Assos, Kefalonia, Greece
There’s something quite special about small but perfectly formed Assos: butterscotch and rose-pink houses line the horseshoe bay, and Venetian ruins are scattered among the narrow streets. There are two small beaches but the real pleasure is to rent a motor boat and explore the small coves and coves that dot this part of the Kefalonia coast. Hikers can reach the cape by following the path that leads to the ruins of the 16th-century castle of Assos; There isn’t much to see but the views are worth the walk. Roi Suites A group of well-equipped bougainvillea-covered studio apartments set in a neoclassical waterfront building, offering stunning sea views from the pool terrace.
Double rooms from £117 (minimum seven nights), roisuites.com
AkyakaTurkey
Turkey’s ““Slow Cities” – Quiet towns that care about nature and sustainability: Akyaka is located at the mouth of the Azmak River in the sparkling Gökova Bay. Behind the beach, a lattice of bougainvillea-lined streets, traditional restaurants (simple bistros) and cafes; At night, restaurants on the beach set up tables on the sand. Boats head towards Azmak from the small harbour, where fish restaurants line the lush riverside and a shady walking path extends into the countryside. Akyaka is also the kitesurfing center of Turkey, and there are many surfing schools on the long beach just outside the city. my scaffoldingSituated in a quiet bay on the headland, it is a wonderfully peaceful retreat with simple rooms and an excellent restaurant.
Pairs from £83 Pension, skeletonmotel.com.tr
Göltürkbükü, Türkiye
If Turkey had a Saint-Tropez, this ostentatious combination of two villages, Gölköy and Türkbükü, is it, with its newly created public beach and beach clubs exuding chilled Côte d’Azur vibes. There’s plenty of activity, but it’s still much quieter than nearby Bodrum and has a particularly strong restaurant scene; Book a table at Arnavutköy for a lavish fish-themed feast. Behind the beach, souvenir shops stand side by side with designer boutiques and small shops. pension five star hotels as well as normal filledS (public bus) offers the chance to explore other villages on the peninsula, including pristine Gumusluk, with its seedy fish restaurants along the coast. Matiz It is a friendly bed and breakfast with five simple rooms, a tranquil, lush garden and a rooftop terrace.
B&B doubles from £86, matizturkbuku.com
Sibenik, Croatia
It might be a bit of an overstatement to say that Šibenik is a mini Dubrovnik, but it has the same elegant Venetian architecture and terracotta-roofed houses and is much less crowded. This is a town built for wandering: from Riva to the coastline, among the alleyways and streets leading to the elegant cathedral and the 11th-century St Michael’s Castle. The blue flag Banj beach is a 200 meter walk from the centre, and has a restaurant and playground. Boat trips are available to the pristine waters of the Kornati archipelago. Hotel Life Palace It is a lovingly renovated 15th-century mansion with 17 rooms that reflect the historic feel with frescoes, exposed brickwork and Renaissance-inspired furnishings.
Pairs from £118 Bed and Breakfast, hotel-lifepalace.hr
Cavtat, Croatia
One of Dalmatia’s most charming little seaside towns, Cavtat has terracotta-roofed houses floating around a small horseshoe bay and two forested peninsulas stretching 13 miles across the water towards Dubrovnik. Simple cafes and restaurants, some run by the same families for decades, run parallel to the coastline, with swimming platforms and small pebble coves opening into crystal-clear water. Boat taxis run regularly to Dubrovnik and the nearby Elaphiti islands, and there is a lovely circular walking route through the forest, with a few simple beach bars that are excellent sunset spots. Villa PattieraOnce the home of opera singer Tino Pattiera, the 12 apricot-coloured bedrooms are located at the top of the promenade and offer wonderful views.
B&B doubles from £156, villa-pattiera.hr
Santa Maria di CastellabateCampania, Italy
A world away from the bustle of the nearby Amalfi coast, the Cilento coast is dotted with small seaside towns where faded palazzos and fishermen’s cottages overlook pristine beaches. Santa Maria is just such a place: fishing boats return early in the morning to supply the town’s restaurants, fishermen mend their nets on blue flag beaches. Days can be spent lazing on the sand or following hiking trails to the Cilento national park, where the nearby archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia are of great interest to history buffs. Stay in: Hotel Garden RivieraIt is located on a hillside, 500 meters from the center, with magnificent sea views and beach shuttle service. Pairs from £72 Bed and Breakfast, hotelgardenriviera.it
La Flotte en Again, Île de Ré, France
Once an important sea fishing port, La Flotte is one of the most beautiful villages on the Île de Ré, with narrow streets and alleyways winding between classical Breton-style houses, a beach lined with restaurants and a large marina. Nearby Arnérault beach is the best choice for a lazy afternoon; Trees behind the beach offer shaded areas for sleeping, along with changing and toilet facilities; Although the tide is high, check the times before setting off. There are bikes you can rent to ride to the atmospheric Abbaye des Châteliers, and a daily morning market for picnic goods such as excellent cheeses, breads and cured meats. Hhotel Hippocampe Located in the old village with stylish and airy rooms.
Pairs from £Only 74 rooms, hotel-hippocampe.com
concarneauBrittany, France
Steeped in history, with a wide sandy beach and a working fishing fleet stocking the town’s restaurants with the freshest seafood, Concarneau is Brittany at its airiest and most beautiful. This town is divided into two parts, with 14th-century walls surrounding the old town on a small island, and cobbled streets leading between houses towards the lively fishing harbour. Plage des Sables Blancs, a stretch of pristine sand, is a short walk from the city center with good facilities, including lifeguards. The Fisheries Museum and the Marinarium, the world’s oldest shipping station, are good wet-weather options for families. Hotel Ker Mor It is a quaint 19th-century hotel on the water’s edge.
Pairs from £117 bed and breakfasts, hotel-logishhotels.com
Fornells, Menorca, Spain
Not to be confused with Playa de Fornells, a newer development a few miles away, Fornells is one of Menorca’s most charming fishing villages, with a simple palm-fringed shoreline that has become a fish restaurant hub (food to order kaldereta de llagosta – lobster stew). In recent years it has also become known for water sports, with reliable winds providing ideal conditions for windsurfing and flapping; For calmer days there are paddleboards. The town’s beach is small, but Cala Tirant, located on the other side of the cape, offers clear waters and a wide expanse of sand. Can Digus It has bright and airy apartments in the heart of the city.
couples £57 room only (two nights minimum), candigus.com
LlafrancGirona, Spain
The jumble of whitewashed houses, blue doors and small fishing boats bobbing on the water gives Llafranc a pleasant old-school feel. Once the Costa Brava’s most spectacular spot, attracting everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Salvador Dalí, Elizabeth Taylor to Sophia Loren, it has now become a quiet, family-friendly resort that is only busy in July and August. The sheltered harbor is ideal for water sports such as canoeing, sailing, scuba diving and paddleboarding, and there are good walks (especially the mile-long walk around the pine-forested headland to Calella de Palafrugell) and enough bars to create some fun. night time buzz. Hostal Sa Teula 100 meters from the sea, there are 18 simple bedrooms and a restaurant serving locally caught fish and classic Catalan cuisine.
Pairs from £109 Bed and Breakfast, hostalsateula.com