Wroclaw in Poland has been named the cheapest city break in Europe, with a daily average cost of £35 per person, according to a study by Getsby. The city, located in southwestern Poland, is just a two-hour flight from the UK and offers a medieval old town, canals, and affordable dining.
Study Methodology and Top Rankings
The research, conducted by virtual card provider Getsby, analysed data from travel cost site Budget Your Trip. It calculated the average cost for two people for a mid-range city break in 100 European cities, including mid-priced meals, hotel stays, and local transport over two days. Poland dominated the rankings, occupying all of the top five spots: Wroclaw, Poznań, Katowice, Gdańsk, and Kraków. Warsaw also made the top ten at number ten.
Wroclaw's Attractions
Wroclaw is built on 12 islands across the Odra River, with over 100 bridges connecting its neighbourhoods. Nicknamed the Venice of Poland, it offers canal sightseeing by boat. The oldest part, Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island), features cobblestone streets illuminated by 102 gas lamps, each lit by hand daily by a man in a cape. Across the water is Rynek, one of Europe's largest medieval squares, home to a Gothic town hall and pastel-coloured tenement houses. Centennial Hall, a vast concrete building from the 1910s, was used as a filming location for the Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Affordable Food and Winter Appeal
Eating out in Wroclaw is inexpensive, with hearty options like kluski sląskie (soft potato dumplings) and zurek (tangy soup in a bread bowl). The city is also popular in winter, with Rynek hosting a Christmas market from late November to early January, open late into the night. Visitors can enjoy traditional Polish food and hot mulled wine served in ceramic, boot-shaped mugs that have become collector's items.
Other Cheap Destinations
Outside Poland, the top ten includes Sofia in Bulgaria, Zagreb in Croatia, Malmö in Sweden, and Budapest in Hungary, highlighting Eastern Europe as a hub for budget travel.
