Europe is a fascinating continent to explore, but some of the destinations – such as Italy and France –are notoriously expensive for visitors. If you are travelling Europe on a budget you will want to check out some of the cheaper destinations where your money will go a lot further, such as:
10. Brussels, Belgium
Photo via Alina Zienowic
The lovely city of Brussels in Belgium is a short flight from the UK and the capital of the European Union offers a lot to enjoy.
Flight from London: £50 – £70
Accommodation: £40 – £60
Food: £10 for a nice dinner, £5 for a cheap lunch
What to see and do:
- Don’t forget to treat yourself to some superb Belgian chocolate!
- Visit the fascinating Natural Sciences Museum.
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Find out more about Brussels.
9. Crete, Greece
Photo via Marc Ryckaert
The largest of the Greek Islands, this warm Mediterranean paradise offers sun, sand, sea, delicious food and friendly people.
Flight from London: £100 – £200
Accommodation: £25-£50 per night
Food: £15 for a nice dinner, £2 for street food
What to see and do:
- Admire the treasures at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
- Linger for hours over lunch at a local Taverna, why not try and find one of the local Greek nights, these involve eating local cuisine, drinking local liqueurs and dancing to local music.
Find out more about Crete.
8. Budapest, Hungary
Photo via Heinz Albers
The capital city of Hungary has a lively atmosphere and it is known as the “Paris of the East” because of its culture and historic architecture. It’s an easy city to walk around and the nightlife is fantastic.
Flight from London: £40 – £130
Accommodation: £30 – £100
Food: £6 for a nice dinner, £1.50 for a cheap local lunch
What to see and do:
- Check out the Ruin Pubs – quirky and atmospheric bars fashioned from abandoned warehouses and industrial buildings.
- Visit the Hungarian Parliament building, which is the largest building in Hungary. The building is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
Find out more about Budapest.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Photo via Benh LIEU SONG
Straddling both Europe and Asia, Istanbul was once the imperial city of Constantinople and it has a wealth of historic and religious attractions to explore.
Flight from London: £90-£200
Accommodation: £20 – £80
Food: £7 for dinner, £2 for a budget lunch
What to see and do:
- Admire the stunning Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
- Get lost in the many stalls of the Grand Bazaar, selling everything from spices to carpets to jewelry, clothing and much more.
Find out more about Istanbul.
6. Fuerteventura, Spain
Photo via Andy Mitchell
A stunning volcanic island in the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is known for its kite surfing, wind surfing and beautiful beaches.
Flight from London: £70-£190
Accommodation: £20-£70
Food: £10 for dinner, £4 for a cheap local lunch
What to see and do:
- Take a surfing lesson.
- Venture to the mountains to learn how the locals survived off the land for centuries
Find out more about Fuerteventura.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
Photo via Luca Galuzzi
Lisbon has a hip vibe, so why not get lost in its winding cobblestone alleyways lined with sun-bleached buildings? There is so much history and culture to discover here, as well as a fantastic culinary scene.
Flight from London: £50-£150
Accommodation: £20- £100
Food: £10 for a nice dinner, £5 for a cheap local lunch
What to see and do:
- Ride the historic funiculars up the steep streets.
- Have a picnic in the scenic Jardim Botanico.
Find out more about Lisbon.
4. Zagrab, Croatia
Photo via DAVID HOLT
A charming medieval “old city”, the capital of Croatia is packed with art galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas and lovely cafes.
Flight from London: £80-£170
Accommodation: £15-£80
Food: £5 for dinner, £2 for a budget lunch
What to see and do:
- Relax on the shores of Jarun Lake.
- Go shopping at the Hrelic Flea Market every Sunday morning.
Find out more about Zagreb.
3. Prague, Czech Republic
Photo via Che
A historic city filled with fairy-tale-like medieval architecture, boasting an abundance of culture, art, music and fine dining.
Flight from London: £40-£90.
Accommodation: £20-£80.
Food: £7 for a nice dinner, £3 for a cheap local lunch.
What to see and do:
- Admire Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world.
- Stroll along the Charles Bridge and admire the artwork of the local artisans while listening to the music of the buskers.
Find out more about Prague.
2. Krakow, Poland
Photo via Pko
Krakow is a must for history buffs – it is one of the oldest cities in the country and it as one of the first historic centres to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1978.
Flight from London: £50-£130.
Accommodation: £15 – £75.
Food: £8 for dinner, £1.50 for a cheap local lunch.
What to see and do:
- Check out Wawel Castle, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful castles in Central Europe.
- Take a cruise down the river to admire the Tyniec Abbey and Bielany Priory.
Find out more about Krakow.
1. Sofia, Bulgaria
Photo via DAVID HOLT
An elegant European capital, Sofia has many beautiful orthodox churches and fascinating ancient ruins. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Flight from London: £60-£150.
Typical accommodation price: £10-£50.
Food: £8 for dinner, £1.25 for a cheap local lunch.
What to see and do:
- Take a walking tour to learn about the city’s history.
- Visit the nearby mountain Vitosha, poplar for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Find out more about Sofia.
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