The cheap European beach destinations perfect for a family getaway - with return flights from £52

Sarra Gray
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:00:03 +0000

When planning a family holiday, you must consider where will keep every generation happy without blowing the budget.

According to new research, that balance is easier to find than many Britons might think. Several European coastal cities offer sunshine, safety and plenty to do at surprisingly reasonable prices.

Analysis of the most affordable beach destinations has revealed the best spots for family-friendly seaside breaks, ranking cities based on costs, safety and the number of attractions to keep children entertained.

The report by Eminent has given plenty of inspiration for British travellers looking for an easy, short-haul getaway.

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The best value beach destinations for families in Europe (Affordability Score)

1. Lisbon (100)

2. Málaga (98.97)

3. Porto (97.94)

4. Split (96.91)

5. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (94.85)

6. Varna (92.78)

7. Valencia (91.75)

8. Trieste (90.72)

9. Thessaloniki (89.69)

10. Larnaca (88.66)

Topping the list is Lisbon, which stands out as the best all-round destination for families. With almost 400 family-friendly attractions, it offers everything from cultural sights to hands-on activities to keep children entertained.

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Most importantly, it delivers strong value. Family rooms average around €169 per night, while a meal for a family comes in at roughly €100, helping parents keep spending under control. Add in five accessible beaches and excellent transport links, and it’s easy to see why Lisbon scores top marks. Return flights from London to Lisbon are available for £52 at the time of writing.

Spain continues to be a go-to for British families, with Málaga, Valencia and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria all making the top 10.

Málaga takes second place thanks to its mix of affordability, safety and convenience. With 13 beaches and over 100 family attractions, it offers plenty to do, while low transport costs (around €1.54) make getting around easy.

Valencia stands out for its 20km stretch of sandy beaches, giving families plenty of space to spread out, while Las Palmas offers year-round sunshine that is ideal for school holiday escapes outside peak summer.

Elsewhere, Porto provides a quieter alternative to Lisbon, with more beaches and lower accommodation costs.

For those willing to travel a little further, Varna offers the lowest accommodation prices on the list, with rooms averaging just €101 per night — making it one of the best-value seaside options in Europe.

Meanwhile, destinations like Split and Thessaloniki combine Mediterranean scenery with family-friendly attractions and strong safety ratings.

A travel consultant from Eminent said: "Kids on holiday don't want to sit still, and they want to try the boat trip, the aquarium, and the local market and then ask what's next. For parents, that enthusiasm is great until you're doing the mental math on how much the day is actually costing.

"Cities that have a lot of family-friendly things to do at low or no cost take a real amount of pressure off. It's the difference between saying yes and saying 'maybe tomorrow'."