Where Is It Cheap to Go for a City Break in 2025?

Planning a city break doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In 2025, you can still find vibrant, walkable cities with great food, culture, and history-all without breaking the bank. The trick isn’t waiting for a sale or booking last minute. It’s knowing where to go when prices are naturally low and demand is manageable. Forget Paris, London, or New York for a second. There are places where a weekend away costs less than your weekly coffee habit.

Belgrade, Serbia - Culture, Nightlife, and Under $50 a Night

Belgrade is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for budget travelers. You can stay in a stylish hotel in the heart of the city for under $50 a night, and that’s with breakfast included. A meal at a local restaurant? Around $8. A beer at a riverside kafana? $2.50. The city’s energy is electric, especially along the Danube and Sava rivers, where bars spill onto the water and live music plays until dawn.

History buffs can wander Kalemegdan Fortress for free, while art lovers won’t want to miss the Museum of Contemporary Art, which has free entry on the first Sunday of every month. Public transport is cheap, clean, and easy to use. A single bus or tram ticket costs less than $1. You can easily spend three days here without spending more than $200 total-flights included.

Lisbon, Portugal - Old-World Charm, New-World Prices

Lisbon used to be the go-to bargain city in Europe. It still is, even as tourism grows. The trick? Stay just outside the tourist center. neighborhoods like Alvalade or Marvila offer clean, modern apartments for $60-$75 a night. You’ll still be a 15-minute tram ride from the historic Alfama district.

Try the pastel de nata at Manteigaria-it’s the best in the city, and it costs $1.20. Lunch at a local tasca? $10-$12 with wine. The tram 28 ride, though crowded, is part of the experience and costs $3.20. You can ride the funiculars, explore the Belem Tower, and hike up to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for panoramic views-all for under $50 in entrance fees total.

Flights from Toronto to Lisbon are often under $700 round-trip if you book two months ahead. That’s cheaper than flying to Miami. And you get more for your money: cobblestone alleys, azulejo tiles, and fresh seafood that tastes like the ocean.

Krakow, Poland - Medieval Streets, Modern Deals

Krakow feels like stepping into a fairy tale without the fairy-tale price tag. The Main Market Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, and it’s completely free to explore. You can walk from the Wawel Castle to the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz in under 20 minutes, passing street performers, artisan shops, and hidden courtyards.

Hostels here start at $20 a night. Even mid-range hotels hover around $65. A hearty plate of pierogi with sour cream and fried onions? $4. A pint of local craft beer? $2.50. The Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO site, costs $25 to enter-but you can skip it and still have one of the most memorable city breaks of your life.

Public transit is efficient and cheap. A 24-hour pass costs $4.50. And because Krakow is compact, you don’t need to rely on it. You can see the whole city on foot. Flights from Toronto are often under $750, especially if you fly via Reykjavik or Dublin.

Tbilisi, Georgia - The Unexpected Bargain

If you’re looking for something completely different, Tbilisi is the answer. Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains, this city blends Persian, Ottoman, and Soviet influences with a growing hipster scene. The Old Town is a maze of wooden balconies, sulfur baths, and tiny cafes where you can sip Georgian wine for $3 a glass.

Hotels in the city center start at $35 a night. A three-course meal at a traditional restaurant? $10. A taxi across town? $3. The cable car up to Narikala Fortress costs $1.50 and gives you one of the best views in the country. You can also visit the nearby wine caves in Kakheti on a day trip for under $20.

Georgia has visa-free entry for Canadian passport holders, and flights from Toronto are often under $800, especially with connections through Istanbul or Dubai. The city is safe, English is widely spoken among younger locals, and the hospitality is unmatched. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve discovered something no one else knows about.

Bucharest, Romania - Eastern European Value

Bucharest doesn’t always make the list of popular city breaks-but it should. The city has a strange, fascinating energy: grand 19th-century buildings next to crumbling communist blocks, hidden jazz bars, and one of Europe’s largest pedestrian zones.

Stay in the Lipscani district for $45 a night. A meal at a traditional Romanian restaurant? $7-$10. Try sarmale (cabbage rolls) with polenta and sour cream. A glass of local red wine? $2.50. The Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world, offers guided tours for $12. You can walk the entire city center in a day.

Public transport is cheap and extensive. A single metro ticket is $0.50. A 30-day pass costs $15. Flights from Toronto are often under $700 with a stopover in Frankfurt or Amsterdam. Bucharest doesn’t have the polished look of Prague or Vienna-but it has soul. And you won’t be elbowing through crowds of tourists.

How to Save Even More on Your City Break

Where you stay matters less than when you go. Avoid peak season. In most of these cities, April-May and September-October are ideal. The weather is pleasant, prices are lower, and the streets aren’t packed.

Book flights on Tuesday or Wednesday. Airlines often drop fares midweek. Use Google Flights’ price graph to track trends. Set alerts for your target cities. Sometimes, a $200 change in fare is just a few days’ wait away.

Use public transport. Taxis add up fast. Most of these cities have clean, reliable metro or tram systems. Buy multi-day passes-they’re almost always worth it.

Eat like a local. Skip the restaurants with menus in five languages. Look for places filled with locals. Street food is often the best-and cheapest-option. Markets like Belgrade’s Zeleni Venac or Krakow’s Hala Targowa are full of fresh, affordable bites.

Many museums and attractions offer free entry on certain days. Always check their websites before you go. Some cities, like Lisbon and Bucharest, have free walking tours-just tip what you can.

What to Skip

Don’t fall for the “all-inclusive city break” packages. They’re usually a trap. You’re locked into overpriced hotels and forced to use expensive tour operators. Book flights and accommodation separately. You’ll save 30-50%.

Avoid booking through big platforms like Expedia or Booking.com for last-minute deals. Use local booking sites like Booking.com’s local partner listings, Airbnb, or even direct hotel websites. You’ll often find better rates and more authentic stays.

Don’t assume cheaper means unsafe. Belgrade, Tbilisi, and Bucharest are statistically safer than many Western European cities. Use common sense: don’t flash cash, keep your bag zipped, and avoid poorly lit alleys at night.

Why These Cities Work in 2025

Currency exchange rates are in your favor. The Serbian dinar, Georgian lari, Romanian leu, and Polish zloty are all weaker compared to the Canadian dollar. That means your money goes further-sometimes twice as far.

These cities are investing in tourism infrastructure. Better Wi-Fi, clearer signage, more English-speaking staff. They want you to come back. And they’re making it easy.

They’re not trying to be Paris. They’re trying to be themselves. That’s why they feel real. You won’t find the same chain stores, same overpriced souvenirs, same tourist traps. You’ll find local art, homemade jam, handwritten menus, and people who remember your name.

City breaks don’t need to be expensive. They just need to be intentional. Pick a place that feels alive, not just popular. And go when the world isn’t watching. You’ll come back with better photos, better stories, and a lot more money in your pocket.