The 12 cheapest cities to visit in Europe on a budget

Not a lot of major cities are what we’d call ‘affordable’ anymore - but a trip to Porto, Portugal’s second city, still holds true (we can’t say the same for Lisbon anymore, that’s for sure). I visited in 2023 and 2024, and found that a meal for two in its best restaurants (with wine, lots of wine), came in at less than £50 all in, and Portuguese beers out could cost as little as a euro. Porto’s attractions are well-priced too, from beautiful public parks to €8 museum tickets, but let’s be honest, if you’re anything like me, you’re really just here to eat and drink.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £79 ($103)
🍻Average pint: £1.72 ($2.25)

If I hadn’t already been on a road trip around Croatia, Zagreb almost definitely wouldn’t have been on my radar. Despite being Croatia’s capital, the city is pretty underrated, cowering in the shadow of popular destinations such as Split and Dubrovnik – but I’m here to make a case for it as a brilliant budget destination. Why? Because it’s so goddamn walkable. That’s right – alongside the reasonable accommodation and food prices, Zagreb’s streets are some of the most pleasant to get around on foot: we barely used public transport at all (but even if you do, a tram ride of up to 30 mins costs just 44p). Start from the city’s sprawling main square and meander your way to pretty much every one of the city’s best sights before grabbing an excellent people watching spot – the cafés here are excellent.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £51 ($66)
🍻Average pint: £1.82 ($2.39)

In Riga, it’s all about the art nouveau. The architecture is seriously beautiful, and there’s a huge, buzzy creative scene. Check out Putti, a modern gallery and events space, or Rīgas Birža for something more traditional. Looking for something less refined? The booze here is really cheap – so if you’re looking to let loose, head to the Old Town for all the most established bars. 

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £49 ($64)
🍻Average pint: £2.76 ($3.66)

Český Krumlov is a lot like Prague, but without the stag dos. Its labyrinthine, baroque streets all lead you, eventually, to the huge castle complex at the centre. It’s beautiful in summer, but for the really picturesque views go in winter, when it’s blanketed in snow. Keep warm in one of the many cosy cafés, or try traditional food in one of the live music parlours. Not a rowdy bunch of blokes to be seen. 

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £76 ($99)
🍻Average pint: £1.44 ($1.89)

Bucharest is great if you’re looking for a good time. Don’t sleep on the nightlife, just make sure to avoid the overhyped bars near the centre and head for one of the sky bars instead. You can try (delicious, hearty) traditional food for bargain prices, too. Our reccomedation is the legendary Caru’ cu Bere – order the grilled pork and a side of sauerkraut.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £45 ($59)
🍻Average pint: £1.48 ($1.94)

Festival vibes meet olde-worlde history in Kraków. We recommend packing in as many medieval sites as possible, and then getting stuck into a great night out. Try to plan your trip to coincide with one of the city’s many, many festivals, which range from the typical (think Summer Jazz Festival and the Kraków Film Festival) to the more obscure, like the International Soup Festival. Yum.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £59 ($77)
🍻Average pint: £2.15 ($2.82)

Chaotic, gritty, packed and super cheap – Belgrade is anything but a quiet getaway location. Smokey dive bars and gig venues nestle in old socialist architecture, competing for space in the once-desolate Savamala area, which is now home to a thriving culture scene. Head to Ada Ciganlija, a reclaimed island on the Sava river, if you’re looking to find a tiny, tranquil slice of nature.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £39 ($51)
🍻Average pint: £1.53 ($2.01)

Kaunas was a European Capital of Culture for 2022, and an incredible 1,000 events took place to celebrate it. But otherwise, for those of us who weren’t there are plenty of seriously impressive exhibition spaces open all year round, like the Mykolas Žilinskas Art Gallery. And if you want something a bit weirder, head to the seriously strange Devil’s Museum. 

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £58 ($76)
🍻Average pint: £2.90 ($3.81)

Argos is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Right in the heart of the Peloponnese, this is Greece as you imagine it: balmy Mediterranean weather with archaelogical beauty sprawling as far as the eye can see. According to legend, it was literally ruled by the son of Zeus at one point, too. It’s largely off the tourist path too, so you can explore the ancient theatre ruins, the prehistoric castle and sixth-century BC Roman Agora in peace.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £38 ($49)
🍻Average pint: £3.66 ($4.80)

Head to this quaint fishing village if you’re looking for a properly quiet break. Marshalforn isn’t a porthole-windows and artfully-placed-lobster-crate situation, it’s the real deal. The restaurants have lots of fresh fish and great ocean views, so we recommend you take a book, put on your sunglasses, and enjoy the sea breeze.

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £57 ($74)
🍻Average pint: £2.09 ($2.74)

Graz is one of Austria’s unsung heroes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as being annointed 2003's Capital of Culture and the 2008 City of Culinary Delights. For futuristic art, head to Kunsthaus Graz. The gallery is housed in a building known as the ‘friendly alien’ – you can’t miss its undulating, scaley form on the waterfront. 

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £64 ($84)
🍻Average pint: £3.25 ($4.27)

Sofia is properly, properly gorgeous. The domed churches dotted around the city will be a guaranteed hit on your Insta, as will the elaborate mosques, Soviet statues and grand galleries. As most people overlook it in favour of Bulgaria’s ski slopes and coastline, you won’t feel crowded while you wander. 

🏩Average one-bed Airbnb: £46 ($60)
🍻Average pint: £1.37 ($1.80)