From Balkans to Baltics – Europe's ten cheapest city breaks for 2025 revealed
EASTERN European cities will bag you more bang for your buck this year, according to the Post Office Travel Money.
Its annual City Costs Barometer report has revealed that Riga is officially the most wallet-friendly holiday destination on the continent for 2025, soaring to top place for the first time in over a decade.
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The Latvian capital beat 38 other European cities, primarily thanks to cheap accommodation and affordable food and drink, with a two-night stay in a 3H hotel costing an average of £123 for two people, which was cheaper than most other cities.
The research looked at the average cost of 12 city break essentials in 38 European cities to calculate affordability.
These included: a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer, a Coca-Cola or Pepsi, a glass of wine, a three-course dinner for two including wine, return airport transfers, a 48-hour travel card, a sightseeing bus tour, three top attractions (heritage sites, museum and art gallery) and weekend-long accommodation in a 3H hotel.
The total cost of all 12 holiday essentials came to £252.63 in Riga, only slightly cheaper than runner-up, Vilnius in Lithuania, where all 12 holiday items cost an average £254.32.
According to the data, prices in Riga, a charming city overlooking the Baltic Sea, are down 15 per cent year-on-year compared with Vilnius, where the barometer total rose by 7.5 per cent this year.
Rising accommodation costs will be the 'real challenge' when it comes to finding an affordable city break this year, Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office revealed.
She said: 'Successive City Costs Barometers have found big swings in hotel costs depending on how many rooms are available in peak months.
'This year is no different and rising — or falling — hotel prices can have a big impact on city break costs.
'For example, Vilnius lost its top spot in the latest chart because the cost of accommodation has risen by over nine per cent since last year, while it has fallen over 20 per cent in Riga in the same period.'
Overall costs seem to be much lower in Eastern European cities this year, regardless of varying accommodation costs.
Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better
A whopping three cities in Poland were among the top ten cheapest spots with Warsaw coming in third place.
The capital city proved cheap to travel around with return train or bus transfers from the airport costing an average of £1.87pp, while a 48-hour travel card cost only £3.18pp — less than half the cost of a travel card in Riga or Vilnius.
Warsaw has seen a fall of 13.2 per cent in the overall price since last year as a result of cheaper accommodation which now costs an average of £131 for two nights, compared with £170 a year ago.
Free to visit
If it is culture you are after, though, Podgorica is the city for you.
A newcomer to the budget list, the capital of Montenegro came in fourth place this year with total barometer costs of £281.70.
The capital city, famed for its brutalist architecture and winding rivers, has many low-cost attractions and its top heritage attraction, top museum and top art gallery are all free to visit.
Better still, soft drinks like coffee and coke are also a bargain, costing under two quid a pop.
For cheap booze and grub, however, the lively city of Lisbon, on Portugal's western coast, takes the cake.
A three-course meal for two people, with wine, costs less here than any other city in the report, reaching £46.68 on average.
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This is significantly less than the top budget spot Riga where dinner costs an average of £65.95 for two.
It's cheaper to knock back a beer than a coke or Pepsi here, too, with a bottle of ale or lager costing £1.93 on average, the same as a glass of wine.
Other budget city breaks for 2025 include Lille in France, as well as Gdansk and Krakow in Poland, which came in sixth, seventh and eighth place on the barometer chart respectively.
At the opposite end of the scale, those looking to save the pennies should steer clear of Oslo in Norway, which was shown to be the priciest of all 38 European destinations.
Barometer costs amounted to an eye-watering £636.20, well over double the cost of Riga, the cheapest city.
The notoriously pricey Copenhagen in Denmark was not too far behind this price — total barometer costs £628.64 — while Scotland's Edinburgh followed with total costs of £601.50.
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Times
6 hours ago
- Times
9 of the best sleeper trains in Europe
There's something special about a sleeper train — it can actually make the prospect of getting from A to B an appealing part of the trip. It comes with a romance that you won't find attached to overnight flights or coach journeys, rocking you to the rhythm of wheels on steel while you watch the sun drop outside the window. You'll avoid a stiff neck from trying to sleep upright — a sleeper train offers a bed that's properly, 180-degree flat — and there's ample chance to go for a wander without worrying about seatbelt signs or narrow aisles. What's more, the boarding experience is more relaxed than the cattle-herding so familiar to those using airports, and often you'll alight at your desired final destination rather than at an airport an hour away. As you head to the dining car, or have a picnic in your cabin, read in your bunk or chat with a fellow passenger, you'll know too that you've chosen a greener way to go. 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Times
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The Côte d'Azur has reinvented cool — and it's stylishly affordable
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The library of hardback art books, the butterfly chairs and the alarmingly moreish cocktails all seem to have more impact when placed amid such architectural rigour. The colours, meanwhile, are muted. Think white walls, terracotta table lamps, ochre rugs and lots of cadmium red in the abstract art. Which is just as it should be when nearly every floor-to-ceiling window is a slab of dazzling blue. Almost all of them look straight out to sea. Add two swimming pools into the mix, as well as Michelin-starred food and room rates, including breakfast, that start from £338 a night (which counts as mid-range in these parts), and it's no wonder Les Roches Rouges quickly found its way on to many top ten Côte d'Azur hotel lists. Now Beaumier has gone a step further and invested in a second phase of expansion. 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They have the same sense of quiet luxury too, courtesy of their lush bed linen and Grown Alchemist soaps and smells. But here the dazzling intensity of sea and sunlight seems to wash in with even greater force. Leave the floor-to-ceiling windows open at night and you worry you'll wake up with the waves breaking over your feet. • The best European cities for art lovers Meanwhile, there's a new chef cooking up a storm in Récif, the top-floor gastronomic restaurant (six-course menus from £126). Previously, Alexandre Baule was at L'Alpaga, a Beaumier property in Megève in the French Alps, whose restaurant won its first Michelin star in 2023. Now he's brought his love of seasonality to the coast and is playing with the way its flavours arrive at different speeds in your mouth. Never more so than with his jelly of pastis and sea water served with a jasmine emulsion, which starts salty but suddenly turns floral across your tongue. But don't set your heart on any particular dish. Thanks to his collaboration with the sustainable St Raphaël fisherman Olivier Bardoux, Baule's menus change daily. It comes as no surprise to learn that, once they get their electronic-wristband room keys, most guests at Les Roches Rouges don't step beyond the front door until it's time to settle the bill. For the most part they're design-conscious couples from London and America in their late twenties or early thirties, and many are honeymooning. But there are empty nesters sprinkled among them too, relishing their hard-won freedom. Usually, all are stretched out on sunloungers by the two pools, equipped with a cocktail and a little light holiday reading. Every now and again, however, one of them walks to the end of the hotel's jetty and dives into the sea. I don't blame them for not exploring. When you've got front-row seats like this, the Med is mesmerising. All the same, it's a crying shame because half a mile up the coast Mother Nature has her own surprise to share. Up there, at Cap Dramont, the mountains of the Massif de l'Esterel break through the coast road's cordon of villas, bars and marinas to plunge their red-rocked feet straight into the sea. I wander over on my final afternoon and as soon as I leave the main forest track, the world turns raw and wild. Overgrown footpaths weave through thickets of laurel, olive trees and pine. Deep channels of seawater sparkle invitingly between the cliffs and, occasionally, I use hands as well as feet to climb. In other words, it is just like Les Roches Rouges — a wake-up call for anyone who, like me, has ever written off the Riviera as samey and soulless. Suddenly, the only thing I don't like about it is having to Newsom was a guest of Les Roches Rouges, which has B&B doubles from £388 ( Fly to Nice Les Roches Rouges isn't the only hotel in Provence and the Côte d'Azur making a fuss of its 20th-century architecture. 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In the centre, Les Galinas has just been awarded one of Michelin's coveted Bib Gourmands for affordable, Provençal gastronomy that includes bourride (fish stew) (mains from £18; The newly opened O'père on the outskirts, has a growing reputation for its deeply flavoured sauces (mains from £20; • Great restaurants in Nice Finally, to the north of Aix lies a corner of Provence that's less touristy but no less delightful. The town of Carpentras is one of its stars, thanks to its sprawling Friday market — the perfect place to scoff the divine local nectarines, as soon as you've bought them. But it's also home to spectacular hiking beneath the limestone crags of the Dentelles de Montmirail, and two top-notch wine areas. 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The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Twelve of America's most surprisingly walkable cities
A city break in America can be fascinating, fun and good for your health — if you pick a walkable destination. Think there are slim pickings on this front? Think again. America has a surprising number of cities that are easy to explore on foot and here we've singled out 12 of the best. There's the Pacific coast city with trails that connect all four corners, the city packed with movie filming locations, the wanderable historic spot where Google Maps is a no-no and America's oldest city, where historic sites lie within minutes of each other. Read on for our coast-to-coast walking tour. San Francisco All four corners of this 49-square-mile city are connected by the Crosstown Trail system, created by local hiker Bob Siegel in 2019. The main trail, the Crosstown Trail is a 17-mile route connecting San Francisco's neighborhoods, open spaces and other major trails. It runs from historic Candlestick Point in the southeast corner of the city to Lands End in the northwest corner and was designed to be easily accessible from public transit systems. Five years later, the 15-mile Double Cross route was added to the network to link each corner of the city. "The Crosstown Trails are popular because they connect neighbors. Not just to green spaces, tiled steps, parks and beautiful views, but to the humanity of other people and small businesses they pass along the route. And that's what really makes it special," says Siegel. Visitors exploring the inner areas of the city will also discover that attractions are easily reached by foot, travel firm Ocean Florida points out. It notes that from the central shopping and hotel hub of Union Square, it's possible to walk to Chinatown in just five to 10 minutes, then continue to North Beach, San Francisco's Italian district, in another 10 minutes. From there, it's just a 15-minute walk to Fisherman's Wharf, where visitors will find Pier 39, sea lions, Ghirardelli Square, and views of Alcatraz Island. Walk another 10 to 15 minutes west along the waterfront and you'll reach Aquatic Park and the foot of famously crooked Lombard Street. Beverly Hills This 5.71-square-mile city is eminently walkable, with visitors able to stroll along Rodeo Drive, packed with dazzling designer shops, and through Beverly Gardens Park, home to over 80 public art installations. What's more, a collection of eight urban walks collectively known as the Happy Trails series runs through the famed 90210 postcode. Happy Trails maps will guide visitors to the world's first cupcake ATM at Sprinkles, a Laduree outlet, where world-class macarons can be bought, and filming locations including the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel from Pretty Woman, and the Electric Fountain from Clueless. Take a "Step Back in History" walking tour, meanwhile, and you can snap a photo in front of the lily pond by the famous Beverly Hills sign, have breakfast or dinner at Brighton Coffee Shop, open since 1930, and explore the Beverly Hilton, which has hosted the Golden Globe Awards since the 1960s. Salt Lake City, Utah "There's no better way to feel the rhythm of Salt Lake City than on foot." So says Jason Beach, tour manager at Southwest Adventure Tours. He explains that the company's three-hour Downtown Walking Tour "proves how seamlessly history, culture and mountain views converge". The tour's 2.5-mile route leads from the contemporary Salt Palace Convention Center to historic railroad depots, past "vibrant" street murals and stately mansions, through cultural icons like the Eccles Theater and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and along bustling Main Street, "where classic architecture and modern energy embody both the city's pioneer heritage and forward-thinking spirit". Jason adds: "Guests are often amazed by how accessible it all is — no car required, just curiosity and a comfortable pair of shoes." Nashville The spiritual home of country music is noteworthy for being easily explorable by foot, says Isabel Fyall from Explore Worldwide. She suggests that visitors could start with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, then stroll to the National Museum of African American Music. Then, she says, follow the path to the Ryman Auditorium, an iconic venue that has hosted the legendary "Grand Ole Opry" show, and stroll Broadway, "dipping in and out of lively honky-tonks'. New Orleans "You walk New Orleans to feel where you are, with every corner playing a different tune, sometimes literally," says Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor for Altezza Travel. "French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater — it's all close, flat, and oddly quiet in the early morning. You don't need a car here, you need time." Georgia describes the French Quarter as "messy, but perfect". She continues: "From Jackson Square to the riverwalk, everything is layered: music, bricks, ghosts, balconies, fried dough. "Decatur Street wakes up early. Royal wakes up slowly. Bourbon never really sleeps. I walk it all, then disappear down Chartres for a second coffee and silence." Georgia reveals that if you cross Esplanade Avenue the "vibe shifts", that "tourists thin and the murals start". She says: "I follow Royal Street all the way down — past the bars and the porches and jazz rehearsals. The walk from Frenchmen Street to Bywater Bakery is 15 minutes. I stretch it into 40." Georgia admits that New Orleans sidewalks are "unreliable", with some cracked, some flooded and "some missing entirely". But she adds: "I'd still rather be on foot here than in a car with nowhere to park. Especially in the Quarter, where drivers crawl and pedestrians flow." Boston Boston is "compact, flat and steeped in American history", notes Ocean Florida, which points out that the city's Freedom Trail connects key landmarks in a route that's just 2.5 miles (4km) long and takes around 1.5 to two hours at a leisurely pace. Starting at Boston Common, you'll pass the Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground, and Old South Meeting House, reaching Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market in about 20–25 minutes. Continue for another 15 minutes to Founding Father Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church in the North End, Boston's historic Italian neighbourhood, "great for a coffee stop or cannoli". The trail finishes across the river at the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument, reachable within a 30-minute walk from the North End. Ocean Florida adds: "The entire downtown area, from Beacon Hill to Back Bay and the Charles River Esplanade, is walkable and filled with parks, brownstone streets, and waterfront views." Chicago Chicago offers wide pavements, lakefront walking paths, and a grid layout that makes it easy to explore on foot, notes Ocean Florida, particularly around The Loop and Near North Side. From Millennium Park (home to "The Bean") to the Art Institute of Chicago is just a five-minute walk. From there, it's a 15-minute stroll along Michigan Avenue (aka the Magnificent Mile) to reach Navy Pier, with attractions such as the Centennial Wheel and Chicago Children's Museum. You can also walk 10 to 15 minutes west from Millennium Park to reach Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) for panoramic views from the Skydeck. The Chicago Riverwalk, a scenic path stretching 1.25 miles (2 km), links bars, restaurants, and kayak rental spots, all walkable between Lake Shore Drive and Franklin Street in under 30 minutes. Chicago also boasts Lakefront Trail, a walking and cycling path that runs for 18 miles along Lake Michigan, connecting city beaches, harbours, and museums. Seattle Seattle has a compact downtown and a pedestrian-friendly waterfront that's easy to explore car-free, says Sydney Martiniz from Visit Seattle. She reveals: "Iconic landmarks and attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Waterfront and our sports stadiums are minutes apart. "The historic monorail — in operation since the 1962 World's Fair — conveniently connects downtown to Seattle Center where the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) are located. "It's the kind of place where you can see a lot without ever feeling rushed. Perfect for making the most of your time in the city." Savannah, Georgia Georgia Fowkes describes Savannah as more "wanderable" than walkable. She tells The Independent: "You don't walk Savannah like you walk from a subway station to work. You slow down without meaning to. The city does it for you — with its shaded squares, Spanish moss, and ghost stories that feel too specific to be fake. I come here to walk in circles and call it a day well spent. "The best way to experience the city is to ignore Google Maps. And if I'm staying downtown, I don't open Uber once. "And yes, the city offers a free DOT shuttle, but I've never taken it. I walk instead. That's the whole point." She continues: "Savannah's downtown layout dates back to 1733. It's a perfect grid, broken only by 22 leafy public squares you'll stumble into more than you plan for. "Chippewa Square is where Forrest Gump sat with his box of chocolates — the bench is gone, but the square is still a local favorite for its symmetry and calm. "Lafayette Square has that classic Savannah look — moss-draped oaks, historic mansions, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist rising like a movie set in the background." Other highlights include Collins Quarter for rare bookshops and Civil War-era basement bars and River Street, which "plays tourists by day and locals by dusk". New Haven, Connecticut New Haven, just two hours from New York City, is described by the Downtown New Haven website as a "small yet mighty oasis". It's perhaps most famous for being the home of Yale University, where visitors can explore the Yale Center for British Art and its huge collection of British art. But New Haven is also the (self-declared) pizza capital of the USA, though here it's known as apizza (pronounced ah-beetz to avoid upsetting New Haveners). The tourist board says: "New Haven-style apizza is known for its chewy, coal-fired crust and smoky flavor, and is truly unlike any other pizza. The city has no shortage of spots to grab a pie, with two of the most famous and established spots, Frank Pepe's (also the country's second oldest pizza parlor) and Sally's Apizza, just a few blocks apart." After strolling the streets, visitors might like to check into The Study at Yale for "sophisticated accommodations just steps away from Yale University's theaters, libraries, and cultural centers". Alexandria, Virginia On the Potomac River within eyesight of Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized for its rich history and beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture, notes Visit Alexandria. Stroll Old Town Alexandria's King Street mile to find more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques, plus intimate historic museums and waterfront events. Visit Alexandria reveals that standout restaurants include 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood, founded by Jahmond Quander, a member of the Quander family, one of the oldest documented African American families that came from African ancestry to present-day America. There's also Cheesetique, a woman-owned cheese/wine shop and restaurant, and Turkish Coffee Lady, serving traditional Turkish coffee and baked goods. St Augustine, Florida Founded on September 8, 1565, by Spanish explorer Juan Pedro Menendez de Aviles, St. Augustine bills itself as America's oldest city and has more than 144 square blocks of walkable history, remarks The site continues: "The Plaza de La Constitucion, Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fortress in North America, the Mission Nombre de Dios, and many other authentic historic sites that tell the story of the first successful European city are all within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and much more. "In the heart of St. Augustine, the pedestrian-only St. George Street extends six blocks through the center of the historic district, connecting with the Plaza to the south, and the National Parks grounds at the Castillo to the north. "There is so much to see and do in the alleys and side streets along the way. And, there is even more outside the historic district that is accessible by foot, like the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and the beach, to name a few."
