Best Spanish coastal town revealed - with five-star beaches and £21 flights

09 May 2024 , 23:01
1178     0
The city has the second highest number of Michelin stars per capita in Europe
The city has the second highest number of Michelin stars per capita in Europe

THE best coastal town in Spain has been revealed - it has world-class beaches and cheap flights.

Consumer watchdog Which? analysed the responses from more than 1,000 consumer champions in order to determine Spain's best coastal town.

San Sebastián was named Spain's best coastal town by consumer watchdog Which? qhiqqhidqziqueprw
San Sebastián was named Spain's best coastal town by consumer watchdog Which?Credit: Alamy
San Sebastián claimed first place with an overall score of 88 per cent
San Sebastián claimed first place with an overall score of 88 per centCredit: Alamy

Consumer champions were asked to rate the Spanish seaside towns on factors like the quality of the beach and seafront, safety, food and drink, accommodation, and value for money.

An overall city score was calculated based on overall satisfaction and the likeliness to recommend each destination, with places ranked out of 100.

San Sebastián claimed first place with an overall score of 88 per cent out of 100.

Lucas Perez pays part of own transfer fee to rejoin beloved DeportivoLucas Perez pays part of own transfer fee to rejoin beloved Deportivo

Factors like its beach, attractiveness and food and drink scene were awarded five stars.

The city has the second highest number of Michelin stars per capita in Europe, with visitors often raving about local snacks like pinchos.

San Sebastián is home to three beaches, including the famous La Concha, which is arguably the jewel in the city's crown.

The beach is home to an expanse of white sand, which is skirted by a grand promenade and surrounded by breathtaking mountains.

According to TripAdvisor, La Concha is one of Europe's top beaches.

While La Concha is beautiful, it is also worth checking out the smaller beaches of Ondarreta and Zurriola.

Zurriola is where surfers head as the sun sets to catch the last of the waves, while Ondarreta Beach has more family-friendly waters.

There are other attractions too, including Miramar Palace, which was once considered the Basque Country's answer to Balmoral.

The 19th century palace was built to look like an English Cottage.

Standing on top a tunnel, Miramar Palace overlooks the bay of La Concha.

What is Balenciaga and how do you pronounce it?What is Balenciaga and how do you pronounce it?

The English-style palace is used as an event space, with locals freely able to wander through the gardens.

Direct flights operated from both London and Edinburgh to San Sebastián Airport, with one-way fares starting from £132 per person.

A cheaper alternative it to fly to Bilbao where one-way flights starting from £21 in June.

From Bilbao, it's a 70-minute drive to San Sebastián.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: "This survey shows that there are plenty of fantastic Spanish beach resorts that will easily beat the best-marketed destinations like Marbella and Torremolinos.

"You don't even need to look far, with beautiful Nerja and its quaint white washed streets also to be found on the Costa del Sol.

"For those looking for a city break with a dose of sea and sunshine, c can’t be topped - it's rightly famous for its excellent restaurants and authentic cuisine, and comes complete with a pretty old town and fantastic beaches.”

Meanwhile, the coastal resort town of Nerja took second place with a score of 81 per cent.

Tied in third place are Cartagena, Javea and Sitges with a joint score of 80 per cent.

Meanwhile, this Spanish seaside town has been named as Europe’s best-kept secret - and flights to get there cost just £23.

Spain’s cheapest city break has also been revealed, and a bottle of wine costs under £4 and it’s warm in November.

San Sebastián is home to La Concha - one of Europe's best beaches
San Sebastián is home to La Concha - one of Europe's best beachesCredit: Alamy
Flights from the UK to a nearby airport start from £20 for a one-way ticket
Flights from the UK to a nearby airport start from £20 for a one-way ticketCredit: Getty

Hope Brotherton

Spain, Europe, Longtail

Read more similar news:

03.01.2023, 16:13 • Sport
Who owns Balenciaga?
04.01.2023, 17:04 • Lifestyle
All-inclusive winter deals to top holiday destinations starting from £52pppn
05.01.2023, 10:59 • Sport
UFC star Ilia Topuria allegedly in crazy bar brawl after being shoved by man
05.01.2023, 11:13 • Sport
Fans ruthlessly troll Barcelona after they scrape past 'train team' Intercity
05.01.2023, 14:45 • Lifestyle
Mexico, Italy and Portugal home to the world's best villages in new rankings
03.11.2024, 17:36 • World News
Crowds hurled mud and shouted at the King of Spain during his visit after deadly floods claimed over 200 lives
05.01.2023, 16:11 • Lifestyle
Your holidays in a Spanish hotspot are about to get more expensive - here's why
06.01.2023, 12:56 • World News
Christmas parade float ploughs into crowd, killing woman and injuring toddler
06.01.2023, 12:05 • Crime
Parade float ploughs into screaming crowd killiing woman & running over boy, 2
06.01.2023, 08:00 • Lifestyle
Best family friendly hotels in Majorca - and they have great TripAdvisor reviews