The Best Cities in Europe for a Daycation

From Paris to Prague, Betway’s latest research has revealed the best cities for Brits wanting to head on a European daycation.

Whether we’re hopping on a train to Paris or road tripping to Amsterdam, here in the UK, we’re lucky to have so many incredible cities right on our doorstep. But, from coasting havens to culture-steeped hotspots, where is best for Brits looking to escape the UK for just one day?

The team at Betway Casino has revealed the top cities in Europe for a daycation, looking at flight times, how much travellers spend on entertainment in each city, the price of meals out and public transport, as well as the number of guided tours in each location.

Which European cities are the best for a daycation?

1. Prague, Czech Republic

From a seedlist of 52 European cities, taking the crown as the best city for a daycation is Prague, Czech Republic. Those travelling from London Heathrow can expect a reasonably quick flight time of just two hours.

If you’re tight for time, getting around the city is very affordable, with public transport costing just £1 for a one-way ticket. Foodies will also be pleased to know that eating out in Prague costs as little as £6.76 for a meal — the cheapest of all cities in the study.

There’s plenty to do in Prague, with around 480 different guided tours you could choose from. And with entertainment averaging £13, it’s pretty affordable too. Whether you’re soaking up the history of the Old Town, exploring the ancient castle, or chilling out with a coffee on the embankment, there’s so many activities you can pack into one day, whether it’s your first visit or your fifth.

2. Krakow, Poland

In second place is Krakow, Poland. Visitors will be pleased to know that the flight is only two hours and 30 minutes. Once you’re there meals out (£7.93) and public transport (£1.19) are pretty inexpensive.

There’s also 557 different guided tours on offer in the city, plus plenty of other activities to keep you occupied for the day, which on average will cost around £16 each.

Krakow is packed full of culture, with impressive castles and mediaeval architecture, and those looking to head outside might also enjoy hiking in the forest sanctuary of Las Wolski or exploring the lovely Planty Park. The city is also known for its buzzing nightlife scene for those happy for a later plane home.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon comes in third place. Lisbon is just over a two and a half hour flight away from the UK and is home to some stunning architecture to take in, including the Lisbon Cathedral and Praca do Comercio in the city centre.

Being a coastal city, there’s plenty of breathtaking views of Portugal to enjoy without even having to leave the city, and you navigate its hilly terrain easily via its famous trams.

Lisbon is also very affordable with the cost of daily sightseeing amounting to £19 on average and the cost of a meal out being around £12 per person.

4. Florence, Italy

Florence comes in fourth in the ranking of European cities for a daycation. The flight takes around two hours 20 minutes, but there’s plenty to do in this Italian city, with 801 guided tours to choose from.

Florence is the heart of Italy’s Tuscany region, and boasts plenty of world-class art and architecture. Must-see attractions include the Galleria degli Uffizi, home to the world’s greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art, and the Florence Cathedral which dates back to the 13th century.

The cost of dining out here is the same as in Rome, with one meal averaging £12.83, and public transport is pretty affordable, at £1.46 for a one-way ticket. And if you’re after a fun souvenir from your daycation, make sure to check out the vintage photo booths dotted across the city — some of them even date back as far as the 1950s.

5. Rome, Italy

Rome has ranked in fifth place. With 804 guided tours to choose from, and ‘can’t miss’ sights including the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Sistine Chapel, there’s plenty to see and do in this fascinating city.

For those looking to get more off the beaten track, Quartiere Coppedè is Rome’s smallest district, with fairytale-like buildings and hardly any tourists around, while a trip to Aventine Hill, one of Rome’s Seven Hills, also offers a respite from the crowds.

The flight time is around two and a half hours, however travelling around the city by public transport is also relatively affordable, at £1.29 for a one-way ticket. Despite this, eating out is about double the price of Prague, with meals costing roughly £12.83.

Which European cities have the quickest travel time from the UK?

If you’ve only got one day to explore a city, you don’t want travelling to eat into your sightseeing time too much. With this in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at which European cities in our study have the quickest flight time from the UK.

Three Belgian cities have come out on top. Antwerp is in first place, with a flight time of just one hour, followed by Brussels and Ghent in joint second, with a flight to either of these cities taking an additional five minutes.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands is in third with a time of one hour 10 minutes, followed by Paris and Dublin in joint fourth with a flight time of one hour 15 minutes. Edinburgh, Luxembourg, and Cologne round off the top five cities with the quickest travel time from the UK, with flights to all three cities lasting just one hour 20 minutes.

Which European cities offer the most affordable daycation?

Taking a day trip to another country might seem a little extravagant, but it doesn’t have to break the bank — and don’t forget you’ll be saving on accommodation fees too. For those looking to keep costs down, our research has also revealed which European cities offer the most affordable daycation.

1. Brasov, Romania

Brasov in Romania is the most budget-friendly daycation destination of all cities in our study.

Getting around in the city is affordable, with public transport costing as little as 69p for a one-way ticket. A meal out is also pretty inexpensive, costing about £7.32. Plus, spending on entertainment, such as entry to museums, averages at only £7.76 a day.

2. Tirana, Albania

With entertainment costs averaging £13 per day, and a meal out setting you back by just £8.25 on average, Albania’s Tirana is the second cheapest city to head on a daycation.

Travelling around Tirana is very affordable, with public transport costing only 33p for one journey — one of the cheapest prices in the study. However, Tirana is a compact city, and one of the best ways to take in all the sights is on foot, which is another way to keep costs down. Top places to visit on your travels include the National History Museum (approximately £4 to enter), Skanderbeg Square, and Bunk’Art.

3. Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s Sofia is the third cheapest daycation destination. Public transport here is double the price of Tirana, but given this equates to just 70p for a one-way ticket, Eating out is a similar price to Tirana, at £8.75 per meal on average. 

Bulgaria’s laidback capital is full of domed churches, Ottoman mosques, and Red Army monuments, and the hiking trails of Mt. Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the city centre for those looking to get outside in the warmer months.

Flights to these three cities may take a little longer (around three hours from London), but they could be a good option if you’re looking to tick off another European city on your bucket list without spending big.

With so many cities on our doorstep, has our study inspired you to take a day trip to somewhere in Europe this summer?

Methodology and Sources

Betway pulled together a seedlist of 52 of Europe’s best cities from various travel articles. To determine which cities are best for a daycation, they were ranked according to the following metrics:

●     Travel time from London– Flight time taken from London Heathrow to the destination. If it’s not possible to fly directly from London Heathrow to the destination, the next London airport with shortest direct flights was taken.

●     Cost of entertainment per day – Cost includes what travellers spend on admission to attractions and museums and sightseeing tours etc per day.

●     Cost of a meal out – For an inexpensive meal.

●     Cost of public transport – For a one-way ticket.

●     Number of guided tours

●    Data correct as of 29/02/24.