Introduction

As you see, Europe doesn’t have to be expensive, so don’t shift your way when someone mentions it; just try it and have the unforgettable adventure that you will talk about your whole life, positively of course.

Just remember to stay aware, respect local customs, and check travel advisories in your country for safety infos about conflict territories. Plan wisely and make your way through traveling is going to change you definitely for the best. Your European journey starts here with cheap and affordable places for travelers seeking culture food and history and green spaces.

7 Cheapest Destinations in Europe:

1# Budapest, Hungary

Every traveler seeking cheap destinations, this spot should have been written about already because it’s very affordable. Dear budget traveler, Budapest is the dream budget-friendly trip itself, with thermal baths, the stunning Chain Bridge, the majestic Parliament building, Buda Castle & Fisherman’s Bastion (free to explore). Széchenyi Thermal Baths (relaxing and affordable), the Parliament Building, the Danube River Walk, beautiful, clean and friendly people, and more you should explore yourself, all without breaking your budget plan. Still fancy Paris?

No comment if you want to try the real French baguette, but stick around a little longer to see what you can enjoy in Budapest food. Hungarian food in general is delicious, and some top dishes will let you erase French baguette from your bucket list. Try Lángos (deep-fried dough with toppings) and Gulyás, pronounced Goulash (stew), and for dessert go for Dobos torte (sponge cake), which is very tasty and cheap.

How to get to all that, from one restaurant to another? Well, it’s super easy and super affordable. You have public transportation everywhere, taxis, whatever suits you. Walking is a great option and is best recommended. One thing before ending with transportation: a great discount you can get is to have a Budapest card, which allows you to navigate for free with public transport and a discount on entry to tourist attractions like museums.

Just when you get there, use Bolt or official taxis to pick you up from the airport.

What to expect when you don’t expect: An average-on-average daily budget is around $30 to $50, including a night in a hostel. What do you think now?

Be careful here; not all of Europe uses euros because it starts with euro.” The Hungarians use the Hungarian forint, in short HUF, and $1 is about 360 HUF.

Let’s talk about safety, or we shouldn’t because all of Europe is generally safe, and allow yourself to swallow this: Hungary is safer than Paris. There is no pickpocketing like in Paris, especially in tourist areas, but not in train stations or bars, so always be careful.

2# Sofia, Bulgaria

Maybe you aren’t convinced with Budapest yet, or you’ve already visited it. We still have other destinations for you. Hold your breath and relax in the next most affordable place, Bulgaria. This country is probably known as one of Europe’s most underrated capitals. Sofia is a city of culture, history, and green color. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (free entry!), the Rila Monastery, the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Boyana Church , Vitosha Mountain and more along the way. Visiting all that, and the great thing is that there are free walking tours that are informative and fun.

On your way, dine at the Bulgarian stalls and go for Kebapche (grilled minced meat) Shopska Salad, and Banitsa (cheese pastry) for finishing.

How to get to all that, from one restaurant to another? Well, it’s super easy and super affordable. You have public transportation everywhere, Sofia metro and minibuses called “marshrutkas”, taxis, whatever suits you. Walking is a great option and is best recommended.

Everything is almost cheap here anyway, so your daily budget for one person is going to be around $30 and can reach $40 if you feel more comfortable spending a little more.

The currency again is not the euro. In Bulgaria, yeah, as you guessed, they use the Bulgarian money, which is called the lev. The abbreviation is BGN, and for every 1.80 BGN, it is about 1 dollars.

As mentioned before, Europe is generally safe for tourists; trust your sixth sense along the way.

3# Kraków, Poland

Poland is well known for its people, who are talkative and friendly. Asking for help is very easy. Done. In Poland, head to Kraków, rich in history and traditional food and easy on your wallet. Beautiful and affordable places to see like the medieval Old Town, the Wawel Castle, the Main Market Square, Kazimierz (Jewish town), Auschwitz-Birkenau or Wieliczka Salt Mine, hard names but very recommended to visit, just write them down. You don’t need to remember the names; just look forward to seeing the beauty. Many of these and other places offer discounts for students or children or free entry days.

Hostels and budget hotels are widely available, and transportation is available and cheap. Talking on the bus is totally allowed but is noisy. Opt for ride-share apps or official taxi companies.

Anyway, when you get off of the bus, buy your lunch from the many stalls and mini restaurants along your way; try Pierogi (dumplings), or sit on a comfortable chair and sip Zurek (sour rye soup) or Placki ziemniaczane (I hope I spelled that right; it’s potato pancakes), all great to feel your ego about visiting Paris.

Between $30 and $50 a day is your budget for one person because there are plenty of things you must try about food or visiting sightseeing.

Not this time either; the currency is not the euro, it is the Polish zloty, PLN in short, and for every 1 dollar is about 4.10 PLN.

Another bonus to being in Europe and especially this city, considered one of the safest cities in Poland and very tourist-friendly.

4. Lviv, Ukraine

Yes, Ukraine, but not all places in Ukraine are at war, in heart but not like geographically. The eastern and southern areas are near the conflict zones; otherwise, it is safe for tourists, just avoid being in those regions and always check current safety and travel advisories in your country. Unfortunately, Ukraine is such a beautiful country. God may stop the conflict there.

One of the most beautiful cities in Ukraine is Lviv, and it’s very budget-friendly too. A cheap destination like this city with its beauty can’t be ignored in your travel planner, so write it down and follow the next.

The city has an antique European charm, cobblestone streets, buildings, and nice people. Places recommended to see are the following: the Rynok Square, the Lviv Opera House (cheap tickets), and the High Castle Hill (stunning views of the whole city). Next, how to get to them all: also there are the marshrutkas (minibuses) super affordable and are everywhere, taxis, whatever suits you, and walking stays the great option and the best recommended.

Lodging from hostels and hotels is extremely cheap compared to Paris. The food is amazing; try Borscht or Varenyky (a kind of dumpling) or Salo (cured pork fat, a Ukrainian, not halal food). Don’t miss the coffee; sitting at some cozy cafe is a big culture here. So all in all it will cost you around $30 to 40 dollars.

Yet the currency is still not euros; the Ukrainian people use the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH), and every 1 euro is about 39 UAH.

5# Bucharest, Romania

Romania is an independent country, has nothing to do with Italy or even liking it, and could be better than Italy. We seek cheap destinations here, and definitely Romania is our place. Bucharest is a Romanian city that is a blend of ancient and modern, with communist buildings standing beside modern life of restaurants and markets, providing an extraordinary view, especially at night.

Affordable places to visit are plenty: the Palace of the Parliament (highly recommended), Museum Village (an open-air museum showing Romanian traditional life), Herastrau Park and more, but if your stay is for a short period, you must start with these places. For transportation, use the metro; it’s efficient and very cheap,trams, buses, and Bla Bla car, seriousely called bla bla! for intercity which connects drivers who have empty seats in the back to pick you with other passengers.

Drop the line. Now, for the food budget, there’s nothing to mention about the money, for real. The ceiling is around 20 dollars a day for these incredible listings: Sarmale (cabbage rolls) and Mamaliga sound Italian, and a soup called Ciorba (shorba) de burta.

Your daily costs are around $30 to $45, including a bed for one night of your choice.

The currency is the Romanian Leu (RON); there is no hope for euros or dollars. ATMs are everywhere; for 1 dollar, you have 4.60 RON.

Generally safe; no complaints, the locals are friendly and respectful. Pickpocketing is everywhere in your Europe, less here, but be careful on the metro.

6# Porto, Portugal

Porto, you may know it already; if not, Porto is the favorite destination for budget travelers. It is not only an affordable place but also a beautiful city that can offer you an unforgettable adventure, very cheap and great pictures. Explore the Ribeira District (colorful ashore) and the Dom Luis Bridge (wipe your smartphone camera for a sunset view that’s going to be your background profile photo for a long time). Livraria Lello is a bookstore, unfamiliar for a trip to a foreign country, but you will enjoy and admire it if you’re a Harry Potter fan. Fortunately, many churches and viewpoints are free to go in.

Book your stay from Booking.com or Agoda; they are very affordable and have great reviews for almost all hostels and dorms. Get your way with public transportation; metro and budget trains (Comboios), otherwise, go for walking, it’s much more convenient.

Time for food; you need fuel to walk, and it’s again! Cheap, go for Francesinha, I don’t know how to spell it. Anyway, it’s a juicy meat sandwich, or try Bacalhau and many more. When we talk about a very cheap or affordable place, please keep in mind it is not South America or Asia; we are still in Europe, so the daily budget should always be over 30 dollars and can sometimes reach around $40 or even $60 per day.

Congratulations, the currency is Eurooo, yes, finally, easy money, easy visa, easy on your balance, everything. Porto is very safe and welcoming since there are plenty of tourists there all year. Solo travelers too can feel comfortable walking alone, even at night.

Pickpocketing is a big problem in Europe, so be aware of spots like Sao Bento station or Dom Luis bridge, and watch your stuff.

7# Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia & Herzegovina is one country, and Sarajevo is a city in this country, and this city is a cultural spot with rich Ottoman history (Turks opening movements era) seen in its architecture and local costumes.

The food is the most important here.Ćevapi, Pljeskavica, Burek, Krompiruša, check more on What to eat in Sarajevo.

Activities for tourists are very low; it’s a perfect place to calm and relax, walking after a grand meal, with nothing to spend your money on besides food, making it perfect for budget travelers seeking walking spots, calm vibes and an affordable place too.

While you walk in Sarajevo, don’t miss the old bazaar and the mosques with their stunning architecture, enjoying the mountain views along the way. You can use the tram or buses.

No euros or dollars, sorry. Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the convertible mark (BAM), and for every 1.75 BAM is about $1.

As an Islamic country, it is very safe and calm, as mentioned before. Go for a walk at night through the charm of the lighting of the mosques and the nice breeze. Plus the locals are warm and helpful. Otherwise, stay away from rural areas.

Your daily budget is going to be around less than 5 dollars; start from $25 to $40 for one person.

Conclusion

As you see, Europe doesn’t have to be expensive, so don’t shift your way when someone mentions it, just try it and have the unforgettable adventure that you will talk about your whole life, positively of course.

Just remember to stay aware, respect local customs, and check travel advisories in your country for safety info about conflict territories. Plan wisely and make your way through traveling; it is going to change you definitely for the best. Your European journey starts from here, with cheap and affordable places for travelers seeking culture, food, history, and green spaces.

You more about cheap destination and affordable places around the world? Check the most recommended destination for travelers like you and you plan start in Asia or Americas if you’re close, not far from Europe, but mooore cheaper.