The worst – and best – seaside towns in Spain for holidays have been revealed, with a sun-filled spot known for fast cars and luxury fashion branded “a seedy dump”.
Puerto Banus, popular with celebrities and with a marina home to some of the world’s most expensive boats, has been given the unwelcome accolade in a study by a UK consumer group, with a score of just 55 per cent.
Which? spoke to more then 1,200 travellers, asking them to rate their experiences of Spanish coastal towns, judging 11 criteria including the quality of the beach and seafront, safety, food and drink, accommodation and value for money. This led to a total city score, based on overall satisfaction and likeliness to recommend.
At the other end of the scale, San Sebastian – the beachside spot renowned for its culinary prowess – snatched top spot.
Despite it’s glitzy reputation, Puerto Banus, on the Costa del Sol and not far from central Marbella, was branded “overpriced”, scoring just one star on value for money – the only destination on the survey to do so, with the high price tag attached to dining out or shopping a recurring theme.
It also scored just one star for tourist attractions, with people-watching and parties the main draws over cultural attractions – which might also explain the one-star score for peace and quiet.
It also received just two stars for safety, attractiveness and friendliness, with one respondent saying how their experiences of the town had “deteriorated” over their years of visiting, lamenting that “it’s still a place for the rich and to be seen but has become tacky”, while another said “it is a seedy dump”.
It fared moderately better for its beach, seafront, food and drink and shopping offerings, scooping three stars in each of these categories, with some responses praising the “great atmosphere” and “great range of restaurants”.
La Manga, on the Mar Menor saltwater lagoon in the Murcia region, just edged Puerto Banus with a score of 56 per cent. It picked up just one star for tourist attractions, but two stars for its seafront, overall attractiveness, peace and quiet, and value for money.
It was also labelled “faded” and “tacky” while being criticised for having “too many high-rise hotels”. However,…
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