It’s quite tempting to stick to what you know when it comes to beach holidays – after all, there are plenty of scheduled flights from Scotland to places like Alicante and the Costa Brava.
However, if you want to try a more unusual, off-the-beaten-track and extremely affordable beach destination, you could do a lot worse than sunny Budapest, Hungary.
At this point, geography experts reading this article will probably pause and say, “Wait a minute, Hungary is a land state and borders Austria, Slovakia, Croatia and Romania. It has no access to the sea, so how can it be listed as a beach destination?”
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The locals have not let a small detail like the total lack of coastal areas stop them from creating some fantastic beaches.
Budapest is located on the mighty Danube and along its banks there are several spots that have been cleverly converted into beaches where you can lounge on the sand and swim.
There are also many incredible lakes in the immediate vicinity of Budapest.
A particularly popular spot on summer days is Lupa Beach, pictured above. Lonely Planet’s travel experts say it’s the closest you’ll get to a five-star seaside resort feel around Budapest, adding: “Surrounded by white sand, palm trees and luxurious sun loungers, this lake has some of the cleanest water you’ll find in all of Hungary.”
It is only a 30-minute bus ride from the centre of Budapest and you can also stay overnight there, the beach operators offer glamping accommodation.
And then there is the spectacular Lake Balaton with its breathtakingly blue water.
Siófok is the largest resort on Lake Balaton, just an hour by train from Budapest. It is a party-lover’s paradise, with a beach close to restaurants and other attractions. It is also adjacent to the lively Petőfi Promenade, a street known for its bars and nightlife.
Budapest itself is also known for its thermal baths, so if you fancy a dip in the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice. While there’s no sandy beach to laze around the thermal pools, you can still admire spectacular architecture while you swim.
Budapest itself is truly stunning. There are endless things to do, places to visit and fantastic bars and restaurants in the capital of Hungary. You can take a sightseeing cruise on the Danube, visit the historic Buda Castle and even visit a thermal beer spa.
In summer, temperatures regularly reach 28-30°C and prices in Budapest are lower than in the UK. According to cost-of-living website Numbeo, you can enjoy a pint of refreshing beer at a bar for an average of just £2.14. What’s more, the average price of a meal at a budget restaurant is just £8.68.
With prices like these and beaches that rival those on the Mediterranean, you definitely won’t miss the sea.
Ryanair offers direct flights from Edinburgh Airport to Budapest and Wizz Air offers direct flights from Glasgow.
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