The cost of travel has never felt steeper, so it’s no wonder we’re all looking for the cheapest destination to visit in Europe. Flight prices feel like they’re continuously rising in response to conflict around the world, and inflation has meant many aren’t able to book trips spontaneously anymore. Instead, travellers are spending their time looking for a deal or more affordable ways to plan their trips.
Thankfully, there are several European destinations known for their affordability and beauty, meaning you really can balance cost and culture. The Post Office City Costs Barometer highlights the top spots for cost-conscious travellers, analysing the destinations where tourists can get the best value for their money. This year, 50 European destinations were examined, by comparing the costs of 12 everyday tourist items for two people.
This year, Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina, has won the title for the cheapest destination in Europe for a city break in 2026. The city is nestled in a valley on the banks of the Miljacka River and is surrounded by the forested mountains of the Dinaric Alps. It’s known for culture, rich history and food – and good prices.
Sarajevo is known for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. The architecture merges Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman cultural influences, with tall, pastel-hued buildings situated alongside short buildings with red-tiled roofs.
History enthusiasts will also know the city as the place where Bosnian-Serb Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, triggering the beginning of the First World War.
The Post Office identified the city’s affordable accommodation, cheap public transport and attractions as key reasons why it made the top spot this year. It said travellers can eat out regularly in the city too.
While it wasn’t the cheapest city listed for eating out (£63.14 for a meal for two with wine), the costs level out, with the total cost of everything surveyed coming in at £248.27.
Eastern European cities dominated the affordability chart, and closely following Sarajevo were Bucharest in Romania, Tirana in Albania and Belgrade in Serbia. On the flipside, Oslo and Copenhagen are the most expensive spots in Europe right now, with surveyed items totalling £734 and £671 respectively.
