City Breaks with Beaches
Stuck on deciding whether to go on a city or beach break? Well, why not combine the two? Go ahead and truly spoil yourself with these amazing “two-for-one” destinations where you can simply combine the two, making it the ideal choice! There are so many destinations to choose from, but to give you an idea, we have shared our top three…..
Barcelona
Privileged with arguably the most phenomenal architecture in the world around every corner you turn, succulent tapas and fruity wines, what better destination than the stunning Barcelona. For those who appreciate architecture will certainly be familiar with the name Antoni Gaudi as well as his exquisite and unique work, combining elements of Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism and the Spanish Late Gothic design. Barcelona is by far the best place to see his finest work from Park Güell and Casa Batlló to the magnificent La Sagrada Familia. With construction beginning in 1882 and still yet to be completed, there is a lot of ground to cover!
Complete with quaint cobbled streets, spectacular cathedrals and elegant restaurants, the charming Gothic Quarter has so much to offer. The Gothic Quarter is also home to the Picasso Museum with traditional live flamenco shows just opposite at Palau Dalmases, the 17th century stately palace, creating the perfect atmospheric setting.
Barcelona is also home to several beaches within easy reach from the city where you can wind down from all the exploring, you’ll do. The closest being Barceloneta Beach, one of Barcelona’s oldest, closest and most loved beaches. It is worth getting there early to get a good spot as it can be extremely busy, particularly during the summer months. If you are looking for something a bit more remote and secluded, the beautiful Bogatell Beach attracts an older crowd or Sant Sebastià, very popular with the locals.
Top Tip: The world-famous Sagrada Familia can get quite busy and is often fully booked. To ensure you don’t miss out on this incredible experience, make sure you book plenty of time in advance!
Athens
With Athens being one of the oldest cities in the world, it is blessed with a truly fascinating history, naturally at the top of the bucket list, especially for many culture enthusiasts. Filled with neoclassical buildings, excellent art galleries and endearing cafes, there is so much to see and do.
Just a short 40-minute drive away from the hustle and bustle, you will find Astir Beach, the local’s favourite sandy beach with crystal clear waters and surrounded by pine trees.
You can expect a five-star experience with access to spa treatments, lavish restaurants, a concierge and chic and stylish boutiques, adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace. Alternatively, there are fantastic hotels with lush pools and spectacular views of the Acropolis and the city of Athens to suit all budgets, offering the best combination of a city and beach getaway.
Top tip: As it is the highest point in Athens, Lycabettus Hill offers magnificent views over the city, making the ideal spot to sit back and take in the stunning sunset views.
Porto
Porto is an ideal location for so many reasons, especially for those wine lovers and Harry Potter fans!
Without stating the obvious, Porto offers an abundance of wine tasting tours. Porto has also been rumoured to be one of J.K Rowling’s influences for the first Harry Potter novel, whilst living there for two years.
With striking similarities of the Hogwarts school uniform, it was perhaps adapted from the cloaked, college students of Porto, or the Lello bookshop's resemblances in Flourish and Blotts as well as the Grand Hogwarts staircase. You will see exactly what we are talking about. Also known as the culinary capital and port haven, you can be sure to expect mouth-watering Portuguese dishes and laid back, relaxing cruises along the Douro River.
Just a short 15-minute drive away, you will be able to chill out and relax on the sandy, blue flag beach Praia dos Ingleses, lined with popular cafes, bars and restaurants. If you are looking for a bit more fun in the sun, take a trip to Praia de Matosinhos where you will find a selection of surf skills if you fancy learning a new skill! What we love about Porto is that it isn’t often considered a beach destination, however, it will certainly surprise you with its rugged coastline and striking natural scenery.
Top tip: If you haven’t hired a car, it's just as easy to reach Porto’s beaches by public transport. Both Praia do Senhor da Pedra and Praia da Aguda can be easily accessible via train from Sao Bento train station.
Combining both a beach and city can make the perfect holiday! To find out more on Barcelona, Athens and Porto, or even other city and beach destinations, contact us today.
Stuck on deciding whether to go on a city or beach break? Well, why not combine the two? Go ahead and truly spoil yourself with these amazing “two-for-one” destinations where you can simply combine the two, making it the ideal choice! There are so many destinations to choose from, but to give you an idea, we have shared our top three…..
Barcelona
Privileged with arguably the most phenomenal architecture in the world around every corner you turn, succulent tapas and fruity wines, what better destination than the stunning Barcelona. For those who appreciate architecture will certainly be familiar with the name Antoni Gaudi as well as his exquisite and unique work, combining elements of Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism and the Spanish Late Gothic design. Barcelona is by far the best place to see his finest work from Park Güell and Casa Batlló to the magnificent La Sagrada Familia. With construction beginning in 1882 and still yet to be completed, there is a lot of ground to cover!
Complete with quaint cobbled streets, spectacular cathedrals and elegant restaurants, the charming Gothic Quarter has so much to offer. The Gothic Quarter is also home to the Picasso Museum with traditional live flamenco shows just opposite at Palau Dalmases, the 17th century stately palace, creating the perfect atmospheric setting.
Barcelona is also home to several beaches within easy reach from the city where you can wind down from all the exploring, you’ll do. The closest being Barceloneta Beach, one of Barcelona’s oldest, closest and most loved beaches. It is worth getting there early to get a good spot as it can be extremely busy, particularly during the summer months. If you are looking for something a bit more remote and secluded, the beautiful Bogatell Beach attracts an older crowd or Sant Sebastià, very popular with the locals.
Top Tip: The world-famous Sagrada Familia can get quite busy and is often fully booked. To ensure you don’t miss out on this incredible experience, make sure you book plenty of time in advance!
Athens
With Athens being one of the oldest cities in the world, it is blessed with a truly fascinating history, naturally at the top of the bucket list, especially for many culture enthusiasts. Filled with neoclassical buildings, excellent art galleries and endearing cafes, there is so much to see and do.
Just a short 40-minute drive away from the hustle and bustle, you will find Astir Beach, the local’s favourite sandy beach with crystal clear waters and surrounded by pine trees.
You can expect a five-star experience with access to spa treatments, lavish restaurants, a concierge and chic and stylish boutiques, adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace. Alternatively, there are fantastic hotels with lush pools and spectacular views of the Acropolis and the city of Athens to suit all budgets, offering the best combination of a city and beach getaway.
Top tip: As it is the highest point in Athens, Lycabettus Hill offers magnificent views over the city, making the ideal spot to sit back and take in the stunning sunset views.
Porto
Porto is an ideal location for so many reasons, especially for those wine lovers and Harry Potter fans!
Without stating the obvious, Porto offers an abundance of wine tasting tours. Porto has also been rumoured to be one of J.K Rowling’s influences for the first Harry Potter novel, whilst living there for two years.
With striking similarities of the Hogwarts school uniform, it was perhaps adapted from the cloaked, college students of Porto, or the Lello bookshop's resemblances in Flourish and Blotts as well as the Grand Hogwarts staircase. You will see exactly what we are talking about. Also known as the culinary capital and port haven, you can be sure to expect mouth-watering Portuguese dishes and laid back, relaxing cruises along the Douro River.
Just a short 15-minute drive away, you will be able to chill out and relax on the sandy, blue flag beach Praia dos Ingleses, lined with popular cafes, bars and restaurants. If you are looking for a bit more fun in the sun, take a trip to Praia de Matosinhos where you will find a selection of surf skills if you fancy learning a new skill! What we love about Porto is that it isn’t often considered a beach destination, however, it will certainly surprise you with its rugged coastline and striking natural scenery.
Top tip: If you haven’t hired a car, it's just as easy to reach Porto’s beaches by public transport. Both Praia do Senhor da Pedra and Praia da Aguda can be easily accessible via train from Sao Bento train station.
Combining both a beach and city can make the perfect holiday! To find out more on Barcelona, Athens and Porto, or even other city and beach destinations, contact us today.
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