Where to go with the family without breaking the bank: Europe, tropics, sea and culture

Taking a family trip without breaking the bank is possible with a little method and the right choice of destination. Between cheap Europe, the tropics and places that combine sea and culture, you can adapt the trip to the budget while offering memorable vacations for the kids.

This guide brings together recent facts (Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Report 2025, surveys 2024, 2025, travel guides) and practical advice to help you answer the question « Where to go on a family holiday without breaking the bank« . Figures, price examples and practical tips will help you quickly compare options and expenses.

Economic Europe: sea and sun resorts

In Europe and on the bangs of Europe, several resorts offer excellent value for money for families. Marmaris (Turkey) was named « best value » for families in the Post Office Travel Money Family Report 2025: the basket of 10 essentials (meals, drinks, sun cream…) comes to around £128.99. As Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at the Post Office, reminds us, « The collapse of the lira makes Turkish resorts like Marmaris a natural choice for families. »

Sunny Beach (Bulgaria) comes in 2nd with a close basket, ≈ £129.47; reported local prices show pints of beer at ≈ £1.30 and a 3-course dinner for a family at ≈ £59 according to media inquiries. These non-eurozone destinations often remain cheaper thanks to the exchange rate.

In the eurozone, the Algarve (Portugal) is cited as the « best value in the eurozone » (basket ≈ £143.56). Lanzarote / Canary Islands also remains affordable for families (basket ≈ £151.61) with the advantage of year-round weather and frequent low-cost flights out of high season.

In the euro zone, the Algarve (Portugal) is cited as the « best value in the euro zone » (basket ≈ £143.56)

Sea + culture: beaches, heritage and local experiences

If you’re looking to combine sea and culture without paying the prices of Tuscany, Italy’s Puglia region is a great option; the Post Office puts it in its top-10 affordable regions. Puglia offers family-friendly beaches, historic towns and sites to visit at often reasonable cost.

Remodelled Croatia also offers alternatives: Split, with the recent improvements to Znjan beach and its promenade (renovations 2024, 2025), boosts the family offer between beaches, playgrounds and cultural scenes, often at a lower cost than the highly touristy Adriatic areas.

These « sea + culture » destinations balance free activities (beach, historical walks) with paid outings (museums, boat excursions). Renting an apartment and cooking locally keeps the budget under control while enjoying cultural exchanges.

These « sea + culture » destinations offer a balance of free activities (beach, historic walks) and paid outings (museums, boat trips)

Affordable tropics: the Caribbean and Southeast Asia

The tropics remain affordable if we compare formulas and seasons. For the Riviera Maya (Mexico), 2025 cost summaries give a wide range for a week with a family of 4: ≈ $3,068 to $6,212. All-inclusive offers can reduce « surprise » expenses (local transport, appetizers, snacks).

The Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) relies heavily on all-inclusive packages: in low and mid-season, these formulas make stays very competitive for families, as they integrate meals, activities and often kids’ clubs.

In Southeast Asia (Thailand, Bali, Vietnam), local costs (accommodation, meals) remain low for families. Beware, however, of places that have become very much in demand: Hoi An has seen significant price rises in 2024, 2025. Compare prices and book early.

Budget and real expenses: pitfalls to avoid

Studies show that many families overspend their budgets. The Post Office notes that many parents get carried away on « kids’ extras »: these « kids’ extras » can add an average of £179 to £290 per week for a family. Anticipating these costs is crucial to avoid seeing the budget explode.

Valuable examples for comparison: family entry to a waterpark in Southern Europe ≈ €30 to €60 depending on the park; an all-inclusive week in the Caribbean (per person) is often listed between $1,300 and $2,800 in low to mid-season. These orders of magnitude help to choose sea vs. culture vs. tropics.

To limit surprises, opt for all-inclusive packages when they are well-balanced, or rent an apartment to control meals and snacks. Calculate a realistic « extras » budget (sightseeing, ice cream, cab) to avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what you can afford

Practical money-saving tips

Prefer off-season or mid-season: flight/hotel rates and queues decrease, and the weather often remains pleasant in the Algarve or the Canaries out of high season. The 2024, 2025 guides and studies confirm that shifting by one to two weeks can significantly reduce the bill.

Book your flights via alerts (Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner) and compare flight+accommodation packages. Use alerts to catch low-cost offers, especially for Lanzarote or the Turkish islands. Renting an apartment with kitchen facilities is sometimes enough to halve your daily meal expenses.

Envisage multi-generational travel: the 2025 trend shows an increase in multi-generational travel, practical for spreading costs and taking advantage of family helpers. Finally, compare all-inclusive vs. rental packages according to your priorities (quiet vs. activities).

Family-friendly itineraries and activities

For families, favor itineraries that alternate beaches and cultural half-days: morning beach, afternoon site visit or small museum. In Puglia, a day can combine beach in the morning and a visit to a borgo in the afternoon without multiplying costs.

Boat excursions (caves in the Algarve, coastal walks in the Canaries) and water parks are must-dos: budget for entry (waterpark ≈ €30, €60) and look for family tickets or promos online. All-inclusive kids’ clubs can also be an asset for a moment’s rest for parents.

Adapt the pace to children and anticipate journeys: direct flights out of high season and shared transfers reduce costs and fatigue. For the Riviera Maya or Punta Cana, comparing shuttles and private cabs often saves money.

Strategic summary

In summary, to answer « Where to go with the family without breaking the bank« : cheap European options = Marmaris (TR), Sunny Beach (BG), Algarve (PT), Lanzarote (ES), Puglia (IT); affordable tropics = Riviera Maya (MX), Punta Cana (DO), Southeast Asia. Split (Croatia) and recent renovations also strengthen the sea+culture offer.

Golden rules: plan off-peak, activate price alerts, compare flight+accommodation packages, rent accommodation with kitchen to reduce meals, and anticipate « kids’ extras » (≈ £179, £290/week). Use the figures provided (Post Office basket, waterpark costs, all-inclusive ranges) to compare quickly.

With the right preparation and a few compromises, it’s entirely possible to give the family a memorable vacation without breaking the bank , in Europe or the tropics.

Good travel and good savings: plan, compare and adapt the destination to your vacation style (beach, culture, all-inclusive) to maximize pleasure and budget.