WHEN it comes to jetting off this Easter it can be hard to pick the best destination for both affordability and great weather.
But that’s where Marmaris comes in; affordable with beautiful beaches and cheap hotels that have swimming pools and splash parks.
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Marmaris sits on the south-western Mediterranean coast of TurkeyCredit: AlamyIt’s been named as the cheapest place for families to go during the Easter holidaysCredit: Alamy
Which? did a price check of more than 3,000 package holidays over the Easter break – and Marmaris was revealed as the cheapest.
The resort town in the Mediterranean came out on top for the most affordable seven-night packages which were an average of just £594 per person.
It also came up trumps for average daily temperatures which can reach a high of 20C in spring – and nine hours of sunshine a day.
It’s not the first time Marmaris has been named one of the cheapest holiday destinations either.
According to Numbeo, a local beer can cost as little as £1.43 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can start from just £3.37.
And a three-course meal for two starts from just £20.21.
Sadly, the Atlantis Waterpark is closed until May, but there are plenty of hotels that have swimming pools and splash parks too.
Sun Travel found a 7-nights stay for a family of four on an all-inclusive package from £409pp (from March 31 to April 7, 2026).
Stay at the 4-star Pineta Park Deluxe Hotel – it’s a short walk from the beach and has multiple swimming pools, two restaurants and a kids’ club.
With Jet2holidays, a 7-night stay at Club Exelsior for a family of four during the Easter break costs £495pp.
The hotel has apartment-style rooms with a huge splash park and outdoor play area.
It also offers child-free places, has a kids’ club and entertainment program.
A holiday to the Pineta Park Deluxe Hotel during Easter starts from £409ppCredit: LoveHolidaysIcmeler Beach is said to be a ‘family-friendly favourite’ with shallow watersCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Of course there are plenty of incredible beaches too.
The main stretch is Uzunyali Beach, also known as Long Beach, but there are lots of others slightly further afield.
Just five miles away from the town centre is Icmeler Beach which is said to be a ‘family-friendly favourite’.
It has golden sands as well as calm and shallow waters making it an ideal spot for paddling.
There are also restaurants and cafes on the shoreline so it’s very easy to get a bite to eat, or drink.
Turunc Beach is a quiet spot away from the busy town centre and Kumlubük Beach which is popular for snorkelling.
Head to the Topkapi Bazaar if you want to try your hand at haggling and collect some local gifts or souvenirs.
For those who want a bit of adventure you can even explore some of Greece from Marmaris.
A popular daytrip is to head to the island of Rhodes which is just a one-hour ferry ride away.
Cheap Easter holiday breaks in 2026…
Here are the cheapest Easter holiday destinations in 2026 by Which?…
Just under two hours away from London with Mediterranean-style beaches, this getaway won’t break the bank
A summer day in Broadstairs
Britain is approaching the final stretch of winter, with warmer weather hopefully just around the corner.
Whilst you might assume a lovely getaway requires jetting off overseas, the UK boasts plenty of stunning destinations perfect for a weekend retreat – and this seaside gem stands out as the finest of them all.
This picturesque town sits less than two hours from London, with train tickets starting at just £14, making it wonderfully budget-friendly. It offers Mediterranean-style beauty featuring sandy shores, clifftop rambles and mouth-watering cuisine, yet retains quintessential British character through its Victorian promenades and harbour.
The beautiful spot in question is Broadstairs in Kent, is dubbed the jewel of Thanet.
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This sheltered coastal resort brims with sandy beaches, clifftop trails, independent cafés and seafood establishments, all conveniently accessible from its Victorian promenades and harbour.
For those who enjoy exploring on foot, there’s Viking Bay – a stunning horseshoe-shaped beach bordered by pastel-coloured huts.
Visitors can catch waves at Joss Bay, or traverse clifftop paths across Botany Bay for breathtaking vistas over the Channel.
If you’re after a more urban-style escape, there’s an abundance of independent retailers and dining spots to discover.
Independent cafés and seasonal eateries nestle alongside traditional fish-and-chip shops and family-owned institutions like Morelli’s Gelato, which dates back to the 1950s.
The town also boasts renowned literary connections. Charles Dickens spent his summers here at Bleak House.
This delightful coastal town brims with character, and the beauty of it is you won’t need to shell out hundreds of pounds or mess about with passports to experience it — eimply jump on a train and discover what’s on offer.
Pete Walls, Co-Founder of Split My Fare, remarked: “Broadstairs shows that you don’t need to go abroad for that coastal escape because clean beaches, local culture and atmospheric streets are right on our doorstep, and the train makes it easy to get there.”
The pretty coastline between Paphos and LimassolCredit: GettyThere’s lots to sea along Paphos’ PromenadeCredit: GettyThe ancient ruins in the archaeological park in PaphosCredit: Getty
And while many travel trends have since passed, nothing tops the 340 days of sunshine this country sees per year.
My family and I were staying at Louis Phaethon Beach hotel, the last resort on the strip to the east of town, which is geared up for enjoying the endless rays.
The 4H hotel is a 400-plus rooms, all-inclusive mecca for families with children.
By the time we arrived gone 11pm the staff were still buzzing.
We were greeted by huge smiles and cold beer, and escorted straight past reception and into the buffet area to check in and fuel our late-night hunger.
Kids’ corner covers all the pizza, pasta and nugget needs for less adventurous youngsters, while there’s a full selection of traditional Greek delights for seafood and meat-loving grown-ups.
And here was every beer fan’s dream, an unlimited supply of draught lager.
You could help yourself to as much Keo, the local brew, as you could handle.
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Within moments, you’ll be showboating as you try to top off the perfect foaming pint.
Non-beer drinkers needn’t fret. They’ve got the all-inclusive cocktails nailed, too — and can knock up a round of pina coladas quicker than a racecar pitstop.
The 4-star hotel is a 400-plus rooms all-inclusive mecca for families with children
When it comes to getting some kip, the adjoining rooms are great for families in need of space.
Ours came with the usual mini-fridge, as well as balconies overlooking vast pool areas, a beach bar and the shimmering eastern Mediterranean.
Being right on the beach is a huge perk, and you can follow the coast all the way to the Paphos Promenade.
The stroll is 2.5 miles in total, taking you past neighbouring hotels and along the harbour to Paphos Castle. For 2.50 euros you can get an even better view.
Climbing to the rooftop of the Byzantine fortress, we were treated to impressive sights of the calm sea and Paphos Archaeological Park, with its ancient temples and sand-coloured pillars that date back to Roman times.
The UNESCO site is steeped in history, and you can actually walk inside the ruins in the footsteps of antiquity.
The Royal Apollonia in LimassolCredit: SuppliedThe family-friendly pool and garden at Louis Phaethon Beach hotelCredit: Supplied
It’s made up of a huge collection of sites, from the Odeon amphitheatre and mosaics to Forty Columns castle, all set in a dusty landscape criss-crossed with boulders and crumbled city walls.
A relatively modern lighthouse shines from its centre, which overlooks the neighbouring Tombs of the Kings.
It wasn’t actually home to any kings, but you can certainly unleash your inner Indiana Jones exploring the 4th century crypts and tunnels carved out of rock.
It has been regenerated, with beautiful terracotta rooftops and terraces.
You’ll also get a better value bite to eat than down at the harbour.
Beach bar Karkoloues is owned by none other than Demetrios “Demi” Demetriou aka Stavros Flatley who handles much of the cocktail making
The kids discovered their favourite beach spot, which featured a celebrity guest star.
Beach bar Karkoloues is owned by none other than Demetrios “Demi” Demetriou, half of Britain’s Got Talent’s Stavros Flatley, who handles much of the cocktail making.
He’ll pose for a selfie in return for a small donation to charity.
The bar is worth a visit, with 300 loungers in a sheltered bay. There’s no better place to catch the sunset.
A specially extended 110 Defender takes ten passengers to places only a 25-year-old Land Rover with 1million km on the tacho can go.
Head into the wild on a 4×4 tour through Trodos MountainsCredit: SuppliedBGT’s Stavros Flatley at KarkolouesCredit: Supplied
Our driver Rickos roared the TD5 up to Dipotamos Dam — a sobering sight with its perilously low water levels after months of drought.
We then headed through a winding mountainside track into Mesa Potamos Forest to see its roaring waterfalls.
Lunch was in a gorgeous village taverna followed by a tasting at LionSpirit winery.
Try their Azure Lion blue special — it’s the new rose for Haribo lovers.
The final stop was a wander around the cobbled streets of Omodos village to marvel at its monastery.
If you’re looking for a place to fully unwind, the 5H Royal Apollonia in Limassol has less of a family atmosphere, but is a haven for grown-ups.
Part of the Louis Hotels’ elegant collection, it is about an hour’s drive east from Paphos.
It is one of the oldest in the city, a bustling Monaco-style metropolis.
Refurbished in 2023, the 204-room resort has as many business clients as tourists.
Refurbished in 2023, the 204-room resort has as many business clients as tourists.
But they all receive the same impeccable service.
It has pools, gym, spa, sauna — plus three restaurants and a poolside bar.
It also has its own private beach, with soft sands and crystal-clear waters.
Its manager, Dr Harry K Georgiou, began his career at Louis Hotels 25 years ago.
His philosophy has always been happy staff means happy guests.
And that’s why Louis guests keep coming back to the Island of the Lionheart.
GO: PAPHOS & LIMASSOL
GETTING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at 4-star Louis Phaethon Beach is from £464.19pp, based on two adults and two children from Stansted on February 18.
Seven nights’ half-board at the 5-star Royal Apollonia is from £515pp.
