By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 10:02 BST, 11 June 2025 | Updated: 10:02 BST, 11 June 2025

A team of travel experts have revealed the cheapest and most underrated city to visit in Europe and Brits can get there for under £17. 

And it’s Linz, a city in northern Austria, which is Europe’s best cheap hidden gem, according to a study that looked at average Google searches across the UK in the last 12 months to find out where the continent’s most underrated destinations are. 

Austria’s third-largest city, Linz sits on the banks of the Danube River and has an attractive old town.

Linz Castle is one of the city’s top attractions, located at the heart of its historic centre. Tourists will find a museum inside where they can learn more about the region’s culture. 

A visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: ‘A beautiful museum with an impressive location in Linz Castle. The exhibitions are diverse, exciting and very well curated – from nature to technology and art.’ 

Don’t miss the Mariendom church in the Old Town, which is Austria’s largest church. The striking building was finished in 1924 and can accommodate 20,000 people. 

Visitors can also climb to the top of the spire to enjoy panoramic views of Linz from above.  

Kids will love Linz’s Grottenbahn, a dragon-themed train adventure that takes tourists through a miniature world. 

Linz is officially Europe's best cheap and underrated destination to fly to this summer

Linz is officially Europe’s best cheap and underrated destination to fly to this summer

Linz is also a fantastic base from which to explore the rest of Austria

Linz is also a fantastic base from which to explore the rest of Austria

One visitor described it as a ‘magical fairytale world for young and old’ while another said it was very ‘cute’. 

When it comes to eating out, there’s one sweet dish that’s a must-try. The city’s Linzer Torte is a pastry with a lattice crust, almond filling and redcurrant jam. 

The experts at Holidu, the company who conducted the research, found one-way flights for under £17 and with low Google searches for the destination, tourists aren’t likely to have to fight off crowds while they’re there. 

A Holidu spokesperson says: ‘This ancient city, named the European Capital of Culture in 2009, is particularly known for its history and culture.’ 

But Linz is also a fantastic base from which to explore the rest of Austria.

Holidu recommends visiting Hallstatt, famed as the location of the castle that inspired Disney’s Frozen, and Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, both of which are less than two hours away from Linz.

After Linz, the next best underrated destination in in Europe, according to the study, is Poitiers in France. Brits can fly to Poitiers for just £15. 

Holidu describes the city’s old town as a ‘must-visit’ due to its ‘rich history’ and ‘Romanesque architecture’. 

Austria's third-largest city, Linz sits on the banks of the Danube River and has an attractive old town

Austria’s third-largest city, Linz sits on the banks of the Danube River and has an attractive old town

Holidu found one-way flights for under £17 and with low Google searches for the destination, tourists aren't likely to have to fight off crowds while they're there

Holidu found one-way flights for under £17 and with low Google searches for the destination, tourists aren’t likely to have to fight off crowds while they’re there

And if you’re not looking to travel far this summer, the third underrated destination on the list could be the perfect spot for you. 

Kerry in Ireland can be reached for under £15 and is bound to ‘impress with its stunning and dramatic landscapes’, says Holidu. 

At the other end of the scale Dublin, Paris and Barcelona are the most-searched for destinations by British tourists. 

Alicante, Tenerife, Malaga and Malta are also popular choices with Brits looking for a summer break.  

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The cheapest underrated city in Europe revealed – with flights under £17

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