The best-value beach breaks in Europe this summer
We've crunched the numbers, so you don't have to. In the hunt for the ultimate bargain, I've compared the cost of 30 of the continent's go-to coastal getaways – whether for independently booked trips, or package holidays arranged through an agent.
In this guide:
Methodology
Europe's best-value beach breaks
Europe's most expensive beach breaks
Choosing flights
Costs on the ground
What about the school summer holidays?
Best-value package holidays for under £2,543 per family
Methodology
When researching the costs of the below holidays, strict parameters were set to keep things fair. All travel dates are from July 5 to 12, 2025, to avoid most school holidays in England and Wales, where term ends in late July. Kids in Scotland, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal are let loose in June. If you can't avoid the crossover weeks when schools are out, skip to What about the school summer holidays?
Skyscanner was used for flight prices, based on direct routes from any London airport (returning to the same one). These are hand-luggage only, so add £20-40 per person if you're bringing a suitcase. While cheaper, 'red-eye' flights can be horrendous – so I filtered outward departures from 10am–4pm, and inward 10am–5.30pm. This wasn't possible in six instances, so I chose the most reasonable times. From these, the lowest fare was selected.
For hotels Booking.com was used, filtering the results to four-star beachfront with a pool, and a review score of at least 8/10. The lowest-price hotel was then selected, based on two adults (no kids) sharing a double room with breakfast included.
It's easy to lower costs by opting for self-catering, or compromising on location or reviews, but for the sake of fairness (and a decent holiday) I adhered to the above criteria. Special offers or discounts were also included – if applicable to all customers.
These prices were researched on 25 April, 10 weeks before the travel dates. As is often the case, the longer you leave it to book, the more prices are likely to rise.
Finally, the search was focused on 30 key coastal areas in Europe's top holiday regions – including Turkey, as almost all travel insurance providers cover it on their Europe-specific policies (check yours before booking, though). While lower-cost European destinations are certainly available, this is about getting great value from go-to locations – not 'making do' with somewhere because it's cheap. You're on holiday, after all.
Europe's best-value beach breaks
Bravo, Spain! It dominates the top 10 best-value holidays, with Lanzarote in second place (£701pp for one week), Galicia in third (£711pp), Tenerife in ninth (£775pp) and Majorca in 10th (£796.50pp).
But the Turkish Riviera is the winner at £576pp – that's £125 cheaper than second-place Lanzarote. Even more impressive, the lowest-cost hotel that fits our search parameters in Antalya is actually all-inclusive. It's heavily reduced by 65 per cent on stays until September 30 – and flights are just £131pp, the fourth cheapest in our survey. Many other hotels in Antalya also offered extraordinary value, with similarly significant discounts.
Why are Spain and Turkey offering such excellent value? In Antalya's case, the reason is twofold: the local tourism industry is booming (in 2024 it welcomed 19.3 million tourists according to Euromonitor, ahead of Dubai and Paris), which drives prices down and booking incentives up. Equally, sterling continues to enjoy a favourable exchange rate against Turkish lira and local operating costs are also low.
Meanwhile, Spain's enduring popularity with UK holidaymakers means that competition between hotels and airlines is ruthless, keeping prices reasonable. On flight fares alone, Spain appears six times in the top 10, with Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, coming in cheapest at £114pp return. And remember, that's with sensible flight timings: no red-eye required.
In Cyprus, Paphos also benefits from high demand and availability alongside a low local cost of living: it's seventh place, at £760pp for a week. Meanwhile, Rhodes balances pricier flights (£232pp) with cheaper accommodation – a week's B&B accommodation in Lindos costs just £1,004 per couple – which evens out to an impressive fifth place (£734pp).
The top ten also highlights how travelling to a slightly lesser-known destination can open up excellent value, without compromising on standards.
Savvy travellers should look to Montenegro's Budva Riviera, which rivals Europe's pricier holiday hotspots (John Malkovich and Angelina Jolie are big fans, apparently), where a week in the sunshine costs just £714pp – fourth place in our rankings.
In Portugal, a week on the rather overlooked west coast in Sesimbra (sixth place, £735pp) is peanuts compared with the popular Algarve (26th place, £1,222.50pp). Not bad for a vast white-sand beach a stone's throw from the Tróia Peninsula – nicknamed 'the Hamptons of Portugal' for its boho-chic vibe and celebrity villa-owners, including Jose Mourinho and George Clooney.
If you prefer self-catering breaks, then you'll want to focus on the lowest-cost flights of our survey. Again, Spain dominates the top 10: after the aforementioned Malaga in first place, Ibiza (£126pp) and Majorca (£127pp) scoop second and third place, closely followed by the Costa Brava (£140pp, sixth), Tenerife (£153pp, seventh) and Lanzarote (£163pp, 10th). Antalya also offers tempting fares: from just £131pp return, in fourth place.
Interestingly for those sans enfants, three of the featured hotels are adults-only (in Ibiza, Tenerife and Croatia's Dalmatian Coast) – a reflection, no doubt, of the higher demand for family-friendly accommodation throughout summer. When searching, I also found that rooms with two single beds are sometimes cheaper than doubles: good news for solo parents, friends and couples who prefer to sleep apart.
Europe's most expensive beach breaks
It's a wooden spoon for France. Not only is Nice the most expensive destination surveyed (£1,674.50pp for a week's holiday – 30th place), but Île de Ré ranks 29th (£1,596.50pp) and Corsica is 27th (£1,277.50pp).
Flights to Corsica are the most expensive of all: at £474pp, they're £228 pricier than the average fare of £246pp – while Nice is just £276pp (£30 over), so you may be able to find better value if you're flexible with your accommodation wish-list.
Don't expect your sterling to stretch far on Sardinia, either: it takes 28th place (£1,451.50pp). Flights to the island are only £27 pricier than the average, but its hotel bill of £2,357 per couple is the third most expensive; a whopping £920 above the average of £1,437.
I expected Bulgaria to feature higher up the table, given that its Black Sea Riviera is quietly renowned for good-value sunny breaks. However, the price of return flights is slightly elevated (£300pp), and accommodation on Albena's long sandy beach costs £1,591 per couple for the week – again, above average. It is worth noting, though, that the cheapest hotel that fits my parameters is actually all-inclusive, so you'll save substantially on meals. Overall, a week in Albena ranks 23rd place for value, at £1,095.50pp – though you might argue that it deserves a higher spot.
Eagle-eyed readers will notice that Fethiye, in 25th place, is just three hour's drive from Antalya – which ranks first for value. A week in Fethiye costs £1,183pp, compared with Antalya's pip-squeak £576pp.
Why so? Quite simply, Fethiye has a more exclusive tourism industry, with fewer hotels and more sought-after beaches (the 'blue lagoon' of nearby Ölüdeniz is the star of most Turkey holiday brochures) – whereas Antalya is a lively resort city, which offers burly discounts on hotels.
Choosing flights
All of the above prices are based on the cheapest available flights from London. It's usually more expensive to fly from regional airports, though not perhaps as much as you might think. For example, Ryanair's Manchester–Lanzarote fares start at £34.
Very occasionally, regional flights can be cheaper. For example, if heading to Paphos from July 5–12, flying from Bristol is £12 cheaper than Gatwick (£183 vs £195).
Costs on the ground
In its Holiday Money Report 2025, the Post Office compares the costs of everyday essentials in key destinations – such as dinner for two, drinks, suncream and insect repellent. So how do its findings compare with our travel and hotel value rankings?
Of 47 places worldwide, the Post Office reports that Portugal's Algarve offers the best value, at £58.95 for its full shopping list. This isn't only cheaper than other European destinations, but also the likes of Bali and Thailand. Very surprising, given that the Algarve ranks just 26th for flights and hotel value in our Europe-focused study.
The Post Office has no data for Antalya, our winning destination, but Lanzarote (in second place) is 13th in its report – with the essentials priced £85.42. The Cote d'Azur's Nice, which ranks most expensive in our comparison, is also the dearest European destination in the Post Office's survey, costing £153.03 for its shopping list.
What about the school summer holidays?
How much pricier is it to travel in the middle of the UK's school summer holidays? I repeated the above flight searches (for two adults), but shifted the dates to August 9–16 – slap-bang in the school recess. Then, I compared the prices for our top 10 value hotel winners.
Ouch. Travelling in the school holidays increases prices by as much as 60.7 per cent, with top-value Antalya now priced at £926 per person. It then becomes the third-cheapest of the top 10, pipped only by Budva (£831pp, first place) and Tenerife (£923.50pp, second).
It's worth noting that two of the hotels are unavailable during the school break, suggesting that desirable options are already getting booked up.
Next, I added two kids (aged two and six), to compare prices when travelling as a family during school holidays. To accommodate four people sharing, these prices reflect larger rooms.
Again, under-the-radar Budva offers the lowest price: £2,543 for a family of four.
In this comparison, only four of the top 10 best-value holidays come under £1,000 per person (and remember, one of those people is just two years old). Antalya, our best-value winner so far, now costs £3,690 per family for a week: that's second place, closely followed by Lanzarote in third (£3,896) and Sesimbra in fourth (£3,913).
The best European beach package holidays – for under £2,543 per family
For families, package trips can offer better value than independent bookings: this is because companies have stronger 'buying power' than individuals, so they can offer good discounts. Booking via a reputable agent will also give you ATOL protection, meaning your money will be protected if the provider goes bust, and help is at hand during any travel disruption.
But is it possible to book a week during the school summer holidays, for less than £2,543 per family – the same price as our cheapest independent option? Why yes, it is: here are eight enticing options. Again, this is for two adults and two kids (aged two and six), sharing a B&B hotel room with pool and the beach close-by. All are for seven nights and transfers and baggage are often included too.
Sol Milanos Pinguinos
Menorca, Spain
Sea views over your morning coffee, indoor and outdoor sports facilities for the kids, and a choice of two pools – plus direct access to one of the island's longest sandy beaches. What more do you need? The room in this package includes twin beds and a balcony.
From £2,496 per family (£624pp), travelling August 16 from Glasgow with First Choice (0203 451 2690).
Eftalia Downtown Hotel
Antalya, Turkey
This hotel gets rave reviews for its location, just a few metres from Eftalia Island Beach Club – which features a waterpark, restaurants and watersports (free access for guests). There's a pool onsite too, and all rooms feature balconies.
From £1,821 per family (£456pp), travelling August 15 from Liverpool with On The Beach (0871 474 3000).
Hotel Playas de Torrevieja
Costa Blanca, Spain
While the kids gamble around in the splash playground, you can chill with a sunlounger sangria from the poolside bar. It's far under budget, so expect no-frills family fun – still, the beach is a 10-minute walk away, and your room includes a sea-view balcony.
From £1,636 per family (£409pp), travelling August 9 from Stanstedwith loveholidays (01234 975 975).
Avanti Village
Paphos, Cyprus
This hotel regularly scores five stars on Tripadvisor for its spotless rooms, lagoon-style pool and great location (Pachyammos Beach is five-minutes' walk away). This package features a one-bedroom apartment with a separate living room.
From £2,076 per family (£692pp), travelling August 11 from Glasgow with Holiday Hypermarket (0204 578 0977).
Obzor Beach Resort
Varna, Bulgaria
With a front-row spot on the beach, this resort also features five outdoor pools and sports such as table tennis, darts and volleyball. Apartments have self-catering facilities and balconies, and this package also includes breakfast.
From £2,239 per family (£560pp), travelling August 11 from Luton with On The Beach (0871 474 3000).
Playa Moreia
Majorca, Spain
This bright, modern resort is located in the resort town of Sa Coma, with a large outdoor pool plus adjoining one just for kids. It's just a few sandy steps from the beach, and this rate includes a sea-view apartment with balcony, kitchenette and breakfast included.
From £2,504 per family (£626pp), travelling August 8 from Luton with easyJet Holidays (0330 551 5165).
Bella Vista Sissi
Crete, Greece
The closest beach is a five-minute walk away, and the hotel's pool and bar offer panoramic sea views – best enjoyed with an ouzito sundowner. The apartments are roomy, featuring a separate bedroom and living area, and are surrounded by gardens.
From £2,166 per family (£541pp), travelling August 4 from Gatwick with Hays Travel (0800 408 4048).
Ses Savines Hotel
Ibiza, Spain
Low-rise and white-washed in traditional Ibizan style, this beachfront hotel is one minute's walk from sandy San Antonio Bay. It also has two sea-view pools (one for kids, one for families), and this rate includes one twin room and one single, with transfers.
From £2314.80 per family (£578.70pp), travelling August 4 from Luton with TUI (0203 451 2688).
All prices correct as of April 25, 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Pope Leo XIV gets rock star welcome from young Catholics at huge vigil
Hundreds of thousands of young faithful feted Pope Leo XIV like a rock star on Saturday at an open-air prayer vigil outside Rome, after the head of the Catholic church made a dramatic entrance by helicopter. Pilgrims began crying and cheering when the white military helicopter descended over the sprawling site in Rome's eastern outskirts. Organisers said more than 800,000 young pilgrims from 146 countries around the world had assembled as part of a Jubilee of Youth – and perhaps as many as 1 million. Smiling from his popemobile, the first US pope waved to throngs of screaming young people lining his route, many running for a better vantage point. They had already spent the day in the hot sun listening to music, praying and talking with fellow Catholics. 'The pope is here' announced an excited voice over the public address to thunderous applause from the crowd. But the tenor of the event became more solemn and contemplative as the pope took to the stage, carrying a large wood cross. 'Dear young people, after walking, praying and sharing these days of grace of the Jubilee dedicated to you, we now gather together in the light of the advancing evening to keep vigil together,' Leo, 69, told them. In the crowd was French pilgrim Julie Mortier, 18, whose voice was hoarse from singing and screaming for hours. 'We're too happy to be here. Seeing the pope, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' she said. Event organisers said people had continued to arrive during the vigil and that it was possible that attendance numbers had reached 1 million. Most pilgrims said they would camp overnight for a Sunday morning mass at the site led by Leo. That will mark the culmination of the week-long youth pilgrimage, a key event in the Catholic church's Jubilee holy year. Some in the crowd were so far away they could not see the massive stage with a golden arch and towering cross that dominated the open area – which at more than 500,000 sq m was the size of about 70 football fields. 'I'm so happy to be here, even if I'm a bit far from the pope. I knew what to expect,' British student Andy Hewellyn said. 'The main thing is that we're all together,' he said ahead of the pope's appearance, as other young people nearby played guitars, sang or snoozed in the sun. Italian broadcaster Rai called the event a Catholic 'Woodstock', as throughout the day nearly two dozen musical and dance groups, many of them religious, entertained the crowds. In a video message, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed pilgrims to the capital, who were 'praying, singing, joking among themselves, celebrating in an extraordinary party'. The Jubilee of Youth, which began on Monday, comes nearly three months after the start of Leo's papacy, and 25 years after the last such massive youth gathering in Rome under Poland's pope John Paul II. Early on Saturday, groups of young people set off from central Rome for the venue in Tor Vergata. They were ready to spend the next 24 hours surrounded by a crowd of people and sleep under the stars. Victoria Perez, who carried a Spanish flag, could not contain her excitement at seeing 'the pope up close'. 'It's the first time I'm going to see him, and I can't wait,' the 21-year-old said, looking forward to a 'night of prayers under the stars'. French pilgrim Quentin Remaury, 26, said he had been inspired by the late pope Francis's rousing message to youth during a 2016 visit to Krakow, Poland. 'Pope Francis told us to 'get off your couches', and that really gave me a boost,' he said. Throughout the week, attenders participated in church-planned events, such as confession at Circus Maximus, one of Rome's top tourist spots. On Friday, about 1,000 priests were on hand, with 200 white gazebos serving as makeshift confessionals lining the hippodrome where chariot races were once held in Ancient Rome. The pilgrimage unfolds as under-30s navigate economic uncertainty, the climate crisis and international conflict, with some pilgrims travelling from war-torn areas such as Syria and Ukraine. Samarei Semos, 29, who said she had travelled three days from her native Belize to get to Rome, said she hoped Leo would have a strong say about 'third world countries'. The Vatican said that before the vigil the pope had met and prayed with travellers accompanying an 18-year-old Egyptian pilgrim who died on Friday night. Rai News reported that the young woman had died of a heart attack on a bus while returning to her lodging from an event in Rome. Amid tight security, more than 4,300 volunteers and more than 1,000 police were watching over the vigil, organisers said.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I visited the European city where ‘fairytales began' with beautiful mountain parks and cheap Ryanair flights
The city marks the start of the German Fairytale Route, stretching 600km through the country to the maritime city of Bremen FAIRYTALE ROUTE I visited the European city where 'fairytales began' with beautiful mountain parks and cheap Ryanair flights Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE all know our Disney fairytales and their happily ever afters, right? Well, the original versions of favourites such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin were a lot darker, as I found out on my visit to Hanau, Germany, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The magical medieval castle in Kassel Credit: Getty 5 A nod to Cinderella at Marburg Castle Credit: Alamy 5 The Grimms path in Marburg Credit: Alamy The city marks the start of the German Fairytale Route, stretching 372 miles through the country to the maritime city of Bremen. Along the way you can explore quaint towns, medieval castles and ancient forests — and imagine you, too, are in the middle of a fairytale. The main focus for my adventure was the life of the Grimm Brothers, credited with devising the opening line 'Once upon a time' and the concluding 'lived happily ever after'. In Hanau, I learned that in their early years, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm scoured the surrounding countryside for authentic folk tales that had been handed down over generations. Then, in 1812, they decided to publish a compilation of all they had heard on their travels, including Cinderella and Rapunzel. But the violence in some of the stories meant that the book was not particularly well received, so the brothers had to rely on their creative skills to tone down the explicit elements. And with that, the modern day fairytale was born. But it's not this collection of stories I'm here to uncover on my four-day trip, it's the story behind the Brothers Grimm themselves. Strolling through the main square of Hanau, I could not miss the huge statue of the pair which commemorates the fact they were born here. This city is understandably proud and has erected a trail of artworks depicting various characters from their stories, including King Thrushbeard, Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival About 30 minutes from here by car sits my favourite stop on the trail, Steinau an der Strasse. With higgledy-piggledy houses surrounded by lush trees, I immediately fell in love with the beautiful little village, which is as chocolate box as something from a fairytale. And it turns out the brothers loved it, too. This is the place where they are said to have spent the happiest part of their childhood. And you can get a sense for that in their former home. Now open to the public, the house-turned-museum hosts interesting exhibits about their work, as well as the works of their younger brother, Ludwig Emil, a talented artist who created the illustrations in the brothers' book. Cascading water Their grandfather had been the priest in the local church in the marketplace for 47 years and their father was born here. After a brief stint in Hanau, he returned to the village in the early years of his marriage to become a magistrate. While here, check out Die Holzkoeppe, a theatre that puts on regular puppet shows. And for a flavour of traditional Germany, head to Cafe Restaurant Rosengarten, which serves classic schnitzels in various forms, including a Little Red Riding Hood version that comes topped with tomatoes and mozzarella. The following day, my journey continued a little over an hour north to the hilly and historic market town of Marburg, where the Brothers studied. It is a charming destination full of beautiful half-timbered houses. 5 Unicorns on the Grimms Path Credit: Alamy 5 Jane Keightley reading by a statue Credit: Supplied The brothers have certainly left their mark on the town, with visitors now able to follow the 'Grimms Path', which takes you on a mile-long fairytale-themed walk through the old town. The final stop on my fairytale adventure took me even further north to Kassel, where the Brothers eventually became librarians so that they could support their family while they searched for fairytales. Today, the city is home to the largest museum dedicated entirely to the Grimms. Called Grimmwelt, it has a trail of original exhibits as well as state-of-the-art installations and hands-on activities. The city is also a great place for ramblers as it is home to a Unesco World Heritage park and Europe's largest mountain park, filled with cascading water features. With gorgeous green and woodland landscapes like this around, I can see how the brothers found the inspiration to adapt their fairytale stories. And, certainly, no Disney princess would look out of place here.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Laura Hamilton hits back at cruel troll who said she was 'too old' to wear bikinis as she shares a glimpse from her lavish holiday
Laura Hamilton has hit back at a cruel troll who said she was 'too old' to wear bikinis as she shared a glimpse from her lavish holiday. The A Place In The Sun star, 43, has been enjoying a family holiday at Forte Village resort in South Sardinia. Joined by her children Rocco, 11, and Tahlia, 10 - who she shares with ex-husband Alex Goward - Laura has shared an array of gorgeous snaps as she soaked up the Italian sun. However, the blonde beauty was forced to hit back at a comment from one follower who cruelly said she was too old to wear a bikini. In a clip shared to Instagram, Laura was sat poolside as she flaunted her incredible figure in a blue and white swimsuit. She lounged on a day bed with her daughter as they waved while the camera panned out. In a caption, Laura made a poignant jibe at the troll as she penned: 'Who decides when we're 'too old' for anything? 'I recently read a comment saying I was too old to wear a bikini… and it honestly made me stop and think for a second. 'But then I reminded myself, life's way too short to worry about what other people think. 'Today I'm wearing a swimsuit, not because of the comment I read but because I wanted to and I feel comfortable in it!' 'We all have days when we feel self-conscious, but we deserve to enjoy the sunshine, the beach, the pool, whatever makes us happy, no matter our age and whether we choose to wear a swimsuit or a bikini!! 'Live your life and feel good in your own skin' Fans flocked to comments on her post as many were shocked by the troll's unkind remarks. Comments included: 'You keep going and you look amazing. While you've got it flaunt it'; 'Today I'm wearing a swimsuit, not because of the comment I read but because I wanted to and I feel comfortable in it,' she penned 'Absolutely not! Bikinis don't come with age restrictions—just confidence requirements! The only age limit is the age you stop caring what other people think'; 'People that say negative comments are just jealous! Do whatever makes you feel happy'; 'Wow, glad you didn't listen, some people should keep their comments to themselves. We are all different and we should do and wear what makes us happy.' Earlier this year, Laura revealed that she went on a date with Shaggy - and he made her pay. Laura, who split from husband Alex Goward, 44, in 2022 after a decade of marriage, shared details about her dating life in a new interview on Friday. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail Laura confirmed that she was still single and having fun as she recalled a surprise date from over 20 years ago. Recounting meeting up with Shaggy, she explained: 'I met him for coffee and I had to pay for it. It was at Heathrow airport. 'I'd been working with him, and he said, 'I really want to meet up with you and talk about work opportunities.'' As she soaked up the sun, the blonde beauty hit back at a comment from a follower who said she was too old to wear a bikini Confirming that he made up a song and sang it to her, she continued: 'God, that was over 20 years ago. I'm not sure he'd recognise me now.' Adding of her dating life now, Laura said: 'I'm busy working and dating and having fun, and I prefer to find people naturally rather than being on dating apps. 'I like to go out and meet people who have common interests. I made a decision going forward that I want to keep that aspect of my life private. 'I think it's really important that if I'm dating people - and I have been dating people - if they're not in the public eye, then they have a right to privacy. 'Just because I'm in the public eye – you never know what their job is, and they might need privacy for security reasons, and so I'm always mindful of that.' Laura shares two children Rocco, 12, and Tahlia, 10, with her ex-husband Alex, they split after 13 years together. In a statement at the time, she wrote: 'This isn't something I ever thought I'd be saying but, after 13 years of being together Alex and I have separated. 'Our children are and always will be our number one priority and we would respect privacy for our family at this time.' She has been a presenter on A Place in the Sun since 2012 and regularly posts pictures from her sun drenched holidays and filming trips on Instagram. Laura also explained that her time on the Channel 4 show has seen her through so many life changes, notably her engagement, the births of her children and her divorce. The former Dancing On Ice star described feeling like she had 'failed' amid their separation, which saw Laura move out of the couple's Surrey family home. She said: 'We are co-parenting, and it works. But even that, you know, I kind of felt like I had failed.'
