Rome, Málaga or Palma minibreak?

[Rosebudwater]

Planning 2 child free nights away for big birthday with DH and haven't been to any of the above places.

Obviously they're all quite different but have narrowed it down Rome, Palma or Málaga due to flight times and wanting to maximise time away.

Rome is the clearer winner in terms of sightseeing, but to be honest we just want to mooch the streets, eat good food, and soak up the atmosphere. I guess all 3 offer this, but I can't decide!

Any recommendations much appreciated!

Rome. Can't really beat Italy for food.

Palma is also nice though (never been to Malaga).

I adore Rome (and Italy in general), but for the kind of break you're looking for, I would recommend Málaga - it's got everything. It's big enough to feel like a city rather than just a tourist spot, but has lovely beaches right by the centre. Great museums, lovely restaurants. Easy walking round the old centre.

I’ve never been to Palma but Malaga is great for mooching. The tapas is amazing and there’s a sherry bar that you could spend a whole afternoon in.

Rome is my favourite city but it sounds too busy for your plans.

We love Palma! Lots of art/ culture, great food and ambience.

Rome can be full-on but brilliant. I once spent a week there and was constantly busy.

Málaga is lovely. I would go back for a city break. The first time I went was on a train ride from Benalmadena for the day and had a fab time. There was a fiesta!

I don't know Palma but it's on my list of places to visit.

I’ve been to all three - all of them fab for a city break. Is there any way you can stretch to 3 j nights so it’s a bit more relaxed? In your case if you go for two nights I’d choose based on flight times and ease of transfer to and from the airport. So, if one of those has better flight times at both ends of the break I’d go for that!

Palma is a great city for mooching around. It’s a very short transfer from the airport too if you’ve only got a few days and want to maximise the time you have.

Palma is very picturesque with a reasonably small (so walkable) historic city centre, lovely sandy beaches, great bars and restaurants, a magnificent castle and cathedral so ideal for a city break.

Malaga also has a compact city centre with lots of cultural attractions and has lovely beaches. It perhaps has a slightly more vibrant city centre/nightlife. Key things to do include exploring the Alcazaba (fortress) and the Picasso Museum.

Rome (in my view) is just too big for such a short city break.

Been to, and love, all three but would choose Malaga. It's just so lovely, lots to do, great food, perfect size and the beach is better than Palma. Rome needs more than two days imo.

Malaga also so easy to get to from the airport - quick, cheap, direct train.

Done all three. I would have longer than two nights in Rome. It’s hard going.
Prefer Malaga to Palma.
So Malaga. Valencia also nice.

Seville is even better though. One of my favourite places ever!

Been to all 3 but my favourite for any type of break would be Palma. Much cosier and not the big city feel. Lovely restaurants, beaches and history

Definitely Rome. You won't see everything, so just plan a couple of the big sights (you must book in advance) and you will still have plenty of time for mooching, sitting in cafes etc.

All three great but Rome would be more of a full on sightseeing trip I think.

spain is just great for mooching and nice food and wine (did just this in Cádiz just yesterday). Not saying Italy isn’t but I don’t think it is in quite the way Spain is.

What's the sherry bar called please?

Another vote for Málaga. I'd want more than 1 nights in Rome, and while Palma is lovely I think Málaga is perfect for an easy short break, with great food and generally reliable weather.

Oh wow thanks for all the tips, lots to think about! Yes as someone says, think it will all come down to the ease of flights and transfers.
Is Rome not really doable in two nights do you think?

I loved Rome, but have to say I preferred Barcelona. Have you thought about Barcelona though

While Rome is magic, you only have two nights which is not enough IMO for this amazing city. Also, it is jammed to death at the moment due to it being Jubilee Year and a new Pope, and well, it's just rammed. I'd save it for another time when you can go for longer.

If you haven't been to Seville, that would be the number 1 choice, but second would be Malaga. For two days you can mooch to your heart's content, do the tapas around the Cathedral area at night, shop on Calle Larios in the day, go across to the Marina area for a nice walk and a bit of people watching, up to Gibralfaro castle for the amazing views, and so on. Easy to get to from the airport on the local bus for 2euro.

I've been several times, and I never tire of the place. It has everything.

You can't go wrong with any of them - but I'd go to Rome for longer (unless the transfers are amazing).

Malaga and Palma are both perfect short breaks, really easy to find somewhere to eat that will be lovely (Rome has a lot of tourist traps so I think you have to do some more research), the attractions are lovely and you don't need to book so you can just wander around and go in wherever takes your fancy (Rome is v busy and you have to book for the popular things).

There are definite centres to both Malaga and Palma so easy to stay centrally and not have to spend too much precious time travelling in the city.

They are both beautiful cities.

I did Palma with my partner and without kids. Great place (although we went in March so out of peak season). Lots to do without feeling overwhelmed or needing to book a ton of stuff in advance. Some excellent restaurants and shops, good for general pottering about. I'd find Rome overwhelming especially for such a short time. Málaga is nice but I preferred Palma. So Palma gets my vote!

This is the bar in Malaga https://antiguacasadeguardia.com/

You could spend as little or as long a time as you want in Rome OP. It’s just that it’s very busy, which doesn’t sound like what you’re after.

Thank you. I'm heading there shortly for a week on my own so open up any suggestions.