Who doesn’t love a city break? Especially if you just want to up and go for somewhere that isn’t too far away and gives you the chance to reset.
If you’re like us and love a European getaway then you might want to keep this list at hand as the cheapest destinations to visit this summer have been revealed by experts at Flight Hacks.
The experts looked at the average daily prices for factors including flight prices from any London Airport, food costs, and hotel costs per night to determine the best-value holiday hotspots.
The research found Bucharest in Romania was Europe’s best-value holiday destination.
The average cost per day will set you back £215.52 with the Romanian capital having the cheapest average hotel prices of all European destinations at only £86.72.
So if you’re tempted by the cheapest place let’s take a look at Bucharest more closely.
What is there to do in Bucharest?
Located in Southern Romania, Bucharest is the country’s capital. The city itself is historic and where Vlad The Impaler once ruled before he set out his claim to Bucharest in 1459.
It has a population of 1.83 million (circa 2019) and has been dubbed “Little Paris” thanks to its early 20th-century architecture.
According to Tripadvisor, the top thing to do in Bucharest is the Stavropoleos Monastery. The historic site has a rating of 4.5 and is great for the cultural buffs.
Built in 1724, the church is one of Bucharest’s oldest. You visit by yourself or go on tours around the monastery.
One person described the church as “beautiful” on Tripadvisor with plenty of five-star reviews.
A user said: “What I loved most was the quiet and cosy atmosphere of the place, even if this architectural beauty is located in the middle of Bucharest, in the most crowded place.”
Another commented: “One of my favourite places in Bucharest! Amazing monastery is full of peace and harmony. I recommend visiting it Saturday and Sunday at 6pm and to listen to the prayers.”
A fourth added: “Standing inside this monastery, takes your breath away. The walls and high ceilings adorned with beautiful religious artwork, it hard to put to words just how beautiful it really Is.”
Other places which are recommended to visit in the Romanian capital include the Palace of Parliament, which is the world’s second-largest building, and of course, no visit would be complete without visiting the Old Town. Here you can expect to find plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy traditional Romanian cuisine.
Many people flock to the capital thanks to its fun nightlife with a pint of beer costing £2.41, according to Numbeo. There are plenty of five-star places to choose from including Player Club, Shoteria and Club Revenge.
How to get to Bucharest?
Plenty of airlines fly to Romania. If you’re looking to go direct then you can catch a flight from London, Birmingham and Glasgow with airlines Ryanair, BA, easyJet and Wizz Air all going there.
According to Kayak, one-way flights start from Bucharest and the flight takes just over three hours if you’re flying from London.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
April, May, June, September and October are great if you want to avoid the summer heat as temperatures can get pretty hot in that part of the world.
Meanwhile, during winter months, it can sometimes snow and temperatures can affect public transport. Tourist attractions may also close due to the weather conditions with the nights drawing in around 4pm.
Top 10 budget-friendly European destinations to visit (average cost per day):
- Bucharest, Romania – £215.52
- Krakow, Poland – £216.45
- Seville, Spain – £219.05
- Prague, Czech Republic – £219.86
- Warsaw, Poland – £220.70
- Istanbul, Türkiye – £234.80
- Riga, Latvia – £242.16
- Frankfurt, Germany – £250.37
- Porto, Portugal – £256.88
- Valencia, Spain – £262.34
Immanuel Debeer, CEO at Flight Hacks, said: “Going on holiday in Europe doesn’t need to cost an eye-watering amount of money. This study demonstrates that by exploring various travel sites and researching the cost of living in certain cities, you can visit some of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas Europe has to offer without breaking the bank.”