The peak of summer travel is here. It is less than a week until the start of the school holidays for many families in England and Wales, although they have already arrived in Scotland and Northern Ireland. During the busiest season, UK travellers will make millions of visits to Europe, with many staying around its most attractive coastlines to bask in warm rays and take dips in the sea.
However, the cost of enjoying a day at the beach can vary dramatically. In some of the continent’s most sought-after seaside spots, the price of a sunbed can be more expensive than a flight to the destination – and that’s often before minimum spend requirements are built into your beach club budget.
This week it was reported that Greece is enforcing new rules to stop businesses from charging high rates for sunbeds and parasols. Some business owners have been accused of illegally charging for space on the sand or preventing free access to the beach by taking up too much space.
Tourists can now report examples of businesses flouting the rules through a smartphone app, MyCoast. Drones and satellite tracking have also been used and fines of more than €350,000 have been handed out over the past week.
According to the new restrictions introduced this year, rental sunbeds must be at least four metres from the sea. Rental sunbeds are also not allowed on beaches with less than four metres of sand. Authorities have already responded to 1,000 complaints, and have taken action against 14 beaches. According to economy minister Kostis Hatzidakis, drones will be deployed to root out those flouting the rules in the Cyclades islands, including at tourist hotspots such as Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos, as well as in the Dodecanese, including Rhodes.
In Italy, where more than 50 per cent of the coastline is owned by private clubs (this reaches 90 per cent in some places, such as Rimini), the EU issued a directive that would see beach resorts put up for tender in an effort to create fair competition in the sector. While this law has been delayed, a ruling from the Italian Council of States in May this year ordered a tendering procedure for awarding beach concessions. This follows the continued pressure from the EU over the past decade.
We’ve sought out some of the highest and lowest costs for a beach day in popular destinations across Europe to help with your holiday planning this summer.
The most expensive days at the beach
Balearic Islands, Spain
A bed for two or three people at the UM Beach house in Magaluf, Mallorca starts at €150 (£126) for the day in high season, excluding a €250 minimum spend per sunbed.
At a premium spot in Ibiza, such as Blue Marlin Beach, a single lounger can set you back €80.
These higher prices have even reached less exclusive beach spots, with Cala Major, a public beach in Palma, offering access to premium facilities for €70, over double the €25 charge for standard access.
In Mallorca, Palma’s Amima Beach charges €70 for individual sunbeds.
Marbella, Spain
Over in Marbella, a spot at Nikki Beach typically starts at €50.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
On Italy’s Amalfi Coast, at One Fire beach club in Praiano, a bed costs at least €100, and you’ll need to spend at least €100 on top of that. A bed, towel and water comes with a €186 price tag at La Scogliera in Positano.
At Fornillo Beach in Positano, a sunbed can cost €40–€50 per person, with the small, free area of the beach often filling up quickly during peak periods.
Capri, Italy
At La Fontelina Beach in Capri, a deckchair will set you back €47, not including a beach towel, available for an extra €12, or a beach umbrella, priced separately at €22.
French Riviera
A single deck chair at La Réserve à La Plage, St Tropez costs €85 to rent.
Mykonos, Greece
The Greek island of Mykonos has become synonymous with high prices, and indeed, beach access. A bed and towel can start €150 per person in places such as Nammos.
The more affordable alternatives
Puglia, Italy
At Calderisi Mare beach club in Puglia, sunbeds with towels are available from €30. With its palm-thatched umbrellas, the spot carries a boho-chic feel. From food and wine tours exploring the Southern Italian’s region cuisine to whitewashed towns and Centros históricos (well-preserved old towns), there’s plenty to explore in Puglia between relaxed beach days. calderisimare.com
Costa Cálida
Along Costa Cálida, the 250km coastline of Murcia, you’ll find Spanish beaches that are lesser-known among Britons, but popular with Spanish holidaymakers. At beaches such as La Zenia (also known as Playa Cala Bosque), you can hire two sunbeds for €17. As well as Blue Flag beaches, the region offers scenic natural parks, such as Parque Natural De Torrevieja, and historic sites, including the castle of Lorca.
Marbella, Spain
With sunbeds from €25 (including water, a smoothie shot and towel), leafy Oyana Beach club stands out as a bargain among Marbella’s uber-expensive beach day escapes. Nature lovers visiting Marbella will enjoy views of La Concha, while art enthusiasts should look at for the Dali sculptures lining Avenida del Mar. oyanabeach.com
Fethiye, Turkey
Tucked within Büyük Boncuklu Bay, in Fethiye, Sea Me Beach is an earth-toned, family-friendly site benefiting from the clear waters of the Turkish Riviera. Sunbeds are available from 750 Turkish Lira (£18). With its plentiful rock tombs and pretty national parks, such as Saklikent, Fethiye is a good choice for adventure as well as sunshine. seamebeach.com
Agia Triada, Corfu
Akron beach club is set along the cyan waters of Agia Triada in Corfu, offering sunbeds for €15 for the day. For cultural and archaeological sites such as the White Tower, The ancient port city of Thessaloniki is about 40 minutes away. akron.gr
Mogren, Montenegro
Montenegro has attractive beaches such as Mogren, which is hugged by cliffs and swathed in greenery. Here, you can use two sunbeds for €40. Nearby attractions include the crystalline Blue and Green lagoons, and heritage sites such as Budva Citadel and Fort Morgen.