WHEN it comes to booking a holiday, Brits are starting to look at destinations off the radar – and slightly cheaper too.
Rather than heading to the Algarve, the Costa del Sol, or even the French Riviera – here are some alternative, but still beautiful coastlines where you can get everything you want from a holiday, at a fraction of the price.
Black Sea Coast, Turkey
First up is the Black Sea Coast in Turkey, essentially the opposite side of the country to where you’ll find the likes of Antalya and Bodrum.
National Geographic even named the Black Sea Coast in Turkey as one of its “best places in the world to travel to in 2026”.
As for why, the publication added the coastline is “an adventurous, less travelled alternative to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts”.
When it comes to attractions, some of the most popular sites are the Sumela Monastery which was built into a cliffside, and the Yedigoller National Park for natural beauty and lakes.
Some of the most popular towns include Amasra which is known for its pretty beaches and traditional culture – it sits peninsula jutting into the sea.
Another is the city of Samsun which while it isn’t known for its beaches, the coastline is a pretty picture.
Atakum Sahili is a popular spot as it has a long promenade full of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Hotels in the Black Sea Region of Turkey can cost as little as £69 for five nights (based on a two person stay) – which works out at £6.90pppn, according to Booking.com.
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As it’s lesser visited, to get to the likes of Samsun, Brits will have to take a flight that requires a stopover in the likes of Istanbul.
Northumberland, UK
If you want to stay closer to home, check out the pretty coastline of Northumberland.
The county was named by Airbnb as being one of the ‘trending’ beach destinations around the world.
The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention during summer 2025, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.
Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”
Usually when the hot weather hits, it’s the south of England that tourists – international and national flock to.
But actually, trends say people are looking more towards the north in towns like Bamburgh and Embleton Bay.
An overnight stay in Northumberland can be as little as £45 per night.
In comparison, staying in and around Cornwall‘s St Ives, one of the busiest towns during the summer season tends to be upwards from £150.
Albanian Riviera, Albania
Albania is becoming more popular every year with some even calling it the affordable dupe of Italy‘s Amalfi coast.
It’s cheaper, with incredible beaches, pretty towns and bustling cities.
In terms of affordability, in Albania, meals cost under £10 and accommodation averages £40 a night.
Popular spots along the Albanian coastline include Sarandë, a hub for the Riviera with access to Corfu, there’s also Dhërmi, a scenic town with a long, beautiful beach and Vlorë, which is considered the ‘budget Maldives of Europe‘.
Ksamil is a beautiful destination known for its islands and turquoise waters.
A five-night stay in a hotel in Ksamil for a family of four during the height of summer in August next year can be as little as £275, which works out at £13.75pppn.
You can get direct flights to Tirana from London and Manchester for as little as £15 with Ryanair – and the journey is under three hours.
Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria
Just around the corner from Turkey is the Black Sea Coastline in Bulgaria where you’ll find cities like Varna in the north, and Burgas in the south.
In-between are popular resorts like Sunny Beach and Albena – which are known for their affordability.
You don’t have to stick to the big resort towns though, there are other, quieter places like Nessebar, which is also one of the cheapest destinations in Europe.
The ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’ is where you can get beers for £1.60 and stay in a three star hotel for just £45 per night.
The average price of an ice cream is £1.20, a family meal is priced around £28, and a three course dinner for two cost just £22.
To get to the UK, Brits should fly to either Burgas or Varna along the coast.
Silver Coast, Portugal
There are plenty of beautiful places in Portugal and most of them are very well known like the Algarve which has golden beaches, and cities like Lisbon and Porto.
Just between those two cities is the Silver Coast which is more overlooked despite it being more affordable than other destinations.
Here you’ll find the Aveiro, also called the ‘Venice of Portugal‘ because of its canals and gondola-style boats.
Ericeira is a popular beach spot and where you’ll see lots of surfers as it has some of the biggest waves in the country.
One writer visited Nazare, another spot on the Silver Coast, he said: “Nazare has thankfully retained its charm, despite the rising number of visitors coming to see the waves and daring surfers.
“Its narrow, cobbled streets are home to various family-run restaurants, each serving an array of fresh seafood as well as the omnipresent bacalhau, or salted cod.
“Strolling down from the old town and along the shore, we were greeted by great lines of barcos, the local fishermen’s boats, painted in bright, vibrant colours, their nets hung out to dry in preparation for the following day.”
It’s easy to get to the Silver Coast if you fly to either Lisbon or Porto which you can do with Ryanair and easyJet.
For more trending holiday destinations for 2026, check out the ones that our travel team predicts will be HUGE thanks to cheap hotels, flights and pints.
Plus, here are five European cities with lesser-known tours that let you explore like a local.