City break twice as cheap as Barcelona named one of Europe's best - and easyJet flies there in 70 minutes
Looking for a city-break during this manic heatwave might seem a little pointless, especially because of how expensive flights are at the moment.
But you could save a fair bit of money if you decided to swap Spain for eastern France this summer.
Barcelona ranked as the fifth most expensive city break in Europe with average costs of £641 for two people, as Strasbourg came in at just £319.
This was calculated through the latest 2026 City Costs Barometer from Post Office Travel Money, which compared the average cost of 12 everyday tourist items across 50 European cities, including accommodation, meals, drinks, transport and attractions.
Advert
The findings make Strasbourg one of Europe’s best-value city breaks this year, while also being one of the easiest destinations to reach from the UK.
EasyJet flights from London can take as little as 70 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a quick weekend away.
Why Strasbourg?
The charming Alsace city ranked ninth overall in the list of Europe’s cheapest city breaks, beating many budget-friendly destinations.
You can stroll through the canals of Petite France, explore colourful half-timbered streets, sample local wines and enjoy traditional Alsatian food - all without the high costs often associated with the popular European hotspots.
According to the report, accommodation and dining are a lot cheaper in Strasbourg than in Barcelona, as a mid-range dinner for two, public transport and hotel stays all came in far lower than the Spanish city, where rising tourism demand continues to push prices upward.
Strasbourg Vs Barcelona
Barcelona joined Oslo, Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Geneva among Europe’s most expensive destinations for short breaks in 2026. Oslo topped the list overall with average costs of £734 for two people.
Meanwhile, eastern European destinations dominated the affordability rankings.
Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina was named Europe’s cheapest city break at just £248, followed by Bucharest, Tirana and Belgrade.
Researchers said lower accommodation costs and inexpensive eating out were key reasons these cities performed so well.
Top 10 cheapest European city breaks
- Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina — £248
- Bucharest, Romania — £258
- Tirana, Albania — £263
- Belgrade, Serbia — £265
- Trenčín, Slovakia — £272
- Riga, Latvia — £278
- Lille, France — £289
- Vilnius, Lithuania — £289
- Strasbourg, France — £319
- Podgorica, Montenegro — £332
Top 10 most expensive European city breaks
- Oslo, Norway — £734
- Copenhagen, Denmark — £671
- Edinburgh, Scotland — £668
- Geneva, Switzerland — £644
- Barcelona, Spain — £641
- Dublin, Ireland — £611
- Amsterdam, Netherlands — £609
- Cork, Ireland — £602
- Venice, Italy — £580
- Madrid, Spain — £580
Topics: Travel
Anish Vij