Thinking of Spain for your next holiday abroad? An expat who lives in Sitges, near Barcelona, revealed how best to enjoy the country, from how to choose the location that’s right for you, to the optimum time of year to visit.
Alastair Johnson relocated to Spain with his wife and son for what he thought would be a one-year sabbatical. Eight years later, he still calls the European country home.
Alastair spoke to GB News about his move to Spain. He admitted that the relaxed attitude to the time “bugged” him at first, but he finally realised that the Spanish have really “got it right”.
The self-confessed Hispanophile (someone who loves Spain), shared his favourite locations, including his top spot off the beaten track and best holiday destination, complete with “stunning” sights and adventure.
Visit Spain in June or September – ‘the water’s still warm in the Mediterranean’
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For those who want to explore beautiful Barcelona, Alastair shared how to enjoy it like a local.
This time, the expat gave GB News his top holiday insights, including how to pick the right location and the best time of year to visit.
There’s something for everyone in Spain. If adventure is your thing, you can enjoy an action-packed trip complete with water sports and hiking. If relaxation is what you’re after, you can lounge on beautiful beaches and dip in the sea.
You can surround yourself with fellow Brits abroad in holidaymaker and expat paradises, or visit tourist-free, authentic Spanish towns where English is barely spoken.
Asked whether it’s better to visit somewhere more touristy or more local, Alastair said: “There is no right answer to this question.
“There are 65 million people here, and there are a lot of big and small areas. You can pick and choose how touristy, how expat, how English-focused you want it to be and find something that suits you.
“And it really is at a very personal level. There are places down in Benidorm where it feels like you’re in the UK but the sun shines. That’s awesome for people, that’s a really nice, safe environment.”
But others prefer to truly experience the essence of Spain by visiting small villages where very little English is spoken and there are very few holidaymakers.
If you do decide to visit a place where English isn’t widely spoken, Alastair offered some reassurance: “People are really quite generous with people who can’t speak Spanish. They’re never made to feel unwelcome or stupid. If you can stumble through a few words of Spanish, you’ll be fine.” If all else fails, the expat recommended Google Translate.
According to the expat, where you visit is all about personal preference. And as for when you visit, the expat recommends holidaying outside of peak times.
If you aren’t bound by the school holidays, consider booking your Spain trip during months other than July and August.
Alastair said: “July and August are busy – it’s the summer holidays – and it gets really hot in some of the southern parts.
“If you can come in June and September, these months are stunning, absolutely our favourite months – especially September.
“The water’s still warm in the Mediterranean, and all the beach bars are still open. Everything’s still open, but it just quietens down and cools down a bit.”
Have some free time after September? While Spain may scream ‘summer destination’, it can also be thoroughly enjoyed during the winter months.
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Even in January, holidaymakers in Spain can hike in shorts and T-shirts
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Alastair said: “All the winter sports open up, all the skiing and that sort of thing.
“Spain is not as famous for it as some of the other countries, but we ski a lot up through the Pyrenees.”
One plus side of a Spanish winter holiday is that you won’t be freezing like you are in the UK. Alastair said: “Winter here stays warm. We’re out hiking in shorts and T-shirts in January.”
But Alastair did provide a word of warning for holidaymakers considering a winter sun holiday in Spain.
He said: “There are certainly beach places that are terrible during the winter because they just shut down completely – every bar and every restaurant is closed.
“But up in the Pyrenees, the little medieval towns are great to visit during winter. They’ve got a beautiful feel to them, fireplaces in restaurants. It’s really lovely during winter.”
Alastair and Alison set up a business to help people looking to move to Spain from the UK. Moving to Spain offers expert advice, resources, insider knowledge and a handpicked network of service providers.
