Few countries in the world possess as many different holiday ideas as Spain. A visit to one of Europe’s most popular vacation destinations offers a huge variety of delicious food and drink, pristine beaches and clean seawater, cities filled with art and culture, numerous summer festivals, pretty islands waiting to be discovered, tempting shopping, hours of dreamy sunshine and a nation of welcoming people who are eager to share their country’s countless treasures with you.
Madrid and Barcelona are excellent places to start a Spanish adventure with their museums, galleries, elegant hotels, world class restaurants and vibrant nightlife scenes.
Visit the capital Madrid and gaze at the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Retiro Park and Plaza Mayor for starters.
Barcelona is an architectural hotspot with the world famous Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Las Ramblas, Tibidabo, Gothic Quarter and numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites by Antoni Gaudi. Both cities, of course, are football mad so try to get tickets for a match if possible.
Spain’s incredible coastline stretches almost 5,000kms and is dotted by beloved beachside resort towns in areas such as Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Costa Brava. Away from the mainland, Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera and Minorca – collectively known as the Balearic Islands – are proud gems of Spain. Each with their own character, these islands are perennial favourites for tourists with their golden beaches, turquoise waters, laidback beachfront vibes and natural beauty. Similarly, Canary Islands such as Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote see huge numbers of tourists visiting every summer for a unique holiday.
One of the most popular cuisines in the world, Spanish food is a magical combination of olive oil, bread, meat, seafood and cheese from all regions of the country that is healthy and flavourful. Don’t leave Spain without trying its dizzying number of iconic tapas dishes (or paella!) that are both a culinary ritual and a fascinating exploration of the country’s heritage.
Any visitor to Spain will notice that the Spanish love a festival and you’ll find plenty up and down the country throughout the summer, from the Bonfires of San Juan in Alicante, the famous San Fermín bull-running festival in Pamplona, or the wonderfully messy La Tomatina tomato festival in Valencia. For music lovers, Primavera Sound that is held in both Barcelona and Madrid, Sónar in Barcelona, and Benicàssim are party dates not to be missed.
A warm and welcoming stay in Spain is guaranteed at the country’s thousands of hotels that often entice visitors with attractive deals during the summer months. Start exploring your summer visit to Spain now and experience one of the world’s most alluring holiday destinations.