Trips to Europe used to be an expensive pleasure, but given the new economic conditions, vacations in the main European capitals have become an almost unaffordable luxury.
Fortunately, in addition to the expensive London, Paris and Rome, there are cheaper European cities, so there is still an opportunity to see Europe without going broke, you just need to carefully plan your trip and choose a direction. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of 10 interesting and inexpensive cities in Europe where a weekend break won’t leave a hole in your budget.
1. Krakow
It is surprising that Krakow, one of the most beautiful and at the same time the cheapest cities in Europe, has not yet been appreciated by tourists. Krakow was the capital of Poland until the end of the 16th century, but even after losing this status it always remained the main cultural and scientific center of the country. Fortunately, unlike Warsaw, the city was practically not damaged during World War II, so many ancient buildings have been preserved here (there are thirty-nine churches alone), the medieval Jagiellonian University and the huge 13th-century royal castle.
2. Budapest
Despite the fact that the popularity of the Hungarian capital has grown greatly in recent years, prices here still remain relatively low. If you choose a hotel not in the very center and use public transport, you can enjoy views of the Danube and classical architecture while staying within a modest budget. Be sure to visit one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths, cross the river on the Chain Bridge and stroll through the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.
3. Lisbon
Even by European standards, there are a lot of attractions in Lisbon and its surroundings – castles, palaces and basilicas, and the decent cost of air travel to the Portuguese capital is more than offset by cheap hotels, restaurants and shops. If you plan to move around the city a lot by public transport or use the funiculars (including the famous Santa Justa city elevator), Be sure to buy a Viva Viagem travel card, this will allow you to save additional money.
4. Prague
Prague has won the love of tourists from all over the world thanks to two factors: cheap Czech pubs and the beautiful historical center. In terms of attractiveness and richness of cultural monuments, Prague is hardly inferior to the main Western European capitals, and a trip here will cost you much less than to Paris or Amsterdam. The only negative is that there are a lot of tourists in Prague during the high season, so choose the less popular months, since this city is beautiful at any time of the year.
Tours from locals in Prague
5. Istanbul
One of the oldest cities in the world, Istanbul is considered a must-visit destination for every history buff. Mosques, bazaars and amazing views of the Bosphorus Strait will not leave even the most experienced travelers indifferent. Today, Istanbul captivates not only with its rich cultural heritage, but also with its low prices, which, alas, fall in inverse proportion to the level of security in the city.
6. Athens
Athens is an ideal city for a weekend – there are enough attractions here for just two days of leisurely exploration. You should set aside one full day to explore the Parthenon and the Acropolis, you will need at least half a day to visit the luxurious archaeological museum of Athens, and if you still have time, check out the Monastiraki area to see the mosque and wander around the market. Despite the fact that Athens is one of the most expensive cities on our list, by European standards it is still a very cheap place, especially if you go there out of season, but in late autumn or even winter.
7. Split
Split is a less touristy copy of Dubrovnik: the same red roofs, white walls and views of the bay. The city is much cheaper and is located in Dalmatia, which is famous for its excellent beaches, so you can combine a visit to Split with a beach holiday nearby. Split, of course, does not have the grandiose city wall of Dubrovnik, but it does have the ancient Roman palace of Emperor Diocletian, which is considered the best-preserved Roman-era palace in the world.
8. Berlin
Despite the fact that Berlin is the capital of one of the richest countries in the eurozone, prices here remain relatively low. Of course, compared to the cities of Eastern Europe, the cost of a night in hotels and hostels in Berlin is not so attractive, but due to the popularity of the destination and the large number of flights, tickets to Berlin can be bought quite inexpensively (especially if you take care of the purchase a few months before the trip).
9. Riga
If you still haven’t been to Riga, try to correct this annoying mistake as soon as possible – after the transition to the euro, prices in this city are constantly rising. The historical center of Riga fully corresponds to the concept of a classic European city – open cafes, pretty squares, surrounded by ancient buildings with tiled roofs, paved sidewalks. Well, the advantages of a holiday in Riga for Russians are obvious: geographical proximity and the absence of a language barrier.
Excursions from local residents in Riga
10. Ljubljana
Gradually, from a place that no one can find on the map, Ljubljana is turning into one of the most popular cities in Europe. It has everything you need for a classic European weekend: a beautiful historical center, good restaurants, architectural monuments, including a large, well-preserved medieval castle. We strongly recommend going to the capital of Slovenia before it begins to attract crowds of tourists and hotel prices have not jumped to the average European level.
