Toledo, Spain - from Spanish Tourist Board
Spain Destination Guide
by Jamie O'Keeffe
Summary
From its beautiful, historic cities to its sun-bleached beaches, from its spectacular terrain to its superbly-developed resorts, Spain has something for everyone. Enjoy a beach stay on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coasts, hike in rugged mountains, discover picture-postcard rural gems or check out the latest bars and clubs in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia on a city break.
With such incredible diversity, it is not surprising that the country welcomes more tourists every year than it has inhabitants. No two visits ever have to be the same in this eternally popular hotspot. And if you dig beneath the surface, you'll discover a wealth of luxury holidays.
Getting there, getting around Spain
Holidaymakers can choose from a multitude of British flights bound every day for Spanish shores, with excellent regional departures available too. Low cost airlines means there are scores of city breaks to enjoy - if time is short, consider a day trip. Some companies, such as Prudential Aviation or Europe Air, offer luxury flights where you can hire a private plane if you want to travel in style. Meanwhile, cruise ships typically call at Santander or Bilbao.
Once you are there, the train system in Spain is reliable and efficient, and trains along the coast offer some gorgeous views. Hiring a car is recommended, as the country's roads are easy to navigate.
Quick facts
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
Flight time: 2 - 4 hours
GMT: + 1 hour
Weather: Mild winters, very hot summers
Dialling code: 00 34
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are used
The Guggenheim, Bilbao - Will Venn
Beaches in Spain
With more than 4,000 kilometres of coastline and over 300 days of annual sunshine, Spain is a beach-lovers dream. One of the most upmarket spots in the Spanish Costas is Marbella and the neighbouring yacht-studded marina of Puerto Banus. Renowned for their designer boutiques, glitzy bars and restaurants, the resort regularly attracts a string of celebrities, Premiership footballers and even Hollywood stars. Book a luxury villa holiday and you too could be enjoying the high life.
The resort of La Manga in Murcia, another popular haunt for footballers, has some wonderful bathing spots and, in particular, golf courses.
Further north, the resort of Alva Park, about an hour's drive south of Barcelona, boasts gorgeous landscaped beaches. The resort's fantastic spa facilities should ensure that your stay there is totally stress-free. Le Meridien Ra hotel, further north still along the Costa Dorada, also offers top notch spa facilities.
Sightseeing in Spain
Spain has a selection of beautiful cities rich in cultural and architectural heritage, which makes it a fantastic honeymoon option. Top sights include Madrid's Prado museum, which contains many fabulous pieces by artists such as Goya and Picasso; Barcelona's Gaudi-designed Sagrada Família cathedral or the cathedral in Valencia which contains the mythical Holy Grail; the breath-taking Alhambra Palace in Granada or Alcazar Palace in Seville; and the spectacular Gehry-designed Guggenheim in Bilbao.
If you want to see Spain's majestic sights from a memorable height, hire a helicopter. Barcelona Adventure offers flights around the city, sweeping over its rambling streets, waterfront and the Serra de Collserola mountain range. Hot-air balloon rides can also be booked in cities such as Toledo or Córdoba.
Family attractions in Spain
Children will generally be happy enough at the beach or in resorts in Spain, but on the off-chance that they become restless, there's plenty to keep them happy. The country is home to several amusement parks which offer entertainment ranging from adventure rides to fascinating wildlife. There's Isla Mágica in Seville; Terra Mítica in Benidorm; PortAventura, Waterworld and Marineland in the Costa Dourada/Brava region; Aqualandia on the Costa Blanca and Tivoli World in the Costa del Sol.
The young ones will also love the Museum of Traditional Games in Campo, which contains many toys that children would use in the days before technology as we know it. In the major cities, Madrid Zoo and Barcelona Aquarium will at once entertain and educate children.
Day trips around Spain
From its remote villages in the countryside to its picturesque islands, there are plenty of places in Spain worth visiting. In the north of the country, any of the villages around the Pyrenees and the Basque mountains are wonderful areas to explore, especially on foot. Discover towns such as Montilla, Navarra and Jerez where you can see how Spanish wines and sherries are cultivated.
If you're staying on the Costa del Sol, visit Grenada or the island of Gibralter. From Barcelona, take the ferry to Ciutadella, Alcudia or Mahon.
Almeria, a coastal classic - from Spanish Tourist Board
Eating out in Spain
Luxury holidays should deliver top-quality cuisine - and you cannot fail to be satisfied in Spain. Splash out at El Bulli, in Roses on the Costa Brava. A winner of three Michelin stars, this restaurant closes between October and March each year to hone its dishes and world-class service.
Mugaritz is also definitely worth a visit. Located in the hills outside San Sebastián, this restaurant has some delicious vegetable dishes, and the foie gras is highly recommended. Also in San Sebastián, Arzak offers a fine range of Basque meals and has an extensive wine menu.
Nightlife in Spain
Spain's many resorts and cities are home to an abundance of classy bars and nightclubs. The area around the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, which is full of tapas bars and welcoming bars, is a good place to start. A former haunt of, amongst others, Frank Sinatra and Ernest Hemingway, the Cervecería Alemana, in the Plaza de Santa Ana is recommended. If you're in the mood to party, the Balmoral bar, in Salamanca, is home to dozens of fancy cocktails.
Those in the mood for a dance should head to Up and Down, one of the most exclusive clubs in Barcelona. And if you're in the vicinity of Marbella, head to the exclusive Olivia Valere club, whose look was inspired by ancient Spanish palaces and is a famous celebrity hangout.
Shopping in Spain
Spain's major cities are full of shops selling all manner of high-quality goods, from designer clothes to beautiful trinkets and wonderful gifts. A good place to start is Madrid's Salamanca district, where you can find many high-class clothing boutiques. The area is also home to famous jewellery stores such as Cabranes Joyero and Carrera y Carrera. Spain's second city, Barcelona, is home to a fine selection of top-class stores, particularly in the El Born district and around the Passeig de Gracia.
Some shops in Seville, such as Prestigio, where you can pick up some impressive accessories, merit a visit. There are also some classy stores in the resort of Puerto Banús. Pick up some superb clothes at designer boutiques such as Fendi, Versace and Louis Vuitton. The designer stores in Zocco, an area of La Manga, are also a good place to pick up some fashionable threads.
Related destinations
If you're interested in Spain you may also like to look at these related destinations:
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