5 top Spanish holiday spots to visit this summer

With so many options out there, settling on a holiday spot for the sunny season can be tricky. If you’re looking for some inspiration this summer, keep reading. One of the following five Spanish destinations could make the ideal setting for your next sojourn.

Costa Brava

With its rugged coastline and beautiful towns, Costa Brava in north-eastern Spain is an excellent location for a relaxing break. The most picturesque of the country’s three major mainland holiday spots, it boasts the stunning Cap de Creus National Park, but bring your walking boots as it does include a 10 km hike. For a shorter walk then explore the Greco/Roman Ruins at Empuries, which boasts a great audio tour for any history buffs. For the art lover in your life head to the Salvador Dali House Museum near Cadaqués. A complex of converted fishermen’s cottages, it offers an unparalleled insight into the mind of the genius painter.

Ibiza

Ibiza is another great option for sun seekers. As well as its buzzing beaches and internationally renowned bars and clubs, this lively holiday spot is home to a range of cultural attractions too. Away from the clubbing scene Dalt Vila, is home to charming cobbled streets, an imposing cathedral and castle and impressive ramparts. If the heat becomes too much then you can take the opportunity to cool off beneath the waves. The clear waters off Ibiza’s coast are ideal for diving and you’ll find scuba centres in a range of locations, including San Antonio and Portinatx.

La Palma

The most verdant of the Canary Islands, La Palma is also well worth your consideration. With lush forests in the North and imposing volcanic craters in the South, it offers a range of scenic walks. In fact, the whole island has been declared a Unesco biosphere reserve. Meanwhile, the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, features winding streets, colourful buildings and stunning ocean vistas. Highlights to watch out for include the 17th century Palacio de Salazar and the gloriously shady Plaza España.

Lanzarote

Perhaps you’d prefer to take flights to Lanzarote. Home to an impressive 300 volcanic cones, this fellow Canary Island is also a Unesco biosphere reserve. No trip to this destination is complete without seeing the Timanfaya National Park in the south-west of the island. While there you can take a bus up to the Islote de Hilario volcano, which is the focal point of this arid and dramatic landscape. At the summit, you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat like no other in El Diablo restaurant, where the volcanic heat is used to cook the dishes

Fuerteventura

Part of the same archipelago and situated just north of the African coast, this has some of the biggest and best beaches in the Canaries. One of the best beaches of all is Sotavento in south-east of the island, its sheltered and calm conditions make it ideal for swimming. Located away from the resorts, this vast expanse of sand stretches out for 17 miles. Alternatively, if you want prime surfing conditions, venture to the windier beaches on the West coast.

Whichever of these Spanish destinations you select, you can rest assured you’re in for a superb break this summer.

Images by Julian Blake, Mardeviajes.com and 16:9clue and are used under the Creative Commons License.