Beach + Old Town + Waterpark

[Mumsanetta]

Looking for a European summer holiday in August for me, DH and 5 yr old. I would like to stay in an apartment for a week with access to a water park suitable for 5 yr olds, sandy beach and an old town to visit. Any recommendations of places I can look at? Specific towns would be even better!

the hague
duinrell

Ibiza

Maybe look at some of the Euro camp sites. They'll usually have a crèche /fun station thing for your kid so you can get a couple of hours to yourself too that is included in the price. I thought they were the absolute best holidays when mine were little

Albufeira or Alvor in the Algarve.

Maybe Bodrum

Faliraki, Rhodes.

Antibes! https://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/pratiqual-information/the-office-of-tourism-and-congress-centre/tourism-the-disabled/leisures-with-disabled-access/aquasplash-2031681 Lovely beaches - though better in next door Juan Les Pins. There are plenty of local buses. Easy to get to Nice for day out. August won't be cheap though.

Thank you, some fab suggestions that I’ll look into!

Port de Pollenca or Alcudia in Mallorca . I think parts of Alcudia can be a bit Blackpool like but the old town is lovely - a surprise . Beaches are good and you will find a water park . You could stay in Port de Pollenca (also beaches and good choice of complexes with apartments and pools) and get a bus or taxi along to Alcudia .

La Pineda? Water park in town, Portaventura 5 mins drive, lovely golden sandy beaches! A few shops, restaurants and bars but nothing lively nice and quiet!

Oh I forgot about the old town, 15min bus drive to Tarragona, beautiful intact Roman remains, best amphitheater I’ve ever seen!

I can second Port de Pollensa in Majorca, beautiful beaches and very picturesque. Pollensa town a little bit further inland is an interesting old place. Water parks and lively fun in Alcudia a bit further south..buses are good.

Peniscola is brilliant beach and old town combo in Spain about 1.5h from portaventurer and 45 mins from valencia.

Or stay nearer to portaventurer. There's plenty of nice places up the coast that is wall to wall great beaches. I just really like Peniscola.

Another vote for La Pineda, one of the best holidays we had when DD was 6ish.

Tarragona is lovely, but also, if you take a bus in the other direction past Salou to Cambrils, it's a gorgeous little fishing village with upmarket shops and seafood restaurants. Catch a boat trip back to Salou after lunch and enjoy the beach/promenade (and a slightly tackier seaside vibe) before bussing it 5 mins up and over the cliff back to La Pineda.

Puerto Pollença is also lovely. I have to say I hated Alcudia the one day we visited it, never even realised there was an old town there! Stopped in a bar for a quick drink and within 5 minutes my beer tasted of ciggies, the air was so thick with the smoke...

Barcelona, Puerto Rico (GC) or Albufeira.

And Reus is a beautiful old town too. Great area.

@Lovecat yes - the old town jn Alcudia is a big surprise after the rest of it . I think I liked it more than Pollensa town