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Once again proving that it is a tour de force in the field of tourism, Spain has welcomed no fewer than one 79.8 million visitors throughout 2023, just below the record figures of 2019, making it the second most visited country in the world.
Although the city has not yet broken the record set four years ago, the city is on track to full recovery, with large numbers of tourists gathering in front of Barcelona Cathedral. Holy Family for selfies and beachgoers heading to the Costa del Sol massively for their sunny outings after three years.
Spain is again the second most visited country in the world, behind only France, and that is true five of the top reasons why:
It is one of the few European countries that offer this Unique Combination
Europe is an incredibly diverse continent that offers both nature and culture-based activities. While countries like Italy and France are highly sought after for their ancient heritage, Norway and Switzerland have breathtaking natural landscapes with top attractions.
That is not to say that these elements are mutually exclusive, but few European countries excel in combining them as Spain does: it is the birthplace of famous artists such as Picasso and Dali, it is the place where bullfighting and flamenco originated, and it lays claim to some of Europe’s most important sights.
At the same time, the Iberian gem boasts a natural wealth unlike any other country in the area, with coastlines on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas, a hinterland crisscrossed by beautiful mountains and lush green forests teeming with wildlife.
As for nature, the Pyrenees range offers some of the best ski resorts in all of EuropeThe Canary archipelago remains warm all year round, and island hopping around the subtropical Balearic Islands, which also includes Ibiza and Mallorca, is possible as early as February.
When it comes to culture, while strolling the busy streets of Madrid you can expect to find world-class museums with awe-inspiring art and ornate buildings; in Barcelona, the narrow, winding streets of the Gothic Quarter provide surviving examples medieval city building.
In Seville, Moorish influence is everywhere, a result of centuries of North African control, and the traditional Basque towns of northern Spain are cultural manifestations of Europe’s oldest and most mysterious ethnic nation.
Spain’s tourist offering is truly limitless it has something to offer everyone regardless of your travel preferences.
The food is just out of this world.
Still somewhat on the culture front, it’s probably worth mentioning that Spanish cuisine plays a huge role in promoting the country on an international stage, especially when it ninth for the best cuisines in the worldas arranged by Taste Atlas.
The Kingdom of Spain consists of 17 autonomous regions, distinguished by their own cooking practices. Depending on which part of the country you are in, you are likely to taste completely different, unique dishes typical of that specific destination.
In Catalonia it’s all about that escudellaa rich stew served with pasta and minced meat and esqueixada, delicious salted cod; In Andalusia, the region geographically closest to North Africa, elements of Arabic cuisine are noticeable, with a clear example pestiños:
These fried pastries dipped in honey are typically Arabic in nature. Other Andalusian delicacies include Gazpachoor cold vegetable soup, and pescaito frito, fried fish of the day; for the best seafood you’ll ever have, take a train northwest to Galicia.
Their emblematic polbo á feira And merluza a la gallega, hake fish cooked in white wine and vegetable based broth are to die for, and don’t get us started on the impressive selection of homegrown wine:
Home to Ribeiro and Godellos of Valdeorras, they give their Portuguese neighbors a run for their money.
Ready to get off the trail?
Speaking of Galicia, it is partly responsible for the revival of Spanish tourism, largely thanks to the Spanish economy profession off the path and quiet spots yet to be ruined by beach bums and the Instagram hordes.
If you’ve been following the travel trends lately, you should know by now that lesser-known destinations are witnessing a boom in bookings, and as popular as Spain may be, there are still some key spots flying under the radar.
One of those hidden gems, the quaint cobblestone town PontevedraPacked with historic buildings, inhabited since Roman times, and a short drive from the sandy beaches of the Galician coast, it is currently one of the most searched for destinations on Google.
Galicia as a whole is undergoing a wave of popularitywith Santiago de Compostela, the regional capital, gaining popularity thanks to its beautiful cathedral, the last stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage City.
Elsewhere in Spain, the lesser-known Canary Islands are becoming increasingly popular with American tourists since the introduction of nonstop flights to Tenerife in 2021, bringing Americans closer to Spain’s paradise islands that are always spring.
Even the Andalusian hinterland, often skipped by visitors heading straight to Madrid or Barcelona, Spain’s two main tourist destinations, is now seeing a record increase in visitor numberswhich is predicted to be welcomed 33 million guests in 2024.
Andalusia is the land of whitewashed mountain villages, Moorish palaces and flamenco art.
Did you know that the warmest region in Europe is in southern Spain?
The importance of Andalusia to the Spanish tourism industry cannot be so easily overlooked. Since the end of summer, this has played a major role in keeping arrival numbers high, and the explanation is quite simple.
It is the hottest region of EuropeIt is geographically the closest area to North Africa and is severely affected by the heat waves coming from across the azure Mediterranean Sea. Believe it or not, the best way to experience Andalusia is in the out-season.
Summers and autumn are scorching hot, with temperatures easily reaching 122°F and above in larger urban centers, especially in the open oven of Seville, and unless the prospect of sunburn and dry heat doesn’t put you off, we recommend highly recommend a visit in the spring, or even wintery instead of.
At the moment, Malaga, the gateway to Andalusia’s sunny coast and an ancient port dotted with Roman and Moorish ruins, still has a pleasant atmosphere.°F, perfect for some sightseeing.
The beach areas in Marbella and Estepona are the same perfectly warm whatever the season, and although the Mediterranean may be colder this time of year, we would opt for a leisurely stroll along the palm-lined promenades without crowds, enjoying tinto de verano and admiring the coast during the chaos of the high season every day.
Spain is a bargain for a holiday
Finally, Spain is not as expensive as you might think.
Promised, it is not the Balkans or Eastern Europebut prices in much of the country, excluding ultra-popular cities, are significantly cheaper than those in France or Italy and certainly more affordable than the U.S. average.
Tourists spend an average of $43 on meals and $134 on hotels every day, while the total cost of a week-long trip to Spain for two people is an acceptable $2,300 (excluding flights).
Traveling on a budget – that is, staying in hostels or cheap guesthouses and avoiding expensive eateries – the costs are reduced even further, with a maximum of $64 per dayincluding accommodation and all daily expenses.
This winter you can book the centrally located Chinitas Urban Hostel in sunny Malaga, famous for its rooftop bar with stunning views of Malaga Cathedral, for just $26 per night or an overnight stay in a private room at a local hostel. guest house for a reasonable $35.
Do you feel inspired? You can learn and discover more about Spain five incredible cities which you can visit this year in the heart of Iberia by reading further here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
