The little city constantly named Europe’s cheapest – with £2.77 beers | World | News
A stunning European capital is often named was named among the cheapest on the continent, pints cost around £3.79. Post Office Money used April exchange rates to estimate the typical cost of various expenses for its ranking of the best value city breaks.
Costs taken into account included two nights’ accommodation at a three-star hotel over the weekend, dinner for two, a selection of drinks, sightseeing fees, and transportation within the city. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, ranked top of list, with seven other Eastern European cities making the top 10, including: Krakow, Riga, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and Warsaw.
According to the firm, costs in Vilnius are more than 10% lower than the runner-up: Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. It was also less than half those of 18 other cities.
A major factor appears to have been the low price of accomodation, which was found to be around just £131 for a two-day, weekend stay.
Meanwhile, the most expensive was Amsterdam which is a hefty £462.
The total cost for a trip for two came up to £236.51, representing an average of around £118 per person.
Meanwhile, a 330ml bottle of local brand beer/lager from a café or bar was found to be £2.77.
Financial tech firm Wise, which calculates living costs in international cities, estimates that a pint of domestic beer in Vilnius will set you back between 3 and 5 euros, (£2.53 and £4.21), putting the average cost at 4 euros 50 (£3.79).
According to travel services search engine site Kayak, the average price of a double room in Vilnius is £75 per night.
But while the city may be less dear than others, its no less grand, boasting a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the form of Vilnius Old, with charming squares, medieval architecture, and cobblestone streets.
The city’s main square, Cathedral Square, is dominated by the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral as well as the bell tower, an iconic symbol of the city.
Here you’ll also find the city’s main throughfare, Gediminas Avenue, lined with landmarks such as the National Drama Theatre and the Museum of Genocide Victims, as well as shops, cafes and restaurants.
Visitors can also try traditional Lithuanian fare including cepelinai (potato dumplings), šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup), and kugelis (potato pudding), but there’s plenty of international cuisine too.
One well-regarded eatery is Peronas, which is located in a former train station and offers a unique atmosphere as well as outdoor seating and live music. It’s known for its wide selection of craft beers and cocktails.
Beerlovers should also visit Alaus Biblioteka, or “Beer Library” which offers more 250 types of beer from around the world.
Lithuania itself has a population of around 2.8million according to United Nations data, with a population of around 540,000 in Vilnius as of 2021.
The country is bordered by multiple countries, including Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian semi-exclave) to the southwest.
It also shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west.
