Travel to Spain: Summer, Sun, and Sangria!

Vacations on the Spanish Coastline

Let's start with the "wild coast", the Costa Brava in northern Catalonia, which, although it can be rough in parts, is fairly peaceful around the tourist centers of Roses, Blanes, and Lloret de Mar.

Further south, Valencia lays claim to the equally famous and popular Costa Blanca.

The Costa del Sol near Malaga is a sunny destination, even in winter.

Less well known is the coastline on the border with Portugal: the Costa de la Luz. The beaches of the Atlantic, like the Playa La Caleta for example, have been popular with the locals for years, but have only recently been discovered by tourists.

The Galician coast on the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain is rainier and greener than the south. The bay is much cooler than the Mediterranean and only suitable for swimming in the summer months. Galicia and Asturias, with their mountainous hinterlands and pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, are a mecca for hikers and nature lovers alike.

The Interior of Spain

The interior of Spain may be in the shadow of the coastal regions, but it has plenty to offer. Although Andalucía receives a steady flow of visitors due to its warm weather and Moorish architecture, Estremadura, the region on the border with Portugal, brings in far fewer tourists tourists despite its striking landscapes and the famous jamón ibérico (a type of cured ham).

The same can be said of the central Spanish region of La Mancha, northern Navarre, and the mountainous Aragon region. The only exceptions is Madrid in the Castile region.

Pirate Tip: The Spanish mainland is very hike-able. There are several long-distance trails to try out, such as Extremadura to Salamanca, or paths through the mountainous Picos de Europa National Park in the north.

What's the Best Time for a Vacation in Spain?

Spain is a great travel destination at any time of the year. No matter if you are using Early-Bird Deals or are going Last-Minute to Spain. Here are some seasonal tips.

In spring, the south of Spain is in bloom and the weather is pleasantly warm, but not too hot. It's a good time to visit Andalusia or Murcia.

In summer, south and central Spain can be very hot, but it's also when the mountains in the north and west of Spain are at their best. If hiking is your favorite pastime, check out the Picos de Europa on the coast.

Fall is a great time for a beach vacation in Spain. What about lounging at the black sand beaches of La Gomera? This island is an ideal combination of relaxed beach life and exciting nightlife.

Come in winter to see Spain's many great ski resorts, such as Valdezcaray in the Rioja region. Combine great skiing with a visit to a bodega.

Highlights of a Trip to Spain

Here are some things you shouldn't miss when visiting Spain.

Go for tapas: the Spanish version of a pre-dinner appetizers. Head out with a group of friends to sample different wines and tapas in several bars before going to a restaurant for dinner.

Explore local history and culture: Whereas you'll find plenty of famous museums in Spain, look out for the small ones to learn about local artists and history. With the Ham Museum in Extremadura and Pilgrimage Museum in Galicia, you can find pretty much anything.

Get out and about to explore historic town centers on foot: Discover charming hidden places for a cool drink or shop for souvenirs for your friends and family.

2. National Park El Teide on Tenerife

It's not just the mainland that has a lot to offer: El Teide National Park and the Teide volcano in the heart of Tenerife are also (deservedly) on the list of top tourist destinations in Spain. In 2007, the national park, which is a popular hiking area, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Incidentally, the volcano Teide is also the highest peak in Spain. Ride the cable car to reach near the summit.

Pirate tip: For access to the summit you need an extra permit (strictly limited). If you'd like to climb the summit, be sure to book the permit in advance.

5. La Sagrada Família in Barcelona

No Spanish trip is complete without a visit to the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. The symbol of Barcelona is impressive enough in pictures, but you have to get a closer look to see why this church is one of the most popular attractions in Spain. Designed by the artist Antoni Gaudí, the church is still not completed to this day, which only adds to tourists' fascination with the building.

Our pirate tip: It's best to book tickets in advance to avoid waiting in the long, slow lines outside the church.

3. Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Regla on Fuerteventura

On Fuerteventura, one of the most beautiful churches in the Canary Islands is waiting for you. You will find it in the city ​​of Pájara, where you can marvel at the ornate decorations of the exterior façade. Admission is free.

6. Old Town of Valencia

You should not miss the beautiful old town of Valencia in Spain. Especially worth seeing are the main square of the city, the Plaza de la Virgen, and the Cathedral of Valencia. But these other buildings in the old town are also worth a quick peek:

• The old city gate Torres de Serranos,

• The silk exchange

• The Palace Marqués de Dos Aguas

1. Tapas

Where to eat them: Madrid & Barcelona

Tapas are an absolutely essential food experience, and you can find them pretty much anywhere you go in Spain. These small plates are meant to be split with friends, and tapas culture is especially strong in the big cities like Madrid and Barcelona. You’ll usually encounter two varieties of tapas in tapas bars. Pinchos are individual slices of bread with different toppings like sardines drizzled in, chunks of thick tortilla, or slices of salty cheese (just to name a few). Porciones are small plates for sharing—some of the items on this list, like pimientos de padrón, are typically served as porciones.

2. Tortilla Espanola

Where to eat it: Everywhere

While some may associate the word “tortilla” with the thin, flat “pancakes” made with flour or cornmeal that are used in many Mexican dishes, tortilla española is actually a type of omelette. Referred to as a "Spanish omelette" in English, this dish is prepared using potatoes, eggs, and onion (usually). The result is a sort of crust-less quiche, usually more than an inch or two thick, and sometimes as hefty as a large wheel of cheese. Tortilla espanola is usually served by the slice, and is especially good sandwiched between slices of bread to form a bocadillo.

3. Croquetas

Where to eat them: Madrid

Croquetas are one of those foods that exist in one form or another in many countries across the globe (the closest equivalent would be a crab cake.) In Spain, you can expect a crispy outer crust and a warm, gooey center filled with thick, cheesy bechamel and your choice of filling. The most typical options are jamón, bacalao (cod), or shredded chicken.

4. Patatas Bravas

Where to eat them: Madrid

Where the British have chips and ketchup, the Spanish have Patatas Bravas. Literally defined as “brave” or “wild” potatoes, these crispy morsels drizzled in a spicy tomato sauce are the perfect accompaniment to a late-night caña (small beer). Grab a couple porciones to share with friends.

5. Gazpacho

Where to eat it: Andalusia

Gazpacho is the perfect summertime dish: cool, refreshing, and not too filling. This chilled soup uses juicy summer tomatoes and stale bread as its base, making it an easy dish to whip up on a summer afternoon. Gazpacho is usually a mix of the base ingredients and a puree of raw seasonal vegetables like cucumber, pepper, and onions. Buy it fresh in a café or restaurant or pick up a carton at the supermarket to take on a picnic. For a thicker alternative with a similar flavour, try the lighter-coloured salmorejo.

6. Paella

Where to eat it: Valencia

One of Spain’s most iconic foods is paella, the savory, saffron-infused rice dish prepared with vegetables, seafood, or meat (and sometimes all three). Paella is traditionally cooked in a large round pan in hefty portions—you’ll find it difficult to order a paella for one—and the most common variants are paella mixta (a mixture of meat and seafood), paella de marisco (seafood only), and paella de verduras (vegetables). If you want to try something a bit more out of the ordinary, go for a paella negra, sometimes called an arrós negre, a version of the dish prepared with squid ink that lends it a deep black tint.

7. Pan con Tomate

Where to eat it: Balaeric Islands

Sometimes the simplest dishes are also the tastiest. Pan con tomate is literally just “bread with tomato”, and has many variants across the regions of Spain, such as the pa amb oli (“bread and oil”) of the Balearic Islands. Pan con tomate is easy to make—just toast two pieces of bread, rub with a cut tomato, and top with olive oil and salt, and throw a handful of marinated olives on the side to up the salty goodness. Be sure to save some extra bread to dip in a bit of (preferably handmade) alioli, a highly-addictive garlicky mayonnaise spread that you’ll usually find as a pre-meal appetiser.

8. Pulpo a La Gallega

Where to eat it: Galicia

Although it may seem like an unusual combo, this mixture of fluffy potatoes and tender, briny squid drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with paprika just works. Share a plateful with a friend over a glass of red wine for an afternoon snack that’s a step up from your typical roast potatoes or calamari.

9. Churros con Chocolate

Where to eat it: Everywhere

It’s a testament to the delicious nature of fried foods that churros have spread across the globe. The varieties are endless: some are filled with sweet cream, some dusted with cinnamon sugar; some come as thin loops, others as hollow columns. In Spain, churros are best eaten dipped in a cup of hot chocolate, a thicker variety somewhere between the wintery beverage we know and a hot pudding.

10. Crema Catalana

Where to eat it: Catalonia

Another sweet treat, Crema Catalana is the cousin to the French crème brûlée, the main difference being that Crema Catalana is thickened with cornstarch and typically not made with cream. You’ll find this dessert on menus across Catalonia (and the rest of Spain), and it’s worth trying a bite of this creamy custard topped with a crackly layer of caramel.

11. Fabada Asturiana

Where to eat it: Asturias

Green, mountainous Asturias to the north is a great choice for outdoorsy travelers, as well as those looking to escape the brutal heat that typifies much of Spain in peak summer. Due to its climate, which is on the cooler side compared to its southern neighbours, the cuisine in Asturias tends towards heartier dishes, as exemplified in fabada asturiana. Fabada asturiana is a stew made from white beans and different types of pork, from ham hock to chorizo, and is best accompanied with a local cider, an Asturian specialty.

12. Pimientos de Padrón

Where to eat them: Galicia

These small green peppers, from the area of the same name in Galicia, are the perfect salty snack to accompany a refreshing glass of beer. The peppers are often prepared by frying in a pan with plenty of olive oil and a generous portion of salt until soft with a smoky, blistered skin.

13. Queso Manchego

Where to eat it: La Mancha

Spain has its fair share of delicious cheeses—queso mahon, from the town of Mahon in Menorca, is another good bet—but queso manchego is perhaps the most famous. Made from Manchega sheep’s milk, the end result is a sweet but nutty cheese that pairs well with fig spread and crisp crackers or warm bread.

14. Cured Pork, in All Its Forms

Where to eat it: Everywhere

Chorizo, jamon iberico, fuet, jamon serrano, morcilla...the list goes on and on. The Spanish have perfected the art of cured pork products, and whether it’s a thick slice of spicy chorizo or a delicate sliver of melt-in-your-mouth jamón serrano, it’s hard to go wrong. Seek out the local specialty wherever you’re staying, or order a plate with a variety of options to find your favorite.