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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Neither is finding a (very narrow) space in the vast carpark which appears to be miles from the airport. Not wanting to navigate this with a toddler for the very early flight, we used Holiday Extras to pay £220 to stay the night at the Radisson Blu on the airport site and park as part of the package. It was well worth it and took a lot of stress away from attempting a fraught airport dash in the early hours. Friends we met on the trip stayed nearby with their parents and paid extra for a meet and greet service at the car park – a much more palatable option with a three-year-old in tow. The actual flight is only a little over three hours, but it's worth buying food at the airport before departing, especially with children. Prices Off-peak: Prices for a 7-night stay at Neilson Messini Beach Club start from £692pp which includes flights, transfers, activities, kids' clubs and club board for two adults and one child sharing a hotel double or twin with a sea view departing from London Stansted on 4 May 2025.
