City breaks in Europe are becoming increasingly popular as tourists look for more affordable alternatives to long and expensive holidays. A new ranking shows huge differences between European cities: while some destinations remain surprisingly cheap, others can double or even triple the budget of a weekend getaway.
According to the latest “Cities’ Cost Barometer” rcarried out by Post Office Travel Money, the analysis compared the costs of 12 essential tourism products and services in 50 European cities. These include accommodation at a 3-star hotel for two nights, dining out, regular drinks, public transport, airport transfers and tickets to major tourist attractions, according to euronews.
The study shows that the price differences between the cities are significant, and the total budget of a city-break is influenced especially by the cost of accommodation and meals.
The cheapest city breaks in Europe in 2026
Eastern Europe dominates the list of affordable destinations, where daily costs remain considerably lower compared to the west of the continent. In first place is Sarajevo, with an estimated total cost of approximately 287 euros for the analyzed package.
In the next positions are cities like Bucharest, Tirana, Belgrade and Trenčín, all offering low prices on accommodation, food and public transport. These destinations are recommended for tourists who want authentic cultural experiences at low costs.
The top 10 cheapest European cities include: Sarajevo, Bucharest, Tirana, Belgrade, Trenčín, Riga, Lille, Vilnius, Strasbourg and Podgorica.
1. Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)-287 euros
2. Bucharest (Romania)-299 euros
3. Tirana (Albania) -304.50 euros
4. Belgrade (Serbia) – 307 euros
5. Trenčín (Slovakia) – 315 euros
6. Riga (Latvia) – 322 euros
7. Lille (France) – 334 euros
8. Vilnius (Lithuania) – 334 euros
9. Strasbourg (France) – 369 euros
10. Podgorica (Montenegro) – 384.50 euros
The most expensive city breaks in Europe
At the opposite pole, the highest costs are recorded in the cities of northern and western Europe. Oslo ranks first, with around 850 euros for the same basket of services and products.
In the top of the expensive cities are Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Geneva and Barcelona, where high prices for accommodation and restaurants significantly increase the total cost of a weekend holiday.
-
Oslo (Norway) – 850 euros
-
Copenhagen (Denmark) – 777 euros
-
Edinburgh (Scotland) – 773.50 euros
-
Geneva (Switzerland) – 746 euros
-
Barcelona (Spain) – 742 euros
-
Dublin (Ireland) – 707 euros
-
Amsterdam (Netherlands) – 705 euros
-
Cork (Ireland) – 697 euros
-
Venice (Italy) – 672 euros
-
Madrid (Spain) – 672 euros.
