North Macedonia is Europe's cheapest country overall, followed by Bosnia & Herzegovina and Bulgaria, according to the latest authoritative EU data. 

But the cheapest country overall isn't necessarily the cheapest place for travellers. Raven Guides combines Eurostat's official price comparisons with 2026 hotel, restaurant, transport and attraction prices to identify Europe's best-value destinations. 

This is real data, but 'daily budget' figures can be misleading – the traveller needs to plan and decide. This blog cuts out the guesswork – only deliberate planning can deliver truly low travel costs. A hostel backpacker eating supermarket meals and a couple staying in central hotels face completely different price realities. 

Countries in Europe’s south and east are generally the cheapest for visitors. The further south or east in Europe you travel, costs are generally lower, making the Balkan region especially affordable for tourism. It’s easy to see this rule of thumb reflected in the Eurostat data. 

The 10 cheapest countries in Europe to visit in 2026 are:

● North Macedonia
● Bosnia & Herzegovina
● Bulgaria
● Romania
● Montenegro
● Serbia
● Albania
● Poland
● Hungary
● Croatia

These countries are much lower in cost than other parts of Europe and it is well worth discovering their cultural richness and often dazzling attractions. Traveller interest in Mediterranean countries is well established, but most of the Balkans and eastern-central Europe are even more affordable and are welcoming increasing numbers of tourists as relatively unspoilt destinations. 

This blog post aims to first show the lowest-cost countries in Europe using official statistics, then use the same data set to build more precise tables in cost categories relevant to travellers. 

Then we can find meaningful snapshots of actual costs and prices. Last, we will summarise some of the attractions of Europe’s lowest-cost countries.  

The most credible source for Europe’s cheapest countries is Eurostat’s annual Purchasing Power Parities report, which measures cost of living in 34 European countries based on a standard basket of goods and services. 

Europe’s 10 lowest-cost countries overall

Europe’s 10 cheapest countries have household expenditure less than 80% of the EU average. Most are Balkan countries, while Hungary and Poland occupy positions 8 and 9. 

Eurostat scores each country against 100, the EU average. A country ranked at 55 costs 55% as much as the EU average traveller destination. 

Raven Guides has built the following ranking table of cheapest European countries based on the Eurostat cost-of-living data.

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

The popularity of Croatia (especially the Dalmatian coast) is established. Interest in Hungary and Poland is growing among travellers and their low cost plays a significant role. Albania and Montenegro have also begun developing tourist industries.

More low-cost countries

A group of central and southern European countries follows the top 10 in the lowest-cost list. Baltic, central and southern European countries occupy positions 11 to 20. All in the table below are between 80% and 92% of the EU average.

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

Spain, Portugal and Greece are now popular destinations thanks to their weather, and their affordability has bonus appeal for visitors. Czechia’s capital Prague is another big drawcard, but the city’s centre can be significantly more expensive than other parts of the country. 

The appeal of these two Baltic countries shows in growing numbers of visitors. Estonia is also popular, but comes in slightly above the EU average at 101.2% according to Eurostat.

For tips on low-cost travel in Europe, check the Raven Guides blog on How to travel cheaply in Europe.  

^{M – Montenegro   BH – Bosnia & Herzegovina   K – Kosovo   N Mac – North Macedonia}

Map: Raven Travel Guides Europe (with AI) 

The cost data for European countries

Eurostat is the EU's official statistical office. Its report comes up with comparative indexes in 11 categories and an overall ‘Household final expenditure’ index. These contrast the absolute cost of an identical, internationally comparable basket of goods and services between countries.

Its key information comes as the table of indexes. Eurostat does not give prices. The indexes are based on percentages of European average cost levels. The most recent version of the report was published in June 2026 and covers 2025 consumption expenditure for Europe. It gives us all the information on relative costs in most European countries.

Quality comparisons for products and services can be highly subjective. Data in this blog is focused on exploring price levels by using authoritative sources. Travellers like us can plan to visit most expensive and lowest-cost EU countries if we start with the Eurostat report and research further.

The indexes cover each country and category. An index of 100 represents the EU average and figures below 100 represent lower-than-average costs. A country with an index above 100 is more expensive than the EU average.

It’s important to stress that these rankings represent the level of costs faced by residents. Digging deeper into the cost categories most travellers face helps build a more detailed picture.

Based on the Eurostat data, Raven Guides has built the map below with AI assistance.
● Red indicates countries with indexes of 140 and above
● Orange shows countries with indexes between 120 and 139.9
● Yellow shows countries between 110 and 119.9
● Light green shows countries between 90 and 109.9
● Mid-green shows countries below 90
● The grey areas are not covered by the Eurostat data

Apart from Iceland, the only highest-cost island is Switzerland.

Map: Raven Travel Guides Europe (with AI), based on Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

Eurostat's overall index is aimed at measuring household purchasing power, but takes into account many categories travellers are unlikely to encounter. Working out the cost of travelling Europe is about knowing what prices visitors will be most exposed to.

The five Eurostat categories that have most immediate impact on travellers' budgets are:

● Restaurants & accommodation services
● Food & non-alcoholic beverages
● Transport services
● Alcoholic beverages & tobacco (although the category includes narcotics)
● Recreation, sport & culture (the best measure available for institutions such as museums and the performing-arts industries)

This category list can help prepare us for expenses in any destination we choose to visit. Affordability across categories can vary.

Non-EU countries are part of the Eurostat data, though the numbers for these are less complete. Andorra and microstates such as San Marino and Monaco are not included.

North Macedonia (which is recognised as a state by all UN countries), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania are not EU countries, but aspire to membership. Not all EU countries recognise Kosovo and no data for Kosovo or Moldova has been presented by Eurostat. Raven Guides has not included the data produced for Türkiye but a short summary of Kosovo attractions is included below.

The 27 EU countries and the EFTA countries – four countries that are among Europe’s most expensive – together form the European Economic Area, but of these tiny Liechtenstein is not included.

The Eurostat rankings compare countries' overall price levels. To help travellers translate those rankings into a realistic budget, the price ranges below show the typical costs you can expect for common travel expenses.

Most affordable countries in five tourism-related categories

Restaurant food and hotels usually make up the biggest proportion of travel expenses. The table of 10 cheapest countries below closely reflects the overall cost-of-living list, but Czechia and Portugal edge out Hungary and Croatia for affordable accommodation.

10 cheapest countries for restaurants & accommodation services

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

To match hotel rates to the top 20 ranking countries, Raven Guides has researched capital-city three-star rates for single-occupancy rooms using Booking.com and drawn up the table below. The typical rate ranges provided are for central hotels (within 5km of the city centre) for October (Thursday) booking dates two months ahead. Hostel beds can be cheaper. 

Prices in this blog are converted to euro for comparative purposes (exchange rates as at August 2026). 

Hotel rates in inexpensive European capitals

^{*within 5km of the city centre}

Source: Booking.com

It’s important to remember that rates on the hotel’s home booking page are most often cheaper than corresponding rates on booking sites. Check the blog on How to get European hotels for cheap rates Capital-city hotel rates are often higher than in other areas. Supply of beds has a strong influence on rates. 

The food and non-alcoholic beverages table below shows less price variation in the category, which covers retail sales rather than restaurant meals and drinks. It will be of greatest help to self-caterers.

10 cheapest countries for food & non-alcoholic beverages 

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

Different measures, similar cost results

The website Numbeo.com offers its own indexes of costs in 45 European countries, based on price data submitted by expatriates and other residents.

Its results build a different index system but broadly confirm the Eurostat data, putting Balkan countries, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Czechia and Greece among the 20 cheapest European countries. The Numbeo cost map below uses similar colour coding to the Raven Guides map.

Source: Numbeo Cost of Living Index

Numbeo is a useful tool, although its voluntary data is uneven. Its advantage is that residents – people who know the territory – are providing the cost data. The overall cost-of-living index provides a rough guide to the relative level of expenses by country (performing a similar function to the Eurostat report) and in the city data breakdowns there is a section for budget restaurant prices.

Searches at Numbeo.com produce current prices for commodities including restaurant meals and other food and beverage items for each European city. The data shown for inexpensive restaurant meals for one, hamburger or other fast-food meals, regular-sized cappuccino coffees and 0.33-litre bottled water produces price ranges for the capital cities in our target countries.

Cost ranges for common travel expenses are shown in the table below.

Daily meal & beverage prices in inexpensive European capitals  

Source: Numbeo.com

For updated prices on a range of food and drink items, visit Numbeo.com. A similar cost index is managed by the Expatistan website but has fewer data sources and covers Europe less widely.

For an alternative take on the cost of restaurant meals, check out the Ferrygogo dinner price page.

The transport services cost table below – from the Eurostat data – represents rail, bus, ferry, air and city transit fares.

10 cheapest countries for transport services 

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

Serbia, Lithuania, Spain, Italy and Croatia follow closely behind with indexes between 80 and 85.

Raven Guides has researched 24-hour adult transit ticket costs for the 20 capital cities, or supplied the total cost of three city journeys where these are unavailable. Public transport in Belgrade is free. 

Transit ticket prices 

^{*no day ticket, cost for three single trips provided}

Of 26 EU countries where Eurostat has published data, Romania and Bulgaria are the lowest-cost destinations for recreation and culture.

The category covers tickets for cinemas, theatres, museums and sports events, organised tours and vacation packages, but includes items of less relevance such as audio-visual and IT equipment and hobbies.

10 cheapest countries for recreation & culture

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

The cost of museum entry is one measure of the cost of absorbing national and regional cultures. Raven Guides has researched cost ranges for museum entry in the capitals of Europe’s 20 cheapest countries, as well as the cost of one-day city passes (tourist passes that combine the cost of city transit fares and museum entry or partial discounts).

Cost of city attractions & museums

^{*48-hour pass price}

10 cheapest countries for alcoholic beverages & tobacco

Source: Eurostat Purchasing Power Parities report 2026

Attractions of the inexpensive Balkan countries

North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Kosovo and Bulgaria are the Balkan countries and Romania is often included for convenience. The region came under Ottoman Turkish control in the 15th century but began throwing off the Turkish yoke in the 19th century. The result is a rich cultural mixture. 

Eight of these countries are in the overall top-10 list for affordability, while Kosovo (unlisted) is considered to be among the cheapest. 

Household expenditure in all these countries is less than 78% of the EU average. 

North Macedonia – historical sites & unspoilt nature

The capital Skopje's old bazaar is a large Ottoman-era marketplace surrounded by historic mosques, artisan shops and traditional tea houses. Vodno (Водно) is a peak overlooking Skopje topped by a 66-metre cross, accessible by cable car. The archaeology of the ruined Roman city Heraclea Lyncestis (near Bitola), and the ruins of ancient Stobi are other historical highlights. The 19th-century mosque known as Sarena Dzamija in Tetovo is known for intricate exterior and interior floral wall paintings. 

Among the natural highlights of North Macedonia are the deep lake Ohridsko Ezero, which features clear water and is the site of the historic church of St John at Kaneo and the Orthodox monastery of St Naum. The steep gorge known as Kanjon Matka near Skopje is a location for walking paths and boat trips to the cave Peštera Vrelo. The national parks Nacionalen park Mavrovo near the Albanian border and Nacionalen park Pelister contain mountain landscapes and glacial lakes. 

Bosnia & Herzegovina – Ottoman heritage & natural beauty

Sarajevo's old Turkish-style bazaar Baščaršija is part of the cultural heart of the capital, featuring food stalls, copper workshops, and the 16th-century Gazi Husrev-beg mosque. Stari Most at Mostar is a 16th-century Ottoman bridge rebuilt over the river Neretva. Počitelj is a preserved medieval and Ottoman stone village built on a hillside cliff overlooking the river. 

Blagaj Tekija is a 16th-century Dervish monastery sited under a cliff next to the clear blue spring Vrelo Bune on the river Buna. The stunning waterfall Slap Kravica is another natural highlight.

Montenegro – great for historical towns

The capital Podgorica has stone ruins at Duklja, on the city outskirts. To the north, the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Ostrog is built high up a cliff face at the top of a zigzag path. 

The walled medieval town of Kotor presents stone streets and hidden squares. It is dominated by the ruined fortress of Sveti Ivan, known as San Giovanni, which presents a steep hike but is also illuminated at night. Nearby Perast is a quiet waterfront town known for old stone palaces and the tiny island church known as Our Lady of the Rocks is a short boat ride away, near a monastery. 

Budva is a lively coastal city with a historic old town and the fortified island village Sveti Stefan nearby is connected to the mainland by a narrow pink sand bar. 

Serbia – stunning landscapes & ambience

Belgrade's historical citadel Beogradska tvrđava overlooks the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The popular Skadarlija precinct of the old town is marked by cobblestone streets and 18th and 19th century housing that is known for traditional food and live music. 

Fortresses are among the main attractions in Serbia. The site of Petrovaradinska tvrđava in Novi Sad is famous for surrounding scenery and music events. The remarkable medieval towered castle Golubački grad sits on the Danube bank at the Romanian border. 

The protected wilderness of Nacionalni park Tara is in a mountain region with pine forests, wildlife and the Banjska Stena lookout. 

Albania – striking landscapes & coasts

Unspoilt nature is a feature of Albania, including the Ksamil coastal region and mountain landscapes. The small UNESCO world-heritage city Berat is known for stacked Ottoman-era houses with hundreds of symmetric windows and partly ruined hilltop castle with a Byzantine church and a colossal bust of the emperor Constantine. 

The smaller Gjirokastër, also heritage listed, is a stone town featuring regional architecture, its own fortress, and historic Ottoman houses. A national and archaeological park has been created around Butrint, an ancient city on the southern coast with well-preserved Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins. 

Croatia – a dream coastline & historical cities

The rugged Dalmatian Adriatic coast was the setting for an established tourist region during the Cold War. The UNESCO-listed city of Dubrovnik, with its old town and mighty medieval fortifications, is one of the most popular Adriatic destinations and the larger world-heritage port of Split combines Roman, Byzantine and Venetian architecture thanks to its complex history. The emperor Diocletian built a vast palace and his mausoleum remains. 

The island and town of Hvar has a 16th-century fortress and an old town with marble-paved streets. It is a base to explore the surrounding archipelago. 

The capital Zagreb is divided into upper and lower towns connected by a short funicular. The city has a wide variety of historical and modern architecture. 

Kosovo – cafes & culture

The capital Pristina has acquired a reputation for its cafe culture and unusual architecture. Nearby are the ruins of the Roman city Ulpiana, now an archaeological park. 

The second city Prizren is more picturesque, a well-preserved Ottoman old town with the Sinan Pasha mosque, historical churches and a stone fortress that had Bronze Age predecessors. 

Bulgaria – preserving a unique past

UNESCO heritage sites in Bulgaria include the Rila monastery, the ancient city Nessebar, remains of the Thracian culture including several tombs in the Kazanlak valley, and primeval beech forests in a national park north of Plovdiv. 

The country is a good place to examine Soviet-era architecture such as the 1980s Buzludzha monument. 

The capital Sofia has a striking centrepiece in the cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky. More modest is a surviving 4th century church dedicated to St George. The stunning painted interior of the medieval Boyana church is a highlight. 

Plovdiv is a historic city known as Philippopolis in the Macedonian period and has Roman remains such as a stadium and a well preserved theatre. More is in the archaeology museum. So-called Bulgarian Revival houses are preserved in the stone streets of the old town. 

Romania – castles of legend

Transylvania and its town and castles are among the most popular attractions in Romania. Brașov, where the medieval Teutonic Order was established, and Sibiu have old towns with squares, cobblestone streets and historical walls. 

Castelul Bran, a medieval fortress associated with Dracula, sits on a steep cliff near Brașov. Castelul Corvinilor, a massive Gothic-Renaissance fortress in Hunedoara, has striking tall towers and drawbridges. 

The UNESCO-listed citadel of Sighișoara is the medieval birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and the town has architecture of all periods. Castelul Peleș in Sinaia is a 19th-century Neorenaissance palace with lavish royal rooms and mountain views. 

Attractions of the Mediterranean and Iberian lands

Sun and warmth matter a lot to affluent northern Europeans, who seek relief from their own climate in and around the Mediterranean. This adds to the appeal of the region’s culturally rich sites and can lead to a lot of tourist traffic. It’s worth considering travel off-season, when prices and crowding tend to be lower. 

Spain (95.3 on Eurostat’s food and non-alcoholic beverages index) is below the EU cost average and Portugal (102) is fractionally above in the same category. These are affordable countries to travel, although the common pattern for English-speakers visiting these countries involves tours, package holidays and low-cost air carriers. For both countries, the cost levels for accommodation, restaurants and transport are low. 

Italy is close to the EU average expenditure level, but south of Rome can be quite affordable. Transport overall (84) is not expensive, but accommodation and restaurants (110.8) are above the EU average in cost. 

Greek accommodation and restaurants (86.1) are affordable, while transport (98.8) is close to the average. Tiny Malta comes in at 91.9 overall, although food and transport costs are above the average. 

Spain – architectural treasures & Moorish cities

Tourism in Spain has boomed more than in any European country and its affordability and climate have driven this popularity. The biggest drawcard by far is Barcelona, which attracts 18 million people a year with Sagrada Família and its other beauties. But city residents are now pushing back against the growing traffic. 

Madrid attracts only about one-third as many travellers as Barcelona, but its elegant 20th century architecture and ambience resonate with modern travellers. Segovia (with its own Alcázar and Roman aqueduct), Toledo (Alcázar and cathedral) and the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route capture the imagination of others. The Guggenheim Museum has brought new attention to Bilbao. The Balearic Islands Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza have become international destinations, rather than escapes mostly for northern Europeans. 

Andalusia is another focus for visitors who want to experience the largely Moorish palaces, fortifications and mosques of Córdoba (site of the Mezquita), Seville (site of the Alcázar), Málaga and Granada (site of the Alhambra). 

Portugal – the lure of heritage

Lisbon now draws almost as many annual visitors as Barcelona. Lisbon's 16th century estuary tower Torre de Belem and Jerónimos monastery are the capital's two world-heritage sites. The old fishing neighborhood Alfama embodies the ambience that many travellers are seeking. 

Porto is welcoming 2.5 million people a year thanks to its historic bridges and colourful riverfront. 

Sintra’s Romantic hilltop palace Palácio Nacional da Pena and gardens. The medieval walled town Óbidos preserves its cobblestone lanes and castle. The southern coastal region known as the Algarve is celebrated for its beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, and the Benagil sea cave. 

A favourite feature in Portuguese streetscapes is the azulejos, glazed blue-and-white ceramic tiles, originally part of a Moorish decorative tradition that also helps control building temperatures.

Malta – knights & romance

The Maltese capital Valletta is regarded as a Baroque jewel with 25 churches, the most famous of which is the co-cathedral of St John. The city was built by the Order of St John and the palace of its grand master, known as Il-Palazz, is dazzling inside and out. The fortified Valletta harbour is a sight in itself.  

On the island of Gozo the Neolithic Ġgantija temples form a unique archaeological site and are world heritage listed. The Rotunda of Xewkija is a monumental modern church with a Baroque style. 

Greece – ancient appeal & postcard islands

Greece is usually excluded from the Balkan group of countries despite being a neighbour. This is probably due to its distinct cultural heritage and historic role in the development of Western democracy. Athens, featuring the remains on the Acropolis, remains the chief tourist centre, but the islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu and Rhodes claim much of the attention in the 21st century. 

In Greece, archaeology matters more than in most countries. Bronze Age sites such as the palace at Knossos (and five others) on Crete, Mycenae, Tiryns and Pylos have attracted visitors for decades. The UNESCO-listed mountain sanctuary of Delphi and the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora are popular. Mount Olympus is also now heritage listed. 

Cyprus – sun & contrast

The island’s capital Nicosia is divided by a United Nations buffer zone between Cypriot and Turkish (northern) areas of the country. It's considered best for visitors to avoid the Pergamos and Strovilia crossing points when returning from the Turkish sector. 

The archaeological park and world-heritage site of Greco-Roman Paphos shows off remarkable floor mosaics of Roman villas and an underground necropolis carved out of rock. The Greek site of Kourion near Limassol includes a cliffside amphitheatre overlooking the sea. 

In Larnaca, the 9th century stone church of St Lazarus is built over the traditional site of his tomb. 

Central Europe’s attractions

Central Europe shows a rich and varied cultural heritage waiting to be discovered, most of which can be reached by rail. English is widely spoken in tourism-oriented large cities but in smaller destinations proficiency is highest among young people. 

The region, apart from Austria and Germany, is inexpensive for visitors in most categories. Czechia (89.4 overall on Eurostat’s index), Slovakia (85.5), Slovenia (89.3), Hungary (77.5), Poland (73.3), Lithuania (82.8) and Latvia (83.2) are in the low-cost range, but Estonia comes in about average at 101.2. 

For more details on cost levels in Czechia, check out the Raven Travel Guides Europe Czechia page. 

Czechia – world-heritage gems

Prague now attracts more than 7 million visitors a year and annual tourism growth is approaching 20%. Its world-heritage centre, castle precinct Hradčany, surrounding the Gothic Katedrála svatého Víta, the architectural array of the old-town square Staroměstská and the late-medieval Vltava bridge Karlův most lead the attractions, but it’s important to experience the beauties of Vyšehrad to the south of the city centre, Valdštejnský palác, the monastery Strahovský klášter and the many Art Nouveau buildings. 

Czechia’s second most popular attraction is the small world-heritage town Český Krumlov, whose stunning palace displays several architectural phases and a unique arched feature known as the ‘cloak bridge’. But the town’s winding valley is a beautiful sight and the many painted town facades create a dreamlike historical ambience. 

Small Czech towns preserve riches – the world-heritage attractions of Kutná Hora – where another bizarre ossuary creatures a Baroque feel – and Telč and the small centres Tábor, Znojmo and Mikulov present different flavours that few travellers have yet discovered. 

The Moravian capital Brno is now attracting appreciative crowds of international visitors who tour the mighty fortifications of Hrad Špilberk, the hilltop Katedrála svatých Petra a Pavla, the grotesque and unique ossuary beneath the Kostnice u svatého Jakuba and the Capuchin crypt of mummified friars. 

Plzeň is popular as a brewing centre, and Hradec Králové has a striking architectural ensemble in central square. But other cities come as a surprise – Olomuoc with its unique world-heritage Holy Trinity monument Sloup Nejsvětější Trojice (closed in 2026 for restoration) is an example. The Katedrála svatého Václava and the archdiocesan museum with the surviving interiors of a medieval monastery are among several shining attractions. 

Slovakia – realm of castles

The capital Bratislava on the Danube is only an hour from Vienna but justifies more than a day trip. Its hilltop castle Bratislavský hrad dominates the landscape and houses a vast museum. The ornate Baroque gate Michalská brána rises above the streets to mark the Austrian imperial period. A more modern monument, but no less remarkable, is the ‘blue’ Art Nouveau church known as Modrý kostolík. The medieval castle ruin Hrad Devín west of the city guards the confluence of the Danube and Morava. 

Castles form much of Slovakia’s appeal, ruins such as the 12th century Spišský hrad, sprawling complexes such as Oravský hrad and the storybook Bojnický zámok with its stunning interiors have much to offer. Košice’s Gothic cathedral Dóm svätej Alžbety is one of the outstanding examples in central Europe, contrasting with the stark remains of the city’s medieval walls and underground tunnel network. For more variety, seek out the Dobšinská ice cave 60km from Košice. 

Slovenia – green appeal

This small country is attracting traveller interest, especially its agreeable capital Ljubljana. The castle Ljubljanski grad is modest but forms a fascinating historical museum. The triple river bridge Tromostovje and its geometrical mosque are intriguing. Blejsko Jezero, promoted as Lake Bled, also attracts attention for its picturesque setting, clifftop castle and island church. 

Hungary – crossroads of history

Budapest is one of Europe’s busiest capitals, drawing on a lively history of medieval kingdoms, imperial traditions and Communism. It is dominated by the vast parliament building on the Danube and its ornate thermal baths have become famous. The former Buda palace Budavári Palota is now the national gallery. The stunning former coronation church of the king Matthias Corvinus, known as Budavári Nagyboldogasszony-templom and contains the double sarcophagus of Béla III and his queen Anne. Szent István Bazilika is a monumental, mostly 19th century cathedral. 

The other side of Hungarian history is shown in the Sziklakórház Atombunker Múzeum, an underground hospital museum in a Cold War bunker that also covers the failed 1956 uprising. 

Esztergom and its Catholic co-cathedral, Pécs and its early Christian necropolises, the second city Debrecen, the Baroque city centre of Győr, Eger and its medieval castle and basilica church and the long lake Balaton are among the other tourism centres. The old capital Székesfehérvár and its stunning basilica were sacred to the Hungarian kings. The castle Bory-vár is a stunning setting for sculpture. 

Poland – palaces, castles & churches of splendour

Warsaw and Kraków both now welcome almost three million visitors a year. The traditional capital Kraków has a medieval old town featuring the palace Zamek Królewski na Wawelu, which houses the state art collection. But this is not the only palace in the traditional centre. The cathedral Bazylika Mariacka, the museum MNK Sukiennice, the barbican and the city gate Brama Floriańska set a standard for grandeur. 

The Jewish Kazimierz quarter, the enamel works formerly run by Oskar Schindler and the grim Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial (a day trip from Kraków) are other reminders of the past. The Wieliczka salt mine is a unique underground experience. Also unique is the memorial mound Kopiec Kościuszki. 

Warsaw’s royal palace Zamek Królewski and its museum, the monumental museum Pałac Kultury i Nauki in 1950s Communist style and the science museum Centrum Nauki Kopernik exhibit Poland’s mighty science and cultural influence. The compact Pałac na Wyspie on a small lake near the Vistula is more graceful. The Warsaw Uprising Museum reminds us of the disaster that overtook the city in 1944. 

Gdańsk also has to be seen for the medieval and Renaissance features of its historical port, including the red-brick Gothic Bazylika Mariacka, the armoury Wielka Zbrojownia, the historical town hall Ratusz Głównego Miasta, the wharf crane Stary Żuraw Portowy and the city’s traditional gates tell the story of the city’s Hanseatic traditions. The vast Teutonic Order castle Malbork is a day trip from the city. 

Częstochowa and its Black Madonna is a pilgrimage centre and cities such as Poznań, where there is a moving memorial to workers killed during the 1956 uprising, Wrocław and the smaller Przemyśl repay short visits.

Lithuania – delicate pearls

The capital Vilnius is now regarded as one of Europe’s most attractive city centres for its Gothic and Baroque streetscapes. Its Catholic church Šventos Onos bažnyčia is not large by Gothic standards but has an individual facade style. The cathedral is in later Classical style with a separate bell tower. The remaining tower of a late-medieval castle now houses a museum, LNM Gedimino pilies bokštas, in a parkland setting. Nearby is the ruin of the ducal palace. The picturesque castle Trakų istorijos muziejus on the island at nearby Trakai makes a popular excursion. 

The second city Kaunas has a fortress complex that was used and reused for centuries. But its last use was as a World War II place of execution where about 50,000 people died. The ‘hill of crosses’ Kryžių kalnas, near Šiauliai, has become a unique pilgrimage place with 100,000 crosses that has become a social media phenomenon. 

Latvia – home of a Baltic jewel

The capital Riga’s old town has been recognised by world-heritage listing for monuments such as the restored 14th century guild house Melngalvju nams and its museum, Gothic gabled architecture such as the ‘three brothers’ Trīs Brāļi, and the ornate Art Nouveau precinct of Alberta iela. The central city market Rīgas Centrāltirgus is still active in a row of former Zeppelin hangars. 

The Baroque palace museum Rundāles pils muzejs near Jelgava displays opulent interiors. 

Europe preserves opportunities for affordable travel

Visiting the countries above is affordable for most travellers and gives insights into many cultures that are less well known and less cliched by exposure. Rates of daily expenses can be half those of mid-priced European countries, or even less. 

Fulfilling travel experiences are everywhere and cultural richness is not measured by cost. 

Some regions named above are reachable by bus only as train services are less intensive, especially in Greece and some parts of the Balkans. Iberia and central Europe, however, are well served by trains. 

Some regions will present challenges in terms of their less widespread understanding of English, which is true even in parts of Spain and Italy. But in dealing with tourist-facing businesses basic English is usual. A standard language app is likely to be beneficial. 

Google Translate and Microsoft Translator are available as mobile apps, offering text, voice or photo text options. Other options include DeepL and Notta.ai and the Talking Translator and Instant Voice Translate apps.

Low-cost European countries FAQs