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Peak season equals peak costs, proper? Effectively, sure. However right here’s the factor: not all August charges are created equal. What’s going to barely purchase you an evening in mid-January in Monaco would possibly nonetheless be inside the higher restrict for a lodge of fine standing within the Algarve. And never simply there: whether or not you’re seeking to slumber on the seashores of Corfu or Marmaris, take metropolis breaks in Sarajevo and Prague, inform everybody about Porec in Croatia, or take pleasure in some fabulous French countryside, there are many great-value choices for cash-conscious travellers throughout the Continent. Listed below are a few of the finest inexpensive summer time locations in Europe.
Every year, the Publish Workplace’s Journey Cash division ranks varied resorts based on the entire value of issues like three-course night meals for 2 adults and two youngsters with wine and mushy drinks; ice cream; sunscreen; and bug repellent. Based on 2023’s Household Vacation Report, all of those value much less in Marmaris, on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, than anyplace else in Europe. That has a lot to do with the lira’s ongoing struggles, making Turkey probably the greatest international locations in Europe for these eager on saving cash. The mushy sand of family-friendly seashores beckons alongside the coast, and native suppliers provide scuba or snorkelling journeys.
Don’t miss Boat excursions to Dalyan’s mud baths and Iztuzu seaside — a primary nesting habitat for turtles
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Turkey
• Best luxury villas in Turkey
2. Algarve, Portugal
![The Mother Church of Alvor in Portimao](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F6e791331-9094-40b6-af30-94ebb4c928cb.jpg?crop=2560%2C1712%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
The Mom Church of Alvor in Portimao
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This Portuguese favorite was ranked as second-cheapest in 2023 on the Publish Workplace record — not dangerous for a area so famend for on-tap sunshine and sandy shores. Different Algarve highlights are inexpensive browsing outings at Albufeira and rice terraces within the Monchique Mountains. Money-conscious travellers ought to purpose to remain in Faro or Portimao. Look out for the €10 (round £8.50) prato do dia set meals (typically lunch-only) and, with automotive rent prices spiralling, think about travelling round by Uber, prepare or the dependable Vamus Algarve bus community. All provide bang to your buck.
Don’t miss Photographing Sagres’ red-hatted Lighthouse of Cabo de Sao Vicente
• Best villas in the Algarve
• Best things to do in the Algarve
3. Sunny Seashore, Bulgaria
![Street food in Sofia](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F9403e8e9-05d0-4aa0-a0be-cb6a5d129d9d.jpg?crop=2560%2C1689%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Road meals in Sofia
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An extended-standing favorite amongst price range travellers, this Black Sea base repeatedly options amongst Europe’s prime three most cost-effective locations within the Publish Workplace’s annual Household Vacation Report. Although well-known for nightclubs, Sunny Seashore additionally excels at child-friendly resort resorts stuffed with services. Actions — from catamaran cruises and dust baths to go-karting and jet-skiing — are available; there are additionally Greek, Roman and Byzantine stays for historical past hounds to examine within the historic metropolis of Nessebar, two miles south. Most individuals jet into close by Burgas, however you can too fly by way of the capital metropolis, Sofia, for a dose of road meals and onion-domed church buildings.
Don’t miss Encountering German U-boats and distinctive Black Sea fish on scuba dives
• Best affordable city breaks in Europe
4. Prague, Czech Republic
![Charles Bridge at sunrise](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F50f1d170-8ec6-4218-b20e-74a94d1e9013.jpg?crop=5000%2C3333%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Charles Bridge at dawn
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Whereas the stag-do days of heart-stoppingly low costs are behind us, the Czech capital stays a possible BFF to your checking account. Fortunately low cost are lodging choices in neighbourhoods past the cobbled Outdated City (strive cool Karlin or Holešovice), pints of pilsner, the dependable public transport community — not least bus-metro transfers from the airport to the centre for below £2 — and brief denní (every day) menus supplied at lunchtime by many eating places. Cheaper nonetheless is strolling round Prague’s honeycomb medieval centre and gasping in any respect the grandeur, gardens and road artwork — that’s as a result of it’s free.
Don’t miss Crossing the well-known, romantic Charles Bridge, ideally at daybreak or nightfall to dodge the crowds
• Best things to do in Prague
• Best hotels in Prague
5. Porec, Croatia
![Liberty Square in Porec](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F851646d7-ead5-4fc3-9c7e-5b689030c73b.jpg?crop=5000%2C3158%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Liberty Sq. in Porec
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We’ve all heard of Dubrovnik and Cut up, and everybody is aware of somebody who has holidayed in Hvar, Korcula or Brac or lately. However Porec? Situated on the Istrian peninsula, in sight of Italy, this enticing seaside resort combines a red-roofed outdated city and gold-flecked, Sixth-century basilica complicated with close-by seashores and stalactite-topped caves. Extra pertinently for this text, two home teams — Valamar and Laguna Porec — function numerous resorts and resorts, maintaining costs low, as do a cornucopia of condo leases. With a lot of coastal biking paths negating the necessity for taxis, Porec virtually made its debut in prime 20 of the Publish Workplace’s Vacation Cash Report 2024.
Don’t miss Making an attempt hand-rolled Istrian macaroni-like pljukanci pasta with seafood sauces or native truffle and prosciutto at L’insolito on Porec’s foremost sq.
• Best places to visit in Croatia
• Best cruises in Croatia
6. Sarajevo, Bosnia
![A fountain in the Baščaršija neighbourhood of Sarajevo](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2Ffde44f9b-20c7-4b6a-9577-572849105c7b.jpg?crop=4860%2C3240%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
A fountain within the Baščaršija neighbourhood of Sarajevo
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In a valley under tree-clogged mountains, the small Bosnian capital has been named as a superb price range guess for 2024 by Eurochange. The foreign money agency reckons you’ll be able to take pleasure in three-course meals for barely a tenner per individual, whereas lodging averages at £112 per night time. Consider discount beers and direct, low-cost flights and you actually gained’t spend a lot whereas exploring multicultural Sarajevo’s vibrant pubs, tea homes, hookah-perfumed bazaars and Latin Bridge — the place the assassination of a sure Franz Ferdinand triggered the First World Conflict.
Don’t miss Studying in regards to the newer Siege of Sarajevo — essential to understanding this metropolis — on an academic tour
7. Costa del Sol, Spain
![Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F28f16353-b73b-4bed-86e0-d938d3dc2cce.jpg?crop=2560%2C1525%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol
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Spain’s best-known costa can provide good worth for cash, particularly as all Spanish seashores are free by regulation. Resorts differ wildly, although: Torremolinos fits cash-strapped holidaymakers, however glamorous Marbella and Estepona are dearer. Emphatically ticking the seaside, nightlife and LGBT tolerance packing containers, “Torre” can be close to Malaga — often the lowest-cost airport to fly into — and a cost-effective metropolis to discover itself. Tickets to its hilltop Alcazaba palace are simply £3 or free on Sundays after 2pm.
Don’t miss Free strolling excursions and artwork in Malaga’s rejuvenated metropolis centre
8. Paphos, Cyprus
![Paphos Archaeological Park](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F596c5534-b160-4ade-a578-7a0609b905f4.jpg?crop=2560%2C1708%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Paphos Archaeological Park
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Largely concentrated round its elegant harbour and historic defensive fortress, this resort strains the southwestern coast of Cyprus: part of a rustic that’s almost at all times heat. Paphos’s greatest plus level over rival Limassol is that guests could make do with no automotive. Most all-inclusive resorts present airport transfers, taxis are inexpensive and the sprawling Paphos Archaeological Park, containing Roman ruins with beautifully preserved mosaics, is close by and an affordable £4 to enter.
Don’t miss Boat excursions to the Blue Lagoon bay
• Best hotels in Cyprus
• Best things to do in Paphos
9. Madeira, Portugal
![A restaurant in Funchal, Madeira’s capital](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2Fcaf050bb-9a27-4711-a225-37d3d8519292.jpg?crop=2560%2C1706%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
A restaurant in Funchal, Madeira’s capital
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5 airways fly from Britain to this far-flung Portuguese island’s capital, Funchal — serving to to maintain fares down — whereas restaurant costs are much like these in Lisbon. Transport tends to be the most important value as buses are unreliable and Ubers non-existent. Purpose to remain in or close to Funchal and e-book cruises and chartered day journeys — which may embrace lodge pick-up for below £40 per individual — for levada hikes or swimmable volcanic swimming pools. Return ferries to the smaller island of Porto Santo and its sandy seashores value from £25.
Don’t miss A dolphin-watching cruise — these are executed responsibly and sighting of pods are nearly assured
• Best hotels in Madeira
• Best things to do in Madeira
10. Sliema, Malta
![The resort town of Sliema in Malta](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F416d501c-9830-495d-8530-9a4e5952bfef.jpg?crop=2560%2C1706%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
The resort city of Sliema in Malta
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Keep away from the capital Valletta (though even that’s hardly exorbitant) and also you’ll discover that few resorts or all-inclusives in Malta will break the financial institution. Loads of bedrooms round this small Mediterranean archipelago value below £100 an evening, even in July or August. Spring and autumn, when it stays sizzling, are even higher; the latter season additionally delivers warmed-up seas. It’s free to sunbathe on most seashores, and happy-hour specials are frequent at bars. The principle isle’s resort city of Sliema, simply north of Valletta’s castles and cathedrals, is an efficient guess.
Don’t miss A day on the dive-mad island of Gozo
• Best hotels in Malta
• Best things to do in Malta
11. Mallorca, Spain
![Mallorca’s historic train at Soller station](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F2571a630-55d7-4c32-a491-549679550521.jpg?crop=2560%2C1708%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Mallorca’s historic prepare at Soller station
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It’s simple sufficient to splash out in Mallorca — palatial villas within the mountains and unique resorts additional inland provide simply the form of privateness that celebrities love. And but, in case you discover a self-catering condo alongside the coast, away from the principle metropolis of Palma de Mallorca, there could be improbable financial savings — particularly whenever you e-book as a part of a package deal vacation. Even consuming out could be low cost. As in the remainder of Spain, the menu del dia can provide nice worth, with a few programs plus a drink typically costing round £12-14. Most individuals come for the seashores, however simply as worthy are the mountain climbing trails within the Tramuntana mountain vary and tiny fishing villages by the coast.
Don’t miss A trip on the classic prepare from Palma de Mallorca to Soller, which takes you thru a few of the most scenic components of the island
• Best hotels in Mallorca
• Best things to do in Mallorca
12. Corfu, Greece
![Vlacherna Monastery in Corfu](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F4e31b553-9abd-4130-a3b5-f77555a14205.jpg?crop=2560%2C1689%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Vlacherna Monastery in Corfu
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Corfu stays the most affordable Greek island, based on the Publish Workplace’s 2024 Vacation Cash index — a sister publication to its family-focused report. You possibly can scale back restaurant prices (which aren’t that prime anyway) by buying streetside gyros (rotisserie meat swathed in flatbread alongside salad and lashings of tzatziki), and save on automotive rent or taxis by braving the bus system or hiring a scooter from about £13 per day. Motels are inexpensive if booked upfront (or, in case you dare, on the final minute), particularly within the south, whereas return flights from London usually value round £175 throughout peak or shoulder season, however as little as £80 in October. With fridges often included in rooms right here, it’s simple to buy in supermarkets and pack picnics for days out.
Don’t miss Strolling alongside a pier to the island-like Vlacherna Monastery — truly a small church that vacationers can enter. Ramping up the cuteness, the tiny Mouse Island floats out at sea simply past
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Corfu
• Best things to do in Corfu
13. Basilicata, Italy
![The ancient town of Matera in Basilicata](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2Fa3f76d84-0105-4fd0-a6ce-66f4d33983e3.jpg?crop=2560%2C1706%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
The traditional city of Matera in Basilicata
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Bordering Puglia on the ankle of boot-shaped Italy, Basilicata is dominated by mountains named for his or her resemblance to these crags additional north. Within the Lucan Dolomites you’ll be able to hike, trip one of many world’s quickest zip strains — the 75mph “Angel’s Flight” (Might-November) — and keep at bargain-priced agriturismos serving good nosh. Or you might simply make for the coast: sandy coves tempt both facet of Maratea, the place cool resorts and tinkling church buildings tumble right down to sea.
Don’t miss Inland metropolis Matera, round whose historic cave homes James Bond was chased in No Time to Die
• Best places to visit in Italy
• Best things to do in Italy
14. Gran Canaria, Spain
![The beach at Bahia Feliz](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F521a07d3-d724-4c89-807b-92d21b8ad3a1.jpg?crop=2560%2C1415%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
The seaside at Bahia Feliz
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Together with these different massive Canary Islands with direct UK flights — Tenerife, Fuerteventura, La Palma and Lanzarote — Gran Canaria fits anybody travelling on a price range. All-inclusive stays ceaselessly value lower than £100 right here; the trick is to keep away from central Maspalomas or Playa del Ingles and keep close by within the likes of Bahia Feliz, San Agustin and Arguineguin. Modestly priced and dependable public transport makes it simple to succeed in the seaside; you’ll be able to catch a bus as much as the beachside capital, Las Palmas, for nonetheless extra modest costs.
Don’t miss Maspalomas’ caramel-hued sand dunes, which rise as much as 10m excessive
• Best hotels in Gran Canaria
• Best things to do in Gran Canaria
15. Athens, Greece
![The Monastiraki flea market in the old town of Athens](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F6ea740ac-b5e9-4a3e-86ba-5f2699388dec.jpg?crop=2560%2C1706%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
The Monastiraki flea market within the outdated city of Athens
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The Greek islands could also be the principle draw for the summer time however capital Athens has a lot to supply too. In August, most Athenians can have fled for their very own holidays, making it a a lot much less crowded metropolis, however eating places, bars and museums will stay open. Talking of museums, the Acropolis might be your greatest expense at round £13 in summer time, with most different galleries costing below £10. If town warmth will get an excessive amount of, there’s additionally the Athens Riviera for seaside time.
Don’t miss The Monastiraki flea market rivals any in Paris so save your pennies and purchase your souvenirs right here
• Best things to do in Athens
• Best hotels in Athens
16. Krakow, Poland
![Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F8c77896f-90a9-4b7c-9660-45f4ef7eb68c.jpg?crop=2560%2C1667%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Wawel Royal Fortress in Krakow
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The Publish Workplace additionally compares the prices of metropolis breaks in Europe, and Krakow — Poland’s second metropolis — ranked amongst 2023’s most inexpensive when it comes to day-to-day prices. There’s a lot to please youngsters on this cultural powerhouse, beginning with Wawel Royal Fortress and its fire-breathing dragon sculpture and armoury. 9 miles southwest and simply visited on excursions, the huge Wieliczka Salt Mine incorporates an underground lake and ornate, rock-carved chapels — however, be warned, loads of strolling is concerned. Then there are sightseeing cruises, close by thermal baths (strive Bialka Tatrzanska) and the Pinball Museum’s retro ready-to-play machines.
Don’t miss Meet Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales within the Wax Museum — a less expensive, queue-free model of Madame Tussauds
• Best things to do in Krakow
• Best hotels in Krakow
17. Auvergne, France
![Le Puy-en-Velay in Auvergne](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F70486243-208e-49b7-9f4e-3fc8fec03889.jpg?crop=2560%2C1747%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Le Puy-en-Velay in Auvergne
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One of the cheap areas in France, unsung Auvergne sits west of Lyons. Right here you’ll discover the Chaîne des Puys — a line of extinct volcanoes amid two large pure parks stuffed with forests, quaint villages and Romanesque church buildings. Even the ski resorts listed below are low-key. Biking (from mountain to electrical) and mountain climbing are fashionable pursuits because of waymarked trails. And, this being France, you’ll eat effectively: Auvergne produces 5 protected-status cheeses for starters, with weekly markets a cost-effective place to select them up.
Don’t miss Pilgrimage city Le Puy-en-Velay, under plumes of petrified lava
• Best villas in France
• Best things to do in France
18. Crete, Greece
![Kalyves Bay in Crete](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F407a81dd-e195-4c8c-bd24-984beff60e3c.jpg?crop=2560%2C1508%2C0%2C0&resize=400&quality=3)
Kalyves Bay in Crete
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Crete, Greece’s largest island, has a lot going for it, from blue-flag seashores to very good delicacies. It’s additionally budget-friendly in comparison with the likes of Mykonos or Santorini: direct flights mitigate prices whereas lodge charges are inclined to outdo smaller, extra distant islands the place a dearth of rooms pushes up costs. Sea-facing spiritual websites corresponding to Paleokastritsa Monastery and Rethymnon’s Church of Saint Spyridon are free to go to, as is mountain climbing by means of the ten-mile Samaria Gorge.
Don’t miss All that saving leaves cash for snorkelling expeditions to the sunken Messerschmitt fighter airplane
• Best hotels in Crete
• Best things to do in Crete
Extra reporting by Qin Xie
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