It’s official: Brits won’t find a better destination than the Costa del Sol

The evidence - both official and anecdotal - shows that the Costa del Sol is Europe's finest tourist destination

If you’ll forgive the hyperbolic headline for a moment, here’s the evidence that the Costa del Sol really is the best holiday destination for Brits: the latest survey from the Post Office Travel Money Half Term Barometer shows that for an affordable, fun-filled yet relaxing holiday, the Costa del Sol fits the bill perfectly…

The Post Office’s criteria was to analyse the ‘hard facts’ – the cost of a half-term, week-long holiday for two adults and two children with meals and drinks included – and compare Europe’s six most popular holiday destinations. Using this metric, the Costa del Sol came out as the cheapest, costing just €1,400 for the week, beating off stiff competition from the Algarve, Majorca, Marmaris in Turkey, Ayia Napa in Cyprus, and Tenerife.

“Our new research proves just how important it is for families to check all costs when it comes to choosing a last-minute half-term destination,” said Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money. “The combination of low resort costs and cheap packages make the Costa del Sol best value overall.

“Travelling at half-term may be a last-minute decision but there are still ways that families can plan ahead, like checking resort costs in advance and organising foreign currency before leaving home to avoid getting a poor rate at the airport.”

Sound advice, but the Post Office’s findings, while welcome, gloss over the other important factors that make the Costa del Sol such a strong destination for holidays, weekend breaks and buying property.

The excellent climate: It’s not often reported, but Portugal’s Algarve region can get rather nippy during the winter months. The Atlantic Ocean batters the coastline, bringing cool, damp air rolling in, chilling the bones of the hardy winter inhabitants. The Costa del Sol, on the other hand, sits smugly facing the benign Mediterranean, enjoying a microclimate that is among one of the finest in the world. OK, you’re unlikely to go for a dip in the sea in January, but if you can find a sheltered spot in the sunshine, you can bask in temperatures pushing the mid-20s right through winter.

The accessibility: If you’re looking for a bonafide year-round holiday destination, there are none closer than the Costa del Sol. From the southern portions of the UK, Málaga airport is just a two-hour flight away. For similar sun and fun in Turkey or Greece, you’re looking at a four-hour flight – these extra hours really make a difference when you have families in tow during a time-pressured half-term holiday.

The family-friendly culture: If you are thinking of moving to the Costa del Sol permanently, then it makes sense to try to learn the language and immerse yourself in the local culture and customs. But if you’re only planning on visiting for a week, it is understandable that you will want your visit to be as stress-free as possible. Which makes the Costa del Sol the undisputed frontrunner when it comes to family-friendliness: every resort along the coast caters perfectly for all ages, English is spoken everywhere , British cuisine is easy to come by (as pubs that serve British booze and show the English footy) and getting around has never been easier… can any other resort in Turkey, Greece or Portugal say the same?