The lesser-known destinations – and some well-known hotspots – you can still get to for less than £100 from Manchester Airport during the school summer holidays
Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations served by upwards of 50 airlines means it offers better value and choice than any other airport in the region.
That’s why even during the school summer holidays, travellers can still pick up last-minute deals that will get them to a range of incredible lesser-known destinations for less than £100 per person.
But not only that – thanks to Manchester Airport offering more flights to some of the continent’s most popular destinations than other airports in the North, last-minute deal-hunters can even get to classic destinations like Ibiza for under £100.
Manchester Airport has selected a dozen holiday hotspots that you can reach directly from the UK’s global gateway in the North before the end of August with return flights from under £100 per person.
Airport bosses have also given some of their top tips to help find the best deals for people looking to save some money but still get away during the peak season.
Manchester Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Turner said:
“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the World – with a bigger and better route network than any UK airport outside London.
“What that means in practice is better choice and value for our passengers – so they can still get great deals even during the summer holidays when prices to lots of destinations tend to rise.
“We fly to lots of lesser-known destinations that other airports don’t, so there are a lot of bargains to be found. But because we also offer more flights each day to some of Europe’s top destinations, that helps keep prices down too.”
Nine of the best less well-known destinations you can get to for under £100 from Manchester Airport
Rimini
Fly direct from Manchester to Rimini with Ryanair on Wed 5 Aug and return on Wed 12 Aug from £58pp return.*
Rimini is a brand-new addition to Manchester’s route network for this summer. Located on Italy’s Adriatic coast, it offers miles of sandy beaches and a picturesque Old Town and marina. Families love ‘Italia in Miniatura’, a model village style attraction which recreates all of Italy’s most famous sites at smaller scale.
Girona
Fly direct from Manchester to Girona with TUI on Tue 18 Aug and return on Tue 25 Aug from £75pp return.*
Girona, just to the north of Barcelona on Spain’s Costa Brava, is an emerging family favourite. It boasts the beaches and food that all of Spain is famous for – but a local point of interest is the pretty whitewashed town of Cadaqués, which was home to the painter Salvador Dali for more than 50 years. His former home is now a museum.
Beziers
Fly direct from Manchester to Beziers with Ryanair on Wed 5 Aug and return on Wed 12 Aug from £80pp return.*
Beziers is the gateway to southern France’s Languedoc coast, a 120-mile stretch of the Mediterranean with gold sandy beaches and idyllic port towns and fishing villages. Many stay around the towns of Agde and Sete, where the viewpoint at the top of Mont Saint-Clair offers sweeping views of the coastline and the inland vineyards the region is known for.
Zadar
Fly direct from Manchester to Zadar with Ryanair on Thu 6 Aug and return on Tue 11 Aug from £89pp return.*
This Croatian city has seen many empires pass through in its history, from Romans to Venetians, and all have left a mark on the architecture in its historic centre and port – which is well connected by ferry links to dozens of small islands off Croatia’s Dalmatian coasts. The unspoilt coastlines on these islands make them a great spot for a summer seaside retreat.
Menorca
Fly direct from Manchester to Menorca with Ryanair on Tue 4 Aug and return on Tue 11 Aug from £45pp return.*
Menorca is in Spain’s Balearic Islands, along with Ibiza and Mallorca – but it’s the least-visited of the three big islands in the chain, and that means fewer crowds at the height of summer. Fewer visitors doesn’t mean less to enjoy, however – the island still boasts great beaches, clear waters, and the historic Ciutadella de Menorca, a town with winding medieval streets and wonderful Spanish cuisine.
Faro
Fly direct from Manchester to Faro with Ryanair on Mon 10 Aug and return on Fri 14 Aug from £66pp return.*
Faro is the gateway to Portugal’s much-loved Algarve – a stretch of coast along the country’s southern edge that has been a favourite of British tourists for decades. Younger crowds hit the famous Strip in Albufeira after dark, but there are plenty of family-friendly options in the region too.
Santander
Fly direct from Manchester to Santander with Ryanair on Wed 12 Aug and return on Mon 24 Aug from £75pp return.*
If you love Spain but want to visit a lesser-explored region, Santander is well worth a try this summer. It’s on the country’s north coast, on the Cantabrian Sea – historically less popular than the country’s Mediterranean coast but full of charm, with a 13th-century cathedral, an Old Town packed with authentic tapas and pintxos bars, and the iconic El Sardinero beach, a popular surfing spot. Temperatures here are cooler than in other parts of Spain – often remaining around a gentle 25C at the height of summer.
Marseille
Fly direct from Manchester to Marseille with Ryanair on Wed 12 Aug and return on Wed 19 Aug from £59pp return.*
France’s second-largest city is a wonderful city break destination in its own right. It started life as an ancient Greek colony and some of the Greek ruins are still visible near the city’s port. The surrounding streets are packed with fine dining restaurants, museums and galleries. Head out of the city to the east and you’ll find yourself in the Calanques National Park, a stunning stretch of coastline with stony beaches nestled in narrow bays under towering cliffs.
Kalamata
Fly direct from Manchester to Kalamata with easyJet on Tue 11 Aug and return on Tue 18 Aug from £76pp return.*
Kalamata is perhaps most famous for its olives – but its beaches are not to be overlooked either. The city is on the Peloponnese peninsula at the southern tip of the Greek mainland, and has roots tracing back nearly 3,000 years. Its Old Town, medieval castle and nearby Ancient Greek sites – plus the fantastic family-run tavernas – make it a great city break option but the nearby Bouka beach, a more than two mile long stretch of golden sand, means a day at the beach is very much on the cards for visitors, too.
Plus three classic destinations that cost under £100 to get to from Manchester Airport
Ibiza
Fly direct from Manchester to Ibiza with Jet2.com on Mon 10 Aug and return on Tue 18 Aug from £62pp return.*
Ibiza has established for itself a reputation as Europe’s party central – but the north and east of the island, away from its airport, the busy port city of Eivissa and its beachfront superclubs, you’ll find relaxed, family-friendly resorts facing golden, sandy beaches.
Mallorca
Fly direct from Manchester to Palma de Mallorca with easyJet on Wed 12 Aug and return on Tue 18 Aug from £43pp return.*
Mallorca is one of the most popular beach destinations for travellers from Manchester, with more than a dozen flights per day at the height of summer, and it’s easy to see why. There’s something from everyone, from the party scene in Magaluf on the island’s western edge, to the serene and peaceful coastal towns in the north, to the family beach resorts on the eastern side – and cultural highlights in Palma, the island’s capital.
Milan
Fly direct from Manchester to Milan Malpensa with easyJet on Wed 12 Aug and return on Thu 20 Aug from £67pp return.*
Milan, a global centre of fashion and sport, is popular year-round with weekend trippers – but at this time of the year many visitors are taking advantage of its proximity to the stunning Italian Lakes. The largest – Lake Maggiore – is only around 10 miles from Milan Malpensa Airport, and you can also reach Lake Como in 35 minutes by public transport. This region boasts stunning scenery, some of Europe’s best lake beaches – and a slightly cooler summer climate.
To save money when booking your holiday flights this summer:
- Check prices regularly – and if you see a deal you like the look of, don’t hold off. Travellers are booking later this summer, so last-minute deals are there to be had – but don’t cut it too fine.
- If you know you love the seaside resorts of Spain, or the whitewashed villages of Greece, expand your horizons and look at parts of the country you haven’t visited before. Manchester Airport flies to dozens of destinations in these countries and if you’re willing to be flexible on where exactly you go, you might nab a better deal.
- Working parents will tend to book a calendar week or two off work during the school summer holidays and theferore they tend to want to fly at the weekend, or as close to is as possible, to maximise their time away. As such, you could save significant sums on your flights if you’re willing to travel between Tuesday and Thursday.
*Prices quoted are available when booking directly through the relevant airline’s website from Manchester to the destination specified, on the dates specified, and are accurate at the time of publication. Optional extras like hold luggage and seat selection may not be included.