Summer Holidays 2026

Craving sunshine? We've got a ton of great summer holidays and summer holiday deals to get your dose of summer sun. Whether you're after a family week with kids' clubs, a couples' break with proper heat guaranteed, or a last-minute getaway booked on a whim, we've got the lot.

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Our most popular Summer holidays 2026 🤩(11/05/2026)

We take summer holidays pretty seriously around here - as you can probably imagine. After all, they are the most wonderful time of the year (no offence, Andy Williams). That's why we've not just picked any old spots for your summer jolly this year, but ones we know are the best of the bunch. And we would know. We sent members of our On the Beach family out there to check (all in the name of research, of course). Let's get that 2026 holiday in the bag.

Cheap summer holidays

Call off the search, because finding a great-value summer holiday on our website is a piece of cake. The moist, marble loaf cake you can usually find at the breakfast buffet, to be exact. We're all about giving you lovely lot more beach for your buck, which is why we've got loads of hotels that give you that little something extra, without you actually having to spend any extra. Like when you open your box of nine chicken nuggets and find a 10th one hidden in there. We're talking all-inclusive programmes that include Guinness (if you're into that), hotels that literally roll out the red carpet and greet you with FREE bubbles on arrival, and boutique hidden-gem apartments that offer the best sunset views in town. From sunny Costa Blanca with its crown jewel, cheap and cheerful Benidorm to tempt you, to the laidback vibes of Portugal, we like to find hotels with extra bit of pizzazz.

The On the Beach guide to summer jollies

Respectfully, "summers" at home can take a long walk off a short pier. One day of measly sunshine and then calling it quits? If we pulled that stunt at work, the Big Boss would have something to say about it. Don't even get us started on those pebbly beaches and lugging an umbrella everywhere because "you never know". Call us boring, but we don't like to leave things to chance. Less gambling on the weather, more ambling onto the beach for another sunny day. Ta-ta to soggy socks and freezing buns, and HELLO to a summer holiday where the sun actually shines, even if that means a cheeky last-minute getaway. The only waterproof you'll need where we'll send you is your swimwear. Get packing...

Summer holidays for...

... the whole fam

Schoooool's out, for summer (holidays). And that can only mean one thing, it's holiday season. We love a holiday at any time of year, but a summer holiday is the main event. So round up the fam, because we've got a heap of cheap holidays abroad that'll have everyone on board, even your Auntie Jan who turns her nose up at everything. We've got family-friendly hotels decked out with waterparks, daily activities and kids' clubs (which, let's be honest, are more of a bonus for you than the kiddos). Tenerife, Greece, the Costas, you name it, we've got tons of jollies sure to be a hit with the whole squad.

Theme park thrills with a side of chill

PortAventura Hotel El Paso brings Mexican-inspired vibes with a mahoosive pool area, all-inclusive perks, and direct access to PortAventura World for those rollercoaster-filled days. PortAventura Hotel Caribe is giving tropical escape energy, complete with huge white-sand pools and swaying palm trees, the perfect atmosphere after the theme park chaos. And Ponient Dorada Palace is a top-tier pick for families, thanks to its rooftop splash area, kids’ entertainment, and handy location close to both the beach and PortAventura. 🌊🎢🍹⛱️

... only the adults

There's only so much pool-squealing, lilo-hogging, Baby-Shark-chanting a person can take. Why not just tell your partner to cut it out, you ask? We're kidding. Obviously. Baby Shark's a banger. The good news is, we've got adult-only holidays for everyone, whether you're after all-the-chilled vibes or somewhere you can load up on ice cream and zip down waterslides (not in that order) without queueing behind the kids. From romantic trips for two to big summer blow-outs for the whole gang, we've got a summer deal with your name all over it. Lanzarote for sun-seekers, Cape Verde for somewhere a little further, Zante for beach-lovers. You name it, we've got it. WITHOUT kids.

... the 'I want a bit of everything' squad

All-inclusive holidays are less about how much your wallet can handle and more about how much your belt can handle. Even then, there are always bigger belts. These are the kind of holidays where you can stuff your face with as much ice cream and buffet food as you can handle, then wash it all down with a poolside beer (or three), because it's all included in one tidy little price tag when you book. Not to mention the entertainment, from water aerobics classes to fun for the kiddos and evening shows actually worth snagging a seat for. You guessed it, all included. You catch on fast. All-inclusive holidays to Turkey have this concept down to a T, but there are tons of places to choose from, all-inclusive in Spain, Greece, Egypt, the list goes on.

... the 'I love a city break' crowd

Who says summer's all about beachfront resorts? Some people like to get up close and personal with winding old-town lanes, chow down at proper local spots, and still get their sand fix when the mood strikes. All of these things can absolutely happen on the same city break. Think cobblestone paths in Barcelona, pastéis de nata in Lisbon or gondola rides in Venice. We've got something for every kind of summer holiday, so don't fret if a beach holiday isn't your scene. Beach is in our name, so you know it's a big deal that we just said that.

Trending hotels for summer holidays 2026

Looking for a hotel that’ll have you bragging before you’ve even checked in? Summer 2026 is all about stays with style, substance, and a serious splash of sunshine. From family-friendly faves in Gran Canaria to boho-chic boutique stays in Greece, these hotels are serving luxury without the eye-watering price tag. And if you're in it for the long haul, you could take a look at somewhere like Mexico or Thailand. Whether it’s infinity pools, all-inclusive perks, or just a killer sunset view, these are the places making waves this summer.

🌊 Where the sea's warmest in summer

When the question is 'where has the warmest sea for swimming in summer?' The answer's always the same: head south and head east. The Med warms up gradually through May and June, hits proper swimming temperature in July, and peaks in August across the southern and eastern coasts.

🇪🇬 Egypt's Red Sea coast tops the list at around 29°C in August, with Marsa Alam hitting 30°C, basically bath water, with reef snorkelling straight off the beach in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.

🇨🇾 Cyprus sits at 28°C across August, the warmest sea in the Med proper. Ayia Napa, Protaras and Paphos all clock similar numbers, with shallow Blue Flag bays that warm up faster than rockier coasts.

🇹🇷 Turkey's south coast runs 28 to 29°C through August, Antalya, Bodrum and Marmaris all reliably hot. Add wall-to-wall sunshine and you've got the warmest swimming on the European side of the Med.

🇬🇷 The southern Greek islands sit a touch cooler at 26 to 27°C, with Rhodes, Crete and Kos at the warmer end. The trade-off is a more proper Mediterranean breeze (the Meltemi wind, useful for sleep) compared to the still-air heat further east.

🇪🇸 The Balearics and Spanish costas come in around 25°C in August, the cooler end of summer-warm. Still very much swimmable, especially in shallow bays like Alcudia and Cala d'Or.

So if "warmest possible swim" is the brief, look Egypt or Cyprus first. If it's "hot sea plus everything else summer", Turkey and the Greek islands are the all-rounders.

FAQs

The cheapest destinations can change, but Turkey is always a great choice for getting the most for your money (hello, value), and you'll find some affordable gems in Spain's Costa del Sol and the Greek islands, too. Bulgaria is another proper bargain spot if you're watching the pennies. Plus, if you book early then you can bag your break at a bargain price, and you can split the cost 'til you fly.

The great thing about going on holiday in summer is that you're pretty much guaranteed amazing weather, wherever you go. Spain, Greece and Turkey are the most popular choices for sunseekers, but there are plenty of other destinations that might become a new fave – like Cyprus, Madeira or the trusty Canary Islands. For something a bit further afield, Croatia and Italy are gorgeous in summer too.

Summer in the UK and Ireland usually runs from mid-June to mid-September (though your weather app might tell a different story 🌧️). June, July and August are the headline summer months, with the warmest sea, longest evenings and every kids' club, beach bar and waterpark running at full tilt. September carries the heat across the southern Med, with sea temperatures still at their peak and a slightly mellower feel for date-flexible travellers.

Not to toot our own horn or anything, but we're pretty good at sending people off on their jollies. In fact, we do it for over 1.5 million of you each year. That's, like, enough of you to fill over 1500 swimming pools (inflatable unicorns not included). Basically, we kinda know the deal with beach holidays, and speaking of - we've always got some kind of deals going on. Plus, we've got low deposits on all our holidays - no matter how far - and flexible payment options so you can pay in a way that works for you. And... *drumroll please* ... we're the Home of Holiday Perks, which means we do everything in our power to make your holiday that extra bit special, all year round. If all that sounds good to you, then you know what to do. And if it doesn't then... that's cool. You do you.

To get the best deals, it’s always worth booking a few months in advance. Early birds often snag discounts, but if you’re feeling brave, last-minute deals can also be mega.

Pack light, breathable clothing (trust us, you won't need that extra jumper), swimmers, suncream, and maybe a plug adapter for your gadgets. Oh, and a good pair of sunnies! If you're not sure what weather to expect, have a nosy at our holiday weather guide before you go.

If you're after a proper bargain, check out Bulgaria's Sunny Beach or Turkey's Dalaman coast. You get more beach for your buck, and the local prices mean you can go all out on the extra scoops of ice cream without sweating the bill.

If you want a stress-free holiday, then yes. All-inclusive means no 'wallet-anxiety' when the kiddos ask for their fifth poolside snack of the day. Most of our swanky resorts in the Canaries and Greece include everything from evening shows to those essential midday chips.

June is when the Med properly opens up, with sea temperatures crossing 22°C across the Greek islands and southern Spain, beach bars hitting full opening hours, and long evenings stretching past 10pm in the Balearics.

July is the headline month for Spain, Italy and Croatia, with warm seas, full festival programmes and the longest days of the year.

August is when Turkey and Cyprus hit their warmest, sea up around 28°C, and the Red Sea reefs are at their snorkel-friendly best.

September holds the heat across the southern Med while the rest of Europe starts to cool, Rhodes, Crete and Cyprus all stay properly summery into late September.

Light cotton and linen do the heavy lifting in proper summer heat, anything synthetic or tight gets uncomfortable fast above 30°C.

Pack high-factor suncream (factor 30 minimum, factor 50 for kids and anyone fair-skinned) and reapply every couple of hours, more if you're swimming.

A reusable water bottle saves a fortune on resort-bar prices and helps you actually stay hydrated.

A wide-brimmed hat and proper sunglasses are non-negotiable if you're at altitude or near reflective water.

Plug adapters for whichever country you're in (Type C for most of Europe, Type G if you're heading to Cyprus or Malta), a small first-aid kit with after-sun and rehydration sachets, and pool shoes if you're somewhere with rocky beaches or hot poolside tiles.

If you're going long-haul to Mexico, Thailand or the Caribbean, throw in mosquito repellent with at least 30% DEET.

And one rule we'll die on: pack lighter than you think. Most resort destinations have laundry services, and you'll want spare suitcase space for whatever you bring back.