Spain is one of the countries with many beautiful places to visit during a short trip or over a weekend. If you are based in Europe, there are great offers to reach different destinations and it’s a country you will never be tired of exploring more.

While visiting Madrid is a must, full of culture and gastronomy, there are other places full of history and fun nightlife as well to keep in mind. You will find beautiful beach destinations, and a delicious variety in gastronomy, and friendly people, Spain it’s a delight to travel for the whole family, couples doing a romantic getaway or even for solo travelers!

Great to explore by train and local transportation, but also a very good option is to explore it on your own by car. Book your car HERE and save up to 15%! 

Find here some of the favorite places of experienced travelers who wants to inspire you to find your next Spain trip and get to know this amazing country better. Wat’s your favorite place to visit in Spain?

Cies Islands

Along with the Ons islands and other small islets that dot the Atlantic Ocean a short distance from the Galician coast; the Cies islands are a sort of open secret of this paradisiacal region of Spain. Not surprisingly, they have attracted so many tourists in recent years – encouraged by publications such as The Guardian that named one of its beaches the best in the world almost 20 years ago, and by the ubiquitous Instagram among others – that their visitors have been reduced to approximately 2000 a day.

To visit them, I recommend that you book your adventure in advance by buying a ticket through the two or three shipping companies that offer transportation from Vigo and other nearby inland points. Once there, remember that you are in a highly protected area and that you should not leave any footprints or trash behind you. What’s more, it would be great if you could pick up some garbage if you see any during your visit.

Finally, for those who want to sleep a night on these islands, there is the possibility of doing so but the places are extremely limited so do not put your hopes very high or be discouraged if you can not get a spot. Even if you can only go on a day trip there, it is well worth it!

When to visit Cies Islands
The best time to visit is from mid-June to September

Where to stay when visiting the Cies Islands
As accommodation in the islands is very limited, a great idea is to stay in Vigo and plan your day trip from there. You can find here the best offers and availability for Hotels in Vigo.

Contributed by Inma from A World to Travel 

 

Costa Brava

Costa Brava is definitely one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Spain. This place is just perfect for a beach vacation or as a stop-over on a Spain Roundtrip.

The Costa Brava has one thing in particular: breathtaking beaches. With its crystal-clear water, the Mediterranean is perfect for swimming or discovering a few fish while snorkeling, on some beaches, you might even think you‘ve landed in the Caribbean. There are all kinds of beaches on the Costa Brava, and there is a perfect beach for everyone: from secluded little bays hidden behind cliffs, which you almost have to yourself, to busy beaches with bars, water sport opportunities, and good music.

In addition to magnificent beaches, you will also find a lot of beautiful nature and hiking trails in this area of the country. Walk along the endless cliffs so typical of the Costa Brava. You can also discover lots of pine forests and countless olive trees that will make your walk even more enjoyable.

A stay on the Costa Brava is also perfect for day trips to nearby cities such as Barcelona or Girona. These can be reached either by public transport or by rented car.

When to visit
A trip to the Costa Brava is particularly worthwhile during the summer months when the water and temperatures are warm enough for swimming. If you want to avoid the tourist crowds, it is best to arrive in late spring or early fall, since it‘s not yet a high season – but it is still nicely warm.

Where to stay when visiting
There’s a good offer on accommodations in Costa Brava, from hotels to resorts and private apartments. You can find here the best offers and availability for Hotels in Costa Brava.

Contributed by Vicki from Vicki Viaja

 

Granada

We were in Andalusia in Southern Spain to do the very thrilling Caminito del Rey walk and decided to visit Granada to see the Alhambra while we were there. We simply fell in love with Granada at first sight!

Granada, the long time capital of Moorish Andalusia in southern Spain, is so much more than the world-famous Alhambra, and we were pleased that we had booked a three-day stay. It’s perfect for a short vacation. Alhambra is, of course, the main attraction in Granada and this vast complex is a must-see with its fascinating history, stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, fountains, and pools. It needs at least a half a day to visit and you need to book your tickets well in advance. Another must-see place is the city’s historic center.

Take a free walking tour for a quick overview and then go back and explore the places that really interested you. The areas of Albaicin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its narrow winding cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses is great to just wander around, and another area to explore is Sacramonte, with its cave houses, gypsy lifestyle and music, and dancing after dark. There are two great options for a stunning sunset viewing. The most popular, and often very crowded, is at Mirador De San Nicolas with its magnificent views over the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountains. If you prefer a less crowded option head for San Miguel Alto Viewpoint. It’s a strenuous climb but also has the most amazing sunset views. And don’t forget your camera as we did!

Best time to visit Granada
We visited in winter- February. It suited us well as there weren’t huge crowds around and it wasn’t hot. We did have to rug up though if we were out and about early in the morning or in the evenings.

Recommended place to stay in Granada
We stayed in a newly renovated Airbnb apartment about 15 minutes interesting walk from the town center. It was perfect and the host Juan was most helpful. You can find here the best AIRBNB options at starting rates of $23

Contributed by Maureen Spencer from “So Many Places! So Little Time!”  

Minorca – Balearic Islands

The island of Minorca is known as the Balearic Islands’ ‘little sister’ as it’s not as developed as Mallorca, and it’s not the queen of the party scene -hello Ibiza! Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993, it has ‘escaped’ mass tourism, attracting more low-key travelers keen to relax.

An ideal holiday spot for a 2 or 3-days weekend, Minorca is full to the brim with nature, sunny white sandy beaches, unique sunset spots, cute old towns, and great food. Nature lovers can hike or bike a section of the Cami de Cavalls, the ancient path that circles the island -so better bring your hiking gear! Beach bums can relax under the sun and go for a swim in any of the islands’ secluded beaches. For a dose of culture and beauty, visiting Minorca’s Citadel, Mahón, or the white town of Binibeca Bell is a must. After a long day unwinding and digging the islands’ treasures, head to the Punta Nati Lighthouse and enjoy a memory-worthy sunset. Located 6km northwest of Minorca Citadel, just this lighthouse with its stone support buildings and the coast’s cliffs are worth a visit to the island.

To max out your weekend, fly into the Menorca Airport and rent a car to move around the island! Book your car HERE and save up to 15%!  Don’t try to see everything as you’d need about a week, the island has a decent size and plenty to do, so better prioritize your favorite activities!

Best time to visit Minorca
May and June are ideal for a quick trip to Minorca as you can expect warm temperatures and little crowds. The average temperature in May is 22ºC, so it’s just right for a nice day at the beach. It cools down at night time, so bring a few layers to keep you warm!

Recommended place to stay in Minorca
There is plenty of affordable and nice accommodation on Airbnb around the island. We rented an apartment just 2 streets off the Minorca Citadel at $110 per night, for 4 people. You can find from private rooms to full apartments and luxury villas, find here the best rates and availability

Contributed by Martina Grossi from Theglobalcurious.com 

 

Seville

Seville is an excellent destination for a short holiday in Spain. As the hottest city in Europe, good weather is regularly bestowed on this Andalusian gem. There’s nothing quite like exploring Seville’s historic buildings and beautiful squares with clear blue skies overhead.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied in the balmy Seville weather. A Gothic cathedral, the largest by volume in the world, towers over cobbled laneways and tiny picturesque squares. Perfectly shaped fragrant orange trees frame intricate architecture and imposing villas – perfect for just strolling around and taking it all in. The Real Alcázar, contains exotic palaces, fountained courtyards and walled gardens – an insight into the colorful past of this once powerful city. While Seville is a popular tourist city, locals still enjoy a bewildering array of traditional tapas bars and modern restaurants, dishing up some of the best food in Andalucía. This makes Seville a great destination for a holiday where you don’t need to be in tourist mode all the time. Seville is a place to see and to savour. A place to wander the halls of its mighty past and drink in the bars of its current glory.

Best time to visit Seville
In summer, temperatures can reach into the forties, so it is best to avoid Seville from June to September. The best time to visit is from March to May when fresh growth makes the trees and gardens a lush green, the temperatures are not too high, and the rains of winter are beginning to die away. In particular, a weekend to Seville in March and April can be a cheap way for northern Europeans to get some winter sun while enjoying a historically interesting and beautiful city.

Where to stay in Sevilla
Sevilla has a wide variety of accommodations to offer, from luxury modern hotels to boutique villas where you can make the most of your stay and enjoy the best of the city. You can BOOK HERE your favorite hotel or find your own apartment for your stay at Airbnb.

Contributed by Paul Healy from Anywhereweroam.com

 

 

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