Affordable Travel Destinations: Discover Vilnius for 2024
The cost of living crisis significantly impacted the way in which many people live their lives; however, travel remains a high priority for many seeking respite and escapism from home stresses. Ahead of the summer holidays, iBestTravel has released their annual City Costs Barometer, showcasing the best destinations to visit that won’t break the bank.
Exploring the City Costs Barometer
For the 17th year running, the barometer takes data from 37 different cities across Europe, analyzing prices to calculate the most affordable city break destinations. The survey calculates the average cost for a two-night weekend stay, considering prices for visits to top heritage tourist attractions, museums, galleries, sightseeing bus tours, and public transport travel cards valid for the duration of the stay. Food and drink costs included in the sums range from a regular cup of filter coffee to a three-course evening meal for two, including house wine.
Data Insights for Summer Travel
The data from this survey should prove helpful to those looking to find a cheap holiday destination this summer. Notably, interest in city breaks has grown, with two in five Brits opting for a city break for their next holiday. Moreover, this data shows that prices are down in 60 percent of cities featured, thanks to the strength of the pound sterling compared to a year ago and significant accommodation price drops around the continent.
Vilnius: The Best Value City for 2024
The winning city for 2024 is the Lithuanian capital. Vilnius previously held the crown of best value city in 2015, 2019, and 2020; however, last year it narrowly lost out on first place to Lisbon. Its fourth win is a result of low prices across the board – the cost of a weekend amounts to £237, which is more than 10 percent lower than the runner-up city and less than half the cost of 18 out of the 37 cities featured.
Why Visit Vilnius?
Vilnius has grown in popularity recently; in fact, it is often referred to as one of Europe’s most underrated cities to visit. Therefore, there are plenty of hikes to take in the surrounding countryside, many of which offer epic vistas over the city, like Gediminas Hill. Additionally, don’t miss a visit to the stunning Vilnius Cathedral or the hidden St. James Church bell tower.
