Pretty city named the cheapest in western Europe with bargain beers and 3-hour flights
WHILE finding a cheap city break in Western Europe can sometimes feel impossible, there's one destination where the pound is said to stretch a little bit further.
A European city that's just three hours away from the UK has been named "the least-expensive city in Western Europe" by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
The research was published in the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2023 Worldwide Cost of Living Report.
While global prices rose by an average of 7.4 per cent, some places managed to avoid the huge hike, including one spot in Portugal.
The experts analysed the data from 173 cities around the globe to find the most and least expensive places.
They based their findings on factors like the price of food, clothing, rent, transportation, and other costs.
Read More on Portugal
Lisbon in Portugal took the crown as the cheapest city in Western Europe.
According to the BBC, this is largely thanks to costs in the Portuguese city remaining 56 per cent lower compared to other cities in Western Europe.
Why Lisbon?
The Portuguese city has been named the cheapest in Western Europe by a group of economists.
According to the price comparison website Hikers Bay, food and drink remain relatively affordable.
For example, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant is said to cost €12 (£10.40) per person, while a pint of beer costs around €2.50 (£2.17).
Meanwhile, shots of Ginjinha (a sweet cherry liqueur) can be purchased for as little as €1.50 (£1.30) at A Ginjinha - a historical bar in the city centre.
Hotels in the city are affordable too.
Sun Online Travel have found a one-night stay at TURIM Marques Hotel, a four-star hotel, for £65 per night, based on two people sharing a room.
Another affordable option is Moov Hotel Lisboa Oriente, which has rooms from £65 per night, based on two people sharing a room.
Both Ryanair and easyJet operate direct flights from UK cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, with flight prices starting from £15 for a one-way trip.
With a flight time of 2 hours and 50 minutes, holidaymakers will arrive in the Portuguese city in less time than it takes to get to Lanzarote in Spain.
When booking a trip, the summer is the best time to visit, with highs of 38C in July and August.
What is there to do in Lisbon?
Because Lisbon is the second oldest capital in Europe, there are plenty of attractions and activities in the city.
One of the city's main landmarks is the Castle of Sao Jorge - a historic castle located on the summit of São Jorge Hill.
Built in the 5th century, the castle has undergone several transformations in its long history.
The site is now a popular tourist attraction, where visitors can spend half a day exploring its formidable brick walls, cobbled streets, and its many viewpoints.
Holidaymakers can take one of Lisbon's iconic yellow trams to the castle too.
The Miradouro das Portas do Sol is another iconic viewpoint in the city, where visitors will be able to see the sparkling blue of the Tagus River.
Meanwhile, there's also Sintra, a Unesco World Heritage Site, that's just a few miles outside the city.
Home to fairy tale castles, Sintra has become a must-visit among most holidaymakers.
What else is there to do in Portugal?
As a popular holiday hotspot, Portugal certainly isn't short of tourist attractions.
Earlier this year, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) published its newest list of Best Tourism Villages for 2023.
Among the list was the Portuguese village of Ericeira, which has been dubbed a haven for beach-goers.
Comporta has been hailed as Portugal's best beach - even attracting the likes of Madonna.
Meanwhile, travel experts have dubbed Aveiro the "Venice of Portugal" thanks to its network of canals and colourful boats.
What else do I need to know about Portugal?
The local language in Lisbon is Portuguese, but English is likely to be spoken throughout the city.
Portugal is in the same time zone as the UK.
The local currency is the Euro, with £10 getting around €11.52.
There are currently no Covid restrictions and Brits can stay in Portugal for up to 90 days without a visa.
Read more on The Sun
However, your passport must have at least three months left after the day you plan to leave.
Meanwhile, a Brit living in Portugal has revealed the tourist mistakes that cost holidaymakers money.