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The worst – and finest – seaside cities in Spain for holidays have been revealed, with a sun-filled spot identified for quick vehicles and luxurious vogue branded “a seedy dump”.
Puerto Banus, common with celebrities and with a marina residence to among the world’s costliest boats, has been given the unwelcome accolade in a research by a UK shopper group, with a rating of simply 55 per cent.
Which? spoke to extra then 1,200 travellers, asking them to charge their experiences of Spanish coastal cities, judging 11 standards together with the standard of the seashore and seafront, security, food and drinks, lodging and worth for cash. This led to a complete metropolis rating, primarily based on general satisfaction and likeliness to advocate.
On the different finish of the size, San Sebastian – the beachside spot famend for its culinary prowess – snatched prime spot.
Regardless of it’s glitzy popularity, Puerto Banus, on the Costa del Sol and never removed from central Marbella, was branded “overpriced”, scoring only one star on worth for cash – the one vacation spot on the survey to take action, with the excessive price ticket hooked up to eating out or purchasing a recurring theme.
It additionally scored only one star for vacationer sights, with people-watching and events the primary attracts over cultural sights – which could additionally clarify the one-star rating for peace and quiet.
It additionally acquired simply two stars for security, attractiveness and friendliness, with one respondent saying how their experiences of the city had “deteriorated” over their years of visiting, lamenting that “it’s nonetheless a spot for the wealthy and to be seen however has develop into cheesy”, whereas one other mentioned “it’s a seedy dump”.
It fared reasonably higher for its seashore, seafront, food and drinks and purchasing choices, scooping three stars in every of those classes, with some responses praising the “nice ambiance” and “nice vary of eating places”.
La Manga, on the Mar Menor saltwater lagoon within the Murcia area, simply edged Puerto Banus with a rating of 56 per cent. It picked up only one star for vacationer sights, however two stars for its seafront, general attractiveness, peace and quiet, and worth for cash.
It was additionally labelled “pale” and “cheesy” whereas being criticised for having “too many high-rise inns”. Nevertheless, some felt it was a “residence from residence” and appreciated the “conventional Spanish eating places, cafes and bars”.
Topping the desk was San Sebastian, with an general rating of 88 per cent, raking in a full 5 stars for its seashore, attractiveness and food and drinks – the latter coming as no shock, given the Basque metropolis has essentially the most Michelin stars of any in Spain, and is among the many cities with essentially the most Michelin stars per capita on this planet.
In accordance with Which?, guests “raved concerning the native snacks, pinchos, and selection of prime tier eating places”.
It scored 4 stars for its seafront, security, friendliness, lodging, vacationer sights and purchasing, with solely worth for cash bringing in three stars. One customer described to San Sebastian as “sufficiently small to stroll spherical simply”, whereas “the seashore and environment had been stunning, and it felt very protected”.
In second place with a rating of 81 per cent is Nerja, surpassing its Costa del Sol neighbours, corresponding to Marbella and Torremolinos. It’s the “excellent spot for these seeking to fly and flop”, mentioned Which?.
It acquired a four-star ranking for its seafront, security, friendliness, food and drinks and lodging, with respondents saying it felt like a “conventional unspoilt Spanish city”.
Tied in third place are Cartagena, Javea and Sitges, with a joint rating of 80 per cent.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Journey, mentioned: “This survey reveals that there are many incredible Spanish seashore resorts that may simply beat the best-marketed locations like Marbella and Torremolinos. You don’t even must look far, with stunning Nerja and its quaint white washed streets additionally to be discovered on the Costa del Sol.
“For these in search of a metropolis break with a dose of sea and sunshine, San Sebastian can’t be topped – it’s rightly well-known for its glorious eating places and genuine delicacies, and comes full with a fairly previous city and incredible seashores.”
