THE average UK household now pays £165.32 a month on energy bills – but how about spending that money on a sunshine break, where you’d have no need for central heating?
You may not believe that same amount could actually pay for your trip to a sunny beach resort just a few hours from the UK, but we’ve rounded up the cracking deals that prove it.
From hotels with spas and saunas to swimming pools directly on the beach, we’ve found overseas breaks costing less than the price of your monthly energy bill.
And the best part is they start from just £75pp, including flights.
Prices were correct at time of publication.
The Algarve, Portugal for £109pp
This holiday in the Algarve’s Armacao De Pera features a sparkling white hotel with two large freshwater pools and a poolside bar.
Accommodation comes as apartments with open-plan kitchens, air con and large windows.
There’s plenty to do in the local area too.
The hotel is only steps away from Nossa Senhora da Rocha, one of the Algarve’s most photogenic beaches.
You can also go dolphin-watching, explore the Benagil Caves, or head to the nearby 20-hole minigolf adventure park.
Loveholidays offer a 3-night self-catering stay with return flights from Manchester on February 2 from £109pp.
Venice, Italy for £90pp
You could spend four nights in this romantic Italian city for nearly half the price of your monthly energy bill.
Club Hotel Venice is a comfortable and characterful hotel just outside the historic centre.
Rooms here are clean and comfortable, with a homely and cosy feel – plus there’s a relaxed bar and garden area to return to and unwind, after a day of sightseeing.
Hop on a short bus ride and you’ll be in the heart of Venice, ready to explore its famous canals, bridges and piazzas, by foot or gondola.
And this deal from On The Beach is a great-value way to tick off one of Europe’s most famous cities.
On The Beach offer a 4-night room-only stay from 7 February with return flights from London Stansted from £90pp.
Costa Brava, Spain £85pp
This break in Costa Brava‘s Lloret de Mar provides simple self-catering digs and a complementary shuttle bus for you to explore the sunny coast.
The Els Llorers Apartments have everything you need in a good holiday base: a swimming pool, kids area, pool tables and evening entertainment.
Lloret de Mar sees peaceful days and exciting nights, from quiet coves like Cala Sa Boadella to lively nightclubs like Disco Colossos.
There’s plenty to explore too, from the slides at the huge Water World waterpark to the pretty hilltop Castle of Sant Joan.
On The Beach offer 3 nights’ self-catering stay from 22 March with return flights from Birmingham from £85pp.
St Paul’s Bay, Malta for £139pp
The QAWRA Palace Resort & SPA in Malta is a four-star slice of luxury with loads of activities on offer and its very own spa.
There’s plenty of activities here to keep the whole family entertained, from sailing to snorkelling and scuba diving.
There’s a spa offering massages and beauty treatments, gym, sauna and a jacuzzi – plus a giant saltwater outdoor pool and rooftop infinity pool with its own pool bar.
Plus the hotel’s entertainment programme is second to none, with themed dinner nights and top-quality live music.
Choose between a buffet, Asian, Caribbean or South American restaurant for dinner (just make sure to make a reservation).
You’ve got your pick of beaches around St Paul’s Bay, including the crystal-clear waters of Qawra Point Beach and the Bugibba Perched Beach.
Loveholidays offer a 3-night stay with breakfast and return flights from London Stansted departing 9 March for £139pp.
Budapest, Hungary for £159pp
The four-star Up hotel in beautiful Budapest is the perfect base to explore the city’s top sights.
With a rooftop terrace, sauna and gym, you’ve got everything you’ll need in this swanky city hotel.
Plus the rooms are airy and modern with plenty of spacious options for both couples and families.
You’re just a short walk away from Andrássy Avenue, the street that is UNESCO-listed for its breath-taking buildings like the state opera house and grand palaces.
The Danube riverfront is also nearby, where it’s well worth taking a sightseeing cruise to soak up the golden glow of the streets at night – this one from GetYourGuide is just £10.
Loveholidays offer a 3-night room-only stay with return flights from London Stansted from £159pp.
Lanzarote, £159pp
The aptly-named Lanzarote Paradise sits on Lanzarote’s sunny Costa Teguise.
The four-star hotel has two outdoor pools, a kids’ pool and a laid-back pool bar for easy days in the sun – plus a snack bar for when you get peckish.
Stay in roomy self-catering apartments with kitchenettes, private balconies and flatscreen TVs.
The hotel’s in an ideal location too – you’re close to Costa Teguise’s beaches, bars and restaurants, with sandy Playa de las Cucharas just a stone’s throw away.
The beaches here are popular for windsurfing and watersports, whilst disco club Coyote’s is a popular place to dance the night away.
Loveholidays offer a 3-night self-catering stay from 9 March 2026 with return flights from London Gatwick from £159pp.
The Xemxija Bay hotel is located in a quiet, scenic corner of Malta surrounded by ancient ruins, reserves and walking trails.
The nearby Mistra Bay is a pretty pebbled beach backed by lush green mountains, where you can go paddleboarding or snorkelling in its calm waters.
The hotel itself is a great base for families, with an outdoor and kids pool dotted with sunloungers, and entertainment including a games room and live music program.
Although the hotel is in a calm and quiet location, just a 10-minute drive takes you to the buzzy shops and bars of Bugibba.
On The Beach offer a 4-night room-only stay from 1 February 2026 with return flights from London Stansted from £85pp.
Sousse, Tunisia, £155pp
The Riadh Palms hotel is a lively resort smack-bang on the beach in Tunisia‘s Sousse.
The hotel has a big lagoon-style pool with sun terrace right on the beach, meaning you won’t have to choose between pool or sea swimming.
Rooms are bright and comfortable with air-con, free Wi-Fi and a balcony or terrace to take in the views.
There’s a kids club and even a British-style pub to enjoy a pint after a day in the sun.
It’s a great choice for a chilled, classic beach break with shops, cafes and nightlife all within walking distance.
On The Beach offer 5 nights’ stay with breakfast from 8 February 2026 with return flights from London Luton from £90pp.
Albufeira, Portugal £75pp
It’s hard to say no to three nights in Portugal’s Algarve for just £75pp.
This Portugal break includes a simple self-catering base at the Apartamentos Soldoiro, just a minute’s walk from Praia da Oura.
This wide, sandy beach is a popular spot with water sports, paddle boarding and parasailing on offer.
Located right by the lively strip, you’re close to buzzy bars, restaurants and plenty of places to grab a drink or an ice cream after a day in the sun.
From here you can wander the pretty streets of Albufeira Old Town with its cafes and shops, catch a boat trip or hike scenic coastal paths for sunset views over golden cliffs.
On The Beach offer 3 nights’ stay with breakfast from 9 February 2026 with return flights from Manchester from £75pp.
Ayia Napa, Cyprus £146pp
Though Ayia Napa is known as party central (and the nightlife is definitely some of the best out there) there’s plenty more to see and do in the resort town.
The Cavo Greco National Park has a dramatic rugged coastline overlooking sparkling blue waters, whilst the family-friendly Landa Beach boasts bright white sand.
And if you are looking for nightlife – Pirates Inn and Senior Frogs are hilariously fun options to visit in Ayia Napa square.
And with a stay at the Rio Gardens Aparthotel, you’ll be right by Nissi and Limanaki Beach to top up your tan during the daytime.
Lastminute.com offer 4 nights’ room-only stay from 16 February 2026 with return flights from London Luton from £146pp.