Summer Holiday 2027: Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria or Turkey - Prices, Travel and Documents Compared
Where to go on a beach holiday in 2027? An honest comparison of Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Turkey for travellers from Serbia: nightly apartment prices, how far each is from Belgrade, which documents you need (ID card or passport), what is new at the border and who each country suits best.
Every autumn, when the first offers for next summer appear, most families in Serbia and the region have the same conversation: where do we go this summer? Greece has been the first choice for decades, but Albania has become serious competition, Montenegro is the closest, Bulgaria has joined Schengen and Turkey offers all inclusive at prices that are hard to compare. Here we compare five countries the way a family really decides: by accommodation price, length of the trip, documents and what you get for your money.
We are a Greece portal and we do not hide it. That is why for the other countries we used only published data from Serbian media and travel agencies for the 2026 season, with dates, and where Greece is not the best choice, we say so.
Overview: five countries in one table
| Country | Apartment near the beach, per night (2026 season) | From Belgrade by car | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | median starting prices 40-65 EUR (our listings) | about 650-670 km to the Olympic Riviera, 730-800 km to Halkidiki | biometric passport |
| Albania | from about 30 EUR in Durres, from about 40 EUR in Ksamil | about 650-770 km to Durres, 860-900 km to Saranda and Ksamil | ID card or passport |
| Montenegro | about 40 EUR in Sutomore, 50-80 EUR in Budva, 40-90 EUR in Ulcinj | about 490-550 km | ID card up to 30 days, passport up to 90 |
| Bulgaria | Sunny Beach about 107-167 EUR in N1's late-July search* | about 810-825 km | passport |
| Turkey | 7-night all-inclusive package with flight: about 1,120-1,150 EUR per person in late July | by air | passport (valid at least 150 days from entry) |
Sources: Greece - listings on letovanje-grcka.com, 2026 season; Albania and Bulgaria - N1 Serbia, "Six nights for two", 16 July 2026 (stay 20-26 July); Montenegro - B92, 6 July 2026, and Euronews Serbia, 24 April 2026; Turkey - published agency packages for 25 July - 1 August and August 2026; documents - Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. *For Bulgaria this is a search price for two people for six nights (640-1,000 EUR), which includes hotels; it is not a family apartment tariff.
Greece: the widest choice and the finest sea, but a passport and a longer drive
For: the widest choice of resorts for every type of holiday, from long sandy beaches with shallows for children to turquoise coves; well-run villages with supermarkets, tavernas and pharmacies everywhere; warm, clean sea in July and August; food children like too. After Albania, apartment prices are among the lowest in the Mediterranean: median starting prices in popular resorts are 40-65 EUR for the whole apartment.
Against: you need a biometric passport, the border can be slow at peak times, and fuel in Greece costs more than in Serbia (about 2.20 EUR per litre in early October 2026). Since 10 April 2026 the EES system has recorded entries and exits electronically instead of passport stamps; the ETIAS authorisation (20 EUR) is not yet in force and no start date has been announced.
Best for: families with children, couples and anyone who wants reliable infrastructure. Where exactly: Where to go in Greece in 2027.
Albania: the cheapest, but different
For: lower accommodation and food prices, and entry with an ID card. In N1's search for late July 2026 the cheapest apartment in Durres was 180 EUR for six nights for two, and in Ksamil 240 EUR. Ksamil and Saranda have a sea comparable to the Greek Ionian coast, since they face Corfu.
Against: Durres beaches are urban and crowded, the quality of resorts and roads is uneven, and southern Albania is almost as far to drive as Lefkada. If you drive through Kosovo, you need an ID card to cross the administrative line, and there are extra rules for children: check them on the Serbian Foreign Ministry website before you go.
Best for: young travellers, couples and anyone for whom price is decisive and a perfectly organised beach is not.
Montenegro: the closest sea, but not the cheapest
For: the shortest drive (about 500 km), the same language, and an ID card for stays up to 30 days. Sutomore and Ulcinj are cheaper: about 40 EUR for an equipped apartment in Sutomore and 40-60 EUR around Velika Plaza in Ulcinj, according to Euronews Serbia.
Against: Budva is expensive at peak season (50-80 EUR for an apartment near the sea according to B92), beaches are often small and packed, and the road through the canyons takes longer than the kilometres suggest.
Best for: short breaks, long weekends and anyone who does not want a long drive.
Bulgaria: Schengen like Greece, colder sea
For: big resorts with long sandy beaches and plenty for young people. Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025, so the same rules apply as for Greece and days count towards the same 90 days in 180 rule.
Against: you need a passport, the drive is longer than to Halkidiki (about 810-825 km to Sunny Beach), the Black Sea is cooler than the Aegean, and in N1's late-July 2026 search Sunny Beach was the most expensive of all the regional resorts compared.
Best for: people in eastern Serbia for whom Bulgaria is closer, and young travellers looking for nightlife.
Turkey: all inclusive as a world of its own
For: all-inclusive hotels with pools, entertainment and unlimited food, a charter flight from Belgrade of about two hours, guaranteed sunshine. Seven-night all-inclusive packages with flights for late July and August 2026 were published at about 1,120-1,150 EUR per person.
Against: for a family of four that is over 4,000 EUR for a week, plus extras, while ten nights in a Greek apartment with a car trip costs several times less. Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days from entry.
Best for: those who do not want to cook, drive or plan, and for whom the hotel is the destination, not just a base for the beach.
The maths: 10 nights for a family of four
A rough comparison for a family with two children travelling by car and staying in an apartment, without food and excursions:
| Destination | Accommodation, 10 nights | Trip (fuel and tolls, return) |
|---|---|---|
| Greece, Olympic Riviera or Halkidiki | about 400-650 EUR (median starting prices 40-65 EUR) | about 230-300 EUR |
| Albania, Durres or Ksamil | about 300-500 EUR, if you find a four-person apartment at the starting price | similar or slightly less, depending on route |
| Montenegro, Sutomore or Ulcinj | about 400-600 EUR | less, shorter drive |
These are orders of magnitude, not offers. The fuel and toll calculation to Greece, with official tariffs, is in Greece 2027 by bus, car or plane. The conclusion is simple: for a family driving, the difference between Greece, Albania and Montenegro is a few hundred euros, not thousands. Turkish all inclusive is a different price category.
Documents for a 2027 holiday: what applies
- Greece and Bulgaria (Schengen): biometric passport; stays up to 90 days in any 180. An ID card is not enough.
- EES: since 10 April 2026 a system at Schengen external borders records entries, exits and biometric data. It is not a permit you buy; the first crossing may take a little longer.
- ETIAS: the 20 EUR Schengen travel authorisation is not yet in force and applications are not accepted. Before travelling in summer 2027, check the official EU page.
- Albania: ID card or passport, visa-free up to 90 days.
- Montenegro: ID card for stays up to 30 days, passport up to 90 days.
- Turkey: passport valid at least 150 days from entry, visa-free up to 90 days in six months.
All about passports for Greece and children's documents: Passport or ID card for Greece.
Which country suits whom
| You are | Our pick for 2027 |
|---|---|
| A family with small children, by car | Greece: Olympic Riviera, Kassandra, Asprovalta, Vrachos (sand and shallows) |
| A couple looking for a beautiful sea | Greece: Sithonia, Parga, Lefkada; Ksamil as an alternative |
| Young travellers on a small budget | Albania or Paralia in Greece |
| Someone in the family has no passport | Montenegro or Albania, until the passport arrives |
| A short break of 4-5 days | Montenegro or the nearest Greece (Olympic Riviera) |
| No cooking and no driving | Turkish all inclusive or a hotel on Rhodes or Crete |
Frequently asked questions: where to go in 2027
Is a holiday cheaper in Greece or Albania?
Accommodation in Albania is cheaper on average, especially in Durres. For a family of four over ten nights the difference is usually a few hundred euros, while Greece wins on resort quality, choice of beaches and shallow water for children.
Can Serbian citizens enter Greece with an ID card?
No. Greece requires a biometric passport. With an ID card you can go to Albania and Montenegro (Montenegro up to 30 days).
Is ETIAS required for summer 2027?
Not for now. ETIAS is not yet in force, applications are not accepted and no exact date has been announced. When it starts, it will cost 20 EUR. Check the official EU page before you travel.
Which sea is the warmest?
The Aegean and Ionian in Greece and the Adriatic in Albania and Montenegro are pleasantly warm in July and August. The Black Sea in Bulgaria is usually cooler.
Where is the nearest sea to Belgrade?
The Montenegrin coast, about 500 km. The nearest Greek sea is the Olympic Riviera, about 650-670 km, almost all on motorway.
Is Turkish all inclusive worth it for a family?
If the hotel is the goal and you spend little outside it, it can be. For a family that loves the beach, walks and tavernas, a Greek apartment costs several times less.
Next step
If you have chosen Greece, compare accommodation by resort and send your enquiry directly to the owner, commission-free: accommodation search. Apartment prices by resort are in Apartments in Greece for 2027, and how to book in time in Early booking Greece 2027.
