Cascais, Portugal vs Nerja, Spain

[Sturmundcalm]

Possibly unlikely but has anyone done both and got any views/recommendations??

Due my DH's job and flight availability our choices are a bit limited. We want Europe, sunshine, beach/coast, overall relaxing but with some stuff to do - cultural/city day trips rather than watersports. Just the two of us going.

I prefer the look of Cascais but the flight times are more awkward so we'd probably do 5 nights there and 2 in Lisbon on the way back. Nerja is more straightforward and we'd get a package deal including half board and transfers for less money (both hotels adults only and v good reviews overall although Cascais one is more boutique-y).

I love Nerja and have been several times. October half term week has usually included mainly sunny and warm days and the sea is warm enough to swim in although it was really cold this year for some reason. We always used to go to the Riu Monica, but now do B and B at the Plaza Cavana which has a brilliant location on one of the main squares, less than 5 mins walk to the Balcon. Sounds like it would meet your accommodation requirements. Pool is on the roof and small but pools are definitely too cold to use in October.

thanks all - slightly doolally at this point trying to work out options!

Nerja is probably edging forward at this point due to combo of better flights AND the comments about warmth but the Parador is sold out, the Balcon de Europa is proving not straightforward in terms of booking a balcony room and the Plaza Cavana isn't beachfront...

not sure switching to Malaga would work as I do really want somewhere a bit smaller where you can be on the beach and handy for restaurants/places to wander.

and we could switch to some of the other Spanish options like Costa Brava but there are no local flight options for Malta, Madeira, etc.

and just to mention that one of the reasons we were looking at adults only hotels is that it is the school holiday week and DH is a teacher... so REALLY don't want to end up that "family friendly" means kids he's taught are at the same place!

OP I'm staying at Plaza Cavana later this year. Whilst it's not beachfront, the location is excellent and the rooftop pool has views over the sea. If you're stuck on beachfront there's also Toboso which is attached to Cochrane's bar, they have seaview rooms. Have stayed there as well, again the location is excellent.

not sure switching to Malaga would work as I do really want somewhere a bit smaller where you can be on the beach and handy for restaurants/places to wander.

Malaga isn't huge. Beach and restaurants are all a walk away if you stay in the right location.

thanks floofydawg but my DH is averse to sand so the only way i can get him on the beach (without intolerable whining) is by making it REALLY EASY 😂he still raves about the beach cabanas at one place we went to years ago - where we were on the beach but he basically hardly set foot on sand!

Cascais all the way.
Went to Nerja once never again.. and we are well travelled and been to most European countries and islands.
Nerja is old.. tatty.. rundown unless you go to the Balcon.

We’re looking at Cascais - never been before. Where would you recommend staying please - open to hotel or airbnb.

I stayed in this hotel when I went to Nerja, lovely hotel with fab views from the rooftop pool. And an Ale Hop directly outside!

@ThePoshUns gotta love an Ale Hop!

I’ve stayed in Riu Monica and it was great for the price. It wasn’t full of oldies at all. It was lovely & chilled because it’s adult only. Also, it was easy to walk out along the promenade and into town. Also some nice bars at the back of the hotel. HB was so cheap that we paid for HB, but ate out most nights.

OP I stayed at the plaza cavana hotel in school holiday as went with friends who are teachers.
There weren't many children there , I think because of the rooftop terrace/ pool might have put people off.
Not a luxury hotel but immaculate and comfortable.
We did room only as there were loads of breakfast options in the cafes nearby.

Nerja is potentially the better option for warmer weather in October.
You could split the week between Malaga and Nerja. Plenty of cultural things to do in Malaga. There are buses that run between the two.
When is your half term week? I have stayed at the Parador in Nerja and they have availability at the end of October. We always book through their own website. The Gilbarfaro Paraador in Malaga is also good.

I feel like I'm going to disappoint lots of random strangers 😂 we ended up booking the Riu Monica - the Parador was the only one of suggestions that appealed and it was def unavailable (checked their site and several others) - so we decided to just go for it. fingers crossed!!!

I'm sure you'll love it, it's meant to be a lovely hotel. It's just not what I'd choose. You MUST eat out though - you won't appreciate the full charm of Nerja unless you do.

Have a great time!
Can I recommend the Mena Garden for a nice breakfast or lunch? Pretty garden setting and lovely staff.
The Buddha bar for rooftop cocktails.
Redondo bar for tapas.

If you look at the outside if the Riu Monica, at the front, you will see a large mosaic of a lady, but the top of her is missing. Apparantly, when it was being built, it exceeded the local limits of height for buildings, so they had to miss a couple of floors off.