Holidays In Spain

Spain is the preferred holiday destination for millions of visitors annually, but why do millions of visitors each year choose to enjoy holidays in Spain?

People enjoy holidays in Spain for many reasons such as the enviable climate, amazing beaches, delicious gastronomy, vibrant nightlife, theme parks, captivating architecture, amazing museums, a rich cultural heritage, and of course the guaranteed sunshine.

Spain also attracts visitors looking to enjoy magnificent festivals, fiestas,  carnivals, and a whole range of sporting activities and water sports.
Holidays in Spain
Then you have the availability of a vast selection of quality resorts, luxury hotels, hostels, and alternative accommodations to choose from such as eco-friendly accommodations, rural retreats, glamping and camping sites, converted palaces and convents, quaint hostels, and ski lodges, beach villa rentals, self-catering apartments, and even converted cave homes.

So it's easy to see why Spain really is the perfect destination.

La Concha Beach San Sebastian
La Concha Beach San Sebastian

Whether you are an adventurous spirit, a veritable gourmet, or passionate about art, or architecture, you will surely find a holiday destination in Spain that suits your needs.

So let's dive in and see what makes Spain such a special holiday destination:

  1. Amazing Food
  2. Beautiful Beaches
  3. Stunning Scenery & Landscapes
  4. Rich Cultural Heritage
  5. Awe-Inspiring Architecture
  6. Vibrant Cities
  7. Charming Villages
  8. Colourful Fiestas & Festivals
  9. Sports & Outdoor Activities
  10. Flamenco Dancing
  11. Delicious Wine
  12. Spectacular Islands
  13. World Class Museums
  14. Eco-Friendly Destinations
  15. Enviable Climate

1. Amazing Food

Gastronomy For Holidays in Spain

Spanish cuisine is highly regarded and enjoyed around the world for its unique flavours and history. Spanish food is deeply rooted in tradition, with influences from the many cultures that have occupied Spain throughout its history, including the Romans, Moors, and various indigenous tribes.

One of the most famous dishes in Spanish cuisine is paella, a rice-based dish that originated in Valencia. It is made with a variety of ingredients, including saffron, tomatoes, and a range of meats or seafood. Another famous dish is tortilla Espanola, a type of omelette made with potatoes and onions, often served as a tapa in bars throughout Spain.

Other popular Spanish dishes include gazpacho, a cold soup made with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers; fabada Asturiana, a hearty bean stew from the Asturias region; and churros con chocolate, a sweet snack of fried dough served with a rich chocolate dipping sauce.

Spain is also known for its excellent wines, including Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat. And let's not forget about the delicious jamón ibérico, a type of cured ham made from the acorn-fed black Iberian pig, which is considered a delicacy around the world.

Spanish cuisine is also known for its use of spices, including saffron, paprika, and cumin, which add depth and complexity to dishes.

In addition to its rich history and delicious dishes, Spanish food is also heavily influenced by the country's diverse geography and climate.

The coastal regions are known for their seafood, while the interior regions are known for their meat and game dishes. The Mediterranean climate of southern Spain, with its abundance of sun, is known for its tropical fruits and vegetables.

2. Beautiful Beaches

Mallorca Beach

Spain is blessed with some of the best beaches anywhere, around five are regularly ranked in the top 25 beaches in Europe and they are still one of the top reasons for visiting Spain.

There are currently  621 blue flag beaches, that's one in every five beaches in Spain. The Blue Flag uses numerous criteria before awarding a beach blue flag status, these include location, water quality, life-saving services, public toilets, sign-posting, distance to parking, distance to hotels, sustainable management, recycling bins and water sports activities.

By definition, a great beach is one that gets you hooked and makes you hate the idea of leaving when your holiday is over, the kind of beach that wants you to revisit even before your holiday tan has faded.

3. Stunning Scenery & Landscapes

Nature Holidays in Spain
Mascal Marvel - Tenerife

Spain offers so much for people looking for nature holidays in Spain. The country has a large number of natural parks and mountainous regions making it a perfect destination for nature lovers, the top natural parks include:

  1. Ordesa National Park
  2. Monte Perdido National Park
  3. Sierra de Guara National Park (Pyrenees Mountains)
  4. Ciudad Encantada (a geological site near Cuenca)
  5. Altamira Caves
  6. The Guadalquivir River Valley Andalucia
  7. Timanfaya Park Lanzarote
  8. Mount Teide National Park
  9. Donana National Park
  10. The Picos de Europa
  11. Sierra Nevada National Park

4. Rich Cultural Heritage

Sagrada Familia Church holiday in Spain
Sagrada Familia Church Barcelona

Spain has a rich cultural heritage with many famous historic attractions in Spain to explore and where Moorish and Roman art and architecture abound in every corner of Spain

Moorish and Roman art and architecture abound in every corner of Spain

Santiago de Compostela is a truly impressive historic city in the region of Galicia, northwest Spain. Declared a  UNESCO World Heritage this is another must-visit city with its stunning cathedral, small cosy streets and charming plazas.

5. Awe-Inspiring Architecture

Alhambra Palace - Granada Travel Guide
Alhambra Palace

If you are interested in exploring architecture then Spain is the place for you.

Spain is home to Anton Gaudi, one of the most unique architects of all time. He was responsible for numerous illustrious works such as the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Casa Batllo located in Barcelona.

Spain is also home to many incredible churches, such as the Gothic-style Cathedral of Saint Mary in Seville and the Baroque-style Cathedrals of Granada, Barcelona, Burgos, Leon, and Santiago de Compostela.

The Alhambra Palace in Granada is a stunning example of Islamic architecture and the most visited monument in the country. If there is just one historic monument you could visit, then Alhambra is the place to go.

6. Vibrant Cities

Passeig de Gracia
Passeig de Gracia

Madrid impresses with a spectacular and hectic pace of life, always full of travellers eager to discover the wonders of the city. Here, you can visit the world-renowned

Barcelona is undoubtedly the most popular visited city in Spain and for good reason. It impresses with its culture, history, architecture and its wonderfully colourful diversity. The architectural works of Antoni Gaudi and the stunning church of the Sagrada Familia will definitely leave a lasting impression long after your holiday ends

Granada in Andalucia is one city you must visit, this historic city is home to the stunning Alhambra Palace, one of the most visited attractions in Spain. Granada is also famous for its countless flamenco artists, the vibrant Albaicin district, and the Sierra Nevada mountains with its popular ski and winter sports resort.

Lying on the coast of the Bay of Biscay in Northern Spain is the charming city of  San Sebastian, surrounded by green hills, a lively beachfront, amazing food, and delightful architecture. Fabulous charming architecture and many plazas and parks dotted throughout the city add to its well-deserved label as the “pearl” of the North of Spain.

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and an incredibly vibrant city to visit when in Spain. Spaniards love to have fun, so every Spanish city has fiestas. If you’re lucky enough to be in town during a fiesta, prepare to capture the true spirit of the Spaniards, who know how to do the show!

In Bilbao, located in northern Spain by the River Nervion you’ll discover the Guggenheim Museum, one of the most important museums in Spain.  Bilbao is also famous for its pintxos (small tapas plates) cultural attractions and friendly people.

7. Charming Villages

Mijas Village Costa del Sol
Mijas Village Costa del Sol

Spain is full of the most charming and quaint villages scattered all around the mainland and the Balearic and Canary Islands.

The villages located in northern Spain are usually made from local stone and boast a backdrop of rolling hills, mountains, and green pastures, in contrast, the picturesque villages of Andalusia stand out with their whitewashed homes backed by deep blue skies.

Charming villages are located throughout Spain with the most popular being found in Galicia, Asturias, The Basque Country, Catalonia and Andalusia.

8. Colourful Fiestas & Festivals

Tenerife Festivals

You will never be far away from a fiesta, carnival or festival in Spain, they are everywhere,  from large to small and celebrated all year round.

  • January 6th  ”Dia de Los Reyes” Kings Day when children receive their gifts
  • 15 to 19 March: “Fallas de Valencia”. The Valencia fire festival is in March each year.
  • June 29: “Fiestas de Haro” (the celebration day of San Pedro is celebrated in Bilbao risk a wine fight.
  • July: San Fermin bull-running festival in Pamplona (running the bulls by the brave ones on the streets of Pamplona or vice versa.
  • August, the second Friday of the month.  “Fiesta de Verano” in Malaga – colourful costumes and dancers parading in the streets.

» See our complete guide to Spanish festivals.

9. Sporting & Outdoor Activities

Skiing holidays in Spain
Sierra Nevada Skiing Granada

Winter holidays in Spain are as popular as ever. Granada in the south or the northern mountain regions of the Pyrenees, Catalonia and Cantabria offers a number of ski and winter sports resorts.

If you're into windsurfing then Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz is the place for you, recognized as the wind capital of Spain and home to the world windsurfing championships.

Golf is a popular sports activity in Spain, with over 400 championship courses on offer, the top golf holiday destinations include the Costa del Sol, Murcia, Almeria, Catalonia and Tenerife.

The special climate in Spain makes it ideal for most outdoor activities all year round so you are sure to find one that suits you. Some of the most popular sporting activities include windsurfing, skiing, golf, dirt biking, hiking, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, zorbing and canyoning.

10. Flamenco Dancing

Flamenco Dancing Spain
Flamenco Dancing Spain

It is said that the most beautiful Flamenco spectacles you’ll find in Andalucia, especially at wedding celebrations or one of the many festivals and fiestas held in Andalucia and around Spain each year.

The unique music and dance are full of passion and intensity and truly identify the people of Spain on so many levels, holidays in Spain would not be complete without seeing the art of flamenco dancing.

Some of the best Flamenco shows can be seen in Seville and Barcelona.

11. Delicious Wine

Rioja Wine Region

Spain has a long history of producing quality wine, 50 per cent of all the EECs vineyards are located here.

Wines from Spain are mostly memorable offering a large selection of Reds, White and Rose wines, which thankfully, are mostly inexpensive for the quality on offer.

Rioja ( from the yards around Logrono ) is rightly Spain's best-known wine and includes wines such as Cune, Berberana, Marques de Caceres and La Rioja Alta

Another top-drawer and currently fashionable region is Ribera del Duero in Castilla-Leon which makes the country's most expensive wine, Vega Sicilia, other outstanding reds to look out for are Pesquera, Viña Pedrosa and Senorio de Nava.

There are also scores of other regional wines - some of the best are Navarra (Chivite, Palacio de la Vega) and Catalunya (Bach, Raimat, Caus Lubis and Alvaro Palacios), a region that also produces the champagne-like cava (Codorniu, Marques de Monistrol).

Galicia too, in the temperate northwest is producing some notable white wines (Ribeiro, Fefinanes, and Albariño are prominent producers).

12. Spectacular Islands

Port Roig Ibiza
Port Roig

Spain is blessed with a number of islands that are very popular with holidaymakers, notably the Balearic Islands and The Canary Islands.

The Balearic Islands are a holidaymaker's dream with world-class beaches, tranquil turquoise waters, picturesque coves and a near-perfect climate that entices millions of tourists from northern Europe each year.

The Balearic Islands are made up of four main islands: MallorcaMenorcaIbiza, and Formentera, each one has its own distinct character, customs, and traditions to suit every visitor to these special Mediterranean islands.

With their stunning white-sand beaches, clear waters, and year-round sunshine, the Balearic Islands are a paradise for both holidaymakers and locals alike.

The Canary Islands are located 72 miles west of Morocco and are Spain’s farthest found territory from the mainland.

A unique archipelago that draws around nine million holidaymakers each year to enjoy them all year round excellent temperatures, diverse landscapes, vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches.

The Canary Islands, often referred to as the Canaries are made up of a group of islands, in order of size they are, TenerifeFuerteventuraGran CanariaLanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

13. Eco-Friendly Destinations

Eco Friendly Holidays in Spain
Ecotourism

Spain is a perfect destination if you are looking to enjoy ecotourism which allows you to make the most of everyday comforts whilst respecting nature and the environment.

There are plenty of eco-friendly places to stay in Spain, destinations that try hard to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly,  all of which are positive for ecotourism in Spain which can only be good for future generations.

From glamping to luxury villas, each destination is leading the way in recycling, efficient use of energy and ecological cleaners, and finding new ways to reduce CO2 emissions.

All this whilst still offering holidays in comfy surroundings set amongst stunning nature parks and areas of outstanding beauty, what is there not to like?

14. World Class Museums

El Prado Museum Madrid
El Prado Museum Madrid

Spain is blessed with having some of the finest Museums anywhere in the world. Here is our pick of the best Museums in Spain you should visit:

  1. Reina Sofia Museum - Madrid
  2. The Prado Museum – Madrid
  3. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – Madrid
  4. Pablo Picasso Museums – Malaga & Barcelona
  5. Salvador Dali Museum – Figueres
  6. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya - Catalonia
  7. Barcelona City Museum
  8. Sagrada Familia Museum – Barcelona
  9. Chocolate Museum – Barcelona
  10. The Joan Miro Foundation – Barcelona
  11. Flamenco Dance Museum – Seville
  12. Guggenheim Museum – Bilbao
  13. The Greco Museum – Toledo
  14. Sorolla Museum – Madrid
  15. City of Arts & Sciences – Valencia
  16. La Pedrera – Casa Mila – Barcelona
  17. Natural History Museums – Barcelona & Madrid

15. An Enviable Climate

Sunbathing Spain

Spain lies in the temperate zone and its climate is determined by its unusual world position. The continental landmass and high mountainous terrain produce one of the most diverse climates in Europe.

The Cantabrian mountains in the central northern region mark the first well-defined division of Spain's climate.

To the north of this range lies rainy Spain, which includes the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. This region has a maritime climate with only slight variations in temperature.

Northern Spain has mild winters and cool summers, lots of clouds and frequent rainfall during the winter months.

In terms of surface area, rainy Spain accounts for about a third of the country, while the other two-thirds make up the dryer warmer part of Spain.