10 Hidden Spanish Holiday Gems That Won't Break the Bank This Summer

BRITS have a habit of booking the same Spanish holidays on repeat.
Benidorm. Marbella. Palma. Salou.

And fair enough – they are popular for a reason. But after years of working in and digging through the data, I’ve found something interesting.

Manliva on the Costa del Sol, in Andalusia, is an often-overlooked Spanish gem Credit: Alamy

The best-value holidays in are often sitting right next door to the famous places.

So you can book and get the same sunshine, the same beaches and often the same flights – but you pay a fraction of the price, even in .

So here are 10 under-the-radarthat could save you hundreds this year.

Manilva, Costa del Sol

Manilva feels like …but without the price tag.

If Marbella feels a bit too “Champagne prices”, is what you book instead.

It sits right on the edge of the Costa del Sol, near , so you’re still getting that same guaranteed sunshine and polished coastline – just without the mass tourism or inflated prices.

The are long, clean and far less packed, and the whole place feels calmer and more local.

With an historic old town, quaint fishing village and peaceful surrounding vineyards, there is something for everyone.

It’s the kind of spot where you can actually get a table by the without booking a week in advance.

And crucially: everything is . Drinks, meals, and especially accommodation.

Guardamar del Segura has a calmer, totally different atmosphere from nearby buzzy Benidorm Credit: Alamy

Guardamar del Segura, Costa Blanca

This is ’s quieter, cheaper neighbour.

Just down the coast from , Guardamar feels like a completely different holiday.

You’ve got huge, natural beaches backed by sand dunes, proper Spanish , and far fewer crowds.

But you’re still within easy reach of and all the infrastructure that makes this coastline so easy.

It’s massively , and that’s exactly why it stays cheap.

is a standout here too – you can easily eat well for under €15, and a pint will rarely set you back more than €3.

Platja de S’ Arenal in Majorca looks almost Caribbean with its white sands and turquoise seas Credit: Alamy

El Arenal, Majorca

El Arenal is somewhere I’ve been banging on about for a while, because it’s one of the cheapest ways to stay near .

You’re just 10 minutes from the airport, right on a long sandy beach, and a short taxi from Palma Old Town – arguably one of the most underrated city-style breaks in .

So instead of paying premium prices to stay in itself, you base yourself here and dip in and out, with the beach right on your doorstep.

It’s lively, yes – but it’s also incredible if you use it right.

Cabo Blanco in Majorca has cheap hotels and dramatic cliffs to explore on coastal walks Credit: Alamy

Cabo Blanco, Majorca

This is the quieter side of for half the price.

If you want the opposite of or Palma, Cabo Blanco is about as chilled as it gets.

It’s set on the south coast with sea views, open space, and a slower pace that feels a world away from the busier parts of the .

You won’t get big nightlife here – but you will get peace, sunshine, and significantly cheaper .

Perfect if your idea of a is pool, a good book and repeat.

Mijas has a 7.5-mile stretch of smooth sands facing shallow waters – perfect for a dip Credit: Alamy

Mijas, Costa del Sol

Mijas is postcard at a pinch of the price.

gives you that classic white-village-on-a-hill look, but without the premium price tag you’d get in nearby hotspots.

You’ve got incredible views, a more traditional Spanish feel, and easy access down to the coast when you want .

It’s a great middle ground for holidaymakers – scenic, , but still well connected.

And again, because it’s not as heavily searched, prices stay lower.

Can Pastilla is a sunny Spanish destination with golden beaches close to Palma Airport Credit: Alamy

Can Pastilla, Majorca

This destination offers Palma vibes without the Palma prices.

Can Pastilla is one of the smartest bookings on the .

You’re right next to Palma Airport, directly on the beach, and just a short cycle or taxi into itself – which means you get the best of both worlds.

and beach holiday in one – it’s simple, easy, and consistently good value.

Stiges is a lesser-visited coastal town overlooked by a 17th-century church Credit: Getty

Sitges, Costa Dorada

Barcelona’s beachy, cheaper cousin, , is one of those places people feel like they’ve heard of but rarely think to actually book.

It’s just down the coast from , with beaches, nightlife, and loads of character – but without the same price pressure as the city itself.

You can even dip into for the day, then come back to somewhere more relaxed (and cheaper) in the evening. Best of both worlds.

La Pineda has a palm-lined promenade with a giant mushroom-shaped monument Credit: Alamy

La Pineda, Costa Dorada

La Pineda – basically , but better value.

La Pineda sits right next to but tends to be cheaper, quieter, and a bit more family-friendly.

You’ve still got easy access to , beaches, and everything that makes this area popular, just without the same level of mainstream popularity.

here often offer better value for money too, especially for families.

Hospitalet de Llobregat offers pretty Spanish city streets at a lower price than in central Barcelona Credit: Alamy

Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

Perfect for a Spanish without the Barcelona price tag.

hotels can get expensive quickly. But if you stay just outside the centre in Hospitalet, you can cut that cost massively while still being a short metro ride from everything.

You’re still doing the , the beach, the food – you’re just not paying tourist-centre hotel prices.

It’s one of the easiest ways to do Barcelona on a and is proving surprisingly popular with families looking for a little more than a fly-and-flop holiday.

Cantabria is home to Playa de El Bocal – a small, sheltered beach in Puerto Chico, Santander Credit: Getty

Cantabria (Northern Spain)

This northern region is one of ’s best-kept secrets.

If you think Spain is all dry heat and packed beaches, will completely throw you.

This is Spain’s green north – rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and wild coastline that feels closer to northern than the Costa del Sol.

It’s cooler, , and far less built up, which is exactly why it stays so affordable in peak summer.

You’ve got proper , incredible seafood (this is one of the best regions in the country for it), and beaches that feel untouched compared to the south.

And because still massively overlook it, prices haven’t been pushed up in the same way.

Try a different, lesser-known resort on your next trip to Spain Credit: Getty