15 Cheapest Cities to Visit in Europe in 2026

Sofia consistently ranks as Europe's cheapest capital for travellers. A comfortable daily budget here is just £25 to £35, covering a hostel bed, three meals, local transport, and a couple of attractions. Even mid-range hotels rarely top £40 per night.

Hostel dorms: £8 to £12/night. Budget hotel: £25 to £40/night. Meals: A filling lunch at a traditional mehana costs £3 to £5.

Top free things to do:

• Explore the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and its golden domes
• Walk through Borisova Gradina, the city's oldest park
• Join a free walking tour covering 2,000 years of history
• Browse the outdoor book market on Slaveykov Square

Bucharest surprises visitors with its mix of Belle Époque palaces, brutalist blocks, and a thriving cafe scene, all at prices that feel almost too good. Budget around £28 to £38 per day for a comfortable stay.

Hostel dorms: £9 to £13/night. Budget hotel: £28 to £45/night. Meals: Traditional Romanian dishes at a local restaurant run £3 to £6.

Top free things to do:

• Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town (Lipscani)
• Visit the enormous Palace of the Parliament (exterior; interior tours from £5)
• Relax in Herastrau Park along the lake
• Explore the Village Museum's open-air collection on free-entry days

Krakow remains one of the best-value cities in Central Europe. The medieval Old Town is stunning, the food scene is fantastic, and you can do it all on £30 to £40 per day. It is busier than Sofia or Bucharest, but the quality of attractions justifies the slightly higher costs.

Hostel dorms: £10 to £15/night. Budget hotel: £30 to £50/night. Meals: Pierogi, zurek soup, and local dishes for £4 to £7.

Top free things to do:

• Explore the vast Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), Europe's largest medieval square
• Visit Wawel Cathedral (free entry to the cathedral itself)
• Walk through Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter
• Take a free walking tour through the Old Town

Porto offers the feel of a Western European gem without the price tag of Lisbon or Barcelona. Expect to spend £35 to £45 per day. The port wine cellars, tiled facades, and riverside sunsets make every pound feel well spent.

Hostel dorms: £12 to £18/night. Budget hotel: £35 to £55/night. Meals: A francesinha (Porto's famous sandwich) costs £7 to £10; cheaper eats from £5.

Top free things to do:

• Cross the Dom Luis I Bridge on foot for panoramic views
• Admire the azulejo tiles at Sao Bento railway station
• Walk the Ribeira riverfront, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Explore the Livraria Lello exterior and surrounding streets

Budapest splits across the Danube into hilly Buda and flat Pest, and both sides deliver remarkable value. A daily budget of £30 to £40 covers accommodation, meals, transport, and even a thermal bath visit. The ruin bar scene is legendary and cheap.

Hostel dorms: £10 to £15/night. Budget hotel: £30 to £50/night. Meals: Goulash and Hungarian staples for £4 to £7.

Top free things to do:

• Walk along the Danube Promenade and see the Shoes on the Danube memorial
• Climb Gellert Hill for sweeping city views
• Explore the Great Market Hall (free to enter; food is cheap inside)
• Stroll through the Castle District in Buda

Athens has shaken off its crisis-era reputation and emerged as one of Europe's most exciting cities, with prices still well below the Western European average. Budget £35 to £45 per day. Street food is excellent, and many of the best sights are free.

Hostel dorms: £12 to £18/night. Budget hotel: £35 to £55/night. Meals: Souvlaki wraps for £3, sit-down taverna meals from £8.

Top free things to do:

• Explore the Ancient Agora's surroundings and Monastiraki Flea Market
• Hike Filopappou Hill for Acropolis views (free; the Acropolis itself costs £10 to £20)
• Wander through the Plaka and Anafiotika neighbourhoods
• Visit the National Garden, a peaceful green oasis in central Athens

Belgrade is one of the most underrated cities on this list. The nightlife is world-class (the floating river clubs, or splavovi, are legendary), the food is hearty and cheap, and the locals are famously welcoming. Daily budgets of £25 to £35 are realistic.

Hostel dorms: £8 to £12/night. Budget hotel: £25 to £40/night. Meals: Cevapi and burek for £2 to £4; restaurant meals from £5.

Top free things to do:

• Explore Kalemegdan Fortress and its park overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers
• Walk down Knez Mihailova, the main pedestrian street
• Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum exterior and surrounding area
• Stroll through Skadarlija, Belgrade's bohemian quarter