If you’re on the hunt for the cheapest holiday destinations, you’ll want to turn your gaze beyond the usual suspects this summer—because Ryanair routes to lesser-known gems start from as little as £14.99.
These carefully curated escapes reveal the cheapest holiday destinations for Brits that savvy travellers can explore without breaking the bank, all while sidestepping the tourist masses.
Why these hidden gems deserve your boarding pass
Holidu, the savvy holiday-rental portal, has pored over 12 months of Google search data from British tourists, cross-referencing terms like “flights to …”, “things to do …”, and “what to do in …” to unearth the least-searched yet wallet-friendly spots served by Ryanair.
The result? A top 20 ranking of cheapest holiday destinations where you’ll enjoy fresh experiences, local culture and bargain flights.
Here’s a peek at the top three, plus a quick tour of the next seven must-book escapes.
Top 3 hidden gems you’ve probably never considered
1. Ouarzazate, Morocco (avg. 180 searches/month)
Dubbed the “Gateway to the Sahara,” Ouarzazate ranks lowest in British Google searches but towers in cinematic pedigree.
Beyond the ochre-hued Taourirt Kasbah and the looming Kasbah of Tifoultoute, you can wander the UNESCO-listed clay village of Aït Benhaddou—backdrop to Game of Thrones, The Mummy and Star Wars—then peek behind the scenes at Atlas Film Studios, where Gladiator and more went from script to screen.
Fancy a dash of city life? Marrakesh is only a 3.5-hour drive away.
Lowest one-way flight price: £16.99 from London Stansted (June–August)
2. Linz, Austria (avg. 210 searches/month)
Steeped in history and crowned European Capital of Culture in 2009, Linz entices with its riverside Old Town and neo-Gothic Mariendom—one of Austria’s grandest churches.
Culture vultures can lose themselves in the Lentos Art Museum or dive into tomorrow at the Ars Electronica Centre.
Families will adore the Grottenbahn grotto railway, weaving fairy-tale scenes in miniature. Plus, Hallstatt and Salzburg are both under two hours by car, making Linz a savvy base camp.
Lowest one-way flight price: £16.99 from London Stansted (June–August)
3. Fez, Morocco (avg. 280 searches/month)
Once Morocco’s capital, Fez hosts the largest, oldest medina in North Africa: a labyrinthine UNESCO site bristling with some 80,000 shops and a fully intact city wall.
Squeeze through alleyways to the ancient tanneries for an honest-to-goodness leather-making show, then climb to the Marinid tombs for sweeping city vistas.
If you crave further Moroccan adventure, Casablanca lies just over two hours away by road.
Lowest one-way flight price: £24.99 from London Stansted (June–August)
More of the best cheapest holiday destinations to bookmark
Top 10 Emerging Destinations
| Ranking | Country | City | Avg. Monthly Search Volume | Lowest Flight Price (Jun–Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco | Ouarzazate | 180 | £16.99 |
| 2 | Austria | Linz | 210 | £16.99 |
| 3 | Morocco | Fez | 280 | £24.99 |
| 4 | Morocco | Rabat | 540 | £19.99 |
| 5 | France | Poitiers | 590 | £15.00 |
| 6 | Ireland | Kerry | 770 | £14.99 |
| 7 | Lithuania | Kaunas | 800 | £20.99 |
| 8 | Montenegro | Podgorica | 830 | £24.61 |
| 9 | Italy | Rimini | 880 | £14.99 |
| 10 | Morocco | Essaouira | 950 | £19.99 |
Each of these spots combines surprising charm with some of the cheapest holiday destinations prices you’ll find this summer—perfect for couples, families or solo explorers seeking authentic experiences off the beaten track.
Ready to book your next bargain break?
For the full top 20 of the cheapest holiday destinations served by Ryanair, complete with search volumes and flight fares, check out the comprehensive study on Holidu’s site.
Pack light, charge your camera, and prepare to swap sun-loungers for new horizons without emptying your wallet.
