June 16, 2023
If you’re loving this heatwave and want to keep that endless summer feeling alive, you’re in luck. Some of the best places for a sunshine break are right on our doorstep – and it won’t cost the world to enjoy them.
So whether you’re seeking Blue Flag beaches, quaint fishing villages or delicious seafood, these ten cheap beach holiday destinations should be on the radar of every self-respecting beach bum.
1. Albania
Albania is still relatively under the radar – but it won’t be for long. With a golden, sandy coastline, a string of islands that some have dubbed ‘the Maldives of Europe’ and prices that will make you smile, this Balkan beauty is set to be the next big thing for European beach breaks. Get there while it’s still cheap and you can find five-star beach hotels under £100 a night or family-run guest houses from as little as £30 a night.
The southern coastline, better known as the Albanian Riviera, is the home of cheap breaks here. Gorgeous beaches, beautiful hamlets and a chain of resort towns that stretch down from Vlore to Ksamil near the Greek border await in this lovely corner of the country.
If you’re travelling with kids in tow, consider a stay near Livadhi Beach – it’s wide and long, with neat rows of sun-loungers and parasols to rent.
2. Malta
Tiny Malta doesn’t have a ton of sandy beaches but with a coastline this stunning – and plenty of affordable deals to discover – you won’t mind.
Some of the best places to hit the water are found in the northwest corner of the island. The craggy coast gives way to lovely stretches of sand near Mellieħa and Għajn Tuffieħa (beaches include Ġnejna Bay and Għadira Bay), and you’ll be close to Cirkewwa’s ferry terminal, which will whisk you to the even tinier island of Gozo where more of Malta’s best beaches await.
You could also stay in Valletta, Malta’s capital, for cultural city stay and beach break combined. There are plenty of affordable accommodation options here, as well as cheap and fast ferries to Sliema, the Three Cities and even Gozo.
If you like to explore, car hire can cost as little as £10 and a day cruise to the Blue Lagoon – one of Malta’s top activities – costs just €30 per person. Just come prepared with snacks and drinks to avoid the expensive snack bars on Comino island.
3. Rhodes, Greece
Greece’s cheapest islands tend to be the larger ones that don’t rely on imports to fuel its tourism industry. But while Crete and Corfu are usually the crowd-pleasers, Rhodes is an underrated bet for visiting the Greek islands on a budget.
A wide range of historic sites means you get more bang for your buck here – including the ruins of Kritinia Castle (in the village of the same name) which dates back to the 1400s. Admission is free and if you walk the ramparts, you’ll enjoy fantastic coastal views.
Rhodes’ most popular beaches include Kiotari, Plimiri and Gennadi on the southeast coast but look north if you’re on a budget. Not only will you be closer to Rhodes’ UNESCO-listed old town, which is famous for its gorgeous mix of Turkish, Italian and Byzantine architecture, but staying in villages like Faliraki and Trianda will help your money go further.
4. Black Sea, Bulgaria
It’s hard to get more bang for your buck than on Bulgaria’s Black Sea, a regular in the Post Office’s Holiday Money Report for best-value beach destinations (it ranked third in 2023).
Crowd-free beaches, delicious cuisine and cheap-as-chips coastal towns are standard here and adventurous explorers will have plenty to discover along the seaside. Consider basing yourself in the cities of Varna or Burgas if you’re keen to visit multiple destinations. Both are great jumping off points for some of the area’s loveliest beaches, such as those in Albena and Sunny Beach (30 minutes from Varna and Burgas respectively).
If you plan to stay put, make a beeline for the coastal town of Sozopol. The best stretches of sand here include Central Beach, which has great facilities and is located between Sozopol’s old and new towns; Harmani Beach, a long, wide beach with cheap beachfront restaurants; and Zlatna Ribka Beach, a popular surf spot that even has its own campsite.
5. Zadar, Croatia
In Spain, Greece or France, basing yourself in popular coastal cities can ramp up the cost of a holiday, but in Zadar prices remain comparatively low. Stay in the historic old town and you’ll find plenty of hotels under £50 a night – and that’s tourist prices. You’ll make even greater savings by staying outside of this hotspot. Bibinje, a village on the outskirts of Zadar, is a great option.
Staying here gives you easy access to some of the country’s best stretches of coastline, such as Kolovare beach, a stunning bay fringed with fragrant pine trees and the beaches of twin islands Ugljan and Pašman – two of Croatia’s best-kept secrets.
Close to Zadar’s old town is the Riva, where you’ll find the Sea Organ. This unique instrument may have been made by humans but nature’s the star here. It’s a haunting but beautiful free concert, created as waves crash against a series of underwater tubes. Pitch up on the marble steps and listen as you watch the sun set.
6. Slovenia
Slovenia only has 47km (29 miles) of coastline but that’s more than enough for a brilliant beach holiday – especially if you prefer pebbles to sand. That said, its beaches are breathtakingly beautiful, often with a backdrop of beech forests. You’ll also find your money goes further here than in Europe’s most popular beach destinations.
Consider staying in the town of Portorož. Its namesake beach has plenty of sun-loungers and sunbeds to rent and numerous restaurants to head to when hunger strikes. Stick with the seafood – it’s fabulously cheap and a serving of octopus carpaccio, a local delicacy, will set you back just a couple of euros.
Another great base is the small coastal city of Koper, where you’ll be close to a string of small-but-stunning pebble beaches that get spectacular sunsets. Koper is close to the Italian border, and you’ll notice a chic Italian vibe, which explains why the region has been likened to a more wallet-friendly version of the Amalfi Coast. The food is excellent too.
7. Menorca, Spain
A brilliant spot for a budget beach holiday in the Balearics, Menorca is less developed than Ibiza and Majorca, and prices – whether it’s for a night at a family-owned guest house or a meal at one of the fantastic tavernas in the the pretty town of Fornells – have remained refreshingly low.
Car hire (especially if you book through a local company) can be cheaper here too, and having your own wheels makes it easier to get off the beaten track when you’re not exploring the island’s most popular destinations, such as the beach resorts of Cala Blanca, Cala'n Bosc, Arenal d'en Castell and Cala en Porter.
Really, the best part of a holiday to Menorca is its beaches – they’re easily some of the best in Europe and can be entirely free to enjoy. But don’t be afraid to ask locals about their favourite spots. Menorcans are incredibly proud of their island and it’s a great way to discover lesser-known beaches.
8. Costa del Sol, Spain
Spain’s Costa del Sol is another Holiday Money Report mainstay and regularly one of the cheapest all-inclusive summer destinations for package holidays according to our research at TravelSupermarket HQ.
Malaga is the obvious option here – even within the region, it still stands out as one of Europe’s most popular cheap beach destinations. The scale of restaurants, bars and hotels keep things competitive price-wise, whether it’s the brilliant happy hours in nightlife spots such as Plaza Uncibay, or the cheap hotels in El Perchel, an often-overlooked neighbourhood that has some of the city’s oldest buildings. Getting around is ridiculously cheap too. Get a Bonobus pass for cheap fares on the huge network.
For something a little more laidback and family friendly, try resort towns like Torremolinos and Fuengirola just south of Malaga.
9. Izmir, Turkey
Izmir will become even more accessible in summer 2023 when easyJet launches a new route between Luton and this historic coastal city. Bear in mind that Izmir is both the city you’ll fly into and the province, and although the city has some great beaches, the less-densely populated places along the coastline are fabulous alternatives.
Top picks include Foça, which has gorgeous beaches and plenty of wildlife (sign up for a boat tour to see Foça’s seals up close), Seferihisar, which is close to a number of Blue Flag beaches, and Alaçatı. The latter is a popular windsurfing spot, but you’ll also find plenty of beaches perfect for sunbathing and snorkelling.
If you’re not locked into travelling during July or August, September and October can pull up some good prices for your cheap holiday by the sea.
10. Cornwall, UK
Okay, the UK isn’t famous for being cheap but if you’re close to the southwest, you can skip paying for flights and added baggage and head towards our most famous beach destination, Cornwall.
Bed down in a hostel such as Newquay’s Blue Room Hostel if you’re sticking to a tight budget or go down the glamping route at the swanky YHA-operated site at The Eden Project, where tents and landpods start at £25 per night. You’ll also find plenty of cheap B&Bs in Cornwall’s often-overlooked areas – places such as St Austell Bay, a fishing village close to the gorgeous Polstreath beach, and Mount’s Bay, where you’ll have easy access to the beautiful beaches at Lamorna and Porthcurno.
Coming from further afield? A host of new flight routes will get you to Cornwall for less, including Ryanair’s new flights to Newquay from both Stansted and Edinburgh. Flights start at £17 one way from Stansted (£14 from Edinburgh) in July and August this year.
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