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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Spain inspiration!

27 replies

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 13/02/2023 16:58

Looking to go to Spain over May half-term, probably for 5 nights. It will be me, DH and our three DC (12, 6 and 4).

Where to go? Ideally, we would like to be within easy walking distance of a nice beach, a few cafes, restaurants, a supermarket. We like a stroll round an historic town and a slow pace.

I love the Costa Blanca (Javea, Denia, Altea, Calp) and have been round there a few times without the kids, but open to other ideas.

Cost is a factor and flights to Alicante seem cheaper than to other European countries, hence the interest in the Costa Blanca.

Any ideas? Thanks.

OP posts:
Lincslady53 · 13/02/2023 19:17

We like Nerja on the Costa del Sol. Only one high rise hotel, lots of bars and restaurants. The best (mist commercial)beach, with bars, sunbeds. watersports etc is Burriana. There are several other quieter beaches. The town has a very Spanish feel, a couple of miles inland is a lovely white town, Frigiliana, and it is in striking distance for a day out in Granada. Last time there we had an apt in Capistrano Playa and it was excellent, overlooking Burriana. Until a few years ago they had a problem with pollution in the sea, but a newly installed water plant has solved that.

Original poster
TooManyPlatesInMotion · 13/02/2023 19:22

Thanks @Lincslady53 , I'll have a look.

OP posts:
WhatAmIDoingWrong123 · 13/02/2023 19:24

Cadiz in Andalucía is lovely and we’ll placed if you wanted to get a bus or train out to other cities in the region.

Original poster
TooManyPlatesInMotion · 13/02/2023 21:08

Cadiz looks amazing @WhatAmIDoingWrong123 ... I think everyone in the family would love it.

OP posts:
timetogetlost · 13/02/2023 22:39

Malaga has cheap flights, a beautiful old town, great museums, good climate, beaches.

maddy68 · 13/02/2023 22:47

Sitges. Or Tossa de mar. , All fairly short flights historic old towns

Funf · 16/02/2023 08:30

Another vote for Cadiz, been twice, Casa Pepe dose fantastic great value Tapas. Daughter speaks Spanish so chatted to the locals young and old and they all recommended it.
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187432-d15065889-Reviews-Casa_Pepe-Cadiz_Costa_de_la_Luz_Andalucia.html

We felt it had everything you needed for a holiday

loadypoady · 18/02/2023 09:43

If the flights are cheap to Alicante I would recommend Villajoyosa if you haven’t been already.
It has everything that you describe and is on the Alicante to Benidorm tram line .

Usernameisgone · 18/02/2023 09:44

Cartegena.
Beautiful town

nutellalover23 · 18/02/2023 10:00

Marbella...lovely old town. Nice restaurants and beach front. Nice parks.

Definitely not "Blackpool abroad" like some places in Spain (I love Blackpool btw)

mamatoTails · 18/02/2023 13:20

Murcia or Andalucia.

userxx · 18/02/2023 13:28

nutellalover23 · 18/02/2023 10:00

Marbella...lovely old town. Nice restaurants and beach front. Nice parks.

Definitely not "Blackpool abroad" like some places in Spain (I love Blackpool btw)

When was the last time you went to Blackpool ?

Has anyone been to Benalmadena and what is it like ?

Isseywith3witchycats · 18/02/2023 15:44

Benelmadena is good it has a lovely marina decent beach and plenty of things to do and places to go nearby and a good bus service to resorts either side, theres a cable car up to the bird display with fabulous views, an amusement park at the bottom, trip into Fuenegerola the zoo is lovely , bus up the mountain to pueblo mountain village with lots going on i was impressed with Benelmadena

Iguanainanigloo · 18/02/2023 15:52

Valencia is great. A city, but on the coast, so a bit of everything. The aquarium is amazing, the beaches are great, as is the zoo, the parks, the "old" town, and city of arts and sciences, and all so easily accessible and safe. Can walk pretty much everywhere, and the huge garden turia runs through the city, so it's ideal to use as a walk through to get around and not have to worry too much about busy roads with kids. You can fly directly to Valencia, and the airport is a short distance from the city of arts and sciences, which in my opinion is the best place to stay as a great base to get to everywhere.

Favouritefruits · 18/02/2023 15:54

With children those ages have you thought about somewhere near PortAventura? It’s my children’s favourite place on earth.

Countmeout · 18/02/2023 16:04

As @Isseywith3witchycats says Benalmadena @userxx is great and within striking distance of some great places. And if I had only 5 days @TooManyPlatesInMotion It’s a short transfer from the airport. Nice park, a few rides for age 6 and 4 around the Marina. Good ice creams. You can go into Malaga for a bit of history, Picasso museum, the moorish castle thing the name of which eludes me. If you’re hiring a car other places mentioned in the area would be doable eg Marbella. However Mijas is a bus ride up the hill with fantastic views I preferred it to Frigiliana .

Randomuser9876 · 18/02/2023 16:09

Estepona is much nicer than Marbella imo and easy from Malaga

shinynewapple22 · 18/02/2023 16:35

Would you be hiring a car OP? As that would make a difference. Previous posters have recommended Nerja and Estepona, both places I love, but they are both around an hour from the airport and neither have a train link so probably an expensive taxi ride.

They are currently doing a lot of work on Estepona sea front to make a pedestrian area between the town and the marina but I imagine this would be completed by May.

orangelotus · 18/02/2023 17:29

I would really like to go to Mallorca in September.
I'd like a few days in The capital and then a few days in a nice hotel with a pool in a really nice part of the island.
I would like to be able to walk out in the evening to some nice restaurants.We are mature people so do not want to be in a lively resort but do like to feel part of a nice buzzy atmosphere .
We also like history some walking and lovely views.
Any advice?

pettyprudence · 18/02/2023 18:27

We are off to Valencia for a 3rd time with the dc (9 & 12) in May half term. We have previously stayed in apartments in the city centre and by the beach but this time we are staying in a holiday park near the city with bus links and short walk to the beach. I want food and culture, dd wants swimming pools and ds wants football pitch (and dh just wants us all to be happy so he gets peace 😂).

Randomuser9876 · 18/02/2023 21:29

orangelotus I love mallorca so much... I'd go to Pollensa if I were you, such a pretty town with all architecture from Roman onwards, fab restaurants and views.

It's 10 mins drive inland so Peurto Pollensa would be a better call if you wanted to be by the sea. The town itself is quite new and not as atmospheric as Pollensa but it is still lovely with amazing beach and a stunning position between mountains the sea.

orangelotus · 18/02/2023 21:32

Randomuser9876 · 18/02/2023 21:29

orangelotus I love mallorca so much... I'd go to Pollensa if I were you, such a pretty town with all architecture from Roman onwards, fab restaurants and views.

It's 10 mins drive inland so Peurto Pollensa would be a better call if you wanted to be by the sea. The town itself is quite new and not as atmospheric as Pollensa but it is still lovely with amazing beach and a stunning position between mountains the sea.

Oh dear thanks for this I accidentally hijacked this thread but thankyou so much for replying
I love Spain but haven't been to any of the islands

Randomuser9876 · 18/02/2023 21:40

I was so surprised by Mallorca, thought it would be like the Canaries and full of Brits abroad package holiday types but is mostly really stylish and with stunning beaches and scenery. There are some v upmarket places but nowhere feels pretentious.

We go all the time now. Palma is wonderful, lots of historic sights and fab shops and restaurants. Plus so easy from UK.

Randomuser9876 · 18/02/2023 21:45

Just read that back and I sound like a that, mainly because I'm a Brit abroad and often on a package holiday.

But Mallorca still lovely!

Randomuser9876 · 18/02/2023 21:46

*like a twat!

Sodding autocorrect.

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