The good news is that once you know what to watch out for, Europe is actually one of the easiest and most rewarding places to travel. In this article, I’ll go over 7 of the most common mistakes people make when planning a trip to Europe, along with simple tips to avoid them so you can spend less, stress less, and enjoy your trip more.

In this guide, we highlight seven underrated European cities where you can stay in a centrally located 4-star hotel for less than half the price of comparable accommodations in Europe’s most famous capitals. From a beautifully preserved medieval town in Poland to a beachfront stay on Spain’s Mediterranean coast and even a hotel that feels like a castle, these destinations prove that memorable European travel doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.

These cities are not only affordable but also offer authentic experiences, fewer crowds, and a relaxed atmosphere that many travelers find even more rewarding than the continent’s busiest hotspots. Whether you’re planning your first European adventure or looking for fresh ideas beyond the usual itineraries, these destinations deliver exceptional value without sacrificing comfort or cultural richness.

Prices vary a lot depending on where you go, and some of the differences might surprise you. In this guide, I’ve ranked 13 of Europe’s most popular cities from cheapest to most expensive based on realistic summer travel costs.

I’ve been publishing my Backpacker Index on PriceofTravel.com for over 15 years, and for this version I focused on what a typical visitor might spend in mid-July. Each daily total includes a centrally located 3-star hotel (split between two people), a casual lunch, a sit-down dinner, a one-day public transport pass, and admission to one of the city’s top attractions.

Some cities that used to be real bargains have gotten more expensive, while others are more reasonable than you might expect. Either way, the differences between the cheapest and most expensive cities on this list are huge.

Below, you’ll find all 13 cities ranked by total daily cost per person, along with current example prices to help you compare them.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through five Europe itineraries that actually work – routes that are logical, efficient, and realistic for a 7 to 14 day trip. These aren’t the only ways to plan your first visit, but they’re among the smoothest and most enjoyable ways to experience Europe without spending half your vacation in transit.

Each option below includes suggested pacing, transportation tips, and ideas for customizing the trip based on your interests and budget. Whether you prefer iconic capital cities, scenic alpine landscapes, Mediterranean charm, or even a cruise that lets you unpack once and see multiple countries, there’s a route here that makes sense.

If you’d rather watch the full breakdown, I also have a companion video where I walk through these five itineraries in detail. But below you’ll find an expanded written version with extra notes and planning tips.

But July and August can change the experience dramatically.

In many of Europe’s most iconic destinations, summer brings extreme crowding, high prices, long lines, and in some cases punishing heat. The cities themselves don’t change — but the way they feel does. Compact historic centers that are magical in April or October can feel gridlocked in peak season.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid Europe in summer. It just means you should be strategic.

In this guide, I’ll outline eight world-class European cities that are often better visited in spring or fall — and I’ll suggest smarter alternatives that offer a similar vibe, history, or energy, but with more breathing room during the busiest months of the year. Some of these swaps may surprise you.

If summer is your only travel window, you can still have an outstanding European trip — you just need to choose your cities carefully.

If you’re still early in your planning process, you might also want to read my detailed guide to perfect 7–10 day Europe itineraries for first-time travelers, which explains how to structure an efficient route without trying to see too much at once.

That’s when the biggest crowds arrive, hotel prices are at their highest, and in many places the heat can make sightseeing uncomfortable by the middle of the day. Popular attractions often require reservations weeks in advance, and even then you may still find yourself waiting in long lines just to get inside.

The good news is that there’s a much better option. The months of April, May, and early June offer a sweet spot where the weather is usually pleasant, the crowds are more manageable, and hotel prices are often a bit lower than peak summer.

Below are some of the best European cities to visit before the summer crowds arrive, along with tips on where to stay for a first visit.

But the Caribbean is a large region with dozens of islands and resort areas, and if you look carefully you can still find some genuinely impressive luxury resorts at surprisingly reasonable prices.

For this list I searched for highly rated beachfront properties that offer a true luxury experience — excellent facilities, strong guest reviews, and the kind of amenities you’d normally associate with 5-star resorts. Even better, every one of these places can sometimes be booked for under $400 per night in shoulder season, and a few of them are dramatically cheaper than that.

A quick note before we start: in some parts of the world you can find “5-star” hotels for under $100 per night, but those ratings often feel generous once you actually see the property. The resorts on this list are different. These are legitimate upscale beach resorts that deliver the luxury atmosphere most travelers expect from a true 5-star stay — just without the shocking price tag.

Below are seven Caribbean beach resorts that offer a surprisingly luxurious experience at prices that are far lower than most travelers expect.

But which one is actually the better deal?

To make this comparison fair and realistic, I looked at six comparable beachfront all-inclusive resorts for the exact same week in late March. The list includes family-friendly resorts, adults-only resorts, and luxury 5-star properties, all with strong guest reviews and located reasonably close to the main international airport in each destination.

Rather than averaging hundreds of hotels together, this approach highlights what travelers are most likely to encounter when they start looking at real resorts in both places. As you’ll see, the prices are often surprisingly close, but there are some important differences that may make one destination a better fit for your travel style.

April weather varies across the region, but many popular destinations still enjoy warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine before the heavier monsoon rains begin later in the year. It can also be a pleasant time to explore major cities before the most intense summer heat arrives in some areas.

From bustling megacities and historic temples to tropical islands and mountain towns, the destinations below offer a wide range of travel experiences while still delivering good weather and strong value for visitors in April.

One important thing to keep in mind is that Spring Break can push prices higher for a couple of weeks, especially in the Caribbean and Mexico. Families and college students tend to travel at slightly different times, so if you can plan your trip in early April or later in the month you can often find much better hotel deals.

The destinations below combine reliably warm weather with relatively affordable hotel prices, based on a typical 3-star hotel for two people. Many of these places also have excellent 4-star options that are still very reasonably priced, and in a few beach destinations you can even find good deals on all-inclusive resorts.

As always with these monthly lists, the focus is on destinations where you can enjoy great weather without paying peak-season prices. Some of the cities below are famous travel hotspots while others are lesser-known bargains, but all of them can be excellent choices for an April getaway.