Spain
Holidays
Spain is best for...
Couples: Spain, one of the most romantic countries in the world, is home to amazing architecture, quaint picturesque towns, magnificent cities and a wealth of gorgeous beaches. Why not take a trip to Seville, the most romantic city in Spain, and take a romantic walk with your significant other in its mesmerising gardens? Or enjoy tapas and alcholic beverages in one of Barcelona's famous tapas bars under the romantic lights of the city with your significant other.
Families: Spain is a perfect holiday destination for families where you will be sure to find pleasantly warm weather, sensational food and magnificent beaches. Why not take a trip to Fuerteventura, one of the best family destinations in Spain, and explore the pristine landscape?
Night owls: Spain offers a truly exhilarating nightlife scene for all where you can relax and unwind at night in a traditional tapas restaurant in the bustling city of Madrid, dance the night away in one of Ibiza's renowned nightclubs or even head to the popular traditional flamenco shows in Andalusia, guaranteed to fire up your evening.
Getting around Spain
By train: Train is the most convenient way to explore Spain as it provides an extensive railway network, particularly high-speed trains, covering the main tourist destinations and used by millions of visitors every year.
By metro: The metro is the fastest, most efficient and reliable way of travelling around Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia.
By boat: With many major cruise ports, all destinations in Spain can be easily reached by ferry or catamaran, particularly the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
By car hire: Hiring a car in Spain is a convenient way to explore at your own leisure, offering a modern road network as well as a majority of towns and cities are well connected.
Fast facts for Spain
Language: Spanish, Catalan and Basque. Most people speak English in more touristy areas but make sure to bring a phrasebook or a translation app if you’re going to visit the off-the-beaten-path locations.
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Local time: GMT+1
Fly to:
- Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN): For visits to Barcelona
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS): For visits to Tenerife
- Malaga Airport: For visits to Costa Del Sol
Flight time from the UK: It takes around 2 and a half hours of flight from the UK.
Tourist information: For more information on all Spanish locations, please visit the official tourism website here.
Visa/health: If you are a UK citizen and have a valid passport, you do not need a visa for Spanish holiday visits for up to 90 days. Visit the official UK travels website for restrictions, travel advice, visa requirements and health advice here .
More travel guides: Curious for more? We have a range of travel guides and holiday destinations from all over the world! Here are a few: Cyprus | Greece | Turkey | Egypt | Portugal
Your Guide to Spain holidays
- Food & Drinks
- Beaches
- We Love
- At a Glance
Food & Drinks
Spain's food and drinking culture makes it one of Spain's greatest attractions and it is renowned for its sizzling culinary scene. You will be sure to find a restaurant to suit every taste and budget, whether you are on a budget holiday or a lavish getaway.
- A taste that changes its flavours depending on the locals' tastes, carajillo is a popular coffee drink with added liquor. Tested by time, carajillo stems from the word courage, the strong taste of which will certainly make you feel plenty. Why not go on a jourey to taste the varieties of carajillo - starting from Catalonia where you'll find its simplest form in a comnination of coffee and brandy, and go all the way to Majorca where the local island rum is added for some extra courage.
- Enjoy a hearty breakfast with a Spanish omelet, a mix of fried potatoes, eggs and onion. Follow up with a popular seafood dish, the Galician-style octopus - cooked in a pot, it is served on a wooden board along with boiled potatoes, salt, paprika and the tasty Spanish olive oil. Make sure to try paella, a classic Spanish rice dish, which you can optimise for your taste by adding ingredients like saffron, vegetables, meat, or seafood.
- Top these off with something sweet by trying the Catalan cream, a pastry with crunchy crust made of caramalised sugar. For something that can go with any meal of the day, opt for some freshly made hot churros - these fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar can be eaten as either a snack or even as part of your breakfast.
- Don't forget to taste the local spanish wines. Ranging in taste and ingredients in each province, it's easy to go on a journey of wine tasting from Catalonia to Mallorca.
Beaches
With more than 600 blue flag beaches, Spain certainly offers some of the best beaches in the world with crystal clear waters, coves, and 4,900km of gorgeous coastline. Whether you are looking for all-night parties, family fun beach days or to escape the hustle and bustle, there is always a stretch of sand ideal for you.
- Bring your family for a relaxing time at Calo es Caragol in Mallorca. Set against the picturesque background of Serra Tramuntana's vineyards and orchards, these clear turquoise waters are full of life. Thanks to its remote location, this beach is a favourite amongst families, with plenty of space for beach games and calming trips - you'll get to see the marine life upclose as well!
- Experience a one-of-a-kind beach with its own 11th-century castle overlooking the waters at Tarragona's Playa Tamarit. Don't let the impressive castle fool you though - this is a calm spot that remains free of the crowds while still offering all the beauties of a Spanish beach.
- Or visit a famous beach at Almeria and enjoy the scenery that made its way to the big screen with films like Indiana Jones. Playa de Monsul's lava-form rocks give a unique shape and beauty to the beach, giving a unique look to your beach photos.
We Love
It is so easy to understand why millions of tourists visit Spain every year. It certainly has something to offer everyone, despite age or personal interests. With more than 300 days of sunshine in southern Spain, it makes an ideal destination all year round.
- Spanish beaches, as they are renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe, with millions of tourists visiting every year for the sun and sand. Accompanying the beautiful clear waters, sampling tapas is a must in Spain and a long-time favourite amongst both locals and visitors.
- Spain offers truly mesmerising iconic attractions, rich in heritage as well as a diverse selection in nature. Picos de Europa is one of the most famous national parks in the whole of Spain, where you will find stunning lakes and majestic mountains. The Spanish architecture is also reflected by an abundant of old towns that date back to the Medieval Times as well as some of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world.
At a Glance
- The average flying time from the UK to Mainland Spain is approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes
- You can fly from all UK Airports depending on the final Spanish destination.
- Spain offers pleasant climate all year.
travel advice
Get advice about traveling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings on
FCDO website.