Small Beach towns with good stay options in EU for 3 night getaway

[callmesaddy]

Hi all. I am looking for recommendations on small beach towns with good/semi-luxury stays (ideally on the beach) for a 3 night stay in May. Not looking for very touristy towns, nothing wrong with them since I am a tourist myself but don't want to be in an extremely busy place. We like laid back, relaxed towns by the sea with a beach. Somewhere nice to wander in the evening with a nice town, restaurants, independent shops, maybe a local market. Somewhere with character and a gentle buzz although we are not interested in clubs or such. A couple of nearby places to explore are a bonus. Ideally places with direct flights from LHR. Any recommendations based on similar requirements? Thank you!

Sutivan in Brac, Croatia - the Lemongarden hotel in the harbour. It's a short walk/cycle to beaches. Bear in mind the beaches are pebble, not sand.

Taormina/Cefalu in Sicily
Caiscais, Portugal

Hotel Parco San Marco on the Italian side of Lake Lugano. Great food, several pools, own stretch of beach. 30 min to Lake Como. You can get a rental car from Milan Airport.

https://www.parco-san-marco.com/en/home/

I'm just back from Menton in the South of France. Perfect spot with everything you're looking for. Easy access from Nice Airport by train, day trips if you want, but if not, plenty to keep you happy for 3 or 4 days. Food was outstanding and surprisingly reasonable, lovely shops and beaches. I'll be returning.

I like Cadiz.

Sitges

Apologies I meant to add, you can fly into Barcelona and get the train or fly into Girona and hire a car.

Sorry, wrong quote

Seconded.

Estepona Spain. Nothing like the Costa del Beer and chips. Very well kept, full of interesting little shops, a fab old town with lots of great restaurants, chilled and authentic and a beach that goes on for miles and is manicured by tractor/cleaners every day. The fabulous town of Ronda is a not too far away and if you are into it, so is Gibraltar although I'm not a fan. You can get to Ronda on a fabulous train trip from San Roque. Well you can see I like the area anyway, and it might fit in with many of your requirements.

Barcelona has it all

https://hotelvisavis.com/en/ Not right on the beach, but 2 to choose from. Or Hotel Helvetia right on the bay. I love Juan Les Pins, but May is Cannes Film Festival so might be a bit late for this year to get anything lovely. Belles Rives is lovely. Or Eden Roc if you've won the lottery.

Cadiz all the way...we did a split holiday Cadiz and Seville- still one of my favourites

Watching

Thank you all for such great suggestions.

Cefalu in Italy & South of France regions (Antibes, Menton etc) sound appealing. Any semi lux boutique hotel/ resort recommendations in any of these places? I was looking at Algarve but the places I am loving are either sold out or are $$$$$. If it helps I am looking for something not more than $350-$400/ night.

Would you mind sharing either here or on DM what accommodation option you chose/ considered in Menton? Thanks!

Sitges just south of barcelona. Absolutely beautiful. Classy and low key