Romania is one of the cheapest places to vacation in Europe. When deciding where to travel in Europe, Budapest is essential. However, there is much more to Hungary than just Budapest. While Budapest is extremely cheap and must be visited, take a few days to explore Drebecen.
Which cities in Hungary should you visit? If you are visiting Hungary, you should not miss Budapest (the capital), as it has one of the most extravagant and relaxed lifestyles that you will undoubtedly like. One of my favorite countries in Europe, somewhere I've been to several times and you can guarantee that I'll be back as soon as I can. There is something about the crystal clear waters, the stunning architecture, the fragrant lavender and the fresh seafood that takes me back to Croatia every time. For a cheap stay in Croatia, avoid Dubrovnik.
Try visiting the Zadar, Zagreb or Split backpacking hotspots. Check out my guide to Split here. Check out my 10 dream spring weekends in Europe here. I think Albania is the country that has surprised me the most in history.
I didn't know anything about Albania before I left, but my 6-day road trip along the coast is one of my favorite adventures to date. The Albanian Riviera is also famous for its growing music scene, so you can schedule your trip with an international music festival. Next time I go to Albania, in addition to visiting the coast again, I would love to see more of Tirana and visit Theth National Park, Ksamil Islands, Shkodra and Lake Koman. Although the ever-popular Prague isn't the cheapest destination for a city break it once was, you'll still find that the Czech Republic is a good-value country for independent travel.
The country that Pilsner invented is rightly famous for producing some of the best beers, at quite good prices. An hour from Tallinn, the 725-square-kilometre Lahemaa National Park is best explored by bike. You can cycle along the coastal trails, discover rugged coves, windswept beaches and fishing villages, and even sleep on bales of hay on a farm. Venture further west, and the summer resort of Pärnu has fantastic beaches.
Saaremaa Island offers a pine forest with soft carpets and affordable spas. The city that initiated the 1989 protests that led to the reunification of the country has long had a fierce and independent spirit. In recent years, it has also gained a great reputation for its thriving artists' enclaves and unconventional nightlife. Its cultural scene is constantly changing, with old industrial buildings, such as the old Spinnerei cotton factory, converted into avant-garde spaces.
The shipyard crane dates back to the 15th century, and the city was the birthplace of the anti-communist movement Solidarity. When summer arrives, the action moves to the trendy seaside town of Sopot, with its golden sandy beach, lively party scene and attractive pier (the longest in Europe). The pride and joy of Slovakia, the Tatra Mountains is a magnificent series of peaks that culminate in the pyramid-shaped Gerlach at 2,655 m. Start at one of the village's resorts such as Nový Smokovec or Ždiar, then head to the mountains, where you can rest in cheap chalets for hikers.
Lake Bliznaka (The Twin), Rila Mountain, Bulgaria Bulgaria often tops the list of economic countries to visit in Europe and rightly so. For starters, Bulgaria remains largely undiscovered by tourists, except for visitors who come in summer for a cheap holiday by the Black Sea. Even then, accommodation, flights and entertainment will still cost you a fraction of what you would pay in Western Europe. In the off-season, prices drop considerably and you can ski, eat and travel around the country for a tenth of what it costs in the West.
One of the best parts about visiting Bulgaria is the countryside, where castles, villages and hiking trails, the Central Balkans National Park tops the list of excellent hikes and the stunning views are free or very cheap to visit. While Sofia is the first stop for many visitors, smaller cities like Plovdiv, which are home to more than 200 archaeological sites, are even cheaper to explore. Hotels in Bulgaria are particularly cheap outside of the summer months, and many include not only free breakfast but also free transportation. Romania is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, especially if you are heading to the Carpathian Mountains for hiking or you are mainly exploring the countryside.
Even a visit to Brasov, home to Dracula's 14th-century Bran Castle, can be very affordable if you book a day trip or don't mind slow train connections from Bucharest. Trains are not always in the best condition in Romania, but they are safe and very cheap. In most cases, it is not worth buying in supermarkets here, since eating out is cheap in Romania and meals are plentiful and plentiful. Local specialties such as sarmale (cabbage rolls), cozonac (sweet bread) or mamaliga (polenta, which is usually served with sour cream and strong cheese) are cheap, often sold at street food stalls and a great way to quickly get acquainted with Romanian food.
Poland's major cities, Krakow and Warsaw, aren't always cheap, so if they're your main destinations, avoid visiting them in summer. The mid-season (especially the months of March and April) are ideal months to travel to urban Poland, the weather is warming, prices are still low and the castles and palaces that were closed during the winter are reopened, often at reduced prices. Poland's most famous destinations, including the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps, the Wieliczka salt mine and the Schindler factory, are much less crowded out of season, so you won't waste time waiting in line. Many other attractions around the country are very cheap or free to access, such as climbing the tower of the old town hall for great views of Krakow, the 13th century castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork and the ancient Bialowieza forest.
While trains aren't always very cheap in Poland, you can get almost anywhere by bus for very little money. Long-distance buses like Flixbus are comfortable, offer free Wi-Fi and will take you to even the smallest cities in Poland. George Island in Montenegro During July and August, the coast of Montenegro is full of tourists, mainly from Russia, whose citizens do not need a visa to enter. If you're heading to the trendy coastal towns of Budva or Herceg Novi, avoid the summer months; otherwise head inland to visit UNESCO's rugged mountains, glacial lakes and walled cities.
For example, Crno Jezero, a mountain lake surrounded by a deep teal forest, is a stunning destination for hiking and swimming and enjoying completely free. Kiev Cave Monastery, Kiev, Ukraine, Ukraine, has remained off the radar as a tourist destination for decades, and visitors are only now discovering all that this former Soviet country has to offer. The biggest expense when visiting Ukraine will be finding a place to stay, since there is not much international tourist season, hotel prices do not vary much during the year, especially in larger cities. The resort city of Odessa, on the northwestern coast of the Black Sea and Kiev, is slightly cheaper in the off-season (late autumn and winter), but the rest of the country is still very affordable throughout the year.
Perhaps one of the most important ways to save money in Ukraine is food. If you eat local food, food is very cheap in Ukraine, order varenyky (stuffed dumplings) or holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), and all the food will cost you the same as a quick snack in any other country. The most attractive destinations in Portugal have to do with nature, the sun and the outdoors, which means that they are mostly free. The district of Faro, in the south of the country, is a popular destination for its soft golden sands, cliffs and lighthouses, while visitors to Madeira head there along the rugged volcanic hiking trails, beautiful harbor and great diving.
The biggest expenses on a trip to Portugal will be food and accommodation, although visiting it outside the high season (from June to August) will reduce costs considerably. From November to February, prices drop even further, but temperatures stay around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius, so it's the perfect time to visit and grab great bargains. Some of Portugal's most interesting destinations are free to explore, apart from the cost of transportation to get there. These include the ancient city of Évora, a World Heritage Site, and the 12th-century Templar Castle and Convent of Christ in the city of Tomar.
A small country surrounded by giants Italy, Austria and Hungary are against their borders Slovenia is a mountainous country covered with forests. Even so, most visitors come here along the coast facing the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia offers many affordable sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine. Away from the coast, Lake Bled is perhaps the best known destination. Located just 35 kilometers from the capital, Ljubljana, the lake is an affordable destination and one of the most stunning places in the country.
Other budget destinations include the medieval town of Piran; the fortified village of Štanjel; and the Triglav National Park, where you can walk to the top of Mount Triglav in two days with a night in a mountain hut. Hungary is one of the most expensive countries in Eastern Europe, but it is still a fraction of the cost of traveling to major destinations in the western half of the continent. The best thing you can do to save money in Italy is to avoid visiting it in summer, when everything costs more, queues for attractions last hours, and the sticky weather makes everything a little more uncomfortable. Even winter is a great time to visit, as most of Italy is never very cold, the average temperature in Rome in January is 7 degrees Celsius, but on sunny days it can easily reach 12 degrees Celsius.
From November to February, you'll get great deals on accommodation and often cheap flights. Scroll to see the 12 cheapest holiday destinations in Europe, ranked in ascending order by the total cost of a two-night trip (trip not included). From Mallorca to Dubrovnik, cities have a wide variety of pleasures including galleries, museums and restaurants, all at a reasonable price. If you're looking for the cheapest European countries to visit, you'll have to think outside the box and head to lesser known (but equally magical) destinations.
Europe offers many destinations for all tastes and interests, from blue shores with sandy beaches to winding mountain trails and historic destinations dating back more than a thousand years. If you are looking for a cheap holiday in Europe, head east, according to the latest version of Britain's annual Urban Cost Barometer Travel Money. For the best budget vacation, stay in Riga and explore the elegant capital of Art Nouveau on foot. From all airports in Andalusia, the cheapest to fly is Malaga, where you can easily find flights for around £50 round trip with Ryanair, Easyjet or Norwegian.
Not to mention that Albania is a booming digital hub and one of Europe's top cheap destinations for nomads. With beautiful views of mountains, coasts and lakes, these destinations are unique and don't break your budget. Thanks to the wide range of low-cost air routes, it's easier than ever to reach the most affordable destinations in Europe. When I start looking for my next destination, I look for beautiful landscapes and architecture to explore with my (rather small) budget.
If you are looking for affordable holiday destinations in Europe, consider spending your holiday in Cyprus. One of the cheapest countries in Europe: see the picturesque capital city, Skopje from above, visiting the Kale Fortress. Unfortunately, many of these destinations, especially in popular countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands, will also stretch their budget to the fullest. Scroll down to see the 19 cheapest holiday destinations in Europe, ranked in ascending order by the total cost of a two-night trip, along with the average cost of some typical tourist items.
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