13 Budget-Friendly Cheap Cities in Europe for an Affordable Vacation
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So you want to experience Europe, but you are looking for ways to do it on a budget? You’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll be discovering cheap cities in Europe that you’ll be sure to fall in love with.
Europe is in almost every traveler’s dreams, and it’s easy to see why! From cobblestone streets to stunning architecture and a foodie’s paradise, it can be intimidating to find ways to tackle an inexpensive trip to Europe.
With this guide, you can now feel confident exploring Europe on a budget! Here are the best cheap cities in Europe.
Cheap Cities in Europe
Berlin, Germany
Located in northwest Germany, the capital city of Berlin is known for its history, art, and jam-packed museums.
Some of the most popular things to do here are explore the Brandenburg Gate, pay a visit to a few historical museums, and see the Berlin Wall.
Despite it being a top tourist destination, backpackers are in luck! Berlin makes the list as one of the most affordable cities in Western Europe.
For the budget-conscious, you can spend a day in Berlin for only 75 Euros. The good news is that in Berlin, beer is cheaper than water! If you want to splurge a little bit on this experience, you can have a comfortable trip for 100 Euros a day.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, a relatively small country in the middle of Europe. It also makes our list as one of the cheap cities in Europe you need to add to your bucket list if you haven’t already.
Some of the top experiences in Ljubljana include visiting the Predjama Castle, seeing the views over Lake Bled, and taking a photo on the stunning bridge in the capital city’s Old Town.
Ljubljana is a stunning city, full of charm and once known as being home to European trade and business. Now, you can visit this city for an average daily price of 85 Euros a day.
In case you need more reasons to add this city to your trip’s itinerary, Ljubljana is known as a cheap city in Europe to live in.
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Budapest, Hungary
Located almost in the heart of Hungary, you’ll find the capital city of Budapest. Many tourists flock here to seek out the Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Buda Castle.
Budapest is known for its architecture, festivals, and unique cuisine. Budapest is full of culture, and every tourist always finds a way to make this city their own!
To spend a day soaking up this city, you’ll need to spend about 90 USD per day. If you’ve ever thought about moving to Europe, Budapest is considered a cheap city in Europe to live in!
Krakow, Poland
Krakow, Poland, is located in southern Poland and filled with deep historical roots. Most tourists who are looking to visit cheap cities in Europe end up adding Krakow to their list.
During your visit, you can dive into history by paying a visit to Auschwitz. To get outside of the city, visitors enjoy soaking in thermal baths and exploring salt mines.
Each day you spend in Krakow, you’ll need to budget about 40 USD.
Athens, Greece
In mainland Greece, you’ll find the capital, Athens. Besides being a cheap city in Europe, it’s also home to the stories and legends that make up Ancient Greece.
You can spend time in Athens exploring all of the ancient ruins, eating local food, and visiting museums like the National Archaeological Museum.
Athens is a great place to explore, even if you’re not a history buff! It’s full of natural beauty that can fill your trip. You’ll need to budget about 130 USD per day for your Athens trip to enjoy the city on a low budget.
Athens can be a great place to start your European adventure as it is a cheap city in Europe to fly into.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia, is located in the northern part of the country, right on the Baltic Sea. Estonia’s capital city is considered a cheap city in Europe, which makes it great to visit on a backpacker’s budget.
Most visitors spend their time in Tallinn touring the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Town Hall, and a variety of the city’s museums. You could spend your entire trip checking out all the museums in the area!
To spend time in Tallinn, it will cost about 100 USD per day, making it an inexpensive European city put on your European bucket list.
Seville, Spain
In the southwest corner of Spain, you’ll find Seville. This city is where tourists go to see jaw-dropping architecture. From the Cathedral to the Alhambra Palace and the city streets, there’s a lot to discover in this city.
For all the foodies out there, Seville is a great place to enjoy local cuisine. One of the best ways to do that is through a food tour! Each day you spend in Seville is going to cost around 130 USD.
Porto, Portugal
Still on the hunt for a cheap city in Western Europe? Then it’s time to check out Porto! On the beautiful western coast of Portugal, you’ll find this port town known for its wine.
Besides visiting wineries, Porto is a great city to explore on foot. There are painted tiles and incredible architecture around every corner.
Most visitors complete a walking tour and step into a few grand cathedrals. If you’re visiting on a budget, you can expect to pay about 130 USD per day.
Riga, Latvia
Sitting on the mouth of the River Daugava, you’ll find Latvia’s capital, Riga.
This city is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, much like the rest of Europe, is famed for its architecture. Most tourists spend their time in the central market, exploring medieval churches and snapping photos of the House of the Black Heads.
This cheap European city will cost about 100 USD per day to explore!
Vienna, Austria
Located in northeast Austria, Vienna is known for its music, public parks, and charm. For all the traveling music buffs out there, you can have the time of your life on a budget in Vienna!
If you’re adding Vienna to your list of inexpensive European cities, don’t miss St. Peter’s Church, Schonbrunn Palace, or the Belvedere Museum. Exploring this city will cost about 150 USD per day.
Valletta, Malta
The capital city of Malta, Valletta, is located on the western coast of the island. Most visitors spend their time exploring on a Tuk Tuk, visiting temples, and walking on the city’s shoreline.
If you’re thinking that visiting the island of Malta will crush your backpacker budget, you’re wrong! Those who visit Valletta spend an average of 155 USD per day.
Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy, is one of the most sought-after European cities for tourists to visit. Located in the mid-northern part of Italy, those who spend their time here soaking up famous art galleries, visiting the Duomo, and admiring the city’s architecture.
To spend a day exploring Florence, you’ll need to budget about 160 USD per day. Although this may be one of the highest prices on our list, it is still considered one of the cheapest cities in Western Europe to spend your time discovering.
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Located in the southwestern corner of the Czech Republic is the city of Cesky Krumlov. This city marvels visitors with its river, castle, and medieval vibes.
Those who visit Cesky Krumlov spend their time discovering the streets of the old town, visiting the castle, stepping inside the Church of St. Vitus, and seeing the magical ballroom of the Rosenbergs.
To spend a day exploring Cesky Krumlov, you’ll need to budget about 60 USD per day.
Final Thoughts: Cheap European Cities
Now that you know some of the best cheap cities in Europe to visit, you can begin planning your trip! I hope this breakdown shows you that you shouldn’t ever count Europe out of your travel plans just because of the price.
To be strategic in your travel plans, I recommend planning a route that takes you through the most expensive cities first. That way, by the end of your trip, you won’t feel like you’ve run out of money to spend!
What’s the cheapest European city you’ve ever visited? Should we add it to this list?!
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