Palma de Mallorca, Spain

The capital of the Balearics, Palma de Mallorca has much the same allure as Barcelona — a picturesque old town, beaches within walking distance and a great climate — and it’s an easy place to assimilate as a Briton abroad. It’s also a short drive (10 minutes) from the airport, with plenty of cheap flights taking you back to the UK in about two hours. This is making it an increasingly popular “commuter” destination.

Palma is also the gateway to sophisticated, charming Mallorca: you can reach the Caribbean-like Es Trenc beach, wealthy Puerto Andratx or mountainous Deia in 30-45 minutes. Most foreigners buy flats in one of Palma’s converted historic palacios, where prices start at about €250,000 (£180,000); expect to pay