(Photo via ThinkStock / iStockphoto)
Spain is one of my absolute favourite European destinations. Sun, amazing food, great cultural attractions, stunning beaches - what more could you possibly want? Of course, what exactly you get varies depending on whereabouts you decide to go; so, I've put together a quick guide to the top places to visit this July.
Like many people at the moment, I need to keep a check on my spending when organising my holidays, so a common factor of all the below destinations is that they have accommodation options to suit a variety of budgets. I usually find all-inclusive hotels are great if you're looking for a cheap beach holiday, but don't forget to read the small print to make sure that tempting deal is as fantastic as it sounds.
By the way, thanks to the sheer variety of hotels on offer in these destinations, it's also easy to have a more indulgent getaway too - so don't disregard them if you're planning to splash out a little!
Cala d'Or (Majorca)
Let's start with one of my personal favourites, the beautiful Cala d'Or. Nestled on the south-east coast of the island of Majorca, this destination consists of a small collection of coves and has managed to retain quite a traditional ambience. That said, it's still quite a bustling destination, which I think gives it a good balance between authenticity and liveliness.
The star attraction here is the beaches, so I'll focus on these. The longest cove is Cala Llonga. I like coming here because as well as being scenic, it has a decent selection of cafes and bars that overlook the water. Cala d'Or Beach is another important stretch of sand and one that, being backed by pine trees, is particularly pretty. That said, I do find it tends to get quite busy, so I generally prefer Cala Llonga.
Benidorm (Costa Blanca)
Next on my list is Benidorm in Costa Blanca. This is a really well known destination, so it's likely you've heard of it already - especially since it's got a reputation for being a firm favourite among Brits!
Nestled on the east coast of Spain, Benidorm is perhaps most renowned for its beaches. The coastline here spans 5 km and boasts crystal-clear water and fine golden sand; to see one of the most beautiful stretches in the city, head northwards to Levante Beach, which spans some 2 km and has a seafront promenade that's packed with attractions.
There's far more to Benidorm than beaches, though. In fact, I think one of the chief reasons for its enduring popularity is that there's just so much you can do here - explore the historic city centre, take scuba diving lessons, go wind surfing, laze on the beach, head to theme parks like Terra Mitica... The list is almost endless!
Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Last up we have Tenerife, which is the largest of the Canary Islands. Like Benidorm, Tenerife is a pretty famous holiday hotspot - and with good reason. For me, Tenerife has something for virtually everyone.
For example, if you want to let your hair down, you can head to somewhere like Playa de Las Americas for bustling beaches and lively nightlife. If you want something quieter, though, book a hotel inland and go hiking in the beautiful Teide National Park. Tenerife is also a brilliant destination for golfers thanks to the variety of courses (such as Golf Costa Adeje) as well as water sports fans and keen hikers.
By the way, thanks to the sheer variety of hotels on offer in these destinations, it's also easy to have a more indulgent getaway too - so don't disregard them if you're planning to splash out a little!
Cala d'Or (Majorca)
Let's start with one of my personal favourites, the beautiful Cala d'Or. Nestled on the south-east coast of the island of Majorca, this destination consists of a small collection of coves and has managed to retain quite a traditional ambience. That said, it's still quite a bustling destination, which I think gives it a good balance between authenticity and liveliness.
The star attraction here is the beaches, so I'll focus on these. The longest cove is Cala Llonga. I like coming here because as well as being scenic, it has a decent selection of cafes and bars that overlook the water. Cala d'Or Beach is another important stretch of sand and one that, being backed by pine trees, is particularly pretty. That said, I do find it tends to get quite busy, so I generally prefer Cala Llonga.
Benidorm (Costa Blanca)
Next on my list is Benidorm in Costa Blanca. This is a really well known destination, so it's likely you've heard of it already - especially since it's got a reputation for being a firm favourite among Brits!
Nestled on the east coast of Spain, Benidorm is perhaps most renowned for its beaches. The coastline here spans 5 km and boasts crystal-clear water and fine golden sand; to see one of the most beautiful stretches in the city, head northwards to Levante Beach, which spans some 2 km and has a seafront promenade that's packed with attractions.
There's far more to Benidorm than beaches, though. In fact, I think one of the chief reasons for its enduring popularity is that there's just so much you can do here - explore the historic city centre, take scuba diving lessons, go wind surfing, laze on the beach, head to theme parks like Terra Mitica... The list is almost endless!
Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Last up we have Tenerife, which is the largest of the Canary Islands. Like Benidorm, Tenerife is a pretty famous holiday hotspot - and with good reason. For me, Tenerife has something for virtually everyone.
For example, if you want to let your hair down, you can head to somewhere like Playa de Las Americas for bustling beaches and lively nightlife. If you want something quieter, though, book a hotel inland and go hiking in the beautiful Teide National Park. Tenerife is also a brilliant destination for golfers thanks to the variety of courses (such as Golf Costa Adeje) as well as water sports fans and keen hikers.
(This post was written by Hari Apostolides)
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