Article by Index Digital Team | 1st May 2026

The Cheapest Five-Night European Getaways For Summer 2026

New data has revealed the destinations offering the best value for travellers in 2026, as well as the places where holidaymakers are likely to spend the most once abroad.

Image Photo by Anton Atanasov on Unsplash

As travellers continue to plan their summer breaks, many are looking for destinations that offer memorable experiences without the high costs often associated with the world’s most famous hotspots.

New data from the credit card experts at Zable has analysed travel costs across dozens of destinations to reveal where travellers can get the best value when planning their next trip abroad.

The research combines the average cost of flights, accommodation and tourist taxes with everyday travel expenses such as groceries, restaurant meals and attractions. It also looks at tourism demand, climate conditions and online popularity to identify destinations that offer the strongest balance of affordability and travel appeal.

Kotor ranked the best underrated destination for travellers seeking value in 2026

Kotor in Montenegro ranks as the top underrated destination overall, offering travellers a strong mix of relatively low travel costs and a wide range of attractions. Flights to the coastal town average around £79 for a return journey, while accommodation costs around £846 for a five-night stay. Tourist taxes are also relatively low at around £4.

Complementing its affordability, Kotor offers plenty to see and do, with nearly 200 highly rated attractions and around 2.4 million visitors each year.

Tirana is the cheapest European destination based on flights, accommodation and everyday travel costs

When looking purely at costs, Tirana in Albania ranks as the cheapest destination overall. The combined cost of flights, accommodation, tourist taxes, attractions, groceries and dining reaches just £492 for a typical five-night trip.

One of the key factors behind Tirana’s affordability is the relatively low cost of everyday spending once visitors arrive. Grocery shopping and dining out are among the cheapest of any destination analysed, helping travellers keep their daily spending under control.

For travellers looking to keep costs under control while abroad, avoiding extra fees can also make a difference. Zable cardholders don’t pay overseas spending fees, helping travellers avoid additional costs when paying in another currency.

The top 10 cheapest destinations for a week's stay (five nights)

Food is one of the everyday costs that can quickly add up while travelling, whether visitors are picking up groceries or eating out at local restaurants. To understand how these costs vary between destinations, the research analysed the price of a typical grocery basket across popular holiday locations. The basket included everyday items such as milk, bread, rice, chicken and vegetables.

Sopot in Poland ranks as the cheapest destination for grocery shopping, with a typical basket costing £30.74.

Vilamoura in Portugal (£31.19) and Kotor in Montenegro (£31.63) follow closely behind, showing that everyday food costs remain relatively low across several popular European destinations.

The research also looked at the cost of eating out, analysing the price of a restaurant meal alongside common drinks. Plovdiv ranks as the cheapest destination for dining out, where a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, a draft beer and a soft drink costs £9.91 on average.

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Capri emerges as a “destination dupe” for the Maldives, while Mallorca offers similar summer conditions to Hawaii

The research also identified several “destination dupes”, locations that offer similar climates and travel experiences to famous bucket-list destinations but are closer to Europe.

Capri records average July temperatures of 26.5°C, close to the Maldives’ 28.5°C, while receiving more daily sunshine (14.7 hours compared with 12.3 hours).

Meanwhile, Mallorca shares similar summer conditions with Hawaii, with temperatures averaging 24.5°C in July compared with Hawaii’s 27°C, alongside 1,925 highly rated attractions across the island.

Sardinia also mirrors aspects of Costa Rica, with comparable July temperatures (25.5°C vs 24°C) and more than 3,200 highly rated attractions, offering travellers a similar mix of nature and outdoor activities.

The research highlights how everyday purchases such as meals, shopping and local transport can quickly add up during a trip. Arielle Rogers-Jenkins, Senior Product Manager (UK Credit Cards) at Zable, says: “Planning a holiday often means balancing the experiences you want with the budget you have available. Our research shows that travel costs can vary significantly between destinations, so choosing locations that align with your budget can make a real difference to the overall cost of a trip.”

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