Oslo topped the ranking of the most expensive European cities for a short getaway in 2026. According to a study by Post Office Travel Money, a travel basket consisting of 12 standard expenses for two people in the Norwegian capital costs EUR850, which is nearly three times more expensive than in the most affordable city on the list—Sarajevo.
The study took into account basic weekend expenses for tourists: drinks, dinner, airport transfers, public transportation, tickets to museums and galleries, as well as two nights in a three-star hotel. Accommodation and restaurant prices were cited as the main reasons for the high costs in these expensive cities.
Copenhagen took second place among the most expensive cities, with a tourist basket estimated at EUR777. Edinburgh came in third at EUR773.5. Next are Geneva at EUR746 and Barcelona at EUR742.
The top ten most expensive European cities for a vacation are as follows: Oslo—€850, Copenhagen—€777, Edinburgh—€773.5, Geneva—€746, Barcelona—€742, Dublin—€707, Amsterdam—€705, Cork – EUR697, Venice – EUR672, and Madrid – EUR672.
The ranking shows that high travel costs are characteristic not only of traditionally expensive Northern European cities but also of popular mass tourism destinations. Barcelona, Venice, Amsterdam, and Madrid remain in high demand, but overcrowding, high demand for hotels, and restaurant prices are making short trips there increasingly expensive.
For tourists, this means that trip planning becomes more important. In expensive cities, even a small change in hotel or restaurant prices can significantly increase the overall budget. In more affordable destinations, travelers have more freedom—they can stay longer, eat out more often, and choose entertainment spontaneously.
For Europe’s tourism industry, the conclusion is clear: the market for short city trips is increasingly splitting into two segments. The first consists of expensive global brands like Oslo, Geneva, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Venice. The second consists of more affordable cities in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where tourists get a similar city break experience for significantly less money.
