Europe is one of the most popular destinations among both seasoned travelers and those looking to explore new parts of the world for the first time, though some European cities are more expensive than others. High levels of tourism in places such as Paris and Rome lead to increases in the prices of things like food and accommodation, but there are plenty of other spots that have just as much to offer at a fraction of the cost. Visiting less-traveled places is also a great way to avoid crowds as well as experience a different side of a country’s culture. Here are some of our favorite affordable European locales:
La Spezia, Italy
The location of this Italian city makes it an ideal destination for anyone looking to explore the country on a budget. It’s less than 10 minutes by train to the first town in the country’s Cinque Terre area and just over an hour to the city of Pisa.
Montpellier, France
The center of Montpellier is just a short ride away from the Mediterranean Sea, but as the city is not actually on the coast, it’s much more affordable than many of France’s beach towns. In the summer, a festival is held in the town square every Friday night where visitors can enjoy 2 wine tastings for only 5 euros.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Santa Cruz is the capital of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands and a much more affordable destination than many other locations in Spain. Santa Cruz is known for its history as well as being home to the second largest Carnival celebration in the world after Rio de Janeiro.