Poland is Europe's best value culture destination - topping Prague and Amsterdam, it was claimed yesterday.

Culture vultures should pick the Polish capital if they want the best bargain for an arts and entertainment short break, according to a survey by Post Office Travel.

While Warsaw provided the least expensive culture break, London was the priciest of the 10 international cities in the study, which were judged on the cost of trips to museums, galleries and heritage sites.

Even though some London attractions were free, such as the Tate Modern, a cultural weekend in the capital would set visitors back £308.30.

This compared with a mere £75.28 for Warsaw and just £103.52 for Prague.

Warsaw is rich in visitor attractions. Few know that it has more than 30 major theatres, including the National Theatre, founded in 1765.

A visit to the Polish National Opera at Teatr Wielki cost just £24.12, compared with £137 for London's Royal Opera House.

Helen Warburton, Post Office head of travel, said: "We based our report on the idea that culture vultures will want to pack in two gallery visits a day over a three-day break and spend evenings out at music-based events."

Visiting Buckingham Palace (£28.50) compared unfavourably with Rome's Colosseum, Forum & Palatine (£9.15), Prague Castle (£8.80) or the Chateau of Versailles, outside Paris (£16.64).

The next dearest city after London was New York, where the attractions would cost a visitor £260.64 - just a little more than Barcelona at £259.31.

TOP FIVE WARSAW ATTRACTIONS

The Teatr Wielki
Opera company and theatre on historic Teatralny Square. Rebuilt after WWII bombings.

Palace of Culture
Built by 3500 Soviet workers, with the world's highest clock tower.

Lazienki Park
Home of Chopin's Monument with amphitheatre and palace.

National Museum
Treasures include artwork and antiques, including exhibits of Witkacy and Chwistek.

Museum of Caricature
Unique gallery of satires, caricatures and cartoons.