‘Sublime’ city crowned Europe’s most affordable city break for autumn --[Reported by Umva mag]

With autumn in full swing, it’s safe to say that the summer getaway is firmly behind us.

If you’re mourning the loss of the peak holiday season and looking to book an autumn city break, one ‘sublime’ city has been crowned Europe’s most affordable.

Istanbul has taken the top spot, famed for its Instagrammable architecture, fascinating history, and world-class delicacies.

The new study, from Compare The Market, placed the average Airbnb price in the Turkish city at £68 per night, further finding that the typical meal costs £7.31 and a one-way ticket on public transport just 43p. Dinner’s on us!

Elsewhere, Warsaw, Poland’s capital city, was named in second place with an average Airbnb cost of £65 per night.

Budapest took home the title for third place, with an evening meal on offer for an average of £8.73, while Krakow and Prague came in fourth and fifth respectively. The UK could, quite simply, never.

What to do in Istanbul

For obvious reasons, the Byzantine masterpiece that is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is a must-see for travellers to Istanbul.

It has a fascinating history as well, transforming from church, to mosque, to museum. But if you are visiting the mosque make sure it’s not during prayer times as it is closed and be sure to cover up during a visit.

The Hagia Sophia (which has a resident cat as a mascot) usually welcomes around 3.5 million people annually, but the price has also increased to £21.50 per person.

Istanbul has plenty more to offer, including the Blue Mosque, and its grand bazaars where you can find all sorts of trinkets for reasonable prices, plus spices, tea and more.

Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman emperors, is also worth a visit.

And we can’t forget the famed Turkish baths, known as hammams. Anyone who wants to feel smooth as a baby should book a steam bath, where experts will wash away all your troubles for you.

Istanbul also has a vibrant contemporary art scene and nightlife to keep you booked and busy.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

Looking for a bit of late-season sunshine? Istanbul sees highs of 20C in October, while November and December reach up to 15C and 11C respectively.

But if you want to experience the peaks of summer, June, July and August typically see the mercury top between 29C and 27C. Don’t forget your sun cream!

Why is Istanbul so popular?

Istanbul is popular for obvious reasons but it’s also a place of convenience.

For international travellers, there isn’t a lengthy Visa process (you can get an e-visa) and UK travellers don’t need a tourist visa if their stay is shorter than 90 days.

And Istanbul is one city that spans Asia and Europe, making it a fun stopover for flights between Europe, North America and other Asian destinations.

Istanbul has plenty of architecture, art, history and culture but let’s not forget Turkey is one of the cosmetic surgery capitals in the world.

More than 100,000 hair transplants are performed in Turkey each year so don’t be surprised if you see people with surgical bandages on their heads or faces (nose jobs and veneer treatments are also popular).

In 2022, around 1 million people came to Turkey and spent approximately $2 billion on hair transplants, said the head of the Turkish Health Tourism Association.

Istanbul is also known as the ‘city of cats’ too with plenty of friendly felines for you to pet all through the city.

What does Istanbul look like?

Don’t just take our word for it, have a look to see the vibrance of the city for yourself.

TikTokers have racked up millions of views and likes sharing their travel recommendations and must-sees in the Turkish economic capital.

How to get to Istanbul

Thankfully, from London, there are frequent flights to Istanbul, with a range of airlines making the journey.

You can opt for budget airlines such as easyJet, Jet2, WizzAir, or go for Turkish Airlines, British Airways, KLM or Lufthansa.

Prices can be upwards of £134 or lower depending on when you book.

Anyone else tempted to book a flight ASAP?

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The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.