While travel can, of course, be very expensive, it can also be far cheaper than you might think. There are lots of beautiful and fascinating countries to explore if you want to keep costs low, many of which are right on our doorstep.
Europe is home to some of the most gorgeous, diverse, compelling, and cost-effective countries – so if you’re dreaming of a European holiday in 2024, it could become a reality.
To inspire you, here are 12 of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe – many of which you can find travel deals for.
1. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is often at the very top of the list when it comes to the most cost-effective countries to visit in Europe, and it’s not difficult to see why.
It may not yet be as popular as its neighbour Greece, but this country also boasts gorgeous beaches, historic towns, ancient ruins, and lively cities – all with a far cheaper price tag. Tipped to become the ‘Next Croatia’, now’s the time to visit Bulgaria while the prices are still low.
One of the great things about Bulgaria is that it remains largely undiscovered by travellers, so, this beach break will cost a fraction of what it would in countries like Italy, Spain, or Greece. And the diverse coastline of the Varna region, which backs onto the Black Sea, is home to dozens of laid-back resorts and pretty towns.
Things in Bulgaria are naturally much cheaper out of season – and while you may not be able to kick back on the beach outside of summertime, there’s still plenty to do here.
The Central Balkan National Park is ideal for hiking and panoramic views, and the mountains are excellent for skiing in the winter.
There are many rural towns packed with culture, castles, and history too. Though the capital, Sofia, is also an ideal destination for a city break!
For more information, why not read our article, 10 things to see and do in Bulgaria?
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Snowshoeing in the Bulgarian Mountains*
Bulgaria | 8 days | Book with Ramble Worldwide
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Grand Cruise through the Heart of Europe to the Black Sea*
Europe | 29 days | Book with Riviera Travel
2. Albania
Shut off from the rest of the continent for much of the 20th century, Albania has long been one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
But, today, its gates are open and it won’t be long before the tourists arrive in floods and Albania’s charms become common knowledge. So, before it becomes as busy as its neighbour Greece, now’s the time to discover this incredibly diverse country, which has remained one of the continent’s greatest enigmas.
Its winding coastline – dubbed the Albanian Riviera – is lined with dreamy beaches and deep blue waters. And, even the most popular beach resorts here, like Dhërmi and Ksamil, don’t see much international tourism. As a result, accommodation, food, and travel are fairly cheap.
Inland, you’ll find looming mountains, fortress towns, crumbling castles, and countless ancient Greek and Roman ruins, so whether you’re a history buff, an adventure lover, or a beach enthusiast, there’s something for everyone.
The exuberant capital, Tirana, is a great base for exploring the rest of Albania, and it’s one of the most affordable places in Europe to eat out.
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Across Albania & Kosovo*
Albania | 9 nights | Book with Cox & Kings
Call 03301 274 660 to request a quote
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Ancient Cities & the Albanian Riviera*
40% off | Albania | 8 days | Book with Exoticca
3. Montenegro
As the third newest country in the world, many of us might not be aware of Montenegro’s exact destination on a map – though it still offers one of the best spots on the continent for a cheap break.
Bordering Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania, this Balkan country might be small (it’s only two-thirds of the size of Wales!), but it has an astonishingly varied landscape.
With almost 200 miles of pristine coastline, it’s an excellent choice for a beach holiday. Boasting the same dazzling azure waters that its neighbour Croatia is so famous for, Montenegro has many bustling coastal towns where it’s easy to find comfy yet cheap accommodation.
Food is very affordable, too, so if you’re looking for a lazy beach break where you can swim, sunbathe, and eat until your heart’s content, you’re in the right place!
If you’d prefer to explore inland Montenegro, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can hike through ancient forests, trek up craggy mountains, swim in glacial lakes, and stroll through old, walled towns packed with character.
Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts will love visiting Durmitor and Prokletije National Parks, where not only is the hiking second to none, but you have a good chance of spotting brown bears, wolves, and even lynxes!
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Montenegro: Budva, Cetinje and the Bay of Kotor*
Montenegro | 8 days | Book with Riviera Travel
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Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia*
£350 off | Europe | 14 days | Book with Trafalgar
4. Hungary
Compared to other Eastern European countries, Hungary isn’t the cheapest. But a Hungarian holiday will still cost you a fraction of a Western European holiday, so it’s a hot contender on this list.
The most expensive place in Hungary is, unsurprisingly, the capital, Budapest – though skipping this city would be a cardinal sin. With a fascinating past, stunning sights, and an abundance of culture, there are still plenty of free attractions to enjoy.
The iconic Danube (the second longest river in Europe) bisects the city, and strolling along the banks and across the Chain Bridge is a fun, free activity that’ll allow you to admire the elegant city skyline.
Budapest is also an architectural treasure trove, and the city has more baroque, neoclassical, eclectic, and art nouveau buildings than you can imagine – and admiring them doesn’t cost a penny either.
While most of the attractions in the Castle Hill area – like the Buda Castle and underground Castle Labyrinth – aren’t free, entry is cheap, and the food and wine is delicious and affordable.
Outside of Budapest, things are much cheaper, and you can enjoy plenty of natural delights – from the lake resort town of Tihany to the Bükk Mountains, where you can try all kinds of outdoor activities.
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Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest*
Budapest | 1 nights | Book with Marriott International
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Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection*
Budapest | 1 nights | Book with Marriott International
5. Slovenia
Due to their famous beauty, compelling culture, and engrossing history, many of us are drawn to countries like Italy, Austria, and Croatia.
Unfortunately, a visit to these countries doesn’t tend to come cheap, but luckily, bordering each of these magnificent destinations is Slovenia. This country may be smaller than its neighbours, but it’s definitely no less spectacular – and significantly cheaper too!
Slovenia wasn’t ranked in Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries to visit in 2022 for nothing, and it’s no exaggeration to say that this country has something for everyone.
The most famous destination is Lake Bled, a place that’s so dramatically beautiful it’ll likely take your breath away. The turquoise waters are surrounded by the Julian Alps and dense pine forests — it’s just as easy to explore as it is to relax by the lake, depending on your preference.
If you like active holidays, there’s almost too much on offer. You can go canyoning, rafting, caving, cycling, climbing, and skiing, and most of these activities are far cheaper than in neighbouring countries. Hike to the top of Mount Triglav, paddle along gleaming blue rivers, or trek through the miles of mysterious forests.
Plus, with the Adriatic coast scattered with pristine beaches and lively resort towns, Slovenia is the perfect spot for a beach break too.
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Grand Tour of Slovenia & Italy’s Friuli Region*
Europe | 11 days | Book with Riviera Travel
6. Portugal
One of the most appealing things about a holiday to Portugal is that many of its best attractions are absolutely free.
With sandy, golden beaches and soaring cliffs in the south of the country; breathtaking hiking trails and dazzling blue waters in Madeira; and lively, historic streets in Lisbon, this is a country where you’ll just want to be outdoors — meaning it’s easy to keep prices down!
There’s so much to see and do in Portugal. For example, it’s free to visit Évora – a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting Roman temples, Moorish alleys, and a medieval cathedral.
Évora offers one of the best European city breaks – but there are dozens more equally fascinating places across the country. Just check out our article on the best Portuguese towns to find out more. Of course, you’ll have to pay for accommodation, but visiting outside of the summer holidays means you’ll find some great travel deals.
In winter, things are especially cheap. Yet, because temperatures rarely fall below 15 degrees Celsius, it’s still warm enough to explore – even if it’s not hot enough to sunbathe!
Food will be the other main expense, although eating at local places rather than tourist hotspots makes a huge difference.
7. The Czech Republic
While travelling to the Czech Republic certainly isn’t as cheap as it used to be, it’s still far more affordable than visiting many other European countries.
Prague is considerably more expensive than the rest of the country, yet, prices are significantly lower compared to other capital cities like Paris or Rome – which it rivals in romance, charm, culture, and history.
Prague is a city you won’t want to miss, and there are many free activities you can enjoy here. Rather than joining paid tours, download a map and explore at your own pace.
The medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you can lose yourself in a maze of cobbled streets as you discover the city’s secrets. Walking along Charles Bridge, stopping at the Astronomical Clock, and admiring the glowing Gothic churches, for example, costs nothing.
The rest of the country is much cheaper – from the town of Cesky Krumlov, which looks straight out of a fairy tale, to the historic town of Sedlec and its eerie bone chapel and the hulking, craggy mountains of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, which are ideal for hiking.
Booking accommodation as early as possible in any of these destinations makes things much more affordable, even in peak season.
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Prague Vienna and Budapest*
£150 off | Europe | 10 days | Book with Trafalgar
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Highlights of Eastern Europe*
£450 off | Europe | 17 days | Book with Trafalgar
8. Estonia
Estonia is one of the most unique countries in Europe. While it’s similar to Latvia and Lithuania in terms of landscape and history, the culture is entirely distinct.
Finland is its closest neighbour when it comes to language and ethnicity, but Estonia’s half-century of Soviet rule divided the two. Though, ever since Estonia emerged from behind the Iron Curtain, tourists have been flooding in.
The capital, Tallinn, is bewitching, photogenic, and offers one of the best European city breaks. It’s the perfect blend of laid-back and lively, and with ancient churches, medieval streets, and vibrant modern culture, it won’t take long for you to fall for its charms. It’s easily the most expensive place in the country – although remains cheaper than Western European cities – but you can spend just a few days here before heading out to explore the wilderness.
And, Estonia boasts wilderness in droves. Half the sparsely populated countryside is blanketed with vast swathes of forest, so if you’re looking for peace and solitude in beautiful natural surroundings, you’ll find that here.
Accommodation and activities are cheap outside the capital, and its national parks – like Otepää Nature Park, which boasts gleaming lakes and miles of hiking trails – are free to enter and explore.
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Journey through the Baltic States*
Europe | 7 nights | Book with Cox & Kings
Call 03301 274 660 to request a quote
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The Baltic States & Scandinavia*
5% off | Europe | 14 days | Book with Cosmos
9. Romania
Romania is easily one of the cheapest countries in Europe – and it’s rapidly rising in popularity. This big, beautiful country is astonishingly diverse.
It’s got everything from sandy beaches, rugged mountains, rolling meadows, captivating culture, and, of course, iconic Transylvanian castles that perch precariously on craggy hilltops. Whether you want a lively city break, a rural escape, or an active adventure, Romania has it all.
The capital city of Bucharest buzzes with energy and is home to many impressive buildings which are free to visit – from the 15th-century Old Town to Revolution Square and the Arch of Triumph.
There are also free walking tours that allow you to discover this fascinating city – but it’s what lies outside the capital that’s arguably most appealing. Trains are cheap in Romania, so heading out to explore the countryside or coast is very affordable.
Rocky summits, pine tree forests, and green meadows dot the Carpathian Mountains, and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy looking out for bears, elk, and deer.
Transylvania is also a must-visit, whether you’re interested in vampire legends or not. Aside from Braşov (home to Bran Castle – Dracula’s home!), there are many gothic towns that’re a joy to explore and wonderfully cheap – like Sighişoara and Sibiu.
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The Transylvanian Properties of King Charles III*
Romania | 6 nights | Book with Cox & Kings
Call 03301 274 660 to request a quote
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Courtyard Cluj-Napoca Downtown*
Cluj Napoca | 1 nights | Book with Marriott International
10. Slovakia
A centrepiece of Europe, Slovakia might be relatively small, but it’s diverse, complex, and very affordable.
After breaking away from Czechoslovakia in 1992, Slovakia is now an independent and unique nation. Though it shares similarities with its neighbour, the Czech Republic, it’s very much a country in its own right. Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, castles, mountains, and monuments, there’s lots to do here.
The capital, Bratislava, is the most expensive place in the country, but because the city is small, you only need a few days here to explore.
Its size means it can be discovered on foot, as most of the attractions are clustered around the picturesque old town. The city is famous for its statues and sculptures (as well as its tankard-clanging drinking culture!), and there are many free galleries.
But it’s outside the capital where Slovakia really shines, and prices are lowest. So, if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure on a budget, this could be the destination for you.
The High Tatras mountains offer miles of gorgeous hiking trails. Here, you can admire views of mirror-like lakes and precipitous peaks, and in winter, you can go skiing and snowshoeing.
In the east, the charming city of Košice and the serene Tokaj wine region are also must-visits.
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Grand Hotel River Park, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bratislava*
Bratislava | 1 nights | Book with Marriott International
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AC Hotel Bratislava Old Town*
Bratislava | 1 nights | Book with Marriott International
11. Poland
While some of the most popular destinations in Poland – like Kraków and Warsaw – aren’t especially cheap in the high season, things become more affordable outside of summer.
Although spring and autumn are lovely times to visit, there’s a certain magic to a Polish winter, when the prices are at their lowest and thick snow makes the historic cities look even more captivating. If you do go in winter, just be ready to brace yourself for the cold!
Visiting the former capital of Kraków is like stepping back through the ages; its Gothic core is packed with art nouveau, Renaissance, and baroque buildings – and museums are free to enter at least one day a week.
Poland’s heartbreaking history during the Second World War can be explored at some of the country’s most famous yet haunting sites, like Auschwitz-Birkenau and Schindler’s Factory, which are cheaper and less crowded to visit during the off-season.
But, of course, there’s far more to Poland than its history. Most of the country is flat, but the southern border is embellished with rolling mountains, mysterious forests, and mighty rivers.
Hiking, kayaking, and canoeing are cheap here, and grand medieval castles and red-brick fortresses dot the countryside. The pretty city of Gdańsk hums with culture and energy, and dining out on hearty local fare is tasty and affordable.
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Holidays to Poland*
Poland | 2 nights | Book with British Airways Holidays
The British Airways Sale has just landed. Book your next holiday by midnight 14 May.
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Courtyard Katowice City Center*
Katowice | 1 nights | Book with Marriott International
12. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most unique countries in Europe. An intriguing blend of East meets West with a Slavic twist, this country may be associated with the painful civil war of the 90s, but modern Bosnia and Herzegovina is a very different place.
While the scars of that era can still be seen, visitors today will be struck by the country’s rocky mountains, medieval castles, thundering waters – and low prices.
It isn’t the cheapest country on this list, but one of the main perks of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina is that prices don’t vary much throughout the year. So, whether you’re looking for a sun-drenched holiday to try rafting on the many churning rivers or a bargain winter ski break, you can do both on a budget. If you’re into winter sports, Jahorina and Babin Do are two of the best and cheapest ski resorts.
The capital city, Sarajevo, is also affordable, with lots of Moorish architecture, pretty terraced cafes, buzzing bars, and a thriving arts scene.
Mostar, in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a smaller (but no less appealing) choice for a city break.
Restaurants are cheap here, particularly local haunts, but Bosnia and Herzegovina is also famous for its farmers’ markets (and Christmas markets!), where you can pick up lots of tasty food on the cheap.
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Spiritual Highlights of Italy with Medjugorje - Faith-Based Travel*
4% off | Europe | 12 days | Book with Cosmos
Final thoughts…
We’re extraordinarily lucky to have mainland Europe on our doorstep. As one of the most diverse continents in the world – from language to geography to culture – Europe’s delights and charms are famous across the world. No wonder Europe accounts for more than half of all international tourism!
While countries like France, Spain, and Italy (and the UK!) are some of the most popular destinations, they’re by no means the cheapest – and you can enjoy equally magical holidays in dozens of other European countries.
From the pristine, sandy beaches of Montenegro to the rugged mountains and gleaming lakes of Slovenia – not to mention the many charming cities and towns scattered throughout Eastern Europe – this continent is packed with beautiful countries just waiting to be explored.
And, luckily, holidays to these unique destinations usually come at a fraction of the price of other European breaks – meaning you’ll be able to make your money go further when booking your next holiday.
For more cheap holiday ideas, you might like to check out the travel section of our website, where you’ll find articles like; 8 of the cheapest countries to visit in 2024, 8 ways to travel on a shoestring budget, and 14 of the most underrated countries to visit in 2024.
Looking to book your next getaway?
Are you hoping to go on a European holiday? Or do you have any favourite cheap European destinations to share with our readers? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.