Portugal and Turkey named some of the cheapest family holidays for summer

21 July 2023 , 23:05

626     0

Marmaris is the European resort to go to if you're looking for a bargain (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

British families heading off on holidays to Europe in July and August are likely to find the cheapest resort prices in Turkey, Portugal and Bulgaria, according to new research.

Prices for meals, drinks and beach items are lowest by far in Marmaris, the Algarve and Sunny Beach, the annual Post Office Family Holiday Report produced in partnership with TUI found.

However, prices have risen year-on-year in 15 of the 16 beach destinations surveyed as inflation continues to impact popular holiday destinations across the Continent.

Laura Plunkett, head of Travel Money at Post Office, warned: "Although sterling is at a 2023 high against European currencies, inflation has hit local prices abroad just as it has in the UK. This means families should expect to pay more for meals, drinks and other tourist items in most resorts. Ironically, two of the cheapest destinations we surveyed – Turkey and Bulgaria – have seen the biggest rises. However, they are still places where bargain hunters will get the most for their money."

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Post Office report compared 12 times across a number of resorts to see which offered the best value for money this summer.

All the places you can fly to for less than a tenner including Italy and Spain

They included family meal, drinks, sun cream, insect repellent and beach items ranging from buckets and spades, lilos ice-creams and pedalo rides.

The cost of a bottle of beer, glass of wine, water ride and three course meals for a family are also taken into account.

Marmaris was found to be the cheapest of 16 destinations surveyed - even though prices have risen significantly since last summer, the rise is limited to 33% for British tourists due to the collapse in the value of the Turkish lira.

The 12 items in Marmaris are more than £100 lower than in Ibiza, the most expensive destination surveyed at £216 for the basket.

The famous Turkish resort is best known for its beaches, watersports and cheap alcohol. There are also popular cruises that take in islands in the surrounding bay, including Sedir Island - commonly known as Cleopatra's Island, which is famous for its soft, white and now protected sand.

Whether you want to sizzle in the sunshine on the beach, spend all day soaking in the warm Mediterranean sea, or live it up on the strip without breaking the bank, it is one of the places to go.

The Algarve was second on the list (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The cheapest to most expensive holiday resorts in Europe

1. Marmaris, Turkey - £114.70
2. Algarve, Portugal - £120.01
3. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria - £120.73
4. Costa del Sol, Spain - £136.29
5. Kos, Greece - £144.41
6. Paphos, Cyprus - £151.73
7. Rhodes, Greece - £152.31
8. Funchal, Madeira - £155.35
9. Sliema, Malta - £159.73
10. Corfu, Greece - £164.09
11. Majorca, Balearic Islands - £164.95
12. Puglia, Italy -£166.62
13. Crete, Greece - £170.72
14. Lanzarote, Canary Islands - £170.91
15. Porec, Croatia - £174.98
16. Ibiza, Balearic Islands £215.71

In the Algarve - this year’s runner-up resort - prices are less than 11% higher than a year ago at £120 for the 12 barometer items.

Last year’s best value destination, Sunny Beach, has fallen to third place, with a barometer total of £121. Although the Black Sea resort remains good value compared to most other destinations, prices have rocketed by 41% over the past 12 months.

There are big bargains to be had at Sunny Beach (UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Last year’s barometer found that an evening meal with drinks for two adults and two children cost around £35. This year families can expect to pay 60% more – although the £56 price tag is still cheapest among the 16 Beach Barometer resorts.

The resort still has the cheapest alcohol, with the average price of a bottle of beer £1.62 and a glass of wine £2.32 - compared to £2.19 and £4.05 in Marmaris, and £1.66 and £1.97 in the Algarve.

EasyJet currently has a huge sale with up to £200 off Spain holidays

Post Office Travel Money’s Laura Plunkett said: "It can be difficult to rein-in spending when people want to make the most of their holiday, but setting a fixed budget and sticking to it can help make sure you don’t overspend on treats and beach goodies while abroad.

"Meals can be a budget buster so compare prices before choosing where to eat. Beachfront cafés and restaurants are likely to be more expensive than more authentic ones a street back.

"Check whether service is included before paying because tips are not expected in many European countries. Avoid getting charged a fee for withdrawing cash at an ATM abroad by getting sufficient holiday currency before leaving home.

"Always pay in the local currency when using a payment card, and consider loading currency onto a pre-paid card, like the Post Office Travel Money Card, which can be topped up with more cash abroad."

You can find out more about the study at postoffice.co.uk.

Milo Boyd