Our favourite European holiday destinations using Avios

Our favourite European holiday destinations using Avios

If you collect Avios points to spend on British Airways reward seat flights, you’ll know that fuel costs and airline fees have been rising, especially for long-haul destinations.

This means that short-haul destinations are becoming more attractive, with some destinations offering excellent value for Avios reward seats.

Now that more countries are opening to travel and tourism, Europe is becoming a particularly popular destination for those looking to make a break for it. If you’ve decided to book short-haul Avios reward flights, you’ll pay less cash on taxes and surcharges compared to longer flights.

Here at Reward Flight Finder searches and alerts for Avios reward flights in Europe have soared, so we've rounded up the top 10 places to help you decide upon your next travel adventure.

Tenerife Attracting over six million visitors a year, Tenerife is the Queen Bee of the Canary Islands. It’s an incredibly versatile holiday destination, with long sandy beaches and all-inclusive resorts catered to the typical British family holiday. Step off the beaten track and you will discover extraordinary rural beauty, with charming mountain villages such as Vilaflor, and traditional port settlements like La Orotava providing a delightful escape from the daily grind for the explorers amongst us.

Day trips to Siam Water Park and Loro Parque provide endless fun for kids and adults alike, whilst a visit to Tiede National Park will transport you to a fascinating, alien landscape of volcanoes and lava flows.

Avios reward flights to Tenerife will cost between 8500 to 27500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Mallorca Mallorca has everything you want for an idyllic island holiday. Travellers partial to a city break will fall head over heels for Palma, jam-packed with glorious architecture and designer shopping, whilst those in search of a family-friendly holiday will find plenty of options on the golden sands of the south coast.

Mallorca is laid back and enchanting. You can wander through its towns and villages at a leisurely pace, discovering rural markets and traditional tapas. If you head inland you’ll find a multitude of vineyards, where you can indulge in a glass of the local grapes. The beaches are ideal for building sandcastles and swimming and day-long boat trips around the island are a sure-fire way to keep everyone entertained, as well as enjoy the island sights and warm Mediterranean waters.

Avios reward flights to Palma will cost between 6150 to 24500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Cyprus

Welcome to Aphrodite's Isle, a magical destination of crystal waters, Venetian and Ottoman architecture, delicious seafood and charming tavernas. Travellers can’t help but be enamoured by the romantic hillside castles, traditional villages adorned with

Roman mosaics and ancient ruins brimming with Greek mythology. Couples, families and groups all revel in the Cypriot lifestyle of relaxation by day and festivities by night.

The year-long sunshine means you’ll always feel sun-kissed in Cyprus, and there’s always plenty to do. The island is home to a variety of dive sites, so the opportunity for snorkelling and scuba diving is truly excellent. Devils Head, Costandis and Lady Thetis sites all offer divers the chance to investigate sunken wrecks and magnificent reefs.

Avios reward flights to Larnaca will cost between 9000 to 29000 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay

Greece Greece is an open-air museum of classical treasures, with mediaeval towns, archaeological sites and ancient ruins which intertwine with natural hot springs, beautiful beach resorts and enchanting fishing villages. An enduring symbol of history and philosophy, Greece is filled with surprises. No one forgets their first glimpse of the Acropolis in Athens, the Old Town in Rhodes or the Old Fort on Corfu.

Foodies will rejoice at the culinary discoveries that Greece has to offer. Rustic, traditional tavernas cook up epic feasts of dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), grilled marides (little fish) and galaktoboureko - a delightfully sinful custard-filled pastry.

Meals are typically accompanied by music and dancing, making them a joyful occasion for all.

If you love an adventure, a trip to Melissani Cave is right up your street. A true bastion of natural beauty, visitors descend the cave via a tunnel and then jump in a boat to glide across the turquoise waters of the underground Melissani Lake hidden inside.

Avios reward flights to Athens will cost between 9000 to 29000 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Portugal To so many, Portugal is irresistible. With expansive beaches and a warm, sunny climate, this colourful little gem has a vast history, amazing eats and lots to do.

Portugal holidays offer plenty of entertainment for all ages.

It’s well known for its exceptional, sun-drenched golf courses, frequented by celebrities including Steven Gerrard and Sylvester Stallone while relaxing beach

breaks are consistently popular with families and groups. Shoreline cruises, quad biking and waterparks, such as Slide & Splash Parque Aquatico provide opportunities for fun and frolics.

Culture vultures will be mesmerised by Sintra, a charming town where you will discover whimsical palaces, extravagant villas and the remains of a 10th-century Moorish castle, all surrounded by enchanting pine forests.

If you’re looking for a little luxury, say hello to Vilamoura. With its glittering yacht-filled marina surrounded by cocktail bars and VIP restaurants, you can sit and watch the world go by as you dine in style. Its location on the Atlantic also offers travellers the chance to take part in thrilling big game fishing, as well as dolphin and whale spotting.

Avios reward flights to Lisbon will cost between 9000 to 29000 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Barcelona

Prepare to be wowed by glorious Gaudí, and other architectural treasures to be found throughout this sunny, cosmopolitan city by the sea. But that’s not all. When you’ve finished exploring the stunning cityscape and quirky neighbourhoods, you can

head to the waterfront where the kids can dive right into an underwater world at L’Aquàrium and the grown-ups can enjoy Port Vell’s outdoor terraces for feasting & wine.

Barcelona thrives in the evening thanks to the city’s love of a good party. It pulses to the sound of live music drifting across rooftop bars and popular terraces. You’ll discover al fresco entertainment and delicious cocktails along La Rambla and El Born, where crowds from tiny bars spill out onto the streets, and festivities last long into the night.

Avios reward flights to Barcelona will cost between 6150 to 24500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Marrakech Marrakech,the ‘Red City’, is surrounded by blush-coloured walls made from tabia from the Hazou plains, and it makes for the perfect adults only escape. The city’s souks offer stalls full of colourful spices piled high, newly woven carpets, and ornately designed homewares.

Jemaa el-Fna is a completely unique experience for travellers - a marketplace alive with whimsical snake charmers, storytellers and soothsayers. At sundown, Marrakech’s main square transforms into a wonderland where visitors can enjoy mouthwatering traditional Moroccan dishes surrounded by musicians and performers, showing off their talents to their adoring public.

Once you’ve had your fill of the bustling medinas, Marrakech offers up a completely different proposition - a chance to indulge in some world-class pampering at some of the finest spa hotels throughout the globe. Expect to experience skin-softening hammams, nourishing argan oil massages, and delicate, rose-scented facials in some seriously luxurious settings.

Avios reward flights to Marrakech will cost between 8500 to 27500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Malaga A seaside city with a lust for life, Malaga has something for every type of traveller.

From grand castles and gardens nestled along the Mediterranean to flamenco and fiestas by the beach. It boasts ancient Roman arenas, Moorish fortresses, baroque cathedrals and neoclassical palaces.

Being the birthplace of Picasso there are two museums dedicated to his work, which any art-lover is sure to want to visit. For the social butterflies among us, you’ll be thrilled to hear that Malagüeños really know how to let their hair down too. The annual celebration of Feria de Malaga happens every August and celebrates all things Malaga, with flamenco, tapas, and wine the focus of the itinerary!

Avios reward flights to Malaga will cost between 6150 to 24500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Gran Canaria

Beautiful beaches, lively resorts and traditional Spanish culture make holidays to Gran Canaria a failsafe choice for families and couples all year round. Gran Canaria has been a consistently popular destination since the 1980’s. And there are plenty of reasons why.

The island combines larger-than-life coastal resorts, such as Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, with sleepier towns like Bahia Feliz and Puerto Rico, where everything is a little more laid back.

If you want to catch a glimpse of traditional island life, there are plenty of places to explore. The mountain villages of Fataga and Artenara peak out from valleys and ravines.And a trip

to the Aguimes mountains offers unspoilt scenery and cave dwellings.

Avios reward flights to Gran Canaria will cost between 8500 to 27500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

Ibiza Ibiza has a reputation for being the party playground of Europe, but there’s so much more to this Balearic Island than Pacha nightclub and DJ Pete Tong. Away from San Antonio, you’ll find peaceful fishing villages, a boatload of history and family-friendly hotels.

Serene beaches meet glittering sunsets on this boho island, bursting with wellness resorts and health spas. Playa Es Cana’s Hippy Market offers up over 500 stalls of artisans, selling their crafts, clothing, jewellery, antiques and musical instruments.

Ibiza Town is home to the Catalan castle, built-in 1235, and a cathedral that boasts views across the entire island. Due to its enduring history, Ibiza Town has lots of museums and galleries to explore and soak in the culture.

You can even take a quick ferry ride to the tiny island of Formentera, where you’ll find bright-white sands and cute beach huts that whip up seafood snacks and drinks for visitors.

Avios reward flights to Ibiza will cost between 5800 to 23500 Avios off peak economy, depending on the cash you choose to pay.

European reward seat availability Right now, many European countries have excellent British Airways reward seat availability. You can search Avios reward flight availability up to a year ahead for free using our Search Calendar at rewardflightfinder.com. However, by signing up for a Reward Flight Finder membership you can maximise your chances of getting the British Airways reward seats you want by setting travel Alerts, and we’ll notify you when your preferred seats are available to book. If you sign up for an Annual RFF membership you’ll get 12 months of subscription for the cost of 10 months, a nice saving at a time when we’re all tightening our belts.

If you fancy finding out where in the world your Avios points pot can take you, sign up as a Silver or Gold Reward Flight Finder member and you’ll get access to our Worldwide Map tool, which allows you to see all available British Airways Avios redemption flights across the globe for your preferred dates, in all cabin classes. To take a look at our different memberships visit our Pricing page.

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