Spain holidays

Spain's coastline spans more than 3,000 miles. Here, you'll discover some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Along Marbella’s ‘Golden Mile', Playa Nagueles attracts celebrities and spotters alike. In Ibiza, Cala Jondal is one of the most scenic spots on the island - from secluded clifftops you'll overlook pebbled beaches, lined with olive trees, and turquoise waters sprinkled with fishing boats. Playa de la Tejita is Tenerife's longest beach, nestled between the picturesque Montana Roja and Los Abrigos fishing village. Its quiet location is ideal for nature lovers and water sport enthusiasts. Even the seaside city of Barcelona boasts a spectacular beachfront and it prides itself on being a year-round destination.

1. Take a trip to Museo Nacional del Prado and see some of the world’s most impressive renaissance and baroque masterpieces.

2. Be inspired by the unique multi-coloured contemporary sculptures and architecture at Park Guell.

3. Rent a boat at El Retiro Park – it’s the perfect picnic spot to take in the city’s sights.

4. Experience both wildlife and the wild nightlife at a live music festival in Ibiza.

5. Step back in time at Spain’s famous palace of the Muslim kings of Granada, in Alhambra.

• In search for a holiday to fit your budget? Take a look at our cheap holidays to Spain. The contemporary Baobab Suites is a five star contemporary hotel in Tenerife. Prices vary, but if you choose a quieter time to visit, you can book a bargain. Spend your money wisely, with a cheap All Inclusive stay. The Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun in Lanzarote offers a five star, family-friendly resort. Make a splash in a choice of pools, let the children run wild at Kids Club and kick back in the spa. Choose a week which works for your wallet.
• Experience all that Spain has to offer on a holiday by our specialist villa provider, James Villas. Soak up the Spanish sun while reclining by your private pool. Or unwind on the stunning beaches of the Costa del Sol. Choose from handpicked Canary Island villas in the vibrant beach resorts of Tenerife and Lanzarote. Or discover the beautiful Balearics, where incredible scenery and family-friendly coastal spots await in destinations like Majorca and Ibiza.
• Looking for an All Inclusive retreat? Head to Lanzarote and stay at the Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort. Savour a beachside location, relish a variety of dining and take part in an array of activities. Or choose to holiday at the three star BlueBay Lanzarote. Start your day with a buffet breakfast, lounge around by the pool, then stroll down to the beach in the afternoon. Golf fans can venture to the nearby Costa Teguise golf course and families can make a splash at the Costa Teguise Aquapark. Take an All Inclusive break in Tenerife at the Be Live Experience Playa La Arena. Unwind poolside, play a spot of tennis and tuck into tasty bites.
• Just alongside Barcelona’s sandy beaches, the Hotel Arts Barcelona sits in a brilliant location. Plenty of iconic sights are nearby, so the whole clan can wander around or hop on the metro to see Gaudí’s greatest works. Dreaming of an island break to Lanzarote? The Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is a beachfront resort with something for everyone – a great choice for families. Enjoy direct beach access, eight restaurants – and Kikoland, the hotel’s enormous kids’ club, where mini-Messis can enrol in football camp..
• Seven beautiful volcanic islands just off the coast of North Africa make up the Canary Islands – and you can fly to three of them with British Airways. They share a heap of sunny beaches, but adventurous types can also enjoy countless activities. Learn about Gran Canaria’s brilliant hiking opportunities, head to Lanzarote for underwater safaris and make the most of the spectacular scenery in Tenerife. The Canary Islands get great weather all year round, and are sunny and warm throughout the seasons.

Barcelona

No trip to Spain would be complete without admiring the distinguished displays from architect Antoni Gaudí. The most impressive of which is La Sagrada Familia, a magnificent gothic cathedral towering above the city. Las Ramblas also puts on a show, with its street performers and tasty tapas at La Boqueria – Barcelona’s oldest market.

Madrid

Madrid is a must for all those wanting to experience urban Spanish life. The artistic capital is packed with vitality, where the Madrileños are known as gatos (cats), for their tendency to enjoy late nights. So, if you’re looking for excellent nightlife, Madrid is the perfect city for you. It is also regarded as one of the best culinary spots, housing some of the most fabulous restaurants in the world.

Ibiza

Although Ibiza is renowned for its party island credentials, there is more to this charming island than meets the eye. Discover hidden gems – from extraordinary beaches to luxurious boutique hotels, overlooking cryptic sea caves and boasting stunning sunsets beyond the Mediterranean coast.

Tenerife

The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands and arguably the warmest of all the regions in Spain – Tenerife benefits from a subtropical climate and offers consistently warm temperatures year-round. Take a hike or better still, venture out in a cable car to wonder at the popular attraction Mount Teide National Park volcano; a UNESCO World Heritage site with the highest mountain peak in Spain.

The Spanish are relaxed and hospitable people – renowned for their traditional siestas, which provide an ideal time to slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life. Many come to Spain in search of the tastiest paella and to sample traditional tapas and jamón. There is an abundance of artistic influences such as Picasso, Dalí and Gaudí, expressed through the country’s architectural designs. Spain is blessed with some of the best sandy Mediterranean beaches, plus Spanish festivals, like Tomatina, which embody authentic Spanish heritage. Fancy yourself as a flamboyant Flamenco dancer? Watch from afar or join in – it’s an integral part of Spanish tradition after all.

The weather in Spain is more varied than you'd think. If you're near the Atlantic coast it may be cooler, humid and rainy. As you go inland the climate is more arid, with relatively cold winters and often very hot summers. The southern and eastern coastal regions, such as Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, Valencia and Málaga, have a more typical Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures and sunny forecasts. While places like the Canary Islands experience an African climate, mild in winter and very hot in summer. In the mountainous regions of the Pyrenees and the Sierras, temperatures differ depending on altitude.