Welcome
to Spain
Por Favor!
Andalucia
While Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca or Ibiza are what come off most non-European’s lips when thinking of Spain, Andalucia is by far one of the most underrated and most recommended areas to visit. Except in high season/ summer… unless you can literally tolerate 50+ degrees celsius!
People are friendly and warm, the way they speak Spanish is even different. Sevilla is it’s most important city and is arguably one of the most beautiful in Europe. If you stay out past 10 pm, you may be fortunate enough to catch locals engaging in a spontaneous outdoor serenade (and go for it for a while!). It’s charming and joyful.
Other cities such as Malaga offer similar experiences on a smaller scale and are right on the Mediterranean. Road Tripping around Andalucia is relaxing and picturesque.
Barcelona (and Catalunya)
We have rarely met a person who has neither loved or loved part of their stays in Barcelona. Apart from maybe Paris, it’s probably the most architecturally rich and designed city in Europe. Perfectly created lots and grids make it easy to navigate.
It’s full of Gaudi-esque charm and has a beautiful waterfront. Barcelona is about the charm (can be often a bit dirty feeling/ humid) and enjoying new experiences.
Driving around is also fun, especially when you head towards France. Salvador Dali’s villa and studio are a must visit. The man needed to be the first in Spain to see the sun up. Talk about ego!
Baleares
The 3 gems of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza comprise some of the most beautiful coastlines and landscapes that Spain has to offer. Crystal clear water, nice dining and great views. None of these islands (except for Formentera) are small so you will need a car.
Rent a finca and experience what a Hacienda type stay can feel like. Highly recommended. Mallorca for all.. Menorca for adults and nature seekers, Ibiza.. Well, no intro needed.
Madrid
Atletico or Real?
This is a question that may arise while sipping on your cold Sangria while sitting on a lovely terrasse and feel like a life or death scenario. While this feels dramatic, the entire city lives by it’s storied and larger than life football clubs. One thing we can say is seeing a game at the new Estadio Metropolitano (Atletico) or at the newly renovated Bernabeu is an incredible experience.
But football aside, this city has an enormous amount of reasons to visit. From it’s incredibly lush, landscaped gardens. To it’s stunning monuments, museums and architecture, the city has tons to keep you busy.
It’s city center is one of the most beautiful and upkept of any capital in Europe. It’s full of nightlife, shopping and sightseeing options in walking distance.
Another thing that one has to experience is the food and drink scene. Rarely will you see such a rich mix of great cheap eats, like Casa Dani , to the currently 4th best rated and world famous restaurant Diverxo, Madrid has it all in between. For families, most public plazas even offer children’s playgrounds, parents and their little ones can reap the benefits of every experience the surroundings can offer.
Hot tip: In Madrid, like most of Spain, avoid the summer season. Temperatures can reach over 40 degrees celcius! Best times are early spring, fall and even winter. But in our experiences, crowds will always exist in any time of the year and there is a good reason for this!
Valencia
Along with Sevilla, our favorite city.
Contemporary, classic and breathtaking. It just feels like a big city with a small city feel. The city of Sciences is an architectural marvel from starchitect Santiago Calatrava.
Rent a finca and experience what a Hacienda type stay can feel like. Highly recommended. Mallorca for all.. Menorca for adults and nature seekers, Ibiza.. Well, no intro needed.
When to go
Most places in Spain are to avoid peak summer heat season.Spring and Fall are the best and with the mildest weather.
Must tries
Biking and hiking in the Baleares: Mallorca and Menorca in particular have amazing infrastructure for biking. Many stays even specialize in this type of tourism. Breathtaking views of bays, rock formations and lush vegetation make it quite a beautiful (but physically demanding) biking adventure. Menorca has ancient horse paths to help patrol the island and these are now stunning hiking trails to explore the island.
Tapas crawl in Barcelona, Sevilla or Madrid: The tapas culture is real. Some staples are omnipresent in many parts of Spain (Tortilla, Padron peppers, Pan) but others are unique to certain regions, even town. So have a Caña (small, super cold draft beer) with a tapa, inside a traditional, heavily rustical tapas joint is a must. Then move on to the next one and you have yourself a crawl.
Getting there:
5/5
Spain is incredibly well connected, nationally or internationally, whether it be by rail or with it’s extensive flight network. This may have changed but it used to be one of the most active BlaBla car using countries, meaning you could join others on medium to long car journey for minimum prices to help cover gas money. Public transit is not great in island and coastal areas (apart from the large cities) so renting a car is almost a must.
People friendliness:
4/5
As a generalization, Spanish people are by nature very friendly and hospitable. It’s important to remember that Spanish is not the only language spoken in Spain and lot of people from Latin America live and work here so the accents and pronunciations are different. English is understood but not perfectly. A little effort in Spanish goes a long way
Infrastructure:
4/5
Spain has arguably one of the best high speed rail networks in Europe. While the trains have aged, they are some of the fastest. The airports are also incredibly connected, from Madrid, to Barcelona, to the Baleares, it’s impressive.
Beach and entertainment:
4/5
The mediterranean has lots to offer. The baleares definitely have some crystaline waters and the off continent (but still Spain) Canary island offer some impressive flora and fauna because of nearby volcanic formations. One common critique is how crowded beaches are in Spain, especially in Costa Brava and in Baleares
Accomodation range and quality:
5/5
Some of the most common beach hotel concepts come from Spains major hotel groups. There is an abundance of choice and categories to choose from.
I fell head over heels for Malaga! From its sun-kissed beaches to its vibrant culture and mouthwatering cuisine, every moment in this enchanting city was a treasure. Malaga, you’ve stolen my heart forever.
Ivan Bruno, March 12-22, 2024
Madeira exceeded all my expectations as a digital nomad destination! With its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and reliable internet connection, it became my ultimate work and play paradise. From scenic hikes to cozy cafes, every moment felt like a picture-perfect adventure. Madeira truly stole my heart and became my dream workspace away from home.
Vlatka, September 04-16, 2023
