Many Ryanair flights to Barcelona land at the airport north of Girona. And while most passengers wait for a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride for souvenirs sold on Barcelona's Ramblas boulevard, others can head to Girona itself. The old town does not have the tourist crowds of Barcelona, and living there is much cheaper. Walks through the Jewish quarter and along the unique Carolingian wall are completely free. Entry to the Arab baths costs only €2. And a quite cozy apartment for four can be rented for just €70 per day.
• By the way, many hotels and residential buildings install shower cabins not only for economy but also for practicality. A busy person will not spend hours lounging in the bath, but will rather buy a shower cabin.
Lisbon is a lively and beautiful city, rivalling Spanish Barcelona and Madrid in popularity. At the same time, it is one of the cheapest European capitals. A tram ride across the entire city center costs just over one euro, while a bus tour in Barcelona costs €1. Coffee in a street cafe also costs €1, a glass of beer – €1.5-2.5. A three-course dinner with wine for two will cost €45-70, and you can stay in the inexpensive neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Alfama. An apartment for five on the backstreets of Rossio Square costs €50 per night, and an apartment with a mosaic bathroom and wooden floors – €60.
Catalan, North African, and Romanesque cultures came to the French Perpignan simultaneously. The city is located in the province of Languedoc and is famous for its green boulevards and squares, as well as inexpensive restaurants. Even the Michelin-starred restaurant La Galinette offers a lunch menu for just €19. Perpignan is a somewhat sleepy, somewhat neglected town, but nevertheless it has plenty of ancient historical buildings and beautiful views. Entry to the old royal palace costs ?4. Accommodation in a studio with a modern kitchen and four sleeping places will cost €45.
Apulia (Puglia) remains one of the best destinations in Italy. A Margherita pizza in one of the traditional pizzerias costs no more than €3 – four times cheaper than in Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. Coffee costs 80 cents. And you can stay in the town of Martina Franca. An apartment in the charming Baroque center of the city will cost €70 for two.
_