Cheap booze, balmy temperatures, fantastic beaches and a rich history – there’s something for everyone in this EU hotspot that’s cheaper than the Canaries for a pint.
Top up your tan and get merry in this often overlooked EU hotspot. With freezing temperatures, rain, and even snowfall savaging the UK in recent weeks, many of us are feeling a little vitamin D deficient. If you’re thinking of jetting off after the Christmas break for a spot of sunshine, culture, and cheap booze – we’ve found just the place.
Travel Supermarket has compared the price of a bottle of beer from a beach bar from more than 20 popular destinations to find the cheapest – and the results might surprise you. Corfu, Greece, and Algarve, Portugal, both came joint second to last, with a hefty price tag of £4.30 (only Dubai charged a higher price of £9.62).
Even the popular Canary Islands appeared to have a premium, with a beer costing £3.01 in Gran Canaria, £2.71 in Fuerteventura, and £2.58 in both Lanzarote and Tenerife. However, Malta was crowned the cheapest EU country – charging holidaymakers just £2.15 for a cheeky pint on the sand.
Located just three hours from the UK, Malta is filled with rich history – home to the late-Neolithic site of Ħaġar Qim and the walled city of Valletta, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980. There are also 313 churches, including the famed St. John’s Co-Cathedral – which was built back in 1573.
If you’re not a cultural kind of tourist, don’t worry – Malta is an amazing place for chilling by the beach with a good book and relaxing. A day trip to Gozo is a necessity – especially if you’re interested in diving. Or, take a boat over to Comino Island to visit the iconic Blue Lagoon (not the one in Iceland!).
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You might even recognise some of the attraction while you’re roaming around, as Malta has been used as a filming location for a slew of films and TV shows – including Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Captain Phillips, and World War Z. “With its deep blues seas, its lush, verdant countryside, and its ragged rocky terrain, it’s hardly surprising that Malta has played host to so many blockbuster film shoots!” the country’s tourist board said.
And at night, the island really does come to life thanks to its vibrant nightlife, from casinos to clubs to annual music festivals. Valletta is the place to be if you want boujee cocktails and romantic wine bars, while those wanting to unleash their inner party animal – check out St Julian’s collection of nightclubs. In December, temperatures will average around 17C in the day – but will cool down in the evening. So, pack a cardigan or jumper and have fun!
What’s your favourite European destination? Let us know in the comments section below