07-07-2025
Europe's cheapest city breaks where a 3 course meal with wine costs just €27
Summer holiday season is in full swing and for Irish travellers feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis, the idea of a sunny city break may seem out of reach. But if you've found yourself Googling 'cheap European breaks' or searching Skyscanner on your lunch break, a new report might just help you make a budget-friendly travel choice.
The 2025 Post Office Travel Money City Costs Barometer, an annual survey that compares the cost of short breaks across 38 popular European destinations, is out - and it's brimming with good news for bargain hunters. The comprehensive report ranks cities based on the average cost of 12 tourist essentials - including hotel stays, meals, drinks, transport and cultural attractions - for two people over a weekend.
And while prices in some cities - including Dublin - have soared, others are emerging as surprisingly affordable gems. Dublin is the 7th most expensive city on the list, with a weekend for two clocking in at £568.34 (€658.98). That's driven largely by sky-high accommodation costs - a two-night stay in a 3-star hotel averages £411 (476). That's nearly four times more than what you'd pay in the cheapest city on the list.
This year's winner is Riga in Latvia, where a full weekend for two people will set you back just £252.63 (€292) - less than half the price of the same trip to Dublin. That includes two nights' hotel accommodation, 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), that about €38 per person.
Also on the list of Europe's cheapest city breaks are Vilnius in Lithuania, Warsaw in Poland and Podgorica in Montenegro. Lisbon in Portugal rounds off the top five and it's here you'll find exceptionally great value dining out. Three courses with wine for two people costs £46.68 (€54) - that's just €27 each.
Lisbon also offers great savings on drinks. A 330ml bottle of beer costs just £1.93 (€2.24) - significantly cheaper than £5.26 (€6.10) in Dublin. Coffee lovers will notice the difference too. A cup in Lisbon is just £1.23 (€1.43), compared to £3.28 (€3.80) in the Irish capital.
According to the report, here are the top 10 cities offering the best value for money this year:
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 looked into the 10 cities which cost the most to visit.
On the other end of the scale, these destinations ranked as the priciest city breaks this year - with Dublin among them:
See a detailed breakdown of how much things like coffee, beer, soft drinks, airport transfers, and activities cost in each city HERE.
