Paphos, Cyprus. Cyprus remains less expensive than many major Mediterranean holiday destinations for hotel stays and dining out, according to the latest Eurostat data. Its restaurant and accommodation price index stood at 85.2, compared with an EU average of 100.
Hospitality and consumer prices
Cyprus was fractionally cheaper than Spain and Greece for restaurants and accommodation, while Slovenia, Croatia, Malta, Italy and France were progressively more expensive. Portugal remained a lower-cost option in the western Mediterranean, while Albania and Montenegro recorded lower prices farther east.
Beyond the Mediterranean, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia were below Cyprus for both general consumer prices and hospitality. Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries were markedly more expensive.
Across the full household basket, including groceries, clothing, transport and services, prices in Cyprus were 10.8 per cent below the EU average. The island was cheaper than Spain, Malta, Italy and France, although Greece, Portugal and Croatia had lower overall prices.
Food and everyday purchases
A separate Euronews analysis identified North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania among Europe’s lowest-priced countries. Iceland and Switzerland were at the opposite end of the comparison, followed by several northern and western European economies.
For food purchased from shops, Cyprus was almost exactly at the European average. Greece, Croatia and Malta were more expensive, while Spain offered slightly better value.
The findings indicate that holiday costs can vary according to spending patterns, including whether visitors choose self-catering accommodation, dine out regularly or stay at all-inclusive resorts.
Alcoholic drinks in Greece were 54 per cent above the EU average, while Croatia was more than one-third higher, according to the Euronews breakdown. Italy was 18.1 per cent below the European benchmark and Spain was 9.9 per cent cheaper, while France and Portugal were closer to the average.
Italy was the least expensive country in the soft drinks comparison, at 18.2 per cent below the EU average, while Croatia was 33.5 per cent higher. Seafood prices ranged from 4.6 per cent below the EU average in Portugal to 12.7 per cent above it in Greece.
Transport and resort costs
France was the only country in the comparison where public transport prices exceeded the EU average. Portugal, Spain and Croatia were about 20 per cent cheaper, while Greece was just below the European benchmark.
The Post Office’s July survey, compiled with price research from TUI and local tourism bodies, ranked Paphos among Europe’s 10 best-value family resorts. Its basket of meals, drinks and everyday holiday purchases cost £177.18.
