Drinks in Lisbon are cheapest in Europe, survey reveals

Wednesday, 11 April 2012 10:10 AM

If you're feeling a little thirsty whilst travelling, then head to Lisbon - drinks in the city have been named the most affordable in Europe, according to the Post Office's annual Travel Money City Costs Barometer.

The Barometer compares the prices of 10 different items, from food and accommodation to sightseeing and travel, across short break city destinations in Europe and the USA.

Lisbon was named 'best value for drinks' in the survey because a drinks order of one coffee, one lager and a bottle of Coca-Cola in the Portuguese capital costs around £3.15 - three times less than it would cost in Paris.

When it came to eating out, Budapest proved cheapest of the 23 cities at £21.46 for a three course meal - overtaking Prague, where meal costs have risen by over 14 per cent.

However, Copenhagen, which boasts some of Europe's most highly-rated restaurants, will set UK holidaymakers back at least four times as much at £96.92.

In the 'Top 10' for overall value for money the Latvian Capital Riga came first - retaining it's crown for the second year running, and beating Budapest's £129.72 spend with a total of just £121.47 for the 10 items.

Meanwhile Tallinn was named the 'cheapest destination in the Eurozone', placing third over-all. Prices in the Estonian capital are down 5.1 per cent from last year, making it a great destination for frugal travellers.

Finally, if you're not after a frugal short break and instead have plenty of cash to burn, then Stockholm was named the most expensive European city at £298.27 and New York was the highest-priced overall - it would cost travellers a whopping £331.33 to gather all 10 items in the Big Apple.

Cities that look better in the snow

While London may ground to a halt when the white stuff begins to fall and end up with piles of brown slush on the sides of the road, there are some cities that just look better in the snow, covered with a dusting of sparkling white. From the romantic spires of Tallinn, to chocolate-box Salzburg backed by the snowy white Alps - here are our favourites.

Budapest is best for a pound-stretching city break

Budapest has taken the top spot in the Post Office Travel Money’s annual City Costs Barometer, which ranks the best value city break destinations across Europe. The Hungarian capital has beaten last year’s best value cities Riga and Prague to emerge as the cheapest of 25 city break destinations for meals, drinks, sightseeing, travel and accommodation.