'Peace and quiet': The Spanish city with £18 flights and hardly any tourists
These are lesser-visited places that are geographically close to popular tourist locations. So, you fly to the hotspot, then break for a base just outside.
Usually, detour destinations are around 60 to 90 minutes from the airport; just off the radar, so every day is shoulder season. In other words, you get better bang for your buck, and there's less chance of overcrowding.
A beautiful detour is Dénia, an unspoiled coastal city on Spain's Costa Blanca, between the mountains and sea in the province of Alicante.
It's just over an hour's drive from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, and flights are a steal. On August 27, Metro found a one-way ticket for £22 with Ryanair, departing from London Stansted.
On September 29, when temperatures have cooled from 31°C to around 26°C, you can fly from London Southend with easyJet for £18.
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The Costa Blanca boasts more than 120 miles of Mediterranean coastline.
Each year, some 2.6 million Brits travel here, making them the region's largest tourist group. However, it's the infamous Benidorm that gets the majority of sunseekers.
But in Dénia, located halfway between Alicante and Valencia (twin city break, anyone?), you'll find a quiet blend of Spanish tradition and coastal beauty.
Dénia is an ancient city, so it's bursting with history. The Moorish castle, Castillo de Denia, was built in the 11th and 12th centuries on a 60-metre-high mound. Its position in the heart of the city means that, once you reach the top, you're spoiled with panoramic views of idyllic beaches and the buildings below.
On foot, climb the stairs next to the Town Hall and follow the signs to the Portal de la Vila. There's an entrance fee of €3 (£2.57).
Alongside its attractive position on the Costa Blanca, Dénia is also known as the 'Gateway to the Balearic Islands.' The city's port offers regular ferry services to Ibiza, Majorca, and Formentera, making it the perfect base for a Spanish island-hopping holiday.
On Ferry Hopper, one-way trips from Dénia to Ibiza average around £62 one way. The journey takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. To Majorca, prices start at £55, with a longer journey time of just over 5 hours.
The Old Town of Dénia is a must-visit for quaint tapas bars, lively markets, and 16th to 19th-century architecture. Façades, arched doorways, and gothic windows provide the most Instagrammable backdrops, and bright, colourful houses pepper the streets.
TripAdvisor cites Mistico as one of the best tapas bars in town, with guests calling it a 'hidden gem' in the heart of the city. Classic dishes like patatas bravas (€8, £6.86), ham and salmon croquettes (€9, £7.71 for six), and bread with alioli and tomato (€1.50, £1.29) make up the menu.
For those who have been scarred for life after watching those sunbed wars videos on social media, you can sleep easy knowing that Dénia is worlds away from the chaos.
The city and its surrounding areas encompass expansive stretches of rocky coves and both sand and pebble beaches, with plenty of space for everyone.
Popular spots include Cala los Tiestos, Platja De Les Marinas, Punta Negra, and Platja de les Rotes, which many say is the best place for snorkelling.
Looking for a little bit of luxury? Head to The Marina de Dénia. Bars and restaurants line the harbour, while yachts bob up and down on the water. It's the ideal place to inquire about boat trips and water activities, too. More Trending
Also for the water babies amongst us, Cova Tallada is a natural wonder worth seeing. Located along Dénia's coastline, you'll find a cave that was chiselled out of the rock face in the 12th century. And the best way to see it? By kayaking.
Kayak Dénia offers guided tours to the cave, where you'll spend 2 hours and 30 minutes exploring for just €50 (£42.90). If you fancy, you can opt to snorkel for no extra charge. No experience is required.
Prefer to sightsee on land? There's also the Vía Verde de Dénia, a four-mile network of cycle paths made from old railway tracks. Along the route – which many will be happy to know is completely flat – you'll pass through pine trees and orange groves.
Finally, just 25 minutes from Dénia is Benissa, one of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca. Take the El Paseo Ecológico de Benissa, a stunning two-mile coastal path through wildflowers, secluded rocky coves and rock pools. The word 'heaven' comes to mind.
Looking to beat the crowds and promote sustainable tourism in areas actively seeking visitors? These Spanish hotspots offer everything you're looking for in a Mediterranean getaway:
• 'Breathtaking' Spanish city with quiet beaches gets new £31 flights from UK
• Spain's little-known village with 'hanging houses' is a hidden gem overlooked by tourists
• 'Charming' city in Spain is a lesser-known gem with £40 flights and 'hardly any tourists'
MORE: The 'Venice of the Netherlands' has no cars and five miles of winding canals
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