Date of publication 09/12/2022
Top Reasons to Spend your holidays in Spain
A practical guide to the top reasons to spend your vacation in Spain and help you plan your next adventure.
Vacations on the Iberian Peninsula are known around the world for their countless beaches and sun-filled festivities, but there is much more to discover when you take the time to explore. Spend your vacation in Spain and find something surprising around every corner. From world-class art within easy reach to festivals and outdoor activities, Spain has it all. Here are 9 genuine reasons to slow down and make the most of your time under the golden Spanish sun.
ENJOY WORLD-CLASS BEACHES
With more than 3,000 miles of coastline, Spain offers an extraordinary variety of beaches. Every summer, its shores become a favorite destination for locals looking to make the most of the sea. Some of the world's best can be found in the Canary Islands, from Tenerife's black-sand beaches to Fuerteventura's surf-friendly waters. For a quieter stay, an adults-only hotel in Tenerife such as JOIA El Mirador is an ideal place to switch off beside the Atlantic. In Huelva and Tarifa, along the Costa de la Luz, golden sands have long drawn swimmers, families, and celebrities alike. Marbella, meanwhile, is located on the Costa del Sol, where staying at a beachfront hotel in Marbella such as Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach puts those golden shores just steps away. A little farther south, the all-inclusive hotel in Cádiz, Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus, makes it easy to enjoy the area's coves without having to think about anything else. And then there are the coves and beaches of Ibiza and Mallorca.
JOIN THE LOCALS ON A TERRACE
The culture of lingering over drinks and conversation on a terrace is so deeply woven into everyday life in Spain that it is hard to imagine the country without it. From the afternoon until late at night, outdoor spaces fill with tables and chairs as locals gather beneath umbrellas to chat, people-watch, and share tapas and cañas. Spain may not be the only country with a love of outdoor terraces, but few embrace them quite so wholeheartedly. Joining in is one of the easiest ways to experience local life and leave the long winter behind. If you're staying on the islands, you don't even need to leave the hotel to enjoy the atmosphere. A hotel with a restaurant in Fuerteventura such as Iberostar Waves Playa Gaviotas brings that same leisurely after-meal spirit to its terrace, with good company included.
HAVE WORLD-CLASS ART WITHIN EASY REACH
Some of the world's finest museums are in Spain, showcasing works by Spanish icons such as Picasso, Goya, and Velázquez, alongside major international artists. In Málaga, Picasso's birthplace, 10 remarkable museums reflect the importance of art throughout Spain's history, including the Museo Picasso and Centre Pompidou Málaga. Iberostar Waves Málaga Playa, a hotel with a pool in Málaga, is located in Torrox-Costa, beside the sea, and makes a comfortable base for including a visit to Málaga city in a wider tour of the province. In Mallorca, Palma has an art scene of its own, where Es Baluard Museu d'Art Modern i Contemporani and Fundació Miró Mallorca celebrate artists who fell in love with the island. In the north of the island, Iberostar Selection Albufera Park, a family hotel in Mallorca, is located in Playa de Muro, beside the s'Albufera Nature Reserve, making it easy to combine beach days with cultural excursions around Mallorca. Ibiza, meanwhile, has cultivated a bohemian spirit for decades, reflected in the galleries of Dalt Vila and the artisan markets that bring the island to life each summer.
ANCIENT MONUMENTS, BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED
With countless castles and more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Spain offers centuries of history within easy reach. A finalist in the campaign to name the New 7 Wonders of the World, Granada's Alhambra is undoubtedly one of the country's most visited landmarks. Other Spanish treasures include Ibiza's centuries-old Dalt Vila, whose Renaissance walls are also a World Heritage Site. Cádiz, one of Western Europe's oldest cities, has its own Roman theater beside the sea. Staying at a beachfront hotel in Cádiz such as Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa gives you plenty of time to explore it. In Mallorca, the Roman ruins of Pollentia in Alcúdia tell an equally ancient story, and a hotel with a pool in Mallorca such as Iberostar Waves Alcúdia Park is close by. Across Spain, history remains part of daily life through sanctuaries, cathedrals, and architecture that has been carefully preserved and integrated into the modern world.
WINE AND TAPAS
Spain's outstanding cuisine somehow remains among the world's finest while still feeling down-to-earth and accessible. On terraces and patios, in bars and restaurants, there is no shortage of excellent food and drink. From the acclaimed red wines of Ribera del Duero and Rioja to the sherries and brandies of Andalusia, and from Mallorca's pa amb oli and sobrasada paired with Binissalem wines to the complimentary tapas still served with drinks in some parts of the country, simply sitting down at a café can lead to an exceptional meal. Iberostar Waves Bahía de Palma, a hotel with a restaurant in Mallorca, is a great place to sample these flavors without leaving the hotel. In Ibiza, dishes such as bullit de peix and sofrit pagès show that the island has far more to offer than nightlife. Spanish tortilla, freshly sliced cured ham, and the country's many rice dishes are all excellent places to begin a culinary tour.
A TIME TO CELEBRATE
In Spain, every season brings something to celebrate. Many festivities take place outdoors, with music and dancing, religious traditions, local food, and crowds enjoying the occasion together. Highlights include the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance, the spectacular Bonfires of San Juan, celebrated across the country and with particular intensity on Mallorca's beaches, and the Jerez Horse Fair, where traditional dress meets the legendary Andalusian horse. The Málaga Fair celebrates flamenco culture, while Madrid's Mad Cool Festival is a major date for contemporary music. Madrid Pride Week is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the world, and the Fiesta de la Paloma offers a glimpse into the traditions at the heart of Madrid life. The Festivities of Our Lady of Mount Carmel also bring beautiful religious processions to the streets of Málaga.
SUMMER NIGHTS IN MALLORCA AND IBIZA
Every summer, Mallorca and Ibiza turn into vast open-air stages. In Palma, Bellver Castle and other corners of the city host concerts and festivals ranging from jazz to classical music, while villages inland fill their squares with traditional verbenas and Spanish guitar evenings that continue into the early hours. In Ibiza, summer has a sound all its own: electronic music sessions share the season with traditional performances such as ball pagès and night markets where local food can be enjoyed beneath the stars. An adults-only hotel in Ibiza such as Iberostar Selection Santa Eulalia Ibiza makes an excellent base for experiencing these summer nights while staying close to the coast.
NIGHTLIFE
Spain's coastal destinations have been home to legendary clubs and bars for decades. Many of Ibiza's famous clubs regularly welcome some of the world's leading DJs and artists. For a cocktail as the sun goes down, few places are as well known as the seaside Café del Mar. Stylish, exclusive Marbella is also a favorite for celebrity spotting, with beach bars beneath palapas setting the scene after dark. In Tenerife, Playa de las Américas keeps the same energy going into the early hours, while Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa puts all that nightlife within walking distance of your room.
FUN ON THE WATER
Surrounded by the sea, the Iberian Peninsula is a natural playground for water lovers. Palma de Mallorca welcomes accomplished sailors for the annual Copa del Rey regatta, while yachts and sailboats fill bays around the Balearic Islands with weekend sailors. The marinas in Palma, Marbella, and Málaga are excellent starting points for excursions. Off the beaches of Tarifa in Andalusia, as well as Pollença in Mallorca, conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing rank among the world's best. Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands is also considered one of the world's great surfing destinations, with waves suited to beginners and experienced surfers alike. After a day on the water, all-inclusive hotels in Fuerteventura such as Iberostar Selection Fuerteventura Palace or Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park are ideal places to recharge.
