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Brussels, Belgium
Recover from the long-haul flight in the Grand Place area — it's stunning and walkable. Try moules-frites and Belgian waffles in the Saint-Géry neighbourhood. Budget tip: many museums are free or cheap, and supermarkets like Delhaize are great for affordable meals.
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Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is incredibly walkable — rent a bike to explore the canals and windmills on the outskirts. Don't miss the Markt square and the hidden Begijnhof courtyard. Budget tip: stay in a hostel on the edge of the old town and grab takeaway fries from a frituur to save money.
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Dublin, Ireland
Use Dublin as your base for Ireland — day trips to Howth, Wicklow Mountains, and the Cliffs of Moher are all accessible by bus or train. The Liberties and Temple Bar neighbourhoods are great for food and nightlife. Budget tip: the Leap card saves significantly on public transport and many galleries like the National Museum are free.
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Galway, Ireland
Galway is the gateway to Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way — hire a car for a day to explore the rugged coastline. Shop Street and the Latin Quarter are full of traditional pubs with live music most nights. Budget tip: self-cater using the English Market and look for weekly hostel rates to reduce costs.
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Cork, Ireland
Cork is Ireland's foodie capital — visit the English Market for local produce and artisan goods. Day trip to Blarney Castle or Kinsale, a charming harbour village nearby. Budget tip: Cork is cheaper than Dublin overall, and the city centre is very compact and walkable.
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Killarney, Ireland
Killarney National Park is one of Ireland's most beautiful — hike or cycle the Gap of Dunloe for stunning scenery. The Ring of Kerry can be done as a day tour from here. Budget tip: book a hostel dorm and join a shared minibus Ring of Kerry tour rather than renting a car solo.
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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are must-sees, but the free hike up Arthur's Seat offers the best views of the city. The Grassmarket area has great budget pubs and street food. Budget tip: most of Edinburgh's major museums including the National Museum of Scotland are completely free.
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Manchester, United Kingdom
Manchester has a brilliant food and music scene — explore the Northern Quarter for independent cafes, bars, and vintage shops. The free Museum of Science and Industry and the Whitworth Gallery are great rainy-day options. Budget tip: the Metrolink tram is affordable and connects most areas; avoid taxis and use the app.
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Cambridge, United Kingdom
Punting on the River Cam past the famous college backs is the quintessential Cambridge experience — rent a punt yourself rather than hiring a chauffeur to save money. King's College Chapel and the Fitzwilliam Museum are stunning. Budget tip: Cambridge is compact and easily explored on a hired bicycle for around £10/day.
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London, United Kingdom
London is expensive but loaded with free world-class attractions — the British Museum, Tate Modern, and the National Gallery are all free. Explore Shoreditch, Borough Market, and Southbank for affordable food and atmosphere. Budget tip: get an Oyster card immediately, cook some meals yourself, and use free walking tours to orient yourself.
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Contiki Tour, France
Your Contiki tour covers multiple European cities — most meals, accommodation, and transport are included in the tour price so daily spend is minimal. Focus your extra budget on optional excursions and personal spending money. Budget tip: set a daily personal allowance of around €30-50 for drinks, snacks, and extras on top of your tour cost.
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Paris, France
Paris is iconic but very manageable on a budget — the Louvre is free for under 26s from EU countries, and most parks and Notre Dame exterior are free. Le Marais and Montmartre are the best neighbourhoods for wandering and cheap eats. Budget tip: grab baguettes, cheese, and wine from a supermarché for a perfect and cheap picnic by the Seine.
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Annecy, France
Annecy is called the Venice of the Alps — the old town canals and crystal-clear lake are jaw-dropping and free to enjoy. Swimming in Lake Annecy is free and one of the best experiences in France. Budget tip: stay slightly outside the old town for cheaper accommodation and self-cater using the Tuesday and Friday markets.
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Interlaken, Switzerland
Switzerland is expensive so keep this a short transit stop between France and Italy. The views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau from town are completely free. Budget tip: buy food at a Migros or Coop supermarket rather than restaurants, and consider a hostel dorm for the single night.
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Lake Como, Italy
Base yourself in the town of Como or budget-friendly Varenna rather than glitzy Bellagio. The public ferry system lets you hop between lakeside villages cheaply. Budget tip: the ferry day pass is excellent value and the lakeside promenades and free beaches are the main attraction.
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Dolomites, Italy
Base yourself in Cortina d'Ampezzo or the cheaper Val di Fassa area for access to the best hiking trails. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is one of the most spectacular hikes in Europe. Budget tip: book accommodation in agriturismo farmhouses or rifugios for authentic and affordable mountain stays.
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Florence, Italy
Florence is Renaissance art overload — pre-book the Uffizi Gallery to skip queues, and the Duomo exterior and climb are cheaper than most expect. The Oltrarno neighbourhood across the river has the best local trattorias away from tourist prices. Budget tip: eat a €5 lunch menu (menu del giorno) at a local trattoria for excellent value pasta and a drink.
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Camogli, Italy
Camogli is a gorgeous, lesser-known fishing village on the Ligurian coast — far cheaper and more authentic than Cinque Terre next door. The colourful stacked houses and rocky beach are perfect for a relaxing stop before flying. Budget tip: ferries run to Portofino and San Fruttuoso abbey from Camogli for a scenic and affordable day trip.
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Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is the most expensive Greek island so be strategic — explore the iconic whitewashed Little Venice area and windmills in the morning before crowds arrive. Paradise and Super Paradise beaches are the famous party spots. Budget tip: eat gyros from local spots rather than restaurants, and consider staying in a hostel or cheaper area like Ano Mera village.
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Paros, Greece
Paros is more relaxed and affordable than Mykonos — Naoussa is a beautiful fishing village and Parikia has a lovely old town. Golden Beach and Santa Maria are great for water sports. Budget tip: ferries between Cyclades islands are affordable; book ahead in July as they fill up quickly.
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Ios, Greece
Ios is known for its lively nightlife scene centred around the Chora hilltop village — it's more affordable than Mykonos for the same party atmosphere. Mylopotas Beach is long, beautiful, and lined with beach bars. Budget tip: many beach bars offer free entry and cheap drinks during happy hour; cook breakfast yourself at your accommodation to cut costs.
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Milos, Greece
Milos is arguably the most visually stunning island in Greece — the lunar-like landscape of Sarakiniko beach is unlike anywhere else in the world. Hire a quad or ATV to reach the more remote coloured rock beaches. Budget tip: Milos is less touristy than Santorini and Mykonos so accommodation and food are noticeably cheaper.
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Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of Europe's best value capital cities — explore the Alfama district for fado music, viewpoint miradouros, and cheap tascas. The historic yellow trams and the free Belém Tower riverside walk are highlights. Budget tip: the €10 day pass covers all trams and metro; pastel de nata pastries cost under €1.50 each at local bakeries.
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Lagos, Portugal
Lagos in the Algarve has some of Europe's most dramatic coastal scenery — the Ponta da Piedade sea caves and Praia Dona Ana are stunning. The old town is walkable and full of affordable restaurants and bars. Budget tip: kayak tours to the sea caves are around €25pp and worth every cent; buy groceries at Pingo Doce supermarket to self-cater some meals.
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Cadiz, Spain
Cádiz is one of Europe's oldest cities and feels entirely different to the rest of Spain — the old town is on a peninsula with ocean views everywhere. The Cathedral rooftop offers panoramic views for just €6. Budget tip: tapas in Cádiz are still served free with drinks in many old-school bars — order cañas of beer and snack for almost nothing.
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Valencia, Spain
Valencia is the home of paella — eat the real thing at a restaurant along the Malvarrosa beachfront. The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences is an architectural wonder and free to admire from outside. Budget tip: Valencia is significantly cheaper than Barcelona for accommodation; the central market Mercado Central is perfect for cheap, fresh food.
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Costa Brava, Spain
Base yourself in Tossa de Mar or Begur for the best of the Costa Brava — medieval hilltop villages above turquoise coves. The GR-92 coastal path connects many hidden beaches only accessible on foot. Budget tip: avoid August weekends when Spanish domestic tourists drive prices up; self-cater using local markets and beach-pack lunches.
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Palermo, Italy
Palermo is chaotic, colourful, and one of Italy's most underrated cities — the Ballarò street market is a sensory overload of incredible cheap food. The Palatine Chapel mosaics are breathtaking and affordable to visit. Budget tip: Sicily is significantly cheaper than northern Italy; arancini, panelle, and sfincione from street stalls make for excellent budget meals.
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Tropea, Italy
Tropea is perched dramatically on cliffs above some of the most beautiful beaches in mainland Italy — the turquoise water rivals the Greek islands. The Norman cathedral and views over the Santa Maria dell'Isola church are iconic. Budget tip: Calabria is one of Italy's cheapest regions; eat at family-run trattorias for generous pasta and seafood meals under €12.
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Procida, Italy
Procida is the smallest and least touristy island in the Bay of Naples — the pastel-coloured Marina Corricella is one of the most photographed spots in Italy. Ferries run regularly from Naples and take around 40 minutes. Budget tip: Procida is far cheaper than Capri and Ischia nearby; eat fresh seafood at the marina restaurants for around €15 per person.
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Rome, Italy
Use Rome as your final transit point before flying home from Fiumicino airport. If time allows, the Trastevere neighbourhood is the perfect final evening spot for a farewell pasta and glass of wine. Budget tip: book your FCO airport transfer in advance; a shared shuttle is around €6pp versus €50+ for a private taxi.