Europe's best-value holiday destinations revealed for 2026 - the budget-friendly city and beach breaks Brits can book from £16

Budgeting for a holiday can often feel impossible, especially when you have to account for flights, luggage, excursions – not to mention food and drink – for more than one person.Fortunately, some destinations are far more affordable than others, and a new Summer Holiday Value Index reveals where to jet off to if you want to save money without sacrificing a great trip. The research involved an analysis of 100 popular destinations, looking at average holiday prices, Google ratings and online reviews.Spain and Italy dominated the top spots, showing southern European hotspots like Florence, Milan and Seville are accessible to UK families looking for a memorable trip on a budget.1. Seville, Spain Seville, Spain, proved to be the best value-for-money destination, according to the new Summer Holiday Value IndexKnown for fabulous flamenco dancing and beautiful architecture, Seville takes the top spot in this year's report.More affordable than the likes of Barcelona or Madrid, Britons are able to experience a Spanish city break that doesn't break the bank. It scored 99 out of 100 for its Summer Holiday Value in the research by AttractionTickets.com and it certainly won't disappoint. Direct flights from London can be bagged for as little as £24 in September, and accommodation is priced from £30 a night. There is an abundance of things to do in the city too, from the iconic Plaza de España to visiting the 15th-century Catedral De Sevilla. 2. Milan, Italy Milan, in Italy, followed in second place, and has plenty of historical sites to check out on a budgetDespite being the capital of luxurious fashion and design, Milan places second overall in this year's index, with a score of 92 out of 100. Home to Italy's largest church, the Duomo di Milano (free to enter for those wanting to attend a Mass), the stylish city has plenty else for tourists to explore as well, including the 15th-century Castello Sforzesco, also free of charge.Tickets to the Teatro alla Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world, are also usually available from just £12.97.Direct flights in September can be found from just £17, and accommodation located just outside of the city centre is available for £46 a night. 2. Fuerteventura, Spain The Spanish island of Fuerteventura secured a total of 92 out of 100 for its Summer Holiday ValueBoasting countless beaches and a more unspoilt feel compared to the more popular Canary Islands, Fuerteventura offers a relaxing and affordable escape for travellers this summer.Indeed, some of the island's top spots, such as the Parque Natural de Corralejo and the Playa de Cofete are totally free to enter for parents and children alike. What's more, holidaymakers can bag direct return flights from as little as £28 this September, and the island has a wide selection of affordable, all-inclusive hotels to choose from.Fuerteventura secured a total of 92 out of 100 for its 2026 Summer Holiday Value, placing it joint second with Milan. 4. Florence, Italy Another Italian destination to make the list, Florence ranks fourth overall with a score of 90 out of 100Bringing another Italian destination into the mix, Florence scored 90 out of 100 on the Value Index.With streets lined with Renaissance statues and ancient basilicas, visitors to this historical hotspot can soak up the grandeur and charm of Florence without even spending a penny. When you've worked up an appetite, locally-owned restaurants serve up fresh, homemade pasta from as little as £5 a bowl.Direct flights to this beautiful little city in September will set you back only £34, and it's possible to find hotels in the centre from around £60 a night.5. Rome, Italy Rome, the capital of Italy, proved itself as a destination to offer affordability and great experiencesDespite its reputation as a more expensive place to visit, Italy's capital managed to place fifth on the Summer Holiday Value Index this year, with a score of 89 out of 100.It's no wonder. Just a stroll around the city brings you to the heart of its cultural history, from the Trevi Fountain to the Colosseum and the Pantheon – the latter two of which offer free entry on certain days of the month.Direct flights to Rome can be found from just £18 in September, and hotels are priced from around £80 per night.5. Sicily, Italy Sicily stood out as a dreamy Mediterranean escape that's also affordableImagine exploring a dreamy Mediterranean island with turquoise waters, a rich history and diverse landscapes. Sicily offers just that – on an affordable budget too. This year, it ranks joint fifth in the index, with flights available from £26.The island is home to Mount Etna, one of the oldest and most active volcanoes in Europe – where there are free hiking trails to explore – as well as historic landmarks such as the ancient theatre of Taormina, which is free to enter on the first Sunday of every month. 7. Paris, France Paris, also known as the City of Love, came seventh overall in this year's Summer Holiday IndexBringing France into the top ten, Paris ranks seventh overall, with a score of 88 out of 100.From the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, there are plenty of landmarks visitors can admire for free across the capital.'While destinations like Spain and Italy continue to stand out for their affordability, Paris is the perfect example of how strong visitor satisfaction of local attractions could provide more value for your money,' said Chris Bradshaw, travel expert at AttractionTickets.com. Direct flights to the City of Love can be found for just £32 in September. 7. Lyon, France Lyon, France, is great for families wanting a city break on a budgetTying with Paris for seventh place is Lyon – another French spot perfect for UK families wanting an affordable city break. Visitors will find Lyon feels less busy than France's capital, yet with a rich history to explore. Key landmarks to check out include the Notre Dame de Fourviere (which is free of charge to enter) and the Vieux Lyon, the old town area, which you can also meander around without spending a penny.Lyon is also widely known as France's foodie capital – high acclaim given the country's gastronomic prowess – and there are ample options for a cheap eat in the city.Holidaymakers can fly from London to Lyon from £17 in September, making it an affordable journey to a beautiful city. 9. Naples, Italy With plenty of character and ample opportunity to try authentic Italian pizza, Naples ranks ninth in this year's indexAs the fifth Italian destination to make the list, Naples scores 87 out of 100 and places ninth for its value.It's the perfect place for pizza lovers to visit, as the city is said to be where the popular dish originates from, and there are plenty of restaurants where visitors can experience a taste of authentic Italian pizza, often for only a small sum.Pizzeria L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, for example, in the city centre, offers delicious pizzas with tasty, chewy dough for under £10. Naples is also the cheapest to fly to out of the rankings so far, with a direct trip costing a mere £16. 9. Protaras, Cyprus Protaras brings Cyprus into the mix as a good value-for-money destinationCyprus is fast becoming a favourite holiday destination for UK travellers – offering not only ample attractions and accommodation options, but affordability too.It seems unsurprising, then, that Protaras scores 87 out of 100 in this year's Summer Holiday Index.The resort town has long stretches of sandy beaches and crystal clear waters for holidaymakers to enjoy totally free of charge – perfect for families after a laid-back break in the sun. Flights to the closest airport, Larnaca, start from £22 in September. 9. Venice, Italy With its famous gondola rides and beautiful architecture, Venice is a worthwhile spot to visitBoasting charming paved streets and winding canals to walk along or catch a ride on a gondola, Venice ranks joint ninth in this year's affordability rankings. It was also named the most walkable city by travel experience platform Hellotickets earlier this year – meaning it is not only accessible in its price but also in how easily visitors can get around and soak in the atmosphere for free.Direct flights to Venice are priced from £18.9. Larnaca, Cyprus Larnaca is another spot in Cyprus to make the list, placing joint ninthCyprus's oldest city, Larnaca, offers holidaymakers a classic coastal getaway with a palm tree-lined promenade and sandy beaches.Unsurprisingly given the city's storied history, there are numerous historical landmarks to explore, including the gold-gilded Church of Saint Lazarus, as well as the Larnaca Medieval Fort, attached to which is a museum, too.For those wanting to relax and rejuvenate, there are also beaches and bars aplenty to enjoy this sun-soaked destination. Flights to the dreamy destination cost from £18 in September.13. Marseille, France Marseille offers a beautiful port city to explore and ranks 13thThe port city of Marseille, in France, ranks 13th for its value for money, scoring 86 out of 100.An increasingly trendy spot, Marseille has plenty to offer its visitors, including buzzy eateries, lively neighbourhoods such as Le Cours Julien and beaches galore. Even a brief stroll around France's second-largest city will be activity enough in this happening destination.There are ample accommodation options too, with several affordable hotels and AirBnBs found in and around the Vieux-Port, overlooking the harbour. 14. Chania, Crete Located in Crete, Chania is another charming harbour-side destination to make the listSqueezing Greece into the top 15, Chania scores 85 out of 100 in the Value Index.The charming city in Crete boasts a Venetian harbour lined with colourful restaurants and bars.Crete is also a fantastic location for sinking your teeth into Greece's layered history. Stop by the Maritime Museum or head to the Egyptian Lighthouse, originally built in the 16th century, to get a taste of the city's past.15. Mallorca, Spain The Spanish island of Mallorca rounds off the list in 15th placeOne of Spain's most popular islands, Mallorca closes out the top 15 destinations that offer value for money and memorable holidays for Brits. It offers plenty of sheltered coves and sandy beaches to enjoy, as well as traditional Spanish villages to explore.Prices correct as of July 22, 2026.