The cost-of-living crisis happening in the UK at the moment has created an undesirable environment in which to take a holiday. Hiked energy and grocery costs render it difficult to justify a trip abroad, whether alone, or with friends and family.
Tough as getting by can be at the moment, tighter purses should not preclude anyone from taking a much-needed trip away. Indeed, there are some destinations in Europe that are much cheaper than other, more popular places. Where are some of the best cheap destinations, for you to consider as your next holiday location?
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is one of Europe’s worst-kept secrets. It is an extremely popular filming location for production companies in the UK and the US, putting Budapest’s historic streets and thriving culture on the silver screen for all to see.
Part of the reason for its common use in productions – besides its photogenic nature – is its sheer affordability. Getting there is a simple short-haul flight, that could be made all the cheaper with a TUI NHS discount if you work in the healthcare sector; there is also the option to get there by train, an option that extends to every other location on this list.
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey is the most easterly country in Europe, being transcontinental between Europe and Asia. As such, it is a country that folds in cultures and aesthetics from both sides, making for a European holiday experience like no other. Istanbul is its capital, and was once Constantinople – the capital of the Byzantine Empire and the cradle of Ottoman civilisation. The result is a city break that drinks in nearly a millennium’s worth of Arabic and European history – with the architecture, food and nightlife to prove it.
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is the crown king of a budget destinations in central Europe, renowned for its favourable exchange rates and formidably cheap pints of delicious beer. But it is much more than a student favourite destination for a boozy holiday; it is also a profoundly cultural city with a great many independent shops and venues to explore, to say nothing of the amazing bridges and walls that still stand today.
Valencia, Spain
Spain is an extremely popular holiday destination for people of all stripes, offering a wide variety of experiences for families, solo travellers and student backpackers alike. There are cultural monuments galore and natural parks to marvel at, to say nothing of the fantastic beaches that surround it.
Valencia, though, is an unbeatable coastal location head and shoulders above the rest – not just in terms of cultural sights, but also cost. Valencia is well and truly a cultural centre, full to the brim with sights and sounds that cost little to nothing – from fountains and installations to museums and planetariums. The beach is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of taking it all in.
