8 Cheap European Countries To Visit In 2023
When we think of traveling in Europe, we often think of expensive vacations that you can only do once or twice a year but like many regions in the world, if you look carefully enough, you will find that there are several countries within Europe that are as beautiful as France or the Netherlands, some even more beautiful, but cost half of those countries.
How To Travel Cheaply In Europe
Even if you decided to visit these cheap European Cities, the cost can balloon up quite quickly if you are not careful so here are some of the ways you can save cost even more when traveling in Europe.
These tips can also be used in expensive European countries as well to save more money from your expensive vacations so be sure to give them a try on your next trip to Europe.
How To Find Cheap Flights In Europe
What I found most surprising in Europe is that even though, traveling in Europe is expensive, domestic flights can be extremely cheap, like 25 EUR for a flight from Poland to Spain, cheap.
I was able to get this price during RyanAir's promotion period which often runs right before summer and you will save a ton of money if you book a flight during this promotional period.
There are several low-cost airlines in Europe that often run promotions that you should keep an eye on. There are RyanAir, Vueling, EasyJet, and Wizz Air, which I often found myself using when I was in Europe
If none of the links show any discount during the period you want to fly, it is also worthwhile to browse through Skyscanner or Expedia for platform-specific discounts.
All in all, there are many ways you can travel long distances in Europe without losing an arm and a leg. Domestic flights are faster and sometimes even cheaper than speed trains and buses, so be sure to keep an eye out for these discounts.
How To Find Cheap Accommodations In Europe
If you are looking for cheap accommodations in Europe, hostels and Airbnb are the answers you are looking for.
If you are looking for a fun vibe where you can meet new people while you are in Europe and you want to save a ton, hostels are the way to go with a comfy bed costing as low as 10 USD.
For a more comfortable stay with private rooms, Airbnb is the way to go. You will be able to save a ton while having most of the comfort you get from staying in a hotel but at half the price.
How To Get Around Cheaply In Europe
Most European cities often have their tourist attractions concentrated in one area, mostly the old town area and you can save a ton if you explore these cities on foot.
You can also rent a bike to explore the city which is often offered as rentals in hostels around Europe or they can direct you to a place that you can rent one.
For traveling between cities, Flixbus or any kinds of buses will be the cheapest option for you and there are many websites you can browse through for cheaper fares.
How To Eat Cheaply In Europe
Food can be extremely expensive in Europe especially if you eat our every day but if you wish to travel cheaply in Europe, cooking for yourself will save you a fortune.
Food and accommodation are some of the most expensive expenses when it comes to traveling in Europe and if you can save on these 2 fronts, then you are golden.
Now that we have laid out all the tips you can utilize to travel in Europe cheaply, here are the cheapest European countries you can visit that are cheap, but also extremely beautiful. Let's begin with one of my favorite countries in Europe, Albania.
8 Cheap European Countries To Visit
Albania
Albania is a country full of surprises. It is a place where you will find stunning mountains like the Albanian Alps, rich history like the towns of Berat and Gjirokaster, and stunning beaches like in the Albanian Riviera.
With so much to offer, you'd think that tourists would flock to this paradise, but I am happy to report that that is not the case. Albania is still one of the few hidden gems in Europe that are both beautiful as well as affordable to travel in.
With the food costing around 5 USD per meal and accommodation costing as low as 9 USD per night, Albania is one of the cheapest and most beautiful countries to visit in Europe and if you are looking for a place to travel in Europe that has everything and half the price, this is the place to be.
Lithuania, Latvia, And Estonia (The Baltic States)
I would have listed these countries separately but since they are rather small and you can do all 3 countries in a week, I have decided to combine them all into one as the Baltic States.
These Baltic countries are often forgotten by most travelers who are traveling in Europe and what they may not realize is that these Baltic countries can offer an authentic experience to the forgotten history of Europe you can't get anywhere while also offering a fairy-tale-like experience throughout its small towns and forests, all at a very affordable price.
Out of all the 3 Baltic Countries, Lithuania is the cheapest and Estonia is the most expensive but all in all, you can expect to pay around 6 USD for a meal and around 14 USD for accommodation.
This is a pretty good deal especially if you consider just how beautiful places like Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn are. I highly recommend you visit the Baltic Countries if you are looking for a unique experience in Europe.
Ukraine
Ukraine is another of my favorite European countries that offer uniquely beautiful sceneries and activities to do at an affordable price. I spent a good one month in the country exploring from west to south to east, from the historical city of Kyiv to the laid-back city by the Black Sea, Odesa.
What I saw on that trip to Ukraine is beyond amazing. The unique Eastern Orthodox architectural-style in Kyiv is a must-see, the lively vibe of Lviv, the most European city in Ukraine is another hidden gem that you will love, and all the Soviet-era architectures in Kharkiv are something I will never get bored of.
Accommodation in Ukraine is probably one of the cheapest you will find in Europe with a good hostel costing only 5 USD per night. The food in Ukraine also costs around 4 USD per meal which is as cheap as it gets. If you are looking for a unique place to explore in Europe with a beautiful blend between nature and culture, Ukraine is highly recommended.
Poland
Poland is a country with all the facilities and development of Western Europe but cost at half the price. With its colorful architectural-style, its incredible history, and fairy-tale-like castles, Poland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe you can visit.
The mountains in the south like Zakopane also offers a view that rivals those mountains in the Alps in Western Europe. Poland is a country that has all of the things you would come to expect when you travel to Europe, the colonial history and the snowy mountains, and they are way cheaper than their western counterparts.
Food in Poland costs around 6 USD per meal and the accommodation starts at 8 USD per night in a hostel. If you are looking for a country with a familiar feel of Western Europe but at an affordable price, Poland is the place to be.
Slovakia
Neighboring to the South of Poland, Slovakia is also another country that is beautiful and cheap to visit. It may not be as big or has a ton of things to do like in Poland but its size, the culture, and the friendly people are what made Slovakia so attractive to visit.
Home to the Tatra Mountains, you can spend some time hiking in the north as well as explore the old city of Kosice where you will be able to discover many old and beautiful architectures and fortresses that rarely get any visitors.
The food in Slovakia costs about 6 USD per meal and the accommodation costs around 17 USD per night. If you are looking for a less touristy and affordable country to visit, Slovakia is a great place to be.
Georgia
Even though Georgia is almost at the edge of what I consider Europe, the country is still worth mentioning as it is home to many beautiful sights and hipster scenes that are unique to the country.
Tbilisi, the capital city, is one awesome creative city full of young population that crave creativity and good vibes and the city really reflects that with many fun outlets and creative restaurants you can indulge yourself in.
And Georgian food is amazing! If you have not tried it, I highly recommend you give it a go. They are delicious, unique, and best of all cheap. Food in Georgia costs around 2 USD per meal and the accommodation costs around 9 USD per night which is probably as cheap as it gets in Europe.
If you are looking for an adventurous country to visit in Europe, Georgia and its hipster culture and its proximity to the beautiful mountains of Kazbegi in the north, are some of the best places to visit in Europe.
Southern Spain
Southern Spain or more specifically Granada, is my favorite city to explore in Spain so much so that I decided to skip Barcelona and Valencia and spent a week just in Granada on my first visit to Spain.
From the stunning Alhambra Fortress to the beautiful sunset spot I often frequented when I was in Granada at the top of Sacromonte (Mirador De La Vereda De Enmedio), there are plenty of things you can do in Southern Spain. It is full of history and beautiful scenery waiting for you to discover.
Unlike the rest of Spain, Granada and Southern Spain are still very affordable to travel to. From the delicious 2 EUR beer + one tapas deal in a restaurant, I found to the cheap accommodation at only 17 USD, Southern Spain is one of the best places to travel to if you are looking to experience the typical European vacation but at a much more affordable price point.
Hungary
Last but not least, Hungary is another cheap European countries that offer a similar experience to those of expensive cities in Western Europe like Berlin with its countless ruin bars, its rich history, and the stunning architecture like the Hungarian Parliament Building that you can visit.
An average meal in Hungary costs about 7 USD but you can find a sizable portion of falafel for only 3 USD if you look hard enough. The accommodation cost around 13 USD per night in a hostel which is considerably cheaper than in Western Europe.
If you are looking for a cheap European country that offers a similar vibe and feels similar to countries like France and Germany, Hungary is an awesome and cheap alternative country to visit.
And there you have it, 8 cheapest and most beautiful countries to visit in Europe. Are you planning to visit any of these countries this year?
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