The sun destinations where Swedes get the most of their money
Many destinations are more sunny than Sweden. But what does it really cost once you get to the sun? The FOREX Sun Holiday Index 2026, which compares over 20 top destinations for sunbathing and swimming, shows that the travel fund lasts longer on the Atlantic coast than the Mediterranean.
" When you compare the destinations in the index, it becomes clear how big the differences are in what the holiday actually costs, but it is possible to get more out of the travel fund if you avoid unnecessary costs such as currency surcharges," Carrying cash is one way to reduce the fees," says Niklas Lydahl, COO at FOREX.
Sicily (91) is about 10% cheaper than Stockholm (100 – the starting point for the FOREX Sun Holiday Index), while Sardinia (110) is 10% more expensive. In Italy, there is a tourist tax that is paid per person per night for a number of nights. The tax varies between municipalities and, depending on the standard of the accommodation, can take several hundred kronor from the travel fund. The tax is paid on the spot, often in cash.
On many of the Greek islands, costs can be expected to be between 10 and 20% lower than at home, such as in Crete (90) and Rhodes (80). Santorini stands out with an index of 115, making the island 15% more expensive than at home. Also in Greece, a tourist tax is added to the accommodation, here with up to 15 EUR per room per night depending on the standard.
If you look away from the Mediterranean, you will find that there are destinations on the Atlantic Ocean where you can afford more: on the Algarve coast (83) in Portugal, it is almost 20 per cent cheaper, while Agadir (55) in cash-friendly Morocco costs just over half compared to at home.
Morocco has an official limit on the amount of cash that can be brought in and out of the country – a maximum of 2,000 Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per person, equivalent to just under SEK 2,000. The euro is often accepted as an alternative currency. Cash withdrawals in bankomat usually involve withdrawal fees, although there are credit cards on the market that do not have such fees, such as FOREX Credit Cards.
" Our experience is also that payment methods vary more between destinations than many people expect. In many destinations , cash is used to a greater extent than cards, and it is part of the planning if you want to avoid unnecessary surprises," says Niklas Lydahl.