While a trip to Europe may seem like an expensive endeavor no matter where you go, the truth is that there are many budget friendly European cities on the continent if you just know where to look!
You can certainly spend a lot of money while visiting Europe if you want, but it is also not as hard as one might think to travel Europe on a budget.
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A year ago, my husband and I took a 6 month trip to Europe and Asia with $30k.
We think we did a pretty good job traveling on a comfortable budget without missing out on bucket list experiences.
One of the reasons we were able to keep our costs low was picking places to visit that we knew were budget friendly.
Below is a list of 10 budget friendly European cities to visit on your next trip to help you plan your next adventure to Europe!
Check out my blog post about how we stay on budget while we travel to get more ideas of how to keep your European trip costs low!
Where to Find Budget Friendly Destinations in Europe
Western European countries like France or Germany tend to be more expensive vacation destinations, whereas eastern European countries are typically more budget friendly.
Because of this, vacationing in Eastern Europe is usually the way to go if you’re hoping to keep within a reasonable budget.
But, you can still travel Western Europe on a budget if you keep costs lower and steer clear of the super touristy destinations.
Areas like the Balkans offer fantastic locations to lounge on the beach and eat delicious mediterranean food at a fraction of the cost of many neighboring countries.
For example Montenegro, just across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, is significantly less expensive to visit but has a similar climate, food culture, and coastal views.
Take Albania as another example. Located just next to Greece, it is incredibly similar to its popular neighbor but much less expensive to visit.
To find great deals on accommodations, I always use Booking.com!
For flights to Europe and within Europe, we always use Skyscanner or Google Flights.
When to Visit Europe on a Budget
When you decide to visit Europe can have a big impact on the budget of your trip.
High season in Europe, typically late June to early September, brings increased tourist prices. Traveling to the continent during the off season, September through May, can help you find good deals on hotels and activities.
If you’re looking to find a good deal or beat the crowds, traveling during the off season can help you keep within your travel budget.
Even if you end up traveling to Europe in high season, there are still good deals to be had if you choose to travel to a more budget friendly location like those listed below.
10 Budget Friendly European Cities
1. Trogir, Croatia
Located just near Split, a very popular Croatian destination, is the quaint UNESCO World Heritage town of Trogir.
Walking through the narrow, maze-like streets of Trogir you’ll find 13th century churches and charming shops.
Take a day boat trip from the port to one of the surrounding islands, like Šolta, to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic.
You can find mid-range accommodations in Trogir for as little as $50/night for two people.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has long been known for being a welcoming destination for budget travelers. The lively city continues to offer great activities and affordable accommodations.
Be sure to visit the thermal baths while in Budapest, which is easily the city’s most popular, and fun, attraction.
The Szèchenyi Thermal Baths have been soothing travelers and locals alike since the early 1913.
Budapest has cheap and reliable public transportation, like many cities in Europe, and it’s very walking friendly as well.
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia
The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is known for being a budget friendly European destination.
The city gives you the European feel without draining your wallet. Fit with a castle overlooking the city, the Ljubljanica River running through the middle of town, and a modern downtown area, Ljubljana has a bit of everything.
Lake Bled is a short 1.5hr bus ride away and is an absolutely stunning lake with a picturesque church nestled on a small island in the center.
Check out my guide to visiting Ljubljana to inspire you to visit this lovely city.
You can easily find affordable accommodations in Ljubljana, like a 3 or 4 star hotel for less than $100/per night.
4. Kotor, Montenegro
If the image of orange terracotta roofs and bright blue water in the Bay of Kotor doesn’t entice you enough, the affordable cost of visiting will surely put you over the edge.
Kotor, being so close to Croatia, gives small town Dubrovnik vibes with a less expensive price tag.
There’s tons to do in Kotor, like getting lost in the Old Town, visiting Our Lady of the Rocks, and enjoying the views of the Bay of Kotor.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
Though it’s a very well known city in Europe, Prague still offers an affordable option for a European vacation.
Some of the best things to do in Prague are to visit the aptly named Prague Castle, appreciate the views from the top of Petrin Tower, and walk the iconic Charles Bridge across the Vltava River.
Prague offers affordable food, accommodations, public transport, and activities for every budget.
6. Sarandë, Albania
You might think you’re in Greece during your holiday in Albania, and that’s because the two countries are neighbors. This means they have a lot in common, except for the prices!
Located very close to Albania’s border with Greece, Sarandë is actually only about 20 miles from Corfu, a very popular Greek destination.
While Albania shares much of its geographical characteristics with Greece, it has its own culture and experiences to offer. Be sure to try byrek and ferges while on your trip in Albania!
Use Booking.com to find amazing hotels at great prices in Sarande.
7. Porto, Portugal
Portugal is known for being one of the most affordable western European countries to visit, with reasonably priced hotels, food, and activities. This is especially true outside of the capital, Lisbon.
Porto is a small coastal city with a population of just over 200,000 people.
You’ll notice while in Portugal that food is especially more affordable relative to other western European countries.
Accommodation prices can vary based on location and time of year, but finding a nice hotel for under 100 euros per night is easy to do.
8. Pula, Croatia
In my opinion, no other country in Europe can compete with Croatia’s quality of vacation for the price.
Pula is located on the Istrian Peninsula toward the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea and close to the border with Italy.
With sparkling blue water and the iconic terracotta roofs that you’ll find all over Croatia, Pula checks all the boxes for a photogenic European city.
Pula offers many historic sites and ruins, including many examples of Roman architecture. You won’t be able to miss the massive Roman amphitheater that very closely resembles the Colosseum in Rome.
You’ll find a strong and mouth-watering mix of Italian and Croatian cuisine in Pula, with a heavy focus on delicious seafood. The Croatian coast has so much to offer. Stunning natural landscape, local wine and oil production, and welcoming people!
9. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Yes, another town in Czechia!
Just a 3 hour train ride away from Prague is the quaint town of Český Krumlov (pronounced chess-key crumb-lov).
With a beautiful river running through the middle of Old Town and a towering castle looking down upon the city, you’ll get true fairytale vibes when you visit Český Krumlov.
The streets of the old town are winding and filled with tiny shops and restaurants.
Eat and lounge by the river, take in amazing views of town from the castle, and wander the photogenic streets while spending time in this South Bohemia city.
I wrote a post about what you should do when you visit Český Krumlov to help you plan your wonderful vacation here!
10. Bari, Italy
After spending 3 weeks traveling Italy, I’ve realized that visiting Italy isn’t as expensive as one might think!
Granted, you could certainly spend a boatload of money on a trip to Italy if you wanted to. But, with a little planning ahead and being choosy about how you spend your money, you CAN visit Italy on a budget.
One of the easiest ways to do Italy on a budget is visiting less traveled to, but equally beautiful, towns.
If you go to the Amalfi Coast, you can expect to spend a lot more than if you visited a place like Bari.
Bari, and the region of Puglia, is a perfect Italian destination for those on a budget. Located on the Adriatic Sea, this region is filled with so much to see and is overflowing with coastal beauty.
Be sure to take a short train ride to Polignano a Mare for the small town beach vibes and beautiful coast!
Please leave any suggestions you have for other budget friendly European cities to travel to, and happy planning!
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