Holidays in Spain are rocking it with over 3,000 beaches (steady on!), plus a hefty dose of history, scenery and mouthwatering grub. Every day's a fiesta.

✨ Destination Highlights

• Beaches, beaches and more beaches (we can get used to that)

• Tapas and paella on tap - 'nough said

• Nightlife that'll have you dancing 'til dawn (with the excruciating vids to prove it)

• A holiday all-rounder with something for everyone

🗣️ Local lingo

Here are a couple of phrases to have you speaking like a pro in no time:

• Hello - Hola 

• Good bye - Adiós 

• Good morning - Buenos días 

• How are you? - ¿Cómo estás? 

• I’m good, thank you - Estoy bien, gracias 

• Please - Por favor

• Thank you - Gracias 

• You’re welcome - De nada

• Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you

• Do you speak English? - ¿Hablas inglés? 

• A beer, please - Una cerveza, por favor 

• The bill, please - La cuenta, por favor

🚗 Getting Around in Spain

🚌 Buses

Buses are your go-to for exploring Spain, connecting cities, towns, and even rural areas. They're affordable and frequent, with most featuring air-con, comfy seats, and Wi-Fi. Companies like ALSA offer long-distance routes, and tickets can easily be purchased at the bus station or online. For city travel, local buses are a convenient and budget-friendly way to get around.

🚆 Trains

Spain boasts an excellent rail system. High-speed AVE trains zip between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, making long distances a breeze. Regional trains, called Cercanías, connect smaller towns and cities. For a scenic and comfortable ride, book tickets in advance, especially for the high-speed lines!

🚖 Taxis and Rideshares

Taxis are a quick and easy way to get around Spain’s cities. You can hail them on the street or find taxi stands near popular areas. Just ensure the meter is on, or agree on a fare before you start the ride. For added convenience, rideshare apps like Uber and Cabify are available in most major cities, offering a cashless, hassle-free alternative. Both options are great if you want to zip around without worrying about timetables!

🎉 3 Fun Facts About Spain

• 🌞 Spain has a whopping 3,000 hours of sunshine a year – It’s proper scorchio over there, making it one of the sunniest countries in Europe. Perfect for topping up your tan and sipping on a Fanta Lemon!

• 🍷 It’s the land of vino – Spain is the largest wine-producing country in the world by vineyard area. Whether you're into a cheeky Rioja or a refreshing Albariño, Spain's got your tipple covered.

• 🍻 A pint of beer (or caña) will set you back around €2 to €4 (about £1.75 to £3.50). That’s a proper bargain, especially when paired with free tapas in some regions. Cheers to that!
  

Where is the best area to stay in Spain?

Spain is vast, vibrant, and brimming with choices. Whether you're after a beach retreat, a party paradise, or a just an all-round great cheap holiday, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the lowdown on the best spots to stay, from all-inclusives in Costa del Sol to chic boutique hotels in Marbella!

Family holidays 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Head to Costa del Sol for a family-friendly break. You’ll find resorts like Marbella and Benalmádena packed with kid-friendly activities, theme parks, and safe sandy beaches. Costa Blanca and Costa Dorada also offer plenty of options for keeping the little ones entertained.

Squad goals 👯‍♂️

If you’re all about good times and good company, Ibiza and Marbella are great picks. San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa in Ibiza are where the party’s at, with non-stop nightlife and beach vibes. Marbella’s Puerto Banús is all about stylish beach clubs and fun nights out. And of course, there’s Benidorm! With its unbeatable bar scene, it’s perfect for a laid-back group holiday where you can really let your hair down.

Coupling up 💑

For a romantic getaway, Mallorca’s Port de Sóller is pure bliss with its picturesque harbour, intimate restaurants, and laid-back charm. If you're after a mix of culture and passion, Seville is a top pick - think cosy tapas spots, flamenco shows, and stunning historic streets to stroll down hand-in-hand.

🏨 What are the top hotels in Spain?

In Spain, the hotels are almost as sunny as the beaches. Whether you're chilling in Costa Brava or soaking up the sun on the Costa del Sol, there's a perfect pillow waiting for you. Check out these stunners:

• Evenia Olympic Resort - a Costa Brava beauty with pools, clubs, and a mini club for the kiddos.

• Sol Principe - beachfront bliss with a splashtastic kids' club in Torremolinos. That's us sold (and the kids).

• Sol Pelicanos Ocas - the star of the 'Benidorm' show (no, not that one), with triple the pool fun and a top-tier location.

• BCL Levante Club & Spa Hotel - step into adults-only peace and quiet with a spa and a vibe that screams 'relaxation'. Or should we say, whispers 'relaxation'.

• Magic Aqua Rock Gardens - a beachside beaut with slides and safari fun. And yes, Dads - you can slide too!

• Blue Sea Montevista Hawai - a family favourite in Lloret De Mar with FREE Wi-Fi, pools, and yummy food.

• Holiday World Polynesia - free entry to 'The Beach Club' in Benalmadena? Sign us the flip-flop up. This place is all waterpark fun and activities galore.

Can't decide where to stay? Well, there's plenty of hotels in Spain where that came from, and we've got a bunch of cheeky all-inclusive Spain holidays if you're the kind of person who likes to go big rather than go home. We feel you.

🏖️ What are the best beaches in Spain?

Ready for some beach-hopping fun on your beach holidays to Spain? No matter how last-minute you're looking to get away, these sandy superstars are always game for some beach-bum action:

• Playa de Levante - perfect for any holiday squad hitting up Beni – families, friends, lovebirds, two strangers who met at the airport and decided to take a chance on love. Hey, we're not here to judge

• La Manga del Mar Menor - a proper local beach in Costa Calida (so prepare to put your Spanish to good use), with those classic white-sand, sea-breeze vibes, ideal for a bit of family fun

• Playa de la Fontanilla - a true gem of a beach in Marbella, with a blustery breeze to keep you cool and bags of sand to sprawl out on - perfect for a bit of peace and quiet

• Playa de Monsul - a rustic beach with eroded caves and volcanic rocks. You can use this place as your claim to fame, because some scenes from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were filmed here!

• Playa de Bolonia - an absolute BEAUT of a beach, with mega sand dunes and pine trees on one side, and views of the Atlantic stretching out in front. "One of the most special beaches I have seen!" says Elena on TripAdvisor. So if you don't take our word for it, take Elena's.

• Playa de Muro - long, sandy and family-friendly (hello, triple threat alert), this place has the sands for castle-building, the shallow waters for paddling in, and the open skies for star-gazing at night. If you're into that.

• Playa Cala Sa Boadella - it'll take a steep walk to get there, but it's worth it for the gorg views and soft sands once you get there. Not to mention all the marine life darting about beneath the water's surface. We've got three words for you: bring a snorkel!

Spain holidays 2024 travel guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to do in Spain for families

Off on a big ol' family holiday to Spain? You're in for a right treat. Whether there's an all-inclusive trip to Andalucia on the cards or just a classic beach jolly at one of the Costas, we've got you covered like chips in ketchup. From the wet 'n' wild rides at PortAventura (that's in Salou, btw) to all the splashtastic fun you could be having at Siam Park in Costa Adeje, boredom is officially banned 'round these parts. And if the idea of getting soaked and listening to screaming kids is your idea of hell, you can always go the educational route with a trip to Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote. It's like stepping onto another planet, Doctor Who style (literally, it was an actual filming location for one of the alien worlds)!

❤️ Things to do in Spain for couples

Spain's practically oozing romance from every last coastal corner. You and bae could be clinking glasses at sunset, striking those Insta-perfect poses on the balcony (just one more with flash on this time), or - let's be honest - racing each other to the pool to see who can dive in first. Whatever your idea of the perfect 'couples' holiday' is, this holiday classic is the perfect place to set the scene for some major heart eyes. From upbeat Majorca holidays where you can dance 'til dawn (and stumble home together at the end of it) to last-minute Barcelona escapes with tapas bars on every corner - it doesn't get sweeter than that. Date night? Completed it, mate.

🥳 Things to do in Ibiza for groups

If you're whisking the whole squad away for the group holiday of a lifetime (or at least the party of the year), then first of all - congrats on making it past the group chat stage, but secondly - you're gonna want to hit up places like Benidorm and San Antonio for all your sangria-slurping, late-night-raving needs. We've got something for everyone though, whether you prefer a chilled night in a karaoke bar where it's all free-flowing pints and My Heart Will Go On renditions, or something more educational - like a sight-seeing tour. Why not hit up Barcelona's Camp Nou? Even if you're not a footie fan, it's one to tick off. Charlotte from our Content team can't STAND football (her eyes actually glaze over whenever it comes up in conversation in the office), but she still paid this place a visit on her holibobs to Spain, and snapped a cheeky pic there for good measure. History and all that.

🍽️ Things to do in Spain for foodies

Foodies, you're in for an absolute treat in Spain. It's all mouthwatering tapas, tomatoey paellas and tasty bites at beachside chiringuitos (that's a small beach bar, to me and you). Local small plates in Barcelona, fresh-as-it-comes seafood in Costa Brava, piping-hot churros for when you're strolling along the promenade - the list goes on. And we're officially drooling. Whether you're hitting up the local restaurants or just stocking up at your hotel's buffet - there's always something delish on the menu here, so dive in like there's no mañana. Oh, and if you want to make it a history lesson, try hitting up El Sobrino de Botín in Madrid. It's the oldest restaurant in the world, and their roast chicken and potatoes is absolutely *chef's kiss*.

Fancy living a bit of the Spanish island life? Well, we've also got deals on holidays to Tenerife as well as Lanzarote holidays. The Canaries are calling...