15 destinations where to go in 2023 for cheap vacations

1- Thessaloniki, a dynamic city

Second largest city in Greece and capital of Macedonia, Thessaloniki is a welcoming and pleasant city, totally in the image of its inhabitants. It has a superb heritage, with archaeological sites such as the ancient Agora and the Rotunda of Galerius, and beautiful churches such as the church of Agios Pavlos and that of Nikolas Orfanos. Not to mention its museums, its markets with fresh seasonal products and its pleasant waterfront. The ideal place to sit at a table in a café or restaurant. Well connected to France by low-cost flights, it is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend, discovering the ancient charms of Greece. And if you're planning a vacation in Greece and wondering what to do, check out all the must-see things to do in Greece!

2- Guatemala, in the heart of the Mayan culture

Let's go to Latin America now. Admittedly, the plane ticket to Guatemala is a bit expensive. However, it is still possible to save money with a last minute flight. Moreover, once there, it is possible to live with less than 15 € per day. Guatemala is much less touristy than other Central American countries, yet it is full of treasures to discover. Country of the Mayan culture, with barely 2% of urbanized territory, it offers breathtaking natural landscapes, such as the site of Lake Atitlan and the Fuentes Georginas, hot water springs. And what about Tikal, one of the most powerful Mayan cities! For a sporty vacation, this is also the ideal place: trekking, rafting and zip-lining await all those who want to work out. Check flight prices

3- Fez, the effervescent

In search of the sun, many tourists head to Morocco for a change of scenery at low cost. It takes only a few hours by plane from France to reach the country. Prices are also much lower than in Europe. Perhaps you will also opt for an all-inclusive package! Fez, less touristic than Marrakech, is the cultural capital of Morocco and is one of the must-see cities. Its medina, classified as a UNESCO heritage site, is a real maze of small streets always in effervescence. The city is also known for its crafts: the leather work in the tanneries is admirable. If you have some time, visiting the surroundings of Fez (Meknes or even Chefchaouen and its blue streets) will literally make you fall under the charm of Morocco. And if you have time, take the opportunity to discover the must-do's in Morocco!

4- Porto, the timeless one

Even if tourism is developing more and more, Portugal remains a cheap destination. And many low cost airlines offer flights adapted to small budgets. Porto, the country's second largest city, is perfect for discovering Portuguese folklore. The Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, allows you to immerse yourself in the city's culture. The azulejos that decorate the houses will leave you speechless: the São Bento station, covered with earthenware, is a real masterpiece. Not forgetting the banks of the Douro and the Vila Nova de Guaia neighborhood, a haven for Port wine lovers. Finally, eating on the go is a tradition in the city. The francesinha, a local specialty, is to be discovered! Wondering what to do in Porto? Discover here all the must-do's of the city for a successful vacation!

5- Montenegro, a still unknown jewel

Separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea, neighboring Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro remains an almost unknown land. The country, now independent, is opening up to tourism and promises sweet moments to travelers who want to spend a weekend or a cheap vacation. Kotor is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It is pleasant to stroll through its picturesque streets and to observe the peaks in the background, which are next to the emerald sea. Its heritage is remarkable, like the Octrog monastery located on the mountainside. Its wild nature will conquer you. For example, you should hike in the beautiful Lovćen National Park, which offers breathtaking panoramas, between sea and mountain. The island of Sveti Stefan, not far from Podgorica, the capital, is a jewel to contemplate.

6- Indonesia, a breathtaking nature

A huge country, thousands of islands, incredible sites:Indonesia is a traveler's paradise. Not to take anything away from its charm, the cost of living is one of the lowest in Asia. If Bali is the main destination, Indonesia is composed of a multitude of other islands with a crazy charm. This is the case of Sumatra, Java or Borneo. The landscapes are incredibly diverse (volcanoes, jungle mountains ...), not to mention the famous rice fields that are part of the to see absolutely in Indonesia. To enjoy an incredible fauna and flora, go to the Gurung Leuser National Park, to see tigers and orangutans. The sea beds are also of a great splendor and remain very appreciated by the divers, as on the Raja Ampat islands. Book my plane tickets

7- India, a change of scenery guaranteed

India is certainly the champion of this ranking. By tracking down the offers on the Internet, a return ticket to Bombay or New Delhi is more than affordable and the trip is worth the detour! India is a guaranteed change of scenery and the possibility to opt for an all-inclusive stay. From the North to the South, this country offers remarkable sites that are part of the must-see, like the famous Taj Mahal or the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur. Not to mention the spiritual cities at the foot of the Himalayas like Rishikesh, where nature and places of worship invite you to refocus on yourself. The cost of living is low and accommodation and local specialties are very affordable, even if tourism is developing strongly.

8- Transylvania, an intoxicating region

Romania is a country with a thousand facets that is the favorite playground of backpackers. Walking through Transylvania with a backpack is an unforgettable experience. On the tracks of Dracula, it is possible to sleep in the homes of local people and enjoy a typical Romanian meal for only a few lei. The region is home to beautiful castles in the middle of a green nature. Let's mention the castle of Bran and the one of Hunedoara. In the Tarda Gorge, one can enjoy a hike along a canyon that reveals here and there rare flowers and animals. If the authenticity has been preserved, the region has also known how to urbanize with culturally important cities like Cluj-Napoca. In any case, you now know where to optimize your budget in Eastern Europe.

9- Seville, the pearl of Andalusia

Capital of Andalusia, Seville is, architecturally, one of the most interesting cities in Europe. Several of its monuments are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Giralda and, of course, the Alcazar. Seville is also a low-cost vida loca! Accommodation remains affordable despite the fact that the city attracts a lot of visitors. The sun is often out, so the weather is a great ally for exploring the city and its neighborhoods like Santa Cruz and its maze of pedestrian streets. And to see an unusual monument, head for the Metropol Parasol, an imposing wooden structure in the shape of mushrooms that offers a superb panorama of the whole city. With several parks, Seville is a good plan in Europe for a family vacation. Discover all the places to visit in Seville right here!

10- Belgrade, an electric city

Nicknamed the "Barcelona of the East" for its wild nightlife, Belgrade is much more than that. At the crossroads of East and West, the "white city" has a rich cultural heritage. Its fortress dating from Roman times is still surprisingly well preserved and curious minds will appreciate the many museums of the Serbian capital. You should also not miss spending time in Skadarlija, the bohemian district of the city. This is where you can peacefully stroll through the art galleries and antique shops. For a successful escapade, don't forget to try the Serbian street food by tasting a pljeskavica, a delicious burger. Don't forget to book half-board to simplify your life and to consult our list of all the places to see in Belgrade!

11- Sardinia, the Italian vacation

Less well known than Sicily in terms of tourism, Sardinia has nothing to envy its sister. It is a must-see and affordable European destination , with colorful towns and villages such as Porto Cervo, Cagliari and Carloforte. One comes here to admire its ancient architecture, with the presence of nuraghi dating from the Bronze Age, as well as to enjoy moments of total relaxation on beaches with translucent waters, such as that of La Pelosa and the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Di La Maddalena. And then, a stay in Sardinia is an opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomy, Italy obliges! Culurgiones, stuffed pasta, and Cannonau, the local wine, are to be tried at all costs. In order to make you want to visit this magnificent island region of Italy that is Sardinia, we have selected for you 17 must-see places in the city!

12- The Philippines, a thousand and one splendors

7 000 islands make up the Philippines. This Southeast Asian country remains an economical destination. Find an affordable flight by using a comparator and fly to a hotel by the sea, on the translucent island of Coron for example! But the Philippines have more than one argument to seduce travelers, with islands, volcanoes, rice fields, a bustling capital, Manila, a colonial city, Vigan, and the curious hills of the Chocolate Hills. That's why they are called the kingdom of permanent adventure ! Also to the north are the Batanes Islands, reminiscent of New Zealand in many ways, where travelers can enjoy a quiet stay in total connection with nature. View flight prices

13- Poland, a country with a rich history

Do you dream of going on vacation without breaking the bank? Poland is waiting for you with very affordable hotels. Eating out is not very expensive either. Krakow has a very intense cultural life, Warsaw has an old town that is definitely worth seeing and Wroclaw has a varied and definitely unique architecture. You can also take advantage of your trip to explore the nature. The Ojcow National Park is small but rather impressive with its cliffs. And then there is the only virgin forest in Europe, the Bialowieża Forest. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can cross the path of deer, lynx, wolves, bison and golden eagles. Discover here the 13 must-sees of the one that remains the scientific and cultural capital of the country!

14- Mongolia, a change of scenery

Of course, the airfare is quite high to go to Mongolia. You will have to be clever to find a flight at the best price. But once there, no problem to find accommodation and food for almost nothing! What unique sensations when you start to go into the Gobi desert. Or in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, rich of high peaks, lakes and glaciers. Mongolia is a multitude of places not to be missed such as the many national parks, each more beautiful than the other, like the Khustain Nuruu National Park, with its golden landscapes and populated by Przewalski horses, deer, wolves and marmots. Ulaanbaatar, the capital, remains a must. A place to take a vacation rental and enjoy its traditional aspects as well as those turned towards the future. The city has many museums and nice places to go out in the evening.

15- Nicaragua, a fashionable destination

Want to cross the Atlantic and discover the charms of Latin America? Go to Nicaragua, a destination often neglected in favor of Costa Rica and Panama. However, it has everything you need for an unforgettable stay. Prices are reasonable in its colorful cities with a rich heritage such as Granada and Leon. There are also charming fishing villages and islands where you can commune with nature. Little Corn has heavenly beaches and Ometepe has some of the most beautiful rural landscapes in the country. You can also discover the wonderful coffee culture in the Matagalpa region. The lagoon of Apoyo, a volcanic lake, awaits sportsmen to kayak on its clear waters, and to hike in the heart of its luxuriant nature around.

How to save on your vacation budget?

There are several ways to save on your vacation budget. For flights and hotels, don 't hesitate to use online comparators. Some promo codes can also be used on travel packages. Keep a close eye on this! Once on site, you can easily save money by taking part in free activities, such as hiking, swimming and playing in parks and other open spaces with your children. For meals, there's nothing like eating locally, by going to the market to get fresh products for example! To learn more, click here.

How to find a cheap flight?

A few good reflexes allow you to get plane tickets at interesting rates. You can use a comparator or an online air ticket sales service, from your computer or tablet. An intuitive process that can be done from anywhere. Certain months of the year also offer cheaper airfares, such as September, January and February. The winter months are perfect for a break in the sun. For those who are not afraid to leave on a whim and go to a destination they had not thought of, it is also possible to watch for last minute offers. Discounts ranging from 20% to 80% off the original price are available. Click here to find out more.

How to save on train tickets?

The train is an environmentally friendly way to travel. You can also find good prices by going to a train ticket resale website, or by booking low cost trains like Izy, to Brussels and Ouigo, to a multitude of cities in France. Want to travel to several European cities or countries in the same train journey? The interRail Global Pass offers a very attractive price to travel to up to 30 European countries in 30 days. Click here for more information.

How to find a cheap hotel?

To find a cheap hotel, you can first use an online comparison tool. You can refine your criteria and define a price range. Going on weekends and during the low season are two other options to benefit from lower rates. It is also important to book early, as soon as you have set your travel dates. Finally, hotels are always more expensive in the city centers. If you go further away, you will find better prices. The outskirts are also always well connected to the city centers. For more information, click here.