The most affordable European getaways for travellers seeking to rein in their spending have been revealed
British holidaymakers grappling with spiralling travel costs are increasingly abandoning pricey resorts in favour of wallet-friendly destinations where a pint remains under £2.50.
The most affordable European getaways for travellers seeking to rein in their spending have been revealed, with southern Italy, Portugal and Spain leading the charge. Puglia in Italy and Vilamoura in Portugal claimed the top spots for bargain beer, with visitors able to snap up a draught pint for a mere £1.74, according to research by Zable. Seville secured third place at £2.06 per pint, while hotspots including Gran Canaria, Faro, Madeira and Tenerife all clocked in at £2.18 on average.
The results emerge as countless families hunt for methods to slash holiday expenses amid ongoing strain on household finances. Experts examined flight costs, lodging expenses, tourist levies, grocery bills, dining prices and attraction fees across 49 locations to determine where travellers secure the greatest bang for their buck.
Cheapest European hotspots for a pint
Destination – Pint price – Av 5-night accommodation
Puglia, Italy – £1.74 – £516
Vilamoura, Portugal – £1.74 £1,592
Seville, Spain – £2.06 – £667
Plovdiv, Bulgaria – £2.07 – £386
Lanzarote, Spain – £2.18 – £830
Gran Canaria, – Spain £2.18 – £536
Faro, Portugal – £2.18 – £965
Madeira, Portugal – £2.18 – £1,031
Tenerife, Spain – £2.18 – £777
Tirana, Albania – £2.26 – £315
Puglia was highlighted as amongst Europe’s most economical destinations owing to its blend of bargain beverage prices, complimentary attractions and reasonably priced accommodation. The area boasts almost 15 hours of sunshine during peak summer periods, complemented by its renowned coastline, olive plantations and ancient settlements.
While Vilamoura equalled Puglia on beverage costs, lodging expenses proved considerably steeper due to demand for the Algarve resort’s harbour, golf facilities and evening entertainment. Meanwhile, Albania’s capital Tirana emerged as the most affordable overall destination for a five-night getaway once flights, accommodation and daily expenses were factored in. A standard five-night break there totals £492.31, according to the research.
Cheapest destinations overall for a five-night trip
Destination – Country – Total cost
Tirana – Albania – £492.31
Plovdiv – Bulgaria – £558.10
Zagreb – Croatia – £651.06
Puglia – Italy – £690.37
Gran Canaria – Spain – £761.06
Seville – Spain – £802.47
Fuerteventura – Spain – £844.13
Bari – Italy – £914.81
Tallinn – Estonia – £953.11
Kotor – Montenegro – £974.03
The study also revealed that Kotor in Montenegro ranked as the top-value hidden gem overall, boosted by reasonably priced flights, minimal tourist levies and an abundance of attractions. Holiday-makers opting for self-catering accommodation could also cut costs on food shopping by visiting destinations such as Sopot in Poland, where a standard supermarket basket costs just £30.74.
Cheapest destinations for grocery shopping
Destination – Country – Grocery basket
Sopot – Poland – £30.74
Vilamoura – Portugal – £31.19
Kotor – Montenegro – £31.63
Benidorm – Spain – £31.93
Dubrovnik – Croatia – £32.44
The research also spotlighted the emergence of so-called “destination dupes”, where travellers ditch pricey long-haul locations for more affordable European alternatives boasting similar weather. Amongst the recommended alternatives were Capri instead of the Maldives, Mallorca instead of Hawaii and Sardinia instead of Costa Rica.
Arielle Rogers-Jenkins, senior product manager at the credit card company, Zable, said: “Planning a holiday often means balancing the experiences you want with the budget you have available. “Our research shows that travel costs can vary significantly between destinations, so choosing locations that align with your budget can make a real difference to the overall cost of a trip.”