One of Europe's cheapest cities where you can dine out for £7 and beer is £3
Istanbul, one of the most visited cities in the world, has also been named one of Europe's cheapest capital cities for a city break, with meals and beer prices revealed
Turkey's greatest metropolis, Istanbul, famously sprawling across the divide of Europe and Asia, has earned praise as a "magnificent" travel spot and has just been featured on a newfound index touting Europe's most economical city breaks. The vast urban landscape showcases diverse cultural legacies of empires past, comprising an ancient Old City alongside burgeoning modern areas.
Travel insurance experts at Quotezone have flagged it as one of the continent's top contenders for value-for-money city jaunts, spotlighting the exceptional affordability encountered by those dining out in Istanbul. These connoisseurs of travel focused their analysis on the 12 most frequented capital cities throughout Europe including the likes of Paris, Rome, Berlin and Madrid.
They assessed expenses such as tourist taxes, accommodation, eating out, drinking, and public transportation costs. While Istanbul lost out on the number one position to Warsaw in Poland and Zagreb in Croatia, it nevertheless fared impressively in terms of cost-effectiveness.
The report from Quotezone said: "Istanbul ranks as the third best capital city for holidaying this summer, with the cheapest meal prices in the index, despite being 34.74 km away from the airport."
The investigation revealed that one could relish a meal in the city for less than £8. On average, dining out would set you back around €8.65, equivalent to about £7.39.
For those who enjoy a cool beer, the study indicated that the mean price for a local brew in Istanbul stands at €3.17 – roughly £2.71.
Istanbul - the city where East meets West, modernity graces tradition and every corner offers a culinary wonderland for those with an appetite for exploration.
Food enthusiasts will be thrilled to hear that Istanbul presents an exceptional blend of local fare and inventive fusion cuisine, reports the Express.
One establishment soaking up accolades on Tripadvisor is Gulhane Sark Sofrasi. It's not only top-rated but has bagged itself a Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award for 2023.
Seafood lovers, Mediterranean food aficionados, and Turkish cuisine enthusiasts will find a home here in the menu's diversity. Yet, gourmands should plan ahead - recent reviews suggest reservations are essential to avoid disappointment during peak evening hours.
No jaunt through Istanbul's streets is truly savoured without indulging in the customary sip of Turkish coffee. Esteemed as much for its rich, sweet flavour as its place in fortune-telling lore and traditional marriage ceremonies, it's a cultural keystone.
For a genuine caffeine kick in the city's heart, Fazıl Bey's Turkish Coffee within the bustling Kadıköy Bazaar comes highly recommended and is a favourite haunt among the locals.
Beyond its reputation for lively Turkish folk tunes, the café teems with a variety of coffee aromas sure to satisfy any palate.
One traveller reflecting on their visit gushed: "Istanbul is a magnificent city... one full of beauty, history, spectacular architecture, amazing restaurants, views to die for, wonderful little family-owned hotels, exceptionally kind and honest people, fun-filled nightclubs, exotic sounds, exotic smells, and many other fabulous things too numerous to mention.
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Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I only ever travel on a budget – how I find the cheapest place to eat in every city I visit
Plus, the UK's top 10 best cheap eats revealed by TripAdvisor – including a cheese toastie restaurant and falafel shack DIG IN I only ever travel on a budget – how I find the cheapest place to eat in every city I visit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHETHER a foodie or not, when away on holiday you have to eat - but you may not always want to splash out. Whilst you might want to splash out on one boujee meal during your holiday, spending hundreds on food is not always the aim of a trip away. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 I have travelled all over the world, but always on a budget Credit: Cyann fielding 10 As a result, I have found some top ways to make sure I get to eat great food but on the cheap Credit: Cyann fielding But finding cheap places to eat, whilst still maintaining quality or feeling the experience of a place can be hard to find in a city you don't know. Over the years I have travelled, I am usually on an extremely tight budget - but I love trying different food. As a result, I have collated my go-to resources for finding good eats, on a budget. Too Good to Go and Olio Food apps have been around a while now, and if you aren't already using Too Good To Go you are missing out. There are others too like Olio, but I do find Too Good To Go is the best. I have used the app both in and around the UK, but also in Barcelona, New York and San Francisco. Whilst some places have better offerings than others, new restaurants, cafes and eateries are constantly partnering with the app. In New York, I managed to pick up two stuffed-to-the-brim salad boxes with rice, lettuce, meat, and veggies for just $6. I have used the app multiple times whilst living in London too and my best purchases have included a Toby Carvery for £4 and a box of six Crispy Creme doughnuts of my choosing, for £3.59. Too Good To Go operates in 19 countries including many European, North America (Canada and the United States) and Australia. Gok Wan opens table-less restaurant where diners are served their food from the floor Olio on the other hand is a food-sharing app used in over 49 countries. Lots of the time, instead of full meals or cafe treats you can get on Too Good To Go, on Olio you can get free food like veggies and bread. Markets and Street Food There is no question that markets and street food are great places to grab a bite. And whilst some markets can be expensive, there are many that offer great deals and the food is still top notch. Each city tends to have a least one food market, but also in places like New York there will be street vendors on corners selling basic like hot dogs for a few dollars. 10 This includes using a variety of apps, like Too Good To Go Credit: cyann fielding Most market finds in and around Europe have cost me less than €10, and typically if you watch out for portion sizes before ordering - one meal can be shared between two. This is something I often do when travelling with my sister to cut down costs. Tastecard, Appetite and Neotaste New deal apps arise all the time - especially if you are like me and live in the capital. Ones like Tastecard have been around for a while and give customers a discount to many restaurants in the UK and Ireland. Typically, the discount is up to 50 per cent or two meals for the price of one. Two newer kids on the block are Appetite and Neotaste - and I am already using both apps. Appetite is like a social media-slash-dating site for food. You essentially have offerings on the app that you swipe on 'to try', 'skip' or 'been'. 10 Going down less tourist-y streets is often having lower prices Credit: cyann fielding There is also a map function, to see place near you. Prices are indicted by '£', with more '£' meaning more expensive. Neotaste, on the other hand, comes from foodie content creator, Eating with Tod. You do need to pay for a membership which starts from £2.99 a month, but it gives you discounts and even some freebies at some great places across different cities. The app currently operates in five UK cities, Vienna, over 30 German destinations and six destinations in The Netherlands. Google Maps Whilst many know you can search for places to eat on Google Maps, many also forget that you can filter these places by price. Simply find the city you are in on Google Maps, and search something like 'restaurant', 'food market' or 'cafe' depending on what you want. Once searched, in the top left hand corner of the map, you will see a price tab. 10 But eating on the cheap doesn't mean you don't get the same experience as spending more money Credit: cyann fielding Click on it and you will get a drop down menu of different pound signs. I tend to select '£' and '££' to filter out the more expensive places, and see the cheaper spots near to where I am at the time. Bib Gourmand I only discovered Bib Gourmand recently and have quickly become obsessed. Via Michelin Guide's website or app, you can filter for an option called 'Bib Gourmand' which Michelin Guide describes as "good quality, good value cooking". These places have not quite received a Michelin star - but this means they are still great spots. The award recognises restaurants that offer high-quality, satisfying meals at an okay price. Bib Gourmand is still a mark of excellence for restaurants, but you will be getting food for way less than you would at a Michelin star restaurant. Also, after selecting the filter, each restaurant will have either '£' or '££', indicting even the cheapest sites. 10 Some sites like Bib Gourmand allows you to eat at top places for less Credit: cyann fielding Area/Profession specific discounts Area and profession specific discounts are a great perk to be more aware of. If you are a student with an ID card, this will be accepted in most countries as proof you are a student. Not only will this help you get into attractions for less, but particularly at big chains, get food for less too. In the UK, Blue Light discount also gives emergency service workers great deals. Depending on where you work too, there may be area discounts. For example, if you work in and around London Bridge - there are discounts and offers available via a London Bridge virtual discount card. 10 There are also specific discounts depending on your profession Credit: Cyann fielding Backstreets I'm not telling you to go down dark alleys in search of cheap eats, but often the streets behind main tourist thoroughfares have the same food options for a fraction of the value. In Amsterdam for example, I opted to go down a different road to avoid crowds on the more popular Damstraat - which leads tourists to Dam Square. With my tummy rumbling, I dived into a deli and picked up a large sandwich for around €5. When then cutting back on to the next street, I walked past a similar eatery selling sandwiches for €10. Keeping your eye out and taking different routes certainly does sometimes pay off. 10 It is worth looking at portion sizes too, to see if you can split a meal between two people Credit: Cyann Fielding TikTok and Instagram If you are an avid pre-planner like myself, then TikTok and Instagram are great resources for finding cheap places to eat. It might be a little time consuming, but after 10 minutes of scrolling on the a hashtag 'X' city cheap eats, you will find a few places. I will then go onto Google Maps, pre-save the place and keep doing that until I feel I have enough places saved. Then when in that city, and hungry, I will simply open my Google Maps and see the pre-saved eating spots closest to me and head to one. MealPal Each time I head to the states, I find it trickier than imagined to find cheap eats. Typically, portion sizes are bigger. 10 Food markets are also a great option for quick eats Credit: Cyann fielding But often I find I am spending an excessive amount of money, to throw half the dish away as I can't carry it around with me. Whilst MealPal is now available in London too, it is widely available across America - including Boston, Chicago, Miami, Washington D.C and Seattle. You can also use it in Sydney, Singapore and Toronto. What is great about MealPal is it champions itself on meals under a certain price - for example, less than £5 in London and less than $6 in America. London was also named TripAdvisor's best destination in the WORLD… here's our top picks for pubs, bars, hotels and attractions. Plus, the UK's top 10 best cheap eats revealed by TripAdvisor – including a cheese toastie restaurant and falafel shack.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best things to do in Corsica
Corsica may be chock-full of neolithic sites, Genoan towers, forts and Catholic churches, but there's no doubt that the best of the island is made by nature. Caves, waterfalls, mountain peaks and rock formations, everything is waiting to be hiked, kayaked or photographed. While a visit to the birthplace of the most famous Corsican in history, Napoléon Bonaparte, shouldn't be missed if you're passing through Ajaccio, Corsicans couldn't care less about the French emperor. Their hero is Pasquale Paoli, 18th-century independence fighter and Corsican through and through, and there are plenty of museums tracing both Corsica's and Paoli's histories. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Corsica. Find out more below or for further inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants and beaches. Find things to do by type: Best for families Canyoning in Quenza Jump into the wildest part of the island Not for the faint-hearted, canyoning in the Corsican wilderness has you jumping into the void, sliding down almost sheer rock faces and abseiling down the side of waterfalls. The vasques (natural swimming pools made from water erosion) create a natural playground, and one best experienced with a guide. The water is a vivid, crystal clear emerald and stays deliciously cool, even in the height of summer. Insider tip: For wild swimming without the freefall, hike to the Cascade de Purcaraccia, a picture-perfect series of waterfall-fed pools. It's a round trip of roughly two hours, and in peak season (May to September) going with a guide is compulsory to avoid overtourism. Kayaking in Erbalunga Paddle around picturesque creeks The pint-sized walled port at Erbalunga is beautiful, but beyond the harbour walls is where things get spectacular. In the foreground are a multitude of little stone creeks, many only accessible by kayak, framed by handsome 19th-century manor houses with an air of faded grandeur. Cap Corse's mountains, rising to 1,307m, make a dramatic backdrop. Insider tip: There's free parking just opposite Terra di Catoni, one of four delicatessen-cum-restaurants on Cap Corse stocking wines from an organic vineyard in Porticciolo. It makes for a great, shady spot for an apéritif when you get off the water. Best for culture Maison Bonaparte Visit the birthplace of an emperor Corsicans are rather resentful of their Napoleonic fame, as Napoléon was famously disparaging about his homeland. Although Ajaccio-born Napoléon left aged 10 to pursue his studies on the mainland, his life was fascinating, and the Maison Bonaparte gives one of the most complete overviews of his life, travels and early years, all in the birthplace of one of the 'greatest' emperors in history. Insider tip: Just around the corner, Palais Fesch, the former private collection of Napoléon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch, has a floor dedicated to portraits and sculptures of the Bonaparte family. The basement has an exquisite and unique collection of Corsican art. Musée de la Corse Take a history lesson in Corte's Corsica Museum This little town of fewer than 8,000 inhabitants was once the capital of an independent Corsica. Freedom was short-lived, lasting under 15 years, but Corte still has two claims to fame: the home of the island's only university and of the Musée de la Corse. The latter takes visitors on a deep dive of Corsica through the ages, from Roman, Pisan, Genoan, independent and finally French. Insider tip: Arguably the most fascinating part of Corsica's history is the 18th century, when Pasquale Paoli fought to make the island free from foreign powers. His story is steeped in legend. The best place to separate fact from fiction is the Musée Pasquale Paoli, Merusaglia. Best for views Scandola Nature Reserve Explore a World Heritage site by sea Corsica's only Unesco-listed site wasn't pulled to glory for nothing. Boat trips leave the little town of Porto to explore the numerous inlets of the Calanques of Piana and the caves and emerald waters of Scandola. The colours are kaleidoscopic, the volcanic, porphyritic rocks a burnt red. Boat trips also run from Ajaccio or Calvi, lasting all day. Nave Va organises boat trips to Scandola and the Calanques of Piana; Patrick et Toussaint rent permit-free motorboats. Insider tip: Hire a permit-free motorboat to explore Scandola under your own steam. Pack plenty of water and a picnic, and make sure you respect the environment. Snorkelling is not allowed, and take all your litter home. The Îles Sanguinaires Sail to the bloody islands A short distance from Ajaccio, the Îles Sanguinaires (Bloody Isles) are completely uninhabited, home to an old lighthouse, one hiking trail and an abundance of birdlife. The running commentary aboard visitor ships on a poor quality microphone is jarring, but it's worth it for the sense of remoteness when you arrive. Most boat trips take an hour to arrive, stopping for another hour on the island. Insider tip: Views from the mainland over the Sanguinaires are arguably better than from the islands themselves, especially at sunset. Park at Parking Tour de la Parata and walk out to the Genoan tower; if you're prepared to scramble you can avoid the wannabe influencers. The GR20 Hike Europe's toughest trek It's gnarly, it will make your muscles ache, but as Europe's toughest trek, and one of the best-known in the world, the GR20 merits a mention. More than 100 miles of pure exhilaration, hikers setting out on the two-week GR20 can expect scrambling, hairy descents with the aid of cables and near-vertical ascents using metal staples in the rock. Insider tip: Organised tours run this route (such as those with Corsica Adventure), but since it's so well marked, if you're a confident hiker there's little advantage to having a guide. Self-guided tour operators that book your refuges and supply logistical guidance, however, are extremely helpful. Prices can vary as tent pitches and refuges are cheap while full, guided package can be expensive. Best free things to do Bonifacio old town Potter the streets of this striking town Precariously suspended above cliffs, some 70m high, with panoramic views across to Sardinia, Bonifacio is the most striking town in Corsica. The oldest parts of town date from the 9th-century, when it was built to resist Saracen raids. L'escalier du Roi d'Aragon (King Aragon's stairs) links the town to the sea, via 187 vertigo-inducing steps. Insider tip: A half hour walk east along the coastal path gives you a view of Bonifacio's old town and the cliffs. Time it for sunset and the sun goes down directly behind the buildings for a golden hour that beggars belief. Best for foodies Domaine Zuria vineyard Tickle your tastebuds at a family-run tasting On a global scale, Corsica's wine isn't well known, but this relative anonymity has given rise to plenty of family-run and organic vineyards. On a limestone plateau overlooking Bonifacio, family-run organic vineyard Domaine Zuria makes its vintages with Vermentino and the Corsican Sciacarello grape. A young vineyard, the family only started producing wine in 2013, and they also run vineyard tours and tastings. Insider tip: The access to L'Orée du Maquis, a tiny, underground wine bar in Bonifacio's old town, feels like going through a trapdoor. They sell local wines, liquors and charcuterie, and do tastings (space is extremely limited). Best for souvenirs Citadella di Calvi Fill your tote bags in Calvi's fort This giant sandcastle of a citadelle looks as though it belongs in the middle of the Sahara. Modern by Corsican standards, the present structure dates back to the 18th century. The best way to explore is on foot (step-free access via ramps). It's compact, but make an afternoon of it to get lost in the side streets and take in the views over the bay. Insider tip: Calvi's fort is home to heaps of creators and artisans, and many of the studios are well hidden. From jewellery using sea coral to decorations made from driftwood, go with a full wallet and return with bulging shopping bags. How we choose Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Anna Richards is The Telegraph's Corsica expert. She christened her move to France in 2021 by hiking the island's legendary GR20, and since then Corsica has drawn her back each year. She lives in Lyon.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best restaurants in Corsica
Nowhere is the difference between Corsica and the French mainland quite so marked as on your plate. Italy has had a heavy influence on Corsica 's cuisine, and pasta dominates many menus. Although seafood is abundant, this is a place for carnivores, with a positively encyclopaedic selection of charcuterie. Many, such as panzetta (Corsica's answer to pancetta) and figatellu (a liver sausage made from Corsican pig meat), are unique to the island. Cheese, often sheep or goat, is largely strong and pungent. Vegetarians, generally accommodated in tourist hotspots, can have a tough time inland, and vegans are often met with bemusement. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best restaurants in Corsica. Find out more below or for further inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, beaches and things to do. Find restaurants by type: Best all rounders Best for families Best for cheap eats Best for fine dining Best for walk ins Best all rounders O'Lamparo O'Lamparo may just claim the best view on the island – if it wasn't for the roadside location. The wooden terrasse hangs precipitously over the cliffs, looking down over mausoleums peeking out of the maquis, but the effect is decidedly magical and not morbid. The menu is ever-changing, with three or four dishes, and focusses on local meats and fish. Vegetarians need only ask though, even if there's no vegetarian option advertised the kitchen is happy to adapt. Get the truffle oil pizza bread to share, and linger with a coffee after your meal to soak up the view.
