SPAIN TRAVEL GUIDE
Spain is Europe’s most popular coastal holiday destination, with dazzling beaches and bustling resorts luring visitors from around the world to its shores. The Costa del Sol on the south Mediterranean coast is the most visited region, while the popular Balearic island destinations of Majorca and Ibiza are also incredibly interesting. Spain also has some dazzling cities, including Barcelona and the capital, Madrid, where good shopping, nightlife and a slew of attractions can be found.
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SPAIN WEATHER- When To Go
Spain has four seasons and the best weather can be found along the south coast, the Costa del Sol. It can get excessively hot down there in July and August, as well as crowded, so visiting in spring (March to June) and autumn (September and October) is better in that sense. In fact, the same applies to most of the country. Winters are mild everywhere along the Mediterranean coast however it gets cooler inland in mountainous areas and along the slither of Spanish Atlantic coast in the southwest.
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SPAIN HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Madrid: is well laid out with iconic monuments, wide boulevards, stunning museums and great shopping. The El Rastro flea market is a big hit with many tourists as is Retiro Park. El Prado Museum is one of the world’s finest museums and a big attraction in Madrid, along with some of the liveliest nightlife anywhere. Being centrally positioned as well as being the capital, Madrid is the travel hub of the country with flights, trains and roads coming in from all directions. [For more info on Madrid, see our Visit Madrid website].
- Barcelona: This city has everything going for it, with unending architectural beauty, bustling thoroughfares, busy beaches, well-priced hotels and lots of entertainment options. There are many different and distinct quarters in Barcelona, with the most interesting to visitors being the old town, Ciutat Vella. Others include the contemporary Eixample, with its art nouveau buildings; Barceloneta, featuring delightful beaches and numerous cafés and restaurants on the boardwalk; and Gràcia, with its cosy narrow streets and laidback feel. Las Ramblas is the main tourist thoroughfare running from the centre of town to the marina, while sporting enthusiasts should head for Camp Nou, the legendary football stadium. [For more information on Barcelona, have a look at our Visit Barcelona site.]
- Costa del Sol: Spain’s most popular region for summer tourists has a slew of beach resorts and towns. Malaga is the main city on the Costa del Sol (the Sun Coast) and has the most agreeable climate in the entire country as well as several top class cultural attractions, including the Alcazaba and the Picasso Museum. The main beach resorts on the coast are flashy Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and hedonistic Torremolinos, all of which lie to the west of Malaga. To the east are quieter resorts and excellent scuba diving, while entertainment and nightlife opportunities in all resorts, particularly in Torremolinos and Benalmadena, are superb.
- Mallorca: the largest and most visited of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca (Majorca) is very popular with holidaying British and Germans. Beaches encircle the island, although those around the capital of Palma de Mallorca in the south, such as Magaluf and Palma Nova, are the most popular. Beaches and nightlife here are enthralling, while on the east coast one will find more charming fishing villages/seaside resorts and on the northwest coast are the more sophisticated climes. Valldemossa is a mountain town in this region with bags of cultural appeal, while on the north coast is the family orientated resort of Alcudia. The capital city, Palma, is the main centre and has excellent shopping and dining, loads of cultural attractions and a huge variety of accommodation. Mallorca has its own international airport and you can also get here by high speed ferry within hours from the Spanish mainland.
- Ibiza: formerly the hippy capital of the Mediterranean, Ibiza, one of the Balearic Islands, today mainly attracts young party animals to its main beach resorts. The clubbing scene here is second to none in the whole of Europe, with renowned international DJs performing in mega clubs nightly. There is, however, an entirely different theme in Ibiza, thanks to its enchanting coastline and lush countryside. Ibiza Town, the island’s capital and historical centre, is loaded with cultural hotspots and fine eateries, while nearby beaches range from the quiet, family-oriented locales up to the madness of San Antonio. Ibiza also has its own airport.
- Seville: is one of Spain’s most culturally significant cities. Located in the Andalusian region of southwest Spain, it features beautiful buildings and wildflowers, flamenco dancing and terraced coffee shops. Must-see attractions in Seville include La Giralda Minaret and the huge Maestranza bull ring, while the Fería de Abril festival in April is the best time to be here. Tapas bars feature on every city street and are a big draw at night. Seville is quite far from other major cities in Spain yet has excellent transport connections, with its own international airport and trains arriving from Madrid that make the journey in three hours.
- Valencia: located to the south of Barcelona, Valencia is one of the country’s largest cities yet has that small town feel and great swathes of lush green parks. The main Valencia attractions are its nice beach and the rice dish – paella - which was invented here and is the national dish. Valencia is perhaps best known for the manic annual Fiestas de Las Fallas, which involves fallas effigies, fireworks and heavy drinking every March. High speed trains come in from Madrid and Barcelona and you can also fly here from many European cities directly.
- Other Spain Highlights: the mountainous Pyrenees region, known for its skiing and hiking; Granada and Toledo, for fabulous old town architecture; Bilbao in Basque country, best known for the world famous Guggenheim Museum; and Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls festival.
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SPAIN HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Dining out is generally an all-night affair for Spanish people, which often starts off with that most Spanish of appetisers - tapas. Main course meals include paella, seafood and roasted meats and the quality and price is generally very good. Major resorts and cities feature all types of international foods and fast food chains.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: many tourists come to Spain for its entertainment value. Resorts feature unending lines of bars and clubs, as well as lots of day activities, such as water sports. In the big cities of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville and Granada are renowned theatres and restaurants that also offer good side entertainment. Be sure to try out a jug of Sangria.
- Accommodation: everything is on the table from cheap, room-only places in the brashest of seaside resorts to charming city pensions and lavish five-star hotels at the beach and in town. The good thing is standards are generally high and prices more reasonable than most other Western European countries. Try Booking.com or LateRooms.com for accommodation deals in Spain. Also have a look at easytobook.com for great Barcelona hotel deals.
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SPAIN FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
There are many flight options between the UK and Spain. Use Skyscanner to campare flight options, or for individual airlines, try British Airways, Easyjet, Expedia.co.uk, Ryanair and Thomas Cook for some of the best deals.
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