Spain

Best Beach Vacations - Spain

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Part of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is largely a resort island with brilliant man-made beaches of fine black shingle or golden sand. With calm, clear waters and an almost constant wind, Tenerife in a windsurfer's dream. You can also sunbathe, swim, snorkel and scuba dive along the beautiful coastline.
 

Marbella, Costa del Sol, Andalusia

On the southern coast of Spain, Marbella is a favorite resort town for beachgoers who want to see and be seen. Miles of sunny beaches, casinos and marinas circle the glamorous and cosmopolitan Costa del Sol. Enjoy sunbathing and every possible sporting activity.
 

Palma de Mallorca, Majorca, Balearic Islands

 
Palma, the economic and cultural hub of Majorca, is a delightful base for exploring the island's many beaches. Considered one of the best places in Spain to live, Palma offers you picturesque beaches of gold sand as well as alabaster-white beaches bustling with activity.

Malaga, Costa del Sol, Andalusia

A flotilla of decidedly different beaches line port city Malaga's coastline on the Costa del Sol. Stretching 25 miles and ranging from bustling city sand strips to remote strands, this Andalucian destination has been popular with British and German sun seekers since being developed in the 1950s.
 

Nerja, Costa del Sol, Andalusia

ositioned at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, Nerja boasts nearly 10 miles of powdery beaches featuring activities like water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Although tourist-oriented, it hasn't been overtaken by high-rises, and its huge promenade delivers panoramic Mediterranean views.
 

Ibiza, Balearic Islands

Well-known as a fun and exciting place to party, Ibiza boasts more than 100 miles of coastline with some 50 beaches. Larger beaches offer restaurants, bars and an enviable array of water sports while more tranquil beaches let visitors relax in the sun or shade.
 

Cadaques, Costa Brava, Catalonia

Tiny, hidden bays line the coast around sleepy Cadaques, creating a series of private beaches near the French border. Thanks to their boat-only access, an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing without crowds is as simple as hiring a skiff and cruising the rocky shoreline.  

Best Family Friendly Vacations - Spain 

Barcelona, Catalonia

The winning combination of culture, coastline and a great climate make Barcelona a top choice for the whole family. Gaudi's astounding architectural creations amaze. Some appealing beaches provide daytime diversions. Sights such as the aquarium and Las Ramblas provide yet more entertainment
Also recommended for: Shopping History & Culture 

Canary Islands

With their sandy beaches and appealingly priced family resorts, the Canaries are an inviting option for families. Tenerife offers a slew of fun attractions: Visit Europe's largest Aqua Park, Siam Park; meet the continent's largest parrot collection at Loro Parque. Hop on glass-bottomed boats to admire the islands' marine life.
 

Best History & Culture Vacations - Spain 

 Madrid

Madrid boasts some of the finest art collections in the world, but the city also has plenty of interesting historic attractions. The Royal Palace, the Convent of the Royal Barefoot Nuns, the Museo Naval and Puerta Del Sol trace Spanish history from the empire Francisco Franco's reign to the modern day.
 

Barcelona, Catalonia

You will not find any shortage of history in Barcelona, a city that is more than 2,000 years old. A trip through Europe's best-preserved Gothic Quarter turns the clock back to ancient and medieval times, and visually stunning churches and outstanding art museums also make excellent sightseeing.
 

Seville, Andalusia

Seville's Gothic cathedral was built in the 15th century on the site of a Moorish mosque and contains much of the city's history, including Columbus' remains. His magnificent tomb is worth a visit. Muslim and Jewish art can be seen throughout the Reales Alcazares - these two groups coexisted peacefully until the Inquisition.
 

Granada, Granada Province, Andalusia

The best of Spain's Moorish past is found in the famous Alhambra fortress, the spectacular Palacios Nazaries and the Alcaiceria (marketplace). The 16th-century Palace of Carlos V is one of the best works of Spanish Renaissance architecture, and Granada's Cathedral is Spain's only completely Renaissance church.

Best Romantic Vacations - Spain 

 Majorca, Balearic Islands

Attracting visitors from all parts of the world, Majorca is a dreamy island destination in the Mediterranean Sea, just off the south-east coast of Spain. There's something for every taste - beaches and coves, a spectacular mountain range, romantic fishing villages and a rustic countryside dotted with almond and olive groves.

 Best Shopping Vacations - Spain

 Barcelona, Catalonia

   

You'll be spoiled for choice in bargain-crammed Barcelona, where designer names jostle for attention in the city's thrilling array of stores. If you're in the market for some picnic shopping, trot to La Boqueria - a rambunctious market - and stock up on almonds, cherries and other tasty delights.
 

Madrid

Boasting a slew of intriguing boutiques - 50,000 of them, no less - Madrid can fulfill your every shopping desire and then some. El Centro teems with tempting opportunities. For intrepid shoppers and hagglers, El Rastro, which takes place every Sunday, is Spain's largest and most varied flea market.

Best Spa Vacations - Spain 

Andalusia

Andalusia's Moorish past is captured in some of its fine hammam bathhouses. Cordoba's restored 10th-century Medina Califal Hammam, an exquisite Arab style bathhouse, provides an enticing Moorish spa experience for both men and women and a fantastic way to sink into the idyllic pace of life in the region.