Faro, Malaga or Alicante for hols?

[Hotfeetcoldfeet]

DH myself and our 11 year old DD are going on a mini break over Easter, probs 5 nights. The local airport flies direct to Faro, Malaga and Alicante. We want a nice town to wander around, good food, a beach to mooch on, stuff to see and do but mainly lots of mooching and chilling. We will probably go Airbnb as I hate the feeling of touristy hotels. I know they are all touristy but anyone got any advice on which might be the least touristy and which might feel like a nice March getaway? Warmth is good but it’s March so not expecting too much. TIA!!!

Teen DD and I were bored to tears in Malaga in the summer! Honestly it’s the first Spanish city I’m absolutely certain I won’t be back to

They all sound a bit rubbish. Aren't there any other options? I'd stay closer to home if the answer is no.

I’d fly to Faro, either stay there or along the Algarve coast.

Tavira is very close to Faro and lovely. Nice old town and massive beach, but you need to take a boat to it as it's one giant sandbank through a nature reserve.

Vilamoura is nice, not sure about availability of Airbnbs though. It’s about 30 mins drive from Faro airport. If you like water parks Slide and Splash (or it might be Splash and Slide) isn’t far away by car for a day out for your DD. The only thing I’d say that Vilamoura isn’t a traditional Portuguese town, more a shiny marina, but near nice beaches and also boat trips 😀

Unlike the pp I had a wonderful experience in Malaga. We did branch out a bit though. You can get to Segovia and Ronda really easily by train so we had a few adventures.
I much preferred Malaga to Barcelona and Madrid.

I'd go back to Málaga in a heartbeat, so easy to get the train to other cities nearby too. The Alcazaba and the Picasso museum are both well worth a visit. I didn't feel that Malaga itself was too touristy as I think more people use it as a way to get to the Costa del Sol rather than staying around.

I got wet in May though so not sure what March weather is like. It won't be any better in Faro or Alicante I wouldn't have thought.

Alicante to me is just the airport/gateway to visiting family so I don't know a lot about it, never felt the need to go and explore but it might have more to offer.

Barcelona in March is lovely if that could be an option. Just the right temperature and less crowds than summer. Loads to do and see (especially the amazing work of Gaudi!), gorgeous beach, fabulous food and a lovely cosmopolitan vibe. Also an hour on the train from Salou if your DD would enjoy a day at PortAventura

Lisbon. I'm desperate to go.

I loved Alicante. The Santa Barbara castle was interesting.
We stayed in Melia Alicante hotel right on the beach with a pool.
Been twice.
Lovely indoor market there and lots of places to eat. Some decent shopping too.

I think you must mean Sevilla.

Segovia would be too far

Tavira is lovely but you could also consider Olhão, 10 min from Faro on the train, lovely promenade, terrific markets, a genuinely picturesque old town, wonderful beaches (accessible by ferry), and because it’s a proper town rather than a resort, lots going on. You can hire bikes and explore the nature park of the Ria Formosa estuary. When I went in April last year it was 30° - that was a bit of a heatwave though.

I’d vote Malaga - amazing food and wine

Similar distances - both about 6 hour drive

@Queenonfleek Seville is about 2 and a half hours drive from Malaga?

I echo this. Tavira is lovely. Though I have been at Easter and it rained so make sure you get somewhere with an indoor pool!

I've just got back from Malaga and loved it

I think our local airports must be the same! We had a great time in Alicante a few years ago, and have friends who go back at least annually.

Malaga is lovely, and lots to do. But Easter/Holy Week is extremely busy and accommodation/flights expensive. It may be worth leaving Malaga for the autumn.

I absolutely love Malaga — so beautifully clean, vibrant, atmospheric and yet not too touristy. Really easy to get around from. Alicante I also like but if faced with a choice between the two, I prefer Malaga.

@Queenonfleek, 6.5 hours from where? Sevilla is 2.5 hours from Malaga.

You got the name wrong and said Segovia. Nothing wrong with that, but come on!

I recommend Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca. It is 8 miles south of Benidorm but a totally different world away from it.
It’s got a beautiful beach lined by gorgeous colourful houses, an old and new town, fabulous restaurants, a great park I love the place and could go on and on about it. Also great public transport links as it’s on the tram line from Alicante.
Check out Amanda Lambs sunshine getaways S1 ep5 on my5 to get a flavour of it.

Malaga is fabulous!

tbere are tons of threads on here in the past few weeks where it’s been recommended for a sunny city break. Infact this is the first thread I’ve ever seen where people haven’t loved it

also agree Tavira from faro

Normally people fly to these places for the weather but you are not guaranteed it at this time of year. I'd recommend reading about these three places and check if there is anything that you fancy doing there before booking anything.
At a push, Málaga offers some lovely day trips (Cordoba, Granada, Sevilla, Gibraltar) but you'll be doing quite a bit of driving over five days

Two hours on a direct-line train - ours did it in 50 minutes .