In recent years, prices have risen for everything, and tourism is no exception. However, the rise in the price of vouchers in the most popular destinations is not a reason to deny yourself the opportunity to go explore the world in all its diversity! We invite you to get acquainted with a selection of successful and inexpensive destinations for beginners and experienced travelers, which will not cause much damage to the bank account and more than compensate for all this with bright colors and new impressions.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has long and deservedly taken its place among the popular Black Sea resorts, but its potential goes far beyond beach holidays. This region is especially interesting in the context of gastrotourism – Bulgarian cuisine is famous for its culinary masterpieces, filled with spicy and authentic flavors. Here you can try both traditional dishes and something unusual, for example, shopska salad, puff pastry banitsa, kebapcheta (these are balls of meat) or refreshing tarator soup (served cold).
But Bulgaria is not only a sea coast. If you go to Sofia, you will also find many interesting discoveries! Here you can rent a house at surprisingly affordable prices and enjoy walks through rich historical places, which often do not require any costs. Sofia is proud of its ancient churches, most notably the St. Sophia Temple and the Banya Bashi Mosque.
After exploring the architectural gems, take a stroll through the capital's spacious parks, such as Vitosha Park and Borisova Gradina, which is completely free.
To immerse into the history and culture of Sofia, be sure to sign up for the free Free Sofia Tour: in two hours, enthusiastic guides will take you through the key moments and places that shaped the image and soul of this ancient city.
Montenegro
With the onset of the warm season, prices on the Montenegrin coast increase significantly, and the streets are filled with crowds of tourists. This, however, opens up the opportunity to explore lesser-known regions of the country that are not crowded by travelers!
One of these places is Zabljak, a pretty village in the mountain valley of Durmitor, surrounded by 23 majestic peaks, attracting tourists all year round. In winter, it is a ski resort, but with the onset of warmth, when the snow melts off the slopes, Zabljak turns into an ideal place for nature lovers: at this time, people come here to conquer the mountains or visit the famous Black Lake, located at an altitude of 1416 meters.
If the soul asks for something unusual, it is worth visiting the canyon of the Tara River (93 km long with a depth of more than 1300 meters). In this majestic place is the Đurđevića Bridge, resembling iconic scenes from the Harry Potter films. Walking across this bridge is completely free of charge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
Albania
Finding so many free beaches on the entire European coast is not an easy task, but Albania is a pleasant surprise in this regard. The beaches of this country are not only free, but also excellently equipped, many have earned the Blue Flag for cleanliness and quality. Some media write about Albania as the most underrated maritime country in Europe.
Particular attention should be paid to the city of Vlora, which is located in the coziest corner of the Adriatic - once there was a Soviet military base here, and now it has been replaced by a magnificent resort. The shores here are mostly pebbly, the water in the sea is clean and transparent, and the infrastructure is developed enough for a comfortable stay. Vlora is a place where you can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature without the inconvenience of crowds or high prices.
Morocco
The fairy tale of Aladdin, where mountains, desert sands and the majestic ocean are intertwined! But Morocco is also a country of ancient palaces and mosques, many of which have been around for centuries and some for more than a thousand years. Here you can visit luxurious palaces such as Bahia or Mahkama du Pasha, stroll through the Habos district, which is a spherical ideal Arab city in a vacuum, as we see it on television or in cartoons. Morocco has something for everyone: beach lovers can enjoy the sun and sea, surfers can catch the waves, and history buffs can immerse themselves in rich excursions or admire local curiosities (for example, herds of goats, which, not finding grass on the ground, graze right on the crowns of the argan tree!).
Sri Lanka
This country is rich in amazing treasures: national parks where you can see elephant herds and graceful leopards, a picturesque coastline, an ocean coast and hundreds of Buddhist pagodas. Sri Lanka is a colorful kaleidoscope of saris, colorful rituals and terraces of tea on the hillsides. You can also climb to the top of the Sigiriya Rock, where skillful fortifiers of the past carved a powerful fortress into the body of the rock, watch the rituals of pilgrims in the Kandy temple, and get acquainted with Ayurvedic traditions in local herbal saunas.
Although a flight to Sri Lanka will not be the most budget-friendly, domestic prices are surprisingly democratic: in some places, costs can be 60-70% lower than in European resorts.
Turkey
Turkey is not always associated with a budget vacation, but knowing a few useful life hacks, you can return from a trip without causing significant damage to your wallet.
In Istanbul, you can spend hours walking the streets enjoying the ancient architecture without spending a penny. The only thing worth budgeting for is street food. Everything is really worth trying here: from simit, a Turkish bagel, to balik ekmek, the famous sandwich with fried fish, mussels with pilaf and roasted chestnuts. The prices for these dishes will pleasantly surprise you. In addition, almost all mosques in Istanbul are open to the public for free, including the magnificent Blue Mosque. At no extra cost, you can also visit the Museum of Modern Art, enjoy the peace and greenery in the city's many parks.
India
India has long established itself as one of the most popular destinations for budget tourism. A wide range of accommodation options are available here - from budget guesthouses and hostels to inexpensive hotels. In many large cities, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Varanasi, you can find clean and comfortable housing at a price that is several times lower than in European resorts. Even in more touristy places, such as Goa or Kerala, you can find quite affordable accommodation with beautiful views of nature.
Indian cuisine is another object of universal love. The dishes here are not only delicious and varied, but also extremely affordable. Street food is a separate pleasure that will allow you to enjoy the authentic flavors of India for symbolic amounts. A full meal at the restaurant will cost only a few dollars.
Finally, the country is rich in historical and cultural monuments, many of which can be visited for little or no money. For example, the entrance to the famous Red Fort of New Delhi will cost you a symbolic €5, and visiting religious temples and shrines, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar or the Lotus Temple in New Delhi, is completely free. Nature reserves and parks – Panna National Park (Khajuraho) or Dal Lake in Kashmir – offer inexpensive entrance fees, making them affordable for most tourists.
