Cheap Weekend Breaks In Europe

The popular idea for a vacation, weekend getaway, or weekend break lies in the crux of booking a luxury resort or remote hotel, away from the city’s hustle and bustle and relaxing throughout the day.

On the other hand, people yearn to visit popular destinations like St. Mary’s Basilica, Eiffel Tower, Wawel Castle, Vitosha Mountains, Trevi Fountain, Daugava River, and other capital places in Lisbon, UK, Budapest, Paris, London, Europe, etc.

However, if you are an avid traveller, you cannot do without the thrill of tapping into a country’s culture. Especially in Europe, you should not miss out on staying in a European city.

A city break offers a complete immersion into the city’s culture and is often lighter on the pocket. European city breaks are the best for budget travellers. Some of the most famous European city break destinations include the European cities of Budapest, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Austria, Paris, Latvia, and Turkey.

Foodie’s Guide to the Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona

Booking.com

Why Go For A Cheap City Break?

City breaks are undoubtedly the best ways to explore different cultures, mingle with people, and gather the best experiences. The joy of using public transport, visiting many museums, art galleries, and sightseeing is incomparable to the luxury of a resort.

Moreover, a weekend break in affordable European cities is a sought-after experience due to its rich culture, UNESCO world heritage sites, clubs, art, museums, and much more. In addition, if you are a foodie, nothing can give you more satisfaction than exploring the local food, which will remain amiss in a resort-type accommodation.

In addition, it goes unsaid that this type of break in the town is cheap for your pocket. You can visit different cities in the world, be it in London, Spain, Paris, the UK, Budapest, or any other country, one at a time, and immerse in the rich culture they offer.

Booking.com

The Best City Break Destination – Barcelona

When anyone thinks of a trip to Europe, especially Spain, it is rare not to want to visit one of the most famous, best-value destinations – Barcelona. The city’s streets are always full of explorers, from its cost-friendly accommodation to popular tourist destinations.

However, its rich amalgamation of foods from different cultures makes it one of the best destinations for foodies. Mediterranean to Spanish-style food, the city’s streets have it all. While not the capital city, it makes one of the best city breaks in Europe due to the availability of low-cost places.

Amongst other head turners that are small on the money, a major attraction for foodies wanting to experience local, authentic cuisine is the many tapas bars present here. You may also find a place that serves tapas for free when drinking alcohol.

Therefore, regarding city breaks in Europe, you should immediately book tickets, accommodation, and flights for this popular sightseeing destination.

Tapas Bars – Cheap City Breaks For Foodies

Barcelona is the hub for Spanish food. You can explore Spanish cuisine in thousands of places, from small shops to big restaurants. One of the most popular types of food joints is, however, Tapas Bars.

Tapas are the second most popular food in Spanish cuisine. They are small plates of food traditionally served as appetisers or bar snacks for free with beer or wine. However, with growing popularity, Tapas has become a speciality.

Moreover, Tapas is a great way to try the local cuisine without filling yourself up. The appetiser-sized dishes allow you to taste a range of food and are a cheaper alternative, becoming a popular choice for cheap city breaks among foodies.

Following are the best city break Tapas bars for you to explore:

Bar La Plata

One of the oldest tapas bars in town, Bar La Plata has been serving four tapas on its menu since 1945. Located in the Old Town with a street-open counter, it is one of the best cheap city break food destinations with its equally budget-friendly alcohol.

The place has a lively ambience and is frequently visited by locals, serving the perfect atmosphere to mingle with city dwellers.

Bormuth

Another good place for cheap European weekend breaks, Bormuth in El Born is famous for its vermouth, craft beers, and a mix of modern and classic tapas. The homely atmosphere of the place, with its rustic setting, makes it a favourite amongst many.

Their patatas, bravas, and local wines, combined with the all-wooden furniture, are an experience. The cost of the tapas is average and is a must-try.

Tapas 24

When talking about cheap city breaks for foodies in the city, Tapas 24 cannot be missed out on. Serving the best authentic food from a small place, you can choose their terrace sitting and enjoy the European city view.

Tapas 24 is undoubtedly one of the city’s main attractions, with the stamp of Michelin-rated Tapas 24, making it a crowd favourite. While this is not the most cost-friendly of the city breaks, it is worth it.

Cerveseria Catalana

Another tourist favourite, Cerveseria Catalana, is famous for its combination of a party scene and good food. While there is almost always a waiting line, its ample seating makes it move quickly.

Cerveseria Catalana serves the world’s best seafood tapas in its bright, modern interiors. Must-tries include grilled red prawns, garlic shrimp, fried calamari, and tomato bread, all at a reasonable cost.

Cal Pep

Located in El Born, Cal Pep offers one of the best city break deals in out-of-the-market fresh tapas. Its uniqueness, however, also gets the lines going long.

Every dish has flavours, whether fried shrimp, grilled sea bass, chickpeas, or squid. The chef makes sure to introduce Mediterranean cuisine at its best, using only the best ingredients at a reasonable cost.

El Xampanyet

To combine good food with fascinating history, you must visit El Xampanyet. This tapas bar is a classic in the old town near the Picasso Museum.

El Xampanyet is famous for its old-style tapas, especially Cantabrian anchovies. The place makes it into the list of cheap city breaks for its traditional cava, cider, and drinks. However, the tapas are a little on the higher cost side.

Its hustle-bustle, marble-topped tables, and blue-tiled walls make the ambience.

Sensi Tapas

Not your traditional tapas bar, Sensi tapas puts an exotic spin on its food. Offering a weekend break from an intimate space, the bar fills up quickly, and it is best to reserve your space beforehand.

The tapas joint focuses on serving a mix of classical and original Mediterranean and Spanish tapas, sourcing the ingredients ecologically and locally, making it cost-friendly. Must-tries include baked octopus, oxtail croquettes, and paella.

La Cova Fumada

One of the city’s all-time favourite classics, La Cova Fumada, was opened in 1944 and continues to maintain its low prices and best-value dishes year-round. The bar’s authenticity and preserved style make it stand out in the ancient city.

Serving traditional Catalan dishes, seafood tapas, and local wine, the atmosphere is homely and gives you a short break from exploring the city. Preserving its authenticity, you will find no menu or signage and can order off the blackboard.

Its most loved cost-effective dishes include mussels, sardines, squid, octopus, and bomba, apart from the tapas.

La Pepita

La Pepita deserves mention regarding cheap city breaks in Europe’s cities. This small, charming tapas bar gets creative with its dishes, serving the tapas with a modern twist.

Must-try dishes include foie gras, Catalan sausage, Jamon croqueta, and beef carpaccio. The cost of the dishes is competitive with the market rates.

Ziryab

A not-so-old town city break, Ziryab is the place for unique, medieval-style fusion tapas. A small, cosy place with a special menu, the tapas bar boasts healthier, lighter food without compromising the taste.

You can also choose from an elite selection of wine. Another feature that attracts localities to the bar is its rustic decor and live acoustic music. Moreover, the place doesn’t cost a higher side of your money.

Bar Del Pla

When it comes to city breaks with a modern twist for the foodies, El Bar del Pla, started in 2008, is the place to be. The place serves tapas that are unique and represent the city’s culture.

The tapas bar offers a full-day menu with wine and is famous for its lunch and dinner menus. Some of the must-tries include foie gras terrine and mussel escabeche. The cost of the tapas here is market-friendly.

Quimet & Quimet

A tiny tapas bar in the Poble Sec area, Quimet & Quimet is a must-visit when on your trip to Barcelona. It offers cheap city breaks through its famous tapas, both traditional and modern.

Moreover, its extensive menu has an impressive selection of cavas and wines. The bar is famous for its shellfish dishes and tapas-on-bread. Chef’s signature dishes include salmon sashimi and olive paste.

The old wines in their tiny bar are nothing short of a free walking tour down the best cities of Europe in a cost-effective way.

La Boqueria

If La Boqueria market is not on your list of places to visit while on a European city break to Barcelona, the city break is bound to remain incomplete. This local market is one of the most famous food markets in the world.

Since all the fresh ingredients for tapas are sourced here, it is not uncommon to find cost-effective tapas bars nearby. The most famous of these is El Quim de la Boqueria.

Bar Cañete

Another must-visit city break in the city, Bar Canete, is a classic spot and a local favourite. Often packed with tourists during the day, you will glimpse the Spanish culture in evening dinners, with most people using Catalan speech.

While the bar doesn’t serve anything unique, its menu is known for its seafood dishes that cost a decent amount. There is also a beautiful selection of wine to choose from.

El Vaso D’oro

Always full of foodies, El Vaso D’oro is one of the best places to include in your list of cheap city breaks in Europe. This stand-up tapas bar has a small menu but makes up for it with its self-brewed beer.

Famously cheap, this place is known for its grilled shellfish, solomillo con foie, and tuna salad. You can go forward with your trip and visit the seaside from the joint. The sun and sands atmosphere makes the bar stand out.

Watching the sunset from this cruise-ship-based tapas bar is undoubtedly one of the best experiences to add to your list of cheap city breaks.

The list, however, doesn’t end here since choosing the best between thousands of head-turner, money-friendly, cost-effective tapas destinations in the city is pretty challenging. You must book flights for your cheap European weekend breaks to find the best places.