This European city is the cheapest weekend destination in 2026
What is the cheapest city in Europe (photo: Unsplash)
A Balkan capital with a rich history, stunning mountain landscapes, and a unique blend of cultures has topped the ranking of Europe’s most affordable travel destinations.
Why Sarajevo has become attractive to tourists is explained by the Mirror.
Sarajevo – the pearl of Europe
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, took first place in the latest City Cost Barometer 2026 ranking by Post Office Money, becoming the cheapest among 50 surveyed European cities. It is an ideal short-break destination offering an incredible cultural experience at minimal cost.
Experts evaluated the cost of a basic tourist package, which included: two nights in a three-star hotel on a weekend, a three-course dinner for two with a bottle of house wine, a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer and Coca-Cola, a glass of wine, airport transfer both ways, a 48-hour public transport pass, a sightseeing bus tour, as well as tickets to a major historical landmark, a top museum, and an art gallery.
In Sarajevo, the entire package costs only £248 (approximately 14,000 UAH). For comparison, this is less than one-third of a similar weekend in Oslo, which ranked last in the list with a cost of £750 (44,000 UAH).
Cost of living and travel in Sarajevo
According to local guide Nermin Numić, prices in the city remain extremely affordable. A hearty lunch of traditional local dishes, such as ćevapi (grilled minced meat sausages) or the traditional stew “bosanski lonac,” costs only £5 (297 UAH). A more refined dinner with drinks costs about £15 (893 UAH) per person.
During peak tourist season, a simple double room can be found for under £50 per night, while higher-end hotels and good Airbnb apartments rent for around £150.
What to see: from Ottoman bazaars to an Olympic track
Sarajevo is often called the “Jerusalem of Europe.” It is a city where churches, mosques, and synagogues have coexisted peacefully for centuries. Its architecture reflects narrow winding streets of Ottoman bazaars, traditional wooden houses, wide European avenues with neoclassical Austro-Hungarian façades, and communist-era buildings.
The city is surrounded by four mountains that hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. This makes it a great base for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Tourists are strongly advised to visit the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track, which has now become a canvas for local street artists.
Another landmark of the city is its bridges. There are thirteen of them, with the most famous being Latin Bridge. It was here that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, an event that triggered the start of World War I.
Unlike popular Mostar, Sarajevo is rarely crowded with tourists, except in August when a major film festival takes place.
