I've visited over 100 cities across the world – here are my five European faves including 84p beers and £15 flights
SEE EU I've visited over 100 cities across the world – here are my five European faves including 84p beers and £15 flights
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 Korea, these are a few that have taken my heart in 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 Seville and it quickly became my favourite place to go in the whole country.
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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, locals drink cañas, which admittedly are smaller - but that means they're still cold by the time you finish.
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.
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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.
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For example, easyJet holidays has a three-night package deal (with flights and a four-star hotel) for just £160 per personnext 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 second city of Sweden, Gothenburg is sometimes overlooked in favour of Stolkhom.
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 Charli XCX and Chappel Roan appearing.
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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
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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 Lille is a great option.
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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 "Manchester of 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
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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 Eurostar Snap for up to 50 per cent off tickets, as long as you don't mind not knowing the time of day you are visiting until nearer the departure.
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.
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If you want something cheaper, there are lots of Ibis budget hotels around the city, some as little as £57 a night.
Copenhagen
While Copenhagen is the one of the pricier cities to visit in Europe, it's still one of my favourites and I think worth the price.
Getting there is cheap as Ryanair has £15 flights from the UK.
And a must-visit is the famous Tivoli Gardens, which was said to have inspired Walt Disney.
Tickets start from £19 for entry - a fraction of the price of Disneyland, but just as magical on a smaller scale.
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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 happiest and most liveable cities, which is no surprise given how easy and safe it is to get around.
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.
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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 Japanese-like pod hotel with rooms from £50 a night.
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 Faro as a stopping point to the Algarve, but it is a great affordable base to explore the nearby areas.
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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
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There is also Ilha Armona, also just a few minutes from the mainland, with a only few houses and food stalls.
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 best Cotswolds town to visit and my favourite UK hotels.
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Struggle to pack light? Here is the travel bag I always take with me after travelling to more than 50 countries.
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