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Spain is a popular European travel hotspot home to plenty of Mediterranean sunshine, beaches, cosmopolitan cities, gorgeous islands, top-class festivals, and much more. We offer cheap holidays to Spain, so let us help you plan your next voyage.
Spain’s capital Madrid makes for an enticing city break; the city boasts world-class art institutions, stylish shopping centres, centuries old architecture, bustling neighbourhoods, and a diverse nightlife. Equally charming is Barcelona, a city break hotspot with the added bonus of a beautiful coastline and inner city gardens. Barcelona is best known for its colourful architectural masterpieces created by Antoni Gaudi.
Away from Spain’s mainland are a number of island hotspots, including the Canary Islands which are located around a 4-5 hour flight from the UK and offer warm, pleasant sunshine all year round due to being in close proximity to the North African coast.
Passeig Marítim, 52, 08380 Malgrat de Mar, Barcelona, Spain
Calle del Tenis, Urb. Son Xoriguer s/n, Son Xoriguer, Spain
Carrer de Huesca, 1, 07840 Santa Eulalia del Río, Illes Balears, Spain
Carrer de Manuela de los Herreros, 12, Platja de Palma, 07610 Can Pastilla, Illes Balears, Spain
Av. Portmany, 1, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears, Spain
Situated east off of Spain’s mainland, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera) are gorgeous Mediterranean islands offering a slice of tropical paradise close to home, around a 2-3hr flight from the UK. These four islands offer picture-perfect sandy beaches with clear turquoise waters, plus scenic natural landscapes, bustling beach resorts, and historic cities. Brightsun Travel offers a great choice of Balearic Islands holidays, and our team can help personalise your stay.
This ancient city has everything a modern tourist could wish for. There are nine sandy beaches, amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea and so many things to do you'll never be bored. The artistic heritage of Barcelona is absolutely unique, from the famously bizarre architecture of Antoni Gaudi to the cubist paintings of Pablo Picasso. There are beautiful parks for adventurous relaxation, and festivals throughout the year that provide a sense of authentic Spanish culture.
If you love the outdoor life, the Canary Islands including, Tenerife, Lanzarote and La Palma, are a thrilling destination for your Spanish holiday. Water sports such as scuba diving and snorkelling are incredibly popular in Gran Canaria. The warm, settled weather is perfect for relaxing on the pristine sandy beaches at any time of day or night. The tropical scenery includes live volcanoes and areas of outstanding beauty that have earned many of the islands Biosphere Reserve status. Add the liveliest beachfront nightlife and your holiday should be complete.
As the Spanish capital, Madrid combines ceremony, glamour and plenty of entertainment. There are beautiful buildings such as the imposing Royal Palace, and the historic architecture of the Old Town known as Madrid de los Austrias. Museums and opera vie for attention along with the exclusive shopping district of Salamanca, where you'll find exquisite fashions and jewellery. At night, everyone heads for the Gran Via, the city's main thoroughfare. It's where the city offers an exciting nightlife in vibrant clubs, bars and restaurants.
Currency: You'll be spending Euros.
Language: Spanish! The official dialect throughout is Castilian Spanish, but regional variations include Catalan, Basque, Galician and Valencian.
Local Time: Compared to the UK's GMT or Winter Time, España is one hour ahead. During British Summer Time, Spanish clocks are two hours ahead.
Flight Time from the UK: Wherever you fly from in the UK, the flight takes approximately two hours.
Tourist information: Visit the official Spanish tourist information site for lots of helpful information regarding up and coming events, where to go, what to do and how to get around.
Health/ Travel Restrictions: To travel to SPain British citizens need a valid passport. A visa is not required. For up to date travel advice and health recommendations visit the government’s travel advice for Spain.
It's usually best to consult your GP regarding any health precautions you may need to consider. Possible vaccinations could include Tetanus and Hepatitis.
Always check on an official website before travelling as Spanish Covid-19 restrictions are constantly under review. You may need to prove you have been fully vaccinated in the last nine months. Alternatively, you could be asked for proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken seventy-two hours before travelling.
Spanish holidays are ideal at any time, but many people choose April to May, or September to October. These spring and autumn holidays promise favourable weather with the added bonus of fewer tourists.
The Spanish cost of living is regarded as one of the lowest in Europe.
Spanish holidays have activities and attractions for everyone. Outdoor fun includes walking, lazing on the beaches, and sports such as beach volleyball, water skiing, jet skiing and parasailing. Beach clubs, complete with amusements, pools and bars, are a great attraction. Ancient monuments, historic art galleries and museums provide cultural interest along with festivals, and displays of Flamenco music and dance. Water parks and theme parks offer family entertainment. The Spanish countryside is ideal for cycling and pony trekking.
Best Beaches
The Spanish coastline is famous for its beautiful, clean sandy beaches. Barcelona has an impressive choice from the quiet Nova Icària to the boisterous Barceloneta. The Canary Islands have extensive golden sands, but there are also beaches with incredible, soft black sand, a result of ancient volcanic activity. See them for yourself throughout the islands including Santa Catalina on La Gomera, El Bollullo in Tenerife and El Golfo in Lanzarote.
Food & Drink
One of the most sought after delicacies is Jamón, a delicious cured ham. There are two types for you to try. Jamón Serrano is produced from light-skinned pigs in the mountainous regions. Jamón Iberico is considered the finest of all and comes from native Cerdo black pigs.
Tapas features dozens of different dishes filled with tasty, bite-sized morsels. Look out for Patatas Bravas, pieces of fried potato served with a dipping sauce of tomatoes or mayonnaise seasoned with pimientos. Tortilla Española is the traditional Spanish omelette made with potatoes, eggs and onions. Gambas al Ajillo features shrimps cooked with garlic.
Paella originates from Valencia, but it's now considered a national dish. It consists of rice, vegetables and seafood, rabbit or chicken.
Popular drinks include sangria made from red and white wine. Sherry is often considered a national drink, and for those special occasions, try Cava, the Spanish version of Champagne.
Adventure Sports
You can look forward to setting your nerves on edge with adventurous activities during your Spanish holiday. You can cycle up and down the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains near Madrid, or try canyoning in the Montserrat mountain range just to the north-west of Barcelona. The Canary Islands are perfect for all types of water sports including diving, snorkelling, paddle boarding and even surfing.
Sightseeing
You'll love the variety of monuments and landmarks you can visit during your Spanish holiday. Barcelona's most popular attraction is the nineteenth-century cathedral, La Sagrada Familia by the Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). Poble Espanyol is an open air museum and the Magic Fountain puts on imaginative water and light displays.
When in Madrid, visit the UNESCO world Heritage Site of the Glass Palace in El Retiro Parc. Constructed in 1887, it's one of the world's finest conservatories.
The attractions of the Canary Islands include the Volcan El Teide, a live volcano on Tenerife. In the Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote, you can explore the volcanic landscape while sitting on top of a camel.
Art & Culture
The Museo del Prado in Madrid exhibits famous paintings by artists such as Rembrandt and Monet. Spanish artists include Goya (1746-1828) and Velázquez (1599-1660). You can also admire the modern art, anti-war masterpiece entitled Guernica, painted in 1937 by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973).
La Rambla, a popular tourist street in Barcelona, features the Pla de l'Os, a modern art pavement mosaic by the local artist Joan Miró (1893-1983). The National Art Museum of Catalonia has a vast collection of famous works including a fifteenth-century altarpiece by Bernat Martorell (1390-1452).
Gran Canaria has its own local artist, Néstor Martín-Fernández de la Torre (1887-1938). His paintings are in a style of Spanish Symbolism and can be seen at the Museo Néstor.
The country as a whole enjoys warm summers with August generally being the hottest month at around 24°C (74°F). The winters are relatively mild. November is generally the wettest month with rainfall averaging between 31 millimetres and 89 millimetres. Slight variations depend on your holiday destination, but the Spanish climate is noted for being settled with around 8.5 hours of daily sunshine on more than 300 days of the year. With so much sun about, remember to take care of your skin by using plenty of protective sunblock and wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
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