4 days in Spain

[Tlandcruiser]

I’m planing a 4 day trip to Spain in the next few weeks, however I’m a little undecided on the location. I’m going to spend the time mooching around, eating and sitting in a few bars watching the world go by.

Seville really appeals to me, however ideally I would like to be by the sea, while at the same time, avoiding “British” football shirt type crowds and to much expat influence. Are there any areas near Alicante or Valencia which can offer this?

[Boringvolvodriver]

How far do you want to travel away from the airports?

Take it Benidorm is a no no then!!!

Moraría is an hour away and isn’t too bad and Alicante itself ok - maybe stay outside there a bit.

[57Ford]

If you’re not stuck on mainland Spain, I’d recommend Mahon, Menorca. In 2019 I did exactly what you seem to be suggesting - went on my own, pleased myself and sat watching the world go by while overlooking the marina.
3 days of heaven…

The tourists go to the resorts or Cuitadella rather than Mahon.

[mattyprice4004]

Finestrat is around the peninsula from Benidorm town centre - it’s a lovely quiet resort and has some marvellous bars / eateries.

While not my cup of tea either, Benidorm itself is worth the bus ride for some of the live entertainment and seafront bars too.

[LuS1fer]

Peniscola is a fantastic seaside resort but a fair trot from Alicante, a bit nearer Reus.

The Cabo de Nijar national park in Almeria is a beautiful and unspoilt coast.

Inland, Ronda is peerless and within driving distance of Malaga.

Granada and the Alhambra Palace is also a bucket list destination if you've not been.

[Freakuk]

Valencia, the old town is charming and you could spend days just there. The newer areas are also nice, some nice museums, and there's a beach/marina a few miles away.

[bristolracer]

LuS1fer said:

Granada and the Alhambra Palace is also a bucket list destination if you've not been.

If you go to the Alhambra then you must pre book. Very popular and on the day tickets are limited.

[Converse2020]

How about Malaga. I was there in Feb and weather warm and sunny so maybe similar in Oct.

I thought the old town and sea front area was very nice.
Options to go in land for visits or cycle up the coast.

Can definitely recommend the Palacio Solecio hotel in Malaga old town, and bars like El Pimpi, and the Picasso museum worth a visit.

[Fastchas]

Mojacar is an unspoilt spanish holiday-ing coastal resort, favoured by quite a lot of english ex-pats.

[Boringvolvodriver]

mattyprice4004 said:

Finestrat is around the peninsula from Benidorm town centre - it’s a lovely quiet resort and has some marvellous bars / eateries.

While not my cup of tea either, Benidorm itself is worth the bus ride for some of the live entertainment and seafront bars too.

Can second this - we like to stay at Finestrat and have one night in the madness of Benidorm for the tribute acts and people watching

[Stephanie Plum]

Cadiz? Lovely old town, mercifully few Brits.

[MarkJS]

bristolracer said:

LuS1fer said:

Granada and the Alhambra Palace is also a bucket list destination if you've not been.

If you go to the Alhambra then you must pre book. Very popular and on the day tickets are limited.

This is correct - also bear in mind that even if there are tickets on the day available, you will require your passport to buy one - don't ask me how I know...

Granada is lovely in itself. I'd also recommend Malaga as previously mentioned and you could visit Rhonda for the day (think you'd get bored doing 4 days there) as it's not far.

[some bloke]

I spent a few days in Cadiz a while ago - flew to Seville and took a train. Not many football tops, beach, a sherry producer with tours a short boat trip away. 4 nights there would be about right I think.

[arfur]

MarkJS said:

bristolracer said:

LuS1fer said:

Granada and the Alhambra Palace is also a bucket list destination if you've not been.

If you go to the Alhambra then you must pre book. Very popular and on the day tickets are limited.

This is correct - also bear in mind that even if there are tickets on the day available, you will require your passport to buy one - don't ask me how I know...

Granada is lovely in itself. I'd also recommend Malaga as previously mentioned and you could visit Rhonda for the day (think you'd get bored doing 4 days there) as it's not far.

And after you do Rhonda, Setenil de las Bodegas is only another 45 minutes !

Personally my go-to is either Duquesa or Sotogrande, Fly into Gib and get a taxi or Malaga and rent a car

[beedj]

Xabia (aka Javea) is worth considering, very laid back, low rise, no ‘Brit bars'. Lovely natural bay with villas built into the hillside, very few hotels, attractive promenade with bars/restaurants. About an hour northeast of Alicante. Too many excellent restaurants to try in the 5 days we were there in May ('La Cocina' was fabulous)

Edited by beedj on Thursday 1st September 11:28

[Tlandcruiser]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I see that Spain allows entry using an antigen test and there’s a company called chequp that validate your antigen test and issue a fit to fly. I assume that’s all Legit and satisfies entry?

[happie33]

great suggestions as above

cadiz
javea
mahon in menorca
oliva
cartegena

and malaga tis nice

or lisbon portugal

madeira is beautiful

[arfur]

Tlandcruiser said:

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I see that Spain allows entry using an antigen test and there’s a company called chequp that validate your antigen test and issue a fit to fly. I assume that’s all Legit and satisfies entry?

If you've had 3 jabs then no need. If you've had 2 and there are 270 days since the 2nd then you need a 3rd or an antigen. Malaga do random checks now (last month) . 6 months ago they checked everyone. Gib is fine if you fly into there with 2 jabs but when you walk over the border they were (2 months ago) checking everyone (unless it is rush hour in which case they check no one !!!)