Here are some of our favourite budget-friendly destinations for summer 2026, perfect whether you’re planning a relaxed beach holiday or a gentle city break.
Our Favourite Budget Destinations
- Costa del Sol, Spain A classic for good reason, with reliable sunshine, gentle beaches, and a huge choice of affordable places to eat and stay. Towns like Nerja and Fuengirola offer a more relaxed, traditional feel away from the busier resorts.
- Algarve, Portugal Golden cliffs, calm waters, and a wonderfully easy-going atmosphere. Towns like Albufeira and Lagos offer excellent value, especially if you visit in June or September rather than peak August.
- Costa Brava, Spain Pretty coastal towns, lovely coves, and an easy train link to Barcelona if you fancy a day in the city. Quieter than the Costa del Sol, with plenty of charm and good value dining.
- Lisbon, Portugal A wonderfully walkable capital with trams, miradouros, and a relaxed pace that suits travellers of all ages. Affordable trains make it easy to combine with a few days on the coast.
- Crete, Greece One of the most popular Greek islands, and still excellent value if you choose your base carefully. Towns like Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos offer beautiful old harbours, gentle beaches, and a lovely slower pace.
- Costa Blanca, Spain A long-time favourite with British travellers, particularly around Benidorm’s quieter outskirts and the lovely old town of Altea. Reliable weather and plenty of affordable, familiar comforts.
- Malta A small island with a huge amount of charm, easy to get around, and packed with history. Valletta’s old streets cost nothing to explore, and public buses make getting around the island simple and cheap.
- Antalya, Turkey Reliable sunshine and long, golden beaches. All-inclusive holidays here often offer excellent value, especially for those wanting everything taken care of with no surprises.
- Majorca, Spain Better value than people often expect, particularly away from the busiest resorts. Towns like Pollença and Alcúdia offer beautiful beaches and a more relaxed, traditional Majorcan feel.
- Rhodes, Greece A beautiful old town, lovely beaches, and a good range of affordable accommodation, particularly if you travel in the shoulder months either side of peak summer.
A Few Friendly Tips to Help Your Budget Go Further
- Travelling in June or September rather than the height of summer can make a real difference to cost.
- Booking flights 6–10 weeks ahead tends to offer the best balance of price and choice.
- Smaller, family-run hotels are often better value, and more characterful, than larger resort chains.
- Public transport, trams, buses, and local trains, is almost always more affordable than taxis.
- Some of the nicest things to do, old towns, beaches, viewpoints, won’t cost you a penny.
- Staying just outside the busiest resort centres often means lower prices without losing convenience.
- Wandering a little further from the main tourist strips usually means better food at a better price.
- Packing light can help you avoid extra luggage fees with budget airlines.
- Booking excursions directly, rather than through a third party, often works out cheaper.
- It’s always worth comparing an all-inclusive package against arranging things yourself, the better option really does depend on where you’re going
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance
Wherever you decide to go this summer, it’s worth remembering that good travel insurance is just as important on a budget trip as it is on any other. If you’re travelling with a pre-existing medical condition, having the right cover in place means you can relax and enjoy your trip with real peace of mind, knowing you’re looked after if anything unexpected comes up.
Safe travels,
Rosie at Freedom
