Swap Majorca for these ‘destination dupes' where you can get a beer for under £2 and beaches with no crowds

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

Plus, many have a mix of history, hiking and great beaches
SANDS GREAT Swap Majorca for these 'destination dupes' where you can get a beer for under £2 and beaches with no crowds
LOVE Majorca, but want to find somewhere else with less crowds and new spots to explore? Well, here are six pretty alternatives.
Majorca is becoming busier and busier each year with tourists.
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There are many great alternatives to Majorca including Mdina
Credit: Getty
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So, the people at Eurochange have found six lesser-known holiday spots across Europe, that are similar to the popular Balearic destination.
Mdina, Malta
Mdina is known as Malta's old capital, surrounded by historic walls.
If you have a soft spot for Majorca's capital city, Palma, then you are bound to love Mdina in Malta.
Although it is much smaller than the Majorcan city, Mdina has many similarities to Palma in terms of its warm, year-round climate and the gorgeous, quaint, cobbled streets you can wander in its old town.
Dubbed the 'silent city', it is known for its peaceful ambience, with very limited road traffic.
Mdina is also one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with a history dating back 4,000 years.
From its towering city walls, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the island.
It's also worth a visit for Game of Thrones fans. It has been used as a filming location for a number of scenes in the epic drama!
You can catch a direct flight to Valletta from select UK airports.
The Sun explores Majorca
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Mdina is a historic city dating back 4,000 years
Credit: Getty
For example, you could fly with Ryanair from Edinburgh on August 19 and return on August 27 for £110.
Or you could fly with Ryanair from Bournemouth on August 27 and return on August 31 for £162.
There is plenty of accommodation still available throughout August too, with stays as little as £22 per night.
And for when you're there, the average price of a beer is €4.00 (£3.19) and a meal will set you back around €18.00 (£14.34).
La Gomera, Spain
The volcanic island of La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands and features rugged yet breathtaking landscapes.
If an adventure or hiking holiday is your thing, La Gomera is a must visit.
Known for its dramatic landscapes, lush forests, steep cliffs, and volcanic formations, the island is also home to the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While the island is not as well known for its beaches as other Canary Islands, it does have some secluded stretches of black sand.
Like other islands in the region, La Gomera benefits from pleasant temperatures throughout the year too. And, its low light pollution means it's an excellent spot for stargazing.
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Or you could head to La Gomera, which is the second smallest of the Canary Islands and used to be a volcano
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You can get a flight to Tenerife from Edinburgh on August 15 and return on August 21 for £74 with Jet2.
Or you could fly from Glasgow on August 19 and return on August 23 for £107 with Jet2 and TUI.
Hotels on Booking.com can also be found for August as low as £50 per night.
When there, you can also expect to spend around €2.50 (£1.99) on beer and roughly €15.00 (£11.95) per meal.
Llafranc, Spain
Llafranc is one of three coastal towns that can be found in the Palafrugell region of Girona, Spain.
Llafranc, a coastal town in the Costa Brava is a great alternative option for those who love Majorca's beach resorts.
Boasting a picturesque crescent-shaped beach with crystal-clear waters, it is the ideal relaxing swimming and sunbathing spot.
The town is also part of the Camí de Ronda, a coastal path that offers stunning views of the Mediterranean and connects to quaint nearby towns like Calella de Palafrugell, also well worth a visit.
The spot is good for foodies too, with the coastal town being well-known for its fresh seafood restaurants and traditional Catalan dishes.
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Llafranc is also in Spain and features sprawling sandy beaches
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You could fly direct from Belfast to Girona on August 18 and return on August 23 for £85 with Ryanair.
Or you could head off from Bournemouth Airport on August 24 and return on August 27 for £98 with Ryanair.
For those in the capital, you could grab a flight with Ryanair from London Stansted on August 20 and return on August 22 for £98.
There is still some availability for hotels in August, with some rooms as low as £126 per night.
When in Llafranc, beers cost around €3.00 (£2.39) and the average meal costs €14.50 (£11.55).
Carvoerio, Portugal
Carvoeiro in Portugal is known for being a relaxed resort town, away from the more busy Algarve resorts.
A lesser known spot in Portugal's popular Algarve region, Carvoerio is another stunning, relaxed coastal town, suitable for families, couples or solo travellers.
If you're up for a little exploring when you're there, it's definitely worth visiting the 'Algar Seco', a unique rock formation in the sea which you can swim up to, or you can even take a kayak or boat trip at dawn or sunset for some truly incredible views.
You could hop on a flight from Aberdeen to Faro on August 18 and return on the August 24 for £71.
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In Portugal, you could head to Carvoerio for just £67
Credit: Getty
Or you could head from Birmingham Airport on August 17 and return on August 24 for £67 with Ryanair.
Airbnb stays are still available from £22 per night in August.
When in Carvoerio, beer on average costs €2.50 (£1.99) and a meal is around €12.00 (£9.56).
Lassithi, Crete
Lassithi is located at one end of the island of Crete, in Greece and features numerous mountainous villages.
If you're looking to escape the crowds this summer, then Lassithi is a fantastic holiday spot, offering a peaceful, authentic Greek experience, with very reasonable prices too.
Lassithi's coastline is much less developed and often more secluded than those in Majorca, so you won't need to worry about being able to get a secluded sunbathing spot.
This region is also a must visit for foodies, some of the best Greek produce is made here including olive oil and honey.
You could also visit one of the many olive oil farms in the region as well.
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Lassithi in Crete is known for its many olive oil farms
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Flights from Newcastle to Heraklion on August 15 and returning on August 20 cost £109 with Ryanair.
Or you could head from Nottingham on August 15 and return on August 22 for £124 with TUI.
Airbnb stays are still available in August from £32 per night.
And when in Lassithi, you will be able to pick up a pint for around €5.00 (£3.98) and a meal for €11.00 (£8.76).
Salina, Sicily
Finally, Salina is one of the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily and features fewer crowds than Majorca.
It attracts far fewer tourists, but that doesn't mean it's any less beautiful.
As part of the 'Aeolian Archipelago' landscape, Salina offers unique volcanic scenery, including two dormant volcanoes, which are fantastic hiking spots.
Though Salina does feature fewer beaches than Majorca, there are often less crowds.
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The Salina in Sicily features crystal clear waters
Credit: Getty
Living up to its Italian roots, Salina is also known for its authentic Sicilian cuisine.
You're likely to see local ingredients such as capers, sweet Malvasia wine, and fresh seafood on the menu.
You can hop on a flight from Edinburgh to Palermo on August 20 and return on August 28 for £205 with Ryanair and easyJet.
Hotels are still available on Booking.com from £70 per night for August.
And when you are there a beer will set you back €5.00 (£3.98) on average and a meal around €12.00 (£9.56).
These are the hidden gems loved by locals on Spain's biggest island including secret bars, and cheap beach clubs.
Plus, the tiny 'Bali of Europe' town right by Africa has beautiful beaches and £20 flights from the UK.