We’ve all got our sights set on destinations that are well beyond our budgets. Dream holidays can often seem frustratingly elusive — we don’t think we’ll ever be able to turn them into realities. Your next trip might not be as expensive as you think, though. Many exotic destinations are actually surprisingly affordable. Even flights can be less expensive than you imagined. We’ve picked out ten destinations that you didn’t know you could afford to visit.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is renowned for its otherworldly beauty but also its astronomical prices. Its reputation isn’t entirely unfounded — fancy restaurants, famous landmarks, and even three-star hotels come with a hefty price tag. Luckily, you don’t need any of these to experience the wonder of the land of fire and ice. Skip the pumped up hotel bills and stay at a hostel instead. There are some awesome ones to choose from that will be sure to win you over. Instead of eating tourist food at fancy restaurants, eat street food like the locals at the many food stalls that dot the city. Hit the grocery store and pack your own lunch. Dodge the cash-sucking coach tours and rent a car to drive the natural phenomenon of the Golden Circle. What’s more, you can avoid the tourist-laden Blue Lagoon, save your money and visit one of the many free hot springs.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In spite of the fact that Kuala Lumpur is more developed than many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, the Malaysian capital is surprisingly cheap. For starters, it has some of the world’s most reasonable rates for five-star hotels. You can stay at luxury hotels like the Majestic Hotel for far less than you'd imagine, and if you dial-down the luxury, three-star hotels are a bargain. So much in the city is free to explore — museums, religious sites, parks, and more. Plus, exceptional dishes won't exceptionally hurt your wallet. This exotic destination offers a fusion of dishes to satisfy any self-proclaimed foodie — for a fraction of the cost.
Oahu, Hawaii, United States
Traveling to paradise is never going to be free, but it doesn't have to be as bank-breaking as you’d imagine. To start, a considerable increase in flights to Hawaii have caused fierce competition and pushed down prices. Make sure to dig for the most affordable places to stay. For example, look a few roads back from Waikiki Beach and you'll see that the hotels start to get much cheaper. Same goes for transportation. Look for busses and shared bikes to get to your hiking trail, snorkeling adventure, or morning surf.
The Bahamas
Flights are cheap and plentiful to the Bahamas, but eschew the luxury all-inclusives and your accommodation doesn't have to be much different. The best options for an affordable spring vacation come in the form of apartments in Freeport or Nassau which can work out at a quarter of the price. But the sun's the same and the welcome's as warm. Thanks to the diverse community, the food's varied — make sure you try conch in some form before you head home. At the end of April the attention's rightly focused on Grand Bahama for the kick off concerts of the Junkanoo carnival, which moves to Nassau a week later. And if you're going to splash out on one excursion, make it a trip to Exuma to swim with the pigs at Big Major Cay. They're super cute and always happy to share a snack.
Lake Como, Italy
While Lake Como evokes images of luminous mist clinging to still waters. It also brings Hollywood A-listers to mind. With the likes of George Clooney and Madonna owning million-dollar holiday homes, it’s no wonder it can feel out-of-bounds to us mere mortals. The main trick is to stay outside of the central lake. The historic city of Como is the perfect base, lodging is reasonably priced, and it's the area’s transportation hub. You’ll be on the doorstep of the world’s most beautiful lake while enjoying the quaint charm and less pricey dining that the city has to offer. There’s no shortage of things you can do for next to nothing too. Explore the nature trails and fairytale villages that envelop the lake, take the Como-Brunate funicular to the balcony of the Alps, and enjoy simple yet satisfying food with a view at Ristorante Silvio.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali sounds expensive and is certainly not lacking in exotic beauty, but if you know where to look, you can definitely get a lot of bang for your buck. The former budget retreat has seen prices rise with the influx of Starbucks and high-end hotels. Why fork out at a four-star restaurant when you can drink beer and eat tasty food right on the beach? Get out on the water but don’t get sucked in by rentals. Sunscreen and a snorkel are all you need to explore; you may even catch a glimpse of the famous submerged Buddhist temple on a clear day. What’s more, beyond sandy beaches and exotic cuisine there are also some stunning budget beachside hotels to choose from.
Fez, Morocco
Although this is one of Morocco’s most famous cities, it actually isn’t one of the most expensive. The price spectrum for hotels is vast. There’s no need to opt for all-out luxury but you will get what you pay for, so it’s probably best to aim somewhere in the middle. The city is all about shopping — you’ll find everything you could possibly want in the souks and, even better still, the price is always up for debate. There are many lavish restaurants in the city but also plenty of places to savor authentic Moroccan dishes for less.
Athens, Greece
Staying in the home of the Greek gods doesn’t come with a celestial price tag. Many of the renowned sites in Athens are either free to visit or accessible for very little. All you need to do to see the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, and the Panathenaic Stadium is to wander the streets. Check out the eclectic neighborhoods of Psiri and Exarchia with their quirky cafes and pop in for some affordable and delicious Greek coffee. And when you need a bite, grab some souvlaki from a street vendor and fuel up without spending a fortune.
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland probably doesn’t spring to mind as a cheap European getaway, but the luck of the Irish may well be with you. Flights from the United States with Norwegian Air are surprisingly affordable and even more so from within Europe. The city is home to many quirky character-filled hostels like the Abbey Court Hostel. Take a waterside walk at the National Botanic Gardens along the banks of the River Tolka, gaze at some world-class art at Dublin City Gallery, and stroll around the cobbled grounds of Trinity College, all without spending a penny. If you build up a thirst, skip the Guinness factory and sip some of the famous brew while looking down at the city from the Gravity Bar.
Ksamil, Albania
One to visit now before even more people get wise to this gem, Albania is a budget-friendly jewel on the Adriatic Coast. Compared to its neighboring nations, it is an incredibly affordable destination. It’s no wonder the stunning Albanian Riviera is a dream destination for many — its golden beaches are lapped by tempting turquoise waters that are relatively untouched compared to others in Europe. You can laze on the glorious beaches, visit Syri i Kalter, an incredible natural phenomenon creating the mirage of an eye, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site at Butrint while still having money left over for a glass or two of Raki.
