Very Low-Cost Adventures in Europe

12 Most affordable package tours

 

Imagine a week hiking in Greece for €400 (£345/$468); or discovering Cabrales, in Asturias, cycling for 4 days for less than €250 (£216/$292)

There are budget-friendly destinations that allow us to offer incredible routes, without losing the comfort of an organised trip. Sometimes they are less crowded areas where accommodation is more competitively priced; other times we have looked for small hotels with the best value for money. If you are thinking of a cheap family trip, read on and you will discover plenty of options.

All our routes include:

• Luggage transfer
• Detailed routes
• Access to our navigation app
• 24/7 telephone assistance

 WALKING 

1. Cabo de Gata Natural Park, Spain

• Distance: 53 km in 3 stages (33 miles)
• Level: medium
• Duration: 5 Days (4 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 4 Breakfast, 2 Dinners and 2 Picnics included in the price
• Total cost: from €440 pp (£380/$514)

Discover a unique coastline, where the ochre tones of the volcanic earth contrast with the intense blue of the Mediterranean. The mild and dry climate of Cabo de Gata makes it an ideal destination for walking in winter or in low season, among prickly pears, palm trees and other exotic plants.

Start in Rodalquilar and walk along the coast from Agua Amarga to San José. The routes will take you along old fishermen's paths, disused railway tracks and cattle trails that cross cliffs and coves. Take a picnic in one of the coves and enjoy the included picnic while you cool your feet in the water.

All the details: 5-day Self-guided Walking Holiday in Cabo de Gata

2. The final 100km of the Camino de Santiago, Spain

• Distance: 115 km in 5 stages (71 miles)
• Level: easy - medium
• Duration: 7 Days (6 nights’ accommodation)
• Meals: 2 Dinners and 6 Breakfasts included in the price
• The pilgrim credential booklet
• Total cost: from €540 pp (£466/$631)

Complete the final part of the most emblematic Camino and get The Compostela when you arrive in Santiago. Every morning, leave your luggage at reception, enjoy a good breakfast and set off on the next stage. When you arrive at your hotel, your luggage will be waiting for you. For this package, you will have a private en-suite bedroom, breakfast, and dinner in two hotels.

Enjoy each stage in your own way, at your own pace and feel the fellowship among pilgrims in the last stretch before reaching Santiago. Aside from the Camino, you will have time to visit different towns and villages, adding cultural value to your trip. 

All the details: 7-day Self-guided Walking the Camino de Santiago

3. La Sierra de Grazalema, Andalusia's greenest mountain range

• Distance: 67 km in 6 stages (41 miles)
• Level: easy
• Duration: 8 Days (7 nights’ accommodation)
• Meals: 7 Breakfasts included in the price
• Transfer from Ronda train station
• Total cost: from €592 pp (£511/$692)

The Sierra de Grazalema is characterised by a limestone landscape marked by deep gorges and cliffs where vultures’ nest. During the routes, you will have time to take a midday break and enjoy some tapas on a terrace.

Walk through earth-toned rural landscapes with small whitewashed buildings amidst olive groves, cork oak groves and pine forests. Along the way, you will pass through Zahara de la Sierra and Benaocaz, both of which are reminders of the times of the struggle between the Moorish and Christian kingdoms. On the last day, you reach Ronda, one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia, with an intriguing mix of Moorish and European monuments.

Full details: 8-day Self-guided Walking Holiday in Grazalema

4. Madeira Island, Portugal

• Distance: 76 km in 6 stages (47 miles)
• Level: medium
• Duration: 8 Days (7 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 7 Breakfasts included in the price
• Transfer from/to Madeira airport
• Total cost: from €570 pp (£492/$666)

Madeira's scenery, clean air and mild climate have led to this volcanic island being voted the World's Best Island Destination again in 2022. Away from the touristy southern part of the island, this hiking trip takes you into the north-east of Madeira, with its spectacular mountainous interior and unique coastline. The routes take you through laurel forests, along volcanic slopes and past small villages. And thanks to the island's network of water channels, known as “levadas”, you can easily reach the deep canyons of the more mountainous area.

All the details: Organised hiking trip in Madeira

5. A Short Escape to the Spanish Pyrenees

• Distance: 23 km in 2 stages (14 miles)
• Level: medium - high
• Duration: 3 days (one night in a 4-star hotel and one night in a mountain hut)
• Meals: 2 Dinners, 1 Breakfast and 1 Picnic included in the price
• Total cost: from €344 pp (£297/$402)

Short but intense, perfect to get to know the Catalan Pyrenees over a few days. On the first day, a route of just 5 km (3 miles) will take you to the well-known refuge of Ventosa and Calvell, where you will spend the first night at 2,215m. If you arrive early, take a walk around the surrounding area, where you will find several hiking options. The next morning, go down to the valley in the direction of the spa and descend 740 m in 18 km (11 miles).

If you have an extra day, we recommend adding an extra night and visiting the Romanesque gems that dotted along the entire Vall de Boí - UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

All the details: 3-day Walking Holidays in Pyrenees

6. The island of Crete from coast to coast

• Distance: 79 km in 6 stages (49 miles)
• Level: Intermediate
• Duration: 8 Days (7 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 7 Breakfasts included in the price
• Total cost: from €590 pp (£510/$689)

Cross the island of Crete from north to south, from the fertile agricultural area of Apokoronas through the White Mountains towards the incredible south coast. 

The first few days you will see the interior of the island, sleeping in traditional lodges nestled among olive groves. After reaching an altitude of about 1,300m in Saskia, you will start descending towards the coast, passing through the island's famous gorges. On the last two days you will have the option of swimming in the sea - so don't forget your swimwear.

All the details: 8-day Self-guided Walking Holiday in Crete

 

 CYCLING 

7. Murcia, Southern Spain

• Distance: 249 km in 6 stages (155 miles)
• Level: easy - medium
• Duration: 7 days (6 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 5 breakfasts included in the price
• Total cost: from €582 pp (£503/$681)

This route crosses fertile valleys and an oasis next to the Segura River, passing through white villages of Mudejar origin such as Blanca, Abarán or Calasparra. Cycle alongside old irrigation canals, county roads and greenways as you ride through Murcia. 

The trip combines circular and linear stages of 40 to 60 km (25/38 miles) per day, with ascents between 200 and 480 m, which means you'll have time to visit the towns where you stay every night, including Caravaca de la Cruz, one of the 5 Holy Places in the world.

All the details: 7-day Self-guided Cycling Holiday in Murcia

8. North Holland

• Distance: 148 km in 3 stages (92 miles)
• Level: easy
• Duration: 5 Days (4 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 4 breakfasts included in the price
• Total cost: from €565 pp (£488/$661)

Travel through pleasant Holland: green meadows, canals, dikes, bridges and land reclaimed from the sea. Thanks to the country's flat terrain and outstanding network of cycle paths, all you can focus on is enjoying the scenery. 

Cycle on the famous polders and see how water and land coexist at different levels in a landscape that is as curious as it is photogenic, and have a drink in front of the IJsselmeer inland sea in the traditional village of Volendam. You will be overwhelmed by the number of photographic opportunities. If you have more holiday, extend your stay in the capital to visit its many museums and neighbourhoods.

All the details: 5-day Self-guided Cycling Holiday in North Holland

9. Cycling Catalonia: Olot and La Garrotxa

• Distance: 116 km in 3 stages (72 miles)
• Level: easy - medium
• Duration: 5 days (4 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 4 Breakfasts included in the price
• Total cost: from €480 pp (£415/$561)

This cycling trip takes you through the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. It is a well-known destination for cyclists, but do not let that put you off. The routes we propose are no longer than 60 km (37 miles). 

The routes are accessible and are designed to be enjoyed without haste, cycling along farm tracks, small secondary roads with little traffic or along Vies Verdes. The last night will be spent in a hotel in the historic centre of Girona, where we recommend adding an extra night to discover the Jewish quarter and the walled area of the city.

All the details: 5-day Self-guided Cycling Holiday in Catalonia

10. Cabrales and Peñamellera Alta, Asturias

• Distance: 108 km in 3 stages (67 miles)
• Level: easy
• Duration: 4 days (3 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: One dinner and three breakfasts included in the price
• Total cost: from €241 pp (£208/$282)

Cabrales may be known for its mountainous landscapes, but do not let this put you off. We have designed two routes that will take you from one village to another in Cabrales and Peñamellera, mixing local roads and tracks. Although there are a couple of climbs, you can always choose to do it by electric bike. On the last day, take on a stage of the cycling route, the climb to Sotres 900m ascent in 35 km (22 miles) or relax in the area.

In summer you may encounter a lot of traffic, but as September approaches, the road becomes quieter, and are perfect for cycling.

All the details: 4-day Self-guided MTB Challenge in Cabrales & Peñamellera

 

 FAMILY 

11. Cycling the coast of Asturias & a water activity

• Distance: 140 km in 5 stages (87 miles)
• Level: easy
• Duration: 8 days (7 nights' accommodation)
• Meals: 7 Breakfastsand 1 Picnic included in the price
• One day water activity
• Total cost: from €485 pp (£419/$567)

This cycling trip along the coast of eastern Asturias is designed for families. The routes are easy (one longer but with the option to shorten it), and pass very close to the coast so that, at any time, you can get off the bikes to take a dip. You will also cross rural areas where cows roam freely and, on one of the days, you will canoe down a river.

We will carry your luggage from one hotel to another, so that during the routes, you only have to carry something to eat, water and a towel!

All the details: 8-day Self-guided Family Cycling Holiday in Asturias

12. Multi-activities in Picos de Europa

• Multiple hiking route options
• Level: easy
• Duration: 6 days (5 nights’ accommodation in a rural house)
• Total cost: from €296 pp (£256/$346)
• Welcome basket
• Canoeing (+6 years) or canyoning (+8 years)

If you are looking for an easy hiking holiday with some fun water activities, then this trip is for you. Use the rural house as a base and choose what to do each day: hiking, a cultural visit or an aquatic activity. We give you logistical support and ideas so that you can enjoy the area at your own pace.

Please note that this trip has been designed for you to arrive with your own car. If you are not driving, please contact us to organise the necessary transfers.

All the details: 6-day Self-guided Family Walking Holiday in Picos de Europa

 

How do S-Cape's self-guided trips work?

We help you with the logistics:

 ✔️ Accommodation with breakfast
 ✔️ Luggage transfer
 ✔️ Maps, navigation app and detailed descriptions
 ✔️ 24/7 assistance
 ✔️ Optional: bike rental

Travel when and with whoever you want, and just worry about enjoying yourself.