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Let’s face it: some beach destinations are rubbish, and there’s nothing more disappointing than spending money to travel the world only to be left bored and unimpressed.
As experts here at Travel Off Path, we know when to hand the baton to trusted travel companies like Time-outwhich has just unveiled a hefty list of cheap beach holidays in Europe.
By parsing it like a forensic file, we have extracted a number of places that do not fit into the picture due to both the current conflicts in the Middle East and the personal experience of the aforementioned disappointment.
That said, these 3 European beach destinations are actually worth a visit despite being a trek to reach.
But first: wherever you decide to book your next holiday, make sure you check the latest travel alerts and entry requirements before your trip
3) Heraklion: the most visited beach in Greece is also the cheapest!
At first glance you would think that Santorini would be Greece’s most visited destination.
No, that would be Heraklion, a city that is as historic as it is beautiful on the beautiful island of Crete.
With timeless ruins without the zigzagging lines of Athens and spacious paradise shores for lounging by the sea and enjoying stunning views of the vast Mediterranean Sea, Heraklion is not a name that rings a bell to most people in the United States, but locally beloved throughout Greece and other EU countries.
Of course, there are so many postcard-perfect beach destinations around the world, but many of them come with a hefty price tag.
Fortunately, Heraklion is not one of them – not with the Blue Flag sands of Crete Ammoudara.
It’s a far cry from the aforementioned $500 per night villas in Santorini.
Here you will find much tastier prizes:
- Aquila Atlantis Hotel (5-star) – $99 per night
- Taxi from the airport – $17
- Coffee – $3.50
- Street food – $5
- Tour of the Palace of Knossos – $34
- All beaches – FREE
That’s just a sample size, but you get the idea.
Furthermore, far from the gritty, graffiti-lined streetscape of Athens, Greece is largely considered safe.
See what travelers are saying in real time below:
2) Aberystwyth: An ‘Wal‘ From a beach town
Your first thought might be: “Where in the world is Aberystwyth?”, and rightly so.
My first thought is, “Please don’t make me spell it again.”
Wales is one of Britain’s unsung cultural destinations, as a large percentage of the population still speaks Welsh, and also for beach holidays, as most visitors are focused solely on the thrills of London on its highly underrated coastline.
Aberystwyth (good luck!) is a rare place to find pristine, Blue Flag beaches without breaking the bank.
You see, many travelers have the wrong impression of Britain, as London is usually the entry point.
In Aberystwyth and surrounding towns the population is relatively young as it is a university town, so you can expect cheap drinks and food, whilst still visiting authentic pubs.
Here’s another sample size of what to expect:
- Castle hotel (next to Aberystwyth Castle) – $155 per night
- Coffee – $3
- Beer – $4.50
- Train from London – $95
- Aberystwyth Castle Guided Tour – FREE
- Walking the Ceredigion Coast Path – FREE
Again, apart from some wild London headlines, travelers tend to argue that Britain is safe across the board.
Watch what they say in real time below:
1) Neum: Croatia’s neighbor that you should definitely visit
A European country still largely undiscovered by the masses, it has a coastline of just 20 kilometers, but within that stretch of whitewashed villages and turquoise coves lies a veritable dreamscape that most holidaymakers overlook.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (which we’ll just call ‘Bosnia’ from now on) is known more for its storybook towns – and to be honest, it has a very dark history.
But a real turnaround has taken place for this lesser-known country and the next time the page is opened, travelers can discover the beach oasis of Neum, about an hour by public transport from Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Bosnia’s only Adriatic seaside resort is quieter and a great escape from the seemingly inevitable crowds across the border in the Mediterranean’s summer hotspot.
Here’s an example of what your bank account can expect:
- Hotel Jadran (4 star) – $70 per night
- Coffee – $2
- Beer – $2
- Meal for two – $30
- Public transportation (one way) – $1.80
- Public beaches – FREE
Please note that some hotels control access to private beaches, so you will need a reservation to use them.
Given Bosnia’s boom and beyond a few still-tense corners of Sarajevo, travelers say the country feels safe to visit.
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