Budget-Friendly European Cities to Visit This Year

Ever dream of strolling the streets of Europe? Admiring glorious examples of architecture, art, or scenery?

You can still explore the history and wonder of Europe’s grandest cities on the cheap. In the paragraphs that follow, I share with you the low-down on five of my favorite budget-friendly European destinations that are not to be missed on your next trip across the pond.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, without a doubt, should be at the top of your low-cost bucket list in Europe. This magical city is like a fairy tale come alive, its castle standing as a proud sentinel over the wide-bending Vltava River, and its neighborhoods bursting with meandering medieval homes, cobblestoned footpaths, soaring Gothic spires, and Art Nouveau cafes. You could spend all day here just marveling and never pay a single cent.

One of my favorite spots in Prague is to cross the famed Charles Bridge and just stop to take in the views. Don’t forget to wander through the Old Town Square and gaze at the multicolored Baroque buildings and the 15th-century astronomical clock.

Berlin, Germany

Don’t miss Berlin, one of Europe’s coolest and most culturally rich cities that you can experience on relatively little money (though hotels can be pricey, so take advantage of the cheap hostels, vacation rentals, and Airbnbs to save on accommodation).

Wandering around the ice-cream stands and along the Spree River that runs through the heart of the city on a stifling late July afternoon, I felt a tinge of sadness that the rich history visible in Berlin’s 20th-century past isn’t chronologically annotated street by street.

But there’s more to this city than its tumultuous history. Berlin is home to world-class art museums, treasure-filled flea markets, and wild nightlife. Use an inexpensive transit pass to ride the subway and city buses, or spend hours exploring huge parks and gardens on foot.

Porto, Portugal

This city, one of the prettiest coastal destinations, straddles two borders: the Atlantic Ocean and the River Douro. Cross the bridges to see neighborhoods clustered on the banks with winding alleys and courtyards. Learn about port wine making at the port wine cellars across the river. Indulge in pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) and other cheap eats and baked goods from the markets and tiny bakeries in town. Finish by resting in the public green spaces the city has scattered all over.

Porto’s costs for accommodation and food are very low, and the city’s beauty and culture are priceless—you get so much for so few euros. It has to be on your bucket list of budget destinations.

Krakow, Poland

Stroll the vast Main Square, sample hearty potato pancakes and pierogis at communist-era ‘milk bars’, and search vintage shops full of unusual Polish knick-knacks.

There’s plenty of inexpensive luxury to be had in Krakow, such as a carriage ride or sipping vodka and caviar, and your travel dollars go further here than at nearly any other site in Europe. It’s royal history with culture and cuisine at discount prices!

Budapest, Hungary

Here, you’ll be seduced by Budapest’s beauty and low prices. Stay in the urban Pest district or the quieter Buda district for great views of the Danube.

In honor of its famed statesman, István Széchenyi, take time to visit one of the city’s legendary outdoor pools and baths (the Széchenyi Baths); experiences to be had in old Turkish-style buildings for only a few euros.

Also, Budapest has Central Europe’s preeminent café culture. Sit for an afternoon, sipping a cappuccino and watching the street from a terrace. For meals, enjoy local Hungarian specialties such as goulash, stuffed cabbage, or cheese-filled pastries—all dirt-cheap.