Vacation or a little getaway can be more than just highly luxurious and glamorous. It is also possible to have a low-budget or incredibly perfect holiday. On the other hand, there are many European cities where you can do this. There are cities with excellent texture, history, and architecture, such as Paris, London, and Venice. The only difference is that these cities are not visited by millions of tourists yearly. You can take a look at alternative places to discover the wonderfully secluded corners of Europe and have an unforgettable holiday experience. Although European cities are seen as expensive options for holidays, it is actually possible to spend a cheap holiday in many cities. If you don’t have a hefty budget for vacation or you’re looking for alternatives, here are the cheapest cities in Europe to visit.
Porto, Portugal
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is home to globally known Porto wine. Porto is also the second most visited city in Portugal after Lisbon. During your visit, you will immediately realize how cheap Porto is. On the other hand, it has many beauties. The city has a structure that you can walk entirely. However, you better watch out for the slopes. There are many places to visit in the city. Porto Old Town, Livraria Lello, Cais de Ribeira, Torre dos Clérigos, Teleférico Gaia are some of them. When you consider the beauty of port wines and the flavors of Portuguese cuisine, Porto is one of the most beautiful and cheapest cities to visit in Europe.
Valencia, Spain
Spain is a country that attracts visitors with its culture, history, cuisine, and beautiful geography. Barcelona and Madrid are the two cities with the highest number of tourists. When this is the case, it is impossible to go wrong when you think these cities are expensive and crowded. Valencia, on the other hand, is a great alternative. Valencia, the former capital of Spain, has everything you could want from a vacation. The city, which is the center of art and science in Spain, also has a deep-rooted history. There are currently three different UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Valencia. It is a Roman city.
Moreover, a fantastic festival called La Tomatina is held every year. The city has a wonderful coastline. It is home to mouth-watering “Paella” from Spain cuisine. In short, Valencia is the cheapest city to travel in Europe that can please all kinds of visitors. During your vacation, don’t forget to visit Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Jardines del Turia, Mercade Central, Bioparc, and Catedral de Valencia.
Prague, Czechia
Prague is one of the greatest cities to visit in Europe. It is a romantic, cultural, historical, and yet cheap city. The fact that the town is preserved very well. It makes Prague one of the most important cities in Europe. In Prague, you can witness the history and architecture of Europe, have a romantic holiday in a lush park, visit different museums, taste local beers, or sample the famous Czech cuisine. It is one of the least expensive places to travel in Europe. If you visit Prague, you should definitely visit Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and local beer brewers. You’ll be amazed how many brewers are in the city. Considering that Czechia is the world leader in beer consumption per capita, it is not surprising that the beer culture is so developed in Prague.
See also; Where to stay in Prague?
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is less popular than other European cities. Situated on the Baltic Sea shores, Estonia’s capital has a lot to offer its visitors. The city has become more prevalent in recent years and has a breathtaking Old Town. It is the oldest Old Town in the Baltics. Apart from this, you can visit many important places in the city. Tallinn is a very similar city to Prague. However, the most significant advantage is that it is not very crowded like Prague. It is also lovely because it is a highly cheap city. If you visit the city in May, you should attend the annual Tallinn Old Town Days festival. You can experience how medieval life was in Tallinn. You can also visit Bastion Tunnels, Toompea Castle, the KGB Museum, Telliskivi Creative City, the Estonian Maritime Museum, and Ichthus Art Gallery. The city is excellent yet one of the least expensive cities in Europe to visit.
Budapest, Hungary
The capital of Hungary, Budapest, is also known as the Paris of the East. When you visit the city, you’ll understand clearly why they call it like that. Budapest is an excellent mixture of Western and Eastern Europe. There are many important places to visit. It is also one of the least expensive cities in Europe to visit. The city is located banks of the famous Danube River. It has a rich history and surprisingly colorful nightlife. Budapest was once divided by the Danube River as Buda and Pest. Even if it is one city today, you’ll notice the difference during your visit. National Gallery, House of Terror, Great Market Hall, Royal Palace, Cave Church, and Margaret Island are the city’s popular tourist destinations.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb might not have come to mind when you consider visiting Croatia. Dubrovnik, Split, or Zadar are more popular than Zagreb. Zagreb is the capital and most populous city of Croatia. There are many must-see places in the city. Zagreb has not only great texture to visit, but it is also amongst the cheap cities to visit in Europe. There is a museum named Museum of Broken Relationships. It is one of the most frequented places by couples. Away from the crowded Dalmatian Coast, you can have a great vacation in Zagreb. Zagreb Cathedral, Museum of Hangovers, Dolac Market, Botanical Garden, and Makisimir Park.
Athens, Greece
Athens is a massive and antic city in Greece. It is also the capital of the country. Athens is an excellent place for food lovers. With its rich history and cuisine, it is an appealing city. Another great feature of Athens is that it is one of the least expensive places to visit in Europe.Athens is one of the best options if you are on a budget and looking for a cheap place to visit. Thanks to its 1500-year-old history, there are many places to visit in the city. World famous Acropolis Museum is the crown jewel of the town. Besides that, you should also visit the National Archaeological Museum to discover one of the richest civilizations on earth, Ancient Greece. Lycabettus, Athens Central Market, Temple of Poseidon, and Temple of Olympian Zeus are other must-see places in Athens.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. It is no surprise that Lisbon is also in the list of cheapest European cities after Porto. Lisbon has a glamorous history like many other European cities. During your vacation, you can also experience the richness of Portuguese cuisine, starting with tapas. You can discover the city by walking. But be careful because the town has lots of hills. There are many must-see places to see in town. You’ll have a great vacation without boredom. It took 4 or 5 days to discover all the charming places in Lisbon. It would be best if you visited St. George’s Castle first. Because it is on top of the city’s hills and has an immersive view. You’ll be amazed by the castle. You should also visit Alfama, Praça do Comércio, the Thieves market, Jardim Botanico de Lisboa, and Bairro Alto.
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is another one of the tremendous and least expensive cities in Europe. The city might not be alluring at all at first sight, but you should give a chance to the capital of Romania. It is the most prominent and most populous city in Romania. This makes Bucharest a little bit crowded. It is home to the Palace of the Parliament. This colossal building is the largest civilian and heaviest building on earth. The Old Town of Bucharest is also a great place for first-time visitors. Calea Victoriei and Petit Paris are other must-see places in town.
Galway, Ireland
Galway is one of the most underrated places in Ireland. It is also one of the least expensive places in Europe. When you consider Ireland, the first thing that comes to mind is nature, and Galway has many natural wonders. The rural side of the city is like an enchanted forest. The city center is not crowded yet has many places to visit. Galway has a rich culture. Therefore, Creative Europe named the town a Capital of Culture in 2020. The famous Cliff4s of Moher is located in Galway. It is a magnificent cliff 120 high above the Atlantic Ocean. The cliff has over 1,5 million visitors annually. It is also one of the filming locations famous Harry Potter franchise. Aran Islands, Kylemore Abbey, Quay Street, Galway Harbor, and Eyre Square are on the must-see list in Galway.