I've visited over 100 cities across the world – here are my five European faves including 84p beers and £15 flights

The Irish Sun

14 hours ago

HAVING been travelling the world for the best part of 15 years, it's safe to say I've racked up a fair few city breaks.
And while that includes far-flung destinations from Colombia to
Europe
.
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Deputy travel editor Kara has been to more than 100 cities around the world
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Magical Copenhagen is one of the world's happiest cities
Credit: Getty
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Kara loved the Only U hotel in Seville
From amazingly friendly locals and cheap bars to beautiful streets and fun theme parks, here are my top five - and how to visit without breaking the bank.
Seville
One of my most recent ventures to
Spain
took me to the southern city of
It felt much more uniquely Spanish than other, more touristy cities, and was perfect for wandering down side streets lined with historic buildings and tapas bars spilling onto the road.
While this might have meant I ordered the wrong thing a few times (I swear I asked for fish only for chickpeas to arrive), it also means you can expect some Spanish prices.
For example, rather than a large
beer
,
You can find these for as little as €1 (84p) in some bars.
Along with one of the cheapest beers, you'll also want to head to 100 Montaditos for some cheap food.
A Spanish
fast food
institution, they sell 100 different varieties of small sandwiches for €1 (84p) a pop every Wednesday and Sunday.
And if you know where to look, you can even visit some top attractions for free.
I love the the historic royal palace, the Alcázar of Seville, which has limited free tickets on Mondays between 6pm-7pm in April to September, and from 4pm-5pm in October to March.
Only You Hotel Seville boasts Mediterranean-meets-Arabic interiors
Similarly, the cathedral - the largest gothic cathedral in the world - has free tickets every day from 2pm-3pm if you're fast enough.
Hotels
might be on the pricier side but tour operators have some great deals.
For example, easyJet
holidays
has a three-night package deal (with flights and a four-star hotel) for just £160 per person
next
month.
If you don't mind splashing out a bit, the newish Only U is one of my favourite
hotels
in
Europe
, feeling more like a fancy members club with outdoor
pool
and onsite florist and cafe.
Gothenburg
As the
But it shouldn't be, and not least because it hosts an amazing music festival every
summer
that most people haven't heard of - Way Out West.
I was lucky enough to see live music acts such as Chvrches and
Sia
there, and this year's line up is just as good, with
Day tickets cost around £130, while three-days ones are £230 - much cheaper than Glastonbury's £373.
The best part? It isn't a
camping
festival so I was well-rested and comfy in my
Airbnb
every night.
You can find hotels for around £65 a night, and Ryanair flights are around £15.
If music doesn't take your fancy, the small city has its own theme park, Liseberg, which is opening a number of new rides in the
next
few years (entry starts from £7).
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Cafes, bars, restaurants and shops in Gothenburg's Haga district
Credit: Alamy
Meanwhile, the rest of the city feels like a fairytale town, especially the oldest neighborhood, Haga. My favourite cosy spot was Le Petit Cafe for a coffee and blueberry scone while people-watching and chatting to the owner.
Locals are big fans of 'Afterwork' or AW - AKA cheap beers and food after finishing work on a Friday.
For example, Kings Head lets you buy a
beer
for 59 SEK (£5) that comes with free access to the buffet - it's simple food, but one of the most affordable when visiting between 5pm and 7pm.
Want to go full Swedish? Try the fried stömming fish, mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce from food truck Strömmingsluckan - even I was converted.
Lille
If you want all the great parts of
Paris
without actually going to
Paris
, then
It has its own Arc de Triomphe, albeit on a much smaller scale, as well as the Palais des Beaux-Arts (nicknamed the Louvre of Lille).
Once known as being the "
France
" due to its textile and industrial
history
, the fifth-largest French city is also home to cheap weekend
markets
and an amazing food scene.
A must-try is the Meert vanilla waffle, said to be loved by
former president Charles de Gaulle, which costs less than £3.
Lille Braderie Flea Market is the largest market in Europe, with more than 10,000 stalls, so you can find the perfect bargain souvenir. Just time your visit well as it only runs the first weekend of September.
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The Braderie flea market is the largest in Europe
Credit: Alamy
Lille is also a great place to visit for nervous flyers, as it is one of the few destinations with direct trains from
London
St Pancras.
Taking just 1hr22 on the Eurostar, you can find £39 tickets if you're quick (although some are as little as £31 right now).
Be even savvier and go for
Make sure to pop to rooftop restaurant NU, which has beautiful views over the city and is right by the train station too.
I love staying at the Mama Shelter hotels, and while the rooms start from £95 in Lille (including an extensive breakfast) they also often have 3-for-2 nights.
If you want something cheaper, there are lots of Ibis budget hotels around the city, some as little as £57 a night.
Copenhagen
While
Getting there is cheap as
Ryanair
has £15 flights from the UK.
And a must-visit is the
Tickets start from £19 for entry - a fraction of the price of Disneyland, but just as magical on a smaller scale.
Copenhagen always feels extremely clean, and one of those cities where you constantly think: 'Should I move here?'
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Copenhagen is often ranked one of the world's most liveable cities
Credit: Alamy
It is often named one of the
My favourite place for brunch is Mad & Kaffe, where three small
bowls
of anything from protein, fruit or bakery items costs around £9, or try Grodwhich serves just porridge and risotto (hearty and warming when visiting in winter), for breakfast.
Alcohol is expensive here, so I recommend heading to one of the city's bodegas if you really want a cheap drink.
Or try the new Kissavesterbro cocktail bar, where you can find cocktails for just over a fiver.
If you don't mind a small room for the night, one of the cheapest stays that isn't a hostel is the CityHub Copenhagen - a
You'll have to share a communal bathroom but it's more stylish that you'd think, with your own robes, rowels and Rituals toiletries.
Don't mind splashing out? I love the stylish Hotel SP34 which starts from £155 a night, but has a free
wine
hour every evening at 5pm so you can make some of that
money
back.
Faro
Most people fly into
For example, for a few
euros
and a 20-minute boat ride, you can visit an island nicknamed the
Caribbean
of Portugal.
Ilha Deserta has golden sandy beaches where you won't see many other tourists - I was the only one there when I visited in May.
Make sure to grab some fresh fish from Estamine, the only restaurant on the island as well.
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Faro in Portugal is a great base for exploring the surrounding area
Credit: Alamy
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No wonder Ilha Deserta is known as the Caribbean of Portugal
Credit: Alamy
There is also
Or just 15 minutes from Faro is the pretty fishing town of Olha, where you have to visit Terra i Mar for amazing seafood and massive glasses of local
wine
for £3.
I stayed at 3HB, the first five-star hotel in the area with one of the few infinity rooftop pools in Faro - easyJet Holidays has seven night holiday packages for £724pp.
Otherwise Loveholidays has seven-night stays with return flights for £279pp when staying at budget hotels like Best Western.
Here are some of my other top tips, including the
Struggle to pack light? Here is the travel bag I always take with me after
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The 3HB hotel's infinity rooftop pool is a rarity in Faro