If you're planning a European summer escape and the Aperol Spritz is on your agenda, geography matters more than you might think. A fresh analysis has mapped out where this beloved Italian aperitivo stays light on your wallet and where it'll drain your travel budget faster than you can say "cin cin."
The findings come from the annual Aperol Spritz Index compiled by travel money specialist eurochange, which surveyed 38 popular European holiday destinations. Researchers looked at the top-ranked spots for the drink in each city, building a real-world picture of what you'll actually pay when you belly up to the bar.
Where to Find the Best Deals
Naples dominates the budget end of this ranking, offering Aperol Spritzes for an average of just €2. That's almost absurdly cheap for one of Europe's most recognizable cocktails. Palermo, Sicily's vibrant capital, comes in second at €4, while Bulgaria's Black Sea cities steal the spotlight with even more compelling prices. Varna sits at €4.75 and Burgas at €4.92, making the Bulgarian coast a serious contender for budget-conscious travelers seeking summer warmth and value.
The rest of the top ten reads like a roadmap for savvy drinkers. Marmaris in Turkey averages €6.32. Albania's Saranda and Dhermi round out the upper tier at €6.71 and €7.46 respectively. Spain's Gran Canaria (€7.26), Croatia's Zadar (€7.27), and Florence (€7.33) all land in the affordable zone. Notably, Italy doesn't abandon you once you head south and east. The birthplace of the Aperol Spritz itself remains one of Europe's best-value destinations for enjoying it.
Beyond the headline top ten, good deals exist if you know where to look. Faro in Portugal averages €7.70, while Greece's Kefalonia comes in at €7.50. Montenegro's Budva sits at €8.83, and Montpellier in southern France offers respectable value at around €9 per drink.
The Price Shock Up North
Here's where the story gets uncomfortable. Milan, Italy's glitzy fashion capital, charges an average of €16.66 for the same drink you'd nurse in Naples for €2. Rome isn't far behind at around €14. That's more than eight times the price for identical spirit, prosecco, and Aperol.
This gap reveals something travelers should understand about European pricing: major cities with heavy tourism, high rents, and aspirational brands will squeeze you on aperitivos just as they do on everything else. When Europe's dream destinations see peak summer demand, prices in the hottest spots climb accordingly.
Planning Your Spritz Strategy
The smart move is factoring this into your itinerary. If you're island-hopping or doing a southern European circuit, ordering the same drink in Naples instead of Milan represents real savings that add up fast. A week in southern Italy or the Balkans stretches a modest budget much further than the usual suspects. You're not compromising on experience, either. The cocktail itself doesn't improve for costing eight times as much.
For those planning train journeys across borders, knowing these price variations also helps you plan rest stops strategically. A long journey through Italy becomes less draining on your wallet if you time your aperitivo breaks for smaller cities rather than major hubs.
The Aperol Spritz Index reminds us that summer travel in Europe doesn't require choosing between good drinks and financial prudence. It just requires choosing the right town to enjoy them in. Naples, take a bow.
