'Incredible' destination where 4-star hotel is £15 and a meal is £7.50
There are both short-haul and long-haul options, with plenty of variation for different types of holiday
According to the Mintel 2025 Travel Money Market report, almost half (42%) of Brits have picked a holiday destination in the last 12 months where their money would go further. Despite the lingering challenges from the cost-of-living crisis, the report shows Brits remain committed to holidays.
In January 2025, 27% of Brits said they had booked a holiday in the last three months and 32% planned to do so in the next three months. According to Mintel’s research, 68% of Brits say they monitor the exchange rates before they go away.
With so many Brits focusing on value to determine their next holiday destination, the experts at eurochange have revealed 10 holiday destinations where the pound stretches the furthest and you get the most for your money.
Analysing everything from the flight and accommodation prices, to the cost of a three-course meal and a beer, Laura Evans Fisk, head of digital and engagement at eurochange, shares her 10 most highly recommended destinations to get the most out of your holiday budget.
10 destinations where your pound stretches a long way
Bulgaria
Exchange rate: £1 = лв. 2.17 (Bulgarian Lev)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: лв. 74.14 (£27.08)
Domestic beer: лв. 3.50 (£1.28)
Coffee: лв.3.90 (£1.42)
Accommodation: Starting from £54 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Sunny Beach
Flights: Return flights starting from £28 to Sofia from the UK
Laura said: “Bulgaria is slowly becoming a holiday hotspot for UK travellers. Research shows an 8.8% year-on-year increase in British tourists visiting Bulgaria in 2024. With incredibly reasonable prices and utterly stunning views, it’s easy to see why.
“Here you’ll find terracotta-tiled rooftops and beaches very reminiscent of Croatia, with a much smaller price tag. A mid-range 3-course meal for two and a round of drinks will cost just £14 each in the coastal town of Burgas and a sea-view room at the stunning Sunny Beach resort will cost just £27 each per night.”
Turkey
Exchange rate: £1 = ₺ 42.1 (Turkish Lira)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: ₺1,500 (£26.71)
Domestic beer: ₺170 (£3.03)
Coffee: ₺112.06 (£2.00)
Accommodation: Starting from £83 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Marmaris
Flights: Return flights starting from £52 to Dalaman from the UK
“A firm favourite with British tourists, Turkey has so much to offer as a holiday destination. Whether it’s a relaxed beach holiday, a hiking trip or a city break in Istanbul, where East meets West, Turkey has it all.
“Your money will really go a long way here too. With a three-course meal costing just £13, budgeting around £40 per day will be ample during your trip,” Laura adds.
Portugal
Exchange rate: £1 = €1.60 (Euro)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: €55 (£42.64)
Domestic beer: €3.00 (£2.30)
Coffee: €2.25 (£1.74)
Accommodation: Starting from £73 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in the Algarve
Flights: Return flights starting from £28 to Faro from the UK
Laura said: “The Euro hasn’t been the strongest against the pound in recent years, however Portugal is one European destination where your cash can go further.
“With very reasonable flight and accommodation prices, the Algarve is a brilliant holiday destination for the whole family. There are many family-friendly resorts, particularly in Albufeira. If a city break is more your thing, Lisbon was recently ranked as one of the least expensive cities in Western Europe.”
Hungary
Exchange rate: £1 = Ft 439.67 (Hungarian Forint)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: Ft 20,000.00 (£35.69)
Domestic beer: Ft 1,000 (£1.78)
Coffee: Ft 953.69 (£1.70)
Accommodation: Starting from £57 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Budapest
Flights: Return flights starting from £28 to Budapest from the UK
Laura said: “The Hungarian Forint is one of the best value currencies in Europe against the pound. For £10, you can buy at least four beers, and a coffee will cost you less than £2. For something a little more unusual, hop on a train from Budapest to visit Eger, a town nestled in the stunning wine region surrounded by the Bukk mountains.”
Thailand
Exchange rate: £1 = ฿41 (Thai Baht)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: 950.00 ฿ (£18.43)
Domestic beer: ฿94.01 (£1.82)
Coffee: ฿71.88 (£1.39)
Accommodation: Starting from £38 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Koh Samui
Flights: Return flights starting from £476 to Bangkok from the UK
Laura said: “It’s no secret that Thailand is incredibly good value for money for British travellers. However, sometimes it is overlooked with it being a long-haul destination.
“Even when factoring in flights and accommodation, a week in Thailand can cost around £900 including spending money. Meanwhile, a week in Spain can cost upwards of £800 per person during peak season. You can snap up an incredible hotel room with a stunning sea view and pool for just £38 per night in Koh Samui!”
South Africa
Exchange rate: £1 = R 22.60 (South African Rand)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: R 700.00 (£25.46)
Domestic beer: R 50 (£1.82)
Coffee: R 36.32 (£1.32)
Accommodation: Starting from £27 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Cape Town
Flights: Return flights starting from £452 to Cape Town from the UK
Laura said: “Whether it’s a beach holiday, a once-in-a-lifetime safari trip, or a trip to its iconic wine regions, South Africa has so much to offer. Although flights can be a little pricy, you certainly make up for it when you’re there. A three-course meal for two costs just £12.50 each, the price of a starter in most UK restaurants! You’ll pay around £1.50 for a wine and £1.82 for a beer to accompany it.”
Costa Rica
Exchange rate: £1 = ₡572.95 (Costa Rican Colón)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: ₡30,000 (£38.97)
Domestic beer: ₡1,500 (£1.95)
Coffee: ₡1,986.74 (£2.58)
Accommodation: Starting from £33 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in San José
Flights: Return flights starting from £489 to San José from the UK
Laura said: “Costa Rica is increasing in popularity amongst UK travellers. In fact, the UK is Costa Rica's third largest European source market, and visitor numbers from the UK increased by 5.5% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
“Its relaxed lifestyle, known as ‘Pura Vida’, and natural beauty means it is the perfect place for a tranquil getaway. It also has a high percentage of protected land and a focus on renewable energy, making it a desirable destination for eco-conscious travellers. And, with incredibly reasonable accommodation and food and drink prices, it’s definitely worth a visit.”
Montenegro
Exchange rate: £1 = €1.60 (Euro)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: €50 (£38.61)
Domestic beer: €3 (£2.32)
Coffee: €2.28 (£1.76)
Accommodation: Starting from £55 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Kotor
Flights: Return flights starting from £40 to Kotor from the UK
Laura said: “Montenegro is quickly becoming one of the most popular up-and-coming destinations in Europe. A less crowded alternative to Croatia, it offers similar quaint towns, gorgeous beaches and a stunning coastline, but it is around 20-30% cheaper.
“Kotor, a coastal town in Montenegro, is well worth a visit. This town offers outstanding natural beauty, looking out onto beautiful bright blue waters, and is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the whole of Europe. This is a great spot if you’re after a chilled, slow-paced holiday, without having to pay extortionate prices."
Poland
Exchange rate: £1 = zł 4.70 (Polish Zloty)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: zł 200.00 (£33.76)
Domestic beer: zł 14.50 (£2.45)
Coffee: zł 14.54 (£2.45)
Accommodation: Starting from £55 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Gdansk
Flights: Return flights starting from £26 to Gdansk from the UK
Laura said: “The Polish Zloty remains very strong against the pound, meaning a city break in Poland can cost as little as £200, including flights, accommodation and spending money. Gdansk is a beautiful, smaller and slightly more quaint city to visit than the capital Krakow. If you visit in summer, there are also plenty of beautiful sandy beaches surrounding the city that are well worth a visit.”
Sri Lanka
Exchange rate: £1 = රු. 294.35 (Sri Lanka Rupee)
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: රු. 7,500.00 (£15.33)
Domestic beer: රු.700.00 (£1.43)
Coffee: රු.797.00 (£1.63)
Accommodation: Starting from £15 per night for 2x people in a 4-star hotel in Dambulla
Flights: Return flights starting from £636 to Columbo from the UK
Laura said: “Sri Lanka has an incredibly diverse mix of stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, lush tea plantations, ancient ruins, amazing wildlife viewing opportunities and lush cuisine - all within a relatively compact area. You really do get value for money in Sri Lanka, with options to book 4-5 star hotels with incredible views for just £15 per night and a three-course meal will cost just £7.50 each!”
About the data
Meal, domestic beer and coffee prices were sourced using Numbeo and accurate as of March 2025. Flight prices were sourced using SkyScanner and accurate as of March 2025. Accommodation prices were sourced using Booking.com and accurate as of March 2025.