Sofia, Bucharest, Budapest: The best European cities for travellers on a budget
Some holiday destinations in Europe can be staggeringly expensive - think Monaco, Switzerland and the Amalfi Coast. However, the continent boasts 44 countries and territories, meaning there are trips on offer for every budget.
If you’re looking for a European break which won’t break the bank, you’re in luck.
Interrail Pass provider Eurail has compiled a handy list of the continent’s top ten most affordable cities. Many of them are within reach of the others, too, so a multi-city trip is entirely possible - and not too expensive.
The two most affordable destinations are in bordering countries
Sofia is far and away the most affordable destination in Europe for travellers on a budget.
The Bulgarian capital can be explored for as little as €36.49 per day.
Sitting at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the city is often overlooked by travellers, who choose to ski instead.
The city has plenty to offer though, with gorgeous architecture, rich history and some of the cheapest food and drink in Europe.
The Sofia Art Gallery is free to visit on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and many other attractions, including the National Museum of History and the UNESCO-recognised Boyana Church, also offer free entry several days a month.
If you’re keen to explore another country, there’s a direct train from Sofia to Bucharest - which happens to be the second cheapest city in Europe.
Known as ‘Little Paris’, due to its proliferation of French-inspired architecture and broad boulevards, the Romanian capital is famous for its buzzing cultural scene.
Must-visits include the Palace of the Parliament, just as impressive from the outside and free to gaze at. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the mind-blowing graffiti at the Garajul Ciclop garage.
A well-budgeted day here can cost as little as €38.67. Cheap flights are plentiful to Bucharest, too, and there are plenty of hostel rooms available for under €10 a night.
Two increasingly popular destinations have managed to remain affordable
Budapest is constantly growing in popularity, thanks to its spa culture and fascinating history. Despite its fashionable reputation, it’s still Europe’s third cheapest city, with the average daily cost on a budget just €43.48.
While entry prices to the famous thermal spas can add up, there are countless free or cheap activities to do instead in the Hungarian capital, which is made up of two distinct parts - Buda and Pest - separated by the Danube.
Visitors shouldn’t miss a trip to one of many ruin bars housed in abandoned buildings, or tasting the incredibly potent Unicum liqueur.
For culture vultures, no trip is complete without a visit to the Fisherman’s Bastion. Built in the 19th century to serve as a lookout tower, it’s now world famous for offering some of the best panoramic views of the city.
Entry to the popular National Gallery and picturesque Buda Castle is affordable, too, costing just a few Euros per person.
Costing €43.48 on average for a budget day, Krakow is only a few cents more expensive than Budapest - but has plenty to offer.
Packed full of history and culture, this Polish city is home to some of the best parks - like Park Krakowski, designed in Viennese style - and nightlife in all of Europe.
Krakow’s market square, Plac Nowy, is full to the brim with affordable cafes and bars, as well as shops to pick up a perfect souvenir.
From May to September, the Krakow Nights Festival - Krakowskie Noce - puts on free concerts and, year round, Krakow acts as an ideal base to visit Auschwitz and learn more about the devastating period in European history.
Visit two lesser-known European capitals on a budget
Sarajevo, known as the ‘Jerusalem of Europe’, is an example of the melting pot the continent truly is.
One of few major European cities to have a mosque, Catholic church, Eastern Orthodox church and synagogue within the same neighbourhood, it has an east-meets-west vibe and offers countless diversions.
Relatively undiscovered by tourists, the Bosnia-Herzegovinan capital costs €45.67 for an average day on a budget.
As well as offering free entry to many of the city’s religious buildings, a stroll around the Old Bazaar - Baščaršija is a must. Sarajevo is incredibly walkable and, with low prices for food, drink and accommodation, easily provides a trip affordable to those on the tightest budget.
Only slightly more expensive, with an average daily cost on a budget of €46.62, is Belgrade.
Just walking around the Serbian capital is an experience in itself, thanks to its intact 18th-century fortress, which is free to enter and wander around.
There’s often live entertainment and street music on Skadarlija Street in the city’s vibrant Bohemian quarter. Here, you’ll also find cheap eats, including Serbian delicacies such as sarma, a mix of ground pork or beef with rice rolled in leaves of cabbage, and gibanica, an egg and cheese pie made with filo pastry.
The city pays tribute everywhere to Nikola Tesla, the most famous export, and a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum costs around €6. When you’ve had your cultural fill, head to the Danube river, which is home to seemingly endless amounts of floating bars, cafes and clubs. You’ll soon realise why Serbia’s nightlife has been touted as the best in the Balkans.
When you’ve seen enough, you can take a night train to Zagreb - the next cheapest place on this list.
Croatia and Poland’s capitals are both popular - but affordable
€51.41 is all a full-on day in Zagreb will set you back if you’re on a budget.
Croatia’s capital is a bustling destination - and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Offering some of the cheapest beer in Europe, public transport is also very well-priced, meaning it’s affordable to get around.
There’s also no admission fee to enter Zagreb Cathedral and popular museums such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Illusions cost just a few Euros to visit.
Tkalčićeva Street is a must-visit for low-priced cafes and the Museum of Broken Relationships, which documents loves lost, is simultaneously moving and amusing.
As much of Europe sees tourist taxes shooting up to combat overtourism, Zagreb is actively welcoming visitors, with its own tax just €1 a day - meaning you don’t have to worry about it adding too much to your budget.
The Polish capital is another affordable option for a European break, with the average daily cost coming in at €52.30.
Warsaw is one of the most walkable cities on the continent, so any transport costs can be kept low. Many of its main attractions, such as the Old Town and the street art in the edgy Praga neighbourhood, are free.
The Warsaw Rising Museum, dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, offers free admission on Mondays - and you can also cross the Vistula River on a free ferry.
Milk bars are one of the city’s most famous offerings - and for good reason.
These traditional cafes are popular with locals and tourists alike - and are affordable for everyone. Make sure to try pierogies, a true Polish staple, or Golabki, cabbage rolls perfect for warming up after a chilly walk around this pretty city.
Head to Bratislava or Český Krumlov for culture - and cheap eats
Bratislava has a privileged position in Europe, sandwiched between Vienna and Budapest, but it’s far less well known than those two cities.
Just across the border from Austria, the Slovakian capital is significantly more affordable, with an average daily cost of €56.51.
The popular Slovakian National Museum offers free entry and the Transport Museum costs nothing to enter every first Wednesday of the month.
Tyršák Beach is a place you have to see to believe, with sandy floors and volleyball matches on the banks of the Danube.
The Old Town, dating back to the 18th century, is pedestrian-only and well known for its lively - and affordable - bars and cafes.
While entry to the reconstructed Bratislava Castle does cost €14, it’s also pretty impressive from the outside, thanks to its position perched on top of a hill of the Little Carpathians mountains, which flank the city.
Think of the Czech Republic, and your mind will likely go straight to Prague. The country, though, is home to tonnes of exciting cities - including Český Krumlov, one of the most affordable.
The average daily cost on a budget to visit the destination in the south east is €69.99.
Dominated by its 13th-century castle, Český Krumlov is one of the most picturesque places in the South Bohemia region, and its colourful historical centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 30 years.
With its cobblestone streets and mediaeval architecture, this city is often referred to as being like a fairytale - but, despite the grandeur that conjures up, it isn’t expensive.
Take a free walking tour to get your bearings then head to St. Vitus Church on the banks of the Vltava River.
An important late-Gothic monument, the beautiful building is an important part of Czech history, having been declared a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic in 1995.
Before heading home - or onto another affordable destination - make sure to try traditional Vepřo Knedlo Zelo. Made of roast pork, dumplings and sauerkraut, it’s the ideal dish to warm after you’ve explored the city.
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