Cheapest cities in the UK for holidays and city breaks

While UK breaks have never been so ever popular, they aren't always kind on the pocket. So, with that in mind, here we present the cheapest cities in the UK for holidays and city breaks. Offering different ways to cut down costs, they all offer great ways to escape the everyday, and all without breaking the bank. From exploring fascinating free museums in Liverpool, to heading to the sea in Portsmouth, keep reading to discover the best budget city break destinations across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

1. Liverpool: Best for free museums

Liverpool is a firm favourite when it comes to UK travel, and a fitting place to begin our roundup of the best cheapest cities in the UK for holidays and city breaks.

There are plenty of sightseeing options here, and most are free. 

For example, if you’re a dedicated Beatles fan, head to Strawberry Field, the inspiration for the iconic song, and enjoy a tipple at the Cavern Club, the legendary music venue where the Fab Four played.

If you are looking for a museum fix, head to Tate Liverpool or the Liverpool World Museum — all without paying a penny. 

Liverpool also boasts incredible architecture that comes without a cost. Head to Princes Road Synagogue for its Moorish Revival structures, and wander the Georgian Quarter for the 18th-century elegance.

2. Manchester: Best for free art galleries

One of the finest cities up north, Manchester is also one of the most vibrant and cheapest cities in the UK for holidays.

Head to the Northern Quarter for cheap eats, drinks and free live music, with lush parks like Haigh Woodland Park on hand for scenic picnics that are also kind on your pocket.

After that, visit local galleries to see why Manchester is the UK's new cultural hotspot.

For example, don't miss Manchester Art Gallery and Whitworth Art Gallery. Two of the most prominent art institutions in Manchester, they both showcase a diverse range of contemporary and historic art from around the world.

Inspired to visit? Discover how to spend 24 hours in Manchester, preferably also while enjoying fab things to do in Manchester for free.

3. Hull: Best for cheap accommodation

When it comes to the cheapest places to stay in the UK, Yorkshire's Hull is hard to beat in terms of the bang you get for your buck. 

That is to say, the 2017 UK City of Culture is loaded with excellent accommodation that punches well above its price range. You can bet on an average stay in a hotel coming in as low as around the £25 mark a night.

A major free attraction around these parts is the 2300 metre-long Humber Bridge .An unmissable sight, due to its sheer size, this stands proud as an engineering masterpiece of the city.

 For history and culture, head to the Ferens Art Gallery and the Streetlife Museum of Transport.

The latter is a favorite with little ones, as is the affordable Deep Aquarium.

Editor's tip: discover the best things to do in England. Happily, many of them are free, or very affordable.

4. Glasgow: Best for architecture

An edgier version of Edinburgh, Glasgow has lots of appeal. 

It's also packed with incredible architecture you can enjoy for nothing. First up, head to Royal Exchange Square to people watch, and hang out at the Glasgow University to see the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Another must-visit the Glasgow Cathedral and necropolis, which showcase Glasgow’s grand Gothicism. In fact, the Necropolis inspired the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. 

Glasgow also boasts stacks of free attractions, among them the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the award-winning Riverside Museum, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and the Gallery of Modern Art.

Want more inspiration? Check out our Scotland itineraries, and read our insider’s guide to Glasgow.

5. Newcastle: Best for all-round affordability

Loaded with historic landmarks and a buzzing nightlife — all at a fraction of the cost of many other UK cities — Newcastle is perfect for an affordable getaway. It’s certainly one of the cheapest cities in the UK for holidays and city breaks.

Some of its top attractions are totally free, including all those iconic Quayside and Tyne Bridges.

Then there’s the historic Grainger Market — an historic landmark that’s a joy to wander, and the perfect place to pick up affordable eats and vintage bargains.

Into art? The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art presents world-class modern art exhibitions for free, and offers sensational rooftop views over the River Tyne.

You’ll also want to head to the creative Ouseburn Valley — an area that’s loaded with indie cafes, street art, and The Biscuit Factory — the UK’s largest independent art gallery.

In more good news, Newcastle has plenty of budget hotels and hostels, and its food scene is delicious and affordable, thanks to its markets and budget-friendly pub meals. 

6. Bristol: Coolest UK city break

Known for its creative spirit, street art and music scene, Bristol is oft hailed the coolest city in Britain. It’s also one of the best places to go for cheap weekend breaks in the UK. 

And the reasons? First up, it’s packed with free activities and affordable experiences, from seeing Banksy’s original graffiti for free around the city, to discovering the city’s maritime and industrial history — and links to the transatlantic slave trade — at the M Shed Museum, which you can enter for free.

You can also wander the historic Floating Harbour for free. Or how about heading to Ashton Court Estate? It costs nothing to stroll this huge park, replete with deer and woodland walks.

The city is also stacked with affordable indie cafés, markets serving cheap and tasty street eats, and pubs showcasing the talents of local breweries, and bands.

7. Portsmouth: Best portside city

Rich naval history, free attractions, coastal charm, and affordable entertainment — Portsmouth is a fantastic budget-friendly destination, whether you’re looking for a cheap UK city break, or longer affordable vacation.

When it comes to free and cheap attractions, Southsea Beach and Seafront is on hand for leisurely strolls. Alongside enjoying all the fun of the Victorian pier, you can relax on the pebble beach — for free!

Into history? It’s free to enter the Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery, which boasts exhibitions on Portsmouth’s history, Sherlock Holmes, and Arthur Conan Doyle.

While it costs around £39 for full entry to the Historic Dockyard, you can walk around it for free and still see historic ships up close. Alternatively, budget travelers can buy single-attraction tickets for £10–£20.

Portsmouth is also packed with cheap eats, budget-friendly pubs and affordable accommodation. Be sure to book early, though — rooms in the best budget-friendly pubs and guest houses go fast.

Keen to visit the coast? Read up on Britain's best seaside towns.

8. London: Best for free attractions

London certainly isn’t the cheapest city for hotels, but it does deliver on free attractions. So, if you plan your trip wisely, you can enjoy tons of top sightseeing experiences without spending a penny. 

First up, you can visit several world-class museums and galleries for nothing, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Tate Modern.

It also costs nothing to soak up several notable London icons, including Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and Piccadilly Circus.

London is also loaded with incredible parks you can explore for free. Take your pick from Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, or how about standing on the meridian line in Greenwich Park?

And then there’s all those markets and free strolls along the Thames. For example, if you walk the South Bank, you’ll get to see landmarks like Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, and the London Eye.

Want to cut down accommodation costs? Wise up on the best areas to stay in London.

9. Cardiff: Best affordable capital city

When it comes to delivering a balance of affordable accommodation, excellent free or low-cost attractions, and interesting experiences you won’t find anywhere else, Cardiff is hard to beat. 

Combining history, green spaces, waterfront scenery and lively culture, it’s clear why the capital of Wales is one of the coolest cities in the UK, and also one of the cheapest cities in the UK for weekend breaks.

One of the most scenic parts of the city, Cardiff Bay is a wonderful place to walk, explore the history of the docks, and admire iconic buildings like the Wales Millennium Centre. You can also visit the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) for free.

Want more history? While you have to pay to enter Cardiff Castle, the surrounding Bute Park is free to explore, and National Museum Cardiff is totally free to enter. In addition to housing an impressive collection of natural history and archaeological exhibits, it also boasts works by Van Gogh and Turner.

A real highlight around these parts is the open-air St. Fagans National Museum of History – also totally free! — which showcases Welsh history through reconstructed buildings from different historic periods.

Accommodation in Cardiff is also cheaper than other UK capital cities. So, what are you waiting for?

To enhance your trip to Wales — and do good for the planet, and your pocket —  download the FREE Rough Guide to Responsible Wales.

10. Belfast: Best Irish city for budget breaks

Delivering plenty of free and low-cost attractions — plus plenty of unique stand-out experiences — Belfast is perfect for budget-conscious travelers seeking a cheap UK city break that’s also loaded with history, urban verve and countryside charm.

Let’s start with history and culture. While the Titanic Belfast museum has an entry fee, you can explore the historic Titanic Quarter for free. 

A must-visit for history buffs, the Ulster Museum is also free to enter and houses exhibitions on the Irish history and ancient artefacts. There’s even a dinosaur skeleton to delight little ones. 

Next to the Ulster Museum, the Botanic Gardens are perfect for peaceful walks.

Staying on the subject of peace, the Peace Walls — a significant part of Belfast’s history — are free to visit, and you can also see stacks of murals that tell stories of the city’s past.

Love literature? Head to CS Lewis Square to see sculptures inspired by the Narnia novels.

When it comes to outdoor experiences, why not head to the Giant’s Ring Neolithic stone circle on the outskirts of Belfast to see the sun rise?

Back in town, we rate strolling the scenic riverside Lagan Towpath.

And all these experiences are available in the context of Belfast offering an array of affordable accommodation — hotels here are generally much cheaper than London and Edinburgh, for example.

Want more city break inspiration? Dive into our guide to the best weekend breaks in the UK.

You could also make use of our handy travel ideas platform to find global inspiration.