Somewhere like Sunshine Beach in Europe

[Ddakji]

We had a lovely stay in Sunshine Beach in Queensland, and I’d love to know if there’s somewhere like it in Europe.

I guess I would describe it as a small, upmarket place (not just a resort) with a nice little centre, close by a bigger place with more shops and restaurants, and with things to do nearby. It wasn’t too busy when we went but that was slightly out of season.

I would return like a shot if it wasn’t halfway round the world!

Any suggestions, wise MNers?

Playa blanca?

Depends what you want to recreate. Sun? Sand? Water temperature? Crocodiles? Australian "culture"? Beetroot sandwiches?

Thanks! Can you give me any more info? I don’t even know where that is! (Spain?)

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No - just the general feel of the place. It was so lovely. Apart from the ocean, which was quite alarming - it’s all surfing up there but you can swim at Noosa. But as I said, it felt quite upmarket, the centre has just a few nice shops, quite posh grocery store which felt a treat in holiday, that kind of thing.

But I haven’t done a beach holiday in Europe for donkeys years, so I’m completely at a loss.

I don’t think there’s anything directly comparable in Europe. Somewhere like Rovinj has a similar-ish vibe to me. Maybe Menton at the end of the French Riviera.

Totally different beaches though. Portugal has similar beaches around Peniche.

@Ddakji it’s lanzarote.

Thanks! I’ll take a look at those.

It’s not the beach so much - as I said, the ocean is pretty alarming there and it’s not really a swimming beach (though the sand is beautiful to stroll along). More the vibe of a place, and if it can be at a beach you can swim at, even better.

I originally thought you meant Sunny Beach which is in Bulgaria and is a bit of a dump!!

Sorry never been too Sunshine Beach, sounds lovely though. More like Miami Beach than anywhere in Europe though

Juan Les Pins? Porto Cervo in Sardinia? Porto Vecchio in Corsica? We're going to Tropea in a few weeks - not been before but might tick boxes. Monopoli in Puglia. Ischia.

Baia Sardinia is also nice