Long weekend solo Europe Jan/Feb recommendations please..

[Blueskiesnotgrey]

I need a break and want to get away for a long weekend on my own from Gatwick. January/February (not half term). Flexible Wed/Thurs to Sunday/Monday. Somewhere warm or at least sunny would be nice but not essential as long as not Baltic/everywhere closed. I want nice accomodation, ideally a small hotel where I would be comfortable eating alone / sitting in the lobby bar on laptop/reading. Pool/sauna would be an added bonus. Am thinking easyJet holidays from Gatwick for ease as all included. Where should I go / stay?

So far am considering: Venice, Vienna (no EJ flights), Lisbon, Seville.

Also considering the Canaries but would prefer more of a city break for getting around JD so don't have to hire a car ideally.

Madeira

100% Seville.
It's stunning, loads to do, all walkable, lovely temperature.
I'd book a free walking tour for orientation on your first day. Book ahead for the Real Alcazar. I think we booked a few days ahead.
Very easy to sort a trip to Seville yourself too - bus right outside of airport in to the city.

Malaga. Easy to get to, loads to do, beach, sunshine, good public transport.

thanks all, Spain is calling 😃

Yep, this is what I need too, thanks for ideas!

100%. Malaga. Has everything. History, culture, beaches, great food, retail therapy, easy to get too, compact for walking, the list goes on.

@Blueskiesnotgrey For Seville vs Málaga, having been to both the last 2 Feb half terms, Seville is in a league of it's own unless you must have the beach on your doorstep.
You can take the train to Cadiz for the day easily (tickets must be pre-booked) from Seville though for the beach.
Málaga was great but we'd been spoilt by going to Seville first.
Granada and Cordoba are also on my to-go list. Valencia looks good too. Just stick to the very south if you want warm days.

Another vote for Malaga. I have also been to Seville and absolutely loved it (more than Malaga) but you just cannot go wrong with Malaga, so easy and cheap to get to, loads of options for accom nearby and the train that goes up and down the coast direct from the airport every 20 mins is great. Nice enough city with lots of options for side trips. Also have been in Lisbon and Grenada at this time of year, both also great (but not as warm).

Back to say the Seville Cadiz option is also great. We did it for New Year a couple of years ago. Also had a car and drove to Tavira and sat in the sunshine on New Year’s Day.
I would toss a coin between Saville and Malaga - you won’t be disappointed with either OP.

Have done all these. Seville was my fave. Rained in Lisbon.

Id also recommend Seville with the option of day trips to Cadiz, Jerez and/or Cordoba. Malaga would also be great if the flights are better/cheaper.

But if this is a regular thing don't write off the Canaries. I went to Lanzarote in November by myself and had a great time. I walked and swam in the sea every day and got the local bus to a couple of places as well as to and from the airport, it was very cheap and easy to not use a car.

I also went on a coach tour to all the Cesar Manrique attractions across the north of the island.

A friend of mine swears by Benalmadena (fly to Malaga).

Athens is beautiful in January/February. You get the ancient parts of the city (Plaka, The Acropolis etc) more or less to yourself. You can actually see the city properly instead of shoulder to shoulder, shuffling along like cattle with a gazillion tourists in the searing heat! I have visited many times (I'm lucky enough live on a Greek island) and I now only ever recommend people visit in January to March. Even late October can be insufferably busy and still very warm for sightseeing. Typically January temps are around 18 degrees which is a nice temperature for walking and certainly warm enough to have lunch outside or to sit enjoy a glass of wine/coffee in the sunshine. The city feels very safe and is very walkable. I only ever need to take the metro to/from the airport.

Puerto mogan if Gran canaria isn't too far for you.

Palma, Mallorca.

Stay half-board in the Hotel Leo in Can Pastilla. It's quiet, reasonable price and the food is generally good. You can arrange bicycle hire at reception and there is bike storage in the cellar. Only an outdoor pool but it's a nice area for sitting with a drink and a book if it's too cold to go in! If you want a little more luxury and access to a hot tub have a look at the Alua Soul Hotel instead, I think it's owned by the same chain.

Playa de Palma beach is a minute away, you can walk or cycle along the beach path to Arenal (2 miles ish, lively, clubby town much loved by German youth) or Palma (5 miles ish, full of culture and shopping) The bus to Palma stops outside the hotel, takes approx 20 minutes and costs about €2.

Temp in Feb is usually mid teens to low 20s, although we did go one year and it snowed in the mountains while we were sitting on the beach in tshirts!

Lots of history and culture in Palma, particularly art-related. You can get the wooden train through the mountains to Soller which is stunning. Plenty of good shops and a decent market to wander around.

I could happily spend a week alone in Malaga - it’s a fantastic city!

Valletta. I was there last month and would feel very comfortable (and safe) going as a solo female traveller. There are lots of lovely small boutique type hotels and as it's not a big place, they are all very central.
The bus from the airport picks up right outside Arrivals and takes you to the bus terminal in Valetta, just 5 minutes walk from the main street.
Lots of lovely places to eat and drink and the buses from that same terminal run all over the island if you want to explore.

I just went to Seville and didnt really like it.