Bougie on a Budget: Destinations That Don't Break the Bank
Traveling in peak times, whether during summer or school holidays, naturally come with a heftier price tag, but not all destinations will break the bank. With nearly three quarters (73%*) of travelers mindful of searching for the best option for their budget, we have gone bargain hunting for those trying to get the most for their money on their next adventure. And the results? Well, there are many fantastic, budget-friendly locations out there to consider from the golden beaches of the Algarve to the vibrant marine life on the Kenyan coast and the bustling strips of Sunny Beach in Bulgaria. There are plenty of exciting and budget-friendly destinations waiting to be discovered...
Penang, Malaysia
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, the Malaysian city of Penang has a charm that travelers fall in love with. The island offers dramatic landscapes, beautiful beaches and architecture and is a melting pot of different cultures, including local Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influences. Plus, it's affordable, which is always a bonus. Travelers can easily lose themselves among the vibrant streets, exploring the art plastered around George Town or taking in the distinctive beats of the music filling Little India, an ethnic Indian enclave with colorful shops and aromatic smells of South Asian cuisine. For those who fancy taking in the sights from new heights, the 68th floor of Komtar Penang Skywalk is a must to enjoy the stunning, panoramic views of the island. Public transport is extremely cost effective across the city, with most bus and taxi journeys being relatively cheap, helping visitors keep their spending down when out and about sightseeing. And then there’s the food… The streets of Penang offer travelers a range of delicious and inexpensive food stalls. Don’t leave without trying some Char Kway Teow in China Town, Penang’s most famous street food of stir-fried flat rice noodles with prawns, cockles, eggs and beansprouts.
Where to stay: Looking for that next family holiday home but on a budget? Codrington House, situated in George Town, is a block of modern, spacious and fully functional apartments designed to give travellers that home away from home feeling. A short walk away from Penang Times Square and Rainbow Skywalk, if guests aren’t enjoying the property’s amenities, from family rooms fully furnished with a kitchenette and streaming services to balconies with city views, there is plenty to do just beyond the doorstep.
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
For families looking to fly and unwind somewhere this summer that’s warm, with a beach and is good value for money, Sunny Beach could be the answer. A lively and popular Black Sea resort, Sunny Beach was developed nearly 70 years ago as a weekend getaway for Bulgarian families and has since become the largest tourist and vacation spot in the country. The long and sandy stretch of beach is ideal for days out, consisting of dipping in and out of the sea, making sand castles and playing a game or two of beach volleyball. Visitors can delve into Sunny Beach’s past by exploring the narrow, cobbled streets of its old town, Nessebar, losing themselves among the ancient ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage site and admiring the historic churches of Christ Pantocrator and Saint Sophia. More family-friendly activities can be found at Action Waterpark with its unique rides, water slides and amusement park. For evening entertainment, try the Khan's Tent Experience, a four-course dinner and cabaret show, including live performances from acrobats, choreographed dances and music. The main strip, Flower Street, provides travelers with a collection of market stalls with clothes, accessories and ceramics - the perfect affordable gifts to take home.
Where to stay: Explore Sunny Beach on a budget from the comfort of Harmony Suites Monte Carlo. This apartment complex, with family-rooms of varying sizes, offers hotel-style amenities including an outdoor pool, al fresco dining patio, and daily in-house fitness classes, including yoga. Whether lounging by the pool all day or exploring the nearby Sunny Beach and Action AquaPark, this is the ideal property for the whole family to enjoy.
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
Combining city life with country roots, Asheville located in the western corner of the southern state of North Carolina, offers travelers the best of both worlds. It is surrounded by natural beauty, which doesn’t cost a penny to explore, including ‘America’s Favorite Drive’, the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stretching between Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks, the 469-mile drive provides stunning Appalachian vistas. Not only are the beautifully natural surroundings of Asheville an uncostly activity to enjoy, the city itself has a thriving arts and food scene. Often referred to as ‘Foodtopia’, there is a strong emphasis on local, farm-to-table ingredients. Don’t miss a pit-stop at 12 Bones Smokehouse to try their ‘12 Bones’ full rack of ribs. Post food-coma, take a stroll through the Asheville Art Museum and the Black Mountain College Museum and Art Center, discovering historical and contemporary art. Fancy a climb? This Coffee Hike to Three Waterfalls in DuPont State Forest provides travelers with picturesque views of not one, but three waterfalls, and travelers can learn how to brew coffee in the woods - the perfect day out!
Where to stay: Experience a comfortable, homely stay at Asheville Urban Farmhouse. Located just a short drive from the city’s regional airport, the holiday home is close to attractions such as Biltmore Estate and Harrah's Cherokee Center. Recently renovated, the property features four bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with spa facilities to take advantage of after a long day of sightseeing.
Watamu, Kenya
Perched on Kenya’s sun-drenched coast and just over 100 km (62 miles) north of Mombasa is Watamu, a hidden gem that offers budget travelers a slice of paradise without paying a fortune. Visitors can feel the sand between their toes on the powdery white beaches lined with swaying palms before taking a dip in the turquoise waters and snorkeling with the vibrant marine life in the coral reefs. Travelers can also enjoy exploring the mystical ruins of Gedi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which contains the remains of a medieval Swahili city, or kayaking through mangrove forests in Mida Creek. However, simply stretching out on Watamu Beach all day watching the sails of fishing boats drift up and down the horizon, is as good an activity as any. Those boats are important to the local food scene which boasts fresh seafood and restaurants like The Crab Shack and Mida Creek Restaurant, specializing in grilled fish, seafood platters and other delicacies. Travelers can experience a heavenly and culturally-rich break in the sun, sea and sand of Watamu, safe in the knowledge they haven’t blown their budget for that little taste of paradise.
Where to stay: For a unique and budget-friendly escape in Watamu, Nyumba ya Afrika offers an authentic bed and breakfast coastal experience. This guesthouse, boasting local design and architecture, features a lush garden, outdoor pool and shared veranda, perfect for unwinding. With spacious rooms and easy access to Papa Remo Beach and Watamu Bay Beach, this property is an ideal base for exploring the coast that won’t break the bank.
Algarve, Portugal
One of Europe’s affordable family holidays, the Algarve offers much more for all sorts of visitors. With pristine beaches, charming fishing villages, vineyards and medieval castles, all which can easily be explored easily (and cheaply) by car, this region of Portugal provides a wide range of adventures for any age at attractive prices too. Renowned for on-tap sunshine, travelers can enjoy long days on sandy beaches, finding calm waters for swimming and snorkeling or searching out the more rugged surfing areas to catch a wave or three. While out on the waters, why not go further and visit the Benagil Cave, the biggest sea cave in Europe. Travelers might even be able to spot a dolphin here, if they’re lucky. Following this, spend some time on dry land and hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, exploring Ponta da Piedade's rock formations. Walkers can satisfy their hunger afterwards with fresh seafood, piri-piri chicken and Queijinhos de Figo (fig cakes), just some of the delicious delights to be found in most of the local restaurants. Although there is plenty of adventure to be enjoyed here, the Algarve is also inviting for travelers wishing to take things slowly, and simply spend their week lounging in the sunshine.
Where to stay: With views of the city from its communal terrace, Hostel Conii & Suites Algarve is a beachfront property offering travellers comfortable living at affordable prices. From a shared lounge area and TV room to a communal kitchen serving hot drinks and fresh pastries every morning, and even an on-site bar, guests can truly relax here for their Algarve vacation.
*Research commissioned by Tripeden.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total, 27,713 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1,016 from Argentina, 1,002 from Australia, 502 from Austria, 1,003 from Belgium, 1002 from Brazil, 1,006 from Canada, 1,007 from China, 1,005 from Colombia, 501 from Croatia, 501 from Denmark, 1,011 from France, 1,009 from Germany, 1,004 from Hong Kong, 1,002 from India, 506 from Ireland, 501 from Israel, 1,014 from Italy, 1008 from Japan, 1,013 from Mexico, 1011 from The Netherlands, 1003 from New Zealand, 504 from Portugal, 508 from Singapore, 1004 from South Korea, 1,008 from Spain, 509 from Sweden, 500 from Switzerland, 507 from Taiwan, 1,009 from Thailand, 503 from the UAE, 1,012 from the UK, 1,006 from the US and 1,016 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in July-August 2024.