My absolute favorite thing about living in Europe is there are plenty of different travel destinations for you to immerse yourself into. Although Summer is the most popular time when people travel especially since kids are off school, there are still some fantastic destinations to discover on a budget
In this guide I am going to list the 10 cheapest destinations in Europe for summer 2025 and will provide average budget costs for each one. I live in Malta and the airline costs are reflective to this, however I am 100% confident that the locations chosen will be reachable for cheap wherever you are around Europe. So let’s dive right in and here are the 10 cheapest summer destinations!
How to get the Cheapest European Summer Flights under €100!
Budget airlines is your friend (and enemy) but especially if you are a solo traveler and are willing to travel light with just a small backpack then flights can be easily copped under €100 to a variety of European destinations. If you are traveling as a couple and want to share a 20kg checked in bag then it generally costs an additional €25-30 each way. This will bring the total cost of €150 for a return flight which is still pretty cheap during summer time!
Make sure you check the best flight prices on SkyScanner. Then continue to book your flights on the airline’s website.
Our Tip: Generally the cheapest way to book luggage is to opt for the value fare and then add the luggage as an extra at the end of the booking.
10 Cheapest Destinations in Europe
1. Barcelona, Spain (and others)
There are a bunch of different and popular summer destinations in Spain including Sevilla, Valencia and of course, Barcelona. While Barcelona might be the more expensive option there is a whole variety of things to do other then relaxation by the beach. It is a great place for party goers and family alike.
The nearby Lloret del Mar is a heaven for party animals while Portaventura is great for family outings with kids offering an amusement and water park.
Accommodation: Barcelona is a bit more expensive for accommodation and you can expect to spend around €50-60 per person per night for a comfortable stay. One tip is to stay in one of the nearby villages and then commute into Barcelona via train. The village of Viladecens is a good option for this, just a 20 minute train ride away from the city center.
How to get here under €100: Ryanair and Vueling offer loads of flights into Barcelona. Prices in summer tend to shoot up. If you want to visit Barcelona and do not care for the beaches, you can easily get flights even under €50 in Winter/Spring times.
2. Sardinia, Italy
The island of Sardinia is often overlooked by travelers for the more popular Cinque Terre and coastal towns of Positano and similar. However this Italian island offers beautiful beaches and offers a great summer escapade. There isn’t much else to see other than its pristine coastal beaches so make sure to pack your sunblock and enjoy a holiday full of swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing!
Accommodation: Depending on where you base yourself but on average accommodation here will set you back €60 per person per night
How to get here under €100: Ryanair provides flights to Cagliari and Oblia. Might need to aim for late June/September to avoid the demand but in general not as popular.
3. Nice, France
The French Riviera is an absolute hidden gem in my opinion and doesn’t get its full recognition. Full of nightlife, hidden perched hilltop villages and beautiful beaches, the French Riviera offers something for everyone. Nice is the best base for your holiday offering access to several villages and beaches. You can also go to Monaco ticking off another country!
Here you can find my guides on the French Riviera for more detailed information on what to do and the cheapest way how to get to certain places along the coast.
- Peille & Peillon – 2 Hidden Villages in the French Riviera
- One Day in Marseille – Your Ultimate Guide to the City
- How to get to Eze using Bus, Train or Nietzsche’s Trail!
Accommodation: One of the more tricky to find cheap accommodation in this list. Lodging can be expensive as high as €85 per person. Alternatively, you can set up your base in one of the nearby village like Eze or Villefranche sur mer. The cheapest one I could find was at Antibes a 20 minute train ride away to Nice at €60 per person per night.
How to get here under €100: You can fly direct into Nice airport using Easyjet or WizzAir. Alternatively you can fly into Marseille with Ryanair and head into Nice via train or the cheaper Flixbus option.
4. Lake Bled, Slovenia
The wonderful Lake Bled offers stunning views and a relaxing time over the lake with swimming and kayaking options. Being next to the Julian Alps the sun is not as hot allowing for hiking in comfortable weather.
We have written a complete comprehensive guide on all things to do in Lake Bled. Check it out here for some inspiration to book yourself a holiday to Slovenia. 11 ESSENTIAL Things to do in Lake Bled – Cheap 3 day Itinerary
Accommodation: For a detailed complete budget breakdown on Lake Bled check out: Lake Bled Budget Costs And Full Breakdown
How to get here under €100: Check out our post Complete Guide On How to get to Lake Bled From ANYWHERE
5. Croatia Road Trip
The country of Croatia is the perfect destination for a coastal road trip, starting up north from the capital Zagreb and then head down south ending in the historical city of Dubrovnik. Along the way visit the coastal towns of Split and Zadar as well as other hidden gems and the more famous Pltvice Lakes National Park. This is ideal for families and groups of friends looking to live the best life dancing the night away in Croatia.
Accommodation: One of the few times that I would say it is imperative to book early. In particular, the months of July till mid August tend to spike up in price so I would try and wait for a September holiday to round up summer and escape a bit of the scorching July sun.
How to get here under €100: Plenty of budget airlines fly to Zagreb as well as other Croatian cities of Dubrovnik, Zadar and Split. One other alternative is to start your road trip in Trieste which is another airport on the border of Italy and Croatia.
6. Albanian Riviera
The Albanian Riviera is gaining in popularity thanks to Tiktok but still remains one of the more underrated summer destinations. With impeccable pristine sandy beaches it is dubbed the Thailand of Europe. Cost of living is also one of the cheapest destinations in Europe. A car should be rented to get around as public transport is lacking.
Accommodation: With great research and stopping at strategic locations to not stay at the more popular spots you can get away with luxury as low as €30 per person but can go up to €60 depending on locations.
How to get here under €100: While there are no direct flights from all places in Europe getting a flight here under €100 is a bit tricky. You should be able to get return flights with a stopover in one of the Italian airports such as Bari, Catania, Milan, Venice Treviso for around €100-150 with Ryanair or WizzAir.
7. Skopje, North Macedonia
While not the most summery of destinations on our lists, the Macedonian capital is up there on the list of cheapest destinations in Europe at any time of year. The cost of living is really cheap and is perfect for a short weekend trip. You can also extend it by spending some time at Lake Ohrid.
Hidden gems of the Macedonian capital include Mount Vodno and Matka Canyon where once can admire a different side to the quirky capital and take in some amazing scenery. Check out all things to do in Skopje here 10 UNMISSABLE Things to Do in Skopje: Complete Guide & Itinerary
For a full budget breakdown on Macedonia, read our post Is Macedonia Expensive to Visit? Full Budget Breakdown
Accommodation: You will not find cheaper accommodation across Europe with nice hotels/apartments starting at around €25 per night per person.
How to get here under €100: WizzAir is the primary airline which serves Skopje airport.
8. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of the most charming cities in Europe and it is a haven for budget travelers. It offers something for everyone from nature lovers, retiring travelers and history buffs. It is known for its thermal baths to enjoy and relax. The public transport is efficient and cheap with a cost of a single ticket starting as little as €1.
Accommodation: Costs vary according to group size but I would average it out to €50 per person per night.
How to get here under €100: Ryanair and Wizzair both fly into Budapest airport and you can generally find flights around this price.
9. Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is one of the most underrated and one of the cheapest destinations in Europe making it an ideal destination for budget travelers. The city is known for its beautiful churches, vibrant street art, and cheap eats where you can dine out (and drink!) for as little as €5. Public transport is efficient and costs just a fraction of what you’d pay in other European capitals.
If you are looking for nature then the popular 7 Rila Lakes are just a day trip away offering luscious greenery and serenity.
Accommodation: Prices vary, but you can expect to spend around €30 per person per night for a comfortable stay.
How to get here under €100: Ryanair and Wizzair offer loads of different destinations from Sofia.
10. Bratislava, Slovakia
Finally, Bratislava is a more quiet option for those seeking to escape the beach side crowds of Southern Europe. It can also be a great base to visit the nearby Vienna or Budapest as well as other Slovakian cities and villages.
Accommodation: Average cost per person for a night in Bratislava is €45.
How to get here under €100: Bratislava Airport has a bunch of low budget airlines flying to it as well as previously mentioned, the nearby cities of Budapest and Vienna in particular could offer a great alternative to securing that cheap flight.
Final Tips to Get Cheap Holidays
- Always use Skyscanner to compare the cheapest prices.
- In most cases book directly with airline especially if you are adding luggage.
- Be flexible in your dates
- June and September tend to be cheaper than July-August
- Be flexible in your locations!
- There is a reason why there is 10 listed locations. If one is expensive look for another!
Hope that this list of some of the cheapest destinations in Europe inspired someone to book that summer holiday. If you need any help in booking your holiday for cheap do not hesitate to contact us on our socials or via the Contact Us tab on our website!