We might be used to celebrating all hallows eve on a day like today, but the 31st of October was also designated to be World Cities Day by the United Nations General Assembly. So, we’re listing down 10 of the most budget-friendly cities in Europe that you should definitely travel to!
Kraków, Poland
Let’s start with Kraków, the second biggest city in Poland – yet surprisingly, one of the cheapest! And it’s not as tourist-y either, so you get to avoid the crowds. Kraków is home to the largest medieval square in Europe, known as Rynek Główny, where horse drawn carriages glide past colourful buildings and a basilica, as well as a 14th-century castle called Wawel Castle and Auschwitz.
The Polish currency is known as the złoty, and it has a pretty favourable exchange rate to both the Euro and US Dollar. Plus, flights are fairly cheap, there are plenty of low-cost hostels and you don’t need to spend much on transport, since the city is very walkable.
Budapest, Hungary
If you’re into budget travelling – chances are, you’ve heard of Budapest, and we can totally see why! Budapest is one of the most interesting and romantic cities in Europe, and it’s incredibly inexpensive to travel to too, so it makes for the perfect cheap city break!
Nestled along the Danube River, you can access the region’s best thermal baths in Budapest. You can visit the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. It also has one of the best cuisines in central and eastern Europe, from Goulash (meat and vegetable stew) to Lángos (fried flatbread) and Halászlé (fisherman’s soup).
Bonus: prices for food and accommodation are very reasonable here.
Athens, Greece
We can’t possibly mention low-budget cities in Europe without mentioning Athens, the capital of Greece! Athens is an open-air museum with a history that spans millennia. It homes some of the world’s oldest temples, statues, and monuments, like the Parthenon, Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, and Agora.
And of course, there’s also the Panathenaic Stadium, which served as the main venue for the Olympic Games held in 1896 and 2004… But, you will need to choose a budget accommodation like a hostel in Plaka, which is centrally located and more importantly, safe.
Dresden, Germany
As we all know, Germany isn’t the cheapest of cities – but there’s one city that has a lot to offer at some low prices. Say hello to Dresden, the capital of the Saxony region in eastern Germany. It’s best known for its classic architecture, world-class museums and art galleries, and scenic setting along the Elbe River.
There’s also plenty of beautiful gardens, parks, and forests. You can even take a scenic steamboat down the river to check out Saxon Switzerland, a national park. And last but not least – THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS!!! Germany is known to home some of the best Christmas markets in the world – so if you’d like to visit one on a budget, here’s your chance!
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn might be small in size, but this Baltic city is incredibly rich in culture and history since it was occupied by several foreign powers over the centuries, like the Soviets, Swedes, and Danes. With low prices and high diversity, the walled city of Tallinn is considered to be ‘the Silicon Valley of Europe’.
Tallinn’s Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has many sights that date back to the 13th century, like the Gothic Town Hall and St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Arguably one of the most underrated European destinations, Sofia has over 2,000 years of fascinating history. Ancient architecture is all around the city, especially in its houses of worship, the Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 1100s.
On top of that, Sofia is a cheap foodie destination! The food is similar to what you’d find in Istanbul and other eastern European destinations, so it includes a balance of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and yogurt. The city’s sprawling with bars and clubs too, and given that it’s one of the cheapest destinations, it won’t break the bank either!
Split, Croatia
If you love a little vacay by the sea, then Split in Croatia is quite the contender… this Port city lies within the former palatial walls. Iconic sights include Diocletian’s Palace, Saint Domnius Cathedral – which is one of the oldest surviving Christian churches – and Riva.
Here, you can experience a culinary walking tour, since Split also has the oldest fish market in Europe, where you can taste local delicacies like the Adriatic sting ray, squid, and mussels.
Bratislava, Slovakia
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets, Bratislava is just an hour by train from Vienna. It might not be the biggest or most glamorous city, but it’s full of medieval charm and Gothic grit!
From whimsical, colourful buildings right out of a fairy tale, to bleak buildings there’s a lot to take in during a visit to Bratislava.
Sevilla, Spain
As a die-hard Spain lover, I’m glad Sevilla made it to the list, since it’s a phenomenal alternative to the tourist-packed cities of Barcelona and Madrid, AND, one of the biggest cities in Spain! Here, you can find a treasure trove of historic and cultural landmarks like the Alcázar, which was even used as a filming location for Season 5 of Game of Thrones.
However, you might have to venture off a bit to find the best spots for some good, old tapas. But don’t worry, food and drinks are still a fraction of the cost compared to other Spanish cities.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague might not be as dirt cheap as it used to be, but it still offers a lot on a budget… As the capital of Czech Republic, Prague is a bustling and culturally rich city in the heart of central Europe that was influenced by several empires like Austria-Hungary, Bohemia, and the Holy Roman Empire.
Its Old Town Square is jam-packed with baroque buildings, colourful churches, and the world’s oldest Astronomical Clock from 1402. Prague is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aka its Castle, which is known to be the biggest ‘coherent castle complex’ in the world.
