11 Enchanting Bargain Destinations That Not Everyone Knows

As the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, it's high time for the next little city trip. What used to be an inexpensive getaway has unfortunately seen significant price increases this year in many places. The days when travel enthusiasts could spontaneously fly to the most popular metropolises in Europe for just 5 or 10 € with Ryanair and similar airlines are clearly over. But who says that only well-known destinations like Mallorca, London, Milan, or Barcelona are worth visiting?

The travel experts at Travelcircus have set out to find lesser-known vacation destinations that are perfectly suited for a short trip this spring. They discovered 11 enchanting bargain destinations that likely not everyone knows about, and that truly shouldn't be overshadowed by the hotspots.

Gone are the days of flying across Europe for just 5 €. Many flight prices have risen sharply, but now and then, travel lovers can still find a bargain or two. To locate these routes, we used Google Flights to analyze the prices from all German airports.

All 73 destinations that can be reached by direct flight for a maximum of 70 € per person within the next six months were then studied in detail. This led to the establishment of three categories, with a maximum score of 5.00 points possible for each:

In addition to flight prices, hotel prices were also considered, because what good is a cheap flight if the hotel there costs a small fortune?

The third factor in determining our top bargain destinations is demand. The lower the Google search volume for destinations, the more points they received, as we were looking for lesser-known locations.

In total, a maximum of 15.00 points could ultimately be achieved.

It doesn't always have to be Mallorca, Rome, or London. Europe has many other lesser-known and enchanting destinations just waiting to be discovered. Some are quite expensive, while others still offer opportunities for a budget-friendly vacation. We'll reveal which ones here.

First up is the Lithuanian city of Kaunas. The beautiful city attracts vacationers mainly with its stunning old town, numerous museums, and beautiful parks. Particularly, the castle and the Pazaislis Monastery are definitely worth a visit.

Those looking to fly cheaply to Kaunas can already find flights from Cologne/Bonn for about 40 €. For a night at a 4* hotel, travelers pay just 44.25 €, making Kaunas a true bargain travel destination.

What could be better than a vacation by the sea? Especially if the trip is budget-friendly! A perfect seaside destination would definitely be Varna. This Bulgarian city is not only inexpensive but also offers a lot: dream beaches, plenty of history and culture, incredible food, and stunning nature.

Thanks to its great location on the Black Sea, a vacation in Varna is excellent for water sports enthusiasts, sunbathers, and fans of various water activities. However, when the weather is bad or even otherwise, visitors can also head to one of the many museums the city has to offer. History buffs should definitely plan to visit the Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of ancient treasures in all of Europe.

For those eager to visit Varna, flights from Berlin, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Memmingen, and Dortmund are available for an average of 40.60 €. Budget-conscious travelers can spend 41.08 € per person at a 4* hotel, and those willing to sacrifice comfort will pay significantly less in Varna.

With a narrow lead of 0.04 points, the Croatian capital city of Zagreb secures 9th place in our ranking. The city performs particularly well in the 'Flight Price' category, scoring an impressive average flight price of 29.67 € and receiving 4.93 out of a possible 5.00 points. The cheapest flight to Zagreb in the next six months departs from Karlsruhe for an unbeatable 26 € per person round trip.

Somewhat surprisingly, Zagreb also secured a good number of points regarding demand. On average, there were only 155 Google searches per month last year for 'Vacation Zagreb' and 'Zagreb Vacation,' which grants the Croatian capital 4.41 out of 5.00 points. It seems that Zagreb is one of the European capitals that is still not completely overrun.

The 8th place takes us to our beautiful neighboring country, Poland, specifically Katowice. This emerging destination in southern Poland is not without reason: Katowice is an excellent choice for those looking for a vibrant mix of history, modernity, urban life, nature, and an exciting nightlife.

With an unbeatable flight price of 20 €, Katowice has the absolute cheapest flight price of all the destinations. Travelers can take a budget flight to this lovely Polish city from Dortmund. Tickets from Cologne/Bonn cost 28 €, while from Berlin it's 66 €. This results in an average price of 38 € for a round trip, which is still incredibly affordable. Hence, Katowice also receives well-deserved 4.12 out of 5.00 points in the 'Flight Price' category.

Off to Bella Italia, off to Padua! With a narrow lead, the charming city of Padua takes 7th place. This city in Veneto scores highly in the 'Demand' category. With an average Google search volume of just 25, Padua earns a remarkable 4.94 out of 5.00 points. Additionally, Padua is a true bargain regarding prices. A night in a 4* hotel costs around 50 € per person, which is very inexpensive compared to more well-known Italian destinations like Venice, Rome, or Milan.

Furthermore, Padua boasts a great location. Travelers can take day trips to other much more renowned Italian dream cities like Venice or Verona. Thus, a vacation in Padua presents itself as an excellent budget-friendly and less crowded alternative to other cities - and it is definitely no less worth seeing!

A vacation in Spain is always a good idea. But how about a trip to some of the lesser-known corners of the country? While many German holidaymakers travel to Mallorca, Barcelona, or the Canary Islands every year, other regions in Spain are waiting to be discovered.

How about a vacation in Santiago de Compostela or in the region of Galicia in general? Santiago de Compostela is probably known to some as the end of the famous Camino de Santiago, but the city itself is also worth visiting. The atmosphere in the city is lively, friendly, and incredibly inviting. As Santiago de Compostela is a university town, many young people live in the city, which is reflected in the many parties, festivals, and the overall buzz.

If you are now eager to explore Santiago de Compostela and Galicia, you can fly there for a mere 30 € from Memmingen. This bargain flight grants the beautiful city in the northwest of Spain 4.90 points in the 'Flight Price' category.

A vacation in Europe's capitals doesn't have to be costly. In addition to Zagreb in Croatia, another capital has made it into the list of bargain destinations: Bucharest. A stay in a 4* hotel costs 41.30 € and a flight from Dortmund is just 30 €, clearly in favor of the Romanian capital.

Bucharest is definitely one of those cities that are completely underestimated. There is so much to discover and experience in the city. These include beautiful well-maintained parks, exciting museums like the National Museum of Romanian History or the National Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as numerous other historical sights. Must-sees in the city definitely include the Palace of the Parliament, the Arch of Triumph, and the Athenaeum.

From Berlin, Nuremberg, and Memmingen, super cheap flights to Banja Luka are available for between 30 and 33 € for a round trip. For those now wondering where Banja Luka is, you're not alone. Banja Luka is the second-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination.

This is due in part to the low prices on site and of course the fact that visitors can discover quite a bit in Banja Luka. The city's landmark is the Kastel Fortress. Other top sights in the city include the Christ the Savior Cathedral, the Ferhadija Mosque, and the Museum of the Republika Srpska.

With a proud 14.56 points, the Polish city of Wrocław takes the lead in the top 3. Wrocław is adorned with numerous postcard-like scenes, such as the colorful houses at the historic marketplace or the Bridge of Penitents. When visiting the city, you won't know where to look first.

Since Wrocław is located in Poland, it's also a relatively inexpensive destination. Travelers can dine out cheaply, and the traditional Polish cuisine is renowned for its deliciousness. Furthermore, the city offers many affordable accommodations, but even 4* hotels with an average price of 42.83 € per person per night are truly budget-friendly by European standards. Additionally, flights from Dortmund are available for just 29 €, earning Wrocław a perfect 5.00 points for flight pricing.

By the way, there are small dwarf figures scattered throughout the city. There are over 400 of them, and those wanting to seek them out should download the 'Go Wroclaw Krasnale' app or get a map from the Tourist Information Center that marks all known dwarf locations.

With a slim margin of just 0.02 points, Brescia takes home the silver medal. This enchanting Italian city excels in two categories, scoring full points. The average bargain flight price of 29 € is simply fantastic. From Frankfurt Hahn, tickets go for as low as 24 €, and from Cologne/Bonn for 34 €.

The average Google search volume of just 10 ensures Brescia's prowess in the 'Demand' category. However, we honestly can hardly comprehend this, as Brescia is truly a dream vacation spot. The city's highlights include the Old and New Cathedrals, the Roman Capitolium, the winding beautiful city center, and several impressive museums.

Notably, Brescia is also one of the most important fashion cities in Italy. Those interested in shopping can find numerous boutiques and well-known designer shops in the heart of the city. Wine lovers will also adore Brescia, as it is home to excellent wines such as Garda Classico and Franciacorta.

There is indeed a bargain destination that outshines the Italian Brescia: Cluj-Napoca. This Romanian student city is definitely (still) a hidden gem that has nothing to envy other European destinations.

Cluj-Napoca has everything travelers need for an unforgettable city trip: a wealth of culture, galleries, museums, fantastic restaurants, exciting nightlife, shopping opportunities, parks, and an old town that's breathtaking. The city's most famous sights include St. Michael's Church, the Botanical Garden, and Mihai Viteazul Market.

Since Cluj-Napoca is a student city, it also has a relatively young crowd, many bars, clubs, and leisure activities perfectly tailored for young people - all at really affordable prices. The cheapest flights start at just 30 € from Dortmund, and a night in a 4* hotel costs only 38 € per person. With all these advantages, Cluj-Napoca is definitely worth a short trip, right? So let's go before this beautiful city is no longer a hidden gem!