There's still time to book! Revealed: The 10 cheapest European places for a quick break on August bank holiday
In research conducted by Aqua, the top 10 cheapest places around Europe include some classic tourist favourites including Madrid and Porto, and some more under the radar locations and a few UK destinations too. They ranked them by taking into account the cost of travel to get to the city, the cost of accommodation, a meal out, a pint and travel within a city.
So if you're still looking to book a holiday for the bank holiday, these are the top 10 cheapest locations to head to.
Average cost to get there: £20
Average price for week of accommodation: £1,131
If you don't fancy a trip abroad, there's many holiday destinations right here on our doorstep. Though the cost of accommodation in the Forest of Dean can be pretty steep, getting there and activities, and food there are more affordable. Located in Western Gloucestershire the forest is an ancient woodland filled with plenty of walks for a sunny bank holiday. And if you do one walk make sure it's to Symonds Yat Rock.
Average cost to get there: £156
Average price for week of accommodation: £909
Long a favourite with UK holidaymakers, Tenerife remains a go to for affordable trips away. Along with all the classic poolside days and trips to the beach, there's also options to explore pictureeqsue towns, go on hikes and take a tour of a volcano.
Average cost to get there: £39.76
Average price for week of accommodation: £574
An iconic UK holiday destination, that still remains one of the cheapest to visit. A weekend spent here must include a trip to the beach, the amusement park especially the Blackpool Tower and plenty of fish and chips.
Average cost to get there: £112
Average price for week of accommodation: £825
Madrid is the perfect size for a long weekend. There's plenty of tourist hotspots to hit while staying including the Royal Palace, El Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and Museo Nacional del Prado. And when you're done with seeing the sites, make sure to squeeze in some time for the famous churros at Chocolateria San Gines. Madrid's tapas scene also needs to be explored and so make sure to stop at Bodega de la Ardosa.
Average cost to get there: £46.31
Average price for week of accommodation: £1,015
Another popular UK destination well worth a visit thanks to the stunning scenery. There's no shortage of outdoor activities from walking, to cycling, to kayaking and paddle boarding, you'll likely need more than a weekend to make the trip worth while.
Average cost to get there: £151
Average price for week of accommodation: £935
Lanzarote is the second Canary Island on this list and for good reason, it's a very affordable country to visit for a week or two with the family. An average meal out costs around £8.79 per person and a pint is just £2.09. Goodbye UK prices and hello to long days in the sun and beers on the beach.
Average cost to get there: £143
Average price for week of accommodation: £769
Porto is a firm favourite amongst our team for a much needed weekend away of fun, culture and food. Our must dos? Serralves sculpture gardens, dinner at Gruta, a port tasting and a trip to the Dom Luís I Bridge. Read our full guide to Porto here.
Average cost to get there: £77
Average price for week of accommodation: £1,811
The Costa Del Sol has long been a popular destination for tourism, and while there are plenty of busy resorts, there's still plenty of under radar locations that are perfect for a few days in the sun. Frigiliana is top of that list thanks to it's historic old Moorish quarter and stunning white houses that make for quite the view.
Average cost to get there: £1o0
Average price for week of accommodation: £671
In the second spot for cheapest trips in Europe, is the capital city of Czech Republic, Prague. Many tourists travel there for the cheap nightlife (a pint is only on average £2.01 after all) but you're sleeping on the city if you just go for the parties. Make sure to include stops to visit the Prague Jewish Museum, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and for all the book lovers out there, Strahov Library is a must-see.
Average cost to get there: £83
Average price for week of accommodation: £536
And it's official! The top cheapest place for a European break is the city of Budapest in Hungary. A week of accommodation in a three star hotel costs under £550 and travelling around for a one way ticket is less than a pound. When you're there you will be spoilt for choice with things to see and visit including Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Gellert Hill.
Time to book that trip then?
Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK's Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she's interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
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