In these cities, you can have a wonderful time, explore interesting places, and enjoy delicious and affordable food.
The most popular tourist destinations in Europe are either completely unaffordable for travelers who are watching their budget, or they’re sold out for the entire season — at least until September. However, as Travel Off Path notes, there’s no need to get upset: there are at least 5 alternative European cities that are in no way inferior in beauty to the popular tourist centres. The main thing is that a trip there won’t cost a fortune, either in summer or during the quieter months.
Alghero, Italy
Alghero in Sardinia will be an excellent alternative, even to Barcelona. This city, surrounded by fortified walls, was founded in the Middle Ages by the Catalans. And members of the older generation of local residents still speak a dialect of the Catalan language called alguerès.
The compact Old Town of Alghero, surrounded by medieval walls, resembles a miniature version of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. Here you’ll find narrow streets with arches, ancient house facades, and churches made of golden stone that could well be located somewhere in the heart of Catalonia.
However, as the authors note, Alghero is not just about the medieval atmosphere and ancient walls. It is home to some of Sardinia’s best beaches, and they are free from the hustle and bustle of Costa Smeralda.
Spiaggia di Mugoni is a huge crescent‑shaped beach with white sand, surrounded by crystal‑clear water. And Spiaggia di Maria Pia is famous for its huge dunes and picturesque old pine forest. What’s especially nice is that you can drive from the city centre to these beaches in about 15 and 10 minutes, respectively.
Average prices: coffee + pastry – $3–6, pizza – $8–15, a simple lunch – $15–25 per person, seafood dinner – $35–70 per person, gelato – $3–6, Aperol Spritz / cocktail – $7–10. Beach umbrella + 2 sun loungers – $20–35 per day, local bus ticket – $1–2, mid-range hotel – $120–200 per night.
Nafplio, Greece
Nafplion is considered one of the most beautiful cities in mainland Greece. It resembles a picturesque Italian seaside town: there is a promenade, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets with neoclassical mansions, and elegant squares with balconies draped in bougainvillea.
The Palamedes fortress rises above the city – one of the most impressive in Greece. It was built by the Venetians after they conquered Nafplion in the 18th century.
The fortress is located on a hill about 700 feet high, offering a view of the Argolid Gulf and the fortified islets. Let’s be honest: the famous 999 steps that you need to climb to reach the top are very challenging in summer. But the views from here are probably among the best on the entire Peloponnese.
Unlike famous Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, Nafplion offers the opportunity to enjoy beautiful beaches without crowds of tourists from cruise ships.
The Arvanitia beach is located right by the city, and Karatona, which the authors call their favorite, is a long strip of golden sand surrounded by hills covered with pine trees.
Average prices: coffee + pastry: $3–6, pizza: $8–15, regular lunch: $15–25 per person, seafood dinner: $35–65 per person, gelato/dessert: $3–6, cocktail: $7–12.
A beach umbrella + 2 sun loungers will cost $15–30 per day, a local bus ticket costs $1–3, and a mid‑range hotel costs $100–180 per night.
Varna, Bulgaria
Varna is the maritime capital of Bulgaria, and it truly exudes the atmosphere of a lively seaside city. In summer, the temperature usually ranges from 24 to 29 °C. Tourists can enjoy green boulevards, elegant buildings, seafood restaurants, and a promenade that comes to life especially in the evenings.
The authors suggest presenting Varna as a distant relative of the Mediterranean.
The city’s main gem is the Sea Garden, a huge park along the Black Sea coast. It features palm‑lined avenues, flower beds, and summer cafes with a direct view of the water. According to the authors, this is one of the most pleasant urban parks in Eastern Europe.
Varna may also surprise those who primarily associate Bulgaria with Sofia. The city center is filled with colorful 19th‑century buildings, majestic Orthodox churches, and richly decorated facades that are more reminiscent of Austria‑Hungary than the Balkans.
A few minutes’ walk from the city center are the sandy beaches of the Black Sea, with lively beach bars and restaurants.
And if you’re drawn to ancient history, the authors advise not to miss McDonald’s on Prince Boris I Boulevard. The thing is that the restaurant is built right above the ancient Roman baths of Odessos.Read also:
On average, coffee + pastries here will cost $2–5, pizza – $7–12, lunch – $10–20 per person, seafood dinner – $25–50 per person, dessert – $2–5, cocktail – up to $10. Beach umbrella + 2 sun loungers – $10–25 per day, local bus ticket – $0.50–1, hotel – up to 140 per night.
Cartagena, Spain
Located in a quieter part of Costa Calida, Cartagena has been a strategic port of the Mediterranean for over 2,000 years. The Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and Spaniards all fought over the city at different times. Therefore, it is not surprising that all these civilizations left behind a vast historical heritage, the article says. Moreover, all of this is concentrated in a compact and walkable city center.
In the very heart of the colorful Old Town, in the Art Nouveau style, lies the Roman Theatre – a 2,000‑year‑old monument that was discovered only in the 1980s. Nearby, you can see majestic squares with summer terraces, mansions with wrought‑iron balconies, and elegant pedestrian streets.
In Cartagena, there is also a castle on a hill – Castillo de la Concepción. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the bustling port.
However, Cartagena is not just about ancient history. Within a short drive from the city, you can reach the crystal‑clear coves of Cabo Tiñoso, and about 25 miles from Cartagena lies La Manga – a resort strip squeezed between the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the shallow lagoons of the Inland Sea of Murcia.
Coffee + pastries here cost $3–6, pizza – $10–16, lunch – $15–25 per person, seafood dinner – $35–70 per person, gelato/dessert – $3–6, cocktail – $8–12. The cost of a beach umbrella is 15–30, a local bus ticket costs $1–2, and a hotel costs $90–170 per night.
Petrovac na Moru, Montenegro
If you want to see Montenegro without crowds of tourists, head to Petrovac na Moru instead of Kotor and Budva. Here you’ll find everything that makes travelers love the Adriatic: mountains descending to the turquoise sea, stone houses, and secluded coves for swimming. But at the same time, there’s no atmosphere of vibrant nightlife here.
The main attraction of the city is the Castio Fortress, built by the Venetians. It rises above the harbour and gives Petrovac a unique Old World atmosphere. Nearby is the Luchice Beach – a secluded cove with golden pebbles, which you can reach on foot from the city. The beach is surrounded by pine‑covered hills, and the water here is so clear that it seems almost unreal.
The old town is a Mediterranean charm in all its glory: winding cobblestone streets winding between ochre‑colored houses, characteristic green shutters, and small squares surrounded by family‑run taverns.
By the way, the authors recommend definitely checking out Konoba Orada – a cozy local tavern known for its seafood dishes. Here, it’s worth ordering grilled squid or the fresh catch of the day with a chard side dish.
Average prices: coffee + pastry – $3–5, pizza – $8–14, lunch – $12–25, seafood dinner – $30–60 per person, dessert – $2–5, cocktail – $6–10, beach umbrella – $15–30 per day, bus ticket – $2–4, hotel – $90–170 per night.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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