When you think of beautiful places to visit, your mind might wonder to other continents such as America or Australia. However Europe has a lot to offer in terms of beauty and culture. If you do not want to break the bank with a memorable break, then read on to see our top 10 picks for cheapest places to in Europe visit this year.
10. Krákow, Poland
One of the oldest cities in Poland, Krákow is a must-see for any cultural buffs out there. It also has a lot of World War 2 history and culture associated with it which makes this city one for your bucket list.
Flights from London: £99 round trip
Accommodation: £50 a night
Food: Starting from around 15zl (1zl=£0.20!), the food in Krákow is an absolute bargain. The main square is littered with bakeries and cafes for a quick, cheap eat.
Things to do: Has anyone seen the film Schindler’s List? Well, you can go and visit Oskar Schindler’s factory for the bargain price of £10 for a tour. Afterwards, you can also head to The Ghetto Heroes square for a quiet moment to reflect on the events of World War Two in Krákow. Also be sure to visit the Main Market Square for a spot of shopping and eating.
9. Milan, Italy
We know you’re probably thinking “Italy? That is notoriously expensive”. However, this summer it is set to be cheap to fly out and stay. With beautiful architecture and fashion culture, Milan is a must-see.
Flight from London: £79 round trip
Accommodation: £60 a night
Food: There are plenty of “cheap eats” around Milan starting from around 5€.
Things to do: Make sure you go and see Italy’s oldest gothic building Il Duomo. Entry to the cathedral is free and is only 4€ to take the stairs to the roof terrace for a breath-taking view of Milan. Also, for any fashion lovers out there, be sure to check out the Golden Quadrilateral for a spot of window shopping. All the biggest fashion brands, from Gucci to Versace, have stores here. Sure, you will not have the money to spend, but you can pretend right?
8. Munich, Germany
The capital of the German state Bavaria, Munich, has a lot to offer in terms of culture and entertainment. Most famous for the Oktoberfest event, it is a place you must visit this 2016.
Flights from London: £76 round trip
Accommodation: £70 a night
Food: There are plenty of “cheap eat” locations starting from 4€, offering everything from Italian to Vietnamese.
Things to do: Visit Asam’s church for beautiful architecture and culture, said to be very gothic and poignant. For any car lovers out there, you can visit the BMW museum [http://www.bmw-welt.com/en/visitor_information/guided_tours/museum.html] full to the brim with iconic cars and information.
7. Berlin, Germany
Germany’s cultural capital, Berlin, is thriving with entertainment that you can enjoy on a budget. Having been divided during the Cold War, this city is a must-see for any history lovers out there.
Flights from London: £72 round trip
Accommodation: £50 a night
Food: With street food starting from 2.50€ and a decent lunch reaching 11.50€, you can expect to eat cheaply in this cultural capital.
Things to do: Visit the Reichstag building for a culmination of history and culture. It was a symbol of the Nazis power in Germany and you can still see Soviet graffiti on the wall left from the Battle of Berlin. You can also visit the memorial for the Berlin Wall complete with a museum and the last piece of the Berlin Wall.
6. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, is somewhere to visit. Filled with stunning architecture and culture, you can visit this city on a budget despite what you may have heard.
Flights from London: £67 round trip
Accommodation: £70 night
Food: From Mexican street food to gourmet burgers (see Bacoa [http://www.bacoa.es/]), you can expect around the 5-10€ for your food. Avoid eating on La Rambla to really save them pennies.
Things to do: Barcelona is home to the beautiful piece of architecture, combining the Gothic and Art Nouveau, the Sagrada Familia. It is brimming with stunning pieces of art and culture and is well worth a visit for the acceptable price of 15€. If you’re feeling brave, you could climb up Mount Tibidabo to visit The Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor which is full of history and breath-taking scenery.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
The capital and the largest city in Czech Republic, Prague is filled with cultural attractions. It was founded during the Romanesque era but flourished during the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras, making its architecture a must-see.
Flights from London: £67 round trip
Accommodation: £40 a night
Food: Starting from around 200czk (£5), you can grab a decent pie or sandwich from a bistro. Alternatively, you could feast on some traditional Czech Republic grub in some of the villages surrounding Prague for the bargain price of 100czk.
Things to do: Considered as being one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world, the Charles Bridge is well worth a visit to satisfy those cultural taste buds. Alternatively, you could take a visit to a Nuclear Bunker [http://www.prague-communism-tour.com/] that is located 5 stories underground and is crammed full of cold war paraphernalia. Whatever floats your boat!
4. Sofia, Bulgaria
As of 2013, Sofia was voted Europe’s most affordable capital to visit and this does not affect its cultural beauty. Located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, Sofia boasts gorgeous architecture and history.
Flights from London: £63 round trip
Accommodation: £30 a night
Food: With a budget lunch starting at around £2 and a budget dinner starting at around £8, you’ll be sure to have some extra money to spend on a pint which comes in at around £2 – not bad.
Things to do: Take a visit to the The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. The architecture is stunning with features such as the Lord’s Prayer written around the central dome in thin gold. If cathedrals aren’t your thing, then be sure to check out Tsar Ivan Shishman Street for some stunning pieces of Street Art. The free walking tour [http://freesofiatour.com/] is highly recommended for quick orientation of the city.
3. Warsaw, Poland
The capital of Poland and a significant political, economic and cultural hub, Warsaw is a beautiful place to visit. It has also been hailed as Eastern Europe’s chic cultural capital.
Flights from London: £49 round trip
Accommodation: £40 a night
Food: Vegan? Be sure to check out Krowarzywa [http://krowarzywa.pl/en/] with burgers entering the 12-16zl (£2-3!) mark. Or check out Fabryka Frytek for some yummy fries starting around 6zl.
Things to do: For an open green park area in a busy city, be sure to visit Lazienki Park where you will be treated to peace and quiet whilst surrounded by small animals – what bliss. Alternatively, you can visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum which contains many artefacts from the Polish Underground State and information on the Warsaw uprising.
2. Vilnius, Lithuania
The largest city and the capital of Lithuania, Vilinius offers many cultural sights. It is known for its gorgeous architecture in the Old Town.
Flights: £49 round trip
Accommodation: £40 night
Food: Got a sweet-tooth? Be sure to visit the Donut LAB where you can pick up a mouth-watering, Homer Simpson “doh” worthy donut for around the £1-4 mark. If you want to try the more traditional food, then be sure to visit Šnekutis which is famed for its upbeat atmosphere, traditional Lithuanian grub and cheap beer.
Things to do: In Kalnai park, you can visit the hill of three crosses for a beautiful view. Said to be the location of a beheading of seven Franciscan Friars, this monument has now become an integral part of the city. It also boasts a beautiful view over the Vilinius Old Town. If puzzles are your thing, then check out Wrong Room Escape Quest with prices starting from €40 for a group of 4.
1. Budapest, Hungary
The title of that George Ezra song which you just could not get out of your head last year and a favourite of backpack travellers, Budapest boasts great culture and sights.
Flights from London: £43 round trip
Accommodation: £30 a night
Food: For a main dish, the food starts at around 1200huf (£3) and for a soup, the food starts at the even cheaper price of 300huf.
Things to do: It is well worth visiting the Hungarian Parliament Building which is one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings. It is the highest and largest building in Hungary. Or you can visit the Fisherman’s Bastion, complete with neo-gothic architecture, for fairy tale scenery and spectacular views.
Prices taken from Google Flights for June period and accommodation is based on 3 star hotels.
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