When people think of cheap summer package holidays, they usually jump straight to Spain, Tenerife or the big Greek islands. But some of the best-value destinations in Europe right now are places that still feel a little less discovered.
Why Look Beyond the Usual Hotspots?
‘Families are being much smarter with money this year,’ Sarah Higgs, a British travel consultant, tells Metro. ‘People still want sunshine, pools and a proper break away, but they also want to come home without feeling like they need another loan to recover from the spending money.’ The founder of Sarah’s Travel Adventures says she is seeing ‘far more’ holidaymakers looking outside the ‘standard’ package hotspots if it means nicer hotels and the chance to stay longer.
For a family-of-four travelling between May and October, these are some of the destinations currently offering the best value when you combine flights and accommodation.
1. Albania
Albania has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Sarah lays out why: The beaches are stunning (especially around Sarandë and Ksamil), the sea looks like something you’d expect in Greece, and prices are still far lower than most of its neighbouring countries. She adds: ‘It’s become really popular with families and couples who want somewhere that feels a bit more special than the standard package destinations without the luxury price tag.’
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and seven nights accommodation in Oxygen Boutique Hotel in Tirana. £316pp with Tui.
2. Montenegro
Montenegro is becoming one of those destinations where people go once and then ask why nobody told them about it sooner. Just three hours from London, this small Balkan country has become increasingly popular with British tourists in recent years, with bookings for UK flights rising by 164% in 2024. Sarah says that places like Budva and Tivat offer beautiful scenery, lovely coastal hotels and that Mediterranean feel people want, but at a much more manageable price than Croatia or Italy. It feels more relaxed and less overcrowded, she adds, ‘which families are really valuing now’.
Until recently, one corner of the country had been off-limits to visitors. Sveti Stefan, a small island and luxury resort village, was closed to the public in 2021 amid a long-running legal and political dispute with the Government of Montenegro over beach access for locals. But after years of uncertainty, a settlement has finally been reached. As a result, the hotel operator on the island, Aman, has announced it will reopen its doors to guests this summer. So there’s never been a better time to visit.
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and seven nights accommodation in Boutique Hotel Momentum in Tivat. From £495pp with easyJet Holidays.
3. Turkey
Turkey is still probably the best-value family holiday on the market right now, according to Sarah and other travel agents we spoke to. Areas like Dalaman, Antalya and Marmaris are packed with all-inclusive hotels, and the prices are often significantly lower than Spain or Greece for a similar standard. Sarah says: ‘For a family of four, you can still realistically find a week away during the school holidays from around £2,200–£3,000 total depending on the airport and hotel.’ The biggest difference, though, is the spending money once you arrive. ‘Families can eat out, book excursions and enjoy themselves without constantly checking their banking app every five minutes,’ she says.
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and seven nights accommodation in Mersoy Bellavista Hotel on the Turkish Riviera. £208pp with Thomas Cook.
4. North Macedonia
In Sarah’s opinion, Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia is one of the most underrated places in Europe. She says it’s ideal for families wanting beautiful scenery, lovely food and a much slower pace of holiday without huge crowds or inflated tourist prices. ‘It’s not the place for massive waterparks and busy nightlife, but for people wanting a relaxed family break, it’s incredible value,’ she adds.
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and seven nights accommodation in Hotel Skopje City Centre. From £259pp with loveholidays.
5. Bulgaria
Bulgaria remains one of the cheapest package holiday destinations in Europe. The Black Sea resorts still offer genuinely affordable all-inclusive holidays during the summer holidays, which Sarah notes is getting harder to find elsewhere. For families trying to keep costs under control but still wanting guaranteed sunshine and a hotel pool, she says Bulgaria is still one of the strongest options around.
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and seven nights accommodation at the Tui Suneo Perla in Sunny Beach. £362pp with Tui.
6. Romania
Romania is becoming increasingly popular for travellers wanting a mix of city break, culture and beach holiday — without Western European prices. Sarah says that while accommodation standards have ‘improved massively’ over the last few years, prices still haven’t caught up yet. ‘This makes it a really interesting option for budget-conscious families,’ she adds.
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and six nights accommodation at DeGoya Studios Bucharest Old Town. £320pp with Tui.
7. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is still under the radar compared to the rest of Europe. Places like Sarajevo and Mostar offer amazing scenery, brilliant food and far cheaper accommodation than many of Europe’s better-known tourist cities.
Cheapest package deal we could find: flights and seven nights accommodation in ibis Styles Sarajevo. £465pp with lastminute.com.
Travel Trends and Tips
Sarah says that people are becoming much more open to destinations that feel different and authentic rather than just booking the same resort every year. ‘When it comes to booking trends overall, people absolutely still want to travel despite everything happening globally,’ she explains. ‘What I am seeing though is more caution around long-haul travel and destinations involving Middle Eastern stopovers since the Iran conflict escalated. European holidays feel simpler, safer and easier to budget for right now, so demand for these destinations is extremely strong.’
From her customers, Sarah says she sees that families are also leaving bookings later, watching prices closely and trying to get the best possible deal before committing. But despite the cost-of-living pressures, she says people are still prioritising holidays. ‘Families want that time together more than ever, they just want to feel like they’re getting proper value for money when they book it.’
