Are you looking for the most beautiful locations at the best prices? Where can you go in 2023 on a small budget while still enjoying greater standards? Let's take a look at these lovely nations that you might want to include to your list of the best places to travel on a budget.
Estimated weekly budget: $250
Islam is the second most practiced religion in Thailand, making it a Muslim-friendly country par excellence.
The most recognizable landmark in Bangkok and one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. The Grand Palace served as the official house of the Kings of Siam and later, Thailand, from 1782 to 1925.
It also served as the location of the royal court and the headquarters of the government's executive branch. The Grand Palace and its magnificent compound, which is currently only partially exposed to the public, remain the spiritual center of the Thai Kingdom and are utilized to host royal rituals and governmental events.
Known as the 'Venice of the East,' floating markets provide tourists a chance to explore the network of canals (khlongs) and stilt-house settlements while shopping, eating, and mingling with the locals.
One of the most significant historical and spiritual Buddhist sites in Thailand. You can either use the cable car or the roughly 300 steep steps that lead to Doi Suthep Mountain's summit to get there.
The magnificent Phang Nga Bay is known for its sheer limestone karst islets and towering cliffs that protrude out of the emerald-green ocean. Many of these cliffs are oddly shaped, uninhabited, and disclose hidden coves, caves, and aquatic grottos.
Estimated weekly budget: $330
Some of the most remarkable Islamic Heritage sites can be found in Turkey. Additionally, it has one of the most diversified cultures, particularly in Istanbul.
Turkish for 'cotton castle,' Pamukkale is a surreal scenery in western Turkey that is well-known for its white terraces. Travertine, a sedimentary rock with a high mineral concentration from the hot springs, was used to create the terraces. At the location, you may view the remains of the baths, temples, and other Greek buildings.
Nemrut is a mountain that rises to a height of 2,134 meters (7,001 feet) in southeast Turkey, close to the town of Adiyaman.
On the summit of the mountain, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene erected a tomb sanctuary flanked by enormous statues of himself, two lions, two eagles, and other Greek and Persian deities in 62 BC.
The biggest draw is to observe the dawn from the eastern terrace, which gives the lifeless heads a lovely orange tinge and adds to the location's air of mystery.
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis, which originally stood at Ephesus, was demolished in 401 AD by a crowd led by the archbishop of Constantinople.
The Great Theater and the Celsus Library are two of the buildings that can still be seen today. From the original parts, the façade was painstakingly restored in the 1970s to its current magnificent state.
The Sultan Ahmed or Blue Mosque in Istanbul dazzles on the outside with its six minarets and grand design. It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 and, like many other mosques, houses the founder's grave.
The 20,000 blue tiles with various designs that give the mosque its well-known name cover the towering ceiling inside.
Patara has one of the longest lengths of sand in the entire Mediterranean, measuring 14 kilometers (9 miles). The only buildings visible, except from a small café, are the ancient Lycian and Roman ruins and sweeping dunes that surround the beach. The critically endangered Loggerhead turtle breeds on Patara Beach.
Estimated weekly budget: $450
It's a nation that blends stunning natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage. Some of the most beautiful destinations you can ever visit include Mount Kinabalu and the Batu Caves. And Malaysia's affordability makes it even better.
The Petronas, raised in Kuala Lumpur, is the tallest twin building in the world, soaring 452 meters above the heavens. The two buildings are connected to one another on the 41st and 42nd floors by a double skybridge made of reinforced concrete, steel, and glass. People can travel here to enjoy breathtaking views of KL and the 6.9-hectare KLCC Park below; the views are especially magnificent at night.
The Batu Caves complex, which is located in Selangor, less than an hour outside of Kuala Lumpur, is made up of three large caves and a number of smaller ones, the majority of which include statues and 100-year-old Hindu god shrines.
This collection of tiny islands, which were once a halting place for traders passing through Southeast Asia, is now a popular tourist destination in northeastern Malaysia. They are a part of a marine park.
Popular activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, but tourists can also participate in turtle conservation programs and gain special access to the locations where turtles congregate to lay their eggs.
Estimated weekly budget: $500
The Philippines is a hidden treasure of a vacation destination if tropical islands, stunning scenery, and endless adventure are on your bucket list. Some of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world may be found in the Philippines, never failing to awe the senses. The Philippines is actually fairly Muslim-Friendly in terms of attractions and cuisine, despite the fact that the majority of the population is Catholic.
El Nido in Palawan is most known for its picturesque islands and lagoons, but a 45-minute land journey from its main town will take you to Nacpan Beach, another dreamy location. The currents at Nacpan tend to turn strong and choppy without much notice, thus tourists are warned not to swim far from shore.
One of the best diving locations in the Philippines, and possibly the entire globe, is Tubbataha Reef. It is regarded as a center of marine biodiversity and a haven for both divers and marine conservationists, and is situated in the midst of the Sulu Sea. This marine reserve can only be reached via liveaboard vessel departing from Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The most perfect volcanic cone in the entire world and the Philippines' most active volcano greet you with its majestic presence as soon as your plane touches down at Bicol International Airport in the province of Albay. One of the most breathtaking locations in the Philippines is the Mayon Volcano, which is a must-see on every Bicol tour.
The Banaue Rice Terraces in Banaue of Ifugao, North Luzon, is a remarkable location and is regarded as one of the Philippines' iconic sights. These terraces were hand-chiseled about 2000 years ago. The Banaue Rice Terraces is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It's hard to describe how quickly Siargao has become one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is now regarded as Asia's surfing hotspot and the capital of surfing in the Philippines. The most well-known surfing location in the entire nation and a must-see on any visitor's Siargao itinerary is Cloud 9, which attracts surfers.
Palawan's capital, Puerto Princesa, serves as the entry point to the Last Frontier of the Philippines.
This area is home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, also known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is the longest navigable underground river in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As they go through the 1.5-kilometer subterranean river cave, the paddleboats of the Puerto Princesa underground river tours pass beautiful limestone cliffs.
Estimated weekly budget: $500
Morocco is one of the nations that consistently rates highly in terms of safety indices and political stability. Morocco should be on your list of places to visit in 2023 because it is a reasonably priced location with a wide variety of potential experiences to offer.
Erg Chebbi is the most well-known location for large, rippling sand dunes. This is the ideal location for camel trekking at sunrise and sunset, four-wheel-drive dune-bashing, and dune-surfing. These activities are frequently coupled with an overnight stay in a tented desert camp in the middle of the dune field.
This golden-stoned adobe ksar (fortified town) protrudes abruptly out of the ground among the breathtaking landscape.
It's a fairy-tale locale, so it should come as no surprise that the orange-hued turrets and meandering roads inside have become a favorite film backdrop for Hollywood because of the setting's surreal splendor.
Essaouira, which became a popular hippie destination in Morocco during the 1970s, is the country's most picturesque seaside resort. Although the town is now one of Morocco's artistic hubs with a booming local art scene, a remnant of its once-bohemian past still lingers.
The Hassan II Mosque, a prominent landmark, and building in Casablanca, is a grandiose representation of both the city and of Morocco. Richly colored mosaics, intricately carved marble pieces, and zellige tile accents all pay homage to the principles of traditional Islamic architecture and the artistry of Moroccan craftsmen while still seeming utterly modern.
The water at charming Oualidia is much calmer than in other resorts spanning the Atlantic Coast since it is surrounded by a protected lagoon. It's a great place to go swimming and a safe option for kids who enjoy being in the water.
So there you have it! Let me and the others know in the comments if you disagree with the list or believe that other places should be added.