Holiday tips, please

Looking for a town/city in Europe where there is a funky/arty kind of vibe and beaches close by too. I'm happy just to read and swim - and eat/drink every evening - but my ADHD wife gets bored and loves pottering round shops, galleries etc. Budget fairly limited, and have to go in August, alas - considering air bnbs or cheapish hotels. Any tips gratefully received...

GDANSK GDANSK GDANSK.

Lovely city, Sopot beach is about 10 minutes away on the train and it’s beautiful. You can get there and back from LBA from £50. Book Downtown Apartments on Airbnb from £25 per night. 80p for a beer, £5 for a main meal.

GDANSK GDANSK GDANSK.
 
I think Malaga is a good call. It’s got some great history and a really good Fiesta towards the end of August. Its often ignored as the place to fly in and out of but it’s lovely

Personally I’m not a fan of Barcelona, but I’m probably on my own on this

Spain is deffo cheaper than most of the major European countries for flights and Airbnbs
 
Last edited:
GDANSK GDANSK GDANSK.

Lovely city, Sopot beach is about 10 minutes away on the train and it’s beautiful. You can get there and back from LBA from £50. Book Downtown Apartments on Airbnb from £25 per night. 80p for a beer, £5 for a main meal.

GDANSK GDANSK GDANSp
Yes! Gdańsk. My fave place in Europe too but assumed this was a post about Med type holidays
But I’d agree if the weathers good, Sopot is brill. Last time we went, in March, the sun shone yet they still had the ice rink going :)
With the Solidarity and war museums, cheap flights from LBA and lovely locals, Gdansk a fantastic place to visit. At any time of the year

There’s a few rental blocks that are really cheap and have a pool.
 
Bilbao. It has the Guggenheim museum. San Sebastian close by and everything else you've asked for. It even has a Transporter bridge.
This , I could also say Málaga and Porto. Porto is very close to beaches on the metro20 minutes. But Bilbao in August, for the above reasons, lots of Mountains nearby which are easily accessible and cooler and also in addition you have Guernica which is worth a day visit Also 60km away is Vitoria Gasteiz well worth visiting and maybe spending a night,very chilled Basque city.

 
Last edited:
I think Malaga is a good call. It’s got some great history and a really good Fiesta towards the end of August. Its often ignored as the place to fly in and out of but it’s lovely

Personally I’m not a fan of Barcelona, but I’m probably on my own on this

Spain is deffo cheaper than most of the major European countries for flights and Airbnbs
I think flights to Málaga are overpriced from the North.
 
GDANSK GDANSK GDANSK.

Lovely city, Sopot beach is about 10 minutes away on the train and it’s beautiful. You can get there and back from LBA from £50. Book Downtown Apartments on Airbnb from £25 per night. 80p for a beer, £5 for a main meal.

GDANSK GDANSK GDANSK.
That's a really good tip, thanks. We'll probably play it safe and head for the sun - although Poland is usually warm in August - as last summer was Ireland - great but rubbish weather. My parents went to Gdansk in the 1950s as part of a student exchange delegation from Ruskin College. They had some memorable stories, so even if we don't go this summer, I'll be looking at a city break there. at some stage
 
After watching loads of Scandi-noir we've got a big hankering to go there one day. Bit concerned about costs once there mind...
I think you can pay what ever you want. If you hammer the beer and eat out every night sure it will sting.But air bnb one or two pints and street food it's very reasonable.(well it was 10 years ago)Also has great beaches not far away surprisingly, and they are into swimming so river and lake options. It is soooo cool and weather should be good in summer.
 
Malaga is great, would definitely recommend. It’s also well placed for a few trips out, the train to Cordoba which is a world heritage site is only an hour or so for example.

I came to suggest Gdańsk as an unusual option, but have been beaten to it! You can head to Sopot for the beaches or go into the old town. Polish food is great too.

Never been myself but a few people from work have been to Croatia in the last year or so and all absolutely loved it. Worth looking at.
 
Been to both Malaga and Valencia this year, and both great cities with history, arts, shopping and beaches, something for everyone!!!
 
Back
Top