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Dublin has leapfrogged the eastern European capitals of Warsaw, Budapest and Prague to become the best value destination for cultural break.
The Irish capital was found to be much cheaper than the Eastern European cities which were cheaper a year ago, according to new research.
Visits to six cultural attractions in Dublin – Ireland’s National Museum, National Gallery and Trinity College to see the Old Library and Book of Kells as well as ballet, opera and musical nights out – works out at just over £76, more than 25% cheaper than a year ago.
This made the city the best value of 17 cultural capitals surveyed by the Post Office but less than half the price of 10 competitors, including London. Dublin’s six cultural highlights cost less than one ticket in London for The Barber of Seville (£115, London Coliseum) or Romeo & Juliet (£115, Royal Opera House).
London remains Europe’s most expensive city for culture after registering a 12.5% rise to £287.50 compared with last year, followed by Paris at £247.64.
But prices in both cities are far lower than in New York, where travellers can expect to pay £491.73. A category 2 ticket for the Metropolitan Opera (Othello) will set UK visitors back £212 while the New York City Ballet (Balanchine) costs more than £177.
Budapest has retained its position as second cheapest in the survey at £91.31 for the six cultural highlights, although prices are up 13.6% compared with a year ago.
Lisbon scored with the third cheapest cost of £94.41.
Warsaw, last year’s best bargain, has fallen to fourth place because prices have risen by 51% to £105.10 in 12 months, despite the increased value of sterling.
Fifth-placed Prague has seen a 20% increase to £111.52.
Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Last year we were advising holidaymakers to head east to Warsaw, Budapest and Prague for the lowest-priced highbrow break.
“Now Dublin has leapfrogged all three and looks a great bargain, especially as flights to the Irish capital are shorter and such good value too.”
He added: “Every city we surveyed boasts world-class cultural attractions but the prices for these vary dramatically. This means culture vultures looking for good value can save hundreds of pounds by doing their homework before booking and swap expensive cities for cheaper ones.”