10 Epic Cheap Beach Vacations in Europe

Posted on January 16, 2025 | Julie J. |

Planning a summer trip to Europe but have a tight budget? Discover below some amazing European beach destinations that won’t break the bank!

Whether you want to relax on the beach, go sightseeing, or party the night away, these destinations have it all.

When you’re on a budget, Eastern Europe is your best option with plenty of affordable hostels and vacation rentals, cheap eats, and incredible things to do at a reasonable price.

If you’re planning a trip during the shoulder seasons, you might find good deals in countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece. May, June, and September are good months to enjoy these countries’ beach towns on a budget while still being able to swim and sunbathe.

HELPFUL WEBSITES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP

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VACATION RENTALS

HELPFUL WEBSITES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP

FLIGHT DEALS

HOTEL DEALS

CAR RENTAL

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ACTIVITIES

VACATION RENTALS

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Table of Contents show

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

Beautiful View of Herceg Novi and The Adriatic Sea from Kanli Ku

Recommended by Lisa of Nova on the Road

One of the most surprisingly affordable European beach destinations lies along the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro. The beautiful Bay of Kotor offers a perfect, budget-friendly getaway with plenty of fantastic towns to choose from, such as Kotor, Tivat, Perast, Bijela, or Herceg Novi.

You will find many towns and beaches along the whole bay and they all have their unique features, but my favorite is Herceg Novi because it’s such a hidden gem and is home to some of the best beaches! It is also one of the cheapest towns on the bay, as many other towns are way more popular and expensive.

While renting a car in Montenegro is recommended for flexibility, it’s not essential. Many tours include transportation, and there are regular buses running from Kotor to Croatia, stopping at various towns along the bay.

Accommodation in Herceg Novi is incredibly budget-friendly, with many apartments available for just €40-60 per night—check out the excellent Cebra Apartments for example.

With reasonably priced food and drinks, you can enjoy a beach vacation like no other while saving lots of money! Don’t miss my favorite (and super cheap!) coffee spot in town, Koffein.

You can easily explore the Bay of Kotor on a budget of just €40-50 per person, per day, making it a perfect destination for an affordable getaway.

Zadar, Croatia

Recommended by Tom of Tom Henty’s Travel

Zadar in Croatia is the perfect beach destination for every type of traveler, with a vast array of beaches, many islands, and a quirky Old Town, full of budget-friendly accommodations and dining options.

A wander around the Old Town of Zadar offers visitors a mixture of modern coffee shops and ancient relics, making a day exploring the Croatian coastal city an interesting one. With the Bell Tower and Sea Organ close to the centre of the Old Town, Zadars two main highlights can be enjoyed at a very cheap cost.

If you want a taste of island life on your beach holiday, then taking an early morning ferry to Ugljan Island is a great way to find some secluded spots for the day. Muline Bay Beach is a less frequented sandy cove, so an ideal spot to catch a tan, save some money, and enjoy some tranquillity.

In terms of dining, Zadar is abundant with options, however, a personal recommendation is Submarine Restaurant, as it caters for vegans, and has a strong ethos on using organic food. Healthy dining makes the sun, sea, and sand extra special in Croatia.

Three days is enough time in Zadar to enjoy its main highlights, an island, and some of its beautiful beaches. $70 per person is an adequate daily budget to enjoy some nice food, fun activities, and a day as an islander!

Albanian Riviera

Recommended by Mindy of Mindy on the Map

Among the best beach destinations in Europe, the Albanian Riviera is an excellent choice for a picture-perfect getaway.

The Riviera starts at Palasë and runs all the way down to Ksamil, near the southern border of the country.

The 120-kilometer-long stretch boasts countless beaches with perfect turquoise waters but without the price tag of nearby countries such as Greece or Croatia. In fact, an average traveler in Albania only spends about 100 USD per day! You can find hostels near the beach for around $25 during the high season.

It’s worth spending several days to upwards of a week exploring the coastline so that there’s time to hike to the secluded Gjipe Beach, and lounge at destinations such as Ksamil Beach, Borsh Beach, Dhermi Beach, or Drymades Beach.

Beachfront restaurants tend to cost more, so cost-conscious travelers should grab food from local joints back in town.

In between beach visits, there’s also plenty to see in Llogara National Park, Butrint National Park, and the Syri I Kalter or “Blue Eye”. All of these locations are free to visit, other than Butrint National Park, where there’s a small entry fee of about 10 USD per person.

Gdynia, Poland

Recommended by Zoe from Together In Transit

One very affordable destination in Europe with a beautiful beach is in Gdynia, Poland. Located north of the capital of Warsaw, Gdynia is a beautiful seaside city and a great Polish summer destination.

We recommend Gdynia as it’s often overlooked by other tourists, making it a great place to relax and meet locals. A weekend in Gdynia is ideal, allowing you enough time to see everything.

The beach is just a short distance from the city area and also close to the marina, where you can take a boat for a tour to Hel or Gdansk.

Walk south on the beach to the Orłowo Pier for a nice stroll along the coast.

For history lovers, visit the Emigration Museum, the Dar Pomorza Ship, and the Maritime Museum of Gdynia.

Pierogarnia Pierogi is one of the best restaurants to try local pierogi, with all the different fillings. They often have waiting lines, so reserve your table in advance. To save money, you can also have a picnic on the beach, with food and drink first bought from a supermarket.

For a cheap accommodation option, we recommend Hostel City Center Gdynia. It’s perfectly located, within walking distance of everything in Gdynia, clean, with comfortable beds, and the rooms were well-maintained.

Nessebar, Bulgaria

Recommended by Maria of BulgarianAdventure

Nessebar, Bulgaria, is a charming, budget-friendly beach destination in Europe. As a Bulgarian, I highly recommend it for its mix of sandy beaches and rich history. Known as the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” Nessebar is perfect for relaxing and exploring without breaking the bank.

Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover ancient ruins, picturesque churches, and stunning sea views. Beach days are a must, and many stretches of sand are free to access. Don’t miss sunset by the windmill—it’s magical.

You can enjoy the sandy beaches as long as you want and you will spend a fraction of the money anywhere else in Europe. Save money by eating at local taverns instead of touristy spots. Buses are cheap and connect you to nearby resorts like Sunny Beach if you want variety. Budget accommodations start at $20 per night, while daily expenses average $25-$50.

If you’re planning your next trip, consider booking accommodation or tours in advance, especially in high season (July-August). Nessebar in Bulgaria offers culture, beaches, and value—perfect for a wallet-friendly beach vacation.

Golden Sands, Bulgaria

Recommended by Nofar Ronen of Traveling Outside the Box

We discovered the Golden Sands area by chance after finding a flight to Varna and searching for activities in the region. We quickly realized Golden Sands is a vibrant summer destination, buzzing with life, offering bars, parties, beautiful beaches, and excellent hotels.

Besides being a fantastic vacation spot, it is also affordable, making it suitable for young travelers, families, and couples looking for a budget-friendly holiday.

To reach Golden Sands, you fly into Varna, from where you can take a taxi or bus from the airport to Golden Sands. The bus fare is approximately 2 BGN per person, and the journey takes about 40 minutes.

We stayed at the HVD Viva Club, a 4-star all-inclusive hotel that cost around €130 per night. However, there are also more budget-friendly options, such as Hotel Erma, where rates are about €60 per night for bed and breakfast.

One of our favorite spots was the Megapark Dolphin bar located on the promenade. You can stroll along the promenade, enjoy the beach, play mini-golf, or take a half-day trip to the city of Varna or the town of Balchik, which is about a 35-minute drive from Golden Sands.

Although we mostly dined at our all-inclusive hotel, there are plenty of local and tourist-oriented restaurants along the promenade to explore.

The best time to visit Golden Sands is from May to September.

Constanta, Romania

Nestled on the Black Sea coast, Constanța is one of Europe’s most affordable beach destinations. Romania’s oldest continuously inhabited city, it combines sun-kissed beaches with history and culture. Travelers seeking budget-friendly seaside escapes will find Constanța a hidden gem that offers more than just golden sands.

The city’s beaches, including Mamaia, a short drive away, boast soft sands and calm waters perfect for relaxation and water sports. Despite its popularity among Romanians, Constanța remains surprisingly affordable compared to Western European hotspots, with reasonably priced accommodations, dining, and entertainment.

The Old Town features landmarks like the iconic Constanța Casino, a magnificent Art Nouveau structure, and the Great Mosque of Constanța, which offers panoramic views from its minaret. The city’s archaeological treasures, displayed in the National History and Archaeology Museum, shed light on its Greek and Roman roots.

Dining in Constanța won’t break the bank, with affordable seafood and Romanian specialties at local restaurants.

If you’re solo traveling, Eol777 Hostel is a great place to stay with dorm beds for around $25 during the high season as well as private rooms for $55.

Salerno, Italy

Recommended by Denise from Chef Denise

You may never have heard of Salerno in the region of Campania, Italy, but you most certainly have heard of some of its famous neighbors to the north like Positano and Amalfi. So while tourists tend to stay on the Amalfi Coast, Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea tends to be a bargain. You can even find hotels for under $100/night and meals for less than $10 per person.

Luckily, the seaside city still offers stunning views and plenty to do. Salerno boasts a hilltop castle, an 11th century cathedral, the gorgeous Minerva Gardens, lovely beaches, and some of the best food in Campania. It is a great place to soak up the local culture, admire the scenery, and learn about history.

Walk the pedestrian street Corso Vittorio Emanuele which runs through the old town. Meander the cobbled stone streets and duck into one of the many affordable restaurants like La Traversa and try some of the local seafoods and pastas.

At sunset, walk along the Lungomare to the gigantic Cresent Square. You’ll see the castle in the hills and a beautiful sunset. And you’ll be grateful you found this hidden gem!

Fuerteventura, Spain

Recommended by Danni of Scratch Your Mapa

Fuerteventura is a fabulous beach destination and is home to some of the best beaches in all of Europe.

As one of the Canary Islands in Spain, it’s known for its various long stretches of sand and turquoise waters. Some of the free activities you can enjoy are Popcorn Beach, Mirador del Risco de las Peñas, Roque Morro del Morro, and a ton of other great swimming and hiking spots around the island.

Apart from all the great free activities, you’ll also want to try windsurfing, go on a catamaran ride, and take a day trip to the island “Isla de Lobos”, all of which are pretty affordable activities. We’d also recommend eating at Pummarola, the best Italian restaurant on the island.

You really don’t need a ton of money to enjoy this incredible island, and as a couple we were able to spend between $50-$100/day for the two of us.

Fuerteventura is a great weekend getaway, but you can easily spend up to a week there with all of the great things to do there!

Malta

Recommended by Tim of Travels Off the Cuff

Malta is famous for its stunning coastline, beautiful capital city, and gorgeous weather, but it’s a fantastic beach destination too.

Beaches like Golden Bay offer beautiful scenery, soft sand, and turquoise water, and have good facilities. For somewhere quieter, there are plenty of options such as the serene Għajn Tuffieħa.

Malta’s coastline is stunning, especially when the beaches give way to cliffs, and they’re free and easy to explore. Don’t miss St Peter’s Pool, a natural rock formation that’s perfect for snorkeling or just enjoying the view. Take a ferry (around €10 return) to the Blue Lagoon, famous for its almost unreal blue waters. Gozo, Malta’s second island, also offers beautiful, less crowded beaches.

Malta’s bus system is modern and cheap which makes getting around easy. The Malta card offers free and discounted entry to most tourist attractions, and free public transport.

Decent accommodation starts from €60 per night. You can find basic, clean and comfortable places for less than €40 or try outside of the high season (May – October) for lower prices. On top of accommodation, expect to spend €50 – €70 daily.

If you fancy a break from the beach, the historic Valletta is just a short ride away. To see everything we’d recommend staying at least a week, but you could easily make it two. Enjoy!

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