The best affordable hidden-gem city breaks
Looking for a destination that’s outside the box but cash-flow-friendly? These lesser-known gems deliver small-city charm but are big on affordability
05/02/2026
Words: Harriet Cooper
The skies are every shade of grey, the festive season is a hazy memory and the thought of a trip away is increasingly tantalising. In fact, you can’t get the minibreak idea out of your head, but your bank balance is telling you to do just that. What you need is somewhere that’s rich in energy and excitement, but won’t cost a fortune. From eternal sunshine on the Moroccan coast to a true taste of the Baltic, here are the low-cost, character-packed cities to visit now, before everyone else does.
Schlossberg hill overlooks the historic centre of Graz (Daniel J Schwarz)
Graz, Austria
Visit for: fairytale architecture and farm-to-table innovation
Often overshadowed by Vienna’s imperial grandeur and the musical legacy of Salzburg, Graz has just as many strings to its bow. One of a handful of European cities to hold multiple Unesco titles, the Old Town is skip-a-beat beautiful, especially when viewed from Schlossberg hill – hike or take the funicular up, but descend via the largest underground slide in the world. Equally as magical is Schloss Eggenberg, a fine Baroque palace. But this is also a city with a new energy, thanks to its student population, with a burgeoning creative scene (offbeat shops, contemporary galleries) and talented young chefs bringing their own spin to the region’s farm-to-table traditions.
Kasbah of the Udayas, Rabat
Rabat, Morocco
Visit for: fragrant gardens and go-slow souks
While Marrakech and Fez are a sensory overload, you’ll often hear the words ‘unhurried’ and ‘laidback’ when people talk about Rabat. Morocco’s coastal capital was founded in the 12th century on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic, so there’s a welcome breeze, even in the hottest months. Abundant green spaces add to the calm; don’t pass up the chance to visit the enchanting Andalusian Gardens in the Kasbah of the Udayas. The medina has an easy-to-navigate, grid-like layout compared to other cities, and the souks are less congested but just as colourful – stock up on authentic handwoven rugs, ceramic tagines, soft leather babouches and Berber jewellery.
The ornate ceiling within the crypt of Salerno Cathedral (Calvin Schumbera)
Salerno, Italy
Visit for: café culture and a cathedral masterpiece
The pastel-hued Amalfi Coast holds a timeless charm, but it also attracts major crowds. So, can we suggest you swap Positano and Ravello for Salerno? The port city may be known as the gateway to this endlessly popular stretch of coastline but there are plenty of reasons to stay put. It has an interesting history, one that’s reflected in the mediaeval fortress and the cathedral, where the crypt is extraordinary. Do as the locals do: stroll along the Lungomare Trieste promenade and drink espressos in seafront cafés. You can easily make a day trip to Capri, Pompeii or any number of pebbly coves, safe in the knowledge that easygoing Salerno will be waiting for you on your return.
Tirana is backdropped by Mount Dajti
Tirana, Albania
Visit for: the vivid cityscape and vibey bars
If Tirana’s walls could talk, they’d have plenty to say: the Albanian capital is layered with history, a hub for Ottomans, fascists and communists over the centuries. Today, it is a city with a spring in its step, and a vibrant one at that. To foster hope for the future, its Soviet-era buildings have been painted in rainbow brights and abstract murals enliven façades. While you can learn about Tirana’s dark past in the subterranean museum Bunk’Art 1, above ground, buy warm, flaky byrek from local bakeries, drink cocktails in retro-cool bars, shop for unique souvenirs at the humming Pazari i Ri market and take the Dajti Ekspres cable car to hike in thick, mountain pine forests.
A surfing spot in Taghazout Bay, Agadir (Juli Kosolapova) – also opening image
Agadir, Morocco
Visit for: golden beaches and steamy hammams
For out-of-season sunshine without the overwater villa prices, make it Agadir. The resort destination, which sits on Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountain, revolves around beach life. The city’s crescent of golden sand stretches for kilometres, its palm tree-lined corniche a hive of activity. Buy a fresh pomegranate juice from one of the stalls and watch the energetic learning to surf (the more experienced catch waves at nearby Taghazout). Agadir also delivers on classic Morocco: a sprawling souk, the ruins of the original kasbah, hammams and a modern-but-mediaeval medina, rebuilt in the 1990s after an earthquake.
Riga Old Town, viewed from a boat on the Daugava River
Riga, Latvia
Visit for: authentic Baltic food and quirky statues
Whether you’re flying solo, on a romantic weekend or travelling with the family in tow, Riga will deliver. The Latvian capital is compact, its pedestrianised boulevards and the proximity of its landmarks making it eminently walkable. Don’t just stick to the striking architectural tapestry of the Old Town (though you can’t leave until you’ve spotted the two copper felines who perch on the mediaeval-style Cat House); explore the Art Nouveau district and arty Miera iela neighbourhood. And, whatever you do, follow your nose to the Riga Central Market, where 3,000 stalls sell smoked fish, local cheese and steaming bowls of soup or stew served with rye bread.
