Spain travel guide

The top 10 things to do in Barcelona
We round up the 10 most unmissable attractions in the thrumming Spanish city, from tiny tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Cities
The real city that never sleeps: discovering nightlife in Madrid
From dancing ’til dawn at megaclubs to catching a film at a revamped cinema, the only way to really discover the Spanish capital is to stay up late.
A guide to the city of Málaga, from its culture to its food
Edgy arts institutions, top-notch dining and a strong line in rooftop bars make this cool, cosmopolitan port city much more than just a gateway to the Costa del Sol.
How to explore Seville, the heart of Andalusia
Layers of history are writ large across the Andalusian capital, and at its heart you'll still find the true spirit of flamenco.
How to explore the rich culinary heritage of Valencia
With a unique microclimate and fertile soil, it’s no wonder this coastal Spanish city has a growing gastronomic scene built on the back of its paella heritage.
Food
What happens when Spain’s most decorated chef arrives in Madrid
Spain’s most decorated chef is at the helm of recently opened Etxeko restaurant, promising homely fine dining that draws on Berasategui’s Basque roots.
Meet the maker: the Spanish family behind some of the world's best saffron
In central Spain, the Cabra have farmed some of the world's highest-quality saffron for four generations, using a meticulously hand-produced and largely unchanged approach.
Notes from an author: Jason Webster on Valencia
There’s no better way to understand the character of the Spanish city than to tuck in to paella, a local obsession that's far more than the sum of its parts.
Northern Spain: from the Bay of Biscay to the Peaks of Europe
Santander, the buzzy capital of northern Spain’s Cantabria, is home to a Renzo Piano-designed arts centre and a regenerated waterfront. But the region is more than its metropolis: find rural alpine landscapes where semi-nomadic pastoralists lead lives that have changed little in centuries.
Adventure
Exploring the Martian landscapes of Teide National Park in Tenerife
The lofty Martian landscapes of the volcanic Teide National Park make for an unforgettable walking experience.
A world-class city ski break in Granada and the Sierra Nevada
Skiing just off the Costa? Few British travellers know that beyond the Moorish wonders of Granada and the beaches of Málaga, Spain's highest ski resort offers world-class pistes and, on a clear day, views across to North Africa's Atlas Mountains.
Gran Canaria: family fun on the wild south coast
On Gran Canaria's wild south coast, water parks, submarine tours, body surfing on volcanic beaches and floating about in your own private moat makes a wet week's break one to savour
How to go birdwatching in Málaga's northern mountains
With wildlife holidays booming, birding is going mainstream, and you don't have to travel far to spot rare species. In Málaga's northern mountains an avian migratory motorway hosts record numbers.
A city guide to Palma, the laid-back Majorcan capital
Majorca’s capital has long attracted sun-seekers, but its burgeoning high-end food scene, chic design boutiques and laidback bars make this a stellar Spanish city break.
How to make the perfect Spanish tortilla
This omelette is all about good ingredients — but what those are is up for debate. Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, executive chef at Decimo at London's The Standard hotel, breaks it down.
A weekend in Gran Canaria
Cast off the coast of Africa, this island’s little-visited interior has Iron Age artworks, caldera hikes and lofty villages with knock-out Atlantic views.
The world's best food destinations in 2019
Whether it’s an Italian temple of gastronomy or an Indian veggie paradise, some places seem to have good food woven into their DNA. From Mendoza to Mysore and Bologna to Beirut, we pick out some of the best destinations for food lovers
Meet the maker: José Gordón, the Spanish ox farmer
Never mind using oxen for working the land, José Gordón rears them for their meat, producing some of the world's best steak
Walking the Camino de Santiago
Walking the Camino de Santiago is more than a simple hike. For many, it's a spiritual exercise that binds its pilgrims together