This week we celebrated the results of our reader-nominated Independent Travel Awards, revealing the airlines, destinations, hotels and travel companies that our readers love. One award I was particularly interested to see the results for was “best European city” – partly because there are so many that I myself have fallen for, but also because I know just popular city breaks are among our readers. Interestingly, it was Dublin that took the top spot (a result I was glad to see as I adore Ireland), while Athens was runner-up.
As much as I love a city break, my main gripe with this type of holiday is that it can be just so expensive. Add up the cost of a decent hotel in a central location, eating out daily, visiting tourist sites and exploring museums and galleries, and you may find a pretty big dent in your bank balance. So I loved hearing about our travel writer Amelia’s break to Budapest last week (read about her experience below), in which she and two friends managed to pull off a holiday for just £75 a day. We also thought it would be a good idea to pull together a list of the most affordable cities in Europe for a holiday.
The full list of winners from The Independent Travel Awards
|
|
|
I’ve been telling everyone I know to visit Gdansk since I spent a few days in the city earlier this year. Stay at the lovely PURO Hotel, eat right across the street at the Milk Bar (a traditional Polish cafeteria-style restaurant) Mleczny Stągiewna, and leave at least half a day to explore the excellent Solidarności museum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last week, my two friends and I found ourselves in the Hungarian capital of Budapest for our once-a-year girls' trip away. Our first city break together happened not long after we graduated from university. Despite now having jobs and settling in London, we try as much as possible to keep it budget-friendly, as more expensive breaks with boyfriends and families take up most of our annual holiday budget.
As a self-confessed over-organiser, I premeditate how much I am going to spend. Yes, it may kill the spontaneity, but when you have a £75-a-day spending budget, I like to make sure this stretches across three meals, activities, transport and a drink or two.
We try to prebook all our activities, work out how much a multi-day pass on public transport will cost, and do a quick Google search on the price of a coffee or a cocktail.
We started the day in our Meininger hotel, a fuss-free budget chain we have stayed in during breaks to multiple cities, which we know we can rely on for a private and clean three-bed room with an en suite for a good price. It set me back £29 a night, although I budgeted for this outside my spending pot.
Next, a coffee and a pastry were in order from a little cafe called Lui, which cost me £6.75. We then hopped on the tram (£4.30 per day for all transport using a pass) to the famous Széchenyi thermal baths, naturally warmed by geothermal hot springs under the city, with our pre-paid £31 tickets.
Other baths in Budapest can be slightly cheaper, but the size and wide selection of pools enticed us. After hours dipping in the whirlpool, jacuzzi, hot and cold baths and saunas, we had a bite to eat at the on-site cafe for £14.
|
|
|
|
The Neo-Baroque style Széchenyi Thermal Baths, the largest medicinal bath complex in Europe (Getty)
|
|
|
|
|
With only around £19 left to spend, it was time to make use of some of the free activities in Budapest. We walked around City Park, where the 19th-century folly Vajdahunyad Castle stands, as well as the UFO-shaped House of Music Hungary, before stopping for a perch on the banks of the boating lake.
Evening came, and we were in search of some traditional Hungarian food. I tucked into a chicken paprikash and garlic Trappista toast for a bargain £7.83 at Mama Goulash in the Jewish Quarter.
With £11.12 left of my daily spend, we headed to one of Budapest’s famous ruin bars: abandoned buildings given a new lease of life as drinking holes. Szimpla Kert, the most well-known, is an explosion of neon paint, fairy lights and peculiar artworks. This certainly wasn’t the cheapest bar of our trip, but I sunk the remains of my money on a few beers before our worn-out feet took us back to the hotel.
I don’t punish myself for going a little over budget here and there, but doing a small amount of research beforehand on how expensive or cheap a city break will cost usually takes a bit of financial pressure off, providing more mind space to just have fun.
For more recommendations on affordable city breaks for 2027, check out our research on the current cheapest cities to visit in Europe – some may even surprise you, while others you may have never considered.
Read more: The best cheap hotels in Budapest
|
|
|
|
Visit the City of Light without breaking the bank with this great deal from Wowcher.
Choose from a two, three or four-night break, including return Eurostar travel and accommodation at the popular, centrally located Hotel Locomo. Learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enjoy a relaxing autumn escape to Portugal with these fantastic Thomas Cook deals, based on October departures from London.
|
|
|
|
|
Stay in the city centre at the highly-rated Radisson Blu Hotel, with breakfast, £30 dining credit per person, spa access and late checkout.
|
|
|
Last minute? More like perfect timing
|
|
|
|
|
From city breaks and September sun to once-in-a-lifetime long-haul adventures, loveholidays has a last-minute deal with your name on it. Book now, backed by our Best Price Promise – the world is waiting!
|
|
|
|
|
Writer and Production Journalist
|
|
|
|
|
Writer and Production Journalist
|
|
|
The UK’s uncharacteristically warm summer had many of us scrambling to get hold of handheld fans, in a desperate attempt to stay cool. Now that the temperature has dropped, our thoughts are turning to practical purchases for autumn adventures.
Waterproof layers are essential for keeping the worst of the rain and wind at bay. Our reviewer has tested a range of men’s jackets, with technical options that are perfect for all-day hikes, as well as those that look stylish enough for inclement city breaks.
If watersports and wild swimming are still on the cards, the best changing robes will help you keep warm and dry after an icy dip. Among their top picks, our reviewers rated the Red and Saltrock changing robes, thanks to their soft, fleecy linings and their ability to protect against the elements.
Don’t forget to pack a Thermos flask, too. The brand’s vacuum-insulation design keeps tea and coffee piping hot for 10 hours, securing Thermos the top spot in our review of the best flasks.
If you’d prefer to be sipping cocktails by a pool, you may have to travel farther afield to chase the sun. Travel writer Ruby Deevoy has revealed her favourite check-in suitcases that are robust, practical and stylish to boot. From Antler’s icon stripe design to the Tripp holiday 8, the tried-and-tested suitcases have served Ruby well during her travels around the world.
Whether you choose to embrace or escape the autumn chill, the right products will help you make the most of the season.
|
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us
|
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email
You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter.
To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.
This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.