Spain and ????? in 20 Days

How about Menorca? Far less busy and touristy than Mallorca.

"Next summer".

Do you like blistering, intense heat? You're probably going to get lots of that in this area (in pretty much every place you have mentioned) in mid-summer. Be sure to plan accordingly.

Personally, I like the region outside of the hottest (and most crowded) summer months. YMMV.

Mid-summer in Andalucía will probably be extremely hot (average high temperatures are about 100F in Seville). Just want to be sure you are aware since that part of your trip is not beach-focused.

Sorry that I can't suggest any good beach options.

Hello, there a number of small, quaint, medieval seaside towns along Spain's coast. For example, close Valencia is Peñíscola, a historic and beautiful town, with its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, the old town of Peñíscola sits on a big rock that juts out into the sea. The town is dominated by a large Knights Templar castle from the 1300s. It was later home to 15th century Antipope Benedict XIII. Recently, Peñíscola was used as a filming location in the T.V. series Game of Thrones.

I would say that during the summer all of Spain's Mediterranean coast is suitable for swimming, so I would not limit you search to just between Málaga and Valencia. Tossa de Mar is another potential option, but it can get quite touristy with locals during the summers.

There are many places in Mallorca that are not overrun by tourists but it depends on where you are looking to find them. Where have you looked at to determine that Mallorca looks too touristy?

Also, as has been previously posted, Menorca is a smaller, quieter alternative to Mallorca plus there's Corsica and Sardinia where you'll likely find what you are looking for. If you think that Mallorca is too touristy then you'll probably feel the same way about Corfu.

The coast of mainland Spain is heavily developed but that's not to say that you won't find quiet, less built up spots.

Several posters have mentioned the heat in summer. I've been to Mallorca and Andalucia in August and yes, it was very hot but for us it was a beach/pool holiday so we never went traipsing around old town squares or hiking through the hills. Summer in the Med is nice if you're in and around water but if not it can be quite miserable.

Have you considered Portugal. Lisbon is wonderful. Also, I see you aren't visiting Madrid? Madrid, Segovia and Toledo are great.

You are going to have your work cut out ticking all your boxes - the sort of places you are looking for will have tourists - why else build the hotel? - they may be Spaniards rather than Germans but they'll be there. So it depends what you class as "too touristy".

Suggestions:

a) if you plan to fly from Sevilla then check what's available if you want a direct flight. It's a small airport with limited direct destinations. Mallorca should be possible, but I suspect Menorca or Corsica involves a change;

b) are you certain about dismissing the Cadiz coast as it has places that suit - nice beaches next to pleasant villages and easy day-trip options to bigger, sight-seeing towns (Cadiz, Vejer, Jerez, etc). True the water is likely a couple of degrees colder than on the Med. coast, but most do swim (but perhaps you want Florida sea temperature? If so, you're right to avoid Cadiz coast; otherwise I'd reconsider, not least as this area is straightforward to get to from Sevilla); and

c) there are many kilometres of coastline with beautiful beaches that aren't over-developed (some are literally undeveloped, so you'd need to sleep elsewhere). They won't be deserted, though, as locals visit too. Most of the coast between Almeria and Cartagena is like this. Villages that do have hotels include San Jose and bigger Mojacar (part mountain white village, part seaside resort). Further round Spain going anti-clockwise there are also smaller, less resort like villages on Mar Menor with decent connections to larger medieval (and older) towns for sightseeing. But distances to all these from Sevilla are pretty big and not all linked by motorways. It would be a long drive.

i have taken 16 RS tours and I have visited both Spain and Portugal and preferred Portugal over Spain enough that I returned to Portugal for another visit.

I spent 30 days in Spain and didn't feel it was enough.

I completely agree with avoiding the Costa del Sol. It's too crowded, too expatriated. It's all condos and golf courses.

The Costa de la Luz, however, is night and day different. From Tarifa up to Cadiz there are miles and miles of uncrowded, unspoiled beaches with just enough small towns and services to keep you fed and lodged. There are a couple bigger towns but they aren't medieval. Cadiz may be the oldest city in Western Europe but I didn't think it shows its age well. There are quite a few campgrounds dotted around the area so it's probably a summer beach destination for families.

I was surprised how much I liked Tarifa. That may be a good place to start searching. The town has a nice small town feel and beaches - albeit more known for wind surfing than basking in the sun. You can also ferry to Morocco (I skipped that, I'll go to Morocco when I have time for a real visit). Up the road about 26 km are the Baelo Claudia ruins and museum. When I went, there were very few people which made these coastal ruins very evocative. The museum was large and modern. It seemed out of place in the middle of nowhere.

Everywhere on the beaches is likely to be busy with summer vacationers.

If I'm there in high summer months, however, I'd opt for the north coast of Spain. It's the best time of year for San Sebastian/Donostia, Bilbao, Santander, etc. I didn't have time to visit Galicia (far northwest) but I imagine summer is a good time to visit the beaches there too - and I expect less crowded than the Basque area beaches.

Portugal without any doubt...and the suggestion to consider a quick trip to Morocco can be fun.

For the short, off season, time we were there, we enjoyed Mojacar. It’s between Almeria and Cartagena which could probably be visited as day trips. Each is less than 60 miles away. It is not medieval. We stayed at the Parador which is right across the street from the beach. It, of course, has its own pool if you didn’t want to go to the beach. Almeria has a nice fortress/Alcazaba. There is a castle in Lorca, also less than 60 miles away.