Costa del Sol Still Among Cheapest European Holiday Destinations, Survey Shows

Costa del Sol Still Among Cheapest European Holiday Destinations, Survey Shows

Fantastic weather, food lifestyle and the welcoming Spanish people 

The annual Post Office Travel Money survey is a great way for holidaymakers and homebuyers alike looking to see where they can get the most for their money.

Over recent years, Bulgaria has emerged as a viable holiday destination for those in western Europe, propelling the country to the top of the charts. Bulgaria may not have the most charm, the best food, or the most family-friendly attractions; it does have great weather, better beaches, and incredible value for money.

Even though prices in Spain are up an average of 25% compared to 2012 when Bulgaria entered the Post Office survey, prices have dropped in the Costa del Sol.

The survey shows that the cost of holiday essentials has dropped by an average of 14% compared to 2012 in the Costa del Sol. It’s expected that prices have dropped by 3% in the past year alone.

This is coupled with the fact that property prices are an average of 40% below the peak values of 2008 to make the Costa del Sol an attractive when it comes to choosing a holiday or investing destination.

This reduced cost of daily essentials is connected to the improved economic performance of Spain. While the economy is strengthening and growing at one of the fastest rates in the Eurozone, there is a “lag” in the costs of good catching up, meaning that prices in coastal regions such as the Costa del Sol are expected to remain cheap for another two years at least.

Study Finds Costa del Sol One of the Best Value Beach Destinations in Europe

Study Finds Costa del Sol One of the Best Value Beach Destinations in Europe

There are 100's kilometres of fantastic beaches on the Costa del sol

A study from the UK Post Office of 19 European beach destinations discovered the Costa del Sol is the third-most affordable resort in Europe.

Even though Sunny Beach in Bulgaria was the top of the polls, it was still impressive for the Costa del Sol to come in third behind the Algarve in Portugal, especially given that the region comes with some of the most luxurious and family-friendly resorts in the world.

The Post Office survey analysed the cost of a basket of the everyday items a family would need on holiday. They found that it would cost £61 for all these items in the Costa del Sol. The basket includes 10 holiday staples such as ice cream, sun cream, and evening drinks and meals.

At the Sunny Beach of the Bulgarian Black Sea, the basket cost just £37, and £58 in the Algarve.

An interesting statistic is that the most expensive location in Europe can also be found in Spain. This shopping basket would cost £131 in Ibiza. So, by comparison, the Costa del Sol is incredible value.

While Marbella and Puerto Banús might not have the reputation and the nightlife of Ibiza, they are still able to stand their ground as far as glamorous clubs goes. In terms of theme parks, beaches, weather, restaurants, transport, choice and culture; there’s a wealth of choice in Costa del Sol.

Not far away from Cosat del Sol is the Costa Blanca, where the tourist basket would be £76; over 25% more expensive than in the Costa del Sol. It’s £89 in Majorca, around 47% higher than in the Costa del Sol.

The top five was completed by Marmaris in Turkey and Paphos in Cyprus. The five most expensive resorts of Europe were Ibiza, Sorrento of Italy, Nice of France, Zadar of Croatia, and the Lisbon coast in Portugal.