A recent study has identified London, Prague, and Sofia as the leading European capitals for weekend trips this year. London has also been recognized as having the highest-rated nightlife. Additionally, Skopje in North Macedonia, Tirana in Albania, and Sofia in Bulgaria are among the top ten European capitals for city getaways, offering the most affordable accommodation options.

Travel experts analyzed the nightlife quality and accommodation expenses in European capitals. The study primarily assessed the quantity of top-rated nightlife establishments in each capital, specifically those with a rating of four stars or higher on TripAdvisor. Additionally, the cost of accommodation was evaluated based on double occupancy of a single room.

Top 10 European capital cities for weekend escapes

Capital city	Number of places rated 4 and 5 stars for nightlife	Cost of accommodation per person (€)
London	854	116.9
Prague	418	58.9
Sofia	112	41.9
Skopje	20	38.1
Tirana	61	40.6
Bucharest	109	45.0
Belgrade	133	46.8
Warsaw	99	45.6
Berlin	375	76.3
Sarajevo	29	42.5

London stands out as the top weekend getaway option in Europe when compared to other capital cities. With a remarkable selection of 854 well-regarded bars, clubs, and pubs, the UK capital offers plentiful choices for a night out. It is important to consider that London ranks as the fifth most costly European capital for accommodations, with an average price of €116.9 per person for a one-night stay. Nevertheless, the unparalleled variety of activities available in the city outweighs the higher expenses of hotels.

Prague, known for its diverse range of acclaimed beers, is Europe’s second top capital city for weekend escapes. With hotel prices at half the rate of London, the capital city of the Czech Republic offers an impressive selection of 418 highly-rated nightlife establishments according to visitor reviews.

Bulgaria, known for being a popular summer destination, also boasts a captivating capital city that draws in many tourists. Sofia presents visitors with a wide selection of 112 top-rated bars and clubs, all of which have been awarded four stars or higher. Additionally, accommodation in Sofia is quite affordable, with hotels charging just €41.9 per person for a single night’s stay.

Skopje (North Macedonia), Tirana (Albania), Bucharest (Romania), Belgrade (Serbia), Warsaw (Poland), Berlin (Germany), and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) make up the top ten weekend destinations list with a favorable combination of vibrant nightlife and accommodation options.

Skopje (North Macedonia) ranks first on the list of the most affordable capital cities to stay in for an extended weekend this year, with an average hotel expense of only €38.1 per person. Tirana (Albania) and Sofia (Bulgaria) closely trail behind, with average accommodation costs of €40.6 and €41.9 per person, respectively.

The research listed Bern (Switzerland), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Valetta (Malta) as the least desirable European capitals for short vacations. Bern is expensive (€139.8 per person) and has the fewest highly rated places to stay, making it the last choice for a city getaway in Europe. Reykjavik has a decent selection of bars and clubs (41 in total), but hotels can be expensive, averaging €122.1 for a weekend trip. Valletta, the charming capital of Malta, has only seven top-rated nightlife establishments and a high cost of €99.8 for a one-night hotel stay per person, making it less than ideal for a typical weekend city escape.

According to the study analysts, they aimed to identify European destinations that may not be immediately obvious choices for weekend getaways. Surprisingly, cities like Skopje, Tirana, and Sarajevo emerged as options that offer a desirable combination of vibrant nightlife and affordable accommodation. Additionally, lesser-known cities such as Vilnius, Riga, and Chisinau were revealed as hidden gems off the beaten path.

Experts believe that these findings provide valuable insights for individuals planning their 2024 vacations with their partner or best friend. By exploring a capital city rich in history during the day and enjoying an exciting night out, it is possible to have a fulfilling and budget-friendly weekend getaway.