The Polish capital Warsaw is the cheapest city for a cultural weekend away, according to the new Cost of Culture report conducted by Post Office Travel Services.
For around £75 price tag tourists can enjoy a trip including visits to Warsaw’s historic art galleries, museums and heritage sites, together with nights at the renowned Polish National Opera, ballet and a symphony concert. The experience cost less than 25 per cent of the equivalent London cost, the Post Office Travel Services said.
London is by far the most expensive of the 10 cultural capitals it surveyed. The equivalent itinerary would costs around £308, despite the offer of free entry to its national museums and galleries.
And although the sliding pound has made Prague up to 25 per cent more expensive than a year ago, the Czech capital rates as great value for lovers of the arts. It was second only to Warsaw, at just under £104 for a culture-filled trip.
Lisbon and Amsterdam were cheapest euro cities for culture lovers, the Post Office found. With its historic art and architectural treasures, the Portuguese capital cost just 42 per cent of the Barcelona total – proving that there are still bargains to be found in the eurozone.
Post Office head of travel Helen Warburton said: “Visiting galleries, museums and heritage sites has always been a staple ingredient of a city break – but in recent years that trend has extended to booking opera, ballet and music concerts too. We based our report on the idea that culture vultures will want to pack in two gallery visits a day over a three day break and spend evenings out at music-based events.
“Although the best value is in the Eastern Europe in Warsaw and Prague, cities with top notch arts attractions, we also looked at St. Petersburg and found it more expensive. A visit to the Kirov Ballet cost even more than a performance by the UK’s Royal Ballet.
“While the eurozone has taken a knocking in recent weeks because of the sliding pound, our survey shows that culture lovers can get a great deal in its cities, if they know the ropes. Many galleries are free on specific days – or cheaper if visited late in the day.”