Endless sunshine, a clear turquoise sea and long stretches of golden sand which powders beneath your bare feet; it’s an image that appeals to millions of us. It also inspires us to book our summer holidays year after year. What the holiday brochures and websites don’t sell quite so hard is the reality of the main resorts. With everyone chasing the same dream, the end result can be packed beaches, long queues at popular restaurants, and noise at all hours of the day and night. Where can you go to avoid holiday crowds?
If you don’t have to worry about finding a kids’ club at your hotel or securing a guaranteed supply of familiar fast food for your unruly teenagers, try these top 5 suggestions.
Photo by: exclusive-design/Fotolia
Mallorca
While a large proportion of holidaymakers stay in the resorts along the south west coast of Palma, it’s surprisingly easy to lose the crowds on Mallorca. To the north west of the island the beaches tend to be far quieter. The interior of the island is also great for exploring by car.
Deia and Valdemossa are pretty mountain villages which can be explored in one leisurely day. You’ll find the restaurants serving typical Mallorcan dishes, and there are even a few museums. The drive across the northern mountains is spectacular (snow is common in the winter months). It’s worth stopping at the 13th-century Lluc Monastery, a popular pilgrimage site.
Costa del Sol
Leave the manic beaches of Marbella and Torremolinos behind and head inland. The mountain town of Ronda is built around a steep, scenic gorge and is perfect for exploring on foot. It can get busy with day trippers, so stay after 6pm to experience it at its best.
You can experience an entirely different Spanish coast if you drive west beyond Gibraltar towards Cape Trafalgar. The beaches around Los Caños de Meca and Zahora are quiet and the vibe is decidedly laid-back (it’s a popular area for surfers).
The Algarve
Thousands of holidaymakers head to the main resorts of the Algarve. But, take a short drive and you’ll experience a completely different side of Portugal. Even the main town of Faro, considered as little more than an entry point by many visitors, offers medieval churches, cobbled squares and several theatres.
Head inland to Loulé for the weekly gypsy market. Alternatively, visit Sagres at the south-western extreme of Europe, and see the dramatic 15th-century fortress which overlooks the cliffs.
Photo by: Nataraj/Fotolia
Sicily
Sicily has its fair share of beach resorts, such as the glamorous town of Taormina. More than anything though it’s the perfect island to explore by car.
The drive around the base of Mount Etna is stunning, and on the volcano’s northern side there’s a road which takes you high up into the lava fields.
Away from Etna, the Baroque cities of Noto, Ragusa and Modica are architectural marvels (and will be familiar to fans of the TV detective series Inspector Montalbano). Meanwhile, the main city of Palermo offers classic Italian chaos mixed with lavish old buildings and plenty of great food.
Malta
Despite its size Malta has plenty to offer beyond its lively resort towns, and it’s easy to get away from the crowds.
If you drive over to neighbouring Gozo you can enjoy fabulous seafood lunches in the secluded harbour at Xlendi, or pose by the spectacular Azure Window. Although it’s now famous as a Game of Thrones location, if you visit in the evening you’ll have its natural beauty pretty much to yourself. On Malta itself, don’t miss the beautiful walled hilltop city of Mdina, with its haunting atmosphere and dramatic views over the whole island.
Have we tempted you to avoid holiday crowds?
Hopefully this has tempted you to try and getaway to somewhere a little more secluded. Try one of our suggestions and enjoy a real taste of local culture away from the crowds. Why not share your less travelled locations and places to avoid holiday crowds as well in the comments?
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Written by Andy Jarosz
