Europe in winter may be best associated with Christmas markets, snow-clad Old Towns, and moody skies, but you’re wrong to think that’s all the continent has to offer: in fact, not all destinations across the pond experience the low season in the same way.
That is the case with certain parts of Spain, where it may still be a pleasant 60°F out, with little to no rain expected.
If you’re craving some Old World culture, but you’re not exactly thrilled about the freezing Northern cold––nor the pricey hotels––then these 4 laid-back, affordable towns in Spain blessed with mild temps might just do the trick, starting with Estepona:
Estepona
A picturesque town straddling Costa del Sol, Spain’s aptly-baptized ‘Sunny Coast’, Estepona is a mid-sized municipality with a population of around 77,000, and it’s much more peaceful, and less crowded than Malaga, Marbella, and the like.
All the pedestrian-friendly lanes in the whitewashed Old Town seem to lead to a central, flower-ornamented Plaza de las Flores (place names are quite literal in this part of the world), and the palm-lined Paseo Marítimo, unfolding along a sandy beach, is lined with restaurants.
Don’t miss out on Chiringuito Paco, a traditional eatery on the boardwalk known for their delicious tapas, flavorful Mediterranean salads, and freshly-caught Andalusian pescado, or the idyllic El Galeón, with their best-selling tuna in onions and prawns in garlic.
Best budget hotels in Estepona this season:
Algeciras
Not far from Estepona, only a short 35-minute drive southwest, Algeciras is yet another sun-drenched Andalusian town most tourists sleep on, on their way to catch some winter sun in Malaga and one that’s particularly warm year-round.
Located at the very southern end of Europe, directly facing Africa, it has a distinct subtropical climate, with minimal precipitation in the off-season, plenty of sunshine––Sunny Coast, remember?––and temperatures rising as high as 61 degrees.
Not warm enough for swimming, but ideal for sunbathing and sightseeing: in town, main attractions include the white-sand Getares Beach, the minimalist-Baroque Church of Our Lady of the Palm, Plaza Alta, bordered by lively cafes, and the lush, fountain-dotted Maria Cristina Park.
Best budget hotels in Algeciras this season:
Almeria
If ancient heritage is what drives your interest the most, head over to a balmy Almeria in southeast Spain, a fortified Mediterranean port filled with medieval monuments and dominated by the Alcazaba, an imposing fortress sitting atop a rugged hill.
In the center of town, Almería Cathedral is probably one of the most beautiful in Spain, with its soaring arches and ribbed Gothic ceiling, and its winding streets and magnificent plazas flanked by ornate buildings are just postcard-ready.
Oh, and if we may offer a restaurant recommendation, Bresca Almeria is a vegan-friendly Mediterranean diner up a charming Calle Regaliz serving amazing truffle-and-mushroom pizza, gluten-free pasta, and flavored lemonade, with main dish prices starting at only $14.60.
Best budget hotels in Almeria this season:
La Manga
Stretching out into the turquoise Mediterranean for a whopping 13 miles, La Manga is the Spanish equivalent to Mexico’s Cancun: a natural seaside spit packed with condominiums and hotels, with golden-sand beaches on both sides.
It is a year-round destination for water sports and sunbathing due to its sailing and windsurfing scene and mild temps: on average, you can expect most days to be as warm as 60.8°F and minimal rain throughout winter.
Other than sunbathing and even swimming, if you don’t mind the moderately chilly Mediterranean this time of year, you can explore the nearby Calblanque Regional Park, dotted with sand dunes and salt marshes, and cycle along La Manga’s seafront.
Best budget hotels in La Manga this season:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.