Think you can't afford to travel this year? Check out these cheap European destinations for your next trip. From Budapest to Palermo, these cities are bursting with beautiful scenery and delicious food, and are fit for travelers on a budget.
From one end to the other, Europe is every traveler's number one dream destination. Unfortunately, when we think of places like Paris, France and London, England, the first thing that comes to mind is that they're way too expensive.
But if you can't afford to travel to the most popular tourist cities around Europe, don't sweat it!
The cities on this list are not only picturesque and full of history and delicious food - they're also affordable for travelers who are working with a budget. Check out all of these amazing and cheap European destinations!
A quick note on prices: the costs below are rough per-person estimates for 2026, not counting flights. They'll swing up or down with the season (summer is always pricier) and your travel style, so treat them as a starting point for your budget, not a quote.
Budapest, Hungary
Walking is free, so take a 1-kilometer stroll through Hungary's capital up to Castle Hill and enjoy the spectacular view of the city below from Fisherman's Bastion (the lower terraces are free, and there's a small fee for the upper towers during the day). Travelers will also be able to visit the local museums that trace the history of the city, as well as art galleries and more. While most of these attractions are not free, the admission fees are fairly modest.
Luckily, it won't cost a thing to admire the outside of Matthias Church or St. Stephen's Basilica, and the entry fee for the spectacular Cave Church on Gellért Hill is small. Plan on roughly $70-100 per person per day if you're staying in a mid-range hotel and eating out. Keep in mind that Hungary uses the forint, not the euro. If you're a big fan of beer, prepare to grin from ear to ear, because a large draft beer is usually around 1,000-1,500 HUF (about $3-4). If you enjoy goulash, expect to spend about 3,000-4,000 HUF on a bowl of this hearty delicacy at a casual restaurant. Planning your first visit? Our Budapest tips for first-time visitors cover the practical stuff, from getting in from the airport to using public transit.
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Visiting Český Krumlov is like traveling back to the 14th century. You can walk through the historical alleyways, buildings, and holy places like the Church of St. Vitus, all of which have withstood the test of time. To avoid breaking the bank, skip the souvenir shops and head to Mount Kleť to do some hiking, or go kayaking on the Vltava River. The town is also an easy add-on to a trip to Prague, about three hours away by bus. Budget around $60-90 per person per day, including a simple hotel or guesthouse.
Of course, the cost of meals in the Czech Republic can vary, and the country uses the koruna (Kč), not the euro. A lunch menu at a local spot away from the main square usually runs around 200-250 Kč, and a half-liter of Czech beer typically costs 50-70 Kč (roughly $2-3), so if you're planning on having a few cold ones, this is the place to be.
Istanbul, Turkey
The old Hippodrome, once home to the city's chariot races, still has an ancient Egyptian obelisk standing in what's now Sultanahmet Square. Most people head next door to Hagia Sophia, which has been a working mosque again since 2020. Foreign visitors now pay €25 to go inside, so if that's not in your budget, simply enjoy walking past the city's many mosques with their domes and slender minarets, or get lost in the local spice markets to do some budget-friendly shopping.
You can also explore the various neighborhoods like Taksim, which is considered Istanbul's version of Times Square. Turkey's high inflation means prices change quickly, and Istanbul isn't quite the bargain it was a few years ago, so plan on roughly $60-90 per person per day if you're traveling on a budget. Street food is still a steal, though: a sesame-crusted simit costs pocket change, and eating at a local lokanta (a casual canteen) instead of a touristy restaurant can cut your meal costs in half. How accessible is that?
Estonia's Baltic Coast
Swim at the beach or do a little sunbathing while lounging on a towel on the sand. Relax on a beach chair while you watch the ships in the water sail by. Estonia's Baltic Coast offers idyllic views and plenty of relaxation. Take a drive along the coast and enjoy the beauty of the Baltic Sea. Walk along the pier or go on a bike ride through the nearby fishing villages and blend in with the locals.
Plan on about $70-110 per person per day, depending on how often you eat out and whether you add a guided tour or two. Estonia uses the euro. A lunch special at a local cafe is usually around €7-10, which is great news for travelers who don't feel like staying in and cooking every night, while a sit-down dinner runs closer to €15-25. If you're visiting around Christmas, try blood sausage and sauerkraut, the classic Estonian holiday meal, and wash it down with one of the country's original microbrews.
Leipzig, Germany
Skip Munich and Frankfurt and head to Leipzig, which is far more affordable for locals and travelers alike. Plus, the town is a lot quieter than the other cosmopolitan German cities that are overflowing with tourists and crowds. But Leipzig is not a snooze fest either! There are plenty of things to see and do here.
Go on a free walking tour of the old town that begins in Market Square, where the Old Town Hall, a Renaissance building from the 1550s, now houses the city's history museum. There are also a couple of historic churches around, like St. Nicholas Church, where the peaceful Monday demonstrations of 1989 helped bring down the Berlin Wall and paved the way for German reunification.
Plan on about $70-100 per person per day, or a little more if you plan on trying a few beers, hitting the local pubs, or snacking on local pastries like the delicious Leipziger Lerche, a little shortcrust pastry filled with almond marzipan and a hidden cherry that's worth trying. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Leipzig is around €10-15 per person, which is noticeably less than you'd pay in Munich.
Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Rome and Florence are nice, but they're not as budget-friendly as the Sicilian capital of Palermo. So, when building a list of things to see and do on a budget, keep in mind that this city has loads of churches, the third-largest opera house in Europe, and some of Italy's oldest street markets, like Capo and Ballarò. Once travelers are done sightseeing through the city, they can head out to the beach at Mondello, just outside town, or take the hydrofoil out to the island of Ustica for a day of swimming and snorkeling. (If you're still deciding where to go in Italy, here are the best places to visit in Italy.)
Expect to spend around $90-120 per person per day, or a bit less if you stick to budget-friendly meals. Street food is where Palermo really shines for budget travelers: arancine at the Ballarò and Capo markets cost about €2-3 each, and a pane e panelle (chickpea fritter) sandwich is around €2. If you're dining out at a trattoria, expect to pay around €15-25 per person, which is not that bad, considering you're getting prime Italian cooking surrounded by spectacular city views, right?
I hope you're inspired to try out one of these cheap European destinations for your next adventure. For more travel ideas, check out these articles:
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