12 of the cheapest autumn and winter city breaks

1. Krakow, Poland

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 £41 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 £4.07), 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 e-bikes or e-scooters – Bolt and Dott both operate in Krakow.

• Three-night package holiday per person: £260.29
• Three-course meal per person: £20.39
• Pint of beer: £3.26

2. Budapest, Hungary

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 around the £2 mark, 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 City Park, 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: £288.49
• Three-course meal per person: £20.05
• Pint of beer: £2.21

3. Barcelona, Spain

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 £3.50. 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: £290.60
• Three-course meal per person: £26.02
• Pint of beer: £3.47

4. Prague, Czech Republic

With its famous beer for about £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: £321.95
• Three-course meal per person: £19.56
• Pint of beer: £2.13

5. Rome, Italy

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: £311.72
• Three-course meal per person: £30.36
• Pint of beer: £4.34

6. 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 £315 per person and the cost of food and drinks rivals 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: £315.97
• Three-course meal per person: £28.19
• Pint of beer: £3.90

7. Amsterdam, Netherlands

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: £314.94
• Three-course meal per person: £43.37
• Pint of beer: £5.42

8. Marrakech, Morocco

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 £12 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: £353.15
• Three-course meal per person: £12.26
• Pint of beer: £4.28

9. Dublin, Ireland

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: £329.19
• Three-course meal per person: £39.04
• Pint of beer: £6.07

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

While it's no secret that eating out in the Danish capital can come with a price tag, plan your accommodation and itinerary wisely and a Copenhagen city break can be cheaper than you think.

Tick off some of the city’s best sights for free. Wander around the lush Botanical Garden, admire the colourful 17th-century buildings lining Nyhavn harbour, check out the hippy markets in the Christiana neighbourhood, and see the iconic ‘Little Mermaid’ statue.

For lunch, food markets like Torvehallerne are great for filling up on smørrebrød (open sandwiches), meat pasties and tapas on the cheap.

As for where to stay, consider budget hotel chains like WakeUp, hostels or self-catering apartments to find the best deal. Getting around is easy on foot or by bike, or you can hop on the metro for less than £3 a ticket.

• Three-night package holiday per person: £349.95
• Three-course meal per person: £46.48
• Pint of beer: £6.97

11. Valletta, Malta

Abundant historical architecture, fascinating museums, a splendid food scene… it might be tiny, but Valletta has more than a few surprises up its sleeve.

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

As well as admiring the stunning baroque interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master’s palace, soak up the atmosphere of the yacht-studded Grand Harbour and get a taste of the city’s nightlife at a jazz bar or cocktail lounge.

For easy meals, stock up on local goods like fresh ġbejniet cheese and crusty hobz malti bread, and snack on pastizzi pasties (usually filled with cheese or peas) for a tasty and cost-effective lunch.

• Three-night package holiday per person: £441.63
• Three-course meal per person: £34.70
• Pint of beer: £3.73

12. Paris, France

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 ‘Snap’ fares to make your break even more wallet-friendly.

• Three-night package holiday per person: £485.25
• Three-course meal per person: £26.02
• Pint of beer: £5.42

*Please note: The research looked at all price searches via TravelSupermarket from 9 September to 7 October 2025 for 2, 3 and 4-night holidays departing between November 2025 and February 2026. The cheapest city breaks were based on the median price across the whole of that period and are indicative only. They do not necessarily reflect live deals on site. Food and drink prices taken from cost of living website, Numbeo, on 7 October 2025.