Think about yourself sipping a wonderful expresso or on a glass of wine for less than two dollars, watching the sun set on top of some medieval stone walls. The beauty is that this entire day’s budget may not even cover the cost of a meal in Paris. Welcome to the Balkans! Europe’s best-kept secret that’s finally having its moment, and honestly, it’s about time. People are coming back from Albania bragging about how it is the affordable version of Greece.
While everyone else is fighting crowds and draining bank accounts in Western Europe, savvy travelers are discovering that the Balkans offer everything you’d want from a European adventure. That is the stunning coastlines, fairy-tale cities, incredible food, and rich history at a fraction of the cost. We’re talking about accommodations for $15 a night, three-course meals for $8-10, and experiences that’ll make your Instagram followers seriously question their life choices.
Here’s the thing about the Balkans: it’s not just cheap, it’s smart cheap. You’re not sacrificing quality for affordability; you’re discovering places before they become the next Dubrovnik (which, spoiler alert, is actually in the Balkans and used to be affordable too).
Kotor, Montenegro:
Nestled between towering mountains and the shimmering Bay of Kotor, this UNESCO World Heritage site looks like someone mixed the Norwegian fjords with Mediterranean charm and forgot to jack up the prices.
Skip the pricey Old Town restaurants and head to Konoba Scala Santa just outside the walls locals pack this place for massive portions at half the tourist prices. A hearty seafood risotto that would cost €25 in Dubrovnik? Here it’s €8.
A frugal hack to try is to climb the fortress walls at sunrise (free!) instead of paying for the cable car. The 1,350 stone steps are a workout, sure, but the views over the bay are absolutely magical, and you’ll have them mostly to yourself. Plus, you’ll work up an appetite for that affordable breakfast.
Ohrid, North Macedonia:
With 365 churches (one for each day of the year, locals claim), this lakeside gem has been quietly stunning visitors for centuries. Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, and the town feels like a living museum where every cobblestone has a story.
Stay in the Old Bazaar area where family-run guesthouses charge $20-25 a night and throw in homemade breakfast. Mrs. Vera at Villa Donceva will likely invite you for rakija (local brandy) and stories that aren’t in any guidebook.
A frugal hack to look at is to take the local bus (#8) to Galicica National Park instead of booking an expensive tour. For $2, you’ll reach hiking trails with panoramic views over both Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. Pack a picnic and make it a whole day adventure.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria:
If you’re like me and get a little thrill from walking where humans have walked for 8,000 years, Plovdiv will give you goosebumps. The Old Town is a masterpiece of Bulgarian Revival architecture, and the Roman amphitheater still hosts performances under the stars.
Time your visit during the off-season (April-May or September-October) when accommodation drops to $12-15 a night, and you can actually enjoy the cobblestone streets without dodging tour groups.
Many of the most beautiful houses in the Old Town are now free museums. The Ethnographic Museumand Balabanov House showcase incredible architecture and artifacts for just $2 entry. Also, check out the free evening concerts at the Roman Theater, locals often bring wine and cheese to share.
Lake Bled, Slovenia:
Yes, everyone’s seen that photo of the church on the island, but here’s what they don’t tell you: Slovenia punches way above its weight class, and Lake Bled is just the photogenic introduction to a country packed with natural wonders.
Instead of the overpriced lakeside hotels, book a room in nearby Radovljica (10 minutes by bus). This medieval town is gorgeous in its own right, and you’ll pay $30-40 for what costs $150 by the lake. We booked a nice bnb a few streets away from the lake, and it was much cheaper.
Skip the touristy pletna boat ride to the island ($25 per person) and rent a rowboat for $15 that you can keep for hours. Row yourself to the island, ring the church bell for good luck, then explore the castle cliff before most tourists even have their coffee. You could also try your chances at swimming, but it is pretty far…
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
The iconic Stari Most bridge is just the beginning of Mostar’s story. This city wears its complex history openly—mosque minarets and Catholic bell towers share the skyline, and the morning call to prayer mingles with church bells in a soundtrack that’s uniquely Balkan.
Eat like a local at Hindin Han, a traditional restaurant where you can feast on ćevapi, burek, and Turkish coffee for under $10. Skip the touristy riverside spots that charge Western prices for the same food.
Join the local kids jumping from the Old Bridge (July-August). It’s free entertainment, and brave visitors can even take the plunge themselves with some local coaching. Just remember, it’s higher than it looks!
Brasov, Romania:
Forget expensive Bran Castle tours, Brasov itself is the real gem. This Saxon-founded city in the Carpathian Mountains offers gothic architecture, mountain adventures, and vampire legends at refreshingly un-touristy prices.
Book accommodation in the Old Town for $15-20 a night. The Casa Wagner puts you in a 500-year-old building steps from everything, and the owner Maria makes the best homemade jam you’ll ever taste.
Take the cable car to Mount Tampa ($3) for sunset views over the city and mountains. Bring a bottle of local wine (excellent Romanian vintages for $5) and watch the medieval city light up below you. It’s more romantic than any expensive dinner.
Budva, Montenegro:
Before you roll your eyes at another “undiscovered” coastal town, hear me out. Budva’s Old Town rivals Dubrovnik’s beauty but costs a third of the price. The beaches stretch for miles, and the nightlife rivals anywhere in the Mediterranean.
Stay in private apartments through local agencies (not Airbnb) for $25-30 a night, often with stunning sea views. Ask at the bus station, locals often have recommendations for family friends renting rooms.
Hit the beach clubs for happy hour (5-7 PM) when cocktails drop to $3-4, then grab dinner at the local market where fresh seafood and produce cost almost nothing. A kilo of fresh mussels? $2. Fresh bread and tomatoes? Another $2. Beach picnic sorted.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Sarajevo will break your heart and heal it in the same afternoon. The scars of recent conflict blend with Ottoman architecture and Austro-Hungarian elegance, creating a city that’s impossible to forget. Plus, it might be Europe’s best coffee city—seriously.
Stay in the Baščaršija (Old Town) at a traditional guesthouse for $20-25 a night. You’ll wake up to the sound of the morning call to prayer and the aroma of Bosnian coffee, no alarm clock needed.
Join a free walking tour to understand the city’s complex history, then explore the tunnel museum ($3) where you’ll learn about the siege of Sarajevo. For lunch, grab ćevapi from Željo, it’s been serving the same perfect recipe since 1975 for just $3 a plate.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia:
Sixteen terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, all set in pristine national park wilderness, Plitvice is what happens when Mother Nature shows off. The wooden walkways wind through scenery so perfect it almost looks fake.
Visit in late spring (May) or early fall (September) when entrance fees drop from $40 to $20, crowds thin out, and the weather is still perfect for hiking.
To cut down on some costs, stay in nearby Rastovaca village where local families rent rooms for $15-20 a night and often include dinner featuring local trout and wild mushrooms. Mrs. Anka at House Draga makes a štrukli (cheese pastry) that’ll ruin you for all other pastries.
Shkodra, Albania:
If you thought Albania was all beaches (which are incredible, by the way), Shkodra will surprise you. This lakeside city sits at the foot of the Albanian Alps and offers some of the best value adventure travel in Europe.
To make things a bit cheaper, rent a bike ($5/day) and cycle around Lake Skadar, stopping at fishing villages where families will cook your catch for almost nothing. The ride is flat, the scenery is spectacular, and local fishermen are happy to share stories over homemade wine.
Berat, Albania:
UNESCO-listed Berat looks like someone scattered white houses across hillsides and called it art. The Ottoman architecture is remarkably preserved, and the castle quarter feels like stepping back 500 years.
Sleep inside the castle walls at Hotel Mangalemi for $35 a night, you’ll literally wake up in a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the sunset views from your window are priceless.
Explore the Onufri Museum inside the castle ($2 entry) to see 16th-century icons, then wander the cobblestone streets as locals invite you to taste homemade raki and learn family stories passed down through generations.
Krka National Park, Croatia:
While everyone flocks to Plitvice, smart travelers head to Krka for equally stunning waterfalls, swimming opportunities, and half the crowds. The seven travertine barriers create natural pools perfect for cooling off after hiking the wooden trails.
Enter through Laškovica gate instead of the main Skradin entrance, it’s the same park, same waterfalls, but $10 cheaper and far less crowded.
Pack a picnic lunch instead of eating at the park restaurant. Stop at Skradin market for fresh figs, local cheese, and prosciutto, a feast for $8 that you’ll eat beside waterfalls most tourists only photograph.
Sinaia, Romania:
Home to Peleș Castle (think Neuschwanstein but affordable), Sinaia sits in the Carpathian Mountains and offers royal luxury at peasant prices. The castle tours cost $8, and the mountain hiking is free and spectacular.
Stay at Villa Economat, a restored 1920s villa where rooms cost $25 a night and include access to hiking trails that start literally at your doorstep.
Take the cable car to Omu Peak ($6) for views across three countries. Bring layers—it’s cool up there even in summer—and enjoy Romanian mountain tea at the summit café for $1.50.
The Bottom Line: Your Balkan Adventure Awaits
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of exploring the Balkans on a shoestring: the region offers everything Western Europe promises—history, culture, natural beauty, incredible food without the sticker shock. You can travel like royalty on a backpacker’s budget, and the memories you’ll make are priceless.
The best part? You’re not just saving money; you’re discovering places before they become overcrowded and overpriced. You’re eating at family restaurants where recipes have been perfected over generations, staying in guesthouses where hosts become friends, and exploring cities where every corner reveals something unexpected.
So here’s my challenge to you: forget everything you think you know about European travel costs. Book that flight to the Balkans, pack light, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to discover why savvy travelers are calling this region Europe’s best-kept secret.
Your wallet will thank you, your Instagram will explode, and you’ll come home with stories that’ll make your friends start planning their own Balkan adventure. Because the only thing better than discovering an incredible destination? Sharing it with people you love.