Revealed: The cheapest and most expensive beach resorts in Europe for British families this summer, with Ibiza TWICE as expensive as the best value hotspot

Sunny Beach in Bulgaria has been named the best value beach resort in Europe for British families.

The award comes from new research by Post Office Travel Moneywhich ranked 16 European holiday destinations by price by comparing the price of typical family essentials in each area, including sunscreen, insect repellent, a three-course family meal, a glass of wine and a bottle of Coke.

The holiday essentials can be purchased for a total of £110.87 in Sunny Beach. Marmaris, a resort on the Turkish Riviera, comes in second with a total of £116.94, while the Algarve in Portugal (£124.24) comes in third.

At the other end of the scale, Ibiza (£229.21), one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is the most expensive destination for a family beach holiday, costing more than twice as much as Sunny Beach.

The research uses local prices provided by Tui, as well as national and regional tourist boards. But while Sunny Beach may be the cheapest hotspot, prices in the Bulgarian resort have still risen by 9.8 percent since July last year.

Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, pictured here, has been revealed as the best beach resort in Europe for British families. The accolade comes after research by Post Office Travel Money ranked 16 European holiday destinations by cost, comparing the price of typical family essentials in each area. The holiday essentials can be purchased for a total of £110.87 in Sunny Beach

Marmaris (above), a resort on the Turkish Riviera, came in second with a total of £116.94

It is one of 12 destinations where prices have risen, although the Post Office reports the cost of a family meal in Sunny Beach has only increased by £3.

Marmaris, in second place, was the cheapest destination last year, but holidaymakers will find that prices have risen by 17 percent compared to last year. The Post Office attributes the rise to high inflation in Turkey, which ‘resulted in a doubling of prices’.

It is said that ‘the improved exchange rate of the pound against the lira can only help to reduce the extra amount’ that Britons have to pay in Turkey.

The Portuguese Algarve (third place) is the cheapest destination within the eurozone, but here too prices have risen by more than 18 percent since last year.

Portugal’s Algarve (third place, £124.24) is the cheapest destination in the eurozone, but prices have risen by more than 18 percent since last year

Ibiza (£229.21), one of Spain’s Balearic Islands (above), is known as the most expensive destination for a family beach holiday

The rest of the top five best value for money hotels are Spain’s Costa del Sol (fourth, £137.82) and Paphos in Cyprus (fifth, £144.48).

Three Greek resorts feature in the top 10 for value for money: Kos (sixth, £150.33), Rhodes (eighth, £156.93) and Corfu (tenth, £167.36).

Rounding out the best value resorts were Lanzarote (seventh, £154.81) and Mallorca (ninth, £166.13). Lanzarote saw the biggest price drop this year, with costs down 7.2 per cent year-on-year.

The Greek island of Crete (15th, £180.21) and Croatia’s Poreč (14th, £177.48) come in at the most expensive end of the scale, with both in the top three cheapest destinations.

Puglia (13th place, £173.96) in Italy, Silema (12th place, £172.96) in Malta and Funchal on Madeira (11th place, 168.06) are also among the most expensive destinations for a family holiday.

Post Office Travel Money ranks 16 European holiday destinations by cost by comparing the prices of typical family essentials in each resort

Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at the Post Office, said of the report’s findings: ‘Although the pound is stronger now than it was in July last year, price inflation across Europe means families should expect higher costs for meals, drinks and other tourist spending.

‘Work out your holiday budget carefully and take enough cash or a prepaid travel card to cover resort fees. This will help you avoid overspending and the extra costs of changing money or paying for plastic abroad.’

Phillip Iveson, Commercial Director at Tui UK & Ireland, added: ‘It’s clear that the cost of living isn’t just being affected in the UK, but the report shows that there are still plenty of great value destinations for families to choose from.

‘We continue to see strong demand for affordable holiday destinations, including Bulgaria and Turkey, but also countries such as Greece and Spain.’