How to plan the perfect Spanish summer getaway

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE: £20 FOR 1 YEAR]( July 09, 2023 [View in browser](   SIMON CALDER’S TRAVEL WEEK [The Independent]( [The Independent]( When it comes to summer holiday destinations, there's one that's head and shoulders above the rest for British travellers: [Spain](. We just can't get enough of our Iberian neighbours. [Spain has something for every kind of tourist, from beach loungers to city explorers]( From the beaches of the Costa Brava and the Costa del Sol to the architecture of Barcelona and the [pintxos of the Basque region](, this country's diverse charms have captivated holidaymakers from the UK for decades. But where to start when planning a city break or fly-and-flop hop? We've put together everything you need to know, from our [ultimate Spain travel guide]( to the latest [entry requirements](. And get inspired with our [guide to exploring Madrid](; read about [Valencia's unbeatable foodie credentials](; or discover why [Granada should go straight to the top]( of your Spanish wanderlust wishlist. Rapid rail Spain has the best high-speed rail network in Europe and the fiercest competition. On the 2h30m flagship link between Madrid and Barcelona, Italian firm Iryo has a 20 per cent discount in August if you tap in IRY20, reducing a typical fare to €14.40 (£12.30). [COACH VS TRAIN]( [Isles of Scilly]( West best The lowest-cost Spanish air gateway this summer serves the westernmost city on the mainland: Vigo, with a new link from London Stansted on Ryanair. Departing next Tuesday 11 July for a week, the fare is £66 return. [48 HOURS IN VIGO](   Question of the week   Question of the week           Where are the best city beaches in Spain?         The most appealing, in my opinion, are all washed by the Atlantic. The first city I ever visited in Spain, San Sebastian, is hard to beat. La Concha (“the shell”) beach is a beautiful arc of safe sand extending west from the beautiful old town of the northern city. Elsewhere on the northern Atlantic shore, I am fond of the city beaches at La Coruña and Vigo (as mentioned above). Cadiz, in the southwestern corner, is likely to be a warmer ocean experience – and offers the deepest history in Spain. On the Mediterranean coast, the three biggest cities each have something to offer: Barcelona, whose compact platja was created out of almost nothing; Valencia, where an excellent beach is a tram ride away from the centre; and Malaga, whose pretty beach is La Malagueta – with plenty of outdoor cafes completing the postcard-perfect picture. [Cadiz city guide]( [North Macedonia for under £600pp]( The savings apply to seven-night trips this May through to July on selected bookings with TUI Six-day tour of Seville, Córdoba & Ronda]( This Andalucía trip includes an outdoor cooking class, watching Flamenco and sampling tapas [Rail adventure around Spain and Morocco]( The 10-day tour takes in Barcelona, Madrid, Chefchaouen, Casablanca and Marrakech Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW]( City guide Weekend in Seville Discover this longtime favourite of foodies and flamenco fans with its steamy dance floors and buzzing tapas scene. [GO TO GUIDE]( Spotlight on Secret Balearics Forget Ibiza and Mallorca; check out our insider’s guide to the lesser-known islands of Menorca and Formentera. [READ MORE]( and Ibiza are the busy headliners, but look beyond for a duo of bewitching, smaller islands where life still moves to a mellower beat Isabella Noble Spain travel expert Hotels Barcelona boltholes From boutique hideaways to city-centre crash pads, here's our selection of places to stay in the Catalan capital. [BOOK NOW]( Sustainable travel Flight-free Spain Sail to Bilbao, stop off in San Sebastian, catch a coach to Valencia and ride the rails to Barcelona on a multi-stop trip. [GET INSPIRED]( [Where to stay in Madrid: The best hotels for city centre breaks]( Th[e perfect pintxos crawl in Bilbao: An expert guide to the Basque version of tapas]( [The ultimate Granada city guide: What to do and where to stay](   PICK OF THE WEEK: VALUE ADDED TRAVEL [Escape to paradise in the Maldives! Crystal-clear waters, pristine white sand beaches, and luxurious resorts await. Indulge in relaxation, snorkeling, and stunning sunsets. 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