Activity holidays in Spain
Activity holidays in Spain aren’t all about jet skis, inflatables and fighting for space on the sand. Tear yourself away from the costas and head inland, and you’ll have the chance to get the adrenalin racing in some peaceful patches of Spanish scenery. You could head to the Altiplano de Granada for mountain biking and horse riding, walk your socks off in the wild expanses of Picos de Europa National Park and countryside and coastline of Catalonia, or go for a gentle cycle through the vineyards of La Rioja. There are farm visits, wild swimming, stargazing and gourmet food trails wherever you might find yourself.
Read our guide to find out more about activity holidays in Spain.
What do activity holidays in Spain entail?
Some activity holidays offer the chance to do something new every day or two, while others will be based around one main activity, such as hiking or mountain biking in the Pyrenees. If you’re more of a water baby, some multi activity breaks focus on the open water of the Catalan or Andalucìan coasts. Kayaking is a popular choice, although sailing and white water rafting also put in an appearance.
In fact, the sky’s the limit. You could scramble and slide your way through gorges and caves with a bit of canyoning, jump in the saddle to explore the countryside on horseback, get spiritual on a yoga and walking retreat, or spend a week preparing for a triathlon. You don’t have to go full speed ahead the entire time, either. Many holidays mix physical activity with cultural pursuits, so you could be hiking one minute and learning how to cook paella or sitting down for Spanish language lessons the next. Travellers with disabilities needn’t miss out either, as we also offer accessible activity holidays in Spain.
In fact, the sky’s the limit. You could scramble and slide your way through gorges and caves with a bit of canyoning, jump in the saddle to explore the countryside on horseback, get spiritual on a yoga and walking retreat, or spend a week preparing for a triathlon. You don’t have to go full speed ahead the entire time, either. Many holidays mix physical activity with cultural pursuits, so you could be hiking one minute and learning how to cook paella or sitting down for Spanish language lessons the next. Travellers with disabilities needn’t miss out either, as we also offer accessible activity holidays in Spain.
The majority of activity breaks in Spain are small group holidays. There’s usually a maximum of 16 people per group and they are a popular choice with solo travellers. As well as the camaraderie of sharing the adrenalin highs (plus the aches and pains) with your fellow travellers, joining a tour removes the pressure of organising everything. Expert guides know all the secret swimming spots and are pros at smoothing out any unexpected kinks in the itinerary.
You could also opt for a tailor made tour. The range of activities can be tweaked to suit you and any other members of your group – which is especially handy for families. You can choose where you’re going, where you want to stay and the activities you would like to do, and then hand the booking over to the tour operator. Some of our tailor made activity holidays are self guided. You’ll be provided with copious notes, maps and sample itineraries and then left to explore at your own pace.
Altiplano de Granada activity holiday in Spain
Multi-activity family holiday in the Spanish Lake District
From
€495 to €793
8 days
ex flights
Pyrenees activity holiday
Enjoy an action packed week in the Pyrenees
From
£895 to £965
8 days
ex flights
Pyrenees family holiday, Andorra
An action-packed centre-based summer activity-week
From
£895 to £975
8 days
ex flights
Catalonia family activity holiday, Spain
Family fun with scenic bike rides & adventure activities.
From
€670 to €820
8 days
ex flights
Cycling and yoga training weeks in Spain
Yoga and cycling to increase fitness and wellbeing. All ages
From
€1199
7 days
ex flights
Catalonia family mountain biking & activity holiday, Spain
Family MTB & activities in the Catalan countryside
From
€670 to €820
8 days
ex flights
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Can I take the family on an activity holiday?
You certainly can. Many operators offer multi activity holidays aimed at families, and the guides are usually used to working with kids of different ages. Most family-focused holidays also include non-strenuous activities such as cooking classes and language lessons as a breather.
Small group tours are best suited to older children and teenagers, who will enjoy having kids of a similar age to hang out with. If you’re travelling with younger children, then a tailor made holiday including walking and some gentle cycling or kayaking, while excluding some of the more adventurous activities, is probably your best bet.
Small group tours are best suited to older children and teenagers, who will enjoy having kids of a similar age to hang out with. If you’re travelling with younger children, then a tailor made holiday including walking and some gentle cycling or kayaking, while excluding some of the more adventurous activities, is probably your best bet.
Where will I stay?
Most of our Spanish activity holidays are centre-based – meaning you return to the same hotel or guesthouse every night. This allows plenty of time for outdoorsy adventuring, without the hassle of packing and unpacking every day or two. You’ll have your own room and access to facilities such as a restaurant and swimming pool, making this an excellent option for families.
Alternatively, you could choose a trip that takes you from place to place. You’ll stay in a variety of accommodation and your bags will be transferred ahead of you, as you make your way to your next stop on foot, bike or by hire car. If you opt for a sailing holiday, you’ll spend most of your nights bedding down in a cabin on a yacht.
Practicalities
The vast majority of activity holidays in Spain include all accommodation and activities listed in the itineraries. They also include transfers, expert instruction and all necessary equipment – though you’ll probably need to bring your own basic gear, such as hiking boots. On some trips there are optional extras, such as yoga, for which you may have to pay an additional fee. Food varies from holiday to holiday; some include all meals, whereas others are operated on a bed and breakfast basis.
Activity holidays run pretty much all year round in Spain. The south is dry and mild for winter cycling or hiking, and beautiful in the spring. But it’s also roasting in the peak months of July and August (up to 40°C or more), when it’s best to head for the cool, fresh mountains and coastline of northern Spain.
Activity holidays run pretty much all year round in Spain. The south is dry and mild for winter cycling or hiking, and beautiful in the spring. But it’s also roasting in the peak months of July and August (up to 40°C or more), when it’s best to head for the cool, fresh mountains and coastline of northern Spain.
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