All the CHEAPEST holidays you can still book for May half term
YOU can still bag a bargain break for the whole family this May half term without breaking the bank.
Travel companies like TUI, On the Beach, and Loveholidays still have some seriously affordable sunny escapes you can book for the upcoming school break.
These last-minute deals to Spain, Turkey, Portugal and beyond start from a tiny £163pp.
From colourful waterpark hotels in Turkey, to chic beachside apartments in Croatia, here are the cheapest last-minute deals you can book right now for a May getaway.
TUI – top picks for cheapest destinations
Holiday company TUI have hand-picked for Sun Travel some of their cheapest last-minute package holidays you can still book for May half term.
Neil Swanson, TUI UK Managing Director, says: “As holiday experts with decades of experience, we know how important it is for customers to secure great value holidays.
“May is a great time to travel, thanks to gorgeous weather and shoulder season prices.
“Destinations that offer year-round sun, such as Lanzarote and Turkey, also offer plenty of great value deals over the half term – and of course, booking a package gives holidaymakers extra value with flights, transfers, and 24/7 support all included as standard.”
Here are some of the most affordable holidays you can still book with TUI for the May half-term.
Marmaris, Turkey
The Club Candan in Marmaris is hard to miss with its bright yellow exterior backed by lush green mountains.
The star of the show is the massive outdoor pool, which is complete with a giant striped waterslide that keeps the kids (and adults) having fun.
Accommodation comes as spacious self-catering apartments that are perfect for families, plus there’s a poolside restaurant if you don’t fancy cooking, which hosts a weekly Turkish night with barbecues and dance shows.
TUI offer a 5-night self-catering stay from 23 May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £539pp.
Pula, Croatia
The Park Plaza Verudela Apartments in Croatia‘s Pula are a stylish self-catering option overlooking a beautiful Blue Flag beach.
Apartments and dining areas are chic and modern, plus there’s a bar and two restaurants on the resort.
There’s plenty here for families, with a kids club that takes care of little ones and a dedicated teens club, too. As a guest here, you also get access to the spa and dining at Park Plaza Histria Pula, which is just a short walk away.
TUI offer a 7-night self-catering stay from 23 May, including return flights from Birmingham, for £698pp.
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach is an ideal pick for a family holiday to Lanzarote.
This hotel has plenty of family-friendly activities on offer.
There are sports like tennis and volleyball.
Plus a daily activities programme including pool games, character parades, and unique “family togetherness” activities for all ages.
There’s also a splash pool with slides, and dedicated kids clubs for ages 0 – 17.
With so many exciting things to do, don’t forget to relax, too.
There’s a sunlounger-lined pool where you can lay back and watch the kids play in the splash pool, plus you’re just steps away from Playa Flamingo Beach.
TUI offer a 5-night all-inclusive stay, including return flights from Newcastle, for £874.05pp.
On the Beach – top picks for cheapest destinations
Holiday company On the Beach have found some very affordable last-minute breaks for the May half term for Sun Travel.
Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach says: “There are still some incredible value holidays available for May half term, with deals from just £135pp still available”.
His top picks for last-minute, affordable holidays this May half term include Spain, Portugal and Tenerife.
“For families and couples looking to get away without overspending, Spain and Portugal continue to offer some of the best-value options thanks to their reliable sunshine, short flight times and wide choice of resorts.
“Benidorm remains a go-to for families wanting lively beaches and plenty to do, while Costa Brava is ideal for classic seaside breaks with pretty coves and charming towns”.
“Lloret de Mar is a popular pick for groups and younger travellers looking for a fun atmosphere, and the Algarve offers a more relaxed escape with golden beaches and scenic coastal spots.
“For travellers wanting to make their budget go further, all-inclusive breaks are also proving especially popular for May half term.”
Benidorm, Spain
This Benidorm break from On the Beach is an absolute bargain at just £180pp.
Stay at the Apartments Las Torres, a modern complex just a few minutes’ walk from the lively strip, and just a stone’s throw away from the golden Levante beach.
Each apartment comes fully kitted out with a living room and TV, a well-equipped kitchen, a double bedroom and balcony.
There’s also a spacious outdoor pool with a kids zone, plus a golf course nearby to practice your swing. On the Beach offers a 5-night self-catering stay from May 24, including return flights from Belfast, for £180pp.
Costa Brava, Spain
This four-star Costa Brava stay is in the prime location for a sunny Spanish holiday.
It’s just a short walk from the Pierre & Vacances Estartit Playa to the local beach, which is a quiet spot with soft sands and calm, shallow waters. There’s even water sports, kayaking and boat hire available on the beach.
This complex offers apartments that sleep up to six, perfect for a big group holiday. Plus there’s a play area and games like table tennis on site to entertain all ages.
On the Beach offer a 5-night self-catering stay from May 24, including return flights from Glasgow, for just £163pp.
The Algarve, Portugal
This luxurious resort in the Algarve has a stunning sun terrace with a sparkling outdoor pool.
The terracota-coloured Colina da Lapa complex has 70 stylish apartments, plus a swimming pool and free shuttle to the nearest beach.
The charming fishing town of Carvoeiro is under 10 minutes’ drive away, and has beautiful beaches, caves and hiking trails to explore.
On the Beach offer a 5-night self-catering stay from May 24, including return flights from Edinburgh, for just £470pp.
Callao Salvaje, Tenerife
“Tenerife is another strong choice, offering dependable sunshine, family-friendly resorts and plenty to do for all ages” says Caspar Nelson.
“With demand high during school holidays, the best-value destinations are likely to be snapped up quickly by late bookers.
“So holidaymakers are urged to act fast to lock in deals now available.”
Bag this Tenerife deal from On the Beach for an affordable all-inclusive stay at the family-friendly BLUESEA Callao Garden.
This holiday complex has three large outdoor pools to choose from, as well as a pool bar to grab a delicious chilled drink to enjoy in the sun.
It’s only 20 minutes from Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia airport, so you can avoid the dreaded overly-long coach transfer.
Plus there’s a beautiful beach just a 10-minute stroll away.
On the Beach offer a 5-night all-inclusive stay at the BLUESEA Callao Garden from May 24, including return flights from Edinburgh, for just £308pp.
Travel Supermarket – top picks for the cheapest destinations
Travel Supermarket has crunched the numbers to find us some of the cheapest destinations where you can still book a holiday this May half-term.
Gathering data based on a seven-night family holiday with two adults and two children, departing 23 or 24 May, the company found the following destinations came out on top.
Spain’s Costa Brava ranked number one, followed by the Costa Dorada and the Bourgas Area of Bulgaria.
Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, analysed the top 10 cheapest destinations for May half-term.
He says: “For those with a little more flexibility on budget, the rest of the top 10 cheapest destinations for May half term are: Lanzarote (£726.88pp), Malta (£730.76pp), Larnaca (£738.93pp), Fuerteventura (£744.40pp), Agadir (£767.55pp), Dalaman (£771.53pp) and Paphos (£778.52pp).”
Costa Dorada, Spain
Spain’s Costa Dorada is the ideal family beach holiday destination.
And it turns out that it’s one of the most affordable options for booking a last-minute break, too.
Chris Webber says: “Costa Dorada is a solid value option for families, with good flight connections and a wide range of resorts keeping competition – and prices – keen.”
Travel Supermarket found the average cost of a week-long holiday during the May half-term to the Costa Dorada to be £638.78pp, making it one of their most affordable last-minute holiday destinations.
The Medplaya Hotel Vistamar sits on the beach, and is a family-friendly choice with a children’s playground, large family-sized rooms and entertainment including a games room and pétanque court.
Travel Supermarket offers a 7-night half-board stay from 23 May, including return flights from London Luton, for £499pp.
Bourgas Area, Bulgaria
Bulgaria, specifically the Bourgas Area, also ranked highly as one of the cheaper destinations to visit this May half-term.
Chris Webber says: “Bulgaria always tends to be decent value, and the Bourgas area in particular is great for all-inclusive deals.
“Families can keep their overall costs right down once they’re there.”
Travel Supermarket found the average cost of a week-long holiday during the May half term to the Bourgas Area to be £662.10pp – but we found an even cheaper deal.
Hotel Tiara Beach is a four-star resort with an excellent kids club and activity program, plus an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna and more.
Plus, with this all-inclusive deal, you don’t have to worry about the additional costs of food and drink.
Travel Supermarket offers a 7-night all-inclusive stay from 25 May, including return flights from Birmingham, for £579pp.
Loveholidays – top picks for the cheapest destinations
Holiday website Loveholidays has rounded up some of its cheapest destinations for last-minute holidays this May.
Al Murray, Chief Marketing and Supply Officer at loveholidays, says: “With May half-term just around the corner, we’re still seeing fantastic value in sunny short-haul destinations.
“There are deals to be had in Spanish hotspots like Costa Brava, Gandia, Tenerife and Majorca in particular, offering families short flight times, reliable weather and plenty to do.”
Here are Loveholidays’ pick of last-minute holiday deals this May half term.
Majorca, Balearic Islands
The four-star Portodrach Aparthotel & Suites is a glamorous, modern resort with spacious self-catering apartments and all the amenities you’d need for a sunny Spain holiday.
The complex has a large swimming pool dotted with parasols and loungers, a poolside snack bar and even a swim-up bar.
Activities available range from a games room, to water sports like surfing and banana boat hire, to golfing at the nearby golf course.
Loveholidays offer a 7-night self-catering stay from 24 May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £359pp.
Gandia, Spain
Hotel RH Arena By Hoteles RH in Gandia, Spain is a stunning place to stay just steps from a stretch of golden sand.
Whether you’re cooling off in the crystal-clear freshwater pool or hitting the sauna for a detox, this Spanish gem has everything you need for a recharge.
Watch the chefs in action with show-cooking in the restaurant, or grab a quick snack from the cafe. The hotel bar is the main hub for a chilled drink, providing plenty of space to relax and socialise out of the sun.
Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay with breakfast from 24 May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £379pp.
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
Situated in lively Puerto de la Cruz, the family-friendly Casablanca resort is a top tier pick for Tenerife.
You’re just a 10-minute stroll from the sand, but there is plenty to do on-site, with a heated outdoor pool and kids club to keep little ones entertained.
After a day of lounging by the pool or exploring the nearby old town, you can settle in for a night of live music and shows.
Loveholidays offer a 5-night self-catering stay from 24 May, including return flights from London Stansted, for £319pp.