April 8, 2026, 8:53 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Travel is getting more expensive, but most people understandably don’t want to give it up. The editorial team of Time Out magazine has now published a ranking of the cheapest cities for a short trip in Europe. TRAVELBOOK presents the results.
Flight, accommodation, food, activities: Even if you’re planning just a short city trip, it can be quite costly. Additionally, many cities have become excessively crowded and turned into real tourist hotspots. Relaxed sightseeing or strolling is hardly possible anymore. In the list of budget-friendly travel destinations, Time Out focused on cities that offer good value for money, are culturally diverse, and are still often underestimated.
However, the choice of the cheapest city is partly subjective, as it depends on various factors, such as the departure location, the season, or personal preferences.
This Is the Cheapest City for a Short Trip in Europe
In first place for the cheapest cities for a short trip in Europe in 2026 is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo. The city doesn’t force you to spend money, as you can wander the streets for hours without getting bored, according to Time Out. Additionally, there are free city tours where you can learn more about the history and the city itself. According to the magazine, these tours don’t cost anything, except for a tip for the guide, which is customary.
The ranking also considered average prices for typical tourist activities. For example, a half-liter of beer costs about 2.30 euros. An overnight stay in a vacation apartment averages 40 euros.
Second Place: Tirana, Albania
Second place goes to Tirana in Albania in the ranking of the cheapest cities for a short trip in Europe. Albania itself has experienced a real boom in recent years. The country is considered a cheap alternative to Spain, Greece, or Italy. But the capital should also be on your radar. According to Time Out, Tirana is rich in history from the communist era. An old bunker now serves as a museum. There are also numerous restaurants and bars with fair prices. A beer costs an average of 1.65 euros, and a night in a vacation rental is about 52.50 euros.
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Third Place: Hull, UK
Have you ever heard of the English city Kingston upon Hull, or Hull for short? No? Then, 2026 might be the right time to visit. Hull ranks third among the cheapest cities. Compared to the first two places, the prices for beer (5.60 euros) or an overnight stay (80 euros) are significantly higher. However, compared to the rest of Great Britain, Hull is considerably cheaper, according to Time Out. A stroll through the beautiful old town, rich in history, is recommended.
The Top Ten Cheapest Cities in Europe
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Tirana, Albania
- Hull, UK
- Miskolc, Hungary
- Zagreb, Croatia
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Kaunas, Lithuania
- Krakow, Poland
- Argos, Greece