10 of the most affordable European cities to visit

By MiNDFOOD

Main pedestrian street with cafes and bars in the old town of Vilnius, Lithuania
Main pedestrian street with cafes and bars in the old town of Vilnius, Lithuania

If you’re looking for a cheap European holiday, head east, according to the latest version of the annual City Costs Barometer from Britain’s Post Office Travel Money.

The UK Post Office City Costs Barometer 2019 has revealed the most affordable European cities to visit for a weekend break. The ranking looked at the total cost of two nights of accommodation plus the average price of typical tourist items in 48 cities in Europe to determine which ones offer the best value for money.

The least expensive city to top the list is Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The medieval town is the country’s largest city and an incredible place for sightseers, known for its baroque architecture in its Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a bucket list destination for any history buff, since its history goes all the way back to the Stone Age.

The Post Office reports that in Lithuania that you can travel to and from the city’s airport for just £1.75, plus two nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel for two adults will set you back just £70. The total cost, the Post Office reports, is £147.35.

Along with the average cost of two nights of accommodation for two adults in a three-star city centre hotel, the study looked at the combined average prices of the following typical tourist items: a three-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine, a cup of coffee, a coca-cola, a beer, and a glass of wine, a return bus or train transfer from the airport to the city, a 48-hour city travel card, a sightseeing tour, and a visit to a leading museum, a gallery, and a heritage attraction.

At the other end of the spectrum, Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is Europe’s most expensive city.

Below is a list of the top 10 cheapest European cities, according to the UK Post Office’s research.

  1. Vilnius, Lithuania
  2. Belgrade, Serbia
  3. Warsaw, Poland
  4. Istanbul, Turkey
  5. Bucharest, Romania
  6. Porto, Portugal
  7. Riga, Latvia
  8. Bratislava, Slovakia
  9. Moscow, Russia
  10. Prague, Czech Republic

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