The cheapest – and best-rated – coastal towns in the Mediterranean

The difference between staying in one of the most expensive seaside towns in the Mediterranean and one of the cheapest can be as much as £850 per week, we’ve found after analysing pricing data from Kayak.

But neither the priciest location, Amalfi (£195 per night), nor the cheapest, Portimao (£74 per night), are Which? member favourite coastal hotspots, according to our survey of 3,533 people about Mediterranean seaside destinations.

Instead, head to the likes of Rhodes, where you’ll pay £87 per night in a three to four-star hotel. Members recommend the principal city on the island of Rhodes, awarding it an overall score of 85%.

Below, we reveal more good-value European seaside towns and cities where you’ll find reasonably priced room rates and destination ratings of more than 80%. 

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Rhodes 85%

£87 per double room, per night

There are destinations in the Mediterranean where you feel the pulse of European history, and Rhodes is a prime example. It’s split into two parts. The old town is a Unesco World Heritage Site, located within a mighty four-kilometre-long wall built to fortify the city. Here, you’ll find buzzy restaurants and wine bars sitting among intact medieval streets, a 15th-century hospital that now houses an archaeology museum, a 16th-century synagogue, and ruins such as the Temple of Aphrodite. Outside the citadel is the newer, more modern new town. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for history buffs eager to learn more, but, equally, you can simply admire the varied architecture and crumbling ruins from the comfort of a hospitable taverna or the town’s well-organised beach, Elli. 

Check Booking.com to compare and find accommodation deals in Rhodes Town

Porto, Portugal 88%

£93 per double room per night

Perched on the northern bank of the Douro River, Porto’s array of tascas, wine bars and pretty Azulejo-tiled buildings sits in a maze of cobblestone streets that tumble down the hillside. There’s a lot to see and do, including climbing the Clérigos tower, exploring museums and visiting the Museu de Arte Contemporânea – Porto’s answer to the Guggenheim. But if you prefer to relax during the day, Porto's western edge extends to the Atlantic Ocean, meaning you can head to one of its several beaches. The closest, Foz do Douro, is around 10 minutes away by car. There are prettier options, though, between 15 and 30 minutes away, such as Praia de Miramar and Praia de Espinho. By night, enjoy a few glasses of port in one of the many port houses in the Vila Nova de Gaia district, while overlooking the Douro and the impressive double-decked Luís I Bridge. 

Check Booking.com to compare and find accommodation deals in Porto

Chania Town, Crete 85%

£94 per double room, per night

Due to its turbulent history, Chania Town bears a fascinating architectural landscape. You’ll find sculptures and buildings studded with mosaics built by the Romans, a pink multi-domed mosque constructed by the Ottomans, and a lighthouse and harbour left by the Venetians. This harbour is now lined with pastel-coloured bars and restaurants looking out over the Mediterranean sea – an idyllic place for a spot of lunch. Behind is a labyrinth of narrow streets studded with cafés, boutique shops and galleries. But if traipsing round in the heat gets too much, the town also has a kilometre-long beach, Neo Chora, backed by fish restaurants.

Check Booking.com to compare and find accommodation deals in Chania Town

Nerja, Spain 83%

£97 per double room, per night

Managing to stay a low-rise resort along the Costa del Sol is no easy feat, but Nerja has kept developers, who have reached the likes of Torremolinos and Fuengirola, at bay. The result? It’s one of the more charming towns across this sunny stretch of Spain’s coastline. Instead of imposing tower blocks blocking the view of the Med, you’ll find pretty white buildings teetering along a cliff, set among palm trees above postcard-perfect coves. It’s no surprise it secured four out of five for attractiveness. It's this beauty, as well as its 10km-long sandy beach, that makes Nerja an idyllic seaside holiday hotspot. Just make sure to arrive at beaches like Playa de Calahonda by 10am if you want a parasol in high season. For a quieter beach day, head east to smaller, prettier Playa del Carabeo – just mind the steep steps.

Check Booking.com to compare and find accommodation deals in Nerja

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Athens 80%

£99 per double room, per night

Athens, like most capital cities, is busy. It’s modern too, with a thriving street art scene and diverse nightlife, with everything from relaxed tavernas and buzzy rooftop cocktail bars to super clubs. Unlike many other capitals, though, this is punctuated not only by a beach but also by a wealth of ancient ruins. It’s hard to miss the main event, the Parthenon, a marble former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It’s a 2,500-year-old icon sat proudly atop the Acropolis, an ancient settlement perched on a rocky hill peering over the metropolis below. You’ll glimpse it at every turn. If you tire of the cultural sights, the Aegean Sea sits at the southeastern end of the city’s suburbs, recently dubbed the Athens Riviera. The closest beach, Edem, can be reached by tram in 25 minutes, but it's worth going a little further afield for a more peaceful and pretty beach visit.

Check Booking.com to compare and find accommodation deals in Athens

Research notes Pricing data is based on hotel searches made on Kayak.co.uk for travel period 27/03/24 to 27/03/25. All prices are based on an average per-room, per-night stay in a standard double room at 3-4 star hotels (room only). The Mediterranean seaside towns' data was gathered from more than 1,500 respondents in a survey in March to April 2023.

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