I've never been to Spain. Where should I go for a 1 week holiday?

Question

I'm NOT interested in the islands or places where I'm going to find hoards of English.

Answer 1

Barcelona, Madrid or Sevilla. All three are amazing places. They all have fair amounts of tourists, but it won't be all tourists and no locals.

Answer 2

Anywhere not on the coast should give you a real cultural flavour of Spain, but also bear in mind that if you go anywhere that is not frequented by Brits then take a phrase book as you will find away from the coast the natives won't be speaking English. But that is the way to enjoy another country, mixing with the locals, enjoying food you have never tried before and muddling through this to me the the excitement of a holiday abroad.
Sadly, I live where there are more Brits than Spanish (practically) ugh....may as well live in the UK. But work keeps me here on the coast. At least we have the beach, and the lovely tapas. Enjoy your experience.

Answer 3

It depends what time of the year you are going. Costa del Sol is very nice in summer and there are loads of places you can go to. If you stay in Benalmadena you have Tivoli World there this is a large amusment park where you find loads of attractions for eg flamenco groups and there is show every night with different famous people each time. If you go to the famous Marbella then you can go to the beach during the day and to Puerto Banus in the evening this is always very entertaining loads of bars and restaurants and ofcourse you can come and visit my homeland Gibraltar which is only 1 hour away from the coast. Here you can come and visit the apes and St Micheals Cave. I have just come back from the coast my self stayed there this weekend and I stayed in Fuengirola, the Hotel El Puerto is a good hotel for relaxing. Its in the city centre and the beach is across the road. I hope you have a nice holiday whatever place you decide to go.

Answer 4

ALICANTE!

My boyfriends parents live in a wee village half an hour from Alicante so we stay there for a few nights sometimes.

It is a very small city and everything is within walking distance of the centre. There is a lovely marina with bars and restaurants, there is also a huge beach and a really nice old town with more nice bars and restaurants.

What you wont find is hourds of drunken british folk!

Last time we went the world cup was on and it was very pleasant. There are young tourists there but they are mostly european or american so there's plenty of nightlife but no club 18-30's type nonsense.

Answer 5

I am exactly the same. I like to go to a place where I feel I am in a different country, not another Blackpool!!! I go to a great place called Calafell which is in Tarragona in the Costa Dorada. The beaches are lovely and quiet and your not packed like sardines, there are plenty of bars and restaurants too!
We hardly come across many English. Last year I think we only saw 2 English families in 2 weeks!

Answer 6

Barcelona as it now has every leisure and sports facility possible since 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. The streets of Barcelona are alive by day or night, providing the visitor with a safe place for strolling around, whether for shopping, eating or simply passing the time of day. There is also 1 mile long city beach with clean soft sand, ideal for sun bathing. See http://www.spain4uk.co.uk/places/barcelona.htm for more
details

Answer 7

Rural Andalucia is wonderful, there is so much unspoilt countryside and many typically Spanish "pueblos blancos" If you want the coast too then combine seeing Andalucia with visiting the Costa del Luz.

Great Andaulcian cities include Cadiz, Granada and Sevilla. Jerez de la Frontera, where all the sherry in the world is produced, is worth a visit too.

Answer 8

Barcelona, BUT if you want to go to somewhere really typical, with no foreigners (Brits), go to Sanlucar de Barrameda in Cadiz.

Just don't expect people to speak English.

You can fly to Jerez de la Frontera. Hire a car and explore the mountains. Sanlucar is half an hour from the airport.

Check when the local ferias are (May).



p.s. The beach in Sanlucar is not fit for use as it is the outflow of the River Guadalquiver. That is the one good reason why no foreigners go there..

There are very good clean beaches nearby.

Answer 9

I know you say you're not interested in the islands but....now bear with me on this one.....Santa Eulallia in Ibiza.

Many people have the wrong impression of Ibiza 'cos it was one of the first party islands. But it is totally beautiful and Santa Eulalia has everything. It has a lot of real Spanish parts, beautiful sea front where you will always get a sun bed no matter the time of day and loads of restaurants...plenty of Spanish restaurants too.

We like Santa Eulalia for it's Spanishness. Yes, of course there are tourists, but it doesn't negate the Spanish feel.

It's not at all rowdy and tends to be couples and families.

Hope that helps

Answer 10

Go to one of the big andalusian cities - Seville and Granada are great. You get the moorish palaces, cathedrals, great food and nightlife. Granada has the mountains and odd little spiritual villages like Pampaneira. From Seville you can visit Donana with its wildlife and the completely unknown beaches of Matalascanas. If you go around easter you can see the Holy Week or the crazy Feria de Abril in Seville - nonstop flamenco and horseback riding... If you want beach there are completely deserted ones just east of Almeria at Cabo de Gata. Go for it!

Answer 11

Come to Mainland Spain, Almeria in particular.
Villaricos is a small Spanish fishing village and although there are English in the town it is NOT a typical English resort. apartment from 260€ per week or hostels from about 36€ per night, One hour transfer from the airport.