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