Spain, south coast, ‘quaint’ villages?

Spain, south coast, ‘quaint’ villages?

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Original Poster:

23,215 posts

207 months

Friday 10th February 2023
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So fresh from my slating another OP for having no imagination and going to Spain….

… planning a trip to Seville for Easter week, looking to add a couple of days at the coast either before or after.

I may be totally out of touch with the reality of what the resorts are like on the south coast, primarily being driven by memories of 80s package holidays and car crash tv (bargain loving brits abroad etc).

Hence with a a completely open mind (and a slice of humble pie) where’s good to go within striking distance of Seville? Don’t mind venturing into Portugal even. Somewhere not crowded, laid back but with decent food options at location or nearby. Don’t need a mile long sandy beach as I won’t use it, but do like a dip on a morning and around sunset so good sea swimming (calm, clear, good access) is a must.

Halo in reverse

152 posts

113 months

Saturday 11th February 2023
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We had a great time at Costa de la Luz, Chiclana de la Frontera has some decent restaurants, many nice beaches e.g. Playa Sancti Petri.

Head further south to Conil del la Frontera, the beach at Zahara is decent, better still get down to Tarifa for some surfing.

Riff Raff

5,258 posts

201 months

Saturday 11th February 2023
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Lucky you. The processions in Seville over the easter week are amongst the most impressive things I've ever witnessed in my life.

Couple of things worth pointing out. The city will be rammed, so make sure that you pre-book the places you need tickets for as turning up and getting in will be impossible. Same goes for parking. If you have a car, make sure that you have parking sorted.

As far as towns on the beach go, Conil has already been mentioned. I've stayed there a couple of times at the El Fuerte hotel complex. (I get a sort of loyalty bonus at the hotels in the group as I spent months at their hotel in Marbella). I'm not sure I'd be in swimming in the sea there at the beginning of April, but then again I'm a bit of a wuss.

Not quite a town, more a city, but I've always liked Cádiz. It has a sort of decadent feel to it, and the Parador there is excellent.

If you decide not do do the beach thing, Córdoba is within striking distance, as is Ronda, both are I think world heritage sites.

T1547

1,136 posts

140 months

Sunday 12th February 2023
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Mezquita de Cordoba is an incredible place and well worth a visit. Cordoba itself is a nice place to wander around for a few hours while there too.

We had a few days in Seville before Covid and really enjoyed it (particularly good if you like Architecture).

Dan_1981

17,504 posts

205 months

Sunday 12th February 2023
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hehe

If you could nip back to my thread with any recommendations you receive please...

hehe

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Original Poster:

23,215 posts

207 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
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Yep very much looking forward to Seville, especially with the theatre of Holy Week as a backdrop.

For the coastal extension we've booked an airbnb in Tarifa, bungalow type place with a garden that backs onto the beach. I think I'll get a hire car for that bit, trains look a lot of hassle. Means we can also detour through Ronda on the way back up to Madrid.

Any restaurants reccos that cater for a vegetarian would be handy. I'll be fine but she'll sulk if its a week of salads.

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Original Poster:

23,215 posts

207 months

Tuesday 28th March 2023
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Riff Raff said:
Couple of things worth pointing out. The city will be rammed, so make sure that you pre-book the places you need tickets for as turning up and getting in will be impossible. Same goes for parking. If you have a car, make sure that you have parking sorted.
missed this point the first time around. what events are ticketed?

booked the accom a good while back. 31st-3rd in madrid, 3rd-8th in seville and 9-10 in tarifa.

booked flights this morning [!] and considering a hire car but will check parking in seville first. i've a reservation for dinner in madrid saturday night and that's about it. last minute ftw!