Escape the crowds! 11 of Europe's best-kept city break secrets, from sunny Malta to Greece's foodie capital - with flights from under £50 and affordable five-star hotels

City break season is firmly upon us, with tourists descending on classic destinations such as Rome, Paris and Barcelona in their droves. But there are plenty of spots that feel less busy and still offer amazing sights, beautiful hotels and some great experiences. From UNESCO-recognised Valletta to magical Oslo, tourists are spoilt for choice in Europe.Thessaloniki doesn't just have to be a summer destination either, and you'll be free to enjoy it while crowds flock to Athens. How to get that autumnal fix of culture, shopping and gastronomy only with the crowds dialled down a little? Here's ten urban escapes that perfectly fit the bill…Glasgow, Scotland Glasgow promises an artsy break away packed with beautiful architecture and pubsYes, it'll probably rain but dress for the weather and arty, affable, museum-filled Glasgow won't let you down. Enjoy the architecture masterclass; there's Victorian, Queen Anne, Charles Rennie Mackintosh's early 20th-century handiwork and the glass-and-steel modernity of the The Riverside Museum. Many attractions are free, including beautiful 22-gallery Kelvingrove Park, and the nightlife ticks, particularly in the pubs along Sauchiehall Street. Don't miss: A moment of calm under the spectacular stained glass at Gothic Glasgow Cathedral.Book it: Three nights' self-catering in a Native Glasgow studio apartment from £297 in November for two. Bordeaux, France Head to Bordeaux, in France, for local cuisine and plenty of sightseeingA little autumnal gastronomy? Oui! South western Bordeaux plates up fine food, big wines, and more cultural sights – over 350 – than you can squeeze into a weekend. It's cheap to arrive, thanks to easyJet and Ryanair too. Enjoy grandiose architecture in the City's Places, including de la Bourse and de la Victoire, and shopping boulevard Rue Sainte Catherine is ideal for a spree. A selfie to send back home? Head for La Grosse Cloche, Bordeaux's beloved 7,750kg city bell.Don't miss: Drink in the knowledge at La Cité du Vin, a museum dedicated to Bordeaux's biggest export.Book it: Three nights' B&B at the four-star Hôtel de Sèze and flights from £799pp.Valletta, Malta Malta's Valletta offers a beautiful location for a getaway, and it's packed with historyThe Maltese capital has a surprisingly valiant past to delve into. Small but mighty, walled and 16th-century, UNESCO-recognised Valletta has historic sights in spades with St John's Co-Cathedral and the 16th-century Grand Master's Palace the major landmarks. Blue skies are a distinct possibility too; Malta boasts an average of 300 sunny days a year.Don't miss: A blast of modernity at City Gate, crafted by Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2011.Book it: B&B doubles at five-star Iniala Harbour House Malta from £444 in November. Return flights to Malta from £172 with KM Malta Airlines. Zurich, Switzerland Zurich, in Switzerland, has museums and waterside walking routesDismiss Switzerland's largest city as a 'business' destination at your peril (and also, don't let the suits have all the fun).This German-speaking metropolis, at the easy-on-the-eye spot where Lake Zurich bumps into Limmat River, serves up crowd-pleasing attractions such as the Lindt and FIFA museums, plus waterside walking and hearty fare – who can resist bircher muesli for breakfast and Geschnetzeltes, veal with rösti potatoes, for dinner?Don't miss: A little couture (window) shopping on swanky Bahnhofstrasse.Book it: Doubles at the four-star 25 Hours Hotel from £250 in November. Return flights to Zurich for £128 with British Airways.Cork, Ireland Cork, in Ireland, offers a crowd-free experience of Irish pubs and historyDubbed by many as Ireland's 'real capital', Cork hits just like Dublin when it comes to centuries-old pubs, galleries and exuberant sociability – only without the 24/7 tourist masses. What to see? Cork City Gaol offers a stark snapshot of what incarcerated Corkonians once faced, St Fin Barre Cathedral has gargoyles galore to spy and the Franciscan Well Brewery celebrates the city's strong links with making Ireland's amber nectar, as well as serving ales from across the world.Don't miss: A gourmet sausage from O'Flynn's at the city's 18th century English Market.Book it: Doubles with a full Irish breakfast at The Montenotte hotel from £166 in November. Return flights to Cork from £122 via Aer Lingus.Thessaloniki, Greece Check out the Modiano market in Thessaloniki or walk along Nea ParaliaAthens wins the tourist dollar but Greece's second city has much to shout about. Thessaloniki is buzzy, small enough to conquer on foot and beats its ancient sister hands down on gastronomy – foodies will be in seventh heaven at artisanal Modiano market.Nea Paralia, the city's three-mile cycle and walking promenade, comes with a Mount Olympus view.Don't miss: Climb the 96 steps of the stocky 15th century White Tower for a full 360° panoramic.Book it: Four nights' B&B at the three-star Plaza Hotel Thessaloniki from £337pp including flights.San Sebastian, Spain San Sebastian, in Spain, has Michelin-starred restaurants and a crowd-free experience How to win the late-in-the-year sun lottery and dine like royalty? Step up San Sebastian, the Basque region's gourmet show-stopper.Michelin-starred restaurants – currently ten, no less – huddle around golden La Concha Bay (the brave still swim in October) but a simple San Miguel and pintxos – local tapas – is equally inviting. Those crowds? They're 70 minutes away in Bilbao, where you'll fly into.Don't miss: Take the 1912 cog funicular up to Mount Igueldo for A-star bay views.Book it: B&B doubles at five-star Nobu San Sebastian from €300 (£251) in November. Return flights to Bilbao from £51 with Vueling.Ljubljana, Slovenia Meander around Ljubljana's old town and check out the hilltop Ljubljana CastleFlight fares to Slovenia's photogenic capital tumble once summer bows out and Ljubljana's old town – easy to negotiate and where pedestrians rule, abounds with understated elegance. Cutting through it is the Ljubljanica River, a meandering ribbon of emerald crossed with ornate bridges (Triple Bridge is the pick of them); cycle or walk its banks, or save your legs and book a boat tour.Don't miss: The city's optimum vista…ride the funicular up to 16th century hilltop Ljubljana Castle to find it.Book it: A four-day escorted tour including transfers and B&B accommodation costs from £1,149pp. Return flights to Ljubljana from £102 in November via easyJet.Ghent, Belgium Ghent is Belgium's walkable city and boasts cobbled streets and gabled houses If you can access Kent's ferry terminals without too much effort, then Ghent is an easy win city break. Bag a bargainous low season sailing to Dunkirk, and you're just over an hour's drive from this Flemish beauty.Belgium's walkable oldest city is much less busy than Bruges but has similar appeal thanks to its cobbled streets, gabled houses, slim waterways and cosy pubs – as well as big-hitting sights, including the 'Three Towers of Ghent', aka Saint Nicholas Church, the Belfry and Saint Bavo's Cathedral. It's entirely walkable too; sustain yourself with waffles and chocolate.Don't miss: Time travel at 12th century Gravensteen Castle, complete with moat, turrets and arrow slits.Book it: Doubles at the five-star 1898 The Post from €215.10 (£180) in November. Return Dover-to-Dunkirk crossings for €242 (£202.60).Krakow, Poland Krakow has plenty of sights and good food to make it a perfect contender for a city breakPoland's one-time royal capital is a regal place to weekend, with much of the action centred on café-lined Rynek Glówny, one of Europe's largest market squares. Home to the magnificent twin-towered St Mary's Basilica and Renaissance shopping mall, the Cloth Hall, it's where you'll head for a short, sharp espresso in the morning and a short, sharp wodka shot come nightfall. Pencil in a trip to nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine too; this 300km (186 miles) subterranean saline labyrinth boasts a carved chapel and health resort.Don't miss: A hot plate of pierogi, Krakow's beloved stuffed dumplings.Book it: Doubles at the five-star Hotel Copernicus from £150. Return flights to Krakow for £106 in November via Wizz Air.Oslo, Norway Magical Oslo in Norway offers fun and great architecture to enjoyWith shortening days comes thinning crowds, but Oslo very much still holds its own as a magical place to spend a few days. There's oodles of Scandi fun to be had; book a floating sauna, dine with a view at harbourfront spot Aker Brygge, and admire the catwalk of statuesque architecture, including Munch, the 2021 museum dedicated to Norwegian Expressionist artist Edvard.Don't miss: The best of humanity (mostly) at The Nobel Peace Centre – under 16s go free.Book it: A three-night Oslo break including accommodation at the four-star Amerikalinjen hotel and flights costs from £524pp with British Airways.Brindisi, Puglia Brindisi in Puglia is perfect for walks and relaxed lunches with great viewsRyanair jets into Brindisi year-round, with the lion's share of tourists driving off to enjoy Puglia's rural charms. Slow-paced and great value, Brindisi is made for idle wandering and lazy lunches. Get lost amongst the ornate palazzos and churches, take a port-side stroll to spy the Adriatic and then give the day up to a plate of orecchiette pasta and a bottle of Primitivo.Don't miss: The one surviving Roman column that marks the end of the ancient Appian Way.Book it: B&B doubles at the four-star Grande Albergo Internazionale from £143 in November via booking.com. Return flights to Brindisi from £43 with Ryanair.