Spain in May with beaches and culture?

[LionMummyRoar]

Please help- I don't know spain very well!
My parents have announced they would like a family trip with us and small kids to Spain and perhaps the Valencia region.
Last year we did italy with a villa with a pool but walkable to small village and drivable to many love towns/cities and this was perfect.
Valencia is possible, but am I missing somewhere that would have nice (but easy going) walks, beaches, perhaps castles to explore, museums etc but also drivable to beach??
I know the islands are popular but the kids have to be active and I'm not a great lover of beaches all holiday to be honest. Nor am I particularly confident in the water and hope to through with breast cancer treatment by May but may still be feeling the impact.
Thank you!

Barcelona is lovely if you want beaches and culture.

Ahh sorry- yes should have said- just not Barcelona- I do love it, but we have all been there many times- so looking for something new!

What about San Sebastián with easy links to Bilboa for culture??

Benalmadena has lots to do with kids www.sunsetbeachclub.com/blog/holiday-tips/things-to-do/top-10-things-to-do-with-kids-in-benalmadena/ and it also has beaches and a castle.

Valencia itself would work in terms of being somewhere with culture and museums but also having a beach. It has a lovely old town, the modern 'city of art and science' and oceanographic centre and a long flat beach which is about 25 mins on the bus from the old town. I'm not sure how it would work in terms of where you would stay if you were looking at a family villa and driving though. Not saying that wouldn't be possible - I'm sure it would but just that is outside of my experience as we had an apartment right in the centre.

@Forgottenmyphone has given you some links/suggestions about Benalmadena which you could link with visiting Malaga which would give you a bit more opportunity of culture, museums, castle. Malaga would be about 20 mins on the local train and there are villas to rent nearer to the old town of Benalmadena on the hill . Be warned that parts of it will give the 'brits abroad' vibe but that could be easily avoided if staying on the outskirts with a car. (Or Ubers/buses very easy travel options without)

Or you could stay in/nearer to Malaga itself. Malaga has its own beach or it's easy to get the train further along the coast. You can also get a train up to other historic towns like Cordoba.

Both the sea and the pools will still be quite chilly in May. This may be a drawback if some family members want to go swimming, but it may be a bonus for you if you need an excuse not to go in.

Regarding location, look at Palma in Majorca. It's a city of 400,000 people, so there's lots to do. There's a castle, museums, zillions of restaurants, and you can drive or get the excellent local bus network to the beach. There are loads of flights and the transfer is about 15 minutes and €20 in a taxi.

Malaga

Fell in love with Cadiz last year. Beautiful city. Stayed near Conil de la Frontera. Beautiful, laid back beaches along that coast. Day trip to Seville - could go by train. Very Spanish, as in, it's where Spaniards go to holiday, so not many English bars.

Not Cadiz, cruise ship central.

Valencia is the obvious choice.

Malaga