Travel Inspiration

Top 10 Cheap City Breaks in Europe

12 April 2023 | Updated 4 March 20255 min read

An aerial panorama of Prague city with Charles Bridge and the Old Town

Prague Visit Prague for cheap beer, great-value hotels and more!

In need of a holiday without the hefty price tag? A cheap city break is just the answer for a quick escape that will leave both you and your wallet happy!

To help get you there for less, we’ve rounded up our top ten best value European city break destinations this year so you can save those all important pennies.

Here’s the line up…

1. Krakow, Poland

A fab destination for good value accommodation and culture, Krakow is hard to beat for a cheap city break!

The mass of street food stalls and local food markets mean you can grab lunch on the go for the equivalent of a couple of pounds, while beer is famously cheap and plentiful.

Top attractions like St Mary’s Basilica, Wawel Castle and many of the speciality museums are also inexpensive to visit. Sounds like a win to us.

View from under the arches of the Cloth Hall of Krakow main square filled with restaurant tables on a sunny dayView from under the arches of the Cloth Hall of Krakow main square filled with restaurant tables on a sunny day

Vienna House Easy by Wyndham Cracow

Krakow, Krakow Area, Poland
  • 4 August 2025
  • 4 nights
  • Room only
  • From Manchester

Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Prices from

£277 pp
View deal

2. Riga, Latvia

Hot on Krakow’s heels for low-priced accommodation and sightseeing attractions, Riga is an Eastern European hotspot not to be missed.

Packed with things to do, it’s a great city break destination for culture-cravers, particularly if you're big into museums and guided tours. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the churches and colourful buildings are what Instagram was made for!

For a cheap day out, head to the city’s lush parks for a picnic in the sunshine.

View of the Old Town Ratslaukums square in Riga city centre, LatviaView of the Old Town Ratslaukums square in Riga city centre, Latvia

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal is always a solid shout for a cheap gateway with affordable deals to be snapped up both in the city and at the beach. When it comes to cheap eats, Lisbon takes the crown!

Do a bit of research and seek out local places to eat and you’ll get used to feeling pleasantly surprised every time the bill lands on your table.

Wine and local beer, such as Sagres, are very cheap (think £2.50 a pint), and delicious too.

Yellow vintage tram on the street in Lisbon, Portugal.Yellow vintage tram on the street in Lisbon, Portugal.

4. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana’s fairytale old town is just as charming as its budget-friendly prices! City breaks here are best spent admiring the stunning landmarks, including free-to-visit Ljubljana Castle Courtyard and the famous Dragon Bridge.

The city’s compact size means it's super easy to explore on foot or you can hop on an e-bike for a cheap alternative.

Even better? Local food markets offer on-the-go snacks for a steal, while Ljubljana’s lip-smacking cuisine is great-value, too.

A view over the river of Ljubljana city centre in SloveniaA view over the river of Ljubljana city centre in Slovenia

5. Budapest, Hungary

With heaps of deals on accommodation, inexpensive meals out and sightseeing costs, Budapest is one of those cities that make budget travel feel so easy.

Many of the main attractions are free, food comes in large portions for low prices, and you can even enjoy a day in the city’s iconic spas for around £20. (Sign us up!)

Come nighttime, a bar crawl between Budapest’s ruin pubs only costs as much as your chosen tipple – pick a local beer (look out for Dreher or Soproni) and it’ll set you back about £2 a pint.

Budapest city skyline and Danube river in HungaryBudapest city skyline and Danube river in Hungary

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Despite being one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations, Prague remains surprisingly cheap – great news for anyone looking to while away a few days in the city’s captivating old town!

Many of its attractions – from the epic twin-spired Týn Church to the statue-lined Charles Bridge – are free to visit, and the local food is filling and reasonably priced.

The fact it's small enough that you can walk everywhere is a bonus, too.

View of the Old Town square in Prague at sunrise with the clock tower and Church of Our Lady before TýnView of the Old Town square in Prague at sunrise with the clock tower and Church of Our Lady before Týn

Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town

Prague, Prague Area, Czech Republic
  • 13 July 2025
  • 4 nights
  • Bed & breakfast
  • From Luton

Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Prices from

£263 pp
View deal

7. Vilnius, Lithuania

Home to beautiful baroque architecture, scrumptious food and incredibly affordable prices, Vilnius is quickly making its way onto the tourist radar as a must-visit European capital.

Hotels and public transport are well priced and you’ll find many attractions here are free. Take a free walking tour to be guided around the old Jewish Quarter, Vilnius Cathedral Square and Uzupis – a tiny, self-proclaimed republic with its own constitution, president and currency!

Aerial view of the old town in Vilnius, LithuaniaAerial view of the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania

8. Barcelona, Spain

It’s no secret that Spain is one of Europe’s most affordable destinations, and Barcelona knows how to keep the city break budget in check.

The coastal city is a top pick for reasonably priced food and cultural attractions which can be enjoyed for free – including the famous city-centre boulevard, La Rambla.

Make lunch your main meal of the day, keeping an eye out for lunchtime set menus that are much cheaper than dinner. Expect to pay between £10 and £15 for a large meal with a glass of wine or beer included, too.

View over Barcelona from Parc GuellView over Barcelona from Parc Guell

9. Tallinn, Estonia

Giving Riga and Vilnius a run for their money, Tallinn joins the line up of Eastern European cities offering plenty to see for budget-friendly prices.

The wonderfully picturesque medieval town hall square is the heart of the action, bustling with cafes, shops and surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive gothic architecture.

Foodies will be in their element too – enjoy sampling the part-Scandi, part-Central European influenced cuisine, without a hefty price tag. Wander away from the centre of the old town to find cute side-street restaurants offering the best prices.

A rooftop view of Tallinn city in EstoniaA rooftop view of Tallinn city in Estonia

10. Porto, Portugal

Rounding up the list, Portugal’s second largest city makes the cut for its cheap city centre accommodation and affordable food.

A three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant comes in at £41 and you can enjoy a glass of the city’s famed port for less than a couple of pounds.

Whether you spend your city break exploring historic plazas, picnicking in green parks or making the most of Porto’s sandy beaches, there’s something to keep everyone happy!

Panoramic aerial view of Porto on a beautiful summer day, PortugalPanoramic aerial view of Porto on a beautiful summer day, Portugal

Star Inn Porto

Porto, Costa Verde, Portugal
  • 25 June 2025
  • 7 nights
  • Room only
  • From Manchester

Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Prices from

£300 pp
View deal

Please note food and drink prices in this story are indicative only. Prices taken from cost of living data website, Numbeo, on 4 March 2025.

Get our best deals straight to your inbox!

Sign up for huge holiday savings, hot deals and the chance to win holiday prizes!

We won't pass your details on to anyone else. By clicking the sign up button you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.