Five fab and affordable European city breaks that are worth a go

Planning a European city break on a budget? Well, bypass the big hitters like Paris, Rome and Copenhagen in the west – your money goes further in central and eastern Europe. This fact might not be new, but as prices rise in the most popular urban hubs, consistently low costs for transport, accommodation and meals in other destinations mean thrifty travellers should be taking short stays across the Balkans and Baltics more seriously.

You’ll find buzzing nightlife scenes, Soviet echoes in the fortified old towns and traditionalmeetsmodern restaurants serving regional delicacies, costeffective cultural endeavours and even the option for travel on climatefriendly sleeper trains.

From Bucharest to Belgrade, these cities are rich in sightseeing, history and active pursuits year round. Here are some of central and eastern Europe’s most affordable capitals for a city break.

Gdansk, Poland

This gem on the Baltic coast deserves to be as popular with international tourists as it is with domestic holidaymakers.

The destination – alongside spascattered Sopot and Gdynia – is primed for visitors, with its goldengated old town and marvellous marina.

Buzzy cafe nightlife with extensive craft beer menus thrives in tn he of Ulica Piwna (Beer Street), and waterfront foodie tours feature fresh cod, pierogi dumplings and soup in bread bowls (zurek); something to look forward to after days shopping for amber jewellery from artisan shops on the Dluga main street.

The birthplace of the anticommunist Solidarity movement also has an unmissable Museum of the Second World War (the opening shots were fired here) and, with its own Shakespeare Theatre, culture is plentiful.

Belgrade, Serbia

With a rough charm, bohemian quarters and a Habsburg influence, the Serbian capital stands where the Danube meets the Sava.

Kalemegdan fortress and park is the historical heart of the city – think restaurants, museums, towers and gates from the Ottoman period – and the neoByzantine domes of Sveti Sava temple and art nouveau architecture dominate the Belgrade skyline.

Stari Grad (old town) is largely pedestrianised, and it’s not hard to find budget bites including roast suckling pig and Balkanstyle burgers.

Summer in the Usce neighbourhood brings pleasure boats to the Sava, the Belgrade Beer Festival to floating bars and restaurants known as splavovi and a huge Book Fair is held in October.

Head to the Hasburg suburb of Zemun for swimming pontoons, Austrianstyle church spires and ochre cottages, or climb to the top of Gardos Tower for Danube views.

Zagreb, Croatia

The Croatian capital is an underrated, compact city with early 20thcentury grandeur.

Situated beneath Mount Medvednica, the upper town, Gornji Grad, is a maze of medieval cobbles spanning the two hills of Kaptol and Gradec, served by a funicular.

If architecture’s your thing, the 108metre twin spires of the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral; Lotrscak Tower, where the Gric cannon fires every day at noon; and the mustard Croatian National Theatre, host of ballet, opera and theatre performances, will delight.

Eccentric exhibits fill the Museum of Illusions, Mushroom Museum and the Museum of Broken Relationships, while cheap boutiques, bars and restaurants dot Tkalcica Street, and the Trznica Dolac farmers market is a hit for traditional treats.

Three parks south of the city are ideal for kicking back and cooling off for free in summer.

Come at Christmas for Zagreb’s celebrated Advent market or indulge in the cafe culture of the city’s lively districts for the ultimate caffeine fix.

Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian capital is known for value for money when bedding down on a budget.

This culturally quirky city is a rainbow of pompous architectural splendours, grand concert halls and laidback ruin bars – derelict buildings turned into hip aperitif haunts.

The crowded skyline of Pest is to the east and the Buda castle district to the west, and bridges crossing the Danube – take a boat trip past the litup parliament (Orszghaz) – link the two.

Travel cheaply on trams between the Royal Palace, home to the Hungarian National Gallery, and the neoGothic 13thcentury Matthias Church and Europe’s largest synagogue at Dohany Street.

The Budapest Card (from €49) offers 48 hours of free public transport, guided walking tours, admission to St Lukacs Thermal Bath and free entry to the Palinka Experience Museum.

Hungry for Hungarian dishes? There’s affordable chicken paprikash, some serious schnitzel and bread and beer picnics on Margaret Island.

Tallinn, Estonia

The Estonian capital, with its preserved medieval centre and Soviet legacy, is much more than a pocketsized Prague and often far better value.

With a palette of pastel cafes, the city is a digital nomad hotspot, and active pursuits are in no short supply when a screen break is needed, from surfing off Pirita Beach to hiking to the Jagala Waterfall.

Fortified inner city Toompea and Unescolisted delights (including a Baroque palace, Lutheran spires and the onion domes of the orthodox Nevsky Cathedral) contribute to Tallinn’s fairytale image.

Walk atop the city’s walls for the best panoramas and buy a 48hour Tallinn Card to get in to all the main sights and museums for just €63.

Aside from the city’s historical pedigree, the buzzing student village Kalamaja is the place to go for delicious meals, and the Kalma Saun offers an authentic Baltic sauna experience for some relaxation. (© The Independent)