6 years ago

Are These the Cheapest Cities in the World?

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Travelling on a budget is very rewarding, especially when knowing how to make your money go further - so why not visit one of the cheapest cities in the world?

Most travel bloggers out there are extremely passionate about budget travel, seeing more for less and making money go further while on the road. It’s not always easy, as many awesome places around the planet can cost you an arm and a leg to visit, and you’ll go through your funds quicker than the time it took you to get there.

Happily, there are many special locations out there that cater specifically for those of us who are watching the pennies, and you can have an amazing time and not break the bank. Hence, we have put together their list of some of the cheapest cities in the world; they might not be THE cheapest, but we took other factors into consideration, such as safety, sights and attractions, and ease of access. So, take a look, and maybe you’ll be visiting one of these budget-friendly locations very soon.

Hanoi

Situated on the bank of the Red River, Vietnam’s capital is a city with its feet in the past but eagerly eyeing the future. There’s so much to see and do here you will never be bored! Added to that, it’s one of the cheapest cities in the world for accommodation and daily living expenses, so you can be sure you can stay long enough to enjoy everything on offer. The city is over 1000 years old and is famous for its ancient architecture mixed with modern progress. Don’t miss the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – a beautiful UNESCO world heritage site. But we’d recommend simply spending all your budget on Vietnamese food – which is considered by many to be the finest in Asia – and possibly the world.

Budapest

The jewel of the Danube might sound like a ridiculously expensive city, but the Hungarian capital is anything but. And considering it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, it should be at the top of everyone’s itinerary. Budapest is packed with exciting sights and attractions, stunning architecture and a vibrant nightlife (don’t miss experiencing the famous ruin bars here). Added to that, the backpacker hostel scene is a thriving, diverse mix of luxury boutiques and wild, sleepless parties – all moderately priced. Top sights include the Parliament building dominating the Danube, the views from Fisherman’s Wharfe and the fascinatingly macabre, cold war museum House of Terror. Like many of the backpackers who visit – you’ll probably end up staying for several months.

Sofia

Bulgaria boasts some wonderful attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, including one of the most affordable ski resorts in the world located in Bansko, as well as plenty of hiking and biking, and popular beaches during the summer months. Sofia is your jumping off point, and while it might not be the most beautiful capital city on the planet, it’s certainly one of the cheapest – and the friendly locals and hidden gems more than make up for it. There are some lovely parks and gardens to unwind in, interesting Soviet architecture (and free communist walking tours to learn about it all) and some amazing street art everywhere you turn. Don’t miss the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.

Bucharest

Completing the trio of former communist cousins in Eastern Europe is Bucharest, the bustling Romanian capital. Like Sofia, it’s not the prettiest, but it does have an abundance of things to see and do, all well within an affordable price range. A must see is the Palace of the Parliament, which is the largest administrative building in the world, and the heaviest building in the world – not that you’d be trying to lift it. Bucharest has a buzzing nightlife, cheap eats and a fun youthful crowd getting up to mischief every night. But the city it best used as a base from which to view the surrounding countryside and take a trip into the stunning Carpathian Mountains for some vampire hunting. You can taste the ancient, Romanian history in the delightful towns and villages surrounding the capital.

Quito

The old town of Quito is a UNESCO world heritage site, and with good reason – it’s a sumptuously beautiful collection of ancient buildings and architecture, with colonial influences and gorgeous plazas. There are delightful churches filled with al frescos and art masterpieces, as well as a bustling café-bar culture and jumping nightlife. You’re also right on the equator here, and you shouldn’t miss the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo – a curious museum marking the center of the world located a short drive from the city center. With some brilliantly entertaining games to experience depending on if you’re standing in the north or southern hemispheres, this is one museum you won’t forget in a hurry – in a city that won’t dent your wallet.

La Paz

Staying in South America we travel up to the highest capital city in the world. Situated at the nose-bleeding height of 3,640 meters above sea level, the Bolivian capital is also one of the world’s cheapest cities. You’ll discover a fascinating people here and it will really feel like you’ve stepped onto another continent altogether, such is the difference between the neighboring countries. A hilariously entertaining day out is to watch the famous Cholita wrestling – where large, Bolivian ladies go toe to toe between in ropes and try to beat the living daylights out of each other. But you simply cannot miss the death road experience – cycling down one of the most dangerous roads in the world – hence its name. It doesn’t cost the earth and is definitely one to tick off the bucket list.

Cheap! Cheap!

Of course, there are hundreds of more cities we could include, but we’ve opted for these choices this time because of the entertainment you can find in exchange for a minimal amount of your hard-earned cash. More bang for your buck as they say. There’s a great selection of attractions in each city – with many being those really unforgettable experience that you would pay double for elsewhere. Budget travel is what we do best – and we hope you can do it too.

Have you been to an outrageously cheap city? Let us know about it!