Five of the best-value beach breaks for a sunny escape

Words: Siobhan Grogan  

Nothing brings on the holiday mood faster than sea views, blue skies and a beach to flop on. Whether you dream of taking a dip in the ocean before breakfast, sipping cocktails while watching the sun set over the waves each evening or just lazing on a lounger with a good book, a beach break is a fast track to holiday heaven. There’s no need to break the bank to escape to the sunshine, either. From Med favourites to long-haul seaside spots, these are the best places for a beach getaway on a budget. 

Barcelona, Spain

With three miles of beach to choose from in Barcelona you’ll never struggle to find a spot to snooze in the sun. Plus, with a city full of walkable neighbourhoods, low-cost tapas bars and traditional Catalan restaurants all just a stroll or quick metro ride from the sand, you won’t be stuck spending over the odds in a pricey resort. Try Mercat de la Boqueria for beach picnic supplies, the ice cream shops of La Barceloneta for a post seaside treat or head to Granja La Pallaresa in the Gothic Quarter for the best churros in town. Squeeze in some inexpensive sightseeing by visiting Gaudí’s Unesco-listed Park Güell or take the cable car up the city’s Montjuïc mountain for panoramic views. It’s easy – and even cheaper – to buy a one-way ticket and walk down the hill afterwards. 

Jet off to Barcelona

Cape Town, South Africa

Providing a beach holiday with all the perks of a city break, Cape Town has great-value restaurants, hip markets for souvenir shopping and wallet-friendly hotels within easy reach of the sand. Opt for sheltered Clifton for dolphin spotting, Camps Bay for its tidal pool and mountain backdrop or Kalk Bay for bargain seafood eaten at picnic tables on the pier. Away from the water, hike Table Mountain for free, walk Lion’s Head for coastal views or explore the city on the cheap, reliable MyCiTi buses. The wineries in Durbanville in Cape Town’s northern suburbs are largely overlooked by tourists heading to the better-known Stellenbosch, and offer affordable wine tastings with rolling vineyard views. 

Jet off to Cape Town

Barbados

You don’t need a billionaire’s budget to enjoy the white sands, clear blue water and laidback beach lifestyle of the Caribbean. Barbados is one of the region’s most affordable islands if you avoid the high-end Platinum Coast. Instead, stay on the South Coast or near Bridgetown for budget-friendly hotels, buzzy beaches with plenty of water sports and inexpensive local dining, including Oistins Fish Fry, a Friday night party with freshly cooked fish, live music and stalls to browse. Flag down a yellow Reggae bus to see more of the island for just more than £1, regardless of distance, and get to know the locals in rum shacks where you can expect cheap drinks, budget-friendly traditional dishes and a great welcome. 

Jet off to Barbados

Toulon, France

Cut-price Côte d’Azur glamour is possible if you base yourself in the coastal city of Toulon instead of one of the region’s pricier big-name resorts. Stay near the Mourillon beaches for bath-warm Med swims or stroll around the marina for alfresco seafood lunches at reasonably priced waterfront restaurants. Hop on the train to day trip to chic Saint-Tropez, where you can climb to the hillside Citadel for sea views, potter around the cobbled old town, people watch on the beaches and pick up handcrafted jewellery, local lavender soap and Provençal olives from the market on Place des Lices. Then head to the port, where it’s completely free to gawp at the flashy super-yachts and their VIP guests. 

Jet off to Toulon

Thessaloniki, Greece

The country’s second city has all the waterfront charm of a Greek island without needing to fork out on ferries and remote resorts. Beaches including Perea and Aretsou Bay are an easy bus ride away, yet city-centre hotels, street food stalls and Kapani market are all close by to cut costs further. Free boat rides leave from the White Tower for a coastal cruise – you’ll just have to buy a drink on board – or wander the streets of the Old Town and visit the free 8th-century Agia Sophia with its ornate interiors. Walk the three-mile waterfront promenade for street performers, well-priced cafés and the best views of the sun setting over Mount Olympus and the Aegean Sea. 

Jet off to Thessaloniki