Where is the best place to relax in Spain? Beach holidays in Spain

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Where is the best place to go on holiday in Spain in 2019? We tell you 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 the best place to go in Spain for a 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 seaside resorts in Spain in 2019 are 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, 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) is also possible, but it 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 holidays. And don't forget to register!

Where to relax in Spain inexpensively

Budget beach holidays in Spain in 2019 are possible in the resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme and Costa Dorada. There are lower prices for hotels and for 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 in the Costa del Sol region in Spain are 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 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 holidays 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 its nature: magnificent beaches, mountain ranges and a large protected area. Tourists come to Mallorca for beach holidays, diving, rock climbing, and golf.

The atmosphere at the resort is calm, nightlife almost none - 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 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 online to avoid a long queue.

The advantages of Ibiza: beach holidays, developed infrastructure, an abundance of good hotels and plenty 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 landscaped, along coastline there are many cafes and restaurants.

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 - 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

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TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

When going to Spain on vacation, you can choose any place you like, both on the mainland and on one of the many islands. It should be remembered that each Spanish resort is unique and different from others. What can the most popular of them boast of and attract travelers?

BEACH HOLIDAY

The first thing that the travel agency will most likely offer you will be Costa Brava or Costa Dorada - the most popular destinations in the domestic travel industry. Proximity to Barcelona, picturesque nature with majestic rocks and cozy bays, well-developed infrastructure and reasonable prices - this is what attracts beach lovers to Costa Brava. Costa Dorada also pleases its guests with the warm sun, mild climate, beautiful beaches and a grand amusement park "Port Aventura".

For lovers have a great holiday and the opportunity to see world celebrities is worth going to Costa del Sol- one of the most expensive resorts in the region. Here you can not only soak up the beach under gentle sun, but take a walk through the botanical garden, sit in a cozy restaurant with a glass of good local wine.

Costa del Maresme also boasts of its unsurpassed beaches, picturesque bays and luxury villas. And 35 km from Barcelona I got lost old City Costa del Garraf, which pleases its guests not only with an excellent beach holiday, but also with well-preserved monuments of medieval architecture.

True connoisseurs of beach holidays often choose Costa Blanca, where, perhaps, the most White sand in Spain and summer lasts three hundred days a year. Entertainment lovers also love this place, because Benidrome is very close - a sort of local Las Vegas.

Many people prefer to relax on one of the Spanish islands.

One of the most visited islands, especially among young people, is undoubtedly Ibiza- a place created not only for relaxation, but also for all kinds of entertainment. Here the music sounds incessantly, taking you into the unknown distances of blazing and lasting delight. Here you can not only have fun until you drop, sleep on the beach or watch the sunrise with your loved ones - here you can completely relax and feel free.

For lovers of a more relaxed and fashionable island holiday you will undoubtedly enjoy the legendary island Majorca, where everything turns out to be in some kind of extraordinary harmony: relaxing on a magnificent beach and going on a yacht, participating in one of the grand parties and exploring local attractions.

A truly beloved and memorable holiday will be Canaries. Golden or black beaches, lush exotic vegetation, unique nature, incredibly delicious cuisine - all this will make your stay here simply unforgettable.

EXPERIENCE HISTORY AND CULTURE

But for a great holiday in Spain you don’t have to go to one of sea resorts. If you just want to enjoy the local culture and traditions, regional gastronomic features, you can stay in one of the historical or cultural centers of the country. This could be the capital of Spain - Madrid, and beautiful Barcelona, and legendary Girona.

The main thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter which city or town you choose for your stay in Spain. Maybe you would prefer to explore the main attractions of the country, moving from city to city, stopping in each for no more than a couple of days. The main thing is that each region of Spain is unique and inimitable in its own way, each will give a lot of impressions and emotions, temperament and fire.

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Spain - quite big country in the south of Europe, recently it has become increasingly popular among our tourists. There are a great variety of resorts and interesting places in Spain, so anyone can find a place to their liking.

Madrid

Madrid is the best place for those interested in an excursion holiday. In this city you can visit Royal Palace, in one of the museums that have a huge collection of paintings - the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Madrid also has more unusual exhibitions, such as the Forensic Science Museum and the Glassware Museum. The capital also has a number of small museums that may nevertheless be of interest to tourists. In addition, the city has parks and gardens that are suitable for a relaxing walk. One of Madrid's largest parks, the Retiro, is located very close to the Prado Museum.

Madrid is home to some of the best clubs throughout Spain - this is the seven-level Teatro Kapital, and the world famous Pacha, and Joy, so beloved by foreigners.

Thus, a holiday in the Spanish capital is suitable for lovers of sights, museums and antiquities, as well as for young people who want to combine excursion holiday with a trip to clubs and bars.

Barcelona

Barcelona is located in the north of Spain, or rather on the coast Mediterranean Sea, so visiting it can be combined with a beach holiday. In Barcelona itself there are no fewer attractions than in the capital - these are ancient quarters, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell, houses created by the great Gaudi, and museums - among them the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Catalan Art, and the Museum of Modern Art .

Salou

Near Barcelona there is a small resort town called Salou, which is very loved and visited by Russian tourists. The downside is that during the season (that is, July-August) there are a lot of people there, queues may await you in cafes and restaurants, and it will be difficult to find a place on the beach. On the plus side, as I mentioned above, many Russians vacation there, so it will be easy to find company there. In addition, there are many Russian-speaking tour guides, so you can easily book a tour in Russian. Very close by is Barcelona, which undoubtedly has a lot to see, and a few kilometers from Salou is Port Aventura, a huge amusement park where you can spend the whole day.

Valencia

It is the third largest city in Spain and is also a famous seaside resort. In Valencia you can visit the Cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum ceramics, visit the Museum of the History of Valencia, the Ethnological Museum, and huge complex called the Museum of Science and Arts, which includes an aquarium, cinema, opera, science museum and garden.

Valencia is also famous for its beaches, so it is ideal for a beach holiday. Among the disadvantages of holidaying in Valencia is that it is somewhat more difficult to get there than to Barcelona (there are no direct flights from Russia), and they also speak much less English there - so if you do not know Spanish, it will be somewhat difficult for you to communicate with the locals.

Denia, Gandia, Calpe

These are small resort towns located between Valencia and Alicante, on the Mediterranean coast. They are all more or less similar to each other - there are a number of hotels and apartments for vacationers, there is not much entertainment - this beach activities such as banana, jet ski, jet ski, a number of bars and cafes (usually inexpensive). Such towns are suitable for a relaxing beach holiday, and are good for holidays with children - in any, even the smallest town, there are playgrounds, and due to the fact that there are no huge amount clubs, it's not very noisy there. The downside is that these towns can only be reached from other, larger cities - Valencia or Alicante.

Benidorm

This is another resort town, located 45 kilometers from Alicante. It differs from all the above-mentioned towns by the presence of a large number of entertainments. Near Benidorm is located big park entertainment called Terra Mitica (it is slightly smaller than Port Aventura, but you can spend the whole day there), the Aqualandia water park and the Terra Natura animal park. Benidorm itself is very popular with young people, so there are quite a few decent clubs and bars there. Also, those wishing to travel to Benidorm should keep in mind that this particular city is favorite place for the relaxation of the British, who are often very noisy.

Alicante

It's pretty Big City, located closer to the south of Spain. There are a number of attractions there, a special place among them is ancient fortress. In addition, Alicante has quite a lot of shops, so you can do some shopping there. There are also beaches in Alicante, although they are few.

Ibiza

Spain is not only a mainland, this country also has several islands. Ibiza - famous island among the partygoers - some of the best clubs in Europe, and indeed the whole world, are located there - world famous DJs come there, for example, David Guetta, Armin van Buren and many others. Oddly enough, the rest of the island is suitable for a relaxing beach holiday and is very visited by European pensioners - all the clubs are concentrated near the capital, and the rest of the island is sparsely populated and therefore you can safely swim in the sea and enjoy nature.

Mallorca and Menorca

These islands, also called the Balearic islands, are well suited for a relaxing holiday - with family or with children. There is a warm sea, clean beaches, cafes and restaurants, as well as the absence of a large number of nightclubs.

Canary Islands

IN Atlantic Ocean, not far from the coast of Africa there is an archipelago of the Canary Islands, which also belong to Spain. The flight there takes much longer (about seven hours), but there you can admire volcanoes (in Tenerife), beaches with volcanic sand, and also learn more about the indigenous inhabitants of the islands. The sun in the Canaries is much more active than in Spain, so it is easy to burn there, but the ocean, on the contrary, is cooler than the Mediterranean Sea, so the Canaries are not suitable for those who like to splash around in warm water for hours.

Your holiday in Spain will certainly be remembered for a long time. This is one of the most popular holiday destinations. And not only thanks to its warm, mild climate, but also to its developed tourism infrastructure, reasonable prices and delicious cuisine.

It’s not for nothing that we associate Spain with something hot and exciting. After all, this is the birthplace of crazy bullfighting and exciting flamenco, a country with a rich past and present, interconnected by established centuries-old traditions. This is a country where you can pleasantly combine a beach holiday with breathtaking excursions to the main attractions of the region, relaxation on the cleanest coasts in Europe with walks along narrow, romantic streets.

Here everyone can find something to suit their needs: from a modest room to a luxurious apartment, from a youth holiday in Ibiza to luxurious bliss in the Canary Islands. Spain provides an excellent opportunity not only for a beach holiday, but also for active holidays: cycling, hiking, windsurfing - all this is possible in this extraordinary country.

You will be captivated by the grandeur of its historical heritage, preserved over the centuries. You'll never forget the intoxicating yet light Spanish wine and rich, vibrant local cuisine. You will surely remember the evenings under open air, romantic music somewhere in the distance and a light warm breeze that warms not only the body, but also the soul.

Spain intoxicates and makes you fall in love right away, giving extraordinary moments and exciting... read more

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Prices for holidays in Madrid. August 2018.

tour cost

At that time, a visa-free agreement had already been adopted, so a visa was not required. It was only necessary to obtain insurance. It cost 212 hryvnia. Plane tickets should be booked in advance, then the cost will be lower. I flew from Kyiv to Madrid with a transfer in Lvov. It cost about 4800 hryvnia. Upon arrival in Madrid from the airport at night, you can only get into the city by taxi, there is a crowd of them at the exit, the price is 30 euros. I rented housing from a private person; there are many sites for searching for such offers. The apartment was almost in the very center: the La Latina quarter. Clean and bright interior, everything you needed was there. The apartment cost 260 euros for two weeks.

During this trip I visited the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum of Contemporary Art. You can easily get into them for free. To the Prado free entrance from Monday to Saturday from 18.00 - 20.00, and on Sundays and holidays from 17.00-19.00. When planning your time, it is important to take into account the huge queue and allow time for several visits, because you cannot see the entire exhibition in 2 hours. If you want to save time, a ticket will cost 15 euros without a tour, 24 euros with a guide. The Reina Sofia Museum of Contemporary Art can be visited for free from Monday to Saturday from 19.00 to 21.00. A paid ticket costs 15.50 euros with an audio guide. You can buy tickets to these museums with a subscription for 29.60 euros. This will also include the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Food and products

Lunch at the restaurant: Paella (Paella) on average 30 euros, tinto de verano (a refreshing wine cocktail) or sangrilla (sangria) 10-12 euros. Prices for almost any product in the Carrefur supermarket range from 1-3 euros, provided that you are not a gourmet and do not intend to eat delicacies. For example: yogurt - 0.99 cents, bread - 2 euros, bottle of wine - 1 euro, cheese 1.36 euros, jamon 2 euros. Water is an expensive pleasure: you want to drink a lot, and one and a half liters cost 0.99 cents.

Souvenirs and other goods

On average, it is fashionable to buy magnets from 5-10 euros, clothes on discounts cost from 2-30 euros. A great reason and place to update your wardrobe.

Cost of services and entertainment

I highly recommend seeing flamenco live. This can be done in local tablaos (cafes where flamenco dancers) “Casa Patas” 37 euros (the price includes a drink and the performance itself), or “Villa Rosa” 65 euros (the price includes a hearty dinner and the performance itself).

Where is the best place to relax by the sea in Spain and how much will it cost to travel abroad with children? Let's consider everything beach resorts, we’ll find out which city is really suitable for a family holiday, where to go on excursions, where you won’t be bored in terms of entertainment.

Spanish seaside resorts attract tourists from Europe and all over the world due to their picturesque landscapes, excellent service and abundance of entertainment for every taste. Warm climate, clean beaches, stunning local kitchen and flavor, which are combined with an absolutely European level of service, make a beach holiday in Spain an excellent choice for the whole family. The abundance of various seaside resorts will allow both families with small children and groups of young people who prefer noisy parties to have a wonderful holiday.

Throughout the year, the water temperature off the coast does not drop below 14 degrees, which makes it possible to enjoy a sea holiday all year round. In addition to the warm sea and snow-white beaches, tourists will find authentic and incredibly spirited Spanish culture, delicious cuisine, a lot of entertainment and, of course, football.

Spain is a country where every tourist can get a lot of impressions, regardless of their vacation budget.

Holidays in Spain can impress even the most demanding and experienced tourist. Beautiful nature, mountain and sea resorts, mild climate at any time of the year are ideal for a family vacation. The abundance of museums and attractions will allow you to spend an educational and intellectual vacation, even go on a trip.

Beach resorts in Spain are considered some of the best in the world. Famous clubs of Ibiza or Mallorca, snow-white beaches Costa Blanca or rocky shores and bays of the Costa Brava. Prices for holidays in Spain range between medium and high. Most of the offers are also valid in the luxury segment. But you can also save money by choosing last-minute tours or others, which will be discussed below.

The choice of place and time of stay depends on the wishes of each tourist, however, even fans of beach relaxation are recommended to purchase several excursions to the most famous attractions. Men will certainly enjoy a visit to a football match, and women will enjoy shopping, which is simply excellent in the country, especially during seasonal sales.

Weather conditions in Spain are favorable most of the year sea holidays. The weather is warm and sunny, so you shouldn’t take a lot of warm clothes with you.

When is the best time to go on vacation?

In Spain, more than 250 days a year the air temperature stays at around 25 degrees. The weather is mostly sunny, air humidity is high. If you plan to visit the mountains when visiting Spain, you should take care of warm clothes in advance. The temperature in the mountains is very different from the temperature near the sea.

On some peaks the snow does not melt all year round. In general, the weather conditions are ideal for a holiday on the beach by the warm sea and with your favorite cocktail, since the air temperature is very comfortable and rarely reaches very high levels.

Coastal water temperature:

Barcelona
Ibiza
Costa Brava

Las Palmas
Majorca
Tenerife

The best beach resorts in Spain

Choosing a place for a beach holiday in Spain is simple and difficult at the same time. The abundance of seaside resorts allows you to choose the perfect appropriate place, but at the same time it makes you confused. All resorts on the sea coasts of Spain can be divided into the following areas:

Costa Dorada
Costa Brava
Ibiza
Canary Islands
Majorca
Costa del Sol
Costa Blanca.

Each resort offers excellent recreational conditions depending on the needs of tourists. For a romantic weekend or honeymoon Costa Blanca, Canary Islands or Mallorca are ideal.

For families with children The resorts of Costa Dorada and Costa Blanca will appeal to your taste, thanks to the abundance of entertainment; you will learn more about the resorts from the next paragraph.

If the question is: “Where is the best place to relax in Spain? youth?”, then the answer is, of course, Ibiza or Mallorca. Best place It’s simply hard to find where to go on holiday in Spain in the company of young people. The world's best parties, concerts of famous bands and performers, rich nightlife - all this awaits tourists on Ibiza - the most party island in the world. During the daytime, luxury spa resorts and beautiful beaches await vacationers.

Where is the best place to go on holiday with children in Spain?

Families with children will also be able to have a great holiday in Spain. To the question: “Where can you relax in Spain with children,” you can answer that almost all resorts have entertainment for children. However, the best and most popular are Costa Dorada, thanks to the largest amusement park in Europe, Port Aventura, which is compared to Disneyland in terms of the number and variety of entertainment for children.

And Costa Brava, where children will enjoy visiting the zoo, which is famous big amount sea animals, water park or dolphinarium. Almost any coastal hotel has a children's pool and playground, and also provides parents with animator services. By checking with the hotel in advance all the nuances that relate to holidays with children, you can avoid many hassles and spend your holiday in comfort and fun.

It is the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada that are the best resorts for children and parents, both in terms of the price of travel packages and entertainment.

Cheap resorts in Spain for holidays with children are difficult to define as such; the cost of a holiday depends on the chosen hotel and entertainment program. In every resort region There are hotels of different price segments, so you can relax in the same area of Spain for different amounts.

Excursion holidays

For lovers of history and the study of different cultures, Spain will be a real discovery. This is a country with rich history and the greatest cultural heritage. From ancient times and the Arab conquests to the Renaissance and the works of Antoni Gaudí, Spain is a treasure trove historical facts, works of art and tourist experiences.

The first thing you should definitely do is visit Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the world, famous for its incredible buildings created by Antoni Gaudi. In addition to the creations of the legendary master, the entire architecture of the city is imbued with medieval charm and literally breathes history. Many museums and exhibitions, Gothic Quarter and the famous Alley of Arts - all this attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Moreover, in addition to an excursion trip to Barcelona, you can arrange it here.

IN Madrid tourists are attracted not only by the architectural sights of the capital of Spain, but also by the Prado Museum with a rich collection of paintings and sculptures by masters of the Spanish Renaissance and other eras.

It is famous for its unusual architecture, which left a bright imprint on the period of the Arab conquest. Seville, which is called southern capital Spain. The Alcazar Castle and the Cathedral are places that many tourists dream of visiting.

When planning a vacation filled with excursions, you should take care of choosing a resort located close to the places you plan to visit. Fortunately, most cities are surrounded by resorts or themselves have a coastal resort area.

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Let's look and choose! The best seaside resorts in Spain - for youth, for children, for families - which one do you like?

“Mutuo amor,” or “love that is mutual.” This is how the Spaniards describe the attitude of Russian tourists to the country of bullfighting, endless beaches and resorts with the prefix “Costa”.

It is not without reason that Spain remains the long-term leader in domestic tourist flow. Since 2016, more than three million vacationers from Russia have visited its coast - a number comparable to statistics outbound tourism to Thailand, the UAE, Vietnam and island China over the same period.

The climate in this country is milder than in Turkey or Tunisia, but average temperature the waters at the height of July are slightly lower than in Rhodes in Greece, besieged by tourists, or in Larnaca in Cyprus - +24°C...+26°C.

Open swimming season on east coast You can visit Spain already in the first half of June, when the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea warms up to +23°C. However, this does not happen at all resorts; Basically, the Costa Blanca and Costa Tropical “warm” faster. Since July, others have been catching up, incl. and the popular Costa Brava and Costa Dorada.

May cannot be called the season of a full-fledged beach holiday, but this month is perfect for active young people or budget travelers: before the official start of the European holiday season in 3* hotels in Barcelona you can still grab rooms for 50 euros for two per night.

Thinking about a tour? Look at prices for and - these aggregators show the best deals, because... They search all tour operators at once. They will definitely tell you where it is cheaper in Spain :)

Resorts of Catalonia (near Barcelona)

A quality beach holiday in Spain, in the minds of many tourists, is a holiday on the Catalan coast. Thanks to its status as an autonomous commune, Catalonia was little affected by the spontaneous influx of migrants from North Africa, which began back in the 70s of the last century, so it is here that some of the most environmentally friendly resorts on the Mediterranean have survived.

Historically, wealthy French, Germans, English, Portuguese, and Spaniards themselves from the northern regions of the country flocked to the resorts of the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. Until now, they come here not only for warm sea and hotels with a high comfort rating, but also for cultural tourism, wine routes and the cleanest beaches in all of Spain.

The two most famous and best resorts in Catalonia are called Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. They are equidistant from the Catalan capital of Barcelona, but differ greatly from each other in the quality of beaches and price segment.

Located further north on the map and closer to the French border, the Costa Brava lives up to its name "The Wild Coast". There are more hidden beaches, rocky cliffs with pine trees, and in almost every bay you can see the remains of ancient outposts. The beaches of the Costa Brava are sandy, but the sand on them is more like crushed pebbles.

Most popular destinations holidays on the Costa Brava are considered:

Lloret de Mar Bay, which is famous for its beach parties for European youth 17-25 years old. Holidays here are centered around the beaches of Lloret, Fenals and Santa Cristina.
The city of Palamos, a center of attraction for divers and fans active rest on the Costa Brava.
The party center of Playa de Aro, where novice yachtsmen from all over the world gather in the summer season. An ideal place to rent a yacht for the whole family at an affordable price (from €60 per hour).
The wine-growing region of Roses, the northernmost resort of the Costa Brava, which is still little explored by tourists from Russia. The city is quieter than its neighbors to the south and is famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants serving fresh seafood.

A cultural must-visit for the Costa Brava - the old center of Girona, Botanical Garden in Calella de Palafrugell and the photogenic fishing village of Blanes. A separate attraction is the house-museum of Salvador Dali in Figueres (entry €14).

Gran Beach - there are a lot of vacationers, but you can always find a place (Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava)

(Photo courtesy of traveler Rodomaster - tripadvisor.ru)

Costa Dorada

The Costa Dorada, or the Gold Coast of Spain, is located further south, an hour and a half drive from Barcelona. This place got its name for the 200-kilometer strip of beaches with fine yellow sand and a gentle slope. Therefore, this part of the Catalan coast is more suitable for holidays with children than the neighboring Costa Brava resort.

Some of the quietest beaches on the Costa Dorada can be found in the towns of Cambrils and El Perello. All conditions for a break from the metropolis are created here: well-groomed municipal beaches, golf courses, long promenades and dozens of bars with homemade wine.
Another direction for quiet rest by the sea - the resort of Mont Roig del Camp with beach strip Miami Platja is 12 kilometers long. The main attraction of the town is the Bull Square, where you can watch live bullfights.
One of the youngest resorts on the Costa Dorada, La Pineda is ideal for a beach holiday in Spain. For kids there is a huge town with animation and restaurants with children's menus.
The city of Salou is famous for its amusement park "Port Aventura", which is called the Spanish "Disneyland". A visit to the park is not cheap (€55 per person), but it’s a pleasure worth the money.
A considerable share of the tourist flow here falls on the resort of Tarragona - an open-air museum city. The Roman forum of the 1st century and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century AD, the architecture of the era of the Carthaginians and Visigoths, have survived here. The main attractions of the city can be seen for free, entrance to the city Cathedral and some museums – up to €3 per person.

Costa del Maresme

For those who are not planning to rent Personal car, but wants to see as many of the sights of eastern Spain as possible, it makes sense to stay on the Costa del Maresme. This is a 50-kilometer stretch of beaches between the Costa Dorada and Costa Brava resorts, which begins less than 20 kilometers from Barcelona.

The advantage of this part is that Costa del Maresme is the “golden” middle of the price segment of Catalonia: for example, in Malgrat de Mar you can book a 3* hotel on the first line from the sea at a modest price for Spain.

For a family holiday, the best resorts are Malgrat de Mar - here good beaches with a gently sloping shore and there is a free transfer to the Marineland water park (adult ticket €24, child ticket and discount ticket €15).
The tourist suburb of Barcelona - Pineda de Mar - is more suitable for adult holidaymakers, because on local beach Nudists sunbathe without hesitation. The sandy strip here is wide, but there are practically no shallow waters, so it’s better to choose neighboring cities, for example, Santa Susanna, one of the quietest Catalan towns. The sand on the beach here is very fine, the entrance to the sea is gentle, the water is clean and transparent.
For those who want to divide their vacation into city and beach, Calella is suitable. Located just an hour's drive from Barcelona, it boasts well-kept beaches and affordable hotels.
If you are planning to combine resort holiday while traveling around Spain, you can stop in the city of Premia de Mar, where there is a Railway Mataro-Barcelona. This is the closest resort to large water park Illa Fantasia with extreme slides for adults and an animation area for children.
Adults will find it more interesting to visit Big city Mataro is a shrine for fans of budget shopping. Local outlets have sales in the middle of each season (June 10-26, October 15-30), so many tourists and the Spaniards themselves come there to spend the day choosing new items.

Other resorts on the southeast coast

The next three Costas - Blanca, Tropical and del Sol - are located closer to the south of the country (and Africa) on the map. This means that it is hotter, drier and more “Spanish”, because Catalonia, which insists on its individuality, is replaced by Valencia and Andalusia.

To the south of the Catalan borders, the “Golden” coast turns into the “White” - a strip of beaches belonging to the Costa Blanca begins.

Its resort capital, Benidorm, is the most popular place to buy property from Spaniards with above-average earnings, but the shores of the Costa Blanca are loved not only by locals. On coastal resort Torrevieja foreigners from France, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Germany make up almost half the population, and it is here that Spain's largest Russian-speaking community lives.

Those planning their trip to the Costa Blanca should remember that holidays in Benidorm and the resort of Alicante are typically urban. In search of solitude, you will have to travel outside the city limits:

to Granadella Bay ( pebble beach with rocks, great for divers)
Moraira bay to El Portet beach (shallow beach 350 meters long, suitable for families with children)
to the Santa Pola lagoon to the beaches of Lisa and Tamarit ( best beaches for windsurfing and kitesurfing on mainland Spain)
or to the Guardamar Lagoon (a 10-kilometer stretch of beach surrounded by pine forest).

Levante and Poniente are considered good city beaches in Benidorm, Alicante - San Juan beach and Postiguet, but finding a place on them at the height of the season will not be easy. From the reviews of tourists it follows that you can also take a closer look at the Calpe area, where it is much calmer and has more space.

Las Colinas Golf and Country Club(Costa Blanca)

(Photo courtesy of traveler DouglasFalkirkregion - tripadvisor.ru)

Costa Tropical

Costa Tropical is a little-known resort among Russian tourists in the south of Spain (because you have to travel on your own), but popular among Europeans. Indeed, this is the warmest region in mainland Spain!

You can swim from the 10th of June until mid-October (+21°C...+24°C), and the air temperature all year round is not lower than +10°C. It is convenient to get to Malaga airport (on the Costa del Sol), and Tropical is the closest place with a guaranteed warm sea.

Almunecar and Salobreña are the main tourist destinations - with developed infrastructure, picturesque and hilly. Two hours by car - Granada and the Sierra Nevada National Park.

The only negative: resort towns are not sandy beaches, but small pebbles. In addition, five-star hotels are not strong point Costa Tropical, they are not here at all. But there are decent and, most importantly, budget “triples” - from €70 per night for two.

In general, Costa Tropical is universal, it is chosen for both active and beach holidays.

Costa del Sol

The Spanish coasts south of the Costa Blanca can only conditionally be called European.
Proximity to the African continent and high mountain range formed near the southern resorts countries - Marbella and Malaga - tropical microclimate. The sun shines here almost 300 days a year; The water in the Alboran Sea warms up to +25°C...+26°C by summer, but is periodically diluted by cold currents.

Marbella is considered one of the most expensive resorts: in the local quarter " Golden Mile“World celebrities live here, so it makes sense for tourists with an average budget to take a closer look at apart-hotels and apartment rentals.

There are significantly fewer vacationers from Russia here than in the neighboring Costa Blanca and Costa del Maresme, but there are more visitors from the United States. The landscapes of this part of the coast are very reminiscent of California: long boardwalks, highways with palm trees, beaches with American music and themed parties (Bounty Beach, Nikki Beach and Playa Hermosa).

Between Malaga and Marbella there are dozens of settlements that 15 years ago were authentic fishing villages, and today they are bustling resorts:

Torremolinos, where it is better to relax in the Carihuela area if you want a relaxed beach holiday, because... this is a typical party town, where DJs and young people from all over Europe come every weekend
Fuengirola yacht port is a more conservative resort for older holidaymakers, typically touristy, crowded with hotels and cafes
finally, the most “family” of the Costa del Sol resorts is Benalmadena, where you can swim on the almost deserted Benalmadena Costa beach and stroll through the colorful palaces of Castillo de Colomares and the Moorish palace of Bil-Bil

If your plans do not include a car rental point, it will be more convenient to stay in Malaga itself, transport hub provinces of Andalusia where they go commuter trains to Seville (adult ticket €8), Granada (€5) and Gibraltar (€12).

Length beach line in Malaga it is less than in Marbella (14 kilometers), so the municipal beaches are located more compactly to each other and run in a continuous line along the city promenade.

Resorts in the Balearic Islands

Few people have heard about Balearic Islands in general, but everyone knows their local names. Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza - yes, yes, this is the very corner of the Mediterranean Sea where both the wild party that gathers tourists from all over the world and the best beaches for families with children are concentrated.

The island that never sleeps and will not let any of the tourists visiting it sleep is Spanish Ibiza. “Club season” (May-August) on this island of the Balearic archipelago is replaced by “ the Velvet season"(September - October), there is a short lull in the winter, the time for divers and windsurfers, and in the spring everything starts all over again.

Resort towns in Ibiza are located close to each other. The length of the island from north to south is only 40 kilometers, and you can move between them by public transport:

The southern coast is the noisiest part, home to casinos, electronic music clubs and Spain's famous diving schools. In the suburbs city of the same name Ibiza, Talamanca area, also has schools for children to learn swimming, aquatic species sports and water park "Aqualandia" (entrance €12);
The northern coast is full of beaches with themed parties. For example, Benirass beach has gained the fame of Mecca for all followers of hippie culture.
The resort of Santa Eulalia also hosts a hippie fair on Wednesdays and Fridays all year round. This place is one of the few on the island that is suitable for a quiet and even family holiday - within the city there are many performances, museums and family parties with children's animation.

Cala Bassa beach - the sea is like in the picture, azure blue, clean, you can see fish (Ibiza)

(Photo courtesy of traveler FM883PJ - tripadvisor.ru)

Majorca

East of Ibiza is the legendary island of Mallorca, whose name translates as “big island”.

But the peace and quiet with which we associate the word “Mallorca” is not easy to find on the coast, because up to 8 million tourists visit the island every year. Unlike Ibiza, Mallorca is designed specifically for comfortable family holiday– in August and September, the resorts resemble a European kindergarten with animators on the boardwalks and parties for children.

It is not surprising that the most expensive item on a holiday in Mallorca is accommodation. During the peak season, August, hotel prices in Palma de Mallorca are two to three times higher than in mainland Spain. To rent an umbrella and a sun lounger on the city beach of Palma Can Pere Antoni you will have to pay €10 per day, compared to a price tag of €3-5 on the mainland.

Mallorca's busiest party town is Magaluf, a hub of safe nightlife with many visitors from the UK and Germany
Less lively, with good sea and cultural attractions - Alcudia. This best resort for children – a gentle beach, clean sand, water parks, zoos and a scattering of all-inclusive hotels

Menorca

Despite its proximity to Mallorca, the second largest island of the Balearic archipelago, Menorca is very different from its " older sister»both in terms of noise level and popularity among tourists. The reason is that the entire island is under UNESCO protection as a unique biosphere complex, therefore it is prohibited to build hotels above three floors here, and the color of the walls of all buildings must fit into the overall color scheme of the landscape.

Menorca is chosen mainly by lovers of a quiet holiday and secluded resort towns, of which there are plenty here, for example, Cala Galdana on the central coast, Cala en Porter in the south of the island.

An absolute must-visit of Menorca is the so-called hovering boat bay of Cala Macarella: the water there is so clear that the shadows that they cast on the bottom of the sea can be seen from the yachts sailing on it.

Canary Islands (Tenerife)

Finally, the main Spanish resort “from the picture” is the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Each of the seven islands of this chain deserves a separate description: if the easternmost of them, Lanzarote, accommodates more than three hundred extinct volcanoes and few beaches available for swimming, neighboring Gran Canaria and Tenerife are surrounded by hotels, green areas and photogenic beaches.

For many visitors, culture shock is caused by the black volcanic beaches of Tenerife El Medano, Taganana, Socorro, Playa Arena
On the islands of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria there are many natural “water parks” - pools with warm salt water, which local residents called "charcos"
Fuerteventura boasts beaches and golden sand, while La Palma is home to one of the most photographed lagoons in the world, the blue lagoon of Charco Azul.

The holiday season in the Canary Islands is open here throughout the year, the warmest water is in September and October (+23°C...+24°C), in January and February it cools down to +19°C.

Prices for tours to the Canary Islands

Interestingly, Gran Canaria and Tenerife are not the most expensive resorts Spain.

In 2019, the minimum price for a trip to the Canary Islands in the summer is 95,000 rubles per week for two. It’s cheaper to fly in April-May: a little cooler, but already from 75-80,000 rubles

The waters of the Bay of Biscay here warm up less than in the Mediterranean - up to +22°C in July, so there is a seasonal rush, like in resorts south coast, is less common here. But for surfers, the local waves and cool water are one of the most convenient locations on the entire Atlantic coast (most surfing occurs on the city beach of Playa de Zuriolla).

You can get to San Sebastian from Madrid – 5 hours by train for €12. Local hotels are considered expensive for accommodation, so most tourists prefer to stay in guesthouses on the second or third lines.

The sand in this part of the Spanish coast is fine, oceanic; 10-20 meters from the shoreline at the bottom you can see large fragments of corals, which are carried here by the Gulf Stream. Of the city's most photogenic beaches, two can be distinguished: the crescent-shaped Playa de la Concha bay and the shallower Playa de Ondaretta beach, which is suitable for families with children.

Where is the best place to relax in Spain?

A lot has been said and written, all that remains is to summarize and briefly and structuredly go over the resort locations and their “purpose”.

So, the top places where it is better to relax in Spain, depending on your composition/goals:

Holidays in Spain with children

With children on a budget - Costa Dorada (Salou, Cap Salou, Cambrils)
medium – Costa Blanca (Calpe), Costa Tropical (Almunecar)
above average – Mallorca (Alcudia)

Youth recreation

Budget - Costa Brava (Lloret de Mar, Blanes), Costa del Maresme (Calella)
medium – Costa Blanca (Benidorm, Alicante), Barcelona, Costa del Sol (Torremolinos, Malaga), Canary Islands (Tenerife)
above average – Mallorca (Magaluf), Ibiza

Beach holiday

budget - Costa Dorada (Salou, La Pineda), Costa del Maresme (Santa Susanna), Costa Brava (Blanes)
medium – Costa Blanca (Calpe, Benidorm), Costa Tropical (Almunecar, Salobreña)
above average – Mallorca

Last minute tours to Spain in 2019. Where to buy tours?

By the way, cheap tours to resorts in Spain are not even rare and are caught mainly in September-October and April-May. In the summer - during the high season - they are less common, but there is a chance (and even more than to Turkey, since the destination is visa-free).

We always use online aggregators – we are satisfied with both the prices (directly from tour operators) and the concept itself independent search vouchers, without imposition.

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