Between the U.S. passport free-falling in global dominance and the dollar getting weaker against the euro every passing month, 2026 hardly feels like the year to splash out on a luxurious Santorini cave hotel or a five-star concept stay overlooking Amalfi.
Americans are traveling abroad more carefully than ever, and beyond feeling safe and welcome, affordability has become a make-or-break factor when choosing their next destination.
If you’ve been dreaming of cobblestone streets and fairytale castles, but you could keep it low-budget for once, here are the top 5 cheapest cities to visit across the pond—according to our fellow travel experts at Time Out.
Zagreb, Croatia
Although Croatia is one of Europe’s most sought-after spots, spearheaded by the coastal hubs of Split and Dubrovnik, one city that’s always played second fiddle is, believe it or not, national capital Zagreb, tucked away a little too inland for tourists to notice.
Zagreb is squarely rooted in Central Europe, both culturally and aesthetically, feeling right at home alongside Austria and Hungary with its wide boulevards, lush city parks, and imperial-style architecture evocative of the 19th-century.
It may lack Adriatic shores or Dalmatia’s Mediterranean sparkle, but it does revolve around a well-preserved Old Town, packed with cobble-paved alleys, medieval towers, colorful-tiled churches, and a monumental twin-spire Gothic cathedral.
It’s also loaded with niche museums—the Museum of Broken Relationships is an ever-evolving gallery displaying artifacts from busted romances—and in winter, nearby Sljeme mountain turns into a ski hotspot with winding pistes and enough fresh powder to keep the fun going well into spring.
Average Prices In Zagreb, Croatia
*Prices gauged from multiple sources, such as Numbeo, BudgetYourTrip, Wise
Miskolc, Hungary
We all know Budapest for its grandiose Parliament, tramway-traced streets, and classic bathhouses, but what if we told you there’s a smaller Hungarian gem with an equally stunning architectural lineup and cozier spas—minus the surging crowds?
The fourth-largest city in Hungary, with a population of over 143,000, shines for its medieval roots, featuring a spruced-up 14th-century Diósgyőr Castle, a pedestrian-friendly Old Town, and numerous thermal baths located in limestone caves.
The local Miskolctapolca is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top spas, and it’s easy to see why: natural thermal waters winding through a nature-carved labyrinth feel way more intimate and down-to-earth than Budapest’s packed-to-the-brim Széchenyi Baths.
On the edge of town, Bükk National Park wraps around serene Hámori Lake, gorgeous waterfalls in lush scenery, and ancient caves open to explorers. For vibrant aragonite and calcite displays, hit Anna Cave.
For Hungary’s knockout stalactites and dripstones, Szent István Cave is the ultimate showstealer.
Average Prices In Milkoc, Hungary
Kingston upon Hull, UK
Liverpool’s smaller, arguably cooler sibling, it would certainly be Kingston upon Hull, sitting across from it on the opposite coast. With a lively Museum Quarter straddling the waterfront, a lively pub culture, and that warm, Northern English hospitality, it feels like a hidden gem yet to be discovered.
In the heart of Hull’s buzzing marina, The Deep ranks among the UK’s largest aquariums, and if you’re strolling the cobbled Old Town, chances are you’ll find pubs and boutiques galore. High Street, the main pedestrian-friendly lane, is flanked by well-preserved, Georgian-era brick buildings.
Oh, and something you might note is that telephone boxes here aren’t the typical bold-red seen in other British cities, but a distinctive cream. Hull used to run its own telephone system, separate from the rest of the country, and we’re guessing locals had a preference for off-white as a signature color.
For the pubmaniacs out there, take a trip down memory lane (and down a few pints while you’re at it), at Ye Olde White Harte, the oldest pub in town. History buff much? Hull is the birthplace of William Wilberforce, a key figure in the abolition of the slave trade, and you can visit his home at 23–25 High St.
Average Prices In Kingston upon Hull, UK
Tirana, Albania
If you were ever to climb up the landmark pyramid that dominates the Tirana skyline, you’d see unfolding before you a sprawling metropolis, branching out chaotically as far as the eyes can see, without sticking to a single architectural style, nor shying away from experimentation.
Tirana is young & dynamic—whereas most of Europe is aging fast, the average inhabitant here is 32 years old—it’s got a pulse, palpable energy, an unmatchable vibe, and most importantly, it just is, without trying too hard to please or asking for excuses.
It thrives in the limbo between Balkan grit and 21st-century buzz, and though it doesn’t make much sense for half the time, there’s just something about communist bunkers sharing the block with Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches, and unholy underground bars that tugs just at the right heartstrings.
In short, Tirana may not be typically European-pretty, but its unusually wide range of quirky attractions, grand plazas dominated by larger-than-life Albanian flags, and thriving café culture is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
Average Prices In Tirana, Albania
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
One of Europe’s most unsung national capitals, Sarajevo lies at the crossroads between East and West, and its eclectic Historic Center couldn’t be a better visual representation of it: picture medieval mosques, neo-Gothic cathedrals, and Orthodox temples all within short walking distance of each other.
The Ottoman-built Old Town (known locally as Baščaršija) is a quintessentially-Balkan maze of cobbled lanes flowing into and out of Turkish-style bazaars, and it’s cut through by Miljacka, a scenic river spanned by a string of historic bridges.
Mostar may be home to the most famous bridge in Europe, but it’s Sarajevo’s stone-built Latin Bridge that provided the backdrop for a pivotal moment in History: Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated as he crossed it in 1914, the event that might have singlehandedly kick-started World War I.
Needless to say, Sarajevo also carries the scars of the 1990s war: don’t miss the Tunnel of Hope, a hidden underground passage that provided a lifeline into the city during the Serbian siege, and Sniper Alley, a main thoroughfare still pocked by bullet holes. Eerie? Sure. A must-see? You bet.
Average Prices In Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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