From wildlife in Andalucía to an alternative camino in Galicia: readers' travel tips on unsung Spain
A little further along from the Camino de Santiago is the Camiño dos Faros, a week-long 124-mile (200km) hike along the Galician coast. Designed by a group of friends who wanted to share the beauty of their region with more people, the Lighthouse Way follows the coastline through forests, across rivers, estuaries and secluded beaches. You can enjoy immense views from the cliffs and delicious seafood in the fishing villages. Fisterra, believed in Roman times to be the end of the Earth, feels a fitting place to finish this beautiful walk.Cath
Guardian Travel readers' tips
Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage
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Sanlúcar de Barrameda, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, is my top tip for a foodie long weekend in a lesser-known part of Andalucía. To sit outside one of the many bars and restaurants in the Plaza del Cabildo, deconstructing a plate of langostinos washed down with a local manzanilla sherry is an unparalleled joy. Finish a lazy afternoon off with a walk along the beachfront, before stopping in one of the many fish restaurants in Bajo de Guía for a plate of pescado frito.Jake
Teruel, in the Aragon region of eastern Spain, offers rich gastronomy, enchanting architecture and Dinópolis … a dinosaur park, but one minus the crowds of better-known sites. Admire the old buildings of Plaza del Torico while enjoying a meal in one of its many restaurants, stroll through the charming old town or visit the local museum and cathedral. For a trip back in time, stop at the medieval town of Albarracín.Elisa
Most people, when they arrive in Santander, head east to cultural Bilbao or foodie San Sebastián, but for a more peaceful stay head west to the coastal village of Suances. It's only a short bus journey away and is perfect for seafood lovers. We had amazing sushi at Suka, and more traditional food at Amita. Add to that the wonderful sandy beaches on both sides of the peninsula and it's no wonder the Spanish love it.Richard Mason
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Just 40 miles from the over-visited heart of Barcelona lies a Unesco biosphere reserve, its peaks more than a thousand feet higher than Ben Nevis. The Montseny massif (insider tip, the y is silent) might be just an hour's drive, but it feels a world away from the city. Here, thick Mediterranean oak forests rise on all sides as you follow the single road threading its way up the huge horseshoe-shaped valley. About halfway up is the village of Montseny itself. Stop for a hike on any of the well-marked trails, followed by an ice-cream at Can Manel, a small bar with a big terrace and enormous views.Leo
'Hang' out in Cuenca. This world heritage city is a revelation: off the tourist track in Castilla-La-Mancha, it can be reached in a day by train from London or by train and ferry via Santander. It's spectacularly situated along the Huécar gorge, its hanging houses seemingly ready to take the plunge at any moment. You can see how it feels to be inside one by visiting the abstract art museum now in the Casa Colgadas. Originally built by the Moors, the city offers wonderful cobbled streets, a (rebuilt) medieval cathedral and a ruined castle.Vieve
The Meicín hostel in Asturias, on the border with the ancient kingdom of León, is surrounded by jagged mountains, wild ponies and, if you're lucky, bears. Climb Picos del Fontán (2,414 metres) and you'll be unlikely to encounter any other hikers as you walk through a hidden valley and year-round snowfields. Peña Ubiña, after which the national park is named, has views south to the Castilian plains, and north to the far busier Picos de Europa. The hostel offers full board in dorms, and you can hike or taxi to it from the local high-speed station (Pola de Lena).Robert Graham
With its low white houses furnished with hitching rails and streets thickly lined with sand, El Rocío brings to mind not so much Andalucía but the wild west. At Pentecost, the small town hosts a million pilgrims; in spring and autumn it's migrating birds that flock to the neighbouring lagoons of the Doñana national park. We visited off season but still enjoyed birdwatching with local guide Manuel Bárcena, of Oxyura Birdwatching, and were also thrilled to catch sight of a European lynx. Quirky El Rocío makes a relaxing stopover and is easily combined with a road trip to Seville and Cádiz.Helen Brazier
I was lucky enough to spend a year living in the province of Castellón, which is yet to be really taken over by tourism but has so much to offer. The beaches of the Costa del Azahar are pristine, and historic towns like Peniscola and Morella are fascinating. However, the highlight for me was Desert de les Palmes natural park, which has Mediterranean views along scenic hiking trails – particularly from the highest point of El Bartolo at 729 metres. Rich in history, it has ancient monasteries, castle ruins and lush landscapes, making it a perfect retreat for nature and adventure lovers.Mike L
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Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I visited the ‘Wetherspoons of Spain' – jugs of beer cost £1.50, lunch is £1 and there's 350 of them across the country
Save big at this super-cheap Spanish pub chain, where vodka and cokes are among the cheapest in the world, says The Sun's travel writer Helen Wright HOLA-DAY I visited the 'Wetherspoons of Spain' – jugs of beer cost £1.50, lunch is £1 and there's 350 of them across the country Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SITTING outside in the sun with a cold beer in hand, I've nabbed a prime spot for lunch to watch the world go by. Nothing screams summer holiday in Spain like an al-fresco feast of tasty tapas, but this place is especially good because it's an absolute bargain that most Brits don't know about. 5 100 Montaditos started as a small cafe in Seville and now has more than 300 locations across Spain, but Brits would never know it was a cheap chain Credit: Alamy 5 Helen (pictured) cools off with a cheap pint in the 'Spanish Wetherspoons', 100 Montaditos Credit: HELEN WRIGHT 5 There are 100 Montaditos all over Spain with cheap pints and decent food for a bargain price Credit: Alamy If, like me, you love a bargain bite in the local Wetherspoons at home, then you need to head to this cheap chain in Spain where your Euros will go a lot further than in most places on the continent. It's by far the cheapest place for tapas and a beer that I have ever stumbled across and the best news is, there are 350 of these bars across Spain. Cheap as frites 100 Montaditos has been dubbed the 'Spanish Wetherspoons' for its affordable prices, decent food and community vibe. However, most Brits would walk right past without even knowing they are missing out on a cheap-as-patatas-fritas feed. A 'montadito' is a classic tapas dish in Spain, which is essentially a mini baguette sandwich. They are often served alongside beer or wine in tapas bars around Spain and make for a very tasty lunch or dinner. 100 Montaditos originated as a small cafe in Seville, famous for its small plates of sandwiches, but has now expanded across Spain and the Spanish islands because it is so popular. With a limited holiday budget, I headed to the 100 Montaditos in Majorca, which is on the Spanish Plaza in Palma. The location could not be more central, it's right opposite the Cathedral and has a patio with outdoor seating. The bar looks small from the outside, but stepping inside, there is a huge kitchen and dining room, so it's handy if you need an air-con break from the hot weather too. It's a hot day, so I order a pint, which in Spain comes in a frosted pitcher. I went to the UK's biggest Wetherspoons with rooftop bar overlooking the beach These are known as 'turbo-sized' and at 300ml, are slightly smaller than our UK pints, but plenty for me at lunchtime. Drinking local Spanish beer, Cruzcampo, meant the refreshment cost me only €1.50 (£1.30). Considering Palma in Majorca isn't known for being a cheap holiday destination, I couldn't believe my luck. A glass of wine here is the same price, and you can get a Vodka and Coke for £2.70. I couldn't believe my eyes when the bartender gave me a cone of crisps too. You get these free of charge when you order a drink. With prices in Spain on the rise, Brits have been complaining that cheap holidays on the continent are not as budget-friendly as they used to be. But this place is just like a British 'Spoons. Everyone inside was chatty and friendly - as much as they could be with the language barrier. It's very laid back and you can tell a lot of locals have been frequenting the place for years. Of course, being named after the famous sandwiches, 100 Montadidos has a good menu of food too, and it's just as affordable as the beer. 5 You get a cone of crisps for free with your beer in the Spanish 'spoons Credit: HELEN WRIGHT 5 There is also indoor seating, if you want to take advantage of the air conditioning Credit: HELEN WRIGHT There are 19 different 'classic' sandwiches, ranging from chorizo and cheese to bacon butties, and they are only €1 each. The slightly more 'fancy' options have Gran Reserva ham and smoked salmon, but even they only cost €1.50 (£1.30). Every day they have a 'EURO MANIA' deal, which is a large version of the sandwich of the day for only €1 (86p) - an absolute bargain! One of these is more than enough for me at lunch, but even if I was feeling peckish, ordering two would hardly break the bank. I can't believe you can eat for so cheap in the middle of Palma. If you don't fancy sandwiches, there are nachos, Spanish omelette and calamari, all for only €2 (£1.73) each. A bowl of chips is €1 (86p). Sarah from Cardiff in Wales, who was in 100 Montadidos with her friends before a night out, said she was stunned by the prices. 'It's cheaper than Wetherspoons in Cardiff!' she said. 'We'll probably come back for chips after our night out if it's still open.' Before they left, I joined them for a celebratory shot of tequila. At only €2 (£1.73) each, I better not stay too long or I'd be totally sloshed for the cost of one pint in London. The atmosphere is not as authentic as in some of the more traditional tavernas and bars in Mallorca, but it can't be beaten on price. Especially for a few shots ahead of a night out like Sarah and her mates. The only disappointment was that they don't have the classic Thursday curry club but the cheeky barman said maybe they might do Paella instead one day!
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was miserable and left for Spain and it's made me so much happier'
An ex-pat who swapped Dublin for the Costa del Sol has revealed why she's never looked back An expatriate has shared how her life took a complete turn for the better after she relocated to Spain, where she enjoys beers for as little as €1.70. Tori Clinton, who has spent the past two years living overseas, says the cultural shift has had an enormously positive impact on her life. The 30 year old even confessed that the Spanish approach to alcohol has entirely transformed her outlook. Tori, originally from Dublin a nd now residing in Malaga, visits her local pub daily to bask in the sun with a "cheeky caña". This small beer costs just €1.70 at Tori's preferred spots, while a pint is only €2.50. In contrast, the average price of a pint in her former local pub is a staggering €7.30. The 30 year old freelancer believes that having the occasional drink instead of binge drinking, and embracing a culture where work isn't everything, has enabled her to "become the best version" of herself, reports Dublin Live. "I was miserable back home. I look back and wonder how I survived so long in my past life," Tori told Luxury Travel Daily. "It is so normal to do things on evenings after work, not just go home like back home and watch EastEnders. "Going to my local is my favourite time of the day - it's time for me to catch up on some life admin and work, but also check in with myself and journal my thoughts. "I mean, who doesn't want to be sat out in the evening sun with a cheeky caña, thinking 'how is this my life?' "In Spain, there is no binge drinking, and you never see people super drunk or messy. "They sip their alcohol and pace themselves. "Being Irish, our favourite thing to say is 'should we get another? ' when in fact there is no need for that other drink. "This is something you would never hear people here say, and it has taken time to shift to this mindset. "Everything feels so much cheaper as the prices are so different in comparison to Ireland and England. "When I go back there to visit family, it can be quite a shock - even when getting a coffee." Tori quit her job and travelled to Malaga, a place she often visited as a child with her family, in 2023. And after falling in love with her new life, she decided to settle down in the Spanish coastal city. She added: "Work and career are a lower priority here - it's all about living and enjoying, rather than chasing work pressures. "There are, however, some cultural aspects that have been hard to grasp and still grind my gears. "As everything is slower paced here, so too is paperwork and getting things done without over complicating everything, but look - we can't have it all "It can also be like being on a rollercoaster with your emotions as you're trying to build a life and a home in a country where you're not fluent in their language"
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots gran dies in Alicante airport after taking unwell in taxi on return from holiday
Angela McTier suffered a ruptured varicose vein which led to significant blood loss. A Scots gran tragically died in a Spanish airport on her way back from holiday. Angela McTier, from Blantyre in Lanarkshire, was heading to Alicante airport in a taxi when she suffered a ruptured varicose vein, causing significant blood loss. The 48-year-old reached the airport but she lost consciousness at the departure lounge and despite resuscitation attempts, she sadly died at the scene on July 22. Her daughter, Michelle Hilston, told STV that her mum had been trying to improve her health so she could watch her granddaughters grow up. The 24-year-old said: "My mum watched the grandkids at least two nights every week and always looked forward to them coming over. I'm heartbroken for my two girls who have just lost that special relationship with her. 'If there's one thing my mum loved, it was going on holiday, she thrived over there and this particular holiday to La Mata she just kept saying how amazing it was, it was her best holiday and she'd felt so well and couldn't wait to bring the grandkids over. 'She was due to go away with me and my two toddlers next month as well.' Michelle revealed that her mum gave her invaluable support when she was working towards achieving a degree in midwifery. She sent her mum a video of her 11-month-old granddaughter taking her first steps. Michelle added: 'She helped me out so much to pursue my dream degree after having my kids and always made sure I had all the childcare and financial support I needed. 'Her holidays were a special thing for her, she went multiple times a year, and it was one of the things she loved doing the most. 'But the thing she loved the most was her granddaughters and would ask for pictures of them multiple times a day. 'The day she died, I had sent her a video of my 11-month-old finally walking, and she was in tears over the video, phoning everyone to tell them, and I'm glad that's the last video she saw of the kids.' A FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain.' A GoFundMe has been set up to help with the costs of repatriating Angela and her funeral.
