Dreaming of your 2023summer holiday but concerned about thecost of living crisis? Dont worry! Weve rounded up our top cheap yet unique destinations to visit this year. Whether youre 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 wont break the bank. EUROPE Brasov Romania Romania is often hailed as one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe and the medieval town of Braov 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 citys 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 aEuropean trip thats affordableand a little bit off the beaten path Brasov is perfect for you! Average pricesCoffee 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. Dont be put off visiting in the off-season January through Marchmay be the coolest time of the year but its 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 youd expect on a small Atlantic island Madeiran restaurants serve excellent seafood at a very good price so dont 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 worlds 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 dont remember spending more than 10 on a meal at any given time and it was all delicious. Average pricesCoffee 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! Its 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 youre looking for a quick bite or dont feel like spending over 10 for a meal Tallinn wont leave you hungry. According to Visit Tallinn Kolmas Draakonis 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 youre completely broke you can scoop free pickles from a huge vat at the back of the room! Whilst it isnt 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 youd find in cities like Helsinki and Copenhagen. Average pricesCoffee 2.90 evening meal for two 53 beer 4.40 Sarajevo Bosnia amp; Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina is a budget travellersparadise. 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 its no surprise that Sarajevos 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 Bravadiluk 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! Average pricesCoffee 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 men del da. Its 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 pricesCoffee 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 youve 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 Moroccos 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 youd 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 pricesCoffee 1.30 evening meal for two 33 beer 2.60 Cape Town South Africa Cape Town is one of Africas most beautiful most romantic and most visited cities. Its 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 theres a vibrant metropolis with nightlife to match the citys wildlife. Swim with penguins at Boulders Beach see the continents 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 theres nowhere quite like Cape Town. Accommodation costs are generallyaffordableand food and drinks arevery cheap.Many of South Africas best attractions arevery affordable or even freeand while some activities could set you back a fair amount theres plenty to do at lower price points too. Its generally acknowledged that overallits cheaper to safari in Southern Africa than it is in East Africa and out of all the countries in Southern Africa its 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 pricesCoffee 1.50 evening meal for two 28 beer 1.90 For further information on the trips listed above please dont hesitate to get incontact. Written byLucy Kaufmann The post Unique destinations that wont break the bank appeared first on Untravelled Paths. via Untravelled Paths https://blog.untravelledpaths.com/blog/unique-destinations-that-wont-break-the-bank/