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Travel advice for Spain
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Spain
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Helen Ochyra
updated 31.08.2021
Spain is known for its costas, the sandy strands that attract thousands of visitors seeking sun and sangria every year. But most people tend to head to the big hitters: the Costa del Sol, the Costa Brava and the Costa Blanca.
But of course these are just the bright and brazen names that have made it into international acclaim. Spain, with its more than 3000 miles of coastline, has plenty more shimmering sands, costas that perhaps you’ve never even heard of, and that the Spanish have managed to keep (largely) to themselves. At least until now.
One of Spain’s unsung beachy stretches is the Costa del Azahar, or Orange Blossom Coast. It’s quiet, for now, but from September Ryanair will be flying in from London Stansted and Bristol to the costa’s once-white-elephant airport of Castellon. It was opened in 2011 at a cost of €150 million but has been flightless, save a handful of private planes, ever since.
So just what have the Costa del Azahar’s mainly Spanish visitors been keeping to themselves all this time?
9 days / from2491 USD
Andalucía Explored
Discover the best of Andalucía's breathtaking palaces, churches, museums, vineyards, and more, as you travel through spectacular scenery dotted with pueblos blancos and bordered by rugged mountains and coast en route to Granada, Seville, Ronda and Jerez de la Frontera.
view tour ⤍4 days / from649 USD
A culinary experience in Seville
Explore the cuisine and surroundings of Seville in Andalucia. From Iberian ham over sherry wines to the production and secrets of olive oil, this tour is an ideal weekend getaway. Decide yourself if you prefer a rental car or a chauffeur-driven car to explore the beauty of Andalucia.
view tour ⤍10 days / from3826 USD
Spanish Honeymoon
Discover Andalusia, starting with the cultural city of Seville, then on to Córdoba and Granada, home of the stunning Alhambra Palace. Next you'll visit Granada and the Albayzin Arab quarter, then enjoy a stunning hot-air balloon ride, before ending your trip with a luxury boat trip from Marbella!
view tour ⤍5 days / from1493 USD
Made for Madrid
Take to the Spanish capital for art, culture and a taste of life in the city, Madrileño-style. Explore age-old churches and pretty plazas, stroll through the lovely Buen Retiro Park and visit captivating Toledo. Then, come sundown, discover the city's vibrant barrios and lively nightlife.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1412 USD
A Madrid getaway
Spend four days discovering the wonders of Spain's capital Madrid: from fascinating museums like El Prado and Reina Sofia over exploring unknown corners with your private guide to a day trip to the surroundings, this itinerary packs the best of Madrid.
view tour ⤍18 days / from4633 USD
Hidden Spain - From Barcelona to Basque Country
Do you want to explore highlights in Spain while staying in nature at the same time? Look no further. Start your Spanish adventure in Barcelona before heading off to the mountains - drive your rental car to Andorra and further on to Basque Country. Decide between driving yourself or guided tours.
view tour ⤍8 days / from2382 USD
Andalucía by Car
Enjoy this road trip through Spain’s exuberant Andalucía, which will take you through the charming cities of Malaga, Seville, Granada and various 'white villages', including Ronda, with its vertiginous views across the sweeping Andalucían countryside.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1733 USD
The Lands of Wine from Madrid
Spain is well known for its amazing wines and this itinerary allows you to explore two famous regions: Ribera del Duero and La Rioja. Four different wineries, from traditional to modern, and many restaurants on the way await your visit.
view tour ⤍9 days / from1504 USD
The Cities, Mountains and Beaches of Northern Spain
Southern Spain has been a busy tourist destination for many years. This self-drive trip avoids the touristy area along the southern Spanish coast, instead opting to take in the culture of the north and its natural beauty and the rugged beaches and coast.
view tour ⤍4 days / from910 USD
Simply Seville
Make the most of a city break in one of Spain's most atmospheric cities. The home of flamenco, Seville is a veritable feast for all the senses. Come here for the tantalising cuisine and fragrant orange trees, awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral, pretty plazas and many excellent museums and galleries.
view tour ⤍13 days / from6633 USD
Cultural Cities of Spain
From Barcelona down to Granada in the deep South, see the best of Spain on this multi-city tour that takes in Madrid, Córdoba and Seville, too. Get to grips with Gaudí, see historic Toledo, wander through the Prado, see the Alhambra, and more on this cultural extravaganza of Spain's finest cities.
view tour ⤍7 days / from2725 USD
The tale of two cities: Madrid and Barcelona
Explore the capital of Spain Madrid with a unique city tour before heading about an hour outside of the city, to visit Europe's longest zip-line in historic Toledo. Afterwards, board a train to explore the second-largest city of Spain, Barcelona.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1553 USD
A weekend getaway to Malaga
Malaga is a coastal city in Andalusia, right on the famous 'Costa del Sol'. This weekend getaway allows you to explore the city, as well as the well-known surrounding cities of Ronda and Marbella. Yellow sand beaches, fascinating museums and a delicious cuisine await to be discovered.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1597 USD
City break Valencia
Spain's third largest city offers a beautiful old city quarter, plentiful history and a vibrant culture to be discovered. Palaces, museums and a rich cuisine make Valencia an attractive weekend getaway destination, as does the nearby wine region of Requena.
view tour ⤍12 days / from4049 USD
Iconic Cities of Spain: Madrid, Seville, Valencia and Barcelona
Spend a wonderful 12 days exploring the best that Spain has to offer on a trip including city tours of historical Madrid, Granada, Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona. Enjoy palatial-style boutique accommodation throughout the holiday, and savour delicious cuisine and regional wine. Be inspired!
view tour ⤍29 days / from9330 USD
From the South to the North - a Spanish Immersion
The ultimate trip for Spain lovers - explore the country at a leisurely pace from the South to the North. Start in Seville and make your way to Madrid via Granada and Cordoba. From Madrid, continue to the North - the Camino de Santiago, Basque Country and mountains await.
view tour ⤍16 days / from2562 USD
Gems in Southern Spain
Discover the gems of Southern Spain at a leisurely pace. Start and end is in Seville. From there, you will venture out to visit Cordoba, Granada, Ronda, Nerja, Malaga and the Costa del Sol, and much more on the way. Transportation and accommodation options are diverse and yours to choose.
view tour ⤍10 days / from4633 USD
Spanish Discovery - Barcelona, Seville & Madrid
This unique trip is ideal for everyone wanting to get a real taste of Spain. Private guides or small group tours await to show you Barcelona, Figueres, Seville, Cordoba, Toledo, and Madrid. Stay in luxurious Boutique Hotels conveniently located so you can explore the cities on your own as well.
view tour ⤍7 days / from3090 USD
Iberian Blend - Porto and Galicia
Neighbour countries - Portugal and Spain, different and similar at the same time, will surprise you with hospitality and loveliness. This itinerary includes the route of the Northwest part of Iberian Peninsula and offers you to meet beautiful Porto and stunning Vigo in Galicia/Spain.
view tour ⤍15 days / from5968 USD
Camino de Santiago & Portugal Deluxe
Hike the 'Way of Saint James', more precisely - the Portuguese Route, a World Heritage Site. After 5 days of beautiful hikes, it's time to say goodbye to Spain and hop on a plane to Portugal. Lisbon and Porto await before exploring the wineries of Douro Valley. A truly exceptional trip.
view tour ⤍4 days / from2562 USD
A Luxury Journey through the Vineyards of La Rioja
Visit La Rioja, Spain's most renowned wine-producing region, and discover the secrets of Spanish wine making. By the time this unique trip is over, you'll have sampled a wide range of fine Spanish wines, and you're sure to be going home as an expert.
view tour ⤍18 days / from6017 USD
Self Drive in Northern Spain
This tour is perfect for the independent traveller, with a sense of adventure and a love for food. Start in Santiago and discover among others Galicia and Asturia, all the way to Basque Country. On the way, Michelin starred restaurants and beautiful vineyards await. Finish your trip in Barcelona.
view tour ⤍8 days / from2502 USD
Castilian Castles: A Luxury Spanish Road Trip
Welcome to the driving trip of a lifetime through the Castile region, a picturesque land full of regenerated medieval castles and farmed plains. Explore places like Rioja Alavesa, a privileged microclimate for vine cultivation, and the majestic locations of Albarracin and Alarcón, at your own pace.
view tour ⤍9 days / from5990 USD
Unique Spain - Cultural Getaway
A trip filled with history, amazing landscapes and cultural attractions. Starting with walking tours around the cities hearts, to exploring the gastronomy, the arts and the folklore. Your trip begins in Barcelona before proceeding to Madrid and finishing in Seville - Andalusia's capital.
view tour ⤍On the Orange Blossom Coast you can beach hop all the way from Castellon to Vinaros, 50 miles north. Find a crowd in Benicassim? Simply head on north to Oropesa. Packed out in Benicarlo? Peniscola is just a few minutes’ drive away.
Peniscola is top pick for families, with water so shallow even the shortest of adults won’t be up to their knees until they’re a good 20m from shore. You’ll find sandcastles, buried padres and families playing bat and ball along the sands of Playa Norte here. Playa Sur can be slightly quieter, but this isn’t the place for chilling.
Playa del Pebret, in the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Irta is perfect for an escape. Relax among the dunes here and spot sea lilies in the ever-moving sands.
Vinaros also tends to be quieter, and is the best place for a beer with your toes embedded in the golden grains – it has a handful of bars right on the seafront (it’s common along this part of the coast for the road to divide the bars from the sands).
Don’t leave without checking out Playa de las Fuentes in Alcossebre, where freshwater springs bubble up through the sand and will swallow human limbs whole if you step into their ribbons of quicksand. Don’t worry, you’ll see them before they seize you.
Vinaros has a lofty reputation: it’s argued they have the best langoustines in Spain. This seems like a bold claim until you order lunch at Restaurante Bergantin, where plump, juicy langoustines are served up whole and grilled (a la plancha) with slices of lemon, as well as in any number of paella-style rice dishes. Try the rossejat con espardenyes, which comes with a Mediterranean sea cucumber that melts into the rice, and don’t leave without posing next to the giant langoustine in the square behind the bull ring.
More creative seafood dishes are found on the menu of Casa Jaime in Peniscola, where beach and castle views accompany lunches served on the terrace and as much of the produce as possible is local. The chef here is an ex-fisherman and so he knows his stuff, cooking up galera (mantis shrimp) in croquettes and carpaccio of red prawns with three types of local olive oil.
For cheaper prices and only a slight diminishment in quality head to Benicarlo, where the strip of portside terraces serve up succulent squid, grilled razor clams and fideoa, a paella-type dish made with noodles instead of rice.
Forts and castles tend to enjoy lofty positions, but the one in Peniscola affords more beautiful views than most: down over the sandy isthmus that attaches the fortified old town to the coast.
It also offers shady respite from hot summer days, its sturdy stone walls dividing church from great hall, stables from courtyard. Continue up onto the roof where smooth marble stretches off towards brilliant blue sea or sky in all directions.
Look out to sea and see if you can spot the volcanic Columbretes Islands, a semi circle of inhabited islets some 30 miles offshore. As you make your way back to beach level, stroll through the lush castle gardens and your nose will tell you why this coast deserves its name.
Explore more of Spain with the Rough Guide to Spain. Compare flights, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
Top image © Alex Tihonovs/Shutterstock
written by Helen Ochyra
updated 31.08.2021
Helen Ochyra is a Scotland-obsessed freelance travel writer and author of the critically acclaimed Scottish travel book "Scotland Beyond the Bagpipes", a Times Travel “book of the week” and one of Wanderlust’s “best travel books of 2020”. Helen specialises in British travel and is currently studying towards a Masters in British Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Helen's work has recently appeared in the Times, the Telegraph and Grazia among many others. She lives in London with her husband and two young daughters.
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Spain