Bienvenidos a España or Welcome to Spain! This Mediterranean country is well known for its passionate Flamenco dances, traditional bullfights, as well as exotic sunny beaches. If one would ask us what color we associate Spain with, we would definitely say red, as no other color can describe the energizing lifestyle of this country. Spain is the perfect travel destination for those of you, who seek adventures, value the nature and know how to combine cognitive tours with relaxation. So if you’re looking for a place where you can chill out and enjoy the wonders of nature, then Spain is one of the best traveling destinations for summer. To plan unforgettable summer trips to Spain, check out the best regions to visit along with the best hotel deals and cultural monuments worth including in your touristic program.
Why Spain?
Simply because it has a bit of everything! Spain is a heavenly place that has been blessed by gods to have a wonderful nature and an extraordinary artistic heritage. It is not accidental that Spain gave birth to some famous artists that have been recognized worldwide, including Salvador Dali, Antoni Gaudi, Pablo Picasso and many others.
Where Exactly to Go in Spain?
We have to admit that it’s kind of hard to single out only certain Spanish destinations, because every corner of this fantastic country has its own, unique story. However, we will try to highlight the most famous touristic centers that are worth exploring.
Madrid
The capital since 1561 and the largest city of Spain, Madrid is the history and art center of the country. What makes this city stand out from other big cities is the fact that although it corresponds to all requirements for a modern, urban city, it also maintains its architectural style and its rich culture through its traditions. Located in the heart of Europe, Madrid has left a rich cultural heritage due to which it’s one of the most-visited European cities in the world. Among the best places to visit in beautiful Madrid is the Museo Nacional del Prado. Each painting presented in this museum has its own story. Some stories will make you laugh, while others are so touching that will make you cry. However whether it’s from the educational or entertainment perspective, one thing is sure, this museum must be visited. If you decided to take a walk and enjoy the sunny weather of Madrid, then you should go to the Retiro Park, which is a beautiful huge park, perfect for tranquil rests! Other places that you can visit in Madrid are the Royal Palace of Madrid, Cerralbo Museum, Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida, as well as Plaza de Oriente and Almudena Cathedral.
Best Places to Eat in Madrid
The best places to eat in Madrid are Casa Revuelta a place where they serve the best fish, La Mallorquina welcoming visitors since 1894 and Vinoteca Moratín, where they’ll impress you with their sophisticated menu and their big variety of the best wines.
Best Hotels in Madrid
Whether comfort is the only thing you care or you’re also looking for something special, here are the best hotels to stay in while in Madrid! The first hotel that we would like to present is the Hat, which is a great option for budget travellers. This hotel stands out for its eye-catching retro design and high-class service. Another alternative appears to be Hostal Persal, a great place with simple yet very comfortable rooms and Artistic B&B, which always attracts visitors with its very atmospheric setting.
Barcelona
Being the largest city of Catalonia, Barcelona is an inspiring city that attracts visitors due to its incomparable beauty and rich historical background! It is notable that the unique architecture of the city, which by the way appears to be the mixture of modern and old styles, makes it differ from all other European cities.
Barcelona’s Must-Visit Spots
To ensure you’ve explored all the corners of the city you have to organize a schedule that will include visiting La Rambla, which is Barcelona’s most famous street, a touristic center that is considered the best place to visit in order to deeply explore Catalonian culture. Another place worth visiting in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia, which is one of the most famous cathedrals in Spain.
Although it is considered unconstructed yet, it gathers more than a million visitors per year. Other places that you can go while enjoying your stay in Barcelona are Park Güell, Camp Nou, La Pedrera, Picasso Museum, La Catedral, etc. The best places to try Spanish cuisine are Bar Kasparo, Bracafe, Biblioteca, and Can Majo. As for your stay we suggest the following hotels in Barcelona: Barcelo Raval, Casa Fuster G.L Monumento, W Barcelona, Hotel Neri and Hotel Arts Barcelona.
Valencia
Eyes on Valencia, the third largest city and an important touristic center of Spain! Valencia is like a mixture of old architectural works and breathtaking avant-garde buildings of the modern times. It’s a vibrant city, where culture, cinema, theatre, museums and business meet, a place where you can enjoy both passive and active vacations. It should be noted that due to its favorable location, the city has been Spain’s Mediterranean harbour for years. Today it’s an active touristic center, one of Spain’s biggest prides. If you decide to visit this magnificent city then you must plan a city tour that will include the most beautiful corners of the city, such as Valencia Cathedral (built in Roman times), Miguelete Tower, which by the way is the cathedral’s Gothic bell tower and is 50.85 meters high. Also don’t forget to go to Plaza de la Virgen to see the famous Virgen de los Desamparados Basilica and the Santo Domingo Convent designed by Dominicans in the 13th century. In the main historic quarter of the city you can find other churches, like Santa Catalina, San Nicolás and San Martín. And don’t forget to stop by the famous City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia!
Best Places to Eat and Stay in Valencia
According to reviews by visitors the best places to enjoy a meal in Valencia are Bodega Montana, Casa Carmina, El Alto de Color, etc. The list of the best hotels includes Caro Hotel, Las Arenas Balneario Resort Hotel (including spa, swimming pool and more), as well as Ayre Astoria Palace and Vincci Palace Hotel.
Best Beaches in Valencia
There are fantastically beautiful beaches near Valencia, like Malvarosa Beach, which is close to the city center. The beach of El Saler, located on the south of the city, is a beautiful place with golden natural sand dunes. The Port Saplaya Beach is also a great place for a full relaxation as it’s not too crowded even if it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Valencia.
Ibiza
This paradise-like island is in the Mediterranean Sea and it is the third largest island of the Balearic Islands. Ibiza is well known for its noisy and brisk nightlife. If you’re more of a passive vacation seeker, Ibiza is not your choice. On the other hand, if active vacation is your favorite pastime, then adventurous Ibiza is the best destination for you! Rife with restaurants, pubs and clubs, this island is the guarantee of an unforgettable summer vacation in Spain!
Best Things to do In Ibiza
As we already mentioned Ibiza mainly attracts young tourists, as it is a touristic center that offers the most interesting alternatives for an active vacation. Of course, there are certain things that you must experience while in Ibiza. For example, during your stay you have to go to Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Club, which is one of the best clubs on the island. This is a very atmospheric club that attracts with its great setting, inspiring design and good music. There are also some other nightclubs that are worth visiting during your stay in beautiful Ibiza, such as the most famous Privilege, a nightclub that hosts about 10,000 people every night organizing the craziest pool parties. No less famous nightclub appears to be Amnesia, which stands out due to its excellent sound system and laser show. Es Paradis, decorated in the style of an ancient pyramid mixed with Roman columns, is famous for the fact that in the morning its entire dance floor is covered with water.
Another fun activity that you should get involved in while in Ibiza is the high-adrenalin scooter tour at Es Vedra. The magical view of this unbelievably beautiful place will leave you enchanted for the rest of your life.
When it comes to the best eating places in Ibiza including restaurants and bars, we considered the reviews of visitors and created a top list. Thus according to the reviews the best places to try Spanish cuisine are Sa Cova Winery in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Teatro Pereyra in Ibiza Town, a place with a cozy atmosphere and an amazing setting. It is notable that this place used to be a theater and some of its arrangements have been maintained, so it also has a cultural value.
As for the best hotels in Ibiza we would specifically like to mention Hotel Rural Can Pujolet, a great place to unwind in the heart of Sant Antoni de Portmany, Agroturismo Sa Vinya D’en Palerm in Port de Sant Miguel and Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila, which is the best hotel in Ibiza.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are the best traveling destination for an unforgettable summer trip! Located near the south coast of Morocco this very exotic part of Spain attracts tourists from abroad as well as locals with its fantastic beaches, great climate and fascinating attractions among which are the Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, the Teide National Park and Mount Teide in Tenerife: the latter is the third tallest volcano in the world! Although we speak of the best destinations for a summer trip in Spain, we would like to highlight the fact that due to the perfect weather conditions, the Canary Islands can be visited anytime throughout the year!
Best Beaches in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands offer the most relaxing beaches in the whole world! Among the best ones are Fuerteventura Lanzarote, La Palma and La Gomera. It is worth mentioning that all of them are black sand beaches. Maspalomas stands out for its golden dunes, while Canteras beach’s inspiring beauty and picturesque landscape makes it very special. Tenerife is also a great resort to escape from stressful routine and chill out while getting a natural tan.
Best Things to Do in the Canary Islands
There are so many fun activities that you can do in the Canary Islands, that it is hard to single out the best. You should visit the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, which is a famous national park that has been welcoming visitors since 1954. This park attracts visitors due to its rich green forests, jaw-dropping, beautiful waterfalls and amazing hiking places. Another must-visit place in the Canary Islands is the ancient university town of La Laguna, which has been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Places to Stay and Eat in the Canary Islands
Our top list of the best places to eat while spending your vacation in the Canary Islands includes Oliver’s With A Twist, located in Los Cristianos, Tasca Tierras del Sur Granadilla de Abona offering a delicious menu with the Mediterranean food, as well as Tasca el Granero Adeje, a place that stands out with its menu as it offers delicious dishes that appear to be a mixture of French and Spanish cuisine.
Hotels in the Canary Islands seem to be offering the best deals! Although many hotel complexes offer the best prices we would like to mention the ones that have the best service and guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Among these are Hotel La Quinta Roja, Lopesan Villa Del Conde Hotel & Corallium Thalasso, Caserio de Mozaga (which stands out due to its breathtaking antique furniture) and Europe Villa Cortes GL in Tenerife’s Playa.
Costa Brava
Meaning “the Wild Coast” in Spanish, Costa Brava is a region in the northeastern Spain that consists of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and Selva, in the province of Girona, which is one of the best cities to visit near Barcelona. This place attracts attention with its contrasting beauty, as on the one hand it is marked by rough terrain and cliffs, while on the other hand it seems to be having the best resorts for an enjoyable stay.
Playa de Aro is captivating with the magnificent folk fiestas in the old quiet town of Tossa de Mar, wonderful family rest and Lloret de Mar, which competes with Ibiza as it offers the best entertainment places for the young, including the best discos and nightclubs. While enjoying your stay in Costa Brava you should also visit the world-famous Port Aventura theme park, which host thousands of people every day! This place is famous for its interesting costumed presentations that delight people of any age.
If you decide to spend your summer vacations in Costa Brava then you should definitely book a room in Hotel Casamar, Llafranc, Hostal Satuna, Sa Rascassa in Begur, Hotel Mas Lazuli in Pau or Aiguaclara Hotel, as these are the best hotels according to reviews by visitors.
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