How Much Will It Cost to Rent a Place to Stay in Popular European Resorts in 2026: Prices for Tourists

The cost of vacation rentals in Europe varies significantly: apartments in Bulgaria can be found for €35–65 per night, while in France and Switzerland, prices range from €130 to €260, and villas can cost over €1,000. Learn more about current prices, the budget for a week-long vacation, and additional expenses to consider when booking

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Accommodation remains one of the biggest expenses when vacationing in Europe, and the difference in cost between destinations can be quite significant. In 2026, a studio or apartment at Bulgarian resorts can be rented for approximately €35–65 per night, while in Croatia you should expect to pay €70–130, in Spain €80–150, and in Italy €85–160. On the French Riviera or in the Alps, similar accommodations can cost €130–260 per night.

Season, location, and type of accommodation have an even greater impact on your budget. In May–June or September–October, accommodations can be 25–40% cheaper than in July and August, while a location near the sea or major tourist attractions adds about 30–50% to the price. For a week-long vacation, you should budget approximately €420–700 for accommodation for one person, €600–1,100 for a couple, and €850–1,600 for a family with children.

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How much will it cost to rent vacation accommodations in Europe in 2026?

Prices for short-term rentals in Europe vary significantly depending on the country and type of accommodation. The most affordable options among popular tourist destinations can be found in Bulgaria and Montenegro, while France and Switzerland remain the most expensive.

Estimated prices per night in 2026:

1. Bulgaria, Sunny Beach and Burgas: apartment or studio — €35–65, 3–4-star hotel room — €50–90, private house or villa — €110–220

2. Montenegro, Budva and Kotor: apartment — €45–85, hotel — €65–120, house or villa — €140–280

3. Poland, the Baltic Coast and the Tatra Mountains: apartments — €50–90, hotel — €70–130, house — €130–250

4. Croatia, Makarska and Malinska: apartments — €70–130, hotels — €100–190, houses or villas — €200–450

5. Spain, Costa Brava and Alicante: apartments — €80–150, hotels — €110–210, private homes — €220–500

6. Italy, Tuscany, Liguria, and Sicily: apartments — €85–160, hotels — €120–230, houses or villas — €250–600

7. France and Switzerland, the French Riviera and the Alps: apartments — €130–260, hotels — €180–380, and private homes or villas — from €400 to over €1,000 per night

Thus, the difference is significant even among standard apartments: the lowest rate in Bulgaria is about €35 per night, while in France or Switzerland it starts at approximately €130. For private homes and villas, the gap is even wider: from about €110 in Bulgaria to €1,000+ in the most expensive Alpine and French locations.

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How much should you budget for lodging for a week-long vacation?

If you’re planning a seven-night trip, lodging costs depend primarily on the number of people, the country, and the type of accommodation. For mid-range destinations, the approximate budget is as follows:

- One person — approximately €420–700 per week

- A couple—about €600–1,100

- A family with children—approximately €850–1,600

This is an average range that excludes the cheapest and most expensive options. For example, seven nights in a budget apartment in Bulgaria might cost about €245–455, while similar accommodations in France or Switzerland would cost €910–1,820. If you rent a private villa, the weekly budget in expensive locations can easily exceed €2,800–7,000.

For families or groups, renting an apartment or a house is often more cost-effective than booking several hotel rooms. However, when comparing options, it’s important to look not only at the base rate per night but also at the final booking total, as cleaning fees, tourist taxes, parking, and a security deposit may be added to it.

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Why can the same type of accommodation cost 2–3 times more?

The final cost of a short-term rental is influenced not only by the country but also by the specific travel period, distance to tourist attractions, and the length of the reservation. During peak season, the difference can be very significant.

The following factors have the greatest impact on price:

1. Seasonality: In May–June and September–October, accommodations are often 25–40% cheaper than in July and August

2. Location: Beachfront properties or accommodations near major attractions can be approximately 30–50% more expensive

3. Distance from the resort: options located 10–15 km from a popular tourist center are sometimes 30–40% cheaper

4. Rental duration: when booking for 7–14 days, owners or platforms may offer a discount of approximately 10–20%

5. Type of accommodation: A studio or small apartment will almost always be cheaper than a standalone house or villa, especially in resort areas

Therefore, the difference between two similar apartments in the same region can easily amount to tens of euros per night. For a week-long trip, this can mean overpaying by several hundred euros if you book accommodations during peak dates or right by the sea.

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What additional costs should you consider when booking?

The base price per night doesn’t always reflect the actual cost of the accommodation. Mandatory fees and charges may be added to the booking total, which can be particularly noticeable during short trips.

The most common additional costs:

- Tourist tax — approximately €1–5 per person per night, depending on the city and country

- Final cleaning fee—approximately €30–120 per booking

- Security deposit—around €100–500, which is usually refunded after checkout provided there is no damage

- Parking—approximately €10–25 per day, especially in large cities and popular resort areas

For example, for a couple renting an apartment for seven nights, the tourist tax alone could add another €14–70 to their budget. If the accommodation also requires paid parking, that’s another €70–175 per week, and a one-time cleaning fee could increase the total cost by another €30–120.

Therefore, before paying, it’s important to check the final total of the reservation, not just the price per night. In some cases, a place that initially seems cheaper may end up costing more than an alternative option with a higher base rate once all fees are added.

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How to Save Money on Accommodations in Europe?

The biggest savings come not from searching for the cheapest offer, but from changing your dates and location. If you move your trip from July–August to May–June or September–October, the cost of accommodations can be 25–40% lower. Another option is to consider cities and resorts within 10–15 km of popular tourist centers: rentals there are sometimes 30–40% cheaper.

It’s also worth checking the rates for longer stays. For bookings of 7–14 days, the discount can be around 10–20%, which is especially significant for families or extended vacations. Before paying, be sure to compare not only the price per night but also the total amount, including tourist taxes, cleaning fees, parking, and other charges.

As a result, the difference between two similar options can amount to several hundred euros per week. The most cost-effective booking usually occurs when a traveler combines three factors: off-peak dates, accommodations slightly farther from the tourist center, and a discount for a long-term stay.

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