The Algarve in Portugal has been named the top bargain holiday hotspot for British families this summer, according to research by Post Office Travel Money. The study compared the cost of 10 typical holiday items across 22 popular destinations, revealing a near £130 difference between the cheapest and most expensive locations.
Algarve Leads as Cheapest Destination
The Algarve topped the list with the 10 items costing £139.65, 2.7% less than a year ago. These items include a three-course family meal, lunch for two, suncream, a cup of coffee, and insect repellent. The next cheapest was Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, at £142.16, followed by the Canary Islands (£147.42), Menorca (£151.28), and Costa Brava, Spain (£155.02).
At the other end of the scale, Sorrento in Italy was the most expensive, with the same 10 purchases costing £268.23. A family meal in Sorrento can cost £150, compared to £88 in the Algarve.
Big Price Variations Across Europe
The research highlighted significant price differences even within the same country. In Greece, totals ranged from £181 in Kos to £222 in Crete. A cup of coffee in Sorrento costs £4.37, while in Puglia, Italy, it is just £1.14.
Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: "We found big variations in costs between the European resorts surveyed, which means it is more important than ever to do some research before heading off on your holiday to inform how much holiday cash you’ll need for meals, drinks and other tourist staples. For those families who haven’t already booked and are looking for a late deal, the low resort prices in Portugal and Spain make these countries great value for money, while Bulgaria’s Black Sea resorts are strong contenders too."
Full List of Cheapest to Most Expensive Destinations
- Algarve, Portugal – £139.65
- Sunny Beach, Bulgaria – £142.16
- Canary Islands – £147.42
- Menorca – £151.28
- Costa Brava, Spain – £155.02
- Canary Islands – £158.31
- Marmaris, Turkey – £158.33
- Costa del Sol, Spain – £163.17
- Costa Blanca – £173.41
- Paphos, Cyprus – £177.18
- Sliema, Malta – £181.21
- Kos, Greece – £181.38
- Rhodes, Greece – £186.10
- Porec, Croatia – £199.68
- Puglia, Italy – £203.05
- Corfu, Greece – £204.34
- Zadar, Croatia – £211.90
- Ibiza – £211.90
- Majorca – £219.65
- Crete, Greece – £211.57
- Funchal, Madeira – £260
- Sorrento, Italy – £268.23
The Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Report was published as many schools in England break up for the summer holiday. The report found that prices varied by as much as 92% across the 22 destinations surveyed, underscoring the importance of research for families looking to stretch their holiday budget.
