Krakow rated best European city for a holiday in Which? survey – Alicante voted the worst

In an annual Which? survey Britons have rated the Polish city of Krakow the best in Europe for a short break for the third consecutive year.

Alicante has come bottom of the ranking of 43 countries.

The consumer champion asked thousands of holidaymakers to rate recent trips to European cities across a range of categories including quality of the cultural attractions, accommodation, shopping, food, and value for money.

Krakow’s traditional Christmas markets are a popular attraction

Krakow is considered the prettiest of Poland's main cities and known for its well-preserved medieval core, which escaped the worst of the WWII bombings

Krakow is considered the prettiest of Poland’s main cities and is known for its well-preserved medieval core, which escaped the worst of the WWII bombings

A lovely way to explore Krakow's main sights, such as the 13th-century Wawel castle (pictured), is to cruise the Vistula River by boat

A lovely way to explore Krakow‘s main sights, such as the 13th-century Wawel castle (pictured), is to cruise the Vistula River by boat

Krakow comes top of the list with a city score of 93 percent and is the only city in the survey of 4,704 Which? members to receive five stars for value for money.

The Polish city offers a great deal even for the most price-sensitive travelers – with a good meal for under £7 and a beer for less than £2. The average hotel rate is less than half that offered to visitors in Amsterdam or Paris.

Krakow also receives an impressive five-star rating for food, putting it ahead of lauded culinary destinations such as Verona, Lisbon, and Madrid. One traveller said: ‘Inexpensive restaurants are plentiful so book only accommodation and eat out at your leisure.’

Visitors to Krakow were also impressed with the city’s rich history, and its score for cultural experiences also received a full five stars.

The salt mine in Wieliczka, which is within the Krakow metropolitan region, is rated one of the top attractions by visitors to the Polish city

The salt mine in Wieliczka, which is within the Krakow metropolitan region, is rated one of the top attractions by visitors to the Polish city

Respondents recommended the traditional markets, as well as the salt mines harboring an underground cathedral carved out of salt – but warned that this trip should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

Seville comes second overall in the Which? survey, with a 90 percent city score.

Famous for Flamenco dancing and a litany of major landmarks, Seville earns the coveted five stars for its tourist attractions, food and drink, and quality of accommodation.

Seville, famous for its colourful flamenco dancing, comes second in the European cities survey by Which?

Seville, famous for its colorful flamenco dancing, comes second in the European cities survey by Which?

Spain proved it had a lot to offer visitors with Valencia coming third, with 89 percent.

While Valencia doesn’t get the full five stars in any category it does get four stars almost across the board. Those surveyed raved about the aquarium and the City of Art and Sciences.

Cited by its tourism board as the city of freedom, Berlin comes fourth with 88 percent, receiving five stars for accommodation, attractions, and ease of getting around. One person also told Which? that ‘Berlin is a feast for museum-goers’.

The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, also proved well-regarded, coming joint fifth with Budapest (86 percent).

The city is famous for flower-adorned canals and rich art history but with options like trams, electric boats, and bicycles, it’s the ease of getting around that earns the city’s highest star rating.

Bisected by the River Danube, Hungary’s capital, Budapest is one of the cheapest destinations to stay in, with an average hotel price of £68 a night, earning it four stars for accommodation. One traveler advised buying a three-day travel pass to visit the city, while for visitors over 65 tickets are free.

Rome only manages a mid-table finish, with a city score of 81 percent. The Italian capital earns a full five-star rating for its famous attractions including the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum but overcrowding caused by tourists swarming to these sites affected its rating.

Paris finds itself just below Rome with a score of 80 percent. It faces a similar problem to the Italian capital, with crowds at the city’s landmarks putting some visitors off.

Nevertheless, the French capital does secure a four-star rating for cultural attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and the Louvre. But visitors were unimpressed by its choice of accommodation and value for money.

Alicante receives the lowest score in the Which? survey, although its beach and Old Town are still popular

Alicante receives the lowest score in the Which? survey, although its beach and Old Town are still popular

Alicante, the nearest city to British holiday mecca Benidorm, is a newcomer, but it hasn’t fared well. Its score of 72 percent is the lowest in the table.

Despite only receiving two stars for its cultural sites, respondents spoke fondly of the Santa Barbara castle and the city’s views of both the sea and the Old Town.

Rory Boland, the travel editor at Which?, said: ‘With a palace on every corner, and a plate of pierogi and a pint of Pilsner costing under £10, it’s no wonder Krakow continues to top our survey.

‘To those holidaymakers still stuck on Amsterdam, Paris, and other classic European destinations, try Poland for your next trip to find food, hotels, and sightseeing that’s just as good but at half the price.’

A table showing the Which? ranking of 43 European cities, with Krakow in the top spot and Alicante at the bottom

A table showing the Which? ranking of 43 European cities, with Krakow in the top spot and Alicante at the bottom

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