8 Surprisingly Low-cost Cities You Must Add to Your Travel List

Choose one of the surprisingly low-cost cities as your travel destination and you will have saved more than a pocketful of cash. Traveling on a budget requires you to be smart right from the start, as in when you begin to scour various destinations. Prepare a short-list of low-cost cities based on your personal preferences in terms of culture, cuisine and comfort. Next, compare them in context of connectivity, accommodation, rates during peak and off seasons, and attractions. Seeking information from a trusted tour operator such as Flipside Leisure can save you a lot of time while gaining accurate inputs and insights.

For example, South-East Asian countries feature several surprisingly low-cost cities, but you need to be prepared for high humidity and possible language issues. Likewise, if drinking and dancing throughout is your ideal definition of a vacation, then a Latin American or Caribbean city would fit well into your plans.

To help you derive the most from the break that you have been looking forward to, discussed as follows are some surprisingly low-cost cities from around the world that hold plenty of appeal –

Athens, Greece

Experience fusion in its true sense in this European capital that seamlessly blends the imposing old with the fashionable new. Athens happens to be one of the surprisingly low-cost cities that can keep you occupied from sun-rise till sunset. An iconic landmark that must feature in your list includes the Panathenaic, an ancient stadium credited with having begun the tradition of the Olympic Games. Also squeeze in a visit to the theaters that staged the first generation of Greek plays and continue to provide a platform to aspiring Greek artists even today.

Having explored the rustic neighborhoods and sampled the local cuisine, watch the sun go down over the Aegean Sea, or the impressive structures that make up the Acropolis.   

Vang Vieng, Laos

Avail the car/bike rentals that Flipside Leisure provides and explore this surprisingly low-cost city at your own pace. Water bodies feature prominently at this locale as does the cultural vibe, and both happen to be deeply intertwined to the point of being inseparable. You may be dismayed to find that the ‘blue’ lagoons, as they are popularly known, are not as blue, but they are still safe for swimming. Some of them also lead to caves with deep dark chambers that feature altars with giant statues of deities.

Your drive along the Nam Song River would weave through endless emerald stretches of paddy fields till you reach the top to enjoy the sunset with a bird’s eye view. This river also facilitates tubing, wherein you can experience the thrill of hurtling downstream in a tube. As one of the surprisingly low-cost cities, Vang Vieng in Laos can keep you busy despite budget constraints.

Madeira, Portugal

What originally put this scenic Atlantic Isle on the global map was not its rugged beauty but the fortified wine. People the world over revere Madeira wine for its versatility, and sometimes curiosity can inspire you to travel to its birthplace, the Portuguese island of Madeira. Once there, be prepared to be mesmerized by everything that this surprisingly low-cost city has to offer.

Visit the local markets and museums in the capital city of Funchal to get into the vibe of surprisingly low-cost cities. Then travel beyond the urban settlement and hike up to the waterfalls by walking along the irrigation conduits. Complete the trip exploring the volcanic caves and soaking in the volcanic pools.

If the beach is where you wish to lounge and relax, head for the Seixal Beach to walk on its black volcanic sand, stare at the towering cliffs and wade into the beautiful blue waters.

Etyek, Hungary

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of Budapest, Hungary’s capital city, to one of the surprisingly low-cost cities in the world, namely Etyek. There are two aspects that define this rural countryside, namely wines and Hollywood flicks.

As a major wine-producing hub, Etyek features miles upon miles of vineyards, most of which cultivate popular varieties of white grapes. Upon your visit, not only will you get to pick grapes, but also watch them being transformed into the suave and sparkling white wines that grace dinner tables the world over. Grab this unique opportunity to explore the cellars and discover how wines mature before they find their way out into the world.

While at Etyek, try your hand at shooting a short film, and get the feel of what goes on behind the cameras. Overall, this surprisingly low-cost city provides a refreshing break from the hectic lifestyle and enables you to pursue passions that would leave a lifelong imprint.

Panama City, Panama

Occupying the narrow strip of land that connects the two giant Americas is Panama, its capital being Panama City. The narrow nation with surprisingly low-cost cities also connects two of the largest oceans, namely the Atlantic and the Pacific, through the Panama Canal. Plan a trip to this strategic getaway and you will have found your way into a mélange of natural ecosystems, history and sea-faring communities.

Part of the city that was destroyed by the pirates still remains in form of Panama Viejo, as do the indigenous communities and the diverse natural habitat. You are never too far from the sea while touring this surprisingly low-cost city, so grab this wonderful opportunity to sample freshly grilled seafood, spot dolphins and watch the ships cross the canal.

Amidst all the activities, set aside a day or two to simply wander through the historic streets of the old town and explore the legendary roof-barns. Indulge in salsa by joining informal classes that dot every street corner, or just laze around facing either of the oceans to unwind from a hectic day.

Hanoi, Vietnam

This surprisingly low-cost city can actually surprise you in many ways, like the signature egg coffee and a train passing by inches from you while sipping this one-of-a-kind beverage. Continue to be surprised at the traditional Vietnamese water puppets moving gracefully to ethnic beats and projecting a folklore. Your surprise would turn to exclamations while checking the hand-made ceramic merchandise at the Bat Trang.

Hanoi is one of the surprisingly low-cost cities where multiple religions find expression. Alongside Buddhist pagodas and imperial palaces, there are cathedrals and cultural centers that blend the old with the new.

Truly touching about this surprisingly low-cost city is the unconditional acceptance of its revolutionary past. The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum preserves the leader’s remains as a reminder of his achievements, while the other structures in the complex indicate the will to move on. Another relic of the past that still remains popular is the Hoa Lo prison, which dates back to French occupation and changed hands multiple times depending on who ruled the land.

Krakow, Poland

For those who still remember watching the Oscar-winning Schindler’s List, a trip to Krakov in southern Poland would be more of a pilgrimage. Like most surprisingly low-cost cities, this east European locale continues to hold a torch to the tumultuous historical events that eventually led to the Second World War. All it takes is a visit to the factory that Oskar Schindler operated during the Nazi regime to feel the powerful aura of a man who decided to oppose an oppressive rule. Follow up with a visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau and pay homage to the thousands who gave up trying to survive the inhuman concentration camps.

On a more cheerful note, experience the medieval vibe at Rynek, the largest town-square in Europe, and go underneath it to explore the museum. Check out the stately splendor of the Wawel Castle and marvel at the bell tower that dominates the cathedral. In this surprisingly low-cost city, simply walking around and trying out the Polish pastries itself can prove to be rewarding.

Valparaiso, Chile

To truly enjoy a Chilean holiday, move away and north from the commercial vibe of Santiago till you reach Valparaiso, a Pacific port. ‘Valpo’, as it is lovingly referred to by the locals, greets you with a colorful palate that spills from the town’s walls on to every aspect of life. Its bohemian vibe notwithstanding, this seaside locale ranks among the surprisingly low-cost cities because you can actually do so much while hardly parting with your moolah.

On any given day, join a walking tour which takes you through the winding streets and introduces you to several landmarks free of cost. Enjoy your time at the beach, which is likely to be far less crowded than any other commercial port, and explore the fishing point in search of fresh sea-food. Between the vineyards and the creative local cocktails, try out the ‘Chorrillana’, a sumptuous local fare that includes everything from French Fries to meat, cheese and eggs.

Final Thoughts

One of the best aspects about surprisingly low-cost cities is that these enable you to release totally without breaking your wallet. These locales uphold the concept of value-oriented travel, wherein they offer a generous dose of culture, history and physical activities without being exorbitant. Depending on the season and the location, it is possible that you might avoid big crowds altogether and enjoy me-time or we-time.

Much of the expenditure while holidaying arises through accommodation and traveling. If you are able to find smart options for staying and moving around, your vacation could turn out to be rich and rewarding in every way. At Flipside Leisure, we provide options for all types of budgets, and would love to assist you in finding a surprisingly low-cost city that matches your vibe.