Want Money’s Worth? Athens is Your Best Bet

It’s official: Athens is among the most affordable cities in Europe, according to an August Hotel Price Index (tHPI) report released last week by online booking agent Trivago.gr.

The Greek capital is among the cheapest European cities to stay in this month, with the average hotel rate coming to 113 euros per night, 21 percent lower compared to the previous month, but 25.6 percent higher against the same month last year.

Athens’ rates are along the same lines with those in Lisbon, which have dropped by 0.9 percent compared to July and increased by 8.7 percent, compared to the same rates last year.

The cosmopolitan Greek isles of Santorini and Mykonos have the highest hotel rates in Greece, with Santorini’s average at 412 euros per night, and 507 euros a night on Mykonos.

At the same time, the Ionian Islands have seen a drop in rates while tourist-friendly rates remain on Crete. Greek mainland destination Parga in Epirus, increased hotel rates by about 5 percent compared to last year.

The most expensive European city to sleep in according to the report is Monaco, where visitors will have to dish out an average 476 euros per night, 10.2 percent higher than the previous month and 7 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

Following Monaco, the top four most expensive European destinations as found among the 50-city report are: Edinburgh, Geneva, London and Venice.

Athens is 28th, followed by Porto, Seville and Valencia.