UK Post Office Poll: Athens a Best Value City Break for Autumn

Photo source: Develop Athens

Athens is one of the top destinations to visit in Europe this fall, offering the best value for money compared to 19 European cities, according to the findings of the Post Office City Costs Barometer 2022.

More specifically, Athens was ranked Number 1 for overall value based on the cost of drinks, an evening meal for two with a bottle house wine, a two-night stay at a 3-star accommodation facility, sightseeing and city transport – all at an average of 207.18 UK pounds.

Source: Post Office Travel Money

Next on the list is Lisbon, Portugal (218.03 UK pounds), Krakow, Poland (218.55 UK pounds), Riga, Latvia (220.32 UK pounds) and Budapest, Hungary (220.95 UK pounds). The top 10 best value city break destinations in Europe include Prague, Czech Republic; Madrid, Spain; Berlin, Germany; Dubrovnik, Croatia and Rome, Italy.

According to the survey’s analysts, for the first time in 15 years, a Western European city has lower prices than those found in Eastern Europe.

Source: Post Office Travel Money

Athens also had the lowest accommodation costs at an average 89 UK pounds, the Post Office report found. According to the findings, rates for accommodation increased by over 20 percent year-on-year in 15 of the 20 cities surveyed with the biggest rises in Amsterdam, where room rates were up by 104 percent, Barcelona up by 67 percent, and Paris up by 62 percent.

On the contrary, prices for accommodation in Athens were down by 15 percent.

The report also found that it was cheaper to eat in Athens, where a three-course meal for two plus bottle of wine costs around 39 UK pounds placing the Greek capital at the top of the list of European cities with the lowest-priced meals together with Lisbon, Budapest, Barcelona and Madrid. The highest priced meals were in Stockholm at 139.53 UK pounds.

Plaka district in Athens. Photo source: VisitGreece/YSkoulas

Lastly, in terms of culture, Dublin leads the way with the lowest cost for visits to heritage sites, museums, galleries and other cultural attractions. Riga, Krakow, Berlin and Budapest complete the Top 5 with the most expensive city for culture being Dubrovnik.

The Post Office City Costs Barometer is carried out annually comparing the price of short city breaks across Europe for UK holidaymakers.

In June, Athens was again among the top destinations in Europe offering the best value for money, according to tourism intelligence experts Mabrian.