For those looking to do a European city break on a budget while beating the winter blues this December, look no further than Portugal.
Lisbon has been voted the cheapest option for a European city break and its climate is forecast to be surprisingly mild this December.
Weather maps from WXCHARTS show a warm front moving across the Portuguese capital, bringing with it temperatures up to 20C through early to mid-December.
If that wasn’t enough of a draw, the Post Office’s City Costs Barometer puts Lisbon as the best-value European city to visit in 2023.
Every year, Post Office Travel Money compares the costs of short breaks in cities across Europe for UK holidaymakers – overall and for specific items like accommodation, meals, and cultural attractions.
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In 2023, it compared 12 typical tourist costs in 35 European cities that UK holidaymakers named as their top choice to visit.
Lisbon emerged as the best-value European city, with prices only two percent up on last year’s levels – a far smaller increase than for most of the cities surveyed.
It narrowly beat Vilnius (just 25p more expensive) into second place, with accommodation costs higher in the Lithuanian capital.
Portugal’s largest city outperformed all Eastern European cities that have traditionally dominated the top places in the barometer.
The index put the average price of a two-night trip to Lisbon at £224.76.
That figure includes a stay in a three-star hotel plus food, sightseeing and transport.
What to see and do in Lisbon
Boasting a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and heritage sites, there’s plenty to see and do in the Portuguese capital.
The Castle of São Jorg is a must-see attraction. The castle sits atop the highest point in the city, affording breathtaking views of the city and the river Tagus.
Why not visit the Terreiro do Paço: the largest square in Lisbon that’s one of the most iconic symbols of the city and its rebuilding after the great earthquake of 1755.
Here you can also sample some of the best food and drink the city has to offer, such as Martinho da Arcada, the oldest café-restaurant in Lisbon, which sits on the northeast corner of the square.
For a more in-depth overview of Lisbon’s history and its myriad attractions, click here.