Holidays in Greece and along the Adriatic have become much more expensive compared to last year, with an average price hike of 10-20 per cent. The exception is Croatia, where prices are up by as much as 35 per cent on top of the already steep price hikes. Despite this, demand is high, with people already pre-booking their holidays offered with discounts. Those wanting to vacation in the Balkan region without spending a lot can find cheaper alternatives in Montenegro and Albania.

Traditionally, the first summer holiday offers of travel agencies in the Balkan region appear at the end of December and the beginning of January. The conclusion can thus already be drawn: vacations on the Adriatic and in Greece have become more costly by an average of 10-20 per cent for the 2023 season. The reason is the increase in energy prices and the inflation affecting the entire continent

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Aleksandar Senicic, director of the Serbian Association of Travel Agencies, said that apartments in Greece cost 10 per cent more and hotels 20 per cent more this season. He added that the prices will not fall, as the hotels have already published their price lists, which are customarily not modified during the season. Tourists should also take into account that everything will be more expensive at the resorts, such as restaurant services, the expert opines.

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High demand spurs audacious price hikes

The biggest price increase is expected in Croatia. According to Mirko Bulic, a representative of the association of accommodation providers in Croatia, we could witness a price increase of up to 35 per cent.

„Owners of rental apartments will jack up their prices by 20-30 per cent, but in areas where demand is high, that can reach 35 per cent,”

said the expert, adding that hotels will certainly follow suit.

Despite the drastic hikes, Croatia is not afraid of being left without tourists. And they are not in the least bothered by the fact that they had already instated broad price increases last year; some hotels already raised prices by 50 per cent in 2022 to offset the loss of income suffered during the pandemic.

According to Boris Zgomba, a member of Croatia’s Chamber of Commerce, they’re in for a balanced and completely normal season this year.

Similar content, better prices

Montenegro, also on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, offers equally picturesque scenery and has remained one of the cheapest destinations in the region. Price increases are also to be expected there, but at a less drastic rate.

„We have to raise prices because our costs have gone up, energy and everything else. We need to raise by about 10 per cent,”

Zlata Masarevic, a representative of a hotel in Tivati, told the press.

Albania’s coastline remains unknown to Western European tourists. Although some of its beaches are also known as the Bora Bora of Europe, apart from domestic (and mostly expatriate) visitors, it is popular only with holidaymakers from Serbia and North Macedonia.

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Prices there were deemed ridiculously low a few years ago are starting to catch up. According to the director of the Serbian Association of Travel Agencies, a 20 per cent increase is expected this season. However, Aleksandar Senicic pointed out that the Albanian Riviera will still be one of the cheapest alternatives.

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How much does a family holiday in the Balkans cost?

So what about the prices? Where can you go on a holiday this summer, and how much would it cost? Let’s calculate with a family of four and with a stay of seven nights during the high season in July, in a popular resort in each country. We searched on one of the biggest accommodation booking portals.

Makarska, Croatia, prices start at 550 euros for apartments and 1,800 euros for four-star hotels with breakfast.

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In Budva, Montenegro, you can book an apartment for as little as 245 euros and a hotel for 1,000-1,200 euros under the same conditions.

In the Albanian resort of Ksamil (on the beach called European Bora-Bora), the cheapest apartment is 287 euros and the cheapest hotel is 650 euros.

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And finally, let’s take a look at Greece.

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On the mainland, in Sarti, apartments start from 530 euros and hotels from 1500 euros, while on the island of Crete, in the municipality of Chania, apartments can be booked for 450 euros and hotels for 1,600 euros.

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Besides the accommodation, however, you also have to factor in your travel costs, which are difficult to predict with the ever-changing fuel prices. Air travel will certainly not be cheap this year, with experts forecasting an additional 20-percent jump in 2023, following last year’s price hikes.