You wake up one morning, check your bank balance out of habit and there it is: £700 you weren’t expecting. Maybe HMRC finally sorted out that tax rebate you forgot about. Maybe your old car finance agreement ended up qualifying for a PCP claim and the lender paid out redress. Or perhaps your workplace bonus arrived early and for once stayed in your account long enough for you to enjoy it.
However, it appears, £700 feels like the perfect amount for a quick escape. It’s not a life-changing sum, yet it’s more than enough to jump on a plane, explore a new city and come home with a few great stories. With the right destination and a bit of timing that unexpected boost turns into a brilliant little adventure.
Now let’s look at where £700 can realistically take you, including flights, accommodation, food and all.
Lisbon: Sun, Seafood and Easy Living
Lisbon works beautifully on a mid-range budget. Return flights from many UK cities often fall between £80 and £150 when booked ahead. Once you arrive, you’ll find transport affordable, food to be excellent value and plenty of free viewpoints, parks and river walks. Two or three nights in a central hotel or Airbnb sit comfortably within budget, with enough left for meals out, pastel de nata, a tram ride and a trip to Belém.
Approximate £700 breakdown:
- Flights £120
- Accommodation (3 nights) £200 – £250
- Food + local travel £200
- Treats + sightseeing £100
Budapest: History and Thermal Baths
Budapest is one of the best-value capital cities in Europe. Return tickets often cost less than £100 outside peak periods. The city offers excellent mid-range hotels at very reasonable prices and even the spas – the destination’s biggest highlight – stay affordable. It’s the sort of place where £700 feels spacious rather than restrictive.
Approximate £700 breakdown:
- Flights £80 – £100
- Accommodation (3 nights) £150 – £220
- Food + local travel £180
- Treats + sightseeing £100
Prague: Architecture, Cafés and Easy Costs
Prague fits neatly into a £700 budget, especially outside the busiest travel periods. Return flights from the United Kingdom often fall between £80 and £140, and the destination still offers great value for central mid-range hotels. Once you’re there, most of the city’s beauty – from castle views to the Charles Bridge and the Old Town – is completely free. Food prices remain reasonable, public transport is inexpensive, and the urban centre is compact enough to explore on foot.
Approximate £700 breakdown:
- Flights £100
- Accommodation (3 nights) £180 – £230
- Food + local travel £180
- Treats + sightseeing £90
Marrakesh: Colour, Markets and a True Change of Scenery
Marrakesh offers a full sensory shift while still fitting comfortably within a £700 budget. Return journeys from the UK often range between £80 and £150, and the city’s riads provide excellent value with plenty of character. Daily costs stay low: meals are inexpensive, taxis cost very little and wandering the souks or the medina comes free unless you choose to shop. A three-night stay gives you time for rooftop dinners, market exploring, garden visits and a relaxed afternoon in a traditional hammam.
Approximate £700 breakdown:
- Flights £120
- Accommodation (3 nights) £150 – £220
- Food + local travel £180
- Treats + sightseeing £100
Rome: Culture, Carbs and Iconic Sights
Rome delivers an unforgettable city break without demanding a huge budget, especially outside the peak summer months. Return flights often fall between £100 and £160, and you can keep accommodation affordable by staying just beyond the busiest tourist streets. The best part is that Rome rewards walking, which reduces transport costs and lets you soak up the atmosphere at every turn. From the Colosseum to the Trevi Fountain and endless gelato spots, the destination offers a rich mix of free sights and modestly priced experiences.
Approximate £700 breakdown:
- Flights £120 – £150
- Accommodation (3 nights) £200 – £260
- Food + local travel £200
- Treats + sightseeing £80
Barcelona: Beaches, Tapas and Big Energy
Barcelona blends city life and seaside relaxation, making it a brilliant option for a £700 getaway when you avoid peak-season pricing. Round-trip flights from many UK cities often sit between £80 and £150. Accommodation tends to cost more here than in Eastern Europe, but staying near Poblenou, Poble Sec or Gràcia keeps prices reasonable without losing convenience. You can fill your days with beach time, market visits, sunset walks, the Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc viewpoints and tapas bars. It’s definitely a great mix of free and affordable activities.
Approximate £700 breakdown:
- Flights £100 – £140
- Accommodation (3 nights) £220 – £300
- Food + local travel £200
- Treats + sightseeing £60
The funny thing about £700 is that it sits in a sweet spot: too small to change your life, yet big enough to change your month. It can turn a grey weekend into a plate of seafood in Lisbon, a rooftop sunset in Marrakesh or a lazy stroll through Rome with gelato in hand. It buys the kind of stories you tell weeks later, the kind of photos you scroll back to when work gets loud, and the kind of reset you only realise you needed once you take it. In other words, £700 can make you richer in all the ways that actually matter.
Images by Rainhard Wiesinger from Pixabay
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