When you think about Europe, you may feel like it’s out of reach for your travel budget, but sometimes just the airfare can be a challenge and then there are plenty of ways to save at your destination. London is known as one of the most expensive cities to travel in, and it’s true, but there is more to Europe than the UK and there are so many affordable cities where you can spend a weekend that won’t break your budget.
This photo of Grona Lunds Tivoli is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Stockholm, Sweden – You aren’t going to get away with dining super cheap in Stockholm, so start your day off with a fika fix. Fika is coffee and the Swedes drink it by the barrel. Tour medieval Stockholm. Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s heart and the buildings still stand from the 1200s. Wander the historical streets early in the day to avoid large crowds. Spend your next day on Djurgården, the Royal Game Park. There are so many things to do on the island, from the world’s oldest open-air museum – containing Stockholm’s only zoo – to Gröna Lund, a theme park built in the 1800s.
This photo of Grace Santorini Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Greece – With the economy of Greece being less than optimal, it’s the perfect time to get fantastic deals on hotels and airfare. Travel to the more popular locations instead of smaller, out of the way cities, because that’s where you’ll find the best deals to fit your budget and get better service, even if there are more tourists. Athens and Santorini are among the top places to visit, where you can enjoy amazing views of the water, white beaches and delicious Greek food.
This photo of Dublin is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Dublin, Ireland – Purchase a Dublin Pass to get the most bang for your buck with discounts on dining, shopping and even unlimited public transportation! Purchase online before you go to save 20% off. Your Dublin Pass is valid for 12 months from purchase and “activates” upon your first use. Dublin is also the perfect place to go for a romantic getaway. With budget bed and breakfasts and cozy pubs everywhere, it’s hard to go wrong.
This photo of Cappadocia is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Cappadocia, Turkey –Right on the border of Europe and Asia, Cappadocia is a truly breathtaking and unique vacation destination. Set on a high plateau in central Turkey with high volcanic peaks and a moon-like atmosphere, it has a very different feel from anywhere else and has a warm, arid climate in the summer and has cold, snowy winters. Because the area was formed by ancient volcanoes there are a lot of volcanic deposits that are, essentially, soft rocks and buildings have been carved into the cliffs, including hotels, houses, churches and monasteries. You can stay in 3- and 4-star lodgings, dine in restaurants, use public transportation and rent a car all for less than the cost per night to stay in many economy hotels worldwide.
This photo of Lisbon is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Lisbon, Portugal – The economy in Portugal isn't all that stable and tourism is a major factor in getting the budget under control and helping to get the country back on its economic tracks. You can visit Portugal for around $55-70 per person per day, including dining out at some nice restaurants and staying in a decent hotel. The busy travel season runs from mid-July to mid-September. Skip those times and end up skipping most of the crowds, higher hotel rates and the sweltering heat. The country is a water lover’s dream, with fantastic surfing, tons of seafood and one of the best and most affordable aquariums in the world, the Oceanario de Lisboa.
Now, just because this is called affordable weekend getaways, doesn't mean that these destinations are only cheap for short breaks. A longer, more traditional vacation would easily be budget-friendly as well. What do you think? Have you ever been to any of these destinations? For 5 more affordable getaways, stay tune for the next post.
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