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Eurosummer is just around the corner, and suddenly everyone you see on your socials seems to be having a good time at an exclusive beach club in Amalfi, or posing for that Insta-perfect blue dome photo in Santorini.
Listen, it may seem like Europe is synonymous with spending on an $800 a night Greek villa, or paying over $100 for a less than stellar dinner just because it overlooks Positano, but actually not You have to pull out all the stops and empty your savings account to experience that dream summer.
This 4 European beach destinations have the turquoise water, the vibrant atmosphere, the Old World charm that you can only get on this side of the pond, and most importantly, they won’t drain your wallet… even if you don’t check the balance every 5 minutes.
Sarandë, Albania
Sarandë may no longer be the hidden gem it once was (the Albanian coast looks no different from the overtoured parts of Italy or Croatia these days), but aside from the German crowds it still offers great value for money.
At Ksamil, a popular beach nearby, you’ll find white powdered sugar sands and crystal clear seas, the kind you’d only expect in places like the Caribbean or Maldives, and a sunbed package (usually 1 parasol + 2 sun loungers) can cost only $10 for all day.
Or the equivalent in the local currency, the Albanian lek, of course.
In the center of Sarandë, a bustling city center with a long waterfront promenade surrounded by high-rises, grabbing a kebab-style wrap will set you back $5, while three-course meals at mid-range restaurants range from $40 to $55… for 2 persons.
Regarding the accommodation, you can stay centrally for as little as $20 a night (we’re talking about a two-star hotel or a budget guesthouse), or if you don’t mind treating yourself a little, a luxury apartment on the coast costs around $120.
Even ancient ruins are cheaper to visit here: the fascinating Butrint National Park, which encompasses the remains of a thousands-year-old Greco-Roman city, including a half-sunken amphitheater, is behind an $11 paywall. Similar sites in neighboring countries usually cost double or even triple the price to visit.
If you’re not entirely familiar with Albania, you’re probably wondering how safe it is to visit.
It is currently ranked Level 2 on the US State Department’s official Travel Advisory, the same rating shared by countries such as Italy and France, and scores an acceptable 83/100 on the Traveler Safety Index:
The average is based on reports from travelers on the ground.
Northern Cyprus
The northern part of Cyprus operates under a separate administration and follows a different system than the Republic of Cyprus in the south. As a result, the country has its own institutions, border procedures and a separate travel company, locally using the Turkish lira instead of the euro.
Prices tend to vary considerably within borders: for example, a gyro wrap in the South can be expensive around $10 – $12while a similar kebab-style meal in the north can run closer to $3 to $5, depending on the location and exchange rates.
While northern Nicosia remains the main administrative and cultural centre, with its caravanserais and historic Ottoman-era mosques, much of the attraction lies further afield on the Karpas Peninsula.
Think long, empty stretches of golden sand, sleepy seaside villages and guesthouses that often cost between €40 and €70 per night in some areas. noticeably cheaper than comparable accommodations in the south.
One important note before planning a visit: access between the two sides is generally via official border crossings in the capital or along the main dividing line, with entry rules depending on your arrival route. Travelers are advised to check the latest guidelines before flying.
The situation in Cyprus is one of many complex cases of entry rules currently governing travel across Europe – another reason why it pays to double-check entry requirements before heading to the airport.
Varna, Bulgaria
If you think of constant snowfall, ugly communist-era buildings and orthodoxy when you read the word ‘Bulgaria’, you might be in for a big surprise.
Unlike Sofia, which is certainly not unanimously loved by travellers, up-and-coming Varna is on Bulgaria’s sun-drenched Black Sea coast, where summers are very similar to the Mediterranean and honey-coloured sands stretch from the main municipal beach as far as the eye can see.
The town is close to the (aptly named) Golden Sands, a series of seaside resorts where all-inclusive stays range from a shockingly cheap $150 to $250 per nightand the backpacker-oriented nightlife gives Ibiza hippie the techno babe from St. Tropez, minus the attitude, and watered down drinks with hefty price tags.
However, Varna is not only made up of beaches: for the foodies among us: you can eat lavishly here without feeling like you are spending a lot of money. A combination of banitsa and sour milk costs an average of $4 at local bars, while a three-course presentation on a fancier rooftop terrace – usually consisting of a soup, a meat-heavy main course and a dessert – will set you back between $40 and $60 for two.
Culture lovers among us, I understand: don’t miss the ‘Gold of Varna’, a 6000 year old set of Thracian jewelry discovered in a nearby necropolis, now on display at the Archaeological Museum ($11.40), and… ahem, this cute little Starbucks on the street corner at 13 Voden Street.
They may or may not have been built on top of the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Odessos, and are home to some of the most amazing archaeological finds.
Kalymnos, Greece
The thing that most people, or should I say one-time visitors, get wrong about Greece is that so are Mykonos and Santorini far are not representative of the Greek island experience.
Take, for example, somewhere like Kalymnos: a volcanic landmass in the Dodecanese, directly opposite Turkey. Mama Mia summer personified, picturesque beaches, sleepy fishing villages, pastel harbors and all, yet none of Santorini’s high prices… nor crowds.
Pothia is one of Greece’s most beautiful island capitals, with its Venetian-built mansions arranged amphitheatrically around the harbour, and an abundance of aesthetic, family-run eateries. For that matter, a shrimp saganaki, a side of chips and tzatziki, and locally produced wine equal to about $20 in most tavernas.
Souvlaki and gyros are even cheaper, costing $6 as takeaway.
Large-scale resorts aren’t really a thing on Kalymnos, but there are plenty of affordable guesthouses, and they’re pretty reasonably priced too, with nightly rates ranging from $60 to $80. They tend to be cheaper to book in towns like Pothia and Chora, although they may be on the pricier side in seaside resorts like Masouri and Vathy.
During my three night stay in Kalymnos recently, I spent maybe about $465 totalmaking Kalymnos one of the least expensive Greek islands I have personally been to, especially compared to the Cyclades.
Read more about Kalymnos – and why it is my new favorite Greek island – here.
