A travel expert has shared some alternative holiday destinations to Spain, Portugal and Greece that are affordable and less busy

A budget travel expert has revealed some lesser-known holiday destinations that are not only affordable but also less crowded than popular spots like Spain, Portugal and Greece. Em, who goes by the name Em’s Budget Travel on social media, has made a name for herself by planning low-cost holidays while maintaining a regular 9-5 job.

Over the past few years, she’s turned her knack for finding budget-friendly getaways into a hobby, planning trips for herself, family, and friends – including a 14-night stay in Cancun with flights and accommodation for under £350. As we approach the time of year when many start to plan their summer holidays, Em has shared three alternative destination ideas in a TikTok video for those looking to save some pennies.

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Montenegro

Topping her list is Montenegro, a Balkan country that Em confesses is her favourite place she’s ever visited. In her TikTok video, she admits: “To be honest, I kind of wanted to gatekeep number one because it’s my favourite country I’ve ever been to.”

She describes Montenegro as being similar to Croatia but less crowded and more affordable, reports the Express. According to Em, it offers the perfect mix of stunning scenery, from beaches and islands to mountains.

“It has the clearest and bluest water I’ve ever seen and really good value accommodation,” she adds. “Plus, it’s quite a small country so it’s easy to get around and you can fly there from £35 return.

According to the Visit Montenegro website, the nation boasts two distinct climates: a “pleasant Mediterranean climate with 240 sunny days a year” along the coast, with summer temperatures ranging between 30 and 35oC, while winters are “wet and mild.”

It further states: “Podgorica, the capital city is one of the hottest in Europe during summer with temperature sometimes above 40C. Once you climb above 1,200m during summer, you’ll be chilled by the fresh mountain air and temperatures around 25C.”

Montenegro offers plenty for tourists to discover. They can explore Kotor Old City, a medieval walled town with cobbled streets, historic buildings and scenic views, or take a hike at the Lovcen National Park.

Armenia

Em praises Armenia for its “amazing scenery, beautiful mountains and loads of history.” She also mentioned the “really friendly people” and claimed it has some of the “best brunches” she’s ever enjoyed.

The budget-conscious traveller managed to fly to Armenia for “about £80 return” and visited Yerevan, the capital city. Armenia is a landlocked country situated in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia.

Armenia’s climate is described as highland continental, with hot summers (around 30oC−33oC in Yerevan) and cold winters, averaging between 1oC−3oC.

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is renowned for its grand Soviet-era architecture. The city is often referred to as the ‘pink city’ due to the colour of the stone used in many of its main structures, according to Solos Holidays.

Holidaymakers can take a ride on the world’s longest non-stop aerial tramway to Tatev Monastery, which stretches 5.7km between Halidzor village and the monastery in the south. Visitors can also unwind on a beach by Lake Sevan or explore the cave village of Khndzoresk.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Wrapping up her list, Em said: “And finally if you’re looking for a weekend break on a budget then this city would be perfect. It has a really charming old town, yummy food and lots of really cute coffee shops, plus an impressive castle with great views and you can fly there from £28 return. This city is Bratislava in Slovakia.”

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, a landlocked country in central Europe bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. The city experiences warm summers and cold winters with frequent but light snowfall.

Tourists can visit Bratislava Castle, perched on a hill above the old town, to enjoy panoramic views of the city. There is also the Blue Church, famous for its baby blue colour and Art Nouveau architecture.