Planning to stay a while? Whether you’ve fallen in love with Spain’s mountains, beaches, or cities, you’ll find a wide range of holiday homes and apartments offering longterm stays. These are usually fully equipped, spacious, and comfortable, and some even have kitchens. Barcelona is a favourite destination with its beaches, the Sagrada Familia, and other works by Gaudí. In Madrid, you’ll find the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Santiago Bernabéu. But there’s so much more to explore in Spain. From the Alhambra and Generalife in Granada to the beaches of the Costa del Sol, there’s something for everyone. In Andalusia, you’ll also find the Giralda in Seville, the MosqueCathedral of Cordoba, and the Sierra Nevada ski resort. Not to mention the Doñana Nature Reserve in Huelva. In CastileLa Mancha, you can follow the trail of Don Quixote, while in CastileLeón, you’ll find the cities of Salamanca, Segovia, and Burgos, famous for their architecture and gastronomy. The region also boasts the Sierra de Gredos, the Picos de Urbión, and the Laguna Negra. In Extremadura, you can visit the Roman Theatre in Mérida and the Monfragüe Nature Reserve. Meanwhile, Galicia is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Cíes Islands and the Ribeira Sacra, as well as its delicious gastronomy, particularly fresh seafood. In Cantabria, you can discover the Altamira Cave and the Cabárceno Nature Reserve, while Asturias is home to the Picos de Europa National Park and the Covadonga Lakes. The Basque Country offers a mix of sea and mountains, as well as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the La Concha Beach in San Sebastián. Finally, Navarra is famous for the Way of Saint James and the San Fermín Festival in Pamplona.
Spain is a country that embraces diversity, where you can find everything from snowcapped mountains to sundrenched beaches, from bustling cities to tranquil countryside. In Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences stands as a symbol of modernity, while the historic Turia Gardens reflect the city’s rich past. The region is also famous for its stunning beaches, such as the Malvarrosa and El Saler, where the Mediterranean Sea gently laps at the shore. Here, you can also indulge in Valencia’s most famous dish, paella, best enjoyed in the beachside restaurants of Albufera. The Albufera Natural Park, just a short drive from the city, is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers, offering boat rides on its tranquil waters and picturesque views, especially at sunset. Heading north, the Rioja region is a paradise for wine lovers, where rolling vineyards stretch to the horizon, producing some of Spain’s finest wines. The small town of Haro is home to the annual Wine Battle, a vibrant festival where locals and visitors alike douse each other in red wine, celebrating the region’s rich viticultural heritage. In La Rioja, you can also find the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of the Spanish language. The region’s capital, Logroño, is famous for its tapas bars along Calle Laurel, where you can sample local delicacies paired with a glass of Rioja. The Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa, offer a subtropical paradise with a unique mix of Spanish and African influences. Tenerife, the largest of the islands, is home to Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island’s varied landscapes include lush forests, arid deserts, and pristine beaches, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. In Lanzarote, you can explore the otherworldly landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, where volcanic craters and lava fields create a surreal backdrop. The island is also known for its unique architecture, influenced by the artist César Manrique, who integrated buildings into the natural landscape, most notably at the Jameos del Agua. Meanwhile, Fuerteventura is famous for its windsurfing and kitesurfing, with long stretches of sandy beaches and crystalclear waters. The Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean, offer a different kind of paradise. Mallorca, the largest island, is known for its vibrant nightlife in Palma and its secluded coves along the coast. The Tramuntana Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provide a stunning backdrop for hiking and cycling, with ancient olive groves and charming villages like Deià and Valldemossa. Ibiza, famous for its party scene, also has a quieter side with unspoiled beaches and a rich cultural heritage, including the UNESCOlisted Dalt Vila, the island’s fortified old town. Menorca, the most tranquil of the islands, is a biosphere reserve with pristine beaches and a rich archaeological heritage, including the prehistoric Talayotic settlements. The island’s capital, Mahón, is famous for its gin, a legacy of British rule in the 18th century. Spain’s natural beauty extends to its lesserknown regions, such as Aragón, where the Pyrenees offer some of the best hiking and skiing in Europe. The Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, and diverse wildlife, including chamois and golden eagles. The region is also home to the city of Zaragoza, famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a stunning Baroque cathedral that attracts pilgrims from around the world. In Aragón, you can also find the Mudejar architecture of Teruel, a unique blend of Christian and Islamic styles that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. With so much to explore, Spain offers endless opportunities for longterm stays, where you can immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. Whether you’re wandering the streets of a historic city, hiking through a national park, or relaxing on a sundrenched beach, Spain is a country that will capture your heart and leave you longing for more.
