The Albanian capital, Tirana, is the cheapest city break destination for Britons heading to Europe this fall, according to the Post Office Travel Money Cost Barometer. Eastern European cities occupy nine of the top 10 places in the 13th annual price survey provided by the foreign exchange provider.
In Tirana, a basket with 12 typical city break items - including drinks, dinner for two with wine, three-night weekend accommodation for three nights, sightseeing and transportation in the city - costs just over 760 lei. This is a third of the cost in the cities with the highest prices in northern Europe and much cheaper than the closest competitors.
The second city is Katowice (in Poland), 24% more expensive than Tirana, at almost 950 lei, while the prices in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, which ranks third, are 26% higher than the first position, reaching 960 lei.
Lisbon is the only city in Western Europe that has become one of the 10 cheapest cities in Europe.
A year-on-year decrease in the average cost of accommodation for two nights, from 460 lei to 420 lei, helped the city of Lisbon to climb six places in the top 10, to fourth place, following a decrease of 8% of prices. The prices in the Portuguese capital are half compared to the prices we find in other cities in the euro area: Bruges - 2.135 lei, Amsterdam -2.190 lei and Venice - 2.210 lei.
Post Office Travel Money says the British who plan city beaks this fall will receive 9% more currency for pounds than a year ago. Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: "Sterling is stronger against European currencies than a year ago, which has had a positive impact on foreign prices. However, the large price variations we found mean that British people planning city breaks would be wise to do their homework and consider the costs they will incur abroad, as well as the exchange rate. . ”
Therefore, the 10 cheapest cities in Europe perfect for city breaks are:
- Tirana
- Katowice
- Vilnius
- Lisbon
- Riga
- Warsaw
- destination
- Budapest
- Bratislava
- Krakow
What other cities do you recommend, ideal for city breaks?
* Rates are indicative!