Ok, so maybe not broke broke. If you’re broke broke, it might be wiser to stay home, live on baked beans and packet noodles, and prioritise the rent.
But if you have some cash to spare, and you’re craving a little adventure (but you don’t want to max out the credit card on €7 coffees on the Champs Elysées), head for somewhere where your money stretches a little further.
Seeing Europe needn’t cost the earth, and we fly to some very cool places that are perfect for anyone looking for cheap city breaks – so read on to get a little inspiration for a budget break that won’t break the bank…
As far as tourism goes, Bucharest is still pretty off the beaten track. That means that you’ll come across a few challenges that you might not get with cities like Paris or Rome, which have been catering for mass tourism for decades.
It also means that you get to be a little intrepid, exploring somewhere that not so many people have been before. And since Bucharest is the second cheapest city in Europe to visit, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to ‘eat good, sleep good, live good’ here for a few days either.
To give you an idea of the sort of bang you get for your buck here, you can easily get a seriously top-drawer, fine dining restaurant experience here in the city centre for under €50.
That’s worth a flight in itself, if you ask us. Don’t miss the Palace of the Parliament either, a building so big it has heating and electricity bills of some €6,000,000 a year.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.38
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught): €1.69
Cappuccino (regular): €1.85
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €7.41
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket):€4.24
Krakow is so, so pretty – one of those places that’ll have you totally charmed within minutes of you setting foot in its lovely streets.
The word ‘enchanting’ can be a bit overused by people who write about places, but honestly, Krakow deserves the accolade. One very charming thing in particular about this place is the fact that, as it’s the third cheapest city in Europe to visit, you get to be enchanted without being bankrupted at the same time.
Krakow has one of the biggest Medieval Town Squares in Europe, the Rynek Główny, and it’s a great place to hang out and people-watch. The Jewish Quarter is a great little place to explore too, and if you can get to the Salt Mines and to Auschwitz for a tour, both are really well worth seeing. Have at least one meal in a Milk Bar.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.52
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught): €1.88
Cappuccino (regular): €1.90
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €5.64
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket):€5.88
Sofia is the perfect place for people who like to immerse themselves in a city’s culture and feel part of things, rather than like an outsider looking in.
It’s one of our newer routes and like Bucharest, it doesn’t have the decades of tourist clout that the Parises and Romes of Europe have – but it has something else entirely.
You won’t spend a weekend walking from sight to world-famous sight checking off your must-see list like you would in somewhere like Rome, so you have a lot more time to experience how people live here.
It’s easy to blend in and more importantly, it’s easy to befriend locals who aren’t jaded by seeing throngs of tourists everywhere. And the locals here are very cool, very welcoming, and lots of fun.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.41
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught): €1.28
Cappuccino (regular): €1.22
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €6.13
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €5.11
Budapest has all the swagger and glamour you’d expect from any of Europe’s big capitals – big impressive buildings, beautiful views over the city, great museums and restaurants... but what it doesn’t have is the hefty price tag that often accompanies such things.
Sure, if you want to go there and spend a lot of money, you can – there are plenty of high end restaurants, shops and hotels where you can hobnob with the fancy people. But if you’re on a tight budget, Budapest can be done on the absolute cheap – and it’s one of the cheapest cities in Europe to drink in.
Head to the ruin pubs for your nightlife fix where you can get beers and wines for as little as a euro each, and at the same time experience something totally unique to the city. If you’re feeling a little tempted, check out our list of things to do, see and eat there for under a tenner, and it might just seal the deal!
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.93
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught): €1.39
Cappuccino (regular): €1.44
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €6.18
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €4.32
Vilnius really worked its charm on me, so much so that even if it were a much more expensive place to go, I’d still be a walking advertisement for it.
It’s a place with a lovely vibe. From the slightly cracked (in a good way) population of The Republic of Uzupis (its little state-within-a-city), to the completely pleasant atmosphere of the Old Town’s main street, it’s an ideal place to go if you want a fairly chilled city break – and one where you can eat like absolute royalty while you’re at it.
A visit to Trakai just outside the city is definitely worth doing; the castle and lakes there are beautiful – and if you fancy some fresh air, get it at Europos sculpture park where it’s accompanied by some very cool art and acres of beautiful pine forest.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.65
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught): €3.00
Cappuccino (regular): €2.20
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €8.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket):€6.50
Bratislava had a bit of a rough time last century and it’s nowhere near as renowned among tourists and travellers as its neighbour Vienna… yet.
We say yet, because any city that can spearhead a movement like the Velvet Revolution the way Bratislava did in the late 80s is destined for big things.
Take a walking tour of the city to learn more about its fascinating history and see its sights, including the Blue Church.
Head to the castle too – even if you don’t go inside – just for the gorgeous views you’ll get back down over the city. And check out our foodie guide to the city for when you want to refuel.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.65
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught): €3.00
Cappuccino (regular): €2.20
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €8.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket):€6.50
Seriously good value, in Ukraine’s capital you get more than just what you pay for. Boiling over with an authentically unique culture, open air street art galleries, churches, sculptures, shopping and never-ending sight-seeing, Kyiv is Eastern Europe’s hidden gem. Pay pennies for deliciously hearty meals and keep the drinks flowing without bankrupting yourself.
Getting around this city won’t cost you more than a cup of coffee either. With a compact city centre, most of the attractions can be reached on foot and the sophisticated metro system will take you wherever your heart desires for a fixed price of 20 cents.
With tons of affordable accommodation and free things to do, this city is a worthwhile cultural experience that won’t break the bank.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.23
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught): €0.84
Cappuccino (regular): €1.01
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €5.02
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €3.35
When it comes to cheap getaways, Tallinn is your next port of call. Wander the idyllic cobbled streets and take in most of the sights without putting a hand in your pocket. Laced with an interesting history, the capital of Estonia is overflowing with impressive landmarks, a vibrant culinary scene, shops galore and museums to spark your curiosity. With regularly scheduled free walking tours of the Old Town, this trip will have you saving money!
For stunning views that’ll cost you nothing, dig out a pair of hiking boots and get climbing Toompea Hill. Watch as the city shrinks below you from Patkuli and Kohtuotsa vantage points that look out over the Old Town and the nearby ocean. Spend the afternoon strolling through Danish King’s Garden and stumbling upon hidden streets such as St. Catherine’s Passage.
Whatever it is that takes your fancy, you’ll find it in Tallinn for next to nothing at all.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught): €4.00
Cappuccino (regular): €2.74
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €8.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €7.00
Cheap and cheerful, the seaside city of Gdansk is one of Poland’s best kept secrets. Lined with picturesque streets, a scenic waterfront and buildings that are attractions in themselves, this city is a budget traveller’s goldmine.
Tour the ancient pathways and capture the essence of the local culture by grabbing a bite at one of the many inexpensive restaurants. Explore inside Europe’s largest brick church, Bazylika Mariacka and climb the steps to the top of the towers (free of charge at the weekend) for spellbinding views over the city below. Visit the iconic Neptune’s Fountain in Long Market and discover the stunning Amber Street.
Forget being swarmed by throngs of eager tourists and enjoy the undiscovered charm on one of the cheapest getaways in Europe.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €1.60
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught): €1.88
Cappuccino (regular): €2.12
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €4.94
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €4.70
A student town with an elegant, delicious edge, Bologna will feed your cultural – and literal appetite from the moment you arrive. Prepare to stuff yourself silly with some of the world’s best tagliatelle for under a tenner and experience a side to Italy you’ve never seen before.
Boasting the oldest university in Europe, this city has reams of history seeping out of its cobbled stoned streets for you to get stuck in to – and the best part, most of it won’t cost you a penny! Stroll along the miles of porticos and gorge on a gastronomic scene that will please even the fussiest of foodies.
Easily walkable with cheap transport on offer if needs be, the only thing left to do is book your flights!
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €5.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught): €5.00
Cappuccino (regular): €1.38
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €15.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €5.00
In the land where beer is cheaper than water, you can bet you’ll bag some good deals when you visit Berlin. Reasonable accommodation prices and budget-friendly food means you can spend a nice chunk of time getting to know the expansive German capital.
Presenting the perfect mixture of wartime history and modern vibrancy, this city really does have something for everyone. take in the monumental Brandenburg Gate, pay your respects at the Holocaust Memorial and snap away at the open – air East Side Gallery along the old Berlin Wall – all for the price of air.
Whether you feel like kicking back under the summer sun in one of the many city parks, or dancing the night away at a super club, Berlin’s got you, and your bank account, covered.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €2.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught): €3.50
Cappuccino (regular): €2.65
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €8.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €5.00
With over 1200 years of history, Morocco’s former capital is bursting with energy that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Incredible mountain views and an interesting walled city await you when you land in Fez.
Get lost down tiny alleyways, meander your way through the souks without hassle and watch in wonder as the workers dye leather at the tanneries. An easily walkable city, pass by breath-taking palaces, mosques, museums and tiled fountains on your way to breakfast.
You don’t have to worry about forking out on accommodation – hostels are top notch and a dime a dozen in this city. Pack your sun hat, brush up on your Arabic and board a plane to one of Europe’s best budget getaways.
Price preview:
Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.55
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught): €2.49
Cappuccino (regular): €1.29
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: €2.77
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range from supermarket): €6.92
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