Living in Europe has a lot of of advantages for the keen traveller. For example, from the UK you can book a European minibreak and be in another country by air within an hour or so. From mainland Europe it can be as straightforward as a short drive across a nearby border.
Travellers from North America or Asia taking a European vacation can explore a multitude of countries within a relatively short space of time (with careful itinerary planning of course!). North Africa is also within relatively easy reach by air from Europe too.
There are any number of extremely popular European minibreak options with sky high high hotel prices to match their popularity. London and Paris spring immediately to mind here! In this article we have put together six better value alternatives to those obvious choices.
We live in the UK, hence as that is our base, our focus for this article is on possible overseas minibreaks from here. However all of these places are easy to access from mainland Europe (much easier in some cases), so our list can serve to give you some ideas to incorporate into your European vacation plans even if you are touring from further afield.
Here are our top value minibreak options for your consideration, five in Europe and one in North Africa.
Disclosure : this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a booking or purchase through some links in the article, I may receive a small commission which can help the blog to grow.
Palermo, Sicily
When it comes to minibreaks in Italian cities, Rome, Milan, and Venice are probably the first to your to mind. However, Sicily’s Palermo is well worth your consideration. Hotel prices are reasonable, the food and wine is magnificent, and the architecture is sumptuous.
Perhaps Palermo’s centrepiece is Quatro Canti, a baroque octagonal plaza featuring ornate statues on the walls. Visit Quatro Canti in the evening and you will find the atmosphere here and in the surrounding streets is truly electric, with seemingly everyone in the city being out and about looking to eat, shop, or enjoy their post dinner digestive walks (passegiata).
We stayed at the Eurostars Centrale Palace Hotel which is an incredibly grand historic hotel featuring a multitude of magnificent rooms to explore. Highly recommended.
MUST DO :
- Visit Palermo Cathedral, then climb its tower to enjoy the views.
- Take in the atmosphere at Quatro Canti.
- Enjoy arancini (stuffed and fried risotto rice balls), available everywhere!
- Visit the The Mercato di Capo food market (Monday to Saturday) for a very authentic experience.
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS TO PALERMO
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN PALERMO
Porto, Portugal
Portugal’s second city is an atmospheric gem, with lots of reasonably priced hotels, and with the dining and drinking options also being affordable. A less obvious choice than Lisbon, Porto more than holds its own as a lively and exciting minibreak destination.
Wander through the old town area taking in the city’s trademark blue tiled murals (azulejos) before descending the oh so steep steps between terracotta roofed buildings down to the buzzing Cais de Ribeira district. Once there you will be entertained by buskers and break dancers in the shadow of the Ponte de Dom Luís I bridge on the banks of the Douro River while you consider a multitude of delicious dining options.
MUST DO :
- Marvel at the blue tiled artworks on the buildings
- Visit the lively Cais de Ribeira district.
- Walk across the Ponte de Dom Luís I bridge
- Port tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia district.
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS TO BERLIN
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN BERLIN
Click here for our Porto trip report
Click here for our hotel review of Castelo Santa Catarina in Porto
Krakow, Poland
Possibly Poland’s most popular destination for tourists, Krakow is easy and cheap to get to from the UK, has inexpensive accommodation, is reasonably priced for daily expenses, and has much to explore.
Here you can visit one massive church interior after another, before visiting the even more epic St. Mary’s Basilica. Work up an appetite by shopping at craft stalls in the large undercover Cloth Hall Market, then tuck into some hearty Polish food (which definitely deserves more attention) from stalls on the lively main square.
MUST DO :
- Marvel at the immense Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral.
- Visit the St. Mary’s Basilica.
- Take a day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
- Shop your heart out at the Cloth Hall Market
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS TO KRAKOW
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN KRAKOW
Berlin, Germany
You might well assume that a minibreak in the German capital would be among the more expensive European vacation options. However, this is not the case at all, and in fact Berlin is very affordable indeed, with the costs of food, drink and daily expenses being very reasonable here.
This city itself is a sprawling metropolis with Bohemian vibes, where brutalist communist era buildings from the former East German side are contrasted by sleek modern high rises from the former West German side. Keep an eye out for the cute figures on the pedestrian crossing lights in the former communist areas.
MUST DO :
- Visit Alexanderplatz to see the TV Tower and World Time Clock.
- East Side Gallery (art murals painted on surviving section of the Berlin Wall).
- Brandenburg Gate.
- Eat a German Doner Kebab (Berlin is famous for them!).
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS TO BERLIN
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN BERLIN
Click here to read Tom’s Berlin communist history trip report
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a great destination in central Europe for a fun and reasonably priced European minibreak. The architecture everywhere is imposing and beautiful.
Many semi-collapsed buildings in the centre have been repurposed into what are known as Ruin Bars. The Ruin Bar areas feature a number of fantastically characterful drinking establishments with a shabby charm. Szimpla Kert is the most famous of these.
Elsewhere, the Danube River flows gently through the city with an elegant beauty, splitting the two sides of the city, Buda and Pest. In the shadow of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, sculptures of shoes on the river bank commemorate victims – many of whom were Jews – who were shot on the banks of the river by fascists 1944-45. They were forced to leave their shoes behind, as these were considered valuable.
Like Berlin, Budapest carries several reminders of Europe’s not-so-distant terrible history. Educate yourself further at city’s House of Terror Museum.
MUST DO :
- Grab a drink or three in the Ruin Bars.
- Take a walk along the banks of the Danube.
- Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
- Relax at one of the city’s thermal spas.
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS TO BUDAPEST
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN BUDAPEST
Click here to read Tom’s review of the air museum at Budapest airport
Marrakech, Morocco
Finally, to North Africa. Coming in at 3 to 5 hours flight time away from the UK (depending where you’re flying from), and with several carriers offering cheap flights, Marrakech in Morocco is easily reachable.
The city is buzzing with energy, and packed with things to see and do. Of course the Jemaa el Fnaa main square comes up regularly in lists, as does getting lost in the bustling markets (which are full of very reasonably priced and nicely made items).
You should make it your mission to see the magnificent ruins of El Badi Palace (see photo), which are absolutely spectacular, as are the incredibly preserved Saadian Tombs and the opulent and equally well preserved Bahia Palace.
Skip the hotels and instead look to stay in a luxurious Riad (a kind of large guest house). These can be had at very reasonable prices, and are a much more authentic experience.
MUST DO :
- Marvel at the ruined splendour at El Badi Palace.
- Visit the incredibly preserved Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace.
- Hit the markets and be prepared to haggle hard!
- Book a luxurious Riad with a hammam service.
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR FLIGHTS TO MARRAKECH
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS IN MARRAKECH
Click here to read our Marrakech trip report.
Click here for our review of Riad Ksar Anika in Marrakech
We hope this gives you some inspiration for future trips from your UK or European base. If you enjoyed this article, why not read all of our trip reports (so far!) here for some more inspiration.
