Pretty little city dubbed ‘Eastern Europe’s mini Venice’ with £25 return flights

Brits are seeking out more affordable holiday destinations due to the soaring cost of living and various overtourism protests popping up in more popular destinations like Spain.

Holidaymakers are now opting for more serene settings that don’t break the bank, according to a trends report by Skyscanner.

The cost of accommodation and flights are the most significant considerations for UK tourists.

The report also highlights a surge in interest in one city that has been likened to Venice, in Italy.

While the Italian lagoon continues to stir debate with its high prices and fresh regulations aimed at tackling mass tourism, travellers are showing interest in other waterfront cities that offer good value for money.

One such city is Bydgoszcz in northern Poland.

Flight searches to this city have surged by 313 percent, according to Skyscanner, with return fares available for as little as £25 from UK airports on certain dates.

Bydgoszcz, situated on the Vistula and Brda rivers, boasts Art Nouveau architecture and an industrial waterfront that are major attractions for tourists.

However, it’s Mill Island in the old town, surrounded by water and connected to the rest of the city by footbridges, that draws comparisons with Venice.

This compact area features weirs, canals and locks that surround parks, mills, granaries, warehouses and historic houses.

Accommodation in the area offers good value, with rooms at hotels like Przystan Bydgoszcz costing around £50 per night.

Bydgoszcz is also called the capital of Polish athletics and rowing.

Audiences from all over the world go there to watch basketball and volleyball players among other sports.