The Mediterranean coastline of Spain can be found in Southern Europe, sharing borders with France and the North African countries of Morocco and Algeria to the east, and Portugal and Gibraltar to the west. This coastline is more than 3,600 miles long, so there’s no way we can cover it all in just one article! Instead, we’re going to give you a brief overview of what the Spanish coast has to offer and where you can find the best places to visit here – from the beaches of Barcelona to relaxing on the islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza!
What makes the Spanish coast special?
Aside from being one of Europe’s top holiday destinations, Spain’s seaside is home to some pretty great wildlife. There are more than 20 protected areas in which you can swim with dolphins and sail with whales. On land, if you look out for them, you might spot some of Spain’s 64 threatened species such as lynxes and green turtles.
Airport:
Madrid Barajas Airport:
Madrid is Spain’s capital city and it also serves as an international gateway to Spain. The airport has five terminals that handle over 44 million passengers each year. With Air France, Iberia, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Alitalia all operating out of Madrid-Barajas Airport, it makes a great choice for those who want to start their trip from Spain’s capital.
Barcelona Airport:
Barcelona-El Prat is one of Europe’s busiest airports, offering direct flights to Barcelona and numerous other destinations. Located just seven miles (11km) outside of central Barcelona, there are plenty of options for transportation into town when you arrive. Below, we offer you some recommendations for both public transportation and private ground transportation providers.
Palma de Mallorca Airport:
Situated on the island of Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca Airport offers flights to destinations across Europe and is a hub for Air Berlin. You can also fly direct from here to various cities in North Africa. There are regular buses between Palma de Mallorca Airport and city centre as well as taxis available outside airport, both providing links with other areas on Mallorca too.
Best places in Mediterranean coast of Spain
Costa de la Luz:
This region is a great destination for anyone interested in history, food and nightlife. Set along Spain’s Costa de la Luz and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it is also known as The Sun Coast because of its fantastic climate. It offers a wide range of activities to keep you busy throughout your stay. From sports such as surfing and kite-surfing to hiking trails that lead through some amazing scenery, there are plenty of ways to get active during your holiday here.
Barcelona:
If you’re looking for big city energy with a laid-back vibe, look no further than Barcelona. Boasting an eclectic mix of restaurants, art galleries and unique shops, it’s hard to get bored in this city. Stroll along Las Ramblas and take in some of Europe’s best street performers, or shop at one of its many markets. Make sure to visit Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia church—it will leave you breathless! And don’t forget to check out La Pedrera while you are there—it is one of Gaudi’s most famous buildings!
Costa Brava:
You cannot fail to have heard of Spain’s Costa Brava, a 100-mile stretch of beach famous for its secluded coves and clear waters. It is one of Europe’s most attractive seaside destinations and gets particularly crowded in July and August when many hotels offer deals. But in spring or autumn it can be a gem, with splendid food markets on every corner selling excellent fresh produce.
Costa del Sol
Known in English as the sun coast, Costa del Sol is located in southern Spain between Gibraltar and Almeria, with a subtropical/Mediterranean climate throughout. Tourism on Costa del Sol is also focused on golfing, nightlife and beaches. Approximately half of Spain’s total population live on Costa del Sol making it one of Europe’s most densely populated areas. The region has suffered since the economic crisis began but tourism is picking up again slowly.
Best luxury hotels on the Spanish coast
W Barcelona, Barcelona:
Located on Barcelona’s waterfront, W Barcelona is a relatively new addition to Catalonia’s beach scene. Here, you can take advantage of an idyllic location, with views across Barceloneta Beach and beyond to Montjuïc. If you want to fit in a little work alongside your playtime – or just want some downtime from your business meetings – there are meeting rooms for rent so you can hold your discussions away from prying eyes.
Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona, Andalucia:
This resort is one of the most iconic hotels in Spain and its position on a cliff overlooking a deserted beach makes it a favorite of many. While staying here, guests can swim in outdoor pools, relax in luxurious rooms or dine at Michelin-starred restaurants. You’ll never be bored with so much to do! Visit their website.
In addition to luxury rooms and suites, guests at Kempinski Hotel Bahia can enjoy a wide range of dining options including El Pirata seafood restaurant and Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano, with views over Andalucian countryside. Only 2 hours from Madrid, 8 hours from London, 4 hours from Paris and 1 hour from Barcelona.
The St. Regis Mardavall, Majorca Island:
Majorca Island is one of Spain’s Balearic Islands and a leading holiday destination for many. While it’s a relatively small island, there are so many things to do and places to visit, you may find yourself running out of time. Start by booking your stay at St. Regis Mardavall Resort & Spa on Majorca Island; it offers exclusive services that will make your stay absolutely perfect!
Best Spanish Restaurants in Mediterranean:
As you will know from a visit to Spain, there is no shortage of wonderful places to eat. With many bars and restaurants opening all over Spain every day, it’s getting harder and harder to sort out what is good and what is worth skipping. This can leave you searching high and low through countless reviews looking for that elusive restaurant that serves authentic Spanish food in beautiful surroundings at great prices. But fear not, we’ve done most of your work for you with our top picks below!
Restaurant Mirador del Palau:
A restaurant to remember is Restaurant Mirador del Palau in Torroella de Montgrí. Even from afar, it’s easy to see how high you are sitting and how much you will enjoy seeing the ocean and mountains from your window table. What about that restaurant’s food? Well, if all of its dishes didn’t meet with special approval, it wouldn’t have been awarded a Michelin star. (See image)
La Paella de Su
If you’re looking for a good place to enjoy seafood paella on your next vacation, look no further than La Paella de Su. This restaurant serves delicious paellas that have a touch of spice and tradition, with many other menu items to choose from as well. Service is fast and friendly, and atmosphere is very relaxed, making it easy to enjoy some down time with family or friends in peace and quiet after a long day out enjoying everything La Giralda has to offer.
Dishes you must try on the Spanish coast
Tapas:
If you want to start sampling dishes in a local restaurant without having to invest in a full meal, consider tapas. Tapas are traditionally small portions of food served at bars and restaurants in Spain, but they’re also gaining popularity in other countries around Europe. Each tapas is a small bite-sized dish—pork crackling with sea salt is an example—but you can order as many as you like!
Tortilla de patatas
If there’s one dish that is synonymous with Spain, it’s patatas bravas. It’s a simple dish of fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, which can be enjoyed at many bar and restaurants across Spain. You can also make your own tortilla de patatas at home—with or without bravas sauce! Tortilla de patatas makes for a cheap, low-calorie meal that goes well with any Spanish tapas spread.
Paella
A great dish to serve at your next dinner party, paella is a Valencian rice dish that can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and dinner. So versatile in fact that there are even vegetarian versions of it! Paella, though originally from Valencia in Spain, can now be found all over Europe, as well as North America and Australia. Use our simple step-by-step recipe to make a delicious version at home.
Wondering which drinks you can pair with these amazing dishes? Check out our guide to Spanish Wines!
Conclusion:
From mainland Spain to tiny, out-of-the-way islands off its coasts, there’s a wealth of reasons why you should spend your holiday in Spain. The truth is it can be all too easy to stick to a safe destination, just because you’re not sure where else to go – but if there’s one thing that makes travelling worthwhile, it’s not following a crowd.
