Recommendations for a short break

[RunningJo]

I’m trying to find somewhere to go for 5 nights that doesn’t involve a 2 hr transfer once there.
I thought I’d found somewhere but the reviews were a bit meh
Just 2 adults going in August. Somewhere walkable distance to the beach, restaurants and shops.
Don’t really mind where, but because of the length of the break I’d prefer under 3 hours on the plane.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Malaga.
20.minute train to coast torremolinos has nice bits old town beach etc

La Carihuela Area | Official Tourism Website of Torremolinos https://share.google/a0yAXTgctaFHhiKGz

Cascais, half an hour by train from Lisbon?

Alicante also worth a look.

From Nice:
St Jean Cap Ferrat
Cannes

From La Rochelle

Ill de Re
La Rochelle and and surrounding villages

this August? You may struggle with availability

Loads of places in Mallorca fit that brief, or Santa Eulalia in Ibiza.

Plus also many Spanish coastal cities and the surrounding areas. As long as you can get reasonably priced flights you might be better using public transport or a taxi rather than a package coach transfer.

We've just come back from Paguera in Mallorca and the coach transfer on the way out was a bit of a drag at about 1.5 hours because we were a few stops in. It was quicker on the way back but then we had to wait ages at the airport. But seeing as there was a direct bus from the airport to the town, next time we'll use that.

Could it also be that you're being a bit picky and/or unrealistic with expectations vs price? All hotels will get bad reviews but most of the time it's people who will complain about anything or the 'thickos on TripAdvisor' crowd.

Thanks for all of the suggestions,’I’ll take a look later.

@Bjorkdidit re being unrealistic, I don’t think I am because I’ve never had trouble before & I’ve found a few places this time that tick all the boxes, but the transfer to the hotel have been 2 hours. I just don’t fancy a long bus ride once I’m there, but don’t want to pay £300 for a private transfer (which is a ridiculous cost I think).

I know what you mean re trip advisor, some people complain over anything and everything, written like it’s a bloody novel 🤣

Malaga, it's lovely

Nice. Can get train from airport straight into town.

We do Benalmadena or matagorda for this reason

How short a transfer does it have to be? You can get to pretty much anywhere in Ibiza by direct taxi in 40 minutes, some places much closer. I've never checked the price from the airport to the furthest point, but I can't imagine it'll be anywhere near £300.

Don’t mind 45 mins ish, just don’t fancy 2 hours on a bus after the flight

Alghero. It’s a 30 minute bus from the airport.

Or Malaga.

Package holiday transfer buses are always slow. I skip the bus and get a taxi wherever we go.
Plenty of places in the Balearics you can get to in half an hour by taxi from airport.
Málaga. The city itself is lovely and on the coast, also plenty of resorts such as benalmadina a short taxi ride away.

Channel Islands

Antibes/Juan les Pins from Nice airport. 1 hour by bus, 1/2 hour by train.

Menorca - Cala en Bosch 45 minutes taxi/hire car
Cala en Porter 15 minutes taxi hire car
Cala Galdana 30 minutes taxi/hire car

Sitges, from Barcelona. Transfer by public transport.

Cambrils, flying into Reus.