Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe
Are you looking for the cheapest countries to visit in Europe?
These are the top ten cheapest countries in Europe for travelers. As a whole, Europe might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about budget-friendly travel destinations.
But with more than 40 countries in Europe, some places are much cheaper than others.
Countries like Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Ireland obviously aren’t going to make this list. But there are some real gems when it comes to the most affordable countries in Europe.
I’ve personally traveled to all ten of the countries below. I got this data from the World Population Review which takes into account a variety of factors in determining the cheapest countries.
There are a few countries missing from my list compared to theirs, but I have removed several countries that are currently unstable to travel to (Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus) and two I haven’t been to yet (Belarus and Serbia) as I can’t personally comment on the costs or recommend these destinations.
All of the countries below can be visited for under $100 a day including accommodation, food, activities, and transportation, and the first few countries on the list for even less than that.
Here’s a look at the cheapest countries in Europe that are great for travelers:
1. North Macedonia
North Macedonia is number one when it comes to inexpensive destinations in Europe. This small landlocked country in the Balkans is off the beaten path and still a hidden gem for travelers.
The highlight of North Macedonia is its natural beauty: destinations like Lake Ohrid and Matka Canyon are impressive and stunning. The capital Skopje is also worth a visit for its crazy architecture.
North Macedonia combines well with a trip to the next four countries on this list since they’re all in the same region if you want to do a longer budget backpacking trip through the Balkans.
2. Bulgaria
Another cheap destination in Europe is Bulgaria. The sprawling capital Sofia is a great place to start your trip. Rila Monastery and the Rila Seven Lakes is a popular day trip to take from Sofia.
You also shouldn’t miss the beautiful historic and cultural cities of Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo. If you’re visiting in the winter, Bansko is a popular budget-friendly ski destination in the Pirin Mountains.
3. Romania
One of my favorite cheap countries in Europe is Romania. I found the capital city Bucharest to be a really cool destination that reminded me of a slightly grittier version of Paris in many ways.
You also can’t miss visiting Transylvania, home to the iconic Bran Castle, which inspired Dracula, and other beautiful castles like Peles Castle. The town of Brasov is a great place to base yourself here.
Other beautiful Transylvanian towns to check out include Sibiu and Sighisoara.
4. Albania
Albania is another very affordable Balkan country that is still pretty under the radar when it comes to tourism. The capital Tirana is a funky city where you can easily spend a few days exploring.
You also shouldn’t miss the historic towns of Berat (nicknamed the City of a Thousand Windows) and Gjirokaster. Albania is also known for its beautiful beaches along the Adriatic Sea.
If you’re looking for cheap beach destinations in Europe, I think Albania is number one. The beaches rival those of Greece or Croatia, yet they’re much less expensive. However, the Albanian Riviera has definitely been growing in popularity and is getting to be a pricier destination, especially in peak summer months.
5. Montenegro
Montenegro is a beautiful small hidden gem in Europe. The most popular destination in the country is Kotor, located on the stunning Bay of Kotor. However, this is also by far the most expensive destination in Montenegro because it’s a big cruise ship port, so I wouldn’t recommend staying there.
But outside Kotor, everything is much cheaper. I’d recommend renting a car to explore Montenegro on your own because it’s pretty small. Don’t miss the beach towns of Budva and Sveti Stefan.
Montenegro also has a lot of natural beauty inland, including Durmitor National Park.
6. Poland
The five countries above are all part of the Balkans, while the next cheapest country, Poland, is considered to be part of Central Europe. Poland is a great destination for travelers on a budget.
Where this large country really shines, in my opinion, is its cities. Poland is full of beautiful cities including the capital Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and Gdansk. It’s a great destination for history and culture. Poland also has great outdoor destinations, like the budget-friendly mountain town of Zakopane.
7. Croatia
Croatia is an interesting destination on this list because while it’s still affordable overall, you wouldn’t know it if you only stay in popular destinations like Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar.
Many of Croatia’s coastal destinations have gotten really expensive in recent years, especially during the peak summer season. I recommend visiting in the off-season or staying in lesser-known towns (for example, Sibenik instead of Split) to save money. However, Croatia is definitely worth it!
Aside from its amazing beaches on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is home to stunning national parks like Krka and Plitvice Lakes. If you want to get off the beaten path, visit Central and Eastern Croatia away from the pricy beaches. This is where you can still find super affordable prices in Croatia.
8. Slovakia
I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable Slovakia was, especially compared to neighboring Austria. This Central European country is also more affordable than neighboring Hungary and the Czech Republic, two “budget-friendly” destinations that have rapidly gotten more expensive in recent years.
Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, is a great place to spend a few days. If you prefer nature to cities, the High Tatra Mountains in Slovakia are great for an outdoor getaway during any season.
9. Latvia
These last two entries take us to the Baltics, an underrated region in Northern Europe consisting of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. While Estonia is a little pricier and didn’t make the cut for this list, Latvia does.
The charming capital Riga is a great place to start your trip to Latvia. I also recommend visiting the Baltic Sea town of Jurmala, Gauja National Park, and the historic towns of Sigulda and Cesis, both of which are home to some historic castles. Bauska is another destination with castles and palaces.
All of these are great day trips from Riga if you’re short on time.
10. Lithuania
Finally, Lithuania is one of the most affordable countries in Europe for travelers. I actually found Lithuania to be a little cheaper than Latvia, based on my own personal experience traveling to the Baltics.
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is a beautiful city in which to spend a few days. There are lots of things to do in Vilnius, including exploring its charming Old Town. You can also take a day trip to Trakai Lake, which is famous for its historic castle located on an island in the middle of the lake.
Kaunas is another city in Lithuania worth a visit. You can easily combine a trip to the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) with nearby Poland for a longer budget backpacking trip. I would highly recommend this region of Europe if you’re looking for somewhere easier and calmer than the Balkans!
Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe
This guide showed you the cheapest countries to visit in Europe.
Traveling to Europe doesn’t have to break the bank. As someone who has visited all of these countries, I can honestly say I spent about the same in them as I did in many “cheap” countries in Central and South America. So Europe can definitely be an affordable region of the world for travelers.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly destination in Europe, any of these countries are a good choice.
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