Britons like to go on vacation to Spain for a number of reasons, such as its delicious food, lively towns, sun-drenched beaches, and beautiful islands.
One nation stood out above all others when the UK shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic: Spain. The British people missed the warmth and liveliness of the people, as well as the sunshine, beaches, and delicious, reasonably-priced food. Spain was the most popular place for British tourists to go on vacation in 2022, with more than 18 million trips. In 2023, it says that 29% of British tourists will choose to go to Spain. Spain is also very appealing because it has so many different things to see and do. There are beautiful medieval cities, beautiful national parks, and miles and miles of golden-sand beaches.
Current entrance criteria and travel restrictions in Spain Travel Blog
Brits with current vaccinations do not require a COVID test in order to enter Spain. They must show proof that they are fully immunized, and if their last shot was more than 270 days ago, they must get a booster shot.
People who haven’t gotten all of the recommended shots must have either a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their trip or a negative antigen test within 24 hours. You can also provide evidence that you have made a full recovery from COVID-19 during the last six months.
Children under the age of 12 do not need to provide vaccination records or submit to testing.
Best Time to Go to Spain
The majority of British tourists, particularly families, travel to Spain in the summer months of July and August, as might be expected. Prices are unavoidably higher than, and it can get crowded on the beaches and on the islands. On the other side, cities are less expensive but also much hotter.
Most towns and cities are very crowded during Semana Santa (Holy Week, which runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday), so head to the coast or the countryside if you want to avoid the processions. Other than that, spring and fall are beautiful periods to travel because of the lovely weather and the more affordable prices of vacations, despite the fact that regional festivals may increase lodging rates.
Top cities and regions
Ibiza and Mallorca
The Balearic Islands continue to be a top tourist destination for Britons, and the government of Mallorca is working hard to improve the reputation of the largest island by implementing measures like reducing the amount of alcohol offered as part of all-inclusive vacation packages. Along with gorgeous beaches, Mallorca also boasts charming inland towns protected by jagged mountains. Ibiza, a popular destination for clubbers, has recently welcomed upscale hotels like W and Six Senses, whereas Menorca is more sedate and tiny Formentera’s white-sand coves are even more undeveloped.
Barcelona
Barcelona is still a popular weekend destination for Brits, and the city is worth visiting for reasons other than its vibrant nightlife. Climb Montjuic to the National Art Museum of Catalonia, where there is a Turner exhibition running through September 11th. Then, wander up Passeig de Gracia to see the remarkable Gaud buildings, including the soaring Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló, which offers nighttime tours that include rooftop concerts (be sure to book tickets in advance). Visit a beach town in the Costa Brava, such as Sitges, a modernist resort with a vibrant homosexual scene, or the remote fishing village of Cadaqués, where Dal resided.
Madrid
Madrid may not be quite as hip as its Catalan rival, but the Spanish capital has a cozier vibe. Visit barrios (neighborhoods) such as trendy Malasaa and Chueca to experience authentic Madrid life. Stroll down the busy Gran Via while keeping an eye out for the Edificio Metropolis’ famed winged victory statue. Next, enjoy the expansive view from the Circulo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar (Negroni not required), or proceed to Plaza Mayor and eat tapas at the neighboring Mercado de San Miguel. The Prado, Reina Sofia, which is home to Picasso’s brutal and timeless image of conflict, Guernica, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, are the three primary museums that art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss.
Malaga
Many tourists still get off the plane in Malaga on their way to the Costa del Sol without even stopping there. Big mistake: the city more than holds its own against rival Andalucian metropolises in terms of culture and cuisine, from street art and the Contemporary Art Centre to major museums like the Carmen Thyssen, Picasso (Paula Rego show through August 21), and Pompidou, and from inventive tapas to Michelin stars. Local artisans and vintage items are sold in weekend street fairs in La Termica, Muelle Uno on the seaside, and trendy Soho.
Best off-the-beaten-path locations
Barrameda Sanlcar
Sanlcar de Barrameda, a lovely coastal community in the province of Cadiz’s southwest, has named the Gastronomic Capital of Spain for this year. It is most known for three things, two of which are a match made in heaven: tortillitas de camarones, a dry sherry with a salty flavor (thin shrimp fritters). The third is the Ferdinand Magellan mission, which departed from this location just over 500 years ago; just one ship returned, in 1522, and it was this expedition that made history by being the first to circumnavigate the globe.
Extremadura
While Andalucia is famed for its delectable cuisine and cultural wealth, neighboring Extremadura is home to outstanding cuisine, ancient cities, and cutting-edge museums. A standout component is an Iberian pork from purebred, free-range pigs (chef Jose Pizarro is from Extremadura), as is Extremaduran cheese; try the sheep’s milk, Torta del Casar. While the lovely medieval city of Caceres has small, cobblestone streets that contrast with the white, cubist Helga de Alvear Contemporary Art Museum, which opened in 2021, and houses works by Klee, Kandinsky, and Tapies, you may explore Roman ruins in Mérida and visit the excellent museum.
Isles of Cies
The tiny Islas Cies is far from the Balearic Islands and another non-peninsula vacation hotspot, the Canary Islands. This 7 km-long protected national park in the Vigo estuary, off the coast of Galicia in northwest Spain, is evocative of the Scilly Isles, with no cars and wide stretches of white sand and turquoise waters. The renowned Rodas beach connects two of the three islands—Monteagudo and del Faro—while San Martio is not accessible by public transportation. To conserve this natural wonderland, visitor numbers are highly regulated. To visit, you must first apply for authorization in advance. Then, you must make reservations for a boat excursion from Vigo, Baiona, or Cangas. Ideally, you should camp there for at least one night (permit needed). A pain, but well worth it for the tranquility, untainted beauty, and amazing hiking among pink and yellow rockrose.
Best activities to do in Spain Travel
Santa Claus Week in Seville
Everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, may find something moving in Seville’s Semana Santa processions, during which sculptures lifted aloft on pasos (floats), and brass bands and hooded individuals make their way from parish church to cathedral and back again. Holy Week is celebrated across all of Spain, but in Seville, the pageantry and grandeur are especially impressive.
Crawl the pintxos in San Sebastian
One of the greatest ways to spend an evening is to go about San Sebastian while eating pintxos (tiny plates or skewers, literally “pierced”). Try the red pepper stuffed with spider crab or a lamb skewer at Gandarias, and don’t forget to try the local white wine, Txakoli, in this lovely Basque seaside city.
Attack La Tomatina with tomatoes
In the Valencian village of Buol, where La Tomatina allegedly began as a food battle during a religious feast in the 1940s, 22,000 people today attend this international festival (you need a ticket to take part). On the final Wednesday in August, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., people hurl overripe tomatoes at one another.
Moving about
The AVE, a high-speed rail line that started 30 years ago and connects important towns including Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Cordoba, Seville, and Malaga (a new service connecting the capital of the Costa del Sol with Granada launched in April), is the best method to travel around Spain. The Madrid-Barcelona route now also served by two recently established, quick, low-cost carriers, Avlo, run by the national train service RENFE, and Ouigo, controlled by the French SNCF. Avlo also provides services to Valencia. Southern cities like Seville and Malaga will soon be reached by them. Spain’s domestic airlines include Iberia, Air Europa, Vueling, Volotea, EasyJet, and Ryanair. You have more freedom when you rent a car, but it might be expensive.
Getting there
If you take the Eurostar to Paris and then switch to the TGV high-speed train, which travels to Figueres, Girona, and Barcelona, you can reduce your carbon footprint and arrive in Spain on the same day.
Additionally, you can go by ferry, run by Brittany Ferries, from Plymouth to Santander or from Portsmouth to Bilbao. If you wish to bring your automobile, this is a good alternative.
Flying is the quickest and most economical way to travel from the UK to Spain; airlines including Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair all have services from airports in the UK. For the most recent details on specific Spanish airports, the airlines that fly to and from them, and their destinations, consult AENA.
Saving advice
You can save a lot of money by avoiding the high season in July and August; half-term in May or October is much more affordable and has a more pleasant climate. Without a package, being flexible on your trip day will save flight costs. All-inclusive hotels will also benefit the wallet. The ultimate money saver is a home exchange.
Important Questions Answered
How is the weather today?
It varies greatly across the nation. In general, winter in Spain is pleasant in the south and along the Mediterranean coast, cold in the interior of central Spain, and wet in the north. Springtime brings warm temperatures and brief but heavy downpours in many places. In the south and central plateau, summer is hot; in the north, summer is warm. The Balearic Islands feature colder winters and hotter summers than the Canary Islands, which are moderate year-round.
In which time zone is it?
GMT +1 is CET.
What kind of money do I need?
Euros. There is a widespread use of credit cards.
What dialects, people are using?
Galician, Catalan, Basque, and Spanish.
