Cheap European cities to visit for a short break
Taking a city break in Europe doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of cheap European cities to visit, full of historic sites and top tourist attractions that you can visit without breaking the bank.
Below you’ll find a collection of some of the best European cities to visit on a budget. There’s information on the top things to do in these cities, both within the city centre and beyond.
At the end, I’ve included some top tips to help ensure you get the best value from your trip.
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Cheap European cities to visit for a short break
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, offers a mix of history and culture that makes it ideal for a short break. The city’s compact size means you can easily cover its main attractions on foot and travel the short distance out to Trakai Castle, which sits on an island in a lake.
I visited Vilnius last year in late summer and found it to be a really cheap city break. This is confirmed by its position as the best value city in 2024, according to the Post Office’s City Costs Barometer.
Eating out was well-priced, and there were affordable attractions to visit. My bus journey from the airport to the city was just one euro.
And you can save money by purchasing the Vilnius Pass. This gives you free entry to some of the main attractions, as well as a free city bus tour. There are discounts for other museums and activities, including some restaurants in the city.
You can buy the Vilnius Pass here.
What is there to do in Vilnius on a city break?
If you plan to visit Vilnius, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied on a city break.
As the central part of the city is small, I’d recommend you try to walk around most of it if you can. This way, you can walk from the Gates of Dawn, to the neo-classical Town Hall in the Town Hall Square, and then head to the nearby Presidential Palace.
From here, you can stroll along Pilies Street, the oldest street in Vilnius, and cross over into Cathedral Square. This is a wide open square where you’ll find the elegant Vilnius Cathedral with its unique bell tower next to it.
The tower houses the city’s oldest clock, which you can climb for a small fee.
In this square, you can learn about Lithuania’s history in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, and then walk (or catch the tiny funicular for just a few euros) up to Gediminas Hill and look out over the city from here. Gediminas Tower is here with a small museum inside.
You can also walk along Gediminas Avenue, see the beautiful historical buildings lining it, and then visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in the former KGB building. The museum is only small, but is a stark reminder of the atrocities that were committed during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania. In the basement, you can see the cells where prisoners were held and tortured.
And then, if you have time during your city break in Vilnius, I’d recommend you take the short trip out to Trakai Castle. This is a medieval castle on an island in the middle of a lake. It’s located in a small historical town that was once the capital of Lithuania.
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is another place to put on your list of cheap European cities to visit. It’s one of the cheapest capital cities in Europe.
Although it seems prices are rising, you can get cheap flights with some of the low cost carriers that fly to the city. Eating and drinking is relatively cheap and reasonably priced compared to some other cities.
It’s definitely a place to consider if you need to keep a tight rein on your bank account. And, as with other cities covered here, Bucharest has a city card which provides free travel, including to and from the airport, free access to some of the top museums, and other discounts.
The city is also a perfect place for a short break or a visit when you’re exploring other parts of Romania, for example a trip to the famous Bran Castle, home to Dracula, or a road trip around Transylvania.
What is there to do in Bucharest on a city break?
On a short break or day trip to Bucharest, start by exploring the old town. It’s a small charming area, full of medieval streets, and with plenty of bars and restaurants if you want to eat out here. Many have outdoor terraces for the finer weather.
As you explore, you’ll see some beautiful neoclassical and neo-baroque style buildings. If you’ve walked to the old town via Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue), you’ll see a particularly stunning example of neoclassicism: the Romanian Athenaeum, a concert hall, that dates back to the late 19th century. You can pop inside and take a peek.
Not far away is Revolution Square (previously Palace Square before the revolution in 1989 and the overthrowing of the then President of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu). This has the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Art in Romania, as well as the Memorial of Rebirth, a structure honouring the events of the revolution.
To learn more about pre-revolution Romania, I’d recommend a visit to Romania’s People’s Palace (the Palace of the Parliament). This massive building in central Bucharest is the second largest administrative building in the world (only top trumped by The Pentagon in the United States), with 1,100 rooms.
You can take a tour inside. This gives you the opportunity to learn about the history of Ceausescu’s palace, wander through the opulent and decadent rooms, and hear about what it took to build it (including the destruction of approximately 7 kilometres of residential communities to make space for it).
A short walk from the old town is Piati Unirii, a large square with fountain shows that take place during the summer. These shows are free, as is spending time in some of the city’s lovely parks and gardens, such as the Cismigiu public gardens, Tei Park (with a Ferris wheel you can ride) and Herastrau Park.
Near the park is the city’s grand Triumphal Arch which symbolises the country’s victory in WWI.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city, is charming, and the perfect destination for a short break or even a day trip if you’re visiting other nearby places.
The draw of nearby places such as the stunning and magical Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, and the coastal resort of Piran means that if you have limited time, you might be tempted to bypass the country’s capital. But if you can squeeze it in, I’d recommend setting aside time to visit.
Ljubljana is a great place and is another city that is an affordable European city break that should be on your to-see list.
The Ljubljana Card
The Ljubljana Card is worth buying if you plan to pack a lot into your trip. It gives you free entry to a large number of museums. There’s also a free guided walking tour, a boat tour on the river, travel on the city’s buses, a trip on the Urban Electric Train, use of bikes, and a trip on the funicular up to the castle.
You can buy the Ljubljana Card here.
What is there to do in Ljubljana on a city break?
Ljubljana has a charming old town lined with beautiful historic buildings, a picturesque riverfront, and a relaxing, laid-back vibe that makes it a great place to visit. Spend time just wandering around and enjoying this area. If you’re looking to cut costs, there’s plenty to see by just walking around the area.
You can see the Art Nouveau buildings lining Miklosiceva Street and Prešeren Square with the magnificent 17th-century pink-coloured Franciscan Church. Right by the square is the famous Triple Bridge, a unique construction that consists of three stone walkways across the river.
Crossing over the bridge, you can explore the old town and see the striking Town Hall and baroque Cathedral. You can then wander down to see the Art Nouveau Dragon Bridge with its four dragon statues flanking its corners in homage to this being the symbol of Ljubljana. After, head to the Central Market to grab a bite to eat.
A short walk away is the funicular that will whisk you up to Ljubljana Castle, a medieval fortress on a hill 375 metres high (the journey is free with the Ljubljana Card, or you could instead walk up the hill). At the top, there’s a courtyard, and you can climb up to a terrace for views across the city. These are free attractions, although there’s a charge to go inside the castle.
Other things to do in the city include walking over to Tivoli Park and seeing the mansion here and ascending the Neboticnik Skyscraper for fantastic views over to the castle. The city also has a wealth of museums to visit (many are free with the Ljubljana Card).
And if you’re based in the city and want to see some of the landscape and natural beauty that Slovenia is so famous for, I’d recommended taking the short trip out to Lake Bled.
You can catch a train that takes around an hour – although this will drop you at a train station outside of Bled Town, so if time is tight and you can afford it, you might want to consider booking a tour to take you.
See my separate post for more details of things to do in Ljubljana.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is another top destination for a short break, especially if you’re looking for a break that’s good value for money.
Eating and drinking are relatively cheap compared to some other cities. And part of the charm of Bratislava is also about wandering through the streets and squares taking in the vibe of the old town, which doesn’t cost anything! The few things you might need to pay to go into are also reasonably priced.
You can also buy the Bratislava Card. This gives you free admission to 23 museums and galleries, a free guided walking tour, unlimited use of public transportation, as well as other selected discounts.
What is there to do in Bratislava on a city break?
Bratislava is located on the banks of the Danube River, just over 50 km from Vienna. This means you could, if you wanted to, combine a trip to both cities very easily, or take a day trip to Bratislava from the Austrian capital.
The city is relatively small, and most of the top attractions and historical sites are in and around its picturesque old town. It’s therefore possible to walk between the main sights, which makes it a budget-friendly city break, as well as an easy one.
If you’re visiting Bratislava, spend some time wandering through the streets of the old town and see the city’s sole surviving medieval fortification, Michael’s Gate, which dates from the 14th century. When I first saw it, I thought it was absolutely beautiful, especially when the street is lit up at night. There are some traditional restaurants in this part of the city where you can try some Slovakian cuisine in a local restaurant.
The old town square has the Old Town Hall. This houses the Bratislava City Museum, and you can climb up the 45-metre high tower to view the city’s main sights. Nearby is another beautiful square with a striking pink-coloured building, the nearby Primate’s Palace, which you can go inside for a fee.
Bratislava also has a small red-roofed castle that sits on a hill overlooking the river. This landmark probably best symbolises Bratislava: it dominates the skyline and is captivating when it is lit up at night. If you go inside, you can go to the Slovak National Museum.
If you then fancy a walk slightly outside of the old town, visit out to the unique Art Nouveau ‘Blue Church’.
Afterwards, you can explore the EUROVEA Waterfront complex and then head across the river to the UFO observation deck. The views from 95 metres high are wonderful – you can see right out over the river and beyond.
Riga, Latvia
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is the second of the European capitals in the Baltic countries on The Sunday Times list of affordable cities in Europe. And it’s another ideal place for a city break. I’ve been twice and enjoyed myself both times.
It’s a place where your money goes that bit further. Eating out is fairly cheap, and accommodation is reasonably priced.
And if you’re in the city for a while and visiting lots of different places, the Riga Pass can help as it offers a range of discounts for various sights, plus a free hop-on/hop-off bus tour.
What is there to do in Riga on a city break?
As with many of the cities on my list, there’s a lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site old town to spend time in when you visit. This has a charming warren of medieval streets which are perfect for pottering around and admiring the fine buildings and architecture.
These include the 14th century House of the Black Heads, the three unique buildings standing together called The Three Brothers, and St Peter’s Church with a 70-metre high observation deck from where you can look out over the city. There’s also Riga Cathedral and Dome Square, the largest square in Riga Old Town.
This part of the city also has a small, modest castle (the official residence of the country’s President) and the Powder Tower, which houses the Latvian War Museum. For eating out, there are bars and restaurants here serving local food.
There are more significant sights near the canal and Bastejkalna Park. There’s the Freedom Monument, a huge 43-metre high obelisk that honours the country’s independence. Nearby, there are several history museums and the Latvian National Opera House.
A fun way to see some of the sights is to hop on a boat. As you sail past the sights, you’ll see the distinctive buildings that comprise Riga Central Market. Once World War I Zeppelin hangars, the structures were converted to a market in 1930. This is a great place to visit if you want to pick up some tasty and cheap food.
There is a range of fascinating museums to visit on a trip to Riga, covering a variety of interests. If you have time, walk out to the The Corner House, the headquarters of the KGB in Riga. There’s an interesting (and free) museum here, and if you book in advance, you can see the cells.
If you’re walking from the old town to the Corner House, you’ll pass the spectacular and eye-catching Riga Nativity Cathedral, an orthodox cathedral at the side of a small grassy park.
And for day trips out of the city, head out towards the Baltic Sea coast. Jurmala is near to Riga (a train journey of 20 to 50 minutes). It’s a place for relaxation: it has a long sweeping sandy beach, a forest park, a nature park, and a waterpark.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany’s capital city, is another popular destination, with something to offer everyone looking for a fabulous city break in central Europe. It’s another top European city to visit and another that is listed as an affordable place to visit in Europe.
There are countless cultural attractions here: museums and historical sites to explore, many of which are free and easy to see as you wander around (although you might also find it useful to check out what value you can get from the Berlin WelcomeCard if you plan to visit a few of the museums that do charge entrance fees).
There are also parks and a river, which again don’t cost anything to explore. Many of these are within walking distance of each other, so you may be able to save costs on transport to get around.
What is there to do in Berlin on a city break?
Unsurprisingly, given this is Germany’s capital city, there is loads to do in Berlin on a city break.
As you wander around, you mustn’t miss top sights such as the Brandenburg Gate, a 26 metre high monument. This is one of the most famous sights in the city. It is just a short walk from the River Spree and the Reichstag building, the seat of the German Parliament.
You can go up to the observation deck in the Reichstag Building for panoramic views across the city (note, however, that there is a cost attached to this).
From here, you can walk to the Holocaust Memorial and the information centre underneath, and then into the Tiergarten. This is the city’s largest park. It has a massive statue in it to mark the Prussian victory over Denmark in mid 1900s, as well as the 18th century Presidential Palace. Germany’s oldest zoo is also in the Tiergarten.
Other things to do in Berlin include seeing Checkpoint Charlie, a former Berlin Wall border crossing, taking a boat trip along the River Spree, and visiting one of the city’s top museums.
Among these are the incredible Jewish Museum (I’d definitely recommend visiting this if you can), the Wall Museum near Checkpoint Charlie, and the five world-class museums on ‘Museum Island’ in the middle of the river.
You can also learn more about the Berlin Wall and see some street art in the East Side Gallery. This is another thing to put on your Berlin itinerary if you’re looking for free things to do in Berlin.
See my separate post for more information on the best places to visit in Berlin on a short break or day trip.
Montpellier, France
Montpellier is another place on my list of cheap European cities to visit by virtue of making it onto The Sunday Times list of 24 of the best affordable city breaks in Europe.
Nestled in the heart of the south of France, it’s a captivating city and another popular tourist destination. I loved it when I visited last year. It has a plethora of attractions – many of them free, as they’re places to wander around and admire.
What is there to do in Montpellier on a city break?
Montpellier is another place where the main attractions in the city are fairly close together. I’d therefore recommend walking between them and following my itinerary if you can.
This starts in the grand Place de la Comédie. This large plaza is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the 18th century Opera House. There’s a buzzy vibe here: it’s a busy place, with street performers, a fairground carousel, and café bars with outdoor seating.
From here you can explore the old town and its narrow medieval streets and small squares. The impressive neo-gothic Saint Roch de Montpellier church is in this area, and there is a small (with free admission) exhibition centre, the Gallerie Saint-Ravy.
You can then walk up to the city’s Arc de Triomphe, the Porte du Peyrou, and go through it and into the Place Royale du Peyrou. This is a large open park framed by treelined walkways with a huge equestrian statue of Louis XIV in the centre and a water tower at the end.
The Jardin des Plantes, France’s oldest botanical garden, is not far away. It’s a place to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a really calm, peaceful place, with lots of shady parts to get out of the sun in summer.
Afterwards, you can cross the road and wander down to see Montpellier Cathedral with its unique porch and pillars, before going back into the old town.
Other top things to do in Montpellier include viewing art in the Musée Fabre (entrance is free with the Montpellier City Card), heading out to the beach (the sea is just 11 kilometres away), and eating out in the Marche du Lez.
The city’s location also means it’s easy to day trip to other places, such as Avignon, with its magnificent Popes’ Palace, and Arles, with its ancient ruins and Roman Forum.
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cardiff, the capital city of Wales in the United Kingdom, is steeped in history and culture. It is around 2 hours by train from London. The beautiful Georgian city of Bath is one hour by train and Bristol is around 50 minutes. The Cotswolds is around an hour’s drive.
The Sunday Times article states that it is a cheaper city to visit than London, Belfast and Edinburgh (around a third cheaper than Edinburgh). So, if you’re looking for a city to visit and one that is well-located for other places, plan a city break here.
What is there to do in Cardiff in a city break?
Cardiff is home to various attractions, from ancient monuments to modern sites.
You can see these if you book onto walking tours around the city (including this one that Dr Who fans will love that covers some of the filming locations!).
One of Cardiff’s most significant attractions is Cardiff Castle, a medieval castle that stands in the heart of the city. It was originally built by the Normans in 1081 and has undergone many changes since then.
The eye-catching Norman Keep remains. If you climb the steps to the top, there are sweeping views across the area. You can also go into the apartments and see the opulent rooms inside.
Right by the castle is Bute Park, the castle park. This area spans 130 acres and contains gardens, woodland, and trails. There are also tea rooms you can stop off in. It’s an ideal place to take a stroll after visiting Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff Bay is also worth visiting. This is the largest waterfront development of its type in Europe, and has restaurants, bars, and shops. You can catch a boat here and sail around the area. There’s also a wetland centre, and Techniquest, an interesting interactive science centre.
Cardiff is a great place for city break in the UK. If you’re staying for longer than just a couple of days, its location means there are other interesting attractions nearby that you can also visit.
Caerphilly Castle and Castell Coch are both a few miles from the city centre. A little further away is the Brecon Beacons National Park. This has the highest peak in South Wales – Pen y Fan – which reaches a height of almost 900 metres, and has some of the best hikes in the region.
You can book trips to the Brecon Beacons here.
Cheap European cities to visit: top tips and best ways for keeping costs down
Aside from researching destinations and looking to visit some of the cheaper/ cheapest places, there are other things you can do on a trip to cut costs and keep to a reasonable budget:
- Consider the time of year that you visit. Going to some places in the winter months may be cheaper, both in terms of flights and accommodation. If winter does not constitute a destination’s peak season, then there is likely to be the added advantage of fewer crowds to contend with during your stay.
- Use public transportation to get around. This will be cheaper than booking an organised tour and in some places – including many of the ones on my list – it’s really cheap to hop on a bus or train.
- Walk around the main sights if you can. Several of the cities in my collection here have small city centres which make it possible to visit the main attractions on foot. You’ll also no doubt get to see many other things en route if you do this.
- Consider purchasing city cards. Although you may not want to pay the face value cost of the card, if you plan to go into several attractions and museums, it often works out to be good value for money. This is especially the case when you add in that many of them include free public transport and discounts on other things such as local restaurants.
- Research your accommodation. Are there budget places you can stay, or areas just outside of the main sights that are more reasonably priced? Are there any deals available with third-party booking sites? Are you willing to book hostels?
Cheap European cities to visit
If you visit any of the places on my list, I hope you have a great time – especially if you’re visiting them for the first time. For other ideas to inspire you for your next European city break, see my website.
