Small European towns by the sea

[willowboom]

Hello. I'm looking for our next holiday destination and I'm stumped. We like laid back, relaxed towns by the sea (with a beach). Somewhere nice to wander in the evening, perhaps a harbour, old buildings or some interesting streets. Nice restaurants, independent shops, maybe a local market. Somewhere with character and a gentle buzz although we more not interested in clubs or the like. A couple of nearby places to explore are a bonus.

If it helps we've previously been to, and enjoyed, a Collioure, Cefalu, Caiscais, St Malo, Dubrovnik (although much bigger than the normal towns we go to). In the UK we like Whitby, Tenby, St Ives, Whitstable.

We're a couple with a six year old.

Any ideas?

Sorrento

I know not sea but lake garda has my best memories with a 6 year old. The water is so clean and lovely little towns to explore and stop off for pizza and ice cream...... Obligatory with my boys🍕🍧😂 garda land one of the best theme parks I've been to also as it was pretty to walk around and so not as much of a chore for adults!

Chania in Crete will tick all your boxes.

Calella de Palafrugell in Spain. Very pretty coastal village in a very Spanish part of Spain. www.siestaholidays.co.uk/resorts/calella-de-palafrugell/

Honfleur, Le Touquet, Deauville

Split - beautiful old town.

I wasn't expecting so many responses. Thank you, a lot to consider here.

@SuperbOwls

Llafranc. We went a few years ago and it was lovely. Very chilled!

Don't share the secret 🤣

Piran, Slovenia

Île de Ré off the west coast of France!

Cassis was lovely

Alghero Sardinia

Moraira, Javea, Denia on the Costa Blanca could fit the bill.
But if you like Whitby, Benidorm has better weather & hotels.

Alghero, Sardinia
Lots of places on the costa Brava such as Llafranc
Montpellier maybe?
Slightly different but Naples/ischia

I love the exact same holiday vibe so watching with interest.

Amazing beaches north of Biarritz, SW France. Biarritz itself is expensive but there are several small towns just north of it, all the way up to Arcachon, mentioned upthread.
Also lots of lovely small towns with beaches in northern Spain, west of Santander (which has great beaches too) much favoured by the Spanish but seemingly less well known by the British.
Comillas, Llanes, San Vicente de la Barquera and many more.

Coming on to say Alghero too. Lovely little town, great pizza, town beach or there is a bus that runs along the coast. Gelato everywhere.

What a lovely question to answer...

Off the top of my head I would say:

Syracuse in Sicily, a beautiful harbour town, apparently Mafia-free too
Port de Soller on Mallorca.
Baltimore on the coast of Cork (although I can't remember if it has its own beach, but there are loads nearby, and daytrips out to the islands).
Gruissan on the south-west coast of France (not Gruissan Plage).
Menton on the Cote d'Azur - it's the last town before Italy and very close to Monaco, but with none of the pretentious pzazz, so it's that much more laid back. On the main train line to Nice and into Italy, or you can get a bus into the mountains. The old town is pedestrianised and just fab. It was really famous as a spa town for the English in the 19th century. I've been there quite a few times, if you want to know more about it just DM me.

These are all great. It's encouraging to see some of the other places we have been to and loved mentioned here too. If anyone else is looking for inspiration I definitely second Alghero, Nice, Antibes, San Remo, Le Touquet, Deauville/ Trouville, La Rochelle and the Ile de re.

My first thought was Collioure and then I saw it was your first one too. We are going to rethmyno, Crete this year.

Would add Korcula Town, Korcula, Croatia.

We’ve been to and enjoyed a lot of places on your list and the one place I’d recommend is callela De palfrugell on the Costa brava.

Following for holiday ideas! Otranto in S Puglia might fit the bill.

It's not by the sea, but Ljubljana in Slovenia is absolutely gorgeous. Small city, vehicle-free in the centre, lovely restaurants, a relaxed vibe, great cafe culture and a river through the middle.
There's a cool castle with furnicula, all very family friendly.
Lakes nearby, stunning mountains too.

Javea on the costa Blanca is beautiful, 3 parts to the town . Stunning lively port, with a vibrant fishing community and loads of restaurants, The Old town a short wall from the port, stunning church Square, lots of shops and authentic tapas bars a plenty, the the Arenal ( beach ) area. Gorgeous bay with very safe swimming and lots of restaurants and shops . I maybe biased as I live here

Love this thread as you are describing my ideal holiday.

I think most of my suggestions have been made by pps or you have already been there

Maybe Kotor or Corfu Town could also be added to the list.

Or coastal Slovenia - a few lovely venetian style towns there.