Look, let's be very honest. You go to the supermarket and leave a kidney behind. You order a coffee and a pastel de nata and you feel you need to take out a personal loan. Inflation isn't giving us any breaks and, sometimes, it feels like the dream of going on holiday abroad in 2026 has been shelved.
But relax! Europe is huge and the secret is knowing where to point your compass. If you go to London, Paris or Amsterdam, get ready to pay €8 for a warm beer and €20 for a burger.
On the other hand, if you point east and to the Balkans, you'll discover countries with incredible beaches, history-rich cities and divine food, where your "intern's" budget gets you a proper king-style holiday.
Martin did the maths and brings you the 5 destinations where your wallet can finally breathe a sigh of relief:
1. Albania (Albanian Riviera): The "New Greece" 🏖️
Imagine the beaches of Greece, with that turquoise water and white sand, but without the crowds and at a fraction of the price. Albania is the best-kept secret of the moment. The coastal area of Ksamil is a real paradise.
- Where you save: You can eat fresh seafood caught the same day for next to nothing and rent sun loungers on the beach at prices we haven't seen in Portugal since the 90s.
2. Krakow, Poland: History and Beer at Bargain Prices 🍻
If you prefer picturesque cities, Krakow is unbeatable. The historic centre looks like it stepped out of a fairy tale and the Market Square is huge and full of life.
- Where you save: Best of all is the food: the famous pierogi (a kind of stuffed dumpling) are delicious and very cheap. And the local beer? Half a litre will cost you less than a coffee at a café terrace in Lisbon.
3. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Cultural Cauldron 🌍
Known as the "Jerusalem of Europe" for mixing mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches on the same street, Sarajevo has absurd cultural richness. It's a safe destination, the people are extremely welcoming.
- Where you save: The street food (Cevapi) is divine and super affordable. If you like history, wandering through traditional markets and drinking strong, cheap Bosnian coffee, this is your spot.
4. Bucharest, Romania: "Little Paris" with Luxury Spas 🏰
Bucharest has grand architecture, an epic nightlife and prices that will make you smile. But the city's big trump card (especially if you go in a colder month) is Therme Bucuresti.
- Where you save: It's one of the largest thermal pool and spa complexes in Europe, surrounded by palm trees and with bars inside the water. It looks like a billionaires' resort in Dubai, but the entrance fee is a steal.
5. Sofia, Bulgaria: Nature and City for the Price of One 🏔️
Bulgaria's capital is one of those cities where you can still find fantastic hotels at bargain prices. There are Roman ruins scattered around the city, imposing Orthodox churches and, best of all, the Vitosha mountain right next door.
- Where you save: You can spend the morning exploring the city, have a cheap Bulgarian feast for lunch and spend the afternoon hiking in the mountain without spending a fortune on transport.
You Saved on Holiday? Don't Blow It on the Way to the Airport!
You did your homework. You found a low cost flight to Poland or Albania, you booked an awesome Airbnb at a ridiculous price and you already know where you'll get the best street food. Your budget is perfect.
But what about the trip to the airport here in Portugal?
Are you going to ruin your savings before dawn calling an Uber with surge pricing that'll cost you €40 or €50? Or are you going to take a taxi paying night-rate flag-falls and luggage fees? It makes no sense to save thousands of kilometres far away, only to throw money in the bin 10 km from home.
The master move is your own car. Take the car, drive at your own pace and head straight to the airport's Departures. The Multipark driver will be there waiting to take the key and park your vehicle in our secure facility (Valet Parking). On your return, your car will be at the door to take you home.
You know exactly how much you'll pay, with no surprises and no hidden surge fares.
Make your money go further from minute zero. Run the simulation and book your Valet Parking on the Multipark website and enjoy your well-deserved holiday!
