pints

AUTUMN is the perfect time for a city break holiday abroad.

Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and quieter restaurants – there’s something to be said for a long weekend post-summer.

And with hundreds of countries under our belts, as the Travel Team at The Sun, we know which are the best spots to visit after summer but before winter is in full swing.

Here are our favourite cities to visit this autumn, along with our top tips, cheap pints and very affordable flights thrown in.

Warsaw, Poland

Known as the Grinch by friends due to my ambivalence to Christmas, Warsaw is the perfect place to visit in autumn before the festive season takes over.

Not only is it also frequently named one of the cheapest city break destinations, but it was named top city to visit by European Best Destinations 2026.

The architecture of the city is stunning, with historic 17th century buildings compared to the more modern Brutalist blocks.

Start with a wander around the beautiful Old Town which was reconstructed after WWII, when 85 per cent of it was destroyed.

Then head over to the Neon Museum, with hundreds of huge neon signs from the Cold War (one to get your camera out for, definitely).

The food scene is fantastic too – I highly rate Momu which specialises in Polish dishes using a smoke-roasting oven, or huge food hall Hala Koszyki which was the first of its kind in the city.

You can find really cheap hotels – ibis budgets start from as little as £35 (so £17.50 each), while Ryanair flights are £30 return. So a mega cheap holiday!

Or you can find two-night city breaks for just over £100pp with loveholidays. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Lisbon, Portugal

The Portuguese capital comes into its own in autumn, with oodles of sunshine and warm temperatures perfect for exploring its maze of hilly streets, grand squares and spectacular architecture.

I’ve just returned from a perfect weekend break that went beyond the tourist trail with the help of the new Andaz Lisbon hotel (rooms from £242 a night).

Just steps from the grand, riverfront square Praca do Comercio, the hotel in a former grand bank has a spectacular rooftop restaurant and bar.

Their exclusive experiences pair you with locals to delve deeper – like renowned street artist Migeul Brum who not only gave us a whistle-stop tour of some incredible murals and installations but allowed us to get hands on and create our own with a graffiti workshop.

Their Seven Hills by Night revealed some of the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods for fun after dark.

We sipped classic cocktails in hidden speakeasy Foxtrot and enjoyed a live performance of traditional Fado music at Bohemia Lx Se.

And for a glimpse of the glorious seafaring history, a tuk tuk tour took us to the arty district of Belem where we explored the Belem Tower and Monument to the Discoveries.

And of course, no visit to the district would be complete without sampling the irresistible custard tarts at the original bakery, Pastels de Belem.

Flights to Lisbon from £14.99 from the UK. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Tallin, Estonia

The capital of Estonia might not be your first thought for a city break but it should be. 

With a three-hour flight time, the city is far enough away to feel a bit more of an autumn chill but not so far that the flight feels like a strain.

Tallinn is an easy city to walk around; all the main sights are close to each other, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.

Here you’ll find Gothic spires, cobbled alleyways and the Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum which even explores the city’s coffee culture. 

And everything is super cheap – I managed to visit the KGB Prison Cells and then grab lunch afterward for around £15.

A pint will set you back a few euros, as will a PINT of hot chocolate – yes really.

The benefit of go in autumn  is that the freezing weather of winter hasn’t quite kicked in yet and you can enjoy exploring the city crowd-free.

With LastMinute.com, you could head away for three nights to Citybox Tallinn City Center Hotel, which has a modern interior and light airy rooms for £194pp for three nights including flights. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Seville, Spain

Seville is the Spanish city that comes alive in shoulder season – seeing as summer has unbearable highs that approach 40C.

But that drops off in autumn, meaning you can get some post-summer warmth within just a few hours.

And there are some fantastic, must-see attractions, from the Seville Cathedral (the largest gothic cathedral in the world) and the Moorish Royal Alcazar of Seville.

Skip the expensive flamenco shows and watch the many free performances in the parks.

The ultimate cheap breakfast is at Bar Alfafa, a tiny restaurant squeezed between two roads where you will find coffee and toast for just €2.10 (£1.78), as long as you can find a table between the locals.

The beauty of Spain is that wine is cheap (expect to pay around €2-€3 (£1.69-£2.54) per glass), but head to the local chain 100 Montaditos where you can get beers for under €1.50 (£1.27).

TUI has three-night breaks for as little as £180 each, with your hotel and flights thrown in. 

Cheap booze, quick flights and 28C highs in autumn – what more could you want? Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Vilnius, Lithuania

If you aren’t still longing after lounging about on beaches or sun-searching, but are ready to embrace autumn in all its glory, I’d say a trip to Vilnius is on the cards.

The capital of Lithuania, especially its medieval Old Town is beautiful with cobblestone streets, towering church towers and shops with autumnal window displays.

With its old-school look, I felt almost as if I’d stepped back in time.

It’s quiet too as Lithuania gets far fewer visitors in general than the likes of Spain or Portugal.

When I popped out early on a Sunday morning for a wander around the Old Town, it was practically deserted.

To make it even better, food and drink is cheap too. One cafe called Vynomanai sold coffee for €2 (£1.70) and beer for €3 (£2.55).

The best snack I tried and a must-try is called kepta duona. Essentially it’s fried bread in garlic – which is like the UK’s version of pork scratchings.

Flights start from £19 with Ryanair, or Loveholidays has seven-night breaks from £249pp. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is big on nature. Canals weave between its Baroque buildings and the cobblestone streets are lined by bushy trees that look even more spectacular in the autumn months, painting the streets in shades of red and orange.

While summer time is all about beer, the coming months focus on hot and cosy tipples like Warme Chocolademelk (Dutch Hot Chocolate) and Gluwhein (similar to mulled wine), both from around €4.

Grab yourself a glass from one of the traditional brown bars which tend to feature large windows from which visitors can watch the world go by, drink in hand.

Make sure to gobble back some Dutch classics. Comfort food is a staple in these parts and autumn is the perfect time of year to sample them.

Keep your eyes peeled for Stamppot, a hearty dish, made of mashed potato, sausages and sauerkraut – Moeders in the Jordaan whips up a truly authentic version.

Make sure to pick up some stroopwafels, too, a classic sweet treat which comprises of sticky caramel sandwiched between two thin, circular waffles.

You can still bag EasyJet flights from around £25 from London airports in November this year. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Tirana, Albania

It takes around three hours to reach the capital of Albania and once you’re there, there is plenty to do over a weekend at a leisurely pace. 

In the centre of the city, visit Skanderbeg Square, the city’s central plaza featuring a towering clock tower. 

Another top spot is the free Pyramid of Tirana – it’s a bit of a work-out to reach the top but the view of the city is well worth it. 

And if there is one thing you shouldn’t miss, make sure to visit Bunk’Art 1 & 2 which are massive underground Cold War bunkers converted into museums, including one all about surveillance.

Street food will cost you a few quid and coffee or a pint is under £2 each. 

What’s even better is that return flights cost as little as £28 per person. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Paris, France

I can think of no better place than Paris to transition you from summer, seamlessly into the cosy season. For me, it’s the shopping that draws me back year after year.

It is the fashion capital of the world, after all.

So make sure to travel with an empty suitcase so you can pick out your winter wardrobe while you’re here from the many vintage boutiques littered around the Le Marais district in the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements.

Here you’ll find classic kilo shops that sell bargain items priced by weight – you could pick up a whole outfit for €15.

Plus the city is just a hop, skip and a jumper over the Channel, reachable by plane, train or car – take your pick.

The culinary scene is another huge draw in autumn, too. Now is time to trade out the rosé wine for something more wintry and, in my opinion, no where in the world produces better red wine than France.

Le Barav, in the same region as the vintage shops, houses a wine shop on one side and restaurant on the other.

You can go and pick your wine for a supermarket price and then pay a €7 corkage fee to drink it in the restaurant area while tucking into a cracking charcuterie and cheese platter.

Wowcher city breaks with flights included start from £99. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

NOT a lot beats the feeling of having that first pint on holiday – but it would taste even better if it was a fraction of the cost too.

Jet2 has found the cheapest holiday destinations for a beer where the average pint costs less than £3.

At the very top of the list for cheapest pints is Tunisia, which comes in at £1.27 – this is £3.74 less than that of the UK where an average pint stands at £5.01.

From the UK, Tunisia is around three hours away and it’s a great autumn and winter sun option for Brits too as in October temperatures can reach 25C.

In November, temperatures in Tunisia can be as high as 20C and even in December it can be 16C – at that time in UK, highs only reach 8C.

Return flights in December can be as cheap as £48 too.

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The most popular spots in Tunisia include Hammamet which is known for its long sandy shores and Sousse, a lively resort town.

On a recent trip to Tunisia, Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot explored the island off the coast called Djerba.

Lisa said: “Relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Djerba is a great-value option for those looking to explore beyond the Med favourites.

“Sizzling in summer, temperatures remain high all the way through to November and rarely dip below the 20Cs, even in the depths of winter, making it ideal for out-of-season sunshine.”

Jet2Holidays has a break to the 3-star Les Orangers Beach Resort which is seven-nights all-inclusive departing from Manchester on May 25 2027 from £839pp.

The resort has an outdoor pool with lots of activities and it’s close to a sandy beach and Hammamet’s Old Town.

The next spot is shared by Bulgaria and the Czech Republic which both have an average beer cost of £1.74.

Bulgaria has everything you need for a great holiday from vibrant cities like Sofia to coastal resorts like Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Albena.

One-way flights to Sofia can be as little as £14 – and returns can cost under £30.

Czech Republic is the perfect city break for Brits thanks to being two hours away and it has one-way flights from £17.

The city’s capital of Prague is filled with history with a huge Cathedral , old town squares and beer culture – which is easier to get involved with when pints cost less than £2.

3-star Comfort Hotel Prague City East, 3 nights bed and breakfast departing from Leeds Bradford on November 2, 2026 from £497pp.

The American-style hotel has a huge lobby and restaurant area – and the nearest tram shops is right outside the entrance.

Other top spots include Hungary which has an average beer price of £2.08.

The capital, Budapest, is also known for having lots of thermal baths – it has 123 natural hot springs and 50 thermal bathhouses.

Coming in fifth on the list is Portugal where beer is an average of £2.14 per pint.

Brits can easily head to the Algarve, known for its beautiful beaches, or the Silver Coast which is much less crowded but still has an incredible coastline.

David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Jet2, said: “We know that value matters to our customers, and that doesn’t just mean getting a great deal when booking their holiday. It’s about how far their spending money goes once they arrive too.

“With destinations including Portugal, Spain, Turkey and Croatia offering beers for considerably less than the UK average, there are plenty of places where customers can enjoy some sunshine or a city break and make their holiday money stretch that little bit further.”

Here are the 10 destinations where your beer money goes further…

1. Tunisia – average beer £1.27

2. Bulgaria – average beer £1.74

3. Czech Republic – average beer £1.74

4. Hungary – average beer £2.08

5. Portugal – average beer £2.14

6. Montenegro – average beer £2.39

7. Spain – average beer £2.56

8. Turkey – average beer £2.77

9. Poland – average beer £2.92

10. Croatia – average beer £2.99

BY October, the hot summer weather starts to dwindle out, as autumn begins to creep in.

But if you’re looking to relive those dizzy sunshine highs, there are some fantastic short-haul holiday deals we’ve found that will cost you as little as £135 each.

Temperatures in these spots still hit the mid-twenties, meaning eating al fresco is a completely normal decision rather than a cold survival test.

But a dirt-cheap package is only half the story – once you land, you still want to afford lunch or a crisp, cold beer without breaking the bank.

So, I’ve factored in local resort prices too, so your spending money goes miles further.

Hot weather, cheap booze, and a break from chilly UK – what more could you want?

1. Carvoeiro, Portugal – from £135pp

Taking the top spot on our board for the absolute cheapest October escape is Carvoeiro.

It’s the Algarve at its finest: gorgeous views over the sea, white-walled village streets, and long, lazy outdoor lunches that take up the entire afternoon.

October serves up temperatures in the mid-twenties, and local cafés serve up cold Super Bock beers for just over £2.50.

I found five nights self-catering at Colina Village for just £135pp, flying direct from London Gatwick on October 31, 2026.

And here, you get a full spacious apartment rather than a standard hotel room.

But my favourite feature, by far, is its heated indoor pool – so if you get a rogue, overcast hour in late October, you can retreat for a warm swim without missing a beat.

2. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria – £145pp

Sunny Beach pairs a huge beach with some of the lowest local prices in Europe – local beach venues serve up large glasses of wine for just over £3, meaning you can stay out for dinner without keeping a nervous eye on your bank balance.

The early-October forecast shows reliable 24C highs, which sounds a whole lot better than putting the central heating on at home.

I tracked down five nights self-catering at Aparthotel Cote Da Zure for £145pp, flying direct from London Luton on October 4, 2026.

The kitchenette layout in these apartments is ideal for grabbing quick poolside breakfasts before heading down to the sea. Lovely jubbly.

3. Acharavi, Corfu – £150pp

Acharavi sits on Corfu’s scenic northern coast, serving up a gorgeous beach and a slow, authentic Greek pace. Perfect for an October wind-down.

October temperatures hover right around 23C here, and you can grab five nights room-only at Tzilios Studios for £150pp, flying direct from London Gatwick on October 13, 2026.

And I should say, room-only is the smart play here as it means you can explore the Greek tavernas for breakfast rather than sticking to a hotel clock, and evening beers with a view cost around £5.

The hotel also sits barely 400 metres from the sand and features its own quiet garden pool area surrounded by olive trees. A proper bit of me.

4. Zaton, Croatia – £155pp

Zaton combines crystal-clear water with direct access to the historic streets of Zadar, where you combine beach time paired with proper local sightseeing, and October highs here regularly touch 26C.

I found five nights room-only at Zaton Holiday Resort for £155pp, flying direct from London Luton on October 10, 2026.

Waterfront restaurants down by the harbour sell local draught beers for around four quid.

But back at the hotel, you get access to nine pools, a massive beach area, authentic Croatian food and top-shelf cocktails, so I wouldn’t blame you if you never left…

5. Icmeler, Turkey – £155pp

Icmeler wraps around a green, mountain-backed bay that delivers a far more relaxed atmosphere than neighbouring Marmaris – and October highs of 26C.

I spotted five nights self-catering at Club Ekinci Palace for £155pp, flying direct from Manchester on October 10, 2026.

The resort centre sits a flat ten-minute walk away, where local bars advertise cold Efes beers for just over £3.

The hotel itself packs a massive outdoor pool complete with its own waterslide, keeping daytime entertainment on site completely free too.

6. Guardamar del Segura, Spain – £155pp

Guardamar is a Costa Blanca gem for travellers who want miles of untouched, dune-backed sand without stepping anywhere near Benidorm.

You get long sunny lunches, wide beaches, and up to 25C heat in October.

And I found a great deal here too: five nights room-only at Playas de Guardamar for £155pp, flying direct from Bristol on October 4, 2026.

Local beachfront bodegas offer glasses of regional Spanish wine for around £3, with the hotel set up right by the beach and literally steps directly out onto the sand.

7. Manilva, Spain – £160pp

Manilva is a peaceful Costa del Sol spot built for quiet beach stops and finding low-key seafood spots that don’t charge tourist-trap prices.

You can lock in five nights at Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol for £160pp, flying direct from Bournemouth on October 11, 2026 on a self-catering basis.

Along with 26C highs in October, local tapas bars near the hotel serve up cold draught beer for under £3 a pint.

This is another hotel where you’re bagging yourself a brilliant apartment as your room, and each has a wide, covered terrace with an outdoor dining table, giving you a brilliant private space for alfresco drinks overlooking the coast.

8. El Arenal, Majorca – £170pp

Majorca typically holds onto 23C weather well into October, making it ideal for a low-cost break where the agenda consists purely of warm weather, a few drinks and good food.

Early this October, I tracked down five nights at Ahoi! Urban Beach for £170pp, flying direct from London Stansted on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

This deal even takes care of breakfast upfront so you can get straight out each day and local beach bars serve up pints for less than four quid.

This hotel has recently received a modern, boutique refurbishment, and it feels far sleeker than standard budget options – I love that it sits just two streets back from the main beach strip. Ideal.

9. Tholos, Rhodes – £170pp

Rhodes is one of my absolute favourite spots for wringing every last drop of summer out of the year, with October temperatures comfortably averaging 24C and Tholos (also known as Theologos) on the west coast is far quieter than Faliraki, making it an ideal base for exploring the island.

You can grab five nights at Sunlight Studios for £170pp, flying direct from London Stansted on October 15, 2026 on a self-catering basis.

Local tavernas line the village in Tholos, where a large glass of local Greek wine costs around the £4 mark.

But the standout feature at Sunlight Studios is the layout: every room comes with a private balcony looking out towards the sea, allowing you to catch the famous west-coast Mediterranean sunsets right from your room.

10. Agadir, Morocco – £175pp

If guaranteed heat is your non-negotiable, Agadir is where I’d send you first in Autumn.

October here serves up consistent 26C sunshine alongside a massive, golden beach and a flat seafront promenade that’s ideal for evening walks.

I found five nights at the Hotel Agyad Morocco for £175pp, flying direct from Dublin on October 7, 2026 on a room-only basis.

Local prices here are remarkably cheap too – head down to the traditional fishing port and you can grab a plate of freshly grilled local fish for around 60 dirhams, which is roughly £4.80.

The hotel itself sits a short ten-minute stroll from the main beach, but the real insider win is its massive, quiet garden pool terrace.

And because it stays sheltered from Atlantic breezes, the pool gives you a perfect suntrap to tan, dip, dry and repeat all week.