KISS goodbye to overpriced holidays abroad this summer as we’ve found six gorgeous European beach resorts where you can fly out from UK airports for £15.99 or less.
Our list includes an undercover island paradise with white sands that look like the Caribbean and a cheaper Marbella alternative that offers the same high-end glamour.
You really don’t need to spend a fortune on a coastal city break either, so grab your sunglasses and pack your bags.
These aren’t your typical, overcrowded tourist traps, either – plus, we’ve hand-picked cheap hotels for each destination, too.
Malaga, Spain
In the heart of the sunny Costa del Sol, Malaga has all the high-end glamour, palm tree-lined boulevards, and buzzy cocktail bars of Marbella -but without the eye-watering price tags.
This sun-drenched hotspot blends a trendy city break with a classic fly-and-flop beach holiday.
History buffs can wander through ancient Moorish fortresses, while art lovers can browse the world-class Picasso Museum.
The bustling seafront promenade is lined with traditional beachside bars where you can feast on seafood such as espetos – fresh sardines barbecued on skewers. Pair that with sipping on some frozen cocktails on La Malagueta beach, and you’ve got the traditional Malaga experience nailed.
Ryanair offers £14.99 flights one-way from UK airports like Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Booking.com offers a 5-night stay for two at the Livensa Living Studios apartments for £242, working out to just £24.20pp per night.
Faro, Portugal
While some touch down in Faro only to sprint for the resorts of the central Algarve, staying put in Faro is well worth it.
This historic city is the gateway to the spectacular Ria Formosa Natural Park – a sprawling network of islands that feels a million miles away from the usual holiday chaos.
Hop on a ferry for a few euros to Ilha Deserta (Deserted Island), a stretch of pristine, white sand and turquoise water so bright that you could easily trick your friends into thinking you’re in the Caribbean.
After a day of sun-soaking on quiet beaches, wander back into Faro‘s beautifully-preserved Old Town.
Its cobblestone streets are lined with authentic pastelarias and traditional seafood taverns, where you can try locally harvested oysters washed down with a bottle of local Portuguese wine.
Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Luton and East Midlands airports.
Booking.com offers a 3-night stay for two at the Hotel Made Inn in Faro for £310.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is having its moment this year.
The city was crowned the World Capital of Architecture for 2026, and the Sagrada Familia officially became the tallest church in the world back in February.
There are plenty of famous spots to see here, and even if you’ve already visited, Barcelona is a city many return to time and again.
With 12 attractions to visit designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudí, nine golden sand beaches and thousands of bars and restaurants to try out, this city can never truly be ‘ticked off’ the travel list.
Stroll the famous shopping street La Rambla all the way along to the Port Vell to visit a harbour packed with market stalls selling hand-crafted goods, overlooked by a giant Ferris wheel.
Or visit the famous market La Boqueria to have a taste of anything from authentic Jamón Iberico to chocolate treats shaped like people, dinosaurs, flowers – basically anything you can imagine.
Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Luton, with £16.99 flights available from Birmingham, Bristol and East Midlands airports.
Expedia offers stays at the easyHotel Barcelona La Sagrera from £132 per night for a double room.
Genoa, Italy
If you want the romance of the Italian Riviera without the prices of nearby Portofino, Genoa offers those same stunning Ligurian Sea views for a much lower price.
This coastal city is home to the Caruggi: Europe’s largest network of medieval alleyways.
Here you can discover hidden pastel palaces and buy freshly-baked focaccia from local bakeries for pocket change.
For a seaside day out, hop on a quick 15-minute train ride down the coast to Boccadasse, a historic fisherman’s town.
Here, a cluster of pastel-pink, mint, and terracotta-coloured houses frames a pebbled cove where the locals like to sunbathe.
Genoa provides an authentic slice of La Dolce Vita that feels untouched by mass tourism.
Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from Manchester and London Stansted airport.
Booking.com offer stays at the Hotel Britannia in Genoa from £68 per night.
Alicante, Spain
Unlike the sprawling concrete high-rises found further down the coast, Alicante retains authentic Spanish charm.
The must-visit beach is Playa del Postiguet, a sweeping crescent of powder-soft sand and calm waters that sit at the foot of Santa Barbara Castle.
Afternoons are best spent strolling the Explanada de España – a beautiful promenade paved with wavy marble tiles and lined with towering palm trees.
As the sun sets, head into the colourful, winding streets of El Barrio (the old town).
Here you can sample authentic tapas and paella at local prices, before hitting the city’s glamorous marina for a sundowner alongside the yachts.
Ryanair offers £15.99 flights each way from airports including Manchester, Bristol and Exeter.
Booking.com offers a 5-night stay for two at the B&B HOTEL Alicante Aeropuerto for £334 total, working out to £33.40pp per night.
Ancona, Italy
Tucked away on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Ancona is a lesser-known gem that completely bypasses the packed tourist trails of the west coast.
This historic port city has a well-kept secret – its unique, elbow-shaped peninsula, which is one of the only places in Italy where you can watch the sun both rise and set directly over the sea.
The city itself is a treasure trove of Roman ruins, grand cathedrals, and lively piazzas, but the magic lies on the shores of the Conero Riviera.
Here, the rolling green hills of a dramatic national park plunge into the turquoise Adriatic Sea, carving out white-pebble beaches like Portonovo and Sirolo.
You can spend the day sun-soaking beneath dramatic limestone cliffs, swim out to hidden sea caves, and then wander back into the city to feast on fresh mussels with local white wine.
This wildly beautiful slice of Italy is a quiet spot that’s still off the radar for most Brits.
Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Stansted to Ancona.
Lastminute.com offer stays at the Hotel Fortuna from £72 per night.
*Prices correct at the time of publication.