The best budget European city breaks this winter – from £149 per person including flights
Europe has some of the cheapest city breaks you can visit all year round, with holiday packages starting from £149 per person, including flights.
The best deals we found are in some of the most popular hotspots, including Paris, Venice, Barcelona, Berlin and more.
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All included destinations are full of history, culture and local cuisine, as well as free attractions and walking tours.
However, city breaks don’t necessarily have to break the bank and we’ve scoured the internet to find the best flights, hotels and even package deals.
Here are the best budget destinations we found:
1. Lisbon, Portugal
The coastal capital of Portugal is known for its history, architecture, fashionable bars, restaurants and shops.
The city is an adventure in itself, with its steep streets and more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
As for the food, you must try the pastéis de nata and seafood, including the Portuguese delicacy bacalhau, which is salted cod.
If you’re visiting Lisbon for the first time and want to see as much as possible, you might get this Lisbon map.
The card is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours and gives you unlimited use of public transport. Plus, you’ll have free entry to some of the city’s top attractions.
Hotel-only deals to Lisbon are available from £38 per room on Booking.com, while Return flights to Lisbon cost from £30 this winter.
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2. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a super stylish, ancient city on the Mediterranean coast. It is home to some of the most incredible architectural structures in the world.
You can experience Gaudí designs in real life at the Sagrada Familía Cathedral or Parc Güell.
Barcelona offers the perfect mix of history and party as it has one of the best nightlife in Europe with delicious restaurants, tapas bars and clubs.
It is also a paradise for football fans, as it is home to one of the best football teams in the world.
Hotel-only deals to Barcelona are available from £39 per room on Booking.com, while Return flights to Barcelona cost from £27.
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3. Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital Budapest is the perfect destination for party lovers thanks to its nightlife, local cuisine and fascinating architecture and history.
The ruin bars in Budapest are a hidden local gem that is a must-see; They were housed in old, abandoned buildings in the old Jewish quarter.
Budapest also has almost 100 museums; The Museum of Fine Arts, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art are just a few of the many museums worth visiting during your stay.
Hotel-only deals to Budapest are available at £28 per room on Booking.com, while Return flights to Budapest cost from £35.
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4. Athens, Greece
As the epicenter of European history, Athens’ famous landmarks and ruins attract visitors from all over the world every year.
Aside from being one of the most historic places, Athens is also a shopaholic’s paradise, offering everything from luxury clothing to intricate handcrafted jewelry.
On a sunny day, you could climb the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, the monumental temple of the goddess Athena.
To make your city trip even more enjoyable, you can reach the Athens Riviera in about 40 minutes, where you can reach beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters.
Hotel-only deals to Athens are available from £54 per room on Booking.com, while Return flights to Athens cost from £34.
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5. Krakow, Poland
Krakow is the second largest city in Poland and is ideal for a cheap, attraction-packed getaway.
For example, you can visit the Wawel Royal Castle, walk along Kanonicza Street, the oldest street in Krakow, or visit St. Mary’s Basilica.
You can also stroll through the Main Market, which was Europe’s largest market square before the 13th century. There you will find souvenir shops and restaurants serving local delicacies.
To end the day, you could do one Craft beer tasting experience from £27pp
Hotel-only deals to Krakow are available from £35 per room on Booking.com, while Flights to Krakow cost from £41 return.
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6. Berlin, Germany
The German capital is full of adventure, culture and cool attractions.
From the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park, the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery to the Holocaust Memorial and the Book Burning Square, Berlin has a lot to offer in terms of history.
Berlin is also the best destination for beer lovers as you can taste hundreds of different craft beers.
After your bar crawl, you can enjoy Berlin nightlife without closing time, from the world-famous Berghain to underground parties.
Hotel-only offers to Berlin are available from £70 per room on Booking.com, while Flights to Berlin cost from £46 return.
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7. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is one of the Brits’ favorite places when it comes to city trips.
Visit the Astronomical Clock in Prague’s Old Town Square, where a dance puppet show takes place every hour.
While the Old Town Hall tower houses the clock and can be climbed from the inside, you should visit at sunset if you’re looking for a great view.
Pilsner beer originated in Pilsen and the Pilsner Urquell brewery offers tours where you can taste the beers while touring the old brewery.
Hotel-only deals to Prague are available from £55 per room on Booking.com, while Flights to Prague cost from £33 return.
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8. Paris, France
Paris is the city of love, art and shopping.
If you are looking for a spot of shopping, you must visit Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. After looking around, you can even climb up to the eighth floor and enjoy the wonderful views of the city.
You can also visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris and the Galerie Dior to see garments on display and historic workspaces.
The Champs-Élysées is a great place to stroll, as it is close to some of the most exclusive hotels and shops.
It goes without saying that you can’t go to Paris without also visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Musée du Louvre, even if you’re not an art lover.
Hotel-only deals to Paris are available from £92 per room on Booking.com, while Flights to Paris cost from £21 to return.
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9. Venice, Italy
Venice is the best choice for a unique city trip. There are no conventional roads in the “sinking city”.
To get around, you can opt for the popular gondola or explore the city on the traditional water bus, the vaporetto.
If you like architecture, Ca’ d’Oro is a must due to its Venetian Gothic influence.
As you stroll through the local shops and museums, you can grab a bite and enjoy some of the best Italian dishes.
Hotel-only deals to Venice are available from £68 per room on Booking.com, while Flights to Venice cost from £35 return.
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We’ve also rounded up the best short and medium-haul holiday destinations that are still great even in winter.
Read more at the Scottish Sun
And the hottest short-haul destinations to visit in December if you fancy somewhere warm.
If you want to plan ahead, Jet2 is launching its biggest summer sale ever in 2025 with 16 million seats on 350 routes.
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