Beach Holiday Destinations in Europe

With cheap flights and package holidays connecting much of Europe, there is no need to spend a great deal of money on a summer holiday to enjoy some sun and sea. Particularly if you go outside of the Euro zone, you are bound to find a cheap destination to spend a long weekend in. Consider the following destinations for your budget beach holiday abroad.


Bulgaria has plenty to offer for all sorts of travelers. There are mountains, ancient cities and much more. While some of the coast has been horribly overdeveloped, it is also home to some of the most unspoiled beaches in Europe. Value for money is exceptionally good in much of Bulgaria, especially when you avoid the overpriced and often tacky touristic resorts. Take a cheap flight to the capital, Sofia, or a package flight to a town nearer the coast and get to see what the country truly has to offer. The best beaches are in the South of the country, a region that remains underrated. Sinemorets, not far from the border of Turkey, has some particularly pleasant beaches, as does the area around Sozopol.

Like Bulgaria, Turkey has a lot to offer to tourists looking for fine summer weather and great beaches. It is also a cheap destination if you stay away from the touristy hotspots. With great cuisine and a land steeped in history, Turkey has plenty to keep, even the most demanding holidaymaker are satisfied for a while. The Turkish coastline is simply enormous, covering the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea. Some of the best coastal areas in Turkey include the Datca Peninsula in the South West, the beautiful white sands of Kaputas Beach, also in the South West of the country, and the stunning area of Faralya in Lycia near the Mediterranean.

Croatia is a small country that is also home to some of the most picturesque towns near the Mediterranean, particularly the world-famous towns of Dubrovnik and Split. The tourist hotspots can be expensive, but it is easy to get away from them and see the real Croatia for a lot less if you are a bit more adventures. Croatia makes for a great budget destination thanks to the fact that it is often extremely cheap to fly there. Zagreb, the capital, is home to the main international airport and there are regular flights with budget airlines like Easy Jet connecting much of Europe. Some of Croatia's best beaches can be found in Zlatni Rat on the island of Brac and the many small islands of Kornati National Park.

Poland might not be the first country you would think of as a beach holiday destination, but you would be wrong in making this assumption. Of course, it is very seasonal but, during the summer months, the Baltic Sea is usually pleasantly warm and the weather is often almost as hot and sunny as many places along the Mediterranean. Poland is not the bargain destination it used to be, but it is still cheap compared to the UK and most other Western countries. For a beach holiday in Poland, you will want to base yourself in the beautiful hanseatic city of Gdansk in the middle of Poland's coastline. Gdansk is part of the tri-city area of which the famous resort town of Sopot is also a part.