5 AFFORDABLE CITY BREAKS

Even when money's tight, you can still get away. Your hard-earned cash will stretch further in these hotspots

- ALICIA MILLER

Athens, Greece

Why: Last year the Post Office named Athens the best-value city break in Europe, taking into account accommodation, eating out and sightseeing costs. And it truly is a thrifty place to visit. From street-food stalls selling souvlaki to family restaurants, it’s easy to find meals for under £10 per head. If you’re a shopper, Monastiraki Flea Market is brimming with cut-price souvenirs. Meanwhile, just wandering the cobbled streets of the historic Plaka district feels like sightseeing – especially as you’ll snag free glances towards the world-famous Acropolis.

Cheap eat: For more than a century, Ariston (10 Voulis Street) has made deliciously affordable hot savoury pies (pita).
Thrifty stay: Athens Center Square Hotel (athenscenter squarehotel.gr; double rooms from £73) is in a prime location close to many top sights.

Paris, France

Why: The capital of France might not seem like the cheapest of places to visit. But the crucial thing here is the abundance of free sights. Enjoy strolls along the Seine river and window-shopping on the Champs-Élysées; tours through beautiful churches and exhibits in free museums. Besides that, it’s easy to get around cheaply with a well-connected metro system where tickets cost just £1.70. There’s no end to wallet-friendly exploring here.