Top 5 Spots in Europe for a Cheap Holiday Weekend

Any destination can be affordable if you know the right places to go and the best people to ask, dear lazy penguins. Locals can often be the key to finding amazing restaurants with cheap prices or bars which have deals that can make both you and your wallet happy.

Europe is a fantastic continent for its history, architecture and exciting array of cultures, but it also has some great spots for bargain holidays! If you’re a bit spontaneous, there are some great ways to score deals on the continent – it’s worth paying attention to deal sites like Last Minute for a city break. Here, we look at five of the best spots in Europe for a cheap holiday weekend.

Budapest

Bridges over the Danube
Bridges over the Danube

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Museum Mile
Museum Mile

Budapest continues to top online polls and lists as one of the cheapest cities in Europe for a weekend break. With low-cost flights and accommodation, this is one city that cannot be ignored. Culture vultures will also be content as there are plenty of inexpensive activities available. Walk across the bridges over the Danube, visit ‘Museum Mile,’ or find an affordable Hungarian thermal spring to relax in!

Barcelona

Barcelona
Barcelona
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La Rambla of Barcelona
La Rambla of Barcelona
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Steer clear of Las Ramblas, the touristy boulevard with overpriced food and costumed hawkers, and head to the labyrinth of alleyways in the Gothic quarter for cheaper tapas and sangria in Barcelona. Neighbourhoods out of the central area also have plenty of places to eat and drink at budget prices, as well as plenty of galleries and other fun sites to check out. Gracia is one of the hipper restaurants in town, and is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. Let’s not forget that Barcelona is the shopping capital of Spain, and cheap holidays don’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a little bit of retail therapy!

Istanbul

Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar

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Traditional Turkish coffee
Traditional Turkish coffee

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The Turkish capital boasts a range of cheap places to stay and a plethora of fantastic experiences to entertain visitors. East meets west in the city and there are plenty of cultural events that will cost you absolutely nothing. Why not haggle for cheap prices in the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, or stop for a traditional Turkish coffee in one of the many affordable cafés

Prague

Prague
Prague

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Hradčany
Hradčany

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Long known as a stag do weekend mecca, Prague has much more to offer than just cheap pints of beer and appealing nightlife. It is one of the most inexpensive cities to travel around so you can experience everything the city has to offer at an affordable price. A three-course meal for two will only set you back £15.64 on average, so wining and dining doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune.

Sofia

Sofia
Sofia

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Vitosha mountain
Vitosha mountain

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Bulgaria has seen a rise in popularity for weekend breaks and Sofia, the capital city, is a favoured destination. Finding flights and accommodation at an affordable price is an easy task and Sofia has a lot to offer tourists in terms of sightseeing. The Vitosha mountain looms overhead and offers a cheap day out for hiking enthusiasts or why not marvel at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral? There is a real spirit and dynamic energy about Sofia that tourists can enjoy for free.

Never be intimidated by larger European cities, as these can often be the ones with the best secrets hidden in their streets, just waiting to be discovered by lazy penguins like us!