9 Places To Go for Budget Holidays in June

Catch a taste of summer ahead of the high-season crowds! Holidaying in June means a heady combination of sunny days and cheaper prices. Charming towns, European capitals and breathtaking islands are yours for the asking: discover nine top destinations in France and Europe for budget holidays in June.

Terrace cafés spring to life, flowers bloom in the parks and mild temperatures bring people out into the streets. Make the most of summer’s approach to explore stunning French cities with historic centres and cultural events on lively schedules when you book budget holidays in June.

It’s impossible to discuss the most beautiful cities in France without mentioning Albi, with its distinctive red-brick architecture and UNESCO-listed episcopal city – just the spot for a June break with family or friends. Affordable ibis Styles Albi Centre Le Theatro sits in the historic heart, and from there, you can stroll in gardens surrounding the Berbie Palace, admire the frescoed interior of Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and catch the colourful works of Post-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec at his namesake museum. Come evening, have a drink in the hotel’s rooftop bar and toast your holiday with panoramic views over the Red City.

Vibrant and lively Lille is easy to explore on foot, and is accessible in just an hour by TGV from Paris. If you’re looking for cheap holidays in June, the city’s many affordable hotels include ibis Lille Centre Gares, handily located near the station and a 9-minute walk from the Grand Place and picturesque façades in Vieux-Lille (Old Lille). By June, it’s warm enough for pavement cafés to line the streets, so you can tuck into regional Flemish cuisine like slow-cooked carbonnade flamande beef stew and the classic moules-frites (mussels and fries); accompany them with locally brewed craft beers.

June heralds Lyon’s iconic Fête de la Musique (Music Festival), when the streets and bars of Vieux-Lyon (Old Lyon) come alive with free concerts and shows. Musicians and spectators gather on the banks of the River Rhône in celebration of musical genres from classic to rock and reggae. Staying for a few days? Well-served by public transport and near the motorway, ibis Lyon Sud Oullins is a convenient, wallet-friendly base for exploring this charming city.

To keep costs down, be sure to visit the following free attractions: the zoo in the leafy Parc de la Tête d’Or, the mysterious traboules – covered passageways in the UNESCO-listed historic centre – and the hilltop Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for panoramic views over Lyon and its meandering river. And don’t leave without sampling pike dumplings or cured pork sausages in a traditional Lyonnais bouchon restaurant!

With the mercury rising and water temperatures on the up too, June is the perfect month for a seaside break. Discover three fabulous European islands and enjoy their beaches before the summer crowds arrive.

Easily accessible from historic La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast, the islands of Ré and Oléron offer a bracing dose of sea air and timeless scenery. Ré is linked to the mainland by bridge, and you can explore its fishing ports and salt marshes on foot or by bike on your way to peaceful sandy beaches at Gollandières and Cible. From ibis La Rochelle Vieux-Port, it’s a 2-minute cycle ride to Médiathèque ferry terminal for the 50-minute trip to untamed Oléron. Once there, head for the beach at Boyardville, where you can see 19th-century Fort Boyard sitting offshore, and wind up your seaside day by sampling the island’s famous oysters in the village of Fort Royer.

Corsica reveals the true beauty of its dramatic landscapes – from turquoise coves to flower-covered uplands – in late spring, well before the crowds arrive. June temperatures are ideal for flitting between swimming and hiking in the mountains. A 15-minute drive from Ajaccio’s old town and its handsome Baroque-era cathedral, ibis budget Ajaccio is close to the island’s road network, making it easy to access the beautiful beaches of Capo di Feno, with their crystal-clear waters and gentle waves. On your return journey, stop off at Pointe de la Parata to see a spectacular sunset over the rocky Sanguinaires islands.

Looking for a June bargain holiday combining beaches, gastronomy and heritage? Say hello to Greece’s largest island. Bordered by the Aegean Sea, Crete beckons for a sunny and affordable June getaway. Book into ibis Styles Heraklion Central, a budget-friendly hotel right in the heart of the capital city, and you can walk to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in five minutes to delve into Minoan history; follow that with a visit to the spectacular Palace of Knossos, once hub of Europe’s oldest civilisation.

If you’d like a day kicking back on the beach, Agia Pelagia is half an hour’s drive away and famous for its pristine waters. Explore the olive groves surrounding the resort, and tuck into Cretan cuisine like savoury kalitsounia pies filled with cheese and herbs in seafront tavernas.

June is the perfect month for a city break in many European cities. Days are long, the weather is mild and the vibe is already summery, but you’ll dodge the crowds of peak season.

Head to sophisticated Milan for cheap holidays in June combining impressive architecture, shopping and great art. For a romantic hideaway on a budget, city-centre ibis Styles Milano Centro is in a historic building with an elegant pink-and white-façade. It’s about a 5-minute walk from several metro stations, so you can easily reach the historic city centre and all its major sights, including the cathedral with its panoramic rooftop terrace, the majestic medieval Sforza Castle and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Enjoy this fashion capital by browsing international boutiques under the glass dome of soaring Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Welcoming and sunny, Madrid is a top European destination for affordable holidays in June. By day, explore bustling Plaza Mayor, tour the Royal Palace and admire the modern interior of Almudena Cathedral. Malasaña and Chueca are the places to be in the evening; the bars and pavement cafés of these iconic neighbourhoods are always filled to overflowing and open well past midnight.

To make the most of everything Madrid has to offer, ibis budget Madrid Centro Lavapies has affordable rooms near Atocha railway station in the city centre. Get your sightseeing off to a good start with breakfast on the hotel rooftop before heading out to stroll Retiro Park and admire contemporary art at the Reina Sofía Museum.

Want to visit London on a budget? With a bit of planning, you can! June is a clever month to visit the British capital, as it caters to all budgets with lots of free activities. If you’re looking for affordable accommodation, ibis budget London Heathrow Central has pocket-friendly rooms just a 10-minute drive from Heathrow Airport. It’s quick to get into central London by tube, and once there you can take advantage of free admission to landmark collections like the British Museum, Science Museum and National Gallery.

By June, London’s parks are in full bloom, and there’s no charge to enter Kensington Gardens or Regent’s Park for an impromptu picnic. You can also stroll chic and colourful Notting Hill, visit historic Westminster and browse Camden Market's eclectic stalls – all for free.

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