Top 14 Cheapest City Breaks in Europe

What are the cheapest city breaks in Europe for budget travelers? Find out the answer in this article.

Have you dreamed of a European getaway that won’t break the bank? Well, you’re in luck! Many cities in Europe are ideal for a cheap city break. From bustling metropolises to serene rural towns, you can find an affordable destination to fit any budget.

For something more low-key and historical, consider a trip to Prague. This Czech city is known for its stunning Gothic architecture and cobbled streets with quaint cafes and galleries. Prague offers visitors plenty of culture without the hefty price tag – you can find great accommodation deals and delicious traditional dishes at pocket-friendly prices.

The Spanish coastal city of Valencia is another great option if you’re looking for a cheap but exciting city break. With its unique blend of modern culture and rich history, Valencia brings together all the best aspects of Spain into one place. Not only is the food delectable (and usually quite affordable), but there are also lots of activities like hiking and beach sports that won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Last but not least is Krakow, Poland’s cultural hub. This vibrant city boasts centuries-old monuments alongside trendy pubs and clubs – plus, it’s one of the most interesting cities in Europe for those who love exploring history or art museums. The best part? Prices here tend to be much lower than nearby destinations like Vienna or Budapest – making it a great choice if you’re trying to save some cash while still having an incredible experience abroad!

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Table of Contents

Top Cheapest City Breaks Europe Has To Offer For The Budget Travelers

Split, Croatia

Split, the second largest city in Croatia, is a sparkling gem that remains unknown to many. Yet, it is a treasure trove of numerous cultural and historical attractions.

It’s also one of the cheapest city breaks in Europe, with rates quite at par with those in Asia and Africa. Among the attractions are its excellent museums and the Palace of Diocletian, listed among the World Heritage Sites.

Plan your trip with my top post about Croatia:

Girona, Spain

Snowy, sunlit road winding through a winter landscape. Tips for saving money on winter travel. — Image by Christel SAGNIEZ from Pixabay

When people think of places to visit in Spain, they usually think of Madrid or Barcelona. However, they don’t know that it has many other off-beaten cities that are almost as stunning and diverse when it comes to attractions.

One such city is Girona which boasts unparalleled historic sites. These include the Museum of Cinema, Arab Baths, Place Independencia or Independence Square, Girona History Museum, and Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants. It also hosts one of Europe’s most preserved and largest Jewish quarters called the Call.

Plan your trip with my top post about Spain:

Gdansk, Poland

Located in Northern Poland, Gdansk is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities but also one of the least popular. However, it’s a must-visit for those who have deep inclinations in history, architecture, and the arts.

The city is a treasure trove of creative outputs and has a well-preserved social culture inspired by Catholic devotion. Stroll around, and one can find an array of medieval buildings, including churches and museums. There are also local cafes serving steamy coffee the traditional way.

Plan your trip with my top post about Poland:

Bucharest, Romania

Dubbed the new Berlin of Europe, Bucharest is also one of the cheap city breaks in Europe. For hipsters, creatives, and clubbers, that’s good news. Sure. They can expect serious traffic and a gritty atmosphere, but that’s about it.

Among the attractions to the city here are cafes serving vegan meals and fresh pizzas, lush public spaces, mystical Orthodox churches, and sky bars. It also hosts the second largest administrative building in the world after America’s Pentagon.

Check out the pavement or garden terraces where locals sell local delicacies for $10 per person. Although Bucharest’s reputation is more of a modern destination, it has numerous historical attractions, including cultural landmarks.

Plan your trip with my top post about Romania:

Kotor, Montenegro

Montenegro is not commonly seen among Europe’s prominent tourism destinations. But the well-researched tourists will realize that the country is a paradise of natural wonders.

Many visitors here describe their experiences as surreal and stress that they would keep coming back for more meaningful views and interactions.

One of the must-sees is Korot which some travel magazines have ranked as one of the best places to explore in Europe. Check out the Old Town and relish history and culture.

Or hike into one of the surrounding mountains to get a breathtaking view of Kotor Bay and the city. It’s a gratifying sight that can last a lifetime.

Plan your trip with my top post about Montenegro:

Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!

I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!

Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Palm trees on a sandy beach under a cloudy sky

Ever tried garlicky potato pancakes or fried zemiakove placky? Well, those are special cuisines that tourists can try when visiting Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city and one of the most underrated destinations in Europe.

A pound alone can afford most pints of local beer, and goulash is correspondingly cheap. Flights around the country can start at only $15.

While in Bratislava, check out the crisscrossing Danube River including the Church of St. Elizabeth, also known as the hued Blue Church. Then there’s a futuristic UFO Tower measuring 95 meters high.

Take a lift to the top of the observation deck for only $5 and enjoy rewarding views of the city and its beautiful landscape.

Plan your trip with my top post about Slovakia:

Warsaw, Poland

Scenic view of a charming European city street.

Warsaw is Poland’s capital city and its financial and cultural hub. It also suffered devastating attacks from invaders throughout its history.

But it managed to retain much of its culture and history, and the people have long been steered into unity by their Catholic faith.

Today, the city is one of the most off-beaten destinations in Europe, making it an ideal option for those chasing less touristy or crowded cities.

Among the sights here are cathedrals with towering spires and views of the Vistula River, the longest in Poland. It has rustic beaches where locals and tourists can relax.

Plan your trip with my top post about Poland:

Madeira, Portugal

Until recently, Madeira was a sleepy part of Portugal, but it is gradually hitting the spotlight thanks to social media and local promotion efforts.

It’s also one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. Don’t miss seeing its coastal villages that are backdropped by dramatic mountains and cliffs. Ponta do Sol is one visitors should not miss. Then there are glorious pebble beaches and rows of pastel buildings.

Plan your trip with my top post about Portugal:

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Woman in a hat reading by the sea with cityscape in the background — Image by Miran Lesnik from Pixabay

Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana is one of the most scenic cities in Europe but is also one of the off-beaten.

Tourists miss out on a lot of wonderful attractions when they don’t come here. It’s also one of the best cheap city breaks Europe has to offer.

Summer is the best time to visit to witness open-air street events, including the July jazz festival and the Ana Desetnica street-theatre festival.

There are also numerous cafes where tourists can savor Arabica coffee on leafy riverside terraces. For the sweet tooth, there are old sugar factories to visit.

Plan your trip with my top post about Slovenia:

What are my favorite travel must-haves?

As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!

Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.

Lisbon, Portugal

The Post Office ranked Lisbon as the second-best value city in 2022. That comes as a surprise given that its part of western Europe known for its extravagant lifestyle.

But yes, the region can be cheap, too, depending on the area. Lisbon has low accommodation rates: a two-night stay in three-star amenities usually starts at $115.

There are also practices travelers can try in Lisbon to save on budget, such as eating Portugal’s take on tapas called petiscos.

Transportation is already relatively cheaper, while there are wooden trams and baroque cobbles. Of course, don’t miss visiting Lisbon’s impressive cathedrals and churches, especially for Catholic pilgrims.

Plan your trip with my top post about Portugal:

Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina

Sarajevo has been a witness to destructive wars during the past decade. But thankfully, there is now peace and reconciliation between the Christians and Muslims.

Today, the country is emerging as an eco-historical destination with many underrated attractions worth exploring. Looking for unique architectural designs? Sarajevo has a beautiful blend of grand churches and mosques.

The local cuisine is also supreme and showcases a blend of Mediterranean, Turkish, and Balkan ingredients and styles. A recommended spot to hike is Vidikovac hill which offers a breathtaking view of the sunset and the surrounding city landscape.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is one of the best places for glamourous cafes, classical architecture, vivacious nightlife, and historical landmarks.

The Danube River cuts right into the heart of the city and is crisscrossed by glorious bridges, some dating back to the Ottoman period. During the Mongol invasion, the city was devastated but the locals managed to repulse them and save Christian Europe.

Hero’s Square, the Fisherman’s Bastion and its river-facing terraces, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the food-focused Great Market are among the can’t-miss attractions. Looking for a relaxing spot? Visit one of the many thermal baths, such as the Insta-famous Szechenyi.

Plan your trip with my top post about Budapest:

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia lies on top of now-excavated Roman ruins, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. Thus, it also boasts arched streets and rotundas, but it remains one of the most underrated cities on the continent. This makes it an ideal destination for history lovers who opt for off-beaten options.

Here, one can find golden-dome churches dating back centuries ago, including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the world’s biggest church buildings.

For those who want to experience the local nightlife, try one of the numerous bars and choose a glass of rakia, a traditionally-brewed fruit brandy with a fiery finish. Then there are other traditional diners to match the local beverage.

Plan your trip with my top post about Bulgaria:

Top 9 Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Tallinn, Estonia

Person with backpack overlooking a wintery Helsinki coastline

Tallinn has been emerging lately as a top ecotourism destination, and it comes as no surprise given the city’s splendid views. It boasts of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town with its old city walls and well-preserved street network.

Thus, the best way for tourists to experience the city is to stroll on its narrow, cobbled streets while viewing centuries-old buildings. There are also numerous secret gardens, cute shops, and romantic cafes, ideal getaways for those chasing solitude and quiet time.

Of course, these are also spots for building meaningful interactions with the locals or fellow tourists. Despite its growing popularity, it remains one of the cheapest city breaks in Europe.

Plan your trip with my top post about Estonia:

Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?

Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!

The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.

I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.

Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.

Get a FREE quote from SafetyWing