5 Stunning Summer Sun Destinations

The best summer sun destinations for 2026 should be all about simplicity. Every place in this guide is based on our own firsthand experience of trips where the biggest decisions are pool or beach or whether today needs crazy golf or a water park.

This post is for families and couples who want easy, affordable summer breaks without long flights or complicated planning. Think beautiful beaches, friendly locals and resorts that are set up perfectly for doing very little, with the option of a few handy excursions to break up the week. These aren’t once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon destinations or winter sun escapes — they’re classic summer sun resorts that really come alive from May to September. All are a short flight from Ireland and work out slightly cheaper than home for day-to-day spending on meals, drinks and taxis.

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Let’s get into the picks!

Cambrils is a quiet fishing town on Spain’s Costa Dorada, 115km from Barcelona and just 7km from the much livelier Salou. It’s a slower, more relaxed alternative to the big resort scene nearby. Summers here are reliably hot, with temperatures regularly pushing past 30 degrees. It isn’t the busiest spot on the Costa Dorada so it handles the crowds well during the peak season.

Dining out is a highlight of any visit to the culinary capital of the Costa Dorada. Most of the best dishes are focused on freshly caught seafood. If you love good food, you’ll be spoiled here.

Drinking, however, is a quieter affair. Cambrils doesn’t have a buzzing bar scene and you won’t find the usual Irish or British options. Instead, the old town offers small, peaceful Spanish bars where you can enjoy a relaxed drink. The area caters more to older visitors than young couples seeking nightlife and there’s no dedicated strip for late nights out.

Passeig de Miramar is the main seafront promenade running along the marina. It’s perfect for a slow stroll and home to plenty of tourist-friendly restaurants and the town’s main shopping spots.

If you’re up for a little walk inland, El Carrer Major in the famous Old Town is the prettiest street in Cambrils. The old town area sits about 1km uphill from the coast, meaning it can be a bit of a trek to reach. Once you’re there, however, you get a lovely glimpse of authentic Spanish life.

Parque del Pescador, or Fisherman’s Park, is a green area near the marina with playgrounds, a pond, a café and a stage that hosts classical music performances. Nothing special, it makes a nice spot for chilling out on a hot afternoon.

Cambrils has nine Blue Flag beaches, all with that spectacular Costa Dorada look. Platja del Regueral in the town centre is our favourite, thanks to its golden sands and easy access to facilities.

Cambrils makes our rankings for the charm of its old town but it’s quite easily the quietest resort on this list. It’s a chilled-out summer sun destination so don’t expect buzzing Irish bars or live entertainment options. Beyond hotel shows and leisurely strolls, there isn’t much happening here.

The layout is also a bit awkward, since the old town sits a kilometre uphill from the marina. We managed fine but older visitors will rely on public transport. It’s a lovely place but it just isn’t energetic enough for us.

Sun Holidays Deals for Cambrils

Benalmadena sits neatly between Torremolinos and Fuengirola on Spain’s Costa del Sol. It’s only 12km from Malaga Airport, ideal after the 3 hour 10 minute flight from Dublin. You’re off the plane and by the pool in no time. June to August sees blistering heat, with temperatures often tipping over 30 degrees. Rain is pretty much unheard of during this season. It’s classic Costa del Sol weather – hot, dry and made for long beach days and late evenings outdoors.

Benalmadena Marina is the place to be for food lovers. The area teems with great restaurants serving everything from fresh seafood to classic Spanish dishes. The backdrop is surreally romantic too, with its yachts and twinkling lights.

24 Hour Square is the town’s most famous nightlife drinking hub. It’s home to numerous nightclubs and the Irish Times Pub, a fun bar if you’re after a lively atmosphere. The rest of the strip is busy and touristy, geared towards those looking for a boozy evening rather than a quiet nightcap.

Arroyo de la Miel is Benalmadena’s inland commercial centre. There isn’t a huge amount to see here but it’s home to the train station, and the cable car to Mount Calamorro departs here.

Benalmadena Marina is an architectural marvel, finished in 1982 and once voted the best marina in the world. It’s packed with bars, shops, and restaurants. The place comes unglued in the evenings so, even if you’re not eating or drinking, it’s worth a wander to soak up the buzz.

For something more traditional, Benalmadena Pueblo is the charming old town that dates back to the 8th century. Its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and panoramic viewpoints are incredible, though it’s a 30-minute bus ride from the marina to get here.

Costa Del Sol resorts are famous for their expansive beaches. Rather than one outstanding choice, Benalmadena boasts several smaller stretches of sand, each with its own vibe. They’re all sublime for sunbathing, swimming or enjoying a quieter beach day.

Benalmadena is the most manic of the Costa Del Sol resorts. The bars are geared more towards parties than sing-alongs, so if you’re after a chilled evening with a few drinks, you might be disappointed.

Getting around can be tricky. It’s extremely hilly, so while the beach and marina areas are fine on foot, reaching Arroyo de la Miel inland usually requires a taxi. The beaches are nice during the summer sun but, compared to the other spots on this list, they can’t measure up in terms of charm or space.

Sun Holidays Deals for Benalmadena

Fuengirola sits 30km south of Malaga, the final stop on the coastal train line after Torremolinos and Benalmadena. It’s incredibly easy to reach which is part of its charm. Summer regularly hits 30 degrees or more, while spring and autumn settle nicely in the mid-20s. It’s a brilliant option for anyone looking for sunshine without the full blast of Costa del Sol madness. Older visitors will appreciate the laid back pace here.

Eating out in Fuengirola is centered around Calle Moncayo — better known as Fish Alley. This street started life as a simple run of seafood spots but it’s now the town’s busiest food district. You’ll find everything from cheap eats to lavish international options here.

When it comes to drinking, Fuengirola can be fairly lively. The Irish and British bars get absolutely wild but if you want something calmer, Pub O’Brien near Fish Alley is a good bet. Check out the silent karaoke in Saint Patrick’s Bar, which makes for a hilarious night’s fun. There’s no single nightlife strip here, just an endless line of bars along the promenade waiting to be discovered.

Plaza de la Constitucion is the heart of Fuengirola and the centre of its charming old town. It’s surrounded by pretty streets, cute squares and the lovely church of Nuestra Senora del Rosario. The area is perfect for an afternoon wander.

Down by the coast, the Moorish design of the Fuengirola Marina helps it to stand out. A surprisingly calm spot by day, by night it becomes one of the town’s main nightlife hubs, with pubs, restaurants and a small stage for live music.

A 15-minute taxi into the mountains brings you to Mijas Pueblo, the highlight of any trip to Fuengirola. Its whitewashed squares, narrow cobbled streets and Saturday morning flamenco show on the square make it absolutely unmissable. This is one of the nicest old towns in Spain.

Back on the coast, Playa de Fuengirola is the main beach, its golden sands stretching 1.7km and skirted by excellent facilities. For something quieter, Playa de Los Boliches is a 3km long family-friendly option and easily our favourite in the area

Fuengirola is the quietest of the three big Costa del Sol resorts, beating Benalmadena and Torremolinos. We like a calmer vibe but even for us it felt a touch too quiet at times during the day. By night the bars lean more towards full-on partying than relaxed live music, with other resorts offering a better balance.

On the plus side, getting around is far easier than in Benalmadena as the place is much flatter and very walkable. The beaches are also absolutely top tier – some of the best we’ve visited anywhere on the Costa del Sol.

Sun Holidays Deals for Fuengirola

Albufeira, the biggest resort town on Portugal’s Algarve coast, sits 45km from Faro Airport, itself a short 2 hours 55 minutes flight from Dublin. It sits slightly west of Spain, so runs just a touch cooler than the Spanish resorts on this list. Summer days still hit the mid-20s without breaking a sweat and plenty of days climb up towards 30 degrees. It’s warm, bright and sunny throughout the peak months, making it perfect for beach-hopping, lazy pool days and evening strolls.

Dining in Albufeira is all about the Old Town. The restaurant greeters here can be a bit pushy but once you get sitting you’ll find genuinely tasty food at very reasonable prices. It’s a great spot for a relaxed dinner after a long beach day.

For drinks, younger visitors usually make a beeline for Avenida Francisco Sa Carneiro, the famous Strip packed with neon-lit pubs and nightclubs. We prefer the quieter vibes of the Jardim Publico area in the Old Town. The Three Harps is the standout Irish bar here, with brilliant live music and full coverage of GAA and Premier League matches.

Jardim Publico marks the centre of Albufeira’s Old Town, sitting neatly behind Praia dos Pescadores beach. It’s the perfect starting point for a day of getting lost in the narrow streets and soaking up the old town’s charming beauty.

If you need a breather from the madness of the New Town, head to Albufeira Marina. Opened in 2005, it’s colourful, calm and pretty for a short wander while admiring the flashy boats.

For a full family day out, Zoomarine sits just 9km away and is genuinely unforgettable. Even if you skip the water slides, the animal performances alone here make it worth the trip.

Finally there’s Praia dos Pescadores, or Fisherman’s Beach, a 1.9km long soft sand stretch complete with azure waters. It’s one of Europe’s most stunning beaches. You’ll find quieter options nearby but this one will keep pulling you back

Albufeira really does have something for everyone. The New Town area will feel a bit manic for older visitors but the Old Town has a gorgeous laid-back vibe. It’s also still one of the cheapest sun holidays you can find from Ireland.

Entertainment-wise, you’re spoiled here. There are relaxed Irish pubs with great music for a chilled night out and there are full-on party spots perfect for younger visitors. It genuinely covers all bases. The only drawback is the hills. Getting between the Old Town and New Town involves a fair bit of uphill walking, which is why it just misses out on our top spot.

Sun Holidays Deals for Albufeira

Salou is the number one resort on Spain’s golden coast – the Costa Dorada. Just 112km from Barcelona, many visitors fly into the nearby Reus airport, which is only a short transfer away. From June through August, temperatures regularly hit 31 degrees and beyond. The town gets busy but is set up brilliantly for the crowds, so it never feels overwhelming. Salou should be visited in the summer to make the most of everything it has to offer.

Salou doesn’t have one main restaurant area as such. A wander around the seafront will reveal a mix of eateries serving everything from tapas to seafood. It’s easy to find somewhere lovely to sit and eat without searching too hard.

For drinks, Carrer de Carles Buigas is Salou’s main strip but it’s far from the mania of the other resorts on this list. The Irish bars dotted around town are brilliant, with Danny Boy’s standing out for live music, sports and a genuinely friendly atmosphere. Whether it’s a quiet night or a singalong you’re after, this town has all covered.

One thing Salou is not short of is things to do. The Coastal Path is a scenic 2.4km stroll along the coastline. This gentle stroll takes in local sights like the giant Salou letters without getting strenuous.

For something more fun, the House of Illusions hosts magic shows four days a week in a candlelit theatre, fun for kids and adults alike.

Of course, no trip to Salou would be complete without visiting PortAventura, Spain’s most famous theme park. Thrill-seekers will love massive rides like Furius Baco and Dragon Khan, though they’re not for the faint-hearted.

Finally there’s Llevant Beach. Over 1km of golden sand, this places is abuzz during the day with sunbathers and water sports. By nightfall it transforms into a romantic spot for an evening stroll or a cocktail by the waves in one of the beach bars.

Salou hits the sweet spot between exciting things to do and subdued places to relax. Pubs here aren’t over-the-top; they’re perfect for settling in, enjoying live music or catching a match without the chaos of bigger party resorts.

Everything is conveniently located along the beach, making it ideal for families and it pips Albufeira in terms of getting around. The key attractions, restaurants and beaches are all within easy walking distance. When you do need a taxi they’re plentiful and easy to find, making it a stress-free summer sun destination.

Sun Holidays Deals for Salou