4 nights from Birmingham under £500
Four nights is enough for a proper change of scene if the journey stays simple. These picks balance short flights, useful public transport and places that reward a few unhurried days; Lisbon needs more budget flexibility than Kraków.
Five four-night breaks to weigh up
Choose the easiest journey, the warmest days or the strongest value.
Indicative planning ranges per person for four spring or autumn nights, two sharing a modest room. Totals allow for return flights, local travel and everyday food. Bags, events and school holidays can move the price sharply. These are estimates, not live quotes. Check routes, prices and availability before booking.
Kraków
Why it fits A compact old town and affordable meals leave more of the budget for the trip itself. Four nights also allow a slower Kazimierz day rather than packing everything into a weekend.
- Typical daytime
- About 10–20°C in spring or autumn; variable
- Journey
- About 2 hours 30 minutes flying
- Main Market Square early in the day
- Kazimierz cafés
- Vistula riverside walk
Stay around Old Town edge or Kazimierz for walking
Indicative cost guide
Return flight: £80–£170 return · Accommodation: £90–£150 per person sharing · Indicative total: £300–£430 per person.
Prague
Why it fits The historic centre is easy to explore on foot and the tram network makes four nights comfortable without extra transfers. Restaurant prices vary: look beyond the central square.
- Typical daytime
- About 11–21°C in spring or autumn
- Journey
- About 2 hours 15 minutes flying
- Charles Bridge at dawn
- Malá Strana lanes
- Letná viewpoints
Stay around New Town or Vinohrady for value and tram access
Indicative cost guide
Return flight: £90–£180 return · Accommodation: £110–£170 per person sharing · Indicative total: £330–£470 per person.
Alicante
Why it fits The airport bus reaches the centre quickly, so a shorter stay is spent by the sea rather than in a hire car. The waterfront and old quarter offer different paces in one base.
- Typical daytime
- About 18–27°C in spring or autumn
- Journey
- About 2 hours 35 minutes flying
- Postiguet beach
- Santa Bárbara Castle
- Evening tapas in the old quarter
Stay around Central Alicante near the old quarter and beach
Indicative cost guide
Return flight: £100–£190 return · Accommodation: £120–£180 per person sharing · Indicative total: £350–£490 per person.
Málaga
Why it fits A short airport rail trip and walkable centre suit a four-night break. It combines galleries and neighbourhood food with a beach day, though popular dates may breach the cap.
- Typical daytime
- About 19–28°C in spring or autumn
- Journey
- About 2 hours 40 minutes flying
- Atarazanas Market
- Alcazaba
- Pedregalejo seafront
Stay around Soho or the historic-centre edge
Indicative cost guide
Return flight: £110–£220 return · Accommodation: £130–£210 per person sharing · Indicative total: £380–£550 per person.
Lisbon
Why it fits Four nights give time for the hills, river and a Sintra or Cascais day trip. The budget works best when a central but modest room and off-peak flights line up.
- Typical daytime
- About 17–26°C in spring or autumn
- Journey
- About 2 hours 45 minutes flying
- Alfama lanes
- Belém waterfront
- Cascais by train
Stay around Baixa edge or Arroios near a Metro stop
Indicative cost guide
Return flight: £120–£230 return · Accommodation: £140–£230 per person sharing · Indicative total: £420–£590 per person.
Compare your options
| Destination | Typical daytime | Travel time | Indicative total pp | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraków | About 10–20°C in spring or autumn; variable | About 2 hours 30 minutes flying | £300–£430 per person | Old streets and good-value food |
| Prague | About 11–21°C in spring or autumn | About 2 hours 15 minutes flying | £330–£470 per person | Architecture and easy trams |
| Alicante | About 18–27°C in spring or autumn | About 2 hours 35 minutes flying | £350–£490 per person | Simple seaside logistics |
| Málaga | About 19–28°C in spring or autumn | About 2 hours 40 minutes flying | £380–£550 per person | Warm city days without a car |
| Lisbon | About 17–26°C in spring or autumn | About 2 hours 45 minutes flying | £420–£590 per person | Neighbourhoods and day trips |
Lisbon and Málaga can exceed £500 when flights coincide with school holidays or major events; treat their lower ranges as off-peak possibilities.