Where to have an inexpensive holiday in Spain by the sea. Where is the best place to relax in the sunny country of Spain?

To determine the most budget resorts in Spain, we conducted a small study in which we examined the cost of hotel accommodation in the most popular resorts on the Balearic Sea coast.

The study showed that the average cost of living in a 3-star hotel is 79 euros, and a night in a 4-star hotel will cost 103 euros. But it is worth considering that the results of the study are too big influence provided the cost of living in 4* hotels. It must be taken into account that in small resort towns There are few 4* hotels, so average figures somewhat distort the picture.

If you want to have an inexpensive holiday in Spain, you should pay attention to the following seaside resorts:

Lloret de Mar
Calella
Pineda de Mar
Tossa de Mar
Majorca

It's hard to find in Barcelona in the summer budget hotels close to the sea, and the popular Salou and Blanes are too in demand, which can dictate higher prices.

from 62	from 77	157	69.5
from 62	from 65	from 81.4	199	73.2
from 68	from 79	185	73.5
from 70	from 100		85
from 75	from 104		89.5
from 68	from 116		92
from 87	from 98		92.5
from 110	from 100		105
from 103	from 124		113.5
from 78	from 155	432	116.5
79	103	243	91

price below average
price around average
price above average

Cheap family holidays in Mallorca

Today Mallorca offers the most low prices for hotel accommodation. This phenomenon is easily explained by the fact that this is an island that is not used too much in great demand among tourists, so its excursion program is limited to its territory. The entire island lives on tourism, so there is always a large supply of housing and prices are noticeably lower than market prices.

Discounted hotels in Mallorca

Hotel	Stardom	Discount	Price per night, from	Select dates
Hotel Creta Paguera	★★★		6 488 4 260
	★★★		5 833 5 206
Agroturisme Es Picot	★★★		6 938 5 552
Grupotel Parc Natural & Spa	★★★★★		14 812 9 634
Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma	★★★★		10 355 8 305

Party Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is very popular among young people, as it not only has a rich and vibrant nightlife, but also has conditions for practicing various sports.

Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure in Lloret de Mar, you can always find an inexpensive hotel and it is also one of the budget resorts in the country.

Calella - peace, quiet and shopping

Calella is only 45 kilometers away from Barcelona. The sandy strip stretches for 3 km, and in addition to the main beach there are also small bays where you can not only swim, but also dive. The only drawback for holidays with children is that the depth begins almost immediately, literally 4 steps from the shore.

There are not many hotels in Calella, but there is quite a demand for them due to the excellent infrastructure of the city and its proximity to Barcelona. Nevertheless, in terms of price parameters, Calella is still included in the list inexpensive resorts.

Pineda de Mar - a paradise for retirees

Currently it is one of the most inexpensive resorts near Barcelona. Pineda de Mar is next to Calella, but it is calmer and less hectic. It is perfect for families with children, since the entrance to the sea is very gentle. There are no noisy discos here, and restaurants close at 11 p.m. Barcelona is easy to get to by train or bus, which runs along the coast.

European pensioners and family members prefer to relax here, which affects the price, which is slightly higher here than in Calella. This is due to the fact that there are not many hotels in the city corresponding to 3* and 4* hotels.

Tossa del Mar is a beautiful and quiet resort

90 kilometers north of Barcelona is the small town of Tossa del Mar. There are no nightclubs here, but everyone celebrates clean beaches and quality service in hotels.

This resort town The Costa Brava is located quite a distance from Barcelona and has no direct message with the “tourist magnet” of the region. The hotels here are small but cozy. The cost of living is quite budgetary, but since the hotel fund is not very large, the price tag is a little higher than on others budget resorts Costa Brava.

If you are looking for calm beaches and a quiet town, Tossa Del Mar is for you.

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Where is the best place to go on holiday in Spain in 2019? We talk about the best resorts in the country: where to relax in Spain by the sea, where to go for excursions, which city to choose for a trip with children.

The first part of the article contains an overview of resorts in Spain by type of holiday (beach, excursion, inexpensive, with children).

In the second part - detailed information and reviews about the most popular places recreation.

How to find inexpensive tour to Spain? Try the services and they compare the cost of tours from all tour operators and find the best options in terms of price/quality ratio.

Where to relax in Spain – 2019

Beach holiday

Where is it better to go in Spain for beach holiday at sea in 2019? Almost all regions of the country are suitable for this purpose, especially in the south - both the mainland and the islands.

In most regions, the Mediterranean Sea warms up for comfortable swimming in early to mid-June, with the season continuing until October. Some tourists sunbathe and swim already in May, but the water at this time is still quite cold.

The best mainland resorts Spain at sea in 2019 – Costa del Sol, Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. Among the islands good feedback beaches in Tenerife, Mallorca and Ibiza receive.

Photo: © Arran Bee / flickr.com

Excursion holidays

Almost every Spanish city has architectural attractions that will be interesting to see for lovers of excursion holidays.

There are especially many such attractions in the Costa Dorada and Costa Brava regions: ancient churches, fortress walls, Roman aqueducts.

If the main purpose of your trip to Spain is excursions and sightseeing, you can go to one of major cities like Barcelona, Seville or Madrid. There are both natural and architectural attractions, many museums.

Vacation with children

With a small child, it is better to go to quiet regions of Spain with good beaches and a gentle entrance to the sea, for example, to the Costa Dorada or Costa del Maresme. It’s also good to relax in the Costa Brava (especially in the resorts of Tossa de Mar and Blanes) - there are comfortable hotels on the first line, animation, and attractions.

Older children will be interested in entertainment, so you can go on vacation to the south of Spain - to the Costa Blanca (many amusement parks) or the city of Salou by the sea near Barcelona (the largest Port Aventura park in Europe).

Holidays with children on the islands (Mallorca, Canary Islands) are also possible, but will be more expensive than in mainland Spain.

Going on vacation with the whole family? You will find our material about Holidays in Spain with children useful - in it we talk about the best resorts and hotels for family vacation. And don't forget to register!

Where to relax in Spain inexpensively

A budget beach holiday in Spain in 2019 is possible in the resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme and Costa Dorada. There are lower prices for hotels and food in cafes and restaurants.

Holidays in Ibiza, the Canary Islands and the Costa del Sol region are considered very expensive - mostly wealthy tourists vacation there.

Photo: Port of L’Ametlla de Mar, Catalonia © candi… / flickr.com

Review of the best resorts in Spain

Costa del Sol

The southernmost, warmest and most expensive beach region Spain. The swimming season in this part of Spain lasts longer than in other areas of the country (from June to mid-October).

It is better to go to the Costa del Sol for a seaside holiday with children, as well as for diving, windsurfing and golf. There are many on the coast good hotels 4 and 5 stars.

The most popular resorts Costa del Sol region in Spain - Marbella, Benalmadena, Fuengirola.

Costa Blanca

This is a youthful region, full of events and parties. The coast has a mild climate and many good beaches. The main resorts in 2019 are Alicante, Benidorm, Torrevieja.

Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Tenerife is popular among tourists due to its mild climate without sweltering heat and the absence of prolonged rains. In the south of the island the weather is sunnier and warmer than in the northern part.

On the island you can combine a beach holiday with a visit to entertainment complexes and national parks, inspections of the Teide volcano. The sea water in Tenerife is colder than in the resorts of mainland Spain, but in July, August and September it is quite comfortable to swim in it.

Getting to the island is easier than to other Spanish resorts: Tenerife has an airport with direct flights from Moscow.

Photo: Auditorio de Tenerife © Kent Wang / flickr.com

Costa Dorada

The Costa Dorada region allows you to combine a beach holiday with a visit to ancient architectural monuments. A good option for those who are choosing where to go to Spain for the first time.

The region is often chosen for families with children because of its good beaches, hotels, developed infrastructure and availability of entertainment (for example, the large Port Aventura amusement park).

The main seaside resorts in 2019 are Salou and Sitges. If the availability of entertainment is not critical for you and you want more have a relaxing holiday on the beach - you can go to small towns like Tarragona or La Pineda.

Costa Brava

Costa Brava is considered the coldest region for a beach holiday in Spain, but from June to October, swimming and sunbathing are just as good as in other places. IN high season(July, August) the weather is not as hot as in other Spanish resorts (+26...+28°C).

Most of the Costa Brava resorts are located close to Barcelona, so you can go on excursions or spend a few days in the Catalan capital. Tourists go mainly to Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Tossa de Mar.

Photo: Faro Cabo de Palos lighthouse © Ian_woodhead1 / flickr.com

Majorca

The island is rich in nature: magnificent beaches, mountain ranges and big protected area. Tourists come to Mallorca for beach holidays, diving, rock climbing, and golf.

The atmosphere at the resort is calm, there is almost no nightlife - which is why Mallorca is often chosen as a holiday destination by older tourists and couples with children.

There are many beaches on the island: some are small, located in bays, some are sandy, and some are even grassy.

Majority interesting places You can visit Mallorca on your own: pearl farms, monasteries, ancient cities and museums. If you rent a car, driving across the entire island will take an hour and a half.

The island has high humidity, so the summer heat is not easily tolerated (especially in July), and it often rains in the fall. It is better to go on vacation in June or in September and early October: the heat is not so intense, there are fewer tourists, the water in the sea is warm.

Are you planning to visit Spain? several regions or resorts? The most convenient way to make this trip is by car. Find out the prices for car rental and especially driving in the country: Car rental in Spain.

Ibiza

It’s worth going to Ibiza for a youth holiday: life on the island is vibrant both day and night. Numerous cafes, bars, and clubs are open 24 hours a day during the high season. Two of the ten most fashionable clubs in the world - Privilege and Space - are located in Ibiza. It is better to buy tickets for them in advance on the Internet to avoid a long queue.

Pros of Ibiza: beach holidays, developed infrastructure, an abundance of good hotels and lots of entertainment (including windsurfing and diving). On the other hand, the island is considered one of the most expensive in Europe.

The beaches in Ibiza are well-maintained and there are many cafes and restaurants along the coastline.

If you rent a car, you can visit the side of the island where there are no discos and bars. It is calm and very beautiful here: evergreen pine trees and azure sea.

Photo: view of Ibiza © Mark Lehmkuhler / flickr.com

Barcelona

One of the most popular resorts in Spain is Barcelona. Holidays in Barcelona allow you to see all the sights and lie on the beach. The most popular areas among tourists Old city, Montjuic, Gracia and Eixample.

In addition, it is easiest to get to Barcelona from Russia - there are direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the opportunity to fly inexpensively with low-cost airlines from the Baltic countries.

You can visit most of the interesting places in the city on your own at tourist bus Bus Touristic. If desired, from Barcelona you can easily reach popular beach resorts in Spain by the sea (for example, the Costa Brava).

Photo: Platja de Sant Sebastià, Barcelona © cat_collector / flickr.com

Helpful information

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For more general advice on booking a holiday to Spain, see our guide: Spain. summer rest. Our expert's top recommendations cover the choice of cities, beaches, villas, culture, food, drink and activities for your holiday.

All prices are for the cheapest double rooms before the beginning of spring or summer periods, until others are installed. They are the topic for discussion.

Located far from the usual tourist routes, with majestic mountain peaks, emerald green East Coast Asturias is home to some of the most exquisite beaches in Spain. Below mountain range Picos de Europa is home to rocky coves, golden rows of buildings remote from civilization, modest coastal towns and roaring surf.

But this one magnificent country worthy of exploration as well as sunbathing and territories unearthly beauty in close proximity to both the sea and the mountains - “sea and mountains”. An excellent way to explore it all. independent trip for a week personal tour The Winding Slopes and Coasts of Asturias, which combines coastal adventures with mountain walks, from a surprising village base along the British route, to exploring the century-old farm of Posada del Valle near Ariandas.

From £498 for two, including seven nights' accommodation, breakfast and car hire, excluding flights (contact: 01653 617000, inntravel.co.uk).

Hidden away among the quiet villages of the Costa Trasmiera are the wild and secluded beaches of Langres, which are probably the most spectacular in Cantabria. Endless green meadows, limestone cliff tops stretching down to two golden lines of sand located near crashing waves, all these beauties make the place a favorite for surfers.

The area was originally discovered by nudists for its excellent seclusion and it is now hard to imagine that the vibrant capital of Santander lies just 25km to the west. Enjoy peace and quiet at the comfortably sophisticated, rustic-style hotel La Posada in rural areas Langre, located approximately 500 meters from the beach.

Asturias is famous for its best beaches Spain.

West coast of Cantabria

Cantabria's western beaches are more like Sydney than Spain - plus there's 50km of coastline dotted with pretty fishing villages, backed by serene green hills dotted with cattle and centuries-old stone manors.

Many of the beaches are located in such a way that the outside is protected by a natural park that surrounds some of the most ancient beaches in the area. It is difficult to choose favorites, but those that are located between Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera you can choose everything.

Spain, Cantabria, Isla city, rock garden (video):

Brittany Ferries offers a range of transport and beach holiday accommodation in the area. An excellent base among all is the simple but lively Hotel Joseín, with an ideal location facing the sea on the Comillas coast.

From £754 for two, including return ferry to Santander and three nights with breakfast at Hotel Joseín (contact: 0871 2441444; brittanyferries.com)

If you like the idea of relaxing near secluded secluded coves with wide fringes of golden sand, pine trees and pink coral rocks, look no further, the Costa Brava has it all. Away from the noisy crowd large resorts, the coastline between Palamós about an hour north of Barcelona and Cadaqués near the French border, which has the clearest water in the Mediterranean.

There aren't too many high-rise buildings here, but the many small coves spread out over many miles still give the feeling of the fishing villages they originally were.

Be sure to also read:

Gifts from sunny Spain
Russian Spain. Full information
Extremadura. Discover the heart of Spain!

One of my favorite places is the horseshoe-shaped bay in Tamariu, with its fish food courts lined up by the sea. Family hotel Tamariu has simple, fresh rooms with a blue and white nautical theme. A great place for a beach holiday.

Playa del Inglés and the sandy ridge of Maspalomas have been a magnet for sun worshipers since the turbulent 1960s, for obvious reasons. Seven famous miles of honey beaches turn into enchanting sand dunes on the southern edge, restaurant service for those who prefer privacy and a lot of sparkle.

In an attempt to recapture the excitement of the life-loving Sixties, in 2012 One Hope the original hotels, located right on the beach, were transformed beyond recognition to create bohemian spa complexes. Fashionable retro design, a panoramic restaurant with views of the dunes and a pleasant integrated spa residence, which provides an excellent boutique hotel for "free-thinking" people and fans of Austin Powers.

Cala Mesquida, on the northeastern edge of the island, has stunning white sand beaches lined with dunes and pine forests– with several hotel complexes in one line. If you need somewhere to stay with excellent facilities but want to explore the quiet part Mallorca's Viva Cala Mesquida resort must meet its costs.

You stay in large apartments - it's definitely worth booking a room with a sea view - and you can choose any combination from self-catering to all-inclusive. This remote bay was used as a smuggling spot but is now a favorite spot for windsurfers.

Although it is still quite a wild place, the beach here has several bars and restaurants, as well as beach lifeguards who keep a close eye on the rough seas.

The beaches of Cala Mesquida are surrounded by dunes and pine forests

The best beaches in the Balearics? You can argue about this all day, but Formentera is small south island Ibiza has several quite convincing advantages that are easy to list. It's the norm here White sand and clear calm waters that make Formentera good choice for a family holiday with small children - the island, naturally, is not a secluded place for a bohemian team.

People come here to dive, kayak or windsurf, cycle or walk around the island, or perhaps take part in birding tours through the wetlands - a great alternative in the spring, when accommodation is available at reasonable prices.

The new Hotel Blanco Formentera is located a two-minute walk from Es Pujol beach, where there are a handful of bars and restaurants. The style is still simple, the hotel matches the relaxing atmosphere of the island.

Less expensive are the resorts on Playa Blanca in the southern part of the island, surrounded by golden sand beaches, which are also perfect for families. The carefree beaches of Papagayo are nearby if you drive or use by water transport, and for a quicker change of scene, you can take advantage of the crossing through Fuerteventura.

The five-star Princess Yaiza Suite hotel is located right by the sea. The resort is a neo-colonial complex with enough swimming pools, restaurants, sports and children's activity areas to keep everyone happy.

Fuerteventura, with its endless beaches and well-established complexes, is an amazing place for a beach holiday with the whole family, but the infrastructure is growing quickly and has a pretty cool purpose. It is worth noting that the place is completely unsuitable for surfing, windsurfing and kite boarding, just like diving or cycling.

If staying in a big hotel isn't your thing, there are plenty of quirky smaller hotels to suit every taste, both on the island and along the coast. The Vic Suite Risco del Gato is located next to the beach and resort of Costa Calma in the south of the island. You stay in the mythical "pod" - individual curved white buildings, each 110 square meters. m, including the area of the external courtyard - they are more reminiscent Vacation home than hotel rooms.

Marbella, Costa del Sol is famous for its sandy coastline, which suits everyone, whether you want to hear the noise of coastal beach clubs or sunbathe in a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Stay at the freshly renovated Hotel Puente Romano and you can walk straight from the hotel to the beach - and maybe take a few stand-up paddleboarding lessons. Or improve your tennis skills by playing tennis at a prestigious hotel club, where you can easily embarrass a professional player in your next match.

Puente Romano is laid out like an Andalusian village, with low white buildings hidden behind subtropical gardens so you don't feel as if you're in a huge complex.

For further consultations on choosing a holiday in Spain, see our other articles.

There are a great many resorts in Spain. It seems that this country is a dream come true for an ideal vacation; it is simply created for sightseeing and beach holidays!

Therefore, choosing a resort for a holiday in Spain is not an easy task. I'll try to systematize the information. You can relax in Spain (as in Greece, for example) both on the islands and on the mainland - beautiful beaches, a luxurious sea or ocean and fresh seafood and fruits await you everywhere.

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Holidays on the mainland

Mediterranean coast of Spain

The entire Mediterranean coast of Spain - from the French border to Portugal - is divided into sections - Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, Costa del Garraf, Costa Dorada, Costa del Azahar, Costa de Valencia, Costa Blanca , Costa Calida, Costa del Almeria, Costa Tropical, Costa del Sol.

All these tourist destinations very popular among European tourists, and each has its own characteristics. What is the difference between one and the other, what to do in one or another coastal region of Spain and another useful information I hope you can find it in this material.

Costa Brava (Costa Brava, or "Wild Coast")

This stunningly scenic stretch of coastline lies north of Barcelona, all the way to the French border. It stretches from Cap de Creus in the north to the town of Malgrat de Mar in the south. The very beautiful rocky coast is densely decorated with coniferous groves, and in the bays wonderful and very cozy beaches. There are traditionally a lot of French people here, and you can understand them: the nature is the same as in their homeland, but the prices for everything are 1.5 times lower than in France.

Costa Brava is the coolest of all the resorts in Spain (the north, after all!) They say that the sea here more or less warms up by June. Hmmm, we vacationed here at the end of August, and the water, to put it mildly, was invigorating (the sea is +22, at most +23 degrees - far from the ultimate dream!)

Most popular resorts: Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Blanes and Platja d'Aro.

Lloret de Mar is traditionally considered youth resort. Here great amount nightclubs, and the city is famous primarily for them. The beaches here are noisy and there is literally nowhere for an apple to fall. But it’s fun if you know a lot about such fun. Looking at the samples of practically bucket-sized cocktails displayed in the windows of the bars, you understand that the resort is “tailored” primarily to the needs of people who, for the first time in their lives, have escaped from under their parents’ wing. That is why, probably, the main housing stock of the resort is multi-storey and faceless concrete box-apartments. But everything is relative, and on the right side of the resort (if you stand with your back to the sea) we managed to find a couple of very nice 4-star hotels...

Fans of a more refined and relaxing holiday should stay at. Charming medieval city, located several the most beautiful bays, cannot leave anyone indifferent! Read my report about a wonderful vacation spent in Tossa.

The resorts of Blanes and Playa de Aro are best suited for families with children.

Excursions from the Costa Brava

Monastery of Montserrat

Girona

Spain will not leave anyone indifferent. Everything the Spaniard’s soul touches is filled with frantic energy: nature, songs, architecture and history. Spain is passion in its purest form.

Spain is a member of the Schengen Union, so to obtain a visa to Spain, Russians need to submit fingerprints. Documents are submitted personally by the applicant (Schengen visa applicant). Fingerprints can be taken once every 5 years. If you have undergone fingerprinting within the last 5 years, you must check the appropriate box on your visa application form.

Visa to Spain

You can submit documents directly to Spanish consular offices or through official visa centers. Full list representative offices can be viewed. Submission of documents is carried out on a territorial basis, that is, for example, residents of the Ural Federal District submit documents to the Ekaterinburg visa center, residents of the North-Western District must apply to the visa centers of St. Petersburg, and so on.

The process of fingerprinting when obtaining a visa to Spain

Documents for a Spanish visa must be submitted no earlier than three months before the intended trip, and no later than two weeks before arrival in Spain. The package of documents depends on the purpose of your visit to Spain (tourism, business, education, visiting friends or relatives, and so on). A list of documents required to obtain a tourist visa can be found.
Download the application form and rules for filling it out. Corrections in the questionnaire are not allowed. Incomplete packages of documents and photos that do not meet the requirements are also not accepted for consideration. Please note that all consular offices and some visa centers in Spain can only submit documents by appointment. You can read more about whether you need to make an appointment and how to do it.

You can obtain a visa at the consulate or visa centers of Spain

The visa center and consulate will charge a small fee for reviewing the application and processing your documents. You can read more about tariffs and payment methods. At visa centers you can order additional services, for example, courier delivery of your passport, SMS notification of visa readiness, photocopying of documents, and so on. Read more about additional services oh look.

Spain visa centers provide additional paid services

If you are denied a visa, the consulate must issue you a notice stating the reason for the refusal. Most common reasons: not enough Money for a trip, false information about the booked services is provided. In case of refusal, you can file an appeal if you are sure that the refusal was due to a misunderstanding, and you can provide the consulate with documents confirming your case. See more information about filing an appeal.

Resorts in Spain – what to choose?

On the Internet you can find a lot of offers for flights and accommodation in Spain, here is one of them booking.com with a huge selection.

Most often, when it comes to holidays in Spain, most of us think of holidays in Barcelona and the resorts around it. More sophisticated tourists will prefer southern shores near Malaga. Meanwhile, in Spain there are as many as 17 autonomous regions, and each of them is completely different from the other. \

Traveling through different regions of Spain, it may seem to you that you are traveling through different countries - they are so unique in culture, mentality, climate, and landscape.

The figure of a bull against a sunset background is one of the symbols of Spain

Catalonia and Barcelona

Catalonia is a region in northeastern Spain, the capital is Barcelona. Catalans consider themselves a separate nation with a separate state and language, and their presence in Spain is a pure misunderstanding, which they constantly strive to correct. If you call a resident of Catalonia a Spaniard, he will certainly correct you: “I am a Catalan.”

Peaceful demonstration for the separation of Catalonia from Spain

Despite the tense relations between Catalonia and the official Spanish authorities, the situation does not at all affect the comfort of tourists. Catalonia is the most visited tourist region in Spain. It has everything you could want on holiday: excellent sandy beaches, excellent cuisine, rich excursion program.

Cuisine of Catalonia

Barcelona

The main pearl of the region is, of course, Barcelona - a city of which there are never too many. No matter how many times you come to Barcelona, there is always a feeling that you need to come back and discover something more. How to choose the right accommodation, deal with transport, food and other everyday issues in Barcelona, read. How to have time to see all the sights of Barcelona, and what to choose first, see.

Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain

Costa Brava and Costa del Maresme

Costa del Maresme and Costa Brava are two resorts that stretch from Barcelona north to the very border with France. Closer to Barcelona is the Costa del Maresme. The main advantage of this coast is very reasonable prices, a huge selection of hotels and entertainment for the whole family. It’s hard to find any cons here, there simply aren’t any. You can read more about the resorts and attractions of the Costa Brava.

Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava, Spain

Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada – resort area, which stretches from Barcelona to the south, to the border with Valencia. Costa Dorada is a favorite holiday destination for families with children and laid-back retirees. For active nightlife young people here go to Salou and Sitges. For good cuisine and long promenades you need to go to Cambrils and La Pineda, and to feel like a real local resident, it’s worth renting a house in Comaruga or Torredembar. See more about holidays on the Costa Dorada.

Promenade in Cambrils, Costa Dorada, Spain

Valencia and Costa Blanca

Valencia – independent province in eastern Spain with the capital of the same name. Valencia is more popular among Europeans than among Russians, although recently more and more of our compatriots are choosing it. The only disadvantage of Valencia is that there are no direct trains or planes from Russia; you will have to make transfers to get there. Everything else is a complete plus. You can read more about the sights of Valencia.

City of Sciences and Arts in Valencia, Spain

Costa Blanca is a resort area within the autonomous region of Valencia. In many ways this is best resort on the entire coast of Spain: the Costa Blanca has the most beaches under the blue flag, there are more sunny days a year than in other resorts in Spain; It is believed that the Costa Blanca has the most affordable prices in all of Spain. In terms of entertainment and attractions, the Costa Blanca is in no way inferior to neighboring regions. You can read more about holidays on the Costa Blanca.

Calpe, Costa Blanca, Spain

Andalusia and Costa del Sol

Andalusia is the southernmost region of Spain, which was under Muslim Arab rule for the longest time. It was the Arab influence that made Andalusia so different from other areas of Spain. Andalusia has the most passionate dances, the most fiery macho, the most bizarre buildings and palaces (a mixture of Moorish traditions and Gothic). Everything that we associate with the word “Spain” comes from Andalusia – castanets, bullfighting, flamenco, Antonio Banderas, fluffy skirts with frills and passionate songs with a guitar.

Andalusia is the birthplace of flamenco, a traditional Spanish dance.

Costa del Sol is a strip of coastal resort towns stretching along the entire southern coast Mediterranean Sea Andalusia. The center of resort life here is the city of Malaga. Costa del Sol is considered the most expensive and prestigious resort Spain, the most famous and wealthy politicians, artists and athletes like to stay here. Despite the fact that the Costa del Sol is the most South coast In Spain, the water here can be quite cool and warms up only in July due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. You can read more about holidays on the Costa del Sol.

Bullfighting is a traditional entertainment in Spain

Basque Country

Of all the regions of Spain, the Basque Country stands out most of all for its “foreignness”. If residents of other regions can trace common roots at least in distant history, then the Basques look like absolute aliens on the Iberian Peninsula. Their language is not similar to any local dialect; their culture and customs are closer to those of the peoples North Caucasus than to neighboring Castile or Aragon.

Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain

Holidays in the Basque Country are also not like holidays in others resort regions Spain. The coast of the Basque Country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic - this is not a quiet southern sea, this is an entire ocean with all its inherent attributes: strong currents, frequent waves, cloudy weather and rocky shores. The resorts of the Basque region do not have such sweltering heat as on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. But here are the most optimal conditions for training. active species recreation: surfing, paragliding, cycling, ecological trails etc. You can read more about holidays in the Basque Country.

Coast of the Bay of Biscay, Basque Country Spain

Canary Islands: Tenerife and Gran Canaria

In addition to the mainland, Spain also includes several archipelagos. The Canaries are a group of islands in Atlantic Ocean south of mainland Spain. The most famous resorts among Canary Islands Tenerife and Gran Canaria are considered.

Holidays in the Canaries are noticeably different from holidays on the mainland. The islands of the archipelago are also noticeably different from each other. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are considered the greenest and most comfortable. Fuerteventura is located too close to the African continent (only 100 km), and the hot breath of the Sahara literally burns out all the vegetation on the island. Lanzarote is completely bare, like a lunar crater due to petrified lava, which spread throughout the island in prehistoric times.

Lanzarote, Canaries, Spain

The local population is also not like their mainland compatriots. The Canaritans are distinguished by their own special culture, their own mentality and temperament. The inhabitants of the Canaries resemble Latin Americans rather than Southern Europeans. They don’t eat jamon, don’t like bullfighting, and don’t particularly like fishing and seafood, but they enjoy raising goats and sheep, playing dominoes and petanque, and organizing colorful carnivals.

Carnival in the Canaries Spain

Hotels in Spain: what to look for when choosing?

When choosing a hotel in Spain, it is important to understand several common points that are typical for all regions of Spain. Often tourists (especially after holidays in Egypt and Turkey) evaluate European hotels by Turkish standards, and this is completely in vain, because hotels here are focused on a completely different type of vacation. The main advantage of a hotel in Spain is its proximity to bus stops public transport, grocery stores, and distance to the beach.

The choice of hotels can be made on the website booking.com. Here you will find almost all hotels in Spain to suit every taste.

Standard room for hotels in Spain (hotel GUITART ROSA 3*, Costa Brava)

So, what can you expect when choosing a standard room in a standard 3*-4* hotel in a small resort town:

The room area is small, on average 16-18 sq.m., 99% of the rooms in the hotel are standard double rooms
Maximum number of guests per standard room– 3 people, while the sleeping places will occupy almost the entire area of the room. If your family has 4 or more people, you will have to order several rooms
All rooms have a safe, air conditioning and TV. A safe is available for an extra charge. For the TV and air conditioner remote control they may ask for a cash deposit (10-15 euros, will be returned upon check-out from the hotel)

Hotel “Best Negresco” 4*, Salou, Spain

There are no refrigerators or minibars in the rooms. You can rent a refrigerator for an additional fee (you need to order it at the reception). They often bring antediluvian units, but you still don’t have to choose, the main thing is that they freeze
Audibility in all hotels is very decent. The country is southern, hot, and building thick walls is not customary here.
Cleaning in most hotels is very mediocre.
The maids are friendly and smiling ladies, but they don’t know how to wipe away dust at all. If you are not happy with something, point with your finger where you need to remove it - it will be done without any problems

Hotel “Sol Don Marco” 4*, Costa del Sol

If you book a city hotel, don't wait beautiful views from the window. Most likely, your balcony will abut the windows of a neighboring building or overlook the roadway (development in resort towns is quite dense).
The hotel territory is most often equal to the perimeter of the building. As for entertainment, the standard set: a small swimming pool, a bar and a platform for evening shows - all this will be squeezed into the courtyard between the hotel buildings
It is assumed that in Spain tourists spend most of their time outside the hotel, on excursions or at sea. Therefore, hotel services are kept to a minimum
The food (most often tourists book accommodation with breakfast or breakfast + dinner) in Spanish hotels is not very varied, but it is good and tasty. Coffee and tea are only available for breakfast. There is a small queue at most hotels for dinner. Food cannot be taken out of the restaurant

Restaurant at the Blaumar 3* hotel in Salou, Spain

A very small number of hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. This type of food is more common in the Canaries, where tourists spend more time at the hotel. In general, “all inclusive” in Spain does not justify itself due to the large number of daytime excursions. In addition, lunch in Spanish hotels is more reminiscent of a menu in a student canteen than a full meal Buffet(such a service is not in demand among guests)
Most on beach resorts In Spain, 3* hotels are common, less often 4*, extremely rarely 5*
In the Canaries there is more choice of 4* and 5* hotels than on the mainland; many premium hotels can be found on the Costa del Sol

Hotel “Hostal de La Gavina” 5*, Costa Brava, Spain.

In addition to standard hotels, there are other accommodation options:

Camping – found in rural areas and near cities. This is a fenced area where you can spend the night in a tent or in a car (sometimes campsites rent out separate rooms or sleeping places in equipped vans or houses). On the campsite there are usually paid toilets and showers, small shops with food and household items. One of the cheapest accommodation methods

Camping on the Costa Blanca, Spain

1-2* hotels are more common in major cities(Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia) and are suitable for a couple of nights. Such options are very popular among budget tourists, since 3-4* hotels in large cities are expensive. Most often, 1-2* hotels offer only accommodation as a service; sometimes the price includes a modest breakfast (tea/coffee and croissant).

Hotel “Call”, 1*, Barcelona, Spain

Hostels are also very popular in large cities - guest houses, where you can rent not a room, but sleeping area in the room. The rooms come in different capacities (up to 10-12 beds), women's, men's or mixed. The hostels have shared kitchen, equipped with everything necessary. The toilet and shower are also often shared (but can also be in the room). Large groups like to stay in hostels (you can take a separate room just for your own), or young people for whom the cost of living is more important than comfort

Javea Hostel, Costa Blanca, Spain

Apartments are separate apartments with an equipped kitchen. Often allocated for apartments separate building, on the territory of which there may be a swimming pool, a small restaurant and a sundry store. The apartments are convenient for large families, since the cost of living is approximately the same as in a hotel, and the room area is two to three times larger. For the lazy, the apartments offer meals and room cleaning for an additional fee.

Apartment "Salou Suite", Costa Dorada, Spain

Boarding houses - this option is found in small towns and rural areas. The boarding house involves accommodation in a separate room in a private house, where other guests and the owners themselves can live besides you. Guests are usually served personally by the owner and members of his family. In a guesthouse, the level of service directly depends on the hospitality and cordiality of the owners. If you're lucky, you'll have a rest like at your grandmother's in the village

Guesthouse Ronda, Valencia, Spain

Casa ("Casa" in Spanish - house) is a detached villa, rented as a whole. Sometimes casas are rented out in parts to several families, but in this case each family will have a separate entrance to their half of the house. It is convenient to rent villas for large groups for a long time: in terms of one guest, this option is always cheaper than a hotel

Casa in Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain

Parador - a historical building ( medieval castle, monastery or palace), converted into a premium hotel. Can be rented out as a whole or in separate rooms. Such accommodation costs a lot of money, it is sold out a year in advance, but it fully justifies the price. If possible, stay in the parador for at least a couple of nights; you will remember it for the rest of your life.

Hotel Parador in Santiago de Compostella, Spain

Transport in Spain

Transport links in Spain are developed simply “excellently”. Whatever way you decide to move around the country, it will be comfortable in every sense.

Transport in Spain runs strictly on schedule. At any kiosk or ticket office you can purchase traffic diagrams, booklets with traffic interval tables and much other useful information.

Metro in Barcelona, Spain

In large cities the most convenient way transportation - metro. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or special machines at the entrance. Subway maps are sold there. Each metro line has its own color, which is used to mark the names of stations, signs at the entrance, trains, and so on.

Doors in subway cars are not always automatic; sometimes you need to press a special lever or button for the door to open. In general, the Spanish metro is not much different from the Moscow or St. Petersburg, so any tourist can figure it out.

Metro in Madrid, Spain

Most popular look public transport - bus. Even in small towns has its own network of routes. For city buses, tickets must be purchased from ticket machines, at Tabacco kiosks, or directly from the driver. You can enter the salon only through the front door; the ticket is considered used if it is validated in the bus.

Tickets can be one-time or multi-day passes (the second option is always cheaper). There are also Special offers for tourists, where the ticket price includes the use of several types of transport and visiting the most famous museums in a certain period of time.

City bus in Cambrils, Costa Dorada, Spain

Usually buses operate only during the daytime (from 7 am to 10-11 pm). In the midst tourist season Some cities have night routes. The fare for them is slightly higher than for the day, and the ticket can only be used at night; it will not be valid during the day.

Intercity buses are divided into two types: local (to neighboring towns and villages) and long-distance (when you spend 3 hours or more on the road). It is easier to buy tickets for local buses from the driver.

For long distances it is better to buy tickets at the bus station or online. The most popular carrier in Spain is ALSA; you can see possible routes and prices.

Please note that buses that make long journeys have day and night buses (the latter are painted in dark colors and travel on them is cheaper), and seats on the bus may vary in price depending on the degree of comfort. All long-distance buses are equipped with air conditioning, comfortable seats, and often dry toilets.

Intercity bus on the Costa Dorada

To travel between cities you can use the train. There are three types of trains: high-speed (for traveling very long distances), fast (they are convenient to use if you move within neighboring regions, for example from Barcelona to Valencia) and local electric trains, which make stops every 7-15 minutes.

Train tickets can be purchased online, for example, or at the ticket office at the station. The ticket price depends on the carriage class (luxury, compartment, reserved seat), on the time of day (there are night and day trains). Discounts are provided for children, students and pensioners. There are often sales and promotions on popular destinations. If you buy a round-trip ticket right away, the trip will cost less than one-way tickets.

High-speed train Renfe, Spain

Spain has very well developed air traffic. Most large and medium-sized cities have their own airport. Several local airlines offer domestic flights, and sometimes the cost of a ticket can be lower than for a train or even a bus.

The cheapest prices come from low-cost airline companies that specialize specifically in low-cost transportation. The price of such a ticket usually includes only the flight itself; all additional services (meals on board, baggage allowance, seat selection, etc.) must be paid separately. You can find out more about Spanish airports, flights and ticket prices.

Low-cost airline plane at Girona airport, Costa Brava, Spain

A taxi in Spain can be ordered by phone, picked up at a special stand, or stopped on a city street with a wave of your hand. All cars are equipped with a meter and a green indicator on the glass or on the roof of the car (if the indicator is on, the car is free).

At night, weekends and holidays the fare is more expensive. There is also an additional charge for luggage. In Spanish taxis it is not customary to pay to the penny; usually the passenger rounds the amount on the meter to a whole number and leaves the change as a tip to the driver.

Taxi in Barcelona, Spain

Where and how to eat in Spain?

Food in Spain is not cheap, but there is always a way to save money. General Feature all national catering establishments - they work strictly according to the hours and close for siesta. Only fast food restaurants, Chinese cuisine and sushi bars do not follow this rule.

In the most popular tourist places The establishments also do not close for siesta, but it is completely unprofitable to eat there, because the prices are skyrocketed. It is better to dine where there are more locals and few tourists - a sure sign of moderate prices and excellent cuisine.

What you need to know about food in Spain?

The cheapest food is at hot food kiosks and fast food restaurants (McDonald's, KFC, BurgerKing, Subway, etc.). The quality is about the same as ours
You can have an inexpensive meal in self-service restaurants (something like IKEA restaurants and roadside cafes), where there is a buffet of ready-made salads, first and second courses, desserts and drinks. Such restaurants belong to the “economy” category, but the quality of food in them is quite acceptable. They can often be found at train stations, in large amusement parks And shopping centers, in college towns and residential areas
In Italian restaurants, prices are also usually very reasonable, unless the restaurant positions itself as a “fine dining establishment.” Their standard selection of dishes is pizza, pasta and spaghetti. The quality of food can vary, but is usually quite good

La Boqueria food market, Barcelona, Spain

Many restaurants have a “menu del dia” at lunchtime – in Russian “business lunch”. This is a set lunch of two or three courses, the cost of which is significantly lower than ordering from the menu. True, this option can only be found from 12 to 13 hours, then the siesta comes, and everything is buried for 3-4 hours
Some drinking establishments serve tapas as a compliment to the drink - a kind of snack in the form of sandwiches, mixed vegetables, seafood or mini-kebabs. More often, such a service is found in small cities (you are unlikely to find such a thing in Barcelona or Madrid). Considering that tapas can be large and very filling, a glass of beer and a couple of tapas can replace a regular lunch
Most cheap option food - cook yourself. It is cheaper to buy food at the market (in small towns) or in grocery supermarkets. In large stores you can buy semi-finished or ready-to-cook foods; they often sell ready-made food that just needs to be heated in the microwave

Grocery supermarket in Tarragona, Costa Dorada, Spain

Excursions in Spain

In terms of excursions, Spain is limitless. In every region, in every major city you will find a lot of attractions, for every locality You can write a separate article. Tour bureaus and street agencies in Spain most often offer excursions to English language, in Barcelona and Tenerife you can find Russian-speaking groups.

Private guides in Spain

In any region of Spain you will find an individual guide who is ready to organize and conduct an excursion of any complexity. Private guides cost more than group excursions, but the quality will be many times higher, so the prices are quite justified. You can find a suitable guide in Spain on the “Best Private Guides” website. There you will also find prices, excursion options, reviews of the guides’ work, you can communicate with the guide directly through the website and discuss individual conditions.

If you are not ready to pay for the services of guides, buy a ticket for a special sightseeing bus– there are these in all major cities of Spain. All buses are equipped with audio guides, although there is not always an option in Russian. In museums there are signs explaining the exhibition in different languages. In extreme cases, there is the Internet and Google, so finding the necessary information in our time is not a problem.

Audio guide at the Museum of Spain

Sights of Madrid

Arena Las Ventas– the most famous place for bullfighting in Spain. The building in the Moorish style was built at the beginning of the last century and today is the largest spectator area in the country. In addition to the bullfight, other performances take place in the arena. There is a bullfighting museum in the arena building, and opposite the main entrance there are sculptures of matadors who died during the show. Address: Calle de Alcala, 237.

Arena Arena Las Ventas, Madrid, Spain

Prado Museum- is one of the top five in the world along with the Hermitage, the Louvre and the Vatican, and has a rich collection of art objects. It makes no sense to list the masterpieces that are kept within the walls of the museum - everyone who has visited Madrid simply must visit here. You will find all the necessary information about the opening hours, ticket prices and additional services on the official website of the museum.

Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain

Plaza Mayor- the central square of Madrid. During its history, Plaza Mayor has seen bullfights, royal holidays, public executions, football matches and much more. During the Christmas holidays, a huge fair opens in the Plaza Mayor. IN summer time Street performers and musicians often perform in the square.

Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Royal Palace – former official residence of the Spanish monarchs. Nowadays, it is open to tourists, and the royal family uses it only for official receptions on special occasions. For more information about the palace exhibition and opening hours, see. Palace address: Madrid, Calle Bailen, Palacio Real.

Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain

Puerta del Sol– the second central square of Madrid, located on the site of the former main medieval gate of the city (“Gate of the Sun”, hence the name of the square). In the center of the square there is a statue of a bronze bear with a strawberry tree - the official symbol of Madrid.

Puerta del Sol in Madrid, Spain

Atocha Station- old building railway station, which is currently used as a winter garden and shopping and entertainment area. Next to the old building there is a modern railway terminal, which now serves passengers.

Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain

Reina Sofia Museum– an exhibition of artistic paintings by avant-garde artists of the early 20th century and contemporary art objects. As a joke, residents of Madrid call this museum “Sofida” (by analogy with the famous Parisian Pompidou Museum of Modern Art). Address of the museum Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, official version You can look at the website in English.

Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain

Madrid Zoo is a whole huge zoological garden, on the territory of which representatives of the animal world of all climatic zones of the planet live, including the rarest representatives South America And South-East Asia. On the territory of the zoo there is an aquarium, serpentarium, terrarium, and even an aviary with microorganisms. Zoo address: Address: Madrid, Casa de Campo. Look Additional information and you can order tickets.

Pandas at the Madrid Zoo, Spain

Museum of America– this is the most complete exhibition in Europe, telling about the life and way of life of the indigenous peoples of America, the history of the discovery of the New World by the Spaniards, the terrible colonial and conquest wars, and much more. The museum has very interesting exhibits from the times of the first conquistadors, personal belongings and household items of the first settlers, real Indian weapons and jewelry. Museum address: Madrid, Avenida de los Reyes Catolicos, 6, see the official website

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