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The in-laws have graciously agreed to have our son for 5 nights so we can go away in early June. We have a budget of £500 per person, all in. We're looking for hot weather and good beaches, and have narrowed it down to the Algarve or the Canaries.

Any advice from people who have experience of one or both?

Hi Fenner. Lucky you, will be a real treat to get away just the two of you! At that time of year it's hard to choose because both will be warm and sunny! Although I have been to the Canaries before (Lanzarote & Tenerife) and found the beaches and the sea absolutely gorgeous, I'd be tempted to try Portugal. Only because I'm thinking, you can get some really cheap flights there (Easyjet to Faro usually a lot cheaper than anything to the Canaries) which means you'll have more money to maybe get a more luxurious hotel (ideal for a romantic break)! And of course the beaches there should be just as beautiful & I imagine there is a lot more in the way of authentic Portuguese culture (eg fresh fish from the harbour) to enjoy than there is Spanish culture in the Canaries... (Mcdonalds & English pub chains looming over Playa de las Americas in Tenerife were slightly annoying)
Hope that helps- let me know what you decide!

I don't know the Canaries but know the algarve well. If you do want to stay sway from macD and English pubs avoid albufeira, armacao de pera and most of the popular resorts. The eastern part is lovely and still pretty unspoiled.

Thanks AshleyTransfers and tugamommy, that's helpful. I'll look into the eastern Algarve.

We booked our honeymoon a couple of years ago with Purple Holidays, and we're able to get a 5* hotel in Gran Canaria on a similar budget. But that was in October - I think June is pricier.

I have been to both Lanzarote and the Algarve and I prefered the Algarve, we stayed in Lagos and it was lovely, the beach was gorgous and it was very cheap to eat out there.