For those looking for a cheap holiday in Europe, this city is the right place to go.
If it is true that holiday costs have increased dramatically in the post-pandemic period, it is also true that some cities in Europe continue to offer excellent value for money, combined with history, culture, and entertainment.
The latest report signed by the British Post Office, analyzes prices for short stays in 37 European cities, both as a whole and for specific spending items such as accommodation, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has once again been ranked as the city with the best value for money. Its costs are more than 10% lower than second-placed Lisbon.
Despite a 26% increase in the average cost of three-star accommodation, prices in the Portuguese capital remain good for meals, drinks, and other tourist products. France’s Lille rose seven places to third place, helped by a 30% drop in accommodation costs.
The cheapest European cities to go on holiday
The study, called “City Costs Barometer”, aims to identify which European cities offer the best value for money or, on the contrary, are more expensive. The 2024 edition analyzed the prices of 12 tourism products and services in 37 cities in Europe.
As anticipated, the destination with the best value for money in 2024 is Vilnius, Lithuania. It is one of seven Eastern European cities in the top 10, along with Krakow (4th), Riga (6th), Budapest (7th), Bratislava (8th), Prague (9th) and Warsaw (10th).
The overall cost of a short stay was calculated based on the costs of drinks, dinner for two with a bottle of house wine, two nights’ weekend accommodation at a three-star hotel, sightseeing, and city transport.
| Pos. | City | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vilnius, Lithuania | €279.08 |
| 2 | Lisbon, Portugal | €311.22 |
| 3 | Lille, France | €328.38 |
| 4 | Krakow, Poland | €329.07 |
| 5 | Athens, Greece | €341.49 |
| 6 | Riga, Latvia | €350.70 |
| 7 | Budapest, Hungary | €366.82 |
| 8 | Bratislava, Slovakia | €372.37 |
| 9 | Prague, Czech Republic | €375.75 |
| 10 | Warsaw, Poland | €376.91 |
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What is the most expensive European city for a holiday?
Amsterdam is the most expensive destination according to the survey, although the Dutch city recorded an 8.3% drop in prices, the ninth largest drop of all those analyzed. Belfast is the most expensive of the British capitals, followed in third place by Edinburgh. Venice is the fifth most expensive European city to go on holiday.
| Pos. | City | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | €790.29 |
| 2 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | €742.61 |
| 3 | Edinburgh, Scotland | €710.77 |
| 4 | Helsinki, Finland | €692.52 |
| 5 | Venice, Italy | €687.13 |
| 6 | Dublin, Ireland | €683.95 |
| 7 | Copenhagen, Denmark | €679.73 |
| 8 | Oslo, Norway | €666.22 |
| 9 | Geneva, Switzerland | €657.26 |
| 10 | Vienna, Austria | €649.57 |
Why visit Vilnius, the cheapest city in Europe
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. The historic center is included in the UNESCO world heritage site. Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, and St. Anna’s Church are just some of the architectural wonders you can admire.
The variety of architectural styles is also interesting, from medieval remains to modernist buildings. The city has been a crossroads of different cultures and religions, which is reflected in its monuments and places of worship.
The city is home to numerous museums and art galleries, including the National Museum of Lithuania, the MO Museum, and the Center for Contemporary Art, as well as numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year.
Budget travelers looking for cheap meals are spoiled for choice in Vilnius. The city is known for its “canteens”: cheap and cheerful restaurants serving Soviet-era food.
At Zilvino Restoranas you can enjoy a tasty bowl of beetroot soup (Šaltibarščiai) or šiupininė sriuba (also known as hangover soup) for less than 3 euros. You can also fill up on Kugelis, a baked dish of grated potatoes, bacon, and onions, or cepelinai, the much-loved national dish of potato and meat dumplings.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-07-06 08:31:00. Original title: Sai qual è la capitale europea più economica dove andare in vacanza?
