SPAIN has revealed its three cheapest holiday destinations for last-minute summer getaways as prices continue to spiral in the traditional coastal tourism hotspots.
National study data published by consumer platform 20Minutos has identified the bargain zones where travellers can escape price hikes this July.
The list highlights three off-the-beaten track locations scattered around the peninsula where your euro will go further and the mood more tranquil.
The most affordable destinations in Spain this summer are PeñÃscola in Castellon, Lanjaron in Granada, and Combarro in Pontevedra as the highest value spots in the country.
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Perched on a fortified rocky peninsula along the northern Costa del Azahar, PeñÃscola is a dramatic medieval enclave of roughly 8,000 year-round residents famously known as the ‘Gibraltar of Valencia’.
The mood shifts from the bustling beach crowds along its five-kilometre sandy arc to a relaxed, historic charm as you wind through the narrow, whitewashed lanes of the old town.
It represents the ultimate budget alternative for expats on the eastern coast who want to dodge the hyper-inflated holiday rentals further down the Valencian coast.
The historic fortress town offers competitive accommodation rates alongside extensive sandy beaches that rival much more expensive Mediterranean resorts.
Further south, Lanjaron offers a cooling getaway in the Alpujarra hills of Granada for residents looking to escape the punishing summer heatwaves of inland Andalucia.
Famously dubbed the gateway to the high Alpujarra mountains, this tranquil Granada health resort of 3,700 people balances the features of a traditional whitewashed village with a grand spa heritage.
Known for its fresh thermal spring waters and historic architecture, the mountain village provides heavily reduced dining and lodging options compared to major coastal hubs.
The final budget recommendation points to the northern fishing enclave of Combarro in Galicia.
Tucked away on the north shore of the RÃa de Pontevedra in Galicia, this picturesque coastal village of roughly 1,200 residents is widely considered one of the best-preserved architectural gems in north-west Spain.
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The tiny, unhurried fishing community is built directly on granite sea rocks just six kilometres from Pontevedra city, projecting a deeply traditional maritime atmosphere.
The coastal spot is famous for its unique traditional granaries hanging directly over the water and remains an un-spoiled haven for affordable seafood gastronomy.
Travel experts advise that booking into these specific regional alternatives allows families to secure peak season travel without paying premium developer or hotel chain rates.
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