Holidays to Greece under £500

Resorts keep the cost of a package down because hotel stock is large, competitive and easy to reach from the airport.

• Faliraki, Rhodes: Faliraki sits about 15 km from Rhodes Town and offers a dense cluster of hotels with sandy beaches close at hand. Its size is what keeps prices competitive, because many rooms compete for guests in the shoulder months. The trade-off is that the main strip can feel busy in peak season, so a quieter room away from the centre often gives the best value. We recommend it for guests who want reliable amenities at a budget price. It is exactly the brief our Greece Beach Holidays deals are built around.
• Ixia: Ixia lies a short distance from the island's capital and is served by a sandy bay that suits relaxed swimming. Its hotels are generally smaller and more low-key than those at larger resorts, which can keep the room rate modest in the right months. The trade-off is fewer nightlife options, but you gain a calmer base with easy bus access to the medieval Old Town. It is a sensible pick for those who value a quiet stay over a lively one.
• Agios Nikolaos: Agios Nikolaos is a harbour town on Crete with a compact centre, lakeside walks and a wide choice of hotels. Its size keeps rooms priced sensibly outside July and August, while the island's main airport is within easy reach by road. The trade-off is that the town itself has limited sandy beach, so most guests use the nearby bays or pebble coves. We value it for combining a practical budget with a town that works well for evening meals. It is exactly the brief our Crete holidays deals are built around.
• Malia: Malia has a long sandy beach on the north coast of Crete and a large number of resort hotels, which together generate strong competition on price. It sits roughly an hour from the main airport, so the transfer cost is part of the calculation when judging the total. The trade-off is a busy strip in summer, though the rooms are often better value in the quieter months at either end of the season. We see it as a reliable budget resort for guests who want a beach on the doorstep, much as the same brief our Rhodes holidays deals are built around.
• Kalamaki, Zakynthos: Kalamaki is a village on the south-east coast of Zakynthos, close to the island's airport and a long stretch of coastline. Its modest hotel stock and short transfer keep the package total lower than at better-known islands, and the village is quieter than the centre of the island. The trade-off is fewer shops and restaurants within walking distance, so a hire car or taxi is worth factoring in. It works well as a no-frills base for a sub-£500 trip. It is exactly the brief our Greece All Inclusive Holidays deals are built around.