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We bring you the cheapest places to travel in Europe, because, traveling to Europe doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. And I should know because I’ve been traveling to Europe for many years now and it hasn’t so far bankrupted me. Ha.
So what’s the secret then to traveling to Europe and not breaking the bank, you ask? Well, it’s really just looking for the cheapest places in Europe to travel to. And Europe, as grand and worldly as it is, has many of those cheap places. Thankfully.
So without further ado, we bring you the cheapest places to travel in Europe.
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The Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
1. Spain
Truthfully, I was surprised to find that prices in Spain were cheap. I was bracing myself for a costly trip when we decided to spend spring in Spain, but I couldn’t be more wrong.
Madrid
Even the big, bustling capital city of Madrid was no match for, say, London or Paris when it comes to huge prices. And, boy, were we able to make our precious euros go a long way while there.
So when in Madrid, we got the chance to often binge on bursting-with-delicious-flavor Paella and even snag many souvenirs (the Spanish fans were my favorite) before we left.
What to Do
- Visit Palacio Real and Catedral de la Almudena
- Explore Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol
- Visit Museo del Prado and Reina Sofia Museo
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Paella, a flavored rice dish topped with a variety of meats or vegetables. There are different kinds, but we love the Paella Valenciana and the Paella Negra, which are flavored with black squid ink.
- Churros, fried pastry coated with sugar. It’s often served, and tastes good, with thick hot chocolate.
- Chorizo, a pork sausage that sometimes comes sweet or at other times spicy, depending on the flavor.
Avila
Going out of town from the capital is even much better. You’ll see prices drop a good percentage.
For instance, the beautiful walled city of Avila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was about 2 hours from Madrid via train, offers a lovely and affordable day trip.
See the whole town in a day by visiting its beautiful Gothic and Romanesque churches, walking along its impressive medieval walls, and munching on its famously sweet and delicious Yemas.
What to Do
- Visit Avila’s many churches
- Explore the town
- Walk along its fortified walls
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Chuleton, a big rib steak
- Yemas, a sweet pastry made of egg yolks and other ingredients.
2. Czech Republic
For such a beautiful country, the Czech Republic is a dream when it comes to your budget. Its wonderful capital of Prague not only offers a long lineup of historic places, beautiful architecture, and romantic spires, but also boasts of cheap accommodations, food, and sightseeing.
One of our most beautiful stays in Europe that we snagged for so low a price happens to be in Prague. We were in hotel heaven (what with a private jacuzzi and all) then and our pockets were making a happy dance, too. We still like to reminisce about that stay sometimes.
Activities
What to Do
- Visit the impressive Prague Castle. Inside the castle grounds is the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Walk along Charles Bridge
- Explore the Old Town, the New Town, and the Lesser Town
- Visit Josefov, a historic Jewish Ghetto
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Guláš, a soup or a stew with meat and vegetables.
- Palačinky, similar to the crêpe of the French, but instead it’s rolled with fillings inside.
- Trdelník, a sweet pastry roasted over an open flame. It’s a rolled dough, sometimes covered with sugar and other times in various flavors.
3. Hungary
With its capital city dubbed as one of the most beautiful in the world and boasting of many World Heritage Sites, Hungary is one perfect destination for cheap European travel.
Budapest
Its bustling capital of Budapest is where you can snag a cup of coffee for as low as under €2.
What to Do
- Visit the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue
- Visit the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst and the Old Village of Hollókő
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Goulash
- Lángos
- Fisherman’s Soup
4. Bulgaria
Pristine beaches, majestic mountains, exquisite churches, humming metropolises–these and more make up the exotic Balkan country of Bulgaria.
Bulgaria used to be outside the radar of travelers, but that has been changing lately. Probably because for such a lovely country with many to offer, it’s a vacation spot that’s easy on the pocket as well. You can find that some pieces in Bulgaria sell for as much as half of those you can find in other parts of Europe.
What to Do
Klook.com- Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the ancient city of Serdika in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.
- See Aladzha Monastery near Varna
- Go hiking or skiing in Mount Vitosha, which is just near Sofia.
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Banista, a filo pastry layered with different kinds of ingredients.
- Tarator, a soup made of cucumber and yogurt.
- Shopska Salad
5. Crotia
Though not the cheapest of European countries, Croatia in the Mediterranean is still cheap compared to its Western counterparts. Avoid the more popular city of Dubrovnik and try Zagreb and Split instead, and your pockets will be thanking you.
Prices are higher in Dubrovnik because of the increase in tourist visits. Zagreb and Split are equally as charming, has the same Croatian quality of beauty, and have a similar interesting culture. Visiting in the off seasons, or in May or September is budget-friendly as well.
Activities
What to Do
In Zagreb:
- Explore the Gornji grad (Upper Town) and Donji grad (Lower Town) and Ban Jelačić Square
- See Zagreb Cathedral and St. Mark’s Church
- Visit the city’s many parks
In Split:
- See the UNESCO Heritage Site of Diocletian Palace, a famous landmark, and explore the neighboring streets and alleys around.
- Enjoy a relaxing time at Bačvice, a lovely beach just a few minutes from the palace.
- Shop and soak up the local fun atmosphere at Pazar, a market that sells an assortment of wares like lavenders, olive oils, etc.
Where to Stay
In Zagreb:
In Split:
What to Eat
- Soparnik, a locally baked delicacy made from thin dough with fillings inside like onions and Swiss chard.
The Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
6. Italy
Who doesn’t love Italy? Everyone seems to have this country close to their heart and I’m no exception to that. I never thought that I would love Italy, but there’s just something about it that makes me so fond of it. Maybe it’s the stunning landscapes, the beautiful people, or the fact that it’s cheaper than the countries found in the upper part of the continent.
Yes, Italy is relatively cheap. Even cheaper during the shoulder and off seasons, when visitors are far and few in between and you get the best deals on airfare and hotels.
What to Do
- If it’s your first time in Italy, start with Rome. Yes, it’s very touristy, but it’s a good place to be introduced to the country. When in Rome, see the landmarks like the Vatican City, the Colosseum, and other monuments. Don’t miss visiting the quaint neighborhood of Trastevere if you have the extra time.
- If it’s not your first Italy visit, branch out and go to Tuscany or Venice. Tuscany for its beautiful small towns and wines, and Venice for being this amazing, one-of-a-kind city built on water.
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Cacio e Pepe – A must when in Italy. It’s a pasta dish with the most basic and few of ingredients: cheese and pepper. This simplicity makes it the trickiest and hardest to perfect. So if you taste a delicious one, then you know it was made right!
- Pizza, of course! Taste the best from where it originated.
- Gelato. There’s nothing like ice cream than the gelatos in Italy!
7. Germany
If you stick to small towns like Cochem in the Mosel or Bayreuth in Bavaria, then Germany can be cheap.
Prices of goods in small towns are inexpensive. Traveling using public transportation during non-peak hours and availing of return tickets are cheaper options as well.
Another way to save money is when it comes to food. German meals usually come in large servings, so sharing them among your companions is money-saving.
What to Do
- Visit beautiful castles or palaces. Wherever in Germany you find yourself, there’s bound to be a castle or a palace or two. A visit to one is quite the experience. Entrance fees aren’t that expensive, so you’re good to go.
- Explore the market squares. Market squares are pretty common in any German city or town and they’re a wonderful place to soak up the culture or enjoy a German cuisine or delicacy.
Where to Stay
In Cochem:
What to Eat
- Schnitzel, a thin slice of meat covered with breadcrumbs and fried to perfection.
- Sausages. German sausages are one of the best, if not the best.
- Flammkuchen, it’s like pizza except that it has cream instead of tomato sauce.
- Beer. Don’t forget to try some German beers.
8. Slovenia
Stunning turquoise lakes, majestic mountains, postcard-perfect towns, lovely vineyards–I could go on and on, but for now, these and more best describe the beautiful country of Slovenia. This small state in Central Europe not only boasts of interesting culture but is affordable as well.
As more and more people are discovering Slovenia’s beauty, travel prices in the country are slowly rising. It’s still cheaper than those in Western Europe, however. For budget-friendly travel, plan your trip ahead of time or visit in the off-season or during the shoulder seasons.
What to Do
Klook.comIn Ljubljana:
- Visit Ljubljana Castle and the National Museum of Slovenia
- Explore the pretty streets of Ljubljana
- Go on a day trip to Lake Bled. Visit Bled Castle and Bled Island.
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Kraški pršut, an air-dried ham
- Idrijski žlikrofi, potato dumplings
9. Portugal
The small country of Portugal in the Iberian Peninsula is one of the cheapest places to travel in Europe.
And a great place to start is in the small city of Porto. Being tiny in size, sightseeing in Porto can be done on foot. Public transportation is however cheap, so it’s still economical if you’d rather take them instead. Accommodations are cheap as well.
What to Do in Porto, Portugal
- Explore the Ribeira, Porto’s cute neighborhood near the river.
- Visit Foz, a quaint town with a wonderful ocean promenade.
- Visit Mercado do Bolhão, a historic market selling a variety of food and fresh produce.
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Bacalhau, a salted codfish
- Francesinha is a sandwich made of toast with layers of different kinds of meat inside and with sauce and cheese on top. It can also be eaten with French fries.
- Since Porto is the origin of the Port wine, don’t forget to sample Port while in the city.
10. Latvia
The Balkan state of Latvia has long been known to be a budget traveler’s destination. In its capital city of Riga, you’ll not only find fantastic Gothic and Art Nouveau architectural wonders but also a cup of coffee for just around €3 or a bottle of beer at the same price. Accommodations are cheap as well.
What to Do in Riga, Latvia
- Explore the Old Town in Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the various museums in Riga
Where to Stay
What to Eat
- Sklandrausis, a pie made with rye flour and filled with potato, fruit, and cream.
- Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian liquor.
Final Words on Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
So there you have it, the cheapest places to travel in Europe. Because, again, you need not break the bank to see and enjoy all these European delights.
If you have more suggestions for cheap places to travel in Europe, don’t hesitate to tell us about it in the comment section below. Thanks for reading and happy travels!
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