As summer fades and the school holidays end, budget-conscious Brits are seeking affordable European escapes. Airport transfer experts at hoppa have analyzed dozens of getaways, scoring them on hotel costs and the average price of a pint, to identify the best-value destinations for a shoulder season break. From the Turkish Riviera to underrated capital cities, here are five destinations where hotels average under £50 per night.
Antalya, Turkey: A Coastal Bargain
Antalya, Turkey's most popular coastal destination, welcomes around 1.6 million British tourists each year. The historic port city on the Mediterranean Sea offers ancient ruins, sparkling waters, and a buzzy Old Town. According to hoppa's research, the average three-star hotel costs £50.15 per night, a draft beer is £2.43, and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant—think fresh seafood and grilled lamb skewers—is around £7.28. One-way public transport journeys typically cost just 57p.
With 101 budget-friendly attractions, visitors can explore the Old Town, known locally as Kaleiçi, with its winding cobbled streets and restored Ottoman-era houses. The impressive Hadrian's Gate, a marble arch built in 130 AD to honour the Roman Emperor Hadrian's visit, is a must-see. At Kaleiçi marina, a crescent-shaped harbour offers yachts and seafood restaurants. Nature lovers can head to Düden Waterfalls, where the river cascades off the city cliffs into the sea, or relax on beaches like Lara Beach or Mermerli, a small cove beneath the Old Town's ancient walls.
For travel, Wizz Air is flying from London Luton on Tuesday, September 29, for £40, with a flight time of four hours and 35 minutes.
Skopje, North Macedonia: An Underrated Capital
Skopje, North Macedonia's capital and largest city, is not as famous as other European capitals, but full-time traveller Konrad Warzecha, who has visited 43 European capitals, recently told Metro that it is his favourite. The city is not overrun with tourists, and main attractions include Macedonia Square and the 15th-century Stone Bridge, which crosses the Vardar River to connect the old and new parts of the city. The Old Bazaar, one of the largest Ottoman markets in the Balkans, features mosques, old inns, and traditional food. Try Tavče Gravče, North Macedonia's national dish, a hearty slow-cooked baked bean meal costing as little as £5.61.
The city is extremely walkable; you can cross Skopje on foot in about half an hour. If you'd rather not, one-way public transport journeys cost around 56p. Hotel rooms average at £42.01 per night, while a pint is £2.11. On Wednesday, September 30, Wizz Air flies from London Luton for £61, with a journey time of just over three hours.
Belgrade, Serbia: Europe's Hidden Highlight
Serbia, touted as Europe's 'hidden highlight,' was named one of ABTA's 'destinations to watch in 2026.' In the affordable capital, Belgrade, hotels average £48.92 per night. By day, explore the historic Zemun district, known for its Austro-Hungarian architecture and cafe culture, with cobblestone streets and open-air markets. Skadarlija, Belgrade's iconic Bohemian Quarter, was a hub for poets and artists in the 19th century and is now home to traditional Serbian restaurants (kafanas), strolling orchestras, and vintage shops.
At night, walk along the Sava and Danube rivers or up to the ancient Kalemegdan Fortress for sunsets. For a £2.58 beer, check out Belgrade's floating river nightlife, called splavovi, where clubs, bars, and restaurants offer meals at an average price of £8.84. On Wednesday, September 23, Wizz Air flies from London Luton for £28, with a journey time of two hours and 50 minutes.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Historic Value
Sarajevo, the historic capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was named Europe's best value city break in the UK's Post Office Travel Money 'City Costs Barometer' earlier this year. Here, hotel rooms cost £48.25 per night on average, beers are priced at £2.22, and meals cost £6.65 (be sure to try Ćevapi, the ultimate Balkan street food of minced-meat sausages in fluffy flatbreads with raw onions and ajvar, a red pepper spread). There are 106 budget-friendly attractions, and public transport costs 98p.
The city, perched in the Dinaric Alps along the Miljacka River, offers vibrant flea markets and a blend of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture. The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is the country's largest historical mosque, and the Gazi Husrev-beg Bezistan is a 16th-century covered market. The Latin Bridge is where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, the event that sparked World War One. The Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, founded in 2016 by survivors of the Bosnian War, is a tribute to victims; entry costs £7. On Tuesday, September 29, Wizz Air flies from London Luton for £27, with a flight time of two hours and 50 minutes.
Tirana, Albania: A TikTok-Inspired Destination
Albania has exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok, but while many head to Albanian Riviera hotspots like Sarandë and Ksamil (currently plagued by overtourism), the capital, Tirana, offers hotels costing £41.72 a night, pints at £2.41, and meals averaging £7.27. Tirana is a playground for history lovers, especially those interested in the communist era. Bunk'Art 1 is a massive Cold War nuclear bunker transformed into history and art museums. The House of Leaves Museum offers insights into Albania's communist past, and The Pyramid of Tirana, a former communist museum, is now a youth and technology hub.
Those unafraid of heights should take the Dajti Express cable car just outside Tirana. For around £14 one-way, gondolas climb Mount Dajti, offering panoramic views of the city. Tirana also boasts a vibrant café culture; Tirana and wider Albania rank near the top globally for the number of coffee bars and cafes per capita. On Monday, September 28, Ryanair flies from London Stansted for £17, with a journey time of just under three hours.
