These are the cheapest European cities to fly to this year according to the experts

ALREADY thinking of taking a break to Italy, France or further afield but don’t want to spend a huge amount?

Well, Skyscanner has revealed the top ten cheapest destinations to fly to for 2026 – and the first three with bargain flights are less than three hours away from the UK.

Claiming number one spot for cheapest city break is Lyon in France with an average return flight cost of £105.

However, there are one-way flights for as little as £17 in March with Wizz Air.

Lyon is the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, known for being a ‘foodie destination’ with plenty of traditional restaurants called ‘bouchons’.

The city is very walkable and easy to navigate with plenty of popular markets, ancient Roman ruins, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vieux Lyon, which has lots of Renaissance architecture.

Another tourist attraction is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière on top of Fourvière Hill where you can see across the city.

The second cheapest is the Italian city of Milan which is just over two hours away.

Skyscanner revealed it to have an average return flight price of £111 – but there are one-way flights from £15 in January with Ryanair.

The city is a hub of fashion, art and it’s where you’ll find the world’s oldest shopping mall still in operation, it’s called Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and dates back to the 1800s.

The mall is home to some very fancy shops and cafes including luxury fashion brands Versace, Dior and Fendi.

There is also Libreria Bocca, one of the oldest bookshops of its kind.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said Milan is one of her top spots for a weekend break, and revealed exactly where she’d recommend going.

She said: “First, get a pastry to go from Marchesi 1824, one of the city’s oldest bakeries for a classic breakfast of a cappuccino and croissant. While Milan is famous for its saffron risotto, a stop at a pizza bar is a must.

“I recommend Pizza AM where you even get free mini starters and prosecco.

“Squeeze in a quick visit of the famous Duomo di Milano as well as the Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to the famous Last Supper artwork.”

The third cheapest city break destination is the Spanish city of Madrid.

Skyscanner discovered average return flights of £114 – in February, you can get one-way flights from £15 with Ryanair.

A must-visit is the Parque del Retiro, a quiet park where you can rent a rowboat on a picturesque lake, pretty rose gardens and the historic Crystal Palace.

Or, enjoy a picnic at the lake of Casa de Campo, Madrid‘s largest public park.

Then head to the vibrant neighbourhood of Lavapies – full of energy and history, it is one of the best spots to get an authentic local experience in the city.

For the best views, head to the Sky Bar terrace on the 27th floor of the Hotel Riu Plaza Espana, in the grand Edificio Espana on Madrid’s Gran Via, offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.

To help Brits get the most out of their breaks, Skyscanner has launched its ‘Cheapest Destination Planner’.

First, head to the Skyscanner app – then select the month you want to travel.

The tool will reveal the top 10 cheapest destinations (on average) for that month.

You’ll see the top reasons to visit and average price for a return flight alongside the cheapest days to travel.

Once you’ve made your choice, click through to explore flights and/or hotel options for your chosen destination.

For more affordable breaks, these short-haul Europe trips for 2026 have flights under £15 and hotel rooms from £30.

Plus, this European city is where you can get coffee for £1.74 and beer for £2.62.