Europe’s 20 cheapest beach towns revealed – golden sand and £33 flights

The cheapest European beach escapes have been revealed, and there’s something to suit every budget holiday taste: £33 flights, sparkling ocean and sub-£2 pints.

EasyJet has rounded up 20 of the continent’s most enticing seaside getaways, where blue skies, sunny weather and quiet sand are guaranteed this autumn ‘shoulder’ season.

All without the guilt of a bruised bank balance.

Each location is served by direct easyJet flights from the UK, and all have been ranked based on key cost factors, including family meals, local accommodation, ice cream and beer.

Whether you’re after cities filled with culture, pristine beaches, or UNESCO-listed towns, there’s something for every kind of traveller.

Here are the top contenders.

Topping the list is Nessebar, a small town on the Bulgarian peninsula known as the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea.’

It boasts cobbled streets, coastal charm, and highly regarded seafood.

Recognised as one of the best-value beach destinations, it offers a good mix of affordable grub, reliable flights and hotel options. Throw in that a beer costs less than £2, and it’s a no-brainer.

In second position, with 35 kilometres of Adriatic coastline, is Montenegro’s Budva Riviera.

Sun-drenched beaches and return flights for under £70 make it hard to find a reason not to go.

Spain’s Costa de Almería, on the other hand, is a solid choice for the adventurous. From the landscapes of the Tabernas Desert to golden beaches and national parks, there’s plenty to explore, not to mention almost year-round sunshine.

The list continues with Zadar and Nin in Croatia, Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol in Spain, and Halkidiki in Greece all clocking top 10 places.

Honourable mentions went to Olbia, on Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, and Lefkada, a mythic island known as the ‘Greek Caribbean’ where our Travel Editor Alice Murphy has spent a lot of time. You can read her guide here.

With sparkling seas, well-priced hotels and apartments, and affordable flights, a seven-night escape to any of these spots is within reach — without stretching your budget.

EasyJet’s UK Country Manager said: ‘With summer behind us, there is plenty of opportunity to still find great weather throughout the early autumn across Europe.

‘With thousands of flights across hundreds of routes from the UK throughout September mean great value beach breaks are still available across Europe.’