Cheap Holidays

Family Cheap Holidays

Families chasing a cheap holiday still want a beach they can walk to and a rate that does not creep up once flights and transfers are added.

• Costa del Sol: Benalmadena and Fuengirola both sit on flat, sandy beaches within a short walk of the main strip, and family-run apartment blocks keep costs well below the marina resorts further along the coast. We rate it for families who want everything walkable rather than reliant on transfers.
• Algarve: Praia da Rocha's mile-long beach backs onto dozens of budget aparthotels, and direct flights from Dublin keep the transfer bill down too. Choosing self-catering here trims the price further without losing the beach access families actually book for.
• Fuerteventura: Caleta de Fuste's shallow, sheltered bay suits children under ten far better than the surf beaches further north, and all-inclusive rates here consistently undercut the busier resorts nearby. A steady, predictable choice rather than an exciting one.
• Crete: Hersonissos and Malia both offer wide, gently shelving sand and a dense cluster of three-star family hotels priced well below the island's southern coast. Fine for a straightforward week, less so if you are chasing quiet.
• Menorca: Cala'n Bosch's calm, enclosed bay and shallow entry make it one of the safer swimming spots for toddlers, and the island's building restrictions have kept prices lower than its livelier neighbours. Worth the extra flight time for the peace alone.