Dreaming of your 2023 summer holiday, but concerned about the cost of living crisis? Don’t worry! We’ve rounded up our top cheap yet unique destinations to visit this year. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly European city break, an exotic sun-drenched tropical holiday, or an affordable adventurous safari – Or all of the above! Then read ahead for our top destinations that won’t break the bank.

Brasov, Romania

Romania is often hailed as one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe, and the medieval town of Brașov deserves a place on your bucket list for 2023. Nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and known as the gateway into Transylvania, the medieval Saxon town of Brasov is an absolute gem. A world away from the lively buzz of the capital city, Brasov provides the perfect base for exploring the Transylvanian countryside with its rural villages, fortified churches, and thick forests as well as the infamous Bran Castle, the would-be residence of mysterious Count Dracula. Spend time wandering through the medieval city’s laidback, romantic cobbled streets, tour the Biserica Neagra (black church), and hike up Tampa Mountain for breathtaking views of the city. Flights to Romania are plentiful and start from as little as £36 return therefore If you are planning a European trip that’s affordable and a little bit off the beaten path, Brasov is perfect for you! We have a Romanian experience for everyone, find your perfect trip here.

Average prices Coffee £1.90, evening meal £29, beer £1.50

Madeira, Portugal

Known as the land of eternal spring, there really is no bad time to visit Madeira. Don’t be put off visiting in the off-season, January through March may be the coolest time of the year, but it’s also the quietest and the cheapest! I recommend renting a car for your stay, rentals are cheap and so is fuel making it the perfect way to fully explore everything this island has to offer. We spent hours just driving around in awe of the landscape. As Madeira is such a paradise for nature lovers, many of the outdoor attractions available are free to visit. There are endless hiking trails and levada walks that are free yet offer some of the most impressive views out there. As you’d expect on a small Atlantic island, Madeiran restaurants serve excellent seafood at a very good price so don’t hold back on trying out some typical Madeiran seafood dishes. The scabbard fish is frightening to look at but is wonderfully tasty, especially when had the ‘Madeiran Way’, with passion fruit and banana sauce. Limpets are another specialty that are cooked upwards in a frying pan and splashed with fresh lemon and butter and if you want to taste one of the world’s best tuna steaks then look no further! Tuna fish is abundant in the seas around the island and hence has a strong component in the traditional cuisine of the region. While I was there I don’t remember spending more than €10 on a meal at any given time and it was all delicious.

Average prices Coffee £1.20, evening meal for two £29, beer £2.20

Tallinn, Estonia

If you want to experience the Scandinavia feel without the eye-watering prices then Tallinn is the perfect place to go! It’s a fascinating city with numerous historical landmarks and has one of the best-preserved medieval walls in Europe, and there are several places to walk on and inside the stone walls surrounding our Old Town. For gorgeous views of the Old Town and the sea visit one of the free viewing points on Toompea Hill. Tallinn prides itself on its high-class restaurant scene. Fresh and seasonal ingredients, tasteful interiors, and superb locations are what unite the best restaurants in the city. However, if you’re looking for a quick bite, or don’t feel like spending over €10 for a meal, Tallinn won’t leave you hungry. According to Visit Tallinn, Kolmas Draakon is undoubtedly the cheapest eating place in Town Hall Square. The tiny medieval-themed eatery can be found in the Town Hall itself and the most expensive food item on the menu will rob you of about 5 euros. The Elk Soup is practically legendary by now and should not be missed. However, if you’re completely broke you can scoop free pickles from a huge vat at the back of the room! Whilst it isn’t the cheapest destination on our list and definitely, in Eastern Europe, it has that undeniably cool, chic nordic vibe without the ridiculously high prices that you’d find in cities like Helsinki and Copenhagen.

Average prices Coffee £2.90, evening meal for two £53, beer £4.40

Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a budget travellers paradise. Food, drink, and accommodation are all affordable, even in its capital, Sarajevo. Due to its long and rich history of religious and cultural diversity, Sarajevo was sometimes called the “Jerusalem of Europe” or “Jerusalem of the Balkans”. It is the only major European city to have a mosque, Catholic church, Orthodox church and synagogue within the same neighborhood. Therefore it’s no surprise that Sarajevo’s food scene is diverse and delicious, with influences from both the middle-east and Europe. For a quick snack to keep you satisfied throughout the day head to Bravadžiluk for some delicious street food where you will be spoilt for choice! If you fancy a sit-down meal find an Ascinica, these basic restaurants specialise in cheap yet hearty meals. There are no menus, you simply choose from the pots of food on the counter and enjoy! Join us on our 4-night Mini Bosnia experience.

Average prices Coffee £1.30, evening meal for two £23, beer £1.60

Cartagena, Colombia

Regarded as one of the cheapest countries to visit in South Africa, Colombia is the perfect destination to go to when you want to stretch your cash. The colourful city of Cartagena may not be the cheapest city to visit while in Colombia but it offers visitors tremendous value for a genuinely luxurious experience without paying over-the-top prices like elsewhere. Try visiting in the shoulder season months of November, February and March as visitors can expect cheaper prices for accommodation and activities. Like much of central and south America, street food stalls are everywhere! Giving the hungry plenty of options for a tasty snack, offering big savings compared to restaurant prices! If you do fancy a sit-down meal, keep your eye out for the menú del día. It’s common to see chalkboards outside restaurants offering this menu of the day, a three-course lunch at a very affordable way to fill up and experience the local dishes. Join us on our 14-night Colombia experience and enjoy a stay in Cartagena!

Average prices Coffee £1.25, evening meal for two £20, beer £1.70AFRICA

Marrakech, Morocco

Anyone who is expecting modern sophistication and a tranquil paradise of calm is in for a shock. Marrakech is like no other place on earth, full of magic and mystery, mesmerising chaos and its own unique brand of unconventional beauty. The snow-dusted peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and the flaming red of the scorching desert create a backdrop of pure exoticism that will make you feel as though you’ve been pulled into a far-flung world forgotten by the clutches of time. Just make sure you come prepared for a serious case of sensory overload! With dozens of flights from Europe arriving every day, Marrakech is a cheap holiday and inexpensive weekend break. One of the most affordable ways to stay in Marrakech is by staying in a hostel, here you can stay in some incredibly beautiful places for as little as £28 a night for a private room. For food and drink I recommend sticking to local drinks such as coffee and mint tea, while alcohol is legal here it can be quite expensive. As Morocco’s trademark and famous dish, you are bound to have at least one tajine during your stay. These tasty stews vary in ingredients but all are cooked and come served in the traditional conical earthenware pots that magically turn everything inside into tender treasures and are always reasonably priced. If Marrakech is a bit too overwhelming, Fez is a very affordable and quieter option, though you can still expect a bustling medina! Get lost in its winding alleyways, snap up some Moroccan home decor from the stalls which you’d likely pay a small fortune for back in the UK, and enjoy the food at local markets. Join us on one of our many Morocco tours and experience the mesmerising chaos for yourself.

Average prices Coffee £1.30, evening meal for two £33, beer £2.60

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is one of Africa’s most beautiful, most romantic, and most visited cities. It’s extraordinary, something its pre-colonial Khoikhoi inhabitants acknowledged when they referred to Table Mountain as Hoerikwaggo – the mountain in the sea. Even more extraordinary is that so close to the national park that extends over much of the peninsula, there’s a vibrant metropolis with nightlife to match the city’s wildlife. Swim with penguins at Boulders Beach, see the continent’s southwestern tip at Cape Point, enjoy lunch on the chic hi Atlantic seaboard, and taste fine wines on a historic Constantia estate, before partying the night away in a Long Street club. A coming-together of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, there’s nowhere quite like Cape Town. Accommodation costs are generally affordable and food and drinks are very cheap. Many of South Africa’s best attractions are very affordable or even free and, while some activities could set you back a fair amount, there’s plenty to do at lower price points too. It’s generally acknowledged that overall it’s cheaper to safari in Southern Africa than it is in East Africa, and out of all the countries in Southern Africa, it’s South Africa itself that generally ranks as the most affordable. Therefore compared to other countries in Africa, Cape Town is perfect for people on a shoestring budget who still want to experience a once-in-a-lifetime safari! See for yourself on one of our South African experiences here!

Average prices Coffee £1.50, evening meal for two £28, beer £1.90

For further information on the trips listed above please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

Written by Lucy Kaufmann