Last-minute summer holiday deals under £500pp

1. Costa Brava, Spain

It’s hard to beat the Costa Brava for a summer steal, with Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar among this year’s cheapest holiday resorts in Spain.

If you’re just after beach time, Gran Beach in Tossa de Mar is the postcard spot thanks to the pretty medieval castle on its southern side. Families love Calella de Palafrugell for its shallow waters and laidback Cala Sant Francesc, which is nestled in a cute cove not far from Blanes.

Off the sand, there’s watersports and hiking to get stuck into – the Costa Brava Coastal Path covers more than 200km (124 miles) – as well as loads of restaurants, bars and clubs for supper, sundowners and dancing.

2. Corfu, Greece

Like your summer on the hot side? Temperatures hit 30C in Corfu between June and September so expect serious sunbathing sessions and deliciously warm waters.

Look out for three- or four-star hotels offering budget deals or consider a self-catering apartment for an even cheaper stay – many are in complexes with a private pool and onsite restaurant or café.

Sidari and Dassia are great picks for non-stop beach activities. Agios Georgios North is a bit smaller, but its 2km-long (1.2 miles) arc of sand makes up for it. For beach cocktails by day and clubbing by night, you can’t do better than rowdy Kavos.

3. Algarve, Portugal

Two things are practically guaranteed in the Algarve: sunshine and cheap holiday deals. This Portuguese hotspot is frequently named among best-value destinations in Europe in the Post Office’s Holiday Money Report and accommodation ranges from all-inclusive hotels to B&Bs.

Albufeira, Alvor and Lagos are top choices for fly-and-flop holidays – picture honey-coloured beaches dotted with sunbeds and parasols, as well as promenades lined with cafés, shops and watersports rentals. Don’t miss a sea kayaking trip around the iconic Ponta da Piedade cliffs.

In Faro, you can combine Michelin Guide restaurants and city sights with the sublime scenery of the Ria Formosa Nature Park.

4. Malta

Don’t be fooled by Malta’s small size – with three main islands, a UNESCO-listed capital city and some of the best beaches in Europe, there’s plenty to pack into your getaway.

Start by exploring the stunning coastline. Golden Bay and Mellieha Bay are the most popular beaches on Malta, red-sand Ramla Bay is a must-visit on Gozo and you could easily spend a whole day splashing in Comino’s sparkling Blue Lagoon.

When you get hungry, Malta’s food scene is in a league of its own. Graze on meze boards, flaky cheese pastizzi pastries and freshly caught fish.

Keep it cheap by staying in a boutique hostel or B&B.

5. Antalya, Turkey

Turkey is a great bet for an all-inclusive holiday on a budget, and Antalya’s beach resorts are out to impress with fancy pools and spas. Even if you don’t go all in, you’ll find plenty of cheap deals on four-star hotels and self-catering apartments.

Keep little ones entertained by making a splash at Aqua Atlantis waterpark, checking out the giant sculptures at Sandland or spotting sea life at the Antalya Aquarium.

For more relaxed days out, sip coffee at a harbourfront café in Kaleiçi old town or indulge in a hammam spa session before kicking back on Konyaalti or Lara Beach.

6. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Gran Canaria has got summer holidays down to a tee – think ten hours of sunshine a day, beaches backed by golden sand dunes and all the tapas and sangria you could ask for. There’s no shortage of activities either, whether you fancy a whale-spotting boat trip or museums and shopping in the capital’s old town.

Joined by a colossal stretch of silky-soft sand, Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés are undoubtedly the island’s best-known resorts. Pick the former for high-end hotels, and the latter for nightlife.

Capital Las Palmas has more variety for accommodation as well as one of the best city beaches in Spain, Las Canteras Beach. Sunbathe or surf before refuelling at one of the seafront restaurants.

7. Bourgas Area, Bulgaria

Summer in Bulgaria’s Bourgas Area is warm without being scorching, with temperatures hovering in the high-twenties.

Sunny Beach is your classic seaside resort. The 5km-long (3.1 miles) sandy beach has everything from sun-loungers and jet-skiing to souvenir shops and nightclubs, and at nearby Action Aquapark, you’ll find waterslides, a lazy river and an adventure island.

History buffs won’t want to miss the Byzantine ruins of Nessebar’s old town, or stay in Sozopol for chill beach days. There’s two to choose from: Central Beach and Harmanite Beach.

8. Halkidiki, Greece

The Greek islands can get busy in summer, so why not hunt for bargains on Greece’s mainland instead? The northern region of Halkidiki, about an hour’s drive from Thessaloniki, is famous for three distinctive finger-like peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos – that jut into the Aegean, which means there’s plenty of coastline to go around.

Lively resort towns like Kriopigi and Chanioti line the 100km (62 miles) sun-baked coast of Kassandra, the most developed of the three. Kallithea, in particular, is known for its late-night energy.

Beaches on Sithonia, the middle peninsula, are wilder with fewer facilities, but the hotels don’t scrimp on luxury. It’s the one for back-to-nature serenity.

9. Costa Dorada, Spain

Salou, on Spain’s Golden Coast, is a top pick for families seeking a last-minute school holiday break that won’t break the bank. Its main draw for kids is the huge PortAventura World, where two theme parks and a water park are a multi-day affair – perfect for easily bored little ones.

Nearby Cambrils is a favourite for foodies. Its two Michelin stars are impressive for its small size and there are loads more options if you don’t want to push the boat out.

Leave enough time to visit Tarragona. One for culture cravers, this coastal city boasts some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Spain as well as an atmospheric old town crowned by a 12th-century cathedral.