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Beach Holidays & Deals 2026 / 2027

A beach holiday is all about the sea, the sand and the chance to switch off. This page covers family, cheap, luxury and short-break beach holidays. From sweeping stretches of sand to small pebble coves tucked below the cliffs, a lazy week by the sea or a few nights away.

Our holidays include flights from UK airports to beaches worldwide. Families can look for Blue Flag beaches, couples for secluded shores, and groups for lively spots with watersports and seafront restaurants. If you’d rather have meals and drinks covered, take a look at our All Inclusive holidays.

Our beach holiday guide was last revised in November 2026.

Trending beach holidays & on the beach hotels

Why choose a beach holiday?

A beach holiday is the easy option. You unpack once, the sea is nearby and there’s little to plan, which suits if you’d rather switch off than tour. It works whether you’re a couple after quiet time, a family who wants space for the kids to play, or a group who like a shared base. Budgets stretch from simple stays to resorts with every comfort, and flight times range from a couple of hours to a long-haul journey. It’s up to you how much to fit in around beach days.

Types of beach holiday

Not every beach holiday looks the same. Here’s 4 main types, so you can see which one fits your trip before comparing destinations.

Family beach holidays

Family beach holidays work best with shallow seas and quick beach access. Look for resorts with kids’ clubs, family rooms and a pool as a back-up on windy days. Short transfers help too, as tired little ones are sure to cope better with 30 minutes than 2 hours! Many families pick Spain, Greece or Turkey, where hotels cater to all ages.

Cheap beach holidays

Cheap beach holidays are mostly about timing and resort choice. Travelling in May, early June or September often costs less than peak summer, and the weather's still warm in many Mediterranean spots. Resorts nearer the sand, rather than on it, can save money too. Packages that bundle flights and hotels make it easier to compare what you’re getting.

Luxury & beachfront holidays

You can’t get much closer to the shore than a beachfront hotel. Beachfront holidays put you steps from the water – think sunbeds, sea views and sand on your doorstep. Luxury beach holidays add larger rooms, spa treatments, Adult-only areas and a wider choice of restaurants. They suit honeymoons, milestone birthdays and anyone who wants the stay to feel as special as the setting.

Short beach breaks

Short beach breaks get you to the coast quickly with the least stress possible. Three to five  nights is enough for a proper reset, especially with short flights around 3 hours or less. Benidorm and the Costa Blanca are a good fit, with 2.5 hour flights and long, easy seafronts to explore. Benidorm is also our most-booked Spanish beach resort. Travelling midweek or outside school holidays can make a short break simpler to book.

Beach holiday destinations

Best beach holidays? That depends on you!

Pick where you’re going first and the rest follows. Here's 5 beach holiday destinations, from Europe to the Caribbean, with flight times and what sets each one apart. Spain, Greece, Turkey and Egypt are the four countries most booked with us, so they’re a good place to start for beach holidays in Europe and beyond.

DestinationFlight timeBeach seasonGood for
Spain2.5 – 4.5 hoursMay – October (Canary Islands all year)Families, couples & groups; a short break or a week
TurkeyAbout 4 hoursMay – OctoberFamilies & groups who want everything in one place
EgyptAbout 5 hoursAll year – popular in winterFamilies who want snorkelling, plus a day trip
Greece3.5 – 4 hoursMay – OctoberFamilies on sandy beaches, or anyone after small pebble coves
Caribbean & Mexico8 – 11 hoursDecember – AprilLonger trips planned ahead
Beach holiday destinations

Spain beach holidays

Beach holidays in Spain

Beach holidays in Spain are bursting with variety for families, couples and groups alike – pick a mainland Costa such as Benidorm or the Costa Blanca, or head to the Balearic or the Canary Islands for a different vibe. Flights take around 2.5 to 4.5 hours, so they work for a short break or a full week.

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Turkey beach holidays

Beach holidays in Turkey

Beach holidays in Turkey (Türkiye) suit families and groups who want everything in one place. All Inclusive resorts are dotted along the Mediterranean and Turquoise coasts, with Antalya a popular base, and hotels often include meals, pools and kids’ activities, so there’s little to organise on arrival. Flights take around 4 hours, and the beach season runs from May to October.

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Egypt beach holidays

Beach holidays in Egypt

Beach holidays in Egypt pair Red Sea beaches with clear, warm water, so snorkelling is a big part of the appeal for families. Add a day trip into the desert or a historic site while you’re there. Flights take around 5 hours, so it works for a week away.

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Greece beach holidays

Beach holidays in Greece

Beach holidays in Greece each have their own character, such as Crete or Corfu – some have long sandy beaches with gentle shores for families, while others have small pebble coves with a more private feel. More than 9 in 10 of our Greece bookings last year were for the islands. Flights take around 3.5 to 4 hours, with beach weather from May to October.

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Beach holidays in the Caribbean & Mexico

Beach holidays in the Caribbean & Mexico

Longer trip? Plan ahead for the Caribbean, with islands such as Barbados, and Mexico. With flights of around 8 to 11 hours, timing matters – as the UK summer is hurricane and wet season in much of the Caribbean, so winter is usually the better option. Mexico’s Caribbean coast follows a similar pattern.

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Beach holidays by budget

There’s a beach holiday for most budgets. At the budget end, you’ll find simple hotels a short walk from the sand, often in Spain or Turkey. Mid-range stays add features such as pools, kids’ clubs and better rooms. At the top, luxury and beachfront resorts bring spa facilities, sea views and direct beach access. Compare a few options side by side, and think about what you’d actually use each day.

Hand-picked holidays on the beach

👀⛱️ Searching for cheap beach holidays? Beach holidays don't have to cost the earth, which is why last minute holidays are perfect for those looking to save on top locations. Or there’s always package holidays which take the stress out of organising everything separately. We’ll tally up your total so you have one less thing to worry about.

O7 BE KLUB (ex. Bellevue Club)
Kids Stay Free

O7 BE KLUB (ex. Bellevue Club)

3.4OK(10,000+)

Spain, Alcudia

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Self-Catering

from£170pp
ATOL Protected
Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh
Kids Stay Free

Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh

4.8Exceptional(10,000+)

Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£555pp
ATOL Protected
db San Antonio Hotel & Spa - All Inclusive
Family-friendly

db San Antonio Hotel & Spa - All Inclusive

4.4Very good(10,000+)

Malta, Qawra

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Half Board

from£255pp
ATOL Protected
db Seabank Resort + Spa
Family-friendly

db Seabank Resort + Spa

4.4Very good(10,000+)

Malta, Mellieha

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Half Board

from£225pp
ATOL Protected
Mahdia beach & aquapark

Mahdia beach & aquapark

4.1Very good(5,000+)

Tunisia, Mahdia

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Half Board

from£125pp
ATOL Protected
Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park - Neverland Hurghada - All inclusive
Family-friendly

Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park - Neverland Hurghada - All inclusive

4.7Excellent(5,000+)

Egypt, Hurghada

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£400pp
ATOL Protected
HL Paradise Island
Chosen by usFamily-friendly

HL Paradise Island

3.7Good(5,000+)

Spain, Playa Blanca

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£285pp
ATOL Protected
HL Rio Playa Blanca

HL Rio Playa Blanca

4.0Good(5,000+)

Spain, Playa Blanca

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£325pp
ATOL Protected
Occidental Jandía Mar - All Inclusive

Occidental Jandía Mar - All Inclusive

3.9Good(10,000+)

Spain, Esquinzo

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£375pp
ATOL Protected
Blue Wave Suite Hotel - All Inclusive

Blue Wave Suite Hotel - All Inclusive

4.0Good(2,000+)

Turkey, Alanya

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£245pp
ATOL Protected
Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort

Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort

4.0Good(2,000+)

Spain, Lloret de Mar

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / Bed & Breakfast

from£235pp
ATOL Protected
Titanic Resort & Aqua Park

Titanic Resort & Aqua Park

4.6Excellent(10,000+)

Egypt, Hurghada

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£340pp
ATOL Protected
Caretta Beach Resort & Waterpark
Chosen by us

Caretta Beach Resort & Waterpark

4.1Very good(2,000+)

Greece, Kalamaki (Zakynthos)

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£440pp
Plus local fees of £15 pp. Total holiday £455 pp.
ATOL Protected
Greenwood Suites Resort
Kids Stay Free

Greenwood Suites Resort

4.5Excellent(2,000+)

Turkey, Lara

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£365pp
ATOL Protected
Tivoli Alvor Algarve - All Inclusive Resort
Kids Stay Free

Tivoli Alvor Algarve - All Inclusive Resort

4.2Very good(2,000+)

Portugal, Alvor

Flight & Hotel / 7 nights / All Inclusive

from£460pp
Plus local fees of £6 pp. Total holiday £466 pp.
ATOL Protected
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More beach holiday inspiration

Not sure where to start? These guides help you compare beaches and resorts before you book.

More beach holiday inspiration

Best time to book a beach holiday

Summer is peak season for beach holidays, and July and August are usually the most expensive months. May, June and September are often better value. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, and earlier if you need family rooms or particular school holiday dates for the widest choice of resorts. If your dates are flexible, our last minute holidays are worth a look. Winter sun getaways follow a different pattern, so check the months for your chosen place.

Beach holiday FAQs

What is a beach holiday?

A beach holiday is a trip where the beach is your main focus. Stay near the sea, spend most days outdoors and keep other plans light. Think a short break or a week or more, in Europe or further away, with or without meals included.

What’s the difference between a beach holiday & an All Inclusive holiday?

Beach holidays are all about where you stay – All Inclusive is about what’s included. You can have a beach holiday with or without meals and drinks covered. An All Inclusive holiday usually covers food, drinks and activities at the hotel, and it can be beachfront or inland, from Spain, Greece and Turkey to Barbados, the Maldives, Thailand and Bali.

Which destinations are best for a family beach holiday?

Spain, Greece and Turkey are popular for family beach holidays, with gentle beaches and hotels that have family rooms and kids’ clubs. In Spain, Majorca (Mallorca) is close to home, and the Canary Islands have shallow water and beaches all year round. Pick the area first, then check beach type and hotel facilities.

Where’s good for a short beach holiday?

Benidorm is a good fit for a short beach holiday, with flights around 2.5 hours from UK airports and a long seafront to explore. For more last minute holidays, try Majorca, Ibiza, Sicily or Sorrento. Flight times vary by airport, so check before you book.

Are beach holidays good value for money?

Yes, depending on when and where you go. Travelling in May, June or September, choosing a package with flights and hotel together, and picking a hotel a few minutes’ walk from the beach are all ways to get more for your money. Compare what’s included before booking.

What’s the cheapest time to go on a beach holiday?

May, early June and September are usually the cheapest months for a beach holiday in the Mediterranean. Prices tend to rise from late June and peak in July and August. The sea is still warm in September, so it’s worth a look at our cheap holidays for those dates.

How far in advance should I book a beach holiday?

For summer beach holidays, make sure you book ahead. Families with set school dates should book earlier for a wider choice of rooms. Booking earlier also gives you more choice of flight times.