Best Places to Visit in Europe on a Budget (Under £50 a Day)

Europe doesn’t have to be expensive. The continent spans an enormous economic range – from Zurich, where a sandwich costs £15, to Tbilisi (Georgia), where a three-course dinner with wine costs £8. Knowing where to go makes the difference between a holiday that empties your account and one that leaves you wondering why you didn’t go sooner.

This guide covers the best places to visit in Europe on a budget – specifically, destinations where £50 per person per day covers accommodation, food, transport, and activities comfortably, with some headroom for treats.

Best Budget Destinations in Europe

1. Krakow, Poland

Krakow is consistently ranked among Europe’s best value city breaks. It has a stunning medieval old town (UNESCO World Heritage), excellent food, a thriving nightlife, and significant historical depth including Wawel Castle and the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial. A night in a well-rated hostel costs £12 to £20; a good restaurant meal costs £6 to £12; a pint of excellent local beer costs £1.50 to £2.50.

Most of the old town is walkable, public transport is cheap, and day trips to the Tatra Mountains and salt mines at Wieliczka are well-organized and affordable.

2. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has become more expensive in recent years but remains significantly cheaper than Paris, Amsterdam, or Barcelona for comparable quality. The city is visually extraordinary – hilltop viewpoints, vintage trams, azulejo-tiled buildings, and the world’s best custard tarts (pastel de nata, roughly 30p each). A decent hostel runs £20 to £30 per night; a full restaurant meal with wine runs £15 to £20.

The city centre is walkable for most attractions. Day trips to Sintra (fairytale palaces), Cascais (beach town), and the Setúbal Peninsula add variety without significant cost.

3. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is one of Europe’s most underrated capitals – architecturally dramatic (spanning both banks of the Danube), culturally rich, and substantially cheaper than its Western European peers. The thermal baths (Széchenyi, Gellért) are a genuine cultural experience and cost around £15 to £20 for a full day. Restaurant meals average £8 to £15. Accommodation in central apartments runs £25 to £40 per night for a private room.

4. Porto, Portugal

Often overshadowed by Lisbon, Porto is arguably more beautiful and slightly more affordable. The Ribeira district, the Dom Luís I Bridge, the bookshop Livraria Lello (yes, it inspired Harry Potter), and the port wine caves of Vila Nova de Gaia are all walkable or a short metro ride apart. A glass of port in a riverside bar costs £2 to £3. A francesinha (Porto’s famous sandwich dish) costs £8 to £12 including fries and a beer.

5. Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgia sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia and offers the most extraordinary value of any destination on this list. Tbilisi is a visually stunning, genuinely unique city with medieval fortress, sulfur bath district, wine culture going back 8,000 years, and food that belongs in the conversation of Europe’s best cuisines. Budget travelers consistently report living on £20 to £30 per day including accommodation, food, and transport.

Flights from Western Europe are around £100 to £200 return. The country requires minimal visa formality for most European passport holders and offers hiking, wine regions, and ancient cave cities beyond the capital.

6. Split and Dalmatia, Croatia

Croatia’s coast is more expensive than it was a decade ago but still beats Western Mediterranean prices, especially if you avoid peak July. Split has Diocletian’s Palace – a Roman emperor’s retirement home that became a city people still live inside – and superb ferry connections to beautiful, affordable islands. For families specifically, the beaches around Split pair perfectly with our picks for the cheapest beach destinations in Europe for families.

How to Travel Europe on a Budget: Key Strategies

• Travel shoulder season (April-May and September-October) for 30 to 50 percent lower accommodation costs
• Use budget airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet) for inter-European flights booked 6 to 8 weeks in advance
• Prioritize Eastern and Southern Europe over Western Europe – the price difference is dramatic
• Stay in apartments or hostels with kitchens – cooking even one meal per day saves significant money
• Use regional trains and buses rather than taxis or private transfers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest country in Europe to visit?

Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Moldova are consistently the cheapest EU-adjacent destinations. Within the EU, Bulgaria and Romania offer the lowest costs. Georgia (technically outside Europe but commonly included in European travel) is often the overall cheapest destination for comparable quality.

Is it possible to do a Europe trip on £30 per day?

Yes, in Eastern Europe. Krakow, Budapest, Sofia, Bucharest, and Belgrade all allow a comfortable backpacker budget of £25 to £35 per day including hostel accommodation, meals, and free or cheap attractions. Western European cities require £50 to £80 minimum for a comparable experience.

Final Thoughts

The best places in Europe on a budget aren’t compromises – many of them are genuinely among the most rewarding destinations on the continent. Krakow, Budapest, Tbilisi, and Porto consistently appear in lists of Europe’s most beautiful and interesting cities, regardless of price. The budget traveler’s Europe is not the second-rate version. It’s often the more authentic one.