Polish Cities Dominate List of Europe's Most Affordable Weekend Getaways
A cost analysis of 100 European cities shows Poland dominating the top, with the Croatian capital ranking a high seventh.
A cost analysis of 100 European cities shows Poland dominating the top, with the Croatian capital ranking a high seventh.
If you're planning a weekend getaway to a European city without breaking the bank, new research could help you choose your destination. Virtual card provider Getsby analyzed data from Budget Your Trip for as many as 100 destinations to uncover where you get the most for a moderate budget. The study considered typical daily expenses for accommodation, food, and local transport for two people, while flight costs were excluded as they vary significantly.
Looking at the top ten, it's clear that Poland is unrivaled. As many as six cities from this country made the list, including all of the top five positions. At the very top is Wrocław, where the average daily cost per person is €41, and a full weekend for two costs €163. Visitors there spend about €18.75 per day on food and €5.85 on local transport.
Wrocław also offers numerous attractions, such as the Rynek, one of Europe's largest medieval squares, and the Centennial Hall, an architectural gem on the UNESCO list. Right behind it is Poznań, with a total weekend cost of €168.50 for two, or €42 per person per day. There, food costs €18.75, and accommodation averages €34.
Third-placed Katowice charges around €239 for a couple's weekend, which is €60 per person per day. Daily food expenses amount to €32.75, and hotels average around €37.50. The main attraction is the Silesian Museum, built on the site of a former coal mine, blending art and history.
In fourth place is Gdańsk, where a two-day stay for two costs €275.25, or €69 per person per day. Food averages €35, and hotels €54 per day. Fifth place goes to Kraków, with a weekend price of about €295 for two. Local transport is particularly affordable at just €7, while hotels account for €83 of the total cost.
The Croatian capital ranks just behind Bulgaria's Sofia, where the daily cost per person is €77.25. In Zagreb, the average traveler spends about €95 per day. Following it are Sweden's Malmö at €105 per day, Hungary's Budapest at €111, and Poland's Warsaw, which closes the top ten with daily expenses of about €112 per person.
At the opposite end of the scale are Swiss cities. Zurich is the most expensive weekend destination, with a total of €1,325 for two, or €331 per person per day. Travelers spend about €112 per day on meals alone, while the average hotel price reaches €359. Bern is second with a weekend cost of €1,240, and Basel third at €1,189 for two people.
Among the five most expensive are also Italy's Venice and France's Paris. A weekend for two in Venice costs about €1,180, and in Paris €1,133 when food, accommodation, and local transport are combined.
