10 cheapest Europe city breaks with 3 course meal with wine for €27
The 2025 Post Office Travel Money City Costs Barometer has been released. The annual survey compares the cost of short breaks in 38 popular European destinations and it's packed with positive news for those seeking a bargain.
The detailed report ranks cities based on the average cost of 12 tourist essentials - such as hotel stays, meals, drinks, transport and cultural attractions - for two people over a weekend. While prices in some cities, including Dublin, have skyrocketed, others are emerging as surprisingly affordable treasures.
Dublin ranks as the 7th most expensive city on the list, with a weekend for two totalling £568.34 (€658.98). This is largely due to exorbitant accommodation costs - a two-night stay in a 3-star hotel averages at £411 (476). That's nearly four times more than what you'd pay in the cheapest city on the list, reports the Irish Mirror.
This year's top spot for affordability goes to Riga in Latvia, where a full weekend for two will only cost you a mere £252.63 (€292) - less than half the price of an equivalent trip to Dublin. This includes two nights' hotel stay, local travel, a sightseeing bus tour and even a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine for just £65.95 (€76.47), which works out at about €38 per person.
Other cities making the cut for Europe's most affordable city breaks include Vilnius in Lithuania, Warsaw in Poland and Podgorica in Montenegro. Completing the top five is Lisbon in Portugal, where you'll find exceptional value when dining out.
A three-course meal with wine for two people comes in at £46.68 (€54) - that's just €27 each. Lisbon also offers significant savings on beverages. A 330ml bottle of beer is priced at just £1.93 (€2.24) - considerably cheaper than the £5.26 (€6.10) you'd pay in Dublin.
Coffee aficionados will also appreciate the price difference. A cup in Lisbon costs just £1.23 (€1.43), compared to £3.28 (€3.80) in the Irish capital.
Top 10 cheapest city breaks in 2025
According to the report, here are the top 10 cities offering the best bang for your buck this year:
Riga, Latvia - £252.63 Vilnius, Lithuania - £254.32 Warsaw, Poland - £277.39 Podgorica, Montenegro - £281.70 Lisbon, Portugal - £292.27 Lille, France - £293.26 Gdansk, Poland - £297.09 Krakow, Poland - £300.24 Porto, Portugal - £304.66 Zagreb, Croatia - £310.56
The report also delved into the 10 cities which are the priciest to visit.
Top 10 most expensive city breaks in 2025
On the flip side, these locations have been ranked as the most expensive city breaks this year - with Dublin featuring on the list:
Oslo, Norway - £636.20 Copenhagen, Denmark - £628.64 Edinburgh, Scotland - £601.50 Venice, Italy - £591.12 Amsterdam, Netherlands - £582.79 Geneva, Switzerland - £570.04 Dublin, Ireland - £568.34 Barcelona, Spain - £561.90 Florence, Italy - £561.86 Nice, France - £540.09
For a comprehensive breakdown of costs such as coffee, beer, soft drinks, airport transfers, and activities in each city, click HERE.
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