With the next May bank holiday fast approaching, a cheeky city break is probably starting to look very appealing.
Cheap, frequent flights will take you to cities all over Europe, so you can make the most of the long weekend and get away for a few days without having to rob a bank. The big decision is simply choosing where to go for your budget-friendly break. So where can you go that won't cost you a fortune, but will still give you chance to have a fun-packed few days?
Did you know that Columbus Direct silver annual multi trip to Europe costs from just £38.23; that’s cheaper than Aviva, Insure & Go and Tesco?
Munich
British Airways has actually started running day return flights to Munich, so you can go for just the day and fly back that evening if you like. However, to make the most of it, you want to give yourself a good couple of days to take in the sights and smells, as well as sample some of the amazing cuisine on offer.
The English Garden is bigger than Hyde Park and Central Park, and it is a popular green space for picnics, walks or just to get away from the business of the city for a couple of hours. If you want something more unusual, make sure you visit Café Marais. This café-junk shop-sewing shop is one of the most bizarre cafés in Munich and that's what makes it so unique and fun. You can enjoy a cuppa while purchasing the very chair you chose to sit on!
Nice
While Nice may have become known as the destination for those hunting down the good life, it is actually surprisingly cheap to book a mini break there. There are several museums including the Musee Matisse that are worth touring and the Colline du Chateau is also worth a visit. This ruined castle overlooks the harbour and Baie des Anges, so power through the climb and embrace the view at the top.
Nice is renowned for its food so make sure you visit the Cours Saleya Market, which is famed for selling fruit and flowers. Pop into one of the little independent restaurants to experience the local cuisine first hand, where you'll find not only great tasting food, but wallet-friendly prices as well.
Be sure to try a chickpea flatbread called socca - a local speciality. If seafood is your thing, make sure you leave room to try some of the local catches as well.
Barcelona
If you want nice weather, great shopping, historical landmarks and tasty cuisine, Barcelona has got to be high on your list of destinations. The Gothic Quarter is home to some stunning architecture with several churches that are worth a visit, as well as the usual bars, cafés and shops.
If you're a football fan, make sure you book a tour around Camp Nou - home of the world famous FC Barcelona. You can visit the museum as well as do the tour, and the tickets won't break the bank either. The first bank holiday weekend even sees the club playing at home, so if you can snag tickets, it's well worth it to be a part of the atmosphere on match day.
Budapest
The Hungarian capital has topped the lists of the cheapest place in Europe for a mini break, so it was inevitable that it would end up on this list. If you want to visit somewhere a bit romantic and different, head to the Castle District, reached by a 19th Century funicular. The cobbled streets lead you to the Matthias Church and you can take in the stunning scenery.
Take a walk over the bridge to Margaret Island where you can explore 13th century ruins; a perfect way to while away an afternoon for absolutely nothing. You'll find flower beds and a musical fountain here, giving you plenty to look at. If you want to do something really unusual, go crawling through the underground passageways that twist and turn beneath the city; just make sure you have a spare set of clothes, as you will get dirty doing this.
Image credits: Flickr, with thanks to Hernán Piñera, John Morgan, Kurt Bauschardt and Moyan Brenn.
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