Europe is definitely not an affordable continent, but there are 3 beautiful countries that are a bit more affordable. They’re also awesome countries that have a lot to offer. Unsurprisingly, they’re in the East — by far the best region of the continent (as I actually reminded you in my article about my current trip to Europe).
We shared the updated list of 40 best countries to travel to for less in 2025.
Now we continue this important feature with a little more detail, by region. To give you an idea of what each destination has to offer and to give you an idea of accommodation prices (often the biggest expense once there).
Here are the 3 best cheap countries in Europe.
Details of the best cheap countries in Europe
For each of the 3 countries, this article includes:
- 2 short paragraphs providing an overview of the destination
- To give you a general idea of the country
- 2 examples of well-rated accommodation prices
- To give you a general idea of prices
- For both duo travelers and solo travelers
To be very clear, there are cheaper accommodations than the examples in this article if you want to save money with options that have lower ratings. All those in the examples have a rating of at least 7.5 out of 10 (the minimum threshold of what is usually considered “good”).
There are also luxury options and private accommodation rentals (Airbnb/Vrbo), obviously, and we’ll give concrete examples of those in a guide on each cheap country. The price of well-rated, more basic options gives you an idea of prices for more luxurious options, even if the correlation is not always 100% perfect.
Infographic of the best cheap countries in Europe
Here’s the infographic of the 3 best cheap countries among the 44 countries in Europe.
It’s an extremely popular continent with travelers, and even more so with more occasional tourists. But there’s a way to get all the benefits of Europe, with slightly lower prices: by going East!!! You can read about the 4 different regions of Europe if you want to learn the definitions.
Let’s look at each country ordered by the price of our hotel example for now (we’ll rank them by total cost in the next part of the feature).
1. Moldova 🇲🇩
Teaser of trips to Moldova
This Eastern European country is one of the least visited on the continent. It’s therefore an off-the-beaten-path destination for travelers seeking unique experiences, another one that I absolutely loved.
Don’t miss the many vineyards, including the world’s largest wine collection, which is completely underground: we explored it by car, that’s how big it is. The capital, Chișinău, is interesting too.
We loved the separatist region called Transnistria, a self-proclaimed independent country since 1991. Even though it’s not recognized abroad, Transnistria is a de facto country, with its own government, customs, and currency!
You can check out the 6 best destinations in Moldova.
Teaser of accommodations in Moldova
There are hotels in Chișinău for 31 USD per night, so 15.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Chișinău for 15 USD per night per person.
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Teaser of trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina
An authentic experience awaits you in Bosnia and Herzegovina! Despite its small size, this country offers a rich variety of landscapes, including mountains, rivers, and a small but very charming coastline along the Adriatic Sea.
There are many interesting cities, notably the capital and largest city, Sarajevo (which once hosted the Olympics), Banja Luka, the country’s second-largest city, and also the picturesque towns of Mostar and Blagaj. There’s just as much history as in the West of the continent!
It’s easy to combine Bosnia and Herzegovina with the 2 neighboring countries (one that is very popular and one that should be), where I happen to be for my current trip to Europe: Croatia and Montenegro.
You can check out the 7 best destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Teaser of accommodations in Bosnia and Herzegovina
There are hotels in Mostar for 44 USD per night, so 22 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Mostar for 16 USD per night per person.
3. North Macedonia 🇲🇰
Teaser of trips to North Macedonia
North Macedonia is a landlocked Balkan country, neighboring popular Greece. It’s a beautiful, very mountainous place with around 50 lakes, perfect for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities.
I really enjoyed Skopje, the capital. The city is famous for its architecture, which blends the old and the modern (I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world), while Lake Ohrid offers breathtaking views. The town of Ohrid, famous for its medieval churches, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can check out the 5 best destinations in North Macedonia.
Teaser of accommodations in North Macedonia
There are hotels in Ohrid for 51 USD per night, so 25.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Ohrid for 13 USD per night per person.
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Summary
The 3 best cheap countries in Europe allow you to travel for much less, while offering you extraordinary experiences. However, it’s certainly a continent with fewer affordable options in the list of 40 best cheap countries, for as little as 40 CAD total per day if you want.
What would you like to know about the best cheap countries in Europe? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Infographic (image credit: Flytrippers)
