This is how much a dinner for two costs on holiday in Europe: huge differences
With the summer holidays just around the corner and the suitcases already half packed, there’s one question that’s at least as important as “Will it be 30 degrees?” and “Is there a swimming pool?”: how much do you actually pay for a lovely evening out for dinner? Together with Ferrygogo, we delved into European menus – and the results are surprising (and painful for your wallet if you’re going to Iceland).
Northwestern Europe vs. Southern Europe
Let’s get straight to the point: a three-course dinner for two people in an average restaurant costs around €123 in Iceland. That’s more than twice the European average of €58. Switzerland adds an extra expensive touch at €118.
Prefer something a little kinder to your bank account? Then think of Southern Europe. In Spain, Greece and Portugal, you can still dine for around €45 to €50 for two – including wine, for convenience’s sake.
Central and Eastern Europe: dirt cheap (but not booming yet)
If you want to score a full dinner for a few tens of euros, head to Central and Eastern Europe. Skopje (North Macedonia) tops the list with a dinner price of less than €30. Albania, Bulgaria and parts of Romania are also affordable, with prices lower than in the inexpensive south.
So why don’t we all go there? Well, that’s slowly starting to change. More and more people are discovering these destinations. My colleagues had already been on holiday in Albania, for example, and came back raving about it, so it’s only a matter of time before prices follow.
The most expensive cities in Europe
Switzerland is, unfortunately for cheese fondue fans, truly the king of expensive dinners. Basel (€133), Reykjavik (€130) and Zurich (€128) take the crown. But even closer to home, eating in Amsterdam or Haarlem isn’t cheap. Fun fact (or perhaps not): Amsterdam is now more expensive than London. Think about that the next time you pay €16 for a glass of wine on an Amsterdam terrace.
Budget-friendly and fun: put these cities on your radar
Good news for anyone who wants to eat out well but doesn’t want to take out a second mortgage. In Seville, you can dine for as little as €40. In Valencia, Porto, Lisbon and Malaga, you can still enjoy a great meal for €50 to €55. All are top destinations where you can dine not only deliciously, but affordably too.
So… where will you sit down for dinner this summer?
If you’re still unsure about your summer holiday, be sure to check the local menu too. Because let’s be honest: sunshine is lovely, a swimming pool is great, but nothing can make or break a holiday quite like a good dinner for two – without thinking with every bite: “That was my new sunglasses.”
Also read:
- Italian couple left completely stunned by sky-high bill at a club in Ibiza
- Monte Enebro: the goat cheese that will change your life
- What you need to know about Šaltibarščiai: the famous pink soup with its own festival (plus recipe)
