15 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe

There are a LOADS of amazing destinations and some of the cheapest countries to visit all across Europe. Now, let’s be honest, regardless of the amount of money you have we all have a budget, no matter how big or small. So how affordable a destination is can actually have a big impact on your where you decide to go and how you enjoy your trip. 

So, whatever your budget is, it’s all about maximising it and getting the most bang for your buck. That’s why I asked some fellow travel bloggers to share some of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe. From some well known destinations to some lesser visited hidden gems, rest assured there’s lots of awesome countries to explore!

1. Georgia

Contributed by Kristin from Adventures from Ensuite

Georgia is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe with a wide variety of sights. And best of all, nearly all sights are free. The main draw are the Caucasus mountains in Kazbegi or Svaneti. Hiking Mestia to Ushguli is one of the best ways to see the mountain range where you will pass glaciers and traditional villages. For a more relaxed trip, the country has many interesting monasteries and a vibrant capital, Tbilisi, with a colourful old town.

It is claimed that Georgia was the first country in the world to make wine over 6,000 years ago. A wine tasting in the wine region, a couple of hours outside the capital, should be on your itinerary. Public transport is frequent and even the remote mountain areas have plenty of clean and comfortable backpacker accommodation. Plan to spend €20-30 per person per day during a visit.

2. Slovakia

Contributed by Jiayi from The Diary of a Nomad

Slovakia is one of the most affordable countries to visit in Europe, and it’s a fantastic hidden gem as well. While it doesn’t get a lot of international visitors, it’s famously known for its “cheap beer” amongst the people who do visit.

The best part about this country is that it’s not only a budget destination, but you’ll also rarely see crowds of tourists or mass tourism. It’s kept its authentic charm, especially if you venture outside the capital, Bratislava. In fact, some of the cheapest places in Slovakia are the many colorful medieval towns and hiking trails outside of Bratislava. Many hiking trails in the country are also completely free. 

Be sure to stop by the beautiful cities/towns of Bardejov, Kosice, and Banska Stiavnica — to name a few. On average, you’ll pay around €5 – €7 per meal per person in these places, and can find budget accommodations for only €15.

3. Ukraine

Contributed by Kami from My Wanderlust

Ukraine is one of the cheapest countries you can visit in Europe where you can splurge a bit without going bankrupt. Everything, from accommodation to eating out, transportation and entertainment are much cheaper than in the rest of Europe and you can get good value for money. For example: a fancy five-star hotel in Lviv costs around (£85) $120 for a double room, the ticket to the Lviv Opera is around (£7) $10 or a first-class train ticket between Kyiv and Lviv is (£17) $25.

There are many great places to visit in Ukraine but some of the best ones are Kyiv (the vibrant capital with golden dome churches), Odessa (the Black Sea resort), Lviv (one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with picturesque Old Town) or Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. One of the best and fun things to do in Ukraine is checking all the amazing restaurants and cafes – there’s a huge variety of great places in every major city and it won’t ruin your budget.

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READ MORE : 10 CHEAPEST CITIES TO VISIT IN EUROPE

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4. Slovenia

Contributed by Nichola from Global Mouse Travels

Slovenia is perfect for budget travel in Europe whilst still giving you an amazing trip. The capital, Ljubljana is a fantastic city to visit – small enough to easily travel around by foot but big enough to have enough to do. Slovenia is much cheaper than many of the surrounding countries surrounding, from eating out to museums and attractions. If you’re planning a family holiday to Slovenia then there are plenty of well-priced hotels from city based hostels in Ljubljana to some lovely seaside retreats.

One of the great, well priced activities to enjoy in Slovenia is visiting some of the thermal pools that are dotted through the country. It’s also a great country for a ski trip if you’re looking for an inexpensive place to get out on the slopes – Kranjska Gora for example is incredibly well priced. With so much variety here it’s great for budget travel for as long as you have time to spend.

5. Greece

Contributed by Dymphe from Dym Abroad

One of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe is Greece, particularly Athens. Athens is one of the most beautiful places in Greece. There are many cheap hotels and Airbnbs in Athens. It’s even affordable if you want to stay in the city centre! For example, I once booked an Airbnb with a view of the Acropolis for about €35,- per night. Besides that, the food in Athens is affordable as well. For example, you can find many restaurants in Plaka (the old centre of Athens) and having food there isn’t expensive at all.

One of the best things to do in Athens is to see the Acropolis. Climbing the Acropolis isn’t free, but from the Aeropagus you have an amazing view of the Acropolis for free. Another cheap thing to do in Athens is going to the Panathenaic Stadium, this only costs about €5.

6. Poland

Contributed by Samantha from Intentional Detours

One of the cheapest countries in Europe that you have to visit is Poland. The Eastern European country boasts epic hiking opportunities, historical cities, comforting food, and surprisingly: beaches. Even in popular cities like Krakow, meals in Poland can often end up being no more than $5 for two people, and Airbnbs can be as cheap as $13 a night for an entire apartment. On average it’s very easy to spend no more than $25 a day in the country. 

Visit the Wawel Castle–a UNESCO World Heritage Site–in Krakow, go on a self guided walking tour in the picturesque city of Gdansk, or pull out your hiking backpack and hit the trails of the Tatra Mountains near the town of Zakopane. Poland’s Baltic Coast is also full of clean beaches, with plenty of cheap accommodation options to choose from, making them a great option for summer time travel.

7. Hungary

Contributed by Alice from Adventures of Alice

Budapest is one of Europe’s most interesting cities. Perfect for a weekend break, it’s risen to fame from a hidden gem to a popular tourist destination in Europe due to its beautiful buildings, exciting attractions and affordability compared to other cities in Europe (I’m looking at you Vienna!). So, why is Budapest so cheap?

Well, this is partly due to the fact that Hungary is not part of the Eurozone and their main currency is the Hungarian Forint, not the Euro. Furthermore, the country’s currency has decreased in value recently, in order to persuade more businesses to open their doors in Hungary.

Some of the city’s best budget attractions include the Thermal Baths which will cost around 2.900-4.600 HUF(€10), or the famous Mattias Church which is 1000 HUF (€2.7). Even food is super affordable with the average dinner (1990 HUF) and small glass of wine (250 HUF) costing just €7 in total.

8. Albania

Contributed by Emily from Wander-Lush

Not only is Albania one of the most affordable countries to visit in Europe, it’s also one of the most diverse in the Balkans. From hiking in the Accursed Alps in the country’s north to swimming on the white-sand beaches of the Albanian Riviera, this country offers incredible landscapes and cultural encounters at a fraction of the cost of its Western European neighbours.

A mid-range traveller could easily get by on 250 Euros for a week of travel in Albania. The country’s official currency is the Lek.

Affordable accommodation is available across Albania in the form of guesthouses – family run establishments that are simple but comfortable and often provide a full breakfast. The average price for a room is 15-20 Euro. Eating out in Albania is extremely cheap – expect to pay around 7 Euro on average for a generous meal including drinks. Intercity transport averages around 8-9 Euro for a comfortable coach ride.

9. Russia

Contributed by Luke from Culture Shock Adventure

Europe’s largest is also one of the cheapest. Stretching two continents, you can travel 9,259 km for only R15,000 (Trans-Siberian Moscow – Vladivostok). Public transport is pocket change, each city having its own flavour; Vladivostok’s heavy-metal blasting buses; Moscow’s grandeur bomb-shelter/metro-stations; and Irkutsk’s old-school trams that keep breaking down!

Marshrutkas are a uniquely Russian/CIS experience, and excellent in areas with poor rail or slow bus networks. You can travel intercity for a couple hundred rubles.

Smaller cities, I found backpackers at R500 per night. Larger cities you’ll more likely spend a couple thousand. A meal at a cheap restaurant will set you back R250-1000, a pint of beer is about R100, supermarkets are cheaper still.

Russia is full of cheap or free activities. My favourites include: Listvyanka’s Baikal Museum (world’s cutest seals); Moscow’s Red Square, St Basil’s, and Gorky Park; Kazan’s Söyembikä tower; and the cartoon statues at Park Dinamo, Khabarovsk.

10. Romania

Contributed by Or from My Path in the World 

Romania is an underrated destination in Europe that you can visit without breaking the bank. It’s home to stunning medieval cities, unique landmarks, and many natural landscapes. Traveling through this country, it is important to know that the local currency is Lei (or RON) and that $1 is worth about 4.1 RON.

Even in big cities like Bucharest, you can find accommodations for less than $30 per night for two people or have a 3-course meal for less than $15. The prices only get more attractive as you visit smaller cities, towns, and villages. Also, a one-way bus ticket should cost $0.5, and taxis charge about $0.5 per km.

You can also find plenty of cheap and free things to do in Romania, including visiting the Clay Castle of the Valley of Fairies and the painted monasteries of Bucovina or wandering through beautiful cities and towns like Brasov, Sibiu, and Sighisoara.

11. Bulgaria

Contributed by Maria & Katerina of It’s All Trip To Me

The Balkans are renowned for being among the most affordable destinations in Europe. Bulgaria couldn’t be an exception. With an exciting history, beautiful scenery and unique traditions, Bulgaria is ideal for a fascinating trip that won’t break the bank.

From the vibrant capital city of Sofia to one of Europe’s best skiing resorts, Bansko to the European Capital of Culture for 2019, Plovdiv, Bulgaria is a diverse country with many amazing places to visit, which all have one thing in common: they are incredibly budget-friendly with a wide array of free activities to enjoy.

Whether it’s a free walking tour in urban Sofia or a hike in Bansko’s gorgeous mountains, Bulgaria is perfect for the budget-conscious traveller. Suffice it to say that a hotel room in Bulgaria can set you back as little as 50€ for three nights, while meals are ridiculously cheap and they always come in generous portions.

12. Malta

Contributed by Anne from Packing Light Travel

Malta is an ideal destination for budget travellers. The country is small and compact and easy to navigate by public transportation. It’s a short distance between the three inhabited islands of the archipelago, and ferry services are convenient and affordable. For example, the return passenger fare between Malta and Gozo costs €4.65. Unlimited travel on a seven-day pass on Malta’s reliable bus system costs €21.

Malta is a popular filming location. Many of the sites seen in Gladiator, Troy, and Game of Thrones, are free to visit. One is Valletta’s Grand Harbour, considered one of the finest natural harbours in the world. 25 Fabulous things to do in Malta describes many others, including swimming in the famous Blue Lagoon and taking part in the various festivals hosted by villages to honour their patron saints.

13. Bosnia & Herzegovina

Contributed by DZangir from Dr Jam Travels

Bosnia And Herzegovina is among the cheapest countries to visit in Europe. The capital city would be the most expensive but still for 0.5 liter of beer in a bar you would pay 1.5 €. Also, the most popular food ćevapi are 4 € in the city centre – Baščaršija bazaar. In the town of Travnik, it would be less than 2 €. In wintertime you can ski just half an hour from the capital city. Price for a daily ticket in the high season is 15 €.

Accommodation can be found also cheap. In the city center, you will pay for double room less than 20 € per night in a hotel with 4 stars. Besides capital full of historic buildings and mix of culture, one shouldn’t miss Mostar with the famous bridge, green river Una or short coastline.

14. Estonia

Contributed by Bradley from Dream Big Travel Far Blog

I didn’t know much about Estonia before visiting, but it sure did leave an impression! It’s easy to find free yet unique things to do here, whereas accommodation and food are still affordable. One of my favorite memories was enjoying a fire-roasted meal under the Estonian sky. There are lots of campsites offering designated fire pits and metal grills you can use, and what better way to spend an evening than this?

This country is also bursting with beautiful national parks, nature reserves, and conservation areas. A lot of them are free to enter, like Laheema National Park, where you can see remnant rock formations from our last Ice Age. This also means plenty of walking and hiking routes!

Finally, I’d recommend strolling through Tallinn Old Town, a charming little area lined with impressive medieval architectures. I especially loved visiting the Danish King’s Gardens, St Catherine’s Passage, and Town Hall.

15. Montenegro

Contributed by Luda from Adventures with Luda

Although it’s quickly gaining popularity for its beautiful beaches and stunning nature, Montenegro is still a very budget-friendly country! Travelers can expect to pay under ~£30 ($40) a day for accommodation in a private apartment, three meals, and an activity. There are plenty of hostels, especially in bigger cities like Kotor, Budva, and Ulcinj, that can go as low as ~£4/night ($5) for a bed in a shared room. 

There are tons of free activities in Montenegro such as enjoying the beaches, hiking in nature, and sightseeing. Many museums cost only one or two Euros for the entrance fee, and taking the bus between cities is usually a handful of Euros. 

Those who want to travel around Montenegro on a budget are recommended to mix ‘popular’ cities like Kotor with lesser-known cities like Herceg Novi, Cetinje, and Perast to save even more money.

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HUGE thank you to all the amazing bloggers for contributing their cheapest countries to visit in Europe! Make sure you check out their blogs for all the detailed tips n these destinations and also, don’t forget to share this post!

Until Next time xx