Europe on $100 a Day: 7 Iconic Cities That Are Still a Steal

Istanbul has always felt a bit magical to me because it doesn’t really feel fully European or fully Middle Eastern. It sits right on the edge of both worlds, and the result is one of the most fascinating big cities anywhere. You’ve got massive mosques, chaotic bazaars, rooftop cafes, ferry boats crossing between continents, and some of the best street food on earth all packed into one sprawling city.

What makes Istanbul especially interesting these days is that it still feels surprisingly affordable compared to almost every famous city farther west in Europe. Turkey’s economic struggles have made the country unusually cheap for many foreign visitors, which means travelers get access to a genuinely world-class city without paying London or Paris prices for every little thing.

The famous Grand Bazaar is free to wander through and can easily entertain you for hours even if you don’t buy anything. The Blue Mosque is still free to enter as well, while the nearby Hagia Sophia now charges around €25 for foreign visitors. Food is another huge advantage here because excellent kebabs, pide, wraps, pastries, and other local specialties are available all over the city for surprisingly low prices. Alcohol is one thing that isn’t especially cheap in Istanbul, but almost everything else still feels like a bargain.

For late June dates I found rooms at the Basileus Hotel near Sultanahmet Square starting around US$49 per night for two people, with review scores around 9.0/10. Solo travelers can spend even less at the nearby Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel, where dorm beds were available for about US$14 per night.

Budapest appears in many of my Europe videos because it continues to offer one of the best combinations of beauty, history, and affordability anywhere on the continent. This city feels far more grand and elegant than most people expect at these prices, with huge boulevards, ornate buildings, scenic bridges, and dramatic views all along the Danube River.

Part of the reason Budapest still feels affordable is because Hungary was behind the Iron Curtain for decades, so prices never fully caught up with Western Europe. While it’s more expensive than it was ten years ago, it still feels like a bargain compared to Vienna, Paris, or Amsterdam, especially once you get away from the most touristy restaurants.

One of the best budget tricks in Budapest is simply walking around because the city itself is the attraction. The Parliament building, Buda Castle area, Fisherman’s Bastion, and many other famous sights can be admired for free. Free walking tours are also extremely popular here, and even a small tip at the end still makes them one of the best deals in European travel. Food is generally affordable, public transportation is excellent, and even nightlife remains fairly reasonable by European standards.

For late June travel dates I found one-bedroom apartments at Corvin Center Suites starting around US$67 per night for two people in a good central location with review scores around 8.8/10. Budget travelers can spend even less at Flow Spaces hostel, where dorm beds were available from about US$17 per night.

Prague used to be famous as one of Europe’s cheapest destinations, and while those days are mostly gone, it still offers surprisingly good value compared to Europe’s more expensive capitals. This is one of the most visually stunning cities in Europe, with preserved historic architecture that somehow survived the destruction that wiped out so many other cities during World War II.

The entire Old Town area feels almost unreal at times, especially early in the morning or late in the evening once the biggest tour groups disappear. Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the famous Astronomical Clock are all within a fairly compact and walkable area, so you can experience much of the city without spending much money at all.

Free walking tours are another excellent value here because the city’s history and architecture are fascinating once you understand what you are looking at. Prague Castle itself is also surprisingly affordable by European standards at roughly US$20 for the main ticket circuit. Food and drinks have become more expensive over time, but Prague is still noticeably cheaper than cities such as London, Paris, or Amsterdam if you avoid obvious tourist traps.

For late June travel I found rooms at Cathedral Prague Apartments just a couple blocks from Old Town Square starting around US$90 per night for two people, with review scores around 8.8/10. Budget travelers can still stay cheaply at the famous Czech Inn hostel, where dorm beds were available for about US$22 per night.

If you research affordable European cities, Kraków almost always appears near the top of the list, and for good reason. This was the historic capital of Poland, so it has a gorgeous Old Town area, an impressive castle complex, and a huge central square packed with restaurants, cafes, and historic buildings.

Unlike some famous European cities that feel overwhelming or overpriced, Kraków remains surprisingly relaxed and approachable. It’s also one of those places where you don’t constantly feel punished for being a tourist. Even many restaurants right in the historic center still offer decent value compared to similar areas in Western Europe.

The city is compact and extremely walkable, so this is another great place to join a free walking tour instead of paying for expensive sightseeing buses. Food is a major highlight here as well because Polish cuisine is hearty, filling, and generally affordable. Beer prices are still relatively low, and budget travelers can eat very well without wandering far away from the city center.

For late June dates I found apartments at HP&J Apartments in the Old Town area starting around US$75 per night for two people, with review scores around 8.2/10. Hostel beds at the nearby Orion hostel were available from about US$16 per night.

Barcelona has become one of Europe’s most crowded and expensive summer destinations, which is exactly why more travelers are now discovering Valencia. Located farther down Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Valencia offers beautiful historic neighborhoods, excellent food, modern architecture, and huge sandy beaches right within the city limits.

One of the best things about Valencia is that it feels like a real working Spanish city instead of a giant tourist machine. You’ll still encounter plenty of international visitors, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is generally calmer and less chaotic than Barcelona. The beaches are wide and sandy, public transportation is cheap, and the weather is excellent for much of the year.

Valencia is also the birthplace of paella, so food is naturally a major attraction here. Seafood, tapas, sandwiches, and other Spanish favorites are widely available at reasonable prices if you avoid the most tourist-oriented places near the beach. Hotels directly along the waterfront can become expensive in summer, but staying slightly inland keeps the city surprisingly affordable.

For late June travel I found rooms at Hostal Abastos near the main train station starting around US$87 per night for two people, with review scores around 8.2/10. Budget travelers can stay even more cheaply at Rooms Valencia, where dorm beds were available from about US$25 per night in a very central area.

Sarajevo is probably the least famous city on this list, but it may also be one of the most memorable. Beautifully set in a mountain valley along a river, Sarajevo feels completely different from most European capitals because of its strong Ottoman and Islamic influences mixed with traditional European culture.

The city is especially popular with Muslim travelers from the Middle East, but Sarajevo itself is remarkably diverse and tolerant, with mosques, churches, cafes, bars, and restaurants all mixed together within a fairly compact central area. The result is a city that feels unusually exotic and interesting without ever feeling difficult or intimidating for foreign visitors.

Sarajevo is also refreshingly affordable. I still remember paying around US$1 for beers during my first visit while sitting just a short walk from the city’s historic mosque district. Food, transportation, and accommodations remain cheap by European standards, and the surrounding mountain scenery adds another layer of appeal.

Getting to Sarajevo isn’t always as easy as reaching Europe’s larger capitals, but travelers who make the effort are usually rewarded with one of the continent’s most unique and underrated destinations.

For late June dates I found rooms at Hotel Herc just across the river from the main square starting around US$74 per night for two people, with review scores around 8.2/10. Hostel beds at One Love hostel nearby were available from about US$15 per night.

Athens used to appear on almost every “cheap Europe” list years ago, and while prices have definitely increased over time, the Greek capital still offers surprisingly good value compared to many famous cities farther west. This is one of the world’s great historic cities, filled with legendary sights that easily rival anything in Rome or Istanbul.

The Acropolis remains the obvious highlight, but Athens also rewards travelers who simply wander through neighborhoods such as Plaka, Monastiraki, and Psiri. Free walking tours are another excellent value here because many of the city’s best experiences involve understanding the history behind the ruins, temples, and ancient streets rather than simply looking at them.

Food is another huge advantage in Athens because excellent gyros, souvlaki, pastries, grilled meats, and Greek salads are available everywhere at prices that still feel very reasonable. It’s entirely possible to eat very well here without spending much money, especially compared to tourist-heavy cities in Western Europe.

Athens does require a bit more planning to stay within a strict budget than some of the other cities on this list, but the payoff is enormous because this is one of those destinations people tend to remember forever once they finally experience it.

For late June travel I found rooms at Athens Psiri Hotel in a very central location near Monastiraki Square starting around US$80 per night for two people, with review scores around 9.0/10. Budget travelers can stay nearby at Sparta Team hostel, where dorm beds were available from about US$19 per night.

Europe has definitely become more expensive over the past decade, especially in the cities that dominate Instagram feeds and summer bucket lists. But as these seven destinations prove, there are still places where travelers can experience incredible history, architecture, food, beaches, nightlife, and culture without destroying their budget in the process.

The key is usually being flexible and realistic. Staying in modest but central hotels, using public transportation, taking advantage of free walking tours, and avoiding the most obvious tourist traps can dramatically lower your daily costs without making the trip feel cheap or unpleasant.

And perhaps the most encouraging thing is that these aren’t second-tier destinations. Cities such as Istanbul, Prague, Budapest, Valencia, and Athens are some of the most memorable places in Europe regardless of budget, which makes their current prices feel even more surprising.

If you are planning a Europe trip soon, hopefully this list gives you a few ideas for destinations where your money can still go surprisingly far.