Everyone dreams of the perfect beach holiday – palm-fringed shores, ice-cold beers and delicious dinners on balmy starlit nights. But what if you’re on a budget? No worries! We’ve put together a list of the cheapest beach holiday destinations and what you can expect to pay from the most expensive to the least.*
15. Nice, France — R 1912
Glitzy, glamorous and full of gorgeous bronze bodies, Nice is a treat for sun lovers – if a teeny bit more expensive than the rest of the beaches on this list.
- Cup of coffee: R24
- Bottle of local beer: R53
- Bottle of water: R5
- Two-course lunch for two: R449
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R1012
14. Mallorca, Spain — R1820
Despite being the favourite holiday destination for Spain’s royal family, sun-kissed Mallorca Island is still surprisingly easy on the pocket.
- Cup of coffee: R23
- Bottle of local beer: R38
- Bottle of water: R8
- Two-course lunch for two: R449
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R906
13. Porec, Croatia — R1784
With 10km of lovely coastline and affordable accommodation, pretty Porec has plenty to offer travellers in search of a good deal. - Cup of coffee: R24
- Bottle of local beer: R38
- Bottle of water: R13
- Two-course lunch for two: R375
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R1029
12. Lisbon Coast, Portugal — R1699
A favourite for locals and tourists alike, Lisbon’s good value is just as likely to attract travellers as its gorgeous shores.
- Cup of coffee: R11
- Bottle of local beer: R30
- Bottle of water: R30
- Two-course lunch for two: R449
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R865
11. Halkidiki, Greece — R1684
Just a tad cheaper than the Lisbon Coast, Halkidiki holds the title of most popular beach destination in northern Greece.
- Cup of coffee: R52
- Bottle of local beer: R75
- Bottle of water: R15
- Two-course lunch for two: R449
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R659
10. Sliema, Malta — R1655
Good value, scenic promenades and gorgeous beaches go hand-in-hand in this bustling coastal town.
- Cup of coffee: R23
- Bottle of local beer: R38
- Bottle of water: R21
- Two-course lunch for two: R449
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R804
9. Zadar, Croatia — R1647
This dynamic Dalmatian coastal town’s fair prices has earned its mid-range ranking as an affordable beach destination on this list.
- Cup of coffee: R25
- Bottle of local beer: R36
- Bottle of water: R13
- Two-course lunch for two: R291
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R957
8. Corfu, Greece — R1531
One of the greenest of the Greek islands – and also one of the most affordable – Corfu is a win for travellers on a budget.
- Cup of coffee: R38
- Bottle of local beer: R50
- Bottle of water: R15
- Two-course lunch for two: R360
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R764
7. Paphos, Cyprus — R1485
Ancient mythology, white-sand beaches, and breath-taking architecture are just a few of the perks travellers can experience in this beautiful city – at a price you can afford.
- Cup of coffee: R45
- Bottle of local beer: R35
- Bottle of water: R344
- Two-course lunch for two: R344
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R740
6. Costa Blanca, Spain — R1403
This gorgeous beach on Spain’s stunning coastline is a premier holiday destination that luckily doesn’t come at a premium price to match.
- Cup of coffee: R23
- Bottle of local beer: R30
- Bottle of water: R8
- Two-course lunch for two: R359
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R609
5. Crete, Greece — R1365
The largest island in Greece, Crete is just slightly less expensive than Costa Blanca in Spain, yet offers just as much in the way of beautiful beaches and leisurely summer fun.
- Cup of coffee: R38
- Bottle of local beer: R38
- Bottle of water: R8
- Two-course lunch for two: R359
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R704
4. Costa del Sol, Spain — R1201
Despite three other entries for Spain on this list, Costa del Sol comes in by far the cheapest, while still offering all the beauty of the Spanish southern coastline.
- Cup of coffee: R21
- Bottle of local beer: R38
- Bottle of water: R6
- Two-course lunch for two: R269
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R681
3. Algarve, Portugal — R1145
With the most affordable coffee and bottled water – plus the second-most affordable local beer – you definitely won’t go thirsty on this beautiful coast in Portugal.
- Cup of coffee: R11
- Bottle of local beer: R17
- Bottle of water: R3
- Two-course lunch for two: R267
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R650
2. Marmaris, Turkey — R955
Located on the Turquoise Coast, Maramaris welcomes travellers from around the world with its crystal-clear beaches, scenic promenade and irresistibly affordable dining prices.
- Cup of coffee: R24
- Bottle of local beer: R37
- Bottle of water: R4
- Two-course lunch for two: R157
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R531
1. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria — R729
Topping the list as by far the most affordable beach destination, Sunny Beach in Bulgaria tempts your taste buds with the cheapest beer, lunch and dinner in a gorgeous seaside setting.
- Cup of coffee: R12
- Bottle of local beer: R12
- Bottle of water: R7
- Two-course lunch for two: R144
- Three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine: R440
Budget travel doesn’t get better than this! If you are planning a trip to any of these destinations, speak to one of our travel experts today to book your cheap beach holiday with us today.
*Prices have been rounded up to the nearest digit for easy reference.
*Prices may change slightly due to fluctuating exchange rates.
* Results according to the 12th annual Post Office Travel Money Holiday Costs Barometer
* This report does not look at flights and accommodation, but will give you a great idea of average spend at the destination.
