Madrid´s culinary offerings rarely fail to impress any visitor. Whether you are looking for traditional or contemporary food, budget or luxury, Madrid offers it all. Excellent Vegetarian options are also available, which may surprise those who know Spain for its cured ham, chorizo, sausages, and seafood paella.  If you are travelling to Madrid for a culinary experience you will be pleased to know that most restaurants are easily accessible from many of the luxury and cheap hotels in Madrid which are centrally located to the city centre. Here are some recommendations of restaurants in central Madrid:

Best for Contemporary

Spanish Tapas

The designer tapas chain Lateral specializes in pinchos, which are bite-sized tapas often served on a small slice of baguette. Whilst the décor is contemporary at its best, traditional Spanish ingredients like Iberian ham and codfish are combined into creative and modern pinchos, like Iberian ham with apple preserves and foie gras, sirloin with caramelized onion, and rolled salmon stuffed with ham, apple preserves, and cheese. The house sangria is also excellent and one to try. There are now six sleek and stylishly decorated locations conveniently spread around central Madrid.

For a contemporary sit-down meal, Restaurante Ginger may be the best bang for your buck in the city. Menu highlights include the codfish with eggplant mousse and crispy leeks as well as unusual salads like the goat cheese salad with crispy maize and apple. All meat, poultry, seafood and vegetarian options are equally enticing, all presented beautifully. La Finca de Susana, Bazar, La Gloria de Montera, and Public are also owned by the same restaurateur and feature similar menu items and surprisingly reasonable prices.

Best for Traditional

Madrid´s most famous traditional Spanish restaurant is undoubtedly Restaurante Botín. Cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World´s oldest continually running restaurant, Botín features a traditional wood-fired oven just as you enter the restaurant where chefs prepare made-to-order roast suckling pig and baby lamb. The menu also offers a wide variety of traditional Spanish dishes and the 25-page wine list is impressive.

Hidden in a picturesque alley behind a church, Cafetería San Ginés is a local legend. Since it supposedly never closes, locals and visitors alike enjoy the traditional thick hot chocolate with sweet salty churros at any time of day. There is practically always a line, but for good reason. Even in the early hours of the morning, patrons line-up as the bar hopping crowd stops by for a midnight snack or an early breakfast. Turn-of-the-century tables and mirrors give the restaurant an old-fashioned feel.

Botin Restaurant, Madrid

Photo credit: Mobilephotosheindenstrom

Best for Vegetarian

Vegaviana is located in Chueca, Madrid´s trendy gay-friendly district full of bars, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. The high-quality vegetarian food at Vegaviana is very reasonably priced.  On the menu you will find canelones with spinach, zucchini and cheese burritos, eggplant parmesan, and the leek, squash and spinach pie can´t be beaten. The decorations are simple and functional, yet the restaurant has a cozy touch. While it may not have swanky décor, if what you´re looking for is excellent food at a good price Vegaviana is the perfect choice.

La Isla del Tesoro is a more upscale vegetarian restaurant, though an affordable multi-course fixed price menu is offered at midday. All dishes are made with whole grains and organic ingredients. House specialties include tofu and stir-fried vegetable loaf, yellow-curry soy noodles with vegetables and pasta stuffed with apple, walnuts. The hippie sheik décor complement the beautifully presented vegetarian dishes.

Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Costa del Sol is one of Spain’s most visited regions and attracts millions of visitors each year.  Literally translating as the sunshine coast you will find a large number of beaches in which you can enjoy a relaxing family holiday by under the sun.  However there is much to see and do along the Costa del Sol lying in wait for you to discover.

The Andalucian region in Spain is expansive, so one of the best ways to make the most of a stay here is by hiring a car or a 4×4 and visiting one of the many popular or hidden beaches around the coast.  The whole of the Costa del Sol is accessible by car, and there are some interesting, historical and stunning places to see which aren’t easily accessible without driving.

There are plenty of sandy coves, intimidating mountains and beautiful scenic views around the Costa del Sol – great if you want to drive out and relax, whilst taking in the stunning coastline.

Alternatively, if you prefer to stay away from the holiday parks and want a little faster pace then you can drive into the old town of Marbella – a modern and vibrant city where the rich and famous holiday.

There’s a famous golf course there too and the elegant and glamorous Puerto Banus, a port where yachts and spectacular boats can be seen floating on the glistening blue water.

For the family or the animal lover, there’s the Selwo Animal Park – a huge place where you can see elephants, bears, tigers and more. Once you have educated the family on natural habitats of almost 2,000 animals, you can drop in at Nerja caves for a cost effective way to spend a few hours.

Frigiliana is a wonderfully white washed little village about 10 minutes from the coast in Nerja. It’s impeccably kept and a great way to experience an unspoilt part of Spain. It has ancient buildings and quaint walkways through the houses and, situated next to the mountains, visiting the village is a fantastic way to slow your pace and stretch your legs for an hour or two.

Nerja Beach, looking north

If you want a more fast paced way to spend family time, Tivoli World in Benalmadena is a fairly inexpensive theme park compared to the ones we have in the UK, it’s one of the largest theme parks in the Costa Del Sol. It has lots of fairground rides that are perfect for youngsters along with themed attractions and restaurants. As the theme park is mainly aimed at youngsters, older children may perhaps enjoy some of the live shows, and being let loose for a few hours!

So whatever you aim to do in your hire car, there are lots of destinations to consider; the beautiful beaches, the active theme parks and the slower paced villages offer something for every holiday maker.

Here we will give you the low down on the top five places to visit in Spain this summer:

Madrid

The capital city is an excellent place to start; there is so much to see and do. You could visit one of the many wonderful museums if you are up for a bit of culture. The Museum of Costume is an excellent place to learn of the history of Spanish dress. You can also catch some exhibitions of famous designers from Spain which would be something good to catch if you can. Reviews say the store is especially good to pick up a fashion bargain. Madrid does lack a beautiful beach however there are some amazing parks which you can spend a lazy summer’s day in.

Barcelona

This is the big city which does deliver you a beach if you are looking to soak up some rays; equally though there are plenty of other things to do around the city. The most famous building in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia, is Gaudi’s masterpiece that is still not complete and is not expected to be complete until 2026 which incidentally is the centennial of Guadi’s death. If this isn’t your thing maybe you would prefer to look at the shops that Barcelona has to offer.

Valencia

Valencia is a city with a vast amount of cultural heritage. Something you must visit while you are there is the City of Arts and Sciences. There is so much to do there from visiting the Imax cinema to the interactive museum of science which looks like the skeleton of a whale. There is so a vast amount to do in Valencia you’ll wish you had more time there.

Malaga

Malaga enjoys one of the warmest winters in Europe so it is a sure thing that their summer is bound to be scorching hot. You can visit the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and learn more about his early life. The port of Malaga is a popular place for people to visit; there are plenty of places to sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by.

Canary Islands

If the main lands are not for you might want to visit one of the Canary Islands. These beautiful Islands get sunshine all year round, so if you are simply looking for somewhere to relax and unwind the Canary Islands are the place to do it. If you would like to do a bit of exploring you could hire a car and take a trip round which ever island you chose to stay on. Many have volcanic history and it is worth checking this out.

Tenerife

Its rugged coastline is made up of 70km of fine, white sandy beaches. Let’s take a closer look at Tenerife’s wonderful and varied beaches:

Playa de las Americas is located at the island’s south-eastern extreme. The beaches are overlooked by pretty parades of tourist havens – craft shops, bars and restaurants which cater largely to families and holidaying couples.

Playa de los Cristianos, with its fine beaches of golden sand and crystalline water, makes for a stunning experience of old Spain. The picturesque fishing village will not be forgotten in a hurry once seen.

At the extreme southern edge of the island, Playa de las Galletas is home to some fantastic hotels and sports facilities. Punto de Rasca in particular offers an outstanding pamoramic vista.

Playa de El Puertito is a 1.6 kilometre beach of arresting black sand, located close to the village Güimar.
Close by, Playa del Roque is another stunning black sand beach.

Playa de las Caletillas is a real centre of tourism, popular with visitors from around the world. Its three small bays are close to Candelaria, and offer an array of nightlife for young and old alike.

Near Santa Cruz lie the beaches of Las Gaviotas, a small nudist beach (again with black sand!) and further on up the coast and you arrive at Las Teresitas, a hugely popular beach in the north of Tenerife. Golden sands and palm trees complete the tropical glamour that sums up Tenerife, and indeed the entire Canarias region.

Costa Martianez in Puerto de la Cruz is famous for it’s massive artificial pond, Lago Martianez surely one of the most outstanding examples of coastal landscape engineering, combining elements of raditional Canarian architecture with original sculptures and natural vegetation. It was created by the great architect Cesar Manrique, a native of nearby Lanzarote (which is worth a visit to find out more about the man himself, as it hosts a museum dedicated to his life and work).

Stop into the Monarch website to find more information on holidays to Tenerife.

They have all been owned by Spain since the early 1400´s and played an important role in the growth of the empire.  As they provided a useful staging post for the galleons that used to criss-cross the Atlantic, laden with Inca silver and African slaves.  A trade that also attracted the attentions of numerous buccaneers and privateers such as Raleigh and Drake – both keen to undermine the Spanish crown’s main source of income.

Today visitors arrive from countries such as the UK and Germany in serious numbers.  Lanzarote welcomed over 1.4 million visitors last year and in the past this figure reached as high as 2 million tourists.  However the arrival of other destinations on the scene such as Egypt and Turkey have eroded the islands popularity a little.

There are loads of great places to stay – visitors have their choice of over 200 Lanzarote hotels.  Most of which are in the four star category, although there are six 5 star hotels too.  Lanzarote holiday villas and apartments are also popular with those seeking self catering accommodation and can often be rented surprisingly cheaply.  For example a seven night stay on a centrally located complex in the heart of one of the largest resorts costs from just €180 per week.

There are three main holiday resorts to choose from.  The largest of which is called Puerto del Carmen – which can be found just ten minutes away from the sole island airport at Arrecife.  Puerto del Carmen started life as a little fishing village called La Tiñosa before evolving into the large destinations that it is today. With life in the resort revolving around the main beach of Playa Grande and the harbour area in the Old Town.  Which is a great spot for dining outdoors.

Playa Blanca is the second largest resort on Lanzarote and is about a thirty minute drive south of Puerto del Carmen.  It was developed more recently so all of the hotels and villas in Playa Blanca are only a few years old.  Providing plenty of modern comforts and amenities for guests.  Such as heated swimming pools and Jacuzzis and high speed internet connections.

Thanks to its incredible year round climate the island can be enjoyed at any time of the year.  So book your flight today and discover Lanzarote.

Over the last 20 years Alcudia has become synonymous with value for money family holidays in Spain. Unlike the south of Majorca which is home to mega resorts like Palma Nova and Magaluf, the north of Majorca has still managed to retain most of its charm and remains to a point largely unspoilt.

Getting To Alcudia

Alcudia is 54km from Palma, the easiest way to get there is to hire a car which you can pickup from Palma airport. However if you are booking a holiday to the resort through a tour operator your airport transfers will be included within the price of the holiday. Transfer times will vary depending on the number of stops the transfer bus needs to make, but you are generally looking at around one – two hours door to door.

Alcudia Old Town

The old town of Alcudia is an excellent example of a traditional Majorcan town with narrow cobbles streets and cafe lined squares where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Alcudia was once home to the Phoenician and Greek’s and then reached it’s crescendo in the 2nd century when the Romans made it their capital ‘Pollentia’. The town was destroyed in the 6th century and returned to its former glory by the Moors who build ‘the town on the hill’ aka al-kudia. Today one of the most striking things about the old town are the walls enclosing it which were built in the 14th century.

Alcudia Beach

The beach is one of the main reasons that Alcudia is so popular with families. Miles of flat sand and shallow water make this an ideal spot for sunbathing and swimming. For the more adventurous there is a wide range of water sports available too.

Alcudia Port

The port of Alcudia is a real gem of a spot in the resort. Focused around Passeig Maritim (the walkway running parallel to the port) there is a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants. And if you fancy a stroll after lunch walk across to the marina where you gawp at some of the luxury yachts moored there.

Things To Do

Alcudia is primarily a family destination with plenty to do for your children. The main waterpark is the hidropark which has a wide range of pools and flumes to keep you entertained for the day.

Albufera wetlands are very near Alcudia which are a protected nature reserve that is home to over 80% of the Balearics bird species and 400 plant species.

Virtually every aparthotel in the resort has a kids club, great swimming pools and evening entertainment for all the family, so you are guaranteed a good time whereever you stay in the town.

Places to Stay

Alcudia offers a range of accommodation to suit virtually every taste. Looking for something traditional and romantic? Then there are a range of small hotels in the old town.

If you are looking for an all inclusive holiday then the Hotel Bellevue and Club Mac complex offer great value holiday deals.

And for everything else there are an abundance of great value hotels and apartments the length of the beach area that can be booked independently or through a tour operator.

If you are planning a scuba diving holiday to Tenerife, when you venture under the waves you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. The impressive underwater rock formations are stunning and rich with marine life. The island of Tenerife is an ideal and increasingly popular scuba diving destination. Due to the volcanic history of the Canary Islands, the depth of the water around the shoreline allows divers the opportunity to explore the ocean and it’s marine life.  It is ideal for beginners as well as the more experienced.

When scuba diving in Tenerife you can expect to see an abundance of sea dwellers including stingrays, morays, trumpet fish, octopus and turtles, as well as caves inhabited by parrotfish, barracudas and giant anemones.  There are artificial reefs in the form of shipwrecks, The Meridian, The Condesito and The Estorne.

With year round temperatures of between 20 degrees in winter and 30 degrees in summer, Tenerife provides an ideal climate for scuba divers and an excellent choice as a winter diving destination. There are a wide range of dive sites and training courses that can be experienced.  If you wish to further your diver education you can complete technical and rebreather courses.

Tenerife is also ideal for families that may be traveling with divers, there are plenty of attractions and exploring to do on land as well as under the waves.

For more information on diving in tenerife visit www.dive24-7tenerife.com

1. Ferries, cruise ship and sailing ships destination…
2. Island connections Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro, Lanzarote,
   Fuerto Ventura by boats or flights from Los Rodeos or Los Christianos…
3. Special Tenerife is even less than 4 hour flights from Frankfurt/Main and countless other European cities opposed to only 4 hours from the UK…
4. You enjoy a West African sun, while you are very close to the Sahara during summer as well as in winter.
5. However, no suffering of excessive heat in Tenerife; that’s why it is a favorite travel destination for Madrid.
6. Above all, holidays packed with endless thrills, such as orcas shows, and variety are guarantied on time limited vacation,as long as you have a rented car which saves you enormous time.
7. Seeing the essential of multi faceted Tenerife is in your reach because of good infrastructure with freeways and motorways.
8. The biggest of all Canary Islands has a wealth of hotels for young and
   old, for golf, wellness, wheel chair travelers, sports and holiday fans
   and for business ventures.
9. Countless holiday homes, some of which are Canary houses, are waiting for you to suit any budget
   to fulfill any dreams
10. Tenerife is a small island packed with parties, festivals, culture and trendy events.
11. La Orotava flower carpets of Corpus Christi holiday made the Guinness book of records.
12. Agatha Christie, Hemingway and the renown aristocrat Humboldt declared the island of the Guanche piramids as unique.
13. Escape for adventure to world famous Mount Teide with its Cañadas for snow and sun walking as well as hikes…
14. Lets you get away from tourist spots with para gliding, explore a Teno mountain range with cliffs that rise 800 meters above the ocean in Los Gigantes and study a precious ecosystem.
15. Allows you to discover pristine beach shores for fishing, some of which are hardly known.
16. Gives you the experience of Masca with its pirate legends…
17. Encountering of 6 million year old Anaga hills with ancient Pine and Laural forests…
18. Has options of rare whale watching by organized trips or on
    chartered sailing boats…
19. Diving schools and deep sea diving for the advanced to underwater caves…
20. Alluring restaurants for all tastes with Bodegas, Guachinches, Tascas for Tapas and good, cheap take away are abundant.

To have so many options and more to discover for even short holidays is what is special about Tenerife. Learn more about the holiday home in Tenerife and an island full of surprises.

You will also find a number of larger vehicles available at the airport which is ideal if you are travelling with family and have kids and luggage in tow.

By driving a car in the Costa Blanca you will be able to unravel and discover some of its sightseeing hotspots and drive along the coast to marvel at its beautiful beaches and ocean views.

Alicante city itself has a number of historical points of interest that are well worth visiting whilst you are there, with Castle of Santa Barbara being one of the main points of interest and the Castle of San Fernando being another. However the golden beaches situated close by are really the main wow factors that attract thousands of tourists each year.

By heading North of Alicante you will encounter some very unique and attractive villages that offer some very nice coastal eateries, and the beaches there are much quieter in contrast. For this reason El Campello and Villajoyosa are well worth visiting if you prefer the less crowded tourist destinations such as Benidorm, which shouldn’t be crossed off your list if travelling with the family as they offer great entertainment for all of the family.

If you continue on route North of Alicante and follow signs to Denia you will eventually arrive at Calpe, where you will discover the finest beaches along the coast characterised by the iconic rock formation ‘Penon de Ifach’. You can also take a break from the beach and visit the archaeological museum and walk around some of the idyllic churches found there.

After Calpe you will reach Javea, which is characterised by its spectacular harbour and the views from it, wait until sunset and you will be mesmerised by this harbour. You will find an array of restaurants and bars here and if you are feeling energised you can take a hillside walk to the ‘Cabo de Nao San Martin’ where you will be rewarded with a superb panoramic view of the coast.

Finally one other destination well worth visiting is Denia which isn’t too far from Alicante and doesn’t take too long to get there. The 11th century castle found there overlooks the city, which beholds numerous shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques.

If you don’t fancy driving north or you have more time, the drive south opens up a couple of other options. You can either stick to the coast and take in more ocean views and visit Torrevieja, or drive inland a little and visit the historic city of Murcia. At Torrevieja you will find more beaches, shops restaurants and water parks and in Murcia you have more historic landmarks and museums to meander around.

What I like about this statement is that it couldn’t be any closer to the truth, as a kid spending many weeks each year digging holes on its sandy shores and collecting hermit crabs in a small yellow bucket, it has long been instilled in my mind that Spain is a place to go to the beach and nothing more.

It seems many others share this viewpoint and when people think of beautiful beaches and overcrowded holiday resorts they think of Spain.  However, if you are like me and don’t want to sit around all day basking in the sun, Spain offers much more. Spain is abundant in world heritage sites and can boast about having the largest number of cities listed as heritage sites by UNESCO.

Below are some must see Spanish cities and points of interest:

Madrid

If you like cities then where better to start then at the heart of the Spain in Madrid.  By starting in the capital city you are able to look on in awe and behold the beauty of the Royal Palace and walk through its parks and plazas that give this capital its unique identity. You can grab a bull by its horns, literally, and visit Spain’s largest bullring and witness a bullfight if that is your thing.

Toledo

After visiting Madrid you can drive 70km south to Toledo. Positioned within the hills, Toledo is rich in different architectural styles bringing together, Gothic, Mudejar and Visigodo styled buildings making it an architectural haven for sightseers.   And if you are there for sightseeing you must see Toledo’s Cathedral that dates back to the 14^th century, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and Santo Tome Church, each reflecting a different style.

Realted & Useful Resources

Car Hire Madrid
Find the cheapest deals for car hire at Madrid airport using the easy to use car hire comparison site, absolutely free.

You might also like to read about Lanzarote one of Spain’s Canary Isles.