THEsummer is fast approaching, but before imagining beaches, walks in the mountains or weekends among the monuments of big cities, there is one aspect that almost all families have to deal with: the budget. The good news, unexpectedlycome from prices. In summer 2026, second an investigation by Altroconsumo, a week’s holiday in Italy for two people costs on average 1,050 euros between travel and accommodation, with a slight decrease compared to last year. And, surprisingly, this year the most accessible destinations are the great cities of art.
Summer holidays, cities of art once again become the most convenient choice
Florence confirms itself as the cheapest destination among those analysedwith an average expense of 641 euros for a week for two. Not far away are Rome, Naples and Milanall under the threshold of 700 euros. This is an interesting change from recent years. After the strong increases recorded during the period of tourism recovery, Housing prices in many cities appear to have stabilized and, in some cases, they have even decreased. Furthermore, cities of art also have another advantage: often they allow you to organize your trip with greater flexibilitychoosing between train, car or bus, without necessarily having to face the costs of a flight.
Sea yes, but choosing the right destination
The beach holiday, however, continues to be the favorite of Italians, however the cost here can change significantly depending on the location. Destinations that can be easily reached by car remain the most advantageous. Riminifor example, is the least expensive seaside resort in the survey, with a total expense of 682 euros for a week. Also Cervia maintains relatively low prices. The situation changes when looking at high demand locations like Jesolo, Sorrento or Gallipoliwhere the budget easily exceeds one thousand euros. In these cases, it is above all the cost of accommodation that affects the final expense, especially in the first week of August, traditionally the most expensive of the summer.
A week’s summer holiday in Italy costs on average 1,050 euros, but the differences between destinations completely change the budget. (Getty Images)
Sardinia and Sicily, the hidden weight of the journey
Among the summer holiday dreams of many couples and families there is no shortage of islands which, however, also in 2026, they are confirmed as among the most demanding options from an economic point of view. Villasimius and Stintino, in Sardinia, exceed 1,650 and 1,500 euros respectively for a week for two, while Taormina stands at around 1,250 euros. What makes these destinations so expensive is not just the price of hotels or bed and breakfasts, but especially the travel. The cost of flights, especially in August, weighs significantly on the final bill. Added to this are expenses that are often underestimated during planning: extra baggage, airport transfers, parking, car rental or travel by local transport.
The mountains remain a holiday for a few
If, however, we think of the mountains as a cheaper alternative to the sea, the 2026 data tell a different reality. Alpine resorts continue to be among the most expensive and, in some cases, they experienced further increases. Ortiseiin the Dolomites, is the most expensive destination in the entire survey: for a week two people need an average of 1,672 euros. Valdisotto also exceeds 1,370 euros, while Livigno and Champoluc they remain above 1,200 euros. The main reason is the cost of housingwhich has grown a lot in mountain areas in recent years. However, there are some more accessible alternatives. Stacka new location included in the analysis, demonstrates that even a holiday surrounded by paths, nature and fresh air can be organized with a lower cost, around 880 euros in total.
Hotel or bed and breakfast? The answer is not always obvious
For many years the bed and breakfast was synonymous with savings, but today the difference with hotels is no longer so clear. On average, three-star hotels cost about 15% more in 2026, but there are several exceptions. In some locations, such as Rimini, Jesolo and Livigno, hotels are even cheaper than bed and breakfasts. On the contrary, in cities such as L’Aquila, Lecce and Pila the gap remains wide and the B&B allows you to significantly reduce spending.
Traveling by car also costs more
Unfortunately, due to the expensive fuel, the choice to leave with your own car is no longer the cheapest. In addition to petrol, in fact, motorway tolls and ancillary costs have also increased. Some routes record significant increases compared to last year. For example, the journey between Turin and Venice costs much more today than in 2025, as well as the route from Bari to Rome. These are differences which, added to parking and travel on site, can have a significant impact on the final budget of the holiday. It must be said that for families, the car often continues to be the most practical solution. For couples, however, in some situations the train can represent a competitive alternative.
The real secret to saving money is to look at the overall cost
In conclusion, when organizing a holiday, the most common mistake is to focus exclusively on the price of the accommodation. In reality, the final cost depends on the sum of many different items. However, 2026 offers some more opportunities than in past yearsthe. Art cities have become particularly convenient again, some seaside resorts have slowed down the rise in prices and even in the mountains there are lesser-known destinations that allow you to contain spending. The real strategy today, according to Altroconsumo, it’s building your own trip starting from the overall budget and not from the single price found online. In fact, only by putting all the expenses together can you understand which destination is truly the most convenient, avoiding surprises once you arrive at your destination.