Cheap but classy holiday- Spain?

[NCfortoday2021]

Long story but am divorcing so will be going on holiday with just me and my two daughters (3,9) for the first time. Normally we hire a villa with pool in Europe, hire a car etc but a) I won't be able to afford that on my own and b) have never driven in Europe as DH always drives. Will obviously need to learn but this summer won't be the time!

Was thinking maybe Spain would be affordable but I really really don't want a touristy Brits abroad place. I like quiet, cultural, good local produce etc. Any ideas for areas or hotels? Will have to be some kind of resort I think without a car.

Nerja is wonderful we have been going for the last 19 years, but cheap it ain’t.

Bay of Roses? You can usually get reasonable flights to Girona then bus or taxi to the town. It's around 45 mins transfer to most of the coastal towns. There are a number of lovely, small seaside towns, nice beaches, traditional, lots of bars/restaurants and very few Brits. Think Roses, Cadaques, L'Escala, Begur. If you pick the right town you really don't need a car when you get there. And as PP have said you can always get the bus to Barcelona for a day if you fancy it.

Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca has gorgeous beaches and is a cheapish taxi ride from Alicante airport or easy to reach on the bus and tram.
Its a very Spanish working coastal town with loads of great bars and restaurants.

Nerja, fly into Alicante. Private transfer approx 1 hour
This villa is lovely and is a short walk to supermarket, beach, bars and restaurants
No car needed

https://www.vrbo.com/8127537ha?r=BOOKINGFLOWWDATEPICKER

@Greengr wouldn't Nerja be a Malaga flight?? Def not Alicante

Yes it's about an hour east of Malaga

You might be right, it probs was Malaga

@Hawkins003 same issue, nothing resolved, just waiting till build is finished now!

Valencia is beautiful. There's of great options for Valencia hotels and flights on booking.com. We went last year as a family and it's gorgeous, the cathedral, the market, placa de la verge, there was so much to see and do. Plus we got it on the cheap because we used a really good booking.com discount code.

Place marking for ideas!

Southern Italy somewhere might fit the bill?

Abruzzo maybe (see my above post - Italy)

Wow I'm in exactly the same situation OP! Although my kids are slightly older.

I've got quite a small budget but I've found cheap flights to Granada with Vueling and there are lots of very lovely and good value hotels there. I've booked a 5 night stay in a place with a swimming pool and we're just going to hang out together, maybe see a few sights and eat a lot of tapas!

I'd also recommend Malaga - really gorgeous, great beach and food, lots of flights. I just couldn't find a hotel/apartment in budget there sadly. Ibiza/Majorca also gorgeous but not cheap!

It's just so pricey isn't it at the moment! Will have another good look at the weekend at these suggestions. Hard to find good accommodation when I looked last weekend.

We went to Valencia & stayed in a central massive apartment - DC loved it, had a bedroom each and breakfast was pan con tomate at a lovely cafe just outside the apartment. Have a look on booking.com

Loads to see & do there and easy regular flights, train/taxi from airport.