International travel can be wildly exciting and educational as you’re exposed to new cultures, events, and cuisines you could never experience at home. However, while traveling to exotic places around the world is an ambition of many, the daunting cost of visiting international destinations can make the dream seem out of reach. That is, of course, unless you know what cities will give you the biggest bang for the least amount of bucks. To help you fulfill your dream of international travel, here’s a list of six of the most affordable international cities worth visiting if you’re traveling on a budget.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow, Poland

Kraków is the second-largest city in Poland and is another extremely affordable European city. While it rivals the medieval charm of Prague, Kraków doesn’t see the same number of visitors so the crowds and prices on cheap international flights are much lower. The Rynek Główny is one of the largest medieval-style markets in all of Europe and is surrounded by horse-drawn carriages, colorful buildings, and a 14th-century Gothic church. The Polish złoty has historically had an extremely favorable exchange rate with both the Euro and U.S. dollar, so prices have typically only been a fraction of other major European cities. Kraków is also a very walkable city, so travelers can save a bundle on taxis and auto rentals.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul continually comes up as one of the world’s most affordable international cities worth visiting for its budget-friendly and traditional Middle Eastern attractions. The Grand Bazaar offers visitors the chance to haggle with thousands of vendors in a traditional and the Spice Bazaar offers an abundance of local stores with delicious local food. The Pera Palace Hotel offers a traditional afternoon tea and after dark, the Orient Bar is a fun and inexpensive place to get amazing cocktails. The world-famous Hagia Sophia, originally founded as a cathedral, has been converted into a traditional mosque.

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Hanoi, Vietnam

Tran Quoc pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is world-renowned for its busy street life that’s an eclectic integration of centuries of Asian, Chinese, and French cultures. You’ll find that Hanoi is a bustling and vibrant modern city. Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square offers visitors shopping, nightlife, and everything in between. Majestic Saint Joseph’s Cathedral has hardly changed since its first opening in 1886. And, the historic Long Bien Bridge that survived the Vietnam war spans the Red River connecting Hanoi with the port of Haiphong. Affordable day cruise tours in the Gulf of Tonkin’s Ha Long Bay allow visitors to explore over 1,500 islands.

Lima, Peru

Lima, Peru

While the Republic of Peru’s capital is steeped in rich history and graced with world-class ocean views, Lima somehow seems to get overlooked as an affordable international travel destination. Locals sell their art on the streets and the plazas are loaded with colonial architecture. A six-mile boardwalk winds along clifftops overlooking the water and grand buildings with intricate balconies set against the background of waving palm trees. In the evening, locals perform traditional Peruvian dances for diners in sidewalk cafes and visitors can indulge in the amazing French fries made from the local Peruvian huayno potatoes.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, Hungary

One of the most affordable cities in all of Europe and gracefully set against the famed Danube River, Budapest should be on every explorer’s international-travel list. Budapest is known for its thermal Széchenyi baths which have been a favorite attraction since ancient Roman times. Additionally, the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building is a sight to behold. Budapest is also known for having some of the most delicious cuisines in all of Europe, with perhaps the most famous dish being Hungarian Goulash. Another must-see sight is the Halaszbastya fortress, a late 19th-century Neo-Romanesque style structure reminiscent of a castle right out of a fairytale.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

For travelers looking for paradise on the cheap, Montego Bay on Jamaica’s northern coast has crystal-clear waters that make for a perfect vacation for beach lovers. You can go sunning, swimming, and snorkeling, or take free surfing lessons. Plus, scuba diving adventures won’t put too big of a dent in your pocketbook. One of the most truly unique things to do, anywhere in the world, is an after-dark bioluminescent boat cruise. The cruise takes visitors into a lagoon inhabited by microscopic creatures that give off a phosphorescent glow and light up the lagoon when the water is disturbed. For the truly adventurous, Montego Bay has multiple places to swim and play with tame bottle-nose dolphins.

Which of these affordable international cities have you been to? Tell us about it below!