Romania is at the top of the preferences of the British for city-breaks, occupying an important place in the ranking and attracting more and more attention from foreign tourists.
If for summer vacations the British traditionally choose France, Spain or Greece, for short escapades in cities – city-breaks – the trends are completely different. Recent data from an airline, cited by romani.co, shows that, after Poland, Romania is now the second most sought-after Eastern European destination, followed by Hungary and Albania, which spectacularly rose to fourth place in 2025.
This trend is due to the perfect combination of affordable prices, short flights and authentic cultural experiences. Here are the reasons why the British choose these destinations.
1. Poland
Poland remains the UK’s favorite city-break destination for the fifth consecutive year, accounting for over 20% of airline bookings in 2025. Cities such as Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk appeal with impressive architecture, lively markets and vibrant nightlife.
Affordable prices are another strong point: a pint in Krakow costs just £3.73 on average, and flights from the UK take around two hours.
Apart from the big urban centres, lesser-known regions such as the ‘Polish Alps’ and Zakopane offer emerald lakes, log cabins, wildflower meadows and thermal baths, all at very low prices. This makes Poland attractive for solo travelers, couples, friends or families looking for a combination of nature, culture and relaxation.
2. Romania
Romania ranks second in the preferences of the British, attracting visitors through cities such as Bucharest and Sibiu.
Bucharest, nicknamed “Little Paris”, attracts foreign tourists with a unique mix of communist architecture, medieval buildings and active nightlife.
Low-cost flights, available from £40, have led to a significant increase in tourism, so that in the first half of 2025, Bucharest recorded almost 954,000 arrivals and almost 2 million overnight stays.
Transylvania also remains a special attraction for the British and not only for them. Brașov, with its picturesque streets and mountain landscapes, offers tourists the perfect combination of nature and history. The legendary Dracula’s Castle nearby, as well as local traditions and specific gastronomy, add an extra layer of mystery and authenticity.
The British say they choose to explore Romania not only for the affordable prices, but also for the varied cultural experiences that cannot be found in traditional city-break destinations.
3. Hungary
Hungary is in third place in the list of preferences of the British. Budapest, the capital and most visited destination, combines legendary thermal baths, fairytale architecture and modern bars with Danube cruises. The city offers options for all tastes: from cultural tours and gastronomic experiences, to vibrant nightlife and artistic events.
Outside the capital, Lake Balaton is at the top of recommendations for tourists seeking relaxation and nature, and historic cities such as Pécs and Esztergom are gaining more and more attention.
4. Albania
Albania, from fifth place in 2024, rose to fourth place in 2025, becoming an increasingly popular destination for affordable city breaks and vacations. Tirana, the capital, offers a combination of history, impressive architecture and quality cafes and restaurants at very good prices.
Dubbed the “Maldives of Europe”, the Albanian Riviera attracts tourists with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and small islands, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
A new air route from London Gatwick to Tirana, with tickets starting from £30, has made this destination even more affordable, making Albania an ideal alternative for Brits who want low-cost luxury combined with authentic experiences and spectacular nature.
Why Eastern Europe is becoming more popular
The British tendency to explore Eastern Europe is due to several factors: affordable prices, cities with rich cultural life, short flights and varied tourist experiences.
In addition, many Eastern European destinations offer a mix of nature, history, gastronomy and nightlife, which makes them attractive to tourists of all ages.
