WHEN booking a city break, it can be hard to choose where to go with hundreds of cities to choose from.
Add in the fact that a lot are full of crowds most of the year round, the decision can feel a little like a minefield.
The good news, though, is that there are loads of cities that don’t have the crowds and still have loads to see and do.
Whether you want a history-focused city break or more of a foodie-themed holiday, here are some lesser-known city breaks for under £250 per person:
Ditch Lisbon for Coimbra, Portugal
Instead of heading to the crowded cities of Lisbon or Porto, venture to Coimbra, which used to actually be the Portuguese capital.
The city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which is even a UNESCO World Heritage University.
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To see the university itself, head to the 18th-century Joanina Library which has Baroque architecture.
Plus, the city is only an hour from Porto.
You could stay at Hotel D. Luís, which sits on the banks of the River Mondego in the heart of the city.
The hotel has 100 rooms with TVs, private bathrooms and complimentary toiletries and there’s even a restaurant in the hotel and a buffet-style breakfast too.
A three-night stay for two people between September 15 and 18, flying from London Stansted, costs £159 per person.
Ditch Rome for Bologna, Italy
Instead of heading to Rome, venture to Bologna in Italy.
Known for being a major foodie city, Bologna is loved for its restaurants selling fresh pasta as well as having hundreds of red terracotta rooftops.
Head to Piazza Maggiore, which is the central square in the city, and visit the unfinished Basilica di San Petronio.
In the city, you could stay at Savhotel Fiera, which features chic modern rooms – the hotel also has a restaurant and buffet-style breakfast, as well as outdoor terraces.
A three-night stay for two people between July 29 and August 1, flying to Forli (about a half- hour drive from Bologna) from London Stansted, costs £199 per person.
Ditch Brussels for Ghent, Belgium
Instead of going to Brussels, head to the city of Ghent, often considered Belgium‘s best kept secret.
In the centre of the city, you’ll find no cars, as well as fascinating architecture.
The city is known for its three towers – the 14th century Belfry of Ghent, St Bavo’s Cathedral and St Nicholas’ Church.
You could stay at the ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort, which is conveniently close to the train station with 119 rooms, each with a TV and there is also a bar and buffet breakfast.
A three-night stay for two people between November 8 and 11, flying from London Heathrow to Brussels (a 28 minute train journey away) costs £249 per person.
Ditch Budapest for Sofia, Bulgaria
Both Budapest and Sofia have lots of grand architecture with socialist-era buildings.
Yet, despite being the capital of Bulgaria, not many people head to Sofia for a city break.
But this vibrant capital is super cheap and has a lot to see including ancient Roman ruins and a bustling cafe culture.
If you love the outdoors, you can head to Vitosha Mountain as well, which takes under 20 minutes from the city centre.
You could stay at the Lopera Guest House, which is just a short walk from some of the city’ s main sights, such as St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is just five minutes away.
Rooms each have a private bathroom, as well as all the other features you’d expect.
You could stay for three-nights for two people between September 27 and 30, 2027, flying from London Stansted for £159 per person.
Ditch Berlin for Tirana, Albania
Like the German city of Berlin, Tirana has transformed historical spots in the city into creative attractions, with former communist structures now home to art galleries.
Even though Tirana is the capital of Albania, you’ll be hard pressed to find a crowd.
When in the city explore the lively cafe culture and head to Bunk’Art & Bunk’Art 2 to explore declassified Cold War nuclear bunkers that are now home to museums.
You could stay at the four-star Hotel Boka, just a short walk from Skanderbeg Square – the city’s main square.
The hotel boasts 20 rooms, each with a TV and minibar.
There’s also a bar with snacks and then a continental breakfast in the morning.
You could stay for three nights for two people between December 2 and 5, flying from London Luton for £169 per person.
Ditch Prague for Vilnius, Lithuania
Much like Prague, Vilnius has a similar fairytale-like atmosphere with mediaeval churches, towering castles and cobblestone alleys.
The capital of Lithuania is known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town where you can head on a walking tour.
In fact, it is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe.
You could stay at the Panorama Hotel in the heart of Vilnius Old Town.
The hotel has 224 rooms with views of the Old Town’s rooftops.
There is an onsite restaurant too serving European food and a bar, as well as breakfast in the morning.
You could stay for three nights for two people between October 6 and 10, flying from London Stansted for £129 per person.
