Thinking of finally acting on that last-minute sunny getaway to Europe? It may be too late for oceanfront villas on the French Riviera and rooftop cocktails in Barcelona, unless you’ve got thousands of dollars sitting somewhere in a bank account.
Europe’s top tourism hotspots are either completely out of reach for budget-savvy travelers or already sold out for the season (well into September), but don’t despair just yet.
These 5 alternative European cities are just as gorgeous as the usual jet-setting spots, and the best part? They won’t cost you an arm and a leg to visit, whether you’re traveling in peak summer or the quieter months.
Alghero, Italy
If you can’t make it to Barcelona this year, Alghero in Sardinia is the next best thing. You may be wondering what’s the connection here, as the Italian island is a whole 300 miles from Catalonia, but what if we told you this walled city was actually settled by Catalans in the Middle Ages?
Or that older generations still speak a dialect of Catalan, dubbed Alguerès?
Alghero’s compact, wall-encircled Old Town looks like a miniature version of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, with arch-framed alleys, weathered building facades, and golden-stone churches that wouldn’t look out of place in the heart of Catalonia.
It’s not all about medieval charm and coastal walls, either: Alghero is home to some of the best beaches in Sardinia, without the buzz of Costa Smeralda.
Spiaggia di Mugoni is a huge crescent of white sand hugged by crystal-clear waters, whereas Spiaggia di Maria Pia has massive dunes and a beautiful old pine forest to back it. The best part? They’re only a 15-minute and 10-minute drive from downtown, respectively.
Average Prices In Alghero, Italy
- Coffee + pastry: $3–6
- Pizza: $8–15
- Casual lunch: $15–25/person
- Seafood dinner: $35–70/person
- Gelato: $3–6
- Aperol spritz / cocktail: $7–10
- Beach umbrella + 2 sunbeds: $20–35/day
- Local bus ticket: $1–2
- Mid-range hotel: $120–200/night
As of this summer, Americans flying to the European Union (and associated Schengen states) must be fingerprinted upon arrival. Starting in 2027, they will also be required to apply for a mandatory travel permit ahead of flying.
This applies to Italy, as well as 30+ European countries.
Use the Entry Requirement Checker to verify whether your destination is affected right now.
Nafplio, Greece
Greece’s prettiest mainland city, Nafplio feels like a direct answer to an Italian coastal town, with the waterfront promenade, the maze of cobbled lanes lined with neoclassical mansions, and elegant squares flanked by bougainvillea-draped balconies.
Perched above the city, Palamidi is one of Greece’s most impressive castles, built by the Venetians upon their conquest of Nafplio in the 18th century.
It sits on a 700-foot hill overlooking the Argolic Gulf and its fortified islets, and we won’t lie to you, the infamous 999 steps to reach the top are brutal in summer, but the views are arguably the best in the entire Peloponnese.
Unlike famous Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, Nafplio also gives you access to beautiful beaches without the cruise crowds: Arvanitia Beach is right by town, and Karathona, our personal favorite, is a long stretch of golden sand backed by pine-covered hills.
Average Prices In Nafplio, Greece
- Coffee + pastry: $3–6
- Pizza: $8–15
- Casual lunch: $15–25/person
- Seafood dinner: $35–65/person
- Gelato/dessert: $3–6
- Cocktail: $7–12
- Beach umbrella + 2 sunbeds: $15–30/day
- Local bus ticket: $1–3
- Mid-range hotel: $100–180/night
Varna, Bulgaria
The Sea Capital of Bulgaria, it has that real lived-in coastal city feel, with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 85°F in summer, leafy boulevards, elegant buildings, seafood restaurants, and a waterfront that comes alive in the evening.
Think of it as the Mediterranean’s distant cousin.
Varna’s crown jewel is the Sea Garden, a sprawling coastal park stretching for miles along the Black Sea, with palm-lined promenades, flower beds, and open-air cafés directly overlooking the water. One of the nicest urban parks in Eastern Europe, hands down.
The city is also unlike what you might expect Bulgaria to look like, especially if you’ve been to Sofia before. The center is filled with colorful 19th-century buildings, grand Orthodox churches, and ornate facades that look more Austro-Hungarian in style than Balkan.
Just steps from downtown, you can reach sandy Black Sea beaches with lively beach bars and seaside restaurants, and if it’s the ancient allure you’re chasing, perhaps you shouldn’t skip grabbing a bite at the McDonald’s by Knyaz Boris I Boulevard: it’s built right on top of the ancient Roman Baths of Odessos.
Average Prices In Varna, Bulgaria
- Coffee + pastry: $2–5
- Pizza: $7–12
- Casual lunch: $10–20/person
- Seafood dinner: $25–50/person
- Dessert: $2–5
- Cocktail: $5–10
- Beach umbrella + 2 sunbeds: $10–25/day
- Local bus ticket: $0.50–1
- Mid-range hotel: $70–140
Here’s something that might surprise you: Bulgaria is among Europe’s safest destinations.
It holds a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State, meaning Americans can visit while exercising normal precautions, and it boasts an excellent 90/100 score on the Traveler Safety Index.
Cartagena, Spain
Lining the quieter end of the Costa Cálida, Cartagena has been a strategic port in the Mediterranean for over 2,000 years, fought over between Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and Spaniards. Needless to say, all of these civilizations left behind a ridiculous amount of history.
All packed into a compact, surprisingly walkable city center, if we may add.
The Roman Theatre, a 2,000-year-old masterpiece rediscovered only in the 1980s, is right in the middle of the Art Nouveau, colorful Old Town. Only steps from it, you’ll find grand plazas lined by outdoor terraces, mansions with wrought-iron balconies, and elegant pedestrian streets.
Like the classic Mediterranean postcard it is, Cartagena also has a hilltop castle, Castillo de la Concepción, offering sweeping panoramic views over the busy port.
It’s not all ancient history, either: a short drive away, you’ll happen upon the crystal-clear coves of Cabo Tiñoso, and farther away, some 25 miles out of town, La Manga is a resort strip wedged between the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, and the shallow lagoons of Murcia’s Inland Sea.
Average Prices In Cartagena, Spain
- Coffee + pastry: $3–6
- Pizza: $10–16
- Casual lunch: $15–25/person
- Seafood dinner: $35–70/person
- Gelato/dessert: $3–6
- Cocktail: $8–12
- Beach umbrella + 2 sunbeds: $15–30/day
- Local bus ticket: $1–2
- Mid-range hotel: $90–170
Petrovac na Moru, Montenegro
If you still want to experience Montenegro without the crowds, skip Kotor and Budva and go to Petrovac na Moru instead:
Same Adriatic beauty, with mountains meeting turquoise waters, stone houses, and hidden swimming coves, minus Kotor’s mega-yacht atmosphere and Budva’s hectic nightlife.
The Venetian-built Kastio, a fortress towering above the harbor, is the town’s defining landmark, and gives Petrovac that undeniable Old World flair. Nearby, Lučice is a secluded golden-pebble beach a short walk south of town, framed by pine-covered hills and bathed by impossibly clear water.
The Old Town? Just Mediterranean charm in its full glory: winding stone-paved pathways running along ocher-colored edifices, those signature green shutters, and tiny piazzette surrounded by family-owned tavernas.
On that note, make sure you swing by Konoba Orada, a cozy local taverna known for its seafood, and get their grilled calamari or fresh catch of the day with a side of blitva.
Average Prices In Petrovac na Moru, Montenegro
- Coffee + pastry: $3–5
- Pizza: $8–14
- Casual lunch: $12–25/person
- Seafood dinner: $30–60/person
- Gelato/dessert: $2–5
- Cocktail: $6–10
- Beach umbrella + 2 sunbeds: $15–30/day
- Local bus ticket: $2–4
- Mid-range hotel: $90–170/night
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest travel news, straight to your inbox
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest travel news, straight to your inbox
