Cheap city breaks where the pound is strong – from Sofia to Bucharest

FANCY a weekend away packed with sightseeing, shopping and eating out?

With world-class cities in Bulgaria, Turkey and the Czech Republic, look outside the Euro Zone to see your cash stretch further in summer 2019.

To help you choose your next city break, we've picked seven of the best non-Euro cities for you to visit and the best deals for summer 2019.

1. Prague, Czech Republic – for beer and beautiful architecture

Just a two-hour flight from the UK and one of the cheapest capital cities to visit, Prague shouldn't be overlooked for your next weekend away.

The city is bursting with top-notch sights too – with Gothic Cathedrals and Baroque palaces left untouched by WWII – Prague has some of the most incredible architecture  in Europe.

Take a walk over the Charles Bridge, which is one of the oldest in-use bridges in Europe.

Plus, the Czech Republic is the beer capital of the world so make sure you grab a pint at a brewery, pub or beer garden.

Find Prague city break deals with Lastminute.com from £199pp for flight and hotel – or from £187pp with Thomas Cook – for three nights in July 2019.

2. Istanbul, Turkey – for night owls

After years of political unrest, Turkey saw a surge of holidaymakers in 2018 and Istanbul is back on city-break hot lists this year.

The cosmopolitan city – which has a unique position of sitting both in Asia and Europe – is cheap too with the value of the Lira at an all-time low.

Explore the 1,400 year old Hagia Sofia and the world-famous Blue Mosque – and hunt for bargains at the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world.

But Istanbul really comes alive at night with clubs and rooftop bars open-all hours and an exciting food scene – from mouthwatering mezze to coal-cooked kebabs.

Book a cheap Istanbul city break for June 2019 with Expedia from £208pp – for flights plus a three-night hotel stay – or from £179pp with Travel Supermarket.

3. Sofia, Bulgaria – for city parks and hiking

Just over three hours' flight from the UK and named as one of the top ten cheapest cities to visit in Europe, Sofia is a great value choice for your next city break.

See Roman ruins and Soviet architecture as you explore – as well as numerous art galleries and museums, from the National History Museum to the Museum of Socialist Art.

Sofia is a a green city with many parks, where outdoor cinema screenings, live music and festivals are hosted during the summer.

If you have time on your trip, venture beyond the city to the Vitosha Nature Park for trekking and hiking trails – and great views of the city from above.

Browse Sofia city break deals from £251.55 with EasyJet Holidays or from £205pp with Love Holidays – including flight and hotel for a long weekend in June 2019.

4. Edinburgh, Scotland – for culture and festivals

Looking for a break closer to home? Don't discount the Scottish capital, packed with cultural sights and plenty of festivals.

From the Hogmanay celebrations to the Edinburgh Fringe festival – and magical Christmas markets- there's always something happening in the Scottish capital.

You can visit the famous Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral at the end of the Royal Mile and the National Gallery of Modern Art.

After a breath of fresh air? There are parks and gardens in the city and you can head up to Arthur's Seat – a dormant volcano in Holyrood Park – for stunning city views.

Find city break deals for Edinburgh with Superbreak from £174pp for a two-night stay or from £190pp with Lastminute.com for flights from London plus a three-night hotel stay in July 2019.

Our tips for finding top holiday offers

There are plenty of choices to make with breaks away – even after you've decided on a destination. Here's how you can ensure you're getting a good deal

BOOK LAST MINUTE If you're able to look last minute you'll often find good deals, as companies look to encourage bookings and fulfill availability.

SPECIAL OFFERS Great offers depend on travel companies' willingness to cut prices, but some companies maintain a special offers section – like Jet2Holidays. Deal sites like Travelzoo are also worth checking, as are our own Sun Travel deals of the day.

BE FLEXIBLE Flexibility of travel dates and connections can save you money. As can travelling outside of peak periods, or – if not travelling with children – outside school holidays.

USE DISCOUNTS Find discount codes with The Sun Vouchers, including for TUI, Expedia, First Choice, Lastminute, and Jet2Holidays.

SET ALERTS Airfarewatchdog and Skyscanner provides alerts on air fares, so you can get flights at their cheapest. Kayak offers alerts for flights and hotels.

5. Zagreb, Croatia – for foodies

You might not immediately think of the Croatian capital for your next city trip but with a laid-back vibe, cafe culture and art deco buildings, it's well worth a visit.

It's a city best discovered on foot, taking in key sights such as King Tomislav Square, Zagreb Cathedral and the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships.

There are tons of cafes in this coffee-loving city and over twenty colourful farmers' markets – including the Dolac Market.

The food scene is thriving with grilled-meat and seafood dishes from across Croatia – along with quality bistro and street food at cheap prices.

Book your summer Zagreb city break from £189pp with Expedia – for flights plus hotel – or from £259pp with Love Holidays for a long weekend in June 2019.

6. Krakow, Poland – for historical sights

Just a two and half hour-flight from the UK and one of the best value cities to visit in Europe, Krakow should not be discarded as the city of stag do's as it has so much more to offer.

The first ever urban UNESCO World Heritage site, Krakow Old Town, features medieval churches, cobbled streets and historic houses to wander around.

History buffs can check out the Gothic architecture of the Jewish Quarter and Wawel Royal Castle – or Schindler’s Factory and a day trip to Auschwitz.

There's also great shopping, a huge range of restaurants and plenty of bars and clubs for after dark – from cheap student haunts to rooftop cocktail bars.

Find great value Krakow city break deals from £208pp with Super Break – for flights plus a three-night hotel stay – or from £86pp with Travel Supermarket for June 2019.

7. Bucharest, Romania – for families

You'll find your cash goes further in the Romanian capital – plus there's so much to see and do – from compelling museums to architectural treasures.

For a family city trip, the kids will enjoy the Natural History Museum and the Botanical Gardens – as well as many open green spaces and large parks with amusement rides.

Plus, this cosmopolitan city has Romanian and international cafes and restaurants to suit even the fussiest of eaters.

You can also take a day-trip to Transylvania – home to some of Europe's best medieval towns – as it's a three-hour train ride from the capital.

Book your Bucharest 2019 city break with Love Holidays from £158pp – for flights and hotel for four nights in July 2019 – or from £145.50pp with British Airways.

Looking for another city to visit this year? Check out our guide to Tel Aviv – the home of this year's Eurovision.

If you're after some Spanish sunshine, plan a cheap Malaga family holiday for summer 2019.

Plus, you can find tons more city and beach break travel inspiration from The Sun Travel Online team.

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