Do you fancy a Spanish break?

Christmas is packed up for another year and the weather here is pretty chilly. For us, it has been a busy year, moving countries and trying to settle in has been tiring. Recently, I’ve been thinking about organising a break after my summit in March. It would give us time to recharge and get some sun on our backs. We’ve been to Spain twice, once in the City (Barcelona) and once in the countryside (Andalucia). While we loved both this time we will be looking at houses for rent in Spain. While hotels are nice, I think for any length of time when you have kids it’s more comfortable to have a house or a villa.

Spain has such a relaxed vibe and when we’ve been there the locals are so friendly. This great atmosphere, a focus on family and beautiful countryside makes it the perfect destination for families. I love it’s eclectic nature, from the energy of the cities (Barcelona and Madrid) to the Moorish nature of Granada and the rugged mountain vistas of Andalucia.

The gorgeous Andalucia mountains

How much will it cost?

Food – There is something for everyone and for any budget. There are so many lovely ‘posh’ restaurants costing around €27 for a main meal and drink. However, at the other end of the scale there is always McDonalds costing around €7. If you’re looking for something mid-priced most restaurants would be €13 for a main meal. Save money menu of the day during lunch for around €7-9.

If you’re going down the self-catering route you can pick up groceries site reasonably  priced at local markets. We loved visiting the market near Nerja, it was so eclectic.

Accommodation – Spain can be quite reasonably priced when compared to other Western European countries. You can find budget hotels starting at around €45 for a double. If you want to stay in an apartment, you should expect to pay at least €80 per night. 

Transportation – The bus and City metro cost around €1-3 per trip. Trains can be expensive, with high-speed trains costing between €50-140, depending on route. The slower regional trains range between €15-45 per trip.

Activities – While there’s obvious variations, Museums and attractions cost roughly between €2-14.

Top tip: Get city passes

If you plan to do a lot of city sightseeing they can be a good investment. All the major cities have multiple attractions, museums, and other fun activities. City passes can save you up to 20% on these activities and get you free transport too.

Places to visit

Madrid – The Capital city is packed with sights to see. With the Prado museum, the Royal Palace and the Main square- Plaza Mayor being notable sight-seeing spots.

Barcelona – The city is known for partying and late-night eating, but it’s also great for families. We had such fun visiting the Zoo, the Aquarium and seeing the beautiful fountains in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The markets are also wonderful. There are plenty of street traders, but also formal market areas, packed with an electric mix of stalls.

The beach at Nerja

It’s amazing historic streets and stunning marina make it a wonderful place to enjoy a stroll. We found the super cool Federal Cafe, a cool hipster place offering the perfect breakfast. Just a stroll from where we were staying at the Hotel Barcelona Universal.

Hike in the Sierra Nevada – This mountain range is rugged but very pretty. You can explore on your own or take a guided tour.

Hike the Pyrenees – If you fancy something a bit more energetic the majestic mountain chain of the Pyrenees awaits. Dotted with medieval villages and mountain walks, it also offers great skiing.

The Guggenheim Museum – This is one of the most famous museums in the world. Filled with modern art exhibits. Even if you’re not a modern art fan, you should stop by just to check it out. The stunning architecture of this museum is worth the visit alone.  

Seville – Such a beautiful city with great palaces, churches, and historic sites. They also have really good shopping areas.

Visit Valencia –  If you fancy something different and off-beat why not visit Valencia for the tomato fight in the nearby town of Bunol. Which attracts thousands of people each August.

Andalucia – Back in May we visited the beautiful Andalucia for my 40th birthday. It is STUNNING. We stayed in a mountain top villa with incredible views or mountains and the sea. From our base we visited the local town of Nerja which has a stunning promenade filled with restaurants and so many wonderful streets to explore. Another highlight for us was our visit to Frigiliana. A beautiful white-washed village nestled in the mountains in the province of Málaga. We enjoyed a miniature train ride round the maze of cobbled streets. The views from Frigiliana are amazing. We had lunch in a lovely Tapas restaurant which had a terrace overlooking the village and the valley below. It also has a great playground (all parents know that sometimes you just NEED a playground!).

The stunning Frigiliana

We have experienced the city and rural versions of Spain and can’t wait to go back to explore even more. I personally LOVE the sound of the tomato fight. I think it would be a wonderful spectacle and I know Ava would love it too!

Have you ever been to Spain? Where do you love to go? Do you prefer the city or the countryside when you visit?

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.