Cheap, Not Cheesy: Europe’s Best Value Countries Right Now

In Hungary, Budapest turns luxury into something oddly affordable. Grand thermal baths steam beside the Danube, ruin bars buzz till dawn, and public transport barely dents your wallet—proof that elegance doesn’t have to come with elite prices.

Portugal quietly undercuts its flashier neighbours. Trams rattle through Lisbon, grilled sardines cost less than a latte elsewhere, and Atlantic sunsets in the Algarve deliver postcard drama at distinctly non-postcard prices.

In Poland, medieval squares and WWII history coexist with shockingly affordable meals. Kraków’s old town, budget trains, and hearty pierogi prove culture-heavy travel doesn’t need premium pricing.

Romania feels like a storybook on a student budget. Saxon towns, misty Carpathian peaks and Transylvanian castles come with food, stays and transport that remain among the EU’s cheapest.

In Bulgaria, Sofia ranks among Europe’s least expensive capitals. Roman ruins sit beside cafés serving full meals for pocket change, while beaches and mountains remain just a cheap bus ride away.

Latvia blends refinement with restraint. Riga’s art nouveau streets, cosy cafés and nearby forests make it easy to live well on little—an elegant reminder that budget travel doesn’t mean bare-bones.

Often skipped, Bosnia and Herzegovina rewards curiosity. Ottoman bridges, river valleys and café culture in Sarajevo and Mostar come wrapped in hospitality and prices that feel frozen in another decade.

In Serbia, Belgrade’s nightlife reputation meets wallet-friendly reality. Music spills onto streets, meals stay generous and cheap, and accommodation costs make lingering longer an easy decision.

North Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last true bargains. Skopje’s bazaars and monuments contrast with the serene beauty of Lake Ohrid, where low daily costs meet fewer crowds and deeper authenticity.