- A new study by online tour operator weloveholidays reveals the top locations for lower-cost luxury holidays in Europe.
- Romania takes the top spot, with the average cost of a five-star hotel at €85.11 per person and night.
- Romania takes up three spots (Iasi, Cluj-Napoca and Plovdiv) and Bulgaria two (Plovdiv and Varna) of the top five destinations.
Who says you need to break the bank to enjoy a luxurious travel experience? Nowadays, there are plenty of holiday options to indulge in the finer things without breaking the bank. In fact, the term “budget luxury travel” has seen an increase of +181% in the last 12 months1.
To find out where travellers can find the best-value luxury deals in Europe, online travel company weloveholidays researched the best cities to visit and analysed different factors such as the average cost of a five-star hotel, the average cost of a spa day and a restaurant meal per person.
The top 15 European cities for a luxury holiday for less are as follows
| Rank | City | Country | 5* Hotel Average Cost per Person per Night (€) | Spa Day Average Cost (Weekend) (€) | Taxi Average Cost (€) | Restaurant Meal Average Cost (€) | Safety Index | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iasi | Romania | 85.11 | 107.77 | 3.65 | 30.37 | 68.40 | 84.64 |
| 2 | Cluj-Napoca | Romania | 85.11 | 156.96 | 3.91 | 40.49 | 77.60 | 83.95 |
| 3 | Plovdiv | Bulgaria | 107.91 | 108.94 | 3.50 | 32.04 | 71.93 | 83.04 |
| 4 | Bucharest | Romania | 85.11 | 139.39 | 3.65 | 44.54 | 71.90 | 81.55 |
| 5 | Varna | Bulgaria | 107.91 | 130.02 | 3.89 | 34.34 | 63.71 | 78.60 |
| 6 | Burgas | Bulgaria | 107.91 | 121.82 | 4.12 | 33.33 | 62.25 | 78.31 |
| 7 | Constanta | Romania | 85.11 | 79.65 | 3.60 | 37.96 | 51.44 | 77.34 |
| 8 | Daugavpils | Latvia | 154.31 | 67.94 | 3.72 | 25.07 | 61.92 | 76.74 |
| 9 | Izmir | Turkey | 183.94 | 187.42 | 2.65 | 14.71 | 68.38 | 76.45 |
| 10 | Bursa | Turkey | 183.94 | 172.19 | 2.20 | 23.05 | 70.41 | 75.87 |
| 11 | Ankara | Turkey | 183.94 | 149.94 | 2.18 | 15.95 | 61.03 | 74.84 |
| 12 | Osijek | Croatia | 190.30 | 138.22 | 6.67 | 32.01 | 81.95 | 73.62 |
| 13 | Sofia | Bulgaria | 107.91 | 131.19 | 4.49 | 46.14 | 58.50 | 73.14 |
| 14 | Durres | Albania | 121.20 | 137.05 | 12.24 | 28.73 | 69.38 | 72.45 |
| 15 | Plzen | Czech Republic | 174.35 | 106.60 | 7.63 | 33.78 | 72.25 | 71.34 |
The Romanian cities of Iasi and Cluj-Napoca, where a night in a five-star hotel will cost €85.11 per person on average, lead the ranking of the most budget-friendly luxury holiday destinations in first and second position. Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, ranks third, while a further three Bulgarian cities rank within the top 15.
Other popular holiday destinations, such as Izmir (9th) and Ankara (11th) in Turkey, as well as Plzen (15th), also known as Pilsen, where the famous Pilsner beer was invented, rank among the cheapest cities for a luxurious break.
Cities that just missed the top 15
Even though Zagreb in Croatia just missed the top 15, ranking 19th, this city has plenty to offer to people seeking a luxury trip with a smaller budget. The average taxi ride costs a mere €5.97, and tourists can relax knowing they’re in a safe environment, with the city having a safety index score of 77.8. The Turkish capital, Istanbul, follows in 20th with one of the cheapest average costs of a restaurant meal at €26.60.
Dr Jan Kuklinski, General Manager at weloveholidays comments on the research: “Having a smaller holiday budget should not mean that travellers have to compromise on a holiday with luxuries. By keeping an open mind towards potential destinations, holiday goers can find some incredible cities that offer plenty of fun things and a wide range of luxury accommodations and quality dining experiences at a lower price.”
All Inclusive
Luksusowy kwartalnik turystyczno-podróżniczy. Od 2004 roku opisujemy miejsca, do których warto lecieć dłużej niż na weekend, i ludzi, którzy je prowadzą.
