Struggling to find an affordable holiday in Europe? These secret spots have somehow dodged the price hikes.
As you may have noticed, the cost of living seems to be rising inexorably – and the hospitality sector is not exempt. Increasing energy and food costs, the difficulty of finding and training staff, and soaring flight prices (especially in peak season) are making it very hard to find an affordable holiday in Europe. And rocketing import tariffs are not going to help anyone.
But there are still some pockets of great value to be had – often by following the locals, or going a short distance inland, or taking a ferry away from the island hotspots. Small hotels which are family-run (fewer staff to hire), or which produce their own food or energy, or which don’t have a heated pool or huge grounds, can largely dodge the rise in overheads. And I have a sneaking suspicion that some set their prices for this year before the hikes took effect.
So here are 7 tariff-busting spots in southern Europe, all reachable with (currently) cheap-ish flights.
Some Greek islands now rival the Amalfi Coast in terms of pricing: Mykonos and Santorini top the list, Kefalonia and Corfu aren’t far behind, and even the likes of Milos and Folegandros are catching up. But here’s one island where you can still get good old-fashioned Greek hospitality at good old-fashioned Greek prices. Evia – long, thin and mountainous, running parallel to the mainland – is popular with Athenians, but not with Brits (yet). The northern part in particular boasts long empty beaches, pine forests and river pools, and super-clear seas (calm on the west, wild on the east). It’s also a tad cooler in summer.
Fly to: Athens (wide range of flights) and drive either via the bridge at Halkida or the short ferry from Arkitsa (3 hours total either way).
Stay at: Eleonas – a tranquil, family-run, eco-friendly guesthouse set amid olive groves by the sea, with delicious home cooking; from £74/night. Or at Thalatta Seaside Hotel, from around £100/night in May, June and September.
Another top tip for Greece is to avoid the islands altogether and visit the oft-overlooked mainland – which has its fair share of stunning coastline, but without the crowds. In the southern Peloponnese, you also get a dramatic backdrop of rocky mountains, hiking trails through citrus groves and limestone gorges, and a surprising slice of history – including the Byzantine hill-towns of Mystras and Monemvasia, and the fortified hamlets of the Mani. Best in May-June or Sept-Oct.
Fly to: either Kalamata (fewer flights, 1-2 hours’ drive) or Athens (more flights, 3+ hours’ drive).
Stay at: Notos Hotel – lovely studios overlooking the fishing village of Kardamyli in the Mani; or at Alas Resort – a family-friendly hotel on its own small beach between Mystras and Monemvasia. Both from £90/night.
You don’t need to go far from the city or coast – just 45 mins in fact – to find pretty towns full of Hispanic charm, artisanal beauty, and great-value hotels. Xativa is a favourite, with its tinkling fountains, gorgeous glassware and Crusader castle; also worth a visit are hilltop Bocairent and venerable Gandía (don’t miss the Ducal Palace). We think it’s perfect for couples on a shoulder-season break (neither hotel accepts young children).
Fly to: Valencia (45 mins’ drive)
Stay at: Casa Aldomar in Xativa – a relaxing guesthouse with bags of personality; or at Casa Sibarita in nearby Rafaelguaraf – a 5-bedroom gem with small pool and delicious food. Both from £65/night.
4 Golfo di Orosei, Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia has its fair share of top-dollar seafront: the glittering beaches of the Costa Smeralda in the northeast, the white sands of the Stintino peninsula in the northwest, and the cosmopolitan resorts around Cagliari in the south. But in between, on the east coast, is a sweeping bay of wild and wonderful loveliness called the Golfo di Orosei, where the pace is slow and the prices low. Backed by arbutus forests and sinuous limestone rockfaces, the foaming sea is a luminous blue, and the tiny coves accessible only by boat from Orosei harbour (or via the challenging Selvaggio Blu trail for masochists). Perfect for adventurous couples and families.
Fly to: Olbia (1.5 hours’ drive) or Cagliari (2.5 hours) – flights are much cheaper outside July-August
Stay at: Albergo Mannois – an albergo diffuso entwined in a labyrinth of cobbled lanes within Orosei’s old town, from £64/night; or at Nascar Hotel at the southern end of the bay, from £119/night
5 Minho, Northern Portugal
I’ve chosen this region because it combines sandy Atlantic beaches with verdant river valleys and tumbling vineyards, as well as historic towns like Viano do Castelo and Guimarães, and a huge forested National Park (Portugal’s only one). Oh, and it’s the home of Vinho Verde, which is guaranteed to bring extra sparkle to your holiday. What you won’t find is foreign visitors – most head no further north than Porto and the Douro Valley – so it’s priced for the local market. You can get a lunchtime menu do dia for €12, or a babysitter for €8/hour. Even 5* luxury costs under £150/night, as you can see below.
Fly to: Porto (plentiful flights) or Vigo in Spain (Ryanair only), both 1 hour’s drive. If hiring a car from Vigo, check you can take it over the border.
Stay at: Quinta da Bouca d’Arques, a manor house with friendly hosts and wonderful apartments for 2-4; or at Terra Rosa Country House, a 5* historic hotel with pool, vineyards and activities. Both from £128/night.
6 Inland Languedoc, France
Say “South of France” to most people and they’ll think of Provence or the Cote d’Azur – which is exactly why you should head instead to Languedoc-Roussillon (or Occitanie to use its current, and historic, name). The sun-drenched départments of Aude and Hérault combine rolling vine-covered hills, sleepy market towns, a sprinkling of lakes and gorges, and – bien sûr – outstanding food and wine. It’s only a short drive to the coast at Marseillan or Sète (in Hérault), or to the stunning fortified Cathar town of Carcassonne (in Aude). These chateaux with family-sized apartments make it a great option with kids, or for those who prefer to drive from the UK.
Fly to: Carcassonne, Béziers or Montpellier (around 1 hour’s drive); or it’s 8-10 hours by road or train from the Channel.
Stay at: Chateau Villarlong – a 12th-century castle with restaurant, pool and a range of apartments; from £70 or £150/night (for 2 or 4 people); or at Chateau du Parc Pezenas, from £120 or £220/night (for 2 or 4 people).
OK, so this is a bit of a cheat but, in Croatia, the way to get great value is to avoid high summer (mid June-mid September). Not only do you avoid the yachties and party boats, but May-early June and late September-October are Goldilocks zones for both swims and hikes. And, here, hotel rates are not just a bit lower: they are often 1/3 of the peak prices. No other country has such a seasonal swing. If on top of that you go for a subradar island like Korcula, instead of glitzier Hvar or bustling Dubrovnik, then you can get fantastic bang for your euro. I love to sit back and think of the midsummer guests who are effectively subsidising my stay.
Fly to: either Dubrovnik or Split – the latter is usually better value, with direct flights from 7 regional UK airports on easyjet or Wizz.
Stay at: The Korcula Waterfront Hideaway, chic apartments for 2-5 set at the water’s edge; or at Tara’s Lodge, a boutique hotel with freshwater pool and beachside bistro; both from around £100/night in May or Oct.