As travellers continue to plan their 2026 breaks, many are looking for destinations that offer memorable experiences without the high costs often associated with the world’s most famous hotspots.
New data from the credit card experts at Zable has analysed travel costs across 49 destinations, combining the average cost of flights, accommodation and tourist taxes with everyday travel expenses such as groceries, restaurant meals and attractions – all to determine the most underrated destinations for travellers seeking value in 2026.
It also looks at tourism demand, climate conditions and online popularity to identify destinations that offer the strongest balance of affordability and travel appeal. What’s more, four of the destinations included are easily accessible by direct flights from Manchester Airport – so it’s easier than ever to explore unknown corners.
Kotor ranked the best underrated destination
Kotor in Montenegro ranks as the top underrated destination overall, offering travellers a strong mix of relatively low travel costs and a wide range of attractions. Flights to the coastal town average around £79 for a return journey, while accommodation costs around £846 for a five-night stay. Tourist taxes are also relatively low at around £4.
Complementing its affordability, Kotor is a UNESCO-listed town offering plenty to see and do, with nearly 200 highly rated attractions and around 2.4 million visitors each year.
Underrated destinations accessible from Manchester Airport
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb, the vibrant capital and largest city of Croatia, seamlessly blends rich medieval history with a dynamic modern energy. Nestled between the slopes of Mount Medvednica and the Sava River, the city is defined by its striking Austro-Hungarian architecture and a deeply ingrained, lively café culture.
Visitors are drawn to the distinct contrast between the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad)—home to cobblestone streets, gas-lit lamps, and the iconic, colourfully tiled St. Mark’s Church—and the bustling Lower Town (Donji Grad), which features an array of expansive green parks, world-class museums, and vibrant open-air markets.
Zagreb also ranks among the most affordable destinations, with a total cost of £651. Compared with many other European capitals, Zagreb offers relatively moderate accommodation prices alongside a wide range of cultural attractions and green spaces.
Find flights to Zagreb here.
Valletta, Malta
Valletta is Malta’s tiny but stunning capital, famous for its massive stone walls and colourful wooden balconies. Built by knights back in the 1500s, it’s basically an open-air museum sitting right on the gorgeous Grand Harbour.
Even though it’s one of Europe’s smallest capitals, its steep, sunny streets are packed with incredible history, cool cafes, and jaw-dropping views around every corner. Malta comes 8th in the rankings thanks to its proportionally high social posts at 11,593,082 and a low tourist tax of £2.18, second only to Tallinn’s free-of-charge policy.
Find flights to Valletta here.
Tirana, Albania
Tirana is the buzzing, colourful capital of Albania, famous for its brightly painted buildings and incredible café culture. It’s a city constantly reinventing itself, blending stark communist-era history with a fresh, energetic vibe. You can explore massive Cold War bunkers that have been turned into cool underground art museums, grab a coffee near the sprawling Skanderbeg Square, or take a quick cable car ride up Mount Dajti for epic views of the city.
The analysis of travel expenses shows that Tirana is the cheapest destination overall, with the combined cost of flights, accommodation, tourist taxes, attractions, groceries and dining reaching £492 for a typical five-night trip. One of the key factors behind Tirana’s affordability is the relatively low cost of accommodation and everyday expenses, as grocery shopping and dining out are among the cheapest of any destination analysed.
Find flights to Tirana here.
Porto, Portugal
Famous for its sweet Port wine and the stunning Douro River, Porto is a gorgeous, hilly city in northern Portugal. The vibe is totally laid-back and packed with character, featuring colourful, weathered buildings in the historic Ribeira district and stunning architecture covered in iconic blue tiles.
You can walk across the huge iron Dom Luís I Bridge for epic sunset views, explore ancient wine cellars just across the river, or just chill at a local bakery with a pastel de nata. Porto comes 10th in the rankings, due to its slightly more costly flights and accommodation, but with 29 million tourists per year and the second-highest amount of social media posts, there’s no doubt Porto is perfect for being in the hustle and bustle with good infrastructure, whilst not paying above the odds.
Find flights to Porto here.
The most underrated destinations for travellers seeking value in 2026
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Puglia (Canosa di Puglia), Italy
- Sopot, Poland
- Budva, Montenegro
- Zagreb, Croatia
- Malta (Valletta), Malta
- Tirana, Albania
- Porto, Portugal
You can see the full study here.