What makes a European destination truly affordable for an unforgettable city break getaway? The determining factors are many and certainly what plays a role is not only the cost of plane tickets.
How easy it is to see the city in just a few days, the proximity of each destination to the airport, the cost of accommodation and transportation and, of course, the food are the main factors that make a European city an ideal choice for a few days escape with urban air.
Then there are the “hidden” advantages that many of us don’t realize from the start. Many European cities have a fairly compact, but at the same time really beautiful, historic center which means it’s extremely enjoyable and easy to walk through its cobbled, picturesque streets. After all, all cities look different when we discover them on foot and, when there is the possibility and endurance, this is definitely the best choice of transportation in each of our trips. Also, in several cases there are some very interesting ticket-free attractions that you can discover with free entry, while often a drop in the value of a currency can make travel even more affordable for those traveling with Euros.
It is a special combination of things that become one, creating the perfect conditions for a truly quality trip to beautiful and historic cities with a great cultural heritage and some of the most important points of interest in Europe.
- Istanbul, Turkey
It’s an open secret that Turkey, thanks to the significant drop in the value of the lira, remains one of the cheapest destinations in the world: air tickets may not be the cheapest you can find among other destinations in Europe, but the cost of accommodation makes the difference. So are living expenses for as long as you stay there.
Beautiful Istanbul, a place so close to our hearts, is one of the most exciting places to travel in the Mediterranean. Full of aromas and surprising beauties, noisy bazaars and amazing sights and, of course, the enchanting Bosphorus, it is the perfect destination for an unforgettable city break escape.
What will make your trip even more affordable is the Istanbulkart card, which ensures visitors traveling for a few days in Istanbul significant discounts and combo tickets in several parts of the city. For example, the card includes offers on the cost of tickets for the tram, the metro, the cable car, as well as the ships that cruise the Bosphorus.
You’ll definitely make a stop at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, as well as the dazzlingly luxurious Topkapi, while you can’t leave Istanbul without a few goodies from the so-called Grand Bazaar, loaded with beautiful carpets, unique coats, carved pipes and some of the most beautiful ceramics you will ever buy in your life.
Food is just as affordable, as a full meal in the city center will often set you back no more than Turkish £15 per person.
- Krakow, Poland
Poland’s second largest city is an ideal destination for a really budget city break, especially now that the weather is still relatively warm.
The only thing that is certain is that in Krakow there is no way to get bored with anything. You will visit the stunning Royal Wawel Castle, a majestic building that was the permanent residence of the kings of Poland from the 13th to the 17th century, but also the beautiful St. Mary’s Basilica, the city’s Gothic cathedral built in 1347. And of course the fantastic Old Town with the large central square. You will sit in one of the cafes, watching the world go by and try delicious local specialties, such as the traditional Polish pizza which is long and narrow and looks like a French baguette.
If you have more days, visit Auschwitz, one of the most martyred places on the whole planet. You can take the bus from the center of Krakow to the Nazi concentration camp and the ticket costs just 3 euros. A guided tour of the famous Wieliczka salt mines can be very interesting. They produced table salt from the 13th century until 2007, having been one of the oldest active salt mines in the world.
For budget, yet highly classy, accommodation in Krakow check out the Grand Hotel in the heart of the Old Town where you’ll stay in elegantly decorated rooms, taste amazing breakfasts and enjoy Viennese coffee without breaking the bank.
- Barcelona, Spain
There are countless reasons to travel to Barcelona, the funniest, funniest and most bohemian city in all of Europe. The capital of Catalonia is a deeply artistic place with its entire centre, from end to end, a fantastic attraction in itself, filled with some of the most fascinating buildings you will ever lay eyes on.
From the unfinished Sagrada Familia and the colorful Park Güell to the elegant Casa Batlló you’ll get a good idea of the genius and astonishing talent of Antonio Gaudi, the architect who was to associate his name with Barcelona like no other. And then you will visit the great museums: the Joan Miró Foundation, dedicated to the life and work of the great artist, the Picasso Museum, the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Dalí Museum.
In the afternoons you will stroll along the pedestrian shopping street La Rampla, one of the most famous shopping streets in Europe, or the wonderful Eixample district, where you will also find some very good accommodation options, always based on the quality-price ratio. In fact, several of the Eixample hotels even have a swimming pool on the top floor.
The food is also quite economical, despite the fact that in Barcelona there are some of the best and most famous restaurants on the planet, since there is no shortage of delicious and rich options in paella and tapas, which you can enjoy in some of the nicest and most elegant bistros in every part of the city.
- Bratislava, Slovakia
It is undoubtedly one of the most economical capitals of the whole of Europe. Everything is affordable in Bratislava. From plane tickets (if you book your flight in time you can travel to the capital of Slovakia for around 80 euros return), hotels, food and even tickets to the major attractions.
Bratislava is the only capital of a European country that is located almost on the border with another state. On the border with Austria, deeply traditional and at the same time quite cosmopolitan, the capital of Slovakia manages to combine the history of the Slovaks with the aristocracy of Austria, the atmosphere of Hungary and the romance of the Czech Republic.
There, in the shadow of the Carpathian conditions, you will wander through cobbled streets and small squares, drink delicious hot chocolate, enjoy a concert by the famous Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and visit some of the city’s numerous museums, as Bratislava is a a place with a strong tradition in visual arts, theater and music.
You must visit Pressburg Castle, so fairytale-like it looks like it’s straight out of a Disney movie. It was built on the hill of the small Carpathians at the end of the 9th century AD. on the ruins of a Roman fort and is perhaps Bratislava’s most popular attraction. But also St. Michael’s Gate, the most characteristic point of the Old Town, which towers over the tops of all the other buildings in Bratislava. And of course the beautiful Danube, the most beautiful river in Europe, according to many.
If you have more days at your disposal, it is worth taking a one-day trip to Vienna, which is only 1.5 hours from the center of Bratislava. This way you will have seen two amazing European capitals in the package of one.
For an original and economical stay you can consider the choice of a boatel, i.e. a hotel on board. There are several options, located on the banks of the Danube, something between a small cruise ship and a water hotel, and they are a really affordable accommodation solution with a distinct Slovak character.
- Lisbon, Portugal
If you are looking for a budget city break destination in Western Europe then Lisbon, perhaps, is the answer. According to Portuguese legend, Portugal’s magnificent capital was founded by Homer’s Odysseus during his wanderings to Ithaca. The Portuguese believe that Odysseus managed to escape with his ship from the Heraklion Pillars, i.e. Gibraltar, and reach the shores of Lisbon, establishing a port there. Hence the original name of the city which, according to the archaeological findings, was Ulissipo, meaning “the port of Odysseus”.
You will visit the historic Alfama district and see the Lisbon Cathedral, the iconic “Belem Tower”, but also the amazing “Jerónimos” Monastery and the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You will then walk along the promenade of Ribeira das Naus, visit the historic neighborhood of Mouraria, the beautiful Pena Palace, the impressive Quinta da Regaleira estate and the lush Monserrate gardens and enjoy lots of delicious food in awesome prices. Portuguese tapas are called petiscos and they are delightful, delicious little dishes that you will find everywhere really cheap. Accommodation in the capital of Portugal is also very affordable, where you can stay in hotels in the heart of the city with
As for getting around in Lisbon, that’s an absolutely fascinating experience in itself. Of course, you will take the tram that runs along the old cobbled streets and is one of the most picturesque things you will experience in the Portuguese capital. The ticket costs €3 each way and there are fast trains that will take you very quickly to the beautiful beaches of the seaside town of Cascais, west of Lisbon.
