Europe beach holiday in June

[thislittlebird]

Hi, I was hoping for recommendations for somewhere to holiday in Europe in early June for a week, or maybe a little longer. It has to be Europe because I need to avoid any Zika risk (ivf ongoing) but hot enough for a relaxing beach/pool holiday.

It’s just me and my husband, we want to chill out primarily, we like history and archaeology so that would be a bonus, and we’d like to stay in walking distance of good restaurants and beaches ideally.

I’ve been looking at Crete, Kefalonia, briefly looked at Portugal but because we’ve not been to these places before I don’t know which areas are nice/meet the bill. Planning to self cater and get an apartment or small villa. It’s more the choice of country or area that I’m struggling to narrow down right now so recommendations would be welcome. Italy is an option but might be out of our current budget for a decent place to stay. Budget is up to £1,200 for a week or so for accommodation.

Our last holiday abroad was in Menorca in 2018 so want to avoid going there. TIA!

[MatchaTea]

Portugal, water will be very cold in June. Think Puglia, it is cheap and amazing, Torre Canne could be the base or Sicily . Chania in Crete is really nice, and Elafonisi beach is so beautiful. Plenty of history nearby and great food

[AnyFucker]

I was going to say Menorca !

If you don’t want to go there, then Croatia fits the bill nicely

[thislittlebird]

I’ve (annoyingly) asked mn to delete because I was planning to repost an edited version. While this is still up, thanks for your replies.

@AnyFucker I’ve not been to Croatia but was considering it, have you been? Was worried it might be too cold the first week of June.

@MatchaTea I did think this about Portugal, I was running out of ideas lol. Chania has come up before in searches, it does sound nice. Thanks, I’ll check those ideas out.

[Catmummyof2]

Cyprus is a lovely temperature in June and there’s some fabulous historical sights and sites around Paphos, which is a world heritage site.

[AnyFucker]

Yes, been to Croatia and it is beautiful

Generally, the beaches are narrow and shingly rather than wide and sandy but the hotels along the coast tend to have private areas with sunbeds on. The sea is lovely. It will be warm in June

For culture and history, I would stay along the coast near Split or Dubrovnik and travel in by bus

[thislittlebird]

@Catmummyof2 I was wondering about Cyprus but I went to Ayia Napa when I was a young un and did not like it, haven’t been back since but I have heard good things about Paphos before so maybe it’s somewhere I should add to the list.

@AnyFucker It certainly looks beautiful, I was looking up Hvar earlier, not sure how easy it is to get on and off the island from mainland from somewhere like Split to Hvar. Have you been in June? I’m worried it’ll be a little cold for pool-side relaxing in the first week of June.

[AnyFucker]

Average high daily temp in Croatia in June is 27deg

Hvar is very easy to reach from Split by regular ferry

[AnyFucker]

How about Sitges and travel into nearby Barcelona for the history and culture

[CeeJay81]

Another vote for Chania Crete. We are off there the last week of May.

[CuddlyCactus]

I've been to algarve in mid June and it was most definitely warm enough. We swam and surfed in the sea.

Not sure about history and archaeology though.

Rethymnon in Crete? Naples?

[hellcatspanglelalala]

Rhodes? Staying in Rhodes town you’d have plenty to see. Lindos good for a day trip.

[CeeJay81]

Only half my post worked. Rethymno is also lovely(like a small version of Chania) and is centrally located, so can visit both Chania and Knossos Palace etc from there. Crete is full of archaeological sites and great beaches. The Crete tripadvisor forum is really good for information too.

[Squigglesdoodles]

We did a couple of days in Zadar, bus to Split, ferry to Hvar for 4 days, then ferry to Dubrovnik another 4 days. One of my favourite holidays.

I'm surprised that you are discounting all the Greek islands though. I would have thought they are an obvious choice for early June sun, beaches and architecture.

[thislittlebird]

@Squigglesdoodles oh no, I’m not discounting them, I’m just not sure if I want to go back again. Feels like it’s always somewhere Spanish or somewhere Greek we end up for hot holidays 😂. The holiday before Menorca in 2018 we were in @hellcatspanglelalala’s suggestion of Rhodes (including a surprise night or two in London’s because of an accommodation cock up). I’ve been looking at Crete and Kefalonia, but other recommendations welcome.

I have thought about Croatia but wasn’t sure where best met the criteria, I hear of lots of people moving around.

A few folks recommending Crete which is one option we’d discussed.

@AnyFucker Sitges and Barcelona sounds interesting, I’m not familiar with Sitges, I’ll look it up.

[thislittlebird]

*Lindos not London’s!

[Squigglesdoodles]

Sorry misunderstood. Malta possibly... I found it a very easy place to be and lots of history/archaeology etc.

[thislittlebird]

@Squigglesdoodles How did you find the beaches there? I don't know much about Malta but it was recommended by a friend.

[Catmummyof2]

@thislittlebird Paphos area is like a different world to Ayia Napa, I promise! If you want sandy beaches then stay up in Coral Bay and either drive/bus/taxi down into Paphos harbour area for the attractions.

[MatchaTea]

Sitges is nice, but will be packed with all Barcelona at weekend, so not sure it fits with the relaxing part of your holiday description . The beach is quite narrow, so it will feel very very crowded. And pickpockets commute there as well on weekend .
Plenty of equally nice or nicer beaches in Spain if Spain in on the cards.

The south of Sardinia is stunning and not expensive at all and you could explore the nuraghi sites.

Croatia is nice, I would recommend beach/water shoes because depending where you go many beaches are very rocky and you will enjoy them more if you have something on your feet. Croatia is very cheap.
There are fast ferries between Croatia and Italy so you could combine both sides of the Adriatic.
Cervia is really nice , you could Ravenna, Bologna , San Marino, enjoy the beach and the night life. and great food

[thesunwillout]

Rethymnon was lovely. Historical, relaxing, and the people are so nice.
Went first week of September, pool was chilly tho, it's the north side of Crete. Gets blowy!
Just me and dd.
It was very different to the more British type of resorts I've been to in the med.

Really felt like we were abroad.
Oh and so many lovely cats 😂

[MissAmbrosia]

Sardinia - caribbean type beaches and lovely food.

[Nw22]

Sitges is a great idea. We try to go every September. Lovely town and very easy to get to

[DameHelena]

I came on to say Croatia too.
I love the Adriatic; it's so clean, and because beaches tend to be rocky or shingly the water is very clear. Many beaches have pine trees to sit under for shade too. I agree you need water shoes, for the sea urchins as well as for the rocks.
Many Croatian towns have a fascinating mix of architecture and history, from Roman to Venetian Empire.
I don't agree, though, that it's cheap. It's not eye-watering, but I'd say prices are on a par with the UK. Supermarkets and even outdoor food markets can be a bit expensive, especially if you're on a small island.

[MissAmbrosia]

Or Puglia. Polignare a Mare or Monopoli - easy to get train up and down the coast.

[thislittlebird]

Lots of ideas for this and future holidays I think, Croatia is definitely on my list. Thanks so much for the great recommendations everyone!