As one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, Spain offers holidaymakers much more than endless shopping and sunbathing opportunities. It can be difficult to choose a specific part of the country given the many reasons to visit this part of the world. Neighbour to Portugal, where you might look for a stag do in the Algarve, Spain offers vibrance for party-goers, fun for families or peace for couples.
To ease the task of choosing the perfect location for your holiday, we have prepared a list of the top five reasons to visit accompanied by some worthwhile holiday suggestions.
1. Awe-Inspiring Landscape
Spain is a nation littered with exceptional landscapes and an abundance of natural beauty, from the sun-kissed beaches along the coastline to the grand mountains. Tenerife, with its sprawling scenery and volcanic views, is our top suggestion for those who prefer the appeal of awe-inspiring natural scenery and views.
2. Exceptional Beaches
Spain is home to thousands of beautiful beaches spread out over its long coastline which stretches for more than 5,000 miles. Regardless of where you are in Spain, there’s always a beach nearby. This, combined with the fact that the country receives more than 300 days of sunshine each year, means that every holidaymaker can find their perfect beach location, from popular tourist hotspots to quieter alcoves hidden off the beaten track. You have no excuse for not spending some time on the beach as Spain is home to the largest collection of blue flag beaches on the globe. Costa de la Luz is one of our suggestions from the seemingly endless list of options available to you. This location, a sunshine lover’s dream given its exceptional beaches, is just off the Portuguese border in the Andalucía region. Holidaymakers can enjoy the clearest of turquoise waters and a variety of unblemished beaches in this relatively untouched part of the country in comparison to other popular Spanish tourist destinations.
3. Awesome Cuisine
The awesome selection of dishes on offer is one of the most exciting things about Spain for many people. You will find chorizo, seafood stew and paella among other traditional dishes made with love using family recipes in small-town cafes while lively tapas bars and Michelin rated restaurants are littered all over Spain’s major cities. To tempt your palate and satisfy your cravings, Spanish dishes are known for their flavourful, healthy and delicious nature. The most authentic tapas bars can be found in Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital city.
4. All Major Cities Have a Cosmopolitan Feel
When it comes to holidaying in big cities, you have a selection of options to choose from in Spain, from Madrid to Seville and Barcelona. Exceptional shopping opportunities, great dining options, a vibrant culture and arts scene and world-renowned museums are the highlights of Barcelona and Madrid, two of the largest cities in Spain. Architectural marvels and flamenco dancing are part and parcel of the rich cultural experience offered in another big Spanish city, Seville. You might just have to visit all these locations as choosing one is will be too much of a challenge. However, the ancient city of Salamanca, an often overlooked gem is a vibrant option, and one of our top suggestions.
5. Stunning Rural Towns
The stunning whitewashed towns, villages and settlements littered all over the jagged Andalucía hillsides are often overlooked in favour of the great weather, scenic views and exceptional beaches of Southern Spain. However, many of these local treasures have been given a new breath of life by both visitors and locals who have invested their resources into the rejuvenation of former fishing and farming villages that had fallen into a state of disrepair in the past. Even though these vibrant settlements have become a huge hit among holidaymakers over the recent past, they still maintain their old-world charm, with their churches, white-washed houses, old fashioned cobbled streets and stunning ruins.