Want to discover sun and city stunners on a shoestring? Great breaks don’t have to break the bank thanks to these handy hacks! Here’s how you can keep the costs down while in town…

Costa del Sol, Spain

Just when we thought this Mainland Spain marvel couldn’t tick any more boxes (hello, gleaming sunshine, golden beaches, tip top cuisine…), we remember it’s also bang on budget too. C’mon Costa del Sol, no one likes a show off…

Price-snipped daytrip: Nerja – Malaga from just €6

Yep, you read that right, from just €6 one way, you can catch a bus from Nerja all the way to the magical city of Malaga – talk about two holidays in one!

Cheap eats: Hunt down menu del dias

Whether it’s a late lunch or an early dinner, keep the peepers open for set menus (menu del dia) in restaurants across this sun-kissed coastline. These two/three course meals are the epitome of foodie thriftiness, with surprisingly low prices and often super-generous portions too. De-licious!

Dubrovnik, Croatia

We left no marble-clad alleyway unturned in our quest for the best frugal finds around Dubrovnik. As well as the obvious – a filmset-worthy centre with its terracotta topping – there are also emerald isles and nearby National Parks with ‘visit me’ etched all over them – and a pleasing price tag to match.

Tip 1: Buy a Dubrovnik Card

Available in one, three or seven day passes, this handy little card is your ticket to fun in the Croatian sun. The Dubrovnik Card includes entry to the historic city walls, Maritime Museum and the Friars Minor Franciscan Monastery Museum to name but three. The one-day pass costs around £30, but when the city walls tickets alone are the same price, this is a great-value option if you plan on attraction-hopping your way around the city.

Tip 2: Eat on the cheap

Not every meal needs to be full-blown three-course affair! To keep costs down, grab a giant slice of pizza on the go from one of the tucked-away bakeries for around £4.

Tip 3: Say hello to happy hour!

Bag 2-4-1 drinks at The Gaffe Pub, generally between 6 and 8pm on certain days.

Sardinia, Italy

Craft an itinerary that’s as colourful as Sardinia itself with our money-saving hints. This is a region of fine food, Italian authenticity and undeniable charm, and there’s no reason why you should have to miss any of it when you’re armed with all the thrifty tips you could wish for and more.

Expert tip:

“Try eating at an agriturismo, a farmhouse that typically offers rustic, homemade food that’s usually cheaper than the typical tourist restaurants in the big towns.”

Gina Stone, Content Manager

Free activity: Soak up the atmosphere at San Benedetto Market

Bulging bunches of basil, mammoth wedges of cheese, precariously piled peppers… enjoy a kaleidoscopic stroll around this buzzing foodie market and pick up a bargain or two as you go.

Krakow, Poland

Dusted in snow or bathed in sunshine, Krakow is a real beauty that'll sweep you off your feet and be kind to your wallet too. Getting lost among its warren of backstreets is pure magic – plus totally free to explore by foot – but you'll find extra charm in the dumpling-serving restaurants and dinky vodka bars.

Drinks deal: Happy hours at cocktail bars

Forget happy hour, it’s more like happy night at many hangouts, with 2-4-1 cocktails between 6 and 10pm on selected days.

Free activity: Take a stroll around Planty Park

Give us a more aptly named park than Planty… exactly, it doesn’t exist! This inner-city oasis is in skipping distance of the Old Town but a stroll down the tree-shaded walkways and a peaceful bench break are a far cry from its city centre sibling. Another way of keeping costs down while in town? Pack a picnic and pick a plot in this serene al fresco snacking spot.

Top travel tip: KrakowCard Museum and Travel Pass

You get the double whammy with this handy card. As well as unlimited bus and tram travel, this purse-friendly pass also gives you access to an array of must-visit museums in the city – it’s a win-win!