According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world, attracting over 83 million travelers in 2019.
It is second only to France in terms of international arrivals.
But Spaniards are also avid travelers in their own country, with nearly 93% choosing to travel around Spain in the first quarter of 2022, according to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics.
Spanish residents have told CNBC where they go, from places to eat, to new luxury hotels in Madrid and desserts to celebrate Barcelona’s various holy days.
Northern Spain
The Spanish hotelier Pau Guardans got to know his country as a child when his family spent their holidays driving the red and white Volkswagen Kombi on the roads, a popular bus-style vehicle in the 1970s. This may interest you : LinkNYC WiFi kiosks are hubs for perverts and vagrants, business leaders say.
Now he likes to go on vacation to the Costa Brava region of Catalonia on the northeast coast of Spain.
“I recommend visiting one of its beautiful ‘inch’ [coves] and eating at the ‘chiringuitos’ [beach bars] with good fish and rice dishes. Inside, it is worth discovering the wonderful gastronomy of the area with products from the countryside, ”he said.
Val d’Aran in the Pyrenees, a mountain range that runs along the Franco-Spanish border.
Artur Debate | Moment | Getty Images
Guardans, founder of Unico Hotels, a luxury group including the Grand Hotel Central in Barcelona and a director in Madrid, recommended eating at Can Salo, a restaurant in a 16th-century farmhouse in the village of Palau-Sator.
Further inland suggests Eth Triton, a restaurant in the Val d’Aran valley in the Spanish Pyrenees, for “good food in a family atmosphere – and a good wine cellar!”
Northern Spain is also home to two of the country’s wine regions. “For fall tours, I no doubt love visiting the vineyards in Ribera del Duero or La Rioja,” said Patricia Alonso, a Madrid-based marketer, in an email to CNBC.
The village of Brinas in the La Rioja region of northern Spain. There are over 500 vineyards in the area, about 80 of which receive visitors.
Julio Alvarez | Moment | Getty Images
Alonso said she prefers the Asturias region along the Bay of Biscay for the summer, with special attention to the sheltered beach of Playa de Toro in the city of Llanes.
Southern Spain
Alonso said she also loves the south of Spain, and the province of Cadiz is a favorite, known for its long sandy beaches, whitewashed towns and sherry from the vineyards surrounding the city of Jerez de la Frontera. See the article : Do you want to start a business in Philly? Make sure you know the rules.. Cadiz is part of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, the region most visited by Spaniards.
Alonso recommended the popular windsurfing beach Valdevaqueros, near the city of Tarifa, the southernmost point of Europe. He also likes Bologna, the wide curve of light sand with dunes, and the remains of Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman city right on the beach.
Bolonia Beach, near the city of Tarifa, the southernmost point in Europe.
Miguel Sotomayor | Moment | Getty Images
Cadiz Province is also a choice for Fabian Gonzalez, founder of the Forward_MAD travel conference, whose parents live near the regional capital, also known as Cadiz.
“The Province of Cadiz has probably the best white sand and crystal water beaches on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as amazing fish-based gastronomy. the best prawns in the world, ”Gonzalez told CNBC via email.
Gonzalez also recommended bluefin tuna at Taberna de el Campero in Zahara de los Atunes, a fishing village about an hour’s drive south of the city of Cadiz.
On the southeast coast, the city of Javea in the province of Alicante is the choice for Marina Valera, a social media manager based in Madrid. “Although it is very crowded in summer, Javea has a landscape worth visiting,” it inspired paintings by the famous Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla, and Cristobal Balenciaga spent his final days there, “she told CNBC.
“It doesn’t have the usual flat landscape you would think of because of Montgo, the mountain that dominates the panorama for miles,” she added.
Valera said enjoying paella by the sea is a must. Chiringuito Montgo di Bongo is right on the beach and its website offers daily opening hours from 10:30 am until sunrise. Valera suggested booking well in advance.
The Cala Granadella beach bay in Alicante is popular with Spaniards. Locals advise walking early in the morning or out of season to avoid the crowds.
Sergio Formoso | Moment | Getty Images
“Right next to Montgo di Bongo, La Siesta… is a place to see and be seen with beautiful people, fancy decorations and dance music. If you prefer something more mundane, my favorite is [Taverna] Octopus, a bar located on El Arenal Beach with rock music and good vibes, ”she added.
Valery’s advice on how to avoid the crowds on the beach? “I recommend going very early! And of course September is better than July and August… I also prefer to go to Benisero beach: as it is a pebble beach, it is not as comfortable as the sandy El Arenal beach, but there are fewer people ”.
What to do in Madrid
Alonso recommended Matadero Madrid, on the banks of the Manzanares River in the Spanish capital, to develop art in a former slaughterhouse and cattle market. On the same subject : Georgetown City Council formalizes revocation of behavioral health center’s business license. She described that it has a “typical Spanish atmosphere” where visitors can enjoy a traditional couch – a small glass of beer.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz Lobby, Madrid. The hotel, which is over 100 years old, reopened after a three-year refurbishment in April 2021.
Krystyna Arie | Cover | Getty Images
Gonzalez, who lives about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Madrid, enjoys being in the city several times a year, “as if I were a traveler,” he said, trying out hotels like The Edition and Four Seasons – both new to the city and and the recently restored Mandarin Oriental Ritz.
“The Del Prado or Thyssen museums, the Musicals on the Gran Via or the authentic flamenco show at El Corral de la Moreria are my top recommendations to enjoy the bustling city like a local,” he said.
The Museo Del Prado has Spain’s national art collection, and the nearby Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum houses old masters and contemporary art. El Corral de la Moreria hosts flamenco evening shows with an option for dinner.
The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) seen in the background in Madrid.
Jorg Greuel | Stone | Getty Images
“Having brunch at the aparthotel Jardines de Sabatini, which has one of the best views of the city, is a must,” added Gonzalez. The hotel’s rooftop terrace overlooks Madrid’s Royal Palace and has its own classic car museum.
What to do in Barcelona
Barcelona, where the hotelier Guardans lives, is very popular with foreign visitors. For orientation, he recommended looking at it from a high vantage point to see that it is “a small town surrounded by two mountains and the sea – with its old Roman quarter and the spectacular modernist Ensanche district”.
Ensanche, or Eixample, stands out for its octagonal block structure and a grid-like appearance with a diagonal avenue running through it, while Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is home to the remains of the Roman Temple of Augustus.
Residential buildings in the Eixample district of Barcelona.
Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images
The Palau Nacional, or National Art Museum of Catalonia, has a rooftop terrace for € 2 ($ 2).
“Barcelona is a city that can be very well discovered on foot. It has a human scale and its architecture is the best open air museum. I recommend getting lost in the beautiful streets full of stories, ”said Guardans.
In Barcelona, several saints’ days are celebrated, and each is accompanied by a memorial cake.
For example, during the Sant Jordi (Saint George) festival, the panaderies – that is, bakeries – are filled with cakes decorated with, for example, the red and yellow Catalan flag. The Guardans recommended La Colmena in the Gothic Quarter, which was founded around 1849, or the Mauri pastry shop in the Eixample with a painted ceiling from the 1920s.
The festival of Sant Medir, also known as the celebration of sweets, is celebrated on March 3. Meanwhile, Revetlla de Sant Joan, celebrated on the eve of the summer solstice (23 June 2023), is graced by bonfires and a bread cake, known as coca de Sant Joan, which is made from candied fruit.
“You will have no choice but to return to town to continue enjoying their delicious desserts!” said the Watchtower.
More stories on European travel
Is Portugal cheaper than Spain?
Despite having lower purchasing power, Portugal is actually more expensive than Spain for a lot of things, including essentials like cars, electricity and fuel.
Do Portugal or Spain have better beaches? The Verdict Deciding which country has the best beaches for you really depends on what you are looking for. While Spain is adorned with the warmer waters of the Mediterranean Sea and its associated laid-back beaches, Portugal benefits from the Atlantic’s living waters and truly epic scenery.
Is it better to go to Spain or Portugal?
If you want a beach holiday where you can explore a small area then Portugal is probably the best for you. However, if you want to explore a lot of big cities with historical attractions, Spain might be more your style. That being said, Spain also has plenty of beaches.
Is Spain more expensive than Portugal?
The cost of living in Spain is on average 4.3% more expensive than in Portugal, with Spain being on average cheaper for public transport and food.
Is Portugal better than Spain to live?
In Portugal, an average of 2,500 to 3,200 hours of sunshine a year is shining. So if you want to enjoy the European climate but from a safe distance, Portugal is your answer. However, if you are looking for a quick change of seasons, Spain is the best choice.
Which Mediterranean island has the best beaches?
The number 1 island in the Mediterranean in terms of beautiful sandy beaches is certainly Sardinia. From the chic Northwest (which is a popular superyacht hunting ground) to the striking and rugged east and windy dunes of the west, this large Italian island is a wonderland for beach lovers.
Which Mediterranean island is the most beautiful? 17 of the most beautiful Mediterranean islands to visit this year
- 1 – Sicily.
- 2 – Cyprus.
- 3 – Sardinia.
- 4 – Lesbos.
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- 7 – Malta.
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Do you tip in Spain?
In most situations, tipping in Spain is not compulsory and is entirely the responsibility of the customer. Most Spaniards will not tip as many table service restaurants will already take this into account when adding a service charge.
What is the average tip in Spain? However, most Spaniards in this situation still leave only about 5 percent of the total bill as a tip – a fraction of the 20 percent expected in the United States.
Is tipping mandatory in Spain?
Should I tip in Spain? In most situations, tipping in Spain is not compulsory and is entirely the responsibility of the customer. Most Spaniards will not tip as many table service restaurants will already take this into account when adding a service charge.
Is it rude to tip in Spain?
There is no compulsory tip in Spain. By contrast, in Spain it is considered absurd to tip over 10% of the bill, and that would be very generous: a few coins are much more standard.
Is tipping optional in Spain?
Gratuities 5% – 10% maximum in restaurants is standard, although tips are only given if you are satisfied with the service. No tip is expected for a cup of coffee or a drink, although some leave the rest by rounding to the nearest euro.
