We are planning a 2 week trip to Madrid. We want to make sure we spend a lot of time at the beach. A place where the crowds are on the low end, but where we have the opportunity for fun and nightlife. Good sea food is a necessity. We have not been to Spain or Portugal before, so I would appreciate any insight into specific places you would suggest.

Troll maybe? AFAIK Madrid is about 200 miles inland!

Hi there Mark.<BR>where do you want to go to the beach ?<BR>In Spain ? in Portugal ?<BR>for sure not in Madrid !!!<BR>If you need any help, ask here.<BR>If this is a troll, maybe a quick jump to toys'r'us beach would be enough.

Let me clarify for those that cannot conclude the obvious and choose to use this forum to try to be cute. We are flying into Madrid and spending a few days there. We will then board a train or plane and go to a beach in either Spain or Portugal. I would like suggestions of such a place that would be romantic and a place that is not that crowded with nightlife available. We like the smaller hotels as well. Thanks to all of those who will take this seriously and help out.<BR>

I would suggest Sagres. I have not been there, but a friend of mine raved about that place last year. He was killed in a car crash so I am sorry I cannot offer any more details. Hopefully others will chime in to get you the information you are seeking. Good luck.

Mark - I'm doing research for a trip to Spain. Never been there but am reading that alot of Spain's and Portugal's beaches are crowded in the summer....better in the off season. If you can specify what month you're going, perhaps that will help with suggestions.

We are planning on late July or August, but without a chosen destination, who knows if we'll actually make it. I have planned my trips in the past largely based on destination ideas by people on this post. Not seeing good suggestions from anyone. Once again, any input is appreciated on specific locations in Portugal or Spain where we can beat the crowds and enjoy what he countries have to offer.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Mark

Mark, Sorry, there is no beach in southern Europe that time of year that is not overcrowded. And, Spain and Portugal are HOT then. Do Iberia in April--do Ireland in August.

Bob:<BR>Thanks for the candid response. We may choose another location, since we have found out that Western Europe is corwded on the beaches in August.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Mark

Mark, if you want a romantic 2nd honeymoon, try the Greek Islands. All Europeans go on vacation to the beaches in July/August, but there are some Greek islands less crowded and a bit more isolated. My friend went to the small island of Paros and loved it. We went to the more crowded islands of Rhodes and Santorini, but found them to be gorgeous, albeit crowded. As for your original idea of going to Spain--the south of Spain such as Marbella, Malaga and the Benalmadena Coast is lovely, but again, crowded...but you're not spending al day on the beach, right? Rent a car, explore, try great food...anyway, good luck with your trip!

Hi Mark,<BR>as you say that good sea food is a necessity, think about Northern Spain or the northern portuguese coast.<BR>It will be crowded, but no so crowded and not so hot as the south (and the weather will be much better than Ireland, for sure).<BR>I would look into someplace in the Rias Baixas, the southern part of Galicia. You can combine easily Portugal with that trip. The seafood is great, and the wine, Albari&ntilde;o, is glorious.<BR>And the weather is usually good (the water might be cold, but there are so many beautiful places to visit ...)<BR>Rgds, Cova

Spanish beaches tend to be pretty busy in the summer with British/German tourists (not always the most pleasant combination - even for Brits like me!) The north coast (as has been suggested) is much less busy, particularly in the Basque area, but it also tends to be wetter and the Bay of Biscay isn't quite as welcoming for bathers as the Mediterranean.<BR><BR>You could try for beaches between Porto and Lisbon, though. I was there about 10 years ago and at that time they were relatively uncluttered. Avoid the Algarve, though - this is the tourist bit of Portugal.<BR><BR>You might also find that there is good seafood in Madrid. One of the best paellas I have had was in a restaurant in El Escorial some years ago - the catch was fresh and brought in that morning.

Try the north coast of Portugal around Averia - beachs are beautiful & great seafood. But I think you need to rent a house as we did not see any hotels at the beach.Beaches are beautiful! Have you thought of Barcelona instead of Madrid? Barcelona seemed to be much more alive- more things to do, etc.