Top 10 European capitals where you will pay the most expensive for a beer in a pub

Introduction: Why do beer prices attract tourists' attention?

For many travelers, a pint of beer in a local pub is more than just a drink - it's part of the culture, a way to relax for a while and often... a test of the wallet. Whether you're celebrating an evening in a stylish pub in central London or quenching your thirst after a walk through the fjords in Oslo, the price of beer can surprise. Sometimes pleasantly, sometimes - painfully.

That's why comparing the price of golden liquor has become an informal indicator of the cost of living and the level of tourist spending. In this list we take a look at ten European capitals where beer in a pub costs the most. We conduct the ranking from place 10 to 1, where Place 1 is an absolute price record.

Ready for a journey through Europe's most expensive pints? Here we go!

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Ranking methodology: what, where and for how much? 🍺💶

Before we dive into the foam of Europe's most expensive pints, it's worth explaining, on which basis this ranking was based. After all, it's not about the cheapest beer from a discount store or a promotion in the hotel minibar. The focus is on what interests most tourists: How much you'll pay for a regular beer in a typical pub In the capital of the country in question.

📏 What are we comparing?
Average price of beer with capacity 0.5 liter (or similar - e.g., a 0.47-liter pint in the UK) in popular establishments: pubs, bars, restaurants. We took into account data from current price comparisons, consumer reports and travelers' experiences.

📍 Where?
Only capitals of European countries, because they are the ones that most often appear in travelers' plans - and that's where prices can surprise the most.

💶 For how much?
All prices are quoted in eurosto easily compare them, even if the local currency is crowns, pounds or forints.

This is not a ranking of the beer quality, the atmosphere of the pub or the width of the bartender's smile 😉 - what matters here is the hard price at the bar. And now... let's move on to the 10-1 places!

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🔟 Brussels - the kingdom of beer and... high prices (10th place)

🇧🇪 Brussels, the beer capital of Belgium and the beer culture of Europe, is a place where beer is treated with devout reverence. Here you'll find hundreds of varieties, from monastic trappistas to sour lambics and refreshing witbiers. However, you have to pay for this variety and tradition - sometimes quite a lot.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 3,50-6,00 €
In the tourist center, especially around the Grand Place, prices often exceed €5, and specialty and craft beers can cost even more.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Trappist monastery beers: Chimay, Orval, Westmalle - strong and unique.
• Local lambics and gueuze: sour, wild, perfect for something other than lager.
• Kraft hits from microbreweries like Brasserie de la Senne and Brussels Beer Project.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• The legendary Delirium Café - with more than 2,000 labels to choose from.
• Hidden pubs in the narrow streets next to Manneken Pis and less obvious beer bars in the Saint-Géry district.
• Quieter, local bars outside the center - more atmospheric and kinder to the wallet.

🌆 Brussels is a beer eldorado that costs its own, however. But if you're a foodie and like to discover new styles, it's one of the best places in Europe - even if the bill will make you a little dizzy.

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9️⃣ Paris - the city of love and... expensive pints (9th place)

🇫🇷 Paris is the romantic capital of the world, but it may be less kind to beer drinkers. The French traditionally rely on wine, so Beer in pubs here can be a bit "exotic" - and priced like a luxury. Although the choice is growing, especially in trendy neighborhoods, prices are not among the lowest.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 5,00-7,00 €
In pubs near the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, even a regular lager can cost €8, and kraft beers even more. On the other hand, happy hours are the time to hunt for bargains.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Increasingly popular French krafts like Gallia, BAPBAP and Paname Brewing.
• Local interpretations of IPAs, wheat beers and beers with added fruit.
• Belgian classics - very present in Parisian cards.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Oberkampf district - a paradise for fans of independent breweries and trendy bars.
• Canal Saint-Martin - picturesque pubs with gardens and views of the water.
• Marais and Bastille - more atmospheric and slightly cheaper than the tourist center.

🌆 Paris is a city of flavors, where the beer may be a less obvious choice, but you're sure to find something special here. However, you must prepare yourself for the fact that you will pay more for a pint than for a glass of wine.

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8️⃣ Amsterdam - freedom, bikes and beer with a price tag (8th place)

🇳🇱 Amsterdam is a city that is associated with looseness, canals and... freedom in all forms - including beer. The Dutch capital has a long brewing tradition and plenty of pubs, but unfortunately not one of the cheapest places on the beer map of Europe.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 5,00-7,50 €
A regular lager in the tourist center can cost as much as €8, while kraft beer in trendy establishments can cost much more. It can be cheaper on the outskirts or in bars with happy hours.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Local breweries: Brouwerij 't IJ, Oedipus, De Prael - offer beers with character and often have their own pubs.
• Dutch classics like Heineken, Amstel and Grolsch - although global, still popular in the country.
• Experimental beers with additives (flowers, spices, wine barrels).

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Brouwerij 't IJ brewery by the windmill - local atmosphere and great beers on site.
• Jordaan and De Pijp districts - full of atmospheric bars and pubs.
• So-called "bruin cafés" - traditional Dutch pubs with wooden decor and a nostalgic atmosphere.

🌆 Amsterdam is the perfect city for a beer adventure - but your wallet may suffer a bit. However, if you like krafts, beer experiments and a pleasant atmosphere, you'll be in your element.

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7️⃣ Luxembourg - small country, big price for beer (7th place)

🇱🇺 Luxembourg, one of Europe's smallest capitals, often escapes the attention of tourists, but if you do end up here - get your wallet ready. Although beer is not as popular here as in neighboring Germany or Belgium, its price can surprise, especially in elegant establishments and restaurants.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 5,50-7,00 €
In the center of the capital, prices hover around 6 euros for 0.5 liters, and in hotel bars or on more prestigious streets even more. On the other hand - the quality of service and products usually does not disappoint.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Local brands such as Bofferding, Battin and Simon - these are mild-tasting beers, ideal for starting out.
• Artisanal offerings from small breweries such as Totenhopfen and Béierhaascht.
• Belgian and German classics that often feature in beer cards.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Place d'Armes and the surrounding area - full of restaurants and bars with gardens.
• Clausen district - trendy and entertaining, ideal for evening outings.
• Brewery with restaurant Béierhaascht in nearby Bascharage - a combination of local cuisine and locally brewed beer.

🌆 Luxembourg is the place where The beer is not the cheapest, but it is drunk in an elegant style. Ideal for those who appreciate order, silence and... classy beer.

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6️⃣ Helsinki - cool Finland, hot prices (6th place)

🇫🇮 Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a place where you'll pay more for a pint of beer than for a decent lunch in many European countries. 🥶🍺 High taxes on alcohol, strict sales regulations and a generally expensive life make it Beer in the pub is a luxurious pleasure here.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 6,00-8,00 €
In the center and trendy establishments, the price quietly exceeds €7, and in clubs and hotel restaurants even €9. Promotions? Rarely, but sometimes you can hit happy hours.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Popular Finnish brands: Karhu, Koff, Lapin Kulta - classic lagers with a fine profile.
• Kraft breweries like Stadin Panimo, CoolHead Brew and Olarin Panimo - getting bolder and more recognized in Europe.
• Beers with wild fruits, birch or juniper - Finnish flair in a bottle.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Kallio district - alternative, laid-back, with many bars and local character.
• Iso Roobertinkatu Street - trendy pubs and pubs with a kraft selection.
• Summer gardens on the bay - short season, but beautiful views and good atmosphere.

🌆 In Helsinki beer costs a lot, but the atmosphere of drinking is unique - calm, intimate, unhurried. The perfect place for a slow sip amidst Scandinavian minimalism.

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5️⃣ Dublin - home of Guinness and solid bills (5th place)

🇮🇪 Dublin is a mecca for beer lovers, especially those who dream of drinking fresh Guinness straight from the keg. 🍀 However, the romantic vision of a pint at the bar often ends with a look full of wonder... at the bill. Irish pubs have soul - but they have no mercy on the wallet.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 6,00-8,50 €
The most common price for a Guinness is €6.50-7.00, but in the trendy Temple Bar or Grafton Street pubs you'll pay as much as €8.50. In less touristy neighborhoods you can hit cheaper - but rarely.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Guinness - a must, preferably at the original Gravity Bar overlooking the city.
• Smithwick's - red but with a history.
• Local krafts: O'Hara's, Porterhouse, Galway Bay - an increasingly strong craft scene.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Temple Bar - legendary and... legendary prices. Worth it once, for the atmosphere.
• Stoneybatter district - more local, with interesting bars and lower prices.
• The Brazen Head - Ireland's oldest pub, with soul and history since 1198.

🌆 Dublin is the perfect place for a beer pilgrimage -. But it's a good idea to budget in advance. Here, each beer is not only a taste, but also an experience - albeit often an expensive one.

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4️⃣ Copenhagen - hygge has its price (4th place)

🇩🇰 Copenhagen is the capital of style, design and... some of the of the most expensive pubs in Europe. Although Danes love their beer and "hygge" culture, for a night out with friends here you often have to pay like for a whole weekend in another country. 😅🍺

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 7,00-9,00 €
In the city center, especially in popular bars and tourist spots, beer prices can reach up to €10. At happy hours it is sometimes possible to snag €1-2, but this is still one of the most expensive capitals in Europe in terms of golden liquor.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• The iconic Carlsberg and Tuborg - known all over the world, but the freshly poured version is worth trying.
• Mikkeller and To Øl - two flagship Danish craft breweries renowned for their innovative styles.
• Sour ales, spiced beers, barrel aged - Copenhagen is beer creativity at its best.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Mikkeller Bar - a classic of the genre and a mecca for craft fans.
• Vesterbro district - trendy, hipster, full of bars and small breweries.
• Nyhavn - colorful townhouses, canal views and beer for the price of luxury (literally and figuratively).

🌆 Copenhagen is a real A beer spa for the senses - and a workout for the wallet. But if you're not afraid of high prices, you'll be immersed in one of the most advanced beer cultures in Europe.

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3️⃣ London - the capital of pints and empty wallets (3rd place)

🇬🇧 London is a mecca of pub culture - pints, carpets, dark wood and the sound of clinking pints are almost a national ritual for the British. 🍻 But alas, modern London is also one of the most expensive places in Europe for a quiet beer after work. Especially if you are a tourist without a local salary.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: £6.00-8.00 (approx. €7.00-9.50)
In the inner city (e.g., Soho, Covent Garden, City) prices can exceed €9. It can be cheaper in chain pubs (like Wetherspoons) and outside the center, but it's commonly said that "a pint for a fiver" is history.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Classic English ales, bitters and stouts - full of flavor, often with lower alcohol content.
• London Pride, Doom Bar, or Timothy Taylor's - iconic brands on tap.
• Craft beers from breweries like Beavertown, Camden Town, and Brew By Numbers.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Traditional pubs in the neighborhoods of Camden, Notting Hill or Shoreditch - some go for the climate, others for the people.
• Borough Market - something for gourmets, with good food and kraft beer.
• Pubs along the Thames - with water views and an atmosphere like a movie (but with a price like a luxury hotel).

🌆 London is a place where A pint of beer is not just a drink, but a lifestyle. Unfortunately - this style is not among the cheapest. But for a true pub atmosphere, it's sometimes worth turning a blind eye ... and wallet.

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2️⃣ Reykjavik - a beer extravaganza on the edge of Europe (2nd place)

🇮🇸 Reykjavik is one of the most unusual places on the beer map of Europe - not only because of its location and climate, but also... extremely high alcohol prices. For many years beer was banned (!) in Iceland, and today - despite legalization - it is still treated almost like a luxury good.

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 9,00-11,00 €
In downtown Reykjavik, prices can reach as high as €12-13, especially on weekend evenings. At happy hours you can sometimes pay €6-8, but that's still much more than in most of Europe.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Local breweries like Einstök, Borg Brugghús, Kaldi and Ölgerðin - offer great lagers, IPAs and seasonal beers.
• Experimental beers made from Icelandic ingredients - for example, hopped with volcanic smoke or lichen.
• Classic styles in Icelandic - fresh, often less bitter, very drinkable.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Laugavegur - the main street with lots of pubs and bars.
• BrewDog Reykjavik - perfect for fans of kraft and industrial interiors.
• MicroBar - famous for its selection of beers from small breweries and frequent tap rotation.

🌆 Reykjavik is the place to be. You'll pay for a beer like a bottle of wine elsewhere - But the climate, views and uniqueness of this city make even this expensive sip taste like an adventure.

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1️⃣ Oslo - the capital where beer costs like dinner (1st place)

🇳🇴 Oslo is a beautiful, modern city surrounded by fjords, greenery and a high standard of living. Unfortunately, This standard also translates into pub prices, and beer ... well - it can cost more here than a good main course in another European capital. 😮🍺

🍺 The average price of a pint in a pub: 10,00-13,00 €
In trendy establishments and the city center, prices often reach €14-15, especially on weekend evenings. Even the simplest lager in a chain bar costs more here than kraft in many other countries.

🍻 What is worth trying?

• Local beers Aass, Ringnes or Frydenlund - classics in Norwegian style.
• Craft breweries like Lervig, Amundsen and Nøgne Ø - offering rich and often very strong beers.
• Beers with added berries, pine or coffee - Norwegians are not afraid to experiment.

🏛️ Where to drink beer?

• Grünerløkka - an artistic district with independent bars and a good beer scene.
• Vulkan and Mathallen - modern spaces with top-notch beer and food.
• Bar Vulkanfisk - for those who want a combination of fish, a river view and a good IPA (albeit at a painful price).

🌆 Oslo is the absolute number one when it comes to The most expensive beer in European capitals. But if you treat a pint as part of the adventure - and prepare mentally for the bill - it could be one of the most special evenings of your life.

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🏆 Summary: Where does beer cost the most?

European capitals differ in language, climate and cuisine - but one thing they increasingly have in common: the high price of beer in the pub. Our ranking showed that for a pint in the tourist center you can pay from € 2 ... up to € 15! 🍺💸

📊 Top 10 European capitals with the most expensive beer in the pub (from place 10 to 1):

1️⃣ Oslo (Norway) - 10,00-13,00 €
2️⃣ Reykjavik (Iceland) - 9,00-11,00 €
3️⃣ London (UK) - 7,00-9,50 €
4️⃣ Copenhagen (Denmark) - 7,00-9,00 €
5️⃣ Dublin (Ireland) - 6,00-8,50 €
6️⃣ Helsinki (Finland) - 6,00-8,00 €
7️⃣ Luxembourg (Luxembourg) - 5,50-7,00 €
8️⃣ Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 5,00-7,50 €
9️⃣ Paris (France) - 5,00-7,00 €
🔟 Brussels (Belgium) - 3,50-6,00 €

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🔍 What affects prices?
- High taxes on alcohol (Scandinavia!)
- Earnings and cost of living
- Tourist popularity of the city center
- Drinking style - in some countries beer is a social ritual, in others a luxury

🍻 Is it worth it?
Although in many capitals today a pint of beer costs as much as dinner, The atmosphere of local pubs, the quality of the beer and the unique venues often compensate for the high price. And for lovers of golden liquor - it's an experience that's hard to put a price on.