Festivals send accommodation costs soaring

It will surely come as no surprise for anyone heading to the Fringe next month, but Edinburgh has been named the most expensive place in Europe to stay this summer.

The median cost of a night in a holiday rental in the Scottish capital is £451 – almost four times as much as the cheapest of the 50 destinations surveyed, Murcia in Spain, where the average cost is £107 a night.

At No 2 – and ten per cent cheaper than Edinburgh – is the ancient Mallorcan town of  Pollensa, packed with ancient blonde stone architecture, charming narrow streets  an impressive main square, lined with cafés, restaurants and bars.

Spanish destinations fill out the rest of the list – compiled by holiday rental company  Holidu –  except for the Cypriot resort of Porters at No5.

It is 50 per cent more expensive to stay in Edinburgh than London, where the researchers found the average night cost £291. The cheapest UK place in their survey was Saundersfoot in South Wales, at £200 a night.

Most expensive European holiday rentals 2026

1. Edinburgh  £451

2. Pollença £409

3. San Sebastian £391

4. Alcúdia £377

5. Protaras £336

6. Palma £324

7.  Jávea £306

8. Marbella £297

9. Barcelona £297

10. Sóller £292

Published: 15 Jul 2026