Hotels in Europe proving costly to visitors

Hotel prices for UK holidaymakers in threequarters of popular European cities have soared by more than 50% since last summer, according to new research.

Madrid was found to have the largest percentage rise out of 35 destinations analysed by Post Office Travel Money, which attributed the overall increase to high demand.

A two-night stay in the Spanish capital will cost an average of £385 this summer, more than double the £161 last year, the study shows.

Visitors to Berlin face the second highest rise, from £168 to £372.

The highest prices were found to be in Amsterdam (£525), followed by Venice (£480) Dublin (£448) and Florence (£402).

The analysis only considered hotels in the centre of cities.

High prices in Madrid, Amsterdam and Venice are driven by a lack of mid-grade accommodation, Post Office Travel Money said.

Many central hotels are in the expensive five-star category.

For those searching for a value break, Lisbon was found to have the lowest average prices for tourist staples.

Examples include £1.35 for a cup of coffee, £4.52 for entry to a popular art gallery, and £39.01 for a threecourse evening meal for two with house wine.

Lisbon’s overall prices are less than a third of those in Venice and Amsterdam, which are Europe’s most expensive cities.

Vilnius was the second cheapest city analysed, followed by Krakow.

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, said: “This year’s rise in prices makes it even more important for holidaymakers to do their homework before booking a city break.”