Picturesque city with amazing food is 'cheapest' for holidaymakers on a budget

It's no surprise that like most other things these days, are getting more and more expensive. Flights, baggage and accommodation can all add up pretty quickly, not to mention the money you'll need to spend while you're there.

And while this is true for a lot of holiday destinations, there are a few real gems that don't cost the earth - with one picturesque spot being deemed the most affordable of them all.

Istanbul, the largest city in , is the perfect location for your next cheap getaway. That's according to the experts at who analysed 30 of the most visited cities across the globe to reveal the best budget-friendly destinations for an autumn getaway.

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The research compares factors like the average cost of a meal, a public transport ticket, Airbnb rates, and even the number of Instagram posts, unveiling the top picturesque city breaks that won’t break the bank - with Istanbul coming out on top.

Here, visitors can enjoy a meal out for an average of £7.31, the most affordable option among the travel destinations. The cost of a one-way transport ticket is just 43p, making it extremely affordable to explore the city's many attractions.

Istanbul boasts the third-most affordable Airbnb rates, with an average nightly cost of £68. There are 132,369,288 Instagram posts tagged ‘#istanbul’, ranking it third in this category as well.

Istanbul, which lies on two continents but is considered a European city, is home to centuries of rich history and plenty of breathtaking sights to discover. For example, the Hagia Sophia mosque - which was once the largest interior space in the world - combines both Muslim and Christian culture through amazing architecture and artwork all homed within an impressive dome.

You'll also want to pay a visit to the popular Grand Bazaar market, which was built by the Ottomans shortly after they conquered the city in 1453.

Here you'll find a huge array of stalls selling the likes of soaps, spices, trinkets, carpets and clothes, with an unmissable buzz about the place that you won't want to miss out on.

And another activity that'll allow you to really marvel at the architecture is taking a cruise along the Bosphorus, which is a narrow strait of water that divides the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.

Turkish cuisine is one of the most famous in the world, so on your trip to Istanbul it's definitely worth sampling some local delicacies - and there are certainly plenty of them. For example, börek is a filo pastry that's often eaten at breakfast time, filled with meat, cheese or vegetables.

For something to eat on the go, lamachun is worth a try - it's a traditional Turkish street food dish similar to a pizza topped with tomatoes and spicy ground beef or lamb.

And for dessert, be sure to sample a halka tatlisi. These are similar to the churros you'd find in Spain, but sweeter, and you'll find these at one of the many food markets in Istanbul.