Stretching Your Euros: Europe's 12 Best Value Beach Destinations

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, you may wonder which parts of Europe offer beautiful coastline stretches and pleasing prices. There are great value beach destinations across the continent, from Portugal and Spain in the west to Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and more in the west. Read on to discover which hot vacation spots are guaranteed not to break the bank.

Swipe and Vote: See What Travelers Recommend

Which of Europe’s beach gems stretches your euro furthest? Pick wisely—your wallet’s watching!

This is a swiper quiz, swipe right for yes, swipe left for no.

Stretching Your Euros: Europe's 12 Best Value Beach Destinations

Dubrovnik, Croatia 1/5

Marmaris, Turkey 2/5

Sarandë, Albania 3/5

Benidorm, Spain 4/5

Kos, Greece 5/5

Results

Dubrovnik, Croatia

2 2

Marmaris, Turkey

2 2

Sarandë, Albania

2 2

Benidorm, Spain

1 3

Kos, Greece

2 2

Table of Contents

Kos, Greece

Kos is one of many great Greek islands of great value. With budget airline flights and many accommodation options, competition ensures this one remains within easy reach. Prices here reflect the fact that the Greek economy relies heavily on tourism.

Sarandë, Albania

For bargain basement deals on vacations, head to Eastern Europe. Albania may be off the tourist radar, but of course, that leads to some of the best deals on the continent. The most popular resort of Sarandë offers it all – gorgeous beaches, historic sites, a great selection of places to eat and drink, and a picturesque setting between olive groves and the Ionian Sea.

Marmaris, Turkey

Though Turkey lies where east meets west, it’s generally categorized as Europe for travel insurance purposes. You can snap up cheap deals on everything from accommodations to clothing, gifts, souvenirs, activities, and dining out in the Turkish resort of Marmaris. And it’s hot, hot, hot, with highs of 95°F (35°C) in July and August.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

It’s burgeoning in popularity for city breaks, but Dubrovnik in Croatia also doubles up nicely for beach stays. Here you can walk the old city walls for breathtaking views over the city and sea, and explore the wonderful old architecture. With beautiful beaches to boot, this is a very versatile destination.

🏨Explore all your hotel options here

Benidorm, Spain

It might not be to everyone’s taste, but the bold Spanish resort of Benidorm offers incredible bang for your buck. The level of competition here contributes to cheap prices, with hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops all vying for your travel dollars.

Zadar, Croatia

If Dubrovnik has too much of a city break feel for you, try Zadar instead. Also, in Croatia, it’s located on the Dalmatian Coast. Expect lots of Italian influence evident in the Venetian city gates and Roman ruins. You’ll also find great restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and white sandy beaches here.

Save this

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

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife tends to offer the best deals in the Canaries, as it’s the biggest and most developed island of the bunch. It’s not all about bucket-and-spade tourism, with an unspoiled interior to discover. Or head north to escape most package holiday crowds, which tend to congregate in the south.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s brash resort of Sunny Beach is a favorite among young European holidaymakers in search of sun and fun. This destination offers lively nightlife, a sun-drenched setting by the Black Sea, and pocket-friendly prices.

The Algarve, Portugal

Though in Western rather than Eastern Europe, Portugal is one of the best-value vacation destinations on the continent. It’s not only about beach life here, either. The Algarve counts hiking trails, surfing beaches, road trips, and world-class golf courses among its top attractions.

Ulcinj, Montenegro

Montenegro is fast becoming a popular package holiday option but suffers from a shortage of sandy beaches. That’s not the case in Ulcinj, which boasts a broad white sandy stretch. This attractive and underrated resort on the Adriatic Coast also offers pocket-pleasing prices.

Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca is a Mediterranean island that has something for everyone. There are family-friendly resorts, lively nightlife spots, lovely beaches, and exclusive villages famous for their celebrity residents. Expect orange groves, stone-built settlements seemingly untouched by time, and Moorish remains on this Balearic Island.

Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos is the capital of Cyprus, the island of love, and is one of Europe’s best-value beach destinations. The city on the southwest coast is awash with historical sights and surrounded by breathtaking beaches. It’s also easy to venture further from here to explore the Med’s third-largest island.