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10 cheapest European city breaks for a weekend away
The destinations that should be on your radar
Post Office Travel has named the cheapest city breaks in Europe to choose over the more established likes of Paris and Amsterdam.
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Offering all the culture, food and beautiful attractions without the price tag, the new list of little-known cities comes at a time when overtourism in Europe's capitals is a major issue.
Compiled with Airbnb to also bring you the places where you’ll find affordable accommodation, Post Office’s report revealed lesser-known Lviv in western Ukraine as the cheap short break of the moment at £137.42 for two people.
This was based on the cost of 10 holiday staples (including a bottle of sparkling wine, two nights' Airbnb accommodation for two, three-course dinner, bike hire for one day).
In Unesco-protected Lviv, you can experience all the charm of Prague or Krakow without the crowds. Its cobbled streets, coffeehouses and trams make for an authentic, cheap break.
Here are the top 10 cheap city breaks Europe has to offer, along with Post Office's prices for 10 typical holiday items. It's worth noting that these prices don't include the cost of flying.
Lviv, Ukraine
This unsung European city has the charm of cities like Prague and Krakow but with fewer tourists. At £137.42 for 10 holiday items, including £55 for two nights' Airbnb accommodation (we like this one), this is a fine choice for a cheap city break in Europe.
Tirana, Albania
Runner-up Tirana has transformed over the last 10 years and offers great cafe culture, cuisine and charm for £15.43, including £49 for two-nights' Airbnb (try this one), which comes in cheaper than Lviv.
Katowice, Poland
This southern Polish city makes for a lovely alternative to Warsaw and Krakow. You'll find 10 typical holiday items for a weekend away costing £191.72, including a two-night stay at an Airbnb for around £62 and cocktails for two for as little as £8.08.
Kosice, Slovakia
With its Gothic towers, historic central square and quirky bars, this medieval city makes for an interestingly cheap weekend away. A city break will cost you an average of £195.52, including £74 for two nights at an Airbnb (try this one).
Kaunas, Lithuania
Kaunas' fairytale vibes come from its attractive architecture, which you can browse on a city break at £236.79, including an Airbnb for as little as £56 (we like this one) and transfers from the airport to the city centre for less than £1 each.
Antalya, Turkey
A pretty port city, Antalya sits on Turkey's famous Turquoise Coast, which means when you're not exploring its historical delights, you can hit the sun-kissed beaches. A weekend away costs around £245.57, including £63 for an Airbnb, (take a look at this one).
Bari, Italy
A southern Italian gem, Bari is often overlooked by visitors to Puglia. The port city offers excellent food, an old town and great connections to Greece, Albania and Croatia. A short break will cost you around £294.38 for 10 holiday staples, including £98 for a stay at an Airbnb, such as this.
Moscow, Russia
One of only two well-known cities in Post Office's cheap breaks list, Moscow can be surprisingly affordable, with mini-breaks costing £336.26, including around £75 for a stay at an Airbnb (try this one).
Lisbon, Portugal
The second of the cities you may have already considered visiting, Lisbon remains an affordable gem at £378.12, with Airbnbs (like this one) at around £147 for two nights. It's more than double the price of Lviv but cheaper than Amsterdam, where previous Post Office research showed a short break can cost around £444.29 for two.
Alkmaar, Netherlands
For an alternative to Amsterdam, try Alkmaar in North Holland, known as the city of cheese. A short break costs around £409.96 (still cheaper than Amsterdam), including £170 for two nights in an Airbnb (we like this one).
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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