Five cheap European cities to visit this autumn, according to a travel expert

As schools reopen and people head back to work, the autumn shoulder season is an ideal time to explore some of Europe’s most beautiful cities at a gentler pace.

During September and October, visitor numbers tend to fall, allowing travellers to secure significant savings during a much quieter time of year.

“The prices of flights and hotels can drop quite significantly this time of year,” says Laura Carden-Lovell, travel expert and head of operations at travel resale marketplace Transfer Travel.

Nonetheless, she encourages off-peak holidaymakers to factor in additional costs that can quickly mount up.

“It’s important to also think about transportation within the city you want to visit and to find out how much this might cost,” recommends Carden-Lovell. “Walkable cities are great if you're planning on going on a quick city break, as you will be able to see a lot of places for free on foot.

“Car rental prices also typically fall during shoulder season periods compared to peak summer seasons.”

Many hidden gems in Europe, particularly in the Balkans, have seen a surge in interest driven by social media.

“Social media provides travellers with a snapshot of what to see and do in a particular destination, so platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be a great source of inspiration for holiday planning,” says Carden-Lovell.

For anyone who has been patiently waiting for the perfect last-minute city getaway, here are five budget-friendly destinations to consider:

1. Tirana in Albania

“Tirana in Albania is bright, colourful, and is full of history,”  says Carden-Lovell.

“Albania is one of the largest, fastest-growing tourism markets in Europe, so its capital Tirana has become increasingly popular.”

The city encompasses many distinct and interesting areas to explore that blend a vibrant modern culture with a unique communist and Ottoman history.

“I would recommend starting exploring at Skanderbeg Square [the main plaza in the centre of Tirana], which costs nothing to explore,” advises Carden-Lovell. “Then head into Blloku, a lively neighbourhood where you can go café hopping.”

To get the best picturesque views of Tirana, hop on the Dajti Ekspres, a cable car that takes you directly from the edge of Tirana up to the edge of Dajti Mountain National Park.

“It’s the longest leisure cable car in the Balkans and costs around £15 for a return trip,” says Carden-Lovell. “The national park itself is also completely free to explore.”

You can get flights to Tirana for incredible prices. For example, Wizz Air offers return flights from London Gatwick and London Luton to Tirana from around £34.

2. Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina

“Sarajevo is something a little bit different and is a great affordable option for an autumnal city break,” says Carden-Lovell.

It’s also regarded as an incredibly good city for mooching.

“In the Old Town there are lots of traditional market stalls, lots of local crafts, some really good food shops and some historic mosques to look around,” says Carden-Lovell.

“It has also got the famous Pigeon Square [officially known as Baščaršija Square], which is centred around the iconic wooden Sebilj fountain, so there’s a lot of history packed into this small city.”

A walking tour can be a great way to explore the highlights of the city.

“Most walking tours are free and are a great way to learn about what the city has to offer. You can book a lot of these online,” says Carden-Lovell.

Wizz Air offers return flights from London Luton to Sarajevo from around £78.98.

3. Sofia in Bulgaria

“Bulgaria is another great place to visit on a budget,” says Carden-Lovell. “Its capital, Sofia, has got some really nice cathedrals which are very pretty both inside and out.”

The capital of Bulgaria is filled with reminders of its extensive history.

“You could join a walking tour to look around some of the Roman ruins or churches, and the historic Roman thermal baths are also worth seeing if you have time,” says Carden-Lovell.

This delightful city has an efficient, affordable public transport network, so it’s very easy to get around.

“Sofia has a really cheap tram system, so you don’t necessarily have to walk everywhere if you don’t want to,” says Carden-Lovell.

You may get some real steals on flights. For example, Ryanair offers return flights from Bristol to Sofia from around £40.99.

4. Tallinn in Estonia

“I’d also recommend visiting Tallinn in Estonia – this one is really popular on TikTok,” says Carden-Lovell.

“Stay in the heart of the old town, which is UNESCO-listed. It has wonderful fairytale streets and colourful buildings.”

After you’ve wandered around the charming old town, check out Telliskivi Creative City, the creative hotspot of Tallinn.

“It’s a bit more modern than the old town and there are lots of independent cafes, local artists, street art and bars to explore here,” says Carden-Lovell.

She also suggests relaxing in one of the city’s public saunas.

“Saunas are a big part of the culture in Estonia, so I definitely recommend going to a sauna somewhere, especially in the colder shoulder season,” recommends Carden-Lovell.

Wizz Air offers return flights from London Luton to Tallinn from around £58.53.

5. Riga in Latvia

“Another great city to visit in shoulder season is Riga in Latvia,” says Carden-Lovell. “You can explore the medieval town on foot, and soak up all the history.

“Transportation is also super-cheap and there are loads of independent coffee shops to pop into.”

Make sure you visit St. Peter’s Church, which is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city.

“On the observation tower of St. Peter’s Church you get a great 360-degree view of the city,” says Carden-Lovell.

It usually costs around €3 to look inside the church, but if you want to go to the observation tower it costs €9, according to Tripadvisor.

Riga also has a vibrant and growing food scene.

“I would really recommend trying Latvian honey cake here,” recommends Carden-Lovell.

Ryanair offers return flights from London Stansted to Riga from around £60.99.