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?

Agree with many of these.

Would add Lindos, Rhodes.
De Haan, Belgium
Sluis, The Netherlands (whilst not right on the coast it is very near the sea and has a river/canal running through it)
Cadaqués, Spain (Costa Brava)

Palamos town just south of Calella de Palefrugell. Small harbour, lovely shops, great tapas. Amusements/fairground at the harbour perfect for your child's age. Crystal clear sea water.

Also - Italian Lakes eg
Lake Garda - Malcesine, Limone sul Garda etc
Lake Como - Menaggio, Belaggio etc
Also Lake Lugano, Maggiore all lovely.

A few towns in Corsica, a beautiful Island. Depends if your go North or South.

I love Scheveningen in the Netherlands. The beach is just wonderful

Kalamata

@Gherkingreen

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.

Oh I love Ljubljana and Lake Bled, we had a great holiday there

@MangosteenSoda

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.

Kotor and Corfu Town are great additions. I've been to both and also recommend.

What's the best way to travel to Corsica? Can anyone recommend someone good to stay with older children?

I wonder what the restrictions will be for under 12's in different countries to travel in the summer if they are not twice vaccinated?

cake We flew direct to Corsica but you can fly/train to the south of France and get a ferry.

Stresa - Lake Maggiore. Aigues Mortes / Grau de Roi in the Languedoc - full Camargue experience. Sestri Levante or Portovenere in Italy. Cannigione or Baia Sardinia. Antibes/Villefranche/Juan Les Pins/Cavaliere/La Lavandou already mentioned. Ste Maxime is nice as is St Tropez (but pricey obviously). I've booked this year for Polignaro in Puglia.

Another vote for Sitges and Chania as mentioned by PP.

We've also enjoyed:

Argostoli/Skala/Fiskardo on Kefalonia
Fethiye and Dalyan (the later is strictly speaking riverside, but you can get a boat down the river to the sea!) in Turkey
And if you liked St Malo/Deauville, a suggestion of Dinan though it is a bit further inland.

Yes I would have suggested Dinan if it was on the coast. Lovely town and the riverside area below the town too. Several beaches within an easy drive

Thank you. I agree that Dinan is lovely.

We enjoy all the same things and have enjoyed
Valletta (Malta)
Cadiz (Spain)
Cinque Terre (Italy) this is actually five towns along the coast with a train and walking trails between them all
Sorrento (Italy)
Tavira (Portugal)
Porto (Portugal)

Oh and I forgot Chania in Crete

Alvor in the Algarve or Sorrento Italy.

Second Gallipoli (southern Italy - Puglia)
Otranto on the other side of the peninsula would also fit your criteria

Ostuni is lovely, but I’d stay in Polignano sul mare and do a day trip, as well as visiting Alberobello and Castel del Monte.

Cadiz, catch train from Jerez

Alicante in Spain
15 mins to airport
Buses and a tram you don’t need to hire a car
City right on the beach and a bigger beach a tram ride away
Full of restaurants and bars
Big flat esplanade with childrens play areas etc

Seville and Cadiz in southern Spain (both lovely).

Sidmouth, Devon (for UK).

Beziers in south of France.

The most amazing place I went to for a day trip and would actually love to go and stay for longer is right on the France/Spain border, Ceret. No actually on the sea front, but just the most charming place.

Palma would be perfect! A mini Barcelona.

Second Villefrache-sir-Mer

Port Grimaud

How about Evian on the shores of Lake Geneva. Lots to do round there and an amazing castle to visit further round plus a fabulous little railway.

Tossa de Mar in Spain
Cala d’Or in Majorca

All others I thought of have been mentioned already.