In this article I'll tell you about several cheap destinations in Europe where you can backpack without fearing for your budget. There are many more than you might think.
When we think about travelling to Europe, one of the first concerns we have is about budget. We all know that the most popular destinations on the continent, those that first come to mind when we imagine the classic Eurotrip, are much more expensive places for the traveller than Latin America or Southeast Asia.
If we only stick to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Rome or Berlin, it is true that it can be very expensive, but there are also many cheap destinations in Europe that are unknown to most tourists.
The general rule in Europe is very simple: roughly speaking, the further east you go on the continent, the cheaper it is. Western European countries, such as the UK, Germany, France and, to a slightly lesser extent, Spain and Italy, have a high cost of living. Not to mention the Nordic countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands.
If we go in the other direction, the situation changes: Montenegro, Albania, Romania, Greece, Bosnia and Macedonia are among the cheapest destinations in Europe to travel to, as well as offering a unique culture and hospitality that I was able to experience in my travels.
If you want to know more about how to travel cheaply in Europe, I advise you to read the articles on How to travel to Europe on a budget and How to travel Europe in 20 days on a budget.
Volunteering in Europe
Whether you are travelling to the cheapest destinations in Europe, or to countries that may seem expensive at first, there is always the possibility of volunteering in Europe, which will allow you not only to avoid high accommodation costs, but also to meet travellers from all over the world and learn new skills.
On Worldpackers you will find many opportunities to exchange your knowledge and willingness for accommodation, whether it's participating in permaculture projects, being part of a hostel or collaborating in one of the many holistic centres in Europe.
If you have never travelled by volunteering with Worldpackers, you can read more:
How does Worldpackers work?
How to plan your trip with Worldpackers.
10 tips before volunteering for the first time.
8 cheap destinations in Europe
These are 8 of the cheapest destinations in Europe to travel to, which is not to say that they are the only ones. I didn't list them in order of cheapest to most expensive as that will depend a lot on the type of accommodation you choose, the tourist attractions you visit and how you travel. What I can assure you is that they are all cheap to travel to compared to other European countries.
Greece: much more than its famous islands
When you name Greece, the first thing that springs to most people's minds is its famous island paradises, lapped by the waters of the Mediterranean and populated by immaculate whitewashed buildings.
If this is all you are looking for, then Greece is no longer one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, as the cost of accommodation and food in these popular destinations is understandably high.
By leaving the more touristy islands such as Crete, Santorini and Mykonos to travel through the beautiful interior of Greece, the costs are greatly reduced. It's here that you'll get to experience the real Greek culture that isn't made up for mass tourism, where you can sit in one of the typical cafés and enjoy the best Greek food at local prices (don't miss the moussaka - aubergine lasagna -, dolmades - 'wrapped children' in grape leaves - and the spectacular salads with feta cheese and olives).
The Peloponnese region, home to Kalamata (famous for its olives) and mythical Sparta, and the Macedonian region, with Thessaloniki as its capital, are two areas of the country where you can travel cheaply.
A great way to save on accommodation is to volunteer in Greece with Worldpackers. There are many opportunities, such as helping to conserve an almost extinct species of pony or helping out at a beachfront surf club.
2. Albania: Europe's hidden beach destination
A few years ago, Croatia went from being Europe's 'new discovery' tourist destination to one of the most sought-after destinations. Its Adriatic beaches are no longer the quiet and inexpensive secrets of years gone by, although it is true that away from the best-known ones you can still find several that retain these characteristics.
Moving away from mass tourism, travellers headed south and found in Albania a country that not only has spectacular beaches like the Croatian ones, but is also one of the cheapest destinations in Europe (probably the cheapest), has excellent food, and the hospitality of the people is hard to find in more commercialised places.
Many Europeans have a misconception of Albania as a dangerous and backward country, which, coupled with poor infrastructure, makes it a country completely off the tourist radar. It's their loss, because most of those who have travelled in Albania have only words of praise to share.
One opportunity to get a closer look and a deeper understanding of the culture of this country is to volunteer in Albania. As I told you, Albania is perhaps the cheapest country in Europe, and I include accommodation in that, but volunteering is not just about saving money.
Check out the best beaches in Albania in this guide.
3. Bulgaria: well to the east
The last stop before reaching the point where Europe meets Asia is Bulgaria, a country that many see as a stopover to Turkey, but which recently, with the arrival of low-cost airline flights, has begun to attract travellers' attention.
In Bulgaria you'll find cities like Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo where you're sure to feel at home and which are perfect for making a base and exploring the surrounding area. In fact Plovdiv, which has one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world right in the middle of the city, and a small but charming old town, was elected cultural capital of Europe in 2019.
And I emphasise touring the surrounding area because I believe that in its nature lies the best of Bulgaria. Sofia, its capital, is just metres from the Vitosha Mountain, an excellent place for trekking and winter sports.
The Seven Rila Lakes, with the monastery of the same name, which is in this inspiring location and is the most important in the country, is another destination that makes Bulgarians' eyes shine. If you have the energy to do it, the mountain hike around these lakes is an unforgettable challenge (3 to 5 hours in total).
I think Bulgaria is a destination that you enjoy more with time, when you start to get to know the Bulgarians better and go to small places that are not usually a priority on a short trip. At least that's what happened to me, who spent 3 months in the country.
Volunteering in Bulgaria is a possibility for you to spend some time in one of the cities I mentioned, or there are also options in rural areas.
Thinking about going to Bulgaria? Be sure to read our guide on What to see in Bulgaria.
4. Romania: gothic castles and stunning nature
Romania is synonymous with Count Dracula and Transylvania; the mere utterance of these words conjures up images of gloomy, mysterious places, vampire legends and abandoned medieval castles.
Knowing its fame, Romania also plays on this to attract tourists, but travelling around the country you'll discover there's much more to see. The nicknamed 'Dracula's Castle' (officially Bran Castle) exists and can be visited, and Transylvania is a fantastic region for hiking in the Carpathian Mountains, where you'll forget the vampire stories and enjoy the breathtaking nature.
Being included in this list of cheap destinations in Europe means you'll be able to enjoy these places and other wonders, such as its famous castles (don't miss Peleș and Corvinilor) and the medieval town of Brașov for a low cost.
There are many volunteer opportunities in Romania with Worldpackers, for example, if you want to get to know the Transylvania region in depth, check out the volunteer placements in Cluj-Napoca and Brașov.
5. Slovenia: the little-known neighbour of Italy and Croatia
Overshadowed by European tourism giants Italy and Croatia, Slovenia is a small country that few would think of including in their European travel plans, but those who do are surprised by how little fame it has.
This is where the Balkan region begins geographically, which gives you an idea of the mountainous landscape and high-altitude lakes you'll encounter. The imposing Predjama Castle, built in the mouth of a cave more than 120 metres above sea level, is a must-see.
It also has a small outlet to the Adriatic Sea, which means that beaches can be part of your itinerary. Piran, in this region, is a beauty of Venetian architecture and one of several medieval towns in Slovenia.
Its capital, Ljubljana, is a wonderful city steeped in baroque architecture and history, preserving the cultural influences that shaped modern-day Slovenia, which was part of the Eastern Roman Empire (Orthodox influence), the Ottoman Empire (Islam) and, prior to its independence in 1991, was one of the republics of Yugoslavia.
To get to know this country in time and get to know it better, you have the possibility to be part of one of the volunteer programmes in Slovenia, either by spending a few weeks in a hostel in Ljubljana because you fell in love with the city or by going inland where you can be part of a hotel in the "Slovenian Tuscany".
Don't miss: Europe's 10 cities you can't afford to miss
Other cheap backpacking destinations in Europe
6. Montenegro: Adriatic beaches at a fraction of the price.
Something similar to what happened with Albania is also happening in Montenegro: travellers who started to move away from the tourism that is populating the coast of Croatia found in this small country beaches just as paradisiacal, but in one of the cheapest destinations in Europe.
The coastal town of Budva is no longer a secret, having become a fast-growing beach and nightlife destination in recent years. Other places, such as the unusual village of Sveti Stefan, located on a tiny peninsula, and Kotor, with its World Heritage-listed old town, are destinations where you can enjoy the sea and history, strolling through tiny cobbled streets with centuries-old buildings.
Although it's a very small country, there are many places to visit, so it's ideal to choose a place as a base and go from there. For that, you can check out the volunteer opportunities in Montenegro.
7. Kosovo: don't worry, they're not at war.
Whenever I mention that I spent some time living in Kosovo, most people's first reaction is surprise, and the question that follows is whether the country is not totally destroyed by war.
Contrary to this idea of many, Kosovo is one of the destinations that surprised me the most in all my years of travel. Of course, there are still traces of the war of independence that ended in 1999 and pitted them against the Serbs, an independence that this country and many others around the world still do not recognise. But Kosovo is a country undergoing rapid reconstruction, with a young population eager to forget the recent dark past and enjoy this better present.
This new energy makes Pristina, its capital, a city full of life, where the bars and cafes are always full.
Close to Pristina (everything is within walking distance in Kosovo) is Prizren, the country's main tourist destination thanks to its distinctly Ottoman-influenced architecture. The mosques, bridges and teahouses will make you feel like you're in Turkey. And from Prizren you can go up to the ski resorts of Prevalle and Brezovica, which are among the cheapest in Europe - a luxury at backpacker prices you can't get in the Alps!
I recommend that you put the generalised idea about Kosovo aside and judge by your own experience; in my case, it overturned all the prejudices I had. Volunteering in Kosovo will help you with this.
8. Portugal: cheapest in Western Europe
Generally speaking, Portugal is the most expensive travel destination of all those mentioned above, but I am adding it to this article because it is undoubtedly the cheapest destination in Western Europe.
This has led many retirees from Europe's richest countries to move to Portugal, finding the Atlantic coastline a low-cost paradise.
In the south, Lagos and Faro are two coastal destinations with picturesque streets for strolling, not to mention Albufeira, the star of this part of the country with its golden beaches. If you hear more English than Portuguese, don't worry, it's not that you've got the wrong country, it's just that these sun-drenched destinations are a magnet for the British.
Porto and Lisbon, despite being the two largest cities, are a pleasure to walk along the calçadas (pavements lined with different designs), admire the tiled buildings and enjoy the traditional food (be sure to try the pastel de nata (cream cakes). From Lisbon, don't miss a visit to Óbidos, a village full of colour. And if you're in the north and want nature, the Peneda-Gerês National Park is ideal for hiking and camping.
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities in Portugal so you can spend time without spending money on accommodation, while meeting other travellers and learning Portuguese.
If you want to know more about what it's like to travel to Portugal volunteering, don't miss this experience volunteering in Lisbon and this Volunteering and surfing in Portugal on 7 euros a day.
In addition to these 8 cheap destinations in Europe that I included in the list, there are other countries that I travelled to while spending very little and that fascinated me, such as Macedonia, Bosnia and Cyprus. Ukraine is another excellent and very economical option that few take into account, being in the shadow of Russia. If you go off the beaten tourist track and get to know what lies beyond the big names, you're sure to be pleasantly surprised.
Keep planning your cheap trip to Europe with these articles:
Tips for cheap travel: everything you need to know.
How to get cheap plane tickets.
Tips for travelling alone in Europe.