Where to go?!

[TooManyPlatesInMotion]

We've totally failed to go on holiday over the last 12 months - work commitments, lack of funds etc. We're desperate to get away this Oct half term, just for 4 days.

The big issue is where. Short flight time, not really expensive when there, nice food, cafes, interesting cultural and historical stuff to see, reasonably walkable.

The contenders are Valencia, Lisbon, Porto, Istanbul.

We're a family of 5. Me, DH, DS 12, DD6, DD4. We struggle with hotels due to the lack of space, so generally prefer an apartment or airbnb.

Any thoughts or other ideas? Am struggling to decide and it all seems so pricey.

Thanks

Seville.

Valencia is great with kids but some of the attractions that the city is known for like the aquarium and the zoo are pretty pricey I think - the aquarium is about 40€ for adults and 30€ for kids (4-12), for example. Not necessarily a deal breaker of course, but something to bear in mind maybe.

Porto is a lovely city, as is Lisbon. I find Portugal generally pretty good value. There aren’t a ton of attractions in Porto, it’s more of a place to wander a bit, enjoy relaxing etc. Both Lisbon and Porto are hilly though, and that can impact walkability. The trams are fun though!

Other options you could look at would be the cities in Andalucia - Malaga, Granada, Seville.

Barcelona - it has the city, art & culture and a beach.

@cherryassam ah yes I went to Granada years ago and loved it.

Seville is a great shout too, hadn't considered that.

@MissSueFlay I like Barcelona but have been a few times and fancy somewhere new. An amazing city though.

Palma. Beaches, great restaurants and cafes, little wooden train to Soller/tram to Port Soller, great places to visit.

We did Porto briefly in March, flew to Azores spent a few days there and visited hot springs and tropical gardens etc and flew back by Porto and stayed in hotel overlooking River. Porto was good value. Both were great for food and culture and history.

We were based in Furnas in Azores so could walk around there. We had a hire car which was incredibly cheap as well.

Valencia is lovely, been recently. Great combination of city and beach. Fabulous old architecture and then the ultra-modern museums. Good shopping. Amazing food and not outrageous prices. Very walkable (and flat) but good bus service too. Less touristy than the likes of Barcelona.

Been to Lisbon but years ago and we loved it there too. Seville is also lovely.

Done Airbnb/similar in both Valencia and Seville and recommend both.

Didn’t go to aquarium in Valencia as hate hate hate captive creatures. Plenty else to see and do there.

Went to Seville in Feb half term and weather was wonderful. Highly recommend Alcazar Palace gardens - make sure you walk round the back to find them. Peacocks everywhere! I would also recommend booking restaurants if eating out as we often struggled to find a table for 6.

I hear great things about Malaga and would like to try there.

Are you planning on going half term week? Be mindful of your dates, we did Majorca a few years ago and that was excellent, so rebooked the following year when half term was moved by a week and ended in November, weather was dreadful and we found the resort and town closed early. Awful experience

Valencia is lovely and loads to do.
Prague is nice but more of a city break.
Croatia and Montenegro are nice in October.

Malaga is great

@Landlubber2019 yes, we would be going in the half-term holiday so towards the end of October. I don't want to go anywhere where we'll be too reliant on the weather being good, as you say.

I've never been, but will check it out. Thanks @Babyenroute