In Paris, I visited the Louvre. You were sunbathing and crossing the Appian Way on the bike on the Azores. If any of these destinations are on your bucket list, you’re lucky: We named them the best value European vacations this year Ipass doens’t check.
We combed through its Best in Vacation database to narrow down on European travel places that aren’t too pricey. We looked at year-over-year variations in airfare and accommodation pricing and currency exchange rates for cities throughout the continent. The cities with the lowest prices and many restaurants and tourist attractions made the top ten destinations to visit in Europe right now.
Here are Top European destinations:
1. The city of Rome, Italy
A week for two people costs $4,046.
Enjoy the city’s most popular attractions, such as the Colosseum ($15 for adults) and the Vatican Museums ($21 for adults), but don’t miss out on some of the city’s lesser-known gems. Travel & Leisure suggests riding or walking a section of the Appian Way, one of the Roman Empire’s most important roadways dating back to 312 BCE, or visiting a nightclub in the Testaccio neighborhood.
2. Czech Republic (Prague)
A week for two people costs $3,622.
Prague, rated one of our cheapest overseas holidays, has a lot to offer tourists on a budget. Many of the city’s cultural sites are free to visit, including the mid-10th century fort Vyehrad, the city’s 1,000-year-old marketplace Old Town, and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV’s eponymous bridge. Alternatively, visit The Jewish Museum, one of the world’s most oversized Judaic art and culture collections, with 40,000 exhibits and 100,000 publications; entry is roughly $8 for adults and $6 for children.
3. London, United Kingdom
A week for two people costs $4,629
Beyond the city’s architectural marvels and historical art scene, you can taste the city’s variety, which is reflected in the city’s loan cuisine, entertainment, music, and other aspects. According to Lonely Planet, one in every three Londoners was born abroad, and the city has 270 ethnicities and 300 languages. After shooting Big Ben, the Tower of London ($29 or 23 for adults), and St. Paul’s Cathedral ($23 or 18 at the gate), proceed to Borough Market for Spanish tapas, Indian kulfi ice cream, and Ethiopian injera bread.
Visit one of London’s renowned free museums and galleries for a more profound cultural experience. The British Library has two of the four known copies of the Magna Carta; the National Portrait Gallery houses the Chandos Portrait of William Shakespeare, and The British Museum houses the inner workings of the British Empire.
4. The Spanish island of Mallorca
A week for two people costs $4,204.
On the east and south sides of Mallorca, there are sandy beaches, hiking routes, cliffs, and cliffs in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Relax and exercise by trekking to the hills monasteries or cycling through communities. At Sa Gabia, adrenaline enthusiasts may try their hand at rock climbing.
According to Hopper, fly into Palma (about $1,000 per person) and spend some time touring the Catedral de Mallorca in this stylish city.
5. Greece’s Crete
A week for two people costs $4,224.
Crete, Greece’s most oversized island, is home to sunny beaches such as Elafonisi Beach, which features pink sand, and Balos Beach, described as a “turquoise paradise.” The island’s western end is lined with ports, notably Chania, a famous Venetian town. After the hike up to the Venizelos cemetery, bring your cameras for panoramic views of the area.
Grab a bottle of the region’s local wine or a shot of the spicy raki liquor if you’re feeling thirsty. For a little over $3, you may visit the Cretan Olive Oil Farm, or for $8, you can enjoy a guided tour.
6. Paris, France
A week for two people costs $3,951.
Paris may not have a reputation for being a low-cost destination, but now is the time to go if you’re searching for a bargain. According to KAYAK, average airline rates have been lowering, and the weaker euro has made accommodation more affordable.
Take a $29 lift to the Eiffel Tower after viewing it from the ground for a glimpse of the city. For $10 (or free if you’re under 26 and arrive on a Friday evening), see the Mona Lisa close to the Louvre. Plus, eat traditional French cuisine without breaking the bank: Food & Wine advises visiting a brasserie, a blend between a caf and a restaurant where basic meals start about $20, for the best value dinner.
7. Tbilisi, Georgia
A week for two people costs $3,348.
Tbilisi, located at an old crossroads between Asia and Europe, offers medieval architecture and contemporary cuisine and drink. Visit the ruins of the historic Narikala stronghold on the banks of the Mtkvari River for a taste of the past, or take a stroll through the Old Town’s winding streets. Alternatively, take the freshly renovated funicular cable car to the summit of Mt. Mtatsminda (where the amusement park is $1).
Visit the vineyards in the province of Kakheti to learn more about the region’s winemaking tradition.
8. Krakow, Poland
A week for two people costs $3,287.
Krakow is one of Poland’s oldest cities, with historical monuments dating back to the Middle Ages. Rynek Underground ($6) takes you through the public spaces and commerce networks of the Middle Ages, supplemented with holograms and audiovisuals. In Krakow, remnants of the Holocaust and WWII may be seen: many tour companies provide excursions to the historical Jewish district of Kazimierz, and farther away, former concentration campsites such as Auschwitz and Plaszw can be visited.
9. Portugal’s Azores
A week for two people costs $3,046.
The Azores are a tiny archipelago of nine islands located about 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal, where visitors may relax on white-sand beaches or walk up volcanic mountain peaks.
The Azores’ most popular islands, So Miguel and Santa Maria, maybe visit if you just have a limited time. So Miguel’s most significant island in the archipelago features superb surfing conditions along the coast and hot spas in the Termas da Ferraria. Swim in the calm waters of Praia Formosa beach or go fishing for bluefish bream, amberjack, conger eels, and other local fish off the coast of Santa Maria.
10. Berlin, Germany
A week for two people costs $3,749
Berlin has a laid-back atmosphere and a bustling party culture in addition to its historical buildings from the twentieth century. For 20th century European art, visit The Berlinische Galerie ($9) or Sammlung Boros ($17) for contemporary works by artists such as Olafur Eliasson and Ai Weiwei. If you want to dance, go to PURO Sky Lounge for German techno and 360-degree views of the cityscape you could even see a star.
