Top 10 cheap destinations in Europe. A city in Romania, in the ranking of the best destinations in terms of quality-price ratio
Bucharest is among the cheapest city breaks in Europe for the British in 2026. The capital of Romania is one of the most advantageous European destinations for a short holiday, being surpassed by only one city in terms of total costs, according to a new study carried out for tourists from the United Kingdom, according to Euronews.
As airfares continue to rise, short breaks to European cities are expected to become one of the top travel trends for Brits this summer.
Many are choosing to forgo expensive long-haul vacations in favor of destinations closer to home, more accessible and easier to organize.
According to the latest City Cost Barometer, an annual travel report published by the British company Post Office Travel Money, which ranks and compares the accessibility of popular urban destinations in Europe, Bucharest ranks second in the list of cheapest city breaks for 2026.
The report analyzed the costs of 12 typical tourist expenses for two people in 50 European cities. These include the price of a coffee, a beer, a glass of wine, a three-course dinner with wine included, the price of a city bus tour, airport transportation, 48-hour public transport passes, tickets to a major tourist attraction, a museum and an art gallery, as well as two nights' accommodation in a three-star hotel for two people.
Bucharest, recommended to the British for good food and low prices
According to the barometer, Bucharest is the “destination to book” for those looking for lots of activities and food at good prices.
The low costs of accommodation, meals and transport make the city “among the cheapest city breaks of the year”.
For British tourists, the estimated total cost of a weekend in Bucharest, including all 12 categories of expenses analyzed, is approximately £258 (equivalent to €299), for two people.
The study notes that Eastern European cities once again dominate the ranking of the best value for money destinations, with eight of the top ten places occupied by cities from this region.
For the first time, Sarajevo has been named the most advantageous urban destination on the Old Continent for 2026, with the cost of the 12 items included in the barometer amounting to £248 (€287).
With low overall costs driven by affordable accommodation, cheap public transport and value-for-money attractions, Sarajevo is “perfect” for travelers looking for “rich culture, history and food without high prices”, the report said.
Top 10 cheapest city breaks in Europe for Brits in 2026
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – 248 pounds / 287 euros
- Bucharest, Romania – 258 pounds / 299 euros
- Tirana, Albania – 263 pounds / 304.5 euros
- Belgrade, Serbia – 265 pounds / 307 euros
- Trenčín, Slovakia – 272 pounds / 315 euros
- Riga, Latvia – 278 pounds / 322 euros
- Lille, France – 289 pounds / 334 euros
- Vilnius, Lithuania – 289 pounds / 334 euros
- Strasbourg, France – 319 pounds / 369 euros
- Podgorica, Montenegro – 332 pounds / 384.5 euros
Tirana has “everything you need” for a relaxing city break, while Belgrade “ticks all the boxes” for nightlife, food and riverside walks “without the big city prices”.
Rounding out the top five, Trenčín (Slovakia) offers a “quieter alternative” to larger capitals and is perfect for visitors who “want a slower pace with lots of walking, historic centers and very low prices every day”.
At the opposite pole, the most expensive city breaks for Brits in 2026 are in northern and western Europe. In first place is Oslo, where the estimated total cost reaches £734 (€850), followed by Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Geneva and Barcelona.
The report shows that the differences are mainly driven by the cost of accommodation and more expensive meals, which push up the budget of a city break significantly.
Top 10 most expensive city breaks in Europe for Brits
- Oslo, Norway: 734 pounds / 850 euros
- Copenhagen, Denmark: 671 pounds / 777 euros
- Edinburgh, Scotland: £668 / €773.50
- Geneva, Switzerland: 644 pounds / 746 euros
- Barcelona, Spain: 641 pounds / 742 euros
- Dublin, Ireland: 611 pounds / 707 euros
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: 609 pounds/ 705 euros
- Cork, Ireland: 602 pounds / 697 euros
- Venice, Italy: 580 pounds / 672 euros
- Madrid, Spain: 580 pounds / 672 euros
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
