Spain is an ideal nation for seaside and city holidays, as well as for nightlife and religious itineraries. Facing the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with the Bay of Biscay to the north and the Gibraltar Strait to the south, Spain offers a comfortable climate for most of the year, albeit with some significant temperature differences from place to place. There are numerous campsites and holiday parks in Spain, usually located by the coast and along the most popular travel routes, which reflect the Iberian Peninsula’s natural vocation for outdoor tourism.

Seaside holidays in Spain are distinguished by the variety of choice available to tourists. The Mediterranean coast includes the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia and the stretch of Andalusia as far south as the Gibraltar Strait. Pleasant air and water temperatures make these destinations ideal for families with children, though there is also plenty of entertainment on offer for young people and groups of friends. The celebrated ‘movida’, or Spanish nightlife, and the Mediterranean coastal resorts make no exception, with great tourist attractions such as the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada ideal for those wanting to visit the fascinating Barcelona. The Costa del Sol in the south is also rich in services and facilities, which are accompanied with warm temperatures typical of northernmost Africa.

Along the Atlantic Coast, the water temperatures are cooler and the seas are deeper, creating astonishing contrasting landscapes along the Andalusian coastal stretch from Gibraltar to the border with the Portuguese Algarve. On the Iberian Peninsula north of the Portuguese Coast, you will find Galicia and its fascinating shores distinguished by tidal variations that completely change the appearance of the coastline at different times of the day. From the Green Coast to the Bay of Biscay, the regions of Asturias and Cantabria lead on to the Basque Country, with the charm of a coastline entirely unspoilt in places. Popular destinations for beach tourism also include the archipelagos of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Visiting Spain is not all about seaside holidaying though. Cities of art and entertainment such as Barcelona, Seville and the capital Madrid are just a few examples of the artistic and cultural richness of a nation that excels in monuments, popular traditions and, of course, gastronomy, with its tapas, wines and sangria famous the world over. Finally, it is worth mentioning the religious tourism attracted by a great number of significant churches and the important Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage that every year involves thousands and thousands of participants.

What is your holiday destination?