The Algarve cheapest holiday destination in Europe

If you are a British traveller and want to get the most for your pound The Algarve has been rated as the cheapest holiday destination in Europe.

While the region still attracts celebrities holidaying to enjoy the spectacular beaches, enviable golf courses and hospitable nature of the Portuguese, over recent years businesses looking to attract more custom have reduced their prices.

The Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer 2011 from the Post Office looks at the prices of eight popular holiday expenses and compares them around the world with Portugal coming out as the cheapest holiday destination. Apartments In Algarve

Sarah Munro from the Post Office said: "Families looking for the best value in Europe will get far more for their money in Portugal."

The results are down to a combination of the rise in the value of Sterling against the Euro with the falling costs of goods in Portugal which have dropped by 49%.

The eight items, which were all purchased in the tourist destination of the Algarve, included a cup of coffees, a bottle of local beer and suncream and the total value of these essentials came to only 32.84 pounds.

When this figure is compared to neighboring Spain, which has always been seen as the bargain destination of the Iberian Peninsular but comes in with a shopping list totaling almost €4 more than Portugal, it is easy to see why the Algarve is becoming the premier cheap holiday destination of Europe.

Sarah Munroe from the Post Office added: "Over the past two years, the popular resorts in the Algarve have suffered badly from a drop in UK visitors who have been put off by the prospect of higher costs because of the weak pound."

She added: "The restaurants and bars have responded to this by slashing their prices in a battle for business."

The Algarve has always been known for its high quality yet reasonably priced restaurants and the Post Office findings confirmed that the Algarve is one of the cheapest places to enjoy a meal out in Europe with a three course meal with house wine for two adults being found to be only 16.07 pounds.

To book your low cost holidays from the UK and more information please go to the website: Apartments In The Algarve