Best short-haul holiday destinations

very second of annual leave is precious, so maxing out your holiday days while keeping the flight time to a minimum makes perfect sense – but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the weather… We’re looking at sunny spots in southern Europe and North Africa, where you can catch a tan closer to home. Here’s our guide to the best short-haul holiday destinations…  

Majorca, Balearic Islands 

Flight time – 2 hours 25 minutes 

The beachiest of all the Balearics, Majorca’s an all-time fave when it comes to sand-and-sea holidays. Trips here aren’t a one-size situation, either –  Magaluf and Palma Nova serve up a serious party scene, with lively beach bars on the sand and main strips lined with clubs. Then you’ve got the capital, Palma, which is pure city break material. We’re talking a top-rated set of restaurants, pretty streets and art galleries, plus a huge cathedral and an urban beach.   

Or, get to know the island’s more laidback side over in  Alcudia and Sa Coma, where the beaches come with Blue Flag status. The best part? It’s all just a short-and-sweet plane journey from the UK.  

Sorrento, Italy 

Flight time – 2 hours 50 minutes 

The Sorrento Coast is under three hours from home, flying into Naples, but it couldn’t feel further away from the UK. Backed by scenes of Mount Vesuvius and Gulf of Naples, Sorrento gives iconic Italian glamour. Imagine sorbet-coloured buildings sitting on clifftops, fishing boats bobbing in the marinas and sweet-smelling citrus trees, and you’ve got a pretty accurate image of the seaside town. This part of Italy doesn’t really do sandy beaches, instead you get cute pebbly bays packed with chic, stripy parasols and wooden jetties for diving into the water. But what Sorrento is famous for is its top-tier limoncello, oh-so fresh seafood and stylish streets lined with designer boutiques – no wonder Audrey Hepburn couldn’t stay away.  

Costa del Sol, Spain 

Flight time – 2 hours 55 minutes 

This slice of  Spain has been a go-to for Brits since the sixties, and some love the Costa del Sol so much they’ve made the move and settled there permanently. It’s easy to see why… flying to Malaga’s a breeze, the coastline’s covered in Blue Flag beaches, and summer’s basically on from April to October – it’s not called the sunshine coast for nothing.  

Marbella is a big name here for its glitzy restaurants, bars and clubs – also for celeb-spotting – and Torremolinos is a popular pick for sun lovers, thanks to its long, sandy sweep. If you’re after somewhere with a quieter feel, life moves a lot slower in Torrox. Spend days sat outside traditional tavernas drinking sangria from the local vineyards, followed by lazy afternoons sleeping off your lunch on the sand.  

Malta  

Flight time – 3 hours 15 minutes 

You’ll find Malta making moves in the south of the Med, not far from Sicily’s coastline. The island covers every kind of beach vibe, from a huge watersports hub in Bugibba and Blue Flag beaches in Mellieha Bay to Qawra’s rocky coves. If you’re looking to level-up the luxury, St Julian’s is all over it. Bay Street’s the place to go for big-brand shopping sprees, the waterfront meets the brief for swish cocktail bars with a backdrop of super yachts, and the flashy casinos are a great excuse to get all dressed up.  

Malta’s a win for history nerds, too – Valleta, Europe’s smallest capital city, packs in cute streets, an opera house and a grand harbour, plus you’ll be a 20-minute bus ride away from Mdina, a medieval walled city and UNESCO heritage site.  

Morocco  

Flight time – 3 hours 50 minutes 

You’ve probably had car journeys that are longer than the flight to Morocco... This is technically mid-haul level, but Morocco guarantees heat on North Africa’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline all year round. It’s your best bet for winter sun without having to hit the six-hour travel mark and does sea and city. Head back, podcast, on, and you’ll be in a whole different continent in just under four hours.   

If it’s a beachy break you’re after, Agadir and Taghazhout are all yours. Think charming fishing villages, golden sand and unreal surf. Agadir’s centre’s a cool combo of old and new, with an ancient walled city and colourful souks sitting side by side with modern restaurants and boujie stays. If urban exploring is more your vibe, you’ll love Marrakech. It might not have a beach, but it makes up for it with buzzing bazaars filled with fragrant spice stalls and stunning fabrics. The buildings are just as impressive – it’s all grand mosques, ornate medinas and geometric mosaics. Head to Jemaa el-Fna square to see street performers and artists or stroll to the lush gardens on the outskirts. 

If you’re ready to live your best short-haul life, head over to our deals page.  

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Author: Daisy Colley
Last updated: 02/09/2024