Help me find a holiday destination that fits these requirements

[soupfiend]

I am quite fussy when it comes to destinations, I normally go for week long city holidays but am also now wanting some time on beaches where possible.

But where would be a nice town/city (historical/ancient) but also has nice beaches, around 3 hours max from a London airport and where you can get to the beaches easily from town based accommodation. We always rent self catering/airbnb so I dont want hotels or a 'resort' as such.

The other thing Im struggling with is easily knowing what airports go to what destinations, so as an example I just wondered about San Sebastian as I like Northern Spain, the fly scanner thing that Im searching (just google really) comes up with flights that are 2 connections! And nearly a grand per flight? Am I doing something wrong?

I also looked at Bari as an example, but the reviews of the beach there seem to highlight its full of dog ends and rubbish.

@soupfiend Yoy need Santander for direct flights. However ticks all your boxes!

Italian beaches can be quite regimented. You pay and they are tidied! You could try Sardinia. Bordeaux might suit you too.

I have been to Sardinia quite a lot so was looking for other inspiration

I will look at Santander and Bordeaux

Ive just discovered that its cheaper it seems to fly to Bilbao, although its not rated as nice as San Sebastian

So we did a city break with beach time in Valencia and Porto. Lisbon also has beaches but bit further out. Bilbao, Barcelona and Venice are other good options. Plenty of cities in Croatia are on the coast, but beaches are pebbly not sand. In terms of checking flights I recommend you look at the Wikipedia page for the destination airport, it will tell you everywhere you can fly to from that airport split by airline, then go to the website for that airline to see dates and times of flights.

Try Biarritz airport for San Sebastian

Rethymnon in Crete sounds like it would suit you, Heraklion would be the airport

Malaga would work for you - easy train link from Malaga Airport to city, lots of accommodation choices and and city life with a beach.

Ive always wanted to go to Valencia so will take a look

Barcelona and Venice I have been to a lot in the past.

Palma

Nice
Valencia

Ive been looking at Nice but I see its very pebbly, not counting it out as it does look nice but Im not that steady on my feet!

Stoupa, fly in to Kalamata. Lovely village, fab beach and great accommodation on airbandb.

Agree with Rehymnon but crete is a 4 hour flight. Def worth it though, absolutely beautiful.

Have you ever been to St Malo? It's ancient and lovely to stroll around. They have a beach too.

Tarragona?

Bari town is not very nice at all but there are nice places outside. I lived there for several years. The decent beaches are quite far

Malaga is beautiful and ticks your boxes

Palma came to my mind too.

Cascais in Portugal is lovely. A short train ride gets you into Lisbon for a bit of culture/sightseeing.

You would have to fly into Lisbon airport.

The other thing Im struggling with is easily knowing what airports go to what destinations

Go to the airport's website and search for destinations. Or choose 'direct flights only' on google flights.
https://www.aena.es/en/san-sebastian/airlines-and-destinations/airiport-destinations.html

I suggest Palermo, Mondello beach is not far, or Catania, also with beaches nearby

Den Hague, beautiful white beaches reached by a 10 minute tram ride. Not as hot as the med though.

Gdansk also has easy beach access.

As others have said, Malaga. Very easy train ride, from inside Malaga airport, to the city.

Im liking a lot of these ideas, this will keep me busy for a while, I love the research almost as much as the holiday!

Lisbon/Cascais would be perfect. They are linked by a local train service that stops at Estoril and Lisbon’s suburbs. There is a beach at pretty much every stop 😂

Porto, Valencia, Bilbao and San Sebastián are also fantastic.

Malaga is a fab city but the beach is a bit crap IMO, the sand is more like dusty dirt. To me though most city beaches are not great, I'd do a two centre. I love Palma de Mallorca and Port de Soller - again Palma has a beach but not that exciting IMO. I haven't been but Nerja is often suggested as a beach combo with Malaga. Amalfi coast is stunning but beaches are not brilliant, pebbly and full of beach clubs. I love Nice but wouldn't go for the beach, along the coast Menton is gorgeous and has a beach but I can't remember what it's like as we were only there for a day. Taormina is very nice, ruins, etna and has the beautiful but crowded Isola Bella beach or you could do edgier Palermo combined with Cirali. Mondello beach is closer but still a bus ride away.

If you're booking now for the summer it's quite late to be doing it which might be why it's pricey. I'd check Easyjet/Ryanair for cheapest flights.

Malta. I've never been but I think it ticks all your boxes