- Introduction - a beer map of Europe
- Ranking methodology
- 🔟 Riga - Baltic capital with character (10th place)
- 9️⃣ Lisbon - cheap and with an ocean view (9th place)
- 8️⃣ Prague - Czech gold for pennies (8th place)
- 7️⃣ Budapest - pubs in ruins and cheap pints (7th place)
- 6️⃣ Warsaw - growing kraft scene, low price of classics (6th place)
- 5️⃣ Vilnius - cheap Lithuanian brews (5th place)
Introduction - a beer map of Europe
Is it possible to tour Europe with a pint in hand - And not go bankrupt? By all means! The old continental capitals tempt not only with their monuments and climate, but also... the price of beer in pubs. From classic Czech lagers to Balkan pilsners to local craft brews, the selection is vast and the prices can surprise.
In this overview, we take a look at where for half-liter beer in a pub you will pay the least. And we're not talking about promotions for tourists or happy hours - we're talking about average, regular prices For a pint of beer in catering establishments. In the listing you will find european capitals, which will satisfy both the foodie and the frugal traveler.
Be prepared to 10 cities, in which beer pleasure does not ruin the wallet. 🍺
Ranking methodology
💰 Where does beer cost the most?
👉 Top 10 European capitals with most expensive beer in pubs
Before we embark on a tour of Europe's cheapest beers, it's worth explaining, on what basis was the compilation. Because as you know - beer is unequal to beer, and prices can change like in a kaleidoscope.
🧾 What did we take into account?
- Average price 0.5 liter beers (or pints - about 0.47 liters) served in a pubs, bars and restaurants, not in stores.
- Mainly lagers - That is, the most frequently ordered, popular beer styles.
- Data from reliable sources such as Numbeo, Beer Index, local statistics and price comparison sites.
- Exchange rates standardized to euro, to easily compare prices between countries.
💡 Why pubs and not stores?
Because it is in pubs and bars that you can feel the local atmosphere the most, and beer tastes best then, too. The juxtaposition is aimed mainly at tourists i urban explorers, who in the evening like to sit in a pub and order something golden - without spending a fortune.
🔟 Riga - Baltic capital with character (10th place)
🇱🇻 Riga, the capital of Latvia, is a combination of Hanseatic charm, Art Nouveau architecture and... inexpensive beer in atmospheric pubs. Although tourist-wise it is often second only to Vilnius or Tallinn, for fans of beer relaxation it can be a very pleasant surprise.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 2,00-2,80 €
In local bars away from the main tourist streets, you can hit the beer for less than 2 euros, and even in the center the prices are quite reasonable.
🍻 What is worth trying?
- Popular Latvian brands include. Aldaris, Cēsu, Bauskas, as well as the increasingly popular kraft beers from Valmiermuiža breweries or Labietis.
- Riga's beer scene is growing - you'll find bars with rotating taps and seasonal releases.
🏛️ Where to drink beer?
- In the old town you will find atmospheric pubs with cellars, and in the summer - full gardens overlooking the Dvina River.
- Worth a visit is the district Miera iela - hipster, quiet, with good beer and an artistic vibe.
🌆 Riga may not be the cheapest of the rankings, but it offers a great quality at a reasonable price - The perfect place to start (or end) a beer tour of Europe.
9️⃣ Lisbon - cheap and with an ocean view (9th place)
🌊 Lisbon is one of those cities that can charm from the first step. The narrow streets, the smell of coffee and pastel de nata wafting from local pastry shops, and the... surprisingly cheap beer!
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: ca. 2,00-2,50 €
For a Western European capital - this is a really pleasant amount. Especially when you consider that many pubs and bars in Lisbon offer beer overlooking the Tagus River Or the rooftops of Alfama.
🇵🇹 What is worth knowing?
- In local pubs, you will most often encounter Portuguese brands such as. Sagres whether Super Bock - A light, refreshing lager perfect for warm evenings.
- It can be cheapest in small tasquinhas (local bars) away from the main pedestrian areas and tourist districts.
- Happy hour In many pubs, it's an opportunity to buy a second beer even at half price - then the price drops to approx. 1,50 €!
📍 Lisbon is a great start to our list: affordable beer, Mediterranean climate and unique atmosphere.
8️⃣ Prague - Czech gold for pennies (8th place)
🇨🇿 Prague it's a real mecca for beer drinkers. Czechs love beer so much that they have a highest per capita beer consumption in the world - And we are not at all surprised. Here, beer is part of the culture, not just a dinner drink.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 1,50-2,00 €
In many places outside the center-especially in local hospodas-you will even pay less than €1.50 For a delicious, fresh lager straight from the barrel.
🍻 Why Prague?
- Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, Kozel - Classics that taste best right here.
- Pubs are literally everywhere, and many of them have a long history and soul.
- Beer is often served with foam to the pint line, as prescribed by the Czech school.
- For the brave - in some places you can order... beer baths 🛁🍺.
🌉 An evening beer by the Vltava River, overlooking Charles Bridge and Hradcany Castle? Priceless - although it costs only 2 euros.
7️⃣ Budapest - pubs in ruins and cheap pints (7th place)
🇭🇺 Budapest is a city of contrasts - monumental architecture from the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy mixes here with austere interiors pub ruins, which are old, abandoned buildings turned into lively bars. And what do these places have in common? Surprisingly cheap beer!
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 1,50-2,50 €
In less touristy neighborhoods, you can find beer for as little as 1,20 €, but even in popular places like Kazinczy utca prices are still very affordable.
🏚️ Ruin pubs - a unique attraction
- Local beer, colored lights, worn armchairs and industrial decorations -. Szimpla Kert this is just the beginning.
- It is in such places beer tastes best, and the atmosphere is conducive to meeting people from all over the world.
🍻 What do Hungarians drink?
- Popular brands include. Dreher, Borsodi i Soproni, but increasingly there are also kraft mini-breweries, serving interesting flavors at a similar price.
🌃 Budapest is the perfect place for a beer night - cheap, atmospheric and with an unforgettable atmosphere. And who has been to a ruin pub once... usually comes back.
6️⃣ Warsaw - growing kraft scene, low price of classics (6th place)
🇵🇱 Warsaw increasingly boldly marks its place on the beer map of Europe. Although the classic beer from the bottle at a neighborhood bar once reigned supreme, today the Polish capital offers a impressive kraft scene, while still being able to drink here cheap and good beer in a pub.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 2,00-3,00 €
In local bars and beer gardens in Praga, Wola or Zoliborz, prices for half a liter of beer start from as low as 8-10 zloty, which is about 2 euros.
🍻 What to try?
- For fans of the classics - Zywiec, Tyskie, Okocim, served in almost every bar.
- For explorers - dozens of small craft breweries: Pinta, Artesan, Three Buddies and many others.
- Also popular are pubs with rotating taps, where different beers from Poland and Europe are poured every week.
🏙️ Where to get a beer?
- Zbawiciela Square, Nowogrodzka or the area around Bank Square are places full of atmospheric establishments.
- On warm days, it is worth going to the Vistula - Here beer often tastes best, and the view of the setting sun in the background does its job.
🇵🇱 Warsaw is a city where beer revolution continues in earnest, but prices are still reasonable - both for locals and western tourists.
5️⃣ Vilnius - cheap Lithuanian brews (5th place)
🇱🇹 Vilnius, though small and somewhat underrated among tourists, has something to surprise any beer lover - the local brews at a great price And a very pleasant, intimate pub atmosphere.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 1,80-2,50 €
In the city center, especially on Pilies Street and around the Old Town, you'll easily find a beer for less than 2 euros - especially if you opt for local brands instead of imported ones.
🍻 Lithuanian flavors
- Beers such as Švyturys, Utenos, Volfas Engelman whether Kalnapilis - Often served barrel-aged, fresh and well-chilled.
- Lithuanian beer tradition has its roots in unfiltered and natural beers - some pubs serve domestic beer!
🪑 Where to sit?
- Both are popular in Vilnius traditional beer bars, as well as trendy bars with local character.
- Often you will find atmospheric gardens and intimate interiors, where you just want to spend an evening with a pint in your hand.
🌙 Vilnius is an ideal stop for those looking for a tranquility, good price and real Lithuanian climate - And for that delicious beer without the bloat.
4️⃣ Bratislava - cheaper than its neighbors (4th place)
🇸🇰 Bratislava is an often overlooked capital of Europe, especially by those staying in Vienna. And that's a shame - because it is here The beer tastes good and costs surprisingly little, especially for a city just an hour's drive from the Austrian capital.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 1,80-2,50 €
In the center you will find establishments where half a liter of beer costs about 2 euros, but outside the tourist streets you can hit the offers for as little as €1.50.
🍻 What does one drink in Bratislava?
- Popular brands include. Zlatý Bažant, Šariš, Kaltenecker - A light lager, ideal for Slovak snacks.
- More and more places are also offering kraft beers from local mini-breweries, and some pubs even brew their own beer on site.
🏰 Why is it worth a look here?
- Bratislava has the charm of a small, medieval city with a soul, but at the same time offers a modern bars and cozy gardens.
- Its proximity to Austria and Hungary makes it a great stop on a beer tour through Central Europe.
🍺 Summary: if you are looking for a place where The beer is good, cheap and served without being touristy bloated, Bratislava will not disappoint you.
3️⃣ Belgrade - Balkan party and cold beer (3rd place)
🇷🇸 Belgrade is a city that never sleeps. It is famous for its nightlife, loud parties and atmospheric bars that can bustle with music until dawn. But what about the beer? Fortunately -. is cheap, well chilled and ubiquitous.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 1,50-2,20 €
In local bars and on Sava's waterfront, you'll often pay less than 200 dinars - or approx. 1,70 €. In less touristy places it is sometimes even cheaper.
🍻 Serbian beer scene
- Most commonly served are brands such as Jelen, Lav, Zaječarsko - light, classic lagers.
- Belgrade is also developing a craft scene, with more and more bars offering kraft beers Brewed locally, often in small breweries near the city.
🎶 Where to go for a beer?
- Skadarlija - An atmospheric cobblestone street with traditional pubs and lively music.
- Splavy - That is, the famous bar-clubs on boats, moored on rivers. There beer tastes best with a view of the sunset and the dancing scene.
🔥 Belgrade is the perfect city for those who want to Drink good and cheap beer, and then... don't go back to the hotel too early.
2️⃣ Tirana - Albanian alternative (2nd place)
🇦🇱 Tirana is for many still terra incognita on the beer map of Europe, but whoever gets there once, quickly learns that the Albania has its beer assets - And at a very affordable price.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 1,20-1,80 €
In the Albanian capital, a beer in a bar can cost as much as a bottle of water in Western Europe. In local pubs outside the city center, you'll even end up with a prices under 1 euro!
🍻 What do Albanians drink?
- Local brands like Tirana Beer, Korça, whether Stela, are served almost everywhere.
- Most are light lagers, great for hot days - and there's no shortage of those in Tirana.
- An increasing number of pubs are also featuring kraft beers - A young but rapidly growing scene.
☀️ Why is it worth it?
- Beer in Tirana is best enjoyed in a bar with plastic chairs, where no one is in a hurry and locals play dominoes.
- In the evenings, life goes on in the streets, and the climate of southern Europe in conjunction with low prices attracts backpackers and explorers.
🇦🇱 Tirana is one of the Europe's cheapest beer cities - inconspicuous, but very authentic.
1️⃣ Sofia - the cheapest beer in Europe (1st place)
🇧🇬 Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, unquestionably wins the title of the cheapest beer in a European pub. Although it is not the most popular tourist destination, for thrifty lovers of the golden beverage it is veritable paradise.
🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 0,90-1,50 €
Yes, that's no mistake - in many bars in Sofia, beer costs less than... 1 euro. Even in the city center you will find establishments where half a liter is served for ca. 2-3 Bulgarian left.
🍻 What is worth trying?
- The most popular brands are Kamenitza, Zagorka, Ariana - A light, refreshing lager at the perfect temperature.
- In recent years it has also developed craftsmen stage - New breweries are springing up in Sofia offering IPYs, stouts and other new-wave styles.
🪑 Where to drink beer?
- Around Vitosha Street - the main promenade - is teeming with pubs with gardens where you can enjoy a beer overlooking the mountains.
- In cellar bars and cheap bistros, beer is often served with local snacks, such as. banicą whether kebabs.
🌄 Sofia not only surprises with its price, but also with its unhurried climate, hospitality and a local atmosphere that makes even cheap beer taste better than in many a European metropolis.
Summary - where to drink cheaply and well?
🍻 If you thought cheap beer in the pub was a relic of the past - our list proves that. Europe still has a lot to offer gold liquor lovers. From sunny Lisbon to Bulgaria's Sofia, from the beer capital of Prague to the unremarkable Tirana. cheap and tasty beer in the pub is still a viable option, and not just in Eastern Europe.
🗺️ What is worth remembering?
- W western capitals beer prices can make your head spin, but the farther east you go - the lighter bill and equally good taste.
- Local brands are often cheaper and fresher than imported classics - it's worth giving them a chance.
- The atmosphere of the pub, the view from behind the table and the company are just as important as the contents of the pint - and sometimes more important 😉 .
🏆 The cheapest beer? Definitely Sofia - There, beer costs less than mineral water in Paris.
💎 The biggest vibe? Prague, Belgrade and Budapest will certainly not disappoint.
🧭 The biggest surprise? Tirana and Vilnius - little-known but very beer-oriented destinations.
Finally, one thing: whatever the price - drink responsibly and enjoy the journey. Because the best beer is the one you remember not only from the bill, but also from the atmosphere of the place where you drank it. 🍺✈️
