desertchick

I was hoping to find the answer to this question by looking through the forums but it's not quite there. Looking into travel in July with about 10 days in and around Madrid with daytrips and visiting good friends. The transition comes after that when we would like to spend almost a week at a beach town in Spain to relax, eat good food and enjoy the beach. (we are landlocked desert dwellers so the beach is a treat...) After this we will spend some days in London running around with our 13 and 11 year olds for a good taste of history and culture, so the beach really is a time to relax and enjoy being away and aware of a place unlike any typical american beach town. We want to fly out of Madrid and fly in somewhere and not have a huge hassle trying to get somewhere else. Having been to Torremolinos 20 years ago, perhaps it is not what it was and July may be baaaad.....and I have memories of visiting same friends 20 plus years ago on summer breaks at their home in Castellon, so I have an image of a beach that lacks tourists and huge crowds. Question is....anyone have a suggestion of a beach town or area where we don't need to get to Granada on a day trip, and don't feel like we are sitting on the beach like a sardine? Is this a possibility?

danon

Valencia has fantastic beaches...1:40 min by train from Madrid....
Don' know how crowded it gets.

Dickie_Gr

Mallorca has very good connections to Madrid, good beaches, lots to do and plenty of culture.

http://prospain.wordpress.com/2010/0...renc-mallorca/

sofarsogood

San Sebastian?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAuNQZq9a-c

goldenautumn

Galicia? Basque Coast?

In July, how much heat and sun can your family take?

Bedar

Have a look at Mojacar in Almeria province, Formentera in the Balearics, or Canos de Meca in Cadiz province. All are the least developed coasts. Love the beaches in the north, but the water is icy.

kimhe

San Sebastián has got some of the finest city beaches on the continent, Beautiful La Concha (The Shell) and Ondarreta and the surfers favourite Zurriola ten minutes walking away across the city river Urumea.
http://beaches-spain.euroresidentes....sebastian.html

Fabulous city, the gastronomical capital of Spain if not all of Europe, and people from all over Spain go here in the summer because of the climate and the food. Good and warm sea temperatures in the summer, well above 70F.

San Sebastián will be European Capital of Culture 2016. Fine views of the city and the beaches from 3.50: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2zTb7Eg9Lk

The 48th edition of the Heineken Jazzaldia festival goes on here July 24-28. http://www.heinekenjazzaldia.com/en/...und-john-zorn/

The world famous Sanfermines is celebrated in not far away Pamplona July 6-14. http://www.sanfermin.com/index.php/en/sf12/portada

Robert2533

Green Spain, the Basque Coast, has some of the finest beaches in Europe, but it can be cool in July, and expect a little rain. Regardless of the weather, it's worth a visit for its beauty and gastronomy. Note that hotel prices go up 1 July in Donostia-San Sebastian and accommodations will be in short supply, so book early.

Robert2533

Also, the Donosti cup 2013 runs from 30 June to 6 July. There should be about 400 teams in town, plus parents.

kimhe

Past 16 years statistics for July in San Sebastián says daily highs at 66-76F and six hours sun pr day. Expect a shower every now and then which adds to the charm of the city. Predominantly afternoon and often, sudden and heavy rainshowers. People flock under the archways and rush into bars, and in one minute the atmosphere changes completely, and in very good ways.

If you are lucky enough to have a late night thunderstorm, there are no better place to watch the spectacle than from Café de la Concha, right in the middle of the La Concha promenade. http://www.cafedelaconcha.com/home.htm

goldenautumn

kimhe,

Someday you need to visit Galicia!

desertchick

Why, thank you all!
I am just now doing some research into San Sebastian and it looks lovely. A bit concerned about the rain comments(MONSOON RAINS WITH BLIND DRIVING???) and I do wonder if the beaches get terribly overcrowded?
We will be there toward the end of July. Also, should we choose to go there, how far exactly is it to France? How exciting it would be for our kids to step foot into France for a day if there is some appeal there. Is there some appeal there? Will research the other ideas above as well. Thanks!

Robert2533

The rains are typical spring/summers showers. There can be a downpour one moment and perfectly fine the next. Most people in Donostia carry umbrellars, but not everyone.

La Concha can be busy, but never overcrowded. There's always room for one or two more, even during the Jazz Festival.

France is only a few minutes away, 20 minutes by car. And yes, there is a lot to look forward to going into the Pays Basque. Check out Maribel's Guide to the País Vasco and Pays Basque for a little more useful information.

kimhe

Have walked to France from San Sebastián in a few hours...

St Jean de Luz and Biarritz are nice towns, but nothing beats the atmosphere, the food and the beaches in San Sebastián. I have lived here and visited some 20 times, mostly in June/July, and weather has never been any concern,
mostly sunny and excellent temperatures both in the air and in the sea. The climate is a major part of the reason why San Sebastián developed into a summer vacation resort for Spansih and French elites more than 150 years ago.

For beaches, I prefer Ondarreta in the far west end of La Concha or Zurriola in the early morning or towards the evening - 4-6. All three city beaches are huge, and they don't get totally overcrowded in the middle of the day either.

lincasanova

Nerja is quaint. I have a friend who goes there every year for two weeks in August and LOVES it.