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With Valentine´s day around the corner, there’s no better moment to reveal the idyllic getaways in Spain. Let´s talk about Romantic Spain and discuss a few unique ideas for your perfect couples holiday.

Spain is home to all kinds of unique experiences, from taking romantic walks alongside the paradise beaches of Formentera to exploring the architectural marvels of Barcelona. To awaken your inner romantic check these Top Romantic Legends from Spain.

When the time comes for you to get away from your daily life with that one special person – think of all the romantic Spanish travel experiences you can share with your media naranja (this is how you call your significant other in Spanish). Let me prove to you that Spain is an epic couples destination with lots of alternatives for all tastes and preferences.

Below, you´ll find some epic ideas to experience Romantic Spain.

Romantic Spain: 10 epic ideas for your couples holiday

1. Caribbean Paradise in Formentera

paradise beach white sand formentera
Playa Es Calo

If there’s one place in Spain made for romance – it is Formentera, one of the best Spanish islands. There’s honestly no better place to celebrate love than this Caribbean-like island. Formentera is a lot like the magical blue lagoon in Cyprus, but much more private. An island has quite a limited number of hotels and less than 10000 residents.

Formentera can be reached by ferry from Ibiza (also Valencia/Denia in the summer months). This is where celebrities and soccer players go to hide away from the rest of the world. Although they often rent boats to keep it even more private. 

Accommodation in Formentera is quite pricey, so alternatively you can visit Formentera as a day trip from Ibiza. With some ferries, you could even go by car. However, in my opinion, the best option for Formentera is a moto or a quad. Some people rent bikes. But note, even though an island is small – it will cost you significant time and effort to see several places in one single day if you do go by bike.

Check this post for more details about my magical weekend in Formentera.

For more beach vacation ideas check this post about Best Beaches in Spain off the beaten path.

2. The Andalusian Charm of Seville

What is the one city in Spain with such an undeniable charm that you might eventually fall in love with Spain and your long-time partner all over again? – For me, this is Seville!

I know many of you might say “How about Barcelona, Granada, or Cordoba?” and you´re absolutely right – Spain has so many epic cities. Not to mention its beautiful small towns and secret villages. But Seville is truly one and only when one seeks to rekindle any passion in his/her life.

Where do I even start? – Moorish walls and Roman ruins, Baroque churches and Renaissance architecture, the orange-tree plazas and the tiled patios, delicious tapas and entertaining fiestas, the magic of flamenco. All the famous things Spain globally ranks for can be found in Seville. This city is such a gem when it comes to the iconic Spanish landmarks.

Whether you´re catching a glimpse of the setting sun at the iconic Plaza de España, walking along the Guadalquivir river, or sipping a cocktail in one of the local rooftop bars – everything that comes after the word Seville might have a romantic twist.

There´s even a famous Spanish song “Sevilla tiene un color especial” (Eng. “Seville has a special color”) by Los de Rio, where the band boasts of the city´s unique feel.

3. A getaway in the Spanish Pyrenees

Outdoorsy couples will love the Spanish Pyrenees. In winter you can plan a ski-getaway to Baqueira Beret or visit Andorra, one of Europe’s smallest countries. In summer you may enjoy hiking, backpacking, or simply road-tripping and exploring the mountain villages of Huesca.

If you are on a budget – enjoying natural wonders in Spain is free for everyone. Plus backpacking is the best way to experience true freedom together when it comes to traveling. It allows you first-hand experience of the places you visit as you walk and blend in with locals.

While people don’t always think of hiking and nature as attributes of a romantic getaway, hiking or skiing in the Spanish Pyrenees might be one of your most romantic travel experiences ever.

4. Wine tasting in La Rioja

Photo by Kym Ellis 

One of the top things Spain is known for internationally is the Rioja wine. The region extends over 41,505 hectares of vineyards and has around 600 bodegas.

There’s no better way to explore Romantic Spain rather than roaming together from vineyard to vineyard in search of your perfect sip. In Rioja, you’ll be surrounded by magical sceneries, which might slightly remind you of Italian Tuscany.

In order to take a break from wine tasting, you can visit the small towns of Logroño or Haro and search for some old architecture and excellent tapas.

Another unique idea for couples holiday might be a hot-air balloon ride over the vineyards. Some Spanish bodegas offer this service if you book in advance.

5. Gourmet adventures in San Sebastian

Spain’s Basque Country is one of the best dining destinations in the world, with 40 Michelin-starred restaurants over only 21 000 square km. San Sebastian is the gem of the Basque country and one of the most beautiful places in Spain.

The foodie obsession in San Sebastian mainly rolls around its famous pintxos, diverse mini-bites all laid out in front of you. Every year there´s a local competition – Euskal Herria pintxo championship, with local bars and restaurants battling for the best yummy creations.

I´d recommend you to take a pintxo tour or at least research the recent winners to make the most of your foodie experience in San Sebastian. Although it´s almost impossible to choose a bad place to dine since everything is delicious. You can spend a whole evening pintxo-hopping from bar to bar. Pay attention to the walls, they usually display certificates from the past pintxo competitions so you´ll know exactly what to order. Also, those with a sweet tooth don´t miss the cheesecake at La Viña.

Besides its unique and diverse food arena, San Sebastian is unapologetically beautiful. What could possibly be more romantic than a long stroll at San Sebastian´s Bay of Concha, set amongst scenic mountains and swelling waves. The atmospheric Old Town with its quaint cobblestone streets and excellent pintxo bars never goes out of style.

The panoramic views of San Sebastian from Monte Igeldo, Monte Urgull, and Monte Ulia are simply to die for. San Sebastian gets a fair share of tourists in Spain – its allure is undeniable. No wonder historically, the Spanish monarchy used to spend their summers at Palacio de Miramar in San Sebastian.

6. Tarifa Beach Getaway

Do you remember my Mexico post back when I was reading Carlos Castaneda´s books to catch a magical-mysterious vibe of the country? Well, in the books he talks about “places of power”, certain geographical zones that embrace your inner-self and give you an energy boost. Therefore, I´ve recently realized that one of these places for me is Tarifa.

Tarifa sits at the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. It’s hard to describe all the perks of this unique natural setting briefly… Beautiful rolling beaches of white sands. Fresh ocean breeze. Mountains on the backdrop. Chilly surfer vibes. Hipster cafes. Trendy surfer shops. And let’s not forget the sea life: dolphins, whales, orcas… And as if it was not enough – you have the views of Morocco fading behind the sealine.

The nearby Parque Natural Los Alcornocales houses some amazing mountainous landscapes and scenic views. I really can´t think of a better setting for a romantic getaway in Spain. Add to this some kite-surfing classes and delicious local tuna dishes.

Tarifa is also known for its whale-watching tours, which start at the end of April. There are numerous places all over the world that offer incredible whale watching experiences, from the Galapagos Islands to Iceland, but Tarifa is also famous for its Killer Whales sightseeing tours (late July – September).

Moreover, if the simple views of the African continent will not content you at some point, you can organize a day trip to exotic Morocco from Tarifa by ferry.

7. Castle Hopping in Central Spain

Visiting castles is the ultimate travel pill to bring up the romance with this beautiful world around us. Spain is one of those unique European countries with a very far-reaching history of royals. Here, we still have the reigning royal house of the Kingdom of Spain (even though their powers are more symbolic nowadays). 

Besides, Spain has quite a few historical phenomenons from the times of the Arabs and the Romans. So, you can imagine this vast number of castles in Spain going beyond the 2500 locations. Therefore, this country is an unlimited source of inspiration for people who love places that belong in a storybook and constantly search for new Spanish landmarks.

If you don’t plan a road trip in Spain across the whole country, you can simply take Central Spain and visit these castles: Manzanares el Real, Castillo de la Mota, Castillo de Sigüenza, Castillo de Coca, Castillo de Ponferrada, Castillo de Alba, Castillo de Oropesa, Castillo de Mombeltran, Castillo de Buitrago, Alcazar de Segovia.

There´s no better way to experience romantic Spain, rather than channeling your inner royalty, curled up in a splendid castle with a weighty historical tome and a glass of Spanish wine.

8. Gaudi sights in Barcelona

Photo by Square Lab

While Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, you can’t possibly argue that it has a romantic feel. Just take the charming Barrio Gotico, with its winding streets, old quarters, and delicious tapas bars or Sagrada Família, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain. At night lots of local buildings are beautifully illuminated, so this just adds romance to the city.

But of course, Barcelona´s biggest treasure is the Gaudi Architecture, one of the most emblematic landmarks in Spain. This is where you let go of your imagination and share with your loved one something truly eye-catching and slightly surrealist. The city’s vibrant aesthetic and Gaudi´s architectural marvels will definitely make it to your couple´s memory box.

Additionally, you can plan a day trip to Montserrat or Tibidabo for some gorgeous views. Also, Barcelona has quite a few rooftop bars and panoramic restaurants to surprise your partner. with a romantic dinner.

9. Madrid for artsy couples

Photo by Victor Garcia 

Artsy couples – this one is for you! If you love musicals, opera, ballet, classical music, royal architecture, and museums – set your eyes on the imperial charm of Madrid.

Every once in a while, me and my husband, we love planning a spontaneous getaway to Madrid, where we can channel our inner art lovers. While visiting Vienna´s Opera with my husband ended up making it to my personal list of the most romantic vacation ideas around the world, Madrid offers an even more versatile experience.

You can check Madrid Cultura for cultural updates on events and expositions. I often look over the webs of Teatro Lope de Vega, Teatro Real, and Auditorio Nacional de Musica, as almost every performance there is great.

You can also follow updates on the latest expositions here. Even if you´re not into paintings or photography you can find something for every taste in Madrid: from Elisabeth Taylor’s jewels in Museo Nacional Thyssen–Bornemisza to NASA The Adventure of Space Exhibition. Madrid is one of the top places to explore the best Spanish landmarks.

10. Wild West in Almeria

Almeria is one of the lesser-known regions of the Andalusia province in the South East of Spain. It is still not as well established on the tourist track, as its famous neighbors like Malaga, Granada, or Seville. Therefore, Almeria is a perfect choice for adventurous couples to experience romantic Spain and time-travel to the iconic Wild West.

Almeria appears in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), doubles for the land of Dothraki in Game of Thrones, and Arabic deserts in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). So, actually, this is the only place in Europe where you can channel your inner cowboy while walking the streets of a Wild West Town. Isn´t it a unique experience to spoil your one and only with?

Not to mention Almeria´s gem – the charming small town of Mojacar, one of the prettiest white villages in Spain. For more details, check this Almeria Holiday Guide.

Have you ever experienced the Romantic side of Spain? Are there any other places you can add to this list?

For more romantic travel ideas check my Pinterest board Romantic Travel. Also don’t miss Travel to Spain board.

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