Spain — Resorts
Costa Ballena
The purpose built vacation resort of Costa Ballena is conveniently located about an hour away from Seville, between Rota and Chipiona in the center of the Costa de la Luz. Surrounded by fresh water lakes and pine-covered hills, the vacation resort was designed with the environment in mind and one will not find the typical high-rise hotel blocks common to many beach resorts. In fact, visitors to this Spanish resort will soon find the town's parks and gardens a breath of fresh air when compared to your typical vacation resort towns.
In fact, Costa Ballena has been hailed as a one of a kind vacation destination in Europe, environmentally friendly while still offering a range of exciting holiday activities and amenities. A rather romantic story is attached to the town's name. In ancient times, a large whale (ballena in Spanish) was seeking a sanctuary, a place of paradise to end its years, and after much wandering, it found a spot near the coast of Cadiz - Costa Ballena.
The town itself comes pretty close to paradise and while on vacation, visitors can enjoy beautiful surrounds dotted with lakes, orchards and parks, uninterrupted stretches of beach, and activities such as horse riding, bowling, golfing, surfing and windsurfing. Visitors on vacation in Costa Ballena can also explore neighboring areas and soak up some traditional Spanish culture, visit sherry-producing bodegas and whitewashed villages, take a boat to Doñana Natural Park, or catch a spectacular Andalusian horse show.
C'an Pastilla
Over 40 years ago, C'an Pastilla was one of the first Mallorcan vacation resorts to gain popularity, particularly with British vacationers, and it has started to show its age somewhat. It is set on the island's south coast, close to the capital Palma, and rather unfortunately, is right next to Palma's busy international airport. C'an Pastilla is linked to the more German-orientated El Arenal by a walkway and has a long, lovely beach with plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas (there have been some complaints of touts, but a firm 'no' should do the trick). A mini tourist train runs along the C'an Pastilla sea front and also links the resort to El Arenal.
C'an Pastilla is a low-key vacation resort, with much of the nightlife centering on British-style bars and hotel entertainment; El Arenal tends to offer more in the way of nightlife. A key feature of the resort are the characteristic Balnearios; a collection of beach huts that spread to neighboring El Arenal and house toilet facilities, showers and a snack kiosk.
The town itself consists of a crowded main strip with bars, small shops and a charming marina to enjoy on vacation. Besides hotel entertainment, there are various watersports on offer in C'an Pastilla, as well as the huge waterpark at El Arenal and a mini-golf course, jeep safaris, cruises and more. A regular bus service runs to Palma de Mallorca and there are also neighboring villages and historical sites to explore. More often than not, C'an Pastilla is merely a stop off point for visitors to the island, but those who stay can expect a pleasant, relaxing beach vacation.
El Arenal
Situated on the east coast of the Bay of Palma, El Arenal (also known as S'Arenal) is a lively and highly developed vacation resort, popular with German travelers (many of whom have stayed) and the 18 to 30 age group, it is an ideal beach resort not only for singles but families too. The long, palm-lined beach is exquisite; perfect for stretching out on a sun-lounger and enjoying the calm waters. A stroll along the El Arenal waterfront promenade at sunset, past various shops, bars and restaurants, offers a great way to unwind, and a walkway links El Arenal to neighboring C'an Pastilla.
El Arenal's social highlight is probably Woody's Bar, but there are a host of lively resort bars and clubs that will keep you dancing until the early hours. Those seeking out a more authentic Spanish vacation experience, beyond the selection of German and British bars, would do well by wandering the back streets away from the strip. Visit the balnearios, 16 small beach huts that run from El Arenal to C'an Pastilla, one of which has been turned into a German-style bar. Hiring a car is an excellent way to explore the rest of the island and take in the sights while on vacation, but many choose simply to enjoy their hotels and the entertainment they provide.
El Arenal's neighboring towns of Calvia, San Telmo and the beautiful port of Pollenca are, however, worth visiting and there are plenty of impressive historical sites to enjoy. A frequent bus service also links El Arenal to the busy capital of Palma de Mallorca. For the more active, hiring a bicycle is a wonderful way to see the sights and there are also some excellent hikes to enjoy. There are plenty of watersports, sailing and diving on offer, as well as a mini-golf course and an enormous waterpark - a perfect day out for the kids!
Arenal d'en Castell
Arenal d'en Castell is a laid-back, peaceful vacation resort popular with British families and is a far cry from the over-developed, bustling resorts of Mallorca. Situated on the northern coast of Minorca (Menorca), Arenal d'en Castell is roughly 12 miles (20km) north of Mahon, the island's capital, and is set in a beautiful horseshoe bay on steep hills that slope down to a lovely beach. This means the resort is not ideal for the elderly, or those with mobility problems, but the beach is a magnificent place to relax and has good swimming in warm, shallow waters.
The Arenal d'en Castell region is popular for fishing and sailing, and there are a number of water sports on offer for adventurous vacationers. Most entertainment is provided by hotels, so there is little in the way of nightlife, other than several good restaurants and a few lively bars. For those seeking more activity, the nearby vacation resort of Son Parc offers the island's only golf course, as well as shopping opportunities, and for the fit, it is within a reasonable walking distance.
Neighboring Es Mercadal town has a lovely Sunday market worth exploring while on vacation in Arenal d'en Castell. Another good holiday excursion is a trip to Mount Toro - the island's highest peak and home to an ancient monastery.
S'Illot
The Spanish vacation destination of S'Illot is on the east coat of Mallorca and combines the larger resort town of Sa Coma and the smaller village of Cala Moreya, not far from Cala Millor and Porto Cristo. Cala Moreya is separated from Sa Coma by a small fresh water lagoon and is within easy walking distance. Cala Moreya was originally a tiny fishing village and fishermen still pull in their boats each evening and haul them up a ramp at the end of the small beach. The village has retained its charm and visitors on vacation in the S'Illot area have the option of enjoying the peace and tranquility of Cala Moreya, or the livelier aspects of its more upmarket neighbor. Both towns have excellent beaches, though Sa Coma beach is much larger, and there are a number of good restaurants (as well as fast food outlets), bars and shops to explore. S'Illot is popular with English families and couples seeking a quiet vacation resort, with the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement on offer.
Benidorm
Rows of shops selling beach buckets and flip-flops line the seafront of Benidorm, the Costa Blanca's largest and liveliest vacation resort town, where hordes of tourists throng the streets 24 hours a day. Of the thousands who come to holiday here on the town's three miles (5km) of white sandy beaches each year, many have stayed and purchased apartments in the numerous blocks that now dot the skyline. Benidorm, north of Alicante, is the party capital of the Costa Blanca with an unrivalled nightlife and a daytime carnival-like beach culture.
Remnants of Benidorm's historic past are now well hidden, but tucked into the Casco Antiguo section are the ruins of a castle built in the 14th century to fend off Berber pirates. Benidorm's spectacular sunsets are best viewed from the castle's 'mirador' (balcony). The place to see and be seen in the town however is the Playa de Levante, a two-mile (3km) boardwalk lined with trendy cafés and bars.
Altea
Away from the madding crowds of Benidorm, the peaceful town of Altea offers plenty of amenities for those who prefer a less frenetic beach vacation, without the glitz, glamour and gusto. Of all the towns on the Costa Blanca, Altea is probably the one that remains the least exploited and overdeveloped, where daily life remains uninterrupted by tourists and huge hotels have yet to be built. Altea has a long jetty and attractive walkway fronting a calm stretch of shoreline with pebbly beaches encircling the town. The town's central Plaza de la Iglesia leads onto narrow cobblestone streets and offers beautiful Mediterranean views.
Malaga
The lively city of Malaga, on the coast about 80 miles (129km) southeast of Seville, is the gateway to Spain's popular Costa del Sol vacation resort region. The city was also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and features several galleries displaying his work. Most notable is the 16th-century Museum of Fine Arts, alongside the Cathedral. Picasso's birthplace in Plaza Merced is open to the public and showcases his life and works.
Like most Andalusian cities, the vacation retreat of Malaga has Moorish roots and its illustrious past has left an imprint on the historic center, particularly around the fortress of La Alcazaba, dating from 1065, which is now an archaeological museum. The Moorish castle nearby is used as a state hotel. The city's famous botanical garden, sited on the Calle Alameda, dates from the days when the Malaga area was a popular winter vacation resort for the rich and famous, and is also worth a visit.
Marbella
Situated 25 miles (40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banus is Spain's answer to Monte Carlo. Spain's elite, and Britain's more successful felons, have flashy holiday homes in the surrounding hills, and swanky yachts in the marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's best quality vacation resort - the restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive) and the town has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that have blighted neighbors such as Torremolinos.
The old town of Marbella is hidden away and retains some of its medieval charm, and has some good clothes shops and restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto Banus, six miles (10km) to the west, is where you will find the casino and the seriously large yachts. Those vacation visitors who drive just a few miles inland, to the villages in the hills around Ronda, will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism with village markets and tapas bars to be explored.
Palma de Mallorca
Palma, capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, is a lively, cosmopolitan city in true Spanish tradition, its center forming a bustling montage of shopping centers, a maze of narrow lanes and restored buildings surrounded by ruined ancient city walls, and modern boulevards. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca and Palma itself was under Moorish control between the ninth and 13th centuries until the re-conquest by Jaume I of Aragon.
The Moorish heritage is still evident, as are the remnants of Palma's golden years when it rose to wealth and prominence in the 15th century as the main port of call between Europe and Africa. Later the city, set on the beautiful bay Bahia de Palma, became the favored Royal retreat for Fernando and Isabel, which helped it to become the popular Spanish beach vacation haunt and favorite weekend city break destination of the rich and famous. Despite the invasion of foreign tourists, Palma has kept its local flavor, particularly in its old quarter lined by cafés and tapas bars. Often the native dialect of Mallorquin is the only language heard in the backstreets, a fine Palma de Mallorca trait.
Playa del Ingles
'The Englishman's beach' is how Playa del Ingles translates - those naming the vacation resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main attractions are the wide sandy beaches that stretch from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north.
The Playa del Ingles seafront is lined by the lovely pedestrian promenade, the Paseo Costa Canaria, planted with lush gardens. With its conglomeration of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping malls, Playa del Ingles will not win any awards for architecture or sophisticated ambience, but the ever-growing vacation resort, purpose-built for pleasure and leisure back in the 1960s, is hard to beat for good value summer fun.
Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted to Playa del Ingles on vacation by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas.
Maspalomas
Maspalomas is a popular vacation resort on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, adjacent to this trendy Spanish island's largest and most hectic package-tour resort, Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas though, is the quieter and more upmarket option sporting the best four-mile (6km) stretch of golden, sandy beach on the island. Maspalomas is separated from Playa del Ingles by a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes, a protected area that provides a habitat for some rare species of flora and fauna, and a favorite haunt for nudists.
Along the Maspalomas waterfront the promenade, stretching to Playa del Ingles, bristles with bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues between luxury hotels and villas. Maspalomas also boasts an exhilarating water park and nearby are numerous other attractions like amusement parks, nature parks, a golf course, an aquarium and theme parks. The resort has become a favorite vacation destination for the gay community, with a designated gay zone on the beach and in the sand dunes. The resort's week-long Gay Pride festivities each May have become world-renowned on the party calendar.
Puerto Mogan
Situated on the south west coast, nine miles (14km) west of Puerto Rico, Puerto Morgan is one of the more up-market vacation resorts on Gran Canaria. The town is an old fishing village that has recently started to be developed into a modern resort town but retains a Spanish feel to it. Tourism is centered around the marina which bustles with local boats, yachts and Atlantic cruisers. There are a selection of bars, shops and restaurants aimed at tourists, but the shops are less tacky than in neighboring resorts and the restaurants serve some of the best seafood on the island.
Backed by the mountains, the old Puerto Morgan village is a maze of narrow roads and colonial style houses; the couple of canals running through it has prompted tour operators to dub it 'Little Venice'. There is one small beach in the resort and another, Playa Taurito, three miles (five km) to the east; both have black volcanic sand and boulders. Although there is a disco in Puerto Morgan, those looking for more noise should head to Puerto Rico or Playa del Inglés.
Puerto Rico
The vibrant, modern vacation resort of Puerto Rico, on the island of Gran Canaria, revels in excellent weather year-round, being situated on the island's southern tip just across the ocean from the Sahara. Puerto Rico is encircled by hills, its white-washed holiday accommodation clinging to steep cliff sides above two golden beaches. It includes three large commercial centers overflowing with shops, bars and restaurants, and is flanked by a marina packed with luxury yachts where it is possible to indulge in every kind of water sport imaginable. Puerto Rico has something for everyone: sunny corners for seekers of peace and tranquility, or a lively venue for a family holiday.
Playa del Cura
Situated on the south west coast of Gran Canaria, about an hour's drive from the airport at Las Palmas, is the small, quiet vacation resort of Playa Del Cura, built on the cliff sides lining the coast. This low-key family resort is just two miles (3km) from lively, hectic Puerto Rico, the island's well-known holiday and nightlife resort, but Playa del Cura remains popular as a peaceful place to stay while granting easy access to the bright lights and amenities of its more flamboyant neighbor.
Playa del Cura is on the main coastal bus route so traveling to other resorts is easy, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. The vacation resort has two small cove beaches, Cura and Tauro, at the base of the cliffs, both covered with dark volcanic sand and pebbles, and strewn with sunbeds so that visitors can make the most of some of the best weather in Gran Canaria. A short distance away is the popular stretch of the Amadores beach. The rocky coastline, and valley extending inland, provides opportunities for those keen on walking excursions. There is a small commercial center equipped with enough stores, bars and restaurants to provide for all holiday requirements.
Costa Teguise
The smallest and most recently developed of the island's three main vacation resorts, Costa Teguise is situated on the southeast corner of Lanzarote and is a haven for families and sun-seekers. Although it is a purpose built resort, Costa Teguise manages to have a nice community feel to it, with lots of little squares around which the bars and restaurants are located. The resort is more low key than some but still has plenty to do with a wide variety of shops and restaurants for all tastes and of course lovely beaches for holiday-makers to relax on. Playa de las Cucharas is probably the best of the three beaches with uninterrupted views and crystal clear blue waters, but Playa Bastian is another idyllic spot to enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine.
Alicante
Alicante is situated on the east coast of Spain and is the center of the popular Costa Blanca holiday region. Although Mediterranean in style, Alicante also has has an African flavor with women clad in caftans and hawkers selling African carvings along the waterfront and esplanades. Alicante's historical central district, though, is filled with Baroque buildings, bearing testimony to the city's rich history when it was a major seaport.
The main thoroughfare of the city is the Rambla, lined with palm trees, outdoor cafes and ice-cream parlours serving the unusual local drink, horchata, made with almonds. There are shops aplenty, parks and gardens, marble paved plazas and the broad Explanada d'Espanya encircling the yacht harbor with its mosaic promenade. Visitors come to Alicante mainly for the beaches, particularly San Juan which sports villas, hotels and restaurants.
The city has an international airport that makes it the gateway to the nearby package tour resorts such as Benidorm and Torrevieja, and ensures that the city is crowded with tourists during the holiday season. Alicante's energy reaches a peak during the last week of June each year when vacationers and locals alike throw themselves into celebrating the unrivalled fiesta of Saint Joan.
Puerto del Carmen
Set beneath a range of steep hills on the south coast of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is the island's major vacation resort. Its main feature is a spectacular two-mile (3km) golden beach, which is backed by a main road, The Strip, where shops, bars and restaurants of every variety can be found. The Old Town retains some of its old world charm but for the most part the resort of Puerto del Carmen is a sprawling holiday complex offering entertainment for all ages. It is the center of the Lanzarote's nightlife and is within easy distance of all the island's key attractions.
Matagorda
Matagorda and its sister resort, Los Pocillos, are just over a mile from Lanzarote's large, bustling holiday city of Puerto del Carmen. It is also connected to the larger, more brash resort by a pleasant, long promenade walkway with great views over Matagorda Bay. This means that visitors who opt for staying at a beach house or in the quieter environs of Matagorda, a former fishing village, can easily access the more boisterous entertainment and nightlife of Puerto del Carmen. Matagorda has a gently sloping beach of fine, dark sand, particularly popular for windsurfing. It boasts a central commercial center with a fair choice of restaurants and a supermarket. In general the Matagorda is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, relaxing vacation without too many bright lights or the usual beach resort crowds.
Playa Blanca
The quiet vacation resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of the island and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. The resort has undergone a lot of construction and upgrading in the last few years, which, contrary to expectation hasn't ruined the Spanish charm of this resort but rather added to it by giving tourists an extensive array of villas holiday accommodation to choose from in Playa Blanca. Despite the extensive growth over the last few years the old fishing village, in the center, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants in Playa Blanca along the promenade but the main attractions are the nearby beaches; some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (six km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared for families and couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18-mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.
Golf del Sur
Situated on the south coast of Tenerife and very close to the Reina Sofia airport, Golf del Sur, as its name suggests, is primarily a golfing vacation resort. There are several world-class courses on offer, but this should not put off the non-golfer, as there are other activities besides testing one's swing. The San Blas commercial center has a pretty square ringed with restaurants, bars (including karaoke bars) and shops, and there is also tennis, crazy golf and bowling on offer.
While in Golf del Sur, vacationers should be sure to taste the culinary pleasures of The Lobster Pot. For those seeking more action, the resort is close to the ever-popular Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos resorts, which are accessible by bus. Hiring a car is also an excellent way to explore the surrounding areas and take in what Tenerife has to offer.
Playa de las Americas
Playa de las Americas is Tenerife's largest tourist playground, a purpose-built hedonistic haven for vacationers of all ages and stages who come here for fun in the sun from all over the world. The resort is situated in the south of the island near the Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia Airport). It has grown vastly during its 30 years of existence and now covers three different zones: the original Playa de las Americas, San Eugenio and Toviscas.
There are three natural beaches in the resort area and three man-made ones, all covered with dark volcanic sand and extremely crowded during the summer season. The las Americas beaches are linked by a long promenade, which winds along the busy waterfront, backed by dozens of high-rise hotels and holiday apartment blocks. A mini train runs around the resort stopping at scheduled points every hour, and there are plenty of free buses to assist visitors in getting around, making the most of the Playa de las Americas bars, entertainment venues, shops and sports facilities that abound. Don't expect to soak up any Canarian culture while holidaying at Playa de las Americas, but for those who enjoy the hullaballoo of a packaged, carefree summer vacation, the resort will exceed expectations.
Las Palmas
The capital of Gran Canaria and bustling vacation resort, Las Palmas is situated at the northeast tip of the island, between two long stretches of beach. The city was founded in 1478 and was the spot where Christopher Columbus began each of his voyages to the Americas. Much of the original Vegueta district remains behind the modern apartment blocks, which line the seafront, and there are many interesting sights and museums to visit. The ambience is lively, evident of a population of southern temperament not always taking life at its most serious. Las Palmas' great cultural offerings, attractive festivities and highly recommendable cuisine attract thousand of vacationers every year and make for a memorable stay.
San Antonio
Situated on the west coast, ten miles (16km) from the airport and the capital Ibiza, San Antonio is the largest and liveliest vacation resort on the island. Known as 'San An' to the thousands of British clubbers who descend here each summer, the resort's proper name is Sant Antoni de Portmany. San Antonio's wide bay is lined with bars, restaurants and apartment blocks catering mainly for young British vacationers. There are a few small sandy beaches in the resort, and the spectacular beaches of Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida are a short ferry ride away. July and August are the best months to visit for those looking to experience the buzzing nightlife in San An, while the months of May and June, and September and October are most popular with families, couples and older visitors.
Magaluf
Anyone in the 18-30 age bracket whose holiday mission is fun, sun and soaking up sangria (or all manner of alcoholic beverages) will have the time of their lives in Mallorca's raucous premier party resort of Magaluf. The resort is situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Palma, the island's capital, has become one of Europe's most popular destinations for young British travelers eager to experience the famous nightlife in Magaluf. It sports hundreds of bars, discos and clubs, and has a wide choice of budget accommodation and restaurants. Magaluf and its wide sandy beaches such as Mallorca Beach, Magaluf Beach and Palma Nova Beach, is particularly packed during June, July and August with young vacationers who are known locally as 'gambas' (red prawns), especially if they stint on the sun cream. During the off-season it is much quieter with many of the wilder entertainment venues closed, and in recent years has been drawing older clientele and families during this period.
Alcudia
The vacation resort of Port d'Alcudia is situated in the north of Mallorca at the top of a long curving bay with an endless white sandy beach. It is two miles (3km) south of the historical old town of Alcudia, from which it takes its name. The sprawling, purpose-built resort, together with its neighbor Playa de Muro, stretches for five miles (8km) either side of the coast road and is particularly popular with British, German and Scandinavian vacationers. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere; its spectacular beach is the major attraction, though it is also well placed for exploring the attractions around the north of the island.
Torremolinos
Southern Spain's answer to Benidorm, Torremolinos is a vast purpose-built vacation resort situated 10 miles (16km) west of Malaga, on the road to Marbella. Holidaymakers looking for a cultural experience will be disappointed, as Torremolinos, particularly in high season, is noisy and fast-paced, 24 hours a day. With six miles (10km) of wide, sandy beaches, lots of watersports, masses of bars and restaurants and an exhausting nightlife, the resort attracts tourists of all ages from all over Europe. There is a large gay scene, but the resort is equally popular with families and the inevitable 18 to 30 crowd.
Cadiz
Cadiz, founded in 1100 BC on a peninsula 76 miles (122km) south of Seville as a Phoenician trading post, is the oldest inhabited city in Europe and a popular vacation destination. It had to wait, however, until the 16th century before it came into its own as a launching point for journeys to the newly discovered lands of the Americas. From here Columbus set out on his second voyage. Sir Francis Drake later famously raided the city, as did Napoleon.
The city's old town is picturesque and Moorish, with cobbled streets and squares, presided over by the Cathedral with a golden cupola. There is a gallery displaying some of Goya's works, and some lush parks on the headlands which offer panoramic views of the bay. The city is also home to some of Spain's loveliest beaches, including La Playa de la Caleta situated between two castles of the Old City, and La Playa de la Victoria, which is the most visited by vacationers for its safe bathing and watersports.
Salou
Situated on the Costa Dorada's sun drenched coast, 50 miles (80km) west of Barcelona and six miles (10km) west of Tarragona, the popular vacation resort town of Salou is hard to beat for a fun family vacation. It is fairly spread out and merges with the neighboring resorts of La Pineda to the east and Cambrils to the west, all of which benefit from the string of wonderful clean sandy beaches and secluded rocky coves.
As well as the natural attractions, Salou is also packed with entertainment for all ages, from watersports to an aqua park, go-karting and one of Europe's most thrilling theme parks, attracting thousand of vacationers every year, Universal's Port Aventura. Sightseers interested in museums or ancient history will find plenty to occupy them in nearby Tarragona, or on excursions into the Spanish countryside, or on excursions into the countryside. Salou's seafront promenade is set with beautifully landscaped gardens and parks; fountains are lit up at night when vacationers stroll to the restaurants, nightclubs, bars and British-style pubs.
Sitges
With over 3 miles (5km) of golden shoreline, Sitges is the perfect weekend break for tourists wishing to experience Spanish resorts without straying too far from Barcelona. One of the most popular vacation resort towns south of Barcelona is Sitges, 21 miles (45km) from the city. With more than 17 sand beaches, many of them with EU Blue Flag status, it is easy to see why Sitges has been called 'the playground of Barcelona'. Renowned for its swinging nightlife, Sitges attracts thousands of vacationers, including day-trippers from Barcelona, many of them young and well-heeled.
The city has a reputation for being gay-friendly, expensive, and decidedly arty, having been the town where the modernist movement began when it attracted artists such as Bohemian mystic Santiago Rusinol and later the likes of Salvador Dali. Rusinol's home in the town has been turned into a museum, displaying some of his works. Beachgoers and vacationers in Sitges can enjoy a number of activities and sights in and around the town. Sitges also plays host to the popular Sitges Film Festival, which specializes in fantasy and horror film genres. Most people, however, visit Sitges for the beautiful sandy beaches it offers. Between the church at one end of the town and the Terramar Hotel at the other extremity there are nine breakwaters, each sheltering gently sloping golden beaches equipped with showers, refreshment kiosks and sun-loungers for rent.
Caleta de Fuste
Fuerteventura's busiest vacation resort has been built up around the town of Caleta de Fuste, also known as Castillo, about six miles (10km) south of the island's airport. The resort's horseshoe-shaped gently sloping beach is man-made, covered with imported golden sand. Caleta de Fuste is a family orientated resort while also boasting a range of restaurants and bars. Holidaymakers at this Spanish resort town can also enjoy the usual water sports and activities such as snorkeling, diving, water skiing, surfing and going on fishing trips. The town is well equipped with a number of crèches as well as massage parlours and beauty salons for the few occasions when you're not on the beach. The resort is steadily growing in facilities and popularity, the latest addition being a golf course. The town consists of a long main street lined with low-rise buildings containing several restaurants and bars. Caleta de Fuste's top-rated eateries include Fado Rock Steak House and Risto Pizza La Torre.
For a good night out in Caleta de Fuste, stop in at Mappy's Bar. There are also numerous watersports on offer, boat trips and even undersea excursions on a submarine. Accommodation is mainly in apartment blocks. Caleta de Fuste's central location makes it a good base from which to explore the rest of the island, although there is little public transport and hiring a car is necessary for most excursions.
Corralejo
Once just a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Fuerteventura, Corralejo's harbor now receives ferries full of day-trippers from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote every day and the town plays host to hundreds of vacationers who are drawn to spend a sunny, sandy holiday in the island's tourist magnet. Although tourism is booming and development is keeping pace, the little port still retains its charm. Just outside the town is a protected nature reserve festooned with miles of sand dunes. The surrounding beaches are more than inviting and visitors to this Spanish resort town are spoilt for choice with beaches such as the sheltered Playa la Clavellina just near the harbor, or Playa del Medano which joins to Playa de Viejo. Playa del Pozo is also located just outside of Corralejo and is popular with nudists.
Cala d'Or
Like most vacation resorts in Mallorca, Cala d'Or (Golden Cove) evolved from a local fishing village after its charms and idyllic setting were 'discovered', in this instance, by a group of avant-garde artists who settled here in the 1930s. They built their white, flat-roofed houses around the picturesque fishing harbor, and soon the word spread. Cala d'Or became a desirable spot to have a holiday home, or for a relaxing seaside vacation.
The original village and harbor was situated in one of the small rocky coves with sandy beaches, called 'calas', which abound on Mallorca's east coast. The resort has now spread out to encompass several of these coves, all now beset with attractive hotels, apartment blocks and villas. It is a very chic resort, recommended for families because most establishments cater extremely well for children.
There are numerous adjacent smaller resorts and quaint villages clustered around the calas all along the south-east coastline, connected by a good bus service, which means visitors can make excursions to explore the delights of places like Cala Egos, Puerto Petro, Cala Mondrago, Cala Figuera, Cala Santanyi and Cala Llombarts. The Cala d'Or marina is the heart of the east coast resort area, attracting the fashionable yachting set.
Puerto Pollensa
The sedate vacation resort of Puerto Pollensa stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The resort has grown up around the scenic fishing port that serves the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Far quieter and more laid back than the exuberant resorts of Magalluf and Palma Nova, Puerto Pollensa and its near neighbor, the tranquil resort of Cala San Vicente, it attracts families and couples.
Holidaymakers generally take inclusive packages at the resort's family hotels, or rent sophisticated villas on the port's celebrated Pine Walk promenade. Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line the promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colorful sails of yachts. Those willing to make the effort to be up for sunrise are rewarded with an inspiring sight as gentle waves lap the shore in the dawn light.
Sa Coma
The purpose-built vacation resort of Sa Coma lies in the heart of Mallorca's popular east coast, sandwiched between lively Cala Millor and the restaurant-strewn seafront of S'Illot. S'Illot can be reached on foot, while a tourist tram connects to Cala Millor and its attractions. Sa Coma itself is largely frequented by British family groups on vacation, most opting for self-catering accommodation. The resort establishments cater particularly well for children, who make the most of the wide sandy beach with its broad shallow shelf of clear, blue water. The beach has European Blue Flag status for cleanliness, water quality and safety. The beach is fronted by a wide promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops, many of them British owned. Another big plus for the children is the resort's proximity to the large safari-park at Cala Millor, where apes, gazelles, elephants and ostriches are among the animals that roam in a simulated natural environment and can be viewed from a safari bus.
Cala Millor
Cala Millor is the liveliest and largest vacation resort on Mallorca's rugged north-east coast. The name means 'better bay', which is indicative of its main attraction: a mile or more long stretch of sandy beach, which slopes gently into a crystal clear blue sea, protected at each end by rocky headlands. Sunbeds, parasols and pedalos can be hired for the day by sunseekers. The rest of the island's east coast is lined with inlets and coves, which are fun to explore.
Cala Millor developed as a favorite destination with vacationers from one hotel, the Eureka, built in the 1930s, and is now a bustling enclave of high-rise hotels and apartment blocks, slowly merging into neighboring resorts along the coast, fronted by a wide pedestrian promenade along its alluring beach. Adjacent to Millor, across the headland to the north, is the quieter and more traditional resort of Cala Bona, with a little harbor, while a few miles to the south is the well-known resort of Sa Coma.
Cala Millor is about 40 miles (70km) from the Son Sant Joan International airport near Palma, the capital, in the south of the island. The area, particularly favored by German vacationers, is packed with shops, markets, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants to ensure non-stop fun in the sun, particularly suited for family holidays.
Roses
The largest vacation resort town on the north of the Costa Brava is the busy, crowded port of Roses, founded by the ancient Greeks but sporting few remnants today of its long history besides a crumbling citadel and sections of city wall. Instead the harbor town, where once a handful of British sailors repulsed an attack by Napoleon, is now a mass of typical high-rise resort developments, rising in tiers from a busy harbor and a few miles of man-made sandy beach, abuzz with vacationers indulging in all sorts of watersports. There is an aquatic park, go-karts, numerous take-away and fast food restaurants, scuba centers, cruises from the harbor and many more tourist amenities. The town is famous for its sunset over the Gulf of Roses.
Conil de la Frontera
Conil de la Frontera offers vacationers a traditional Andalusian flavor, with cobbled streets, the whirl of flamenco dancing, authentic tapas bars and of course, glorious beaches. Popular with Spanish tourists, the resort comes alive in summer and bustles with activity. Francisco La Fontanilla is the place to party in Conil de la Frontera. There are also Moorish ruins to explore (though these are tucked away in the side streets and can be hard to find), chic shops to browse in and plenty of excellent seafood restaurants to try.
A number of activities are also on offer in Conil de la Frontera for vacationers to enjoy, including diving, surfing, tennis, golf and of course, sun tanning and swimming. The town also has a lively nightlife, with a good selection of bars and cafés, and there are numerous fiestas throughout the year to enjoy. Conil de la Frontera is a perfect resort for those seeking an authentic Spanish experience, and remains largely undiscovered by the package tourist, for now.
Roquetas de Mar
The popular vacation resort town of Roquetas de Mar was once a sleepy, picturesque fishing village, dating from Roman times, and it still retains its warren of Moorish alley-like streets and pretty aspect of white-washed houses ascending the hillside. Hotel and apartment complexes, however, are beginning to dominate the skyline especially along the long, sandy beaches adjacent to the village. Tourism is big business along the holiday strip in Roquetas de Mar, with shops selling local crafts jostling with numerous restaurants and bars, and myriad activities on offer from horse riding to scuba diving or sailing.
Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa Serena) and a specially designated nudist beach. Those interested in history will enjoy exploring the ruins of the medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in the area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas salt marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the village, where flamingos, egrets and avocets gather.
Adra
The delightful vacation resort town of Adra, the western-most coastal town in the province of Almeria, is surrounded by magnificent beaches and is rich in history, having been founded in the 8th century. Adra remains a working fishing harbor and early-rising visitors enjoy the daily dawn fish auctions and dining out at the many tempting seafood restaurants.
The clean, neat town center with its many squares and parks is split by the attractive Paseo de Natalio Rivas promenade. Sights to see include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Partridge Tower (which houses the tourist office), an historic restored mill and the town's interesting museum. Adra boasts the Poniente blue flag beach among its stretches of beautiful sandy shore, attracting hundreds of vacationers each year.
Mojacar
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque holiday beach resort town in south-eastern Spain, the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. The unspoiled ancient Moorish fortress town of Mojacar has been a favorite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts vacationers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town's appearance or beguiling atmosphere. The village center is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria. Mojacar is the picture-perfect location for a beach vacation in Spain.
Lloret de Mar
History may have given way to high-rise hotels, and fishing to foam parties in this former Catalonian trading port, but the region's fiery spirit is still evident, which is why Lloret de Mar is regarded as the liveliest holiday spot on the Costa Brava. As a resort, the town caters for the 18-30s and families with children. There are seemingly hundreds of British bars, discos and clubs to choose from, and the days are packed with programs of beach frolics and fun. The resort has five rough sandy beaches, a massive water park, aquatic zoo and a theme park. For a taste of the real Spain visitors can revel in the local cuisine or gather in the town's Placa de la Vila on Saturday evenings to join in when locals dance the traditional Catalonian Sardana dance.
L'Estartit
While equipped with all the infrastructure demanded by modern vacationers, the Costa Brava resort town of L'Estartit also allows vacationers to enjoy the surrounding natural heritage. Coastal trails extend from the town through dunes and marshes, bicycle trails meander along the banks of the River Ter and just offshore the Medes Islands provide an underwater wonderland. Activities in and around L'Estartit are more relaxed than the more frenetic vacation resorts along the coast, like sail cruises, glass-bottomed boat rides, kayaking, horse-riding, cycling and bird-watching. The town itself offers plenty of exciting shopping and dining options.
Tossa de Mar
Once a haven for writers and artists, Tossa de Mar is now a favored vacation destination for families, couples and people from all walks of life who are drawn to this attractive town on the Costa Brava to relax, play, eat, drink and be merry. Its picturesque cobbled old town, the medieval Vila Vella, is highly atmospheric, enabling this resort to retain its historic atmosphere. The beaches are beautiful, and the town's position allows for easy access to other coastal resorts and the scenic hinterland for day trips and excursions. Although well supplied with shops, bars and restaurants, Tossa is not designed for all-night revelling.
Blanes
The most southerly vacation resort on the Costa Brava, Blanes not only attracts international tourists but is also frequented by large numbers of Spanish vacationers. Like most coastal towns Blanes has grown from a picturesque fishing village to tourist boomtown. The resort has a two-mile (3km) long stretch of coastline offering sandy bays and rocky coves, the main beachfront is lined with high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.
Behind the seafront the town still retains some reminders of its past, like the medieval castle of St Joan, several churches and other ancient buildings, which attract hundreds of vacationers each year. Pride of the town are two renowned botanical gardens, which boast thousands of plant species. Along with all the trappings of modern tourism, Blanes also prides itself in giving visitors a taste of the real Spain, offering traditional street markets, several fiestas and folk dancing fairs.
Tarifa
The Spanish vacation destination of Tarifa is ideally located on the border of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, near the Strait of Gibraltar and a short ferry ride away from the exotic Moroccan city of Tangier. The popular beach resort town is famed for being the windsurfing capital of Europe: Atlantic winds create ideal conditions and kite surfing is also growing in popularity here, especially on the beaches of Playa Valdevaqueros and Playa Los Lances.
Those who feel safer on land can try horseback riding, hiking, dolphin and whale watching, cycling, rock climbing and some of the region's best bird watching. The Moorish heritage of the area is evident in the preserved Castillo de Guzman and vacationers should visit the old part of the town to wander the narrow streets, shop and enjoy one of the many great tapas restaurants. Don't expect the madness and mayhem of places like Torremolinos, nor the 'chips with everything' style resorts; Tarifa is a charming beach resort that offers a local Spanish flavor and plenty of sunshine.
Costa del Silencio
Costa del Silencio (the Silent Coast), on the south shore of Tenerife, was one of the first vacation resorts on the island to be purposefully built for tourism and is dominated by the aging Ten Bel complex and several commercial centers. The resort is popular with German and Belgian visitors, but also draws the British package tour crowd to its shores. The resort itself does not have a major beach, but is within walking distance of the neighboring Las Galletas beach, and is also very close to the immensely popular Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos.
The resort attracts a fair amount of self-catering visitors. The town has three large commercial areas, CC El Chaparral, CC Trebol and CC Coralmar Square, which cater to these visitors. The supermarkets are predominantly overpriced, particularly for those wanting to buy UK brands.
Costa del Silencio does tend to live up to its name and is a lot quieter and more relaxed than other resorts, but still boasts a number of bars, shops and restaurants; just don't expect massive dance clubs and all night entertainment.
Moraira
Nestled in a pretty bay on the south-east coast of Spain, the small Spanish resort town of Moraira is an oasis of traditional charm on the busy Costa Blanca, a favored holiday spot and retirement haven. Moraira has grown from a small fishing village into an attractive resort surrounded by luxury villas without losing its Spanish character, which is entrenched in its impressive marina, variety of shops, colorful weekly markets, atmospheric old town, and its waterfront restaurants and bars.
This beach resort is easily accessible, being equidistant (about 62 miles/100km) by motorway from both Alicante and Valencia airports. For those who enjoy a taste of the high life, it is also within easy reach by car or bus of the busier, glitzier Costa Blanca resorts of Javea, Calpe and bustling Benidorm. The countryside around the vacation destination of Moraira offers some lovely scenery dotted with unspoiled villages to explore.
The relaxed traditional ambience of Moraira is accompanied by two main beaches with European Blue Flag status, separated by a promontory crowned with a medieval fortress. There are also plenty of sport and leisure facilities on offer. When it comes to holiday weather in Moraira, it is one of the best Spanish beach resorts claiming an average 325 days of sunshine a year, and temperatures that stay constantly pleasantly warm. Fresh sea breezes ensure that it is never sweltering in summer, and the surrounding mountains protect the town from the chilly winter winds.
Javea
Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the sun and fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca holiday coast, Javea is a pretty vacation resort town set between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) north-east of Alicante. Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town center are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes, while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the serenity of the landscape.
The old town is situated a mile or so inland because its inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in days of yore. The waterfront of Javea centers around the working fishing port of Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. A promenade is lined with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and pavement cafes. The most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy stretch with safe bathing, just one of the many sandy bays and coves to be enjoyed along the coastline.
Several times a year Javea lets its hair down with a lively fiesta. The best known, and most enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors and Christians' celebration, when locals re-enact the Moorish landings on the coast and the recapture of the peninsula by Christian defenders. During the second half of July the town is enveloped in an orgy of feasting, street parades, dancing, music and fireworks.
Palma Nova
Together with its neighbor, Magalluf, the island resort of Palma Nova on the south west coast of Mallorca makes up the most popular vacation area on the island, situated a few miles west of the capital, Palma, and the Palma Mallorca Airport (Airport Son Sant Joan). Most visitors to Palma Nova come on package tours from Britain, intent on enjoying an entertaining, fun-in-the-sun vacation in a 'home-from-home' setting. Few are disappointed because the purpose-built resort offers all they need and more, from beautiful beaches to wild nightlife.
The three sandy beaches of the holiday strip, Es Carregador, Playa de Palma Nova and Son Maties, are backed by a long promenade and have European Blue Flag status. Palma Nova is divided from Europe's famed party capital, Magalluf, by a rocky headland, but the resorts are basically merged into one conglomerate of hotels and apartments offering a range of accommodation from budget self-catering to luxury-serviced suites. Palma Nova is known as the quieter section of this hedonistic seaside development, and therefore more suited to families. It is also one of the Spanish beach resorts that is popular with British tourists wishing to escape the icy UK winters. Many Palma Nova hotels offer discounted rates during off-peak but a fair amount of the bars and nightclubs in the resort are closed during winter.
Los Cristianos
The popular vacation resort of Los Cristianos lies in a sheltered bay in the south-west corner of the island of Tenerife, merging into the more glitzy purpose-built resort of Playa de las Americas. Los Cristianos has burgeoned into a modern package-tour resort from its origins as a sleepy Canarian fishing village, but has managed to retain some of its traditional feel, despite the plethora of modern hotels, shopping centers and apartment blocks. The focal point of the resort is its working harbor, fronted by a square surrounded with restaurants, and sandy beaches encircling a crescent-shaped bay backed by a long, wide promenade that stretches to neighboring Playa de las Americas. The old town center stretches from the port up to the main shopping street in a grid-like pattern of pedestrianized streets, still inhabited by many local people. The resort's best beach is man-made, the Playa de las Vistas, covered in sand imported from the Sahara. Being just a few minutes away by cheap taxi from las Americas resort allows vacationers in Los Cristianos to enjoy a more sedate stay, while still able to access the bright lights and entertainment facilities of the more boisterous neighbor, especially when it comes to nightlife.
C'an Picafort
C'an Picafort is a relatively large vacation resort situated on the north east coast of Mallorca on the lovely Bay of Alcudia, about an hour away from Palma. Like El Arenal, C'an Picafort is highly popular with German visitors, and due to those who have returned to live, it retains a certain German flavor. The resort grew from a tiny fishing village (remains of which can be seen in the town's working harbor) and today, spreads along a grid of small streets near the principal beach.
Pedestrian-friendly with a promenade perfect for evening strolls, the resort has become popular with those seeking a quiet beachside getaway, and hotels provide much of the resort's entertainment. There are several bars, restaurants and nightclubs, however, and plenty of shops and an excellent market on Fridays. C'an Picafort is also right next to Son Baulo, which has its own beach, shops and restaurants and is a popular vacation destination.
There are several activities to indulge in during the day such as cruises, horse riding, jeep safaris, go-karting, biking and watersports, and excursions to neighboring areas provide a more local Spanish flavor. Santa Margalida has more than 150 archaeological sites, including the Son Real Necropolis (also known as the Cemetery of the Phoenicians) that was used as a burial site from the Iron Age to Roman times. The nearby S'Albufera Wetlands Park offers excellent bird-watching opportunities, and a chance to enjoy the local flora and fauna. Another great way to spend the day is to take a bus trip to the busier resort of Puerto de Alcudia, or to Palma or Pollensa.
Santa Ponsa
Santa Ponsa (or Santa Ponca) today bears little resemblance to the fishing village it once was. Just under half an hour away from Palma and about three miles (5km) south of Magalluf on the south west coast, Santa Ponsa is famous not only as a popular Mallorcan vacation resort, but as the landing point of King Jaime I in 1229 when he came to take the island from the Moors. A stone cross at the resort's marina marks the event. As with most Mallorcan vacation resorts, Santa Ponsa is highly developed and tends to be lively and busy, with an active nightlife and excellent beach culture.
Santa Ponsa is the principal beach, which is supplemented with imported sand, while the more sheltered Calo d'en Pellicer is slightly smaller and closer to the marine club. The third, more exclusive beach is Castellot. The water at all three beaches is warm and clear, and offers safe swimming. A pedestrian promenade, with shade provided by pine trees, runs in front of the Santa Ponsa beach and there are the usual beachfront restaurants, bars, shops and cafés. Over the years, Santa Ponsa has developed a Celtic flavor, with a number of Scottish and Irish themed pubs and bars, but it remains popular with a range of visitors of different ages.
Cala San Vincente
Cala San Vincente (also known as Cala Sant Vicenç) is a lovely, small vacation resort set in what is still essentially a fishing village. Situated on the north eastern coast, about three miles (5km) from Pollensa, Cala San Vincente boasts spectacular scenery, charming old houses and three beaches. This is not the place to come for all-night parties or massive hotel complexes, but suits those seeking to relax and enjoy the character of the area. It is especially suited to mature travelers and those with older children, as there isn't much on offer for young kids or twentysomethings looking for a party.
The main beach is Cala Barques, where vacationers can expect to share the space with local fishermen repairing nets, as well as their equipment, and there are also several beachside restaurants and bars on offer. Tucked around a rocky hillock is the tiny, but often crowded, Cala Clara beach. A little bit further on is the popular swimming beach of Cala Molins, whose sand is imported each year. In general, the water is warm and crystal clear, perfect for swimmers, and the views are spectacular.
There is not much in the way of shopping on offer in Cala San Vincente besides the basics, but the nearby town of Pollensa offers a greater selection and a lovely Sunday market, as well as several historic buildings. There are also regular buses to Inca and Puerto Pollensa. A popular local attraction is a series of prehistoric man-made caves, and closer to Pollensa are the Calvari steps: 365 tree-lined steps that lead up to the minute Calvari church and its ancient wooden cross. For the less culturally inclined, a mini golf course is also on offer.
Calas de Mallorca
The relaxed and quiet purpose-built vacation resort of Calas de Mallorca is in the center of the east coast of the island, close to the towns of Manacor and Felanitx. The resort is set on a cliff top and is therefore not ideal for those with disabilities or for the elderly, but does have lovely views and good beaches, and is popular with families with small children. Playa Domingos is the principal beach and offers warm, crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkeling; the water can, however, get quite rough at times.
Paguera
Paguera has been a favored Mallorca tourist resort since the 1960s and is immensely popular with European visitors, particularly from Germany. Although not as frenetic as nearby Magalluf and Palma Nova, and slightly more upmarket, it is still a noisy and bustling resort - not one to visit if seeking peace and tranquility. Paguera is situated on the south west coast of the island and boasts three principal beaches that are popular with vacationers (Playa Palmira, Playa Tora and Playa La Romana) and are linked by a pedestrian promenade.
This Spanish resort town offers a number of activities to enjoy during the day, as well as a lively nightlife, although many choose to enjoy the entertainment offered by their hotels. There are also regular buses to the ever-popular, even busier Magaluf and other neighboring towns and resorts. Many visitors come to enjoy the web of coastal hiking routes, while others prefer to laze on the beach and enjoy the sunshine and warm waters.
Las Caletillas
Las Caletillas is a quiet vacation resort, more residential than commercial, set on Tenerife's north east coast. The resort is roughly nine miles (14km) from the island's capital, Santa Cruz, and is a stone's throw away from the charming village of Candelaria with its black sand volcanic beach. Las Caletillas itself has a black pebble beach stretching around three coves, and offers several bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. There is not much on offer in the way of nightlife in Las Caletillas, so don't expect to be up until dawn.
Playa de Las Teresitas, just up the coast from Las Caletillas, provides a change of scenery and golden sandy beaches for those who aren't quite comfortable sunning themselves on the remnants of a volcanic eruption. Of course, the bustling Santa Cruz is close by and if one hires a car, there are various areas of interest to explore on this part of Tenerife, such as the small town of Masca, the historic village of La Laguna with its market and attractive cathedral, or La Orotava (boasting an embroidery school).
A great day out is a trip to the Teide National Park where visitors can enjoy a cable car ride up Spain's highest mountain, the volcanic Mount Teide. Although it may not be a hotspot, Las Caletillas is the perfect vacation destination in Spain for those seeking a more authentic Canaries experience and a truly relaxing Tenerife getaway.
Playa la Arena
Once a fishing village on the west coast of Tenerife, Playa la Arena is today one of three separate vacation resorts (Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago and Playa la Arena) that have to all intents and purposes merged into one. Playa la Arena is the most modern of the three and has a lovely long stretch of Blue Flag standard black sand beaches. The sea offers excellent swimming, but waters can sometimes be rough. A promenade runs along the seafront and is flanked by a variety of restaurants (some offering excellent seafood), several bars and shops. There is plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach or sampling local cuisine and many visitors opt for a boat trip to neighboring Los Gigantes, whale watching tours, day trips to the nearby village of Masca or a cable car ride up Mount Teide in the Teide National Park. Visitors can also choose to take a stroll to either Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes for something different, or catch a bus to the bustling Playa de las Americas for a night on the town. In general, Playa la Arena is peaceful and laid-back, lacking the aggressive touting common in other resorts, and offers a perfect combination of activity and relaxation for all types of visitors seeking the perfect vacation destination.
Puerto Santiago
Puerto Santiago is the central vacation resort of three separate ones, Los Gigantes, Playa Arena and Puerto Santiago, which have spread and essentially merged into each other on Tenerife's west coast, forming the area's largest tourist hub collectively known as Los Gigantes. The resort of Puerto Santiago was once a small fishing village, but typical of the Canary Islands, is now a popular vacation destination garnering rave reviews from most tourists and visitors. Puerto Santiago boasts a small but decent selection of bars, restaurants, shops and activities to suit the tourist palette. Puerto Santiago has managed to retain some of its traditional charm and offers visitors the chance to relax and enjoy a seaside break with a local Spanish flavor; although some visitors might take a while to get accustomed to the black sand beach.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes (The Giants) is aptly named after the Acantilados de los Gigantes; large, striking cliffs that surround this attractive vacation resort. The resort is set on the west coast of Tenerife and is essentially joined together with its neighbors, Playa la Arena and Puerto Santiago, to provide visitors with an exciting resort experience. A concerted effort has been made not to destroy the natural beauty of the town and as such there are none of the towering hotels common to other Spanish tourist resorts. The scenery is dominated by a rocky cliff which is 2,600 feet (800 meters) high in places.
Puerto de la Cruz
A cosmopolitan old colonial town known to tourists throughout Europe, the vacation destination of Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is the principal tourist center of the island. It was in the 1890s that Puerto de la Cruz became a fashionable spa town and since then it has become a preferred holiday spot for European royalty and dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill and Bertrand Russell.
Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, it has maintained the style and flair of a cosmopolitan spa as well as kept the feel of a small and friendly, bustling Spanish town. Being the birthplace of tourism in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz attracts some 900,000 visitors annually. Most of the area around the old fishing port is lined with cobbled streets, full of colonial architecture and is one of the few resorts where locals still work, eat and drink. It is a place where old world charm exists alongside trendy hotels and apartments, making this the perfect vacation destination.
Costa Ballena
The purpose built vacation resort of Costa Ballena is conveniently located about an hour away from Seville, between Rota and Chipiona in the center of the Costa de la Luz. Surrounded by fresh water lakes and pine-covered hills, the vacation resort was designed with the environment in mind and one will not find the typical high-rise hotel blocks common to many beach resorts. In fact, visitors to this Spanish resort will soon find the town's parks and gardens a breath of fresh air when compared to your typical vacation resort towns.
In fact, Costa Ballena has been hailed as a one of a kind vacation destination in Europe, environmentally friendly while still offering a range of exciting holiday activities and amenities. A rather romantic story is attached to the town's name. In ancient times, a large whale (ballena in Spanish) was seeking a sanctuary, a place of paradise to end its years, and after much wandering, it found a spot near the coast of Cadiz - Costa Ballena.
The town itself comes pretty close to paradise and while on vacation, visitors can enjoy beautiful surrounds dotted with lakes, orchards and parks, uninterrupted stretches of beach, and activities such as horse riding, bowling, golfing, surfing and windsurfing. Visitors on vacation in Costa Ballena can also explore neighboring areas and soak up some traditional Spanish culture, visit sherry-producing bodegas and whitewashed villages, take a boat to Doñana Natural Park, or catch a spectacular Andalusian horse show.
C'an Pastilla
Over 40 years ago, C'an Pastilla was one of the first Mallorcan vacation resorts to gain popularity, particularly with British vacationers, and it has started to show its age somewhat. It is set on the island's south coast, close to the capital Palma, and rather unfortunately, is right next to Palma's busy international airport. C'an Pastilla is linked to the more German-orientated El Arenal by a walkway and has a long, lovely beach with plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas (there have been some complaints of touts, but a firm 'no' should do the trick). A mini tourist train runs along the C'an Pastilla sea front and also links the resort to El Arenal.
C'an Pastilla is a low-key vacation resort, with much of the nightlife centering on British-style bars and hotel entertainment; El Arenal tends to offer more in the way of nightlife. A key feature of the resort are the characteristic Balnearios; a collection of beach huts that spread to neighboring El Arenal and house toilet facilities, showers and a snack kiosk.
The town itself consists of a crowded main strip with bars, small shops and a charming marina to enjoy on vacation. Besides hotel entertainment, there are various watersports on offer in C'an Pastilla, as well as the huge waterpark at El Arenal and a mini-golf course, jeep safaris, cruises and more. A regular bus service runs to Palma de Mallorca and there are also neighboring villages and historical sites to explore. More often than not, C'an Pastilla is merely a stop off point for visitors to the island, but those who stay can expect a pleasant, relaxing beach vacation.
El Arenal
Situated on the east coast of the Bay of Palma, El Arenal (also known as S'Arenal) is a lively and highly developed vacation resort, popular with German travelers (many of whom have stayed) and the 18 to 30 age group, it is an ideal beach resort not only for singles but families too. The long, palm-lined beach is exquisite; perfect for stretching out on a sun-lounger and enjoying the calm waters. A stroll along the El Arenal waterfront promenade at sunset, past various shops, bars and restaurants, offers a great way to unwind, and a walkway links El Arenal to neighboring C'an Pastilla.
El Arenal's social highlight is probably Woody's Bar, but there are a host of lively resort bars and clubs that will keep you dancing until the early hours. Those seeking out a more authentic Spanish vacation experience, beyond the selection of German and British bars, would do well by wandering the back streets away from the strip. Visit the balnearios, 16 small beach huts that run from El Arenal to C'an Pastilla, one of which has been turned into a German-style bar. Hiring a car is an excellent way to explore the rest of the island and take in the sights while on vacation, but many choose simply to enjoy their hotels and the entertainment they provide.
El Arenal's neighboring towns of Calvia, San Telmo and the beautiful port of Pollenca are, however, worth visiting and there are plenty of impressive historical sites to enjoy. A frequent bus service also links El Arenal to the busy capital of Palma de Mallorca. For the more active, hiring a bicycle is a wonderful way to see the sights and there are also some excellent hikes to enjoy. There are plenty of watersports, sailing and diving on offer, as well as a mini-golf course and an enormous waterpark - a perfect day out for the kids!
Arenal d'en Castell
Arenal d'en Castell is a laid-back, peaceful vacation resort popular with British families and is a far cry from the over-developed, bustling resorts of Mallorca. Situated on the northern coast of Minorca (Menorca), Arenal d'en Castell is roughly 12 miles (20km) north of Mahon, the island's capital, and is set in a beautiful horseshoe bay on steep hills that slope down to a lovely beach. This means the resort is not ideal for the elderly, or those with mobility problems, but the beach is a magnificent place to relax and has good swimming in warm, shallow waters.
The Arenal d'en Castell region is popular for fishing and sailing, and there are a number of water sports on offer for adventurous vacationers. Most entertainment is provided by hotels, so there is little in the way of nightlife, other than several good restaurants and a few lively bars. For those seeking more activity, the nearby vacation resort of Son Parc offers the island's only golf course, as well as shopping opportunities, and for the fit, it is within a reasonable walking distance.
Neighboring Es Mercadal town has a lovely Sunday market worth exploring while on vacation in Arenal d'en Castell. Another good holiday excursion is a trip to Mount Toro - the island's highest peak and home to an ancient monastery.
S'Illot
The Spanish vacation destination of S'Illot is on the east coat of Mallorca and combines the larger resort town of Sa Coma and the smaller village of Cala Moreya, not far from Cala Millor and Porto Cristo. Cala Moreya is separated from Sa Coma by a small fresh water lagoon and is within easy walking distance. Cala Moreya was originally a tiny fishing village and fishermen still pull in their boats each evening and haul them up a ramp at the end of the small beach. The village has retained its charm and visitors on vacation in the S'Illot area have the option of enjoying the peace and tranquility of Cala Moreya, or the livelier aspects of its more upmarket neighbor. Both towns have excellent beaches, though Sa Coma beach is much larger, and there are a number of good restaurants (as well as fast food outlets), bars and shops to explore. S'Illot is popular with English families and couples seeking a quiet vacation resort, with the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement on offer.
Benidorm
Rows of shops selling beach buckets and flip-flops line the seafront of Benidorm, the Costa Blanca's largest and liveliest vacation resort town, where hordes of tourists throng the streets 24 hours a day. Of the thousands who come to holiday here on the town's three miles (5km) of white sandy beaches each year, many have stayed and purchased apartments in the numerous blocks that now dot the skyline. Benidorm, north of Alicante, is the party capital of the Costa Blanca with an unrivalled nightlife and a daytime carnival-like beach culture.
Remnants of Benidorm's historic past are now well hidden, but tucked into the Casco Antiguo section are the ruins of a castle built in the 14th century to fend off Berber pirates. Benidorm's spectacular sunsets are best viewed from the castle's 'mirador' (balcony). The place to see and be seen in the town however is the Playa de Levante, a two-mile (3km) boardwalk lined with trendy cafés and bars.
Altea
Away from the madding crowds of Benidorm, the peaceful town of Altea offers plenty of amenities for those who prefer a less frenetic beach vacation, without the glitz, glamour and gusto. Of all the towns on the Costa Blanca, Altea is probably the one that remains the least exploited and overdeveloped, where daily life remains uninterrupted by tourists and huge hotels have yet to be built. Altea has a long jetty and attractive walkway fronting a calm stretch of shoreline with pebbly beaches encircling the town. The town's central Plaza de la Iglesia leads onto narrow cobblestone streets and offers beautiful Mediterranean views.
Malaga
The lively city of Malaga, on the coast about 80 miles (129km) southeast of Seville, is the gateway to Spain's popular Costa del Sol vacation resort region. The city was also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and features several galleries displaying his work. Most notable is the 16th-century Museum of Fine Arts, alongside the Cathedral. Picasso's birthplace in Plaza Merced is open to the public and showcases his life and works.
Like most Andalusian cities, the vacation retreat of Malaga has Moorish roots and its illustrious past has left an imprint on the historic center, particularly around the fortress of La Alcazaba, dating from 1065, which is now an archaeological museum. The Moorish castle nearby is used as a state hotel. The city's famous botanical garden, sited on the Calle Alameda, dates from the days when the Malaga area was a popular winter vacation resort for the rich and famous, and is also worth a visit.
Marbella
Situated 25 miles (40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banus is Spain's answer to Monte Carlo. Spain's elite, and Britain's more successful felons, have flashy holiday homes in the surrounding hills, and swanky yachts in the marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's best quality vacation resort - the restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive) and the town has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that have blighted neighbors such as Torremolinos.
The old town of Marbella is hidden away and retains some of its medieval charm, and has some good clothes shops and restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto Banus, six miles (10km) to the west, is where you will find the casino and the seriously large yachts. Those vacation visitors who drive just a few miles inland, to the villages in the hills around Ronda, will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism with village markets and tapas bars to be explored.
Palma de Mallorca
Palma, capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, is a lively, cosmopolitan city in true Spanish tradition, its center forming a bustling montage of shopping centers, a maze of narrow lanes and restored buildings surrounded by ruined ancient city walls, and modern boulevards. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca and Palma itself was under Moorish control between the ninth and 13th centuries until the re-conquest by Jaume I of Aragon.
The Moorish heritage is still evident, as are the remnants of Palma's golden years when it rose to wealth and prominence in the 15th century as the main port of call between Europe and Africa. Later the city, set on the beautiful bay Bahia de Palma, became the favored Royal retreat for Fernando and Isabel, which helped it to become the popular Spanish beach vacation haunt and favorite weekend city break destination of the rich and famous. Despite the invasion of foreign tourists, Palma has kept its local flavor, particularly in its old quarter lined by cafés and tapas bars. Often the native dialect of Mallorquin is the only language heard in the backstreets, a fine Palma de Mallorca trait.
Playa del Ingles
'The Englishman's beach' is how Playa del Ingles translates - those naming the vacation resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main attractions are the wide sandy beaches that stretch from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north.
The Playa del Ingles seafront is lined by the lovely pedestrian promenade, the Paseo Costa Canaria, planted with lush gardens. With its conglomeration of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping malls, Playa del Ingles will not win any awards for architecture or sophisticated ambience, but the ever-growing vacation resort, purpose-built for pleasure and leisure back in the 1960s, is hard to beat for good value summer fun.
Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted to Playa del Ingles on vacation by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas.
Maspalomas
Maspalomas is a popular vacation resort on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, adjacent to this trendy Spanish island's largest and most hectic package-tour resort, Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas though, is the quieter and more upmarket option sporting the best four-mile (6km) stretch of golden, sandy beach on the island. Maspalomas is separated from Playa del Ingles by a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes, a protected area that provides a habitat for some rare species of flora and fauna, and a favorite haunt for nudists.
Along the Maspalomas waterfront the promenade, stretching to Playa del Ingles, bristles with bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues between luxury hotels and villas. Maspalomas also boasts an exhilarating water park and nearby are numerous other attractions like amusement parks, nature parks, a golf course, an aquarium and theme parks. The resort has become a favorite vacation destination for the gay community, with a designated gay zone on the beach and in the sand dunes. The resort's week-long Gay Pride festivities each May have become world-renowned on the party calendar.
Puerto Mogan
Situated on the south west coast, nine miles (14km) west of Puerto Rico, Puerto Morgan is one of the more up-market vacation resorts on Gran Canaria. The town is an old fishing village that has recently started to be developed into a modern resort town but retains a Spanish feel to it. Tourism is centered around the marina which bustles with local boats, yachts and Atlantic cruisers. There are a selection of bars, shops and restaurants aimed at tourists, but the shops are less tacky than in neighboring resorts and the restaurants serve some of the best seafood on the island.
Backed by the mountains, the old Puerto Morgan village is a maze of narrow roads and colonial style houses; the couple of canals running through it has prompted tour operators to dub it 'Little Venice'. There is one small beach in the resort and another, Playa Taurito, three miles (five km) to the east; both have black volcanic sand and boulders. Although there is a disco in Puerto Morgan, those looking for more noise should head to Puerto Rico or Playa del Inglés.
Puerto Rico
The vibrant, modern vacation resort of Puerto Rico, on the island of Gran Canaria, revels in excellent weather year-round, being situated on the island's southern tip just across the ocean from the Sahara. Puerto Rico is encircled by hills, its white-washed holiday accommodation clinging to steep cliff sides above two golden beaches. It includes three large commercial centers overflowing with shops, bars and restaurants, and is flanked by a marina packed with luxury yachts where it is possible to indulge in every kind of water sport imaginable. Puerto Rico has something for everyone: sunny corners for seekers of peace and tranquility, or a lively venue for a family holiday.
Playa del Cura
Situated on the south west coast of Gran Canaria, about an hour's drive from the airport at Las Palmas, is the small, quiet vacation resort of Playa Del Cura, built on the cliff sides lining the coast. This low-key family resort is just two miles (3km) from lively, hectic Puerto Rico, the island's well-known holiday and nightlife resort, but Playa del Cura remains popular as a peaceful place to stay while granting easy access to the bright lights and amenities of its more flamboyant neighbor.
Playa del Cura is on the main coastal bus route so traveling to other resorts is easy, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. The vacation resort has two small cove beaches, Cura and Tauro, at the base of the cliffs, both covered with dark volcanic sand and pebbles, and strewn with sunbeds so that visitors can make the most of some of the best weather in Gran Canaria. A short distance away is the popular stretch of the Amadores beach. The rocky coastline, and valley extending inland, provides opportunities for those keen on walking excursions. There is a small commercial center equipped with enough stores, bars and restaurants to provide for all holiday requirements.
Costa Teguise
The smallest and most recently developed of the island's three main vacation resorts, Costa Teguise is situated on the southeast corner of Lanzarote and is a haven for families and sun-seekers. Although it is a purpose built resort, Costa Teguise manages to have a nice community feel to it, with lots of little squares around which the bars and restaurants are located. The resort is more low key than some but still has plenty to do with a wide variety of shops and restaurants for all tastes and of course lovely beaches for holiday-makers to relax on. Playa de las Cucharas is probably the best of the three beaches with uninterrupted views and crystal clear blue waters, but Playa Bastian is another idyllic spot to enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine.
Alicante
Alicante is situated on the east coast of Spain and is the center of the popular Costa Blanca holiday region. Although Mediterranean in style, Alicante also has has an African flavor with women clad in caftans and hawkers selling African carvings along the waterfront and esplanades. Alicante's historical central district, though, is filled with Baroque buildings, bearing testimony to the city's rich history when it was a major seaport.
The main thoroughfare of the city is the Rambla, lined with palm trees, outdoor cafes and ice-cream parlours serving the unusual local drink, horchata, made with almonds. There are shops aplenty, parks and gardens, marble paved plazas and the broad Explanada d'Espanya encircling the yacht harbor with its mosaic promenade. Visitors come to Alicante mainly for the beaches, particularly San Juan which sports villas, hotels and restaurants.
The city has an international airport that makes it the gateway to the nearby package tour resorts such as Benidorm and Torrevieja, and ensures that the city is crowded with tourists during the holiday season. Alicante's energy reaches a peak during the last week of June each year when vacationers and locals alike throw themselves into celebrating the unrivalled fiesta of Saint Joan.
Puerto del Carmen
Set beneath a range of steep hills on the south coast of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is the island's major vacation resort. Its main feature is a spectacular two-mile (3km) golden beach, which is backed by a main road, The Strip, where shops, bars and restaurants of every variety can be found. The Old Town retains some of its old world charm but for the most part the resort of Puerto del Carmen is a sprawling holiday complex offering entertainment for all ages. It is the center of the Lanzarote's nightlife and is within easy distance of all the island's key attractions.
Matagorda
Matagorda and its sister resort, Los Pocillos, are just over a mile from Lanzarote's large, bustling holiday city of Puerto del Carmen. It is also connected to the larger, more brash resort by a pleasant, long promenade walkway with great views over Matagorda Bay. This means that visitors who opt for staying at a beach house or in the quieter environs of Matagorda, a former fishing village, can easily access the more boisterous entertainment and nightlife of Puerto del Carmen. Matagorda has a gently sloping beach of fine, dark sand, particularly popular for windsurfing. It boasts a central commercial center with a fair choice of restaurants and a supermarket. In general the Matagorda is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, relaxing vacation without too many bright lights or the usual beach resort crowds.
Playa Blanca
The quiet vacation resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of the island and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. The resort has undergone a lot of construction and upgrading in the last few years, which, contrary to expectation hasn't ruined the Spanish charm of this resort but rather added to it by giving tourists an extensive array of villas holiday accommodation to choose from in Playa Blanca. Despite the extensive growth over the last few years the old fishing village, in the center, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants in Playa Blanca along the promenade but the main attractions are the nearby beaches; some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (six km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared for families and couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18-mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.
Golf del Sur
Situated on the south coast of Tenerife and very close to the Reina Sofia airport, Golf del Sur, as its name suggests, is primarily a golfing vacation resort. There are several world-class courses on offer, but this should not put off the non-golfer, as there are other activities besides testing one's swing. The San Blas commercial center has a pretty square ringed with restaurants, bars (including karaoke bars) and shops, and there is also tennis, crazy golf and bowling on offer.
While in Golf del Sur, vacationers should be sure to taste the culinary pleasures of The Lobster Pot. For those seeking more action, the resort is close to the ever-popular Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos resorts, which are accessible by bus. Hiring a car is also an excellent way to explore the surrounding areas and take in what Tenerife has to offer.
Playa de las Americas
Playa de las Americas is Tenerife's largest tourist playground, a purpose-built hedonistic haven for vacationers of all ages and stages who come here for fun in the sun from all over the world. The resort is situated in the south of the island near the Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia Airport). It has grown vastly during its 30 years of existence and now covers three different zones: the original Playa de las Americas, San Eugenio and Toviscas.
There are three natural beaches in the resort area and three man-made ones, all covered with dark volcanic sand and extremely crowded during the summer season. The las Americas beaches are linked by a long promenade, which winds along the busy waterfront, backed by dozens of high-rise hotels and holiday apartment blocks. A mini train runs around the resort stopping at scheduled points every hour, and there are plenty of free buses to assist visitors in getting around, making the most of the Playa de las Americas bars, entertainment venues, shops and sports facilities that abound. Don't expect to soak up any Canarian culture while holidaying at Playa de las Americas, but for those who enjoy the hullaballoo of a packaged, carefree summer vacation, the resort will exceed expectations.
Las Palmas
The capital of Gran Canaria and bustling vacation resort, Las Palmas is situated at the northeast tip of the island, between two long stretches of beach. The city was founded in 1478 and was the spot where Christopher Columbus began each of his voyages to the Americas. Much of the original Vegueta district remains behind the modern apartment blocks, which line the seafront, and there are many interesting sights and museums to visit. The ambience is lively, evident of a population of southern temperament not always taking life at its most serious. Las Palmas' great cultural offerings, attractive festivities and highly recommendable cuisine attract thousand of vacationers every year and make for a memorable stay.
San Antonio
Situated on the west coast, ten miles (16km) from the airport and the capital Ibiza, San Antonio is the largest and liveliest vacation resort on the island. Known as 'San An' to the thousands of British clubbers who descend here each summer, the resort's proper name is Sant Antoni de Portmany. San Antonio's wide bay is lined with bars, restaurants and apartment blocks catering mainly for young British vacationers. There are a few small sandy beaches in the resort, and the spectacular beaches of Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida are a short ferry ride away. July and August are the best months to visit for those looking to experience the buzzing nightlife in San An, while the months of May and June, and September and October are most popular with families, couples and older visitors.
Magaluf
Anyone in the 18-30 age bracket whose holiday mission is fun, sun and soaking up sangria (or all manner of alcoholic beverages) will have the time of their lives in Mallorca's raucous premier party resort of Magaluf. The resort is situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Palma, the island's capital, has become one of Europe's most popular destinations for young British travelers eager to experience the famous nightlife in Magaluf. It sports hundreds of bars, discos and clubs, and has a wide choice of budget accommodation and restaurants. Magaluf and its wide sandy beaches such as Mallorca Beach, Magaluf Beach and Palma Nova Beach, is particularly packed during June, July and August with young vacationers who are known locally as 'gambas' (red prawns), especially if they stint on the sun cream. During the off-season it is much quieter with many of the wilder entertainment venues closed, and in recent years has been drawing older clientele and families during this period.
Alcudia
The vacation resort of Port d'Alcudia is situated in the north of Mallorca at the top of a long curving bay with an endless white sandy beach. It is two miles (3km) south of the historical old town of Alcudia, from which it takes its name. The sprawling, purpose-built resort, together with its neighbor Playa de Muro, stretches for five miles (8km) either side of the coast road and is particularly popular with British, German and Scandinavian vacationers. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere; its spectacular beach is the major attraction, though it is also well placed for exploring the attractions around the north of the island.
Torremolinos
Southern Spain's answer to Benidorm, Torremolinos is a vast purpose-built vacation resort situated 10 miles (16km) west of Malaga, on the road to Marbella. Holidaymakers looking for a cultural experience will be disappointed, as Torremolinos, particularly in high season, is noisy and fast-paced, 24 hours a day. With six miles (10km) of wide, sandy beaches, lots of watersports, masses of bars and restaurants and an exhausting nightlife, the resort attracts tourists of all ages from all over Europe. There is a large gay scene, but the resort is equally popular with families and the inevitable 18 to 30 crowd.
Cadiz
Cadiz, founded in 1100 BC on a peninsula 76 miles (122km) south of Seville as a Phoenician trading post, is the oldest inhabited city in Europe and a popular vacation destination. It had to wait, however, until the 16th century before it came into its own as a launching point for journeys to the newly discovered lands of the Americas. From here Columbus set out on his second voyage. Sir Francis Drake later famously raided the city, as did Napoleon.
The city's old town is picturesque and Moorish, with cobbled streets and squares, presided over by the Cathedral with a golden cupola. There is a gallery displaying some of Goya's works, and some lush parks on the headlands which offer panoramic views of the bay. The city is also home to some of Spain's loveliest beaches, including La Playa de la Caleta situated between two castles of the Old City, and La Playa de la Victoria, which is the most visited by vacationers for its safe bathing and watersports.
Salou
Situated on the Costa Dorada's sun drenched coast, 50 miles (80km) west of Barcelona and six miles (10km) west of Tarragona, the popular vacation resort town of Salou is hard to beat for a fun family vacation. It is fairly spread out and merges with the neighboring resorts of La Pineda to the east and Cambrils to the west, all of which benefit from the string of wonderful clean sandy beaches and secluded rocky coves.
As well as the natural attractions, Salou is also packed with entertainment for all ages, from watersports to an aqua park, go-karting and one of Europe's most thrilling theme parks, attracting thousand of vacationers every year, Universal's Port Aventura. Sightseers interested in museums or ancient history will find plenty to occupy them in nearby Tarragona, or on excursions into the Spanish countryside, or on excursions into the countryside. Salou's seafront promenade is set with beautifully landscaped gardens and parks; fountains are lit up at night when vacationers stroll to the restaurants, nightclubs, bars and British-style pubs.
Sitges
With over 3 miles (5km) of golden shoreline, Sitges is the perfect weekend break for tourists wishing to experience Spanish resorts without straying too far from Barcelona. One of the most popular vacation resort towns south of Barcelona is Sitges, 21 miles (45km) from the city. With more than 17 sand beaches, many of them with EU Blue Flag status, it is easy to see why Sitges has been called 'the playground of Barcelona'. Renowned for its swinging nightlife, Sitges attracts thousands of vacationers, including day-trippers from Barcelona, many of them young and well-heeled.
The city has a reputation for being gay-friendly, expensive, and decidedly arty, having been the town where the modernist movement began when it attracted artists such as Bohemian mystic Santiago Rusinol and later the likes of Salvador Dali. Rusinol's home in the town has been turned into a museum, displaying some of his works. Beachgoers and vacationers in Sitges can enjoy a number of activities and sights in and around the town. Sitges also plays host to the popular Sitges Film Festival, which specializes in fantasy and horror film genres. Most people, however, visit Sitges for the beautiful sandy beaches it offers. Between the church at one end of the town and the Terramar Hotel at the other extremity there are nine breakwaters, each sheltering gently sloping golden beaches equipped with showers, refreshment kiosks and sun-loungers for rent.
Caleta de Fuste
Fuerteventura's busiest vacation resort has been built up around the town of Caleta de Fuste, also known as Castillo, about six miles (10km) south of the island's airport. The resort's horseshoe-shaped gently sloping beach is man-made, covered with imported golden sand. Caleta de Fuste is a family orientated resort while also boasting a range of restaurants and bars. Holidaymakers at this Spanish resort town can also enjoy the usual water sports and activities such as snorkeling, diving, water skiing, surfing and going on fishing trips. The town is well equipped with a number of crèches as well as massage parlours and beauty salons for the few occasions when you're not on the beach. The resort is steadily growing in facilities and popularity, the latest addition being a golf course. The town consists of a long main street lined with low-rise buildings containing several restaurants and bars. Caleta de Fuste's top-rated eateries include Fado Rock Steak House and Risto Pizza La Torre.
For a good night out in Caleta de Fuste, stop in at Mappy's Bar. There are also numerous watersports on offer, boat trips and even undersea excursions on a submarine. Accommodation is mainly in apartment blocks. Caleta de Fuste's central location makes it a good base from which to explore the rest of the island, although there is little public transport and hiring a car is necessary for most excursions.
Corralejo
Once just a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Fuerteventura, Corralejo's harbor now receives ferries full of day-trippers from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote every day and the town plays host to hundreds of vacationers who are drawn to spend a sunny, sandy holiday in the island's tourist magnet. Although tourism is booming and development is keeping pace, the little port still retains its charm. Just outside the town is a protected nature reserve festooned with miles of sand dunes. The surrounding beaches are more than inviting and visitors to this Spanish resort town are spoilt for choice with beaches such as the sheltered Playa la Clavellina just near the harbor, or Playa del Medano which joins to Playa de Viejo. Playa del Pozo is also located just outside of Corralejo and is popular with nudists.
Cala d'Or
Like most vacation resorts in Mallorca, Cala d'Or (Golden Cove) evolved from a local fishing village after its charms and idyllic setting were 'discovered', in this instance, by a group of avant-garde artists who settled here in the 1930s. They built their white, flat-roofed houses around the picturesque fishing harbor, and soon the word spread. Cala d'Or became a desirable spot to have a holiday home, or for a relaxing seaside vacation.
The original village and harbor was situated in one of the small rocky coves with sandy beaches, called 'calas', which abound on Mallorca's east coast. The resort has now spread out to encompass several of these coves, all now beset with attractive hotels, apartment blocks and villas. It is a very chic resort, recommended for families because most establishments cater extremely well for children.
There are numerous adjacent smaller resorts and quaint villages clustered around the calas all along the south-east coastline, connected by a good bus service, which means visitors can make excursions to explore the delights of places like Cala Egos, Puerto Petro, Cala Mondrago, Cala Figuera, Cala Santanyi and Cala Llombarts. The Cala d'Or marina is the heart of the east coast resort area, attracting the fashionable yachting set.
Puerto Pollensa
The sedate vacation resort of Puerto Pollensa stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The resort has grown up around the scenic fishing port that serves the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Far quieter and more laid back than the exuberant resorts of Magalluf and Palma Nova, Puerto Pollensa and its near neighbor, the tranquil resort of Cala San Vicente, it attracts families and couples.
Holidaymakers generally take inclusive packages at the resort's family hotels, or rent sophisticated villas on the port's celebrated Pine Walk promenade. Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line the promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colorful sails of yachts. Those willing to make the effort to be up for sunrise are rewarded with an inspiring sight as gentle waves lap the shore in the dawn light.
Sa Coma
The purpose-built vacation resort of Sa Coma lies in the heart of Mallorca's popular east coast, sandwiched between lively Cala Millor and the restaurant-strewn seafront of S'Illot. S'Illot can be reached on foot, while a tourist tram connects to Cala Millor and its attractions. Sa Coma itself is largely frequented by British family groups on vacation, most opting for self-catering accommodation. The resort establishments cater particularly well for children, who make the most of the wide sandy beach with its broad shallow shelf of clear, blue water. The beach has European Blue Flag status for cleanliness, water quality and safety. The beach is fronted by a wide promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops, many of them British owned. Another big plus for the children is the resort's proximity to the large safari-park at Cala Millor, where apes, gazelles, elephants and ostriches are among the animals that roam in a simulated natural environment and can be viewed from a safari bus.
Cala Millor
Cala Millor is the liveliest and largest vacation resort on Mallorca's rugged north-east coast. The name means 'better bay', which is indicative of its main attraction: a mile or more long stretch of sandy beach, which slopes gently into a crystal clear blue sea, protected at each end by rocky headlands. Sunbeds, parasols and pedalos can be hired for the day by sunseekers. The rest of the island's east coast is lined with inlets and coves, which are fun to explore.
Cala Millor developed as a favorite destination with vacationers from one hotel, the Eureka, built in the 1930s, and is now a bustling enclave of high-rise hotels and apartment blocks, slowly merging into neighboring resorts along the coast, fronted by a wide pedestrian promenade along its alluring beach. Adjacent to Millor, across the headland to the north, is the quieter and more traditional resort of Cala Bona, with a little harbor, while a few miles to the south is the well-known resort of Sa Coma.
Cala Millor is about 40 miles (70km) from the Son Sant Joan International airport near Palma, the capital, in the south of the island. The area, particularly favored by German vacationers, is packed with shops, markets, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants to ensure non-stop fun in the sun, particularly suited for family holidays.
Roses
The largest vacation resort town on the north of the Costa Brava is the busy, crowded port of Roses, founded by the ancient Greeks but sporting few remnants today of its long history besides a crumbling citadel and sections of city wall. Instead the harbor town, where once a handful of British sailors repulsed an attack by Napoleon, is now a mass of typical high-rise resort developments, rising in tiers from a busy harbor and a few miles of man-made sandy beach, abuzz with vacationers indulging in all sorts of watersports. There is an aquatic park, go-karts, numerous take-away and fast food restaurants, scuba centers, cruises from the harbor and many more tourist amenities. The town is famous for its sunset over the Gulf of Roses.
Conil de la Frontera
Conil de la Frontera offers vacationers a traditional Andalusian flavor, with cobbled streets, the whirl of flamenco dancing, authentic tapas bars and of course, glorious beaches. Popular with Spanish tourists, the resort comes alive in summer and bustles with activity. Francisco La Fontanilla is the place to party in Conil de la Frontera. There are also Moorish ruins to explore (though these are tucked away in the side streets and can be hard to find), chic shops to browse in and plenty of excellent seafood restaurants to try.
A number of activities are also on offer in Conil de la Frontera for vacationers to enjoy, including diving, surfing, tennis, golf and of course, sun tanning and swimming. The town also has a lively nightlife, with a good selection of bars and cafés, and there are numerous fiestas throughout the year to enjoy. Conil de la Frontera is a perfect resort for those seeking an authentic Spanish experience, and remains largely undiscovered by the package tourist, for now.
Roquetas de Mar
The popular vacation resort town of Roquetas de Mar was once a sleepy, picturesque fishing village, dating from Roman times, and it still retains its warren of Moorish alley-like streets and pretty aspect of white-washed houses ascending the hillside. Hotel and apartment complexes, however, are beginning to dominate the skyline especially along the long, sandy beaches adjacent to the village. Tourism is big business along the holiday strip in Roquetas de Mar, with shops selling local crafts jostling with numerous restaurants and bars, and myriad activities on offer from horse riding to scuba diving or sailing.
Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa Serena) and a specially designated nudist beach. Those interested in history will enjoy exploring the ruins of the medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in the area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas salt marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the village, where flamingos, egrets and avocets gather.
Adra
The delightful vacation resort town of Adra, the western-most coastal town in the province of Almeria, is surrounded by magnificent beaches and is rich in history, having been founded in the 8th century. Adra remains a working fishing harbor and early-rising visitors enjoy the daily dawn fish auctions and dining out at the many tempting seafood restaurants.
The clean, neat town center with its many squares and parks is split by the attractive Paseo de Natalio Rivas promenade. Sights to see include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Partridge Tower (which houses the tourist office), an historic restored mill and the town's interesting museum. Adra boasts the Poniente blue flag beach among its stretches of beautiful sandy shore, attracting hundreds of vacationers each year.
Mojacar
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque holiday beach resort town in south-eastern Spain, the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. The unspoiled ancient Moorish fortress town of Mojacar has been a favorite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts vacationers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town's appearance or beguiling atmosphere. The village center is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria. Mojacar is the picture-perfect location for a beach vacation in Spain.
Lloret de Mar
History may have given way to high-rise hotels, and fishing to foam parties in this former Catalonian trading port, but the region's fiery spirit is still evident, which is why Lloret de Mar is regarded as the liveliest holiday spot on the Costa Brava. As a resort, the town caters for the 18-30s and families with children. There are seemingly hundreds of British bars, discos and clubs to choose from, and the days are packed with programs of beach frolics and fun. The resort has five rough sandy beaches, a massive water park, aquatic zoo and a theme park. For a taste of the real Spain visitors can revel in the local cuisine or gather in the town's Placa de la Vila on Saturday evenings to join in when locals dance the traditional Catalonian Sardana dance.
L'Estartit
While equipped with all the infrastructure demanded by modern vacationers, the Costa Brava resort town of L'Estartit also allows vacationers to enjoy the surrounding natural heritage. Coastal trails extend from the town through dunes and marshes, bicycle trails meander along the banks of the River Ter and just offshore the Medes Islands provide an underwater wonderland. Activities in and around L'Estartit are more relaxed than the more frenetic vacation resorts along the coast, like sail cruises, glass-bottomed boat rides, kayaking, horse-riding, cycling and bird-watching. The town itself offers plenty of exciting shopping and dining options.
Tossa de Mar
Once a haven for writers and artists, Tossa de Mar is now a favored vacation destination for families, couples and people from all walks of life who are drawn to this attractive town on the Costa Brava to relax, play, eat, drink and be merry. Its picturesque cobbled old town, the medieval Vila Vella, is highly atmospheric, enabling this resort to retain its historic atmosphere. The beaches are beautiful, and the town's position allows for easy access to other coastal resorts and the scenic hinterland for day trips and excursions. Although well supplied with shops, bars and restaurants, Tossa is not designed for all-night revelling.
Blanes
The most southerly vacation resort on the Costa Brava, Blanes not only attracts international tourists but is also frequented by large numbers of Spanish vacationers. Like most coastal towns Blanes has grown from a picturesque fishing village to tourist boomtown. The resort has a two-mile (3km) long stretch of coastline offering sandy bays and rocky coves, the main beachfront is lined with high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.
Behind the seafront the town still retains some reminders of its past, like the medieval castle of St Joan, several churches and other ancient buildings, which attract hundreds of vacationers each year. Pride of the town are two renowned botanical gardens, which boast thousands of plant species. Along with all the trappings of modern tourism, Blanes also prides itself in giving visitors a taste of the real Spain, offering traditional street markets, several fiestas and folk dancing fairs.
Tarifa
The Spanish vacation destination of Tarifa is ideally located on the border of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, near the Strait of Gibraltar and a short ferry ride away from the exotic Moroccan city of Tangier. The popular beach resort town is famed for being the windsurfing capital of Europe: Atlantic winds create ideal conditions and kite surfing is also growing in popularity here, especially on the beaches of Playa Valdevaqueros and Playa Los Lances.
Those who feel safer on land can try horseback riding, hiking, dolphin and whale watching, cycling, rock climbing and some of the region's best bird watching. The Moorish heritage of the area is evident in the preserved Castillo de Guzman and vacationers should visit the old part of the town to wander the narrow streets, shop and enjoy one of the many great tapas restaurants. Don't expect the madness and mayhem of places like Torremolinos, nor the 'chips with everything' style resorts; Tarifa is a charming beach resort that offers a local Spanish flavor and plenty of sunshine.
Costa del Silencio
Costa del Silencio (the Silent Coast), on the south shore of Tenerife, was one of the first vacation resorts on the island to be purposefully built for tourism and is dominated by the aging Ten Bel complex and several commercial centers. The resort is popular with German and Belgian visitors, but also draws the British package tour crowd to its shores. The resort itself does not have a major beach, but is within walking distance of the neighboring Las Galletas beach, and is also very close to the immensely popular Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos.
The resort attracts a fair amount of self-catering visitors. The town has three large commercial areas, CC El Chaparral, CC Trebol and CC Coralmar Square, which cater to these visitors. The supermarkets are predominantly overpriced, particularly for those wanting to buy UK brands.
Costa del Silencio does tend to live up to its name and is a lot quieter and more relaxed than other resorts, but still boasts a number of bars, shops and restaurants; just don't expect massive dance clubs and all night entertainment.
Moraira
Nestled in a pretty bay on the south-east coast of Spain, the small Spanish resort town of Moraira is an oasis of traditional charm on the busy Costa Blanca, a favored holiday spot and retirement haven. Moraira has grown from a small fishing village into an attractive resort surrounded by luxury villas without losing its Spanish character, which is entrenched in its impressive marina, variety of shops, colorful weekly markets, atmospheric old town, and its waterfront restaurants and bars.
This beach resort is easily accessible, being equidistant (about 62 miles/100km) by motorway from both Alicante and Valencia airports. For those who enjoy a taste of the high life, it is also within easy reach by car or bus of the busier, glitzier Costa Blanca resorts of Javea, Calpe and bustling Benidorm. The countryside around the vacation destination of Moraira offers some lovely scenery dotted with unspoiled villages to explore.
The relaxed traditional ambience of Moraira is accompanied by two main beaches with European Blue Flag status, separated by a promontory crowned with a medieval fortress. There are also plenty of sport and leisure facilities on offer. When it comes to holiday weather in Moraira, it is one of the best Spanish beach resorts claiming an average 325 days of sunshine a year, and temperatures that stay constantly pleasantly warm. Fresh sea breezes ensure that it is never sweltering in summer, and the surrounding mountains protect the town from the chilly winter winds.
Javea
Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the sun and fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca holiday coast, Javea is a pretty vacation resort town set between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) north-east of Alicante. Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town center are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes, while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the serenity of the landscape.
The old town is situated a mile or so inland because its inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in days of yore. The waterfront of Javea centers around the working fishing port of Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. A promenade is lined with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and pavement cafes. The most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy stretch with safe bathing, just one of the many sandy bays and coves to be enjoyed along the coastline.
Several times a year Javea lets its hair down with a lively fiesta. The best known, and most enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors and Christians' celebration, when locals re-enact the Moorish landings on the coast and the recapture of the peninsula by Christian defenders. During the second half of July the town is enveloped in an orgy of feasting, street parades, dancing, music and fireworks.
Palma Nova
Together with its neighbor, Magalluf, the island resort of Palma Nova on the south west coast of Mallorca makes up the most popular vacation area on the island, situated a few miles west of the capital, Palma, and the Palma Mallorca Airport (Airport Son Sant Joan). Most visitors to Palma Nova come on package tours from Britain, intent on enjoying an entertaining, fun-in-the-sun vacation in a 'home-from-home' setting. Few are disappointed because the purpose-built resort offers all they need and more, from beautiful beaches to wild nightlife.
The three sandy beaches of the holiday strip, Es Carregador, Playa de Palma Nova and Son Maties, are backed by a long promenade and have European Blue Flag status. Palma Nova is divided from Europe's famed party capital, Magalluf, by a rocky headland, but the resorts are basically merged into one conglomerate of hotels and apartments offering a range of accommodation from budget self-catering to luxury-serviced suites. Palma Nova is known as the quieter section of this hedonistic seaside development, and therefore more suited to families. It is also one of the Spanish beach resorts that is popular with British tourists wishing to escape the icy UK winters. Many Palma Nova hotels offer discounted rates during off-peak but a fair amount of the bars and nightclubs in the resort are closed during winter.
Los Cristianos
The popular vacation resort of Los Cristianos lies in a sheltered bay in the south-west corner of the island of Tenerife, merging into the more glitzy purpose-built resort of Playa de las Americas. Los Cristianos has burgeoned into a modern package-tour resort from its origins as a sleepy Canarian fishing village, but has managed to retain some of its traditional feel, despite the plethora of modern hotels, shopping centers and apartment blocks. The focal point of the resort is its working harbor, fronted by a square surrounded with restaurants, and sandy beaches encircling a crescent-shaped bay backed by a long, wide promenade that stretches to neighboring Playa de las Americas. The old town center stretches from the port up to the main shopping street in a grid-like pattern of pedestrianized streets, still inhabited by many local people. The resort's best beach is man-made, the Playa de las Vistas, covered in sand imported from the Sahara. Being just a few minutes away by cheap taxi from las Americas resort allows vacationers in Los Cristianos to enjoy a more sedate stay, while still able to access the bright lights and entertainment facilities of the more boisterous neighbor, especially when it comes to nightlife.
C'an Picafort
C'an Picafort is a relatively large vacation resort situated on the north east coast of Mallorca on the lovely Bay of Alcudia, about an hour away from Palma. Like El Arenal, C'an Picafort is highly popular with German visitors, and due to those who have returned to live, it retains a certain German flavor. The resort grew from a tiny fishing village (remains of which can be seen in the town's working harbor) and today, spreads along a grid of small streets near the principal beach.
Pedestrian-friendly with a promenade perfect for evening strolls, the resort has become popular with those seeking a quiet beachside getaway, and hotels provide much of the resort's entertainment. There are several bars, restaurants and nightclubs, however, and plenty of shops and an excellent market on Fridays. C'an Picafort is also right next to Son Baulo, which has its own beach, shops and restaurants and is a popular vacation destination.
There are several activities to indulge in during the day such as cruises, horse riding, jeep safaris, go-karting, biking and watersports, and excursions to neighboring areas provide a more local Spanish flavor. Santa Margalida has more than 150 archaeological sites, including the Son Real Necropolis (also known as the Cemetery of the Phoenicians) that was used as a burial site from the Iron Age to Roman times. The nearby S'Albufera Wetlands Park offers excellent bird-watching opportunities, and a chance to enjoy the local flora and fauna. Another great way to spend the day is to take a bus trip to the busier resort of Puerto de Alcudia, or to Palma or Pollensa.
Santa Ponsa
Santa Ponsa (or Santa Ponca) today bears little resemblance to the fishing village it once was. Just under half an hour away from Palma and about three miles (5km) south of Magalluf on the south west coast, Santa Ponsa is famous not only as a popular Mallorcan vacation resort, but as the landing point of King Jaime I in 1229 when he came to take the island from the Moors. A stone cross at the resort's marina marks the event. As with most Mallorcan vacation resorts, Santa Ponsa is highly developed and tends to be lively and busy, with an active nightlife and excellent beach culture.
Santa Ponsa is the principal beach, which is supplemented with imported sand, while the more sheltered Calo d'en Pellicer is slightly smaller and closer to the marine club. The third, more exclusive beach is Castellot. The water at all three beaches is warm and clear, and offers safe swimming. A pedestrian promenade, with shade provided by pine trees, runs in front of the Santa Ponsa beach and there are the usual beachfront restaurants, bars, shops and cafés. Over the years, Santa Ponsa has developed a Celtic flavor, with a number of Scottish and Irish themed pubs and bars, but it remains popular with a range of visitors of different ages.
Cala San Vincente
Cala San Vincente (also known as Cala Sant Vicenç) is a lovely, small vacation resort set in what is still essentially a fishing village. Situated on the north eastern coast, about three miles (5km) from Pollensa, Cala San Vincente boasts spectacular scenery, charming old houses and three beaches. This is not the place to come for all-night parties or massive hotel complexes, but suits those seeking to relax and enjoy the character of the area. It is especially suited to mature travelers and those with older children, as there isn't much on offer for young kids or twentysomethings looking for a party.
The main beach is Cala Barques, where vacationers can expect to share the space with local fishermen repairing nets, as well as their equipment, and there are also several beachside restaurants and bars on offer. Tucked around a rocky hillock is the tiny, but often crowded, Cala Clara beach. A little bit further on is the popular swimming beach of Cala Molins, whose sand is imported each year. In general, the water is warm and crystal clear, perfect for swimmers, and the views are spectacular.
There is not much in the way of shopping on offer in Cala San Vincente besides the basics, but the nearby town of Pollensa offers a greater selection and a lovely Sunday market, as well as several historic buildings. There are also regular buses to Inca and Puerto Pollensa. A popular local attraction is a series of prehistoric man-made caves, and closer to Pollensa are the Calvari steps: 365 tree-lined steps that lead up to the minute Calvari church and its ancient wooden cross. For the less culturally inclined, a mini golf course is also on offer.
Calas de Mallorca
The relaxed and quiet purpose-built vacation resort of Calas de Mallorca is in the center of the east coast of the island, close to the towns of Manacor and Felanitx. The resort is set on a cliff top and is therefore not ideal for those with disabilities or for the elderly, but does have lovely views and good beaches, and is popular with families with small children. Playa Domingos is the principal beach and offers warm, crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkeling; the water can, however, get quite rough at times.
Paguera
Paguera has been a favored Mallorca tourist resort since the 1960s and is immensely popular with European visitors, particularly from Germany. Although not as frenetic as nearby Magalluf and Palma Nova, and slightly more upmarket, it is still a noisy and bustling resort - not one to visit if seeking peace and tranquility. Paguera is situated on the south west coast of the island and boasts three principal beaches that are popular with vacationers (Playa Palmira, Playa Tora and Playa La Romana) and are linked by a pedestrian promenade.
This Spanish resort town offers a number of activities to enjoy during the day, as well as a lively nightlife, although many choose to enjoy the entertainment offered by their hotels. There are also regular buses to the ever-popular, even busier Magaluf and other neighboring towns and resorts. Many visitors come to enjoy the web of coastal hiking routes, while others prefer to laze on the beach and enjoy the sunshine and warm waters.
Las Caletillas
Las Caletillas is a quiet vacation resort, more residential than commercial, set on Tenerife's north east coast. The resort is roughly nine miles (14km) from the island's capital, Santa Cruz, and is a stone's throw away from the charming village of Candelaria with its black sand volcanic beach. Las Caletillas itself has a black pebble beach stretching around three coves, and offers several bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. There is not much on offer in the way of nightlife in Las Caletillas, so don't expect to be up until dawn.
Playa de Las Teresitas, just up the coast from Las Caletillas, provides a change of scenery and golden sandy beaches for those who aren't quite comfortable sunning themselves on the remnants of a volcanic eruption. Of course, the bustling Santa Cruz is close by and if one hires a car, there are various areas of interest to explore on this part of Tenerife, such as the small town of Masca, the historic village of La Laguna with its market and attractive cathedral, or La Orotava (boasting an embroidery school).
A great day out is a trip to the Teide National Park where visitors can enjoy a cable car ride up Spain's highest mountain, the volcanic Mount Teide. Although it may not be a hotspot, Las Caletillas is the perfect vacation destination in Spain for those seeking a more authentic Canaries experience and a truly relaxing Tenerife getaway.
Playa la Arena
Once a fishing village on the west coast of Tenerife, Playa la Arena is today one of three separate vacation resorts (Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago and Playa la Arena) that have to all intents and purposes merged into one. Playa la Arena is the most modern of the three and has a lovely long stretch of Blue Flag standard black sand beaches. The sea offers excellent swimming, but waters can sometimes be rough. A promenade runs along the seafront and is flanked by a variety of restaurants (some offering excellent seafood), several bars and shops. There is plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach or sampling local cuisine and many visitors opt for a boat trip to neighboring Los Gigantes, whale watching tours, day trips to the nearby village of Masca or a cable car ride up Mount Teide in the Teide National Park. Visitors can also choose to take a stroll to either Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes for something different, or catch a bus to the bustling Playa de las Americas for a night on the town. In general, Playa la Arena is peaceful and laid-back, lacking the aggressive touting common in other resorts, and offers a perfect combination of activity and relaxation for all types of visitors seeking the perfect vacation destination.
Puerto Santiago
Puerto Santiago is the central vacation resort of three separate ones, Los Gigantes, Playa Arena and Puerto Santiago, which have spread and essentially merged into each other on Tenerife's west coast, forming the area's largest tourist hub collectively known as Los Gigantes. The resort of Puerto Santiago was once a small fishing village, but typical of the Canary Islands, is now a popular vacation destination garnering rave reviews from most tourists and visitors. Puerto Santiago boasts a small but decent selection of bars, restaurants, shops and activities to suit the tourist palette. Puerto Santiago has managed to retain some of its traditional charm and offers visitors the chance to relax and enjoy a seaside break with a local Spanish flavor; although some visitors might take a while to get accustomed to the black sand beach.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes (The Giants) is aptly named after the Acantilados de los Gigantes; large, striking cliffs that surround this attractive vacation resort. The resort is set on the west coast of Tenerife and is essentially joined together with its neighbors, Playa la Arena and Puerto Santiago, to provide visitors with an exciting resort experience. A concerted effort has been made not to destroy the natural beauty of the town and as such there are none of the towering hotels common to other Spanish tourist resorts. The scenery is dominated by a rocky cliff which is 2,600 feet (800 meters) high in places.
Puerto de la Cruz
A cosmopolitan old colonial town known to tourists throughout Europe, the vacation destination of Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is the principal tourist center of the island. It was in the 1890s that Puerto de la Cruz became a fashionable spa town and since then it has become a preferred holiday spot for European royalty and dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill and Bertrand Russell.
Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, it has maintained the style and flair of a cosmopolitan spa as well as kept the feel of a small and friendly, bustling Spanish town. Being the birthplace of tourism in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz attracts some 900,000 visitors annually. Most of the area around the old fishing port is lined with cobbled streets, full of colonial architecture and is one of the few resorts where locals still work, eat and drink. It is a place where old world charm exists alongside trendy hotels and apartments, making this the perfect vacation destination.
Costa Ballena
The purpose built vacation resort of Costa Ballena is conveniently located about an hour away from Seville, between Rota and Chipiona in the center of the Costa de la Luz. Surrounded by fresh water lakes and pine-covered hills, the vacation resort was designed with the environment in mind and one will not find the typical high-rise hotel blocks common to many beach resorts. In fact, visitors to this Spanish resort will soon find the town's parks and gardens a breath of fresh air when compared to your typical vacation resort towns.
In fact, Costa Ballena has been hailed as a one of a kind vacation destination in Europe, environmentally friendly while still offering a range of exciting holiday activities and amenities. A rather romantic story is attached to the town's name. In ancient times, a large whale (ballena in Spanish) was seeking a sanctuary, a place of paradise to end its years, and after much wandering, it found a spot near the coast of Cadiz - Costa Ballena.
The town itself comes pretty close to paradise and while on vacation, visitors can enjoy beautiful surrounds dotted with lakes, orchards and parks, uninterrupted stretches of beach, and activities such as horse riding, bowling, golfing, surfing and windsurfing. Visitors on vacation in Costa Ballena can also explore neighboring areas and soak up some traditional Spanish culture, visit sherry-producing bodegas and whitewashed villages, take a boat to Doñana Natural Park, or catch a spectacular Andalusian horse show.
C'an Pastilla
Over 40 years ago, C'an Pastilla was one of the first Mallorcan vacation resorts to gain popularity, particularly with British vacationers, and it has started to show its age somewhat. It is set on the island's south coast, close to the capital Palma, and rather unfortunately, is right next to Palma's busy international airport. C'an Pastilla is linked to the more German-orientated El Arenal by a walkway and has a long, lovely beach with plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas (there have been some complaints of touts, but a firm 'no' should do the trick). A mini tourist train runs along the C'an Pastilla sea front and also links the resort to El Arenal.
C'an Pastilla is a low-key vacation resort, with much of the nightlife centering on British-style bars and hotel entertainment; El Arenal tends to offer more in the way of nightlife. A key feature of the resort are the characteristic Balnearios; a collection of beach huts that spread to neighboring El Arenal and house toilet facilities, showers and a snack kiosk.
The town itself consists of a crowded main strip with bars, small shops and a charming marina to enjoy on vacation. Besides hotel entertainment, there are various watersports on offer in C'an Pastilla, as well as the huge waterpark at El Arenal and a mini-golf course, jeep safaris, cruises and more. A regular bus service runs to Palma de Mallorca and there are also neighboring villages and historical sites to explore. More often than not, C'an Pastilla is merely a stop off point for visitors to the island, but those who stay can expect a pleasant, relaxing beach vacation.
El Arenal
Situated on the east coast of the Bay of Palma, El Arenal (also known as S'Arenal) is a lively and highly developed vacation resort, popular with German travelers (many of whom have stayed) and the 18 to 30 age group, it is an ideal beach resort not only for singles but families too. The long, palm-lined beach is exquisite; perfect for stretching out on a sun-lounger and enjoying the calm waters. A stroll along the El Arenal waterfront promenade at sunset, past various shops, bars and restaurants, offers a great way to unwind, and a walkway links El Arenal to neighboring C'an Pastilla.
El Arenal's social highlight is probably Woody's Bar, but there are a host of lively resort bars and clubs that will keep you dancing until the early hours. Those seeking out a more authentic Spanish vacation experience, beyond the selection of German and British bars, would do well by wandering the back streets away from the strip. Visit the balnearios, 16 small beach huts that run from El Arenal to C'an Pastilla, one of which has been turned into a German-style bar. Hiring a car is an excellent way to explore the rest of the island and take in the sights while on vacation, but many choose simply to enjoy their hotels and the entertainment they provide.
El Arenal's neighboring towns of Calvia, San Telmo and the beautiful port of Pollenca are, however, worth visiting and there are plenty of impressive historical sites to enjoy. A frequent bus service also links El Arenal to the busy capital of Palma de Mallorca. For the more active, hiring a bicycle is a wonderful way to see the sights and there are also some excellent hikes to enjoy. There are plenty of watersports, sailing and diving on offer, as well as a mini-golf course and an enormous waterpark - a perfect day out for the kids!
Arenal d'en Castell
Arenal d'en Castell is a laid-back, peaceful vacation resort popular with British families and is a far cry from the over-developed, bustling resorts of Mallorca. Situated on the northern coast of Minorca (Menorca), Arenal d'en Castell is roughly 12 miles (20km) north of Mahon, the island's capital, and is set in a beautiful horseshoe bay on steep hills that slope down to a lovely beach. This means the resort is not ideal for the elderly, or those with mobility problems, but the beach is a magnificent place to relax and has good swimming in warm, shallow waters.
The Arenal d'en Castell region is popular for fishing and sailing, and there are a number of water sports on offer for adventurous vacationers. Most entertainment is provided by hotels, so there is little in the way of nightlife, other than several good restaurants and a few lively bars. For those seeking more activity, the nearby vacation resort of Son Parc offers the island's only golf course, as well as shopping opportunities, and for the fit, it is within a reasonable walking distance.
Neighboring Es Mercadal town has a lovely Sunday market worth exploring while on vacation in Arenal d'en Castell. Another good holiday excursion is a trip to Mount Toro - the island's highest peak and home to an ancient monastery.
S'Illot
The Spanish vacation destination of S'Illot is on the east coat of Mallorca and combines the larger resort town of Sa Coma and the smaller village of Cala Moreya, not far from Cala Millor and Porto Cristo. Cala Moreya is separated from Sa Coma by a small fresh water lagoon and is within easy walking distance. Cala Moreya was originally a tiny fishing village and fishermen still pull in their boats each evening and haul them up a ramp at the end of the small beach. The village has retained its charm and visitors on vacation in the S'Illot area have the option of enjoying the peace and tranquility of Cala Moreya, or the livelier aspects of its more upmarket neighbor. Both towns have excellent beaches, though Sa Coma beach is much larger, and there are a number of good restaurants (as well as fast food outlets), bars and shops to explore. S'Illot is popular with English families and couples seeking a quiet vacation resort, with the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement on offer.
Benidorm
Rows of shops selling beach buckets and flip-flops line the seafront of Benidorm, the Costa Blanca's largest and liveliest vacation resort town, where hordes of tourists throng the streets 24 hours a day. Of the thousands who come to holiday here on the town's three miles (5km) of white sandy beaches each year, many have stayed and purchased apartments in the numerous blocks that now dot the skyline. Benidorm, north of Alicante, is the party capital of the Costa Blanca with an unrivalled nightlife and a daytime carnival-like beach culture.
Remnants of Benidorm's historic past are now well hidden, but tucked into the Casco Antiguo section are the ruins of a castle built in the 14th century to fend off Berber pirates. Benidorm's spectacular sunsets are best viewed from the castle's 'mirador' (balcony). The place to see and be seen in the town however is the Playa de Levante, a two-mile (3km) boardwalk lined with trendy cafés and bars.
Altea
Away from the madding crowds of Benidorm, the peaceful town of Altea offers plenty of amenities for those who prefer a less frenetic beach vacation, without the glitz, glamour and gusto. Of all the towns on the Costa Blanca, Altea is probably the one that remains the least exploited and overdeveloped, where daily life remains uninterrupted by tourists and huge hotels have yet to be built. Altea has a long jetty and attractive walkway fronting a calm stretch of shoreline with pebbly beaches encircling the town. The town's central Plaza de la Iglesia leads onto narrow cobblestone streets and offers beautiful Mediterranean views.
Malaga
The lively city of Malaga, on the coast about 80 miles (129km) southeast of Seville, is the gateway to Spain's popular Costa del Sol vacation resort region. The city was also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and features several galleries displaying his work. Most notable is the 16th-century Museum of Fine Arts, alongside the Cathedral. Picasso's birthplace in Plaza Merced is open to the public and showcases his life and works.
Like most Andalusian cities, the vacation retreat of Malaga has Moorish roots and its illustrious past has left an imprint on the historic center, particularly around the fortress of La Alcazaba, dating from 1065, which is now an archaeological museum. The Moorish castle nearby is used as a state hotel. The city's famous botanical garden, sited on the Calle Alameda, dates from the days when the Malaga area was a popular winter vacation resort for the rich and famous, and is also worth a visit.
Marbella
Situated 25 miles (40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banus is Spain's answer to Monte Carlo. Spain's elite, and Britain's more successful felons, have flashy holiday homes in the surrounding hills, and swanky yachts in the marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's best quality vacation resort - the restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive) and the town has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that have blighted neighbors such as Torremolinos.
The old town of Marbella is hidden away and retains some of its medieval charm, and has some good clothes shops and restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto Banus, six miles (10km) to the west, is where you will find the casino and the seriously large yachts. Those vacation visitors who drive just a few miles inland, to the villages in the hills around Ronda, will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism with village markets and tapas bars to be explored.
Palma de Mallorca
Palma, capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, is a lively, cosmopolitan city in true Spanish tradition, its center forming a bustling montage of shopping centers, a maze of narrow lanes and restored buildings surrounded by ruined ancient city walls, and modern boulevards. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca and Palma itself was under Moorish control between the ninth and 13th centuries until the re-conquest by Jaume I of Aragon.
The Moorish heritage is still evident, as are the remnants of Palma's golden years when it rose to wealth and prominence in the 15th century as the main port of call between Europe and Africa. Later the city, set on the beautiful bay Bahia de Palma, became the favored Royal retreat for Fernando and Isabel, which helped it to become the popular Spanish beach vacation haunt and favorite weekend city break destination of the rich and famous. Despite the invasion of foreign tourists, Palma has kept its local flavor, particularly in its old quarter lined by cafés and tapas bars. Often the native dialect of Mallorquin is the only language heard in the backstreets, a fine Palma de Mallorca trait.
Playa del Ingles
'The Englishman's beach' is how Playa del Ingles translates - those naming the vacation resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main attractions are the wide sandy beaches that stretch from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north.
The Playa del Ingles seafront is lined by the lovely pedestrian promenade, the Paseo Costa Canaria, planted with lush gardens. With its conglomeration of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping malls, Playa del Ingles will not win any awards for architecture or sophisticated ambience, but the ever-growing vacation resort, purpose-built for pleasure and leisure back in the 1960s, is hard to beat for good value summer fun.
Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted to Playa del Ingles on vacation by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas.
Maspalomas
Maspalomas is a popular vacation resort on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, adjacent to this trendy Spanish island's largest and most hectic package-tour resort, Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas though, is the quieter and more upmarket option sporting the best four-mile (6km) stretch of golden, sandy beach on the island. Maspalomas is separated from Playa del Ingles by a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes, a protected area that provides a habitat for some rare species of flora and fauna, and a favorite haunt for nudists.
Along the Maspalomas waterfront the promenade, stretching to Playa del Ingles, bristles with bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues between luxury hotels and villas. Maspalomas also boasts an exhilarating water park and nearby are numerous other attractions like amusement parks, nature parks, a golf course, an aquarium and theme parks. The resort has become a favorite vacation destination for the gay community, with a designated gay zone on the beach and in the sand dunes. The resort's week-long Gay Pride festivities each May have become world-renowned on the party calendar.
Puerto Mogan
Situated on the south west coast, nine miles (14km) west of Puerto Rico, Puerto Morgan is one of the more up-market vacation resorts on Gran Canaria. The town is an old fishing village that has recently started to be developed into a modern resort town but retains a Spanish feel to it. Tourism is centered around the marina which bustles with local boats, yachts and Atlantic cruisers. There are a selection of bars, shops and restaurants aimed at tourists, but the shops are less tacky than in neighboring resorts and the restaurants serve some of the best seafood on the island.
Backed by the mountains, the old Puerto Morgan village is a maze of narrow roads and colonial style houses; the couple of canals running through it has prompted tour operators to dub it 'Little Venice'. There is one small beach in the resort and another, Playa Taurito, three miles (five km) to the east; both have black volcanic sand and boulders. Although there is a disco in Puerto Morgan, those looking for more noise should head to Puerto Rico or Playa del Inglés.
Puerto Rico
The vibrant, modern vacation resort of Puerto Rico, on the island of Gran Canaria, revels in excellent weather year-round, being situated on the island's southern tip just across the ocean from the Sahara. Puerto Rico is encircled by hills, its white-washed holiday accommodation clinging to steep cliff sides above two golden beaches. It includes three large commercial centers overflowing with shops, bars and restaurants, and is flanked by a marina packed with luxury yachts where it is possible to indulge in every kind of water sport imaginable. Puerto Rico has something for everyone: sunny corners for seekers of peace and tranquility, or a lively venue for a family holiday.
Playa del Cura
Situated on the south west coast of Gran Canaria, about an hour's drive from the airport at Las Palmas, is the small, quiet vacation resort of Playa Del Cura, built on the cliff sides lining the coast. This low-key family resort is just two miles (3km) from lively, hectic Puerto Rico, the island's well-known holiday and nightlife resort, but Playa del Cura remains popular as a peaceful place to stay while granting easy access to the bright lights and amenities of its more flamboyant neighbor.
Playa del Cura is on the main coastal bus route so traveling to other resorts is easy, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. The vacation resort has two small cove beaches, Cura and Tauro, at the base of the cliffs, both covered with dark volcanic sand and pebbles, and strewn with sunbeds so that visitors can make the most of some of the best weather in Gran Canaria. A short distance away is the popular stretch of the Amadores beach. The rocky coastline, and valley extending inland, provides opportunities for those keen on walking excursions. There is a small commercial center equipped with enough stores, bars and restaurants to provide for all holiday requirements.
Costa Teguise
The smallest and most recently developed of the island's three main vacation resorts, Costa Teguise is situated on the southeast corner of Lanzarote and is a haven for families and sun-seekers. Although it is a purpose built resort, Costa Teguise manages to have a nice community feel to it, with lots of little squares around which the bars and restaurants are located. The resort is more low key than some but still has plenty to do with a wide variety of shops and restaurants for all tastes and of course lovely beaches for holiday-makers to relax on. Playa de las Cucharas is probably the best of the three beaches with uninterrupted views and crystal clear blue waters, but Playa Bastian is another idyllic spot to enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine.
Alicante
Alicante is situated on the east coast of Spain and is the center of the popular Costa Blanca holiday region. Although Mediterranean in style, Alicante also has has an African flavor with women clad in caftans and hawkers selling African carvings along the waterfront and esplanades. Alicante's historical central district, though, is filled with Baroque buildings, bearing testimony to the city's rich history when it was a major seaport.
The main thoroughfare of the city is the Rambla, lined with palm trees, outdoor cafes and ice-cream parlours serving the unusual local drink, horchata, made with almonds. There are shops aplenty, parks and gardens, marble paved plazas and the broad Explanada d'Espanya encircling the yacht harbor with its mosaic promenade. Visitors come to Alicante mainly for the beaches, particularly San Juan which sports villas, hotels and restaurants.
The city has an international airport that makes it the gateway to the nearby package tour resorts such as Benidorm and Torrevieja, and ensures that the city is crowded with tourists during the holiday season. Alicante's energy reaches a peak during the last week of June each year when vacationers and locals alike throw themselves into celebrating the unrivalled fiesta of Saint Joan.
Puerto del Carmen
Set beneath a range of steep hills on the south coast of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is the island's major vacation resort. Its main feature is a spectacular two-mile (3km) golden beach, which is backed by a main road, The Strip, where shops, bars and restaurants of every variety can be found. The Old Town retains some of its old world charm but for the most part the resort of Puerto del Carmen is a sprawling holiday complex offering entertainment for all ages. It is the center of the Lanzarote's nightlife and is within easy distance of all the island's key attractions.
Matagorda
Matagorda and its sister resort, Los Pocillos, are just over a mile from Lanzarote's large, bustling holiday city of Puerto del Carmen. It is also connected to the larger, more brash resort by a pleasant, long promenade walkway with great views over Matagorda Bay. This means that visitors who opt for staying at a beach house or in the quieter environs of Matagorda, a former fishing village, can easily access the more boisterous entertainment and nightlife of Puerto del Carmen. Matagorda has a gently sloping beach of fine, dark sand, particularly popular for windsurfing. It boasts a central commercial center with a fair choice of restaurants and a supermarket. In general the Matagorda is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, relaxing vacation without too many bright lights or the usual beach resort crowds.
Playa Blanca
The quiet vacation resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of the island and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. The resort has undergone a lot of construction and upgrading in the last few years, which, contrary to expectation hasn't ruined the Spanish charm of this resort but rather added to it by giving tourists an extensive array of villas holiday accommodation to choose from in Playa Blanca. Despite the extensive growth over the last few years the old fishing village, in the center, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants in Playa Blanca along the promenade but the main attractions are the nearby beaches; some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (six km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared for families and couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18-mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.
Golf del Sur
Situated on the south coast of Tenerife and very close to the Reina Sofia airport, Golf del Sur, as its name suggests, is primarily a golfing vacation resort. There are several world-class courses on offer, but this should not put off the non-golfer, as there are other activities besides testing one's swing. The San Blas commercial center has a pretty square ringed with restaurants, bars (including karaoke bars) and shops, and there is also tennis, crazy golf and bowling on offer.
While in Golf del Sur, vacationers should be sure to taste the culinary pleasures of The Lobster Pot. For those seeking more action, the resort is close to the ever-popular Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos resorts, which are accessible by bus. Hiring a car is also an excellent way to explore the surrounding areas and take in what Tenerife has to offer.
Playa de las Americas
Playa de las Americas is Tenerife's largest tourist playground, a purpose-built hedonistic haven for vacationers of all ages and stages who come here for fun in the sun from all over the world. The resort is situated in the south of the island near the Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia Airport). It has grown vastly during its 30 years of existence and now covers three different zones: the original Playa de las Americas, San Eugenio and Toviscas.
There are three natural beaches in the resort area and three man-made ones, all covered with dark volcanic sand and extremely crowded during the summer season. The las Americas beaches are linked by a long promenade, which winds along the busy waterfront, backed by dozens of high-rise hotels and holiday apartment blocks. A mini train runs around the resort stopping at scheduled points every hour, and there are plenty of free buses to assist visitors in getting around, making the most of the Playa de las Americas bars, entertainment venues, shops and sports facilities that abound. Don't expect to soak up any Canarian culture while holidaying at Playa de las Americas, but for those who enjoy the hullaballoo of a packaged, carefree summer vacation, the resort will exceed expectations.
Las Palmas
The capital of Gran Canaria and bustling vacation resort, Las Palmas is situated at the northeast tip of the island, between two long stretches of beach. The city was founded in 1478 and was the spot where Christopher Columbus began each of his voyages to the Americas. Much of the original Vegueta district remains behind the modern apartment blocks, which line the seafront, and there are many interesting sights and museums to visit. The ambience is lively, evident of a population of southern temperament not always taking life at its most serious. Las Palmas' great cultural offerings, attractive festivities and highly recommendable cuisine attract thousand of vacationers every year and make for a memorable stay.
San Antonio
Situated on the west coast, ten miles (16km) from the airport and the capital Ibiza, San Antonio is the largest and liveliest vacation resort on the island. Known as 'San An' to the thousands of British clubbers who descend here each summer, the resort's proper name is Sant Antoni de Portmany. San Antonio's wide bay is lined with bars, restaurants and apartment blocks catering mainly for young British vacationers. There are a few small sandy beaches in the resort, and the spectacular beaches of Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida are a short ferry ride away. July and August are the best months to visit for those looking to experience the buzzing nightlife in San An, while the months of May and June, and September and October are most popular with families, couples and older visitors.
Magaluf
Anyone in the 18-30 age bracket whose holiday mission is fun, sun and soaking up sangria (or all manner of alcoholic beverages) will have the time of their lives in Mallorca's raucous premier party resort of Magaluf. The resort is situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Palma, the island's capital, has become one of Europe's most popular destinations for young British travelers eager to experience the famous nightlife in Magaluf. It sports hundreds of bars, discos and clubs, and has a wide choice of budget accommodation and restaurants. Magaluf and its wide sandy beaches such as Mallorca Beach, Magaluf Beach and Palma Nova Beach, is particularly packed during June, July and August with young vacationers who are known locally as 'gambas' (red prawns), especially if they stint on the sun cream. During the off-season it is much quieter with many of the wilder entertainment venues closed, and in recent years has been drawing older clientele and families during this period.
Alcudia
The vacation resort of Port d'Alcudia is situated in the north of Mallorca at the top of a long curving bay with an endless white sandy beach. It is two miles (3km) south of the historical old town of Alcudia, from which it takes its name. The sprawling, purpose-built resort, together with its neighbor Playa de Muro, stretches for five miles (8km) either side of the coast road and is particularly popular with British, German and Scandinavian vacationers. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere; its spectacular beach is the major attraction, though it is also well placed for exploring the attractions around the north of the island.
Torremolinos
Southern Spain's answer to Benidorm, Torremolinos is a vast purpose-built vacation resort situated 10 miles (16km) west of Malaga, on the road to Marbella. Holidaymakers looking for a cultural experience will be disappointed, as Torremolinos, particularly in high season, is noisy and fast-paced, 24 hours a day. With six miles (10km) of wide, sandy beaches, lots of watersports, masses of bars and restaurants and an exhausting nightlife, the resort attracts tourists of all ages from all over Europe. There is a large gay scene, but the resort is equally popular with families and the inevitable 18 to 30 crowd.
Cadiz
Cadiz, founded in 1100 BC on a peninsula 76 miles (122km) south of Seville as a Phoenician trading post, is the oldest inhabited city in Europe and a popular vacation destination. It had to wait, however, until the 16th century before it came into its own as a launching point for journeys to the newly discovered lands of the Americas. From here Columbus set out on his second voyage. Sir Francis Drake later famously raided the city, as did Napoleon.
The city's old town is picturesque and Moorish, with cobbled streets and squares, presided over by the Cathedral with a golden cupola. There is a gallery displaying some of Goya's works, and some lush parks on the headlands which offer panoramic views of the bay. The city is also home to some of Spain's loveliest beaches, including La Playa de la Caleta situated between two castles of the Old City, and La Playa de la Victoria, which is the most visited by vacationers for its safe bathing and watersports.
Salou
Situated on the Costa Dorada's sun drenched coast, 50 miles (80km) west of Barcelona and six miles (10km) west of Tarragona, the popular vacation resort town of Salou is hard to beat for a fun family vacation. It is fairly spread out and merges with the neighboring resorts of La Pineda to the east and Cambrils to the west, all of which benefit from the string of wonderful clean sandy beaches and secluded rocky coves.
As well as the natural attractions, Salou is also packed with entertainment for all ages, from watersports to an aqua park, go-karting and one of Europe's most thrilling theme parks, attracting thousand of vacationers every year, Universal's Port Aventura. Sightseers interested in museums or ancient history will find plenty to occupy them in nearby Tarragona, or on excursions into the Spanish countryside, or on excursions into the countryside. Salou's seafront promenade is set with beautifully landscaped gardens and parks; fountains are lit up at night when vacationers stroll to the restaurants, nightclubs, bars and British-style pubs.
Sitges
With over 3 miles (5km) of golden shoreline, Sitges is the perfect weekend break for tourists wishing to experience Spanish resorts without straying too far from Barcelona. One of the most popular vacation resort towns south of Barcelona is Sitges, 21 miles (45km) from the city. With more than 17 sand beaches, many of them with EU Blue Flag status, it is easy to see why Sitges has been called 'the playground of Barcelona'. Renowned for its swinging nightlife, Sitges attracts thousands of vacationers, including day-trippers from Barcelona, many of them young and well-heeled.
The city has a reputation for being gay-friendly, expensive, and decidedly arty, having been the town where the modernist movement began when it attracted artists such as Bohemian mystic Santiago Rusinol and later the likes of Salvador Dali. Rusinol's home in the town has been turned into a museum, displaying some of his works. Beachgoers and vacationers in Sitges can enjoy a number of activities and sights in and around the town. Sitges also plays host to the popular Sitges Film Festival, which specializes in fantasy and horror film genres. Most people, however, visit Sitges for the beautiful sandy beaches it offers. Between the church at one end of the town and the Terramar Hotel at the other extremity there are nine breakwaters, each sheltering gently sloping golden beaches equipped with showers, refreshment kiosks and sun-loungers for rent.
Caleta de Fuste
Fuerteventura's busiest vacation resort has been built up around the town of Caleta de Fuste, also known as Castillo, about six miles (10km) south of the island's airport. The resort's horseshoe-shaped gently sloping beach is man-made, covered with imported golden sand. Caleta de Fuste is a family orientated resort while also boasting a range of restaurants and bars. Holidaymakers at this Spanish resort town can also enjoy the usual water sports and activities such as snorkeling, diving, water skiing, surfing and going on fishing trips. The town is well equipped with a number of crèches as well as massage parlours and beauty salons for the few occasions when you're not on the beach. The resort is steadily growing in facilities and popularity, the latest addition being a golf course. The town consists of a long main street lined with low-rise buildings containing several restaurants and bars. Caleta de Fuste's top-rated eateries include Fado Rock Steak House and Risto Pizza La Torre.
For a good night out in Caleta de Fuste, stop in at Mappy's Bar. There are also numerous watersports on offer, boat trips and even undersea excursions on a submarine. Accommodation is mainly in apartment blocks. Caleta de Fuste's central location makes it a good base from which to explore the rest of the island, although there is little public transport and hiring a car is necessary for most excursions.
Corralejo
Once just a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Fuerteventura, Corralejo's harbor now receives ferries full of day-trippers from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote every day and the town plays host to hundreds of vacationers who are drawn to spend a sunny, sandy holiday in the island's tourist magnet. Although tourism is booming and development is keeping pace, the little port still retains its charm. Just outside the town is a protected nature reserve festooned with miles of sand dunes. The surrounding beaches are more than inviting and visitors to this Spanish resort town are spoilt for choice with beaches such as the sheltered Playa la Clavellina just near the harbor, or Playa del Medano which joins to Playa de Viejo. Playa del Pozo is also located just outside of Corralejo and is popular with nudists.
Cala d'Or
Like most vacation resorts in Mallorca, Cala d'Or (Golden Cove) evolved from a local fishing village after its charms and idyllic setting were 'discovered', in this instance, by a group of avant-garde artists who settled here in the 1930s. They built their white, flat-roofed houses around the picturesque fishing harbor, and soon the word spread. Cala d'Or became a desirable spot to have a holiday home, or for a relaxing seaside vacation.
The original village and harbor was situated in one of the small rocky coves with sandy beaches, called 'calas', which abound on Mallorca's east coast. The resort has now spread out to encompass several of these coves, all now beset with attractive hotels, apartment blocks and villas. It is a very chic resort, recommended for families because most establishments cater extremely well for children.
There are numerous adjacent smaller resorts and quaint villages clustered around the calas all along the south-east coastline, connected by a good bus service, which means visitors can make excursions to explore the delights of places like Cala Egos, Puerto Petro, Cala Mondrago, Cala Figuera, Cala Santanyi and Cala Llombarts. The Cala d'Or marina is the heart of the east coast resort area, attracting the fashionable yachting set.
Puerto Pollensa
The sedate vacation resort of Puerto Pollensa stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The resort has grown up around the scenic fishing port that serves the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Far quieter and more laid back than the exuberant resorts of Magalluf and Palma Nova, Puerto Pollensa and its near neighbor, the tranquil resort of Cala San Vicente, it attracts families and couples.
Holidaymakers generally take inclusive packages at the resort's family hotels, or rent sophisticated villas on the port's celebrated Pine Walk promenade. Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line the promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colorful sails of yachts. Those willing to make the effort to be up for sunrise are rewarded with an inspiring sight as gentle waves lap the shore in the dawn light.
Sa Coma
The purpose-built vacation resort of Sa Coma lies in the heart of Mallorca's popular east coast, sandwiched between lively Cala Millor and the restaurant-strewn seafront of S'Illot. S'Illot can be reached on foot, while a tourist tram connects to Cala Millor and its attractions. Sa Coma itself is largely frequented by British family groups on vacation, most opting for self-catering accommodation. The resort establishments cater particularly well for children, who make the most of the wide sandy beach with its broad shallow shelf of clear, blue water. The beach has European Blue Flag status for cleanliness, water quality and safety. The beach is fronted by a wide promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops, many of them British owned. Another big plus for the children is the resort's proximity to the large safari-park at Cala Millor, where apes, gazelles, elephants and ostriches are among the animals that roam in a simulated natural environment and can be viewed from a safari bus.
Cala Millor
Cala Millor is the liveliest and largest vacation resort on Mallorca's rugged north-east coast. The name means 'better bay', which is indicative of its main attraction: a mile or more long stretch of sandy beach, which slopes gently into a crystal clear blue sea, protected at each end by rocky headlands. Sunbeds, parasols and pedalos can be hired for the day by sunseekers. The rest of the island's east coast is lined with inlets and coves, which are fun to explore.
Cala Millor developed as a favorite destination with vacationers from one hotel, the Eureka, built in the 1930s, and is now a bustling enclave of high-rise hotels and apartment blocks, slowly merging into neighboring resorts along the coast, fronted by a wide pedestrian promenade along its alluring beach. Adjacent to Millor, across the headland to the north, is the quieter and more traditional resort of Cala Bona, with a little harbor, while a few miles to the south is the well-known resort of Sa Coma.
Cala Millor is about 40 miles (70km) from the Son Sant Joan International airport near Palma, the capital, in the south of the island. The area, particularly favored by German vacationers, is packed with shops, markets, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants to ensure non-stop fun in the sun, particularly suited for family holidays.
Roses
The largest vacation resort town on the north of the Costa Brava is the busy, crowded port of Roses, founded by the ancient Greeks but sporting few remnants today of its long history besides a crumbling citadel and sections of city wall. Instead the harbor town, where once a handful of British sailors repulsed an attack by Napoleon, is now a mass of typical high-rise resort developments, rising in tiers from a busy harbor and a few miles of man-made sandy beach, abuzz with vacationers indulging in all sorts of watersports. There is an aquatic park, go-karts, numerous take-away and fast food restaurants, scuba centers, cruises from the harbor and many more tourist amenities. The town is famous for its sunset over the Gulf of Roses.
Conil de la Frontera
Conil de la Frontera offers vacationers a traditional Andalusian flavor, with cobbled streets, the whirl of flamenco dancing, authentic tapas bars and of course, glorious beaches. Popular with Spanish tourists, the resort comes alive in summer and bustles with activity. Francisco La Fontanilla is the place to party in Conil de la Frontera. There are also Moorish ruins to explore (though these are tucked away in the side streets and can be hard to find), chic shops to browse in and plenty of excellent seafood restaurants to try.
A number of activities are also on offer in Conil de la Frontera for vacationers to enjoy, including diving, surfing, tennis, golf and of course, sun tanning and swimming. The town also has a lively nightlife, with a good selection of bars and cafés, and there are numerous fiestas throughout the year to enjoy. Conil de la Frontera is a perfect resort for those seeking an authentic Spanish experience, and remains largely undiscovered by the package tourist, for now.
Roquetas de Mar
The popular vacation resort town of Roquetas de Mar was once a sleepy, picturesque fishing village, dating from Roman times, and it still retains its warren of Moorish alley-like streets and pretty aspect of white-washed houses ascending the hillside. Hotel and apartment complexes, however, are beginning to dominate the skyline especially along the long, sandy beaches adjacent to the village. Tourism is big business along the holiday strip in Roquetas de Mar, with shops selling local crafts jostling with numerous restaurants and bars, and myriad activities on offer from horse riding to scuba diving or sailing.
Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa Serena) and a specially designated nudist beach. Those interested in history will enjoy exploring the ruins of the medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in the area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas salt marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the village, where flamingos, egrets and avocets gather.
Adra
The delightful vacation resort town of Adra, the western-most coastal town in the province of Almeria, is surrounded by magnificent beaches and is rich in history, having been founded in the 8th century. Adra remains a working fishing harbor and early-rising visitors enjoy the daily dawn fish auctions and dining out at the many tempting seafood restaurants.
The clean, neat town center with its many squares and parks is split by the attractive Paseo de Natalio Rivas promenade. Sights to see include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Partridge Tower (which houses the tourist office), an historic restored mill and the town's interesting museum. Adra boasts the Poniente blue flag beach among its stretches of beautiful sandy shore, attracting hundreds of vacationers each year.
Mojacar
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque holiday beach resort town in south-eastern Spain, the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. The unspoiled ancient Moorish fortress town of Mojacar has been a favorite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts vacationers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town's appearance or beguiling atmosphere. The village center is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria. Mojacar is the picture-perfect location for a beach vacation in Spain.
Lloret de Mar
History may have given way to high-rise hotels, and fishing to foam parties in this former Catalonian trading port, but the region's fiery spirit is still evident, which is why Lloret de Mar is regarded as the liveliest holiday spot on the Costa Brava. As a resort, the town caters for the 18-30s and families with children. There are seemingly hundreds of British bars, discos and clubs to choose from, and the days are packed with programs of beach frolics and fun. The resort has five rough sandy beaches, a massive water park, aquatic zoo and a theme park. For a taste of the real Spain visitors can revel in the local cuisine or gather in the town's Placa de la Vila on Saturday evenings to join in when locals dance the traditional Catalonian Sardana dance.
L'Estartit
While equipped with all the infrastructure demanded by modern vacationers, the Costa Brava resort town of L'Estartit also allows vacationers to enjoy the surrounding natural heritage. Coastal trails extend from the town through dunes and marshes, bicycle trails meander along the banks of the River Ter and just offshore the Medes Islands provide an underwater wonderland. Activities in and around L'Estartit are more relaxed than the more frenetic vacation resorts along the coast, like sail cruises, glass-bottomed boat rides, kayaking, horse-riding, cycling and bird-watching. The town itself offers plenty of exciting shopping and dining options.
Tossa de Mar
Once a haven for writers and artists, Tossa de Mar is now a favored vacation destination for families, couples and people from all walks of life who are drawn to this attractive town on the Costa Brava to relax, play, eat, drink and be merry. Its picturesque cobbled old town, the medieval Vila Vella, is highly atmospheric, enabling this resort to retain its historic atmosphere. The beaches are beautiful, and the town's position allows for easy access to other coastal resorts and the scenic hinterland for day trips and excursions. Although well supplied with shops, bars and restaurants, Tossa is not designed for all-night revelling.
Blanes
The most southerly vacation resort on the Costa Brava, Blanes not only attracts international tourists but is also frequented by large numbers of Spanish vacationers. Like most coastal towns Blanes has grown from a picturesque fishing village to tourist boomtown. The resort has a two-mile (3km) long stretch of coastline offering sandy bays and rocky coves, the main beachfront is lined with high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.
Behind the seafront the town still retains some reminders of its past, like the medieval castle of St Joan, several churches and other ancient buildings, which attract hundreds of vacationers each year. Pride of the town are two renowned botanical gardens, which boast thousands of plant species. Along with all the trappings of modern tourism, Blanes also prides itself in giving visitors a taste of the real Spain, offering traditional street markets, several fiestas and folk dancing fairs.
Tarifa
The Spanish vacation destination of Tarifa is ideally located on the border of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, near the Strait of Gibraltar and a short ferry ride away from the exotic Moroccan city of Tangier. The popular beach resort town is famed for being the windsurfing capital of Europe: Atlantic winds create ideal conditions and kite surfing is also growing in popularity here, especially on the beaches of Playa Valdevaqueros and Playa Los Lances.
Those who feel safer on land can try horseback riding, hiking, dolphin and whale watching, cycling, rock climbing and some of the region's best bird watching. The Moorish heritage of the area is evident in the preserved Castillo de Guzman and vacationers should visit the old part of the town to wander the narrow streets, shop and enjoy one of the many great tapas restaurants. Don't expect the madness and mayhem of places like Torremolinos, nor the 'chips with everything' style resorts; Tarifa is a charming beach resort that offers a local Spanish flavor and plenty of sunshine.
Costa del Silencio
Costa del Silencio (the Silent Coast), on the south shore of Tenerife, was one of the first vacation resorts on the island to be purposefully built for tourism and is dominated by the aging Ten Bel complex and several commercial centers. The resort is popular with German and Belgian visitors, but also draws the British package tour crowd to its shores. The resort itself does not have a major beach, but is within walking distance of the neighboring Las Galletas beach, and is also very close to the immensely popular Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos.
The resort attracts a fair amount of self-catering visitors. The town has three large commercial areas, CC El Chaparral, CC Trebol and CC Coralmar Square, which cater to these visitors. The supermarkets are predominantly overpriced, particularly for those wanting to buy UK brands.
Costa del Silencio does tend to live up to its name and is a lot quieter and more relaxed than other resorts, but still boasts a number of bars, shops and restaurants; just don't expect massive dance clubs and all night entertainment.
Moraira
Nestled in a pretty bay on the south-east coast of Spain, the small Spanish resort town of Moraira is an oasis of traditional charm on the busy Costa Blanca, a favored holiday spot and retirement haven. Moraira has grown from a small fishing village into an attractive resort surrounded by luxury villas without losing its Spanish character, which is entrenched in its impressive marina, variety of shops, colorful weekly markets, atmospheric old town, and its waterfront restaurants and bars.
This beach resort is easily accessible, being equidistant (about 62 miles/100km) by motorway from both Alicante and Valencia airports. For those who enjoy a taste of the high life, it is also within easy reach by car or bus of the busier, glitzier Costa Blanca resorts of Javea, Calpe and bustling Benidorm. The countryside around the vacation destination of Moraira offers some lovely scenery dotted with unspoiled villages to explore.
The relaxed traditional ambience of Moraira is accompanied by two main beaches with European Blue Flag status, separated by a promontory crowned with a medieval fortress. There are also plenty of sport and leisure facilities on offer. When it comes to holiday weather in Moraira, it is one of the best Spanish beach resorts claiming an average 325 days of sunshine a year, and temperatures that stay constantly pleasantly warm. Fresh sea breezes ensure that it is never sweltering in summer, and the surrounding mountains protect the town from the chilly winter winds.
Javea
Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the sun and fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca holiday coast, Javea is a pretty vacation resort town set between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) north-east of Alicante. Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town center are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes, while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the serenity of the landscape.
The old town is situated a mile or so inland because its inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in days of yore. The waterfront of Javea centers around the working fishing port of Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. A promenade is lined with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and pavement cafes. The most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy stretch with safe bathing, just one of the many sandy bays and coves to be enjoyed along the coastline.
Several times a year Javea lets its hair down with a lively fiesta. The best known, and most enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors and Christians' celebration, when locals re-enact the Moorish landings on the coast and the recapture of the peninsula by Christian defenders. During the second half of July the town is enveloped in an orgy of feasting, street parades, dancing, music and fireworks.
Palma Nova
Together with its neighbor, Magalluf, the island resort of Palma Nova on the south west coast of Mallorca makes up the most popular vacation area on the island, situated a few miles west of the capital, Palma, and the Palma Mallorca Airport (Airport Son Sant Joan). Most visitors to Palma Nova come on package tours from Britain, intent on enjoying an entertaining, fun-in-the-sun vacation in a 'home-from-home' setting. Few are disappointed because the purpose-built resort offers all they need and more, from beautiful beaches to wild nightlife.
The three sandy beaches of the holiday strip, Es Carregador, Playa de Palma Nova and Son Maties, are backed by a long promenade and have European Blue Flag status. Palma Nova is divided from Europe's famed party capital, Magalluf, by a rocky headland, but the resorts are basically merged into one conglomerate of hotels and apartments offering a range of accommodation from budget self-catering to luxury-serviced suites. Palma Nova is known as the quieter section of this hedonistic seaside development, and therefore more suited to families. It is also one of the Spanish beach resorts that is popular with British tourists wishing to escape the icy UK winters. Many Palma Nova hotels offer discounted rates during off-peak but a fair amount of the bars and nightclubs in the resort are closed during winter.
Los Cristianos
The popular vacation resort of Los Cristianos lies in a sheltered bay in the south-west corner of the island of Tenerife, merging into the more glitzy purpose-built resort of Playa de las Americas. Los Cristianos has burgeoned into a modern package-tour resort from its origins as a sleepy Canarian fishing village, but has managed to retain some of its traditional feel, despite the plethora of modern hotels, shopping centers and apartment blocks. The focal point of the resort is its working harbor, fronted by a square surrounded with restaurants, and sandy beaches encircling a crescent-shaped bay backed by a long, wide promenade that stretches to neighboring Playa de las Americas. The old town center stretches from the port up to the main shopping street in a grid-like pattern of pedestrianized streets, still inhabited by many local people. The resort's best beach is man-made, the Playa de las Vistas, covered in sand imported from the Sahara. Being just a few minutes away by cheap taxi from las Americas resort allows vacationers in Los Cristianos to enjoy a more sedate stay, while still able to access the bright lights and entertainment facilities of the more boisterous neighbor, especially when it comes to nightlife.
C'an Picafort
C'an Picafort is a relatively large vacation resort situated on the north east coast of Mallorca on the lovely Bay of Alcudia, about an hour away from Palma. Like El Arenal, C'an Picafort is highly popular with German visitors, and due to those who have returned to live, it retains a certain German flavor. The resort grew from a tiny fishing village (remains of which can be seen in the town's working harbor) and today, spreads along a grid of small streets near the principal beach.
Pedestrian-friendly with a promenade perfect for evening strolls, the resort has become popular with those seeking a quiet beachside getaway, and hotels provide much of the resort's entertainment. There are several bars, restaurants and nightclubs, however, and plenty of shops and an excellent market on Fridays. C'an Picafort is also right next to Son Baulo, which has its own beach, shops and restaurants and is a popular vacation destination.
There are several activities to indulge in during the day such as cruises, horse riding, jeep safaris, go-karting, biking and watersports, and excursions to neighboring areas provide a more local Spanish flavor. Santa Margalida has more than 150 archaeological sites, including the Son Real Necropolis (also known as the Cemetery of the Phoenicians) that was used as a burial site from the Iron Age to Roman times. The nearby S'Albufera Wetlands Park offers excellent bird-watching opportunities, and a chance to enjoy the local flora and fauna. Another great way to spend the day is to take a bus trip to the busier resort of Puerto de Alcudia, or to Palma or Pollensa.
Santa Ponsa
Santa Ponsa (or Santa Ponca) today bears little resemblance to the fishing village it once was. Just under half an hour away from Palma and about three miles (5km) south of Magalluf on the south west coast, Santa Ponsa is famous not only as a popular Mallorcan vacation resort, but as the landing point of King Jaime I in 1229 when he came to take the island from the Moors. A stone cross at the resort's marina marks the event. As with most Mallorcan vacation resorts, Santa Ponsa is highly developed and tends to be lively and busy, with an active nightlife and excellent beach culture.
Santa Ponsa is the principal beach, which is supplemented with imported sand, while the more sheltered Calo d'en Pellicer is slightly smaller and closer to the marine club. The third, more exclusive beach is Castellot. The water at all three beaches is warm and clear, and offers safe swimming. A pedestrian promenade, with shade provided by pine trees, runs in front of the Santa Ponsa beach and there are the usual beachfront restaurants, bars, shops and cafés. Over the years, Santa Ponsa has developed a Celtic flavor, with a number of Scottish and Irish themed pubs and bars, but it remains popular with a range of visitors of different ages.
Cala San Vincente
Cala San Vincente (also known as Cala Sant Vicenç) is a lovely, small vacation resort set in what is still essentially a fishing village. Situated on the north eastern coast, about three miles (5km) from Pollensa, Cala San Vincente boasts spectacular scenery, charming old houses and three beaches. This is not the place to come for all-night parties or massive hotel complexes, but suits those seeking to relax and enjoy the character of the area. It is especially suited to mature travelers and those with older children, as there isn't much on offer for young kids or twentysomethings looking for a party.
The main beach is Cala Barques, where vacationers can expect to share the space with local fishermen repairing nets, as well as their equipment, and there are also several beachside restaurants and bars on offer. Tucked around a rocky hillock is the tiny, but often crowded, Cala Clara beach. A little bit further on is the popular swimming beach of Cala Molins, whose sand is imported each year. In general, the water is warm and crystal clear, perfect for swimmers, and the views are spectacular.
There is not much in the way of shopping on offer in Cala San Vincente besides the basics, but the nearby town of Pollensa offers a greater selection and a lovely Sunday market, as well as several historic buildings. There are also regular buses to Inca and Puerto Pollensa. A popular local attraction is a series of prehistoric man-made caves, and closer to Pollensa are the Calvari steps: 365 tree-lined steps that lead up to the minute Calvari church and its ancient wooden cross. For the less culturally inclined, a mini golf course is also on offer.
Calas de Mallorca
The relaxed and quiet purpose-built vacation resort of Calas de Mallorca is in the center of the east coast of the island, close to the towns of Manacor and Felanitx. The resort is set on a cliff top and is therefore not ideal for those with disabilities or for the elderly, but does have lovely views and good beaches, and is popular with families with small children. Playa Domingos is the principal beach and offers warm, crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkeling; the water can, however, get quite rough at times.
Paguera
Paguera has been a favored Mallorca tourist resort since the 1960s and is immensely popular with European visitors, particularly from Germany. Although not as frenetic as nearby Magalluf and Palma Nova, and slightly more upmarket, it is still a noisy and bustling resort - not one to visit if seeking peace and tranquility. Paguera is situated on the south west coast of the island and boasts three principal beaches that are popular with vacationers (Playa Palmira, Playa Tora and Playa La Romana) and are linked by a pedestrian promenade.
This Spanish resort town offers a number of activities to enjoy during the day, as well as a lively nightlife, although many choose to enjoy the entertainment offered by their hotels. There are also regular buses to the ever-popular, even busier Magaluf and other neighboring towns and resorts. Many visitors come to enjoy the web of coastal hiking routes, while others prefer to laze on the beach and enjoy the sunshine and warm waters.
Las Caletillas
Las Caletillas is a quiet vacation resort, more residential than commercial, set on Tenerife's north east coast. The resort is roughly nine miles (14km) from the island's capital, Santa Cruz, and is a stone's throw away from the charming village of Candelaria with its black sand volcanic beach. Las Caletillas itself has a black pebble beach stretching around three coves, and offers several bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. There is not much on offer in the way of nightlife in Las Caletillas, so don't expect to be up until dawn.
Playa de Las Teresitas, just up the coast from Las Caletillas, provides a change of scenery and golden sandy beaches for those who aren't quite comfortable sunning themselves on the remnants of a volcanic eruption. Of course, the bustling Santa Cruz is close by and if one hires a car, there are various areas of interest to explore on this part of Tenerife, such as the small town of Masca, the historic village of La Laguna with its market and attractive cathedral, or La Orotava (boasting an embroidery school).
A great day out is a trip to the Teide National Park where visitors can enjoy a cable car ride up Spain's highest mountain, the volcanic Mount Teide. Although it may not be a hotspot, Las Caletillas is the perfect vacation destination in Spain for those seeking a more authentic Canaries experience and a truly relaxing Tenerife getaway.
Playa la Arena
Once a fishing village on the west coast of Tenerife, Playa la Arena is today one of three separate vacation resorts (Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago and Playa la Arena) that have to all intents and purposes merged into one. Playa la Arena is the most modern of the three and has a lovely long stretch of Blue Flag standard black sand beaches. The sea offers excellent swimming, but waters can sometimes be rough. A promenade runs along the seafront and is flanked by a variety of restaurants (some offering excellent seafood), several bars and shops. There is plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach or sampling local cuisine and many visitors opt for a boat trip to neighboring Los Gigantes, whale watching tours, day trips to the nearby village of Masca or a cable car ride up Mount Teide in the Teide National Park. Visitors can also choose to take a stroll to either Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes for something different, or catch a bus to the bustling Playa de las Americas for a night on the town. In general, Playa la Arena is peaceful and laid-back, lacking the aggressive touting common in other resorts, and offers a perfect combination of activity and relaxation for all types of visitors seeking the perfect vacation destination.
Puerto Santiago
Puerto Santiago is the central vacation resort of three separate ones, Los Gigantes, Playa Arena and Puerto Santiago, which have spread and essentially merged into each other on Tenerife's west coast, forming the area's largest tourist hub collectively known as Los Gigantes. The resort of Puerto Santiago was once a small fishing village, but typical of the Canary Islands, is now a popular vacation destination garnering rave reviews from most tourists and visitors. Puerto Santiago boasts a small but decent selection of bars, restaurants, shops and activities to suit the tourist palette. Puerto Santiago has managed to retain some of its traditional charm and offers visitors the chance to relax and enjoy a seaside break with a local Spanish flavor; although some visitors might take a while to get accustomed to the black sand beach.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes (The Giants) is aptly named after the Acantilados de los Gigantes; large, striking cliffs that surround this attractive vacation resort. The resort is set on the west coast of Tenerife and is essentially joined together with its neighbors, Playa la Arena and Puerto Santiago, to provide visitors with an exciting resort experience. A concerted effort has been made not to destroy the natural beauty of the town and as such there are none of the towering hotels common to other Spanish tourist resorts. The scenery is dominated by a rocky cliff which is 2,600 feet (800 meters) high in places.
Puerto de la Cruz
A cosmopolitan old colonial town known to tourists throughout Europe, the vacation destination of Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is the principal tourist center of the island. It was in the 1890s that Puerto de la Cruz became a fashionable spa town and since then it has become a preferred holiday spot for European royalty and dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill and Bertrand Russell.
Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, it has maintained the style and flair of a cosmopolitan spa as well as kept the feel of a small and friendly, bustling Spanish town. Being the birthplace of tourism in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz attracts some 900,000 visitors annually. Most of the area around the old fishing port is lined with cobbled streets, full of colonial architecture and is one of the few resorts where locals still work, eat and drink. It is a place where old world charm exists alongside trendy hotels and apartments, making this the perfect vacation destination.
Costa Ballena
The purpose built vacation resort of Costa Ballena is conveniently located about an hour away from Seville, between Rota and Chipiona in the center of the Costa de la Luz. Surrounded by fresh water lakes and pine-covered hills, the vacation resort was designed with the environment in mind and one will not find the typical high-rise hotel blocks common to many beach resorts. In fact, visitors to this Spanish resort will soon find the town's parks and gardens a breath of fresh air when compared to your typical vacation resort towns.
In fact, Costa Ballena has been hailed as a one of a kind vacation destination in Europe, environmentally friendly while still offering a range of exciting holiday activities and amenities. A rather romantic story is attached to the town's name. In ancient times, a large whale (ballena in Spanish) was seeking a sanctuary, a place of paradise to end its years, and after much wandering, it found a spot near the coast of Cadiz - Costa Ballena.
The town itself comes pretty close to paradise and while on vacation, visitors can enjoy beautiful surrounds dotted with lakes, orchards and parks, uninterrupted stretches of beach, and activities such as horse riding, bowling, golfing, surfing and windsurfing. Visitors on vacation in Costa Ballena can also explore neighboring areas and soak up some traditional Spanish culture, visit sherry-producing bodegas and whitewashed villages, take a boat to Doñana Natural Park, or catch a spectacular Andalusian horse show.
C'an Pastilla
Over 40 years ago, C'an Pastilla was one of the first Mallorcan vacation resorts to gain popularity, particularly with British vacationers, and it has started to show its age somewhat. It is set on the island's south coast, close to the capital Palma, and rather unfortunately, is right next to Palma's busy international airport. C'an Pastilla is linked to the more German-orientated El Arenal by a walkway and has a long, lovely beach with plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas (there have been some complaints of touts, but a firm 'no' should do the trick). A mini tourist train runs along the C'an Pastilla sea front and also links the resort to El Arenal.
C'an Pastilla is a low-key vacation resort, with much of the nightlife centering on British-style bars and hotel entertainment; El Arenal tends to offer more in the way of nightlife. A key feature of the resort are the characteristic Balnearios; a collection of beach huts that spread to neighboring El Arenal and house toilet facilities, showers and a snack kiosk.
The town itself consists of a crowded main strip with bars, small shops and a charming marina to enjoy on vacation. Besides hotel entertainment, there are various watersports on offer in C'an Pastilla, as well as the huge waterpark at El Arenal and a mini-golf course, jeep safaris, cruises and more. A regular bus service runs to Palma de Mallorca and there are also neighboring villages and historical sites to explore. More often than not, C'an Pastilla is merely a stop off point for visitors to the island, but those who stay can expect a pleasant, relaxing beach vacation.
El Arenal
Situated on the east coast of the Bay of Palma, El Arenal (also known as S'Arenal) is a lively and highly developed vacation resort, popular with German travelers (many of whom have stayed) and the 18 to 30 age group, it is an ideal beach resort not only for singles but families too. The long, palm-lined beach is exquisite; perfect for stretching out on a sun-lounger and enjoying the calm waters. A stroll along the El Arenal waterfront promenade at sunset, past various shops, bars and restaurants, offers a great way to unwind, and a walkway links El Arenal to neighboring C'an Pastilla.
El Arenal's social highlight is probably Woody's Bar, but there are a host of lively resort bars and clubs that will keep you dancing until the early hours. Those seeking out a more authentic Spanish vacation experience, beyond the selection of German and British bars, would do well by wandering the back streets away from the strip. Visit the balnearios, 16 small beach huts that run from El Arenal to C'an Pastilla, one of which has been turned into a German-style bar. Hiring a car is an excellent way to explore the rest of the island and take in the sights while on vacation, but many choose simply to enjoy their hotels and the entertainment they provide.
El Arenal's neighboring towns of Calvia, San Telmo and the beautiful port of Pollenca are, however, worth visiting and there are plenty of impressive historical sites to enjoy. A frequent bus service also links El Arenal to the busy capital of Palma de Mallorca. For the more active, hiring a bicycle is a wonderful way to see the sights and there are also some excellent hikes to enjoy. There are plenty of watersports, sailing and diving on offer, as well as a mini-golf course and an enormous waterpark - a perfect day out for the kids!
Arenal d'en Castell
Arenal d'en Castell is a laid-back, peaceful vacation resort popular with British families and is a far cry from the over-developed, bustling resorts of Mallorca. Situated on the northern coast of Minorca (Menorca), Arenal d'en Castell is roughly 12 miles (20km) north of Mahon, the island's capital, and is set in a beautiful horseshoe bay on steep hills that slope down to a lovely beach. This means the resort is not ideal for the elderly, or those with mobility problems, but the beach is a magnificent place to relax and has good swimming in warm, shallow waters.
The Arenal d'en Castell region is popular for fishing and sailing, and there are a number of water sports on offer for adventurous vacationers. Most entertainment is provided by hotels, so there is little in the way of nightlife, other than several good restaurants and a few lively bars. For those seeking more activity, the nearby vacation resort of Son Parc offers the island's only golf course, as well as shopping opportunities, and for the fit, it is within a reasonable walking distance.
Neighboring Es Mercadal town has a lovely Sunday market worth exploring while on vacation in Arenal d'en Castell. Another good holiday excursion is a trip to Mount Toro - the island's highest peak and home to an ancient monastery.
S'Illot
The Spanish vacation destination of S'Illot is on the east coat of Mallorca and combines the larger resort town of Sa Coma and the smaller village of Cala Moreya, not far from Cala Millor and Porto Cristo. Cala Moreya is separated from Sa Coma by a small fresh water lagoon and is within easy walking distance. Cala Moreya was originally a tiny fishing village and fishermen still pull in their boats each evening and haul them up a ramp at the end of the small beach. The village has retained its charm and visitors on vacation in the S'Illot area have the option of enjoying the peace and tranquility of Cala Moreya, or the livelier aspects of its more upmarket neighbor. Both towns have excellent beaches, though Sa Coma beach is much larger, and there are a number of good restaurants (as well as fast food outlets), bars and shops to explore. S'Illot is popular with English families and couples seeking a quiet vacation resort, with the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement on offer.
Benidorm
Rows of shops selling beach buckets and flip-flops line the seafront of Benidorm, the Costa Blanca's largest and liveliest vacation resort town, where hordes of tourists throng the streets 24 hours a day. Of the thousands who come to holiday here on the town's three miles (5km) of white sandy beaches each year, many have stayed and purchased apartments in the numerous blocks that now dot the skyline. Benidorm, north of Alicante, is the party capital of the Costa Blanca with an unrivalled nightlife and a daytime carnival-like beach culture.
Remnants of Benidorm's historic past are now well hidden, but tucked into the Casco Antiguo section are the ruins of a castle built in the 14th century to fend off Berber pirates. Benidorm's spectacular sunsets are best viewed from the castle's 'mirador' (balcony). The place to see and be seen in the town however is the Playa de Levante, a two-mile (3km) boardwalk lined with trendy cafés and bars.
Altea
Away from the madding crowds of Benidorm, the peaceful town of Altea offers plenty of amenities for those who prefer a less frenetic beach vacation, without the glitz, glamour and gusto. Of all the towns on the Costa Blanca, Altea is probably the one that remains the least exploited and overdeveloped, where daily life remains uninterrupted by tourists and huge hotels have yet to be built. Altea has a long jetty and attractive walkway fronting a calm stretch of shoreline with pebbly beaches encircling the town. The town's central Plaza de la Iglesia leads onto narrow cobblestone streets and offers beautiful Mediterranean views.
Malaga
The lively city of Malaga, on the coast about 80 miles (129km) southeast of Seville, is the gateway to Spain's popular Costa del Sol vacation resort region. The city was also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and features several galleries displaying his work. Most notable is the 16th-century Museum of Fine Arts, alongside the Cathedral. Picasso's birthplace in Plaza Merced is open to the public and showcases his life and works.
Like most Andalusian cities, the vacation retreat of Malaga has Moorish roots and its illustrious past has left an imprint on the historic center, particularly around the fortress of La Alcazaba, dating from 1065, which is now an archaeological museum. The Moorish castle nearby is used as a state hotel. The city's famous botanical garden, sited on the Calle Alameda, dates from the days when the Malaga area was a popular winter vacation resort for the rich and famous, and is also worth a visit.
Marbella
Situated 25 miles (40km) southwest of Malaga, the few miles of coast between Marbella and Puerto Banus is Spain's answer to Monte Carlo. Spain's elite, and Britain's more successful felons, have flashy holiday homes in the surrounding hills, and swanky yachts in the marina. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's best quality vacation resort - the restaurants and bars are more stylish (and expensive) and the town has been spared the worst excesses of concrete development that have blighted neighbors such as Torremolinos.
The old town of Marbella is hidden away and retains some of its medieval charm, and has some good clothes shops and restaurants. The more exclusive Puerto Banus, six miles (10km) to the west, is where you will find the casino and the seriously large yachts. Those vacation visitors who drive just a few miles inland, to the villages in the hills around Ronda, will discover a Spain completely untouched by tourism with village markets and tapas bars to be explored.
Palma de Mallorca
Palma, capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, is a lively, cosmopolitan city in true Spanish tradition, its center forming a bustling montage of shopping centers, a maze of narrow lanes and restored buildings surrounded by ruined ancient city walls, and modern boulevards. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca and Palma itself was under Moorish control between the ninth and 13th centuries until the re-conquest by Jaume I of Aragon.
The Moorish heritage is still evident, as are the remnants of Palma's golden years when it rose to wealth and prominence in the 15th century as the main port of call between Europe and Africa. Later the city, set on the beautiful bay Bahia de Palma, became the favored Royal retreat for Fernando and Isabel, which helped it to become the popular Spanish beach vacation haunt and favorite weekend city break destination of the rich and famous. Despite the invasion of foreign tourists, Palma has kept its local flavor, particularly in its old quarter lined by cafés and tapas bars. Often the native dialect of Mallorquin is the only language heard in the backstreets, a fine Palma de Mallorca trait.
Playa del Ingles
'The Englishman's beach' is how Playa del Ingles translates - those naming the vacation resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main attractions are the wide sandy beaches that stretch from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north.
The Playa del Ingles seafront is lined by the lovely pedestrian promenade, the Paseo Costa Canaria, planted with lush gardens. With its conglomeration of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping malls, Playa del Ingles will not win any awards for architecture or sophisticated ambience, but the ever-growing vacation resort, purpose-built for pleasure and leisure back in the 1960s, is hard to beat for good value summer fun.
Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted to Playa del Ingles on vacation by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas.
Maspalomas
Maspalomas is a popular vacation resort on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, adjacent to this trendy Spanish island's largest and most hectic package-tour resort, Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas though, is the quieter and more upmarket option sporting the best four-mile (6km) stretch of golden, sandy beach on the island. Maspalomas is separated from Playa del Ingles by a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes, a protected area that provides a habitat for some rare species of flora and fauna, and a favorite haunt for nudists.
Along the Maspalomas waterfront the promenade, stretching to Playa del Ingles, bristles with bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues between luxury hotels and villas. Maspalomas also boasts an exhilarating water park and nearby are numerous other attractions like amusement parks, nature parks, a golf course, an aquarium and theme parks. The resort has become a favorite vacation destination for the gay community, with a designated gay zone on the beach and in the sand dunes. The resort's week-long Gay Pride festivities each May have become world-renowned on the party calendar.
Puerto Mogan
Situated on the south west coast, nine miles (14km) west of Puerto Rico, Puerto Morgan is one of the more up-market vacation resorts on Gran Canaria. The town is an old fishing village that has recently started to be developed into a modern resort town but retains a Spanish feel to it. Tourism is centered around the marina which bustles with local boats, yachts and Atlantic cruisers. There are a selection of bars, shops and restaurants aimed at tourists, but the shops are less tacky than in neighboring resorts and the restaurants serve some of the best seafood on the island.
Backed by the mountains, the old Puerto Morgan village is a maze of narrow roads and colonial style houses; the couple of canals running through it has prompted tour operators to dub it 'Little Venice'. There is one small beach in the resort and another, Playa Taurito, three miles (five km) to the east; both have black volcanic sand and boulders. Although there is a disco in Puerto Morgan, those looking for more noise should head to Puerto Rico or Playa del Inglés.
Puerto Rico
The vibrant, modern vacation resort of Puerto Rico, on the island of Gran Canaria, revels in excellent weather year-round, being situated on the island's southern tip just across the ocean from the Sahara. Puerto Rico is encircled by hills, its white-washed holiday accommodation clinging to steep cliff sides above two golden beaches. It includes three large commercial centers overflowing with shops, bars and restaurants, and is flanked by a marina packed with luxury yachts where it is possible to indulge in every kind of water sport imaginable. Puerto Rico has something for everyone: sunny corners for seekers of peace and tranquility, or a lively venue for a family holiday.
Playa del Cura
Situated on the south west coast of Gran Canaria, about an hour's drive from the airport at Las Palmas, is the small, quiet vacation resort of Playa Del Cura, built on the cliff sides lining the coast. This low-key family resort is just two miles (3km) from lively, hectic Puerto Rico, the island's well-known holiday and nightlife resort, but Playa del Cura remains popular as a peaceful place to stay while granting easy access to the bright lights and amenities of its more flamboyant neighbor.
Playa del Cura is on the main coastal bus route so traveling to other resorts is easy, and taxis are cheap and plentiful. The vacation resort has two small cove beaches, Cura and Tauro, at the base of the cliffs, both covered with dark volcanic sand and pebbles, and strewn with sunbeds so that visitors can make the most of some of the best weather in Gran Canaria. A short distance away is the popular stretch of the Amadores beach. The rocky coastline, and valley extending inland, provides opportunities for those keen on walking excursions. There is a small commercial center equipped with enough stores, bars and restaurants to provide for all holiday requirements.
Costa Teguise
The smallest and most recently developed of the island's three main vacation resorts, Costa Teguise is situated on the southeast corner of Lanzarote and is a haven for families and sun-seekers. Although it is a purpose built resort, Costa Teguise manages to have a nice community feel to it, with lots of little squares around which the bars and restaurants are located. The resort is more low key than some but still has plenty to do with a wide variety of shops and restaurants for all tastes and of course lovely beaches for holiday-makers to relax on. Playa de las Cucharas is probably the best of the three beaches with uninterrupted views and crystal clear blue waters, but Playa Bastian is another idyllic spot to enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine.
Alicante
Alicante is situated on the east coast of Spain and is the center of the popular Costa Blanca holiday region. Although Mediterranean in style, Alicante also has has an African flavor with women clad in caftans and hawkers selling African carvings along the waterfront and esplanades. Alicante's historical central district, though, is filled with Baroque buildings, bearing testimony to the city's rich history when it was a major seaport.
The main thoroughfare of the city is the Rambla, lined with palm trees, outdoor cafes and ice-cream parlours serving the unusual local drink, horchata, made with almonds. There are shops aplenty, parks and gardens, marble paved plazas and the broad Explanada d'Espanya encircling the yacht harbor with its mosaic promenade. Visitors come to Alicante mainly for the beaches, particularly San Juan which sports villas, hotels and restaurants.
The city has an international airport that makes it the gateway to the nearby package tour resorts such as Benidorm and Torrevieja, and ensures that the city is crowded with tourists during the holiday season. Alicante's energy reaches a peak during the last week of June each year when vacationers and locals alike throw themselves into celebrating the unrivalled fiesta of Saint Joan.
Puerto del Carmen
Set beneath a range of steep hills on the south coast of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is the island's major vacation resort. Its main feature is a spectacular two-mile (3km) golden beach, which is backed by a main road, The Strip, where shops, bars and restaurants of every variety can be found. The Old Town retains some of its old world charm but for the most part the resort of Puerto del Carmen is a sprawling holiday complex offering entertainment for all ages. It is the center of the Lanzarote's nightlife and is within easy distance of all the island's key attractions.
Matagorda
Matagorda and its sister resort, Los Pocillos, are just over a mile from Lanzarote's large, bustling holiday city of Puerto del Carmen. It is also connected to the larger, more brash resort by a pleasant, long promenade walkway with great views over Matagorda Bay. This means that visitors who opt for staying at a beach house or in the quieter environs of Matagorda, a former fishing village, can easily access the more boisterous entertainment and nightlife of Puerto del Carmen. Matagorda has a gently sloping beach of fine, dark sand, particularly popular for windsurfing. It boasts a central commercial center with a fair choice of restaurants and a supermarket. In general the Matagorda is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, relaxing vacation without too many bright lights or the usual beach resort crowds.
Playa Blanca
The quiet vacation resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of the island and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. The resort has undergone a lot of construction and upgrading in the last few years, which, contrary to expectation hasn't ruined the Spanish charm of this resort but rather added to it by giving tourists an extensive array of villas holiday accommodation to choose from in Playa Blanca. Despite the extensive growth over the last few years the old fishing village, in the center, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants in Playa Blanca along the promenade but the main attractions are the nearby beaches; some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (six km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared for families and couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18-mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.
Golf del Sur
Situated on the south coast of Tenerife and very close to the Reina Sofia airport, Golf del Sur, as its name suggests, is primarily a golfing vacation resort. There are several world-class courses on offer, but this should not put off the non-golfer, as there are other activities besides testing one's swing. The San Blas commercial center has a pretty square ringed with restaurants, bars (including karaoke bars) and shops, and there is also tennis, crazy golf and bowling on offer.
While in Golf del Sur, vacationers should be sure to taste the culinary pleasures of The Lobster Pot. For those seeking more action, the resort is close to the ever-popular Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos resorts, which are accessible by bus. Hiring a car is also an excellent way to explore the surrounding areas and take in what Tenerife has to offer.
Playa de las Americas
Playa de las Americas is Tenerife's largest tourist playground, a purpose-built hedonistic haven for vacationers of all ages and stages who come here for fun in the sun from all over the world. The resort is situated in the south of the island near the Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia Airport). It has grown vastly during its 30 years of existence and now covers three different zones: the original Playa de las Americas, San Eugenio and Toviscas.
There are three natural beaches in the resort area and three man-made ones, all covered with dark volcanic sand and extremely crowded during the summer season. The las Americas beaches are linked by a long promenade, which winds along the busy waterfront, backed by dozens of high-rise hotels and holiday apartment blocks. A mini train runs around the resort stopping at scheduled points every hour, and there are plenty of free buses to assist visitors in getting around, making the most of the Playa de las Americas bars, entertainment venues, shops and sports facilities that abound. Don't expect to soak up any Canarian culture while holidaying at Playa de las Americas, but for those who enjoy the hullaballoo of a packaged, carefree summer vacation, the resort will exceed expectations.
Las Palmas
The capital of Gran Canaria and bustling vacation resort, Las Palmas is situated at the northeast tip of the island, between two long stretches of beach. The city was founded in 1478 and was the spot where Christopher Columbus began each of his voyages to the Americas. Much of the original Vegueta district remains behind the modern apartment blocks, which line the seafront, and there are many interesting sights and museums to visit. The ambience is lively, evident of a population of southern temperament not always taking life at its most serious. Las Palmas' great cultural offerings, attractive festivities and highly recommendable cuisine attract thousand of vacationers every year and make for a memorable stay.
San Antonio
Situated on the west coast, ten miles (16km) from the airport and the capital Ibiza, San Antonio is the largest and liveliest vacation resort on the island. Known as 'San An' to the thousands of British clubbers who descend here each summer, the resort's proper name is Sant Antoni de Portmany. San Antonio's wide bay is lined with bars, restaurants and apartment blocks catering mainly for young British vacationers. There are a few small sandy beaches in the resort, and the spectacular beaches of Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Cala Tarida are a short ferry ride away. July and August are the best months to visit for those looking to experience the buzzing nightlife in San An, while the months of May and June, and September and October are most popular with families, couples and older visitors.
Magaluf
Anyone in the 18-30 age bracket whose holiday mission is fun, sun and soaking up sangria (or all manner of alcoholic beverages) will have the time of their lives in Mallorca's raucous premier party resort of Magaluf. The resort is situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Palma, the island's capital, has become one of Europe's most popular destinations for young British travelers eager to experience the famous nightlife in Magaluf. It sports hundreds of bars, discos and clubs, and has a wide choice of budget accommodation and restaurants. Magaluf and its wide sandy beaches such as Mallorca Beach, Magaluf Beach and Palma Nova Beach, is particularly packed during June, July and August with young vacationers who are known locally as 'gambas' (red prawns), especially if they stint on the sun cream. During the off-season it is much quieter with many of the wilder entertainment venues closed, and in recent years has been drawing older clientele and families during this period.
Alcudia
The vacation resort of Port d'Alcudia is situated in the north of Mallorca at the top of a long curving bay with an endless white sandy beach. It is two miles (3km) south of the historical old town of Alcudia, from which it takes its name. The sprawling, purpose-built resort, together with its neighbor Playa de Muro, stretches for five miles (8km) either side of the coast road and is particularly popular with British, German and Scandinavian vacationers. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere; its spectacular beach is the major attraction, though it is also well placed for exploring the attractions around the north of the island.
Torremolinos
Southern Spain's answer to Benidorm, Torremolinos is a vast purpose-built vacation resort situated 10 miles (16km) west of Malaga, on the road to Marbella. Holidaymakers looking for a cultural experience will be disappointed, as Torremolinos, particularly in high season, is noisy and fast-paced, 24 hours a day. With six miles (10km) of wide, sandy beaches, lots of watersports, masses of bars and restaurants and an exhausting nightlife, the resort attracts tourists of all ages from all over Europe. There is a large gay scene, but the resort is equally popular with families and the inevitable 18 to 30 crowd.
Cadiz
Cadiz, founded in 1100 BC on a peninsula 76 miles (122km) south of Seville as a Phoenician trading post, is the oldest inhabited city in Europe and a popular vacation destination. It had to wait, however, until the 16th century before it came into its own as a launching point for journeys to the newly discovered lands of the Americas. From here Columbus set out on his second voyage. Sir Francis Drake later famously raided the city, as did Napoleon.
The city's old town is picturesque and Moorish, with cobbled streets and squares, presided over by the Cathedral with a golden cupola. There is a gallery displaying some of Goya's works, and some lush parks on the headlands which offer panoramic views of the bay. The city is also home to some of Spain's loveliest beaches, including La Playa de la Caleta situated between two castles of the Old City, and La Playa de la Victoria, which is the most visited by vacationers for its safe bathing and watersports.
Salou
Situated on the Costa Dorada's sun drenched coast, 50 miles (80km) west of Barcelona and six miles (10km) west of Tarragona, the popular vacation resort town of Salou is hard to beat for a fun family vacation. It is fairly spread out and merges with the neighboring resorts of La Pineda to the east and Cambrils to the west, all of which benefit from the string of wonderful clean sandy beaches and secluded rocky coves.
As well as the natural attractions, Salou is also packed with entertainment for all ages, from watersports to an aqua park, go-karting and one of Europe's most thrilling theme parks, attracting thousand of vacationers every year, Universal's Port Aventura. Sightseers interested in museums or ancient history will find plenty to occupy them in nearby Tarragona, or on excursions into the Spanish countryside, or on excursions into the countryside. Salou's seafront promenade is set with beautifully landscaped gardens and parks; fountains are lit up at night when vacationers stroll to the restaurants, nightclubs, bars and British-style pubs.
Sitges
With over 3 miles (5km) of golden shoreline, Sitges is the perfect weekend break for tourists wishing to experience Spanish resorts without straying too far from Barcelona. One of the most popular vacation resort towns south of Barcelona is Sitges, 21 miles (45km) from the city. With more than 17 sand beaches, many of them with EU Blue Flag status, it is easy to see why Sitges has been called 'the playground of Barcelona'. Renowned for its swinging nightlife, Sitges attracts thousands of vacationers, including day-trippers from Barcelona, many of them young and well-heeled.
The city has a reputation for being gay-friendly, expensive, and decidedly arty, having been the town where the modernist movement began when it attracted artists such as Bohemian mystic Santiago Rusinol and later the likes of Salvador Dali. Rusinol's home in the town has been turned into a museum, displaying some of his works. Beachgoers and vacationers in Sitges can enjoy a number of activities and sights in and around the town. Sitges also plays host to the popular Sitges Film Festival, which specializes in fantasy and horror film genres. Most people, however, visit Sitges for the beautiful sandy beaches it offers. Between the church at one end of the town and the Terramar Hotel at the other extremity there are nine breakwaters, each sheltering gently sloping golden beaches equipped with showers, refreshment kiosks and sun-loungers for rent.
Caleta de Fuste
Fuerteventura's busiest vacation resort has been built up around the town of Caleta de Fuste, also known as Castillo, about six miles (10km) south of the island's airport. The resort's horseshoe-shaped gently sloping beach is man-made, covered with imported golden sand. Caleta de Fuste is a family orientated resort while also boasting a range of restaurants and bars. Holidaymakers at this Spanish resort town can also enjoy the usual water sports and activities such as snorkeling, diving, water skiing, surfing and going on fishing trips. The town is well equipped with a number of crèches as well as massage parlours and beauty salons for the few occasions when you're not on the beach. The resort is steadily growing in facilities and popularity, the latest addition being a golf course. The town consists of a long main street lined with low-rise buildings containing several restaurants and bars. Caleta de Fuste's top-rated eateries include Fado Rock Steak House and Risto Pizza La Torre.
For a good night out in Caleta de Fuste, stop in at Mappy's Bar. There are also numerous watersports on offer, boat trips and even undersea excursions on a submarine. Accommodation is mainly in apartment blocks. Caleta de Fuste's central location makes it a good base from which to explore the rest of the island, although there is little public transport and hiring a car is necessary for most excursions.
Corralejo
Once just a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Fuerteventura, Corralejo's harbor now receives ferries full of day-trippers from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote every day and the town plays host to hundreds of vacationers who are drawn to spend a sunny, sandy holiday in the island's tourist magnet. Although tourism is booming and development is keeping pace, the little port still retains its charm. Just outside the town is a protected nature reserve festooned with miles of sand dunes. The surrounding beaches are more than inviting and visitors to this Spanish resort town are spoilt for choice with beaches such as the sheltered Playa la Clavellina just near the harbor, or Playa del Medano which joins to Playa de Viejo. Playa del Pozo is also located just outside of Corralejo and is popular with nudists.
Cala d'Or
Like most vacation resorts in Mallorca, Cala d'Or (Golden Cove) evolved from a local fishing village after its charms and idyllic setting were 'discovered', in this instance, by a group of avant-garde artists who settled here in the 1930s. They built their white, flat-roofed houses around the picturesque fishing harbor, and soon the word spread. Cala d'Or became a desirable spot to have a holiday home, or for a relaxing seaside vacation.
The original village and harbor was situated in one of the small rocky coves with sandy beaches, called 'calas', which abound on Mallorca's east coast. The resort has now spread out to encompass several of these coves, all now beset with attractive hotels, apartment blocks and villas. It is a very chic resort, recommended for families because most establishments cater extremely well for children.
There are numerous adjacent smaller resorts and quaint villages clustered around the calas all along the south-east coastline, connected by a good bus service, which means visitors can make excursions to explore the delights of places like Cala Egos, Puerto Petro, Cala Mondrago, Cala Figuera, Cala Santanyi and Cala Llombarts. The Cala d'Or marina is the heart of the east coast resort area, attracting the fashionable yachting set.
Puerto Pollensa
The sedate vacation resort of Puerto Pollensa stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The resort has grown up around the scenic fishing port that serves the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Far quieter and more laid back than the exuberant resorts of Magalluf and Palma Nova, Puerto Pollensa and its near neighbor, the tranquil resort of Cala San Vicente, it attracts families and couples.
Holidaymakers generally take inclusive packages at the resort's family hotels, or rent sophisticated villas on the port's celebrated Pine Walk promenade. Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line the promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colorful sails of yachts. Those willing to make the effort to be up for sunrise are rewarded with an inspiring sight as gentle waves lap the shore in the dawn light.
Sa Coma
The purpose-built vacation resort of Sa Coma lies in the heart of Mallorca's popular east coast, sandwiched between lively Cala Millor and the restaurant-strewn seafront of S'Illot. S'Illot can be reached on foot, while a tourist tram connects to Cala Millor and its attractions. Sa Coma itself is largely frequented by British family groups on vacation, most opting for self-catering accommodation. The resort establishments cater particularly well for children, who make the most of the wide sandy beach with its broad shallow shelf of clear, blue water. The beach has European Blue Flag status for cleanliness, water quality and safety. The beach is fronted by a wide promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops, many of them British owned. Another big plus for the children is the resort's proximity to the large safari-park at Cala Millor, where apes, gazelles, elephants and ostriches are among the animals that roam in a simulated natural environment and can be viewed from a safari bus.
Cala Millor
Cala Millor is the liveliest and largest vacation resort on Mallorca's rugged north-east coast. The name means 'better bay', which is indicative of its main attraction: a mile or more long stretch of sandy beach, which slopes gently into a crystal clear blue sea, protected at each end by rocky headlands. Sunbeds, parasols and pedalos can be hired for the day by sunseekers. The rest of the island's east coast is lined with inlets and coves, which are fun to explore.
Cala Millor developed as a favorite destination with vacationers from one hotel, the Eureka, built in the 1930s, and is now a bustling enclave of high-rise hotels and apartment blocks, slowly merging into neighboring resorts along the coast, fronted by a wide pedestrian promenade along its alluring beach. Adjacent to Millor, across the headland to the north, is the quieter and more traditional resort of Cala Bona, with a little harbor, while a few miles to the south is the well-known resort of Sa Coma.
Cala Millor is about 40 miles (70km) from the Son Sant Joan International airport near Palma, the capital, in the south of the island. The area, particularly favored by German vacationers, is packed with shops, markets, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants to ensure non-stop fun in the sun, particularly suited for family holidays.
Roses
The largest vacation resort town on the north of the Costa Brava is the busy, crowded port of Roses, founded by the ancient Greeks but sporting few remnants today of its long history besides a crumbling citadel and sections of city wall. Instead the harbor town, where once a handful of British sailors repulsed an attack by Napoleon, is now a mass of typical high-rise resort developments, rising in tiers from a busy harbor and a few miles of man-made sandy beach, abuzz with vacationers indulging in all sorts of watersports. There is an aquatic park, go-karts, numerous take-away and fast food restaurants, scuba centers, cruises from the harbor and many more tourist amenities. The town is famous for its sunset over the Gulf of Roses.
Conil de la Frontera
Conil de la Frontera offers vacationers a traditional Andalusian flavor, with cobbled streets, the whirl of flamenco dancing, authentic tapas bars and of course, glorious beaches. Popular with Spanish tourists, the resort comes alive in summer and bustles with activity. Francisco La Fontanilla is the place to party in Conil de la Frontera. There are also Moorish ruins to explore (though these are tucked away in the side streets and can be hard to find), chic shops to browse in and plenty of excellent seafood restaurants to try.
A number of activities are also on offer in Conil de la Frontera for vacationers to enjoy, including diving, surfing, tennis, golf and of course, sun tanning and swimming. The town also has a lively nightlife, with a good selection of bars and cafés, and there are numerous fiestas throughout the year to enjoy. Conil de la Frontera is a perfect resort for those seeking an authentic Spanish experience, and remains largely undiscovered by the package tourist, for now.
Roquetas de Mar
The popular vacation resort town of Roquetas de Mar was once a sleepy, picturesque fishing village, dating from Roman times, and it still retains its warren of Moorish alley-like streets and pretty aspect of white-washed houses ascending the hillside. Hotel and apartment complexes, however, are beginning to dominate the skyline especially along the long, sandy beaches adjacent to the village. Tourism is big business along the holiday strip in Roquetas de Mar, with shops selling local crafts jostling with numerous restaurants and bars, and myriad activities on offer from horse riding to scuba diving or sailing.
Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa Serena) and a specially designated nudist beach. Those interested in history will enjoy exploring the ruins of the medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in the area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas salt marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the village, where flamingos, egrets and avocets gather.
Adra
The delightful vacation resort town of Adra, the western-most coastal town in the province of Almeria, is surrounded by magnificent beaches and is rich in history, having been founded in the 8th century. Adra remains a working fishing harbor and early-rising visitors enjoy the daily dawn fish auctions and dining out at the many tempting seafood restaurants.
The clean, neat town center with its many squares and parks is split by the attractive Paseo de Natalio Rivas promenade. Sights to see include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Partridge Tower (which houses the tourist office), an historic restored mill and the town's interesting museum. Adra boasts the Poniente blue flag beach among its stretches of beautiful sandy shore, attracting hundreds of vacationers each year.
Mojacar
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque holiday beach resort town in south-eastern Spain, the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. The unspoiled ancient Moorish fortress town of Mojacar has been a favorite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts vacationers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town's appearance or beguiling atmosphere. The village center is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria. Mojacar is the picture-perfect location for a beach vacation in Spain.
Lloret de Mar
History may have given way to high-rise hotels, and fishing to foam parties in this former Catalonian trading port, but the region's fiery spirit is still evident, which is why Lloret de Mar is regarded as the liveliest holiday spot on the Costa Brava. As a resort, the town caters for the 18-30s and families with children. There are seemingly hundreds of British bars, discos and clubs to choose from, and the days are packed with programs of beach frolics and fun. The resort has five rough sandy beaches, a massive water park, aquatic zoo and a theme park. For a taste of the real Spain visitors can revel in the local cuisine or gather in the town's Placa de la Vila on Saturday evenings to join in when locals dance the traditional Catalonian Sardana dance.
L'Estartit
While equipped with all the infrastructure demanded by modern vacationers, the Costa Brava resort town of L'Estartit also allows vacationers to enjoy the surrounding natural heritage. Coastal trails extend from the town through dunes and marshes, bicycle trails meander along the banks of the River Ter and just offshore the Medes Islands provide an underwater wonderland. Activities in and around L'Estartit are more relaxed than the more frenetic vacation resorts along the coast, like sail cruises, glass-bottomed boat rides, kayaking, horse-riding, cycling and bird-watching. The town itself offers plenty of exciting shopping and dining options.
Tossa de Mar
Once a haven for writers and artists, Tossa de Mar is now a favored vacation destination for families, couples and people from all walks of life who are drawn to this attractive town on the Costa Brava to relax, play, eat, drink and be merry. Its picturesque cobbled old town, the medieval Vila Vella, is highly atmospheric, enabling this resort to retain its historic atmosphere. The beaches are beautiful, and the town's position allows for easy access to other coastal resorts and the scenic hinterland for day trips and excursions. Although well supplied with shops, bars and restaurants, Tossa is not designed for all-night revelling.
Blanes
The most southerly vacation resort on the Costa Brava, Blanes not only attracts international tourists but is also frequented by large numbers of Spanish vacationers. Like most coastal towns Blanes has grown from a picturesque fishing village to tourist boomtown. The resort has a two-mile (3km) long stretch of coastline offering sandy bays and rocky coves, the main beachfront is lined with high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.
Behind the seafront the town still retains some reminders of its past, like the medieval castle of St Joan, several churches and other ancient buildings, which attract hundreds of vacationers each year. Pride of the town are two renowned botanical gardens, which boast thousands of plant species. Along with all the trappings of modern tourism, Blanes also prides itself in giving visitors a taste of the real Spain, offering traditional street markets, several fiestas and folk dancing fairs.
Tarifa
The Spanish vacation destination of Tarifa is ideally located on the border of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, near the Strait of Gibraltar and a short ferry ride away from the exotic Moroccan city of Tangier. The popular beach resort town is famed for being the windsurfing capital of Europe: Atlantic winds create ideal conditions and kite surfing is also growing in popularity here, especially on the beaches of Playa Valdevaqueros and Playa Los Lances.
Those who feel safer on land can try horseback riding, hiking, dolphin and whale watching, cycling, rock climbing and some of the region's best bird watching. The Moorish heritage of the area is evident in the preserved Castillo de Guzman and vacationers should visit the old part of the town to wander the narrow streets, shop and enjoy one of the many great tapas restaurants. Don't expect the madness and mayhem of places like Torremolinos, nor the 'chips with everything' style resorts; Tarifa is a charming beach resort that offers a local Spanish flavor and plenty of sunshine.
Costa del Silencio
Costa del Silencio (the Silent Coast), on the south shore of Tenerife, was one of the first vacation resorts on the island to be purposefully built for tourism and is dominated by the aging Ten Bel complex and several commercial centers. The resort is popular with German and Belgian visitors, but also draws the British package tour crowd to its shores. The resort itself does not have a major beach, but is within walking distance of the neighboring Las Galletas beach, and is also very close to the immensely popular Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos.
The resort attracts a fair amount of self-catering visitors. The town has three large commercial areas, CC El Chaparral, CC Trebol and CC Coralmar Square, which cater to these visitors. The supermarkets are predominantly overpriced, particularly for those wanting to buy UK brands.
Costa del Silencio does tend to live up to its name and is a lot quieter and more relaxed than other resorts, but still boasts a number of bars, shops and restaurants; just don't expect massive dance clubs and all night entertainment.
Moraira
Nestled in a pretty bay on the south-east coast of Spain, the small Spanish resort town of Moraira is an oasis of traditional charm on the busy Costa Blanca, a favored holiday spot and retirement haven. Moraira has grown from a small fishing village into an attractive resort surrounded by luxury villas without losing its Spanish character, which is entrenched in its impressive marina, variety of shops, colorful weekly markets, atmospheric old town, and its waterfront restaurants and bars.
This beach resort is easily accessible, being equidistant (about 62 miles/100km) by motorway from both Alicante and Valencia airports. For those who enjoy a taste of the high life, it is also within easy reach by car or bus of the busier, glitzier Costa Blanca resorts of Javea, Calpe and bustling Benidorm. The countryside around the vacation destination of Moraira offers some lovely scenery dotted with unspoiled villages to explore.
The relaxed traditional ambience of Moraira is accompanied by two main beaches with European Blue Flag status, separated by a promontory crowned with a medieval fortress. There are also plenty of sport and leisure facilities on offer. When it comes to holiday weather in Moraira, it is one of the best Spanish beach resorts claiming an average 325 days of sunshine a year, and temperatures that stay constantly pleasantly warm. Fresh sea breezes ensure that it is never sweltering in summer, and the surrounding mountains protect the town from the chilly winter winds.
Javea
Reflecting the tranquil ambience of Valencia coupled with the sun and fun atmosphere of Spain's popular Costa Blanca holiday coast, Javea is a pretty vacation resort town set between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao, about 50 miles (80km) north-east of Alicante. Fronted by the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, and backed by the conical Mount Montgo, the narrow streets of the historic town center are filled with wrought iron balconies and stone porticoes, while the surrounding developments have been carefully controlled to ensure no high-rise modern concrete buildings impose on the serenity of the landscape.
The old town is situated a mile or so inland because its inhabitants feared the incursions of pirates in days of yore. The waterfront of Javea centers around the working fishing port of Aduanas de Mar and the adjacent busy marina. A promenade is lined with good seafood restaurants, boutiques and pavement cafes. The most popular beach, Arenal, is a long, sandy stretch with safe bathing, just one of the many sandy bays and coves to be enjoyed along the coastline.
Several times a year Javea lets its hair down with a lively fiesta. The best known, and most enjoyed by visitors, is the 'Moors and Christians' celebration, when locals re-enact the Moorish landings on the coast and the recapture of the peninsula by Christian defenders. During the second half of July the town is enveloped in an orgy of feasting, street parades, dancing, music and fireworks.
Palma Nova
Together with its neighbor, Magalluf, the island resort of Palma Nova on the south west coast of Mallorca makes up the most popular vacation area on the island, situated a few miles west of the capital, Palma, and the Palma Mallorca Airport (Airport Son Sant Joan). Most visitors to Palma Nova come on package tours from Britain, intent on enjoying an entertaining, fun-in-the-sun vacation in a 'home-from-home' setting. Few are disappointed because the purpose-built resort offers all they need and more, from beautiful beaches to wild nightlife.
The three sandy beaches of the holiday strip, Es Carregador, Playa de Palma Nova and Son Maties, are backed by a long promenade and have European Blue Flag status. Palma Nova is divided from Europe's famed party capital, Magalluf, by a rocky headland, but the resorts are basically merged into one conglomerate of hotels and apartments offering a range of accommodation from budget self-catering to luxury-serviced suites. Palma Nova is known as the quieter section of this hedonistic seaside development, and therefore more suited to families. It is also one of the Spanish beach resorts that is popular with British tourists wishing to escape the icy UK winters. Many Palma Nova hotels offer discounted rates during off-peak but a fair amount of the bars and nightclubs in the resort are closed during winter.
Los Cristianos
The popular vacation resort of Los Cristianos lies in a sheltered bay in the south-west corner of the island of Tenerife, merging into the more glitzy purpose-built resort of Playa de las Americas. Los Cristianos has burgeoned into a modern package-tour resort from its origins as a sleepy Canarian fishing village, but has managed to retain some of its traditional feel, despite the plethora of modern hotels, shopping centers and apartment blocks. The focal point of the resort is its working harbor, fronted by a square surrounded with restaurants, and sandy beaches encircling a crescent-shaped bay backed by a long, wide promenade that stretches to neighboring Playa de las Americas. The old town center stretches from the port up to the main shopping street in a grid-like pattern of pedestrianized streets, still inhabited by many local people. The resort's best beach is man-made, the Playa de las Vistas, covered in sand imported from the Sahara. Being just a few minutes away by cheap taxi from las Americas resort allows vacationers in Los Cristianos to enjoy a more sedate stay, while still able to access the bright lights and entertainment facilities of the more boisterous neighbor, especially when it comes to nightlife.
C'an Picafort
C'an Picafort is a relatively large vacation resort situated on the north east coast of Mallorca on the lovely Bay of Alcudia, about an hour away from Palma. Like El Arenal, C'an Picafort is highly popular with German visitors, and due to those who have returned to live, it retains a certain German flavor. The resort grew from a tiny fishing village (remains of which can be seen in the town's working harbor) and today, spreads along a grid of small streets near the principal beach.
Pedestrian-friendly with a promenade perfect for evening strolls, the resort has become popular with those seeking a quiet beachside getaway, and hotels provide much of the resort's entertainment. There are several bars, restaurants and nightclubs, however, and plenty of shops and an excellent market on Fridays. C'an Picafort is also right next to Son Baulo, which has its own beach, shops and restaurants and is a popular vacation destination.
There are several activities to indulge in during the day such as cruises, horse riding, jeep safaris, go-karting, biking and watersports, and excursions to neighboring areas provide a more local Spanish flavor. Santa Margalida has more than 150 archaeological sites, including the Son Real Necropolis (also known as the Cemetery of the Phoenicians) that was used as a burial site from the Iron Age to Roman times. The nearby S'Albufera Wetlands Park offers excellent bird-watching opportunities, and a chance to enjoy the local flora and fauna. Another great way to spend the day is to take a bus trip to the busier resort of Puerto de Alcudia, or to Palma or Pollensa.
Santa Ponsa
Santa Ponsa (or Santa Ponca) today bears little resemblance to the fishing village it once was. Just under half an hour away from Palma and about three miles (5km) south of Magalluf on the south west coast, Santa Ponsa is famous not only as a popular Mallorcan vacation resort, but as the landing point of King Jaime I in 1229 when he came to take the island from the Moors. A stone cross at the resort's marina marks the event. As with most Mallorcan vacation resorts, Santa Ponsa is highly developed and tends to be lively and busy, with an active nightlife and excellent beach culture.
Santa Ponsa is the principal beach, which is supplemented with imported sand, while the more sheltered Calo d'en Pellicer is slightly smaller and closer to the marine club. The third, more exclusive beach is Castellot. The water at all three beaches is warm and clear, and offers safe swimming. A pedestrian promenade, with shade provided by pine trees, runs in front of the Santa Ponsa beach and there are the usual beachfront restaurants, bars, shops and cafés. Over the years, Santa Ponsa has developed a Celtic flavor, with a number of Scottish and Irish themed pubs and bars, but it remains popular with a range of visitors of different ages.
Cala San Vincente
Cala San Vincente (also known as Cala Sant Vicenç) is a lovely, small vacation resort set in what is still essentially a fishing village. Situated on the north eastern coast, about three miles (5km) from Pollensa, Cala San Vincente boasts spectacular scenery, charming old houses and three beaches. This is not the place to come for all-night parties or massive hotel complexes, but suits those seeking to relax and enjoy the character of the area. It is especially suited to mature travelers and those with older children, as there isn't much on offer for young kids or twentysomethings looking for a party.
The main beach is Cala Barques, where vacationers can expect to share the space with local fishermen repairing nets, as well as their equipment, and there are also several beachside restaurants and bars on offer. Tucked around a rocky hillock is the tiny, but often crowded, Cala Clara beach. A little bit further on is the popular swimming beach of Cala Molins, whose sand is imported each year. In general, the water is warm and crystal clear, perfect for swimmers, and the views are spectacular.
There is not much in the way of shopping on offer in Cala San Vincente besides the basics, but the nearby town of Pollensa offers a greater selection and a lovely Sunday market, as well as several historic buildings. There are also regular buses to Inca and Puerto Pollensa. A popular local attraction is a series of prehistoric man-made caves, and closer to Pollensa are the Calvari steps: 365 tree-lined steps that lead up to the minute Calvari church and its ancient wooden cross. For the less culturally inclined, a mini golf course is also on offer.
Calas de Mallorca
The relaxed and quiet purpose-built vacation resort of Calas de Mallorca is in the center of the east coast of the island, close to the towns of Manacor and Felanitx. The resort is set on a cliff top and is therefore not ideal for those with disabilities or for the elderly, but does have lovely views and good beaches, and is popular with families with small children. Playa Domingos is the principal beach and offers warm, crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkeling; the water can, however, get quite rough at times.
Paguera
Paguera has been a favored Mallorca tourist resort since the 1960s and is immensely popular with European visitors, particularly from Germany. Although not as frenetic as nearby Magalluf and Palma Nova, and slightly more upmarket, it is still a noisy and bustling resort - not one to visit if seeking peace and tranquility. Paguera is situated on the south west coast of the island and boasts three principal beaches that are popular with vacationers (Playa Palmira, Playa Tora and Playa La Romana) and are linked by a pedestrian promenade.
This Spanish resort town offers a number of activities to enjoy during the day, as well as a lively nightlife, although many choose to enjoy the entertainment offered by their hotels. There are also regular buses to the ever-popular, even busier Magaluf and other neighboring towns and resorts. Many visitors come to enjoy the web of coastal hiking routes, while others prefer to laze on the beach and enjoy the sunshine and warm waters.
Las Caletillas
Las Caletillas is a quiet vacation resort, more residential than commercial, set on Tenerife's north east coast. The resort is roughly nine miles (14km) from the island's capital, Santa Cruz, and is a stone's throw away from the charming village of Candelaria with its black sand volcanic beach. Las Caletillas itself has a black pebble beach stretching around three coves, and offers several bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. There is not much on offer in the way of nightlife in Las Caletillas, so don't expect to be up until dawn.
Playa de Las Teresitas, just up the coast from Las Caletillas, provides a change of scenery and golden sandy beaches for those who aren't quite comfortable sunning themselves on the remnants of a volcanic eruption. Of course, the bustling Santa Cruz is close by and if one hires a car, there are various areas of interest to explore on this part of Tenerife, such as the small town of Masca, the historic village of La Laguna with its market and attractive cathedral, or La Orotava (boasting an embroidery school).
A great day out is a trip to the Teide National Park where visitors can enjoy a cable car ride up Spain's highest mountain, the volcanic Mount Teide. Although it may not be a hotspot, Las Caletillas is the perfect vacation destination in Spain for those seeking a more authentic Canaries experience and a truly relaxing Tenerife getaway.
Playa la Arena
Once a fishing village on the west coast of Tenerife, Playa la Arena is today one of three separate vacation resorts (Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago and Playa la Arena) that have to all intents and purposes merged into one. Playa la Arena is the most modern of the three and has a lovely long stretch of Blue Flag standard black sand beaches. The sea offers excellent swimming, but waters can sometimes be rough. A promenade runs along the seafront and is flanked by a variety of restaurants (some offering excellent seafood), several bars and shops. There is plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach or sampling local cuisine and many visitors opt for a boat trip to neighboring Los Gigantes, whale watching tours, day trips to the nearby village of Masca or a cable car ride up Mount Teide in the Teide National Park. Visitors can also choose to take a stroll to either Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes for something different, or catch a bus to the bustling Playa de las Americas for a night on the town. In general, Playa la Arena is peaceful and laid-back, lacking the aggressive touting common in other resorts, and offers a perfect combination of activity and relaxation for all types of visitors seeking the perfect vacation destination.
Puerto Santiago
Puerto Santiago is the central vacation resort of three separate ones, Los Gigantes, Playa Arena and Puerto Santiago, which have spread and essentially merged into each other on Tenerife's west coast, forming the area's largest tourist hub collectively known as Los Gigantes. The resort of Puerto Santiago was once a small fishing village, but typical of the Canary Islands, is now a popular vacation destination garnering rave reviews from most tourists and visitors. Puerto Santiago boasts a small but decent selection of bars, restaurants, shops and activities to suit the tourist palette. Puerto Santiago has managed to retain some of its traditional charm and offers visitors the chance to relax and enjoy a seaside break with a local Spanish flavor; although some visitors might take a while to get accustomed to the black sand beach.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes (The Giants) is aptly named after the Acantilados de los Gigantes; large, striking cliffs that surround this attractive vacation resort. The resort is set on the west coast of Tenerife and is essentially joined together with its neighbors, Playa la Arena and Puerto Santiago, to provide visitors with an exciting resort experience. A concerted effort has been made not to destroy the natural beauty of the town and as such there are none of the towering hotels common to other Spanish tourist resorts. The scenery is dominated by a rocky cliff which is 2,600 feet (800 meters) high in places.
Puerto de la Cruz
A cosmopolitan old colonial town known to tourists throughout Europe, the vacation destination of Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is the principal tourist center of the island. It was in the 1890s that Puerto de la Cruz became a fashionable spa town and since then it has become a preferred holiday spot for European royalty and dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill and Bertrand Russell.
Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, it has maintained the style and flair of a cosmopolitan spa as well as kept the feel of a small and friendly, bustling Spanish town. Being the birthplace of tourism in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz attracts some 900,000 visitors annually. Most of the area around the old fishing port is lined with cobbled streets, full of colonial architecture and is one of the few resorts where locals still work, eat and drink. It is a place where old world charm exists alongside trendy hotels and apartments, making this the perfect vacation destination.
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