Greece or Montenegro 2026: where is the seaside holiday really better value?
Halkidiki, Thassos, or Budva and Sutomore? Apartment prices, transport and the actual daily cost. A concrete comparison for summer 2026, without the travel-agency spin.
A seven-day family holiday for four, where will it cost less, Budva or Thassos? The answer depends on dates, transport and the type of accommodation, but Montenegro almost always wins on accommodation and travel costs, while Greece wins on daily comfort and beach quality for the same budget.
According to travel platforms tracking the 2026 season, average apartment prices in the Thessaloniki region run between 60 and 90 EUR per night, while Halkidiki sits at around 60 to 80 EUR. From the Serbian side, a package deal with a coach transfer and seven nights at the three-star Hotel Park in Budva starts at 229 EUR per person.
Montenegro: close, easy, but with some drawbacks
Montenegro’s main strength is travel time. Driving from Belgrade to Budva takes nine to twelve hours, while Halkidiki is thirteen to fifteen. For families with small children, that gap can be decisive.
A second plus, you do not need to source euros mid-season the way you do for Greece, the currency is the euro but cards and bureaus de change are easy to use. There are no new SIM cards to buy, no language barrier, and mobile roaming is now affordable under EU regulations that apply to neighbouring non-EU countries too.
The drawbacks worth saying honestly, Montenegro’s beaches are mostly pebble or mixed, the sea is not as transparent as the Aegean, and restaurants in Budva and Becici raise prices by 30 to 50 per cent in peak season compared with pre-season.
Greece: further, but quality for the same money
Halkidiki and Thassos remain the most popular destinations for Serbian holidaymakers, with good reason. Sandy beaches, crystal water, organised airport transfers and a choice of restaurants that stay open through the whole season without major price hikes.
According to analyses from the Balkan Odmor platform for summer 2026, Greece wins in the 7-to-10-day bracket, where the price-to-quality ratio levels out with Montenegro. Montenegro is better for shorter breaks of three or four nights.
The downside, transport and logistics. A return flight from Belgrade to Thessaloniki or Athens costs 150 to 300 EUR in season. Driving means more than ten hours behind the wheel, plus tolls and a halfway hotel stop for families who avoid night driving.
Accommodation prices, head to head
| Destination | Apartment for 4, per night | 3* hotel, half board, per night | Drive from Belgrade, hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budva (Montenegro) | 50-90 EUR | 80-120 EUR | 9-12 |
| Sutomore (Montenegro) | 40-70 EUR | 60-100 EUR | 10-12 |
| Halkidiki (Greece) | 60-100 EUR | 90-140 EUR | 13-15 |
| Thassos (Greece) | 50-80 EUR | 80-120 EUR | 13-15 + ferry |
| Lefkada (Greece) | 70-110 EUR | 100-150 EUR | 15-17 |
The prices are indicative for mid-July 2026, collected from several booking platforms. They fluctuate, particularly if you book early or late in the season.
Hidden costs travellers tend to forget
- Tolls on the way to Greece: through North Macedonia and Greece itself, budget 40 to 70 EUR each way for a car.
- Parking in Budva: central car parks at 2 EUR per hour in peak season add up to a few hundred euros annually.
- Restaurants in Halkidiki: an average meal runs 10 to 18 EUR per person, a light salad and coffee 5 to 8 EUR.
- Beach loungers: in both countries, 8 to 15 EUR for two sunbeds and an umbrella per day.
Our recommendation
For families with small children and a shorter break (up to five nights), Montenegro remains a practical and affordable choice. For a seven-day trip focused on beach and food quality, Greece still offers better value per euro, especially outside peak season (late August or September).
The cheapest strategy for summer 2026, late June or early September, you dodge peak season, prices drop 25 to 40 per cent and the weather is still summer. Skyscanner has flagged the week of 29 June as the cheapest week of summer across the whole of Europe.
Where are you heading this year? Let us know in the comments.
