There are plenty of destinations to explore in Europe that aren’t overcrowded or expensive like Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam.

Romania, just a three-hour flight from the UK, has the perfect alternative – Timisoara.

Known as Romania’s third-largest city, and arguably its most beautiful, the lesser-known spot is an excellent choice for an affordable city getaway.

Often dubbed as Europe’s ‘Little Vienna’, Timisoara’s graceful buildings mirror those of the Austrian capital, but Britons will discover that coffee is much more wallet-friendly in this Romanian city.

A hub of culture, the city was honoured as a European Capital of Culture in 2023 and its schedule is brimming with music, art and theatre events.

As if direct Wizz Air flights to Timisoara, which average £89 in October weren’t enough, accommodation and food are also a steal.

According to Numbeo, A 0.5-litre draught beer costs just 10 lei (£1.69), with a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costing 40 lei (£6.77).  As for hotels, top-rated options on Booking.com average £175 for two adults for three nights, while apartments are even cheaper at around £102.

When it comes to things to do in Timisoara, the city’s main gathering spot (Victory Square) is a great starting point for venturing through the incredibly walkable city

A TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “One of my favourite ways to discover any city is by walking… Timisoara is no different – even though is the city that I live in I still love to stroll from time to time on the historical streets and through its squares. The area is big – very big – and it’s loaded with very interesting buildings and other landmarks (some old some newer), with a little bit of everything for everybody.”

The main square holds a significant place in Romanian history as it’s the site where Timisoara was announced as the first city free from communism in 1989. While there, make sure to drop by the Romanian National Opera House or the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is Romania’s largest historic Orthodox Church.

The 1989 revolution in Romania started in Timisoara and the challenging journey to independence is chronicled at the Memorialul Revolutiei museum. Known as the ‘City of Flowers’, Timisoara boasts plenty of green spaces for relaxation. Make sure to visit the Parcul Rozelor to unwind by the Bega Canal.

The city’s Botanical Park, beautifully illuminated in the evening, is ideal for a stroll before dinner. For food enthusiasts, trying out sarmale, a local delicacy of stuffed cabbage rolls, is a must.

Resident Tiberiu wrote on TripAdvisor: “So when you are in Timisoara take some time – you’ll need four to five hours to cover everything and stop for pics at the sites…(it is enough to be seen I assure you)… and once you do it, you might just get the idea of why it was called ‘little Vienna’.”

Timisoara, being the location of Romania’s first brewery, also offers an array of local craft beers to taste, including Timisoreana Blonde Lager.

Among the best restaurants in the area are Restaurants Tinecz, C House Milano Timișoara, and Vinto. Restaurants Sabres is a favourite among reviewers for its “great seafood” while Le Monelline earns five stars for its “traditional” Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.