Search

Popular searches

Log into your account

Banking

Travel and Insurance

Posting

  1. Home
  2. Travel Money
  3. Travel Money Guides and Articles
  4. Best-Value Winter Sun Holidays 2026

Winter Sun Report 2026: Best value winter sun destinations compared

See which winter sun destinations offer the best value in 2026.

See why Cape Town tops this year's rankings and explore the destinations offering the best value for winter sun.

Last updated: 25/9/2026

Understanding best winter sun holiday costs

Seeking a little winter sun? Booking your flights and hotel is only part of the cost. What you spend on food, drinks and other everyday items can have a big impact on the overall price of your holiday.

To help you get more for your money, Post Office Travel Money has compared the cost of eight common holiday purchases across 24 winter sun destinations. These include meals, drinks, suncream and insect repellent, giving you a clearer picture of what your spending money could buy.

So, what did we find? African destinations have come out on top for value this year, while some long-haul hotspots are now more affordable than popular winter sun favourites closer to home. Explore the key findings right here.

In this guide

Key findings from the report

  • African destinations take the two top spots for best value. This year, Cape Town is the best value winter sun destination in 2026, with a barometer total of £58.24
  • Next up, Mombasa, Kenya, comes in at second place at £63.66
  • Tokyo ranks third and is the best value destination surveyed in Asia
  • The Algarve is the best value European destination, ranking sixth overall
  • Scarborough, Tobago is the most expensive destination in the report, with a barometer total of £144.15

Top 10 best value winter sun destinations

Want more for your money? This year's research shows that far-flung destinations offer better value once you arrive than popular winter sun hotspots.

That means your spending could go a lot further once you look beyond the booking price.

Here are the 10 cheapest winter sun destinations in this year's barometer.

PositionDestinationBarometer costs total
1Cape Town, South Africa£58.24
2Mombasa, Kenya£63.66
3Tokyo, Japan£66.76
4Colombo, Sri Lanka£74.79
5Phuket, Thailand£76.39
6Algarve, Portugal£82.35
7Costa del Sol, Spain£83.58
8Tenerife, Canary Islands£87.46
9Punta Cana, Dominican Republic£89.72
10Penang, Malaysia£89.79

Get travel money sorted for your winter sun getaway

Buy travel money

Top winter sun destinations: what to expect

Our report shows where your spending money could go furthest. But great value is only part of the story.

Here's why these popular winter sun destinations are worth considering for your next getaway.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town takes the top spot in this year's report. It offers beaches, city sights and stunning scenery all in one place. Table Mountain stands above the city and gives amazing views of the coast.

Visitors can explore the V&A Waterfront, visit nearby vineyards or drive along Chapman's Peak. Popular beaches such as Camps Bay and Clifton are also great places to relax in the sun.

Cape Town also offers some of the lowest food and drink prices in the survey. With much to see and do, it's one of the most popular winter sun destinations for UK travellers.

Mombasa, Kenya

Mombasa offers warm weather all year round and long sandy beaches. It's also a great base for exploring some of Kenya's best-known attractions.

Many visitors spend time on the coast before heading off on a safari. This gives them the chance to relax by the Indian Ocean and see wildlife in nearby national parks.

Mombasa ranks second overall in this year's report. It’s also one of the cheapest destinations surveyed for meals and drinks.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo may not be the first place that comes to mind for a winter sun break. But temperatures are often milder than the UK in winter.

Visitors can see temples, food markets and peaceful gardens. The city also has busy shopping areas, modern districts and lots of places to explore.

Vibrant and bustling, Tokyo is a great choice for a winter getaway. It’s also the best-value destination in Asia in this year's report.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and a starting point for exploring the country. Visitors can discover busy markets, historic temples and old colonial buildings.

It’s also within easy reach of beautiful beaches, wildlife parks and famous tea-growing regions. And there are many coastal resorts nearby.

Rich in culture, Colombo offers great value for money. It's a popular choice for travellers looking for a winter sun holiday further afield.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife remains a popular choice for winter sun holidays. It’s known for its warm weather, volcanic scenery and range of attractions.

Visitors can explore Mount Teide National Park, take a whale or dolphin-watching trip, or relax on the island's beaches. You’ll also find lots of resorts, restaurants and family-friendly activities.

Tenerife offers a good mix of sunshine, convenience and value. It’s also one of the cheapest European destinations in this year's report.

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular holiday destinations. It’s known for its sandy beaches, boat trips and great food.

Visitors can relax by the sea, try water sports or explore nearby islands. There are lots of options for both adventure and relaxation.

Despite its popularity, Phuket remains one of the best-value destinations in this year's report. It offers low prices for many everyday holiday purchases, helping visitors make the most of their spending money.

Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve is the highest-ranked European destination in this year's report. It's a great choice for travellers who want winter sun closer to home.

The region is known for its sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and traditional towns. It's also a popular destination for golf breaks.

Winter temperatures are usually lower than in long-haul destinations. Even so, the Algarve offers some of the best value for money in Europe.

Costa del Sol, Spain

Costa del Sol remains one of the UK's favourite winter sun destinations. It offers mild weather and is easy to reach from many British airports.

Visitors can explore Málaga, relax on the beaches or visit popular resorts such as Marbella and Fuengirola. The region is also famous for its golf courses.

Mixing sunshine and sightseeing with good-value prices, Costa del Sol continues to be a popular choice for winter holidays.

Top 10 most expensive winter sun destinations

But what about the other end of the scale? Our research also revealed the 10 most expensive destinations, where holiday-makers can expect to pay more for meals, drinks and other everyday holiday essentials.

PositionDestinationBarometer costs total
24Scarborough, Tobago£144.15
23St. George's, Grenada£133.68
22Funchal, Madeira£129.63
21Cancun, Mexico£128.32
20Grand Baie, Mauritius£118.93
19Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia£115.86
18St. John's, Antigua£108.85
17Bridgetown, Barbados£107.32
16Montego Bay, Jamaica£107.18
15Orlando, Florida£106.14

What these costs mean for your holiday

When planning a winter sun holiday, it's worth looking at how much things cost when you get there.

In this year's report, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive destinations is more than £85 for the same basket of items. Over a week or two, that difference could grow as you spend money on meals, drinks and other holiday essentials.

Checking local prices before you book can help you find a destination that suits both your travel plans and your budget.

Getting your travel money ready

Buying your travel money before you set off can help you manage your holiday spending more easily. And it's usually cheaper than exchanging money at the airport or when you reach your destination.

With Post Office, ordering foreign currency allows you to:

  • Choose from over 60 foreign currencies
  • Order online and benefit from competitive rates
  • Get a better rate when you buy larger amounts of currency
  • Collect your travel money from a local branch
  • Get popular currencies, like the euro, readily available in selected branches

A convenient alternative to carrying cash

Don't want to carry lots of cash? Post Office Travel Money Card is a convenient, prepaid and reloadable travel card with plenty of benefits. You can:

  • Load it with any of 22 supported currencies including euros and US dollars
  • Lock in exchange rates when you top up via the travel app
  • Use it anywhere in the world where you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark
  • Manage your money and track spending while you’re away
  • Freeze the card if it's lost or stolen

Don't forget your other travel essentials

Before you jet away to paradise, make sure you've got the essentials covered:

Order your travel money before you go

Buy travel money

Common questions

  • To create the Winter Sun Holiday Report, we've compared the cost of eight common tourist purchases across 24 destinations.

    The items include a cup of coffee, local beer, soft drink, glass of wine, bottled water, suncream, insect repellent and a three-course meal for two with wine.

    We use the same basket of items in every destination, making it easy to compare costs on a like-for-like basis and see where your holiday spending money could go furthest.

  • While flights can cost more, local prices for meals, drinks and other everyday purchases can be significantly lower than in some European destinations. That can make a noticeable difference to your overall holiday spending.

    In some destinations, accommodation, transport and attractions may also cost less, helping your budget go further. Over the course of a trip, these savings can sometimes outweigh the higher cost of getting there.

  • Yes, if you can. Buying your travel money before you travel is often cheaper than exchanging currency at the airport or at your destination, where rates may be less competitive. It also helps you budget more easily by giving you cash to use as soon as you arrive.

    Read our travel money tips for other ways to make your money go further.

  • It's often a good idea to take both cash and a travel money card when travelling abroad. This gives you more flexibility and means you'll have a back-up payment option if one isn't available or accepted.

    Cash can be useful for small purchases, tips and places that don't accept cards. A travel card can be a convenient way to pay in shops, restaurants and hotels.

    The best option depends on where you're travelling and how you prefer to spend. It's worth checking what payment methods are commonly accepted at your destination.

Check latest currency exchange rates

GBP to USD
GBP to EUR
GBP to HKD
GBP to CAD
GBP to AUD
GBP to MYR

Our travel services

  • Travel money

    Jetting away? Pick up your holiday money from Post Office with 0% commission and competitive exchange rates.

  • Travel Money Card

    Holiday spending, simplified. Our prepaid Mastercard® stores up to 22 currencies while our app helps you manage your money on the go.

  • Travel insurance

    Protect your trip if things don't go to plan. Get cover for cancellation, emergency medical costs and more.

How the Winter Sun Holiday Costs Barometer is compiled

The Post Office Winter Sun Holiday Costs Barometer is compiled from prices provided by national or regional tourist offices of participating countries, where possible, and otherwise using online research. Resorts featured are chosen as representative of the prices that UK holidaymakers will generally find in the country/destination. Exchange rates used are September Post Office internet rates for exchange of £500–£999.

The eight items surveyed were a cup of filter coffee, 330 ml bottle of local lager, 330 ml bottle of Coca-Cola, 175 ml glass of wine, 1.5 litre bottle of supermarket mineral water, 200 ml bottle of suncream, 50 ml tube/bottle of insect repellent, three-course evening meal for two adults including a bottle of house wine.