- Alicante, Spain — a budget alternative to overcrowded resorts
- Bari, Italy — Apulia’s Hidden Gem
- Alacati, Turkey — where Turkish celebrities vacation
- Constanta, Romania — a pleasant surprise near Ukraine
- Tivat, Montenegro — a strategic spot on the Adriatic
- Cascais, Portugal — an aristocratic resort 40 minutes from Lisbon
- Crete, Greece — a great island for first-time visitors
- Marsa Alam, Egypt — for those who aren’t afraid of the heat and want to get away from Russians
Beach vacations in Ukraine remain unreliable, and more and more Ukrainians are looking for options abroad. Discover eight affordable beach destinations in Europe and Egypt—from budget-friendly Constanta to sunny Marsa Alam, free of russian tourists
In the fifth year of full-scale war, vacation travel for Ukrainians is no longer a luxury but a genuine necessity. Mothers with children head to the coast to take a break from constant anxiety, while service members seek a well-deserved respite alongside their families.
A seaside vacation within Ukraine remains unreliable: in practice, only the Odesa region is suitable, and even that comes with significant risks. The Carpathians are a good option for a mountain getaway, but you won’t find the sea breeze or salty water there. That’s why more and more Ukrainians are looking abroad. UNIAN.Tourism has compiled eight realistic ideas for a summer vacation by the sea.
Read also: Top tours under 2,000 UAH — budget trips through the Carpathians and Transcarpathia with Visit Ukraine.
Alicante, Spain — a budget alternative to overcrowded resorts
While Barcelona and Mallorca are swamped with tourists, Alicante in southern Spain remains relatively quiet and offers reasonable prices. Long sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, a cozy old town, and rugged hills for outdoor activities — it’s an impressive package.
A nice bonus: Alicante is home to a large Ukrainian community, so you’ll often run into fellow Ukrainians at local hotels and cafes — which noticeably improves the quality of service.
As of mid-June, double rooms with shared bathrooms within walking distance of the beach start at 3,500 UAH per night, while more comfortable hotels start at 5,000 UAH. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and SkyUp fly to Alicante from countries neighboring Ukraine.
Bari, Italy — Apulia’s Hidden Gem
Compared to the crowded streets of Rome or Amalfi, Bari remains a quiet “dark horse.” The capital of the Apulia region is gradually becoming Italy’s main “hidden gem”: there are no crowds here yet, but it has everything you need — a long coastline, ancient churches, a lively nightlife, and excellent regional cuisine.
In terms of convenience, it’s easy to get from here to the charming towns of Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Matera, Lecce, and other destinations. Double apartments in mid-June start at 3,500 UAH, while more comfortable options range from 4,000 to 4,500 UAH. Flights are operated by Ryanair and Wizz Air from airports in neighboring countries.
Alacati, Turkey — where Turkish celebrities vacation
This Aegean resort town is little known to Ukrainian tourists, but well-known to German, British, and Turkish celebrities.
Alacati is a quiet and even slightly aristocratic alternative to the bustling Turkish resorts: you can feel the Greek influence here, and there are beaches suitable for both family vacations and surfing.
Double rooms in boutique hotels in the historic center (2–3 km from the sea) start at 3,000 UAH, and near the beaches — from 3,700 UAH per night. The best way to get there is via Izmir — Pegasus Airlines flies there frequently from Poland, as does SunExpress.
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Constanta, Romania — a pleasant surprise near Ukraine
This Romanian Black Sea resort is unfairly overlooked by Ukrainians. And for good reason — Constanta offers a long coastline with beach clubs, lounge chairs, and bars, a beautiful promenade, and a colorful city center featuring Greek, Italian, and Turkish architecture.
Prices are among the most affordable in this selection: simple double rooms or beachfront apartments in mid-June start at 1,700 UAH per night. The best way to get there is by train from Bucharest, which is accessible from Ukraine by train and bus. The journey isn’t easy, but the prices make up for it.
Tivat, Montenegro — a strategic spot on the Adriatic
Tivat is a small resort town that benefits from its location: in an hour, you can reach Kotor or Budva, visit fishing villages, or get to the mountain national parks. It’s the perfect base for those who want to see as much as possible.
Economy-class double apartments near the sea start at 2,000 UAH per night, and rooms with a sea view start at 4,000 UAH. Montenegro is also popular among Ukrainians for bus tours — for two people, they start at 20,000 UAH. It’s more convenient to fly independently via Podgorica on Ryanair or Wizz Air flights from Poland or Hungary.
Cascais, Portugal — an aristocratic resort 40 minutes from Lisbon
For those who dream of Portugal but are tired of the overcrowded Algarve, Cascais is worth considering. It’s a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon — and you’ll find yourself in an ancient town with a royal heritage, beautiful palaces adorned with azulejo tiles, sandy beaches, and the famous Boca do Inferno (“Devil’s Mouth”) reef.
Sticking to a budget is trickier here, but double rooms for the second half of June start at 3,000 UAH per night. To get to Cascais, fly via Lisbon, which is served by dozens of airlines from Europe.
Crete, Greece — a great island for first-time visitors
Greece’s largest island has it all: bustling cities, ancient landmarks, stunning nature, and Mediterranean cuisine. And the prices are reasonable. In mid-June, you can find decent double rooms at local resorts outside major cities starting at 1,600 UAH per night.
Tour operators offer a wide selection of tours — with early booking, a week-long tour for two will cost around 40,000 UAH. The island has three airports — Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia; flights are operated by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and SkyUp.
Marsa Alam, Egypt — for those who aren’t afraid of the heat and want to get away from Russians
Egypt in the summer isn’t for everyone, but Marsa Alam is a special spot on the map. First, it’s not a typical summer destination, which is why there are fewer tourists here. Second — and this is the main point — there are practically no russians here, unlike in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. Third — it offers excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling.
Local hotels are full-service resorts with all the amenities. The best way to get here is through a tour operator: a week-long tour for two at a decent four-star hotel starts at 55,000 UAH. If you want to save money, consider the “velvet season”: late September through October, when the crowds thin out and prices drop, but the sea is still warm.
And if you’re planning a vacation in Ukraine this summer — the Carpathians, Podillia, Odesa region, and other areas offer wonderful itineraries for every taste and budget. Ready-made tours of Ukraine with guides, transfers, and itineraries can be found on the Visit Ukraine platform — convenient, fast, and just one click away.
We remind you! Prices for summer vacations in Ukraine in 2026 have risen by 25–40%, and popular resorts are packed. However, in the Carpathians, the Carpathian Foothills, and Transcarpathia, there are still destinations where you can spend your vacation in comfort and without significant expenses — with accommodations starting at 700 UAH per night. Read more about budget-friendly summer vacation spots in Ukraine and current accommodation prices.
Photo: Depositphotos
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