Cheapest destination for a last-minute summer holiday is in Spain

The price of a summer holiday has soared but luckily there are still a few bargains on offer for last-minute tourists.

New research from the expert team at Which? Travel has found a Spanish city is the cheapest spot for an early August break.

This year’s cheapest last-minute break was in Bilbao, where the average price of a seven night package holiday was just £667.

The team checked holidays still available with Jet2Holidays and TUI in the third week of the school summer holidays.

The holidays all included flights and a room and four of the cheapest destinations were in Spain.

A team member said: “Summer is balmy rather than baking in Bilbao. The best known landmark in this Basque city in northern Spain is the shimmering Guggenheim Museum – a ship-shaped, titanium-clad marvel that’s as impressive as the art inside.

“In the atmospheric old town, locals wash down pintxos – the Basque country’s take on tapas – with glasses of sparkling wine.”

Tourists won’t be far from some of the country’s best beaches in nearby San Sebastian if they fly to Bilbao.

Rory Boland, travel editor at Which? Travel, said: “Jetting off in the summer holidays this year could be very pricey, but we’ve found it’s not too late to bag a bargain coastal break this August, whether you’re in the mood to simply fly and flop or want a bit of city life thrown in too.

“Those looking to avoid the worst of the current hot temperatures in Europe might want to consider a last-minute city break in Bilbao or Porto, both of which were highly-rated by travellers in our recent survey of European coastal destinations.

“Meanwhile those wanting a relaxing break lounging by the pool will find great value stays still available on Turkey’s beautiful Turquoise Coast.”