The 7 Most Budget-Friendly Cities in Europe

Europe is consistently known as one of the most expensive continents to travel through, work in and visit, with cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam and Oslo factoring in some of the highest costs around. Although many notoriously expensive cities will have budget options, it’s harder to find high-quality for less money in these places, especially when looking to stay or eat in the centre of the city. For first-time travellers or those who are looking for places to travel that won’t completely destroy your budget within the first few days, look no further than our rankings of Europe’s top most budget-friendly cities.

1. Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, is one of the most budget-friendly cities on the continent. Vilnius is known for its Old Town, its vibrant architecture, unique cuisine and gorgeous green landscape, all of which you can enjoy at an affordable price. Vilnius’ cost of living, restaurant meal prices, accommodation and attractions are known for their cheaper prices than other large European cities, yet Lithuania still enjoys a high quality of life. On average, you can expect to budget around €90 per day for a 2-3 day trip to Vilnius. In comparison, you could expect to spend around £100-£200/€100-€200 a day on average for accommodation and transport in London or Paris. 

2. Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia, Bulgaria’s vibrant and historic capital city is known for its art, history, architecture and cultural significance, as well as its cheaper-than-average prices for spending and living. Bulgaria’s main claim to fame is its affordability, making it one of the top destinations for budget-conscious travellers. It’s also a great option for those looking to relocate to somewhere where they can live comfortably without worrying about spending too much, given Bulgaria’s generally low rent index and cost of living. In Sofia, you’ll be able to afford most expenses such as travel, accommodation, food and attractions on around 100 lev per day, which is equivalent to approximately £45. 

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal’s cultural capital has consistently ranked as Western Europe’s most affordable city, where you can get around and stay comfortably for less than €100 per day. Lisbon’s vibrant architecture, extensive history, rich culinary scene and abundance of attractions make it a top tourist destination, and the perfect location for first-timers or solo travellers who are wary of how much they intend to spend. If you’re looking to drink and dine out, the average cost of a pint of beer or glass of wine is around €2-€3, and a substantial meal can cost around €10-€20 depending on the restaurant and how many courses. 

4. Krakow, Poland

Poland’s second-largest city is also one of the cheapest in the country, and Europe as a whole. Krakow is rife with tourist attractions, historic monuments and sites, its charming Old Town and a vibrant nightlife and culinary scene, so you’ll likely be spoiled for choice on things to do and see. On average, for mid-range accommodation, food and transport costs, you can stay and live comfortably with a daily budget of around 200 zł, or around £40 per day. If you split costs or are even more budget-conscious, you could spend much less and still get the same quality of life. 

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague has a reputation for its cheaper-than-average costs when it comes to daily spending, so you can visit Prague with peace of mind that you won’t spend a fortune. Prague is one of Europe’s most cultural and historic cities, with a history said to date back to the 9th century. Its main square is rife with attractions, cultural monuments and buildings, restaurants and nightlife spots. So, while it may be cheaper than average you can still have a memorable and fulfilling trip with the same level of quality as some more expensive cities. You can get around, stay and eat in Prague pretty comfortably on a daily budget of 3,000 czk (Czech koruna), or around £100/€120. 

6. Lille, France

Quite an underrated tourist destination, but on the same level as well-known cities in terms of attractions, culture and food, Lille is a gem of Northern France and has a reputation for being very affordable for those on a tight budget. Known for its quaint markets, cobbled side streets, historic Old Town and museums, Lille is the perfect place for culture and history enthusiasts, and also those who don’t want to spend a pretty penny. For a daily budget, including accommodation, food, transport and a few attractions, you should expect to spend around €110-€120 per day, which is equal to around £95-£100. 

7. Budapest, Hungary

If you’re an avid sightseer or history fanatic, you’ll be right at home on the streets of Budapest. The city is loved for its stunning architecture, collection of geothermal baths and springs, and its world heritage sites and monuments, as well as the Danube River which intersects the city. If you’re looking to visit Budapest with a more money-conscious mindset, you’ll be pleased to know that despite its international reputation and abundance of attractions, Budapest is actually very affordable. Daily costs on average can amount to around 34,000 forint (Hungarian currency), which equals around £75 or €76, and if you really watch what you're spending, you may be able to get by on even less.