Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Smarter Travel and has been republished here with permission.
Try some of the less tourist-heavy but equally gorgeous places in Europe like Vilnius, Lithuania. (Photo: Shutterstock)
You’ve heard it a lot in the last few months: Europe is cheaper than it’s been in a long time. The time to go is now. But Europe is a big place. So where should you visit to make the most of the strong dollar?
Every year, PriceofTravel.com updates its Europe 3-Star Traveler Index. It’s a snapshot of the current cheapest cities in Europe for budget-minded travelers, based on the daily cost of a well-reviewed three-star hotel room in a central location, two cab rides, entry to a cultural attraction, and three meals and three drinks per day.
Here are the cheapest European cities for budget travelers this year.
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is a great travel destination. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $43.80/day
For an intriguing look at the political and cultural extremes of Romania’s history, check out Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament, Village Museum, and Cotroceni Palace, each of which will give you a different sense of the Romanian experience.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Don’t miss out on the incredible color of Sofia. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $44.71/day
Sofia mingles urban charm with natural beauty. The architecturally rich city is one of Europe’s oldest, with cobblestone boulevards and, in the warmer months, an alfresco cafe culture that invites travelers to stay awhile.
Kiev, Ukraine
Stunning and affordable. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $46.35/day
Now may not be the time to visit Eastern Ukraine (read the State Department’s latest warning for full details), but capital city Kiev—located squarely in the middle of the country—is still welcoming visitors with its incredibly good exchange rate and World Heritage sites.
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
This ancient town is a must-see. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $49.10/day
Travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination worth the extra effort of getting there will love Cesky Krumlov. The medieval river town is friendly, ultra-affordable, and full of fascinating historical sights.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
There’s so much to see and do — don’t wait! (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $50/day
East meets West in Sarajevo, where low prices reign in 2015. More than a decade after war, the city has been almost entirely reconstructed and is once again a lively and welcoming place. And there’s no beating its proximity to gorgeous nature — nearby dense forests and alpine lakes make for an easy day trip.
St. Petersburg, Russia
This vibrant city has a ton of sights to see. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $50.48/day
For the last decade, St. Petersburg has been earning a reputation as a pricey destination. But with the weakened Russian ruble, Russia’s most beautiful city has become a budget bucket lister’s dream.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest boasts tons of food, culture, and incredible sights. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $51.06/day
Budapest has long been a magnet for budget travelers, and it continues to offer an incredible experience at an affordable price. Get off the tourist track to find authentic and affordable food and hotels, and embrace coffee houses and thermal baths to discover the best of the city.
Krakow, Poland
This city has tons of history and is a deal as well. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $52.36/day
PriceofTravel.com says Krakow is “easily among the best bargains in Europe,” citing its historic center and “weirdly low” prices as perfect excuses for making the journey. One of the first World Heritage cities to be designated by UNESCO, the 13th-century merchants’ town is home to Europe’s largest market square and a hilltop palace.
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade’s got a lot going on. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $53.52/day
Belgrade stands out for the relatively high quality of accommodations, even in lower price ranges. The city’s architecture — which ranges from Byzantine to art nouveau — tells the story of its past, while its beach and nightclub-river-barge culture gives it a youthful edge.
Split, Croatia
Split is packed full of beautiful scenery. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $62.08/day
Cheap, easy to reach, and flourishing with a rich local culture, Split is where anyone looking for a Croatian slice-of-life should go for vacation. Its seaside location makes it an ideal jumping-off point for exploring the country’s famed islands.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb is bustling with life. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $64.92/day
Another Croatian gem, Zagreb’s inland location shelters it from the surf-and-sand crowd and keeps prices low. Its charming old city center and thriving arts-and-culture scene means there’s plenty to do, even on a budget.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Don’t miss out on this gorgeous city. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $65.88/day
While most of the destinations on the 3-Star Traveler Index require extra effort on the transportation front, Vilnius is different. The capital is a rising star for European budget airlines, which deliver people directly to the city from other major European airports.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Both historic and modern, Bratislava has something for everyone. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $68.39/day
Just a stone’s throw from pricey Vienna, Slovakia’s Bratislava offers plenty of historic charm without inflated prices. Cobblestone streets and a thriving cafe scene keep things quaint, while the city’s towering UFO Observation Deck gives it a futuristic spin.
Santorini Island, Greece
A haven for history and environment, Greece is a stunning place to visit. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $69.49/day
Santorini — and indeed the Greek islands in general — is a great deal this year, as long as you’re not visiting in July and August, when prices jump to take full advantage of the high demand. Gorgeous scenery, affordable food and drink, and reasonable accommodations rates make it worth the ferry ride.
Riga, Latvia
Riga is on the up and up, so make sure to catch it while it’s affordable. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Daily 3-Star Traveler Index: $69.94/day
Riga is finding its way into the mainstream with the introduction of low-cost flights from budget European carriers. Even so, this UNESCO-recognized city with its famed art nouveau center remains among the most affordable spots in Europe.
More Affordable European Cities This Year
Gorgeous scenery in Tenerife. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Europe 3-Star Traveler Index includes 56 cities. Here are the destinations that round out the top 20:
Tenerife, Spain: $70.05/day
Prague, Czech Republic: $74.67/day
Istanbul, Turkey: $77.07/day
Warsaw, Poland: $77.66/day
Moscow, Russia: $77.71/day
Europe’s Cheapest Cities This Year by Viator Travel Team from Viator Travel Blog