A seaside dinner, overnight stay or beverage can vary widely in price based on the chosen summer getaway location.

Euronews Business reviewed Eurostat figures on price levels for multiple items and services to assess costs in seven leading European vacation countries.

The data represent countrywide averages rather than specific trip expenses. Tourist areas often charge more. For instance, lodging rates differ between Athens and Kos, yet both factor into Greece's overall average.

Seven nations are included in the review.

General Price Levels: Turkey Leads as Lowest Cost

Various indices measure expenses for items like meals, beverages, apparel and lodging. The household final consumption expenditure index captures broad consumer pricing.

Essentially, if a standard set of goods and services averages €100 across the EU, what is the cost elsewhere?

Turkey ranks as the most affordable overall across over 2,000 items and services. The same basket at €100 in the EU totals just €59.6 there, or 40.4% under the EU norm.

France tops the group at €100.3, slightly over the EU benchmark. The other five fall below: Italy at €97.1, Spain at €91.6, Greece at €87.4, Portugal at €86.6 and Croatia at €78.4.

Where Do Hotels and Restaurants Offer the Best Rates?

Eurostat's category for restaurants and hotels tracks dining and accommodation expenses, highly relevant for visitors.

France leads as priciest at an index of 116, with Italy next at 110.8. Thus, a comparable set of services costs €116 in France and €110.8 in Italy when the EU average equals €100.

Portugal offers the lowest at €73.6, or 26.4% under the EU average. Turkey follows under 80 at 78.3.

Croatia at 89.6 edges above Greece at 86.1 and Spain at 85.4.

Turkey and Spain Fall Below EU Average on Food Costs

Food pricing stays fairly consistent among the seven, except for Turkey.

France ranks highest, though just 7.9% over the EU average. A food basket at €100 EU-wide reaches €107.9 in France.

Turkey's equivalent basket totals €75.6. Spain alone joins below the EU mark at €94.6, with others slightly higher.

Alcohol Prices in Turkey Exceed Twice the EU Average

Alcohol shows one of the widest gaps in the review.

Turkey emerges as the clear leader in expense: drinks surpass twice the EU average at an index of 210.2. Greece follows at 154, then Croatia at 133.9.

Italy offers the lowest at 81.9, and Spain stays under the EU average at 90.1. France and Portugal sit near the benchmark at 100.9 and 107.1.

Non-alcoholic beverages show milder variation, from 81.8 in Italy to 133.5 in Croatia.

Turkey Offers Far Lower Tobacco Prices

Tobacco costs span widely, from €25.4 in Turkey to €191.1 in France. Remaining countries stay under the EU average, though none approach Turkey's level. Croatia ranks next lowest at €64.6.

Public transport proves cheapest in Turkey at €68.3 versus the EU average of €100. Only France tops it at €112.8.

Portugal, Spain and Croatia hover near €80, with Greece just under the EU norm.

Seafood Pricing Shows Little Variation

Seafood enthusiasts visiting southern Europe encounter modest differences, from €95.4 in Portugal to €112.7 in Greece.

Income levels are excluded from these figures. Thus, visitors from higher-earning nations may notice smaller gaps than those from lower-income areas.