Travel by purpose
Best beach destinations
Coastlines that are easy to reach, comfortable to move around and good value once you land. Some are quiet, some are lively, all of them work as a proper beach week.
Destinations that fit
Portugal
Algarve
Reliable sun from spring to autumn, short transfers from Faro airport and beaches for every mood, from busy to almost empty.
Greece
Crete
You get a proper beach holiday and a road trip in the same week, with prices that still feel reasonable in shoulder season.
Spain
Mallorca
Everything is within an hour's drive, which makes it unusually efficient for a one week trip with mixed interests.
Turkey
Antalya
If the brief is sunshine and a good rate, this coast is difficult to beat, particularly in May and October.
Worth reading first
Destination Guides
Algarve or Mallorca: Which Beach Escape Fits Your Trip?
Both are reliable summer weeks. They suit different travellers, and the difference is mostly about what you want to do between swims.
7 min read
Travel by Feeling
How to Plan a Relaxing Beach Trip
Rest is a logistics problem. Get four decisions right and the week takes care of itself.
6 min read
Travel by Purpose
Planning a Beach Trip With Young Children
Shorter transfers, shallower water, and a lower bar for what counts as a good day.
6 min read
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