A new study has identified the most affordable European destinations for weekend getaways. As airfare prices soar, particularly due to the unstable situation in the Middle East, travel has become an increasing financial burden for many tourists. The analysis from the Solo Female Travelers platform shows that there are still European destinations where a weekend escape won’t lead to bankruptcy.

The study encompassed 49 European countries and cities, using data from the platform Numbeo. Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine were excluded due to the war and unreliable data, as were territories like Gibraltar, Faroe Islands, and Channel Islands. Analysts calculated average daily costs for solo travelers across several categories, including a meal in a moderate restaurant, the price of a coffee or cappuccino, a bottle of water, local transportation, movie ticket, and accommodation in a central apartment.

The Cheapest Destination for European Weekend Travel

According to the results, the cheapest European destination for weekend travel is North Macedonia, where the average cost is just 52 euros. The capital, Skopje, home to over half a million residents, has proven particularly accessible to tourists. A meal in a restaurant costs around 6.5 euros, a cappuccino less than 2 euros, and a bottle of water can be purchased for about 1 euro.

In addition to affordable prices, North Macedonia is often highlighted as a safe destination. According to data from the World Population Review, the country ranks among the safer nations globally, thanks to favorable results on the Global Peace Index.

Where Does Serbia Rank?

Bosnia and Herzegovina comes in second as one of the most affordable destinations, with a weekend for one person costing around 55 euros on average.

Moldova and Serbia follow, with average weekend costs reaching around 62 euros.

The Most Expensive Destinations

Interestingly, the total costs for the four cheapest destinations combined almost match the price of a single weekend in the most expensive European country for this type of travel. Lichtenstein holds the title of the most expensive destination for solo weekend travel, with an average weekend cost of 223 euros.

Closely following is Switzerland, with an average cost of about 222 euros. The highest expenses in Lichtenstein are attributed to restaurants and daily living costs, with an average meal costing around 27 euros, significantly above the European average of about 15 euros.

(Source: Dnevno.hr)