Majorca, Benidorm or somewhere else?!

renowen

I'm trying to plan our first family holiday abroad but I'm having trouble deciding where is best to go!

I've travelled a fair bit so am very open, however I will be travelling with my partner who has never been further than Ireland, and our 3 children who will be 7,5 and 2 years when we travel!

I'm looking for something with nice weather in September, nice beaches, lots to do within easy reach as none of us drive so car hire is not an option and within budget (as much below 300 per person for one week as possible) Oh and it will be the childresn1st time flying and only partners 2nd so don't want the flight to be much over 2 hours - not asking much am I?!

I've had Majorca and Benidorm suggested to me, what do people think of these places and if good, are there any particular areas which are best? Or if not, any other recommendations?
I've been to Majorca several times as a child but my Aunt used to live out there so we had a more 'native' trip which isn't much help now lol

Any help greatly appreciated

cclarke12

Costa Calida in Spain is good. Clean beaches and shallow warm water around the Mar Menor. You can pick up flights to Murcia airport with Ryanair, easyjet and Jet 2 and the airport is a five minute taxi drive from coastal towns such as Los Alcazares. If you book your own flights and accomodation via holiday rentals or similar it can be done cheaply. It's a nice area without being as hectic and built up as some of the other Costas but still with lots of bars and restaurants.

dondo

Puerto Pollensa in Majorca- we went for 1st time this year in June with our 4 and 2 year old and it was great and have booked to go back in 2012. Very family friendly with great beach and lots of nice restauarants. Also if you did want to explore island further then there are good public transport links- we did a trip on the train from Palma to Soller which was fantastic.

Also (though not been) heard good reports about Santa Eulalia (sp) in Ibiza- we did look into that but kids wanted to go back to Puerto Pollensa- especially my youngest as he fractured his collar bone out there and think he wants to go back so he has a better holiday as such.

melb

if going to spain please can I suggest going in the may/June whitsun holiday rather than summer as it will be unbearably hot for your children. Unfortunately may tends to be more expensive in my experience so as the children are so young i would be tempted to tack 2 or 3 days onto the beginning or end of the school holiday dates to make it more affordable. Book your own flights and an apartment from owners direct, holiday lettings or holiday-rentals and you will easily achieve your budget. We recently flew to malaga and stayed in Torremolinos which was 10 minutes on the train direct from the airport at a cost of less than 2 euros. There's a lovely long promenade to Benalmadena which has plenty for kids. There are buses and trains to other areas along the coast and it's all well set up for families.

will-he-payitoff

Id look at minorca as well, nice beaches and more family friendly.

soccermom

In my opinion and I know a lot of people like it, but Benidorm is awful and not somewhere I would recommend.

I would pick Majorca over Benidorm 100%.

How about somewhere on the coastline of the south of france, lovely beaches and plenty do to. I haven't been for years but my brother has been for the last 2 years with young children and they love it.

sjc80

Another one for Menorca, beautiful beaches and a lovely family atmosphere. We were there in the summer and I spent so much less than I did the previous year in Majorca. My children and 4 and 6 so similar ages, they were kept happy between the pool and beach and a stop by the swingpark on the way home to bed. Have fun planning!!

renowen

Thanks for all the replies, i've done a bit of research and now looking at Alcudia in Majorca as it seems to have good choice of things to do and sounds very family friendly?? Unless anyone with more experience would like to tell me differently?

Now my next challenge is to find a holiday for us! Any help with that would be great. BTW I'm not being lazy, I have spent many an hour searching but as this is the first time I've done this I'm sure there are hints and tips others can give me!
Thanks again

xx

Standingtall

renowen wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, i've done a bit of research and now looking at Alcudia in Majorca as it seems to have good choice of things to do and sounds very family friendly?? Unless anyone with more experience would like to tell me differently?

Now my next challenge is to find a holiday for us! Any help with that would be great. BTW I'm not being lazy, I have spent many an hour searching but as this is the first time I've done this I'm sure there are hints and tips others can give me!
Thanks again

xx

I took my children to both Alcudia and Puerto Pollensa - I prefer the latter on balance although Alcudia has the best beach I have ever visited! Either though would make an excellent choice.

[Deleted User]

We have had several holidays in Alcudia and love it, the beach will make your holiday with children, very shallow and warm water. The one downside is mossies have been known to bite at some times of the year so make sure you take some repelant. There is a road between the beach and the town but if you cross at a crossing the drivers are very good at stopping.

Teahfc

cclarke12 wrote: »

Costa Calida in Spain is good. Clean beaches and shallow warm water around the Mar Menor. You can pick up flights to Murcia airport with Ryanair, easyjet and Jet 2 and the airport is a five minute taxi drive from coastal towns such as Los Alcazares. If you book your own flights and accomodation via holiday rentals or similar it can be done cheaply. It's a nice area without being as hectic and built up as some of the other Costas but still with lots of bars and restaurants.

Another vote for Costa Calida, I am living here at moment ( 6 days on the trot of 20 degrees and clear skies) there is a new airport opening 15 miles away in the Spring and the local airport will close for commercial flights, however ther will be a bus service to the coastal towns.
The bay is great for kids and in September will be still very warm weather and sea temperature also.
Drop me a PM if you need any help /advice.