Of European capitals perfect to spend a few days away from home, to discover something new without spending a fortune, there are so many and different from each other. If you are a person who does not know how to stay without travel but you already have the anxiety that it will cost you a fortune, you can rest assured: there are economic European capitals, where a weekend is accessible to everyone.
Of course, you have to make some compromises and look further East … maybe you won’t stroll the Champs Elysée or have tea with a view of the Tower of London, but you can still get your fill of history, art, culture and fun, with a pay attention to the wallet.
In this article we want to give you some ideas on which cities may be worth visiting for a low cost weekend, good reading and good choice!
Sofia (Bulgaria) | City with the scent of roses
It will also be the cheapest European capital, but Sofia will fascinate you. The city is among the oldest in Europe, in fact it boasts a history of over 2000 years, where the occupations of various peoples have contributed to making it the varied city it is now. Do not miss the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the most impressive building in the city, an Orthodox church built at the beginning of the last century and dedicated to a Russian national hero. Start the meal with a soup, the tarator, (yogurt, garlic, cucumber, walnuts and dill) in the summer or the boba čorba (traditional Bulgarian bean soup) in the winter, continue with a banitsa (phyllo dough with cheese) or kofte, meatballs of Turkish origin. Top it all off with baklava or Bulgarian yogurt with honey and nuts.
What to buy in Sofia
Bulgarian rose water is famous as a beauty ritual, buy it at the city’s markets (don’t miss the Central Market Hall). Viale Vitosha is perfect if you want to find a mix of contemporary brands but also local shops in the parallel streets. If you like antiques, you will find bread for your teeth in the stalls near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, where you can lose yourself among war relics, icons and old books. Winter temperatures in Sofia can be very cold, best to visit in spring or autumn.
Vilnius (Lithuania) | Baroque weekend
The historic center of Vilnius is among the most beautiful in Europe and sees the coexistence of different architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque, so much so that it has earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the delightful center, in Vilnius it is worth visiting the Gediminas Tower and the Castle, which enjoys excellent views over the city. Do not miss the Užupis district, an area of the city with its own constitution, the favorite area of the city’s artists. Lithuanian cuisine is based on meat, soups, potatoes and beets. Try the vedarai, a pork sausage with minced potatoes, ubiquitous in the city’s restaurants. If you prefer a first course, go for the cepelinai, potato gnocchi served with sour cream with mushrooms or bacon. If you still have space, for dessert you can throw yourself on spurgos, pancakes with jam or the Lithuanian version of ricotta.
What to buy
Vilnius is ideal for shopping for local crafts, since it is one of the cheapest cities in Europe. In the shops scattered around the city center you can buy objects and jewels made with Baltic amber, at very affordable prices.
When to go
May to September is the ideal time to visit the city. Winters are long and dark, but if you love snow it might be the right time for you to visit, with even cheaper hotel rates.
Warsaw (Poland) | Between past and present
The Palace of Culture and Science will probably be the first thing you will see in Warsaw, but don’t be fooled by its socialist architecture: the city has sweeter shapes and colors, given by the old town, the Royal Route that connects it to the castle, and from the stately villas in the city parks, such as the Lazienki or the Wilanow. Also not to be missed is a tour of the Praga district, the most creative and authentic one in the city.
Every trip to Poland cannot be separated from tasting pirogi, delicious ravioli with various fillings, be it meat, cheese, mushrooms or other. If it gets cold, go for bigos, a meat stew served with sauerkraut. In summer, instead, choose chlodnik, a curdled milk soup with yogurt and beets, and golabki, cabbage and meat rolls.
Christmas time is perfect to try Polish sweets, from pierniki, classic biscuits, or makowiec, a rolled cake with poppy seed cream.
What to buy
Also in Warsaw it is possible to buy Baltic amber in the jewelers scattered in the city center. If you have friends who love vodka, surprise them with a bottle of Żubrówka, famous for being distilled with “bison grass”.
When to go
The best time to visit Warsaw is spring-summer, since the cold winter temperatures give way to a much more pleasant climate. In addition, the summer allows you to fully enjoy the many parks of the city. Even autumn can offer some surprises, while at Christmas the city becomes magical.
Riga (Latvia) | Baltic Paris
Known as the ‘Paris of the Baltic‘, Riga distanced itself from its Soviet past and embarked on a new lifestyle, which also included the rediscovery and restoration of old buildings. As a result, its historic center in Art Nouveau style has been included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Riga is a city on the sea so don’t miss the opportunity to try one of the national specialties: fried herring, perhaps accompanied by a local beer. Even some simple smoked salmon will not disappoint you. If you’re in the mood for a snack or a small appetizer, treat yourself to a speka piradzini, a kind of panzerotto stuffed with onion and bacon, or rasols, similar to Russian salad.
Meat lovers will not be disappointed with the local beef stew. If you want something sweet, choose klingeris, biscuits with eggs, almonds, raisins and saffron, in the shape of a braid.
What to buy
In addition to amber from the Baltic Sea, Riga also offers handcrafted textile items, especially those made of wool. Particularly the black balm of Riga herbal liqueur used, as a natural against cough.
When to go
Due to its northern position, the best time to visit Riga is certainly the summer (May-September). However, the holiday season is equally impressive, even if the temperatures are really cold.
