I’ve Traveled To 12 Gorgeous Cities That Were Surprisingly Affordable + 8 More That Stretched My Budget
Travel’s been my favorite escape, but let’s be honest – some places are a dream for your soul and a nightmare for your budget.
I’ve wandered through cobblestone alleys and sat at sunny cafés in cities that felt like hidden treasures – and others that drained my account faster than expected. Along the way, I found spots where you can live well for less, and a few where you’ll want to double-check your bank app before ordering dessert.
If you’re planning your next European adventure, this list might help you decide where to splurge and where to save.
1. Budapest: Thermal Baths Without Breaking the Bank
Soaking in Budapest’s thermal baths felt like a luxury experience at fast-food prices. My favorite, Széchenyi Bath, cost around $20 for a full day of relaxation in healing waters.
Dining out amazed me too – hearty Hungarian meals with local wine rarely exceeded $15. Even fancy restaurants charged what I’d pay for casual dining back home.
Public transportation was efficient and cheap, with a weekly pass costing less than two Uber rides in most American cities. My riverside apartment rental? Just $35 nightly with stunning Chain Bridge views.
2. Prague: Fairytale Views on a Shoestring
Walking across Charles Bridge at dawn, I couldn’t believe I was experiencing such beauty without emptying my savings. Prague’s medieval charm came with surprisingly modest price tags.
Street food became my go-to, with trdelník (chimney cake) and local sausages costing just a few dollars. Beer was literally cheaper than water – premium Czech brews for under $2 in most pubs!
Castle district entry fees were minimal compared to similar attractions elsewhere. Even my centrally-located hostel, in a converted 15th-century building, charged just $15 per night with breakfast included.
3. Kraków: Poland’s Historical Gem That Pampers Your Wallet
History buffs pay attention! Kraków delivered Renaissance splendor without the Italian prices. My daily budget rarely exceeded $40, yet I enjoyed lavish meals in medieval cellars and stayed steps from Europe’s largest town square.
Free walking tours provided deep historical context, while museum entrance fees averaged just $5-8. The Jewish Quarter offered incredible food deals – I still dream about those $3 pierogi plates!
Day trips to significant sites like Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine were remarkably affordable through local operators. Even fancy cocktails in upscale bars rarely topped $6.
4. Valencia: Mediterranean Bliss Without the Markup
After visiting Barcelona, Valencia felt like finding a secret Mediterranean paradise at half price. Beach days cost nothing beyond bus fare, while the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences offered student discounts that saved me 40%.
Authentic paella valenciana set me back just €10-12 in local-approved restaurants away from tourist zones. Fresh produce markets became my kitchen supply, with bags of oranges, vegetables and local cheese costing pocket change.
My favorite discovery? The converted riverbed park running through the city provided miles of free recreation, picnic spots, and outdoor workout areas.
5. Porto: Wine Country Charm Without the Champagne Prices
Wine tastings in Porto shocked me – not with prices but with value! Premium port wine flights cost €5-15, often with riverside views thrown in for free. My boutique guesthouse charged just €45 nightly, including homemade breakfast and local wine samples.
The historic Ribeira district offered endless photo opportunities without entrance fees. When I did splurge on the famous bookstore that inspired Harry Potter scenes, the ticket price was deducted from any book purchase.
Seafood dinners with ocean views averaged €15 per person, making me wonder why more travelers don’t choose Porto over pricier European destinations.
6. Belgrade: The Balkan Bargain I Never Expected
Before visiting Belgrade, I knew little about Serbia except its complex history. What I discovered was Europe’s best-kept budget secret – vibrant nightlife along the Danube where cocktails cost $3-4 even at trendy spots.
My modern apartment in the hip Dorćol neighborhood ran just $25 nightly. Coffee culture rivals Italy’s, but at a third of the price. The massive Kalemegdan Fortress provided days of exploration completely free of charge.
Local restaurants served enormous meat platters meant for sharing at $15 total. Even high-end dining experiences rarely exceeded $25 per person with drinks included.
7. Riga: Baltic Beauty That’s Easy on Your Budget
Riga’s stunning Art Nouveau architecture rivals Paris, yet I spent less than $40 daily exploring Latvia’s capital. My centrally-located hotel charged just $35 per night for a room that would cost triple elsewhere.
The Old Town’s winding cobblestone streets led to craft beer bars where pints cost $2-3. Traditional Latvian cuisine – hearty stews, black bread, and smoked fish – rarely exceeded $10 per meal, even in sit-down restaurants.
Museums and cultural sites typically charged $3-5 entrance fees, with many offering free days monthly. Even my splurge on an opera ticket cost just $15 for decent seats!
8. Lisbon: Portugal’s Sun-Soaked Bargain
My jaw dropped when I tallied up my expenses after a week in Lisbon. For under $50 a day, I enjoyed fresh seafood, rode iconic trams, and sipped espresso at charming cafés.
The city’s colorful buildings and tiled facades created perfect photo opportunities at every turn. What surprised me most was how affordable quality accommodations were, even in central neighborhoods.
Sunset viewpoints (miradouros) offered free entertainment, while museums cost half what I’d pay elsewhere in Western Europe.
9. Sofia: Bulgaria’s Underrated Capital of Value
My friends questioned my week in Sofia, but I’m still thanking my travel instincts years later. This Balkan gem delivered mountain views, Roman ruins, and Orthodox church splendor at astonishingly low prices.
My daily expenses rarely topped $30, including meals and transportation. The city’s mineral springs offered free natural hot springs that locals fill bottles from. Vitosha Mountain provided hiking opportunities just a cheap public bus ride away.
Cultural experiences like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral impressed me with their grandeur yet charged minimal entrance donations. Even upscale restaurants served multi-course meals with wine for under $20.
10. Zagreb: Croatia’s Inland Treasure That Saved Me Euros
While coastal Croatia commands premium prices, Zagreb offered European charm at a fraction of the cost. My morning ritual became sipping $1.50 espresso at café-lined Tkalčićeva Street while watching the world go by.
The Museum of Broken Relationships – one of the city’s quirkiest attractions – charged just $5 admission. Street food markets served cevapi (grilled minced meat) in fresh bread for $4, keeping my lunch budget minimal.
Even my spontaneous day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park cost less than similar natural wonders elsewhere. Zagreb’s affordable trams made city navigation simple at less than $5 daily.
11. Athens: Ancient Wonders at Modern Bargain Prices
Athens surprised me by offering world-class historical sites without world-class prices. The Acropolis multi-site ticket cost €30 for a week of unlimited access to major archaeological wonders – try finding that value in Rome!
Street souvlaki became my budget-saving grace at €2-3 per hearty wrap. Neighborhood tavernas served authentic Greek dishes with house wine for under €15 total. My comfortable room in the hip Psiri district cost just €40 nightly.
Free walking tours provided context for the ancient ruins scattered throughout the city. Even the upscale Plaka neighborhood offered affordable shopping compared to other European capitals.
12. Tallinn: Medieval Magic Without Emptying Your Treasure Chest
Stepping into Tallinn’s Old Town felt like entering a medieval fairy tale, complete with surprisingly reasonable prices. Estonia’s digital-forward economy meant contactless payments everywhere, while still maintaining 14th-century charm.
My boutique hotel within the city walls cost €55 nightly – half what I’d pay in Western Europe. Traditional Estonian restaurants served hearty game dishes and local craft beers for €15-20 total.
The TV Tower offered panoramic views for just €13. Even my splurge on a private walking tour with a local historian cost less than group tours in more visited capitals. Winter visits brought additional discounts of 30-40% on accommodations.
13. Paris: Beautiful but Budget-Busting
Oh, Paris – how you charmed me while emptying my wallet! Even with careful planning, my daily expenses hit €150-200. Hotel rooms the size of closets started at €120 nightly in decent neighborhoods.
Restaurant meals became special occasions rather than daily occurrences, with dinner for two easily reaching €100 with modest wine. Museum entrance fees added up quickly despite the museum pass – the Louvre alone was €17.
My saving grace came from picnics by the Seine with supermarket baguettes and cheese. Still, transportation, coffee stops, and occasional shopping made Paris my beautiful budget-breaker.
14. London: Where My Credit Card Wept
London quickly taught me why it consistently ranks among the world’s most expensive cities. My modest hotel room in Zone 2 cost £150 nightly – and that was considered a “deal” by locals!
Transportation shocked me most – a weekly Tube pass set me back £37, while single rides approached £6. Even casual pub meals with a pint rarely fell below £20 per person.
The city’s incredible museums offered free entry, which helped somewhat. But theater tickets, attraction fees, and shopping temptations ensured London left my budget in tatters. Worth every penny? Absolutely – but I needed recovery time afterward.
15. Oslo: Nordic Beauty at Premium Prices
Norway’s stunning capital quickly established itself as a budget-destroyer. My morning coffee habit became a luxury at $5-7 per cup. A basic hotel room started at $150 nightly, with more comfortable options exceeding $200.
Restaurant dining proved nearly impossible on a modest budget – simple burgers cost $25, while nicer meals easily reached $50 per person without alcohol. When I did brave a beer, the $12 price tag made me savor every sip.
The city’s incredible museums and outdoor spaces provided some relief, though even public transportation felt premium at $11 for a day pass. Oslo’s beauty was undeniable, but so was its impact on my savings.
16. Copenhagen: Danish Design at Designer Prices
Copenhagen’s perfect streets, cycling culture, and design aesthetic captivated me – while its prices left me breathless. Basic hotel rooms started around $180 nightly, with apartments not much cheaper.
The famous food scene came with infamous costs – even street food hot dogs ran $7-9, while sit-down restaurants easily hit $40 per person for lunch. My Nyhavn harbor photos came with $8 coffee memories.
Bicycle rental provided affordable transportation at $15 daily, saving me from public transit costs. Free activities like wandering colorful Nørrebro and window-shopping for Danish design helped stretch my króner, but Copenhagen definitely qualified as a splurge destination.
17. Amsterdam: Canal Views at Premium Rates
Amsterdam’s picturesque canals came with picture-perfect prices to match. My canal-view room – barely larger than the bed itself – cost €180 nightly in a mid-range hotel.
Restaurants consistently charged €18-25 for main courses, while museum entrance fees averaged €15-20 each. Even the famous “coffee shops” sold their specialty products at tourist-targeted prices.
Renting a bicycle provided both authentic experience and budget relief at €15 daily versus public transportation. Free activities like wandering the Jordaan neighborhood and people-watching in Vondelpark helped balance splurges. Still, Amsterdam required financial planning beyond most European destinations.
18. Zurich: Swiss Perfection at Eye-Watering Prices
Switzerland’s reputation for high costs proved entirely accurate in Zurich. My modest hotel room started at 220 Swiss francs nightly – approximately $240 – making it my most expensive European accommodation.
Restaurant prices initially seemed reasonable until I realized the portions were smaller than elsewhere. Coffee and pastry breaks routinely cost $12-15, while dinner for one easily exceeded $50 without alcohol.
The efficient public transportation came with efficient pricing – about $8 for a short tram ride. Lake activities, museum entries, and shopping all commanded premium prices, making Zurich a destination that demanded serious budgeting beforehand.
19. Geneva: Diplomatic Luxury Beyond My Diplomatic Budget
As a hub for international organizations, Geneva clearly caters to expense accounts rather than backpackers. My search for affordable accommodation proved nearly impossible, with basic hotels starting around 200 Swiss francs ($220) nightly.
The famous lake and fountain impressed me, but so did restaurant prices – casual meals rarely dipped below $25-30 per person. Even fast food combos approached $15!
Public transportation passes helped somewhat at 10 francs daily, and the free museum days became essential planning points. The surrounding mountains offered breathtaking views that almost justified the breathtaking prices. Almost.
20. Stockholm: Swedish Style with a Substantial Price Tag
Stockholm spread across 14 islands captured my heart while capturing a significant portion of my travel fund. Hotel rooms started around 1500 Swedish krona ($150) for very basic accommodations in central areas.
The fika (coffee break) culture proved delightful but costly at $8-10 for coffee and a cinnamon bun. Restaurant meals consistently hit 250-350 krona ($25-35) per person for simple fare.
Stockholm’s impressive museums charged admission averaging 150 krona ($15) each. The stunning archipelago boat tours provided my favorite experiences but added 300+ krona to daily expenses. Free walking tours became essential for both information and budget management.