7 gorgeous destinations where $50 a day goes a long way

There’s a certain thrill in realizing your money stretches farther than you thought possible.

The first time I experienced this was in Vietnam. I sat at a street-side café in Hanoi with a strong iced coffee in one hand, a banh mi in the other, and the knowledge that my entire day’s expenses—including a bed, transport, and more food—wouldn’t even hit fifty bucks.

It wasn’t about being cheap; it was about feeling rich in experience.

If you’re willing to swap five-star hotels for boutique charm and Michelin stars for unforgettable street eats, these seven destinations can turn your modest budget into something that feels indulgent.

1. Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is a living postcard—French colonial buildings meet buzzing markets and narrow alleys alive with scooter traffic.

Your $50 here can easily cover a comfy guesthouse, three restaurant-quality meals, and a few extras like an egg coffee or a bowl of steaming pho from a street vendor who’s been perfecting it for decades.

The Old Quarter is where you’ll get lost (in the good way) among paper lanterns, temple courtyards, and shops selling everything from silk scarves to secondhand books.

The “secret” is that much of Hanoi’s magic comes without a price tag: watching tai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake at sunrise, strolling past art deco buildings, or sitting on a tiny plastic stool while the city hums around you.

2. Oaxaca, Mexico

If you measure value by the flavor-per-dollar ratio, Oaxaca wins hands down.

Here, $50 can buy you a bed in a charming posada, a market breakfast of memelas, a mole lunch that tastes like someone’s abuela made it just for you, and a sunset drink overlooking the Zócalo.

Even artisan workshops and mezcal tastings rarely cost more than a few dollars.

Oaxaca also rewards slow travel. The more time you spend wandering its cobbled streets, the more little details you notice—bright hand-painted doorways, courtyard gardens, and locals greeting each other like old friends. That’s part of the richness you get for free.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal’s capital is one of Europe’s best deals if you play it right.

Yes, you can splurge here, but with a little strategy, $50 a day gets you a pastelaria breakfast, a metro pass, a hearty lunch of grilled sardines, and maybe even an evening fado performance in a tucked-away tavern.

Staying in residential neighborhoods like Graça or Campo de Ourique puts you close to the charm without the tourist markups.

The bonus? Many of Lisbon’s best experiences are low-cost or free—riding the vintage tram 28 through its hilly streets, picnicking in Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, or watching the sunset paint the Tagus River gold.

4. Bali, Indonesia

Bali proves that luxury doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag.

For around $50, you could stay in a guesthouse with a pool, eat fresh smoothie bowls and nasi goreng all day, rent a scooter, and still have enough for a yoga class or a Balinese massage.

The island’s mix of rice terraces, beaches, and temples feels like three vacations in one.

Even better, much of Bali’s beauty isn’t behind a paywall—sunrise at Mount Batur, wandering through Ubud’s artisan markets, or simply sitting at a warung watching the light shift across the landscape.

5. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the kind of place where $50 a day feels like cheating.

You can spend your morning soaking in centuries-old thermal baths, your afternoon wandering the grand boulevards and ruin pubs, and your evening enjoying a hearty bowl of goulash—and still have change in your pocket.

Staying in the Pest side tends to be cheaper, but you can easily cross the river for Buda’s hilltop views.

The city’s blend of architecture, from Gothic spires to art nouveau façades, feels like flipping through a history book while standing on the page.

6. Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is a sensory overload in the best possible way.

Your budget will stretch here with a riad stay, market-fresh meals, and a few day trips thrown in.

The souks are an adventure of their own, with every turn revealing stalls piled high with spices, textiles, and brass lamps. Haggle respectfully, and your $50 will go much farther than you expect.

Between the call to prayer echoing over the rooftops and the smell of fresh mint tea drifting through the air, Marrakech gives you moments that feel priceless.

7. Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is Europe’s best-kept budget secret—and it won’t stay that way forever.

Here, $50 covers a cozy guesthouse, a feast of khachapuri and khinkali, a glass (or two) of local wine, and entry to museums or sulfur baths.

The city’s mix of crumbling grandeur and hip, artsy revival makes every walk an adventure.

You’ll also find locals incredibly warm, often eager to share stories over a meal. That hospitality is the kind of richness you can’t buy, but somehow you get here anyway.

Final words

Traveling on $50 a day isn’t about deprivation—it’s about unlocking a kind of abundance that has nothing to do with money.

It’s about walking into a café where no one knows your name, ordering something you can’t pronounce, and leaving with a story you’ll tell for years. It’s about realizing that sometimes the richest moments happen when your budget is lean but your curiosity is full.

So, maybe the next trip isn’t about finding the fanciest place you can afford—it’s about finding the place where what you can afford still feels fancy.