Coastal city break, public transport, quieter accommodation

[dovesquare]

DH and I have 5 nights to go somewhere in September. We would like a mix of chill and city break. We’ve done Barcelona a few times but we have always liked how it’s on the Coast with excellent transport links to towns and villages where we can get a villa or air b and b for some down time.

We are considering Nice for this reason. We can get to Monaco, Cannes etc all by train but still be somewhere along the coast to chill in the evening, beach walk etc.

I think Valencia might also be a good option but I wonder if you can suggest anywhere else? Preferably where it is still warm in September but I am open to all suggestions. Flying from Scotland.

Valencia is gorgeous - highly recommend. Lovely balance of old Spanish town and beach.

Also, southern spain, Andalucia is beautiful. You have the main cities like Cordoba and Cadiz and then lovely seaside like Sanlucar De Barrameda

The four I've enjoyed most (meeting your criteria) are -

Top of the list is Malaga as others have said. The opportunity to take a train to Granada and Cordoba is something not to be missed. Lots of other places around too, and the food in the area around the Cathedral is amazing, such a buzzy and safe city.

Next is Nice, for all the reasons already mentioned. A trip from Cannes to Isle St. Marguerite is one for the list, along with the train from Nice up the mountains to Cuneo. Stunning.

Then San Sebastian. Amazing place, although you'd see it all in at most two days really. A trip along the coast up to Bayonne and Biarritz is fab.

And lastly, and maybe surprisingly a beach town called Lido di Ostia, it's half an hour from Rome by train and is a great spot to get the sightseeing in Rome done and then chill out by the sea. Great little town with so many restaurants, long paved seaside walks, great beach bars, a weekly market and well, it's a hidden gem. It's only ten minutes by train to Ostia Antica which is the amazing Roman settlement that is far nicer and just as big/interesting as it's mate Pompeii. Not crowded out either.

I am sorry if I rambled on there. I am stuck here at the moment due to (hopefully temporary) illness, and I can't make plans just yet. So I am enjoying the thread through other eyes!

Malaga is great. Really recommend. Porto also fabulous. Both easy cities, small enough to walk around, but enough to explore. Near to the airport and coast. Porto is hilly though so if any mobility issues might be more tricky to navigate.

Amazing. Thanks everyone so much. I will take a proper look when home tonight.