The sunshine edit: The best summer holiday destinations to book now

As the mercury rises, tourists and Spaniards alike leave towns and cities behind and flock to the coastline to escape the heat of the summer. It’s a season lived outdoors, in the rhythm of lazy beach days mixed with siestas and late-night dinners that bleed into tomorrow. Whether you choose to stay in the cooler regions of Northern Spain, head to the sunny south or hop to an island, Spain has something for every kind of traveller. Summer is also a time for celebration, with the streets becoming the stage for traditional romerías or modern-day music festivals. There is no single way to do summer here; just be aware that whatever your plans, prepare for busy streets and high temperatures - any excuse to take regular pit stops in the local tapas bars.

Once overlooked as being Andalusia’s main transit hub for Costa del Sol holidaymakers, Málaga holds its own as one of the best summer holiday places for an urban break. The city boasts the title of the birthplace of Picasso, it is home to the bold Centre Pompidou cube on the harbour and you can always stumble across contemporary art shows tucked inside Moorish courtyards. Of course, it is impossible to talk about Málaga without mentioning the beaches. During your stay in Málaga City, mix your sightseeing with long, lazy sun-bathing sessions on the city’s golden sand beaches. Then, once night falls, enjoy strolling around the main quarters, one hand wrapped around a cone of boquerones, soaking up the nightlife. Don’t forget, if you visit in August, you may be lucky enough to catch the famous Feria de Málaga, a spectacle that lasts a couple of days and brings the city to life with music, attractions, flamenco fashion and of course, fino sherry.

However, Málaga is also a region in Spain with a coastline made for those craving a classic beach resort escape. While searching for holidays in Málaga, some of the best summer holiday destinations sit just a short drive from the city itself and are worth looking into. Torremolinos looks like a beach resort fit for the silver screen, drawing in sunseekers with its vast seafront promenade, beach clubs, and old-school Andalusian charm tucked behind the high-rises. A little further west, you can find Fuengirola, which blends family-friendly beaches with a surprisingly dynamic food scene. For something glitzier, Puerto Banús near Marbella brings Riviera-style glamour to the Costa del Sol, with superyachts, upscale boutiques, and a nightlife scene that doesn’t sleep.

It is easy to group the Balearic Islands into one, conjuring up images of late-night partying and paper white beaches during hot summer holidays. Yet not one island is the same.

Ibiza, often reduced to headlines of hedonism, is also home to serene northern coves and a fancy wellness scene that goes hand in hand with its luxury hotels. Spend sun-soaked days exploring hidden coves like Cala Comte, wandering the UNESCO-listed streets of Dalt Vila, shopping at artisan markets in Las Dalias, or admiring clifftop views in Es Vedrà. By night, the island transforms. Those wanting a chilled-out plan can enjoy sunset drums at Benirràs Beach or dine in the cobbled lanes of Santa Gertrudis. And, those wishing to dance until sunrise can do so at iconic clubs like Pacha or Ushuaïa.

If you are staying in Mallorca, you will see that this island juxtaposes medieval towns with wild olive groves and cliffside trails plunging into aquamarine depths. Its capital, Palma offers seaside city breaks packed with Gothic architecture, like the imposing La Seu Cathedral, contemporary galleries tucked inside sandstone mansions and sunny afternoons spent sipping on a cortado in Plaça Major in between sightseeing. Beyond the capital, the island opens up with exhilarating cycle routes through the Serra de Tramuntana, honey-hued villages like Deià and Valldemossa and picture-perfect beach days on the turquoise shores of Caló des Moro or Es Trenc. Not to mention, the island is famous for its wines, so don’t forget to add a winery tour to your list.

Holidays in Menorca can be spent exploring UNESCO-protected biospheres, megalithic ruins, and traditional white villages where life moves at a completely different tempo. This island is Mallorca’s quieter, more demure sister. Don’t miss the wild beauty of Cala Pregonda and Cala Macarella, ideal for a refreshing afternoon dip. The twin towns of Maó and Ciutadella are full of charm with bustling markets, harbourside tapas bars and a quintessentially island vibe. Nature lovers cannot miss the Camí de Cacalls hiking trail, full of unspoilt splendour. 

When looking for the best summer holiday destinations for young couples, you cannot go wrong with the Costa Brava. Stretching north of Barcelona toward the French border, the Costa Brava is where Catalonia wears its wild heart on its sleeve. Admire how the jagged cliffs fall into translucent seas, pine forests tumble into pebbled coves, and medieval towns bask in a golden hue that invites you to spend the day sightseeing. These are the lands that inspired Dalí, and their surreal, slightly untamed energy is still present today. 

Stay in Girona and get a taste of the region through the array of Michelin-starred tasting menus on offer in the local restaurants. Food is serious business in these parts. Come here to recalibrate. To swim, to write, to eat slowly. And, while in the area, be sure to visit Roses, tucked between the mountains and the Mediterranean. This seafront town blends Greek and Roman heritage with wild coves, Blue Flag beaches and easy access to natural parks. So, as you can see, as far as summer holiday locations go, Roses is pretty cool. 

If you want to plan an escape with the brood in tow, book a holiday in Benidorm. Once a Brit's abroad destination, this bucket and spade summer holiday resort is transforming, shedding its concrete clichés for something altogether more local. Introduce little ones to the joys of Spanish culture set against this city’s retro-futurist skyline and pristine beaches. Stroll down the tapas streets brimming with life, stop at hip cafés, or discover the up-and-coming art collectives reclaiming industrial spaces. Benidorm is a fly and flop destination with the added benefits of a lively town, making it easy to keep little ones occupied and sheltered from the heat of the day. 

Often overlooked when thinking of hot summer holiday destinations, Madeira is ideal for the traveller wanting more than a typical beach break. Your holiday in Madeira delivers a dramatic landscape that surprises at every turn. Similar to the Canary Islands, Madeira has earned its nickname, the “Island of Eternal Spring.” With what appears to be endless summer, and microclimates that make this island a world of its own, you can hike through misty laurisilva forests before diving into the fresh Atlantic sea on a volcanic beach at sunset. Don’t miss the levada walks, which are originally narrow irrigation channels that have been turned into hiking trails leading you through lush mountains and banana plantations.

Funchal, the island’s capital, is a must-see. Botanical gardens spill into rooftop terraces, streets buzz with a creative energy, and restaurants in former wine cellars serve experimental tasting menus bursting with flavour. Head to Barrio do Monte and enjoy the adrenaline rush of travelling downhill in the Carreiros do Monte. Or, if you are a football fan, don’t forget to pay a visit to the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, making it a nice summer holiday for all the family to enjoy. 

History is present at every turn when enjoying your holidays in Malta. Phoenician, Roman, Arab and British cultures collide to shape national identity while maintaining a joyful,  youthful pulse. Admire how the honeyed stone 16th-century fortresses of Valletta, where knights once plotted sea campaigns, now house art collectives. Or, spend mornings in the silent streets of Mdina, where baroque balconies command attention with their old-world charm. Then, when you want to enjoy a slower rhythm, hop on a ferry to Gozo or check into one of the seafront hotels in Sliema. When it comes to the best summer holiday destinations, Malta may be small, but it never feels confined. It’s a place where everyone can find something to make their summer feel special.

This is not your typical European holiday and, that’s precisely the point. For those wanting summer holidays abroad, away from the usual tourist traps, then Cape Verde, located off the coast of Senegal, feels like another world entirely. This archipelago was once a Portuguese colony, and today these volcanic islands offer an intoxicating blend of Creole culture, soulful music, and stark natural beauty. Not sure which island to visit during your Cape Verde holidays? Sal and Boa Vista offer a taste of resort life with their wide stretches of sandy beaches. Then, come sundown, these islands come to life with Afrobeat rhythms and lively bars set against a backdrop of colonial architecture. Holidays in Santiago offer a mix of city life thanks to Praia, the island’s capital and rugged landscapes that lend themselves perfectly for heart-thumping hikes and beach days. If you are looking for exotic summer destinations, you cannot go wrong with Cape Verde.

Bulgaria? For a summer holiday destination? Whatever next! You may struggle to name the reasons why you should hop on a plane to top up your tan in Bulgaria, but rest assured, the reasons are endless. Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach is one of Europe’s most underrated summer escapes, with golden sands and the sparkling Black Sea offering a respite from the long, sun-drenched days. Ideal for those craving the full summer experience without the crowds (or price tags) of the Mediterranean, Sunny Beach offers a vibrant mix of relaxation and fun. Book into the Barceló Royal Beach and spend your days lounging by the pool, dipping in and out of the calm ocean or practising water sports like paddleboarding along the coast. At night, expect a mix of beach bars and romantic candlelit dinners. Sunny Beach delivers that classic holiday feeling with a fresh, Eastern European twist.