Holidays to Spain
Top destinations in Spain
Barcelona
From Catalan classics to tapas, flamenco to deep house, and medieval streets to modernist marvels, Barcelona is a Mediterranean feast for all the senses.
Ibiza
There’s more to this Spanish island than nightclubs and nonstop parties. Discover Ibiza’s colourful history, UNESCO World Heritage sites and some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria’s natural wonders are an outdoor adventurer’s dream. Explore lush pine forests and towering rock formations near resort towns designed for holiday fun.
Seville
From its Moorish palaces and ornate gardens to its lively flamenco bars, find out why the thriving capital of Andalusia is your next must-visit destination.
Málaga
Picasso’s birthplace is bathed in sunshine and filled with museums to explore between bites of grilled sardines and sips of the local red wine.
Tenerife
Adventure awaits on the largest of the Canary Islands. From rugged volcano hikes and medieval stone castles to booming beach parties, Tenerife deserves a spot on your European bucket list.
Palma
Medieval streets and Baroque churches set the scene in Mallorca’s exciting capital. Expect blissful days exploring Palma’s museums, art galleries and markets before sunset drinks by the beach.
Alicante
Beloved for its long, golden beaches, this stunning Spanish city also boasts a stylish marina, a 14th-century castle and some of the best tapas bars in Costa Blanca.
Canary Islands
The sheer natural diversity of this Spanish archipelago is dazzling. Scale vast volcanoes, relax on inky black beaches and explore desert moonscapes in the Canary Islands.
Spain: fast facts
| Language | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | Barcelona - UTC+1 (CET) |
Spain holiday highlights
Take an ancient pilgrimage
One of the most popular things to do in Spain is to hike the Camino de Santiago. This ancient pilgrimage route runs across Spain’s northern coast, from the Pyrenees to the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela. You can walk the whole thing or skip right to the end and visit the Romanesque cathedral where Saint James the Great is said to be buried.
See architectural wonders
Iberian architects have been going wild since Roman times. In the northeast, marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s psychedelic Catalan modernism in Barcelona and Santiago Calatrava’s futuristic City of Arts and Sciences building in Valencia. In the south, you’ll find sights like Cordoba’s ‘Mezquita-Catedral’ (mosque-cathedral), next to a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, and Granada’s medieval Alhambra, with its exquisite mosaics and gardens.
Explore the south
Much of what we imagine when we think of Spain — tapas and siesta, flamenco and bullfighting — originates in the southern province of Andalusia. No trip here is complete without a visit to the tapas bars of Seville or the stunning cliffs of Ronda. And don’t dream of skipping the ‘Museo Picasso’ in Málaga or the narrow streets of the Albaycín, Granada’s old Moorish quarter.
Things to do in Spain
Top attractions
Consistently ranked among the best museums in the world, the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid is definitely worth a visit, or several — the collection is huge! In Barcelona, marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s wild Sagrada Familia basilica, its construction nearly finished after 100 years. And Granada’s hilltop Alhambra is majestic, especially if you arrive in time to watch the sunrise over the city.
Beaches
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain are found in the Balearic Islands, where the vibe ranges from the quiet luxury of Formentera to the unsubtle hedonism of Ibiza. On the mainland, expats and holidaymakers flock to the various Mediterranean Costas — del Sol, Daurada, Blanca or Brava — while surfers prefer the rugged shores of the northern coast.
Nature
Ski the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada, home to one of Spain’s highest mountains, or bring your binoculars to Doñana National Park to spot Iberian imperial eagles, flamingos and other majestic birds. For a truly out-there experience, catch a flight to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. The volcanic landscape is so alien-looking that astronauts use it as a training ground for missions to the moon and Mars.
Culture and museums
The museums in Spain contain some of the most important artwork in the world. See Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ at the Reina Sofia in Madrid. Just down the block is Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’, one of more than 8,500 pieces in the Museo Nacional del Prado’s collection. Up north, don’t miss the Guggenheim in Bilbao and the bizarre theatre-museum of the Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí in Figueres.
Cuisine
Restaurants in Spain range from humble tapas bars to Michelin-starred fine dining. Typical dishes vary by region — octopus in Galicia, white anchovies in Cantabria and fried eggplant with honey in Andalusia. You can find ‘tortilla de patata’ (potato omelette) pretty much everywhere. And don’t miss the ‘jamón’, Spain’s famous acorn-fed ham — the best stuff comes from Extremadura.
Family friendly
Barcelona’s Parc Güell is a wonder of artistic imagination, with playful architecture and colourful mosaics, including a famous salamander-shaped fountain. About an hour outside of Madrid, kids will recognise the silhouette of the 12th-century Alcázar de Segovia right away. With its towers and turrets, it was the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’.
Find the best time to visit Spain
Weather in Spain
March – May: Spain blooms in spring, with the mildest temperatures in the south. Seville puts on a show with dramatic Easter parades and an annual flamenco festival in April.
June – August: Summer is hot, especially in the cities. The northern regions of Galicia and Asturias are cooler and less crowded. It’s not uncommon for shopkeepers to close their businesses or reduce hours for the month of August.
September – October: Autumn is the best time to visit Spain. The weather is pleasant, and summer tourists have thinned out. It’s also a great time to visit the wine regions.
November – February: Spain’s mild winters are ideal for exploring the cities and cultural sites of the south. Or head to the Pyrenees for skiing.
Events in Spain
Las Fallas (March): One of the most explosive events in Spain involves giant mechanical puppets, hundreds of kilos of fireworks and a match. More than a million people come to Valencia to watch as enormous sculptures, or ‘fallas’, are spectacularly burnt to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Feria de Abril (April or May): Seville showcases Andalusian culture with this week-long spring fair. Women in flamenco dresses and men in suits gather in colourful tents to eat, drink and dance ‘sevillanas’. Horse-drawn carriages parading through the streets add an extra air of excitement.
La Mercè (September): Barcelona throws a huge party for its patron saint each autumn. Enjoy outdoor concerts, traditional Catalan dancing and a fiery nighttime parade.
Know before you go
Local etiquette
Spain is famous for its late mealtimes. Lunch starts at two or three in the afternoon and dinner at 10pm. Breakfast is light or nonexistent. It’s polite to nod and say ‘provecho’ (enjoy) to those dining nearby. Tip a euro or two on a casual meal and more at upscale restaurants. Servers won’t bring the bill unless you ask.
Health and safety
Environmental hazards aren’t a major concern in Spain. After all, people comehere for the health benefits. The big thing to watch for is over exposure to sun and heat. Summers in the south can be extreme, with temperatures often approaching 40°C. Stay hydrated and use plenty of sun protection.
LGBTQ+ travel
Spain was one of the first countries to legalise same-sex marriage, making it a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. Madrid’s Chueca is one of Europe’s most vibrant gay neighbourhoods and the heart of the city’s Pride celebrations. Near Barcelona, Sitges is a friendly haven for the LGBTQ+ community, claiming to have the world’s first gay beach.
Budget
Cheap holidays to Spain are easy to come by. The average short taxi ride is around six euros (€), and most cities are walkable and have affordable and efficient public transport systems. Find a cheap meal for about €13 and a coffee or local beer for under €3.
Getting around Spain
Public transportation
Buses: Spain’s extensive bus network takes you almost everywhere trains don’t, including the country’s smallest towns and villages. ALSA’s comfortable, Wi-Fi-equipped buses are great for travelling the southern coast, where rail service can be spotty.
Trains: Spain’s high-speed AVE trains are the fastest way to travel between major cities. Regional trains also link smaller towns, making them perfect for day trips. For a luxury experience, consider the Transcantábrico across northern Spain or the Al Ándalus through the south.
Boats: Major ports like Barcelona and Valencia offer regular service to the Balearic Islands and the Canaries. International ferry routes also connect Spain with Italy and Morocco.
Domestic flights
Iberia is the national carrier, while low-cost airlines like Vueling are great for quick trips, like from Barcelona to Seville. If you’re short on time, flying is a good option. Otherwise, trains are often faster and more convenient.
Driving
Spain has a modern and well-maintained highway network linking most major cities and towns. Drive on the right side of the road, watch for tolls, and stay within the speed limit. Traffic fines here can be steep.
