Cities / places that are cheap in the summer...

[ginmcginface]

We have a lot of air miles to use up. DH suggested that we use them for city breaks. Great. But we are a bit strapped for cash at the moment.

I remember years ago we used to do quite a bit of independent travelling and business city centre hotels were often much cheaper in August.

So I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good trips? Places that aren't totally closed down with nothing to do. Bonus points for places with things my 10 year old DS would enjoy. Although to be fair, he’s a good city visitor and happily schleps around if there’s food

Thanks for any ideas.

If you have a lot of air miles, try Abu Dhabi. Air miles can be converted for the flights, hotels (most offer half board in the summer) and even tickets for things like Ferrari World and IMG. Food can be gotten quite cheaply if you’re ordering in, and you can get a bus pass that costs about 40p a ride in a clean, air conned bus. It’s a beautiful place.

Otherwise: Lisbon, Tallinn, Krakow

Thanks. DH goes to Abu Dhabi a lot and is keen not to go there on holiday (just his preference) 🙄

I will take a look at the European suggestions...

Any other suggestions anyone?

Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Seville.
I'd second Lisbon
Amsterdam
If you're in London, what about Glasgow (not in Edinburgh in August but you could travel over there from Glasgow and do the Fringe)
Somewhere in Scandinavia - cool to go there in summer for the endless days.

Valencia, I've done that cheaply in August
Some of the stuff at City of Arts & Sciences is probably good for a 10-yr-old

Budapest was really cheap last year.

Milan is cheap in August. All the Italians have buggered off on holiday.

Great responses, thanks. Actually it was Seville and Granada we stayed in cheaply.

Valencia is incredible! There's the city of arts and science, a park based on Gulliver's travels, a zoo and the beach is quick to get to by bus. It's cheap too.

Fantastic, thanks!

Girona is small and beautiful. Walled city with a lovely cathedral. Cheap cos everyone flies there and heads to the costa Brava coast , so not too many tourists. Perpinghan and Barcelona are a short train journey away

The Alps have cheap flights and accommodation in August. We considered flying to Zurich Geneva or Innsbruck. Decided to go to Innsbruck staying in a child friendly resort an hours drive away.

How about Slovenia or Split? Both in different ways are gorgeous. Slovenia - fly into Ljubljana, get an apartment through AirBnB then then get the bus to Lake Bled (give it a quick google)- it's set in the mountains and is very picturesque. You can swim in the lake, go boating or cycle round the lake. Apartments there really don't cost an arm and a leg. Split is very pretty too - it has a very historic old town with a Roman history and beaches you can swim off. Again, apartments there aren't hugely expensive.

Just personal opinion and with apologies to the PP but wouldn't do Milan - it's not the most attractive Italian city & very pricey. I've lived in the UAE & Abu Dhabi would have been really unpleasant in our summer unless you like things scorching!

I've just left Split, it was already heaving and quite expensive compared to places further north. I was very glad not to be staying close to the centre. However, it was fantastic as a base for visiting the islands which were lovely.

Staying in Cavtat at the moment, again as a base for touring, very pretty but hugely expensive and the aircraft noise at certain times is mad. I wouldn't return.

Sorry pressed too soon. Should have said agree with pp re Bled, totally wonderful. DS going this summer because I'm always going on about it. My previous post made it sound like I wasn't keen on Croatia. I actually think its one of the most beautiful countries I've visited.

Thanks. I’d love to go to Croatia but as a proper holiday. This trip will be to a city - that doesn’t completely close down - but has cheap business hotels.

I went to Berlin last year and, although the hotel wasn’t cheap (I wasn’t on such a tight budget), it was perfect - lots to see, lots of green spaces and easy access to lakes for swimming.

I'm not sure where this idea that business hotels are cheaper in the summer is coming from, but I've heard it a few times this year now. The summer holidays will always be more expensive (especially August) than the holiday off seasons, even in business hotels.

Lisbon is amazing. One of the best places I've been and really cheap for a capital. V romantic too! There is a team that runs from the city to the beaches so you get the best of both worlds, city break/beach holiday.

TRAM! Not team 🙄

Backinthebox - my info is based on holidays 10 years ago. My dh and I travelled around Europe a lot and the city centres (usually non-touristy cities) had amazingly cheap hotels in August (the only time my dh could get off from work).

That was why I was hoping for any ideas for non-touristy cities!

Madrid, Madrid, Madrid

I got a good deal in Lisbon is a business type hotel. Out of town by next to a tube stop.

Berlin! We were thinking of going this year
Hamburg
Netherlands - Rotterdam and Utrecht
I doubt Lisbon would be cheap in summer, so much overtourism there now but Porto could be great - might be v hot.
Genoa or Turin

Eastern European cities are usually cheap
Istanbul is amazing and cheap

I went to Berlin in June/ july and it was 39degrees. Make sure you get air con as I didn't!

Lots of lovely suggestions but use hotels not AirbnB or other STL sites. Almost every city mentioned here has huge issues around housing being lost to this form of tourism, communities destroyed, nuisance, antisocial behaviour, soaring rents. Be a responsible tourist.