If there's a will, there's a way. And there is a way I'll make my way across the pond.
This graphic from UK-based travel deal finder Simply Holiday Deals outlines the best and cheapest cities in Europe based on the 2015 Europe Backpacker Index. These numbers are backed by heavy research in each of the cities and are calculated according to realistic and reasonable conditions.
To give a better understanding of where these numbers came from, below is a guide from Price of Travel that explains each category:
Cheap Good Hostel: One night in the cheapest bunk at the least expensive hostel with a good location and good reviews
Transportation: Two public transportation rides per day
Meals: Three “budget” meals per day (We took our minimum meal price and added 20% to make it more realistic for a longer trip).
Drinks/Entertainment: Three cheap, local beers (or wine) each day as an “entertainment fund.” Non-drinkers might have dessert and coffee or attend a local music performance instead, so this is a general benchmark that should be proportional for each city.
Attractions: One paid/famous attraction per day (Every city is loaded with free things to do for budget-conscious travelers, but here we take the average cost of a major attraction in each city for each day.)
Yay for discovering the nooks and crannies! Sometimes that's how you find the hidden gems.