The charming capital city named Europe's most affordable summer destination
Helping travellers stay within their budget, credit card provider Aqua has looked into the average costs of return travel, week-long hotel stays, food and drink, and local transport across European destinations and created a list of the most affordable for the summer.
Coming in hot, Budapest claimed the title of the cheapest capital city to visit for UK travellers.
Imagine flights that average at £83 per person to the Hungarian capital, as well as week-long hotel stays for around £536 for two, meals at £8.28, and pints priced at an average of £2.07. Commute is just as cheap with local transport tickets costing just under £1. With all that money saved, you'll feel like royalty, especially while strolling along the Danube, with sights of Buda Castle and Parliament Building just within your reach.
With all that extra dough in your pocket, there's no excuse not to indulge in the city's famous thermal spas. And trust us, there are plenty. Stop by Rudas, a 500-year-old thermal spa just along the river, and sink into their swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths, cold plunges and then some. It won't cost much more to throw in a massage, or dine on the terrace al fresco, letting time drift by like the many boats on the Danube.
And if you need another excuse to book a trip, we're opening a brand-new Time Out Market in Budapest this year – here's a taster of the dishes you can expect.
These are Europe's most affordable summer destinations
Budapest, Hungary
Prague, Czech Republic
Costa del Sol, Spain
Porto, Portugal
Lanzarote, Spain
Lake District, UK
Madrid, Spain
Blackpool, UK
Tenerife, Spain
Forest of Dean, UK
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Nine of Europe's best city break destinations where you only need two days to explore
From floating saunas to rooftop bars – discover why Europe's cities are calling you this summer SWAP SEA FOR CITY Nine of Europe's best city break destinations where you only need two days to explore Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUMMER doesn't have to mean sun loungers by the seaside. This year, more travellers are swapping beach towels for city maps, discovering that short-haul city breaks offer their own summer magic — from floating saunas in Oslo to pierogi festivals in Krakow. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 From palace tours to pedal-powered sightseeing, Copenhagen's vintage shops and café scene make it the ultimate chic summer escape Credit: Getty According to experts at Travel-Supermarket, summer city breaks are on the increase. Steph Marinkovic, its head of editorial, said: 'We're seeing a rise in interest for summer 2025 compared to the same period last year, based on relative monthly search traffic.' Here, Sun Travel digs out the best last-minute mini-breaks in cities this summer, with top tips from Steph. COPENHAGEN, DENMARK 'Copenhagen oozes Scandi cool, so pack your chicest threads for two days of cycling, cafe-hopping and palace exploration. "Make sure to leave space in your suitcase as the city has an excellent vintage shopping scene too,' says Steph. GO: Two nights' B&B at the 3* Best Western Hotel Hebron is from £438pp including flights from Stansted on August 17. See REYKJAVIK, ICELAND 9 From towering churches to steaming geysers, Reykjavik packs epic sights and natural wonders into one unforgettable weekend Credit: Getty 'You can squeeze a lot out of two nights in compact Reykjavik, so once you've seen the city highlights (the towering Hallgrímskirkja church is a must), book on to a Golden Circle tour to tick off natural wonders such as the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall,' notes Steph. GO: Two nights' room-only at the 3* CenterHotel Arnarhvoll for £445pp including flights from Stansted on August 30. For details see Top 5 cheapest European city breaks DUBLIN, IRELAND 9 Just over an hour away, Dublin offers summer strolls and fantastic indoor attractions if you're caught in a shower Credit: Getty 'With flight times of around 70 minutes, Dublin proves you don't have to go far for a city break to remember. "This walkable city is at its loveliest in summer, though there are plenty of fantastic indoor attractions if you get caught in a shower,' says Steph. GO: Two nights' B&B at the 4* Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin is from £202pp including flights from Birmingham on Aug 24. See OSLO, NORWAY 9 Oslo blends highbrow culture with wild swims and floating saunas – cool off in the fjord, then warm up in style Credit: Getty 'From the Nobel Peace Center to the Munch Museum, the Norwegian capital has tons of cultural clout. "For culture of another kind, join locals jumping into the fjord for a refreshingly icy swim. "You can warm up again in the city's floating saunas, which is a treat even in summer,' notes Steph. GO: Two nights' room-only at the 4* Scandic Victoria is from £298pp including flights from Stansted on August 23. For details see STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN 9 Beat the crowds in Stockholm this August with an island escape to Sandhamn, complete with beaches, spa hotels and a new archipelago trail Credit: Getty 'Swedish schools return by mid-August, so it's a brilliant time to visit Stockholm's islands without the family crowds,' explains Steph. 'Sandhamn is the perfect back-to-nature pick close to the city, with sandy beaches, lush spa hotels and the recently opened Stockholm Archipelago Trail that loops around the island.' GO: Two nights' room-only at the 4* Downtown Camper by Scandic is from £429pp including flights from Birmingham on August 15. See AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS 9 Steph's tip is to book ahead for museums such as the Anne Frank House as tickets can sell out weeks in advance 'Two days in Amsterdam won't be enough to get under the skin of the city, but you will certainly get through many of the must-sees. "Book ahead for museums such as the Anne Frank House as tickets can sell out weeks in advance,' advises Steph. GO: Two nights' room-only at the 5* Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is from £358pp including flights from Liverpool on August 7. See BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 9 From world-class chocolate and beer to a city-wide Comic Strip Trail, Brussels packs a punch for a short summer break Credit: Getty 'It's impossible to be bored in the land of fries, chocolate and beer,' notes Steph. 'When you're not scoping out the best the city has to offer, make time to follow the Comic Strip Trail, an 80-strong collection of giant comic-inspired murals.' GO: Two nights' room-only at the 5* Hotel Le Plaza is from £200pp including flights from Manchester on August 16. See KRAKOW, POLAND 9 Krakow's August sizzles with the Pierogi Festival, so get ready to feast on Poland's famous dumplings - and to loosen your belt Credit: Getty 'Krakow's August highlight has to be the four-day Pierogi Festival on 14-17. "Join the celebration of Poland's humble dumpling and be prepared to loosen the belt a few notches — the filling options are delicious and endless!' says Steph. GO: Two nights' room-only at the 4* Aparthotel Santi is from £301pp including flights from Leeds Bradford on August 13. See BERLIN, GERMANY 9 Make a beeline for the city's lakes, where you can swim, sunbathe and rent boats and paddleboards Credit: Getty 'There's never a bad time to visit Berlin but it's hard to deny its allure in summer. "Make a beeline for the city's lakes, where you can swim, sunbathe and rent boats and paddleboards. 'There are also plenty of free street festivals showcasing theatre, dance, music and more,' notes Steph. GO: Two nights' room-only at the 4* Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie is from £247pp including flights from Stansted on August 24. See
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
New £100million indoor resort to open in the UK with ‘next generation waterpark' and thermal spas
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A huge Therme spa complex with a huge indoor waterpark, pools and slides, is still coming to Glasgow. Therme Group has plans to open multiple new sites across the globe, including one in Scotland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The tropical oasis in Scotland is still in the works Credit: Therme Since the announcement of its opening back in 2021, there haven't been many updates on the upcoming Therme Scotland. But the company confirmed the build was still going ahead in a recent Instagram update. On social media it created a post about Therme's new destinations across the globe which included Manchester and Glasgow. The new attraction is planned to open in central Glasgow next to the Riverside Museum at a cost of £100million. The site will have a "next-generation indoor waterpark" with 35 water slides, 25 pools which are both indoor and outdoor, and a wave pool. There will be more relaxing areas too like thermal spas, wellbeing garden, sauna, steam room and exotic relaxation areas. The initial plans in 2021 also included a bridge being built across the River Kelvin. This would link the Riverside Museum to Therme Scotland and expanding access to the Glasgow waterfront. At the time of its announcement in 2021, Therme Group CEO Stelian Iacob said: "Therme Scotland will create a fun and accessible experience with profound health and wellbeing benefits for all. "We look forward to engaging with the Glasgow community as we progress with the design and development of Therme Scotland.' 4 The interior could look like the Manchester designs Credit: Therme 4 The Manchester Therme will have high walkways and lots of slides Credit: Therme Therme Manchester was initially announced in March 2020 with an initial opening in 2024 - however it is still in the works. The attraction bosses have said the first major construction phase will start later in 2025. The huge complex was predicted to take between 24 and 30 months to build, so it could mean that it's might not be open until 2028. Costs have risen too, initially the build was set to be £250million, this has since jumped to £400million. When the Manchester site does open, it will have a waterpark with 25 swimming pools, 35 water slides and even an indoor beach. And it will be 33C all-year round so visitors can enjoy it whatever the weather. Therme Spa is known for its affordability, at the site in Bucharest, one day entry tickets cost from €36 (£31.28). One woman even flew herself and her mum out to the Therme Spa in Romania because it was cheaper than a spa day trip in the UK. Flights and spa passes for the pair set them back £315 - rather than the £400 at the spa in their neighbourhood. For anyone who can't get enough of spas, take a look inside the new spa woodland pods in the UK that make you feel like you're abroad. And check out this European beer spa where you bathe in hops with a pint - and you can get there by train.
Time Out
12 hours ago
- Time Out
Sandton restaurants offering fine dining
Sandton is a go-to place to experience the finer things in life. It has been dubbed Africa's richest square mile. If you are looking for restaurants to go and enjoy fine dining, we have you covered. Maslow Sandton's Lacuna Bistro The Maslow Sandton hotel's Lacuna Bistro restaurant recently launched a new fine-dining offering for couples that will run from August to October. The Friday Fivefold Indulgence menu is designed with elegance and comfort, offering five course meals prepared by Executive Sous Chef Thokozane Shongwe. The fine-dining experience is available every last Friday over the next three months: 29 August, 26 September, and 31 October 2025. Bring your partner along, experience love, and enjoy mouth-watering dishes surrounded by stunning views at the upmarket bistro setting. The menu has the following options: Choose between surf & turf (250g beef fillet, tiger prawns, potato pave|, carrot puréee, and garlic jus), chicken supreme (tomato cumin orzo, confit heirloom tomatoes, pickled red onion), salmon teriyaki (with stir-fried bok choy, edamame beans and mashed potato), or cauliflower steak with white bean purée, pickled vegetables and chimichurri. End the meal with traditional malva pudding served warm with rooibos-infused custard; baked milk tart or artisanal cheeses served with preserves, crackers, and seasonal accompaniments. Whether you are looking to unwind, bond with your lover, or enjoy the delicious, unique flavours, the experience promises to amazing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Maslow Sandton (@sun_themaslow) Aurum Restaurant Aurum Restaurant is a high end restaurant located in The Leonardo. It offers fine dining and specialises in European cuisine. Their menu has appetisers, garden greens, pasta and risotto, mains, desserts , frozen treats and beverages. If you are a lover of wine, then you are in for a treat. The restaurant offers a curated wine selection. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AURUM (@aurumrestaurantza) Signature Restaurant Sandton The Signature restaurant in Morningside Shopping Centre offers a fine dining experience. The menu has a wide variety of dishes. Every meal offers a unique experience. Starters include oysters, and charred ostrich. Main meals include chicken carbonara linguine, coffee rubbed fillet, seafood pasta and oxtail. There are vegetarian meals and over ten dessert options. The restaurant has a local and international wine list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Signature Restaurant Sandton (@signature_sandton)
