Which? asked more than 3,500 UK travellers to rate their trips to 44 coastal towns and cities across Europe, with each location marked in 12 categories.
By Niamh Lynch, Sky News reporter @niamhielynch
The UK’s favourite European coastal towns have been revealed, with lesser-known destinations beating popular hotspots in the ranking.
Spanish port city Valencia has been voted the best coastal destination in Europe in the survey by consumer organisation Which?, with popular party resort Mykonos ranked the worst.
Which? asked more than 3,500 UK travellers to rate their trips to 44 coastal towns and cities across Europe.
Locations were marked in 12 categories – the town’s beach; seafront or marina; food and drink; accommodation; tourist attractions; attractiveness; shopping; entertainment; peace and quiet; safety; friendliness; and value for money.
Valencia topped the poll with a destination score of 91%, receiving five-star reviews in seven out of the twelve categories.
Which? said: “Visitors heaped praise on the city’s beaches, rating them a full five stars out of five, and it was the only Spanish destination in the survey to score full marks for value for money.
“It also scored a full five stars for the quality of its tourist attractions, shopping, friendliness and attractiveness, and scored no less than four stars in any of the remaining categories.”
Portugal’s second city Porto and Venice – known as the Floating City – were tied in second place with a score of 88%.
The former was described as “picturesque” and scored well for its marina, friendliness, and value for money.
Venice was praised for its “magical views” despite low scores for value for money and peace and quiet.
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At the bottom end of the ranking, Mykonos scored a destination score of 58%.
Fuengirola in Costa Del Sol, Portimao in Portugal and Napoli in Italy were also awarded low scores by travellers.
See the list of the top 10 and bottom 10 destinations below.
UK’s favourite coastal destinations
1. Valencia, Spain
2. Porto, Portugal
3. Venice, Italy
4. Tavira, Portugal
5. Pollenca, Spain
6. Chania, Greece
7. Rhodes, Greece
8. Syracuse, Italy
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Lisbon, Portugal
UK’s least favourite coastal destinations
1. Mykonos, Greece
2. Fuengirola, Spain,
3, Portimao, Portugal
4. Napoli, Italy
5. Benalmadena, Spain
6. Marseille, France
7. Catania, Italy
8. Albufeira, Portugal
9. Carvoeiro, Portugal
10. Benidorm, Spain
