Spain Holidays

Eating and drinking are an integral part of Spanish culture – and no holiday to Spain would be complete without a bit of indulgence. Traditional cuisine tends to focus on unfussy, no-nonsense dishes, with recipes typically handed down through generations. Olive oil features heavily, with Spain producing more of it than any other country, and signature herbs include parsley, oregano, rosemary and thyme.

Fresh fish and seafood are the orders of the day in most coastal regions, but you’ll find things are much more meat-heavy if you travel inland. Spaniards consume all kinds of meat and poultry, but they’re mainly known for their spicy chorizo sausages and cured Iberico ham. And, of course, you’ll encounter paella and tapas wherever you go.

Spain’s foodie credentials also extend to wine with red, white and sparkling varieties produced throughout the country. The Rioja and Ribera del Duero are famous for their Tempranillo, Jerez de la Frontera is the home of sherry, and cava – Spain’s answer to Champagne – is primarily made in Catalonia. If you’re partial to a tipple, consider booking a vineyard tour – it always makes for a fun day out. And at some point during your holiday to Spain, you should definitely treat yourself to a jug of sangria.

Spain holidays are a breeze, and with over 3,000 miles of coastline bordering the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Bay of Biscay, Spain’s blessed with its fair share of beautiful beaches too. Its sandy shores are divided up into various sections, known as Costas, each of which comes with its own distinct sense of style.

The sun-soaked Costa del Sol, in the south of the country, is one of Spain’s most popular beach regions. With 125 of them to choose from, you’ll find everything from family-friendly activities to watersports and crazy beach parties. Catalonia’s Costa Brava is far more rugged and beloved for its unkempt beauty, while the Costa Blanca is home to some of Spain’s biggest resorts – like Benidorm and Alicante – and is particularly famed for its nightlife. But whichever coast you choose on your holiday to Spain, there’ll be loads of time for tanning as well as excellent opportunities for diving and snorkelling – if that’s your thing.

Of course, the Spanish islands offer much more of the sandy stuff, and even if you’re planning a city break, you can still fit in some beach time. Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia all have brilliant urban beaches – but if you want to enjoy slightly more sun, sea and sand, why not opt for a multi-centre holiday?

Spain holidays are nothing if not varied, so you’ll have no trouble finding things to do here. Its cities are incredibly cultural, packed with museums, art galleries and loads of historic buildings. In Barcelona, you can learn about Pablo Picasso at his namesake museum and check out Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces like La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. Meanwhile, Madrid’s Prado Museum is an absolute must-see for art lovers, and if you’re a history buff heading to Andalucía, you should make a pilgrimage to Granada to visit the impressive Alhambra Palace.

Besides cultural attractions, another thing Spain has in abundance is golf courses – it’s one of the top golfing destinations in Europe. So whether you’re visiting the islands or the mainland, you’ll have ample opportunity to practise your swing. But if golf’s not your thing, don’t fret. Holidays to Spain can involve tonnes of other activities, too. The Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada offer excellent hiking and biking in summer and skiing in winter, while its ample coastline means there are plenty of watersports to be enjoyed. Or if all you really want to do is fly and flop, that’s certainly an option too.

Spain holidays are a viable option at any time of year because the climate varies from region to region. Central Spain – including Madrid – is a place of extremes, with very hot, humid summers and brisk winters. Temperatures regularly dip below zero, and snow is common in the higher towns and cities. So if you’re contemplating visiting this part of the country, you’ll probably want to aim for spring or autumn.

If you’re thinking about a beach break in Balearic or along the Mediterranean Coast, summer is the best time to visit. July and August are particularly popular – the weather’s almost guaranteed to be great, but if you’re not keen on crowds, consider going in early summer or early autumn instead. You might also want to avoid spending summer in the south of Spain. Andalucía can get blisteringly hot and humid, with temperatures regularly hitting the high thirties. Spring and autumn are far more pleasant, and even at the height of winter, it rarely gets below 13°C. But if you’re looking for some proper winter sun, consider the Canary Islands – there’s a risk of rain between November and April, but even then, average highs remain in the low twenties.

Visa: British citizens do not need a visa to visit Spain. From 1 January 2021, there will be a 90-day limit for visa-free travel

Language: Spanish

Currency: Euro (€)

Time difference: GMT + 1 hour

Flight duration from London: 2 hours 15 minutes direct to Madrid or Barcelona

Capital city: Madrid