Discover the places UK travellers are flocking to – and how to experience them without breaking the bank.
Best-value destinations where your money goes further
According to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2025 report, this year, travel isn’t just about ticking off landmarks. It’s about sharing street food with locals — 54% of UK respondents* said food is one of the top experiences influencing their choice of destination — joining the buzz of a festival crowd, or finding yourself in places that feel both new and familiar.
And despite the economic backdrop, travel remains a priority. 25% of UK respondents* said they plan to spend more on holidays this year, continuing a trend of experience-first travel. Whether you’re into food, festivals, wellness or just a sun-drenched stroll somewhere new, we’ve selected 10 of the best-value trending destinations where your travel spend will work harder in 2025.
*Based on Skyscanner’s Travel Trends report, which includes insights from a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK respondents conducted in August 2024.
Looking for cheap weekend breaks under £100?
Head to Europe for a city break
Want to get away for the weekend without breaking the bank? European city breaks offer a sweet spot: low-cost flights, culture in spades, and travel that feels big without needing to take a full week off.
Whether you’re craving a last-minute reset or planning ahead for a payday pick-me-up, these weekend getaways combine affordability with adventure.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Mention Sarajevo, and it’s only a matter of minutes before someone brings up the war. The city’s place in history is undeniable: this is where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, triggering the First World War. More recently, Sarajevo became a focal point during the Bosnian War, enduring the longest siege of a capital city in modern history between 1992 and 1996.
But look beyond that, and you’ll find a capital cradled by alpine peaks, laced with centuries-old architecture, and pulsing with life. In the heart of the old town, Baščaršija brings together Ottoman-era mosques, Austro-Hungarian cathedrals, and family bakeries selling somun (flatbread) still warm from the oven. Just off the main square, Kazandžiluk Street hums with the tap of coppersmiths etching traditional coffee sets by hand — a craft passed down for generations.
*Based on Skyscanner’s Travel Trends report, which includes insights from a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK respondents conducted in August 2024.
If you're staying for a few days, it's worth picking up the Sarajevo Card. It gives free access to public transportation, some museums, and various restaurants for nibbles and drinks.
Tirana, Albania
In Tirana, colour-blocked buildings brighten nearly every neighbourhood. The best place to see this kaleidoscopic transformation is in Blloku, once a restricted zone for Communist Party elites. Today, it’s a lively hub of cafés and street art, much of it sparked by a public art initiative led by former mayor (and artist) Edi Rama.
Tirana’s layered past is also visible underground. Near the base of the Dajti Ekspres cable car — the longest in the Balkans — you’ll find Bunk’Art 1, a Cold War-era bunker turned museum. Though never used as intended, it now blends immersive art installations with exhibits on Albania’s communist history.
Bunk’Art 2, another major site, is located in central Tirana and was opened to the public in 2016. Built in the 1980s, this smaller underground facility once housed the Ministry of Internal Affairs' emergency operations and secret police command during the communist era. While it was hidden from public knowledge for decades, it now offers sobering exhibits on political persecution and surveillance.
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade is unapologetically itself. The city doesn’t feel overly polished or touristy. Instead, you’ll find it busy with everyday life and welcoming in an unfiltered way. Begin in Skadarlija, a cobbled quarter once home to poets and artists, now known for its kafanas (traditional taverns) serving grilled meats, pickled salads and plum rakija, to the sound of live Serbian folk music.
From there, walk to Kalemegdan Fortress, a riverside park and historic stronghold where locals gather for chess games, sunset views, and pop-up performances. The buzz continues after dark on the city’s splavovi — floating bars moored along the riverbanks, offering big nights on a small budget.
For something slower-paced, the Nikola Tesla Museum offers interactive exhibits about one of Serbia’s most iconic inventors.
Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg is relaxed, compact, and easy to explore. Start in Haga, a historic district lined with wooden houses and independent cafés. Hagabullen, a plate-sized cinnamon bun which can be found at Café Husaren at Haga Nygata is reason enough to stop by.
From there, hop on a tram to Saltholmen, a charming peninsula, where public ferries take you to car-free islands like Styrsö and Brännö. Life here moves slowly: think swimming spots, rocky coastlines, and families out for walks with thermoses of coffee.
Back in the city, Gothenburg’s maritime roots run deep. At the City Museum, set in the former East India Company building, you’ll learn how fishing, shipbuilding and global trade helped shape this modern, green-minded port city.
If you’re travelling midweek, don’t miss the dagens lunch tradition — a hot meal served with salad, bread and coffee, often for around £10.
Prague, Czechia
Prague is one of Europe’s most walkable capitals and offers serious value, with flights 24% cheaper than last year. Begin in Old Town Square, where crowds gather to watch the medieval Astronomical Clock strike the hour. Climb the town hall tower for views over gothic spires and red rooftops.
Cross the Charles Bridge, lined with statues of saints and street performers. On the far side, Malá Strana is quieter, with cobbled lanes and cosy pubs perfect for a pint of Pilsner and a plate of goulash.
For a more modern take, visit the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, where rotating exhibitions explore freedom of expression and identity. Nearby, the John Lennon Wall — once a site of anti-Communist graffiti — still draws visitors with messages of peace, protest and pop lyrics.
Marrakech, Morocco
Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s main square, changes throughout the day: juice stalls and herbalists in the morning and food vendors, musicians and storytellers by night. Step into the medina to explore narrow lanes lined with artisans.
For a change of pace, visit the Majorelle Garden, restored by Yves Saint Laurent, who helped preserve the space in the 1980s when it had fallen into disrepair. Today, it’s also home to a museum dedicated to his legacy and Moroccan craft traditions, with paths shaded by bamboo and filled with desert plants. The onsite museum highlights the culture and craftsmanship of Morocco’s Indigenous Amazigh communities.
Give back to the local community by booking a cooking class at the Amal Women’s Center, a social enterprise supporting local women through culinary training. You’ll learn to make dishes like tagine and zaalouk, and sit down to eat together at the end.
For sunset views, head to the El Fenn rooftop for drinks or tea. The terrace looks out over the medina with the Koutoubia Mosque in the distance.
Best value long-haul breaks
Further to fly, but worth every penny
If you’ve got a little more time and a little more budget, these destinations offer the kind of immersive, memory-making travel that lingers long after the return flight.
Thanks to fare drops, new routes and smart planning tools like Skyscanner’s Whole Month and Price Alerts, they’re more accessible than ever.
Halifax, Canada
Often overshadowed by Toronto or Vancouver, Halifax is one of Canada’s most underrated cities, and one of the most affordable to fly to in 2025, with prices down 24%. A gateway to the windswept beauty of Nova Scotia, Halifax charms with its seafront boardwalks, lobster suppers, and red-brick neighbourhoods that feel like a film set.
Check out the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, the oldest continuously operating farmers' market in North America, having been founded in 1750. Here you can try Nova Scotia wine, buy handmade ceramics or grab a lobster roll with a view of the port.
If you’ve got a car, take the scenic drive to Lunenburg, a UNESCO-listed town of clapboard houses and fishing boats. Its grid layout dates back to 1753 and it’s home to the Bluenose II, the replica schooner you’ll find on Canada’s 10-cent coin.
Want more hidden gems like this? Check out Skyscanner’s Underrated Destinations feature which spotlights lesser-known places offering great value and fewer crowds.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta might surprise you. It's hectic, yes, but also full of flavour and rhythm: food stalls under flyovers, iced coffee in Chinatown, and families gathering in city squares well into the night.
Begin in Kota Tua, the old Dutch colonial quarter, where 18th-century buildings now house cafés and museums like the Jakarta History Museum, filled with maps, weapons and wooden furniture from the Dutch East Indies era.
Nearby, Fatahillah Square is a popular gathering spot. Grab an iced kopi susu, watch local teens on roller skates, or rent a colourfully painted bicycle for a few rupiah. For something more immersive, head to Glodok, the city’s Chinatown, for a street food tour of pork noodles, congee, and sweet iced desserts.
Sapporo & Okinawa, Japan
Japan doesn’t usually make budget lists, but it’s having a moment. In 2025, two of its most exciting destinations saw major fare drops: Sapporo (-30%) in the snowy north, and Okinawa (-39%) in the coral-fringed south.
In Sapporo, head to Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho, a.k.a, Ramen Alley, a narrow 1950s throughway known for its collection of small ramen restaurants and famous miso ramen, soak in a hot spring bath at Jozankei Onsen,
or explore the Sapporo Beer Museum, housed in a former brewery from the 1800s. If you’re curious about Indigenous history, visit Sapporo Pirka Kotan, a cultural centre dedicated to Ainu heritage, where you can join short workshops in traditional crafts and learn how the community is preserving its language and identity.
Then fly south to Okinawa, where life slows down. In Naha, explore the food stalls at Makishi Market, visit the Himeyuri Peace Museum to understand the island’s WWII history, or take a snorkelling trip off Zamami Island for coral reefs and sea turtles.
Use Skyscanner’s multi-city search to fly into Sapporo and out of Naha (Okinawa’s main airport) — or the other way round. It’s a simple way to experience Japan’s snowy north and tropical south in one trip, with budget domestic flights in between.
Plan smarter, travel further
Let Skyscanner help you make the most of your budget
Whether you’re looking for a spontaneous city break or planning a longer adventure, travel in 2025 is all about getting more for what you spend — and making memories that feel personal, shared, and worth every penny.
Use Skyscanner’s tools to find cheap flights, compare destinations and stretch your holiday budget further:
Whole Month search helps you spot the cheapest day to fly
Price Alerts track fare drops so you never miss a deal
Multi-city lets you build smarter, multi-stop trips for less
Savvy Search (on the Skyscanner app) gives AI-powered inspiration based on your vibe, travel type or timeframe.
Keen to bag a bargain for a last-minute break?
Check out Skyscanner’s last-minute deals page. It’s regularly updated with the cheapest return flights from the UK, often under £100. Just keep in mind that offers change quickly, and destinations don’t stick around for long.
