So you are planning a Spain getaway and looking for those vacation spots that will tick all the boxes? You know the kind I’m speaking of… tapas, beaches a bit of culture and loads of sangria! Read on for our top 6 favourite destinations in Spain where you can find those sweet Spanish summer vibes.
Now before we begin – it’s important to note this list covers the key areas only. For more detail you’ll need to dig deeper through the links in this post for details on the best hidden gems within Spain. This list merely helps you narrow in on which area of Spain to visit, depending on the type of vacation spots of your calling! From road trip, to island hopping, beaches, kitesurfing, culture or city trip, we cover the best of Spain!
See this interactive map for an overview on all the vacation spots we have mentioned here in this post.
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Table of Contents
Barcelona
I’ve visited Barcelona now a few times and it is definitely one of my favourite cities in Spain. Each time I go I see more and love it even further.
Barcelona is expensive, due to it’s popularity and it can be a hot spot for pick pockets. However, in my most recent visit I definitely noticed a change in terms of feeling safer. Whether or not this was all in my head, but I for sure noticed a lesser presence of opportunists who might grab for your wallet when distracted.
If you are a lover of the arts be sure to geek out on Gaudí. Remnants of and dedications to his work are scattered throughout the city. If it’s Gaudí you seek, then don’t miss La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and CasaBatlló.
Go shopping in the Gothic Quarter, wander Las Ramblas and feast in the Mercado de la Boqueria, explore the Cathedral of Barcelona and check out the CosmoCaixa Science Museum. There are days worth of exploring to be done in Barcelona. This list scratches the surface!
Where to Stay
- We recommend the Catalonia Catedral for location and quality. This hotel is great for families and couples and bonus it even comes with a pool!
Read our dedicated post on Barcelona, to find our favourite places to eat, tips on how to get around, exactly what to see and accommodation alternatives.
Ibiza
Despite what you might have heard about Ibiza, I’m here to confirm that you don’t have to be in your early 20’s to enjoy it. There is plenty enough room on this island for everyone, including families if you have a couple of kids in tow.
Beautiful beaches and small calas surround Ibiza. These little bays provide the perfect beach vacation spots if that sounds like the taste of Spain you are looking for.
Sant Antoni is the party hub, but we can recommend Santa Eulalia as a quieter spot on the island to stay. The beach is very pretty and the boardwalk is a great place to explore the local restaurants and bars.
It’s a 30 minute taxi ride from either Sant Antoni ferry terminal or the main airport in Ibiza to Santa Eulalia.
And there are plenty of other little beaches to see in the area, which are only a short boat or ferry ride away. We enjoyed a day at Cala Llonga. Or if you prefer off the beaten track and you’re up for a hike then Cala Blanca is worth the visit.
Where to Stay
- For the perfect beachfront accommodation for families book here for the Hotel Riomar. You’ll have the best beach views at very reasonable prices.
- For couples looking for an adult only location, our choice would be the La Bohemia del Rio Hostal Boutique. We love boutique accommodation, and this one is only 400 metres from the beach.
Mallorca
This has to be one of the most picturesque islands in Spain. If you need some inspiration go check out this Instagram page and check the highlight reel for Mallorca. This family from New Zealand recently spent a full month chilling on this gorgeous island.
Mallorca is mountainous, the scenery and views are what Mallorca is well known for. Don’t miss the opportunity to rent a car and see as much of the island as you can. And I’ll let you in on a little secret… my friend who lives in Mallorca shared the cheapest car rental company with me. So here you go, and shhhh keep it to yourself.
Definitely visit Palma while you visit, go shopping at the indoor market in the old fishermens’ town of Santa Catalina and hit the beautiful beaches.
In terms of accommodation, there is something in Mallorca for everyone. You can easily find large resort style accommodation or smaller villages to stay in providing a more authentic experience.
Where to Stay
- IF you love ecotourism as much as I do, then you’ll LOVE this beautiful little hotel in the countryside of Mallorca. This accommodation is ideal for families and couples.
Granada
Another of my favourite cities for that Southern Spanish Andalucian beauty is Granada. This city is the home of Flamenco and in my opinion is the best part of Spain to eat tapas!
Tourists flock to Granada from all over the world to see Alhambra. Before I had visited I hadn’t done a lot of reading around the significance of this incredible example of Moorish architecture. Well I was in for a surprise and so are you! Alhambra palace and grounds sit on a hillside, a piece of historical beauty. From the grounds of Generalife, to the Arabic adorned Nazrid palace to the views of Granada from the turret points of Alcazaba. One word – breathtaking.
From Granada there are several day trips that can be made to see the beautiful white villages set in the mountains of Southern Spain. Get our itinerary for a Southern Spain road trip, if that kind of vacation grabs your attention.
Where to Stay
- We love these boutique apartments – La Corrala del Realejo. The location is great in terms of access to Alhambra and the city centre. And a great deal of effort has gone into making these apartments a special stay. Trust me when I say this cosy little place is going to impress!
IF you need further convincing then you must visit our dedicated post on the Best Places to Visit and Best Place to Stay in Granada.
Tarifa
We spent a solid week in this southern most point of Spain – Tarifa. In truth, I would never have thought of Tarifa, but we had friends who had a holiday home here. We were super glad we went!
The coastline is unlike the beaches on the East of Spain. There are plenty of beautiful white sandy beaches to choose from and they are slightly more wild. If you are a kite-surfer then this is the right vacation spot in Spain for you.
And if you aren’t but you are accompanying someone who is, then not to worry as the summer vibes are REAL. The beach bars, or chiringuitas as they are known, are a very cool place to hang out for an afternoon… or a full day! Order yourself a Tinto Verano and chill!
Stay in the old town, catch a ferry to Tangier Morocco for the day, or take a drive over to Gibraltar. There is plenty to do in and around Tarifa. Definitely rent a car and explore nearby towns and villages. We loved Gaucin in the mountains. A quintessential Southern Spanish village, painted white with lime and the perfect sleepy little town to wander and explore.
Where to Stay
- For a cute guest house we recommend Posada La Sacristía right in the heart of Tarifa’s old city walls. Great for couples.
- A family of four will love this apartment in the heart of it all. Book here to reserve Casa de la Luz, grab it early as it does book out.
- For a beach stay then you’ll want to book one of these Tangana Bungalows. Couples will love the atmosphere here and the many number of chiringuitas to choose from at the stunning Valdevaqueros beach.
- And at the same beach families or couples will love the Hotel 100% Fun. Yes that is the name, but don’t let that put you off, the location is perfect, the pool as stunning and you are right beside the beach.
Read our post on a Southern Spain Itinerary and Road Trip here.
Jávea (aka Xàbia)
Jávea is another of our favourite vacation spots in Spain. We came to stay with friends and loved it so much that we ended up staying for three months.
Just south of Valencia and north of Alicante, Jávea is an easily accessible destination in terms of flights from Europe. And the airport shuttles get you to and from your accommodation easy peasy.
Along the main white sandy beach of the Arenal, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to choose from. This is a great place to hang out, particularly at the end of summer in September when tourists begin to head home.
You don’t want to miss Cala Portitxol! This is a little piece of Mediterranean paradise. Be sure to get there early to grab a car park and bring your snorkeling gear.
Once again there is plenty to explore in nearby towns. So make sure you rent a car and for the absolute best deal in town Mia Cars is the cheapest. But book in advance as they don’t have a huge supply and in summer they do run out.
Jávea has the perfect vacation vibes with a little bit of culture in the old town, beach life at the Arenal or nearby calas, and plenty of great places to eat at!
Where to Stay
- For families and couples, our boutique hotel of choice is – Nomad Hotel – Xábia Port. The owner, who once lived in Dubai, has put a little middle eastern beauty into this gem. The attention to detail is outstanding and you can’t beat the blue Mediterranean views!
And there we have it! A little bit on each of our favourite vacation spots in Spain. We highly recommend you check out our other posts on Spain. As we can recommend where to stay and places to visit.
We also provide some great vacation tips and itineraries for Greece. So for another Mediterranean inspired holiday check out our page on Greece.
And hey don’t forget to pin this post on Vacation Spots in Spain for later!
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