As most people on here, I LOVE traveling. The thing is, I’m a student and do not have much to spare. That’s why I decided to create a list of a few European cities I’ve been to that are both affordable and entertaining enough for a citytrip. Enjoy!
1. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a very historic city with two parts divided by the Danube. On the one side you have the Gellért Hill, which is a small mountain you can climb to admire the view over the whole city. It is a beautiful piece of nature. On this side of the city, you can also visit the Gellért Spa, which uses natural heated source water and it’s a great way to relax and lay back for a day.
On the other side of the river, the city has been modernized a bit and it is a great experience to walk through the city, finding hidden art on the murals and small café’s just outside of the centre. The locals are very friendly and the food is great!
2. Berlin, Germany
Berlin hasn’t been undivided for a long time since the wall fell, but the most admirable monuments can be found on the east side of the city. When you look for a hotel just outside of the center of town, you will find that the public transport system is very organized so if you don’t feel like walking, you will get to your destination without too much hassle.
A great street to visit is the Rosenthaler Strasse. This street is full of individual businesses and has a very hipster-y vibe. You can find great places to eat dinner here.
If you want to relax while admiring the view, I suggest you visit the “Monkey Bar” in the Tiergarten. This is a rooftop-bar that serves cocktails while offering a beautiful view across the whole city.
3. Thessaloniki, Greece
Greece, like more southern countries, is quite known for its affordable but delicious food and historical monuments. Thessaloniki is definitely all that!
Just outside of Thessaloniki, you can find many hotels in Peraia. This city has a beach at which you can relax and a bus will take you to the center of Thessaloniki within 30 minutes. Thessaloniki itself is home to Alexandre the Great and with him, the White Tower, a great byzantine museum and the Greek Hagia Sophia (not to be confused with the Turkish one).
Inside the city, you will find many shops selling fresh olives, herbs and delicious-smelling soaps. Don’t be afraid to look around, the sellers are very helpful and friendly though they can be a bit persuasive.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
When visiting the center of Prague, it might look like a quite small city, but it is bigger than you might think. Be careful not to get lost! Prague is home to the Saint-Vitus Cathedral, the big astronomical clock and the many squares to walk onto.
Just outside of the center, you can find the Lennon-wall and many restaurants associated with it. The city also has a Jewish Quarter with many cozy streets and a beautiful history.
5. Stockholm, Sweden
Most people associate Scandinavian countries with very expensive foods and stays, but I found that that is not the case with Stockholm, you just need to be aware of the place in which you look for a hotel and food.
Stockholm is home to the many small islands surrounding it and with that, lots and lots of water. In summer it’s great to find a small park to sit back and enjoy the sun. When visiting this city, it’s a must to visit at least one museum since they have a lot. A city-pass is the cheapest way to go, since it offers museum visits for either a lower or free price and they offer a lot of other activities as well.
I personally recommend Fotografiska, a photography museum offering all types of exhibitions. Be sure to visit the site beforehand to see what they are currently exhibiting.
Stockholm also has many cozy streets on the Gamla Stan island. The Norrmalm district is the city-centre and has the most hotels and musea. If you are looking for a hotel, I suggest for you to find something outside of Norrmalm, since they are often cheaper and public transport is everywhere to take you to the center.
Djurgården has quite some musea as well, including the ABBA museum.
Now, that I’ve mentioned a few cities across Europe, I hope that I’ve made you excited to visit at least one of them! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.
I have personally visited every city listed above, some during a solo-trip, others with my partner or a friend. The affordability is based upon those visits. Prices may change depending on the season and its economical status.