Discover affordable winter destinations in Europe in 2025. Sofia, Budapest, Riga, Sarajevo and Krakow are routes where prices pleasantly surprise and the atmosphere creates the perfect winter trip. Find out about the average travel budget, and also get tips and life hacks for travelers

Winter Europe always beckons with the atmosphere of holidays, lights and the aroma of mulled wine. But the classic Christmas capitals are becoming more expensive and more crowded with tourists every year. That is why more and more travelers are choosing other, less obvious destinations – those that offer real comfort, authenticity and fair prices. We have collected five European cities where winter in 2025 will be beautiful, comfortable and affordable at the same time.

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Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia has been holding the position of one of the cheapest European capitals for many years. It is easy to find budget accommodation, inexpensive restaurants and very affordable transport. If you like museums, pay attention to the “happy hours” after 4:00 PM, when tickets are much cheaper. And at the National Gallery, a single ticket is valid for several branches, which is especially profitable.

What to do in winter?

Winter Sofia is a city that surprises with its soft atmosphere. Old streets, the smell of coffee and the warm light of shops create a feeling of a European province, where you don’t want to rush anywhere.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral makes a special impression: in winter the golden dome looks even more majestic, and the silence inside contrasts with the busy streets.

After a walk, go shopping on Vitosha Boulevard. Along the main shopping street there are cafes, shops and winter installations. And very close by is Mount Vitosha, which in winter turns into a compact and inexpensive ski resort. The lifts are easy to reach by public transport.

There is a small Christmas market in the city garden, where you can try banitsa, rakia and hot mulled wine.

Average check for 2 days

- Accommodation: €35–55/night.

- Food: €12–23/day

- Transport: €5/day

- Museums: €5–15

Total: €110–230 per weekend

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest continues to attract tourists in winter - thermal baths, romantic architecture and affordable prices make the city one of the most profitable for short trips. Especially in winter, when you can escape the cold right in the middle of the snow, plunging into the warm water of Széchenyi or Rúsvőrdo.

What to do in winter?

For cultural travelers, the most convenient option is the Budapest Card. With it, most museums become free or cheaper, and transport is available without restrictions.

The city is great for family vacations: interactive spaces, miniature pavilions and numerous cafes along the Danube allow you to spend a day comfortably even in bad weather. Pensioners will be especially comfortable thanks to the flat embankments and convenient transport.

In the center, on Veresmarty Square, there is one of the most beautiful winter fairs in Europe, where you should definitely try goulash and kurteskalács.

Average check for 2 days

- Accommodation: €45–65/night

- Food: €15–32/day

Total: €110–220 per weekend

Riga, Latvia

Winter Riga resembles the pages of a Scandinavian fairy tale: wooden Art Nouveau houses, the smell of baking, quiet streets and the winter wind from the Baltic. This city is created for quiet walks and museum tours.

What to do in winter?

The Museum of Occupation of Latvia and the Latvian National Museum of Art regularly hold free admission days. In addition, many museums offer online tickets that are 10–20% cheaper.

The Old Town of Riga is included in the UNESCO list - compact, beautiful and extremely atmospheric. Nearby are galleries, restaurants with Baltic cuisine and the same cozy cafes, where it is nice to wait out the cold.

There are many interactive workshops for children, and for older tourists - calm routes and affordable transport.

A must-see is Dom Square, where one of the most atmospheric winter markets in the Baltics operates.

Average check for 2 days

- Accommodation: €40–55/night.

- Food: €12–17/day.

- Transport: €5–6/day.

Total: €130–170 per weekend

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo is one of the most accessible and authentic capitals in Southeastern Europe. The city is unique in that European, Ottoman and Middle Eastern heritage coexist here, creating a unique cultural mix.

What to do in winter?

Winter Sarajevo is like a movie: steam above street cafes, the smell of spices, the narrow streets of Baščaršija and the soft shadows of mosques and Austro-Hungarian facades.

On weekends, many museums are open longer, which makes it possible to create a rich itinerary. Combined tickets for Ottoman-era sites are especially profitable - they are much cheaper than buying them separately.

After walking, it is worth visiting local cafes and tasting Bosnian coffee, cevapi or hot salep. There are small interactive spaces for children, and accessible routes and low prices for pensioners.

Average check for 2 days

- Accommodation: €30–40/night.

- Food: €10–15/day.

- Transport: €3–5/day.

Total: €100–130 – one of the cheapest options in Europe

Krakow, Poland

Krakow in winter looks as if it was created specifically for the holidays. The medieval center, Austrian forts, Kazimierz, Wawel – the city has preserved so many cultural layers that every walk becomes a small journey through time.

What to do in winter?

Krakow is famous for its large number of museums, and almost every one has its own day of free admission. Wawel in winter offers seasonal discounts – tickets are sometimes half the price of high season.

The city is easy to get around on foot, and the warm cafes in the center and Kazimierz make your stay comfortable even in the cold. There are many inexpensive tours of the old town, including Ukrainian ones.

Average check for 2 days

- Accommodation: €35–50/night.

- Food: €12–28/day.

- Transport: €5/day.

Total: €120–160 per weekend

Winter in Europe does not have to be expensive. If you abandon the overcrowded Christmas capitals and pay attention to less obvious destinations, you can get much more - silence, authenticity, local traditions and honest prices. Sofia, Budapest, Riga, Sarajevo and Krakow show that a budget trip can be no less exciting than the most expensive one. Choose the city that appeals to you, plan your route and set off towards a winter adventure.

Winter travel is always a charm, but also even more risks: slippery roads, colds, active recreation or unforeseen transport delays. That is why winter travel insurance is a must-have. It provides medical protection, guarantees assistance in case of injuries on the ski slopes, compensates for expenses in case of a spoiled trip and allows you not to worry about trifles.

Choose a policy before traveling to Sofia, Budapest, Riga, Sarajevo or Krakow - and enjoy the winter season without unnecessary worries.

Let us remind you! Active recreation among snowy slopes, picturesque landscapes and bright entertainment after skiing is a real winter fairy tale for many tourists. The 2025/2026 ski season has already started, so now is the best time to plan a winter vacation. We have already told you which ski resorts in the world have been recognized as the best for a vacation this winter.

Photo – Freepik

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