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12 of the cheapest autumn and winter city breaks

Photo of Anna HardyPhoto of Anna Hardy
By Anna Hardy

26 October 2019 | Updated 22 October 202410 min read

A view of the empty Praca do Comercio square as the sun rises with the ornate Rua Augusta triumphal arch on the left and the statue of King Joseph in the centre

Lisbon, Portugal Cheap eats and activities make Portugal's capital a city break steal.

The shoulder seasons and city breaks are getaway gold: the crowds have dwindled, the weather is ideal for sightseeing and package holiday prices are wonderfully cheap.

How cheap, we hear you ask? We’ve crunched the numbers to reveal where you’ll find a great value getaway across 12 of our most popular city break destinations. That’s all the classic cities, from Krakow to Paris, ranked on the median price of a three-night package holiday, a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant and a pint of a local beer.

Whether you’re after a food-filled weekend away or a museum-hopping adventure, here’s where to go for an affordable culture fix this autumn and winter.

1. Krakow, Poland

A view of Wawel castle in Krakow on a sunny dayA view of Wawel castle in Krakow on a sunny day

Known for its UNESCO-listed market square and fabulous museums, Krakow is a wonderful city break destination come rain or shine.

It’s also a budget traveller’s paradise that has affordable accommodation in the city centre and excellently priced food. Expect three-course meals for two to cost around £38 and cool attractions that can be easily explored on foot.

See St Florian’s Gate and climb the Bugle Tower’s 239 steps (tours are 20 złoty or £3.85), then grab a bite to eat from the many street food vendors for a cheap lunch. Loaded zapiekanka baguettes and traditional obwarzanek bread rings are on the menu.

If your feet get tired, use the city’s bikes – there are docking stations all over the city and your first 20 minutes are free.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £262.78
  • Three-course meal per person: £19.34
  • Pint of beer: £2.90

2. Prague, Czech Republic

View of Prague's colourful Old Town square with the famous Tyn Church and its spires and the Astronomical ClockView of Prague's colourful Old Town square with the famous Tyn Church and its spires and the Astronomical Clock

With its famous beer for under £2 a pint and a three-course meal for two coming in under £40, it's no wonder Prague has long been a budget fave.

Consider staying in the city’s outskirts and you’ll find some absolute steals on accommodation. Multi-bedroom apartments and Airbnbs are great bets for a group city break.

As for what to do, there’s plenty to enjoy for free in the city centre. Roam the quaint cobbled streets, stroll along Charles Bridge or head up to Prague Castle for panoramic cityscape views.

The city is small enough you can get to most places on foot, or you can hop on an e-bike or scooter to get around for less.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £289.24
  • Three-course meal per person: £19.80
  • Pint of beer: £1.98

3. Budapest, Hungary

A view of St. Stephen's Basilica in BudapestA view of St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest

Budapest’s picturesque architecture and famous thermal baths make it a tourist charmer, drawing in droves of visitors each year. Even better? A long weekend here won’t break the bank.

To make your money go even further, head off the tourist beat. Scout out a traditional ruin bar a few streets away from the town centre and you can find a pint of beer for as little as £2, while the Jewish Quarter is a great spot for eating out on the cheap – expect hearty portions of goulash for less than £10 a dish.

There are also plenty of free attractions, including the Fisherman’s Bastion and the House of Terror Museum, as well as a handful of pay-as-you-feel walking tours that will give you a crash course in the city’s history.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £290.21
  • Three-course meal per person: £20.82
  • Pint of beer: £2.08

4. Milan, Italy

View of the Peace Arch with yellow tram in Milan, ItalyView of the Peace Arch with yellow tram in Milan, Italy

World-famous fashion houses, stunning art museums, a splendid food scene… it might be the shopping destination in Italy but Milan city breaks have more than a few surprises up their sleeves.

Like just affordable it can be. Plenty of accommodation options and tons of cheap flights keep package prices low, while admiring the city’s grand buildings are all part of the (free) fun.

As well as browsing the shops of Italy's oldest shopping gallery, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, you can discover Milan’s answer to the Sistine Chapel at Chiesa di San Maurizio, soak up the atmosphere of the lively canal-side Navigli neighbourhood and see the city’s grittier side on a self-guided street art tour.

For easy meals, look for breakfast pastries at local bakeries and seek out hole-in-the-wall pizza joints for a tasty and cost-effective lunch.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £282.44
  • Three-course meal per person: £33.31
  • Pint of beer: £5

5. Marrakech, Morocco

A skyline view of Marrakech rooftops and Old Medina in Morocco with a hazy blue sky and mountains in the backgroundA skyline view of Marrakech rooftops and Old Medina in Morocco with a hazy blue sky and mountains in the background

From bustling markets to ancient palaces and elaborate mosques, a city break to Marrakech is unlike any other.

With affordable food and drink prices – a three-course meal averages at just over £17 per person – it’s possible to do this chaotic city on a budget. Swap swanky, high-end resorts in the Palmeraie area for a low-budget riad (guesthouse) in the medina, or stay in a private room in a hostel for a fraction of the price.

For meals, Marrakech's medina is bursting with sumptuous street food stalls where you can fill up on tasty tagines, grilled meats and potato cakes. If you can, stick to seeing the city on foot – it’s the best way to get lost in the vibrant alleys and discover inner-city gardens.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £329.14
  • Three-course meal per person: £17.26
  • Pint of beer: £3.86

6. Barcelona, Spain

A panoramic view of Park Guell in Barcelona with mosaic covered buildingsA panoramic view of Park Guell in Barcelona with mosaic covered buildings

Barcelona keeps visitors coming back with its trio of city break essentials: eye-catching architecture that looks great on IG, iconic art museums you can lose hours exploring and food so mouth-watering you’ll want to recreate it at home.

And autumn is a great time to visit the Catalan city, with temperatures still averaging in the 20s and far fewer crowds than the summer season.

For a budget break, look to hotels just out of the city centre and focus your eating efforts on restaurants in the El Poble-sec and El Raval neighbourhoods to pick up a pint for under £3. Look out for free museum days too – they’re usually the first Sunday of every month.

Seeking trendy bars and clubs? Head to El Raval or Gracia for a big night out without the heavy prices.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £328.72
  • Three-course meal per person: £24.98
  • Pint of beer: £2.91

7. Berlin, Germany

A view of Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island across the Spree River in Berlin, GermanyA view of Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island across the Spree River in Berlin, Germany

If Berlin’s fascinating history and buzzing nightlife aren’t enough to tempt you to visit Germany’s capital, its value for money might just change your mind.

The average cost for a three-night holiday can be snapped up around £325 per person and the cost of food and drinks rivals Milan and Barcelona for the best value in western Europe.

Autumn and winter are fantastic seasons to visit the city, too. If the weather plays ball, you can take a sightseeing tour of some of Berlin’s most famous landmarks, such as the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Parliament building; explore the trails and lakes of the sprawling Tiergarten; and check out the street art of East Side Gallery – part of the Berlin Wall.

If not, the city’s incredible museums have indoor activities covered.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £325.62
  • Three-course meal per person: £27.07
  • Pint of beer: £3.33

8. Dublin, Ireland

Reflections on the River Liffey in Dublin with the harp-shaped Samuel Beckett Bridge spanning the waterwayReflections on the River Liffey in Dublin with the harp-shaped Samuel Beckett Bridge spanning the waterway

Take a trip to the Irish capital and you’ll find a wealth of lively pubs, exceptional museums and stately architecture all on your doorstep.

And while a pint of Guinness is a must when in Dublin, drinking at Temple Bar will come at a charge. There are countless local pubs that offer more reasonable prices with just as good an atmosphere.

Consider staying in a budget hotel or B&B for low cost accommodation and be your own tour guide of the city. You can cross the Ha’Penny Bridge or wander Trinity College’s pretty campus without spending a penny, and both the National Gallery of Ireland and the Irish Museum of Modern Art are free to visit.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £314.86
  • Three-course meal per person: £37.47
  • Pint of beer: £5.66

9. Paris, France

View on the Eiffel tower on Seine river during the autumn in ParisView on the Eiffel tower on Seine river during the autumn in Paris

A cheap city break in Paris? Be savvy with where you stay and eat, and the City of Lights can work out to be remarkably good value.

Arrondissements in the north of the city, such as the 9th and 10th near Montmartre, often offer some fantastic accommodation deals, and the metro makes getting into the city centre cheap and easy.

And while Paris’s restaurants are among some of the best in the world, you can fill up on delicious food for a fraction of the price of its Michelin-starred spots by seeking out backstreet bistros instead.

There’s also a seemingly never-ending list of free things to do – from galleries and museums to parks and markets – and the Eurostar’s new ‘Snap’ fares to make your break even more wallet-friendly.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £337.64
  • Three-course meal per person: £29.15
  • Pint of beer: £5.83

10. Lisbon, Portugal

A view showing the skyline of the Lisbon's old town in Portugal, including the Sao Jorge Castle atop of the hill, and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in the horizon.A view showing the skyline of the Lisbon's old town in Portugal, including the Sao Jorge Castle atop of the hill, and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in the horizon.

Travellers might flock to the sun-drenched Algarve but Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, has plenty to fall in love with too.

Get your bearings on a free walking tour (tips are appreciated), take views of the city from one of its many miradouros (viewpoints), or ditch the map and get lost in the pretty and historic Alfama.

For lunch, eat like the Portuguese and fill up on traditional dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod fish) and bifana pork sandwiches. You can even taste Portugal's famous pastry, pastéis de nata, for under £1.

Trams are a time- and cost-effective way to visit city sights, many of which are free or inexpensive. Head up the hill on Calçada da Glória to enjoy the outdoor artworks at Galeria de Arte Urbana for free or visit the B-MAD museum for a wine tasting included in the price of your €6 (£5) ticket.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £360.13
  • Three-course meal per person: £20.82
  • Pint of beer: £2.50

11. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sunset in Amsterdam with Bicycles parked on a bridge over a canal in the city centre, with typical Dutch houses on the background and streets illuminated with lightsSunset in Amsterdam with Bicycles parked on a bridge over a canal in the city centre, with typical Dutch houses on the background and streets illuminated with lights

This iconic European capital might not be the first destination that springs to mind for a cheap city break, but travel in late autumn and winter, and you’re more likely to score a bargain on accommodation.

Low cost options include hostels, self-catering apartments and budget hotels, and outer city locations come with better deals. Getting around is easy and cheap: join the locals and get on your bike.

Stock up on snacks at daily markets or enjoy budget dining at the Foodhallen, which hosts food stalls with around-the-world cuisine. If visiting museums is at the top of your list, consider a discount card or museum pass to save money on multiple attractions.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £344.86
  • Three-course meal per person: £37.47
  • Pint of beer: £5

12. Rome, Italy

Twilight view of a white marble fountain with statues of horses and Neptune fighting an octopus with the baroque Piazza Navona square behind itTwilight view of a white marble fountain with statues of horses and Neptune fighting an octopus with the baroque Piazza Navona square behind it

A city break to the Eternal City can pack in a lot – think iconic ruins, beautiful palazzos and ample pizza, pasta and gelato.

But this famous city of wonders doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. From the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to St Peter’s Basilica and Villa Borghese, some of the city’s best – and most recognisable – attractions won’t cost you a penny.

Rome also has some of the world’s best street food. Grab a slice of pizza for lunch, browse the delis for ready-to-eat snacks and stroll through the street markets for fresh food bargains.

  • Three-night package holiday per person: £362.48
  • Three-course meal per person: £27.07
  • Pint of beer: £4.16