Which? has revealed travellers’ top coastal destinations in Europe – and the list is full of inspiration for anyone looking to go off the beaten track this summer.
The survey of 3,500 people ranked destinations based their beach and/or seafront, food and drink, tourist attractions, safety, friendliness, accommodation, attractiveness, shopping, peace and quiet, entertainment and value for money.
While there are some obvious choices, there are also some lesser-known gems that appeared on the list, such as Valencia, Spain, which placed number one, scoring highly on peace and quiet, attractions and the beach, as well as value.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Barcelona, which is extremely busy, placed ninth, suggesting that holidaymakers are opting for quieter and less overrun destinations this summer.
A similar trend could be seen in Costa del Sol, a traditional favourite for sun-seeking Brits.
Nerja and Estepona, which came 11th and 13th respectively, are much more relaxed than the tourist hotspot of Fuengirola, which placed second last.
The same can be said for Portugal, where the quaint town of Tavira in the Algarve, famed for its seafood, beat out Lisbon, coming fourth on the list compared with the capital, which placed at number 10.
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However, there were still some classic destinations on the top of the list, such as Porto, Portugal, which is known for its gastronomy and world-famous port wine, and Venice, Italy, which despite being rich with history is extremely busy.
‘If you’re planning your next getaway and looking for a slice of sea and sun, our survey results show that it’s well worth looking beyond the biggest-name destinations,’ said Which? editor Rory Boland.
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Down at the bottom of the list was Mykonos Town, Greece along with Naples, Italy, and Portimão, Portugal – so it may be worth doing your research before booking a beach break there.
The top 10 European coastal destinations for 2023
- Valencia, Spain
- Porto, Portugal
- Venice, Italy
- Tavira, Portugal
- Pollença, Mallorca, Spain
- Chania Town, Crete, Greece
- Rhodes, Greece
- Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
- Barcelona, Spain
- Lisbon, Portugal
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