Cheap city-break destinations

Poznań, Poland

We all know about Kraków and Gdańsk, but don't overlook Poznań for your next city break. It's just starting to increase in popularity, so it's not overrun with us Brits yet.

You'll get similar vibes to Kraków, the old town features beautiful Renaissance-style buildings and there is a cute market square and giant mechanical clock. There are loads of museums and culture to indulge in, so this is the perfect spot for history lovers.

Flights are cheap from London (from £30 return), but there isn't much choice yet from other UK airports. Prices for hotels are super affordable, with 3-star stays available from around £30 per night and 4-star hotels at around £50-60.

Riga, Latvia

Now that low-cost airlines are flying to Riga from a few UK airports, you can get to the Latvian capital for fairly cheap. Central hotel options won't set you back much more than £50 per night, either.

This historic city is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site, best known for its Art Nouveau architecture, medieval old town, and lively cultural scene. You can wander through cobblestone streets, visit the Riga Cathedral, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere (and cheap eats) at the local markets, which often have live music too.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Venture to sunny Marrakesh, which takes around three and a half hours. You can grab flights from under £100 return and Riad stays are really affordable. We recently found a 7-night break for under £200.

You can try out inexpensive traditional Moroccan food, explore a beautiful outdoor garden and, of course, visit one of the incredible colourful souks selling textiles, pottery, spices and more.

This destination is great for sun-lovers, with decent temps and sunny weather most of the year. It's a great spot to mix a bustling city break with a relaxing pool holiday in one.

Tallinn, Estonia

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site to tick off the list. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a great city-break spot for history lovers who don't want to break the bank.

Flights with low-cost airlines are often under £50 return, making getting there a breeze. The city is largely walkable due to its smaller footprint. Which means you could save on your accommodation costs and make this a short 2-night trip.

The walled old town is one of Northern Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. There is plenty of history and culture to see here, plus affordable food options serving up traditional Estonian food. You can also find Estonia's only MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in the old town.

Bergamo, Italy

Low-cost airlines run frequent flights to Bergamo and you can often grab them from around £30 return. Hotels in the area are more affordable than nearby Milan, making it a great alternative.

Bergamo is steeped in history and is separated into the upper and lower city. The upper city can be accessed by a funicular or bus and has spectacular views, beautiful buildings and affordable hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars.

It makes a great base for exploring other more expensive spots in Italy. You can grab trains for under £10 to Milan, Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda and more.

Prague, Czech Republic

We couldn't have a cheap city break list without Prague now, could we? A tourist hot spot that certainly hasn't lost its charm, or it's affordability.

Breaks to Prague are budget-friendly, with endless options for flights from UK airports and low-cost accommodation in the city centre. Cheap beer prices are one of it's major pulls for Brits, especially for stag and hen dos. You could even take a beer bike around the city, sightseeing and drinking in one!

But, on top of this, it's also home to some incredible culture, plenty of museums, a historic old town, the famous Astronomical clock and beautiful bridges, to get your steps in.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon was named the second best-value city break by the Post Office, falling from its number one spot in 2023 due to a slight increase in accommodation costs.

However, it's still a great city-break destination for travellers wanting to keep their costs down. Food and drink prices are very affordable, meaning you can indulge in endless pastel de nata and port wine, while soaking up the sites.

Lisbon has so many things to do: climb to the top of the Panteão Nacional for incredible views, walk around the city, visit one of the beaches and see the Belem Tower, ride the famous tram 28 or hit up a food market for some cheap eats.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona can be mistaken for being an expensive city, the cost of living is higher than some other areas in Spain. But, as a city-break destination, it's very fairly priced. I went for four nights of winter sun in January and paid less than £120 as a solo traveller for flights and my own hotel room.

Because the city is so large, there are loads of sites to take in that don't cost anything. See la Sagrada Família from the outside, venture all the way up to Tibidabo, or take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter. Barcelona also has the benefit of multiple beaches, so an afternoon sunbathing on the sand with cheap snacks is also possible.

Food and drink doesn't have to be expensive, either. Avoid tourist spots, and you'll find great cheap tapas spots, plus plenty of place serving Tinto de Verano on tap for a couple of euros.