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Planning a summer getaway to Europe, but you’re a bit taken aback by the inflated prices?
Be it simply the overwhelming demand or an attempt to keep the crowds at a minimum, numerous destinations across the continent have closed their doors to budget travelers, from the tried-and-true hotspots of Barcelona and Santorini to a once-offbeat Dubrovnik.
Across many of these sun-drenched cities, you’d be lucky to find a centrally-located hotel for under $200 a night in the peak season, and that’s not to add other costs, such as daily expenses on food and transportation.
Fortunately, there is still great value to be found elsewhere, if you’re willing to swap your traditional European vacation for something a little less… obvious:
Europe’s Top 5 Cheapest Summer Getaways This Year Are…
As customary every year, Post Office UK has released a list comparing the cost of short-term city breaks across Europe.
For 2025, they’ve examined 12 “common tourist costs” in 38 cities, including accommodation, meals, drinks, transport, and attractions for two people.
Needless to say, you can’t find Paris, London, Milan, or any of the overly popular European giants on the ranking—on the other hand, it is filled with hidden gems that most Americans have only vaguely heard of, yet offer incredible experiences.
Starting with Lisbon, which rounds out the top 5:
Lisbon, Portugal
The hilly capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a labyrinthine mess of narrow pedestrian lanes lined with colorful, azulejo-clad buildings, a plethora of ancient landmarks that would make a city like Rome blush, and straddling the beautiful Tagus River.
Its imposing cathedral, Sé de Lisboa, is an Iberian Gothic masterpiece known to have survived even the most damaging of earthquakes, and all around Alfama, Lisbon’s most vibrant district, you’re certain to find talented buskers playing fado music and bakeries selling pastries from as cheap as $2.
On that note, the total cost of a short getaway to Lisbon in summer is an acceptable $396 for 2 people—meals will typically average $8–$13 for fixed-price lunch deals, and based on Radical Storage estimates, budget hotels in the city center range from $38 to $71 per night.
Podgorica, Montenegro
Debuting at number 4, we have Podgorica, the much-overlooked capital of Montenegro:
Its historic center revolves around an Ottoman-era mosque and clock tower, whereas the artsy Preko Morače district is renowned for having a thriving street art scene, with plenty of creative spaces, and a Bohemian atmosphere backed by Blok 5’s string of rakija bars.
Over in Nova Varoš, you’ll find a host of museums and national institutions, including the National Theater and the Modern Art Gallery. For a glimpse of local Podgorican life, away from the polished downtown, the working-class area of Drač has all the graffiti and grit you’re hoping to find.
On average, tourists will spend between $9 and $11 for a sit-down meal in a downtown eatery, and if ever craving some local ćevapi, Montenegro’s signature grilled minced meat, make sure you swing by Pod Volat.
As for accommodation, hotels typically charge $47–$87 per night, depending on available amenities and locations, though they tend to be on the cheaper end if you’re simply looking for a clean, comfortable-enough room to crash after a long day of sightseeing.
Warsaw, Poland
The sprawling capital of Poland, Warsaw is Europe’s rising star, with an increasingly competitive entrepreneurial scene, unrivalled cultural appeal, and even higher levels of safety.
Largely rebuilt following World War II, it is a modern metropolis with a timeless medieval core, where cobbled streets lead to café-bordered squares, and church domes rise shyly against the skyscraper-dominated horizon.
Some of the top attractions are the UNESCO-listed Royal Castle, in the heart of the Old Town, the Soviet-style Palace of Culture and Science, and the peaceful Łazienki Park, criss-crossed by tree-flanked pathways and famous for its landscaped gardens.
Mind you, this is no Berlin, but Warsaw nightlife still leaves nothing to be desired:
Head to Powiśle for a big selection of rooftop bars with city and river views and repurposed industrial spaces, Nowy Świat for an eclectic selection of student-frequented pubs and live music venues, and finally, for a more high-energy setting, Mazowiecka Street is home to several trendy nightclubs.
Budget-wise, overnights in Warsaw will set you back around $105 as a traveling couple, or $52.50 each, and a budget meal is $10–$12. For a more elaborate 3-course dinner for 2, expect to pay $50.54.
Vilnius, Lithuania
We have yet another offbeat Eastern capital in our midst: Vilnius, the administrative and cultural center of the small Baltic nation of Lithuania, ranks third for most affordable destination in Europe this season.
The medieval Old Town is your typical maze of cobble-paved streets, at the foot of a prominent hill atop which sits Gediminas, a striking-red castle tower—you know, the usual postcard stuff, just none of Southern Europe’s enraging crowds.
Oh, and if you’re looking for something truly unique, there is an artistic hub that’s declared itself a country: Rome may have the Vatican, but Vilnius has Užupis: it may not be officially a country, per se, but it has its own distinct feel, with quirky bars and handicraft shops galore, and they even drafted a constitution!
Just know “everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat”, and that “a cat is not obliged to love its owner, but it must help in times of need.”
Price-wise, hotels here cost an average $94 per night for 2 people, and meals are an equally-cheap $10–$13 in most Old Town eateries.
Riga, Latvia
The number one cheapest summer destination in Europe for 2025–and a short 4-hour bus ride from Vilnius, at that—Riga is Latvia’s capital and a cultural hotspot of the first order.
It has a UNESCO-protected Old Town, largely untouched since the Middle Ages: formerly a warehouse and meeting point for merchants in medieval times, the House of the Blackheads features an ornate Mannerist facade and an impressive level of detail.
Climbing St Peter’s Church, one of the tallest edifices in Old Riga, you’ll get a breathtaking panorama of the gable roofs and centuries-old dwellings below, and in case you’re craving local eats, the Central Market has a vast array of fresh Latvian produce.
Of course, there is no Riga without Art Nouveau: Alberta Street is lined with intricately designed building fronts all along its length. Architectural beauty aside, it is an absolute bargain this season, with overnights in downtown hotels costing $96 (or $43 per person).
Last but not least, dining out in Old Town can be as cheap as $9- $11 for a main dish in an inexpensive tavern. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on Draugu Darbnīca, a well-attended restaurant known for its daily specials under $6 and hearty, homemade meals.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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