Spain

With 50 provinces, 17 autonomous regions, and at least 5 languages, Spain is more diverse than you might think—that's why our list of best things to do in Spain is so varied (and wild, and fun). The north is green with Celtic-like weather, the south and east are where you'll find long stretches of sandy and rocky coastline, and don't forget all the Pyrenees have to offer. If you plan it right, you can ski and surf in the same day. From Galicia to Catalonia, the Basque Country to Andalusia, the Canaries to the Balearics, you'll meet people who love a party, with local festivals nearly every day of the year. Eating and drinking play a big part in Spanish life, and each region is proud of its own culinary specialities and local drinks concoctions. Though many dishes are based on traditional peasant food, the country boasts high innovation in gastronomy. Spain is full of essential architectural and natural wonders to visit, has an eye on fashion, is home to fantastic hotels and moves to the beat of some of the best music festivals in the world. You might start out in Valencia, Madrid or Barcelona, but make sure to take the time to discover that Spain is so much more. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Whatever the mood, moment or budget, Spain has a hotel that fits the bill. We’re talking places with personality, history and one-of-a-kind design that will take you from the ragged heights of the Pyrenees to the sun-bleached badlands of Andalusia, the Modernist boulevards of Barcelona to the Moorish alleyways of Córdoba. Choose wisely and where you stay will add a whole new dimension to your travels. Monasteries with boutique cachet, classy caves between city and sierra, revamped castles and middle-of-nowhere country manors—we’ve combed the country to find lodgings that border on the soulful, spiritual and sublime. Here are some of our favourite hotels in Spain.

Spain is never a bad idea. With its incredible food, landscapes of almost surreal beauty and many of Europe’s best beaches, it’s a guaranteed winner – hence the 84 million tourists who visited in 2019. But sun, sea and sangria are just the start. If you want to dive deeper into the culture of Spain (which, trust us, you do), you need to get off the beach and follow the locals to the Spanish holiday destinations you won’t have seen on Instagram. Of course, we love Spain’s thriving cities and sunsplashed Costas. But here, our Time Out editors in Madrid and Barcelona have picked ten Spanish holiday ideas that’ll help you escape the crowds and explore a side of Spain that only locals see. On the itinerary: history, hiking, art and nightlife – from mountainous landscapes to medieval spa towns, and from the shores of Asturias to the lakes of Extremadura – plus plenty of wine and tapas. (We’re not skipping any of the good stuff.) So forget Torremolinos, Magaluf and Lanzarote. Read on for the holidays in Spain you never knew existed, and start planning your next adventure.

We want you to visit the places in Spain that help you get to know the country through its natural spaces, cultural richness, and unique history. After tireless research, we've come up with 14 places – among them natural parks, monuments, wineries, castles and more – that you simply must see during your travels, whether you live in the country or are just passing through. Discover regions like Andalusia, Catalonia, and northern Spain, and get ready for an explosion of beauty. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Spain

The incredible turquoise waters of the Balearic Islands, the Catalan and Valencian coasts, the green landscapes of the beaches in the north, desert enclaves, others that are rocky and hidden: these are just some of the magical elements that make up the best beaches in Spain. These locations are a national treasure, and everyone has their favourite – that special seaside spot that’s always calling us back. The editors at Time Out Spain have chosen 15 beaches from around the country that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime.RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Spain