15 best destinations you can fly to from Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has a selection of great destinations to fly from

Liverpool John Lennon Airport was named as the airport to receive the fewest complaints in the country according to a report. The Speke based airport has proven to be one of the best places to catch a flight in the country as AirAdvisor reports only two airports in the country received fewer complaints in the first half of the year.

In total, flight compensation company AirAdvisor received 5,092 mentioning airports and the total that mentions airlines was 10,216. Of airport complaints, 102 complaints received were regarding John Lennon Airport (JLA), with Exeter Airport and London City Airport the only two airports in the country that received less with 82 and 77 respectively.

There's no denying that JLA is a great airport to fly from. The airport has a selection of great destinations to fly from, and with many more on the way in 2025, some of the Liverpool ECHO team have chosen their favourites.

Alicante - Paul McAuley

Every year, thousands of Liverpool holidaymakers travel to Benidorm, myself included, for a weekend they won’t forget. Ironically enough, with the cheap booze and infectious nightlife, there probably will be some bits of your break that will be a blur. With gorgeous beaches, wild water parks and a little bit of history thrown in, the municipality has something for everyone.

For me, it's an annual trip and catch-up with my mum, who still lives in Ireland. We’ve often found by the time she flies to me here in Liverpool for the weekend, an extra hundred pounds would get us to Benidorm with the extra bonus of the sun. The cheesy music, questionable tribute acts and dreaded over-load of hen and stag-dos are truly something everyone needs to experience at least once.

Amsterdam - Nina Crighton

I think Amsterdam is the perfect city break any time of year. However, I love to go in the spring when it's sunny but not too hot for all of the inevitable walking. You can visit The Keukenhof botanical garden which is only open from the end of March to mid May. With over seven million flower bulbs that have been carefully groomed by 40 gardeners year round, it's a beautiful place to wander round. Or, simply sit at the side of the canal and watch the world go by.

Barcelona - Alice Walker

The first time I ever went abroad was to Barcelona via John Lennon Airport in 2019. I was really nervous, having never flown before, but the flights were really quick and soon I was in the stunning Spanish city. What first comes to mind is the stunning Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world.

The architecture is utterly breathtaking, and I would recommend looking into the history of the building because it’s truly fascinating. The beaches were gorgeous, I really enjoyed exploring all the shops and bars in the city, and it was a perfect getaway with lovely food and excellent weather. For my first time abroad, it really couldn’t get better.

Budapest - Gary Stewart

Budapest is actually the twin cities of Buda and Pest on both sides of the River Danube in Hungary - a bit like Liverpool and Wirral except totally different. Budapest is the capital of Hungary and used to be the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire so it is full of extremely impressive old buildings from back in the old days when it was swimming with cash. The city was occupied by the Nazis during World War 2 and was then taken from them by the Soviets at the end of the war, spending 50 years behind the Iron Curtain. So it has known tough times and many changes over the centuries which just makes it all the more fascinating.

Pleasure seekers will enjoy fine local wines and cheeses, excellent food and ‘ruin bars’ that grew out of abandoned neighbourhoods thanks to enterprising young business people. They’re the original Baltic Triangle vibe. Aside from that there are many fine churches and museums but probably the most uniquely Budapest experience are the thermal baths of which there are nine, the most impressive of which is Szechenyi a short tram ride out of the city centre - bring your own towels and sandals or be prepared to be overcharged for them.

Dublin - Jamie Greer

My dad and I always wanted to visit Dublin and Liverpool playing a friendly in the city’s Aviva Stadium in 2019 provided the perfect excuse. The Irish capital is full of friendly locals and great pints of Guinness and Murphy’s. It’s full of history too. There’s a museum underneath the General Post Office where the Easter Rising began. You can also do a tour of Kilmainham Gaol where many of those involved spent their final days.

The Temple Bar area is worth a visit even though it can get busy with tourists and is on the pricey side. I’d recommend Capel Street, which is full of unique shops, pubs and restaurants, similar to Liverpool’s Lark Lane. With flights available from Liverpool for £24 and lasting less than an hour, there’s no reason not to try out Dublin for yourself.

Faro - Steve Graves

Faro is the gateway to the Algarve, with so many great options on the southern coast of Portugal. Vale do Lobo would be my choice every time - a small but perfectly-formed resort town with a stunning red cliff-backed beach and loads of great restaurants within easy reach.

But there’s Albufeira, Quarteira, Lagos and plenty more options. Faro itself is often overlooked by visitors, but has a pretty harbour and lovely old town which is well worth a trip. Faro, sitting close to the border with Spain, also makes for a good option if you’re keen on the port town of Huelva, or even Seville. It’s just over two hours’ drive to the latter.

Guernsey - Jess Molyneux

Only a short distance away from home, I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know a lot about Guernsey as a destination before my trip earlier this year. Despite being in the British Isles, you immediately get that abroad feeling without travelling thousands of miles, as Guernsey boasts idyllic beaches, fascinating relics and local businesses full of character.

Blessed with 29 beaches, around 30 miles of coastline, numerous sightseeing opportunities and a vibrant bar and restaurant scene, there is plenty to do for families, couples or a solo trip. Netflix film The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, starring Lily James and Glen Powell, has brought more tourism to the island.

In Guernsey, you can do everything from heading St Peter Port - a charming town with cobbled streets to seeing the quirky home of Victor Hugo, visiting The Little Chapel, a remarkable building decorated in broken china and more. Guernsey has never been easier to reach from our city, with airline Aurigny now operating flights taking around an hour from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. For me, the island of Guernsey is not to be underestimated and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Ibiza - Megan Banner

Every year thousands of party-goers head to the white island to enjoy a week of good music in the sunshine. If you love dancing like me then Ibiza is the perfect place to let your hair. The lively nightlife in Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni is famous across the world and is home to some of the biggest super clubs, such as Hi Ibiza, DC10 and Ushuaïa, that attract people from all over Liverpool every year.

The island is also home to quiet villages, yoga retreats and beaches, with the most stunning sunsets - don’t miss the world famous sunset at Cafe Mambo. Ibiza Old Town is also a very popular spot for people wanting a little bit of culture on their trip. Ibiza really is the destination for everyone, it’s the place that will steal your heart.

Malaga - Hannah Rees

Malaga is the perfect all-rounder destination. Whether you're after a lazy beach holiday or city break in the sun, Malaga has everything to offer, in my opinion anyway. The city has a good number of restaurants, bars and shops, which are great for escaping from the scorching Spanish heat.

The city centre is just a short walk away from the coast, so visitors get the best of both worlds if searching for a city break and beach holiday in one. I've also used Malaga airport when travelling to the neighbouring areas of Benalmádena and Mijas. Both have everything you'd want from a week in the sun - although Mijas is much quieter.

Palma - Cheryl Mullin

When I’m seeking a break in the sun, one of my happy places is Palma. The Mallorcan capital is just a 2 hour and 40 minute flight from Liverpool - under two hours if you get a good tailwind - and then a hop, skip and a jump from the airport. The city offers something for everyone.

Fans of shopping should check out the vibrant Paseo del Borne, known as the ‘Golden Mile’, which is teeming with designer names and high-end stores. If you’re after authentic Mallorcan cuisine, then the old town has a wealth of restaurants serving just that. The area of the old town called La Lonja is the place to go in the evenings, with bars, restaurants and even clubs to suit every taste.

The city’s skyline is dominated by the Gothic Palma Cathedral, a stunning landmark which boasts the second highest nave in the world, and offers incredible views across the city’s harbour and out into Palma Bay.

One of my favourite hidden gems is the Skybar Restaurant at Hotel Almudaina. Serving incredible cocktails late into the night, it’s one of my favourite places to sit back and watch the sun setting across the city.

Paris - Maria Breslin

Paris is my spiritual home. I lived there for 12 glorious months in my early 20s and dream of retiring to a small but perfectly formed apartment on the idyllic Ile St Louis. There’s no denying the fact Paris is a stunning city brimming with must-see attractions such as Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower which played a starring role in this summer’s Olympic Games. But to experience the real Paris it’s worth wandering slightly off the beaten track to find your own favourite backstreet bistro or pavement cafe perfect for people watching.

The Canal St Martin and neighbouring Marais are great areas to stay. La Dame Tartine, overlooking the Stravinsky Fountain and next to the Pompidou Centre, comes highly recommended for a lunchtime pit stop, Chartier is a Parisian institution and Galeries Lafayette is my favourite department store in the entire world.

Porto - Paul Philbin

I actually think that Portugal as a whole is an underrated European destination. Porto is a city I have spent a lot of time in recent years and each time I have been there I have always had a brilliant time. You can see the whole city on foot and there are plenty of bars and cafes to have a quick drink and bite to eat.

Porto is a very affordable city and a couple of days there won't damage the bank balance too much. The only down side about the flight from Liverpool to Porto is that it is a seasonal flight and doesn't operate all year.

Rome - Dan Haygarth

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to visit Rome. My trip to the Eternal City, with its endless collection of wonderful buildings and peerless food, in March did not disappoint.

As soon as you arrive, it is hard not to be bowled over by the sheer beauty of the city. Depending on your tolerance for Catholic opulence, the majesty of the Vatican will stun you and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is a truly breathtaking sight. The history of the Coliseum, the Forum, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps (to name but a few) make for a very busy city break.

We stayed in the lively Trastevere neighbourhood, where the atmospheric cobbled streets almost always lead to a bustling bar serving ice cold Peroni Red or a simple trattoria offering the best Carbonara you will ever eat. I could go on for ages about the food, which was almost a religious experience. On every front, Rome is one of the great cities.

Vienna - Christopher Megrath

Vienna has everything you could wish for. The two-hour flight time only sweetens the deal. I first visited during the height of its Christmas festivities and spent hours wandering aimlessly around the markets, ice rink and under city-wide decorations. Vienna can be a cosy winter wonderland or a grand, luxury getaway in the summer months.

The heat can reach boiling point but you can cool down in the shade of the city's breathtakingly beautiful architecture. It will leave you speechless. Cafés and bars are filled with customers no matter the time of day to install that feeling of central European hospitality. The food is delicious, Schönbrunn Palace is worth the journey to the outskirts, and the nightlife even rivals Berlin if you know where to look.

Zadar - Gary Stewart

I had never heard of Zadar until I decided to fly there purely because there’s a direct flight from Liverpool JLA. It’s a city in Croatia directly over the other side of the Adriatic from Italy, less famous than Split and Dubrovnik but altogether charming. The food is great and the history long and fascinating. It has an old town surrounded by medieval walls that sits on a little promontory out into the sea and the sunsets are beautiful and purple, drawing huge crowds.

You'll find Roman ruins in the middle of the old town along with loads of museums and cute shops and bars. Most people speak English and the cost of living is cheap. Get a coffee and a pastry from one of many local bakeries and have your breakfast looking out into the deep blue sea.