Spain holidays
With miles and miles of beaches, plenty of colourful cities and fun-filled waterparks galore, Spain holidays have something for everyone. You’ll find year-round sunshine just a short flight away from the UK, whether you’re heading for bustling mainland Spain or the gorgeous islands off the coast. When you arrive on your holidays to Spain, you’ll discover a country brimming with charm, from the mountain villages and Moorish castles to the bustling resorts and delightful tapas restaurants.
Things to do
When it comes to things to do on Spanish holidays, you’ll be spoilt for choice. In the country’s many beach resorts, you won’t be able to resist lounging around on the sand, soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine. And if you feel like picking up the pace, you could always try your hand at water sports; you’ll find plenty going on in places like Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca or Costa del Almeria in mainland Spain. But Spain has so much to offer beyond the coastline. It’s absolutely brimming with incredible landscapes, from Lanzarote’s volcanic peaks to Menorca’s lush wetlands. When it comes to keeping the kids happy, you’ll find a great choice of fun-filled waterparks that they’ll just love.
Places to stay
With a fantastic range of beaches, many Blue Flag awarded, you can see why this country attracts beach lovers, year after year. Holidays on the mainland are about the Costas; named the “Golden Coast”, this stretch of sandy beaches is drenched in sunshine. In the Canaries, you’ll find black volcanic sands in Lanzarote and Saharan shores in Gran Canaria, while in the Balearics, Menorca boasts secluded coves and Majorca enjoys sweeping bays. In Ibiza it's become a tradition to watch the spectacular sunsets.
17–30°C
Hot, dry summers and mild winters
2-5 hours
Spain has 25 international airports, with dozens of flights every day from departure points all over the UK
Travel guide
Things to do
Currency
Travel guide
Travel guide
Weather & Climate
Expect a mild Mediterranean virtually climate all year round
Best time to visit: Visit outside of peak summer months for cheap holidays to Spain.
The climate in Spain varies from region to region, but you can generally expect hot and dry summers, with temperatures hitting the high-20s (°C) wherever you are. Over in the Balearic Islands, things start to heat up in May, with highs in the mid-20s. Enjoy peak temperatures of 30°C in July and August. Things are similar over on mainland Spain, with sunny summers in the mid-20s, and mild spring and autumns seasons, too. Down south, the Canary Islands (or the ‘Islands of Eternal Spring’) enjoy warm, sub-tropical weather. It hardly ever drops below 20°C in winter, with highs of around 25°C the summer months. The western islands have the most rain, but it’s only the occasional shower during summer.
Spain is best for…
Couples: With a wealth of beautiful beaches and pretty cities galore, many Spain destinations are perfect for two. Why not wander through Barcelona’s bustling streets before riding the cable car to Montjuïc?
Families: Find your favourite spot on the Costa’s golden sandy Costas. When you fancy a change of scenery, you’ll find all kinds of waterparks and theme parks to keep the kids entertained.
Night owls: Whether you want laze away an evening in a traditional tapas restaurant in Madrid, or dance all night in Ibiza’s top clubs, you’ll find something to keep you entertained when the sun goes down.
Fast facts:
Language: Spanish, although English is widely spoken across Spain, especially in the tourist hotspots and resorts. If you’re heading off the usual visitor trails, pack a phrasebook or download our essential language app.
Currency: Euro (€).
Local time: Spain is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.
Fly to: Alicante Airport for Benidorm, Girona Airport for Costa Brava, Reus Airport for Costa Dorada and Malaga Airport for Costa del Sol. Transfer times are 30–90 minutes.
Flight time from UK: The flight time to Spain is around 2.5 hours.
Tourist Information: Find further information about various Spain destinations over at www.spain.info.
Visa / Health:
British citizens don’t need a visa to for Spain holidays but you do need a valid passport. Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain for up-to-date visa and health recommendations and advice.
Events
Tenerife carnival: Escape the cold winter in the UK and head to Tenerife in February to experience one of the biggest carnival celebrations in Europe.
Semana Santa: Easter brings celebrations all over Spain during Semana Santa (or Holy Week).
Clubbing season: Nightclubs in the Balearic Islands reopen for the summer from May onwards, finishing with huge closing parties in October.
Menorca Fiesta: Kick off the fiesta season in Menorca from 23–25 June, during the festival of Sant Joan.
La tomanita: You’ll be seeing red during Buñol’s annual tomato frenzy, La Tomatina, in late August.
Getting around
By train: High-speed trains run between the major cities in mainland Spain.
By metro: There are metro systems in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Bilbao.
By boat: Ferries and catamarans connect the Canary Islands with each other, which you’ll also find in the Balearic Islands.
By hire car: Hiring a car is a convenient way of exploring at your own pace, and getting to hard-to-reach places.
Safety and Security:
For up to date advice on travelling to Greece, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/safety-and-securityThings to do
Whether you’re seeking sun-soaked beaches on the Spanish Costas, cathedral tours in Palma, or water-filled fun at Benidorm’s Aqualandia, the list of things to do in Spain is practically endless. There is something for all ages from botanical gardens and theme parks, to designer shopping and architectural wonders of the world.
Places to go
With so much to see and do, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to what to do first in Spain. Sample the Costas’ powdery golden sands edged with sparkling warm waters, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Select from secluded coves, lively hotspots or family-friendly beaches. S’illot is a short stroll from Sa Coma and perfect for those seeking a tranquil beach with picture postcard scenery. Cala S’Almonia in Mallorca is popular for snorkelling and offers spectacular clifftop scenery and lush pine forest backdrops. Family-friendly Spain things to do must include a visit to the theme and water parks dotted around the country. Salou’s PortAventura provides rides and slides, thrills and spills for the whole family. Aqualandia in Benidorm is home to Europe’s highest water chute, while younger visitors will enjoy the swashbuckling shows at Mallorca’s Pirates Adventures. Sioux City is a must for cowboy fans. For a more serene holiday experience indulge in the natural beauty of Spain with hiking in the stunning Masca Valley.Attractions
Immerse yourself in a wealth of iconic attractions in Spain from royal palaces and grand fortresses to GothicThings to do in Spain
Cala Des Moro Beach Spain
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Ibiza’s reputation as the party capital of the world has been going strong since the 1960s. What started out as a hippy hangout has …Mojacar Golf
The interesting landscapes and Mediterranean climate makes Mojacar a great location for a spot of golf. There are several 18-hole courses in thePuig De Missa Spain
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For an exciting family day out, a trip to Baku Family Park is in order as it’s only a short way from Corralejo. Enjoy classic activities like …Best Fuengirola Waterparks Spain
With average temperatures of 25℃ and around 320 days of sunshine each year, it’s worth having a fun way to cool off, particularly if …Fundacion Cesar Manrique Spain
Discover more about Lanzarote’s celebrated artist, Cesar Manrique, with a trip to his quirky former home. Just a few miles north of Arrecife, …Sanddancers Bar Spain
For a fun-filled night out on your holiday to Cala Bona, make sure you spend an evening at Sanddancers. A lively bar with lots of entertainment, …Diving In Tenerife
If you fancy taking a trip under the ocean, Teide Divers can help to train you. This family run business has 10 years experience of diving in …Spend the day in Barcelona; the cultural capital
A trip to Cap Salou isn’t complete without an excursion to Barcelona. Soak up the culture while strolling by iconic landmarks such as the …Playa Chica Beach Spain
Puerto del Carmen’s most popular beach is small, gentle and famous for its still waters as part of the bay. The immaculate sands are the best …Puerto Rico Shopping Centre Spain
The heart of this resort is the Shopping Centre of Puerto Rico; a large shopping mall with shops that cater for day to day needs and the treats …Currency
Spain travel money
As it’s located in Europe and within the Eurozone, you might have guessed that the currency for Spain is the Euro (€). This is the most widely used form of currency on the continent, and it’s accepted in many different countries throughout Europe. There are many ways to get currency for Spain before you leave, and it’s always best to plan in advance to make sure you get the best possible value for money. But if you don’t have time to get your hands on some before you head off on your holidays, there’s no need to panic; it’s easy to pick up currency for Spain while you’re out there.Where can I buy currency for Spain?
If you don’t have time to buy your Euros before going away, Spain has many ATM machines and foreign exchange bureaus where you can do so. However, it’s still a good idea to get your holiday money before you leave in order to get the best deal and avoid paying excessive transaction charges.Top destinations in Spain
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