6 Quick Summer Beach Breaks Under £300pp

Lack of annual leave holding you back from booking that sunshine escape? Has your busy summer schedule got you feeling like there’s no time for a getaway? Perhaps the holiday budget has seen better days? We hear you, and we counter you with this: a short sunshine break that’s budget-friendly and within easy reach.

Yep, we’ve rounded up six of the best beach break destinations less than three hours away where you can snap up a quick sunshine hit for under £300pp.

Sound good? From Portugal to Malta, here’s where to go for a short, sweet and superbly cheap getaway.

1. Costa Dorada, Spain

Flight time from the UK: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Barcelona is a short stay classic in the Costa Dorada that combines beach and city with blazing sunshine in the summer months. There’s nine beaches to choose from, all golden-hued and cotton soft, where you can sunbathe, sip sangria or surf – whatever gets you in the holiday mood the quickest. Supplement sea and sand with exploring architectural masterpieces by Gaudí and shopping sprees down La Rambla and you’re on to a winner.

An action-packed promenade separates Sitges’ warm sand from its old town, where an enticing mix of tapas bars and artisan shops will lure you from your sun-lounger. With one of the best party scenes in Spain, you can keep the holiday spirit high all night long here.

If you’re looking for laidback, visit Roman ruins before kicking back on strawberry-blonde beaches in Tarragona.

2. Algarve, Portugal

Flight time from the UK: 2 hours and 55 minutes

The Algarve knocks the ball out of the park for cheap beach breaks. Its coastline is a portfolio of radiant sandy beaches cocooned by sea cliffs and great-value hotels. Even better? A short stay can be as busy or blissful as you please.

Faro is the gateway to the region, only 2 hours and 55 minutes from London by plane. Its shoreline is a seemingly endless chain of beaches that eventually run into the Ria Formosa Nature Park – a dual paradise for both sun seekers and wildlife watchers. In the old town, cobbled streets, cafe-filled plazas and Moorish architecture are a charming taste of traditional Portugal.

Go east and Tavaira’s expansive island, sandwiched between ocean and river lagoons, is enough to seduce any beach bum, while in the west, Albufeira rolls seaside, watersports and nightlife all into one sweet package holiday bundle. Don’t miss beach icon, Praia dos Pescadores.

3. Corfu, Greece

Flight time from the UK: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Okay, so Corfu is technically 3 hours and 15 minutes from London. But those extra 15 mins get you on to Greek Island shores and that’s something you won’t regret, especially when you see the beaches.

Some of Corfu’s best resorts are only a half-hour drive from the airport, so you can easily make full use of a shorter stay. Agios Gordios’ 2.5km-long (1.5 miles) beach is a family favourite. The sea is shallow, the craggy headlands are great for snorkelling and there’s even a shipwreck to explore. Casual tavernas and beach bars are just steps away so you’re well-placed for a full day on the sand.

Just 20 minutes from Corfu Town, Dassia is a triple threat: its beach is fabulous (think long and pine-fringed with watersports galore), its nightlife is the kind you’ll want to pack your dancing shoes for, and it’s budget-friendly too. Sold.

4. Majorca, Balearic Islands

Flight time from the UK: 2 hours and 25 minutes

Majorca may be the all-inclusive queen of the Balearics but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked for a quick beach trip.

In fact, capital Palma is the perfect place for a couple of days on the island. Sand and city blend into one here – the main beach, Can Pere Antoni, lies just minutes from the cathedral, and the old town just a stone’s throw beyond that. Spend lazy mornings soaking up the Mediterranean sun from a beach lounger before seeking out tapas bars and food markets.

Stay in Santa Ponsa, just half an hour south, and you’ve got a choice of two beautiful beaches. Playa de Santa Ponsa has over a kilometre of soft sand, as well as tourist facilities like umbrellas, lifeguards, restaurants and shops. Smaller Caló d'en Pellicer is a pretty, sheltered cove that’s wonderful for swimming with a view.

5. Malta

Flight time from the UK: 3 hours

Whether you’re craving sun, sand or sea, Malta delivers the lot.

Make the most of a short beach break by basing yourself in either St Julian’s or Mellieħa. Both are hubs of restaurants, family-friendly activities and budget accommodation options, and have beautiful beaches to boot. Balluta Bay Beach in St Julian's has invitingly clear and calm water, overlooked by the stunning Carmelite Church, or you can opt for full seaside shenanigans at Mellieħa Beach – picture banana boat rides, ice cream shops and rows of sunbeds and you’ll get the vibe.

Got a full five days to play with? Get over to Gozo. The beaches are wilder and the resorts more leisurely, so we’re talking true R&R territory. Swim in the warm shallows of Xlendi Bay, bask on Ramla Beach’s amber sands or snorkel the caves around Hondoq Bay.

6. Costa del Sol, Spain

Flight time from the UK: 2 hours and 50 minutes

Temperatures sizzle in the high 20s all through September in this Spanish costa, and the package holiday prices and beaches are just as red-hot.

A 2-hour-and-50-minute flight will take you to Malaga, the region’s capital and a top spot for a short escape by the sea. With 14km (2.5 miles) of coastline, sandy stretches aren’t in short supply, ranging from Playa de la Malagueta in the city centre to the quieter double crescent of Playa Peñón del Cuervo. Good times are also on tap in the city, whether you’re admiring art masterpieces at the Museo Picasso, souvenir shopping in the old town or supping on fresh seafood at a harbourside restaurant.

For a fly-and-flop beach break where your only plan is to alternate between sun-tanning and cocktail drinking, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Torremolinos all hit the brief.