If your wallet is feeling worryingly light after Christmas and New Year, but you still want to escape the UK and go on holiday, then you could be in luck.
One Balkan city has recently been crowned the most affordable destination in Europe by hospitality group Accor.
Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria,boasts an affordability score of 9.5 according to the research, beating 14 other countries on the list.
The research analysed UK cities against their average flight prices, accommodation cost, and dining expenses.
With the lowest average hotel price (£62.32) and the lowest average dining price (£21) of the top 15 destinations, a trip to Sofia is perfect for those looking for a dose of culture on a budget.
With rich history and architecture spanning the Ottoman, Greek, and Roman eras, the Bulgarian capital offers plenty of cultural treasures for keen explorers. One of the most gorgeous places you can explore is the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
This imposing Bulgarian Orthodox church was constructed in 1882 to honour the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. It can hold 5000 people inside and is the largest cathedral in the Balkans.
Aside from its incredible architecture, the cathedral also houses a museum in its crypt which is part of the National Art Gallery. The museum displays Bulgarian icons and the church claims that the museum contains the largest collection of Orthodox icons in Europe.
Visitors to the cathedral have said it is an unmissable part of a visit to Sofia, with tourists impressed not only by its beauty but the fact that it is free to enter.
“I’m sure there’s not much I could say about this stunning cathedral that hasn’t already been said,” wrote one person on Tripadvisor.
“It’s free to enter and it will simply take your breath away.”
Another said: “It is built in a beautiful Neo-Byzantine style of architecture and from the outside it is great for photography in any month of the year. Because of its size, you can take beautiful photos of it from multiple angles and places. There is no entrance fee. Inside there is a place to buy candles and souvenirs, and also a machine to buy a coin with the image of the church and the saint.”
If you want to take a trip to this impressive capital city then Skyscanner currently has flights in February from across the UK starting as low as £30.
The full list of the cheapest European destinations is below
Rank | City | Country | Avg. Outbound Flight Price Cheapest Month | Daily Hotel Price | Daily Dining Price | Daily Activities Price | Daily Transport Price | Affordability Score (Out of 10) |
1 | Sofia | Bulgaria | £75.49 | £62.32 | £21 | £5 | £6 | 9.5 |
2 | Lisbon | Portugal | £68.15 | £104.12 | £25 | £10 | £7 | 8.7 |
3 | Bucharest | Romania | £77.77 | £72.20 | £24 | £4 | £7 | 8.5 |
4 | Porto | Portugal | £76.00 | £88.92 | £22 | £10 | £7 | 8.4 |
5 | Warsaw | Poland | £77.27 | £90.44 | £23 | £6 | £6 | 8.3 |
6 | Prague | Czechia | £68.15 | £110.20 | £22 | £9 | £9 | 8.2 |
7 | Budapest | Hungary | £73.72 | £104.12 | £22 | £9 | £6 | 8.0 |
8 | Madrid | Spain | £66.12 | £112.48 | £30 | £11 | £9 | 7.9 |
9 | Marseille | France | £70.68 | £91.96 | £33 | £14 | £11 | 7.7 |
10 | Belgrade | Serbia | £123.12 | £76.00 | £23 | £5 | £6 | 7.4 |
11 | Paris | France | £62.32 | £117.04 | £30 | £14 | £9 | 7.4 |
12 | Cologne | Germany | £68.40 | £100.32 | £29 | £19 | £11 | 7.3 |
13 | Brussels | Belgium | £56.75 | £108.68 | £39 | £18 | £11 | 7.2 |
14 | Barcelona | Spain | £61.05 | £142.88 | £30 | £17 | £8 | 7.1 |
15 | Berlin | Germany | £66.12 | £106.40 | £33 | £23 | £11 | 7.0 |
