European escapades are enviable, obviously – but they're usually not cheap. And so jet setting to a new part of the world can seem financially out of reach for many of us. The picturesque mountains of Switzerland, canals of Venice, and colorful streets of Amsterdam capture our imaginations, sure, but the price tags can crush dreams. Sure, these places can be visited on a budget, but trying to do that tends to constrict your experience. Skipping meals doesn’t allow you to immerse yourself in the culture; cheap hostels don’t give you a glimpse of local home life.

If you want to visit Europe without breaking the bank, set Rome and Paris aside. Think beyond the typical tourist centers. Some of Europe’s greatest cities are hiding in plain sight, rich with history and culture but not financially demanding.

Seville, Spain

Madrid is the capital of Spain. Barcelona, the tourist center. But Seville is the soul. If Spanish culture grips your imagination, there’s no place better to go than the capital of the Andalucian region – colorful buildings, live music, and tapas bars line the streets, drawing you into the vibrant personality of the city and its people.

Accommodation

A local short-term apartment rental website, Rentalia, has a few dozen short-term offerings in the city center between $20 and $50 per night for a 1-3 bedroom apartment. Airbnb has more choices, but the nightly prices are slightly higher.

Transportation

Public transportation around Seville can, admittedly, be a little chaotic. The narrow, active streets cause the city buses to run behind constantly, so walking is often the quickest option. Thankfully, Seville’s streets receive a 99 rating on WalkScore and reward those who journey on foot.

A week-long pass to Servici, Seville’s bike take and drop off service, will only run you $15. If your ride lasts less than 30 minutes, the trip is free. If you go over 30 minutes, you’ll be charged just over $1 per hour. Uber is an option for traveling longer distances, as well as a variety of local taxi services.

Food & Drink

Mealtimes are a bit later in Spain than in most places. Lunch is typically served between 1 and 4 pm, and dinner is rarely eaten before 8 pm. Many restaurants offer a midday special, or menu del dia, around lunch that often includes a starter dish, entree, dessert, bread, and a drink for $10-14. The star meal of Seville, however, is made entirely of tapas, small and inexpensive plates meant to be shared among friends. A tapas dinner is more than a meal – it’s a cultural experience. Most of these plates cost less than $3, though some come at no cost if you order drinks.

Speaking of drinks, a pint of local beer will rarely run you more than $2 and a glass of fine Spanish wine can be yours for $3-6.

Things To Do

Seville’s living streets are an attraction in themselves, so spend a lot of time walking around, taking in the sights of Spain’s cultural heart, savoring the aromas of street food, and listening to street musicians. Make sure to check out the magnificent Seville Cathedral, the gardens of Real Alcazar, and the historic area of Barrio Santa Cruz. And don’t pass up on witnessing flamenco, an emotive art form that originated in Southern Spain. La Casta Del Flamenco hosts one of the city’s highest rated shows at $20 per ticket.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Greece’s second largest city is optimistic, upbeat, and ripe for a budget adventure. Though its beaches, art walks, and historic attractions can keep you entertained for days, it’s also the transportation hub of nearby islands and Northern Greece’s mountainous region. So if the history and Mediterranean climate of Greece have always fascinated you but the prices of island resorts have scared you away, a trip here may be just what you’re looking for.

Accommodation

Private apartments right in the city center will only run you $20-40 per night on Airbnb, and modest hotels won’t charge you over $50 per night.

Transportation

Thessaloniki is very walkable, receiving a score of 90 on WalkScore. The city bus system is generally reliable and quite inexpensive. You can expect to pay just over $1 per ride, through multi-ride tickets are even less expensive if you will be taking multiple rides over the course of a couple hours.

Food & Drink

Thessaloniki's history imparts a heavy use of spices, thanks to the influence of the Ottoman empire. You’ll find plenty of bars and taverns serving regional food for $10-20 per meal. For a less expensive meal, browse the street vendors. A gyro, souvlaki, and baklava make a decent meal for less than $12. A local beer may cost up to $7 and a glass of wine $10. Obviously, those prices aren't great – a few days of eating and drinking won't be completely wallet-draining, but it's not exactly a steal. Though you can (and should) also enjoy plenty of ayran, an inexpensive sweet yogurt drink found in many of the city’s stalls.

Things To Do

Thessaloniki’s ancient architecture is more Byzantine than Greek or Roman and therefore tends to disappoint those who want picturesque views of ancient Roman structures, but there is the Roman Forum, the remnants of an entire ancient complex from the Roman era. The city also has an extensive network of budget-friendly museums and cathedrals, the most notable being Agia Sophia.

The 16th century White Tower demands a visit, too. It costs $11 to enter, but the important landmark provides a great view of the city. Oh, and don’t forget to have a drink at the beach – you’ll pay a bit more, but the new two-mile boardwalk and vivid sunset will make the splurge worth it.

Lisbon, Portugal

A city of Gothic structures, vintage trolleys, and multi-colored sidewalks, Lisbon has a way of reaching into the romantic mind. The capital of Portugal is known for its superb, sunny weather, charming vibe, and booming tech scene, though it's slowly climbing the prestige ladder, so take a trip there now before it’s no longer a budget destination.

Accommodation

Airbnb has a smattering of private apartments from $30-60 a night and there are plenty of hotels right in the city center for $40-60. If you can, stay in Alfama, the city’s oldest and most romantic quarter.

Transportation

Public transportation is reliable, and there are several options to choose from. The city’s underground metro, trolley network, and bus routes touch every corner of the city and are rarely late. For $2-3, you can just about get anywhere, but a $7-day pass may is also available. Don't use the taxis.

Lisbon receives a 95 on WalkScore, so you can also forgo a few trolley rides in favor of a lovely stroll down the cobble streets.

Food & Drink

So long as you’re avoiding the overpriced restaurants of Lisbon’s tourist hotspot, Baxia, look to spend $8-20 per meal. As is tradition there, most servers will bring bread and olives to your table before your meal is served – they're actually not free, but can be politely denied if you’re not interested. And street food is on the rise in Lisbon, especially near the water, and you can enjoy a light meal or sandwich for less than $10 when you're walking around.

As for drinks, a pint of local beer can cost up to $5 in the more touristy areas, less elsewhere. Make sure to grab a glass of port, Portugal’s own fortified wine, for $3-8.

Things To Do

Lisbon is one of the sunniest cities in the world, so get outside, take a walk (or three) by the beach, and meander up the stairs of The Castle of St. George. Most of the city’s museums have free entrance on Sundays, but if you need more flexibility, the Lisboa Card offers unlimited transportation and free or discounted visits to city’s highlights for $20/day or $40/3 days.

And for $5 each way, you can enjoy a 45-minute train ride to Sintra, a fairy tale-esque city with rolling hills, glistening forests, and a castle out of a storybook.

Palermo, Italy

The capital of the Italian island of Sicily, Palermo is a city of rugged charm. Blending cultures of the Middle East, Italy, Spain, and North Africa, Palermo’s streets, foods, and people will keep you pleasantly surprised – it's a beach city with a flair for art and a little bit of attitude.

Accommodation

Airbnb has no shortage of private apartments ranging from $20-50 per night, some just a few feet away from the beach.

Transportation

Palermo’s bus system can get you anywhere in the city for less than $2, but delays are commonplace and to be expected. Uber has been banned from Italy, so you’ll have to use fairly expensive local taxis if you want to travel longer distances around the city. Thankfully, Palermo’s streets receive a WalkScore of 97 and there are few reasons to leave the city center.

Food & Drink

Snacking on the street is a proud Palermo tradition. Most of them – such as fried saffron rice balls and panelle chickpea sandwiches – are made on the spot and cost $1-3. Pair a few together and you’ve got a filling, diverse meal for just a few bucks. Sit-down restaurants will run you a little more, obviously, to the tune of about $8-17 per meal. And a glass of wine or beer rarely costs more than $2-4 anywhere in the city, so drink up.

Things To Do

Calm walks by the beach and snorkeling excursions are some of the city’s more popular outdoor activities. The Cappella Palatina chapel and Palazzo dei Normanni parliament building stick out as some of Palermo’s most iconic buildings, featuring spectacular mosaics and walls with intricate marble inlay. And the Teatro Massimo is Europe’s second largest opera house. The six-story structure is a masterpiece in itself, but if you’re looking to see a concert or play in the house’s grand auditorium, tickets run anywhere from $20 to $120.

Budapest, Hungary

Though the grandeur of Budapest shines in both ancient and modern ways, the city is extremely budget-friendly. Dozens of thermal baths, bars hidden in seemingly abandoned buildings, and one of Europe’s most intricate palace neighborhoods draw visitors into the Hungarian capital in a way most cities can only dream of.

Accommodation

Budapest is a paradise for budget travelers looking to save on accommodation. Airbnb hosts hundreds of private apartments for $20-40 a night right in the center of town and if you have humble space needs, plenty of studios are available for even less.

Transportation

Budapest’s transportation network is seamless, inexpensive, and reliable, consisting of buses, trains, trolleys, and the metro. Individual rides cost $1-2, a day ticket costs $5.60, and a week ticket costs $17. WalkScore gives Budapest’s large city center a score of 97, so if you’re sticking to the city center, walking everywhere won’t be a problem.

Food & Drink

Streetside cafes and food carts sell regional soups, sandwiches, and snacks for $2-5 all around the city center. For a heavier restaurant meal, expect to pay $10-20 – not bad.

Spend your nights in Budapest’s unique and eclectic ruin bars, hidden in buildings that were destroyed and abandoned after World War II. They come and go frequently, so ask the locals about their favorites to find the latest openings, but definitely give the original, Szimpla Kert, a visit. A liter of beer at these bars will rarely cost you more than $2.

Things To Do

If you’re looking to pack a lot of sightseeing in a short amount of time, the 3-Day Budapest Card is a money saver. Though it costs $35, it gives you unlimited transportation, access to many museums, walking tours, and the Lukács Baths for free, and provides discounts to many of the city’s attractions, bars, restaurants.

Take a stroll around the Buda Castle district. The museums in the area, along with castle and parliament tours, range from $5-7. For $8 you can explore a mile of the labyrinth underneath Buda Castle that once imprisoned Count Dracula.

These five cities are culturally approachable, less laden with tourist traps than the usual destinations, and no less thrilling to experience than the typical destinations – but they are only the beginning. Europe is large, diverse, and filled with cities like these. Don’t be afraid to think outside the cliche destination box when you’re planning your next European adventure. Rewarding travel experiences happen when we’re willing to go new places, try new things, and meet new people.

Five Budget-Friendly European Cities You Should Visit