Looking to book a European city break? You want to avoid the big crowds of tourists like those you find in Rome, Paris, Madrid? And you don’t want to pay extortionate prices for local transport, entrance fees and a local meal at a restaurant? You’re looking for more of an adventure off the beaten path?

This top ten list of budget European city breaks will give you a flavour of the vibrancy and beauty that the Balkans has to offer. A generally overlooked region when tourists consider ‘Europe’, the Balkans deserves so much more recognition as a tourist destination. Stunning landscapes, local hopsitality and friendliness, charming towns full of rich history, and some great restaurants (catering surprisingly well to us veggies). And everything is SO much more affordable than the likes of your classic Western European city. Have a read below and get planning your Balkan city break!

Sarajevo

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo is steeped in history, culture and character. Wander the cobbled streets of the Ottoman bazaar, take the cable car up to Mt Trebevic for panoramic city views, explore the abandoned Olympic bobsled track, and walk a preserved section of the historic Tunnel of Hope. Order a traditional Bonian coffee served in a proper copper coffee pot, gorge yourself on flaky burek and explore the various vegetarian options at restaurants throughout the city. The general way of life in Sarajevo is slow-paced, so you are sure to feel relaxed and recharged.

Transport: Fly into SJJ Sarajevo International Airport serviced by Wizz Air from Europe

We spent £25 per night for a small apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and lounge.

We spent an average of £20 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including coffees, ice creams, bakery stops, at least one meal out per day, and grocery shop visits.

Shkoder

Shkoder, in north Albania, is somewhere that is usually overlooked by tourists who see the city as a stopover point for venturing into the mountains or nearby Kosovo or Montenegro. This really is somewhere that I didn’t have high expectations for, but I was so so wrong. If you’re a street photography fan, you will absolutely love exploring all the residential backstreets with dilapidated buildings and characterful doors. Hire a bike and cycle down to Rozafa castle for panoramic views, and then on to the peaceful lake. Gorge yourself on Albanian slow food, and take part in an evening xhiro.

Transport: Fly into TIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza which connects many other European destinations to Albania. From here, it’s a two hour bus ride north. If you have time, you could visit both cities – Tirana and Shkoder!

We spent £27 per night for a double room with ensuite and a beautiful courtyard outlook. Plus a freshly cooked breakfast each morning.

We spent an average of £28 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including at least one meal out each day, grocery shop visits, cafe stops, and plenty of ice cream.

Sibiu

Sibiu, located in Romania‘s Transylvania, is a beautiful pastel-coloured town with cobbled streets, green spaces, narrow staircases and plenty of bakeries. You’ll find the medieval old town split into the upper town (that is fancier) and the lower town (where the peasants used to live), and plenty of traditional houses that look like they have eyes!  Grab yourself a perfectly crisp yet still soft gogosi, and wander the town, spotting the guild towers and exploring the hidden passages between streets.

Transport: Fly into SBZ Sibiu International Airport which connects many other European destinations to Romania.

We spent £28 per night for a small apartment with a kitchen and washing machine in a traditional Romanian shared courtyard.

We spent an average of £24 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including one meal out each day, grocery shop visits to cook back at the apartment, bakery stops, and coffees out.

Plovdiv

Our favourite city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv has such a friendly and energetic atmosphere compared to other Bulgarian cities we visited. See the street art, grab a coffee at a quirky cafe, eat a great vegan meal at Veggic, explore the old town with its traditional tiered houses, take in the view from the top of all of the six hills of Plovdiv, and explore the hipster Kapana arty district.

Transport: Fly into PDV Plovdiv International Airport which connects the UK and Ireland to Bulgaria. Otherwise try to get a flight connection at Sofia International Airport, or get a two hour bus ride from Sofia to Plovdiv.

We spent £27 per night for a small apartment with a kitchen and washing machine.

We spent an average of £31 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including at least one meal out each day, grocery shop visits to cook back at the apartment, bakery stops, coffees out, and several stops for rakia!

Brasov

One of Romania’s medieval fortified cities, Brasov has all the beauty of a traditional old town, while also being the perfect hub for day trips. Hike up to the Brasov ‘Hollywood’ sign, see the Gothic Black Church, and Disneyland-style Caterina’s Gate, try some of Romania’s best gelato, and head out for day trips to Dracula’s castle and tranquil Sinaia.

Transport: Fly into SBZ Sibiu International Airport, and then take a two hour train or bus ride to Brasov. Or fly into OTP Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport and take a two and a half hour train to Brasov. Maybe visit two cities during your Romanian break – Sibiu and Brasov, or Bucharest and Brasov!

We spent £27 per night for a double room with ensuite and a beautiful courtyard outlook. Plus a freshly cooked breakfast each morning.

We spent an average of £28 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including at least one meal out each day, grocery shop visits, cafe stops, and plenty of ice cream.

Tirana

What a gem. If you are looking for a really different and intriguing destination, the Albanian capital city of Tirana is the ticket. Learn all about the ex-communist dictatorship at the city’s many museums, go street art hunting, rummage for books at the market, and wander down the pedestrian street at xhiro time.

Transport: Fly into TIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza which connects many other European destinations to Albania.

We spent £24 per night for a small apartment with a kitchen.

We spent an average of £22 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including going to fancier restaurants (with non-local food which is definitely more expensive than regular restaurants), plenty of coffees at quirky cafes, and grocery shop visits.

Mostar

Mostar is probably Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most visited city and with good reason. It has all the aspects of a historic Ottoman town within a day trip’s distance from Dubrovnik. Cobbled streets, Ottoman-style arched bridges, a little old town and the blue waters of the Neretva river all make this a hotspot for tourists. But there is more to this city than just its old town. Explore the newer part of town and search for street art, head up to city viewpoints, venture out to ancient Pocitelj and Blagaj Dervish house as day trips.

Transport: Fly into SJJ Sarajevo International Airport serviced by Wizz Air from Europe, and then jump on a bus or book yourself a transfer to Mostar. The bus journey will take an hour and a half to two hours and a half. Maybe even have a double city break and see both – Sarajevo and Mostar!

We spent £27 per night for a double room with ensuite with a communal courtyard.

We spent an average of £30 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including coffees, ice creams, bakery stops, at least one meal out per day, and grocery shop visits.

Sighisoara

Literally a fairy tale city in Romania. Walking the medieval old town of Sighisoara, we honestly felt like we had stepped on to the set of Beauty and the Beast. Head up to the 14th century clock tower for views over the city, eat your body weight in fried dough (both savoury langos and sweet papanasi), stop for plenty of coffees with a view, walk the cobbles, and find all the traditional guild towers.

Transport: Fly into SBZ Sibiu International Airport, and then take a two hour train to Sighisoara. See two of Romania’s fairytale cities in one trip  – Sibiu and Sighisoara!

We spent £31 per night for a small apartment with a kitchen and washing machine.

We spent an average of £24 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including at least one meal out each day, grocery shop visits, coffees out, and stops for papanasi and langos.

Two wild cards that you’ll need to travel a little further for, but are definitely worth it!

Gjirokaster

One of Albania’s UNESCO listed cities, Gjirokaster’s historic old town is unique. Take tours of traditional old mansions, hike to Ali Pasha bridge (a remaining section of an Ottoman aqueduct), find the spot for the ultimate coffee with a view, shop for trinkets at the bazaar, explore the castle and the museum, and try all the local food!

Transport: Fly into TIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, and then take a four hour furgon to Gjirokaster. Add a visit to Tirana on to your Gjirokaster trip for the perfect Albanian city break.

We spent £24 per night for a double room with a view and shared outdoor space, plus freshly cooked breakfast each morning.

We spent an average of £23 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including at least one meal out each day, grocery shop visits, coffees out, and stops for ice cream and trilece.

Korca

Korca, in Albania, isn’t really on the tourist radar yet, but it is the perfect for fans of street photography. You could spend hours just wandering the backstreets exploring with your camera. Head to the Korca brewery, find the city viewpoints, explore the medieval art museum (which really was fascinating!), hike to Shën Ilia Church, and visit the pazari.

Transport: Fly into TIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, and then take a three hour furgon to Korca. Spend some time in the capital city and make your trip a double destination break – Tirana and Korca!

We spent £23 per night for a double room with kitchenette with washing machine an balcony.

We spent an average of £20 per day on vegetarian food between the two of us including at least one meal out each day, grocery shop visits, coffees out, and stops for Korca beer.