Authentic Spain

[MissDollyMix]

Starting to think about a holiday for the summer - would like to go to Spain as the children have never been (only to Tenerife which I’m not counting!) DH speaks pretty much fluent Spanish and the DC are doing well in the language at school - I’d like to give them more opportunity to actually immerse themselves both in the language and the culture of the country. I don’t really want to stay in a big international hotel type place- would prefer somewhere self catering, ideally with lots of local restaurants to explore in the evenings. Would love to have some interesting places to explore and sightsee. So really, I’m open to any suggestions … I haven’t been to mainland Spain since I was a child and my grandparents used to have a villa on the Costa Brava but I don’t remember much about it! Likewise DH went a lot as a child but doesn’t remember much about it! (He learnt his Spanish in Mexico…)

Have you considered Cartagena/Murcia region in general? No hideous high rises, still very Spanish. Beautiful beaches, walks and restaurants. Lots of sightseeing and Murcia city is gorgeous too.

Although would avoid in July and August as it's hideously hot.

I was also going to suggest Cartagena or nearby. Some parts are a bit more touristy but still very easy to find lovely authentic Spanish bars and restaurants etc

Spain is vastly different depending on where you go. What sort of thing do you like/are you looking for?

I love Rioja and the vineyards and prehistoric dolmans, Merida and its Roman ruins, costa Brava for its coves, the Basque mountains, the Islamic architecture and white villages of Andalusia…

San Sebastian or just outside of Madrid and use the fab local transport in.

We stayed in a beautiful town called Frigiliana, we flew to Malaga with Ryanair, collected a hire car and drove there, it’s north of Nerja. Further inland is another beautiful small town called Competa.

Its also within driving distance to Grenada and the stunningly gorgeous Alhambra Palace, you have to pre book the Palace (we weren’t aware of this 🙄)

My favourite city is Sevilla. It’s also close enough to be able to visit Córdoba and Granada in the same trip. All 3 fabulous places to go

So many places to go! Few of my faves:

Consider Galicia which is the Celtic part of Spain and absolutely beautiful.

Bilbao/Santander accessible by ferry from Plymouth.

Basque Country

Barcelona and surroundings

Granada and the Alpujarra mountains

Sevilla

Cadiz

Personally I'd avoid the Costas if you speak the language - unless it's cheaper to get there and get accommodation that way.

Saville, Cadiz or Mijas were my initial thoughts, or cave accomodarion in Grenada? .I loved Mijas, so pretty and authentic. Also close enough to drive to the beach and tourist traps.

Cadiz, easy flight to Jerez then the train.
The basque region is very typically Spanish but the weather isn’t always great

Go anywhere except where they speak Catalan, if you want to practice Spanish. Try Galicia e.g. Baiona, Extremedura, Cadiz and nearby e.g. Conil and Chiclana.

Are you looking for a beach holiday, city, countryside?

A friend went to bilbao last year and loved it. Much less touristy in the north west and she spoke Spanish the majority of the time she was there. She thought it was really nice and very well set up for kids. She felt as if she was amongst people living their lives rather than a tourist destination.

the only downside for me would be that it’s not on the med coast.

I like the sound of all of those!! Sorry! I’m not being very decisive but I am open minded to anything!

Open to anything! Just want a nice holiday!

Spain has so many different, amazing places, it's a bit hard to narrow down.
Galicia and Asturias are beautiful. Andalucía has culture, beaches, mountains...
I think you need to think about what type of holiday you would like. Do you mind very hot weather? If so, avoid Andalucía in July and August.

pontevedra in Galicia is a nice town and you could use it as a base for visiting other towns/coast

There are so many lovely places you could visit though @MissDollyMix so you probably need to narrow down what you are looking for.

If you are actively trying to avoid places with a lot of tourists, then just be aware that Cities like Seville, Barcelona will be full of tourists, and the white villages mentioned ((Frigiliana, Mijas) are also huge tourist traps. Personally, that would in no way put me off as it doesn't stop them from being beautiful places.

I would suggest that you narrow down whether you are looking for coastal, city, countryside (or a mixture) and what temperatures you are looking for. And then just book yourselves into somewhere self catering rather than a hotel so you are having to get out and buy your food in a shop or restaurant, rather than just help yourself from the hotel buffet. An actual market (rather than supermarket) will give more opportunity for conversing, and avoid restaurants with picture menus!

"The basque region is very typically Spanish ....."

Don't say within hearing of any person from the Basque region.

You can fly into Gibraltar and pick up a car in Spain over the border, a 2 minute walk.
Head up the coast toward Tarifa, it's a lovely drive with fantastic views over the Straits of Gibraltar over to Morocco. Head up to Tarifa for a night, lots of artisan shops and good food. Carry on then up toward Bolognia, which is the most amazing beach for swimming. Then up to Barbate, Jerez for a sherry tour and the Andalucian horses display. Take Cadiz in on the way and then Seville. On the way back take in Seville inland (very hot make sure your hotel has aircon), then Ronda which is beautiful. Not many Brits on that route and authentic. Near Ronda there's a swimming hole called Cabo de Gata - cold water to cool down in.

Depending upon how much time you have, check out some of the villages inland. Castilla for the fort, Casares, and Jimena. The local swimming pools are open in the villages and worth a swim.

There's so much more in that area. Cordoba for the Cathedral that became a Mosque then a cathedral again - and Granada for the Alhambra palace, but make sure you book well in advance.

You can also take a ferry to the African mainland. Ceuta is a Spanish enclave. Worth a trip for the fort and a lovely beach, the pool there was designed by Martianez. Beautiful and huge.

There's also a lovely museum in Tangier if you go that way. Be sure to eat at 'The Morrocan Club for lunch.

I know the area well - we used to live on our yacht in the area, it's beautiful and Spanish.

There's a hotel on the way to Tarifa called Maison de Sancho, it has little cabins there, and very Spanish. We like it but go mostly out of season.

I don't think you mean Cabo de Gata, that's in Almería.

Oh my goodness! That sounds so lovely.

Yes, Cueva del Gato. Thanks.

I can recommend Competa, a lovely white village in the Andalusian mountains with a nice square with three restaurants, other nice restaurants throughout the town. It’s away from the coast so less touristy. depending on the time of year you go, I’d recommend staying in a village town house. Granada is fantastic but large. Jerez is also nice to visit.