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Which Popular Vacation Destinations Are True Last-Minute Bargains

Those flying to Gran Canaria can still snag genuine last-minute deals.
Those flying to Gran Canaria can still snag genuine last-minute deals. Photo: Getty Images
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June 25, 2026, 8:26 am | Read time: 3 minutes

If you haven’t booked your summer vacation yet, you might be pleasantly surprised by falling prices this year. In several popular holiday regions, package deals have recently become cheaper–in some cases, even compared to last summer. A recent analysis also shows that last-minute bookings in 2026 could be worthwhile in many vacation spots. However, price trends vary significantly by region.

For the study, HolidayCheck compared several million travel offers from more than 68 operators. The basis was the average price for a one-week package holiday for two people, including flight, transfer, and at least one meal per day. Departures between June 29 and September 13, 2026, were considered.

Significant Price Drops in Egypt and the Canary Islands

Among the biggest price reductions is Hurghada in Egypt, where current prices are about 14 percent below last year’s level. Travel to the Canary Islands has also become cheaper: On Gran Canaria, the decrease is about 13 percent, and on Tenerife, around 12 percent.

Madeira, Marsa Alam in Egypt, and the Tunisian island of Djerba also report lower prices than in summer 2025. Costs there are currently two to three percent below last year’s level.

Also interesting: 14 particularly beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands

Last Minute Offers Advantages in Many Regions

Particularly interesting is the comparison with prices at the beginning of the year. In Costa Brava, package holidays are currently about ten percent cheaper than in January. In Hurghada and Fuerteventura, the decrease is around nine percent.

Mallorca also shows a downward trend: Vacationers currently pay about four percent less than at the beginning of the year.

Where Early Booking Was the Better Choice

Not all vacation regions have seen prices drop. Costs have risen since January on the Azores, Lanzarote, and the Greek islands of Rhodes and Corfu. Madeira is also among the destinations where travelers now have to pay more than at the beginning of the year. For these destinations, early booking proved to be more advantageous.

Costa Brava Remains the Cheapest Destination

Comparing average travel prices reveals significant differences. Costa Brava is the cheapest destination in the analysis, with an average of 1,620 euros for a week-long package holiday for two people.

Hurghada, with an average of 1,900 euros, and Marsa Alam, with 1,990 euros, are also relatively inexpensive. Djerba and several Canary Islands are among the more affordable summer destinations.

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Azores Lead the Price Scale

The most expensive package holiday is to the Azores. A week-long vacation for two costs an average of 3,130 euros. This is followed by the Turkish Aegean at 3,050 euros and Sardinia at 3,030 euros.

Mallorca is in the middle range with an average of 2,230 euros. This means there is a price difference of more than 1,500 euros for a week-long package holiday for two between the cheapest destination, Costa Brava, and the most expensive, the Azores.

Flexible Travelers Can Save Now

“How prices develop over the course of a travel season cannot be precisely predicted. This year, it was particularly difficult given the debate over flight prices and rising travel costs,” says Nina Hammer from HolidayCheck.

The current trend is all the more striking. “Those who remain flexible with their travel dates currently benefit from noticeably lower prices,” says the travel expert.

For the analysis, current June prices were compared with January prices for the same travel period in summer 2026. Additionally, a comparison was made with the prices of summer 2025.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.

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