Spain holidays

From Catalan classics to tapas, flamenco to deep house, and medieval streets to modernist marvels, Barcelona is a Mediterranean feast for all the senses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ski the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada, home to Spain’s highest mountain, 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.

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.

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.

With milder weather and lighter crowds, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Spain. Summers can be hot and crowded, but if you’ve always dreamed of attending La Tomatina, the famous tomato-throwing festival, book for August. Winters can be bone-chilling, even in the sunny south, so make sure you pack a warm coat.

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.