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Holidays in Spain
Places to Visit - Spain
With its wealth of golf courses, sandy beaches, nightlife, bustling cities, mountain retreats and coastal hideaways, deciding where to stay & ensuring you get the most from your Spanish holiday, can be a daunting task... with so much to do the question is where to start.
In this section we look at two of the most popular Spanish holiday destinations, Barcelona and the region of Andalucia.
Barcelona - For those looking for a short city break Barcelona is almost unbeatable providing stunning architecture (courtesy of Antoni Gaudi), interesting museums and exhibits, nightlife and shopping... all within easy reach of the Mediterranean Sea.
Andalucia - For many, the region of Andalucia encompasses all that is Spanish. Flamenco dancers, taverna's, villas, the mountain range of the Sierra Nevada and the beaches of the Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical and Costa del la Luz. In fact, even if you've never been to Andalucia you will probably of heard of some of it's most popular holiday destinations which include Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Almeria, Malaga, and Cadiz.
Places to visit - Barcelona
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- Sagrada Familia
- La Pedrera (Casa Mila)
- Barcelona Cathedral
- L' Aquarium
- Beaches
Arguably one of Barcelona's best known landmarks, the Sagrada Familia is a masterpiece and vision of Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi. Started in 1882, the Sagrada Familia is a church with a distinct difference.
A devout catholic, Gaudi's love of nature is often visible in his work, (in which he tried to avoid using rigid, straight lines) and the Sagrada Familia is no exception, featuring hundreds of animal carvings alongside various religious scenes.
Still under construction, the Sagrada Familia is estimated to be completed by the year 2030.
Website: www.sagradafamilia.org
Open Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 (Seasonal variations may apply)
Price Guide: €8
Top Tips:
* Daily admission is limited so ensure you arrive early.
*A lift is available to take you up one of the bell towers.
If you would rather take the stairs be warned.... it's a long way up!
* The "Barcelona Card" offers up to 50% off admission for Barcelona's main attractions as well as free bus and metro travel. Available from Spanish tourist offices.
Completed in 1910, La Pedrera (also known as Casa Mila) is, in true Gaudi style, an apartment block like no other!
It's curved walls and intricate wrought iron balconies, whilst bizarre in their own right, almost feel tame in comparison to the absolutely stunning and surreal rooftop.
La Pedrera, recently restored in 1996, now contains a museum dedicated to the life and work of Gaudi, as well as an exhibition gallery run by the Caixa de Catalunya.
Website: www.caixacatalunya.es
Open Hours: 10:00 - 20:00 (Seasonal variations may apply)
Price Guide: €6
Top Tips:
* Don't forget to take your camera!
* The "Barcelona Card" offers up to 50% off admission for Barcelona's main attractions as well as free bus and metro travel. Available from Spanish tourist offices.
Dominating the centre of the old town, Barcelona Cathedral is perhaps more "traditional" than Sagrada Familia but with it's visual mix of influences, including it's 19th century, 250ft gothic facade, is equally as impressive.
Once inside take the elevator to the terrace (for a small fee) and you will be rewarded with a view that has changed little in hundreds of years.
Open Hours: 09:00 - 19:30 (Seasonal variations may apply)
Price Guide: €4
Top Tips:
* Save money with the "Barcelona Card" which offers up to 50% off admission for Barcelona's top attractions as well as free bus and metro travel. Available from Spanish tourist offices.
If you need a break from Gaudi and the kids area getting restless, why not pay a visit to L' Aquarium. In essence it's Barcelona's equivalent to the UK's SeaLife centres, and is home to the largest aquarium in Europe housing fish from all over the Mediterranean, and an impressive 80m long underwater tunnel.
Website: http://www.aquariumbcn.com/ing/index.htm
Open Hours: 09:30 - 09:30 - Seasonal variations may apply
Price Guide: Adults €13'5, Children €9'25
Travel just a few miles out of Barcelona and you will find some of the regions finest beaches with golden sands and crystal clear waters. To the east of Barcelona is the Costa Brava, to the west is the Costa Daurada.
Many people go pale at the very mention of one of the "Costa's" picturing beaches overrun with screaming children and sun burnt Brit's. However, it wouldn't be fair to assume that this "stereotype" exists throughout Spain, and the region of Catalunya has more than it's fair share of hidden coves and beaches where you can get aware from the masses.
Places to visit - Andalucia
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- Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba & Granada
- Costa del Sol
- Parque Nacional del Coto Donana.
- The Sierra Nevada
If you're looking for history, culture or interesting architecture then head for either Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba or Granada. Each has it's own wealth of historic buildings and provides a real insight into the region's chequered past.
Seville - Many visitors to Seville head straight to the cathedral which is the largest Christian church in the world. La Giralda (the cathedral's tower) provides a great view of the cathedral and surrounding area and is easy to climb thanks to the 35 ramps which were designed to wide enough to accommodate a man on horseback.
Cadiz - Situated right on the Atlantic, the relatively small city of Cadiz is said to be Europe's oldest city with records dating back to 1104BC. It was also where Julius Caesar held his first public office.
Providing an average of 320 days of sunshine each year, along with the warm, clean waters of the Mediterranean, it's no surprise that the Costa del Sol remains a big hit with millions of holiday makers each year.
Whilst the "stereotype" does still exist in some parts of the Costa del Sol (such as Torremolinos), it is still possible to escape the mayhem for that more laid back Spanish vacation.
Marbella, with it's nearby port of "Puerto Banus", is a magnet for the rich and famous.
Nerja provides an ideal retreat from the busy resorts such as Torre del Mar. Instead of high rise apartments Nerja offers small winding streets, white washed houses, sandy beaches and hidden coves.
Covering 247,000 acres Parque Nacional del Coto Donana is Europe's largest Nature reserve and home to several endangered species such as the "Pardel Lynx" and the "Iberian Eagle"
The park is split into three "ecosystems" which include dunes, wetlands and wooded areas. Guided tours are available or you can explore the area on your own. Don't forget to take your binoculars, camera and some comfortable walking shoes.
Providing a stunning backdrop for walking, skiing and exploring, the Sierra Nevada includes Spain's tallest peaks making it a popular holiday destination amongst skiers and snow boarders alike.
Spanish holiday lets
If you haven't already arranged your Spanish holiday accommodation then we have a wide selection of holiday letting in Spain with pools. Whether you're looking for that perfect Spanish golfing holiday, a romantic weekend break or a family beach holiday, we have something for everyone!