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Europe in winter may be best associated with Christmas markets, snow-capped old towns and moody skies, but you’d be wrong if you think this is all the continent has to offer: in fact, not all destinations across enter the pond in the low season in the same way.
That is the case with certain parts of Spain, true it can still be a pleasant 60°F outsidewith little to no rain expected.
If you’re in the mood for some Old World culture, but you’re not exactly keen on the bone-chilling Northern cold – nor the expensive hotels – these are 4 relaxed, affordable cities in Spain, blessed with mild temperatures, this might be the solution, starting with Estepona:
Estepona
A picturesque town on the Costa del Sol, Spain’s aptly named ‘Sunny Coast’, Estepona is a medium-sized municipality with around 77,000 inhabitants, and it is much more peaceful and less crowded than Malaga, Marbella and the like.
All the pedestrian-friendly streets in the whitewashed old town resemble one centrally decorated with flowers Plaza de las Flores (place names are quite literal in this part of the world), and the palm-lined Paseo Marítimo, which stretches along a sandy beach, is lined with restaurants.
Don’t miss Chiringuito Paco, a traditional eatery on the promenade known for its delicious tapas, tasty Mediterranean salads and freshly caught Andalusian dishes. pescadoor the idyllic El Galeón, with their best-selling tuna in onions and shrimp in garlic.
Best budget hotels in Estepona this season:
Algeciras
Not far from Estepona, just a 35-minute drive to the southwest, Algeciras is yet another sun-drenched Andalusian town where most tourists sleep, en route to the winter sun in Malaga, a city that is exceptionally warm all year round.
Located at the far southern end of Europe, directly across from Africa, it has a distinctly subtropical climatewith minimal precipitation out of season, lots of sunshine – the sunny coast, remember? – and temperatures as high as 61 degrees.
Not warm enough for swimming, but ideal for sunbathing and sightseeing: in the city, the main attractions are the white sandy beach of Getares, the minimalist-baroque Church of Our Lady of the Palm, Plaza Alta, lined with lively cafes, and the lush, fountain-studded Maria Cristina Park.
Best budget hotels in Algeciras this season:
Almeria
If ancient heritage most interests you, head to balmy Almeria in southeastern Spain, a fortified Mediterranean port full of medieval monuments and dominated by the Alcazaba, an imposing fortress atop a rugged hill.
The Almería Cathedral is probably located in the center of the city one of the most beautiful in Spainwith its towering arches and ribbed Gothic ceiling, and its winding streets and beautiful squares flanked by graceful buildings, it is simply postcard ready.
Oh, and if we can give you a restaurant recommendation: Bresca Almeria is a vegan, Mediterranean restaurant on the charming Calle Regaliz, where amazing truffle and mushroom pizza, gluten-free pasta and flavored lemonade, with main course prices from just $14.60.
Best budget hotels in Almeria this season:
LaManga
La Manga extends over a distance of no less than 21 kilometers in the turquoise Mediterranean Sea and is the Spanish equivalent of Cancun in Mexico: a natural coastal strip full of apartments and hotels, with golden sandy beaches on both sides.
It is a year-round destination for water sports and sunbathing due to its sailing and windsurfing opportunities and mild temperatures: on average, you can expect most days to be as warm as 60.8°F and minimal rain throughout the winter.
As well as sunbathing and even swimming, if you don’t mind the moderately cold Mediterranean this time of year, you can also explore the nearby Calblanque Regional Park, dotted with sand dunes and salt marshes, and cycle along the La Manga coast.
Best budget hotels in La Manga this season:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
