A weekend in Europe does not have to cost a month's savings. The trick is choosing cities where daily costs are low and flights are frequent. Here are ten places that regularly fit a flight-plus-hotel weekend into around €250 per person or less, with a tip for each and links to see live dated fares.
The budgets below assume a sensible booking, a shared hotel room, and hand luggage only. Prices change, so treat them as a guide and check the dates that suit you.
1. Athens, Greece
Short flight, cheap food, and history everywhere. The Acropolis, Plaka and Monastiraki are all within walking distance of each other. Tip: eat where the locals queue, and skip the restaurants right under the Acropolis. See Larnaca to Athens for current dates.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Thermal baths, ruin bars and grand architecture at some of the lowest prices in central Europe. A day in a thermal bath costs a fraction of a spa day at home. Tip: stay on the Pest side, which is livelier and cheaper than Buda. Check Larnaca to Budapest.
3. Prague, Czechia
Medieval squares, castle views and beer that is famously cheaper than water in some places. Prague is busy in summer, so aim for late autumn or late winter. Tip: walk across Charles Bridge at sunrise, before the crowds arrive. Try Larnaca to Prague.
4. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is not the cheapest capital, but in winter fares drop, and museums and coffee houses are an affordable way to spend a day. Tip: many of the great cafes serve a slice of cake and a coffee for the price of a snack elsewhere, and you can sit for hours. See Larnaca to Vienna.
5. Krakow, Poland
Poland remains one of Europe's best-value destinations. A beautiful old town, a moving Jewish quarter, and meals that cost less than a coffee in some western cities. Tip: take the half-day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or spend an afternoon in Kazimierz.
6. Sofia, Bulgaria
An underrated capital with cheap food, easy walking and mountains on the skyline. It is one of the cheapest city breaks in the EU. Tip: use the free walking tour to get your bearings, and tip the guide.
7. Bucharest, Romania
Big, a bit chaotic and full of surprises, from the Palace of the Parliament to a lively old town. Costs are low, and flights from the eastern Mediterranean are often direct. Tip: take a day trip to the castles of Transylvania if you have an extra day.
8. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon costs more than eastern Europe, but low-cost airlines fly there often and off-season deals are common. Pastries, trams and viewpoints are all free or cheap. Tip: buy a rechargeable transport card and walk the hills rather than taking taxis.
9. Rome, Italy
Rome is expensive in summer, but winter and early spring fares can be very low. Most of what you want to see is free to walk past, including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon exterior and Piazza Navona. Tip: book the Colosseum ahead, and have lunch away from the major sights.
10. Tel Aviv, Israel
Flights from Cyprus are short, and the city works well as a beach-and-food weekend. It is not cheap on the ground, so it works best if you find a low fare. Check travel advice before you go. Tip: the market and beachfront walk cost nothing.
How to choose
Ask three questions before you book:
- How long is the flight? Under three hours keeps the trip relaxed, and short flights are usually cheaper.
- What will you spend on the ground? A cheap flight to an expensive city can cost more overall than a slightly higher fare to a cheap one.
- When can you go? The cheapest months to fly in Europe are January to early March and late October to early December for most city breaks.
Making the €250 stretch
- Travel with hand luggage only and save the bag fee.
- Book flight and hotel for the same dates, and check the cancellation terms.
- Use public transport from the airport instead of a taxi.
- Eat one main meal out per day and buy the rest from bakeries and markets.
- Look for free walking tours, and tip well.
Find your own weekend
Every route above has a page with dated fares from your airport, and the homepage lets you filter by budget from any origin. If Athens is on your list, read our full guide to a weekend in Athens from Cyprus for under €200.
Budgets are estimates and vary with season and booking date. Confirm final prices on the partner sites. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.