For a summer holiday that won’t break the bank, there’s one European city that stands above the rest. Tbilisi in Georgia is an up and coming destination with plenty to explore – and the best bit is, it’s still affordable to visit.
According to research from luggage storage company Bounce, Tbilisi is actually the cheapest destination in Europe.The study analysed average costs for hotels, meals, drinks, and transport, as well as the number of free attractions available to visit in 70 of Europe’s top cities to reveal the most affordable this year.
A weekend’s hotel stay in Tbilisi is just £136, and a pint of domestic beer will set you back just £1.64. As well as the cheap drinks and accommodation, Tbilisi has plenty of free attractions to explore including the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Bridge of Peace.
This stunningly underrated city has got plenty to offer.
The Cathedral’s architecture is gorgeous and there are also beautiful gardens to explore, perfect for a day of wandering. The Bridge of Peace is another piece of amazing architecture that spans the Mtkvari River. At night it is illuminated by thousands of LED lights twinkling.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the city you can stop in for a nice cheap lunch or dinner. Meals are also very affordable in Tbilisi, costing less than £33 for a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant.
You can also grab two lunchtime meals at an inexpensive restaurant for around £16.50.
If you are in Georgia you have to try Khachapuri – one of the most popular and traditional Georgian dishes. This cheesy filled bread is a little like pizza and is absolutely delicious.
Another classic delicacy is Khinkali – similar to Chinese soup dumplings and filled with rich Georgian spices as well as meat and broth, these steamed dumplings are a must while in Tbilisi.
Taxis in the city are cheap too with the average price of a 1km journey costing the same as a pint. Even cheaper is the public transport in the city with tickets costing on average just 27p.