If you are looking for the cheapest countries to visit in Europe then you are in the right place!
European travel can be quite expensive. However, this is only partly true. Europe is as expensive as you make it and the amount you spend while exploring this vast and diverse continent depends on where you go and when you visit.
There are of course countries that are notoriously expensive – such as Scandanavia, France, The Netherlands and most Western European countries. These countries are beautiful and well worth a visit but if you are on a budget and want to save they are probably not the countries you should be visiting. There are quite a few budget-friendly places in Europe that are just as beautiful and perfect for traveling to!
So if you are stressing about where to visit in Europe on a budget I am here to tell you that Europe is full of great, low-cost countries that will more than satisfy your European travel dreams. The best thing about travelling to these budget destinations is that they can be as cheap as you make them! Of course, you can spend a little more and if you do you will get luxurious perks at moderate prices.
Use this list of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe as inspiration to plan your next European getaway and be prepared to be charmed by these stunning destinations.
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14 Cheapest Countries to visit in Europe
In This Post
Serbia
Serbia consistently ranks as one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Many people tend to skip Serbia in their travel itineraries which is a major oversight. But, not only is Serbia extremely budget-friendly but the country itself is still on its way to reaching its fullest potential. Year by year Serbia is continually creating new infrastructure, hosting new events, and growing economically.
As a top destination for nature and city lovers, Serbia is a budget traveller’s dream.
The capital city of Serbia is Belgrade which is a beautiful city and should be on everyone’s travel itinerary. One of the best things about it – and all the cities in Serbia – is that tourism is just beginning and travelling here is not as popular and crammed with tourists. Therefore, you won’t be stuck in huge crowds all trying to see the main sites and attractions.
If you are looking for a city a little more off the beaten track be sure to check out Novi Sad, and if you are travelling in July head to the famous Exit Festival that’s half the price of other festival tickets but the same amount of fun. The festival is hosted in a very unique venue inside an old fortress!
Budget for Serbia
Cost of accommodation: As low as 3-5 euros per night.
Cost per day: €20 *cost per day = food, drinks, attractions, transportation combined with accommodation.
Best city to visit: Belgrade, Serbia or Novi Sad, Serbia.
Montenegro
Lining the coast of the Adriatic Sea is the small yet stunning country of Montenegro. In recent years Montnengro has had a tourism boom and people are flocking to the Adriatic gem to see the orange-roofed houses, vivid blue waters, and lush green mountains.
As a result, some of the more popular cities like Kotor and Budva have seen raised prices in restaurants and accommodations. However, these are not the only two cities in Montenegro.
In fact, the smaller more authentic cities are the best because they aren’t overrun with tourists and they have retained the local charm. There are a bunch of little towns and cities along the waterline of Montenegro all very budget-friendly and open to visitors. The best of these is Herceg Novi, a small town located near the Croatian border.
Budget for Montenegro
Cost of accommodation: as low as 10 euros per night.
Cost per day: €25
Best city to visit: Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
Albania
Albania is one of the most underrated countries in Europe, and only in recent years has the country seen a rise in tourism. The country itself is beautiful with its rolling mountains, Mediterranean sun, and sandy beaches. Sights as magical as this usually come at a heavy price, but Albania is one of the absolute cheapest countries to visit in Europe!
If you are on the hunt for the perfect mix of Cote d’Ázur and The Amalfi Coast you need to visit Saranda. This city is extremely near to Corfu Greece and has all the same beauty at a very low cost. Beyond here there are a ton of beautiful cities all with cheap accommodation, low-cost food, and a wonderful atmosphere.
Budget for Albania
Cost of accommodation: as low as 10 euros per night.
Cost per day: €25
Best city to visit: Ksamil.
Romania
Romania is the ideal authentic Eastern European country that is full of stunning architecture to admire. Every town in Romain has an Old Town full of beauty and wonder and almost all buildings are made in indigenous architectural styles! Beyond being beautiful, Romania is a very low-cost country to visit.
While traveling around Romania you have to head to the famous Transylvania and search for Dracula’s castle. This is a very unique experience full of history and excitement. If you are thinking of heading on an Eastern European adventure, be sure Romania is on your list.
Budget for Romania
Cost of accommodation: as low as 10 euros.
Cost per day: €25
Best city to visit: Bucharest, Romania.
Poland
Poland is a historic and stunning country that everyone should visit at least once in their life. The best thing about it, in addition to its beauty, is that is it very affordable and having a great time on a budget is more than achievable.
In fact, most of the country’s top tourist attractions are very cheap and the main monuments and buildings and free to enter. Plus government museums have free entrance at least once a week! With all the money you will save on attractions you can splurge a little more on drinks – which are also very budget-friendly.
There are a ton of amazing cities to visit in Poland that is low-cost and great for tourist attractions. Many people go to Warsaw which is the capital city of Poland. There are a ton of amazing things to do in Warsaw, however, smaller cities like Gdansk can be visited as well. They are just as beautiful plus slightly cheaper and less full of tourists.
Budget for Poland
Cost of accommodation: as low as 13 euros a night.
Cost per day: €30
Best city to visit: Gdansk, Poland.
Estonia
Estonia is a small country located in Eastern Europe that, until recent years, had little to no recognition. But now its beauty and charm are becoming recognized and for good reason. However, beyond its beauty and undiscovered charm, it is also a very budget-friendly travel destination.
Most attractions in Estonia are either free or very inexpensive, so the main costs for your travel to Estonia will be the flights and accommodation! This saves you a lot especially if you visit during the off-season when the prices are even lower.
Budget for Estonia
Cost of accommodation: as low as 20 euros per night.
Cost per day: €60
Best city to visit: Tallinn, Estonia.
The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a magical country that is surprisingly very cheap. There are a ton of beautiful cities filled with medieval architecture, museums, gothic churches and much more. The Czech Republic is one of the more mainstream and “touristy” budget-friendly countries that everyone falls in love with.
Many people travel to the Czech Republic to visit Prague, which is a stunning and budget-friendly option. However, broadening your horizons and visiting some other cities will be much more cost-effective.
If you want to avoid the slightly higher prices of Prague I suggest you head to Cesky Krumlov which is called a mini Prague, with the same beauty and charm, but prices are lower, and tourist numbers are lower! With the money you save you can have a few more glasses of delicious Czech beer.
Budget for the Czech Republic
Cost of accommodation: as low as 15 euros.
Cost per day: €50
Best city to visit: Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina is often ignored due to its touristy neighbour Croatia and rarely makes the travel radar. Many people still think of this county poorly due to the conflict that took place 20 years ago, but after 20 years of growth, it is one of Europe’s cheapest and most exciting destinations.
The country is full of beautiful landscapes and stunning cities. The capital city is Sarajevo which is well worth a visit, however, Mostar is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Budget for Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cost of accommodation: as low as 15 euros.
Cost per day: €50
Best city to visit: Mostar, Bosnia.
Latvia
Latvia is characterized by its stunning architecture, ancient castles, lovely beaches, and fairytale forests. It is located along the Baltic Sea and is the perfect travel destination for a short visit. If you head to Riga the capital city of Latvia, you will notice it is quite small, and exploring it fully will only take a few days!
Compared to its near neighbors – Scandanavian – Latvia is relatively cheap and great for a budget traveler. Plus, its small size makes it easy to explore everything on foot and save on transportation costs.
Budget for Latvia
Cost of accommodation: as low as 15 euros per night.
Cost per day: €40
Best city to visit: Riga, Latvia.
Hungary
Hungary is one of those countries that is quite touristy but has shockingly low prices. No one is complaining, because visiting this stunning country and traveling around on a budget is more than doable. The main attraction to Hungary is the capital city of Budapest. This is a stunning city full of ornate architecture and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!
There is also a ton of things to do in Hungary for free! Merely walking around the city and appreciating the stunning sights is more than enjoyable. And stopping at a cafe for food will only put you back around 10 euros for a drink and a meal.
Budget for Hungary
Cost of accommodation: as low as 10 euros.
Cost per day: €55
Best city to visit: Budapest, Hungary.
Portugal
Portugal is a country on the rise! Here you will find beautiful beaches, tasty street food, and a ton of delicious port wine. The country itself is extremely charming and the best part is that it is one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe.
Costs for food, accommodation and activities are all very low so you can indulge a little and your wallet won’t feel it compared to being right next door in the South of France. Even the main cities of Porto and Lisbon are budget-friendly.
In addition to cheap costs while there, flights to Portugal are very cost-effective. The national airline of Portugal, TAP Air Portugal, offers very affordable prices from within Europe and overseas. Just book in advance and avoid the summer months and the prices will be even lower.
Budget for Portugal
Cost of accommodation: as low as 20 euros per night.
Cost per day: €60
Best cities to visit: Porto, Lisbon and Algarve, Portugal.
Italy
Italy is a country on everyone’s bucket list and rightfully so. It is full of some of the most historic and picturesque cities in the world and is the birthplace of pizza! It doesn’t get better than this.
To be fair, not every city in Italy is budget-friendly. If you go to some places like Rome, Venice, Florence, or any other major city during high season you will end up spending quite a bit of money. However, travelling to Italy in the off-season of Nov – March or to lesser-known cities will result in some very low bills.
Budget in Italy
Cost of accommodation: as low as 25 euros per night.
Cost per day: €50
Best city to visit: Sicily, Italy or Bologna, Italy.
Macedonia
Macedonia is a quaint country that holds more beauty than most imagine. It is a southern Balkan country that is a unique mix of Orthodox Christian traditions and Islamic heritage. The country is full of fortresses, medieval churches, Roman amphitheaters and more. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-track travel destination, Macedonia should be on your go-to list.
Meet friendly people, enjoy tasty wines, and soak in the unique environment. Plus, be sure to head to Lake Ohrid for a stunning experience.
Budget in Macedonia
Cost of accommodation: as low as 20 euros per night.
Cost per day: €50
Best city to visit: Lake Ohrid, Macedonia.
Spain
Spain is a popular tourist destination characterized by warm weather, beaches, and tasty tapas. It is a country that has something for every type of traveler and best of all MOST of Spain is very cheap. The most expensive places in Spain you should try to avoid are Ibiza, Barcelona, Minorca, Menorca, and San Sebastian.
There are a ton of beautiful cities to visit in Spain all with their own unique offerings. You could head to Valencia or Alicante for a beach vacation or go to Seville and explore the old city streets.
Just be sure to bring your appetite, the cost of food is very low and what you get for it will keep you full for days.
Budget in Spain
Cost of accommodation: as low as 16 euros per night.
Cost per day: €70
Best city to visit: Malaga, Spain.
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.
I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings, enter your details to get a free quote!
Are you feeling inspired by this lengthy list of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe? I hope you have found a few new or interesting destinations that fit your budget preferences.
No matter where you go in Europe you will be amazed by the beauty and history that each place holds. But saving some money while exploring is always welcome.
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SSW
This is a fantastic list. Some of the places I’ve already thought of, and I’ve been to Spain, but others like Serbia, hadn’t really been on my radar. I like off-the-beaten-path places that aren’t touristy – so much more enjoyable. It seems like the thing I always end up spending more money on when I travel is food because I want to try everything! LOL. For the accommodation cost is that for a budget hotel or a hostel?
A hostel usually! Sometimes you can find very budget hotels too!
My family hundreds of years ago was from Albania. I love to hear that it is inexpensive because I plan to visit it soon. I am going to Spain this April as well.
What a great list. I loved Portugal and always tell people it’s one of my favorite countries. Latvia, Serbia and Montenegro all look stunning as well and I look forward to one day going for a visit.
I’m amazed at how cheap some of these countries are for accommodation. In particular Serbia, as low as 3-5 euros per night, wow. I am certainly going to consider some of these in the future. I already have Czech Republic, Hungary and Portugal in my sights, so I’m pleased to hear they are on your cheapest countries to visit list. But I should also consider Estonia, since most attractions are free!
So many great countries on this list! Why does everyone always think that a trip to Europe means going to Paris, London, and Rome? Sure, those are all beautiful, but expensive cities! I haven’t had a chance to explore Eastern Europe yet but they’re next on my list. I’ve enjoyed Spain and Portugal where I find the cost of lodging and food cheaper as you mentioned. I’ve added Poland and Albania to my list based on your suggestions and I hadn’t considered looking for Dracula’s castle before. Thanks for including some cost ranges too.
Loooove this list!
I have had on my list some Balcanic countries for a while, can’t wait to go!
In Portugal, there are also the Azores Island, that can be reached from Lisbon/Porto with super cheap Ryanair flight and they are an European paradise!
I haven’t been anywhere in eastern Europe yet but I would love to!! But I HAVE done Portugal – can confirm that it’s cheap but fabulous!!
Great list! I really want to visit Romania. Another great one to add, straddling both Europe and Asia, would be Georgia.
Great list! I’ve been to several of these countries but a handful of them weren’t even on my radar!