Significant Changes in Prices Faced by British Families for Their Summer Holidays in Key Destinations
The 17th annual Family Holiday Report by the Post Office, conducted in collaboration with TUI, reveals notable shifts in the costs British families will face this summer across popular Mediterranean destinations.
The survey compares the prices of ten essential holiday items and services for families (meals, drinks, sunscreen, etc.) in 16 popular destinations.
While the cheapest destinations for 2025 remain outside the Eurozone—with Marmaris in Turkey and Sunny Beach in Bulgaria taking the top spots—Greek destinations like Crete, Kos, Rhodes, and Corfu maintained strong positions in the rankings, though with mixed changes in overall costs.
Crete: The Biggest Price Drop
Crete recorded the largest price drop among all 16 destinations, with a 7.8% decrease compared to July 2024. The total cost of the holiday essentials basket came to £166.07, moving Crete up to 7th place in the ranking (from 15th last year), making it the most affordable Greek destination for British travelers this year.
Kos: Remaining Competitive
Kos ranks 8th this year, just after Crete, strengthening its position as a family-friendly destination with relatively affordable prices. Although the overall basket cost remained unchanged, its ranking indicates it remains competitive among Mediterranean destinations.
Rhodes: Mid-range Price, But Higher Than Crete and Kos
Rhodes is in 9th place, slightly below Kos, with a higher total cost for the same group of products and services. While the report does not specify the exact price change, Rhodes remains affordable but more expensive than its Dodecanese counterparts.
Corfu: Among the Most Expensive Greek Options
Corfu ranks 12th, behind more expensive destinations like Puglia (Italy) and Sliema (Malta). Its placement suggests a higher cost for families, though the report does not clarify whether prices rose or fell compared to 2024. In any case, Corfu is notably more expensive than Crete or the Algarve in Portugal, which remains the cheapest Eurozone destination.
Key Findings of the Report
Marmaris, Turkey was the cheapest destination, despite a 10.3% price increase from last summer.
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria came second. Even with a 17.2% price hike, it remains nearly 10% cheaper than the cheapest Eurozone resort.
The Algarve, Portugal (3rd) is the most affordable Eurozone destination, though prices rose 15.5%.
Paphos, Cyprus (4th) is close behind Algarve, with the total holiday basket only £1 cheaper.
Majorca (15th) saw the biggest price increase at 21%.
Crete (7th) recorded the biggest price drop at -7.8%, helping it climb the rankings.
Lanzarote (5th) became slightly cheaper, with prices falling 2.1%.
Ibiza (16th) is the most expensive destination, with a holiday basket costing £242.79—nearly double that of Marmaris.
In 13 of the 16 resorts, prices increased, showing a general trend of rising local costs.
Families spent an average of £202 on children’s beach activities, significantly pushing them over their holiday budgets.
The Importance of Careful Planning
Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at the Post Office, noted that while exchange rates may favor the British pound in some countries (like Turkey), rising local prices can offset this benefit.
“Price changes vary widely by destination. Travelers need to do their homework and budget according to their chosen location,” she advised.
The report also highlighted that 78% of families plan to holiday abroad this year. However, 74% exceeded their budget by 42% during their last holiday—mainly due to food and drink expenses. Parents said they spent an average of £378 on restaurants and cafes, with an additional £290 spent on children’s activities (e.g., theme parks, beach toys, ice cream), pushing the total cost significantly higher.
Destination Rankings – Top 10 (Cheapest to Most Expensive)
Rank Destination Cost (£) Price Change
1 Marmaris, Turkey £128.99 +10.3%
2 Sunny Beach, Bulgaria £129.47 +17.2%
3 Algarve, Portugal £143.56 +15.5%
4 Paphos, Cyprus £144.44 -1.2%
5 Lanzarote, Spain £151.61 -2.1%
6 Costa del Sol, Spain £157.05 +14.0%
7 Crete, Greece £166.07 -7.8%
8 Kos, Greece £170.41 +13.4%
9 Rhodes, Greece £172.03 +9.6%
10 Puglia, Italy £186.62 +7.3%
