Weekend breaks in Spain are always a great idea. The country is huge so there is always something new to do even for people who are frequent travelers. With the advent of cheap flights, reaching Spain has also become pretty easy if you live in Europe. You do have to keep an eye out for those elusive deals though.
But why Spain? Good food, great weather, amazing people and a host of different awe inspiring places to see makes it the perfect spot for a short vacation. Trust me. I have been planning on multiple visits to this country for as long as I can remember. We finally landed up doing a long road trip where we explored so much.
The only problem when it comes to weekend breaks in Spain is finalizing a location. I always find this extremely hard to do because I get pulled in so many different directions. Here are a couple of my absolute favorites.
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Table of Contents
Cool Weekend Breaks In Spain
1. Barcelona
It goes without saying that Barcelona is one of the top places for weekend breaks in Spain. Sure Gaudi is one of the main reasons why people head to the city. I mean the Sagrada Familia is awe inspiring and Park Guell is mesmerizing. That’s just two of his popular works. There are so many more.
Barcelona is so much more than just Gaudi though. There are numerous churches and cathedrals that have been built over time. Most of which are free to enter. Let’s not forget about the numerous shopping streets and the delicious Barcelona food.
Barcelona also has loads of festivals that are always going on. This means that there is always something new to see each time you visit the city. Oh and I’ve not even mentioned the concerts that it hosts, the football games and the museums that call the city their home!
No matter how many times you visit this city, it does not get old. There is always something more to see and do.
2. Madrid
Madrid is one of my favorite cities when it comes to weekend breaks in Spain. The city is very laid back and calm despite being the capital city. There is definitely lots to see and do here. This is especially true when it comes to the museums and the parks. One of my favorite museums here was the Prado museum. Here we got to see the works of many of the famous Spanish artists, especially Goya.
We found Madrid much cheaper than Barcelona when it came to the cost of accommodation and food. If you haven’t been to the city before then you can easily cover the highlights and more in two days. This is what makes it one of the perfect weekend getaways in Spain.
Madrid is also a great base for a lot of different day trips including Toledo, Segovia and Avila. I’ll be talking about these places in a bit. Note that many people cover these spots as more than day trips but if you live in Madrid or in the area then they make pretty good weekend getaways in Spain.
Madrid on the other hand is well connected via the train system and an airport.
3. Valencia
Valencia is an amazing bustling port city that is a very popular destination when it comes to weekend breaks in Spain. Aside from the obvious beach side attractions, the city is well known for its arts, culture, history and so much more.
There is loads to do in Valencia so you really can’t run out of options. The Planetarium, oceanarium and the interactive museum are just a few attractions that people think of when they bring their entire family to the city. Yes! Valencia is one of the best family friendly weekend getaways in Spain.
Valencia is also one of the best places to try out the famous Spanish cuisine. Since it is on the coast, it also has an insane choice of fresh seafood. Did I mention that it has an active nightlife too?
4. Toledo
Toledo has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and I am so glad that I could visit it during my visit to Spain. The ancient city makes a perfect weekend getaway in Spain especially if you are visiting Madrid or live in the vicinity.
There are loads of buses and tours that head to Toledo everyday but if I have to be honest, Toledo deserves more than a few hours. The city has so much to see and do. I would happily have spent a whole weekend there and still wanted to stay longer.
One thing that you really need to know when you visit Toledo is that the city is located on the top of a hill. Many of the pathways are pretty steep so make sure you pack your walking shoes!
From the Alcazar of Toledo to the numerous religious structures (Jewish, Christian and Muslim), you will find your day packed. I would recommend getting the Toledo bracelet when visiting because it significantly reduces the entrance costs to most of the important landmarks!
5. Avila
Another great place to visit is Avila. This walled city is not as popular as Toledo and Segovia but it is definitely worth a visit. I found Avila quieter and not very crowded. The pace of the city was slow and pretty laid back which makes it the perfect place to unwind.
Avila also has a lot of history that is interesting too. From the fortified walls and the famous cathedral to the church of St Teresa of Avila. The latter was built on the very same spot where the saint was born. She is also considered the patron saint of the city.
Avila is also a nice place for foodies. The prices in the restaurants are reasonable and the food is really good too. I must mention that you will probably find your favorite restaurant and keep returning there because of the vibe. That is exactly what we did.
6. Segovia
I absolutely loved Segovia. Sure you can cover all the top things to do in Segovia in a day BUT the city definitely invites you to stay longer.
Think about long leisurely strolls along the city or around it, if that picks your fancy.
My advice… Choose to stay somewhere with an incredible view and chill. This is pretty easy to get because Segovia has loads of spots with amazing views. Another great idea is to think about camping!
My favorite place in the city was definitely near the aqueduct. I must however mention that the city gets crowded during peak tourist season. The peak traffic into the city is around midday which means in the evening the city is pretty quiet. It is the perfect time to avoid the crowds!
My personal favorite spot is the Segovia cathedral. Its architecture is interesting and its is really really beautiful.
7. Seville
The warmth of Seville makes it one of the most popular weekend breaks in Spain. Not only is the city well known for its flamenco and bullfighting, you will find that the city has an interesting mix of architecture. This can be seen all across the city.
Close your eyes and imagine wandering in the Alcazar of Segovia or picture the sunset at Plaza Espana. If you are interested in arts, then head to the museum of fine arts in the city.
Another great way to experience the city is to take a walk along the Guadalquivir river. During the colder seasons an afternoon walk totally makes sense but as summer comes around the corner, I usually recommend either morning or evening walks. Alternatively, you could also choose to take a boat cruise.
As you can see, Seville has no shortage of things to do. This is why it is so popular as one of the weekend breaks in Spain.
8. Montserrat
One of the cool weekend breaks in Spain that you can head out to is the hilly region of Montserrat. Now I know that most people head here on a day trip from Barcelona. This is because it is super close to the city and most people like to pack as much as they can into a day. There is however a lot of stuff in Montserrat that can fill a whole weekend.
For one thing you can head out to Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. Getting up to the abbey involves a cool ride up via a cable car. You can even choose to hike all the way up but make sure that you have the right gear and carry water because dehydration is a real threat!
Once up, you will be treated to some of the most spectacular views of the valley below. Wander around the Abbey and listen to the choir sing. One tip that I really should give you is to make sure that you book your slot in advance or you won’t get to see and hear them sing in person.
If you want an easier trail that you can do with children, consider walking Camí dels Degotalls. It’s an easy trail and perfectly doable.
There you have it. These are my favorite picks when it comes to the weekend breaks in Spain. Now if you actually live here for an extended period of time, I would recommend exploring the countryside more. Spain is incredibly pretty and so worth your time!