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Home to world-famous landmarks like the Colosseum, the floating city of Venice, and the leaning tower of Pisa, not to mention all the gorgeous alpine nature and scenic coastline, it’s no wonder Italy is the most visited country in the world at the minute.

Don’t trust us, trust the numbers.

Culturally-rich, and insanely-popular as it may be, Italy has failed to nab one prestigious award:

Recently, the EBD (or European Best Destinations) were revealed at a tourism fair in Berlin, and according to experts, Italy doesn’t come anywhere near the top spot.

This year, it’s out with la dolce vita, and in with Život je lijep: life is beautiful, and it sure feels magical when you’re lounging by a pebbly beach in Croatia.

Wait… Is This Croatia Yet?

The pearl of the Balkans, Croatia has brought home the title of Best European Country to Visit in 2025 at the ITB Berlin fair, charging ahead of long-time favorites like aforementioned Italy, Greece, France, and even Spain.

Millions of people flock to Italy every year for its picture-perfect towns and laid-back living, and if you haven’t traveled to Croatia yet, you should probably know that, in many ways, it resembles the brotherly country across the Adriatic.

Take the charming city of Pula, for instance:

A mini Rome by the sea, it is littered with ancient landmarks, from Roman temples to intact city gates, and it even preserves a large amphitheater that, unlike the Colosseum, has not had part of its elliptical exterior collapse.

Further down the coast in Rovinj, the pastel-hue facades and Romanesque bell towers seem like a direct continuation of Venice, minus the canals, and over in Split, you’ll find a fast-rising summer hub revolving around a Roman-era palace, now filled with merchant shops and cafe-bordered piazzas.

Of course, let’s not forget Dubrovnik, probably the number one destination in Croatia:

A fortified harbor town hugged by the teal-colored Adriatic, its cobble-paved alleys and imposing turrets dating back to the Middle Ages have featured on your favorite fantasy series of all time.

GoT fans, where you at?

Natural Wonders Galore

Croatia’s boundless natural beauty is yet another huge draw for tourists landing here in 2025.

It lays claim to some of the most beautiful natural parks in Europe, including Plitviče, a chain of 16 terraced lakes backed by cascading waterfalls that empty into crystal-clear natural pools before flowing into a limestone canyon.

It’s quite an extensive park, comprising a 113-square-mile reserve, and there are several wooden walkways built over the pristine waters, as well as hiking trails looping around the lagoon.

If you’re visiting, make sure you check out the stunning Veliki Slap, a 78-meter waterfall.

Further inland, near the bustling Croatian capital of Zagreb, Medvednica mountain is traversed with tourist-friendly hiking paths, that lead to breathtaking lookouts, and over in a hill-dotted Istria, rolling vineyards and a hilltop Motovun, one of the oldest settlements in Europe, await discovery.

Croatia is also a world-class beach destination, with its many islands and over 1,104 miles of coastline:

What’s Stopping You From Going Island-Hopping?

If it’s a relaxing summer getaway you’ve got your heart set on, without packing too many activities into a single day, the blissful Brač is where you should be headed: it offers white-pebble beaches, lush nature, and deserted coves.

For the livelier atmosphere and busy nightlife, you can’t go wrong with a trendy Hvar, the next Ibiza on the making—the main settlement, Hvar Town is a postcard picture come to life, with its Spanish fortress and centuries-old dwellings built from stone.

On the mainland, a more offbeat Makarska boasts a palm tree-lined, seafront promenade, culminating in a paradisaical Ramova Beach, and if you’re heading to Dubrovnik, but you’re hoping to stay a little out of town to avoid the crowds, Cavtat is that sweet spot.

Settled back in Illyrian times, it is now a lively resort town famous for its quieter beaches and exclusive guesthouses, some of which can be surprisingly affordable:

A whole studio apartment with pool access will set you back by $72 (for 2 adults) this spring.

No Longer The Cheap Alternative To Italy, But Hey, It’s Still Bang For Your Buck

Speaking of prices, it’s been widely reported that Croatia is no longer as affordable as it might once have been.

That’s only natural: it’s coming off a long process of societal development that started in the early 90s, when it seceded from a then-communist Yugoslavia, and since joining the European Union in 2013, it’s set out on a path of full European integration.

In recent years, this has meant ditching its historical currency, the kuna, and adopting the euro, as well as joining the border-free Schengen Zone: what we’re trying to say is that consumer prices in Croatia currently reflect the arguably improved living standards of locals.

The poor man’s version of Italy, no more: tourists should plan on spending around $52 on food, and $106 on hotels on average per day vacationing in Croatia, as per Budget Your Trip estimates.

Pricier than it used to be in the years of Poles, Czechs, and lower-income German families driving down here as an alternative to a boujee Amalfi Coast, but still reasonably-priced by U.S. standards.

Oh, before we forget, this summer, Americans can fly nonstop to Dubrovnik from Newark, from $986 roundtrip.

Find the cheapest dates available, and book your tickets with United Airlines here.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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When you think of Asia, it’s probably the terraced paddies of Vietnam, the riotous party scene of Thailand, or maybe the island-dotted seas of Indonesia that come to mind––who doesn’t dream of escaping to Bali for a long, romantic weekend, right?

Those all sound great, but have you ever wondered about a lesser-known Cambodia, just next door to all these tried-and-true tourism hotspots, yet still shrouded in mystery?

Having hosted nearly 5 million visitors this year, a personal record, Cambodia is quickly catching up with its peers in popularity, and we’ll go out on a limb in asserting it’s to do with the fact it’s the home of one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the continent:

Discover The Cultural Capital Of Cambodia

Phnom Penh may be the administrative center, but if Cambodia ever had a cultural capital, that is Siem Reap, its second-largest conurbation, home to around 245,000 people, and a historically-charged city originally settled in the year 802 AD.

That’s exactly 1,222 years of accumulated heritage for you, and if you love marveling at ancient monuments, rest assured there’s a plethora of those scattered all around Siem Reap––not to mention vibrant street markets, a stunning riverside walk, and lush nature.

This is a city that has seen the rise and fall of many a civilization, from the Siamese to Khmer Kingdoms, and even the French Empire, which controlled much of Cambodia for the first half of the 20th century: from medieval temples to French-colonial palaces, you’ll find it all in here.

Though the entire town is an open-air museum, Siem Reap’s pride and joy is Angkor Wat, the former seat of the discontinued Khmer Kingdom from the 9th to 15th centuries, and a national monument so emblematic it features on the Cambodian flag.

Look it up.

If It’s Good Enough For UNESCO, It’s Good For Us

Vast, mysterious, and full of intrigue, Angkor Wat is a UNESCO-protected temple complex of many intricate stone-carve buildings, including the Main Temple of Angkor Wat, the silhouette of which you see displayed on the Cambodian flag.

It is the main reason travelers are flocking from all over the world to visit Cambodia, having recorded a 28% increase in tourist numbers this year, easily making it the most-popular attraction in the Southeast Asian country, ahead of beaches, resort zones and city breaks.

Angkor Wat is not Siem Reap’s only ancient marvel, though: tourists also have their eyes set on nearby Bayon, distinguished by its 216 smiling stone faces, the partially-overgrown Ta Prohm, with towers slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, and a pink sandstone Banteay Srei Temple.

With so much amazing History, it’s no wonder the small-group sunrise tour of Angkor Wat, with pickup available from many locations around Siem Reap, is the best-selling activity in the area, costing only $16 to book per person.

@pisalguidefrancoangkor #angkor_wat_of_cambodia_🇰🇭♥ #guidefrancophone khmer classic danse APSARA #apsara ♬ សំឡេងដើម – KhmerCulture🇰🇭វប្បធម៌ខ្មែរ💗

Other unique activities in Siem Reap include attending an Apsara Dance Show, a display of classical Khmer dance, with performers engaging in entrancing movements while wearing colorful, elaborate traditional costumes.

For around $28.85, you can go market shopping with the aid of a knowledgeable local and then attend a cooking class, where you’ll be initiated on the centuries-old art of Khmer cooking, an immaterial cultural highlight of Cambodia.

Go easy on the fish amok and the spring rolls! You’ll want to save room for the bananas in palm sugar with coconut juice that’s coming for dessert…

Last but not least, no trip to Asia is complete without a little dose of adventure, and for the thrill seekers amongst us, hiking up Kulen Mountain, where there are majestic waterfalls and more ancient ruins, and where the Siem Reap River originates from, is a must-do.

How Expensive Is Siem Reap?

My friend, we totally get it why this question might have been at the back of your mind reading through this article.

The inflation and skyrocketing consumer prices have been hard on all of us and flying halfway across the world to some country in Asia, as beautiful as it may be, can sound a bit too delusional with the current state of affairs.

If you’re wondering how expensive Siem Reap––and Cambodia as a whole––is to visit, we’re glad to report that it’s not expensive at all.

Granted, it’s a bit tricky to get to, as there are no nonstop flights between America and Cambodia, and you’re likely to have a stopover in another Asian or even a European or Middle Eastern country, depending on which coast you’re flying from, getting there.

Once you’re in Cambodia, the $3 meals, luxury double rooms in spa hotels for a negligible $45, and one-hour curbside massages for around ten bucks will make it all worthwhile, trust us.

On average, tourists spend between $11 and $27 per day on food, $3.34 to $8.75 on local transportation, and an average $32 to $102-a-night on hotels, with the total cost of a one-week stay in Siem Reap as a mid-range traveler being an economical $647, excluding flights.

Culture has never looked this good or affordable!

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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Last Updated 2 weeks ago

When it comes to Europe, it’s almost impossible to pick just one place to visit.

It’s a beautiful, culturally diverse continent where almost every city has its own unique look and feel. 

Europe is also a destination with a reputation for knowing how to get your wallet out of your pocket! 

But visiting Europe doesn’t have to be expensive. You just have to choose the right destination!  

Spending time in London, Paris, or Copenhagen isn’t going to come cheap.  

But according to new research from Omio, the best low-budget destination for travelers in Europe is the beautiful and historic Spanish city of Granada.  

Free Things To See And Do 

One of the main reasons Granada ranked so highly in the Omio report is the abundance of free things to see and do in the city. 

In fact, the report states that there are a whopping 112 free attractions in the city. This includes 10 free-to-enter museums.  

The best of these include The Federico García Lorca Center, which is an arts and culture center hosting regular events and changing exhibits.

The center also includes a permanent exhibit of one of Granada’s most famous sons: The poet Federico Garcia Lorca.  

Close to the Alhambra you will find the Carmen de los Mártires which is a beautiful building with an orchard and European-style garden. A great place to take a moment of calm and relaxation.  

The Outstanding Alhambra

The most significant thing to do in the city is visit the iconic Alhambra: by far the most famous building in Granada.  

The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex. It is built in Islamic style, and is the best and most well-known example of Islamic architecture not only in Spain but in Western Europe.

There is an entrance fee to see the main palace complex in the Alhambra (with prices starting from 10.60 euros or $11.50 per person) but if you only visit one sight in Granada, this should be it!  

The Palace is famous for its stunning fretwork, perfectly maintained courtyards, and numerous fountains.

But the Nasrid building, which is considered the heart of the complex, is where the royals actually lived and is the most ornate as a result.  

If you want to visit the site without spending a penny, then you can visit The Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts within the Alhambra complex, completely free of charge.  

Incredible Architecture 

The architecture in Granada is so outstanding that it should be considered an attraction in its own right.

Granada was the last city to be reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 so many of the buildings here have a distinctive Moorish influence.

In fact, you’ll wonder if you’re in Europe or in North Africa at certain points!  

Be sure to see the Catedral de Granada, even if you only admire the exterior architectural details.

Then go inside the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, which was built in a Renaissance style and is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.  

This was the first Christian monastery to be constructed after the reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs and it exudes a spirit of celebration.  

You will need a ticket to enter, which you can buy in advance and each ticket is priced at 6 euros ($6.50) 

Granada isn’t the most walkable city in Europe. But the good news is that you can get a sightseeing bus tour ticket for just 6 euros ($6.50), meaning that you can hop on and hop off between all the city’s main attractions.

This is one of the most affordable sightseeing buses in Western Europe.  

Granada’s Nightlife 

Finally after all that sightseeing, it’s time to hit the town. Because Granada has a very active (and affordable) nightlife scene. According to Omio, there are a whopping 86 bars and nightclubs in the city where you can buy a beer for just over $2.  

What’s more, there’s no need to fork out for a pricey meal before you hit the bars.

Granada has a long-standing tradition of offering free tapas with each drink ordered, adding to the value of your night out even more!  

In most bars, you won’t have a choice of the tapas you are offered: a small plate will just be brought to your table with your drinks.

Other bars will have a chalkboard on a bar, and you can choose from several options, which often change on a regular basis.  

Some of the best free tapas dishes to try in Granada include calamares (squid), gambas (shrimp), Jambon iberico, or croquettes.  

Tor Brierley

Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.

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