In short
The cheapest destinations in Europe in 2027 are in the Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary), where you can travel comfortably for €35 to €60 a day. In the west, choose less touristy regions: inland Portugal, Andalusia out of season, northern Spain or Puglia. Go in May–June or September–October, and book transport and accommodation early.
Contents
Travelling in Europe in 2027 without breaking the bank is possible: you just need to pick the right countries, the right regions and the right season. Here are 15 cheap places to travel in Europe, grouped by region, with an indicative daily budget (accommodation, food and activities, excluding travel to get there) and our tips for keeping costs down.
With Guidly, you don’t need to pay for a guide at every stop: the app finds the places around you and creates an audio guide based on your interests, in your language, anywhere in the world.
The top 5 cheapest destinations in Europe in 2027
| Destination | Indicative daily budget | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | €35 to €60 | Beaches, mountains, ancient sites |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | €30 to €50 | History, Mostar, nature |
| North Macedonia | €30 to €50 | Lake Ohrid, monasteries |
| Bulgaria | €35 to €55 | Sofia, Plovdiv, the Black Sea |
| Romania | €35 to €55 | Transylvania, castles |
These budgets are indicative for a comfortable trip (private room, simple restaurants, a few visits). They vary with the season and your travel style.
The Balkans: Europe’s lowest prices
1. Albania
The beaches of the Riviera (Ksamil, Himarë, Dhërmi), the UNESCO-listed Ottoman towns of Berat and Gjirokastër, the ancient site of Butrint and the Albanian Alps for hiking. Europe’s cheapest sun-and-sea destination, as long as you avoid the coast in peak summer. Our full guide: what to see in Albania.
2. Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor, often compared to a fjord, the UNESCO-listed old town of Kotor and the island village of Sveti Stefan. Pricier than Albania on the coast, but very affordable inland (Durmitor National Park).
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, where minarets, church towers and synagogues stand side by side, the old Baščaršija bazaar, the bridge of Mostar and the Kravica waterfalls. One of the most striking, and cheapest, destinations on the continent.
4. North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in Europe, its Byzantine churches and freshwater beaches, and the surprising capital, Skopje. Still very undiscovered.
5. Serbia
Belgrade and its fortress at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava, its cafés and famous nightlife, then Novi Sad and its vineyards. A city break on a small budget.
Eastern Europe: culture and affordable capitals
6. Bulgaria
Sofia and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman and Ottoman old town of Plovdiv, Rila Monastery and the Black Sea beaches. Since January 2026, Bulgaria has used the euro, which makes budgeting easier.
7. Romania
Transylvania, its medieval towns of Brașov and Sighișoara, Bran Castle with its Dracula legend and Peleș Castle, then the painted monasteries of Bucovina.
From Bucharest: Peleș and Bran castles and Brașov old town
8. Poland
Kraków and its main square, Wawel Castle, Gdańsk on the Baltic and Wrocław with its little bronze dwarfs hidden around the city. Milk bars (bar mleczny) serve pierogi for a few euros.
9. Hungary
Budapest remains one of the most affordable capitals in Central Europe: thermal baths, the Parliament on the Danube and ruin bars. Our guide: Budapest in 3 days.
10. The Baltic states
Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn, three UNESCO-listed old towns that are easy to combine by bus. Cheaper than Western Europe, especially outside summer.
South-western Europe: sunshine without the crowds
11. Inland Portugal
Lisbon and Porto have become pricier, but the Alentejo (Évora and its Chapel of Bones, Monsaraz), Coimbra and Aveiro remain very affordable. Start with the capital: Lisbon in 3 days.
From Lisbon: Évora, the Chapel of Bones, Monsaraz and Alentejo wines
12. Andalusia out of season
Seville, Córdoba, Granada and the Alhambra in spring or autumn, white villages such as Ronda, and the Costa de la Luz rather than the Costa del Sol. Tapas remain the cheapest way to eat well.
Granada: Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces ticket
13. Northern Spain
Galicia and Santiago de Compostela, Asturias and the Picos de Europa, Cantabria: green landscapes, seafood and cider, at prices well below the Mediterranean coast.
14. Puglia
The heel of Italy’s boot: Bari, Polignano a Mare, the trulli of Alberobello and Matera, with direct low-cost flights to Bari. Our itinerary: Bari in 3 days.
15. Mainland Greece
Away from the priciest Cyclades: Thessaloniki, the monasteries of Meteora, the Peloponnese and Nafplio. Greek history without Santorini prices.
Our tips for travelling cheaply in Europe in 2027
Transport
- Book early and stay flexible: midweek flights are often cheaper. Watch out for low-cost airlines’ baggage fees.
- Bus and train: FlixBus links most European cities cheaply, and an Interrail pass pays off if you visit several countries.
- On site, public transport and walking are enough in most cities.
Accommodation
- Stay outside the very centre: a few metro stops away, prices drop noticeably.
- A place with a kitchen lets you make breakfasts and picnics.
- Hostels often have private rooms at gentle prices.
Once there
- Eat local: markets, street food and lunch menus (such as Spain’s menú del día).
- Make the most of free things: museums free on certain days, parks, free walking tours (tip expected).
- Travel off-season: May–June and September–October bring lower prices, fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- Guidly: a personal audio guide for every place, without booking a guided tour at each stop.
Entry requirements
Within the EU and the Schengen area, EU citizens only need an ID card; other travellers should check the rules for their nationality. Several Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) are outside the EU, and entry rules depend on your passport: always check your government’s travel advice before you go.
FAQ
What is the cheapest country in Europe for a holiday?
The Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia) are the cheapest in Europe: a comfortable trip often costs €30 to €50 a day on the ground. Bulgaria and Romania follow closely.
Where can I find cheap sunshine in Europe?
The Albanian Riviera, the Montenegrin coast out of season, Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Andalusia in spring or autumn, Puglia and inland Portugal.
Which European capital is cheap to visit?
Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Bucharest, Budapest, Warsaw and Riga. For inspiration, see our list of the most beautiful European capitals.
When is the cheapest time to travel in Europe?
May–June and September–October: flight and accommodation prices drop, there are fewer crowds and the weather stays pleasant in southern Europe.
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