Spain holidays

Beach holidays to Spain come with more than 3,000 beaches to choose from, so relaxing by the sea might as well be a national skill. 

Best for: Families, couples and anyone craving sunshine and sea.

Top areas: 

• Costa del Sol – Malaga and Marbella: La Carihuela for family-friendly vibes; Nikki Beach for luxury beach parties.
• Costa Blanca – Benidorm and Alicante: Levante Beach for nightlife and watersports; Playa del Postiguet for calm city swimming.
• Costa Brava – Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar: Playa de Fenals for quieter swims; Platja Gran for beach + old town views.
   

Explore: Costa del Sol | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava

While the rest of the continent is layering up and checking heating bills, the Canaries is warm, sunny, and beach-ready all year round. It’s one of the few places that still feels like a proper holiday in January as much as July. Better still, it’s only a short flight from the UK.

Best for: Winter sun, families, couples and anyone who wants guaranteed sunshine outside of peak summer.

Top areas:

• Tenerife – Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas for resorts; Mount Teide for something different
• Gran Canaria – Maspalomas dunes, Playa del Inglés for nightlife, Puerto Rico for families
• Lanzarote – volcanic landscapes, quiet coves and Playa Blanca for a relaxed pace
• Fuerteventura – long sandy beaches, Corralejo for watersports, natural parks for walkers
   

Explore: Tenerife | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Fuerteventura

Villa holidays in Spain offer space to stretch out, a kitchen, and often a pool that doesn’t require queuing for a sunbed. You’re free to eat when you want, sleep when you want, and make zero small talk unless you choose to. Shops, markets, and restaurants are nearby, but the real luxury is having your own schedule. 

Best for: Families, groups of friends and couples who want more room, flexible mealtimes and a quieter home-from-home feel. 

Top areas:

• Majorca & Ibiza: villas near beaches and charming towns

• Costa Brava: hillside homes with sea views and easy access to hidden coves

Mainland Spain holidays mix beach days with beautiful cities, long lunches that somehow turn into evenings very easily. Barcelona packs beaches, the Sagrada Família and the Gothic Quarter into one effortlessly cool city. You can drift between sightseeing and the coast, with a dining culture built around late tapas. Make sure you go in spring or autumn where the weather is warm and the crowds are minimal. 

Then you’ve got Madrid and Seville bringing a rich mix of Spanish culture, from world-class art at The Prado, and leafy escapes like Retiro Park in Madrid to Seville’s orange-lined streets, grand plazas and Moorish landmarks like the Real Alcázar. Both make brilliant shoulder-season city breaks with warm weather and fewer crowds around top spots. 

Along the coast, the Costas stretch from the Costa Brava to Andalusia. Costa del Sol is the mainland star of the show with reliable sunshine, sandy beaches and resorts like Torremolinos that make it dangerously easy to go full holiday mode.

Best for: Couples, culture lovers, city-break fans, and foodies.

Explore: Barcelona | Madrid | Seville | Costa del Sol

1. You get multiple holidays for the price of one - beach by day, tapas by sunset, old town wandering after dinner, and still time for cocktails. 
2. Every coast has its own personality - Marbella does beach clubs and luxury, Benidorm keeps things lively, and the Balearics swim between peaceful coves and “we’ll sleep tomorrow energy”.
3. Easy and affordable from the UK - short flight times, regular departures, and lots of package options make Spain one of the simplest holidays to plan.
4. Long holiday season - mainland Spain is best from spring to autumn, while the Canary Islands stay warm enough for winter sun when most European destinations cool down.
5. More than a beach drop - paella for days, historical wonders, markets worth getting lost in, and places that make you actually want to leave the hotel.

For most travellers, April to June and September to October are the sweet spots. You’ll enjoy warm, sunny days without the peak-summer crowds, and prices are often better than during school holidays. 

Summer & Canary Islands

Summer (June to August) is hot and busy across mainland Spain and the Balearics, while the Canary Islands offer reliable Spain weather all year-round, including winter sun.

For detailed monthly temperatures and sea conditions, see our Spain weather guide.

• Spain is generally safe, but take care with valuables in busy areas and on public transport.
• Shops may close in the afternoon for siesta and reopen late. 
• The emergency number is 112.
• Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces.

For up-to-date advice on travelling to Spain, please visit the UK government's safety and security page for Spain.

Worth knowing

The legal drinking age in Spain is 18.

In parts of the Balearic Islands (including Majorca and Ibiza), All Inclusive alcohol is limited to six drinks per person, per day, usually with meals. These rules don’t apply everywhere - many mainland and Canary Island resorts aren’t affected.