Turkey's Marmaris tops list of cheapest summer holiday destinations for families

Turkey'sMarmaris has been crowned the most affordable short-haul holidaydestination for UK families.

The coastal resort boasts the lowest costs among 16 popular locations for a selection of 10 tourist essentials, according to Post Office Travel Money. This featured merely £67.67 for a three-course meal for two adults and two children with wine and soft drinks.

Additional bargain prices included 16p for a 1.5-litre bottle of mineral water from a supermarket, £1.81 for a bottle or can of cola at a cafe or bar, and £2.61 for insect repellent. Post Office Travel Money explained the bargain rates for UK holidaymakers are partially attributed to a dramatic decline in the Turkish lira's value.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, emerged as the second most economical destination, whilst Portugal's Algarve claimed third place.

READ MORE: Dodge rip-off resorts and unearth bargain holiday spots with our interactive map

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, said: "The collapse of the lira makes Turkish resorts like Marmaris a natural choice for families. However, visitors should be aware that while sterling is worth a third more than last July, local prices have increased dramatically because of the currency's collapse.

"Thankfully, once the positive exchange rate is applied to those local prices, British visitors will only have to pay around 10% more than a year ago, and this increase is much lower than in many other destinations."

The complete cost for the selection of items at Marmaris (£128.99) stood at nearly half the expense when compared with the priciest destination examined, Spain's Ibiza (£242.79). Costs for British holidaymakers have increased in 13 out of the 16 destinations surveyed.

Ms Plunkett explained: "We found big price variations in the destinations surveyed, particularly comparing those in the eurozone. For example, prices in the Algarve are almost £100 lower for the same 10 items surveyed than in Ibiza.

"This makes it vitally important for holidaymakers to do their homework and take enough travel money to cover costs in the resort they are visiting."

The Mirror's data team recently put together an interactive map showing the most bargain and biggest rip-off destinations in the world. Click here to check it out.