Forget Paris and Rome: These 12 Cheap European Getaways Feel Priceless

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The best cheap getaways in Europe allow travelers to explore some of the continent’s most fascinating countries without breaking the bank. Generally speaking, Europe isn’t often considered a cheap place to travel. Popular tourist destinations like London, Paris, and Milan hit travelers’ wallets hard with expensive accommodation, food, and drink.

However, there are also plenty of places in Europe that offer affordable vacations. Better yet, Europe has something for everyone, so it doesn’t matter if you want to relax on a beach or explore a city; there is something on offer.

Here are 12 of Europe’s most affordable getaways. These destinations were selected because they have a low average daily travel cost.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

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If you and your friends are looking for a cheap beach getaway in Europe, look no further than Sunny Beach, a lively beach resort along Bulgaria’s scenic Black Sea Coast. Sunny Beach is one of Europe’s most popular summer vacation destinations. It’s famed worldwide for its picturesque beaches, emerald waters, warm temperatures, and vibrant nightlife.

A firm favorite with party-going groups of friends, you’ll likely spend most of your time in Sunny Beach relaxing on the beach and dancing the night away in nightclubs.

Having said that, there are also various attractions, such as Action Aquapark, Sunny Beach Amusement Park, and the Sea Garden. The average daily travel cost in Sunny Beach is only $81.

Sarandë, Albania

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Travelers who prefer a more relaxed, cheap getaway in Europe are better suited to Sarandë, a gorgeous hidden-gem beach destination in Albania. The daily travel cost in Sarandë is slightly higher than Sunny Beach ($118), but it more than makes up for that with the promise of tranquility, beautiful beaches, and turquoise water.

In Sarandë, you can stay in an affordable beachfront resort, enjoy scenic strolls along the Albanian Riviera, relax on tropical-esque beaches, and explore the city’s magnificent landmarks.

Must-visit points of interest in Sarandë include Sarandë Beach, Mango Beach, Lëkurësi Castle, and the Saranda Embankment. In summer, temperatures in Sarandë hit 90°F (32°C), so don’t forget to pack your sunscreen.

Vlorë, Albania

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You can also enjoy a cheap European getaway in Vlorë, Albania, where the average daily travel cost is only $92. Like Sarandë, Vlorë is well known for its exotic beach, sunny skies, and affordable resorts. Summer temperatures in the coastal city also reach 90°F (32°C), making it the perfect destination for a beach holiday.

You’ll spend most of your time in Vlorë relaxing on the beaches, swimming in the dazzling emerald waters, tucking into delicious food, and exploring the city’s best attractions.

Places of interest you don’t want to miss in Vlorë include Vlora Old Town, Muradie Mosque, Independence Monument, and Lungomare. Meanwhile, the best beaches are Plazhi i Ri, Plazhi i Vjeter, and the nearby Narta Beach.

Chania, Crete, Greece

If you’ve always wanted to visit Greece but don’t have a big budget, head to Chania, a breathtaking coastal city on the northwest coast of Crete, one of the most affordable Greek islands. The average traveler only spends $102 daily in Chania, so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank.

Chania is a charming Greek town offering travelers postcard-perfect beaches, turquoise waters, and a magnificent 14th-century Venetian harbor. In Chania, you’ll spend most of your time exploring the city, eating authentic Greek food, swimming in the sea, and relaxing on the beach.

Noteworthy attractions include the 16th-century lighthouse, Nea Chora Beach, the Nautical Museum, and the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is one of Europe’s most affordable capitals. The average daily travel cost in the city is approximately $100. Tallinn is an underrated travel destination that offers something for every kind of traveler.

Whether you want to embrace local cultures, explore historic architecture, eat delicious food, or experience a white Christmas, Tallinn has what you want.

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Tallinn’s biggest highlight is Tallinn Old Town, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with beautiful buildings and quaint homes. Must-visit attractions in Tallinn Old Town include Town Hall Square, Toompea Hill, Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum, and Town Hall Pharmacy, which, according to Visit Tallinn, is the oldest pharmacy in Europe.

Riga, Latvia

Another of Europe’s cheapest capital city getaways is Riga, the capital of Latvia, where the average daily travel cost is less than $115. Situated at the mouth of the River Daugava on the Baltic Sea, this picture-perfect city is well known for its stunning architecture, traditional cuisine, and picturesque walks.

A popular travel destination with couples, backpackers, and history lovers, most travelers spend their time in Riga visiting the most famous attractions. One place you don’t want to miss is Riga’s historic medieval Old Town.

You’ll find magnificent landmarks like St. Peter’s Church, Livu Square, and Riga Cathedral here. Other must-visit attractions in the city include the Freedom Monument, the House of the Black Heads, and Riga Central Market.

Vilnius, Lithuania

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Vilnius, Lithuania’s stunning capital, is considered one of Europe’s cheapest destinations for a city break. With an average daily travel cost of $103, it’s hard to disagree. You can easily find affordable accommodation, cheap eats, and free attractions in Vilnius. Aside from being an affordable destination, Vilnius is an extraordinary city to explore.

Firstly, the city has a fascinating 700-year history that is begging to be discovered. Start your journey by getting lost in the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Then, enjoy a romantic walk along the Neris River and grab something to eat at Downtown Food Hall & Kino Deli.

Of course, you’ll also want to visit the city’s most famous landmarks, including Vilnius Cathedral, St. Anne’s Church, Gediminas Castle Tower, and the Gate of Dawn.

Kraków, Poland

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In Kraków, you can step into your favorite fairytale story without burning through your hard-earned cash. This magical city in Southern Poland is famed for its awe-inspiring medieval architecture and historic Jewish Quarter. It’s also recognized as one of Europe’s cheapest cities, with an average daily travel cost of just $66.

In Kraków Old Town, you’ll find the mesmerizing Rynek Glówny, a 13th-century market square with stunning landmarks. In Rynek Główny alone, you’ll find Town Hall Tower, Sukiennice, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, and the Rynek Underground Museum.

After visiting Rynek Główny, explore the rest of Kraków, making sure you stop at Dworek Street Food Park, Kraków Barbican, and the National Museum.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is arguably the best cheap getaway destination in Europe. This world-famous city offers travelers scenic river walks, beautiful medieval castles, a rich history, and a party atmosphere for less than $115 a day. We don’t know about you, but that sounds perfect.

This budget-friendly city is a big hit with romantic couples, history buffs, and party-going groups of friends. During your visit, get lost down the charming Old Town’s winding cobblestone streets, sample local delicacies at Republic Square, walk along the Vltava River, and visit the famous Prague Astronomical Clock.

Other notable points of interest in Prague include St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, and Charles Bridge.

Paphos, Cyprus

If noisy city breaks aren’t for you and you’d prefer to spend your cheap European getaway by the beach, head to Paphos in Cyprus. Paphos is a Mediterranean seaside city along Cyprus’s southwest coast. It’s best known for its pristine golden-sand beaches, calm turquoise waters, and budget-friendly vacation resorts. What’s not to like?

Beach-going tourists can spend their time in Paphos sunbathing on SODAP Beach, swimming in the sea, or relaxing at their all-inclusive resort. However, there are also plenty of things to see and do.

For example, Paphos is home to the Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos, the Archaeological Site of the Tombs of the Kings, and the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark. The average daily travel cost in Paphos is only $106.

Valencia, Spain

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, has an average daily travel cost of $134, making it one of Europe’s cheapest big-city getaway destinations. For context, Barcelona’s average daily travel cost is $200. Valencia is a beautiful city on the banks of the river Turia. It’s best known for its vibrant culture, impressive architecture, arts, and science.

One of the best things about Valencia is the wealth of things to do. History buffs will enjoy discovering the city’s best landmarks, while outdoor enthusiasts will love the city’s open green spaces and landscapes.

Meanwhile, foodies will adore Valencia’s food scene, and museum lovers won’t be short of options. Notable attractions in the city include Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Mercat Central de València, and Jardín del Turia.

York, England, United Kingdom

York is an excellent example of how you can explore Europe’s most popular countries without spending too much money. Generally, the United Kingdom is considered an expensive travel destination. For example, London’s average daily travel cost is almost $250. However, you can enjoy everything England offers in York, Northern England, for less than $140 a day.

York is a beautiful medieval city famed for its impressive architecture, unique attractions, and haunted streets. In fact, York is often cited as the most haunted city in Europe.

Highlights of a visit to York include the Shambles, a well-preserved 14th-century street, York Minster, the JORVIK Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum York. I also strongly recommend getting a hot chocolate from Cocoa Joe’s.