Europe’s last great cheap cities: Lunch for less than $10, pints $5

It feels increasingly hard to find a truly cheap city to travel to. In a time when exchange rates were more favourable, and parts of Europe were far less explored, a holiday on the continent could be reasonably affordable. Coffees cost less than a dollar; food was a bargain. Tapas and a jug of sangria was an indulgence not because of the inevitable financial hit, but because eating patatas bravas in the sunshine felt luxurious.

While reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants that aren’t aware of their ability to charge tourists extra feel like a vanishing thing, they haven’t totally disappeared. We’ve examined the average prices for holiday purchases such as taxi fares, meals out, cappuccinos and beers, to find five of the most affordable places to holiday – that are exceptional cities to visit, too.

Bucharest, Romania

Calea Victoriei, the main thoroughfare, comes alive in summer.Credit: iStock

Bucharest, Romania’s capital city, has all the elements needed for a good city break: think expansive, tree-lined avenues, lively bars and characterful museums. Belle Epoque architecture leans against Communist-era housing, which, travel expert Monica Suma says, “is best witnessed on Calea Victoriei, the main thoroughfare, that comes alive on summer weekends during the pedestrian-only Open Streets event”.

All of this, crucially, is very affordable. According to the cost of living aggregator Numbeo, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages around $81; a bottle of wine will set you back between $9-10; a cappuccino averages $4.80. Try Caru’ cu bere, a traditional restaurant resplendent in stained glass and dark wooden panelling – a hearty beef stew costs around $10.

Getting around is easy, too. Bucharest is eminently walkable, although the transport is so cheap it feels perverse not to use it. A typical single journey on the tram and subway network costs just under $1. Numbeo has the price per kilometre for a taxi journey at just $1.

If you do decide to explore on foot, however, taking a walking tour – usually free – is a great way to explore the history of the city. The bloody rule of Nicolae Ceausescu, and the subsequent revolution, should all be covered, as will Bucharest’s transformation into a place decidedly far from its vampiric neighbours.

The secrets of budget Bucharest are, increasingly, less and less secret. The city has become something of a hit on TikTok. Follow the influencer’s itinerary, and tourists will find themselves in the Van Gogh cafe – a suitably gaudy spot – and the Therme Spa, a rather beautiful modern complex that costs about $50 for a full day’s entry. In this instance, the social media stars have found a true gem – but expect prices to creep up as a result.

Stay in Hotel Cismigiu, situated in the heart of the old town – rooms start at about $160 per night.

Gdańsk, Poland

The European Solidarity Centre.Credit: iStock

Gdańsk is not alone among Polish cities that could make this list: Warsaw and Krakow are similarly reasonably priced. Gdańsk, though, is still relatively unknown, with its terracotta-topped terraces and broad boulevards.

Summer visitors might combine their visit with time in the nearby beach resort of Sopot, or head further down the coast to Gdynia. A train ticket averages about $8.70, so it’s certainly a viable way to turn a city break into an extended holiday at the seaside.

The city was largely destroyed during the Second World War, and so its Dutch Renaissance style architecture is all actually a modern replication – although no less impressive because of it. To explore the city’s many museums, invest in a $17.50 tourist card that allows complimentary entry; on Mondays, most cultural sites are free anyway.

Most unmissable is the European Solidarity Centre: a hulking, rust-coloured monolith that houses a permanent exhibition about the Solidarność movement, the Polish trade union formed in 1980 that was, at the time, the only free mass social organisation in the Communist Bloc. After getting your fill, follow the line of Communist history to milk bars such as Bar Turystyczny – a canteen-style meal will cost you just under $5.

Nights at the stylish PURO Gdańsk Stare Miasto start at $130.

Porto, Portugal

Walking over the Dom Luís I Bridge is free.Credit: iStock

Porto’s cheapness does not indicate a trade-off: think elegant restaurants and varied attractions to rival the best of the Continent. And the weather is spectacular, too. Averaging 2667 hours of sunlight each year, it’s an ideal destination for a vitamin D fix – even in November, when the temperature often tops 15°C.

Porto is undeniably very charming – inclining towards the river Douro, the visitor finds themselves bouncing between stylish tinned sardine shops and dodging custard-yellow trams, until the narrow streets open on to the bright waterfront. In most cities, this would be an extortionate, if very beautiful, place to stop for a drink. Not so in Porto: a glass of wine at the beautifully appointed Esplanada do Teleférico bar costs just $6.50. In the city more generally, a meal for two averages $73-74; a pint of beer under $5.

As for things to do? Walking over the Dom Luís I Bridge is free. As is gawping at the ornate tiles in São Bento railway station. In fact, it’s possible to escape the city with an affordable, rambling train journey to Pinhão in the Douro valley, where vineyard tours start at around $38.

The trendy M.Ou.Co hotel offers nights from $128.

Kaunas, Lithuania

You’ll remarkably low prices in Kaunas.Credit: iStock

As Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, celebrated its 700th birthday last year, the rest of the country basked in its rays. Among the glowing sister cities was Kaunas, a cool, lively spot with great cafes and remarkably low prices.

The city is built outwards from a 14th-century castle complex, but for something weirder, head to the Devils Museum (entry costs $6.50), an exhibition of, naturally, depictions of the Devil. Formed from a private collection, plinths display folk art depictions and ancient stone deities from around the world – it’s certainly a memorable place to visit.

If you prefer your city breaks to have direction, Kristina Stalnionyte, a travel writer based in Lithuania, recommends Urmo Bazė, an open-air market where locals hunt for antiques. Combining shops and stalls, you’re likely to find a quaint souvenir without breaking the bank.

While prices in Vilnius remain cheap, Kaunas is even less expensive – a lunch is usually between $10-14. Kristina warns that the penny-pinching visitor might feel hesitant to enter the more upmarket-looking restaurants, but says the exteriors don’t necessarily indicate high prices.

“The best restaurants, coffee shops and bars are usually very cosy and good-looking, as Lithuanians don’t like to go to places which don’t look appealing. I think this is a national trait.” A three-course meal for two, according to Numbeo, costs just over $77. As the nation ramps up its tourism offering, now is the time to take advantage.

Amberton Cozy Hotel Kaunas, in a leafy part of the city, offers rooms from $97 per night.

Zaragoza, Spain

Zaragoza, a fascinating place most tourists don’t visit.Credit: iStock

Zaragoza, in the north east of the country, is Spain’s fifth largest city – although tourists rarely make it here. It’s a shame, because it is a fascinating place, full of Roman ruins, Islamic architecture and quaint tapas bars. You can eat very well, for very little (a meal for one averages around $24.35 AUD).

But before you tuck into pinxtos and sangria, visitors should soak in the culture, which is itself reasonably priced. The Zaragoza Museum – with its works by Francisco de Goya and other Spanish luminaries – is free to enter, while the dedicated Goya gallery (temporarily closed) charges $13.50. Beyond the art, there is a wealth of spectacular churches and cathedrals to explore, including the pilgrim-friendly El Pilar.

It’s easy to move around on foot, so you likely won’t spend much on transport.

Hotel options include Innside Zaragoza, which offers double rooms from $144.

The top end: Europe’s 10 most expensive cities

1. Zurich, Switzerland
2. Lausanne, Switzerland
3. Geneva, Switzerland
4. Basel, Switzerland
5. Bern, Switzerland
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
7. London, United Kingdom
8. Trondheim, Norway
9. Oslo, Norway
10. Bergen, Norway

(Based on Numbeo’s cost of living index)

The Telegraph, London