Spain is a country that continues to surprise, offering far more than just sunbathing and shopping. With vibrant cities, rich cultural heritage, dramatic coastlines, mountain landscapes and world-class cuisine, there is something to suit every type of traveller. Whether you’re drawn to historic streets, relaxed seaside towns or striking natural scenery, each region has its own distinct character waiting to be explored.
We’re outlining our top 5 reasons to discover Spain, along with our holiday suggestions, to help you make up your mind.
1. Stunning landscapes in Spain
From the dramatic, imposing mountains to the countless glistening beaches that dot its coastlines, Spain is a country full of natural beauty and inspiring landscapes. If breath-taking views and unique scenery captures your attention then our top suggestion is to experience a holiday to Tenerife where you can enjoy the inspiring its volcanic views and panoramic scenery. The largest of the Canary Islands, just south of Spain, Tenerife has a rugged, volcanic landscape as well as over 200 miles of coastline boasting a huge variety of flora and fauna. Another key highlight of Tenerife is Mount Teide, the third largest volcanic structure in the world! If you fancy a hike to the peak, the scenery at this level is awe-inspiring but don’t worry there’s also a cable car to the summit if you don’t fancy the blisters! Stuck for ideas? See our "Top 10 things to do in Tenerife."
For those inspired by Spain’s mountain scenery, there are several other remarkable landscapes worth exploring:
- The Pyrenees: A vast and dramatic mountain range forming a natural border between Spain and France, known for rugged peaks, deep valleys and striking alpine scenery, and best explored by train for a scenic journey through its foothills and surrounding landscapes.
- Sierra Nevada: Home to the highest peaks in mainland Spain, where snow-capped mountains rise above Andalusian valleys and create a striking contrast with the nearby Mediterranean climate.
- Montserrat: A uniquely shaped mountain range known for its jagged rock formations, panoramic viewpoints, and cultural significance, including its historic monastery set high among the peaks.
2. Beautiful beaches in Spain
Did you know that Spain has over 5,000 miles of coastline and thousands of beaches? Wherever you go, you are never far from a beach. From undiscovered, hidden alcoves to popular tourist resorts, there’s a beach for everyone and with over 300 days of sunshine each year you’re guaranteed the weather to enjoy them! This beautiful country also has the most blue flag beaches in the world so now you’ve no excuse! With thousands of beaches to choose from, where will you go? One of our top suggestions has got to be a holiday to Costa de la Luz. Located in the region of Andalucía, near the Portuguese border, this area is renowned for its beautiful beaches and is a sun worshipper’s paradise! Another fantastic coastal option is the Costa Brava, celebrated for its beautiful mix of rugged coastline, sheltered beaches and clear blue waters, with charming seaside towns dotted along Spain’s north-eastern shore.”
3. Fabulous Spanish food
For many people, one of the highlights of Spain is, of course, the amazing food on offer. The country’s vibrant cities offer up Michelin-starred restaurants and lively tapas bars, while small-town cafés and restaurants offer up traditional dishes such as paella, seafood stew and chorizo, made with love from family-recipes. Spanish cuisine is known for being delicious, healthy and full of flavour, so there are many unique dishes available that will tempt your taste buds.
- Basque Country: You’ll find pintxos, a Basque tradition of small, flavourful bites often served on bread and held together with a skewer, typically enjoyed while moving between bars.
- Andalucía: Widely regarded as the birthplace of tapas, this region is also known for dishes such as gazpacho, a refreshing cold tomato-based soup, and pescaíto frito (fried fish), reflecting its warm climate and coastal influences.
- Catalonia: Known for dishes such as pa amb tomàquet (bread rubbed with tomato, olive oil and salt), escalivada (roasted vegetables), and rich seafood stews that reflect its Mediterranean coastline and strong culinary traditions found throughout Catalonia, especially along the Costa Brava.
- Tenerife: Known for dishes such as papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) served with spicy mojo sauces, alongside fresh seafood and tropical influences shaped by its island location and volcanic landscape.
4. Cosmopolitan cities in Spain
From Barcelona to Seville, we really are spoiled for choice in Spain. The vibrant cities of Madrid and Barcelona are world-renowned for their arts and culture scene, fantastic food, incredible museums and impressive shopping options. Seville is another remarkable Spanish city, offering visitors a rich cultural experience, from flamenco dancing to architectural heritage. With so many options, it’s impossible to choose so you’ll have to just visit them all! One underrated gem and one of our top-picks is the vibrant, historical city of Salamanca! Most of the city centre is pedestrianised inviting visitors to walk around and discover the heart of the city. Salamanca is a bustling city with lively cafés, terraces and bars, perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. The historic city centre of Salamanca has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Getting lost in its ancient buildings or strolling through the streets, you will find a city with a rich past, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere.
You can visit many Spanish cities on our tours, including:
- Madrid on our Madrid City Break
- Barcelona on "Costa Brava & Barcelona"
- Seville on "Costa de la Luz & Seville" or Seville City Break.
- Granada on our Highlights of Andalucia tour
5. Vibrant villages
Southern Spain is a traveller’s paradise offering breathtaking scenery, stunning beaches and great weather…but one aspect that is often overlooked is the beautiful whitewashed villages and towns that dot the rugged hillsides of Andalucía Formerly farming and fishing villages, many of these local gems fell into disrepair over the years but have been brought back to life by locals and visitors who have recently rediscovered their charm. From quaint, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses to pretty ruins and churches, these vibrant villages are a charming attraction in themselves and although they have become popular with tourists in recent years, they have still managed to retain their ancient charm for now! One of our top suggestions is the beautiful village of Frigiliana which is often voted as one of the prettiest in Spain. Located only a few kilometers from Nerja, Frigiliana is renowned for its quaint cobbled streets, mouth-watering gastronomy and beautiful arts and crafts. Visitors to the region can enjoy authentic experiences such as stopping off at one of the family-run bodegas where they can taste the special dessert wine which is produced in the region, while enjoying local gastronomic specialities such as fig bread and sugar-cane honey. And of course one of the highlights of Andalucía is to explore La Alhambra, an impressive fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are so many reasons to book onto one of our holidays to Spain. So many in fact, that it may actually be difficult to decide where to go!
