Visiting Europe might seem like an expensive and impossible dream – but it doesn’t have to be! If you can get a great deal on flights and spend your time in any of these ten cheapest cities to visit in Europe, you can have an incredible trip while saving money.

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Basic Tips: Visiting Europe on a Budget

Like with any other country, Europe has a wide range of options that can suit any budget. Unlike America, Europe has a thriving hostel culture, and not only can you stay at these shared accommodations in all of the cities mentioned below, but these are great ways to meet fellow travelers who are also attempting to travel on a budget or backpacking through Europe.

Other general budgeting tips include not eating out for every meal and walking as much as you can instead of hiring any taxi service or a private driver, or even taking public transportation. Many of the cities mentioned on this list have incredible markets where you can buy not only incredible works of art or other goods, but you can also buy fresh local food and ingredients that may be cheaper than going to a sit down restaurant.

Now that you have some basic tips, you might be wondering where in Europe you can go that is relatively affordable. Well here’s a list of fantastic and cheapest cities to visit in Europe that you can have an amazing European vacation without breaking the bank.

1. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a bustling city that’s home to over 14 million people. This incredible metropolis has a rich culture and an illustrious history, And if you visit you’ll surely want to experience one of the bazaars, or local shopping markets, where you can look at incredible works of art including hand woven rugs. If you’re traveling on a budget and hoping to avoid eating out for every single meal these bazaars are also great locations to buy local and fresh ingredients to create some of your own meals.

Istanbul Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Istanbul. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Istanbul to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Istanbul itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Istanbul in addition to what already mentioned here.

2. Kiev, Ukraine

Although Kiev is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular destinations for travelers it still retains a small town charm of a lesser known city. When you visit you can enjoy the site of the unique and colorful architecture of the region. For example Saint Sophia‘s cathedral has beautiful bright green and gold accents.

Kiev Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Kiev. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Kiev to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Kiev itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Kiev in addition to what already mentioned here.

3. Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg is a beautiful and picturesque town for many reasons, but one of the most unique is the fact that it’s actually built on water and has three major rivers. Understandably it’s also earned a nickname as the Venice of the north. You can travel the city’s canals by boat or you can see it by land as well. Its Lakeside city center offers visitors countless shopping opportunities, incredible restaurants, and fantastic nightlife.

Hamburg Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Hamburg. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Hamburg to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Hamburg itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Hamburg in addition to what already mentioned here.

4. Kilkenny, Ireland

Ireland is a fantastic travel destination and an affordable one at that. Kilkenny is a charming and picturesque town with medieval architecture and colorful bright buildings with local businesses for you to explore. It’s also just under two hours from Dublin so you can also take day trips to other locations.

Kilkenny Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Kilkenny. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Kilkenny to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Kilkenny itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Kilkenny in addition to what already mentioned here.

5. Athens, Greece

If you’re hoping to experience the beauty and history of Greece but are wary of the potential costs of islands like Santorini, you’ll likely find a great destination in Athens. Of course, there are ways to have a more luxurious travel experience if you’re interested, but you can primarily stay at hostels, eat at local hole-in-the-wall type restaurants, and wander the city or take day trips to explore the surrounding area.

Athens Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Athens. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Athens to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Athens itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Athens in addition to what already mentioned here.

6. Saint Petersburg, Russia

If you’re hoping to visit Russia and hoping to save money, Saint Petersburg is the place for you. It’s cheaper than Moscow, with the average traveler spending about $18 per day on food. Like with most major cities you have a variety of options when it comes to accommodations so you can really pick what fits your budget. You can also walk around and experience some of the most beautiful and colorful architecture without paying a cent. It does have a cost associated with it, but if you are interested in Russian history no trip to Saint Petersburg would be complete without a visit to the Winter Palace. This incredibly grand rococo style structure was built in the 1700s to reflect the night of imperial Russia and it was the royal residence up until the Russian revolution.

Saint Petersburg Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Saint Petersburg. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Saint Petersburg to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Saint Petersburg itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Saint Petersburg in addition to what already mentioned here.

7. Sofia, Bulgaria

If you’re trying to find a cheap place to go in Europe that is still a remarkable destination that is worth the trip, Bulgaria is the country for you. It is overall one of the most cost-effective trips that you can take if you’re hoping to have a European adventure, but one of the amazing things about it is how many of its wonderful attractions are completely natural. Bulgaria boasts a wide array of sparkling beaches and picturesque landscapes complete with the grand mountains reaching towards the beautiful sky.

Sofia Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Sofia. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Sofia to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Sofia itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Sofia in addition to what already mentioned here.

8. Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina

Although Bosnia and Herzegovina have grown and popularity over the years, it still remains an often overlooked country to visit. The capital city of Sarajevo is a great destination for a cost-saving itinerary, as there are free walking tours, free public spaces, and more. Although public transportation is available and relatively not too expensive, Sarajevo is an incredibly walkable city so you can get around on foot.

Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina in addition to what already mentioned here.

9. Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia ‘s capital city is often ranked as one of the most affordable cities to visit in Europe. You can experience the historic charm and picturesque scenery of the European town without the crowds. Full of incredible museums and a fantastic selection of sidewalk cafes, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself whether your idea of a perfect vacation is to see all of the historic sites, or to simply soak in the culture of the place that you were visiting.

Zagreb Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Zagreb. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Zagreb to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Zagreb itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Zagreb in addition to what already mentioned here.

10. Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital city is a great destination not only because of its history, nightlife, and culture but because it’s accessible to you at a great price. The city is also full of free things to do and see, such as Heroes Square. The public transportation here is also excellent, with affordable multi-day passes available.

Budapest Travel Guide & Resources:

Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Budapest. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Budapest to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Budapest itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Budapest in addition to what already mentioned here.

Video Guide: 10 Most Incredible and Affordable European Cities to Visit

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Need help planning a trip to Europe?

Want to plan a budget-friendly trip to Europe but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of multi-city trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!

At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a budget-friendly trip that include visiting multiple cities, countries throughout Europe are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city European trip and craft your European vacation package at the best price.

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