Where would you go on holiday alone?

[Holidaytime2024]

I have 7 days when my children are on holiday with their Dad. I want to go away. This will be in early June. I have between £600-£2000 to spend on flights and accomodation but would prefer to not be at the top end if possible. I'm in my 40s and not into nightlife but not massively into art galleries, museums etc either.

Essentials:
Warm or hot weather.
Beautiful buildings and/or beautiful scenery.
A safe place, not rife with pickpockets.

Would like:
Things to see and do e.g. cathedrals, maybe a beach, nice places to eat, maybe a castle or palace, maybe a pool, maybe a zoo.
A place where lots of people speak English as I'm travelling by myself.
A nice hotel.

I hate:
Barren landscapes
The Canary Islands (sorry if you love them).
Complex public transport, I'd rather an easy to walk/navigate place

Thanks for any ideas. I initially thought Rome but it's super expensive for the week I can go and pickpocketing seems high. I thought maybe Valencia but I haven't looked into that one much yet. I have been to Seville and loved it so maybe would like Valencia. I've considered Portugal but don't know where.

Alicante city is lovely, would recommend. IKOS Resorts are fab but pricey.

Porto. It’s a lovely, walkable city, easy to get around, fantastic buildings, interesting things to see, a beach, nice restaurants etc.
It’s easy to get to, cheap flights, lots of nice Airbnb accommodation (look for super hosts) and the weather’s nice.
Beautiful city and feels safe.

Oh my goodness, so many choices

I'm going to Izmir in turkey for a week by myself in May, can't wait!

I spent 5 days by myself in Prague last year. On your list it has

✔️Warm or hot weather.
✔️Beautiful buildings and/or beautiful scenery.
✔️A safe place, not rife with pickpockets.

✔️Things to see and do e.g. cathedrals, nice places to eat, maybe a castle

No beach but I'm sure you could get a hotel with a pool

✔️A place where lots of people speak English as I'm travelling by myself.
✔️A nice hotel.

Would add that it was really good value, easy to use public transport and I felt quite safe.

Cinque Terre in Italy. Very easy to travel around by train. Fly to Genoa. Visit Portofino.

Porto in Portugal. 100%.
Easy public transport, beautiful buildings, churches and palace, river boat tours, old city tram, port wines tours, lovely beaches and excellent food. I could go on for ages.
I'm fairly well travelled and it's my favourite destination. They learn English from an early age so communicating is easy.
Air bnb and flights are relatively cheap, it's a hidden gem as far as I'm concerned.
We are going in July for the fourth time and I'm trying to persuade DH to move there!

@PiggieWig
Cross post! Hope the OP goes!

You suggested Valencia and I think it's got all you said you wanted.

Another vote for Malaga

Majorca - Palma or Soller would get my vote.

I was there last year (Cinque Terre) Horrendous. Jam packed with tourists. Pavements so narrow that when a group of tourists are walking towards you , you have to get out of their way! Extortionate prices. Mediocre food (for tourists). Certainly wouldn't recommend.

Cyprus dead easy to get around and you will get left alone

Tblisi or Yerevan. A bit off the beaten track but both very safe and very interesting.

Crete. Lot of amazing scenery, architecture, beaches and friendly people. I'd split it up and do a few nights in West and a few nights in the East.

Athens. There's tonnes to do there, lots of lovely day trips, sea, island hopping, ruins, I love it.

Sevilla is lovely too although I don't know if it has pickpockets.(There are some in Barcelona)

Malaga or Budapest would be perfect

Jerez - roughly halfway between Saville & Cadiz - some things to do in Jerez , great food and day trips to Cadiz (really easy by train) and Sanlúcar de Barrameda where we had some great food (and drink:))
Jerez we found vv easy to navigate with some great restaurants - food wine & sherry , and there were flights direct , although much better choice by flying to Selville & travelling on by train or car from there.
We are quite well travelled in Europe & this is on our repeat visit list as enjoyed it so much

Thank you all for your suggestions

I came on to say this. Been 3 times myself now. So easy.

My next solo holiday is to Avignon, which I’m really looking forward to but I suspect there’s too much museum visiting for your requirements OP.

Another vote for Barcelona

Another vote for Andalucia - Seville, Granada, Malaga, Nerja.

Marvellous

I’m going to Copenhagen in early June. only 2 hour flight.
It should be warm but not too hot,

I did consider places like Seville and Porto but they seem to be very warm even in early June. So opted for Copenhagen as warm but not hot.

Lots of history, amazing buildings, castles, canals, you can do a day trip to Malmo, and of course Danish pastries !