Where might we choose to holiday if we like sunny old towns, cafe culture, markets and white beaches.

[LydiaLinus]

Looking for some inspiration please for two indecisive adults!

Sunshine a must.

Prefer a flight less than 3 hours.

Thanks so much!

Sorry no white beaches in Bardolino it’s on the Lake Garda!

Port de soller
You have access via the tram to Soller old town
Tram also goes to palma

Collioure, Languedoc SW of France -near Spanish border

Really useful thread! Because an awful lot of places with beautiful, interesting towns don't have sandy beaches

Marrakech

.

Marbella. Old Town not Puerto Banus.

Kos
Albufeira

Tarragona, 1 hour-ish south of Barcelona. Has three beaches, these two are the best:
Arrabasada and Platja Llarga (long beach).

Fly into Reus airport, 15 mins away.

Roman city with ruins, a ton of cafes!! Food market, clothes market twice a week, excellent public transport, lovely people, not overcrowded even today.

Malaga.

(Although decent beach not very nearby)

Marrakesh? Isn't it landlocked? No sea?

Tarragona @elQuintoConyo - much underrated (as is Reus) . My family lived quite locally. How had I missed that one!

Beautiful city.

Rhodes

.

Sete in France may work for you. Beautiful old town located across a series of canals, definite cafe culture, big central market, lots of seafood restaurants. There are loads of sandy beaches about a 25 minute stroll (or short bus journey) along the corniche.

There are art galleries, a strong music festival culture and water jousting (an actual serious sport!) but it is also a working fishing port. The locals are lovely and welcoming and it is a fun, rather rough and tumble place. We love it.

I mean who couldn't love this?

Lake Garda is lovely

We went (and are going) the last week of August and it wasn't too busy at all. I think most of the crowds head back home to get ready for school.

La Rochelle/Ile de Re

Short flight and gorgeous

Chania on Crete.

Skiathos - lovely town and some lovely beaches.

I think the white sandy beach is the difficulty in your list. Plenty of places tick the other boxes.

I’d go with Puglia’s Ionian coast. I think the best beaches are to the west. Sort of between Gallipoli and Nardo.

Alcudia fits the description I think? Just got back had a lovely time.