Can anyone recommend a place to go on holiday with these criteria?

[littlegoldenhoops]

My (27 year old) DD and I are going to go away together in July.

Ideally we want somewhere in Europe where we can go to a market/ museum/ shop (bonus points for a Sephora) in the morning, have a coffee and nice lunch, then retreat to a pool in the afternoon. In the evening we'd like to go for dinner and cocktails with some people watching. Looking for a vibe that isn't party-party or wholly catering for families.

Not willing to hire a car but will use public transport.

Any recommendations?

Alicante, Valencia and Malaga will all fit the bill for you.

Palma? Or somewhere else in Mallorca.

Strasbourg
Frankfurt
Luxembourg
Maastricht
Trier
Bordeaux
Montpelier
Prague
Salzburg
Munich

Palma 100%

Madrid!

athens or berlin

Barcelona

Oooh, lots of cities- definitely was thinking more along the lines of one of the resorts in Mallorca.

@itsevolutionbaby

Madrid!

Madrid will be really hot in July that is why the city decamps to the Costas. Malaga fits the bill but will be busy due to above tourists but a fabulous city to visit.

I stayed in Illetas in a lovely hotel built into the rocks, the view from the pool was fab. Hoped on a bus right outside to go into Palma (15mins) to sightsee etc then back to Illetas for pool/cocktail time in the evening. It wasn't a party resort either.

*hopped

Cannes

Lisbon or Porto

@Supersee

I stayed in Illetas in a lovely hotel built into the rocks, the view from the pool was fab. Hoped on a bus right outside to go into Palma (15mins) to sightsee etc then back to Illetas for pool/cocktail time in the evening. It wasn't a party resort either.

The Bon Sol? One of my favourite hotels 😍

Illetas is a great base for relaxation pool / beach but a very quick taxi or slightly longer bus into shopping and restaurants in Palma.

Milan has a huge Sephora!
Plenty of hotels with rooftop pools too, food is incredible
(Very hot in July though)

Chania, Crete.

Second Valencia

Lisbon.
Ticks all your boxes!

Barcelona, Palma or Nice. Nice has a beautiful old town. Great restaurants, shops and markets. Is a short train ride away from Monaco, where you have the castle and church where Grace Kelly got married.

For the last two criteria I really recommend Sicily. I'm not sure on the shopping potential but there are shops and there's museums, historic buildings etc. best people watching place was in Taormina. Added bonus you can take the bus and cable car up Etna

I would actually love to go to Sicily but a friend went in July and said it was scorching!

Thank you everyone. Having a happy evening googling.

@ImInStealthMode no the Albatross just along a bit, although the Bon Sol looks much better!

I'd say Madrid or Lisbon fit most of your criteria. Both amazing.

[quote Supersee]@ImInStealthMode no the Albatross just along a bit, although the Bon Sol looks much better! [/quote]
@Supersee I've stayed at the Albatross too! It is beautiful.

For next time you're in Majorca, the Elba Sunset Hotel is beautiful. Between Magaluf and Palmanova but don't let that put you off, the road it's on is all residential and quiet!

We're definitely not looking to stay in a city, but would like to be in distance for a day trip :)