Cheap European City Alternatives for Americans: Your Budget Guide

Popular European Cities And Cheap Alternatives

Here’s a look at some popular cities and their affordable counterparts:

• If you like Amsterdam — Try Ghent
• If you like Dubrovnik — Try Kotor
• If you like Lisbon — Try Seville
• If you like Santorini — Try Naxos
• If you like Barcelona — Try Valencia
• If you like Rome — Try Valletta
• If you like Paris — Try Budapest
• If you like Ibiza — Try Lagos
• If you like Venice — Try Bruges
• If you like Prague — Try Bucharest

By choosing these alternatives, you can enjoy all the charm, culture, and history of Europe’s most popular destinations—without the hefty price tags or the crowds.

Cost Comparison: Popular Cities And Affordable Alternatives

Instead of Amsterdam, Try Ghent

• Hotel in Ghent: $185 (Save $153/night)
• Meal for two: $77 (Save $11)
• Star Attraction: Saint Bavo's Cathedral $18 (save $19)

“Ghent is a lovely little city. The centre has lots of buildings and a really vibrant bar scene. well worth a weekend trip.”

Ghent offers the same charm as Amsterdam with canals and medieval architecture but at much friendlier prices for accommodation, dining, and things to do. Known as one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe, Ghent is also well known for its pulsating nightlife and culinary delights. Walking around the vibrant town, you will find hip bars, cafés, and restaurants offering everything from classic Belgian dishes to international cuisine. Saint Bavo's Cathedral, home to the renowned Ghent Altarpiece, is a must-see for art lovers and relatively cheap at $18 to enter. Like Amsterdam, Ghent is wonderfully flat, making it perfect for cycling, with dedicated bike lanes throughout the city.

Instead of Dubrovnik, Try Kotor

• Hotel in Kotor: $144 (save $70)
• Meal for two: $56 (save $17)
• Star Attraction: Kotor Fortress $16 (save $26)

“The old town is stunning, immaculately kept and such a gorgeous place to wander, stop for coffee and browse the amazing shops and the fabulous architecture everywhere.”

Kotor is a less expensive version of Dubrovnik, where the prices for food, accommodation, and activities are not as high. Inhabited since antiquity, the old town of Kotor holds the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring a maze of narrow streets, squares, and historic buildings. A long climb up to the castle will yield breathtaking views of the bay and mountains. The town's waterfront is ideal for walking around, with many cafes and restaurants offering local, fresh seafood. A meal for two costs around $56 and entry to the Kotor fortress costs just $16, compared to $46 for the Dubrovnik City Walls. Kotor makes an excellent alternative for those looking for a bargain.

Instead of Lisbon, Try Seville

• Seville Hotel: $107 (save $78)
• Meal for two: $48 (save $8)
• Star Attraction: The Alcázar Palace $24.50 (save $4)

“The town is beautiful, the people are so warm and friendly and the tapas are so good. You have to visit La Triana ( the home of the Flamenco), Giralda, Alcazar, La Plaza de Toros, Plaza de Espana and El Parasol”

As Lisbon increasingly wins attention and prices go up, Seville remains the strikingly cheaper alternative, with its warm weather, rich culture, and flavorful, inexpensive food, where you can expect to pay around $48 for a meal for two, compared to $56 in Lisbon. The history of Seville is described by the majestic architecture there, including the Alcázar Palace and the Seville Cathedral with the Giralda Tower. Do not miss a flamenco show; it is a must in Andalusia. It is a city full of parks, with Maria Luisa Park being the most beautiful—an ideal place for walking or rowing through the canal of Plaza de España at an easy pace. Seville has some of the best tapas in Spain, and small plates can be found at countless bars here, way into the night.

Instead of Santorini, Try Naxos

• Naxos Hotel: $185 (save $16)
• Meal for two: $56 (save $32)
• Star Attraction: Temple of Apollo - Free

“Just loved Naxos. So friendly, laid back, hospitable and welcoming. This island has everything you could want for a relaxing holiday.”

Naxos offers the same spectacular scenery as Santorini minus mass tourism and exorbitant price tags. Naxos features cheaper hotels than its glossy neighbor, making it a great destination for travelers who want to be amazed by Greece's natural beauty without breaking the bank. The top attractions of this island are the splendid beaches, ancient temples, and little villages where time seems to have stopped. Don't miss the Portara, also known as the Temple of Apollo, a 530 BC temple entrance perfectly placed in the setting sun which is free to enjoy. The interior of the island is also quite pretty, with mountain towns like Apiranthos offering an insight into traditional Greek life.

Instead of Barcelona, Try Valencia

• Valencia Hotel: $185 (save $37)
• Meal for two: $56 (save $11
• Star Attraction: The City of Arts and Sciences $8 (save $21)

“We have visited a number of cities in Spain, and Valencia has been by far the best, so far. There are many beautiful historic buildings, plenty of bars and restaurants, and the costs of eating out, taxis, entrance fees, etc are low for a big city.”

Valencia is considered a budget-friendly alternative to Barcelona, offering similar attractions but at friendlier prices. With hotel rates around $185, Valencia is slightly more affordable than Barcelona, where prices average $222. The City of Arts and Sciences is a must-see — a futuristic architectural complex, and with tickets starting at around $8, it makes it a much cheaper alternative than the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, at $29 a ticket. The UNESCO World Heritage site - The Silk Exchange is also worth a visit. Valencia is also the birthplace of paella, so foodies will find plenty to enjoy. The city offers a mix of modern attractions and historical sites at a fraction of the cost of its coastal neighbor.

Instead of Rome, Try Valletta

• Valletta Hotel: $171 (save $96)
• Meal for two: $66 (save $32)
• Star Attraction: St. John’s Co-Cathedral $16.50 (save $11)

“Valletta is such a wonderful place. The architecture is stunning with so much history surrounding the whole place. Beautiful whichever way you look at it”

Valletta, Malta’s capital, offers a slice of Mediterranean history and culture at almost half the cost of Rome. Hotel prices in Valletta average $171, much lower than Rome’s $267. Valletta is compact, making it easy to explore on foot. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is a highlight, offering stunning Baroque art and architecture that rivals any church in Rome and costs just $16.50 to enter. The city’s charming streets, ancient fortifications, and vibrant local festivals provide a rich cultural experience. Plus, with Valletta’s mild climate, it’s a great destination to visit year-round.

Instead of Paris, Try Budapest

• Budapest Hotel: $126 (save $124)
• Meal for two: $57 (save $26)
• Star Attraction: Széchenyi Thermal Baths $29 (save $13)

“Beautiful city, so many things to visit. We were in Budapest for 3 days and we didn't see even half of it. Go to Budapest it is amazing.”

Budapest is a more affordable option for those looking to experience grand European architecture, world-class museums, and romantic river views. Hotel prices in Budapest are about half of what you’d pay in Paris, averaging just £95. In Budapest, you can enjoy a soak in the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths, explore Buda Castle, and take in the views from Fisherman’s Bastion. Restaurant prices here are significantly cheaper than those in Paris at about $57 for two as opposed to $83. The city’s ruin bars offer a nightlife experience that mixes history with a vibrant, laid-back atmosphere. Budapest is the perfect blend of history, culture, and affordability.

Instead of Ibiza, Try Lagos

• Lagos Hotel: $186 (save $56)
• Meal for two: $45 (save $50)
• Star Attraction: Ponta da Piedade - Free

“Lagos is the coolest town in Algarve! It's small, unique, and has amazing restaurants, bars, and running spots.”

If you like the party scene but not the price in Ibiza, try Portugal's Lagos. With average hotel prices at $186 vs Ibiza at $242, this can give you a less expensive option all around, with significantly cheaper meal costs too, that doesn't ditch the fun. This town is known for its nighttime buzz, with a mix of lively bars, beach clubs, and even rooftop venues where you can dance until dawn. Lagos has beautiful beaches, like Praia Dona Ana and Meia Praia. They are perfect for sunbathing and water sports. The nightlife is also great. Whether you want to party or relax, Lagos gives off a chilled vibe and scenic coastal beauty that anyone would enjoy.

Instead of Venice, Try Bruges

• Bruges Hotel: $167 (save $101)
• Meal for two: $90 (save $8)
• Star Attraction: Bruges' Belfry $20 (save $9)

Bruges replicates Venice’s canal-lined streets and medieval charm without the inflated prices and hordes of people. With an average hotel price of $167, Bruges is significantly more affordable than Venice’s $268. The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering plenty to explore, from the Belfry of Bruges to the picturesque canals. A boat ride through the canals is a must, and you can enjoy Belgian chocolates and beers in the romantic town squares that feel straight out of a fairy tale. Bruges is the perfect choice for a romantic, budget-friendly getaway.

Instead of Prague, Try Bucharest

• Bucharest Hotel: $82 (save $32)
• Meal for two: $45 (save $8)
• Star Attraction: Palace of the Parliament $13 (save $7)

If you love Prague's charm but want a cheaper option, try Bucharest. Bucharest's average hotel price is $82, much lower than Prague's $114. It offers a similar historical charm. Bucharest mixes grand neoclassical buildings with communist-era sites, such as the Palace of the Parliament, a grand classical building constructed during the communist era, which costs just $13 to visit, compared to $20 at Prague Castle. The city also offers a vibrant nightlife, with bars, clubs, and live music open late. In the old city of Lipscani, you can stroll along cobblestone streets lined with lively cafes and trendy shops. In Bucharest, cultural heritage blends with modernity, offering an exciting yet affordable experience.

Sources

Hotel Prices: Data was sourced from Booking.com, focusing on 3-star hotels for two adults across various cities. Prices were analysed for a weekend in July, a peak travel period, using the median to minimise the impact of outliers.

Attraction Costs: Prices for major attractions were obtained directly from official websites and verified through Google searches. These were compared against the costs of equivalent attractions in more popular cities.

Restaurant Costs: Mid-range meal prices for two were compiled from Numbeo.com and BudgetYourTrip.com.

Transportation Costs: Public transport ticket prices were sourced from Numbeo.com, using the cost of a one-way ticket as a standard measure.

Reviews and Testimonials: Traveler reviews and quotes were gathered from city and attraction reviews on various platforms including TripAdvisor.

Attractions and Activities: Information on top attractions was sourced from TripAdvisor, focusing on the most popular and highly-rated activities. Similarity to attractions in the corresponding popular cities was also considered.