Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Flip

Original poster

Malaga, Palma or Porto with tween and teen November

13 replies

Acropolis49 · 16/02/2025 11:46

Looking to book a 3 night break mid November with DH, DS17 and DD12 (will be almost 13).

I like the look of Porto but worried about rain. Malaga or Palma seem better weather options.

Interests include history, architecture, and animals as well as interesting food. We want to relax a bit as well!

I swim outdoors all year in the UK so want be able to swim in the sea.

Any recommendations please?

OP posts:

countdowntonap · 16/02/2025 12:08

I’ve not done Porto but Malaga and Palma are both fantastic!
For an ‘out of season’ trip, I’d prefer Malaga as there is SO much to see. If you stay in the historical centre, you can walk to the beach in 10 minutes and have an abundance of things to see on your doorstep. There are really cute parakeets all over Malaga, but I don’t know about any other wildlife experiences. Also, Malaga is really cheap! We’re here (again) now and can’t believe the value for money; every time we pay a bill for a meal, I feel sure they must’ve missed items off!

Also, I’ve seen a lady swimming in the sea this morning.

MissAmbrosia · 16/02/2025 12:20

Not a fan of Porto but we went to Malaga a couple of weeks ago and it was fabulous. Visit to Alcazaba and castillo on the top of the hill. Muelle 1 with all the shops, restaurants and boat trips. Picasso museum. Lots of lovely little streets with fab tapas bars. Beach is lovely. As PP said - everything was surprisingly cheap.

GinandGingerBeer · 16/02/2025 12:37

I've been to all 3 and love them all. I think Porto will be cold in November. This year I visited Porto in august and early October. Even in august I needed a jacket at night and it rained a lot in Oct although we did have some warm sunshine too.
Malaga is a great city break, really easy to get to from the airport and has everything. Beach, bars and culture and all very compact. Malaga is like a mini palma.
I've never visited palma in the winter though but it's beautiful. Lots to do.
I was surprised at how busy Porto was in October (not half term) it was just as busy as when I visited in august.

cheezncrackers · 16/02/2025 12:41

I've been to Porto and Malaga and I'd recommend Malaga. Porto is nice, but the city centre isn't on the sea, it's on a river and the sea is much further away from the city centre than it is in Malaga. Malaga is a lovely city too with some nice museums, a castle and Alcazaba. They both have great restaurants and nice bars, etc, but Malaga will be warmer in November, plus for sea swimming it's on the Med, whereas Porto is on the Atlantic.

PenneyFouryourthoughts · 16/02/2025 12:49

Malaga is lovely. It has a castle and a massive park. We went to this cafe and ate the best paella in my life. A very historic centre and a great coastal scene. We only went for the day from Benalmadena, and I wished I could stay longer!

Original poster

Acropolis49 · 16/02/2025 14:21

Thanks so much for replies, so helpful.
I was already swaying to Malaga so this confirms it. I can swim in v.cold water, but the med appeals as my kids are more likely to join me.
Castle, park and beach sounds perfect.
Quite fancy the Caminito del Rey but not sure if it's too much for a short trip. Will be arriving Saturday morning and home Tuesday morning.

OP posts:

MissAmbrosia · 16/02/2025 19:37

Those timings were what we did. Lovely amount of time. If you want the Picasso museum it might be sensible to pre-book as it gets super busy. We stayed in Hotel Bro which was in an excellent location and has a roof top pool, but an apartment might be more economical for 4 of you. 7 Dreams was one I have bookmarked.

AnyFucker · 16/02/2025 21:10

Placemarking as fancying a trip to Malaga

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 16/02/2025 21:21

Malaga and Palma are OK as year round destinations, especially Malaga. I wasn't that taken with Porto (although went a few years back) but certainly not in November. Malaga is lovely as a city in its own right but it also has a beach, and good transport links to the wider Costa del Sol plus other Andalusian cities eg Cordoba.

fussychica · 17/02/2025 16:39

I'd bin off Porto in November, it rained for our entire trip and when I say rained it was torrential. Malaga weather should be good but obviously not guaranteed and loads to do both in the city and close by.

fussychica · 17/02/2025 16:41

Have just seen one of your full days is a Monday. Be careful to check opening times in Spain as most historic/tourist sites are closed on Monday.

Original poster

Acropolis49 · 17/02/2025 17:04

fussychica · 17/02/2025 16:41

Have just seen one of your full days is a Monday. Be careful to check opening times in Spain as most historic/tourist sites are closed on Monday.

That's very helpful thank you

OP posts:

countdowntonap · 17/02/2025 20:27

In Malaga right now and all the historical sites are open.

Flip