'A feel like Italy and France but without the crowds': European destinations where 'cheap' tourism is still possible today

 

'A feel like Italy

and France but without the crowds': European destinations where 'cheap' tourism is still possible today

 

Everyone dreams of going to Europe, but the US-Israeli war with Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices and the resulting increase in costs have made travel even more expensive.

Flights from the US to Europe in July are already down more than 11% compared to the same period last year, including significant drops for popular summer destinations such as Paris, Dublin and Rome.

This does not mean that travelers are giving up on Europe, but their choices have become more difficult in terms of how much money they are willing to spend, how much effort and how much crowds they are willing to endure to get somewhere.

According to the Rome to Rio 2026 Travel and Mobility Trends Report, traveler searches for smaller cities around the world have increased by 35%.

In March, the European Travel Commission also reported that long-haul travelers are interested in visiting more local and less crowded areas rather than famous capitals.

“People still want the feeling of Italy or France, but without the crowds,” says Bryce Collins, founder of Intro Travel

So why not introduce you to some of the places where you can travel to Europe on a budget?

From Latvia to the Balkan coast, these destinations offer everything a traveler could want: beauty, culture and great weather.

Classic Europe, but without the classic costs

Tourists want to travel on a budget, but they also want to travel safely and easily. Especially at a time when the crisis in the Middle East has disrupted travel plans.

“Due to rising costs and travel fatigue, Americans are now more interested in travel where there is less traffic and they can get more experiences,” says Brian Lewis, founder and CEO of Tenon Tours, a travel service company for Europe.

Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, with its clear waters reflecting the reflection of mountains, photo source G

This is why many small European countries now seem more attractive than ever. According to Price Labs, a company that aggregates publicly available data from Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com, the average price of short-term accommodation in Albania, Latvia and Lithuania is still less than 100 euros (about 33,000 in Pakistani rupees) per night. Food, museum tickets and tourist taxes are also generally lower than in major summer resorts in Western Europe.

Estimated Costs in Slovenia

Four-star hotel room: €120-160 (PKR 40,000-52,000)

Meal for two: €50-70 (PKR 16,000-23,000)

Public transport ticket: €1.30 (around PKR 450)

Museum ticket: €8-13 (around PKR 2,500-4,500)

Coffee and pastry: €5-8 (around PKR 1,500-2,500)

Slovenia could be the perfect example of a European attraction this summer. Its small size (it’s about the size of Wales) means its top attractions are just a few hours’ drive away, and travelers can do everything from city tours to swimming in lakes and mountain views. Travel experts often compare its views to Switzerland and northern Italy, but with lower costs and fewer crowds.

Savvy travelers already know this secret. Bookings to Slovenia have increased by 286 percent year-on-year, according to Unforgettable Travel.

“Compared to more popular destinations, Slovenia’s accommodation and travel costs are relatively affordable,” said Charlotte Wells, the company’s global director of product and operations. “It’s about 15 percent cheap

er than Austria and 25 percent cheaper than Switzerland.”

“Slovenia is considered a safe and accessible destination for families. That means it’s a short trip with a reasonable budget,” she added.

Have a holiday and enjoy it too

Where Slovenia offers mountain views, Latvia offers culture, character and cool weather. Here you will find an atmosphere similar to Northern Europe (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), but without the costs.

Estimated Costs in Latvia

Four-star hotel room: €70-100 (approximately Rs. 23,000-33,000)

Meal for two: €50-70 (approximately Rs. 16,000-23,000)

Public transport ticket: €1.50 (approximately Rs. 500-500)

Museum ticket: €6-10 (approximately Rs. 2,000-3,000)

Coffee and pastry: €4-6 (approximately Rs. 1,300-2,000)

According to Price Labs, the average price per night in Latvia in August is €93 (approximately Rs. 30,000), while in Denmark it is €186 (approximately Rs. 61,000).

According to data from expatistan.com, Riga, the capital of Latvia, is 34% cheaper than Berlin, 50% cheaper than Oslo and 46% cheaper than Dublin.

But it’s not just the low prices; tourists often praise Riga’s beauty as well. After visiting Riga in the summer, Gudule Mangelaras, founder of trip planning platform Pink Notebook, said: “Walking through the old town feels like stepping into a fairy tale, but without the crowds you’d find in Prague or Bruges.”

 

She was equally impressed by the food here. “The price-quality ratio is unmatched in Western Europe, but the quality of the restaurants is on par with Copenhagen or Stockholm.”

The country’s most unique cultural festival, ‘Jani’, is also celebrated in the summer. It features centuries-old rituals, and bonfires are lit in almost every home in Latvia, with songs sung and regional dishes eaten.

Riga's Old Town, Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Riga's Old Town, according to Mangelaras, "is like stepping into a fairy tale."

Uncrowded beaches

Beach-loving travelers can feel like they're in Europe by visiting the Balkans. While the Mediterranean coast has become overcrowded, the Balkans' beaches are relatively uncrowded.

 

Estimated costs in Montenegro

 

Four-star hotel room: 100 to 140 euros (approximately 33 to 46 thousand Pakistani rupees)

Restaurant meal for two: 40 to 60 euros (approximately 13 to 20 thousand Pakistani rupees)

Public transport ticket: 2.5 euros (approximately 850 Pakistani rupees)

Museum ticket: 5 to 10 euros (approximately 1700 to 3400 Pakistani rupees)

Coffee and pastry: 3 to 5 euros (approximately 1000 to 1700 Pakistani rupees)

Collins said: “Across the Balkans, places like Albania and Montenegro offer the same beaches, the same culture and the same experiences that European travel demands for a lower cost.”

The two countries share a border, but each has its own distinct atmosphere. Montenegro has a better infrastructure, which may suit travelers who want both scenic beauty and convenience.

“The water in the Kotor area of ​​Montenegro is the clearest I’ve ever seen in my life,” says Godele Mangelaras. “Even the water on the Greek islands looks murky compared to this.”

Albania is a bit rougher, but much cheaper than its Eastern European neighbors. “Unlike Croatia and Montenegro, Albania’s beaches are sandy,” says David Mason, owner of Three Week Traveler. He also points out Roman ruins and hiking trails around Lake Shkodër.

“You can enjoy horse riding here, which will give you a sense of the country’s true wilderness.”