Destinations Shore Experiences

Top five Spanish holiday destinations

With its warm sunshine, amazing coastline, tasty food and captivating history and culture, Spain is a popular destination. And no two Spanish destinations are the same so there’s always something new to see, no matter how many times you visit.

8 min 19 Jul 2020

Editorial Team

Author

Spain is a tried-and-tested holiday favourite, and for good reason – it offers everything a traveller could possibly want. Warm weather? Check. Vibrant culture? Check. Fantastic food and wine? Check and check.

Scratch the surface, however, and you’ll discover that no two Spanish cities are the same. Each has its own distinct personality, meaning there’s always something new to be discovered, no matter how many times you visit.

Here, we’ve chosen our top five sensational Spanish port destinations to tempt travellers of all types

Plaza Nueva in rhe Basque city of Bilbao; Shutterstock ID 1441282850; project: po; job: mark; client: po; other:

1. Bilbao

Experience the ultra-modern

Bilbao is the largest city in Spain’s beautiful Basque region. Once a working port city, its designation as a holiday hotspot was cemented with the opening of the ultra-modern Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum in the late 1990s.

Perfect for art lovers

Art lovers should pay a visit to the Museo de Bellas Artes, which houses works dating from the 12th century through to pieces by Cézanne and Gauguin.

Take a trip through history

For a dose of history and architecture, stroll the narrow streets of the old quarter and admire such sites as the arcaded Plaza Nueva and the Gothic Catedral de Santiago.

Nearby hotspots

From Bilbao, you can also take a day trip to nearby San Sebastian. Visit La Concha beach and promenade for Instagram-worthy snaps, and don’t miss sampling the city’s famous pintxos (the Basque version of tapas). Try the San Sebastian On Your Own shore experience to see the sights at your own pace.

City Hall or Municipal Palace or Concello da Coruna at the Plaza de Maria Pita square in A Coruna in Galicia, Spain; Shutterstock ID 1039403251; project: po; job: mark; client: po; other:

2. La Coruña

Charming La Coruña

La Coruña exudes understated charm – a delightful mix of old and new, with a hearty dose of natural beauty. Start with a visit to Maria Pita Square in the heart of the old town and explore the nearby shops, bars and restaurants.

Embrace Spanish culture

The city isn’t shy of impressive cultural institutions, including House of Mankind, Aquarium Finisterrae and San Antón Archaeological Museum. And for unbeatable views, climb the 234 steps up Europe’s oldest working lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules.

The gateway to Galicia

La Coruña is the main Atlantic gateway to the scenic Galicia region, a land of lush valleys, rugged coastline, dense forest and towering mountain ranges. Any visit to the region would be incomplete without a trip to Santiago de Compostela and its inspiring Romanesque cathedral – see it on the Santiago de Compostela shore experience.

The Ibiza citadel (Dalt Vila) is built around the castle

3. Ibiza

Brilliantly bohemian

Though it might be best known as the Mediterranean’s capital of clubbing, there’s so much more to Ibiza than parties. The island’s bohemian beginnings are evident in its charming villages, artisan markets and secluded coves.

More than meets the eye

For a look at off-the-beaten-path Ibiza, try the Hidden Corners of Ibiza shore experience. This outing takes you to the charming village of Es Cubells, the beautiful Cala d’Hort beach and Ca’n Costa, where you’ll visit a 400-year-old country house and taste local produce and wine.

For the traditional

For those after a more traditional taste of this Balearic gem, explore Ibiza Town’s old quarter and the chic shops, restaurants, bars and cafés in the lower town. Beachgoers are spoilt for choice too, with a stretch of sand to suit every whim.

4. Valencia

Vibrant Valencia

Vibrant Valencia is famous for food and fun, and it doesn’t disappoint on either front. Gastronomes are certainly in the right place – this is the home of paella and horchata, after all.

Inspire your cooking

Be sure to visit the Mercado Central, a gorgeous Art Nouveau building where home cooks and professional chefs alike come to source the freshest produce. See it on the Flavours of Valencia shore experience and get a taste of the local cuisine.

The fun never stops

Those looking for fun, meanwhile, can find it anywhere from the city’s beautiful beaches to the Turia Gardens to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia also boasts plenty of lively festivals and celebrations, from the spectacular colours and lights of Las Fallas to the all-out revelry of La Tomatina in nearby Buñol.

Barcelona beach on morning sunrise with Barcelobna city and sea from the roof top of Hotel, Spain; Shutterstock ID 1074061931; project: po; job: mark; client: po; other:

5. Barcelona

Food heaven

The Catalonian capital of Barcelona is a feast for the senses. Get amongst the action in the labyrinthine Gothic Quarter, the buzzy Las Ramblas or in the 860 food stalls of one of Europe’s largest markets, Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria.

Mesmerising architecture

The city’s architecture ranges from ancient to modern, but it’s perhaps best known for the outlandish Art Nouveau architecture of Antoni Gaudí – the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell being prime examples. See these and other Modernist wonders on the Gaudí Tour shore experience.

Stroll through Barcelona sunsets

Some cruises offer evenings in Barcelona, giving you a chance to discover the city’s exciting dining and nightlife scene. From family-run tapas joints to Michelin-starred restaurants and beachside chiringuitos to cava bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice.