Unknown European city named world's cheapest holiday destination – with £1.60 beers & £16 flights | The Sun
WHILE finding a cheap city break in Europe can sometimes feel impossible, one destination promises to be a pound-stretching haven.
A city in Romania that very few Brits have heard of has been named as an affordable alternative.
Why Timișoara?
Timișoara, a city in western Romania, was recently crowned the world's cheapest city break by luggage storage company Bounce, who crunched the numbers on 75 popular destinations.
City breaks were ranked based on factors like accommodation, transport costs, meals out, and the price of supermarket groceries.
And according to the research, Timișoara came out on top as the cheapest.
In the Romanian city, the average price of a hotel room costs £82 per night.
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But Sun Online Travel have found extremely affordable hotel rooms that cost considerably less.
For example, a night at the Cosmopolita Boutique Hotel, a four-star hotel, will set holidaymakers back as little as £37 per night per person.
Despite the bargain luxury stay, there are also other, cheaper, alternatives, including a twin room at the Casa Palace for £17 per night per person.
Food and drink in the city is cheap too, with a pint of beer costing as little as £1.56, while a meal out at a mid-range restaurant will cost around £5 per person.
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It's also worth remembering that the country doesn't use the Euro, so your holiday cash is likely to go a lot further.
Wizz Air operates direct flights from London Luton to Timișoara, with flight prices starting from £16 for a one-way trip.
With a flight time of 2 hours and 55 minutes, holidaymakers will arrive in the Romanian city in less time than it takes to get to Bucharest – the country's capital.
When booking a trip, the summer is the best time to visit, with highs of 31C in August.
What is there to do in Timișoara?
There are plenty of things to do in the Romanian city.
Travel experts have dubbed the city "Little Vienna" thanks to itsSecessionist architecture, so it's worth exploring some of the main squares, including Victory Square and Unirii Square
To delve into the city's history, make a beeline for Victory Square.
The square is home to some of the city's most interesting attractions including Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral, which sits at the far end.
Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral was built in the early 20th Century.
At 63m tall, the red and green tiled cathedral dominates the Timișoara skyline, and it even has free entry.
Meanwhile, the Museum of Fine Arts is housed inside an 18th-century Baroque Palace in Unirii Square.
Entry into the art museum costs £3.68 for a full-paying adult.
The city is also home to several other museums, including the Museum of Banat Region, the Banat Region Village Museum, and the 1989 Revolution Memorial Museum.
Other nearby attractions include the Satchinez Bird Reserve, which lies to the north of the city, and the Recaș Winery.
What else is there to do in Romania?
Romania is also home to Bran Castle, which is more commonly referred to as Dracula's Castle.
Set just 18 miles away from Bucharest, the castle attracts thousands of tourists every year.
In addition to the famous castle, Bucharest is another popular city break in Romania.
The capital city is home to its own key tourist attractions, including the Stavropoleos Monastery, the Palace of Parliament, and Herăstrau Park.
Other popular attractions across Romania include the old medieval town of Sighisoara.
What else do I need to know about Timișoara?
The local language in Timișoara is Romanian – although people may speak English at hotels, restaurants, and other tourist attractions.
Romania is 2 hours ahead of the UK.
The local currency is the Romanian leu, also known as the RON, with £10 getting around 58 RON.
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There are currently no Covid restrictions and Brits can stay in Romania for up to 90 days without a visa.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria is home to another cheap city break where beers cost just 80p and temperatures hit 28C in the summer.
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