10 Affordable European Travel Destinations for Retirees

Many Americans spend their retirement looking back at their working years with satisfaction and winding down their once-active lives. But as you shed work worries and mundane routines, it’s a fine time to celebrate and make the most of your golden years by doing things you’ve always wanted to experience.

Traveling abroad is high on many people’s retirement wish lists, especially for those who have avoided flying to far-flung destinations when working or raising a family. Retirement provides the opportunity to visit or rest permanently in a different country with a pleasant climate and a high quality of life.

According to Social Security Matters, more than 500,000 people living outside the U.S. receive Social Security benefits. Many American retirees look to Europe for beautiful scenery, rich cultural experiences and affordable living.

Make sure to check the property ownership laws, travel and extended stay visas, permanent residency regulations and health care before you travel or move anywhere in Europe. Since Europe differs wildly depending on where you’re looking. Here are 10 European travel destinations that offer retirees a combination of reasonable living costs, beautiful scenery and rich cultural experiences.

Described as “criminally underrated” by Adventurous Kate and “an underrated capital” by the Pack and Paint site. Riga is indeed underrated, but not by those who’ve been instantly captivated by the Latvian capital’s charms and budget-friendly activities and accommodations. Steeped in over 800 years of history and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, Old Riga is the heart and soul of Latvia’s capital.

Rome and Milan are undeniably beautiful, romantic and charismatic, but crowded and expensive. Turin — renowned for its architecture, museum and culinary experiences — is a much less costly choice but still has all the action and comforts of the bigger metros. 

But Florence is even cheaper and has everything any Italian traveler desires. According to U.S. News and World Report, the cost of living in Florence is 64% cheaper than in other Western European cities. The average monthly rent is approximately $1,136 for 900-square-foot furnished accommodation in a central area.

Located just an hour from Vienna, Bratislava might be lesser-known than other European destinations, but it offers a whole different world, with fewer people and a cheaper price. Retirement Travelers notes that those ancient, cobbled streets in European “Old Towns” are cramped with tourists and vendors trying to sell them goods. Bratislava is a naturally beautiful hidden gem with the cost of living 36% lower than the U.S., per Insider Monkey. The site also specifically mentions its quality healthcare system.   

Like Italy, you’ll be tempted to hit the bigger cities with activity and amenities like Barcelona and Madrid when you go to Spain, but your wallet won’t be happy. Seville is the sensible retiree choice if you’re looking for a slower pace, a hotter climate and the full Spanish experience. As a single person, you can expect to pay $1,521 in monthly accommodation and the same for expenses, per U.S. News. Due to its flatness,

Despite its nickname “Taxachusetts”, Massachusetts isn’t even close to being the worst state for retirees when it comes to taxes. In fact, it beats out 22 of them. For starters, MA doesn’t tax Social Security benefits — and its 6.25% sales tax rate is lower than in the majority of states. However, its property tax rates are among the highest.

The spa capital of the world, Budapest, presents more to retirees than a good soak. According to Retirement Travelers, Budapest gives visitors two cities in one: “Buda is settled on the upper hills, and Pest spreads out on a flat plain on the opposite bank. Even today, they feel like separate cities, offering travelers a depth of history and discovery.

For a large city, Lisbon has a reputation for being affordable to live and visit. This colorful, bohemian city has everything you could ever hope for in a city. Food, scenic walks, music, architecture, shopping, history…this list goes on and on.  

If you want to go off the beaten track, Insider Monkey suggests Bragança, which was appointed one of Europe’s best places to retire. According to the site, “A single individual can expect to live comfortably on $642 monthly.”

Analyzing factors like the cost of living index, rent index, groceries index, and restaurant and price index, Insider Monkey came up with a list of the 20 cheapest places to retire in Europe. At number five was Belgrade, the bustling, history-rich capital of Serbia, with an average cost of living of 45.8% lower (around $800) than in the United States. Not known as a pretty city, Lonely Planet states it makes up for the grittiness with a combination of “old-world culture that at once evokes time-capsuled communist-era Yugoslavia and new-world, EU-contending cradle of cool.”

Poland is very affordable, but one of the cheapest destinations in Europe is its historical capital, Krakow (Warsaw is the current capital). According to Insider Monkey, Krakow is a favorite among nature lovers because it offers four distinct seasons of beauty and activities. It also boasts a thriving arts and music scene with countless museums and galleries to explore.

According to Business Insider, Crete offers a retiree paradise for a fraction of the cost. This largest Greek island offers affordable living, stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. The island provides beautiful beach coasts and historic sites.

If you want to go even more off-piste, the island of Rhodes is a scenic marvel with medieval architecture and amazing beaches. The Old Town, with its paved alleyways and gorgeous mansions, is a listed World Heritage Site.