Where in Spain?!

[Bernie23]

Looking for recommendations for somewhere to book in mainland Spain for our summer holidays in July. 2 adults & 2 children (13 &9)
We like relaxed places, not somewhere with high rise buildings or lots of bars with music etc. We liked Corralejo in Fuerteventura as there was a very chilled out feeling about it, but looking somewhere on mainland Spain.
Had thought about Nerja but can’t find hotel / apartment close enough with decent pool.

Ona Marinas is around 2 km outside of Nerja on a beach (and not Nerja’s nicest beach IMO). There isn’t much else around there. It’s a flat walk into Nerja or taxis are easy. I’ve been to Nerja several times and really like it, but I’ve never stayed in the summer and I don’t know much about the hotels there as we tend to get an apartment or villa. I know there is a Riu, and the Balcón de Europa hotel but they may not have what you are looking for in terms of facilities.

Estepona is lovely too, pretty old town and a port area which is separate from the main town, but I can’t recommend hotels. I think it’s meant to have less English tourists then the rest of the CDS but we visited in February so, not representative of July.

I also liked Sitjes, and it was quite quiet when we went at the end of October, but I imagine it would be a lot busier in July.

Mallorca may suit you, outside of the resorts next to Palma.

It's a long time since I went to Estepona but I'd say we saw more Spanish and French visitors than British in our hotel then. There was a good mix of people really, lots nice restaurants selling local food and I wouldn't have thought it was any more "Brits Abroad" than Nerja.
I mean obviously it's not like visiting a remote village in the Picos or something in terms of being "authentic Spain" - it's a mainstream, fairly cosmopolitan holiday resort. But it's not like, say,Torremolinos with back to back bars and nightclubs a lot of which seem to be aimed at the young, British market.
As I say, it's a good few years since we went so things may have changed but based on my experience I'd think it would probably tick quite a few of your boxes. Our children were quite young when we went and I'd say the only downside for us was that the transfer time from the airport was quite long but that of course is part of the reason it's quieter. And at your children's age it probably won't be so much of an issue. It's definitely somewhere worth considering.

I don’t see Torremolinos like that @MrsAvocet Certainly there are a lot of bars and restaurants but I see mainly older couples there, aside from the Nogalera district, which I think is predominantly the gay scene. I have also seen families of all nationalities. But this isn’t in July so it may be quite different then and I definitely prefer the Carihuela side.

Just wondering if people feel that they may not be wanted there as tourists?
Was reading this morning that more tourist protests are to happen. Some sights have been blocked in areas in Ibiza as part of protest. I know it’s to do with the prices of apartments due to tourist rentals and locals inability to rent / buy at these rates. It makes me feel a bit funny.. I don’t want to go somewhere where we’re not wanted at all.

I recommend Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca. Very easy to get to from Alicante airport either via transfer or public transport.
It’s got a very quaint old town and wonderful beach. It’s near Benidorm but a million miles away from that type of holiday.
We’ve stayed both in the town or if you’re looking for a pool these apartments outside of town are wonderful.
www.bluelinehotel.com

Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc on the Costa Brava as previously mentioned, It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. Fly (or train) to Girona and then hire car or bus to Calella.

I think if you stay in a hotel it’s much better, that said you always find some posters that think it doesn’t apply to them anyway, as they are a ‘cut above’ most English tourists.

We go to Estepona heaps. Town centre v pretty, white Andalusian houses and squares full of flowers... lots of nice restaurants. Classy but not over priced.

Although there are tourists it's definitely a mix of Europeans rather than Brits. Feels more Spanish than surrounding area with lots of local families.

Its less tourist/crowded than Nerja imo.

We stay here, apartments amazing. Lots of room for everyone and stunning pool.

www.booking.com/hotel/es/mirador-de-estepona-estepona.en-gb.html?aid=318615&label=New_English_EN_GBIE_5226314545-RnYQj%2AqnIkYg15Re%2ASD5mgSM634117827792%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atidsa-64415224945%3Alp1006822%3Ali%3Adem%3Adm%3Aag5226314545%3Acmp108539665&sid=cb7c6d1b2a793bc862475ad9d4d8e708&dest_id=-382067&dest_type=city&dist=0&group_adults=2&group_children=0&hapos=1&hpos=1&no_rooms=1&req_adults=2&req_children=0&room1=A%2CA&sb_price_type=total&sr_order=popularity&srepoch=1743325644&srpvid=6f6c402491f600bc&type=total&ucfs=1&

Hi @Bernie23 we used to stay near the Arenal in Javea. We always had an apartment at the La Isla apartment complex with a huge shared pool (with lifeguard) and it was a few mins walk to the beach. The beach is lovely, has a really nice prom with shops and restaurants. We used to drive to other local beaches and villages too, the coastline is beautiful and surprisingly green with the pine forests.

On your note about Spanish protests, I think these have mainly been in Barcelona. Certainly didn't see anything in Menorca last year and haven't heard of any in Costa Blanca.

Vilanova I la Geltru, Sitges, Estartit, Empurias, Tarragona are all amazing.

We've used EuroCamp style places for all of those, so good pools/ restaurants/ kids clubs etc. Close enough for trips to Girona/ Figueres etc.
Nerja can be lovely, Almunecar is fab, less Brit abroad.

Would you say this is doable without a car from either Valencia or Castellon airport or is car necessary?

@nwiqcbwe did it without a car from Castellón airport last year - completely doable - about a 20 minute taxi. Shops were all in walking distance. We stayed in Alcossebre for 8 days without venturing further afield as there was plenty to do with young kids - but there are buses etc if you want to explore other places locally. Have also hired a car previously which was also straightforward from the airport.