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It will come as no surprise that London, Paris and Barcelona are not the cheapest destinations in Europe.
With a name like Travel Off Path, sometimes you have to do just that to save the big bucks.
A new UK established report has revealed explicit details regarding prices, with a list of 4 underrated cities that are definitely worth it for an affordable Euro trip.
Some trendy, some lesser known, and one of them is one of Europe’s biggest comeback stories of all time. they are all vibrant, cultural and very underrated.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few, and the other few I already have on my bucket list – not only to stretch my budget for my next world trip, but to experience more authentic cities without the fluff of the European icons.
Ready to save? Let’s dive in:
4) Belgrade, Serbia
As the former capital of Yugoslavia, you might think the capital of Serbia is boring and stale, but I was blown away during my short stopover in Belgrade.
Yes, you have to get used to cigarette smoke in seemingly every restaurant, but wandering the gritty yet grand streetscape couldn’t have been more refreshing for a sense of discovery.
I can confirm that Belgrade is cheap. It doesn’t matter if it’s your hotel, a local beer or a taste of home at Mickey D’s, you won’t go bankrupt here during a city tripwhich is one of the many reasons why digital nomads in particular love it.
Another reason is safety. Long gone are the days when Belgrade was defined by 1990s headlines.
Travelers currently give Serbia a safety score of 86/100 on our safety index, although I will say that Belgrade is the only place in all my travels where I have been randomly stopped by the police just to check my passport.
A bit vague, isn’t it?
According to our sources, here is an overview of the usual prices in Belgrade:
- Coffee: $3.35
- Beer: $4.72
- Museum: $8.77
- 2 night stay: $193.49
As you plan logistics, you might as well check travel alerts and entry requirements for your trip.
3) Tirana, Albania
Another capital that I had the opportunity to visit is Tirana, but to be honest: the real highlight was the country next door.
Tirana is very underrated, especially if you are a foodie.
Think Athens-style menus without the tourist prices, plus an abundance of cafes where you can sip an espresso with Mount Dajti in view and calls to prayer in the background.
While this is another city that digital nomads love for its safety and affordability across the board, Tirana’s real purpose, if we’re honest, is as a springboard to Albania’s phenomenal coastline or to one of my all-time favorite destinations. Ohrid, North Macedonia – an easy bus ride away, and well worth it.
Travelers currently give a safety score of 83/100 for Albania:
According to our sources, here is an overview of the usual prices you can use in Tirana:
- Coffee: $2.89
- Beer: $5.19
- Museum: $6.76
- 2 night stay: $172.00
2) Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is one of the unsung capitals of Europe for countless reasons. One of them is that you can easily rest in Boeka thanks to the thermal baths and green parks.
While some of its communist-era edges are still visible – or charming, depending on your appetite for concrete – Bucharest is overall a pleasure to visit.
Whether you indulge in papanasi, a traditional fried donut to kickstart your day with a sugar rush, or stroll past architectural eye candy you didn’t expect, or take a train ride to quiet places like Sinaia, this city is one of Europe’s easiest cities to plan and stay in long-term without blowing your budget.
Little-known budget airline HiSky planned to make Bucharest so much more accessible to Americans with an exciting new Chicago-Bucharest route for June 2026, but was ultimately canceled.
However, they still serve JFK, so East Coasters can still get to Bucharest with ease and be welcomed by a somewhat Old Town, immaculate castles reminiscent of Dracula’s lair, grand boulevards and cafe-lined streets that still feel vastly unknown.
Travelers currently give a safety score of 90/100 for Romania:
According to our sources, here is an overview of the usual prices in Bucharest:
- Coffee: $2.96
- Beer: $3.84
- Museum: $9.45
- 2 night stay: $198.87
1) Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
It’s one of Europe’s most storied cities – for better or worse – and there’s no denying that it’s insanely cheap and one of the continent’s best-kept secrets, not just for its historical significance, but also for its breathtaking nature, café culture and fascinating East-meets-West atmosphere with a mix of culturesincluding Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslims.
Sarajevo can be a tearjerker as you visit the fascinating museums about the Siege of Sarajevo and the Bosnian War, but it can also feel like a celebration of resilience, with a maze of bazaars, cozy coffee houses and plates of ćevapi that cost less than your morning Americano at home.
What makes Sarajevo especially special is how quickly the city changes around you: one moment it feels like an old-fashioned bazaar, the next moment it resembles a major European capital.
Travelers currently give a safety score of 85/100 for Bosnia and Herzegovina:
According to our sources, here is an overview of the usual prices in Sarajevo:
- Coffee: $2.31
- Beer: $3.31
- Museum: $6.60
- 2 night stay: $210.76
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