Best City Breaks and Ideas for Cheap Destinations in Europe
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City breaks remain one of the most popular getaway choices for UK holidaymakers.
Great for those on a time limit, city breaks let you transform a standard weekend into an exotic escape and give you a change of scenery without breaking the bank or using any annual leave.
Not to mention that they're packed with cultural landmarks, vibrant nightlife and a plethora of attractions that make for quite the action-packed weekend.
Unlike beach holidays you don't need to rely on the weather either, as you can improvise on rainy days by heading to the beautiful museums or checking out new foodie hotspots.
Whether you're looking for a spontaneous trip away, a cheap holiday or the chance to explore a new culture, tempt yourself with one of these top European destinations for a long weekend in 2018.
Best last minute city break deals this week
Prague from £86pp: Stay two nights at the A&O Prague Metro Strizkov including return flights. Based on a 14th May departure.
Stay two nights at the A&O Prague Metro Strizkov including return flights. Based on a 14th May departure. Venice from £110pp: Stay two nights at the Ute hotel on a room only basis, with return flights from London. Based on a 7th May departure.
Stay two nights at the Ute hotel on a room only basis, with return flights from London. Based on a 7th May departure. Budapest from £101pp: Stay three nights at the Budapest Opera Minihotel with return flights from London Stansted. Based on a 9th May departure.
Stay three nights at the Budapest Opera Minihotel with return flights from London Stansted. Based on a 9th May departure. Berlin from £249pp: Stay three nights at the Quentin Design Berlin Hotel on a room only basis with return flights from London Luton. Based on a 7th May departure.
How to save on flights
Budget airlines like easyJet and Norwegian offer flights from various UK airports all year round to Europe. See our easyJet hacks guide.
For the best price and seats, book around three-months ahead and if you can, opt for a mid-week city break as fares are slightly less due to lower demand.
Travelling last minute can also be a smart move as flights and hotels rush to fill up rooms, but always use a comparison website to compare deals. Here's our favourite late holiday deals this week.
Keep an eye on our cheap flights and deals pages for cut price fares all year round. Feeling spontaneous? Lastminute.com is a great source for late package and flight deals.
How to save on local travel
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Trade expensive cab rides for tourist walks or public transport - you'll see more sights, get more of a feel for local culture, and save money in the process.
If you're travelling around by train or metro, it's best to try and book in advance for the best prices. The Trainline Europe claims it can save you up to 53% if booked early.
If in doubt about where to go, raileasy.co.uk offers advice on attractions as well as reduced fares. It may also be worth buying a week-long travelcard from the station when you arrive, as this offers unlimited travel for a set fee.
How to save on accommodation
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Tripadvisor has a handy guide on the best hotels in every European city, from Vienna to Budapest, with prices - and the option to book. See our Tripadvisor hacks guide.
Booking.com's destination guide also offers plenty of information on hotels and cheap deals - tap at your city to find out more.
Visitors can also bag cheap rooms when booking early via Holiday Inn Europe.
Top 10 places to visit for a city escape
1. Lisbon, Portugal's capital
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Lisbon, the city of trams and treasures, museums and monuments, shopping and schlepping, hills and highs, cobblestones and custard tarts, alleys and allure.
The list is endless - so much to see, so much to experience, from music at the Old Pharmacy Wine Inn (with £2 wine), to five-star meals at the Bairro Alto district.
Discover more about Lisbon on TripAdvisor. Or, see our Lisbon city guide.
2. Venice, capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region
Glitter, glamour and plenty of posing. Venice has canal rides all-year-round you'll be dreaming about at your desk for years afterwards.
Discover the city’s magical bridges or enjoy a romantic stay in La Serenissima, especially if you go with your significant other.
Read all about it in our Venice city guide. Or check out Easyjet Holiday's city break deals.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland's capital
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Thousands of Brits flock to Edinburgh every year for sightseeing, and its also home to an array of festivals and celebrations throughout the year.
Small enough to walk around, the city highlights can be taken in during a few days strolling around the Castle, Arthur’s Seat, The Royal Mile, and the Museum of Scotland.
Want to find out more? Here's our Edinburgh city guide. Or check out Thomas Cook's city break deals there.
4. Vienna, capital of Austria
You could stay in Vienna for a couple of weeks and still not see all the museums, concert halls and places of interest.
It's a city that has so much more to offer all year round. And the best part? Most of the highlights are easily walkable and entrance fees are usually just a few euros.
The Sigmund Freud Museum, the Globe Museum, the Art History Museum, The Leopold Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, are just a few of Vienna's must-sees.
Read all about it in our Vienna city guide. Or browse cheap breaks there on Expedia.
5. Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital
Amsterdam - the city of canals, cycles and coffee shops with exotic blends that customers smoke rather than sip.
From world-class art galleries to a red light district so infamous it’s a mainstream tourist attraction, the Netherlands capital really does have something for everyone.
The oasis that is Vondelpark has 10 million visitors a year. It’s the city’s largest park and there are lots of quiet places to chill. Plus, in the summer there are free concerts.
Find out more in our handy Amsterdam city guide or check out Opodo deals.
6. Bratislava, capital of Slovakia
The delightful, neat capital of the little central European nation of Slovakia, features a stunning bridge across the River Danube - known as The Novy Most, built in 1972.
But what makes it fabulously special is the fact that the designers decided to plonk a UFO on top of the main tower. As you do.
When it comes to food and drink, it’s pretty good and pretty cheap. A coffee in a cafe starts at €1, and local beer also costs from €1 for a draught half-pint.
Discover more in our Bratislava city guide. Or compare the best Bratislava city break deals on skyskanner.
7. Madrid, capital of Spain
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Spain’s capital is one of the most popular city break destinations - and deservedly so.
Alcala de Henares, a Unesco world-heritage site, founded in 100BC by the Romans, boasts a combination of gorgeous baroque, ­renaissance and gothic architecture.
The city boasts one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1293, and one of its past students was Miguel de Cervantes, writer of Don Quixote.
Outside the Archbishop’s Palace in the city is a statue of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII who was born there.
Book yours via British Airways city break offers, or see our Madrid city guide.
8. Budapest, Hungary’s capital
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The capital of Hungary is a pleasing amalgamation of the old cities of Buda (hilly and historic) and Pest (flat and more modern).
The heart of Andrassy Avenue – possibly the most famous road in Pest, hosts high-class shops, the opera house, Liszt Square and Heroes’ Square where you’ll find spectacular sculptures.
One of Budapest’s top attractions are its baths. Relax in the warm, healing waters of the 102-year-old Szechenyi Medicinal Baths with 18 pools.
Book your Budapest break with Opodo's cheap suggestions, or see our helpful Budpest city guide here.
9. Stockholm, capital of Sweden
Spectacularly beautiful, Stockholm is uber cool, leading the way in design, fashion and architecture. Its many islands can be reached by ferry, bus, train or car, making it incredibly family-friendly.
From the 13th century cobbled streets of the Old Town Gamla Stan island to its boutiques selling cool Scandinavian clothing brands side-by-side with hip cafés, galleries and vintage stores, it's the place to be.
Discover Stockholm with Lastminute.com. We've also compiled a fascinating Stockholm city guide for you.
10. Tallinn, capital of Estonia
This Estonian capital is a beautiful city with a distinctive Scandinavian feel and an unexpected National Park for the spontaneous.
The Old Town is a Unesco world heritage site and it shows. Some of the barns and warehouses date back to the 11th century and are so well preserved that at times the place feels like a medieval theme park.
Want to visit Tallinn? Read all about it in our Tallin city guide or see more about it on TripAdvisor.
11. La Palma
While Spain has an abundance of popular destinations, La Palma shouldn't be overlooked.
It has a wide range of things to do including stargazing, whale watching and natural seawater pools. Not to forget the amazing views, food and beaches.
Visit the La Palma tourist board website for more information about the island and more ideas for your trip.