8 Best European Countries To Explore On A Budget

1. Portugal

[{"selector":"#anim-4cb02595-3e2f-4b1d-bc6d-44ac225dcdda","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c2d2ed0-097d-45e5-92d6-226929ddb1ef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Portugal combines breathtaking coastline, colourful cities, and warm hospitality with very affordable prices.

2. Hungary

[{"selector":"#anim-947b56db-207e-4fa5-8a77-21c7aca28266","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67298fe4-4b4a-4cc2-9fa3-b99c8a4446a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is famed for its stunning architecture, thermal baths, and vibrant nightlife, all at a fraction of Western Europe’s cost.

3. Poland

[{"selector":"#anim-8346be74-13b4-42fe-8980-1dbd9384c787","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81ffef0e-5af4-483d-8e0d-4cb271bd2027","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Poland’s rich history and charming cities like Krakow and Warsaw are surprisingly budget-friendly.

4. Czech Republic

[{"selector":"#anim-c34000d7-b76c-40f0-af6b-13c3bb225bca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8bf74f9d-b5a1-4ad8-aa8e-61d6b54d740a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While Prague is a popular tourist hotspot, it’s still very doable on a budget if you plan smartly.

5. Romania

[{"selector":"#anim-0048ab8b-efbc-47b3-b99a-f06bc3808c5d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89baca1d-eb83-4e14-a72b-a791fec05353","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Romania offers a raw, off-the-beaten-path European experience. Romania’s natural beauty and rich folklore come at budget-friendly prices.

6. Slovakia

[{"selector":"#anim-ba93519d-53e6-499a-b803-a017ff540be2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ce78b40-3bab-43ab-9e75-faa46620c77e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Small but beautiful, Slovakia is known for its dramatic landscapes, including the High Tatras mountains and charming towns like Bratislava.

7. Bulgaria

[{"selector":"#anim-5ca4ac56-5da9-4e7f-a852-aaefe0cdb1bd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db7c10cd-2bab-472c-92a8-f315685e6fcc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Bulgaria is a hidden budget treasure with stunning Black Sea beaches, historic monasteries, and vibrant cities like Sofia and Plovdiv.

8. Greece

[{"selector":"#anim-bcd40bb2-1bcf-4e8a-9295-bdc3e382fcd3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27db77fb-dbda-461c-9d13-d9a9524b15fb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While some parts of Greece, like Santorini and Mykonos, can be pricey, mainland Greece and lesser-known islands offer excellent value.

[{"selector":"#anim-e288d0b0-25ba-4669-ba82-5ad2b7837d27","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74ec654f-f7b2-453c-b7e1-1f14fec04b5c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 404.47518%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash These destinations balance rich cultural experiences and natural beauty with affordability.