Sunbathe and swim on a budget
Beach holidays don’t have to be expensive. When you’re thinking of booking a seaside holiday, there are options across the Med and beyond, and they can be as action packed or relaxing as you please. From Portuguese cliffs battered by Atlantic waves to beautiful stretches of gold in Turkey, there is something special about every beach holiday.
If you need some inspiration for your next break, then look no further than these six beauties. They are perfect if you want to get away from it all without breaking the bank.
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
Image by cindy-dam (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Situated on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Sunny Beach is the party capital of Eastern Europe. This modern, holiday resort is the country’s biggest and offers great value for money if you’re looking for cheap drinks by the sea. Here you can get a three-course meal for two (with a bottle of house wine) for under €20.
Algarve, Portugal
Image by Consuelo (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Portugal boasts many of Europe’s finest sandy beaches, perfect for travellers wanting to bask in the sun on a budget. Lagos and Faro are home to vast stretches of golden sand and warm, shallow waters, making it a perfect place to unwind on holiday.
You can get a three-course evening meal for two (including a bottle of house wine) for under €25 in some local restaurants.
Costa del Sol, Spain
Image by Hernán Piñera (Flickr/Creative Commons)
The wide, flat stretches of Spanish sand are a great place to find a sun lounger and cocktail bar. Packed full of lively bars and all-night clubbing adventures, this part of Spain is full of cheap places to sunbathe on holiday. You can grab a two-course lunch for two (with no alcohol) for about €15 in most resorts.
Marmaris, Turkey
Image by PROJose Alemañ Asensi (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Beach holidays in Turkey offer the best of both worlds. Situated next to pine-laden mountains, the gorgeous bay of Marmaris is one of the country's most popular spots, and it's not hard to see why. From walking through the romantic old town to all-night clubbing, there’s countless fun to be had at this Turkish resort.
Paphos, Cyprus
Image by Tobias Van Der Elst (Flickr/Creative Commons)
With its blue-flag beach and cobbled lanes, this budget friendly Cypriot resort is a fantastic place to relax on holiday. The beach is split into two parts – a sandy haven and a wooden, decked area just behind – and both have got plenty of sunloungers. If you want to relax in the hostel lounge and sip ice cold beers on the beach, Paphos is the place to be.
Crete, Greece
Image by Alex Blăjan (Unsplash)
Crete is the largest island in Greece and holidays here offer something for everyone. With its white sandy beaches and crumbling coves, Crete’s beaches are highly affordable when you book a beach hostel.
Fun-seeking travellers looking for adventure will love the water sports offered across the island. Surfing, snorkeling and windsurfing are available even during the winter months.