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If you’re looking for the cheapest high-quality destination in Europe, then look no further than the Balkans – a breathtaking region located in South-Eastern Europe, brimming with culture, rich history, delicious foods, stunning beaches and some of the friendliest people that you’ll ever encounter.
If you’ve ever holidayed in other popular parts of Europe such as France, Germany, Italy or Spain – you will be pleasantly surprised at the comparable quality of accommodation and overall tourism experience that awaits you in the Balkans, all at a fraction of the price!
As humans, our expectations tend to be a very personal thing. While some travellers won’t settle for anything less than five-star accommodation with champagne breakfasts, others are happy to bunk in a shared dorm room at a quaint hostel.
Whatever your preference, one thing is certain – for the cost of holidaying in a country like Switzerland or France for a short week, you would have the opportunity to experience an entire month worth of dreamy travel in the Balkans.
Price of Accommodation
There is a myriad of accommodation options to choose from in all corners of the Balkans – whether you’re looking for a beach house on the Dalmatian coast, or a cosy apartment in central Belgrade, there are many amazing options which won’t break the bank.
In most cases, your stay in a hostel or even a small secluded Ethno village house (if you’re looking for a nature-inspired adventure) could cost you as little as €9-15 a night.
An entire apartment in a major city can cost you around €20-30 per night, and hotel stays start at around €30 per night, depending on the place that you’re visiting
Understandably, smaller cities and rural areas will be less expensive than bigger cities and popular tourist hotspots.
Summary: Depending on your adventure appetite and budget, apartments will generally represent the best value in Balkan accommodation for those travelling with two or more people. Hostels are the best value for money when it comes to solo travellers and those on a tight budget, whilst hotels are generally more expensive but certainly considered inexpensive by European standards.
Public Transport
Public transport is usually cheap and quite often free in a number of places.
The most common (as well as cost-effective) method of public transportation around the Balkans is by bus.
An international bus ride from one capital city to another (roughly a six-hour journey), on average could cost about €15-20 per person.
Domestic buses, on the other hand, are much cheaper, costing on average €1-5.
Minibuses are also a common mode of transport for both locals and tourists. These can run internationally and generally costs no more than €20-30. The advantage of minibuses is that they are usually a faster alternative to normal buses as they are more efficient at border crossings.
Hiring a car is also a good option for those that prefer to drive themselves at their own pace. This tends to be the better choice if your plan is to venture out into nature and prefer the freedom of stopping at your discretion along the way.
A rental car can cost as little as €15 per day (plus insurance).
It should be noted, however, that renting cars for crossing multiple countries can significantly increase prices, so instead, it’s recommended to book a bus to take you across the border, hassle-free.
Summary: Public transport is a very accessible and cost-effective way to travel around the Balkans.
Food & Gastronomy
When it comes to food, Balkan cuisine is definitely one of unsurpassed quality and heartiness. It can be described most concisely as the merging of various influences from around the region and presenting the very best of its fertile lands.
Not only is the food in the Balkans fresh and delicious, but the locals truly know how to enjoy food and are eager to showcase their culinary skills.
Characterised by diversity, each country has its own regional specialities, however, at the same time, many of the Balkan nations enjoy and share the same foods, each with their own flair applied to the same dish.
Starting with the most important meal of the day, a basic breakfast from a bakery will not set you back much. In fact, a generous portion of burek (a delicious pastry-based dish) will cost no more than around €1. The same goes for a Balkan-style coffee or cappuccino.
A filling lunch consisting of a cevapi sandwich, plijeskavica, or kebab will cost between €3-4 for a large portion that will most definitely leave you feeling full.
A meal at a mid-range restaurant, including a starter and a main dish, will average about €10 and less in smaller regional towns.
A substantial multi-course meal, for example, in a very popular part of Ohrid, Macedonia, will cost around €10 for two, including a drink each.
Fine dining options are aplenty in larger Balkan cities, whilst prices are substantially cheaper than what you would expect to pay in most other parts of the world for the same quality and service.
In terms of alcohol – a glass of wine, a pint of beer, or a strong cocktail, will range in price from about €1 to around €3 at a typical bar or cafe. Night clubs usually charge slightly more.
Summary: Whether you’re after a fine dining experience or quality food on-the-go, extremely affordable food options abound in all countries of the Balkans.
Tourist attractions & Entertainment
With your accommodation, transport and food sorted, we now approach the most exciting part of the Balkans adventure – and we certainly have some exciting news in store for you!
Most tourist attractions in the major Balkan cities are free of charge or only ask for a small, voluntary donation. In effect, you can have a fulfilling sightseeing experience without even spending a cent.
Many main cities offer free walking tours, where the guides work only for tips. The generally accepted etiquette is to pay the guide what you think the tour was worth (usually no more than about €5 unless it was something out of the ordinary!).
Full-day guided tours start at around €30 (depending on where you are visiting) and can be a good option if you’re keen on exploring hard-to-reach places, such as natural surroundings or rural towns and don’t have your own transport.
Some other examples: In Zagreb, many museums offer free entry or a few euro at most, whilst Belgrade’s historical Kalemegdan Fortress and informative walking tours are also both free.
Ohrid has a plethora of historical sites, most charging no more than about €2 for entry.
Additionally, in Athens historical sightseeing is completely free if you’re prepared to venture out on your own, otherwise, there are guided tours available starting at only €10.
Some additional activities in popular tourist hotspots could be “more expensive”, and by “more expensive” we refer to the €10-15 on average that you’d spend for a private boat cruise.
Summary: You won’t spend a lot on tourist attractions in the Balkans, but be certain that it’ll leave you exhausted and ready for a good rest by the end of your day.
