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Looking for the cheapest European cities that you can cover on a shoestring budget?
Visiting places in Europe doesn’t need to break the bank. (Also check out cheap European countries list here)
In this post you will learn the following about the cheapest cities to visit in Europe
- Top things to do that you should definitely put in your bucket list
- Where to stay including hotels and hostels with daily average prices
- Must-eat local dish
<<If you need to plan a Europe trip on a BUDGET, from start to finish, check out my detailed Europe Trip Planning guide below>>
Without further delay, here’s my top list for cheapest European cities-
Contents
ATHENS, GREECE
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Visit Parthenon and the Ancient Sites. After all, why else are you in Athens?
- Check out the Acropolis Museum. Acropolis museum is considered one of the most important museums in Greece. It houses more than 3000 artefacts from the Acropolis.
- Climb the Philopappou Hill. Philopappou hill is a beautiful park with great views of the Acropolis. There you can discover the Philopappou monument, handmade cobbled roads and the church of Ayios Demetrios Loumbardiaris, a 16th-century basilica with great murals.
- Visit Anafiotika, an island in the centre of Athens. Anafiotika is located in the upper area Plaka, just under the Acropolis. It is a beautiful area constructed by builders from the Aegean island of Anafi.
- Take a day trip to Sounio. Sounio is located just 1 hour away from the city of Athens. Apart from the lovely beaches in the area where you can have a swim in the summer, it is famous for its archaeological site.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $35-$50 per night
Recommendation: Athens Backpackers | City Circus Athens
Hotels
Budget: $55-$155 per night
Recommendation: Ambrosia Hotel Suites | Exarchion Hotel
WHAT TO EAT
Souvlaki: The most typical Greek food that can be found in every restaurant in Athens.
Read Next: How To Travel Europe Cheap
2. BARCELONA, SPAIN
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Admire the famous Sagrada Família. This is where to begin your adventure through Barcelona and the dreamlike works of Antoni Gaudí.
- See the house of Gaudi called Casa Batllo. One of Antoni Gaudí’s most postcard-friendly creations, this apartment block wasn’t created from scratch but was a remodel undertaken at the turn of the 20th century. It’s equally magical at night to visit.
- Head to Casa Mila. Also known as La Pedrera, as the front of the building looks a bit like the face of a quarry, Casa Milà was completed in 1912 and is another emblematic Gaudí building.
- Check out Camp Nou. It’s one of Europe’s football cathedrals and even if you have no affinity for the team you have to visit Camp Nou to appreciate the dizzying scale of the arena.
- Hit the local city beach. If you visit in the summer, you must head to the beach for a chill day and walk along the beautiful promenade. You can easily get there via the city center.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $ 20- $45 per night
Recommendation: St. Jordi Hostel Sagrada Familia |
Hotels
Budget: $60- $160 per night
Recommendation: Hotel Peninsular | El Avenida Palace
WHAT TO EAT
Paella: No foodie trip to Spain would be complete without a paella feast.
Tapas: You can find tapas bars with all you can eat or happy hour offers. Hunt around for the best ones and do stop by to sample some Tapas and Sangria.
READ ALSO: Europe Trip Itinerary 4 Weeks
3. BERLIN, GERMANY
TOP THINGS TO DO
- See the impressive Brandenburg gate. The Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument that has witnessed the history of the city since the 18th century and it should be on top in your list of things to see in Berlin.
- Watch the sunset on the top of the Berlin TV tower. Also known as Fernsehturm Berlin, it gives the best 360-degree view of Berlin. It can hardly stay unnoticed as it is the highest building in the city.
- Visit the Reichstag building. Another historical site to visit in Berlin is the Reichstag, a place where the Parliament sits. It has a glass dome, which is said to represent the political transparency of the city.
- Time travel through East Side Gallery art. East Side Gallery Berlin is a 1316-meter long gallery where 105 paintings by artists all over the globe can be found.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $20-$40 per night
Recommendation: PLUS Hostel | St. Christopher’s Inn
Hotels
Budget: $50-$100 per night
Recommendation: H2 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz | Hotel Berlin, Berlin
WHAT TO EAT
The Berliner Currywurst: One of the signature fast food dishes of the city, you shouldn’t leave without trying this one!
4. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Check out the Parliament building. The Hungarian Parliament Building, which was designed and built in the Gothic Revival style, is one of the largest buildings in Hungary and is home to hundreds of parliamentary offices.
- Walk along the Danube promenade. This stretch of the Danube walkway goes from the Elizabeth Bridge to the Chain Bridge and is perfect for those who want a short, but interesting walk.
- Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica. This basilica is one of the most important religious buildings in Hungary and a beautiful one at that!
- Have a drink at the ruin pubs. Budapest is famous for its “ruin pubs”, in which shabby-chic is the order of the day. One of my personal favourites is Szimpla Kert.
- Take a day off enjoying the Szechenyi thermal baths. The Széchenyi Baths complex is the largest medicinal bath centre in Europe. The waters are rich are believed to help patients with degenerative joint illnesses and other medical issues. Take a day off just to relax in the lovely bath!
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $10-$20 per night
Recommendation: Pal’s Hostel| The Hive Party Hostel
Hotels
Budget : $25-$70 per night
Recommendation: Marmara Hotel Budapest | Carlton Hotel Budapest
WHAT TO EAT
Langos: Deep fried dough, topped off with cheese and sour cream. For cheese lovers, this is a dream!
Goulash: Best known as Hungarian stew, try you must!
5. ISTANBUL, TURKEY
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Sip Turkish Coffee. If there is one thing that you want to try in Turkey was Turkish Coffee.
- Visit a Turkish Bath. You cannot visit Istanbul without experiencing the weird and wackiness of a Turkish Bath, also known as a traditional hammam.
- Marvel at the Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It was once a church and a mosque but is now one of the most visited museums in the world.
- Head to the Blue Mosque. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is Istanbul’s most famous site and is the top thing to do in Istanbul. A visit to the city would not be complete without laying eyes on its beauty.
- Cruise the Bosphorus. You must visit the Asian side of the city when visiting Istanbul. How often can you visit two continents in a matter of minutes and not even have to go through customs.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $10-$15 per night
Recommendation: Bauhaus Guesthouse |Cheers Hostel
Hotels
Budget: $40-$80 per night
Recommendation: Grand Naki Hotel | Gulhanepark Hotel
WHAT TO EAT
Baklava: The finest example of the Turkish dessert and you can find it anywhere in Istanbul.
6. LISBON, PORTUGAL
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Get lost in Alfama District. With a history that dates back to the Moors, Alfama is characterized by narrow, cobblestone streets that wind past dozens of quaint shops, cosy little restaurants and traditional Fado clubs.
- Ride Tram 28. Tram 28, which extends from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique, in particular, takes riders on a tourist-friendly route. Many of Lisbon’s trams, including some used on the Tram 28 route, are the same that were used in World War II.
- Go underwater in the Lisbon Oceanarium. Located out in the blue waters of the Tagus Estuary, the huge Lisbon Oceanarium rises like a hulking aircraft carrier. Inside, the structure houses countless exhibits related to marine life, which together pull in over one million visitors each year.
- Conquer the bulwarks of St. George’s Castle. St George’s Castle is unquestionably the most visible landmark of Lisbon’s historic centre.
- Monastery of St Jerome. The Monastery of St. Jerome or the Jerónimos Monastery, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Lisbon’s Belém district.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $15-$35 per night
Recommendations: Lisboa Central Hostel | Yes Lisbon Hostel
Hotels
Budget: $50-$110 per night
Recommendations: Radisson Blue Hotel Lisbon |Empire Lisbon | Lux Lisboa
WHAT TO EAT
Bacalhau: Dried salted codfish and also one of the national dishes.
7. PORTO, PORTUGAL
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Experience Livraria Lello. This bookstore is one of the most beautiful in the world and has become extra famous as one of JK Rowling’s favorite haunts when she lived in Porto.
- Visit a Wine cellar. Porto is a city famous for wine, and not only for Port. The wine cellars, offer different bottles to sample and there are many cellars to choose from.
- Visit the beach. No matter where you visit in Portugal, fitting in time for the beach is a must.
- Spend some time at São Bento Train Station. It’s been voted one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations.
- Visit Ribeira. If you’re in Porto you absolutely, positively must visit Ribeira. This old city district located by the Douro is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $12- $25 per night
Recommendation: PILOT Design Hostel & Bar | Porto Spot Hostel
Hotels
Budget: $80-$150 per night
Recommendation: Hotel Dom Henrique | Hotel Internacional Porto
WHAT TO EAT
Cozido a Portuguesa: A traditional Portuguese stew, this one does not disappoint!
8. SEVILLE, SPAIN
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Visit the Seville Cathedral. With 80 different chapels, it’s the largest cathedral in the world by volume and is a World Heritage site.
- See the Alcázar. This is a marvellous UNESCO-listed palace complex that is still in use by the Spanish royal family: their chambers, staterooms and halls are on the upper level and can be viewed if you pay a little extra.
- Stop by at the Plaza de España. This colossal monument was built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929 and stands within the Maria Luisa Park.
- Experience Tablaos and Flamenco Shows. A tablao is a good way to watch a show, with live musicians and either a bar or restaurant service.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostel
Budget: $25-$45 per night
Recommendation: Seville Kitsch Hostel Art| Hostal Nuevo Pino
Hotel
Budget: $60-$120 per night
Recommendation: Hotel Becquer | Melia Lebreros
WHAT TO EAT
Bull’s tail: One of the most flavourful dishes you are likely to try in Seville is stewed rabopercola de toro, or bull’s tail.
9. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
TOP THINGS TO DO
- Explore the beautiful Old Town Square. The square itself is the perfect place to admire the wonderful architecture Prague has to offer and if that isn’t your thing then the various street performers, musicians and merchants that line the streets here will certainly keep you entertained.
- Watch the Astronomical Clock Strike an Hour. The clock itself is on the south face of the town hall and is the pride of Prague.
- Stroll across the Charles Bridge for a great view and experience the city as a local would.
- Admire the Lennon Wall. Although Prague is a long way from Liverpool, the birthplace of the Beatles, fans should certainly check out this shrine to one of the most famous bands of all time.
- Climb 299 Steps to Petrin Hill. Petrin is a hill on the left bank of the Vltava River, it offers great views of the city and is one of the greenest spaces in Prague.
WHERE TO STAY
Hostels
Budget: $10-$20 per night
Recommendation: Czech Inn | Hostel Downtown
Hotels
Budget: $50-$100 per night
Recommendation: K+K Hotel Phoenix | Hotel Majestic Plaza
WHAT TO EAT
Trdelnik: A traditional Slovak rolled pastry originating from the Hungarian-speaking region of Transylvania, the trdelník is usually served warm and topped with a dusting of sugar, nuts or cinnamon.
So that’s it! Do you have any other cities to recommend for cheap European holidays?
Want more on the cheapest European cities? Get my Europe trip planning guide!
My detailed, 90+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff and gets straight to the practical information you need to save time and money while planning a trip around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, how to apply for visas, which mode of travel to pick, top European highlights, where to stay, what to eat, what to pack and so much more!
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Hello/Namaste! I’m Shruti, the founder of Indian Girling & Digital Empires. I believe in creating a life that you don’t need a vacation from.
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Wow this was so informative and helpful!! I’m moving to the UK in July and this just makes me even more excited to be on that side of the world and go to all of these places. Thank you for this awesome resource!!
These places look beautiful!!! I’ve always wanted to go to Athens and this made me want to go even more. 🙂
Thanks so much for the nice words! 🙂
Thanks Adriana! Indeed europe is an exciting place to be. All the best for your move! 🙂
This is so helpful! I’ve been to Prague and loved it 😀
Berlin and Prague are my top favourite cities. And cheap too. Lisbon and Athens is next on my list. Thanks for the useful info!
Thanks a lot for reading! 🙂
Wow this is awesome! Great tips. Bookmarked it for future reference…thanks for sharing!
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Nice and super informative post! Been to a few, but I still have to visit Berlin, Istanbul and Sevilla – However, it’s on my list!! Also, Budapest and Barcelona were my favourites – so, so stunning!!
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this article is totally wrong… Greece and Spain are quite expensive.. and u didn’t mention Bulgaria which is an actually cheap country and others as well but a lot of the countries u wrote are not cheap for sure
Hi Kathy, Greece and Spain are cheap when compared to Western or Nothern Europe. Ofcourse, your budget is the one that determines which cities are cheap. I’ve travelled to both these regions and spent less than $50/day. Bulgaria hasn’t made the list because i myself haven’t been there. But I’ll keep your recommendation in mind.