6 cracking cities to book holiday lettings in Spain
Sunny Spain has long since held court with sun-loving Brits, though there’s more to one of the world’s most sizzling corners than white-sand beaches, brilliant blue skies and snoozy siestas. For many travellers, the best thing about Spain is its up-tempo cities – filled to bursting with everything from football to flamenco and often not without a beach or 2 of their own. From Barcelona to Bilbao, you’ll find our top city picks for holiday lettings Spain wide right here – as well as a few quick tips about the best things to see and do in each one.
1. Madrid holiday rentals boast big-city appeal
Rammed with sprawling museums, manicured parks and historical monuments, Madrid is the perfect spot to start your search for holiday homes in Spain. Lettings in Madrid are typically of the self-catering apartment variety, though extending your search outside the Centro district often reveals a selection of cheap villas in Spain. Either way, you’ll be on the doorstep of attractions like the grand Royal Palace of Madrid and the city’s green heart, the 19th-century Buen Retiro Park. Elsewhere, the iconic Gran Vía serves up the perfect backdrop for a spot of retail therapy.
2. Barcelona holiday lets are a popular pick
A cosmopolitan city and the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona has shaken off its image as a haunt for the soon-to-be-married and emerged as one of Spain’s most sophisticated holiday destinations. Among the most popular of the city’s attractions are the towering Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo, both the work of renowned architect Antoni Gaudi, although the bustling La Rambla and Barcelona FC’s Camp Nou are no less appealing. Start your search for holiday lettings by checking out Barcelona apartments to rent in the city centre.
3. Murcia holiday rentals in south-eastern Spain
A university city set along the banks of the Segura in south-eastern Spain, Murcia blends historic charm – seen at its best at the 14th-century Murcia Cathedral and the bustling Plaza Cardenal Belluga – with sunny days, an ever-impressive culinary scene and great shopping destinations. Murcia holiday rentals come in all flavours – from modern city centre apartments with room enough for a loved-up couple to sprawling family-size villas with private pools nestled amid the mountains, orchards and vineyards of Murcia’s hinterland.
4. Valencia holiday homes and apartments
Atmospheric neighbourhoods, world-class architecture and several pristine beaches make Valencia a top spot to look for apartments and villas to rent in Spain. Some of the most appealing properties can be found in the old fisherman’s quarter of El Cabanyal – a characterful spot known for its tiled buildings, open-air cafés and kitsch souvenir stores. To the east, you’ll find another wave of Valencia holiday homes – namely those beachfront condos that sit steps from the broad La Malva-rosa Beach.
5. Find cool apartments to rent in Bilbao
Basque Country’s de facto capital is a top pick for culture vultures, thanks in part to Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the city’s Gothic-revival cathedral. For culture of a different flavour, head to the popular Casco Viejo in the Old Town where you’ll find unique shopping, delicious neighbourhood eats and a medley of Bilbao holiday apartments – each one serving up comfort, convenience and value for money in the city’s historic heart.
6. Stylish places to stay in Seville
Seductive Seville enchants visitors with its blend of old and new – winding medieval lanes, baroque churches and crumbly plazas making the perfect bedfellows for the city’s lively tapas bars and vibrant Feria de Abril and Semana Santa festivals. Rental accommodation in the city is found in abundance in the elegant Santa Cruz district, home to the landmark Moorish palace, the Royal Alcázar of Seville, and a beautifully maintained Jewish district. Nearby, the Flamenco Museum, with its colourful exhibits and live performances, offers an authentic Spanish experience.