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Turquoise seas, mild weather, softly biting pistachio ice cream as you explore a cobbled city dating back to time immemorial: there is There’s nothing like a Mediterranean summer.
The only disadvantage? Every popular Medical country is currently experiencing an overwhelming wave of tourism, from Spain, where protests against overtourism are breaking out, to Italy, where Venice, Portofino and the like are taking tough measures against visitors.
However, a little-known fact about the Mediterranean Sea is that Europe is not the only continent that offers access to it: the ancient sea is also bordered by Africa, more specifically, the northern coast and western edge of Asia.
Just like their European counterparts, they are there 4 North African and West Asian countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea with an equally tasty cuisine, a beautiful coastal landscape and a fascinating culture, with only one difference: they are far, far cheaper for tourists.
We will go through them all, from west to east:
Morocco
Morocco is the westernmost of the North African states.
It has coastlines on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas, and although the latter is much shorter (318 versus 1,864 miles), it’s still quite an extensive coast, interspersed with quaint fishing villages and sandy beaches.
If you’re looking an alternative to Spainthen you’ve come to the right place: Morocco is littered with historical ruins, by the sea medinasand lavish Moorish palaces – at one point Moroccans, then known as Moors, ruled a mighty empire that stretched from here to southern Europe.
Not all of Morocco is Mediterranean in character, but if you holiday somewhere between Tetouan and Nador you’ll find the same whitewashed old towns, hilltop fortresses, exotic markets and lively marina scenes you usually associate with its European neighbours.
The best part is that Morocco is much cheaper to visit than Spain and the like: according to Budget your trip, the average daily cost for a single traveler is $67or $469 for the whole week, with food and accommodation being particularly cheap.
Algeria
Moving to Algeria, this is one of the last true hidden gems of the Mediterranean and a country that most visitors to North Africa, no matter how adventurous by nature, often skip due to its complex visa rules.
Yes, flying to Algeria is not a hassle-free experience as you will need to submit a visa application yourself at the consulate or through an approved travel agency, but once you get there it’s long miles of sun-drenched soft sand bordered by blue-green water that await discovery.
From the French-built colonial city center of Alger to the Turkish-influenced port of Oran, with an Ottoman citadel still intact, to the beautiful Roman ruins of Timgad and the wild beaches of Jijel, the list of Algerian wonders, both man-made as of course, is truly endless.
In terms of travel costs, Algeria can be somewhat uncharted territory: very few tourists comeso estimates can vary drastically among those who do, but if you’re a budget traveler, it’s a good idea to set aside $201 for meals and an extra $350 for hotels. safe estimate.
Tunisia
If you’re not bothered by the strict visa requirements and don’t mind few people, Tunisia could be the perfect alternative: it’s home to the world-famous ruins of Carthage, the UNESCO-protected Amphitheater of El Jem, second only to comparable in size to the Colosseum, and Santorini-like Sidi Bou Said.
Of the North African countries mentioned here, it is the most ‘Mediterranean-like’: the old cobbled towns along the azure coastline are decorated with colorful bougainvilleaThe seafood is fresh and plentiful, the local catering industry is fairly developed and the summers are long and hot.
The trendiest destination in Tunisia for beach lovers is Djerba, a beautiful holiday island surrounded by crystal clear seas, where a five-night stay at the all-inclusive Djerba Resort (for families and couples only) begins of a moderate $723 in July.
Overall, resort stays in Tunisia are cheaper than in Southern Europe, even though this is the same Mediterranean and almost identical weather conditions; Excluding luxury stays, the average hotel price per night is just $52, while single meals at simple restaurants can cost a negligible $3.
Turkey
On the Asian side of the Mediterranean, Türkiye is the perfect destination if you fancy one Mom Mia summer: it is as historic as Greecehome to ancient cities like Ephesus and legendary Troy, its small coastal towns are just as picturesque, and it borders the same Aegean Sea.
In Antalya, the queen of the Eastern Mediterranean, you’re as likely to encounter Roman monuments dating back 2,000 years as you are to casual cafes offering full Turkish breakfasts for under $20, and there’s no shortage of them cheap accommodation options along the Konyaaltı. strip.
In Bodrum, a whitewashed town with bougainvillea-lined alleys that could easily belong in Greece, all-inclusive stays start from $1,449 for the the whole week bee Parkim Ayaz Hoteland you’ll find that food is cheaper too: you can spend as little as $46 a day on meals.
Let’s not forget Istanbul, the most popular destination in all of Türkiye: it is located in both Europe and Asia and is characterized by its pointed Ottoman minarets and Byzantine churches. one of the cheapest city trips worldwide, with stays of a week an average of $874 per person.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
