From learning about a city’s history and culture to indulging in local culinary cuisine and nightlife, city trips introduce us to new and exciting perspectives.
And when you visit less-traveled destinations, it means saving on flights, accommodations, and on-the-ground expenses without sacrificing essential city-break experiences. We’ve done the work for you, studying our data to select cheaper, very cool city break alternatives to our most popular destinations across the globe. Plus, we’re sharing a few surprise “curveball” places you’ll want to see before they get too mainstream. Pack your best walking footwear; it’s time to hit the pavement at these under-the-radar summer city gems.
Disclaimer: The following alternative city break destinations have lower average flight prices for July and August 2023 at the time of publication. Prices will vary.
Top city break alternatives
- Belfast, UK
- Budapest, Hungary
- Girona, Spain
- Krakow, Poland
- Seville, Spain
- Deauville, France
- Paso Robles, California
Like London? Try Belfast
Best for: music and stout
Charming and exciting, Belfast doesn’t get nearly enough recognition. Because it’s compact and walkable, you can pack a lot into your time here. Start at the Ulster Museum in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and discover an extensive collection of art, history, and science artifacts. Don’t miss “The Troubles and Beyond” exhibition for an overview of the city’s turbulent past. Then head to the Titanic Belfast to learn about the ship’s fascinating story from inception to wreckage.
With pleasant temps, spend your days meandering through streets and squares, marveling at landmarks like the Albert Clock, or heading to Stormont Castle just outside the city. Stop by St George’s Market, a sprawling Victorian market where you can shop for anything from fresh produce to antiques. Come summer, the city’s renowned music scene spills onto the street, and festivals such as the Belfast Tradfest (July 23-29, 2023) celebrate traditional music and dance.
Insider tip: Belfast’s bar, club, and pub scene is unmissable. Take your pick from elaborate Victorian-era public houses (Victoria Street Crown Liquor Saloon), rowdy sports bars (Lavery’s), beer gardens (The Dirty Onion and Yardbird), or ultra-lavish nightclubs (Ollie’s in the Merchant Hotel), and you’re in for an unforgettable summer night out.
Like Paris? Try Budapest
Best for: luxury on a budget
Budapest has all the glamour and romance of Paris, minus the hefty price tag. From Roman ruins to ultra-contemporary designs, this city’s architecture is a thing of wonder. Stroll along the grand boulevards and the Danube River and discover a kaleidoscope of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical buildings, where you can see art, shop, or enjoy a cup of coffee alongside somlói galuska, a decadent chocolate walnut sponge cake. Try it at the historic Gundel Cafe or, for a more modern take, the Onyx Mühely, which received a Michelin green star.
The extravagance continues at the city’s multiple thermal baths, many with outdoor pools. The opulent Széchenyi is Budapest’s crowning jewel. Summer soaks are complemented by pop-up bars serving poolside cocktails. Or you can soak in the Art Nouveau-style Gellért Thermal Bath. The Rudas Bath, on the other hand, boasts a dome structure that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, head to Dandár Baths to mingle with locals.
Insider Tip: You will no doubt find your way to the best museums in Budapest (Hungarian National Gallery in the Buda Castle, Ludwig Museum, and Budapest History Museum, among them), but don’t miss the city’s more quirky institutions, like the Flippermúzeum, a museum with vintage arcade and pinball games, or the Zwack Unicum Museum, dedicated to the national bitter digestive. Just go easy on the samples.
Like Barcelona? Try Girona
Best for: history
If a city is defined by its landmarks, green spaces, museums, cultural offerings, and food experiences, then Spain’s northeastern city of Girona has it in spades. Plus, it’s considerably cheaper and less crowded than Barcelona, which means you can splurge on lunch or dinner at El Celler de Can Roca, which has three Michelin stars and consistently lands a spot on the 50 best restaurants in the world.
A 38-minute train ride from Barcelona will transport you to a place that dates back to the Roman Empire and whose medieval walled Old Quarters, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe. Start with a walk along the Passeig de la Muralla, elevated walkways along the city wall that open to sweeping city views. Visit the 12th-century Romanesque Arab Baths and the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, housed in a former church. Then get lost in the lush landscape of the Parc de la Devesa. Lying at the confluence of the Ter, Onyar, and Güell rivers, it’s Catalonia’s largest urban park.
Insider tip: A trip to Girona is a must for Game of Thrones fans. Many scenes — Braavos, Kings Landing, and interior shots of the Citadel — were filmed here. Make sure you visit Girona’s Cinema Museum (Museu del Cinema), whose collection of cinema and pre-cinema boasts more than 400 years of history, documents, and artifacts.
Like Rome? Try Krakow
Best for: nightlife and entertainment
Krakow’s perfectly-preserved medieval town center, with the tree-lined Vistula River snaking right through, is as charming as it gets. As the sun sets, however, another side emerges — one whose vibrant nightlife scene rivals those of larger cities. So while the daytime may have you lingering in Rynek Główny square, wandering down cobblestone streets that lead to castles, palaces, cathedrals, parks, and museums, at night, you’ll discover a slew of craft cocktail and vodka bars, beer gardens, lounges, breweries, and clubs in neighborhoods such as Kazimierz and Podgórze.
In the summer, citywide celebrations and parties take place. Among them is the Jazz Festival (July 2-September 2, 2023) and Wawel at Dusk (TBA), when music by composers such as Chopin, Ravel, Beethoven, Moniuszko, Szymanowski, and Mozart resounds in the Arcaded and Bathory Courtyards of the Royal Castle. Or check out the Kraków Live Festival (TBA) for a taste of Polish pop. Be sure to stick a round for the Pierogi Festival (August 6-12, 2023), too, for a chance to sample dozens of varieties.
Insider tip: From cozy to ultra-modern, Krakow’s lively café culture is likewise not to be missed. Take a break from sightseeing or get back on your feet after a night of partying at Karma Coffee Roastery (in the Jewish Quarter), Jama Michalika (one of the city’s oldest cafes), or Coffeece (near Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory).
Like Madrid? Try Seville
Best for: tapas
Seville’s smaller city center offers visitors all the splendor of a European metropolis but at a better price point. Start with what is considered Spain’s most beautiful palace, Real Alcazár. Peel back the layers of history from the rooftop of Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, a 12th-century mosque turned cathedral. Climb atop the Giralda, former minaret, for more panoramic views, where you can see as far as the Sierra Norte mountains. Then ascend the Setas de Sevilla (“Mushrooms of Seville”), an ultra-modern structure by German architect Jürgen Mayer and a symbol of Seville’s modern outlook.
End your days with a visit to Baños Árabes, a bathhouse inside a 16th-century Mudéjar palace where you can soak in thermal pools and book spa treatments. Then you’ll be ready to enjoy a few other of Seville’s specialties: tapas and Andalusian sherries. Sample both at Palo Cortao before heading to a live flamenco performance at the intimate CasaLa Teatro inside the Triana Market.
Insider tip: For most travelers to Spain, Madrid is the primary destination, but Seville is by far a better city break alternative for those wanting to explore the neighboring Spanish cities of Granada, Ronda, Córdoba, Málaga, and Cádiz.
Curveball underrated city break alternatives
Deauville, France
Chic and elegant, this seaside resort on the Côte Fleurie of France’s Normandy region was established in the 1900s as a hotspot for the Parisian elite escaping the chaos of the city. It’s no coincidence Coco Chanel opened her second store here (after Paris) in 1913. Picture horse races and polo matches and strolls on a wooden boardwalk (Les Planches) lined with gorgeous Art Deco, mosaic-tiled bathing cabins. Now add decadent seafood meals and tasty treasures from local chocolatier and pâtisserie shops. Yeah, it’s that dreamy. And with the recent opening of Les Franciscaines, an immersive, multi-disciplinary cultural center and performance space housed in a converted 19th-century convent, the work of contemporary architect Alain Moatti, it won’t be long before Deauville becomes the next Paris, with a beach.
Paso Robles, California
This small farm town, nestled between Los Angeles and San Francisco, just might be California’s best-kept secret. With relaxing thermal springs and a downtown area lined with tasting rooms from the surrounding vineyards and olive groves, as well as antique shops, restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries, Paso Robles is an up-and-coming wine region destination without the typical wine country pretense. Come for the wine and stay until sunset, when Bruce Munro’s Sensorio comes alive. This 15-acre solar-powered art installation features color-changing spheres that light up the rolling hills while local musicians set the scene for an unforgettable summer experience.
Looking for more city break alternatives?
Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search is the ultimate tool for scoring deals on underrated city break alternatives. Choose your departure city and type in “everywhere” as your destination, and we’ll show you the best and cheapest deals across the globe. Use it with specific dates or, to see even better deals, choose “whole month” (on the desktop) and “anytime” (in the app).
