11 ideas for a cheap beach holiday

1. Dalaman area, Turkey

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £551pp

Price change since April: -17.8%

Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is home to major resort towns such as Fethiye, Marmaris and Olu Deniz, and its combination of killer looks and affordable accommodation make it a top choice for a great value beach break.

That’s particularly true for the Dalaman area where prices fell by a significant 17.8% in May compared to April, with the average cost of a seven-night beach break just £551 per person.

So, what can you expect? Known for its pine-clad mountains, clear blue seas and Blue Flag beaches, towns range from clubbing hotspots to romantic fishing villages. Pick the vibe that suits you.

Beaches worthy of a shout-out include those at Olu Deniz (you’ll have great views of the ocean and the paragliders descending from the summit of nearby Mount Babadağ) and Icmeler Beach, which has the advantage of being just 15 minutes from Marmaris.

2. Gran Canaria, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £562pp

Price change since April: -11.7%

The cheapest Canary Island is currently Gran Canaria. On average, it’s just £562 per person for seven sun-drenched nights. That it has some of Spain’s loveliest beaches – like the golden dunes at Maspalomas and classy Playa de Mogán – is just a bonus.

Prices fell 11.7% in May compared to April, making a break in the sun in this already affordable destination even more within reach. The sunny island’s combination of regular flights from the UK, alongside a large array of hotels keep prices here competitive.

From the cliff-backed unspoilt sands of Güi Güi to the yellow sands of capital Las Palmas’ city beach Las Canteras, you could easily spend your entire Gran Canaria holiday on the beach. And why not?

If you do bore of the shore, head inland. With laurel forests and volcanic mountain peaks, Gran Canaria isn’t known as a ‘miniature continent’ for nothing.

3. Kefalonia, Greece

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £582pp

Price change since April: -21.4%

Kefalonia offers brilliant bang for your buck if you’re dreaming of a holiday to Greece – it’s the cheapest Greek island at the moment, with holiday prices averaging £582 per person. In fact, prices came down a massive 21.4% in May compared with April making your sunshine getaway significantly cheaper.

A diverse range of beaches from the wild to the well-trodden, delicious cuisine and cheap-as-chips coastal towns are standard here, and adventurous explorers will have plenty to discover along the seaside.

Start your bargain hunt in the south of the island, where resorts such as Lassi, Svoronata and Skala have a wide range of self-catering apartments and budget hotels. They’re great bases for a beach-hopping holiday too, so hire a car and you can visit the sandy stretches at Makris Gialos, Kaminia and Skala.

Adventurous travellers might prefer to stay in the north to discover more of Kefalonia’s best beaches. Some, like Fteri and Dafnoudi, can only be accessed by foot or boat but are worth the effort.

4. Antalya, Turkey

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £597pp

Price change since April: -6.6%

The Turquoise Coast is calling again. Located around a four-hour drive to the east of Dalaman, Antalya offers great value too, with a seven-night break costing £597 per person on average, and prices down by 6.6%.

Combining ancient ruins with mega-hotels, it’s a different feel to Dalaman, with large resort complexes never far from quiet fishing villages. But you’ll still find the same pine-clad scenery, lagoon-like seas and plenty of beaches to lay your towel on.

After talc-soft sands and calm waters? Golden Lara Beach on the city’s outskirts offers 8km (5 miles) of watersports heaven, while Kleopatra Beach near Alanya has white sands and lovely views. No wonder the Egyptian queen insisted on swimming here.

5. Lanzarote, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £599pp

Price change since April: -18.4%

When it comes to good value beach breaks, the Canary Islands have long been a top choice. Known for their year-round good weather, proximity to the UK – at just over a four-hour flight – and family-friendly feel, it’s not hard to see why they’re a British holiday staple.

So, if you’ve not tried Lanzarote yet, now might be your time. The fifth most affordable beach break on our list, a seven-night break here costs on average £599 per person. Prices actually dropped by 18.4% this May, too, making it even better value.

The best beaches can be found in and around popular resorts on the island’s eastern and southern coasts, from the shallow seas of Costa Teguise to Puerto del Carmen which has some of the island’s biggest beaches. Meanwhile Playa Blanca is known for having some of the island’s best weather. Playa del Reducto (a welcome city beach in the island’s capital) and El Risco (tranquil and typically tourist-free) are also well worth packing a beach bag for.

6. Fuerteventura, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £631pp

Price change since April: -1.8%

Not to be outdone by its neighbours, Fuerteventura comes in at an average of £631 per person for a seven-night break. What’s more, it’s regarded by many as the Canary Island with the best beaches. So, get those flipflops and suncream ready.

Prices here have remained fairly constant in the last month or two, having dropped by just 1.8% in May compared to April. Meanwhile, the island’s coastline is a magnet for thrill-seekers so you can burn off excess energy (and enjoy some free fun) by scrambling up Corralejo’s sand dunes, or by hiring a paddleboard to explore its coastline from the water.

If it’s simply relaxation you’re after, there’s endless beaches to choose from. Watch the kids paddle at family-friendly Playa El Castillo, snorkel at Playa de la Concha known for its powdery white sands, or wander the unspoilt and spectacular Playa de Cofete, fringed by the Jandia mountains, sampling fresh fish from the beach bar.

7. Sardinia, Italy

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £633pp

Price change since April: -0.7%

Looking for an Italian beach break for less? Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily, offers a great value way to enjoy a country known to be on the pricier side of European breaks.

A seven-night break here costs on average £633 per person, with prices remaining competitive in both April and May, dropping just 0.7%.

The great news is you’ll get everything you imagine a seaside break in Italy to be, from colourful towns and villages that tumble down steep hillsides to the sea, to cobbled historic cities such as Alghero, vineyards and, of course, plenty of scrumptious Italian cuisine.

Beach-wise, you can’t go wrong. With more beaches per kilometre than any other part of Italy, and the warm waters of the Gulf of Orosei, conditions for a beach day are optimum. Costa Rei, Cala Goloritzé and Cala Luna are particularly beautiful, known for their shallow turquoise bays amid pretty forested coves.

8. Majorca, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £682pp

Price change since April: -12.9%

Seven nights in Majorca will set you back £682 per person on average. For that, you’ll get a break that’s fallen in price by 12.9% between April and May.

As befits a Balearic Island, there’s something of a cosmopolitan vibe to be found in Majorca, where designer boutiques and yacht-filled harbours bring a buzz to sun-kissed stone old towns and white-sand beaches.

The island’s crowning glory, though, is its beaches – you’ll find everything from rocky coves with shimmering turquoise waters to vast expanses of white sand and pretty little bays. Pitch up by Alcudia, the longest stretch of sand on the island which is perfect for families, or try Cala Mondrago – surrounded by a nature reserve – for turquoise waters and a secluded feel. The swankiest beaches are in the south.

9. Tenerife, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £689pp

Price change since April: -4.7%

Tenerife is slightly more expensive this year than some other Canary Islands, but it’s by no means pricey. Expect holidays to cost around £689 per person for seven nights. It’s a fall in price of 4.7% in May compared to April.

Whether travelling as a family, friend group or a couple, choice is the name of the game when it comes to Tenerife. With scores of hotels in every style, from the high-end to the budget-friendly, you’ll find your perfect match.

The warmest temperatures – and therefore the most resort towns – are in the south of the island, and you’re likely to spend most of your days on the beaches of Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. This is a volcanic island, so sands are generally a little darker with deeper waters, though there are protected bays lined by beach bars and stores along the most popular strips.

Further down the coast, Los Gigantes is a little quieter, with luxury hotels and pretty village centres.

10. Menorca, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £698pp

Price change since April: +2.5%

This might be the year to visit Menorca with a break costing an average of £698 per person in May. It’s a slight 2.5% increase compared to April, though.

If you’re looking for a peaceful holiday destination, you’ve found it. The island’s combination of unspoilt beaches, pretty villages, archaeological sites and seafront tavernas dolling out the freshest seafood make it feel like something of a well-kept secret at times.

The island’s most popular destinations are the resorts of Cala Blanca, Cala'n Bosc, Arenal d'en Castell and Cala en Porter – they have some of the best beaches in Europe.

11. Costa del Sol, Spain

Average price for a seven-night holiday: £702pp

Price change since April: -7.5%

Head to the southern coast of Andalusia, to a stretch of Mediterranean coastline fabled for its golden sands, luxury beach clubs and flashy marinas. With destinations such as Malaga, Marbella, Nerja and more to choose from, there’s affordable options as well as the glamour.

A Costa del Sol holiday came in at an average of £702 per person in May – down 7.5% compared to April. As for where to base yourself, Malaga is the obvious option. Even within the region, it still stands out as one of Europe’s most popular cheap beach destinations, though families tend to prefer more chilled-out towns like Torremolinos and Fuengirola.

*Please note: The research analysed the top 20 most searched-for destinations on TravelSupermarket in May 2026. Prices are the average per person cost of a seven-night holiday for two adults based on clicks in May for holidays in 2026. All board types and UK departure points were included. Percentage changes are based on the price difference between holidays clicked on in May and those clicked on in April. See further insights on our TravelSupermarket Destination Leaderboard.