‘Most underrated Europe holiday’ just 3 hours from UK has £2.60 pints | Europe | Travel

Europe is full of holiday hotspots, from Majorca to Crete, but if you’d like to try something new this summer you may be interested in a lesser known destination.

Flights to this sunny spot take just under three hours from the UK, and with a number of direct routes from the UK, it’s just as easy to fly here as other popular European destinations. The destination earned its title based on average flight costs, the number of things to do, and the number of tourists who already visit each year.

Although 2.4 million people visit Kotor in Montenegro yearly, it’s still relatively unknown and gets just a fraction of the tourists as places like Greece or Spain. This stunning coastal town has a classic mediterranean style with red roofed homes and turquoise waters, and it has small yet beautiful beaches set in picturesque coves.

The study, carried out by credit card provider Zable, showed that Kotor offered relatively low travel costs and a wide range of attractions, with over 199 things to do that have average reviews of four stars or more.

Tivat airport is just a 15-minute drive away, and is served by British Airways (BA), easyJet, and Jet2, with UK routes including seasonal departures from Bristol, London-Gatwick, London-Luton, Manchester, and London-Stansted. A new BA service from London-Heathrow also begins on May 14 this year. Flights in April start from £56 one way.

Once you arrive in Kotor, there are a variety of places to stay. You can book Airbnbs in Kotor from £274 for a week for a simple apartment, or find larger options such as seaside homes for families and groups. Hotel options include the 5-star Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort which offers plush rooms with extras such as hot tubs and private pools, or the boutique Hotel R Palazzo that has direct beach access and sea view rooms.

Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so simply wandering around the town is a great day out for history buffs. It’s often considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean, and its old town is enclosed by nearly three miles of centuries-old walls. Cars are banned from this area, meaning you can enjoy the maze-like narrow cobblestone streets in peace, stopping at pavement cafés in charming town squares along the way.

Above the old town is the imposing Fortress of San Giovanni, which gives you incredible views across Kotor and the bay. It’s a steep hike up steps and slopes, taking about two-hours total to get there and back, but well worth it for the amazing photos you can capture at the top.

For a more chilled day out, take a boat trip to the Blue Cave. Only accessible by water, these boat trips include stops to swim in the calm bay. Kotor’s beaches are relatively small and have shingle, but are set in coves so they’re perfect for swimming. Cool down in the clear waters while enjoying the views of the surrounding mountains.

The research by Zable also looked at the cheapest places for travellers to stock up on groceries, with Kotor coming in as the third cheapest option in Europe. Holidaymakers can stock up with a basket of basics for £31.63 on average if they are self-catering. According to Numeo, a meal at a mid-range restaurant for two people comes out at around £45, while a pint is about £2.60 on average.

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