Under $100: Krakow, Poland

It’s no secret Eastern Europe is a budget traveler’s dream, but finding the right way to stretch that foreign currency still takes a bit of creativity. The city of Krakow in southern Poland is one city where it’s easy to make the most out of your Polish zloty, but also tempting to get wrapped up in tourist distracters.

Start your day in the Old Town before the crowds descend upon the Old Market Square. Grab a pastry and coffee at Glonojad just outside the medieval walls. The vegetarian café has an outdoor terrace and a light menu for breakfast and lunch. Burn off the caffeine boost by strolling through Old Town, careening down cobblestone paths, traipsing through the park and gardens that surround the walls and finally by climbing Wawel Hill to visit Wawel Castle and take in views of Krakow. Entry into the Wawel Cathedral is free, to boot, but only during specific hours.

Stop for a snack at the hilltop café before winding back down to the city, where a short trek across the Vistula River puts you in the funky, historic Jewish Quarter. Check the time to see when the next free tour begins with Free Walkative Tours, which take place all over the city and require no prior reservation or fee (only tips!).

Finish the day with a traditional (and affordable) Polish meal of pierogies, a hearty soup and a tall glass of beer at U Babci Maliny back in the Old Town, where the basement level opens up into an elegant dining room that feels straight out of 19th-century Poland.