain lake surrounded by a rich green-bluish forest that is a lovely place for trekking and swimming, and it is absolutely free to use.
With its tiny island location distant from the expensive coastline cities, Ada Bojana makes an excellent kitesurfing destination and a nice summer vacation destination with extremely reasonable pricing. Read some related articles for the town of Alberobello, which is an also popular cheap destination.
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