An in-depth travel report from the Post Office has revealed the city break destinations where tourists’ money will go furthest.
The annual research looks at the cheapest – and most expensive – destinations, considering prices on everything from accommodation to food and drink.
The resulting 2026 Post Office City Costs Barometer examined 50 cities, the most ever for the report and found the cheapest metropolis, Sarajevo, a rising star in European travel, had an average holiday cost of just £248.27.
Meanwhile at the most expensive end of the scale, two Scandinavian destinations took the top spots, with Oslo in first place with an average holiday price of £733.99.
A classic British getaway, Edinburgh, came third with costs estimated at £668.10.
The findings are based on a survey looking at the total average cost of two nights at three-star weekend accommodation, a three-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine, cup of coffee, bottle of beer and Coca-Cola, glass of wine, return airport transfers, 48-hour travel card, sightseeing bus tour, top heritage attraction, top museum and top art gallery.
Here’s the cities that are currently easiest on holiday budgets – and the ones that could make a real dent in it…
1. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Taking the top spot as the cheapest city break in Europe is Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coming in at £248 for 12 tourist items including accommodation, meals and drinks, city transport and entry to cultural attractions, Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, tops the best value rankings.
Not only does this up-and-coming city boast extremely reasonably priced hotels, with an average two-night stay around £157, but plenty of other travel essentials come in at prices that would surprise even the most frugal of Brits.
Coffee at £1.72, a beer from £2.46, a 48-hour travel card for £5.21 and many attractions and galleries free to enter give Sarajevo its well-founded credentials as a destination that goes easy on your wallet.
The walkable city has a wealth of historic attractions to peruse, notably its War Childhood Museum, and coffee culture is at its best here, too. Drink in peace and take as long as you like – you’re unlikely to be rushed.
2. Bucharest, Romania
The silver medal goes to Romania’s capital city Bucharest, known for cheap flights and drinks
Bucharest, with an average holiday cost of £258, is an unsurprising choice for second place.
The Romanian capital has long been the home of the cheap stag do, as flights to Bucharest from the UK start from as little as £19 each way with Wizz Air.
Once there, you hardly have to spend to have a good time, as Post Office research shows an average beer costs £2.86, while a three-course meal for two including wine will set you back just £65.53.
It’s also the location of one of Europe’s cheapest water parks and spas – from just £30 for a whole day’s entry, you can visit Therme Bucuresti.
3. Tirana, Albania
Tirana in Albania gets the bronze medal, an up-and-coming hotspot
Albanian capital Tirana has been placed among the cheapest European destinations a lot as of late – having just last week been voted as one of the best value spots for Brits this summer.
And with average trips costing just £262.85, it’s easy to understand why.
Tirana’s selling point is its underappreciated beauty, from Skanderbeg Square to underground art museums and the Great Mosque of Tirana or Namazgah Mosque, the largest mosque in the Balkans.
Be sure to pause for a £2.15 coffee, £3.86 glass of wine or £63.94 three-course meal for two – and make the most of the bargains on offer.
4. Belgrade, Serbia
Number four on the list from the Post Office report is Belgrade in Serbia
With direct flights now available from the UK, Belgrade in Serbia is on the up – well, in terms of popularity, that is.
In terms of price, it’s staying firmly in the low-budget category, with average holidays costing just £265, including £144 for two nights in a hotel.
Belgrade is renowned for its nightlife and brutalist, communist-era architecture, on display in New Belgrade at spots such as the Genex Tower and Palace of Serbia.
It’s also great for strolling along the river and soaking up culture at museums such as the Nikola Tesla Museum and Museum of Science and Technology, as well as markets including Zeleni Venac.
5. Trenĉin, Slovakia
Next up is Trenĉin, a historic town in lesser-visited Slovakia
You might never have heard of Trenĉin – but it’s easily reachable from Bratislava, the nearest airport, and has beaten the Slovakian capital in terms of price.
This city boasts holiday costs of £271.64 for two nights, as well as £1.93 coffees, £1.49 beers and three-course meals for two including wine for an impressive £47.64.
It’s set to be a great year for the city, the European Capital of Culture 2026 – so visiting now is the ideal time.
A whole host of events are in the works, from evening guided tours of exhibitions at Trenčín Castle and the FOR MAAT Gallery to group bike rides, pantomimes and community events.
6. Riga, Latvia
Baltic gem Riga, known for its Art Deco architecture, also joins the list
In sixth position, Latvian capital Riga (£278) is the highest placed of the more established cities and continues to benefit from competitively priced hotels.
Two nights’ three-star accommodation costs £140, the second cheapest in the survey behind Tirana (£128).
The city, often dubbed the ‘Paris of the North’, is often associated with cheap stag dos – but there’s so much to do for families, couples and solo visitors as well.
Walkable streets, comfortable temperatures and stellar attractions – such as the House of the Blackheads, Riga Art Nouveau Centre and the central market – make for a great weekend away.
7. Lille, France
Lille is easy to reach on the Eurostar – so it’s unsurprising it also makes the cut
With uncertainty about jet fuel availability this summer, Brits preferring to travel by train or ferry and car to their destination have plenty of options – and two of them are in the top ten, Lille being the first.
At £289, costs have fallen by 1.3 per cent year-on-year in seventh-placed Lille, a Eurostar favourite.
The city has all the cobbled streets and croissants you might want from a weekend in France, and it won’t break the bank either.
In Lille, two nights in a hotel cost just £140 on average, while wine is less than £5 and entry to museums and galleries remains firmly in the £6 and £7 range.
8. Vilnius, Lithuania
Lithuanian capital Vilnius takes eighth place in the complete ranking
The cheapest…and the most expensive cities in Europe
Top ten lowest priced cities
1. Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina – £248.27
2. Bucharest, Romania – £258.07
3. Tirana, Albania – £262.85
4. Belgrade, Serbia – £265.13
5. Trenĉin, Slovakia – £271.64
6. Riga, Latvia – £278.19
7. Lille, France – £289.33
8. Vilnius, Lithuania – £289.39
9. Strasbourg, France – £319.13
10. Podgorica, Montenegro – £332.45
Top ten most expensive cities
1. Oslo, Norway – £733.99
2. Copenhagen, Denmark – £670.65
3. Edinburgh, Scotland – £668.10
4. Geneva, Switzerland – £644.22
5. Barcelona, Spain – £641.03
6. Dublin, Ireland – £610.79
7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands – £609.18
8. Cork Ireland – £602.38
9. Venice, Italy – £579.92
10. Madrid, Spain – £579.92
Source: Post Office Travel Money City Costs Barometer 2026
Vilnius in Lithuania comes in next at £289, with other great prices including £2.12 for coffee, £11.87 for a 48-hour travel card and many attractions with free entry.
Last year, the Lithuanian capital was found to have the lowest price for a two-night trip for two people out of 15 European destinations analysed by Post Office Travel Money.
Low prices make it appealing as a destination – as does the city’s authentic appeal, with Vilnius being ranked last year as one of Europe’s most authentic.
With a beautiful old town and history to explore, it’s a great way to avoid over-tourism while enjoying a city break on the cheap.
9. Strasbourg, France
Chocolate box Strasbourg in France is next, known for its German influences
Alongside Lille, Strasbourg is named best value in Western Europe, beating past barometer champions Lisbon and Athens – and it’s also accessible by train.
While many brush over Strasbourg in favour of places such as Paris and the French Riviera, the excellent prices, German architecture and river views mean it warrants a place on travel bucket lists.
Visit the city’s pink sandstone cathedral and ‘Petite France’ district, filled with timbered houses, narrow streets and a picturesque waterfront.
At £319.13 for a trip, there are plenty of bargains to be had – the Post Office report found the cost of coffee to be £2.46, and top museums and galleries to be £6.59.
10. Podgorica, Montenegro
Rounding out the top ten is Podgorica in Montenegro, one of the trendiest spots in travel now
Podgorica in Montenegro made the top ten last year – and is firmly here to stay, with the average price of a two-night holiday just £332.45.
The capital of Montenegro boasts immaculate bridges – the Millennium Bridge being a particular highlight – as well as historic sights such as the Orthodox Temple of Christ’s Resurrection and Dajbabe Monastery.
It has a truly modern side to it, too.
Check out the city’s shiny shopping centres, vibrant cafes and excellent galleries.
On the flip side, Oslo (£734) and Copenhagen (£671) are the most expensive of the 50 cities surveyed. Barometer totals in the two Scandinavian cities are more than twice those in the ten best value cities.
Turning to the four UK capitals, Cardiff is easily the best value with a barometer cost of £378 – on par with last year’s result.
Prices in Belfast (33rd, £509) and London (34th, £528) are significantly higher but, like Cardiff, have remained at 2025 levels.
By comparison, Edinburgh (48th, £668) is again one of Europe’s most expensive cities, with barometer costs up 10 per cent on the back of high hotel prices.
Post Office Travel Money’s Laura Plunkett said: ‘Despite concerns about rising prices abroad, there are many European cities offering great value for money.
‘Sterling has remained fairly strong but, in these challenging times, it will pay holidaymakers to do their homework before booking to see where their pounds are likely to stretch furthest, even for short breaks.’
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