Somewhere in Europe to explore and chill out

[Markytop]

Am looking for somewhere to go on my own for a few days in early July, just to get away from work and the general hubbub of life really. I want somewhere warm that I can maybe explore (meaning walk about looking at things) during the morning, and then somewhere to relax, either a beach or by a hotel pool, to have a few drinks, read a book etc in the afternoon - then probably find somewhere reasonable to eat in the evening.

Probably only looking for 2-3 days, so nowhere long haul. Was thinking maybe some city that has a beach, such as Barcelona, or maybe Venice Lido, but open to other suggestions. Don't want to spend a fortune, but maybe 150 notes per night at max for a hotel and couple hundred for a flight.

Open to suggestions really, doesnt necessarily need to be near a beach, could be a hotel with a nice rooftop pool/terrace for example.

Any ideas?

[HowMuchLonger]

Liverpool?

[eldar]

Gijon in Austurias, northern Spain. Lovely City, very few brit tourists, plenty to do and excellent food. And Cidre

[Pothole]

Malta

[Shay HTFC]

I was thinking Barcelona before you mentioned it.

Other than that, Lisbon or one of the Scandinavian cities maybe (Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo etc)

[BrabusMog]

Have you looked at the Amalfi Coast? Cheap flights to Naples with easyJet, some really nice walks through the Ferrier National Park, it will be roasting and there are lots of nice beaches/coves etc.

[bearman68]

Salamanca central Spain
Worth considering Rome. Nice to walk about.
Istanbul might have been a good shout until recently.

[Voldemort]

Fly to Pisa, stay in Florence.

[g3org3y]

I'd be checking out Barcelona. Plenty to see culturally, plenty of bars/clubs for relaxing and easy access to the beach.

[Meteor Madness]

Seville is nice.

[LuS1fer]

We recently went to Peniscola which is itself a lovely resort with a town within a castle on an isthmus.
It's a reasonable drive down from Barcelona but it's all motorway.

Inland then is Morella, a fabulous castle atop a rock affording 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and surrounded by a walled town. Fantastic place.

[NAS]

Porto. Very cool, not too touristy, fantastic surroundings & cheap.

[jontysafe]

Slovenia, a real gem. Hotel on the banks of Lake Bled. Beautiful weather, beautiful women. Oh and try the traditional cream cakes of the area deeeeelish

[Wozy68]

San Sabastian ............ Beautiful town and lovely lovely Tapas. I've been told it's where the Spanish have their holidays. I loved it, difficult to fly too though.
Seville ....... Stay in the old part and what a fab city and easy flights.
Toledo? Historic, easy train from Madrid.
Lucca? - Italy, fly into Pisa ...great walled town

[Markytop]

Some great suggestions folks, many thanks

Hadn't considered the likes of Lisbon or Porto, but will investigate further. The likes of some of the smaller Spanish suggestions sound like they could be strung together as a mini touring holiday when me and the other half have a bit more time. Same goes for Slovenia, that is certainly on the list to visit.

I think it's probably looking more towards Barcelona though for this trip, any hotels with nice rooftop terrace/pool that would be recommended?