The Best European Budget Friendly Cities
Since getting home, I always get asked what my favorite country was. To be honest, I have no idea. Each country brings its own challenges and adventures and comes with its own unique charm. Some countries stand out for their food and wine, while others stand out for the history or scenery. Some of my favorite places on our last trip to Europe were the countries that could be traveled cheaply because I got to enjoy life a little more freely there without blowing my budget. Here’s two of my top picks for the best European budget friendly cities.
Bratislava, Slovakia:
Bratislava was never on my radar, but once we decided to take a weekend trip to Budapest, I researched cities nearby that could make a good day trip. That’s when I stumbled upon Slovakia’s beautiful capital. It was just a 2.5-hour train ride from Budapest and was known as being safe, cheap and well-worth the trip.
This city makes my list as one of the cheapest places because a solid three meals cost me only $10. It uses the euro, so there’s no conversion issues, but every product at a grocery store or restaurant costs a fraction of the cost of some other European countries.
There were also so many things you could do for free, like walking tours that gave great overviews of the city and culture. You could hike up to the castle for a beautiful view over the city and the river and even see both Austria and Hungary from the top.
Prague, Czech Republic:
Prague was another day trip that was well worth it. The city is romantic, clean and a great mix of history and more modern charm. When walking through the streets, you can see the castle, which reminds me of a scene straight out of a story book, but there’s also a very artsy vibe. Musicians line every corner, artists sell their wares along the bridge, and the John Lennon wall is a very popular spot.
Food was reasonably priced everywhere except right by the biggest tourist spots (the John Lennon wall and a few places in the main square). The currency is different and that was pretty helpful in this case. Transportation from the airport, which took about 30-45 minutes cost a little under $2. A three-course meal cost less than $15.
This was also a city to take a walk in. We skipped the walking tour and enjoyed just exploring the streets and taking in the free scenery. The park was beautiful, the bridge and walk up to the castle grounds was incredible and the city center was full of life.
Unfortunately, both of these incredibly cheap, beautiful and fairytale-like cities were only day trips. I probably could have saved quite a bit of money and really enjoyed a few more days in both places. If you’re looking for the best European budget friendly cities, make sure to check these two beautiful cities out. You can find more of the best of Europe here.
