When looking for cheap places to go on holiday, you need to consider not only the cost of the flights and accommodation, but how expensive is it when you get there?
It’s getting easier to find cheap flights and hotel deals. But, where can you travel for the best overall value?
We have broken down the top 10 cheapest cities in Europe, based on the cost of food and drink.
The price of food and alcohol can vary massively across Europe and by the end of a week, this will have a definite impact on the overall cost of your holiday and how much spending money you get through.
The most expensive city to eat in Europe is Oslo in Norway. The whole of Scandinavia is a lot more expensive than the UK in terms of restaurant and cafe prices – even for fast food let alone a proper sit down meal.
So, if you are a foodie and want to experience great quality food for reasonably low prices, which European city should you visit?
We will break down ten of the best options – and share a list of must try foods for each city.
If you’re planning a city break and looking for some culinary adventures, here are the cheapest places to visit in Europe.
What are The Cheapest Cities in Europe?
Below are the cheapest opens when considering the price of for eating out on average, for a mid range meal for two and a bottle of wine.
If you have a taste for fine food, but not a lot of money, we are here to help.
We can share the top 10 cheapest European cities with you, thanks to research from Holidu
These are cities where you will be able to find amazing gastronomic experiences without breaking the bank
Belgrade
The cheapest European city to visit, in terms of food and drink, is Belgrade in Serbia.
Here, you can get a mid range three course meal for two, for under 30 euros!
Some of the most popular Serbian foods to try in Belgrade are:
- Ćevapi
- Burek
- Sarma
- Gibanica
- Paprikaš
Budapest
The capital of Hungary, Budapest offers some amazing prices for foodies. You can get a domestic beer for 1.71 Euros or a cheap restaurant meal for just 6.56 Euros
When visiting Budapest, why not try:
- Stuffed Cabbage Leaves (Töltött Káposzta)
- Goulash
- Meat Pancakes
- Chicken Paprikas
Sofia
Sofia in Bulgaria is a hidden gem, with lots to see and a great variety of independent foodie establishments to enjoy.
When in Sofia, try eating Shopska Salata, or Summer Salad. This dish has the same colors as the Bulgarian flag!
Krakaw
Krakaw is the first Polish city on the list, coming in just slightly cheaper than it’s neighbour, Warsaw. Poland as a whole is pretty affordable.
Some Polish national dishes you could try are
- Pierogi (dumplings)
- Schabowy (a Pork dish)
- Obwarzanek (like a bagel)
Zagreb
Croatia is quickly gaining a lot more popularity as a holiday destination, due to the combination of beaches, scenery and affordability.
In Zagreb you can get a cappuccino for an average price of 1.51 and some wine from the wine market for 5.30
Some of the Croatian wines you should try are
- Babic
- Dingac
- Malvazija
- Posip
Prague
Prague, in the Czech Republic, is a classic city break destination, perfect for a romantic weekend away – and it’s a lot cheaper than visiting Paris.
While enjoying your romantic mini break, be sure to eat some Svíčková – braised beef with dumplings.
Porto
Porto is the first in the list that you can find in Western Europe. Eastern Europe is no doubt cheaper over all, but for those wanting to focus on the Western side then Portugal is going to be your cheapest option.
Flights to Portugal also tend to be one of the most inexpensive, making Porto a great overall option.
Some of the must try Portuguese foods and drinks include
- Pastel de nata
- Francesinha
- Port Wine
Warsaw
Poland is back with another entry in the cheapest EU cities list, this time with Warsaw.
If you are considering travelling around Poland as a road trip, to explore more of the country you can get from one of these cities to the other in just under 4 hours so why not visit both – if your itinerary permits.
Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania, is another cheap city to visit in Europe with many delicious dishes try including
- Sarmale (cabbage rolls)
- Zacuscă (vegetable spread)
- Cașcaval Pane (fried cheese)
- Mici (Romanian Garlic sausages)
Split
Just like Poland, Croatia has made the list twice with Split landing in tenth place.
Split is also 4 hours from Zagreb, and on the south coast it makes a perfectly relaxed holiday destination, where you can get a mid range meal for two for 33 euros.
Have a little more budget spare? Consider some of these options for your foodie travels too
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We hope you enjoyed this list of cool foodie destinations that you can visit on a budget.
These top European destinations can keep your wallet happy while giving you the opportunity to explore new cultures and foods.
Please share this post with friends, and why not get planning a trip right away!
Happy travelling 🙂