Arty European City Breaks on a Budget

City breaks are a great way to explore Europe when you only have a limited amount of time. Luckily, for us art-lovers, there are some amazingly creative cities out there bursting with arty things to do and discover.

I’m talking about the likes of Berlin, Rome, Paris, and London. The bad news? These cities can be quite expensive to visit and, if you want to see a few in a year, the costs can all add up.

However, there are a great selection of lesser-known cities around Europe that have expansive art scenes without the crowds and without the high price tags.

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

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This Czech city is one of the oldest places in the country and is surrounded by dense forests and magical rivers. Because of its lengthy history, it has numerous old castles and palaces dotted throughout the streets, as well as a number of contemporary art galleries and museums. Make sure you visit the Castle of the Lords of Krumlov, a sprawling bastion that is renowned for its performing arts scene.

Budapest, Hungary

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The ‘Paris of the East’, as it has been dubbed, has soared in popularity in recent years, but the prices still remain low which means it’s the perfect time to visit!

It’s a beautiful city etched with a tragic history and vibrant, contemporary nuances and the streets are filled with historic monuments and incredible architecture. It’s now an important destination for modern day artists and there are plenty of creative studios and galleries around the city. In addition, many of the famous Ruin Bars and design-led cafes that are popping up are filled with quirky art installations and paintings.

Riga, Latvia

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Despite lying near the expensive group of Scandinavian countries, Riga is an extremely affordable city – and it has a great art scene, too. Just last year, Riga was named as the European Capital of Culture, which means that there are numerous new exhibitions, institutions, and art displays all around the city.

Zagreb, Croatia

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Croatia’s capital is an urban gem, often overlooked for the country’s more popular beachside towns and resorts. But art lovers should not skip this creative hotspot, which boasts a flurry of new-age galleries and museums and a plethora of amazing architecture. It’s perfect for a weekend break that combines culture and nature, as the beautiful Plitvice Lakes are just around the corner.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Not many people can pronounce the capital of Slovenia, let alone visit there and that’s very sad because it’s actually an incredible city.

The Old Town is peppered with pretty Baroque architecture and, on the outskirts near a selection of parks, there are a collection of galleries including a design museum, a modern art gallery, and a natural history museum.

Valetta, Malta

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Many people consider Malta as beachside holiday destination. Whilst this is true, it also harbours a great selection of art and culture. Tucked away on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Valletta (the island’s capital) is home to an array of contemporary art galleries as well as a selection of art museums that illustrate Malta’s colourful and expansive history.

In addition, the city itself is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means that it’s full of amazing architecture and historic monuments.

Warsaw, Poland

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Poland’s capital is one of the cheapest cities in Europe, which makes it perfect for art lovers who are on a budget. As well as cheap bars and restaurants, Warsaw offers an eclectic supply of cultural institutions as well as a series of fun, vibrant festivals that run throughout the year.

Minsk, Belarus

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Belarus might not be an obvious choice for a European city break, but it’s a good one if you’re looking for oodles of culture without the crowds.

Its capital, Minsk, is home to a vast selection of theatres, museums, cinemas, and libraries, and there always seems to be a festival or event taking place in the picturesque city streets. It’s best to visit in the summer months as winter temperatures can get seriously cold, though!

Chisinau, Moldova

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It’s safe to say that not many people have even heard of Chisinau, let alone visited there. However, it’s an incredibly cheap city to travel around and it has a great, barely discovered arts and culture scene just waiting for recognition.

Be sure to check out the three national museums, as well as the National Opera and Ballet theatre. There is also a great selection of street art and contemporary art galleries to explore.

So, there you have it. Some of the lesser-known cities in Europe that are bursting with cultural prowess and colourful art scenes. If you’re looking for budget weekend breaks with a heavy dose of art then consider taking a trip to one of these – I’ve already added a few to my list!

Tell me, have you been to any of these cities? Where’s your favourite city for art in Europe?

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