Now that summer is here, families are on the hunt for their next quick getaway. Whether it’s for sun, sand and sea or a cultural experience, this lesser-known European city could be just the ideal spot for some.

Some of the less sought-after cities can still make for a perfect escape especially without breaking the bank, and one Eastern European destination has been named an overlooked spot. An affordable  city break to Balti in Moldova may just be the move you hadn’t yet considered. 

As Moldova’s second-largest city, this “underrated gem” has enough attractions and cultural touchpoints to quickly fill up a joyous weekend. You and your loved ones can work your way through the city, immerse yourself in the Romanian lifestyle, eat authentic Moldovan food and know you won’t be burning a hole in your back pocket, the Condé Nast Traveller reports. 

When it comes to accommodation, Condé Nast recommends LidoLux, as it is a steal, offering spacious family rooms starting off at just £65 a night. Alternatively, the cheap city has a wide range of both hotels and rental homes that, on average, would only set you back around £120-150 for two whole nights.

Balti is situated just 127kilometres north of the capital city and conveniently located both along the river and with a beautiful backdrop of the Dniester hilly landscape. Not to mention, there are a number of historic picturesque buildings dotted around the city, just waiting to be explored.

This includes the much-loved Independence Square, described to be at “the heart of the city” by visitors, situated at the end of a busy road. One TripAdvisor review claims: “This is a quite large square with a monument of Stephan the Great in the central location. The square is very nice and relaxing.”

Another spot drawing in visitors is Vasile Alecsandri Square, listed on the travel site as the number one thing to do in Balti. A recent tourist took to TripAdvisor to share: “This is a central square in the city. It is very large, with some attractions around it, like the National Theatre, Central Market, a monument to the liberators of the country, city cinema, and some parks and cafes. It is very interesting to sit in one of the cafes and watch people walking here and there.”

For the food and drink lovers in the family, Moldova has plenty to offer, particularly when it comes to wine. Many top attractions close by to the city involve taking a quick trip to a winery or distillery and experiencing a true taste of Balti.

When it comes to sunshine, you can’t go wrong here, as their summers are typically very warm, lasting all through until the end of the season. Daytime temperatures are believed to range from 20C to 25C, but heatwaves have been known to push it up to as high as the 40s.

When it comes to getting to Balti, you can fly into the capital city of Moldova, Chisinau, from a number of UK airports. Flights from London to the city are also typically inexpensive, with flights available at just £25 in the height of the summer holiday rush.