City Break

FANCY a weekend exploring a new city in Europe?

You don’t have to spend a fortune or hours flying to have an amazing holiday.

Luckily there’s loads of amazing and affordable European cities right on our doorstep – and with cheap and speedy flights, you can tick them off more easily than you’d think.

With delicious street food, cheap beers and plenty of local history, these European city breaks will give you a short haul holiday to look forward to – all for less than £100 per person.

We’ve found destinations you can visit for two nights from £99 or under, including popular capital cities you can tick off your bucket list – plus all of the best things to see and do there.

So whether you want to explore hidden ruin bars in Budapest, catch sunsets at the beach in the Algarve, or visit quirky art galleries in Madrid, these breaks have something for everyone.

Here are 10 European gems where £99 covers both your flights and hotel, leaving you with more to spend when you land.

Prices were correct at time of publication.

Madrid – £99pp

For a sunny city break that’s big on style but easy on the wallet, Madrid is a total winner.

Spain‘s capital has masses of world-class art and architecture to explore.

To tick off some of the top sights, take in the regal beauty of the grand Palacio Real (The Royal Palace of Madrid), or visit the 15th-century Plaza Mayor to get into the real heart of Madrid.

The magnificent views don’t stop there. Make sure to take a visit to the 125 hectare El Retiro Park, where a visit to the stunning glass Crystal Palace won’t cost you a penny.

Art lovers can also hit the so-called Golden Triangle of galleries for free if they time it right.

The world-famous Prado offers free entry from 6 – 8pm from Monday – Saturday, whilst the Reina Sofía opens for free from 7pm Monday – Saturday (excluding Tuesdays).

The Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the trio, with free entry on Mondays and on Saturdays from 9pm.

Then, when hunger hits, skip the tourist traps and join the locals on Calle de la Cava Baja – one of the area’s most lively streets – for a tapas crawl, or grab a legendary calamari sandwich at La Campana for around €4.

Getting around is a breeze, too. While the city is incredibly walkable, the speedy Metro offers a 10-trip pass for just €7.30 (£6.36), plus kids under four travel for free.

Berlin – £89pp

Effortlessly cool and cost-friendly, Berlin is packed with things to see and do that won’t cost you a penny.

You can walk through the giant monument Brandenburg Gate, walk the 1,316 metre-long open-air East Side Gallery, or catch a free lunchtime concert at the Berlin Philharmonie at 1pm on Wednesdays.

For the largest open space in the city, head to Tempelhofer Feld. It’s a massive former airport where locals enjoy cycling, skating, jogging and cooking together in the BBQ zone. It’s the ultimate free hangout in the heart of the city.

Going for a night out in Berlin is a must. If you like your music loud and your beer cheap, go to Clash in Kreuzberg. It’s a legendary gritty spot with alternative music and affordable pints.

Prague – £99pp

Visit Prague for a city with a fairytale feel that won’t blow your budget.

To see the city at its best, set an early alarm to walk Charles Bridge at sunrise before the crowds arrive, or wander the sprawling Prague Castle courtyards and the peacock-filled Wallenstein Palace Gardens for free.

To sample some of Prague‘s best budget-friendly food, hunt down a deli for a traditional open-faced chlebíček sandwich for about CZK 30 (£1.09) or grab a massive slab of smažený sýr (fried cheese) from a street stall for around CZK 135 (£4.80).

One of the best ways to see the city is to hop on Tram 22. It’s essentially a sightseeing tour that goes past the National Theatre and right up to the gates of Prague Castle.

A standard 30-minute ticket costs 36 CZK (£1.28).

Budapest – £99pp

If you’re after a holiday with a high-end feel that won’t break the bank, Budapest is for you.

Hike up Gellért Hill for a panoramic sunset, or explore the fairytale lower turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion for free.

You’re not short of options when it comes to street food in Budapest. Head to the Great Market Hall to grab a massive, garlic-rubbed lángos (deep-fried flatbread) from 900 HUF (£2.04).

Plus no visit to Budapest is complete without trying a cylinder-shaped chimney cake, which you can buy from vendors across the city for around 1,000 HUF (£2.27).

A relaxing trip to the thermal baths is another must when in Budapest. Dandar is the cheapest option, and even cheaper if you visit on a weekday. An adult ticket costs 3,500 HUF (£8.08) during the week compared to 4,000 HUF (£9.23) on weekends and public holidays.

When night falls, dive into the legendary Jewish Quarter ruin pubs like Szimpla Kert, where you can grab a local pint amidst a maze of quirky, recycled decor.

Krakow – £99pp

Krakow is a European city that’s known for its affordability and great nights out – what more could you want from a city break?

Head to Wawel Royal Hill, where the castle courtyards and the fire-breathing dragon statue are free to visit, before crossing into the Kazimierz district to see its bohemian courtyard cafes and street art.

Plus you can visit the Rynek Underground Museum on a Tuesday for free entry, or take a walk through the Planty Park, a belt of vibrant green that surrounds the Old Town where the medieval defensive walls used to be.

For a lunch that costs less than a coffee back at home, hit a Milk Bar like Pod Temidą for a huge plate of pierogi for 29 zł (under £5.89), or grab a zapiekanka (a pizza-like giant baguette) in Plac Nowy for around £3.

Drinks are a steal too, with local beers in the city’s famous cellar bars still priced around £2.20.

Lloret de Mar, Spain – £77pp

Who can say no to a sun-soaked weekend away in Spain from just £77pp?

Follow the Camino de Ronda coastal path for a cliffside trail that leads to hidden, turquoise coves like Trons Bay and the peaceful Fenals Beach.

For even more beautiful views, explore the Santa Clotilde Gardens, where Renaissance-style terraces overlook the sea, or visit the colourful Sant Romà Church in the town centre.

When you get hungry, avoid the beachfront tourist traps and look for a Menu del Día in the backstreets, where you can get three courses and authentic dishes including seafood or paella from just €10 (£8.71).

The nightlife here is legendary for a reason – you can find bars offering cocktails for £5 and beers for under £3 at your pick of spots along the strip.

And if you’ve got time after all of those adventures, take the local Dolfi boat taxi to the nearby medieval town of Tossa de Mar for €30.40 (£26.46) return. It’s a scenic coastal cruise and a day trip to a castle overlooking the beach all in one.

Salou, Spain – £92pp

Big on thrills and little on costs, Salou is the crown jewel of Spain’s Costa Dorada.

For the best coastal views, walk the Camí de Ronda and dip into glimmering turquoise coves like Cala Crancs.

For an exciting day out, PortAventura World is renowned for its theme parks with rollercoasters and water parks with giant slides all in one place. You can grab a day pass from TUI for £37 per adult and £32 per child.

For a spectacular and free evening activity, head to the Jaume I Promenade to catch the Cybernetic Fountains – a vibrant display of water, music, and laser lights.

The nightlife here is famous for its value, with bars along the Carrer de Saragossa offering pints for €2 (£1.74) and free shots to get the party started.

For a slice of history, take a short bus ride to the nearby city of Tarragona where you can explore its UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheatre by the sea, and cool off with a gelato in the historic Old Town.

Le Raincy, France – £96pp

Le Raincy is a lesser-known French destination just 30 minutes from the Gare du Nord in Paris.

Its crown jewel is the Notre-Dame du Raincy – a modern church built entirely of concrete that shines with light thanks to its stunning floor-to-ceiling stained glass. Plus it’s completely free to visit.

Here you can wander the leafy, tranquil streets of this so-called garden city, a slice of peace and quiet away from the pace of central Paris.

For an authentic and affordable lunch, grab a freshly-baked baguette and some local cheese from a boulangerie on Avenue de la Résistance.

In the evenings there are plenty of cosy bars to dip into, like Le 40, where you can enjoy a glass of French wine and some charcuterie without the “tourist tax” of the city centre.

Lastminute.com offer a 2-night stay at Zenao Appart’hôtels Le Raincy Thiers, including return flights from Birmingham, for £96pp.

San Antonio, Ibiza – £95pp

If you want the White Isle experience without the price tag, San Antonio is the way to go.

Start evenings on the legendary Sunset Strip, where crowds gather on the rocks to watch everything from the sun dipping into the Mediterranean to a world-class DJ.

Or head to the Kumharas beach bar and market for a hippy vibe with live music, again perfect for watching the sunset.

Cocktails here will set you back €14 (around £12), but for the stunning views and beach club atmosphere, it’s very affordable compared to elsewhere in Ibiza.

To get your steps in and culture fix at the same time, follow a free street art tour through the town’s backstreets.

The nightlife in the West End is where the real savings are, with many bars offering “pre-club” drink deals that are a fraction of the £15+ you’d pay for inside the big venues.

Albufeira, Portugal – £95pp

Albufeira is one of the most affordable holiday destinations in the Algarve, and it’s equally as beautiful as it is budget-friendly.

Spend days exploring the whitewashed alleys of the Old Town, or wandering through rock tunnels to reach the golden sands of Praia dos Pescadores.

Plus the Pau da Bandeira viewpoint makes for the ultimate postcard-like photo of the coastline.

When night falls, the neon-lit strip in Montechoro is the place for bargain hunters, with happy hour pints at spots like Rock Time starting from just €1.95 (£1.70).

When it comes to transport, avoid the pricey taxi ranks and use the Giro local bus network to reach spots like the spectacular Praia da Falésia, with its red cliffs and endless golden sands.

WHEN you think of Oxford Street in London, your first thoughts might be massive crowds – but this is set to all change.

New plans are being made to completely revamp the UK’s busiest high street, with inspirations being drawn from another famous road in Spain; La Rambla.

Currently, Oxford Street welcomes around 500,000 visitors a day to over 300 shops which include Selfridges and the recently-opened Ikea.

But Oxford Street’s £150milllion revamp will see it pedestrianised between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, meaning more space for people to walk by replacing the roads with paths.

The man behind the massive Oxford Street project, Scott Parsons, admitted the street currently feels like a “hostile environment” and that he even used to walk out of his way to avoid Oxford Street.

He added that he wants to ditch the “dip in, dip out” vibe of the famous road, and instead make it a destination for visitors to “stroll and linger”.

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Both Mr Parsons and Seb Dance, London’s deputy mayor, said they were inspired by La Rambla in Barcelona, to see the “the benefits of pedestrianised streets for cities and the challenges of large-scale regeneration projects,” according to The Times.

In comparison, stretching just under three-quarters of a mile long, La Rambla is Barcelona‘s most iconic pedestrian area and welcomes around 150,000 people a day.

Along La Rambla, visitors can stop off at a number of destinations too including the Mercat de la Boqueria food market, the historic Liceu Theatre opera house and Miro’s Mosaic.

But over the recent years there have been a growing number of complaints that the spot has become a tourist trap as well.

In a bid to avoid this worsening, a £48million revamp is underway of La Rambla and is expected to be completed by February 2027.

To avoid the issues faced on La Rambla, the development of Oxford Street will need to make sure it doesn’t become full of kiosks that block the paths.

Not only that, but there will also need to be sufficient crowd management, while allowing restaurants and cafes stay open in the evenings to stop the street from becoming empty.

Locals are worried though, that the pedestrianisation will push the traffic out into the surrounding areas such as Soho and Mayfair.

Even Transport for London (TfL) is having to divert its bus routes for the pedestrianisation.

However, Parsons asserted that the current plan will “put Oxford Street back on the map… not just the map of London, but for the UK high street as a global icon”.

In addition, Sadiq Khan previously mentioned that the street will be returned to its “former glory” and rivals the likes of Champs-Elysees in Paris and Times Square in New York as well.

The first phase of the £150million project will be to ban cars on Oxford Street this summer between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch.

This will then be followed by banning buses, taxis and cyclists later in the year.

Temporary “public realm schemes” will also be put in place to “beautify” the street, before later being replaced by permanent schemes.

Permanent features will then include more trees, greenery, rest areas and spots for children to play in.

Once complete Oxford Street is set to “host world-class events, from sport to culture and fashion, as well as exciting new retail and leisure experiences”, according to Sadiq Khan.

And in the future, the pedestrianised zone could be expanded to Tottenham Court Road.

Around 63 per cent of Londoners agree with decision to make Oxford Street pedestrianised.

Sadiq Khan previously commented: “We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue.

He added that it will help to attract more international visitors, as well as create a “beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect”.

In other London news, the city’s ‘best family attraction’ is about to get even better – with huge new outdoor play area and cafe next month.

Plus, save up to £10 off top London attraction tickets.

CITY breaks are a perfect short-haul holiday option for Brits, and in some cases even top-tier ones won’t break the bank.

TravelSupermarket has found the cheapest five-star European city holidays and the Portuguese capital has topped the list at under £310pp.

TravelSupermarket found that the average price for a five-star break to Lisbon works out at £308pp.

On TravelSupermarket Sun Travel found some five-star accommodation deals for under £200.

A two-night city break at the VIP Grand Lisboa Hotel & Spa in March starts from £180pp – including flights.

The hotel has a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, room service, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and spa facilities.

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Another is The Vintage Lisboa where you can book a two-night city break in March from £269pp.

The boutique hotel is in the heart of the city and has modern interiors as well as a restaurant and bar.

Each room has a flatscreen TV, air conditioning and private bathroom with rain head shower.

It has a spa with a full menu of massages, as well as a sauna, steam bath, hammam and a gym.

The city itself is known for its steep streets, trams and its position on the coastline.

British expat Lauren Clark, who left her life in London for Lisbon reveals it’s an affordable city once you’re there too.

She even said that you can catch up with a friend over a glass of wine for the price of a coffee in the UK.

Lauren explained: “You can pick up a fruity ‘vinho verde’ from a quiosque or restaurant terrace, enjoyed in the sunshine, might set you back just a few euros.

“One of the reasons why the top-notch wine is so affordable – with a bottle of my favourite white costing around three euros in the supermarket – is because Portugal is covered in swathes of vineyards.”

Vinho verde translates to ‘green wine‘, but it’s not actually anything to do with colour.

What is actually refers to is the young age of the grapes.

When it comes to choosing where to drink – you can get views of the city if you go up high onto a rooftop bar.

One trendy place is Park Bar which is at the very top of a parking garage.

Here you can pick up a selection of beers and wines, sangria and some bar snacks – and on Sundays it serves up all-day brunch.

Another is Topo Chiado which has view downtown that one visitor described as ‘breathtaking’, and it has a DJ during the evenings.

While Lisbon is easily walkable it also has lots of trams – it has six different routes and 58 trams.

Lisbon tram tickets usually cost between €3.10 (£2.70) and €3.30 (£2.87) if you buy it onboard.

You can save money in Lisbon by getting a Lisboa card too, which you can buy from £27 and it then gives you access to 51 museums and galleries across the city.

Lisbon doesn’t have many main beaches for sunbathing as such – but just a short-ride away are some lovely coastal spots.

Two popular beaches are Praia da Ursa and Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo which are both less than an hour’s drive away from the city centre.

For Brits, Lisbon is easy to get to with direct flights taking just two hours and 50 minutes.

In April, flights from London Luton to Lisbon start from £21.

Eight airports across the UK offer direct flights including London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.

When it comes to other city break destinations, cheap five-star holidays include destinations like Krakow and Prague.

Berlin rounds out the top three at £357 per person on average.

Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket said: “There’s a real appetite among British travellers for luxury city breaks, but many assume five-star automatically means five-star prices.

“What this data shows is that destinations like Lisbon, Krakow and Berlin are delivering genuinely premium experiences at remarkably competitive price points.

“As ever, Eastern Europe in particular offers exceptional value, and with so much history, culture and food on offer in cities like Prague and Budapest.”

These are the top 10 destinations for a cheap five-star break…

Here are the cheapest destinations and the average price for a five-star city break in Europe from TravelSupermarket…

1. Lisbon – £308pp
2. Krakow – £321pp
3. Berlin – £357pp
4. Prague – £375pp
5. Budapest – £430pp
6. Venice – £500pp
7. Barcelona – £539pp
8. Rome – £555pp
9. Amsterdam – £633pp
10. Paris – £967pp

For more on cheap city breaks, here are some in Europe that are CHEAPER than an English train ticket.

And here is Europe’s ‘top trending city break’ destination has been revealed with flights for £15 and beers for £2.17.