Travellers looking for a budget European destination in 2012 may want to consider visiting Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Both Croatian cities were listed in the Price of Travel’s European Backpacker Index 2012 which features forty major European cities by price.  

Croatian capital Zagreb was ranked 9th on the list. Price of Travel says that the city is a worthwhile stop on the way to one of the coastal towns in Croatia, advising travellers to visit soon as the city is developing quickly. Daily The Daily Backpacker Index daily rate for Zagreb is $43.64 a day.

Dubrovnik was ranked 21st on the list and described as still pricey beach resort when compared to the rest of the region, but bargain in terms of prices in neighbouring Italy. It is definitely worth a visit, although it may be out of the way for some travellers, indicates Price of travel.  

The Daily Backpacker Index daily rate for Zagreb is $43.64 a day, and for Dubrovnik US$67.77 a day. The prices include budget accommodation, transport, meals, drinks/entertainment and attractions.

Sofia took the top spot as the cheapest destination in Europe (US$23.71/day), followed by Krakow (US$23.83/day) and Budapest (US$30.05/day). Zurich (US$118.78/day), Oslo (US$103.51/day), and Stockholm (US$96.37/day) are the three most expensive cities on the list.  

“Prices have climbed at least slightly in most European cities during the past year,” said Roger Wade who runs the Price of Travel website that compiles the Backpacker Index. "But Americans should be happy to know that a recent surge in the value of the U.S. dollar has actually made most of Europe cheaper than it has been in a few years." 

Price of Travel is a database of travel costs in every major destination around the world. Launched in early 2010, the site now features over 110 cities, with information for each listing accommodation, transportation, attraction, food, and drink prices.