Beach Holiday Deals

IT’S not too late to book yourself a family holiday in the UK this May half term

Whether you’re a family of adrenaline junkies looking for a stay near a theme park, or after something more relaxing in a beachfront lodge, there’s something for you.

Here’s our pick of UK family holiday deals you can STILL book for this May half term.

Haven Marton Mere, Blackpool – £269

Haven offer a 3-night stay for a family of 4 in a saver caravan for £269 from 22 May

Haven Marton Mere is a holiday village just 10 minutes’ drive from Blackpool‘s famous seafront.

New for this year, the resort has refurbished its snazzy Showbar, plus introduced the Tiger Club Show – a live entertainment game show led by Rory the Tiger.

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Plus, just ten minutes’ drive from the resort will land you at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, who are revealing a brand new ride this year.

Aviktas is set to open on 21 May 2026, so there’s plenty of updates that make May the perfect time to book a family holiday to Blackpool.

Combe Haven, Sussex – £239

Haven offer a 3-night stay for a family of 4 in a saver caravan for £239 from 22 May

Combe Haven is an action-packed holiday park in St Leonard’s-on-Sea in East Sussex.

With a great seaside location on the English Channel coast just outside Hastings.

The true gem is the park’s swimming pool, with a lazy river, splash zone and Space Bowl flume.

Take a 10-minute drive to Hastings for some of the UK’s top historical sites, including Hastings Castle and the family-friendly attraction, Smuggler’s Adventure.

You can book a stay for this May half term in a caravan which sleeps up to four, meaning your last-minute holiday will only cost £60pp.

Stay in a quirky cow shed in Suffolk – £300

Sykes cottages offer a 3-night stay for 4 for £300 from 29 May

This unique stay in Campsea Ashe, Suffolk offers a selection of quirky, colourful cow sheds to stay in.

Pick between Bluebelle, Buttercup, Betsy, Dozy Dotty or Daisy for a unique staycation that the kids will love.

Each cow shed sleeps up to four and has bunk beds, a kitchenette, heating and all of your linen and towels included.

You also get access to a shared garden where you can have a family barbecue.

The site is a short drive from Aldeburgh, one of Suffolk’s most picturesque seaside towns.

Parkdean Wemyss Bay, Scotland – £256

Parkdean Resorts offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a bronze caravan which sleeps up to 6 for £256

Perched on Scotland‘s stunning west coast, Parkdean Wemyss Bay offers an affordable coastal stay with loads to do on your doorstep.

This holiday park has plenty of activities for kids like its own amusement arcade, adventure playground and climbing wall.

There’s also an indoor pool with a paddling area, as well as steam and sauna rooms for the adults.

And if you fancy a day trip out, you can hop on a ferry to Rothesay to see its castle and gardens.

The resort also has sweeping views over the Firth, so there’s no need to leave site if you’d rather stay put and enjoy the views.

Parkdean St Margaret’s Bay – £409

Parkdean Resorts offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a bronze caravan which sleeps up to 4 for £409

This peaceful holiday park in St Margaret’s Bay is only around a mile away from the White Cliffs of Dover, so you can tick off a famous sight with a stay here.

Plus this beautiful stretch of Kent coastline also has gems like Dover Castle and Canterbury to visit.

The resort itself is relaxed and all about the coastal views as opposed to bright and colourful entertainments and arcades.

It also has a heated indoor pool, gym and sauna to make that your trip all the more relaxing.

Park Holidays Burghead, Scotland – £409

Park Holidays offer a 7-night stay from 22 May in a gold caravan from which sleeps up to 6 for £409

This resort on the Moray Firth sits practically on the beach, plus you can even go dolphin spotting.

Burghead is a picturesque fishing town that feels much more remote and rugged than your typical busy seaside resort.

On site there’s plenty of amazing entertainment like live music and dancing, karaoke and bingo.

If you visit as a group of six, this bargain break over the May half term will cost you just £43pp!

Park Holidays Ribble Valley, Lancashire – £309

Park Holidays offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a caravan which sleeps up to 6 for £309

For a relaxed family holiday in Lancashire this May, book a stay at Ribble Valley holiday park.

This peaceful countryside resort sits between the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill, both of which offer walks with wonderful views.

This Lancashire holiday park is much more about getting away from the park and out into nature, rather than offering loads of action-packed activities on site.

But it does have landscaped gardens, a children’s play area, a gym and free access to The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa.

There’s also loads of family attractions nearby like Clitheroe Castle Museum and Bowland Boar Wildlife Park.

IF you haven’t booked your summer holiday abroad yet, now’s the perfect time — you can bag yourself a HUGE bargain in this holiday sale.

Club Med has launched its massive Flash Summer Sale, where you can save up to a whopping £600 per person on all-inclusive summer holidays.

Save up to £600 per person in the Club Med Summer Sale

Not only can you bag massive savings, but if you’re going away as a family, you’ll be glad to know that kids under 6 stay free!

These holiday deals include your accommodation, meals, drinks activities and kids clubs all packaged neatly into one price, with no hidden costs.

These are some seriously premium holidays for bargain prices, with modern resorts in trendy destinations, gourmet dining and childcare all taken care of.

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There’s a range of sun-soaked destinations to choose from, including long haul and short haul options, with travel dates stretching until November 2026.

But make sure to act fast – the flash sale ends on May 13.

Here’s a selection of top all-inclusive holiday deals you can snap up in the Club Med Summer Flash Sale.

Marbella, Spain

One option is the Club Med Magna Marbella, a Spanish sunshine resort set in twelve acres of lush green gardens.

This hidden slice of luxury sits at the base of a beautiful mountain, overlooking the sea and just a stone’s throw from the historic Old Town and glitzy Marbella.

This resort has its own lagoon pool with a beach club feel, plus grown-ups can enjoy the adults-only Zen Zone pool and juice bar whilst children up to age 17 are in the kids club.

Da Balaia, The Algarve, Portugal

This family-friendly resort is surrounded by gorgeous beaches and outstanding golf courses.

Adults can unwind at the eco-pool, whilst kids can take part in adventurous activities ranging from mini golf to a flying trapeze.

Unwind in the evenings with some fresh seafood at one of the resort’s sea view restaurants.

Cefalù, Sicily, Italy

What better than a luxury all-inclusive resort overlooking Cefalù Bay in Italy?

Lay back on a lounger to soak up the sea and mountain views and summer heat, or head out on excursions including paddle-boarding or beachfront yoga.

In the evenings, dine on a Sicilian menu of gourmet meals and sip local wine under the sun.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

This colourful resort in the Dominican Republic sits on the beach where crystal-clear waters meet fine white sands backed by coconut groves.

Whether it’s a couple’s retreat or a family getaway, you can fill your days with relaxing spa treatments or thrilling activities like water sports, sailing and tennis.

For something truly memorable, go horse riding along the beach at sunset.

Marrakech, Morocco

Club Med Marrakech is a luxurious Moroccan stay with colourful courtyards and relaxing gardens to wander, with the vibrant souks of the city close by.

Practice your swing at the driving range or get stuck into a good book by the palm tree-dotted poolside, plus there’s childcare for children ranging from infants to teens.

Tuck into tajine, grilled meats and mezze at the traditional restaurant, and enjoy a Moroccan mint tea or something stronger at the rooftop bar.

There’s plenty more holiday destinations to browse in the sale, such as luxurious all-inclusive resorts on the Turkish Riviera, quiet Greek islands and coastal retreats in France.

There’s even savings for dreamy long-haul destinations like Cancun, Mauritius, the Maldives and Seychelles.

Just make sure to act fast and bag your bargain break before the sale ends on May 13.

HAVING ditched London for the Kent coastline, my evenings are now spent walking along the beach. But it comes with a downside – the dreaded pricey commute.

A standard peak-time ticket on the high speed line costs me a whopping £105.60, despite it taking less than an hour.

Yet on that 52-minute commute, going from green countryside to dreary grey city buildings, I’m often dreaming of my next holiday.

And you’ll be surprised to know that there are a hell of a lot of holidays that are actually cheaper than that day ticket – both in the UK and abroad.

I’ve crunched the numbers to find return flights or cruises, as well as hotels, when going abroad, although you might need to factor in your own costs such as parking and bus transfers.

Some are day trips, so you can even save on the hotel and spend elsewhere, be it on culture or boozing.

So here are some of the 20 best holidays that are less than £105 each (and where I’d much rather be than in the office).

Three nights in Venice

A huge bargain deal lets you spend three nights in Venice for just £79, and it includes return London flights.

It comes with breakfast, so have a big one to get you through the day.

Skip the very expensive gondola rides and hop on a local one that costs just €2 (£1.74) and goes across the river.

Some restaurants have set menus that start from around €15 (£13) for two courses, and expect to pay as little as 86p for a glass of wine.

If you want a bit of extra cash to spend, reduce the trip to just two nights, which takes it down to £49pp.

= £95.48pp

Weekend trip to Margate

You can get a Travelodge right by Margate station for just £33 a night – working out to £16.50 each – and return tickets from London are around £12 each way, if you book in advance.

That’s just over £40, which can get you some fish and chips from Beach Bouys (£14.50), AND you can squeeze a drink at The Mechanical Elephant (£5 pint), the Wetherspoons in town.

Dreamland is free to visit, as well as the very bizarre crab museum and the Turner Contemporary gallery.

= £60pp

One night Amsterdam cruise

Did you know you can spend the day in Amsterdam without having to sort flights or a hotel?

DFDS has some two-night mini cruises from Newcastle to Amsterdam for as little as £54.50 each (or £39.75 is sharing as a four, not two people). This includes a private overnight cabin as well as bus transfers to the city centre.

This leaves you with £50, best spent on a ticket to Anne Frank’s House (£14.35).

A cone of frites is around €4 (£3.50) and for a cheap drink, Backstage Bar has pints for under €5 (£4.35).

Free things to do include the boat to Amsterdam Noord, as well as Vondelpark and Rijksmuseum (or Van Gogh Museum on Friday evenings).

= £76.70pp

Two nights all-inclusive in Turkey

A two-night all-inclusive holiday in Turkey comes in just under budget too.

The £99 deal each with Wowcher includes two nights at a five-star hotel, as well as access to the pools, all your food and drink AND return flights.

Be quick, as there are only a few days left in May.

= £99pp

Day trip to Oxford

Trains from London to Oxford take less than an hour, and can be found for as little as £5.40 each way.

Visit the Ashmolean Museum without spending a penny or spend your money on a university tour (£27). Harry Potter tours are also similarly priced.

The rest of your budget can go on a three-course menu at No.1 Ship Street (£26pp) named one of the best restaurants in the city, before heading home for the evening.

= £63.80pp

One night in Milan 

Loveholidays has one-night stays for £79 each, which includes return flights as well as an overnight stay.

The stay is at the B&B Hotel Milano, in nearby Monza.

But there is lots to do for free in Milan, such as visiting the outside of the Duomo or the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Head to Pizza Am where you can get an entire pizza for just €6 (£5.22) which comes with a free glass of fizz.

Famous for its Negroni Sbagliato, Bar Basso is where to end the evening where a cocktail will set you back a tenner.

= £94.22pp

Four nights camping in Spain

From £99pp, you could spend four nights at Estival Torre De La Mora with return flights.

This is based on a family of four, and the airport is super close to the campsite as well.

You have just £6 leftover, so probably best to pack some cereal and pasta from home.

= £99pp

Day trip to Majorca

Extreme day trips are a thing now, thanks to cheap (and quick) flights to Europe.

Holiday Pirates has done the hard work and found some cheap return flights to Majorca from £34, which leave in the morning and come back in the evening.

This leaves you with around £71 to spend on cocktails and dinner.

Marley’s has cheap pints and cocktails, so get one of each and it will cost you less than a tenner overall.

Sa Fonda has a Majorcan buffet in the week that is just €13.50 (£11.74) leaving more than enough cash for a fridge magnet or two…

= £55.74pp

One night in Fez

It isn’t just Europe on the cards; you could do an overnight stay in Morocco with Loveholidays for £99pp.

Along with flights, the deal includes hotels such as Riad Dar Guennoun (which comes with breakfast) or Hotel Ibis Fez.

Make the most of the free attractions like the Fes el Bali medina, while street food ranges from 40p for fried sfenj (doughnuts). A dinner out will usually cost about £8.

= £97.40pp

Four nights at Haven holiday park

One of the cheapest holidays you can go on in the UK is to a Haven holiday park.

Four nights start from £49 based on a family of four if you travel next month.

This doesn’t include access to the arcades and pools, so I recommend going for a break that does instead which is £69, or £17.25.

That leaves you around £87, so take your own food to save on breakfast.

Instead, treat yourself to a cocktail pitcher on your last night for £11 each, as well as a dinner for £10 each. You can even get a roast for a tenner each with cash to spare.

= £48.25pp

A day in London

So if you are already living in London, there is an easy way to spend under £105 each.

A one-day travelcard for Zone 1-2 is £8.90 per adult, and it will certainly get its use.

First of all, there are a lot of free museums – the V&A, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, National Portrait Gallery, to name a few.

A famous Brick Lane bagel for lunch will set you back just £4.50 for a standard cream cheese option.

A theatre trip is a must, and BuyAGift has tickets for The Devil Wears Prada for £75, or £32.50 each.

Pre-theatre menus are a bargain too – try Gallio, where a two-course pre-show meal is just £20 each.

End the night at Cardinal Bar & Kitchen in Aldgate – where every day you can get pints of house beer for a fiver (and treat yourself to two).

= £75.90pp

Two nights in Lake Garda

Two nights in Lake Garda is as little as £59 each, with dates even after summer. The two-night stay is at a 4* hotel, with return flights from London.

It includes breakfast, so make sure to have a big one. Then enjoy a fresh pizza for around £11 and an Aperol Spritz for £7.

Add in a boat tour too, as Get Your Guide has some to Sirmione for £21 each.

= £98pp

Day trip to Calais

Another no drive option is heading to France via Eurotunnel for the day, which starts from £59 per car, so £14.75 per person.

Entering via Calais, you can explore some of France’s best seaside towns such as Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.

But one of the closest is Wimereux, where you can grab a croissant and coffee for around £3, before heading to the beach for the day.

Have a dip in the sea pool before getting a ‘plat du jour’ (two-course lunch) for around £20 – and then make the most of cheap duty-free with by bringing 12 bottles of £5 wine home…

= £97.75pp

Two nights Algarve

How about two nights in The Algarve?

The cheapest deals are £99 each for two nights with flights with Loveholidays.

This leaves you with £6 to play with, so you’ll need to bring your own food or head to the supermarket.

But spend your time just chilling on the beautiful beaches, catching some rays to keep costs down.

= £99pp

Four nights at Butlins

A last-minute holiday to Butlin’s is a bargain too, with four-night breaks next month for £49. The Bognor Regis stay is based on four people sharing, so that’s £12.25 each.

Add a dining plan, such as the Food Court Dining plan, which is around £50 each and includes buffet breakfast, dinner, and unlimited soft drinks and desserts.

You can even add on an All Action Pass (£15) for access to go karts, bowling, golf and trampolines, AND a two-hour spa experience and come under budget still.

= £105pp

Two nights in Zagreb

Book your own flights and hotels, and you could spend two nights in the capital of Croatia for just £92pp. According to HolidayPirates, this includes return Ryanair flights from London Stansted and two nights at Zajceva 34.

The Historic Upper Town is free to see, as are walking tours, where you can spot some street art along the way, and the Museum of Contemporary Art on the first Wednesday, and the Archaeological Museum on the first Sunday.

You only have about a tenner for food so you’ll need to go to the supermarket, or you could try a “burek” meat pastry from street food stalls for about £5.

= £97pp

Two-night Santander cruise

A no-flight holiday option is a two-night cruise to Spain, which starts from £99 per person when based on a four-person cabin.

This includes the return cruise and two nights onboard in a cabin.

This does only leave you £6, so pack some food… and save it for a wine in Santander (around £2 a glass).

= £101pp

Two nights in Rome

The Italian city of Rome is both easy and cheap to get to. A two-night Wowcher deal in May has return London lights, a hotel and breakfast included for £79 each.

Tickets to the Colosseum will take you close to the budget, so I recommend seeing it from the outside instead (or go on the first Sunday of the month, where it is free as well) and see the free Pantheon as well.

Try Giano Restaurant for lunch, where a two-course meal and coffee is £19 each, followed by gelato for around £4.

= £102pp

One night in Krakow

How about an overnight in Krakow for £99 each? The Loveholidays deal for May has return London Luton flights and a stay at a three-star hotel.

Kraków is cheap, so get a Zapiekanka (pizza) for around £4.50 that will keep you full all day.

Exploring the Old Town is free, as are some of the museums, such as Schindler’s Factory on Monday or MOCAK on Thursday.

= £103.50

Two nights in Costa Brava

You could spend two nights in Spain for under £100, just.

Two nights in Costa Brava or Costa Dorada come in at £99 each with Loveholidays, although the latter has breakfast (so make sure to nab some rolls and snacks for lunch).

Put the last £6 towards supermarket snacks to take back to the pool where you can relax for the rest of the day.

= £105pp

One night Mystery Holiday to Europe

If you don’t know where you want to go, how about letting Wowcher decide for you?

Their famous European Mystery Holiday starts from £89pp, which includes return flights and two nights’ stay.

Some lucky winners could get seven nights, all-inclusive, so you won’t have to spend a penny.

Even those that don’t, you’ll have £16 left each to grab a cheap dinner and pint either from a restaurant or supermarket.

Make sure to check which museums are free to visit too, as most cities have a few.

= £89pp

IF YOU are wondering where to go for your next beach break, well the world’s best 50 beaches have just been announced.

The best beaches were decided on by over 1,000 travel experts, including some who have visited every country in the world.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

As for the beach taking the top spot, that went to Entalula Beach in the Philippines.

Found in Palawan, the awards say it is “one of those places you have to see to believe” – but to get there you will have to hop on a boat.

Year-round the beach hits a low of 26C, so is a great option for winter sun.

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In second place – and the top beach in Europe – is Fteri Beach on Kefalonia in Greece, that is “tucked away in a secluded cove, surrounded by dramatic white cliffs” – again which you can only get to by boat (or very steep hike).

If you fancy heading around the globe to Australia, then the third best beach is Wharton Beach.

Sat on the south-western coast about an hour from the city of Esperance or eight hours from Perth, Wharton Beach’s “isolation ensures it rarely feels crowded, even on perfect summer days, providing a peaceful escape for those seeking solitude”.

In fourth place was Nosy Iranja in Madagascar – which is actually spread across two smaller islands – Nosy Iranja Be and Nosy Iranja Kely – via a sandbar that you can walk across at low tide.

And rounding out the top five is East Beach, Vomo Island in Fiji with towering palm trees and calm water.

Unfortunately the UK didn’t have much luck making it into the top 50 beaches in the world, though it did make a couple appearances on the European list.

Coming in 26th place, Kynance Cove in Cornwall is a tidal beach with white sand, backed by impressive rock formations.

At low tide, visitors can explore a number of caves as well that have “formed into otherworldly shapes” according to Cornwall Beaches.

As for the second UK spot in the top 50 beaches in Europe – that can be found in Scotland.

Coming in 47th place, Achmelvich Beach in Scotland is just over two hours from the city of Inverness.

The beach can only be reached by a small track but it’s worth the trip – you might get to spot porpoises, dolphins or even a minke whale.

When it comes to the best beaches in Europe, Fteri Beach in Greece which came second in the world rankings, came out on top.

Then in second place is Cala Macarella, Spain on the island of Menorca. followed by Cala Dei Gabbiani in Sardinia.

In fourth is Kaputas in southwestern Turkey – a natural cove nestled between two towns, along with Porto Katsiki on the southwest coast of Lefkada in Greece in 5th place.

ON August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across northern Spain and the Balearics – the first to cross mainland Europe since 1999, and the first visible in Spain since 1905.

For UK holidaymakers, it’s a rare chance to pair a week in the sun with a once-in-a-lifetime moment – totality arriving with the sun just degrees above the horizon, creating what astronomers are calling a “sunset eclipse”.

Astro-tourism is tipped to be big for this year off the back of this — but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

TravelSupermarket has done some digging to discover the perfect holidays to pair fun in the sun with a chance to view the eclipse.

Head of Holidays Chris Webber says: “What makes August 12 special is the timing.

“Because the eclipse arrives just before sunset, anyone on the Balearics will see totality with the sun sitting just above the horizon.

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“Our advice is simple — if you want to be there, book now.

“The eclipse falls in the peak of the school holidays, and west-facing hotels on Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca are already getting snapped up.”

Here, LISA MINOT, Head of Travel, shines a light on six great places to see the phenomenon.

NOJA, CANTABRIA

TUCKED on Cantabria’s north coast, Noja is a proper Atlantic surf town and an under-the-radar shout for eclipse watchers.

Playa de Ris faces north-west, picking up clean swell off the Bay of Biscay and giving a clear, unbroken sightline as the sun drops — so you could even be out catching waves when it happens.

It’s not a polished resort town, more of a wild, local and friendly vibe.

Stay at La Casona de Noja, a small, intimate bolthole a short walk from both the town centre and the beach — plain but comfortable, with an on-site restaurant and bar.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the 2* La Casona de Noja is from £779pp including flights from Gatwick on August 6.

See travelsupermarket.com.

MADRID & TOTALITY DAY TRIP

MADRID sits just outside the path of totality, but it makes a brilliant base for combining a city break with the main event.

From the capital, it’s a straightforward run north into Castilla y León, with Burgos and Valladolid both in the path of totality.

Zaragoza is another well-connected option. On the day, the priority is an open view of the low western sky.

For your city stay, the 4* NH Madrid Balboa is a great choice in the upscale Salamanca district, minutes from the Retiro Park and the city’s designer shopping streets, with light, wood-floored rooms and a daily breakfast buffet.

GO: Three nights’ room-only at the NH Madrid Balboa is from £354pp including flights from Stansted on August 11, hand luggage only.

See tui.co.uk.

SALOU, COSTA DORADA

FOR families who want the eclipse built into a classic Med beach holiday, Salou is the pick.

The Costa Dorada sits in the path of totality, and Salou’s long, west-facing promenade means you can watch the eclipse without leaving your hotel terrace.

PortAventura is half an hour up the road if you want to build the week around theme parks too.

The Cala Font hotel is perched above its own cove just outside Salou, with pools, a spa and half-board dining — solid, sociable and built for a family week.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4* Cala Font hotel is from £868pp including flights from Stansted on August 6.

For more info, see travelsupermarket.com.

PEGUERA, MAJORCA

MAJORCA is arguably the most exciting spot of the lot.

The eclipse will reach the island with the sun only a couple of degrees above the horizon — a true sunset eclipse.

The west coast is the place to be for the clearest sightline, and Peguera, on the south-west, ticks the box — a laid-back resort with wide, west-facing beaches at Platja de Palmira and Playas de Paguera.

For your perfect stay, the 4* Hotel Vibra Beverly Playa sits right on the coast in Peguera, with two outdoor pools, a kids’ club and buffet dining for a great family break.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Hotel Vibra Beverly Playa is from £841pp including flights from Luton on August 11.

See firstchoice.co.uk.

SAN ANTONIO, IBIZA

SAN Antonio already has a reputation as the sunset capital of Ibiza — Café del Mar and the Sunset Strip exist for a reason.

That same west-facing orientation makes it one of the best spots on the island to catch totality as the sun drops into the Mediterranean.

The path of totality runs right across Ibiza, and San Antonio Bay delivers the open horizon needed to see it properly.

Stay at the THB Ocean Beach, a 4* adults-only on the seafront in San Antonio Bay, with a rooftop pool, Bali beds and direct access to O Beach Ibiza next door.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at THB Ocean Beach is from £1,374pp including flights from Gatwick on August 10, 22kg luggage and transfers.

See jet2holidays.com.

CIUTADELLA, MENORCA

IF Ibiza is the party end of the Balearic eclipse trail, Ciutadella is the quiet one.

Sitting on Menorca’s west coast, the old capital is already known for some of the island’s finest sunset spots.

Castell de Sant Nicolau is a ten-minute walk from the centre, and Pont d’en Gil and the Punta Nati lighthouse are both a short drive away, all with wide, unobstructed views west across the Mediterranean towards Mallorca.

For travellers who want the eclipse without the crowds, this is it.

The 2* Alfons Hotel is in the heart of Ciutadella, a short walk from the beaches and the town’s cobbled centre, with a small spa, sun terrace and restaurant.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Alfons is from £998pp including flights from Gatwick on August 11, 22kg luggage and transfers.

See travelsupermarket.com.

THINK crystal clear waters, dolphin spotting and independent boutiques – well, the UK’s best seaside destination has all of this.

Less than three miles from its popular and busier neighbour – Tenby – you’ll find Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Named the best seaside spot in the UK by Time Out, it said: “Saundersfoot is one of Pembrokeshire’s most energetic spots” adding that it has a “lively spirit”.

One of the top things to do in the village is of course heading to the beach, which stretches more than half a mile long.

The Blue Flag beach is a popular spot for families as it has shallow water and boasts a lot of fun activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and swimming.

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The beach has also previously been named as one of the cleanest beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.

You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins or a grey seal from the beach.

At one end of the beach you’ll find the harbour, which dates back to 1829 and was built as an industrial port to export coal from local mines.

Today, the harbour is a tourist hub for Saundersfoot, with a number of places to grab a bite to eat as well as a ship you can play crazy golf on.

If you like history, make sure to walk around the entire harbour, as at the end you’ll see Saundersfoot Lighthouse, which was built in 1848 to mark the entrance to the harbour.

From the harbour you can also hop on a boat trip with Saundersfoot Sealife Adventures to see local wildlife and Caldey Island for an hour and a half.

Each trip costs around £25 per adult and £20 per child.

Just steps away from both the beach and the harbour, you’ll find Hwyl Outdoor Sauna where you can enjoy a sauna session from just £9 per person.

Spread across a couple of roads, again just steps from the beach, there’s also the high street with independent boutiques, cafes and art studios.

Back in 2024, The Telegraph even noted how Saundersfoot is a “little-known hip town” that is the “perfect bolthole for those who want to see West Wales’s sights and lively towns but also enjoy quiet, sunset-watching downtime in the evening”.

From the village, you can head on a number of walks as well along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, where you will see amazing views of the coastline.

And just outside of the village, you can visit Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo which is home to a number of animals, rides and a recently updated play area.

The Pirate Adventure has a castle and a number of accessible play areas, including low level options for wheelchair users.

You can also opt to stay at the holiday park onsite, which in November was named one of the best family campsites in South Wales by the Campsites.co.uk awards.

There are other places to stay in and around Saundersfoot though, including Sunnyvale Holiday Park.

The holiday park has 53 caravans ideal for families and is less than a mile from Saundersfoot Beach.

Facilities at the park include a games room, kids play area, hot tubs, pet-friendly options and an indoor pool.

A two-night stay in August costs from £300.

For more ideas on UK staycations, here are some cheap last-minute UK holidays still available for the May bank holiday weekends.

Plus, UK staycations are set for record high in 2026 – here’s our top holiday wish list from trendy beach resorts to historic cities.

GREECE has slapped a sunbed ban on 251 of its beaches meaning tourists will have to ditch the loungers for a simple towel.

The rule aims to limit overtourism on the beaches as well as tourist developments, such as hotels and sunbeds for hire, to keep the beaches in their natural state.

So for tourists heading to the 251 beaches on the list, they’ll need to stick to either a towel or just sitting on the sand.

And some spots have even stricter rules – on beaches that are part of the Natura 2000 programme, you won’t see hotels cordoning off areas as a ‘private beach’ section, instead they will be open to everyone.

There will also be no changes to how the beach looks, so no concrete piers, sea walls or paved paths.

Essentially, anything that messes with the natural state of the beach, is not allowed.

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So, if you want a beach bar and to rent an umbrella, you’ll need to head elsewhere.

A release from the Greek Environment Ministry stated that the ban “seeks to effectively protect beaches that have particular aesthetic, geomorphological or ecological value, as well as to preserve the types of habitats and the species of flora and fauna found on these beaches”.

The Ministry added: “In particular, the number of shorelines and beaches within areas included in the National List of Areas of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 is increasing and in which the granting of simple use, as well as any other action that may endanger their morphology and their integrity in terms of their ecological functions, is now prohibited.”

The ban follows Greek authorities dealing with a number of incidents in recent months on the protected beaches.

According to local reports, riot police recently took down a number of shacks on the island of Gavdos, just south of Crete.

One of the beaches included on the list is Elafonissi Beach found on the southwest coast of Greece as it is a protected Natura 2000 nature reserve.

Its not the easiest to get to – visitors must head across a shallow lagoon.

It was named the second best beach in the world by TripAdvisor‘s Travellers‘ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026 and also 15th best in Europe in the World’s Best Beaches 2025 awards.

The beach is known for its pink sand, which gets its colour from crushed seashells – though removing any of the shells or sand is forbidden.

One recent visitor said: “One of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world.”

Other beaches include Kalamaki Beach near Athens, Tobruk Beach near Heraklion and several beaches on the island of Samos.

If you are heading to Greece and are not sure what beaches the ban applies to, download the Gov.gr MyCoast app, where you can see a map of all the 251 beaches.

If you are thinking of going on holiday to Greece, there’s one city that’s better in spring with funiculars, sunset rooftops and wine tastings.

Plus, there’s a stunning Greek island that will pay you to move there and give you a house.

THERE aren’t many places where your holiday begins with a grandstand view of an island monastery as your plane skims the deep-blue Ionian Sea.

Landing in Corfu is an experience in itself, and dozens of people stood on a viewing platform jutting out over the ocean to watch our flight land at sunset just metres away from the Vlacherna monastery.

But the real magic starts when you head for the hills.

Tucked away on a dramatic cliffside near Agios Ioannis is the 5H Valmar Corfu by Louis Hotels.

Tumbling down the hillside, the chic all-inclusive hotel only opened to guests last summer and offers incredible 180-degree views of the sparkling, calm waters from almost every vantage point.

I immediately took a liking to the modern aesthetic — think pale wood and acres of glass — and loved the welcome pack of wine, fruit, local kumquat marmalade and some of the best baklava I’ve ever tasted.

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The next morning, I was able to appreciate the full beauty of the hotel, as a picturesque red-orange sunrise across the bay gave way to my first view of its private beach.

A delicious mojito with homegrown mint was fully justified at 11.30am as I settled down to soak up the rays on the comfy sun lounger.

The hotel has two pools — one adult-only — with stunning views, as well as a splash park and a tennis court on the cliffside above.

A spa offers more than 20 different treatments and there’s an air-conditioned gym.

And if you ever get bored of swimming in the clear waters of Valmar beach or taking a dip in the mountainside pools, Corfu has plenty of other beautiful beaches and sunbathing spots.

Paleokastritsa is one such beach, in the north of the island, where dark and light-blue waters contrast beautifully with the sands.

To enjoy an unforgettable view of this beach, head up to Paleokastritsa Monastery — maybe the only religious site in the world to have a whale skeleton inside.

To the south, the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos and the Blue Caves are destinations for the most popular boat trips from Corfu.

But after a day at the beach, the hotel provides excellent dinner options.

As well as two buffets, there’s the unique Viru Peruvian fusion restaurant on the roof terrace, and the beachside Gill and Olive eaterie serving Greek and international dishes.

For a hotel orientated toward families with young children, the Valmar’s sister hotel, Kerkyra Blue, can be found on the outskirts of Corfu Town.

It boasts a kids’ club and buffet, two swimming pools, a badminton court, a tennis court, a gym and a mini-football pitch.

But if you’re really missing the English sporting summer, you can venture into Corfu Town and find Greece’s only cricket pitch — on the main square, Spianada.

It is just one of the legacies of five decades of British rule during the mid-19th century.

Our excellent tour guide, Nausica, insisted that we were actually quite popular, as we introduced running water and roads to the island.

One Brit, however, is more popular in Corfu than any other — the late author Gerald Durrell.

The man whose memoirs of life growing up on Corfu in the 1930s inspired ITV comedy-drama The Durrells — starring Keeley Hawes — is immortalised with a statue on Spianada Square and has a park named in his honour.

Perhaps the most unique thing the British brought to Corfu, though, was the kumquat. The island’s climate made it the perfect place to grow the small, sweet, citrus fruit, which British traders imported from China into Europe.

Today, kumquats are sold on every street in the old town — and one of the most popular drinks on the island is the kumquat limoncello.

The drink suits the place because a period of almost 500 years of being ruled over from Venice has given the town more of an Italian appearance than that of a typical Greek island.

The Corfiots are fiercely proud of their international history, which has made their island look like a Tuscany in the middle of the Ionian Sea.

And they’re so determined to keep it that way that a law is in place which allows buildings in the old town to be painted in only a limited number of colours, in keeping with tradition.

These include browns, terracottas, greens and yellows.

The Cavalieri Roof Garden restaurant offers one of the best vantage points to admire the town’s uniquely coloured buildings, especially at sunset when the old fort glows above the sea.

As you sip a cocktail and watch day turn to night, you’ll feel at one with nature thanks to the sound of thousands of swallows circling above the town.

After sunset, we enjoyed a fish feast at Barbas Taverna.

The exquisite quality of the locally caught seafood is matched only by the quantity — which may see you opt for a tactical approach to dinner, prioritising your favourite dishes over aiming to consume everything.

When we left Corfu, it was a less frantic journey than the Durrells had to make when they left the island on the eve of World War Two.

But we did get to see the spectacular setting of the island’s airport once again.

THERE’S still time to bag a bargain break for a long weekend away this May bank holiday

We found a selection of staycation deals across the UK that still have availability for both the early May bank holiday and the late bank holiday weekend.

From lodges in the woods, to farm stays with roaming cows, to resorts with outdoor pools overlooking the sea – here’s the best cheap UK holiday deals you can still book for a long weekend in May.

Relaxing Lodge stay in North York Moors National Park

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £284

Snap up this last-minute deal for the early May bank holiday and stay three nights in the cosy Thirley Beck Lodge, right in the stunning landscapes of the Yorkshire Moors.

This lodge is perfect for a couple’s retreat to the countryside, with a double bed and open plan kitchen, dining and seating area – plus a balcony and chairs to enjoy a sunset drink or morning coffee.

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The lodge sits on a working farm, so it’s not a rare sight for cattle, sheep or horses to roam the surrounding fields.

And for a change of scenery, the beautiful seaside village of Robin Hood’s Bay is only 20 minutes’ drive away.

Ty Hafan, Flintshire, Wales

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £292

Bag a stay at this pretty countryside cottage in North Wales for a last-minute romantic staycation for two.

Step into an adorable pastel blue cottage decorated with blooming flowers and mini white picket fence into a blue and cream-themed interior.

Make use of the afternoon tea table set, or enjoy a bottle of fizz out in your own private garden under the sun.

Nearby, you can visit Talacre Beach to watch the sun set behind its Grade II-listed lighthouse.

Last-minute getaway to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £292

This Parkdean resort in Scratby sits on a golden sand beach with plenty of relaxing coastal path walks nearby – plus it’s close to mega seaside resort Great Yarmouth.

Stay in a comfortable chalet and make use of the pool, crazy golf, on-site arcade and live evening entertainment at the Showbar every night.

Drive or take the bus just 15 minutes into Great Yarmouth to stroll its famous seaside pier – plus a go on the snail rides at the Joyland amusements is a must!

Safari Tent stay at Thorness Bay, Isle of Wight

3-night stay for up to four from 1 – 4 May: £169

Stay in a luxurious safari tent this bank holiday weekend on the sandy sweep of Thorness Bay on the Isle of Wight.

With two bedrooms, a unique safari-style look and wooden decking, the safari tents make your staycation feel like you’re holidaying somewhere more far-flung.

On the resort there’s a heated indoor pool with a waterslide, sports courts, arcades and more. Plus there’s a family-friendly restaurant and takeaway options like fish and chips and Costa Coffee.

And if you want to venture out, there’s a beautiful beach on your doorstep, plus the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is nearby, too.

Stay on Cornwall’s stunning Lizard Peninsula

3-night stay for up to three from 1 – 4 May: £184

Bag a bargain stay this early May bank holiday at Sea Acres Holiday Park in Helston, Cornwall.

The Sea Acres Holiday Park is close to top attractions like the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, as well as the pretty fishing town of Porthleven.

The resort has sweeping views over Kennack Sands, where you can take a dip in the water or catch a spectacular sunset.

Stay in a bronze caravan with a modern interior, kitchen, seating area with a flatscreen TV, plus a large comfy bed and sofabed.

Wooden Glamping Pod in Forrester Park Golf & Country Club, Essex

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £351

These cosy pods nestled in Forrester Park in the Essex countryside make for a very Instagrammable staycation.

Each wooden dome comes with a cosy seating area, kitchenette, a double bed under a window looking out to the forest, decking to soak up the sun, and access to a hot tub.

Within Forrester Park there’s Padel courts, a driving range and several restaurants offering everything from fry-ups to a Sunday roast – turning your woodland retreat into an action-packed weekend away.

Enjoy a classic seaside stay at Cleethorpes Pearl, Lincolnshire

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £298

This holiday resort in the traditional seaside town of Cleethorpes has plenty to see and do on-site, including live entertainment and lots of child-friendly activities.

The heated outdoor pool area has a sun terrace with plenty of loungers, and looks more like a posh resort abroad than it does a UK holiday park.

The food at this resort is fantastic, too, as restaurants and shacks serve up everything from Filthy Fries to Magical Milkshakes.

Nearby you can laze out on the sands of Cleethorpes Beach, or hop on the historic Cleethorpes Light Railway – which makes a stop at the tiniest pub in the world.

Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £298

Whitecliff Bay on the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight is a gorgeous coastal destination with golden beaches overlooked by dramatic cliffs.

The Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park is a scenic spot to stay, with a giant outdoor pool looking out to sea.

On-site there’s activities like a crazy golf course, and stylish places to eat and drink like The Nab Bar and The Culver Club.

Nearby head to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary to spot rare species, or Dinosaur Isle for family-friendly fossil walks.

BRITS have a habit of booking the same Spanish holidays on repeat.
Benidorm. Marbella. Palma. Salou.

And fair enough – they are popular for a reason. But after years of working in travel and digging through the data, I’ve found something interesting.

The best-value holidays in Spain are often sitting right next door to the famous places.

So you can book and get the same sunshine, the same beaches and often the same flights – but you pay a fraction of the price, even in summer.

So here are 10 under-the-radar Spanish resorts that could save you hundreds this year.

Manilva, Costa del Sol

Manilva feels like Marbella…but without the price tag.

If Marbella feels a bit too “Champagne prices”, Manilva is what you book instead.

It sits right on the edge of the Costa del Sol, near Gibraltar, so you’re still getting that same guaranteed sunshine and polished coastline – just without the mass tourism or inflated prices.

The beaches are long, clean and far less packed, and the whole place feels calmer and more local.

With an historic old town, quaint fishing village and peaceful surrounding vineyards, there is something for everyone.

It’s the kind of spot where you can actually get a table by the sea without booking a week in advance.

And crucially: everything is cheaper. Drinks, meals, and especially accommodation.

Guardamar del Segura, Costa Blanca

This is Benidorm’s quieter, cheaper neighbour.

Just down the coast from Benidorm, Guardamar feels like a completely different holiday.

You’ve got huge, natural beaches backed by sand dunes, proper Spanish restaurants, and far fewer crowds.

But you’re still within easy reach of Alicante and all the infrastructure that makes this coastline so easy.

It’s massively underrated, and that’s exactly why it stays cheap.

Food is a standout here too – you can easily eat well for under €15, and a pint will rarely set you back more than €3.

El Arenal, Majorca

El Arenal is somewhere I’ve been banging on about for a while, because it’s one of the cheapest ways to stay near Palma.

You’re just 10 minutes from the airport, right on a long sandy beach, and a short taxi from Palma Old Town – arguably one of the most underrated city-style breaks in Europe.

So instead of paying premium prices to stay in Palma itself, you base yourself here and dip in and out, with the beach right on your doorstep.

It’s lively, yes – but it’s also incredible value if you use it right.

Cabo Blanco, Majorca

This is the quieter side of Majorca for half the price.

If you want the opposite of Magaluf or Palma, Cabo Blanco is about as chilled as it gets.

It’s set on the south coast with sea views, open space, and a slower pace that feels a world away from the busier parts of the island.

You won’t get big nightlife here – but you will get peace, sunshine, and significantly cheaper hotels.

Perfect if your idea of a holiday is pool, a good book and repeat.

Mijas, Costa del Sol

Mijas is postcard Spain at a pinch of the price.

Mijas gives you that classic white-village-on-a-hill look, but without the premium price tag you’d get in nearby hotspots.

You’ve got incredible views, a more traditional Spanish feel, and easy access down to the coast when you want beaches.

It’s a great middle ground for holidaymakers – scenic, relaxed, but still well connected.

And again, because it’s not as heavily searched, prices stay lower.

Can Pastilla, Majorca

This Majorca destination offers Palma vibes without the Palma prices.

Can Pastilla is one of the smartest bookings on the island.

You’re right next to Palma Airport, directly on the beach, and just a short cycle or taxi into Palma itself – which means you get the best of both worlds.

City break and beach holiday in one – it’s simple, easy, and consistently good value.

Sitges, Costa Dorada

Barcelona’s beachy, cheaper cousin, Sitges, is one of those places people feel like they’ve heard of but rarely think to actually book.

It’s just down the coast from Barcelona, with beaches, nightlife, and loads of character – but without the same price pressure as the city itself.

You can even dip into Barcelona for the day, then come back to somewhere more relaxed (and cheaper) in the evening. Best of both worlds.

La Pineda, Costa Dorada

La Pineda – basically Salou, but better value.

La Pineda sits right next to Salou but tends to be cheaper, quieter, and a bit more family-friendly.

You’ve still got easy access to PortAventura, beaches, and everything that makes this area popular, just without the same level of mainstream popularity.

Hotels here often offer better value for money too, especially for families.

Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

Perfect for a Spanish city break without the Barcelona price tag.

Barcelona hotels can get expensive quickly. But if you stay just outside the centre in Hospitalet, you can cut that cost massively while still being a short metro ride from everything.

You’re still doing the Sagrada Familia, the beach, the food – you’re just not paying tourist-centre hotel prices.

It’s one of the easiest ways to do Barcelona on a budget and is proving surprisingly popular with families looking for a little more than a fly-and-flop holiday.

Cantabria (Northern Spain)

This northern region is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets.

If you think Spain is all dry heat and packed beaches, Cantabria will completely throw you.

This is Spain’s green north – rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and wild coastline that feels closer to northern Italy than the Costa del Sol.

It’s cooler, quieter, and far less built up, which is exactly why it stays so affordable in peak summer.

You’ve got proper Spanish towns, incredible seafood (this is one of the best regions in the country for it), and beaches that feel untouched compared to the south.

And because Brits still massively overlook it, prices haven’t been pushed up in the same way.

HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned not to do one common activity at the beach.

Beach days are always fun, especially in the summer with the family – but the public are being warned to never dig a large hole in the sand in one part of the UK.

This is because a large hole can collapse in on itself and could pose the risk of trapping someone, including kids and pets.

The fresh warning comes from the coastguard at Cleethorpes, a popular seaside town destination with a four-mile beach, traditional pier and family-friendly activities, making it the ideal day out.

According to the BBC, Cleethorpes Coastguard deputy station manager Shaun Lee said: “It’s like an avalanche effect, where the sand just keeps collapsing and collapsing, and then people just get completely buried in it.

He explained that when a hole is dug with steep sides, the wet sand will dry out and make it looser and as a result, more prone to collapsing.

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He added: “We don’t want to be the fun police – just be aware of what you are doing if you are digging holes.”

Also in Lincolnshire, last year coastguards filled a hole in Sandilands Beach that was nearly two metres deep.

At the time, the coastguards said they filled the hole “for safety reasons”.

Last June, the coastguard filled a hole on Weymouth Beach as well, which was around 1.5metres deep.

It took the coastguard three people and 30 minutes to fill.

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Allan Norman, at HM Coastguard, said: “Buckets and spades are a lot of fun – but most of us wouldn’t dream of digging a 5ft deep hole at a park where youngsters are running about and people walk in the evening.

“It’s the same at busy beaches: deep holes can be hard to spot in the sand and pose the risk of someone falling in and being injured, particularly little children and older people.

“There’s also the danger of the sand collapsing on top of you, causing injury and suffocation.

“These incidents require whole teams of rescuers.

“We’d just ask people to stay aware of who else is on the beach and the potential risks of digging too deep.”

Even though beachgoers are warned against creating large holes at the beach, it doesn’t mean you can’t dig them at all.

Allan advises to just not dig it deeper than waist height and to avoid digging tunnels, which are even more likely to collapse.

He added that you should fill the hole in before you leave the beach.

If you do happen to be caught in a situation where you get stuck in a large hole on the beach, GOV.UK recommends creating a circle of people around the hole, who dig with their hands to create an outer circle.

Then create another circle of people behind that circle, but they will be removing the sand dug from the first circle.

By creating multiple circles, it will make the original hole bigger and more shallow and as a result, it will be less likely to collapse.

In other beach news, here are our 26 must-visit UK beaches for 2026 – including tropical-feel spots and family-friendly finds.

Plus, here’s the UK’s warmest beach that’s also home to two of the ‘most idyllic holiday homes’ and you can stay from just £30pp a night.

THERE’S no need to give up on booking a summer getaway just yet.

If you’ve noticed holiday prices getting steeper, we’ve got some good news, as it turns out there are plenty of affordable holiday deals you can book for this summer.

Top UK travel companies have crunched the numbers to find the short-haul holiday spots ranking the cheapest for this summer.

From Travel Supermarket to TUI and Loveholidays, insiders have shared their tips on where to look for cheap breaks.

From white sand beaches that rival the Caribbean, to volcanic black sand islands that offer a natural spa setup – here’s the cheapest places to holiday abroad this summer.

Agadir, Morocco

Agadir has been named the most affordable destination for a seven-night summer holiday in 2026, according to research by Loveholidays.

The travel company analysed data for package holidays departing between 1st June and 31st August 2026, with Agadir coming out on top.

Summer holidays in Agadir averaged at just £230pp for a week away – but we found deals even cheaper.

Sun-drenched Agadir offers a six-mile-long sweep of golden sand, attracting everyone from surfers to sun-worshippers.

Choose to spend your days soaking up the 30°C heat on a lounger, strolling along the palm-lined promenade, or sipping a chilled mint tea at the glitzy marina.

For those who want a break from the beach, the Souk El Had market offers a maze of stalls selling everything from vibrant spices to handmade jewellery.

Neapolitan Riviera, Italy

If you’ve had an escape to the scenic coast of Italy on your bucket list, there’s never been a better time to book.

According to Travel Supermarket, holidays in the Neapolitan Riviera have seen the biggest price drop since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.

Holidays in this region have seen an average price drop of a whopping £231.53, when compared to what travellers were paying for the same trips last summer.

The Neapolitan Riviera stretches along the sun-drenched coast of Campania in Italy, from foodie-heaven Naples to sunny Sorrento.

This shimmering stretch of coastline also includes some of the country’s trendiest resorts, such as the dramatic Amalfi Coast and the pretty town of Positano.

For an underrated coastal city break, take a trip to Naples, where you can sample world-class handmade pizza in the colourful Spanish Quarter.

Gran Canaria

Holidays to the Canary Islands are one of the most affordable options for a summer holiday abroad this year.

Holiday company TUI have revealed to The Sun that “Gran Canaria comes up trumps for families due to plenty of free kids’ places still available at family resorts” this year.

Gran Canaria is a total sun-soaked paradise, famous for its endless golden sands and sparkling Atlantic waters.

The star of the show is Maspalomas, where dramatic rolling dunes meet the sea, offering beach days with spectacular surroundings.

Along the coast in Meloneras, it’s all about shopping, dining and trendy beach clubs. As the sun sets, the beachfront boardwalks come alive with the buzz of outdoor bars.

The TUI BLUE Tres Vidas lines up family-sized apartments in a prime position for beach days on the sandy shores of Bahia Feliz.

Bodrum, Turkey

If you want to book a trip to the hotspot dubbed the St Tropez of Turkey, now’s the time.

According to Travel Supermarket, holidays to the stylish resort of Bodrum in Turkey are also much cheaper than usual, with average prices for a summer holiday dropping by £118.30 compared to the same period last year.

This upscale seaside spot balances ancient historical sites with plenty of glam beach clubs, fancy restaurants and rooftop cocktail bars.

Explore the glittering marina by strolling its palm-lined waterfront, dipping into a seafood restaurant for lunch or jetting out on a boat trip to a nearby bay.

Plus, history buffs will love a trip to the 15th-century Bodrum Castle perched upon a rocky peninsula, or the preserved Bodrum Amphitheatre that is free to explore.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a classic summer holiday favourite, but did you know that the island offers some of the cheapest trips for adults this summer?

Holiday company TUI told us that while “Great deals can be found across all of the islands…Tenerife comes out top for adults-only trips”.

When it comes to a classic fly and flop beach holiday, Tenerife is a top contender. The crescent of Playa de las Teresitas is straight out of a holiday magazine, with golden sands dotted with palm trees and calm, shallow waters.

Playa de la Arena, on the other hand, has a natural spa-like feel with mineral-rich, volcanic black sand.

And with the temperature hovering at 28°C in the summer months, this reliable and affordable hotspot continues to shine.

The adults-only TUI BLUE Los Gigantes sits at the ocean edge, so visitors get sea views from almost every vantage point. Glass-wrapped terraces give it a contemporary look, and with wine-tasting sessions, cocktail masterclasses and cooking courses all on offer.

Cape Verde 

For those craving a white-sand beach and turquoise waters without the long-haul flight or the Caribbean price tag, Cape Verde is your answer.

Holidays to this stunning archipelago have seen a significant price drop in price, with average costs falling by £98.82 compared to the same period last year, according to Travel Supermarket.

The country’s ten islands offer miles upon miles of pristine beaches and unspoilt volcanic landscapes.

On the popular island of Sal, you can laze on the golden sands of Santa Maria Beach, or explore the colourful town behind it, packed with lively surf bars and restaurants.

And with temperatures reaching 30°C in the summer months, it’s the perfect place to escape the unpredictable British weather and soak up some sun.

Costa Dorada, Spain

Spain‘s Costa Dorada ranks as the second cheapest place to book a summer holiday this year with Loveholidays.

The travel company’s research found that a seven-night summer break this year averaged just £381pp.

This Spanish resort is ideal for anyone who wants to mix lazy beach days with action-packed family adventure.

You can spend your morning conquering the world-class rollercoasters and waterslides at PortAventura World, before retreating to the palm-lined promenade of Salou for a chilled drink.

For a dose of history, the ancient city of Tarragona is right on your doorstep. Here you can wander through a Roman amphitheatre that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

Antalya, Turkey

Antalya remains an affordable spot on the Turkish Riviera, offering a high-end feel for a fraction of the usual cost this year.

Summer holidays in the region are now costing £90.29 less than they did before the Iran conflict, according to Travel Supermarket.

To the east, the soft sands of Lara Beach are lined with luxury resorts, while the pebbled shores of Konyaalti on the west have clear waters backed by the impressive Bey Mountains.

With summer temperatures regularly hitting 34C, it is a paradise for those who want to tan with a view and warm waters to dive into.

Make sure to tick off Kaleiçi, where you can wander past Ottoman-era architecture and narrow cobblestone streets that lead down to the Roman harbour.

Majorca, Spain

Majorca is a firm British holiday favourite, and this year the Balearic gem is more affordable than usual.

According to Travel Supermarket, average holiday prices for the island have taken a dip of £86.28 compared to the same period last year.

This sunny Spanish island is full of variety. Lose yourself in the winding, cobblestone streets of Palma’s Old Town, overlooked by its massive Gothic cathedral, or head north to Puerto Pollensa for a more relaxed pace along its pine-lined promenade.

For nature lovers, the Drach Caves offer an otherworldly underground experience, with one of the largest subterranean lakes in the world.

Of course, the real draw is the sun-soaked coastline. With summer temperatures averaging a perfect 30C, the island’s Blue Flag beaches are calling this summer.

Es Trenc is a particularly beautiful beach, with shallow waters that are almost a luminous blue.

Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes continues to reign as one of TUI’s most affordable Greek destinations, and the holiday company have told us that there’s “an abundance of brilliant deals still to be found” there this summer.

The UNESO-listed medieval Old Town is home to historic sites and Gothic palaces, whilst the seaside tavernas that line the coast offer a scenic spot to enjoy a cold beer or a fresh Greek salad.

When it comes to beaches, Faliraki Beach boasts three miles of soft sands and shallow, bath-warm water that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon.

The resort of Ixia offers a cooling breeze that makes the 30C summer heat all the more comfortable.

In Ixia, the Lito Hotel has outdoor pools facing scenic coastal views, all just a 5-minute drive from the main town centre.

BRITS love an all-inclusive from the packed buffets to drinks offerings and having everything at your fingertips.

The tough part is actually exactly which all-inclusive you want to try and if it’s worth the money, well if that’s what you’re after, then this one on the Costa del Sol is top notch.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Called Ikos Andalusia, the hotel has claimed number one spot on Time Out’s 2026 list of Europe’s top all-inclusive stays.

The resort has a whopping 451 rooms with nine swimming pools.

Expect great grub at the hotel’s nine restaurants, some of which even have Michelin-starred menus.

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Each serves up dishes from around the world, like traditional Spanish to Greek, French, Italian and Japanese food.

There’s also a classic all-inclusive buffet style restaurant, so you can’t go wrong.

They’re beautifully decorated too. Ouzo, which is its Greek restaurant, has little white pots on the ceiling and prints on the walls with views across the pool to the sea.

Chiringuito is another restaurant right on the beach and serves up traditional tapas and lots of seafood.

As for bars, there are eight including a cocktail bar and one at the side of the pool – it has an extensive wine list with over 100 local labels.

The hotel is even sat on a 420-metre beach with an adults-only section.

Other facilities include a splash pad area for younger children, football, basketball, volleyball, cycling, tennis courts and watersports.

There’s plenty for children to do at the kids’ club which is catered for children between 4-17.

The complimentary Heroes Crèche for children 6 months to three years old holds activities like games, face painting, art and dance.

There’s also Heroes Kids Club (4-11 years) and Just4Teens (12-17 years) which has lots of activities on offer from arts and crafts to sports.

There’s even a complimentary 30-minute beach childcare service for kids from four years old.

Activities for adults include wellness sessions and various fitness activities from yoga to Pilates and Zumba.

And access to watersports like canoeing, pedalos, and paddleboarding are included.

For more holidays, here are some of our favourites in Spain…

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Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou

The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.

BOOK HERE

Sun Club El Dorado, Majorca

With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.

BOOK HERE

Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm

The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.

BOOK HERE

Globales Montemar, Ibiza

For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.

BOOK HERE

One rare all-inclusive perk is that all guests get a complimentary Mini Countryman to use for one day to drive out and explore the area.

When you’re out and about, make sure to use the Culture Pass provided by the hotel that gives complimentary tickets to the best local museums.

When it comes to the rooms, there is everything from garden, pool and sea views.

Or splash out on the resort’s biggest deluxe four bedroom villa, which has its own private swimming pool, garden and gym.

Guests who stay here even get a complimentary barbecue experience with a private chef.

From the hotel, guests can easily explore the bright lights of Marbella with its vibrant Puerto Banus marina, and the calmer town of Estepona.

You can book Ikos Andalusia with Jet2 Holidays as one of their ‘indulgent escapes’ – but being so indulgent, you might want to start saving now.

Its cheapest date is November 1, 2026, priced at £1,991pp for a seven-night stay – or £284.43pppn.

The hotel has top reviews though. One visitor wrote: “There is so much choice that you could visit a different pool each day if you really wanted to!”

Another said: “The meals were all incredible, as were the drinks. It truly is a magical place.”

For more on Spain, here is where you’ll find Costa del Sol’s biggest waterpark hotel with eight swimming pools.

And find out more about Estepona from A Place in the Sun’s Jasmine Harman who moved there with her family and spends evenings on the beach.

2026 is looking like the year of the staycation – and luckily, you’ve got plenty of revamped resorts along the coast to choose from.

Many of the UK’s favourite seaside towns are unveiling major, multi-million-pound makeovers. Luckily, while the upgrades are first-class, the holiday prices remain refreshingly retro.

We’ve scoured the coast to find the biggest transformations alongside the best-value places to stay, with budget-friendly deals starting from just £35 a night.

From record-breaking theme park rides to Victorian promenades polished back to their former glory, here are the hottest UK seaside spots that have been revamped for 2026.

Blackpool

If you thought you knew Blackpool, think again. This family entertainment hotspot is undergoing a glow-up.

The popular theme park Blackpool Pleasure Beach is unveiling a massive new ride to keep thrill-seekers on their toes: Aviktas.

The giant gyro swing ride is set to be the tallest of its kind at 138 feet, changing the skyline of Blackpool pier. The ride is set to open on May 21.

As well as this, the seaside town is unveiling a brand-new £3million indoor attraction.

Set to open this summer, Tenpin Blackpool will host 24 bowling lanes as well as a laser tag arena, soft play, escape rooms and even karaoke rooms.

Plus, there’s a cocktail bar and live sports lounge for the grown-ups, too. The attraction is set to open on June 5.

There’s plenty more to look forward to in time for summer as well.

The Southbeach Streetfood dining venue will serve a selection of food from 19 revamped shipping containers, and is set to open by the end of spring.

There’s also the 100th Anniversary of the Blackpool Dance Festival, with ballroom and Latin dance events held at the Winter Gardens from May 16-29.

To enjoy all the new thrills coming to the seaside resort this summer, we’ve scoured the internet for the cheapest staycation deals.

Brighton

If you fancy a seaside escape with a touch of Victorian glamour, Brighton is currently polishing its crown.

The city’s famous Victorian promenade has been undergoing a massive £750,000 revamp, with the historic terraces set to fully reopen to the public this year.

It’s the perfect excuse to book a staycation, stroll the seafront and soak up the bohemian atmosphere that makes this city famous.

For a totally free afternoon, head to the Rampion Visitor Centre on the seafront to try out their virtual reality experience, or go street art spotting through the North Laine, where the walls are a giant open-air gallery.

The Brighton Fishing Museum is a great free stop-in to see traditional Sussex boats, while the world-famous Brighton Palace Pier costs just £1 entry for adults (kids go free) and is a must-do when visiting.

Folkestone

Folkestone is all the rage as the artsy seaside town continues to benefit from a massive £20 million makeover.

The town has been transformed into an open-air art gallery, with the Creative Quarter’s neon-lit streets leading down to a revamped Harbour Arm.

The Harbour Arm has now become a trendy dining destination, with nearly 70 food and drink outlets available.

Some of the top-rated include the champagne bar The Lighthouse and its sister restaurant Tasting Rooms – visit on Fridays for three courses, complimentary fizz and Jazz music for £29.

Plus, spring 2026 brings the long-awaited return of the historic Leas Lift, a Victorian water-balanced funicular that’s been restored to its former glory.

When visiting, you can spend a totally free afternoon wandering the Folkestone Artworks trail to see sculptures by famous artists, or head to the Lower Leas Coastal Park to make use of the largest free adventure play area in the South East.

For some unique self-care, visit the brand new Sea Scrub Sauna right on the beach for a sweat with a sea view.

Southampton

Southampton is one year into the major makeover of its waterfront and city centre, in a grand revamp described by the council as “The Renaissance Vision”.

Plus, the newly-approved £200million upgrade to Town Quay will soon see the addition of a new hotel complex, bringing a spa and even a helipad to the waterfront.

While the planning for the big builds is underway, one heritage seafront attraction has reopened to the public.

If you visit this summer, you’ll be able to walk the newly reopened Hythe Pier – a 145-year-old seaside pier that is sparkling new again after six months of extensive restoration.

To get there, board the world’s oldest pier train at Hythe Pier Railway. The pier stretches a whopping 700 yards from the centre of Hythe to Southampton Water, and costs £1 to enter.

To explore Southampton’s history, you can spend a totally free afternoon walking the Titanic Trail, which leads you through the city centre to historic memorials.

Or see the exciting new displays at Southampton City Art Gallery, which has just reopened its doors in March 2026 following a year of upgrades.

Margate

Margate is undergoing continued transformations set to further transform the seaside town into one of the UK’s trendiest coastal hubs.

Local neighbourhood Cliftonville was named the coolest street in the UK by Time Out last year, and the area’s only getting more stylish with the addition of a brand new attraction.

Abandoned gardens overlooking the sea will be transformed into a beachfront skatepark in Cliftonville, a trendy area known as “Shoreditch-on-sea”.

The skatepark is predicted to open in the late summer of 2026, and set to cost £1.1million to build.

As well as this, Margate’s Winter Gardens are set to reopen after an £8million upgrade. The historic seaside venue has seen bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones take the stage, first opening in 1910.

Now the charming venue will see the addition of a snazzy rooftop bar and restaurant, as well as a nursery and drama school. The Main Hall of the Winter Gardens is set to reopen to the public in late 2026, with other new additions opening in stages throughout 2027.

Plus, the upgrades aren’t slowing down anytime soon, with proposed plans to build a new £95,000 accessible boardwalk on Margate Sands.

To see the best of this trendy resort on your trip, stroll along the beachfront to soak up sea views, before stopping in at the free-to-enter Turner Contemporary gallery to see the latest exhibition.

Elsewhere, take a dip in what’s believed to be the UK’s largest tidal pool, Walpole Bay, or take the family along to the free Crab Museum in the Old Town for a quirky, hands-on experience of science and marine life.

Hull

Named one of National Geographic’s best places in the world to travel to in 2026, Hull has plenty to offer holidaymakers.

A massive £27.5m makeover has seen the area invest in its maritime history, with the money poured into the city’s historic museum and ships.

The Maritime Museum, which received an £11million makeover beginning in 2020, is finally set to reopen in summer 2026.

New additions to the museum include a 40-foot whale skeleton, miniature ship models and maritime artwork.

As well as this, the new and improved Spurn Lightship opened in early March of 2026, having been closed to the public since 2018.

The floating museum is free to visit, with slots reserved online. You can also book a place for a free maritime guided tour, running on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Hull also boasts plenty of totally free attractions, such as the Streetlife Museum, where you can hop aboard a vintage tram and stroll down a 1940s high street.

Alternatively, head to Hull‘s revamped Queen’s Gardens. Set to reopen in April 2026, the gardens’ three ponds have been refreshed, plus there are redesigned Peace Gardens and plenty of new maritime-themed activities.

Littlehampton

Littlehampton is quickly becoming a firm family favourite for 2026, thanks to the massive £7.2million transformation of the West Green seafront.

With the revamp reaching completion late last year, the seaside resort is ready to welcome visitors for the 2026 spring and summer season.

The West Green seafront now has a water play area, with jets, splash pads and shaded areas to make use of in the hotter months.

As well as this, families can make use of the barbecue zones, mini basketball court and beach volleyball court. Plus, there’s also a climbing wall and petanque setup for even more fun and games.

And when you get hungry, there’s your pick of food and drink kiosks, from the Soul Kitchen and Bar to delicious Jim’s Ice Cream.

To extend your free family day out in Littlehampton, stroll the promenade past the colourful and quirky longest bench in Britain, which winds along the coast.

Or for an indoor option, pop into the Littlehampton Museum, which offers free entry and a look at the town’s history, from the Anglo-Saxon era to WWII.

There’s so much to do in the surrounding area, too. Just a few miles west is the town of Bognor Regis, where you could get day passes to Butlin’s.

There’s also the Bognor Pier, Hotham Park Miniature Railway and Blake’s Cottage, the former home of the poet William Blake, which is now a museum.

There’s also the South Downs National Park, the Goodwood Estate and Racecourse, Petworth House and Amberley Museum.

SUNDAY may be a day of rest in Europe, but that’s not the case for Puerto Rico. 

The shops were shut, but the city of Ponce was very much awake.  

As I wandered the streets, locals cruised past in their vintage cars, music blasted from lively bars and groups of youngsters burst into spontaneous dance on the streets. 

In the main square, families strolled past colourful murals and beautiful yet crumbling Art Deco buildings, while old men put the world to rights over a leisurely game of dominoes in the main square. 

Ponce (pronounced Pon-say) was the last stop on my Tropical Isles cruise onboard the recently refurbished Marella Discovery. 

It’s a new port for Marella so, like ­Christopher Columbus — who discovered the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico back in 1493 — I was excited to be one of the first people to explore. 

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Week-long sailings start and finish in La Romana, in the Dominican Republic, calling at the nearby nature reserve of Isla Catalina, the Puerto Rican capital of San Juan and the US Virgin Islands of St Thomas and St Croix. 

Now I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Caribbean a few times before, but I was still surprised by how green these islands were.  

And while this itinerary gave me plenty of opportunity to sunbathe on white-sand beaches and sample local rum (I recommend Ron del Barrilito), I was still able to go hiking in the rainforest and kayak through beautiful coves. 

Staying active is something I would definitely recommend on a Marella cruise — not just because you’ll miss out on amazing experiences if you don’t, but because you’ll need to burn off all the extra calories you’re bound to consume on board. 

With nine restaurants and seven bars spread over 11 decks, you certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty — especially as Marella cruises are all-inclusive as standard.  

This means your flights, cabin, transfers to and from the ship, drinks, food and entertainment are all included in the price. 

Even your bags go straight from your home airport to your cabin door so you don’t have to worry about collecting them from a carousel or lugging them around. 

Compared to other cruise ships, Marella Discovery is quite small, accommodating up to 1,800 passengers.  

It’s really set up for British tourists, though, with Yorkshire Tea on tap and dishes such as steak and ale pie readily available in the excellent Islands buffet. 

Entertainment-wise, passengers can find their way out of an escape room, play a round of mini-golf or enjoy a musical afternoon tea. Plus there are West End-style shows, quizzes and gameshows galore. 

For better-quality booze and speciality ­coffees, you can upgrade to a Premium All Inclusive package, while speciality restaurants, including the Surf & Turf Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, come at an extra charge. 

But be sure to leave room for some traditional Caribbean delicacies when you leave the ship. At Café Manolin, in San Juan, I joined locals queuing to tuck into giant plates of mofongo, a much-loved Puerto Rican dish of fried green plantain stuffed with meat or veggies. 

Coffee is also big business here — and almost as popular as rapper Bad Bunny, who hails from the island.  

Many coffee plantations welcome visitors to sample their wares but I got my caffeine fix at Hacienda Jacana, in the mountainous region of Adjuntas, where owner Jonathan and his ex-cop father proudly showed off their farm while explaining details of the coffee-making process. 

I was buzzing after a few cups of their delicious Latitude 18° coffee — but it couldn’t possibly compare to the buzz I got in St Thomas after snorkelling with a group of green turtles in the crystal-clear water of Magens Bay. 

Granted, I had to keep reminding myself that I wouldn’t die if I tried to breathe ­normally underwater, but I forgot all about breathing when a metre-long turtle paddled right past my face. Just wow. 

As an animal lover, and a keen traveller missing my two dogs back home, I was also thrilled to stumble across the Ruff Night — Hair Of The Dog Bar in St Croix (pronounced Croy), just steps from where Marella Discovery docked in Frederiksted.

The lively bar, in the courtyard of the Victoria House Inn, is run by volunteers from the Ruff Start STX animal charity who love nothing more than mixing super-strong cocktails and bringing in puppies for punters to cuddle.  

And if that’s not reason enough to visit, all money raised from the bar goes directly to local dogs in need, so go armed with plenty of cash in your pocket! 

I’d certainly worked up a thirst after a morning kayaking in the nearby Salt River Bay, and I enjoyed getting back to nature there almost as much as I did at El Yunque National Forest — the jewel in the crown of Puerto Rico. 

The 28,000-acre site is the only tropical rainforest in the US and it has more than 100 miles of walking trails just waiting to be explored. With enormous trees providing canopies of greenery and exotic birds and frogs creating a cacophony of noise, it was just how I imagined a rainforest to be. 

While mosquitoes are rife here after dark, I managed to avoid being savaged by the pesky wee beasties during the daytime. 

One thing was for sure, though — I had definitely been bitten by the Caribbean cruise bug.

WE’VE scoured the internet for the very cheapest Spain deals we could find.

These holidays offer everything from sunny fly and flop spots with golden beaches, to family-friendly resorts close to mega water parks and top attractions.

Here’s 10 last-minute Spain hols to pick from, so you can get something in the diary to look forward to – without breaking the bank.

Hotel Casa del Sol, Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz is the cool alternative to Tenerife’s busy southern resorts, offering a mix of volcanic black-sand beaches and an artsy Old Town to wander.

The Hotel Casa del Sol has a lovely large pool, and is within walking distance from the beach and the famous the famous Lago Martiánez saltwater pools.

Lastminute.com offer a 7-night room-only stay, with return flights from London Stansted, for £175pp.

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Playamar Hotel & Apartments, Majorca

S’illot in Majorca is home to a tranquil coastline with crystal clear waters to swim in, plus prehistoric ruins and caves to explore.

The Playamar Hotel & Apartments offer two outdoor swimming pools, kids tropical island-themed splash park with fun coconut tipping buckets, live entertainment, a terrace restaurant and poolside snack bar.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night all-inclusive stay with multiple date options in May, including return flights from London Stansted, for £229pp.

Salou, Costa Dorada

Sunny Salou is the ideal family destination, with plenty of beaches and world-class theme and water park PortAventura World.

Beyond the thrill rides, you can wander the palm-lined promenade for an ice cream, or stroll the Camí de Ronda path for hidden coves to swim in.

The Salou Pacific Apartments are 10 minutes walk from the beach, and make for a great base for families to explore all of the nearby attractions.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night self-catering stay at the Salou Pacific Apartments for multiple dates this May, including return flights from Birmingham, from £139pp.

BLUESEA Copacabana, Lloret de Mar

Sat on Spain’s brilliant Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar offers plenty to do from exciting watersports, to a seafront promenade lined with buzzy bars and nightclubs.

This modern hotel by the beach has extensive all-inclusive food and drink options, plus live music and entertainment in the evenings.

We found an all-inclusive package deal for 5 nights’ self-catering stay for multiple dates in May, including return flights from London Stansted, from £199pp!

BLUESEA Faro Cullera, Valencia

Valencia offers the ultimate city-meets-beach break, where you can visit a world-class science museum and planetarium in the morning, and tuck into authentic paella by the beach in the afternoon.

This recently-renovated, family-friendly hotel has an unbeatable location – just steps from the beach and 15 minutes’ walk from attractions like Cullera Castle and Iglesia Santos Juanes.

This deal from On the Beach offers a 7-night stay for multiple dates in May, including return flights from London Stansted, for £180pp.

Casa Turistica La Torre, Cordoba

Cordoba is a dream city break for history lovers, where you can lose yourself in the candy-cane arches of the Mezquita, or walk the 2,000 year-old Roman Bridge.

The historic Casa Turistica La Torre sits in the beautiful Old City, and has a sun-drenched rooftop to enjoy.

On the Beach offer a 7-night room-only stay from 23 – 30 June, including return flights from Birmingham, for £190pp.

GHT Aparthotel Tossa Park, Costa Brava

Tossa de Mar is a stunning medieval gem where you can wander through ancient castle walls, or simply cool off in the sparkling waters of its beaches.

This aparthotel is close to the clear waters of Tossa de Mar Beach, as well as the sprawling Gran Casino Costa Brava.

We found a bargain deal for a 7-night room-only stay, including return flights from London Luton, for just £206pp with Lastminute.com.

Ibersol Playa Dorada, Coma-ruga

Coma-ruga is a hidden wellness gem where you can soak in natural thermal springs right on the beach, or go out snorkelling in the vibrant Masía Blanca marine reserve.

The Ibersol Playa Dorada is a family-friendly hotel with a spacious outdoor pool with plenty of loungers to laze on.

Lastminute.com offer a 7-night stay, including return flights from London Stansted, for £228pp.

Bungalows Castillo Club Lake, Fuerteventura

Bag a super-affordable, all-inclusive trip to Fuerteventura with a stay at Bungalows Castillo Club Lake.

The hotel sits in the lively town of Caleta de Fuste, and is close to both the golden sands of Playa del Castillo beach and watersports spots offering jet-skiing and windsurfing.

This hotel has all the facilities you’ll need, including a big swimming pool, sun terrace, cafeteria, plus games like billiards and bicycle rental, too.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night, all-inclusive stay, including return flights from Leeds Bradford, for just £249pp.

Sunsea Village, Costa Blanca

Calpe in Costa Blanca is a pretty coastal town overlooked by a dramatic rock cliff, offering loads of scenic hikes or calm sandy spots to set up for the day and soak up some rays.

The Sunsea Village hotel is a relaxing property in Calpe with a pool plus a dedicated kids pool, and plenty of sporty activities like tennis courts and a gym.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 3 – 10 June, including return flights from London Luton, for just £210pp.

ALL eyes are on Europe this summer, with cruise lines slashing the price of voyages around the Med and close to home.

With some destinations off-limits right now, holiday sites like iglu.com have recorded a surge in interest for locations such as Northern Europe, the Arctic and the British Isles.

Plus big names including Celebrity Cruises have up to £800 off staterooms.

David Gooch, boss at iglu.com, says: “Holidaymakers remain committed to travelling, but are carefully choosing their destinations.”

You’ll need to be quick to lock in those bargains, though.

Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the top summer cruise deals to bag right now:

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SPAIN FROM SOUTHAMPTON

YOU can save £55pp on this two-week sailing around Spain’s sun-drenched coastline, ticking off the hotspots of Cadiz and Barcelona, where you can shop and gorge on tapas to your heart’s content.

Best of all, you won’t need to hop on a plane beforehand, as it sets sail straight from Southampton.

Step on board Cunard’s Queen Anne, home to 15 restaurants, a zen spa with a wellness studio and more than enough entertainment to keep you amused.

Exclusive to this ship is the Bright Lights Society, a classy ­velvet-clad venue where passengers can cosy down with a glass of fizz and live musical performances.

GO: The 14-night Sun-Kissed Spain itinerary costs from £1,314pp, departing Southampton on August 16 to Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga and Cadiz. See cruise.co.uk or call 0870 990 8824.

BEST OF GREECE

HOW does a balmy week hopping around the rugged islands of Greece sound?

On board the glossy Celebrity Infinity, you’ll tick off the ancient city of Athens, where you can explore sandy ruins before sailing over to Rhodes, which boasts even more fascinating history.

The ship then makes its way to Ephesus in Turkey and Santorini and Hydra in Greece, with a final stop in Mykonos, loved by celebs and famous for more than just its nightlife, with stunning sandy beaches dotted across the island.

If you’re new to cruising, Celebrity Infinity is the perfect ship size for first timers, with room for just over 2,000 passengers and enough space for exploring — but it’s not so large you’ll feel overwhelmed.

GO: The seven-night Best of Greece voyage now costs £799pp (with discounts applied), departing Athens on July 4. Flights cost from £99pp.

See celebritycruises.com.

MED, AEGEAN & ADRIATIC

YOU’LL be spoilt for choice when it comes to late fun on board Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess.

A buzzing Vegas-style casino sits alongside swanky cocktail bars and an epic two-storey theatre hosting concerts, movie nights and sports event screenings.

There are cracking kids’ clubs, for those travelling with little ones and teens.

Meanwhile parents can unwind with a daiquiri on a cabana in adults-only The Sanctuary.

In 14 nights you’ll tick off some of the most scenic Greek Islands, Croatian gems and some of Italy’s top foodie spots, including Naples, home to the best pizza in the world — at least the Sun Travel team think so.

GO: The 14-Day Mediterranean, Aegean & Adriatic voyage is from £1,339pp, departing Civitavecchia on August 18 and calling at Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Naples, Salerno, Santorini, Kusadasi and Katakolon. See princess.com.

NORWEGIAN FJORDS

NORWAY’S bright blue fjords and ice-capped mountains aren’t just for winter.

In fact these magical landscapes look even more spectacular during the summer months, under the sun’s glow.

On this seven-day voyage on board MSC Virtuosa, you’ll get to explore Lerwick, The Shetland Islands’ only town, then experience the spectacular silver sand beach on Maloy and cascading waterfalls in Flam.

Before returning to Southampton, the ship calls at Kristiansand, known for its glorious sandy beaches and fresh seafood.

While on board MSC Virtuosa, swing by the spaceship-themed Starship Club, where a friendly robot bartender named Rob can whip you up a cocktail.

GO: The seven-night Norwegian Fjords from Southampton cruise now costs from £792pp, departing Southampton on July 18. See ­iglucruise.com.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN

TICKING off some of Europe’s top bucket-list destinations, this week-long Mediterranean sailing is great for adventurous families keen to explore key landmarks but with time to unwind on board.

And if you’ve still got energy to burn, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas won’t disappoint.

With racing waterslides on the upper decks, a zipline and action-packed laser tag experiences, youngsters will never be bored.

Grown-ups needn’t panic, though, there are plenty of pools and seven whirlpools for those keen to take things at a slower pace.

In one week, you’ll be able to shop ’til you drop in Barcelona, pose in front of the leaning Tower of Pisa, see Rome’s ancient colosseum and more.

GO: The seven-night Western Med Cruise is from £783pp, from Barcelona June 28, calling at Palma, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples.

See ­royalcaribbean.com.

LOATING on my back along the narrow channel fringed by mangroves, the gentle current pushes me onwards in the warm, clear waters.

This incredible natural lazy river just south of Tulum represents everything that is magical about the raw beauty of Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

The Muyil Lagoon — and the canals carved by the ancient Mayans — are the ultimate in relaxation.

There’s a serene calm as you glide along with water so sparkling and clear you can easily see the sandy bottom and spot small fish darting through the reeds.

On all sides, you’re surrounded by dense vegetation and the roots of red mangroves and beautiful orchids.

Deep in the heart of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, our tour had started at the Muyil ruins.

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Quieter than the archaeological wonders at Chichen Itza or Tulum, it still has its stepped temple pyramids shaded by ancient trees and forests.

From there it was a thrilling boat ride over the Muyil and Chunyaxche freshwater lagoons before we were dropped off for our 40-minute lazy river ride.

Clambering out and along a boardwalk through the mangroves to return back to our boat, I was grateful for the water shoes we’d donned before our swim as the bleached wood was scorching hot in the sunshine.

We’d certainly earned a sunset cocktail back at our hotel — the TRS Yucatan, an all- inclusive 5H adults-only paradise in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

My ultra-modern room came complete with a minibar you can personalise with your favourite drinks, as well as a shaded terrace with plunge pool and hanging day bed.

But the lure of the multi-level infinity pool overlooking the beach was an easy way to tempt me away from my room, followed closely by the Ibiza vibes of the Helios beach club right on the soft sands of its private beach.

The TRS Yucatan is part of the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa and you can use the facilities across its nearby sister hotels, which tots up to a total of eight pools, 21 restaurants and 31 bars.

But the TRS Yucatan is the more premium of the hotels in the complex — top-shelf spirits and quality wines in the bars, and a butler caring for your every need in each of the small, luxury blocks.

The food is elevated too and you’d be missing out if you didn’t indulge at the El Gaucho Argentinian steak house or one of the other five restaurants serving Mexican, French, Italian and Caribbean cuisine exclusive to the adult-only hotel.

And while the lure of the multiple pools and 24/7 dining might mean you’re keen to stay put, it would be a shame to miss out on more natural wonders on the doorstep.

Just a ten-minute drive from the hotel is Akumal Bay, where snorkelling tours from the sandy shores reward you with multiple sightings of loggerhead and green turtles.

Grazing on the sea grasses in the calm bay and feeding among the reefs, the turtles are often joined by stingrays and a kaleidoscope of smaller fish.

Book as early in the day as you can, to beat the crowds and enjoy calmer waters.

We combined our early-morning snorkel with another unique Mayan natural wonder — a swim through one of the thousands of cenotes across the Riviera Maya.

These natural sinkholes occur when the limestone bedrock above underground rivers collapses, exposing the water below.

While some are large openings you can easily access, others involve swimming into underground caverns that in some cases can be vast.

We swam through a complex of incredible caves at Yaxmulito, a bit of a hidden gem and far less busy than some of the other popular cenotes in the area.

Its remote location means a host of wildlife to spot in the dense jungle, from spider monkeys and marmots in the trees to iguanas on the ground and even bats in the caves!

With a local guide to help us navigate through the maze of caverns, we swam through caves that were lit cleverly to illuminate the ancient limestone above us — squeezing between stalactite limestone columns that have formed over more than 10,000 years into tiny, unlit caverns.

While magical, some of the spaces were probably not ideal for anyone who is prone to claustrophobia.

Clambering out, we topped off a day in this natural paradise with a lunch of slow-cooked chicken marinated in spices and a hearty pork stew, served up with red rice, refried beans and handmade tortillas alongside delicious salads and salsas.

Served up in a rustic, open-air, thatched-roof building in the stunning jungle location and with a powerful margarita from the bar to wash it down, days don’t come much better.

SPAIN’S popularity might often leave you feeling like there isn’t a part of the country that is untouched and unexplored.

But just over an hour’s drive from Seville, you’ll find the much quieter coastal town of Mazagón.

The town of Mazagon dates back to the 14th century, when it used to be a fishing village.

It was initially a popular holiday destination for rich Spanish families from the nearby cities, and even now just a few thousand people live there.

According to The Telegraph, it is still more popular with Spaniards than Brits.

They said: “The low-key town is popular with Huelva locals, but it’s still relatively undiscovered by holidaymakers from the rest of Spain, let alone Britain.”

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It largely remains untouched for two reasons – one being strict planning rules that ban anything from being built higher than three-storeys high.

Not only that, but the area is protected due to sitting near the Donana National Park.

The largest nature reserve in Europe, it is home to a number of endangered species including the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx.

One of the main attractions of the town itself is the 3.4mile beach, backed by rocky, sandstone cliffs.

At the western end of the town, close to the marina, Playa de Mazagón is built up enough to have things like showers, sunloungers and parking facilities.

One tourist said it “offers a peaceful escape from crowded tourist spots,” while others said the calm waters made it ideal for families with young kids.

Along the beach you might also spot ‘chiringuitos’ – small, wooden hut beach bars – usually serving tapas and drinks.

Moving westwards from the town, the Playa de Mazagón leads into Playa de las Dunas – a quieter spot, with a number of villas littered at its edge.

Head even further west and you will reach Playa de Alcor which is a more rural beach that is backed by pine woods and sand dunes.

Don’t expect the beaches to have a promenade, instead you can explore then via wooden boardwalks.

The town centre itself is relatively small, but there are a number of sites worth visiting such as Ermita del Carmen chapel, which was restored in 2014, or the more modern Sagrados Corazones.

There’s also the Mazagón Lighthouse, dating back to 1861 and is still in use – and is bizarrely built 600metres inland.

When it comes to grabbing a bite to eat, the town has many tapas bars where each dish can cost as little as €4 (£3.49), such as cheese croquettes and calamari.

At most bars and restaurants you can expect to pay a couple of euros for a beer.

If you are looking for a place to stay, you can’t get much closer to the beach than Playa de Mazagon Camping which is right on the sand.

There are a range of different accommodation options at the site including bell tents for between two and six people, a two-person cabin and camping pitches.

The campsite also boasts an outdoor swimming pool with a pirate ship, a restaurant and bar, sports courts and a playground.

A bell tent for two people costs as little as €50 (£43.63) per night and the two-person cabin costs from €60 (£52.35) per night.

If you fancy exploring further afield then you could head to the port city of Huelva, just a 20-minute drive away.

The city is famous for being the departure point for Christopher Columbus‘s first voyage to the Americas.

The easiest way to get from the UK to Mazagon is by flying to either Seville or Faro in Portugal – both taking just under three hours.

Flights from the UK to Faro cost as little as £13 one-way in April and May.

Once in Faro, you can either drive or hop on a bus for an hour-and-a-half, costing £16 per way.

Alternatively, if you head to Seville, flights from the UK cost from £15 in May and from the airport it is then an hour-and-20-minute drive or bus journey, which would cost around £6 per way.

For more Spanish destinations, Spain’s hottest city has £2.50 wine and £15 flights.

Plus, the beach city in Spain that ‘has it all’ with flights from £15 – and is loved by A Place in the Sun stars.

FROM sipping cocktails by an infinity pool to fine-dining restaurants, you might think you need to book a mega-expensive, five star all-inclusive to experience luxury.

But I’ll let you in on a secret – I’ve stayed in over 200 hotels through my job at a top holiday firm and some of the best holidays I’ve had haven’t been the fanciest or most expensive, but have been the ones that just get the basics spot on.

Clean rooms. Decent food. Good pools. Easy locations. And prices that feel like you’ve got away with something.

Because right now, I’m seeing all-inclusive holidays coming in cheaper than a weekend in the UK.

And these are the all-inclusive hotels that overdeliver for what you pay.

All prices were correct at time of publication.

Hotel Riviera Sousse, Tunisia – from £240pp

This is classic all-inclusive done properly.

Big central pool, water slides, direct beach access, plus multiple bars and a main buffet restaurant – everything you need is on site.

Where it wins is value. You’re getting a full resort experience, loads included, and proper winter sun – for less than most self-catering trips in Europe.

Filion Suites Resort & Spa, Crete – from £375pp

This is one of those hotels that feels more expensive than it is.

You’ve got multiple pools spread across the resort (along with an indoor plunge pool), a main buffet restaurant plus bars dotted around, and loads of space – it never feels cramped.

What makes it great value is the setup. Big rooms, peaceful setting in the hills, and a slightly more premium feel without the premium price tag.

Supreme Beach Hotel, Turkey – from £240pp

This is a smaller, adults-only hotel right on the beachfront.

You’ve got a pool area, bar, and restaurant – but the real selling point is how easy it is. Step outside and you’re right by the sea.

This works because it strips things back.

You’re not paying for loads of extras you won’t use – just a great location and a simple all-inclusive that does the job.

Hotel Sineva Beach, Bulgaria – from £280pp

This Sunny Beach property is one of the best-positioned hotels on the list, being right on the beachfront.

This means not only amazing sea views, but a big pool area, restaurant, and a couple of bars – everything is centred around that coastal setting.

What makes it great value is how much space you get. It feels open, relaxed, and easy – not overcrowded like some budget resorts.

Mahdia Beach & Aqua Park, Tunisia – from £330pp

This one’s all about the waterpark and beachfront combo.

Slides, multiple pools, a big buffet restaurant and bars – it’s designed for easy, all-day entertainment without leaving the hotel.

What makes it stand out is how much is included for the price.

It’s a full family resort experience at a fraction of what you’d normally pay.

Falcon Hills, Sharm El Sheikh – from £300pp

A simpler hotel, but one that delivers where it matters.

You’ve got pools, a restaurant, bars, and access to everything you need – plus that guaranteed Egypt sunshine.

This is all about value. Once you’re there, everything’s covered, and you’re not constantly spending.

Greenwood Kemer Resort, Turkey – from £295p

This one feels more premium than the price suggests thanks to its huge swimming pool overlooked by mountains and greenery.

There are multiple restaurants and bars, including a buffet as well as Turkish and Italian a la carte.

What makes it great value is the overall feel – it’s a proper resort experience without the usual price tag.

Villa Dorada, Salou – from £360pp

Simple, well-located, and does exactly what you need, while still having a pool, restaurant, bar.

For families, there is everything from mini discos while for adults you can even learn some Spanish or Flamenco.

A short walk from the beach and everything in Salou, the value here is all about location. You’re not paying for extras, you’re paying for convenience – and it works.

Tiana Beach Resort, Bodrum – from £245pp

This is one of the cheapest on the list – and it still delivers.

A small beachfront setup, a pool, restaurant and bar, with everything close together and easy (and even a spa if you want to spend a little extra for some pampering).

What makes it brilliant value is how simple it is – you’re right by the sea, everything’s included, and you’re paying barely anything for it.

Melia Sunny Beach Resort, Bulgaria – from £325pp

This is a proper full-scale all-inclusive resort.

Multiple pools, water slides, several restaurants and bars which includes some of the finest Bulgarian-themed dinners – it’s built for people who want everything in one place.

The value here comes from the quality of the offering. It feels a level above typical budget all-inclusives, especially when it comes to facilities and food.

FANCY a weekend exploring a new city in Europe?

You don’t have to spend a fortune or hours flying to have an amazing holiday.

Luckily there’s loads of amazing and affordable European cities right on our doorstep – and with cheap and speedy flights, you can tick them off more easily than you’d think.

With delicious street food, cheap beers and plenty of local history, these European city breaks will give you a short haul holiday to look forward to – all for less than £100 per person.

We’ve found destinations you can visit for two nights from £99 or under, including popular capital cities you can tick off your bucket list – plus all of the best things to see and do there.

So whether you want to explore hidden ruin bars in Budapest, catch sunsets at the beach in the Algarve, or visit quirky art galleries in Madrid, these breaks have something for everyone.

Here are 10 European gems where £99 covers both your flights and hotel, leaving you with more to spend when you land.

Prices were correct at time of publication.

Madrid – £99pp

For a sunny city break that’s big on style but easy on the wallet, Madrid is a total winner.

Spain‘s capital has masses of world-class art and architecture to explore.

To tick off some of the top sights, take in the regal beauty of the grand Palacio Real (The Royal Palace of Madrid), or visit the 15th-century Plaza Mayor to get into the real heart of Madrid.

The magnificent views don’t stop there. Make sure to take a visit to the 125 hectare El Retiro Park, where a visit to the stunning glass Crystal Palace won’t cost you a penny.

Art lovers can also hit the so-called Golden Triangle of galleries for free if they time it right.

The world-famous Prado offers free entry from 6 – 8pm from Monday – Saturday, whilst the Reina Sofía opens for free from 7pm Monday – Saturday (excluding Tuesdays).

The Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the trio, with free entry on Mondays and on Saturdays from 9pm.

Then, when hunger hits, skip the tourist traps and join the locals on Calle de la Cava Baja – one of the area’s most lively streets – for a tapas crawl, or grab a legendary calamari sandwich at La Campana for around €4.

Getting around is a breeze, too. While the city is incredibly walkable, the speedy Metro offers a 10-trip pass for just €7.30 (£6.36), plus kids under four travel for free.

Berlin – £89pp

Effortlessly cool and cost-friendly, Berlin is packed with things to see and do that won’t cost you a penny.

You can walk through the giant monument Brandenburg Gate, walk the 1,316 metre-long open-air East Side Gallery, or catch a free lunchtime concert at the Berlin Philharmonie at 1pm on Wednesdays.

For the largest open space in the city, head to Tempelhofer Feld. It’s a massive former airport where locals enjoy cycling, skating, jogging and cooking together in the BBQ zone. It’s the ultimate free hangout in the heart of the city.

Going for a night out in Berlin is a must. If you like your music loud and your beer cheap, go to Clash in Kreuzberg. It’s a legendary gritty spot with alternative music and affordable pints.

Prague – £99pp

Visit Prague for a city with a fairytale feel that won’t blow your budget.

To see the city at its best, set an early alarm to walk Charles Bridge at sunrise before the crowds arrive, or wander the sprawling Prague Castle courtyards and the peacock-filled Wallenstein Palace Gardens for free.

To sample some of Prague‘s best budget-friendly food, hunt down a deli for a traditional open-faced chlebíček sandwich for about CZK 30 (£1.09) or grab a massive slab of smažený sýr (fried cheese) from a street stall for around CZK 135 (£4.80).

One of the best ways to see the city is to hop on Tram 22. It’s essentially a sightseeing tour that goes past the National Theatre and right up to the gates of Prague Castle.

A standard 30-minute ticket costs 36 CZK (£1.28).

Budapest – £99pp

If you’re after a holiday with a high-end feel that won’t break the bank, Budapest is for you.

Hike up Gellért Hill for a panoramic sunset, or explore the fairytale lower turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion for free.

You’re not short of options when it comes to street food in Budapest. Head to the Great Market Hall to grab a massive, garlic-rubbed lángos (deep-fried flatbread) from 900 HUF (£2.04).

Plus no visit to Budapest is complete without trying a cylinder-shaped chimney cake, which you can buy from vendors across the city for around 1,000 HUF (£2.27).

A relaxing trip to the thermal baths is another must when in Budapest. Dandar is the cheapest option, and even cheaper if you visit on a weekday. An adult ticket costs 3,500 HUF (£8.08) during the week compared to 4,000 HUF (£9.23) on weekends and public holidays.

When night falls, dive into the legendary Jewish Quarter ruin pubs like Szimpla Kert, where you can grab a local pint amidst a maze of quirky, recycled decor.

Krakow – £99pp

Krakow is a European city that’s known for its affordability and great nights out – what more could you want from a city break?

Head to Wawel Royal Hill, where the castle courtyards and the fire-breathing dragon statue are free to visit, before crossing into the Kazimierz district to see its bohemian courtyard cafes and street art.

Plus you can visit the Rynek Underground Museum on a Tuesday for free entry, or take a walk through the Planty Park, a belt of vibrant green that surrounds the Old Town where the medieval defensive walls used to be.

For a lunch that costs less than a coffee back at home, hit a Milk Bar like Pod Temidą for a huge plate of pierogi for 29 zł (under £5.89), or grab a zapiekanka (a pizza-like giant baguette) in Plac Nowy for around £3.

Drinks are a steal too, with local beers in the city’s famous cellar bars still priced around £2.20.

Lloret de Mar, Spain – £77pp

Who can say no to a sun-soaked weekend away in Spain from just £77pp?

Follow the Camino de Ronda coastal path for a cliffside trail that leads to hidden, turquoise coves like Trons Bay and the peaceful Fenals Beach.

For even more beautiful views, explore the Santa Clotilde Gardens, where Renaissance-style terraces overlook the sea, or visit the colourful Sant Romà Church in the town centre.

When you get hungry, avoid the beachfront tourist traps and look for a Menu del Día in the backstreets, where you can get three courses and authentic dishes including seafood or paella from just €10 (£8.71).

The nightlife here is legendary for a reason – you can find bars offering cocktails for £5 and beers for under £3 at your pick of spots along the strip.

And if you’ve got time after all of those adventures, take the local Dolfi boat taxi to the nearby medieval town of Tossa de Mar for €30.40 (£26.46) return. It’s a scenic coastal cruise and a day trip to a castle overlooking the beach all in one.

Salou, Spain – £92pp

Big on thrills and little on costs, Salou is the crown jewel of Spain’s Costa Dorada.

For the best coastal views, walk the Camí de Ronda and dip into glimmering turquoise coves like Cala Crancs.

For an exciting day out, PortAventura World is renowned for its theme parks with rollercoasters and water parks with giant slides all in one place. You can grab a day pass from TUI for £37 per adult and £32 per child.

For a spectacular and free evening activity, head to the Jaume I Promenade to catch the Cybernetic Fountains – a vibrant display of water, music, and laser lights.

The nightlife here is famous for its value, with bars along the Carrer de Saragossa offering pints for €2 (£1.74) and free shots to get the party started.

For a slice of history, take a short bus ride to the nearby city of Tarragona where you can explore its UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheatre by the sea, and cool off with a gelato in the historic Old Town.

Le Raincy, France – £96pp

Le Raincy is a lesser-known French destination just 30 minutes from the Gare du Nord in Paris.

Its crown jewel is the Notre-Dame du Raincy – a modern church built entirely of concrete that shines with light thanks to its stunning floor-to-ceiling stained glass. Plus it’s completely free to visit.

Here you can wander the leafy, tranquil streets of this so-called garden city, a slice of peace and quiet away from the pace of central Paris.

For an authentic and affordable lunch, grab a freshly-baked baguette and some local cheese from a boulangerie on Avenue de la Résistance.

In the evenings there are plenty of cosy bars to dip into, like Le 40, where you can enjoy a glass of French wine and some charcuterie without the “tourist tax” of the city centre.

Lastminute.com offer a 2-night stay at Zenao Appart’hôtels Le Raincy Thiers, including return flights from Birmingham, for £96pp.

San Antonio, Ibiza – £95pp

If you want the White Isle experience without the price tag, San Antonio is the way to go.

Start evenings on the legendary Sunset Strip, where crowds gather on the rocks to watch everything from the sun dipping into the Mediterranean to a world-class DJ.

Or head to the Kumharas beach bar and market for a hippy vibe with live music, again perfect for watching the sunset.

Cocktails here will set you back €14 (around £12), but for the stunning views and beach club atmosphere, it’s very affordable compared to elsewhere in Ibiza.

To get your steps in and culture fix at the same time, follow a free street art tour through the town’s backstreets.

The nightlife in the West End is where the real savings are, with many bars offering “pre-club” drink deals that are a fraction of the £15+ you’d pay for inside the big venues.

Albufeira, Portugal – £95pp

Albufeira is one of the most affordable holiday destinations in the Algarve, and it’s equally as beautiful as it is budget-friendly.

Spend days exploring the whitewashed alleys of the Old Town, or wandering through rock tunnels to reach the golden sands of Praia dos Pescadores.

Plus the Pau da Bandeira viewpoint makes for the ultimate postcard-like photo of the coastline.

When night falls, the neon-lit strip in Montechoro is the place for bargain hunters, with happy hour pints at spots like Rock Time starting from just €1.95 (£1.70).

When it comes to transport, avoid the pricey taxi ranks and use the Giro local bus network to reach spots like the spectacular Praia da Falésia, with its red cliffs and endless golden sands.

THE UK is home to some of the world’s most stunning coastlines, but a stay at a “big name” resort can end up costing you more than a week in the Med.

Not to worry, we’ve unearthed the seaside spots which offer an unforgettable staycation without spending a fortune.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration

Whether you’re after a classic bucket-and-spade stay with a nostalgic promenade, or looking for those off the beaten path hiking spots, we’ve got you covered.

Best of all, we’ve found 2026 staycation deals starting from as little as £49 – meaning your next seaside escape could cost less than going out for dinner.

Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire

Often overshadowed by Skegness, Cleethorpes is an underrated seaside town on the east Lincolnshire coast.

This family-friendly resort town boasts miles of unspoilt soft sands, with a traditional pier and promenade.

In the central promenade area you’ll find an abundance of activities such as bowling, crazy golf and seaside amusements.

The Lollipop Land Train is a big hit with kids, taking you on a scenic ride along the seafront for just £2 each way – plus kids come away with a lollipop!

You’ll also find the 19th-century Ross Castle, as well as the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, which offers two-mile trips along the coast in a steam or diesel locomotive, costing £5.75 per adult or £5.25 per child for a return.

That’s not all – a full day can easily be spent at the Light Railway as the site also hosts a tearoom, crazy golf course and toy shop.

Plus halfway along the line you’ll find Lakeside, where a vintage railway building has been transformed into a miniature pub called The Signal Box Inn, often hailed as the smallest pub on the planet.

When you want to explore a little further, a 10-minute drive takes you to Grimsby, home to the award-winning attraction the Fishing Heritage Centre. Here you’ll be transported back to a 1950’s fishing port, and visit the famous trawler Ross Tiger.

Haven Cleethorpes Beach is a mega holiday park with its own on-site Wetherspoons, as well as a massive, action-packed Adventure Village.

You can book a four-night stay at Cleethorpes Beach in a four-bed saver caravan from just £49 with a Haven Hideaway deal.

Mersea Island, Essex

Mersea Island is a seaside gem accessible via a causeway that disappears under the tide twice a day, with stunning landscapes and a laid-back vibe that feels worlds away from the flashy piers of Southend.

The island is known for its unique beaches, marshland wildlife and delicious oysters.

West Mersea Beach is an old-fashioned spot backed by pastel-coloured beach huts, whilst Monkey Beach is a lesser-known spot likely named after the monkey steps leading down to its shores.

You can spend a free afternoon crabbing off the West Mersea pontoon, or exploring the Cudmore Grove Country Park, a Green Flag spot with a wooden play area and pretty meadows made for dog walks.

A 20-minute drive (at low tide) takes you to Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, where you can visit its impressive castle or take a Roman and Medieval walking tour (£9 per adult and kids go free).

Coopers Beach Holiday Park offers direct beach access, plenty of sports courts and outdoor activities, and family restaurants with sea views.

Parkdean Resorts offer a four-night stay in a Bronze caravan which sleeps six from £99.

Pwllheli, North Wales

While the holiday crowds flocks to nearby Abersoch, savvy travellers head to the bustling market town of Pwllheli to enjoy the same stunning shores for a fraction of the cost.

The town’s two massive beaches are perfect for bucket-and-spade days as a family, plus the nearby Plas Heli sailing centre offer sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle-boarding lessons.

It’s also a brilliant base for exploring the rest of the Llŷn Peninsula. For a historical afternoon out, an 18-minute drive leads to Criccieth Castle, where 13th-century ruins overlook Cardigan Bay.

Or to soak up the sights by foot, you can walk the coastal path to reach the art galleries and sheltered bay of Llanbedrog.

Plus if you’re really up for a hiking challenge, Snowdonia is only a 30-minute drive away.

With an indoor pool and water park, lazy river, four-lane waterslide and its own lake for pedalo hire, Hafan y Mor is the place to stay in Pwllheli.

You can book a four-night stay in a two-bed apartment at Hafan y Mor from just £79.

Filey, North Yorkshire

Sat between Scarborough and Bridlington, Filey is a charming seaside town where visiting feels like stepping back in time.

There’s a five-mile stretch of golden sands, perfect for setting up a spot to play beach games and build sandcastles.

You can spend a totally free afternoon exploring the dramatic Filey Brigg – a mile-long rocky peninsula built for birdwatching and spectacular sea views.

Or wander through the peaceful Glen Gardens, where you can visit the open air boating lake, burn off energy in the play park or set up a picnic on its scenic grounds.

When you fancy a change of pace, an 18-minute drive takes you to Scarborough, where you can enjoy a classic day out of spending loose change in the arcades or tackling the rides of Luna Park.

If you travel 22 minutes in the opposite direction it will take you to Bridlington, where Brid Spa hosts fantastic, family-friendly theatre productions. Head up further along the coast to Bempton Cliffs to spot adorable puffins.

Plus, Filey is significantly easier on the pocket than its busier neighbours, with top-tier holiday parks for affordable prices.

Hoseasons offer a 7-night stay in a two-bedroom saver caravan for just £125 at Blue Dolphin holiday park.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight

If you want an Isle of Wight trip that feels more like a relaxing private getaway than a tourist trap, Bembridge is the place.

Skip the business of Sandown and head to this sprawling coastal gem. As one of England‘s largest villages, everything here is spaced out and relaxed, with plenty of room to wander without pushing through crowds.

You can spend a free morning visiting the historic Bembridge Windmill -the only windmill left on the island, dating back to 1700.

Or wander the dramatic 200-metre seaside pier, where the Lifeboat Station sits perched at the end overlooking the water.

When you want to explore further, less than 30 minutes’ drive south lands you in the trendy, hilly streets of Ventnor.

Charles Dickens once described the town as “The prettiest place I ever saw in my life, at home or abroad”, and it’s clear to see why. This artsy town has colourful buildings, beautiful botanical gardens and pebbled shores that zig-zag down to the seafront.

Or you could drive 10 minutes to Culver Down, for impressive chalk cliffs that offer a panoramic view of the English Channel.

Hoseasons offer a four-night stay in a two-bedroom chalet at the perfectly-positioned Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park from £84.

Morecambe, Lancashire

With the bustle of Blackpool nearby, Morecambe offers a more relaxed, retro feel with five miles of promenade to stroll.

Kids will love Happy Mount Park, home to a soft play, adventure golf, a massive splash park, tennis courts and more – perfect for a family day out no matter the weather.

For something more unique, head to the Stone Jetty to find the Tern Project: an interactive art trail with bird-themed pavement games, mazes, and puzzles along the way.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can join a guided group (from £15) to trek across the famous sands of the Cross Bay Walks at low tide – just don’t try it alone!

Lancaster is a 15-minute drive away, where you can explore its hilltop medieval castle, while you can reach Blackpool for an exciting day out in 45 minutes.

Whether you explore the thrills of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, or explore Madame Tussauds or the Blackpool Dungeons within the tower, you’re sure to have an action-packed day out – with a quieter change of scenery to return home to.

Parkdean Resorts offer a two-night stay in a two-bedroom silver caravan at Morecambe’s Ocean Edge from £99.

Wemyss Bay, Scotland

While most tourists charge straight past to the inner isles, the charming village of Wemyss Bay is the perfect place to enjoy the dramatic Firth of Clyde landscapes.

To soak up the best of the local scenery, wander the coastal paths that look out over the isle of Bute. Walk down to the rocky shoreline at low tide to go beachcombing for sea glass – Wemyss Bay is a prime spot.

Or head to Kelly Burn to see the pretty woodland stream that marks the border between Renfrewshire and Ayrshire, leading you through lush greenery to hidden waterfalls.

Wemyss Bay Woods is also fantastic for nature walks, with a network of forest trails with mountain views.

Train enthusiasts will love visiting the award-winning Wemyss Bay Station, regularly hailed as one of the most beautiful railway stations in the UK thanks to its stunning glass canopy.

To explore further afield, you can hop on a ferry over to Rothesay to visit its castle and explore the isle (£8.70 adult return, kids £4.40).

And for the ideal indoor family attraction, 15 minutes by car or bus will take you to the traditional seaside town of Largs to visit the Vikingar! museum.

This interactive centre has a replica 8th century Viking house, character storytelling, an indoor swimming pool and more. Tickets cost £9.20 per adult and £6.30 per child.

The clifftop Wemyss Bay Holiday Park offers an affordable place to stay with striking views of the mountains across the water.

Hoseasons offer a four-night stay in a two-bedroom Bronze caravan from £99.

Flamborough, East Yorkshire

Flamborough is one of East Yorkshire’s most picturesque seaside spots, with some of the UK’s most spectacular coastal walks and views.

Head to this rugged peninsula to explore North Landing – a sheltered cove dotted with traditional fishing boats, where you can explore its caves for free.

Flamborough is also home to the Living Seas Centre, which puts on family-friendly events such as fossil hunts, boat trips and rockpool safaris.

You can also drive just six minutes to Sewerby Hall and Gardens, with woodland walks and beautiful walled and rose gardens. Entering the hall to see its stately rooms costs £4.50 per adult and £3.50 per child.

Head up to Thornwick Bay to find crystal clear waters protected by chalk cliffs, which open up dozens of fascinating rockpools at low tide.

But don’t just stick to the main beaches – head to Selwicks Bay at low tide to see the “Drinking Dinosaur” rock formation – a massive natural arch that’s the perfect backdrop for a family photo to remember your holiday.

Thornwick Bay Holiday Village is an unbeatable budget base, with activities ranging from water sports at the Boathouse to indoor arts and crafts at the Activity Barn.

Hoseasons offer a four-night stay in a two-bedroom saver caravan from £69.

Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk

If you want the golden sands of the Norfolk coast without the price tag of the posh towns like Burnham Market or Holkham, Hopton-on-Sea is your best bet.

Perched on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, this quiet village has a pristine beach that’s far less crowded than its noisy neighbours.

Here you’re perfectly placed between two major seaside resorts: Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

A 15-minute drive north takes you to Yarmouth for some old-school pier fun and theme park Pleasure Beach, whilst the same time driving south lands you in Lowestoft, with its award-winning Blue Flag beaches.

Plus Hopton itself is a beautiful village worth exploring. Take a walk along its scenic grass-topped cliffs, or wander down to the water for a quiet spot to sunbathe.

Hopton Holiday Village is a bargain holiday park with direct beach access, and you can have a four-night break for less than the cost of one night in a seaside hotel.

Haven offer a four-night stay in a bronze caravan sleeping up to six at Hopton Holiday Village from £89.