Known for their tips and tricks for travelling more while spending less, Chelsea Dickenson and James Robinson compiled this guide to 15 of their favourite places across the continent to stay, explore and eat—on a budget.
Less🏨 Zagreb, Croatia: We love the affordable private rooms and the seriously good bar scene here. You’ve got three bars (yes, three), a nightclub downstairs and a rooftop terrace that draws locals in too.
🏨 Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen can get pricey, but if you can score a stay in CityHub, prices are as low as £37 for sole occupancy! Whilst the bathrooms are shared, you get your own lockable pod. Oh, and there’s a sauna and a bar where you can pour your own pints.
🏨 Paris, France: This hotel doesn’t always come up in the search when you’re looking for a place to stay in the city because it’s just beyond Paris’ super-ring road in Saint-Ouen. Thanks to that, you can expect cheaper prices in a 3-star hotel that still feels like a treat. Plus, you’re only a short metro away from the centre.
🏨 Wrocław, Poland: Fancy a 5-star spa hotel in the peak summer season? Get yourself to Hotel Altus Palace, where you can easily nab a room for under £100 a night.
🏨 Sofia, Bulgaria: When you’re travelling solo, it can often feel like you get short-changed in your room. Well, this place has a single room with a cute sitting area and a huge bathroom. It’s such a treat to have so much space whilst only paying a single rate!
🖼️ Aarhus, Denmark: We’ve visited this art museum three times now and still absolutely adore Your Rainbow Panorama by artist Olafur Eliasson, which allows you to walk through a circular rainbow tunnel on top of the building. It always has other great exhibitions too!
🎢 Gothenburg, Sweden: Gothenburg’s theme park punches well above its weight, with magical charm you wouldn’t expect in a city park. It’s Scandinavia’s biggest and one of Europe’s best, yet still feels special and beautifully quirky.
🏛️ Rotterdam, Netherlands: Architect Piet Blom’s cube houses are fascinating, plus it’s free to wander around the estate. A visit inside is around €3, though the best view is from the outside. If you are into interesting buildings, don’t miss the Market Hall just a three-minute walk away!
🎈Vilnius, Lithuania: Vilnius is the only European capital city that lets you take off and land in a hot air balloon in its centre! When we went, we decided to record a podcast up there! Which helped to distract from the height…
🏖️ Wales, United Kingdom: We both loved this beach, and Chelsea even claims it’s her favourite beach in the world. Yes—in North Wales! Sure, she may be a little biased, but if you catch this place on a sunny day, you’ll hopefully understand the allure. Accessed only by foot via a golf course, locals and visitors flock to sit out on the sand whilst sipping a pint from Tŷ Coch Inn.
🍽️ Marrakesh, Morocco: All you need to know is that we recently went here and got a salad, dips, bread, a kefta tagine and a soft drink for under £5. All whilst people-watching as everyone went in and out of the souks. What’s not to love?
🍽️ Athens, Greece: Greek yoghurt fans unite. Stani is Athens’ last traditional dairy bar, in operation since 1931. Get the yoghurt with honey and walnuts, and prepare to be wowed. Just make sure you’re hungry. The portion is huge!
🍽️ Lisbon, Portugal: Nando’s who? Frangasqueira Nacional is a tiny barbecue restaurant where if you don’t snag a table—there’s room for only about 10 people—you can take your food away instead. Go for the chicken, ribs and sausage, and sit in Jardim Fialho de Almeida to tuck in!
🍽️ Calais, France: Fancy a quick trip to France to fill up on wine and cheese? Make time for this restaurant on the way home. The pink hued decor seems locked in the past in the best way possible. Try the snails!
🍷Bratislava, Slovakia: This wine cellar has 72 Slovakian wines, and you’ve got 100 minutes to try them all. Sounds dangerous? Well, the sommeliers are on hand to give guidance—and kick out anyone who gets too lairy! But a great deal for only €30.