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If you’re planning to fly across the pond this fall, you’re probably surprised by the dramatic price increases, reporting that the crowds that were once supposed to dwindle once peak season was over simply don’t leave.
Europe is busy all year round now, and it’s getting harder and harder to get great holiday deals, just like three, five years ago, but that doesn’t mean this is the case impossible.
In fact, the top 5 countries with the largest growth in tourism compared to 2019, the pre-crisis reference year, are among the least expensive, and to some extent most underrated places on the Old Continent, according to a new report from the European Travel Commission.
In effect, this means a growing number of travelers are ditching tried-and-tested holiday hotspots for equally fascinating ones lesser known alternatives.
So let’s get started: what is this fast growing quintet offers not only beautiful sights, but unbeatable prices?
Portugal
With a 16% increase in the number of visitors this year, Portugal is number one fifth fastest growing hub in Europeand a sunny paradise tucked into the westernmost corner of the Iberian Peninsula that Americans have just begun to discover.
Whether it is Lisbon, a beautiful ancient capital stretching over seven hills, vibrant Porto, with its blue-tiled churches and baroque old town, or the honey-colored sands and whitewashed towns of the Algarve coast, Portugal dominates the conversations recently.
Not only is it home to some of the Old Continent’s most beautiful sights, it’s also incredibly affordable to visit Budget your trip reporting a week-long trip to the southern European country costs an average of $1,054 per person.
If you want to go a little off the beaten track and explore a side of Portugal that most visitors are unaware of, head to Madeira, a subtropical island crisscrossed by towering peaks and lapped by the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean – and the best part is that it offers non-stop flights from America!
Malta
Malta, a small island country halfway between Italy and North Africa, about a tenth the size of Rhode Island, has grown 34.8% year-on-year, putting it ahead of Portugal when it comes to claiming the title of fastest growing Southern European destination.
Despite its not too impressive size, Malta does packaged with historical monumentsfrom the compact, ocher capital La Valletta to the walled medieval citadel of Mdina, not to mention the crystal clear sea and pristine beaches: this is the Mediterranean after all.
In terms of price, Malta is not the cheapest, but it certainly is cheap Through American standards: on average you should spend $908 on a weeklong trip to Malta, or about $130 per day, unless you are a big spender.
If you are traveling on a budget and still want something fresh affordable seafoodmake sure you add Kalamà in Sliema to your restaurant bucket list for the unbelievable grilled calamari and octopus sandwich – expect to pay between $5 and $19.
Turkey
With a 35.3% growth in tourism this year, Türkiye is the third best-placed country in the ETC rankings, and we can’t say we’re surprised: it sits on the natural border between Europe and Asia and is home to a number of world-class destinations.
We are of course talking about Istanbul, which, as Philip Mansel brilliantly put it, is the City of the World’s Desire, with its rich Byzantine heritage and minarets-dominated skyline, and about Antalya, with its well-preserved Ottoman old town and an abundance of Roman monuments, and even the up-and-coming Alanya.
When it comes to prices, Türkiye is one of the cheapest Mediterranean destinations beyond, with travelers spending about $141 per day, including accommodation, food and transportation unless they spend big, or an estimated $989 for a seven-night stay.
Besides being budget-friendly and culturally rich, many of Türkiye’s greatest assets remain largely undiscovered, as is the case with ‘Turkish Tuscany’, where you can enjoy three-course dinners and taste award-winning wine for less than $23. – read more here.
Bulgaria
In second place, with annual growth of 38.8%, we have the often overlooked Eastern European country Bulgaria, nestled between the towering Balkan peaks and a long sandy Black Sea coast, which is something But black.
Bulgaria is best represented by its ancient capital Sofia, a bustling metropolis where you’re as likely to encounter socialist-era apartment blocks and impressive brutalist monuments as ancient Roman remains and frescoed 15th-century Orthodox churches.
The vineyard-studded hinterland is also host to Plovdiv, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europewhich is distinguished by its well-preserved Greco-Roman theater, and the heavily fortified Veliko Tarnovo, a hilltop town dominated by not one, but two imposing castles.
Don’t get us started on the vibrant Bulgarian coast, where leisure destinations like Varna and Sunny Beach steal the spotlight, all costing an average of $998 per week to visit as a couple. Throughout Bulgaria, meals can be as cheap as $17, and hotel stays average a very reasonable $77.
Serbia
Believe it or not, the fastest growing destination in Europe right now, and also one of the most affordable, is landlocked Serbia, a lesser-known country in the Balkans that (surprisingly!) is non-stop all year round. organizes stop flights from America.
From Belgrade, one cosmopolitan capital which was recently dubbed the ‘Berlin of the South’ for its vibrant nightlife and social scene, or an elegant Novi Sad, characterized by its Austrian-inspired facades and fortress on the Danube, Serbia is the perfect cultural escapade.
It has no access to the sea, but between many beautiful, culturally charged cities and the castle-studded, hilly hinterland lies Serbia one of those hidden gems still waiting to be discoveredand it’s not like you have to break the bank to fully enjoy it either:
The average daily cost to visit Serbia is $41, while the weekly average for a mid-range traveler is an incredibly affordable $284; Do you want to spend your money on five-star hotels in the Fruška Hills?
A luxury trip to the Balkan state will cost you just $716 for the entire week.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
