Europe’s most affordable destinations for an Aperol Spritz have been revealed in a new analysis, with Italy claiming both the cheapest and some of the most expensive places to enjoy the iconic orange cocktail.
The annual Aperol Spritz Index, compiled by travel money specialist eurochange, ranks 38 popular European holiday destinations based on the average price of the drink. Researchers calculated the averages using the menus of the top three search results for “the best Aperol Spritz in” each destination, offering travellers a snapshot of where they can enjoy the classic Italian aperitivo without overspending.
Naples topped the list as the most affordable city in Europe for an Aperol Spritz, with an average price of just €2. According to the analysis, Palermo followed in second place at €4, while Bulgaria’s Black Sea cities of Varna and Burgas ranked third and fourth, with average prices of €4.75 and €4.92, respectively. Marmaris, Türkiye, rounded out the top five, where the cocktail costs an average of €6.32.
The rest of the top 10 included Saranda in Albania (€6.71), Gran Canaria in Spain (€7.26), Zadar in Croatia (€7.27), Florence in Italy (€7.33), and Dhermi in Albania (€7.46).
The findings highlight that travellers do not necessarily have to avoid Italy to find budget-friendly aperitivo experiences. In fact, the birthplace of both pizza and the Aperol Spritz dominates the rankings at the lower end of the price scale, with Naples offering the lowest average price in Europe.
At the opposite end of the ranking, however, Italy is also home to Europe’s most expensive Aperol Spritz. Milan recorded the highest average price at €16.66 per glass, while Rome followed with prices hovering around €14, making both cities significantly costlier than their southern counterparts.
Several other European destinations also stand out for offering relatively affordable aperitivo experiences. In Portugal, Faro is the cheapest location, with an average Aperol Spritz price of €7.70, while Kefalonia ranks as Greece’s most affordable destination at €7.50. In Montenegro, Budva records an average price of €8.83, and Montpellier is the least expensive city in France, where the cocktail costs around €9.00 on average. Although these destinations did not make the overall top 10, they remain among the better-value options for travellers looking to enjoy the popular cocktail across Europe.
With prices varying from just €2 in Naples to more than €16 in Milan, the research suggests that choosing the right destination could mean paying more than eight times as much for the same signature summer cocktail.
The index arrives as the Aperol Spritz continues to be one of Europe’s defining summer drinks. Those who enjoy the famous Italian aperitivo may want to use the ranking to help plan their next summer getaway.
