For years, Majorca has been a popular holiday destination for Brits with more than 2.3million of us jetting off to the Spanish island every year. This number jumps to a colossal 17.8million tourists when considering those across the world who holiday on this sunny island. However, in the last couple of years, residents of Majorca have been protesting this overtourism leading to holidaymakers opting to travel elsewhere instead.
Alongside these protests, the costs associated with holidaying in Majorca have also increased. With this in mind, the travel experts at Eurochange have shared six lesser-known holiday spots across Europe that have several similarities to the popular Balearic destination.
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"If you have a soft spot for Majorca’s capital city, Palma, then you are bound to love Mdina in Malta," says Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at Eurochange.
"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. Known as the ‘silent city’, it is known for its peaceful ambience, with very limited road traffic."
Fans of Game of Thrones may recognise the city as it was used as a backdrop for several scenes. Those looking for an affordable getaway will be delighted by this Maltese city, with Airbnbs available from as little as £22 per night.
One of the lesser-known Canary Islands, La Gomera is perfect for those looking to get away from the more crowded island destinations. Rather than flying directly to this island you'll have to fly into Tenerife and then take a ferry.
La Gomera offers everything from secluded black-sand beaches, perfect stargazing opportunities, and lush forests to explore. The island is also home to the stunning Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For those who love Majorca's beach resorts, the coastal town of Llafranc makes for a great alternative. Located in Costa Brava, this beautiful town picturesque crescent-shaped beach with crystal-clear waters.
Laura adds: "If you’re a foodie, Llafranc is a must-visit too. The coastal town is known for its delicious fresh seafood restaurants and traditional Catalan dishes." And these dishes aren't even too expensive, with an average meal in Llafranc setting you back an average of just €14.50 (£11.55).
Singing the praises of Portugal's Carvoerio, Laura says: "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."
Lassithi in Crete offers a great getaway from the crowds you may find in other destinations, instead offering a peaceful, authentic Greek experience, with very reasonable prices too - a meal will set you back just €11.00 (£8.76) while beer can be as cheap as €5.00 (£3.98).
The experts recommend this Cretan destination, saying: "Lassithi's coastline is much less developed and often more secluded than those in Majorca, so you won’t need to worry about finding a secluded sunbathing spot."
The expert's final recommendation is Salina in Sicily, of which Laura says: "Salina is one of the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily, it is a hidden gem that is much less well known than popular Spanish destinations like Majorca. It attracts far fewer tourists, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful."
And while there are fewer beaches than in Majorca, the lack of crowds means that you'll easily be able to find a secluded spot for enjoying some downtime by the sea.
