12 Budget-Friendly Beach Destinations in Europe To Live Without Breaking the Bank

Some of the links might be affiliate links and, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission. See our disclaimer for more info.

Have you always wanted to escape to the beach but are concerned about how much it might cost? Don’t panic; Europe is home to many seaside cities, towns, and villages that offer sun, sand, and surf without costing an arm and a leg. Forget overpriced rent and check out these beautiful, affordable European beach destinations.

In this post, we’ll reveal 12 budget-friendly European beach destinations where you can live without breaking the bank. We’ve selected these entries based on the low cost of living, beautiful beaches, and many things to see and do. Stick around if you want to find the perfect coastal escape.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

Save this!

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

Let’s begin with Sunny Beach, Bulgaria’s most famous seaside resort. Sunny Beach is a lively resort town best known for its scenic beaches, vibrant nightlife, budget-friendly prices, and excellent weather. You’ll likely spend most of your time in the resort strolling along the beaches, sunbathing, swimming, and partying.

Popular attractions in Sunny Beach include Central Beach, South Beach, and Sunny Beach Amusement Park. Aside from its impressive Black Sea coastline, Sunny Beach is one of Europe’s most affordable beach destinations. A single person can live in the city for approximately $1,125 monthly, with Bulgaria being the fourth cheapest country in Europe.

Bari, Italy

If you can live like a local in Bari, you can survive on less than $1,000 monthly, including rent, utilities, and food. Bari is a medium-sized port city on the Adriatic Sea in Southern Italy. It’s a solid beach destination for anyone who wants to combine city and beach life while living an authentic Italian lifestyle.

In or around Bari, you’ll find several pristine golden-sand beaches perfect for relaxing and swimming in the Adriatic Sea, countless attractions and amenities, and many restaurants serving delicious Italian cuisine. When you’re not soaking up the sun on Lido San Francesco, get lost in Bari Old Town and admire the coastal views from the promenade.

Kos, Greece

Compared to other islands in Greece, the cost of living in Kos is relatively affordable. It costs a couple, on average, $1,043 monthly to live on the island, excluding rent. Meanwhile, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges between $270 to $540.

With an easygoing, relaxed vibe, beautiful natural scenery, and many things to see and do, Kos is an excellent place to live if you want to experience an authentic Greek lifestyle and have your slice of paradise without spending too much. Spend your days exploring Kos Town and its historic center, discovering ancient sites, such as Asclepieion and Neratzia Castle, and relaxing on one of the many beaches, including Lambi Beach and Kamari Beach.

Sarandë, Albania

Albania is a relatively less-traveled beach destination, as many tourists look to visit more popular places, such as Greece and Italy. However, Albania has much to offer, especially if you’re looking for an affordable beach destination. Take Sarandë, for example. This gorgeous Albanian seaside resort city on the Albanian Riviera provides beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and a low cost of living.

Believe it or not, a single person living in Sarandë can live on roughly $746 monthly, including rent, utilities, food, and transport. This gives you more money to spend on the things you love or finding somewhere more luxurious to live. Points of interest in the city include Saranda Beach, Saranda Embankment, and the 16th-century Lëkurësi Castle.

Paphos, Cyprus

The next budget-friendly European beach destination on our list is Paphos, a famous seaside city in the Mediterranean on the southwest coast of Cyprus. It’s best known for being the hub of Cyprus culture and history, featuring ancient ruins dating back to Neolithic times. However, beachgoers love the city for its golden-sand beaches and calm turquoise waters.

We love how Paphos has something to suit all budgets and interests. Here, you can easily spend days lounging on the sandy beaches, swimming in the sea, hunting down historic landmarks, and learning more about Cyprus. Notable attractions include SODAP Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Paphos Castle, and Agora. The cost of living for singles living like a local is only $1,115 monthly.

Santander, Spain

Santander is one of our favorite Spanish beach destinations, and we’re sure it’ll quickly become one of yours, too. This beautiful coastal city, not a banking branch, is located along Spain’s picturesque north coast. The Cantabria region’s capital is best known for its golden sand beaches, charming historic squares, and lively port.

🏨 Explore all your hotel options

In Santander, you’ll spend your days swimming in the sea, walking around the coast, and eating delicious Spanish cuisine. Around every corner of Santander’s winding bay, you’ll find long sandy beaches with turquoise waters, beachfront restaurants, and impressive coastal views. Points of interest include El Sardinero, Palacio de la Magdalena, and Playa de Mataleña. One person can live in the city for $1,144 monthly.

Varna, Bulgaria

Another budget-friendly beach destination in Bulgaria where your money can go further is Varna, a postcard-perfect port city and popular seaside resort along the east coast. This lovely beach destination offers a glorious stretch of golden sand beach, a relaxed lifestyle, and a wide range of things to do.

You can live in the city for approximately $900 a month. That includes your rent, food, utilities, and entertainment. Noteworthy places to visit in Varna include the Archaeological Museum Varna, Varna Zoo, and the Sea Garden. However, beachgoers will likely spend most of their time on Rappongi Beach enjoying the sun, sand, and sea.

Klaipėda, Lithuania

Budget-Friendly Beach Destinations in Europe Klaipėda, Lithuania — © Proslgn / Adobe Stock

The next beach destination on our list is Klaipėda, a breathtaking port city in Lithuania located at the Danė River, at the point where it meets the Baltic Sea. A family of four can live comfortably in Klaipėda for $2,510 a month. That’s three times less than the cost of living for a family of four in London, United Kingdom.

Klaipėda is a beautiful place to explore. It offers visitors scenic coastal walks, pristine beaches, and a charming town center jam-packed with quaint 18th-century wooden-framed buildings. Popular attractions in the city include Theater Square, Klaipėda Drama Theater, the Lithuanian Sea Museum, and Smiltynės Beach.

Sopot, Poland

Most people don’t associate Poland with beach destinations, but just a short train ride from Gdansk in northern Poland lies a vibrant seaside town that offers a beautiful beach and much more. Aside from its gorgeous long sandy beach, Sopot is known for its health spas, the longest wooden pier in Europe, and affordable cost of living.

A single person can live in the town for just over $1,100 monthly. When you’re not walking along the wooden pier, relaxing on the beach, or getting a message in one of the world-class spas, visit Sopot’s architectural attractions. Must-visit locations include the Crooked House, Sopot Lighthouse, and Sopot Museum. You can also party the night away in one of the town’s many nightclubs.

Rhodes, Greece

Beaches in the World Paphos, Cyprus — © Leonid Andronov / Adobe Stock

Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is an excellent place to live if you want to spend your days off exploring historic sites, getting lost in ancient Old Towns, and sunbathing on picture-perfect beaches with soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

There are many budget-friendly places to live on Rhodes, but our recommendations are Pefkos and Rhodes City. Rhodes City is perfect for beachgoers who enjoy a sprinkling of history, as it’s home to Rhodes Old Town and the medieval Street of the Knights. Meanwhile, Pefkos is a beach retreat offering miles of undisturbed beaches, beachfront tavernas, and scenic boat tours. You can experience all of this for approximately $1,050 a month.

Madeira, Portugal

12 Cool Destinations in Europe To Beat the Heat in June Madeira — © Noradoa / Adobe Stock

The penultimate beach destination on this list is Madeira, where an expat can live for $1,532 monthly. Madeira is a large Portuguese archipelago northwest of the African coast. Aside from its year-round good weather, the biggest draw to this island is its impressive landscapes.

You’ll find rugged mountain landscapes, beautiful beaches, and impressive architecture at every corner of the main island. One of the most popular places to live is Madeira’s capital, Funchal. Here, you’ll find a unique mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Manueline architecture, ancient fortresses, scenic hiking trails, and more. Don’t miss the Funchal Cable Car, Madeira Botanical Garden, and Praia Formosa.

Marsaskala, Malta

The final destination for you is Marsaskala, otherwise known as Marsascala or M’Skala. Marsaskala is a lively seaside town in the Southeastern region of Malta. It’s best known for its small harbor, scenic coastline, and charming beaches. The total average city living cost for singles is $1,372 monthly, including rent.

Marsaskala has a beautiful town center to explore and a picturesque promenade to walk along, but you’ll likely spend most of your time hunting down the best beaches. Some of the best beaches in the city include St. Thomas Bay Beach, Żonqor Beach, and Wara l-Jerma Bay Beach. Meanwhile, notable attractions in the city include Torri San Tumas, Mamo Tower, and the Salt Pans.