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Travel to Europe can be expensive, especially to hot tourist spots like London and Paris. However, you can get some sweet deals by being creative and backpacking to lesser known tourist spots in Europe.
1. Porto, Portugal
Known for its stately bridges and port wine production, Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European centres, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, as “Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar”. It is a budget traveler’s paradise.
The city is great for walking (and even biking), and Porto is well-connected with a modern metro system, a few tram lines, a light rail, and buses. For transits, you can get a one-day pass for €7 or a three-day pass for €15 with unlimited trips. Order up a “Prato do Dia” (dish of the day) at small local cafes from €4, or a multi-course menu at upscale establishments for as little as €9. Moov Hotel Porto Centro is a great hotel to stay in as it is within walking distance to historic sights in Porto’s city center.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe. The dramatic skyline that Budapest is most famous for is peppered with 19th-century architectural wonders alongside the Danube River. Notable landmarks include the majestic riverside Parliament Building and a collection of stunning basilicas.
You can find cheap yet quality lunches under $5 and a dinner for under $10 if you know where to look. There are quite a few Halal restaurants in Budapest that Muslim tourists can dine at. These restaurants serve a variety of cuisines, ranging from; Pakistani to Persian, Turkish and Middle Eastern. Al-Amir, Meraat, Antalya Kebab, Szeraj and Mughal Shahi are just a few of the many Halal restaurants in Budapest.
3. Athens, Greece
This ancient metropolis is absolutely packed with unbelievable architecture, beautiful parks, terraced restaurants, and some of the best museums in Europe. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. The Acropolis Museum, along with the National Archaeological Museum, preserves sculptures, vases, jewelry and more from Ancient Greece.
There are tons of hotels that offer private rooms in Athens for $50 and under. If you book in advance, you can find even cheaper rates. To name a few hotels, Marble House, Tempi Hotel, Golden City and Phaedra Hotel are some budget hotels. For €2, you can grab a chicken souvlaki — otherwise known as a gyro or a kebab to the uninitiated — which comes packed into pita bread with creamy tzatziki yogurt sauce, fresh veggies, and a handful of French fries.
4. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, formerly Byzantium and Constantinople, is the most populous city in TurkeyIts Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.
The average price for one person for accommodation in Istanbul is TRY132. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price for a hotel room in Istanbul is TRY263. You can visit some of the popular Istanbul museums on their free entrance days without spending money. These include top museums and art galleries such as Istanbul Modern Art Museum, SALT, Pera Museum and Sakip Sabanci Fine Arts Museum. For cheap eating and affordable food, look out for chain restaurants, buffets, traditional cafes and neighborhood artisan restaurants (called “Esnaf Lokantasi” in Turkish) that locals go.
5. Vilnius, Lithuania
Known for its baroque architecture, Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital is seen especially in its medieval Old Town. But the buildings lining this district’s partially cobblestoned streets reflect diverse styles and eras, from the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral to Gothic St. Anne’s Church. The 16th-century Gate of Dawn, containing a shrine with a sacred Virgin Mary icon, once guarded an entrance to the original city.
The perfect place to base yourself for your 48 Hours in Vilnius is the Old Town. There’s a great selection of very affordable and stylish apartments to rent which start out at €40 a night.
For the best vegetarian food in Vilnius with a friendly, lively vibe look no further than Vieta. The menu has a bit of everything, ranging from their delicious blue cheese and caramelized onion Panini ( €5.60) or their soy chili with vegetables (€5). If you’re looking for traditional Lithuanian food in a relaxed, unfussy atmosphere, Snekutis is the place to go to. Choose from a range of hearty local classics like bright pink chilled borscht soup aka Saltibarsciai which is a beetroot soup served in summer with boiled potatoes or boiled eggs ( €1.50 for a small portion) or try their cured cheese or potato pancakes served with sour cream ( €5 for a big portion)
