You’ll discover a great choice of fish and seafood dishes in any Spanish ports of call you visit during your cruise – octopus, squid, crab, tuna, prawns, swordfish, lobster and sea bass are among the choices that feature in restaurants and beach cafes. Seafood paella is a firm favourite and this famous traditional rice-based dish also works a treat with a variety of meats and vegetables.

Tapas food is another very popular option which is found everywhere in Spain, with each resort having its own special varieties. Gazpacho is a cold soup made with blended vegetables, while skewered and roasted sardines (espetos) are a delicacy which are served on beaches in a range of places including Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Malaga and Estepona. Beef estofado is a hearty stew and Picadillo is a scrumptious ground beef dish which will tantalise your taste buds.

Turrón is a tasty almond nougat which is made in the small town of Jujona and Arroz con leche is a simple and much-loved Spanish dessert made from rice, mixed with milk and other ingredients including raisins, cinnamon and vanilla. Sangria, Spanish wine and local beers are hugely popular choices across the country, but other popular tipples include horchata (tiger nut milk), granizado (crushed ice and fruit juices) and cava, Spain’s version of Champagne.

April to November is the most popular time for a cruise holiday around the coast of Spain, although this charming country is most definitely open for business all year round. This period is when the weather is most appealing for many and the cities and towns are hives of activity, with plenty of entertainment, nightlife, shopping opportunities and places to dine.
Spain has a mild climate with temperatures rarely falling below 10°C in the winter months from December to March. The south coast of Spain is hotter than most other areas, with more than 320 days of annual sunshine and temperatures averaging 28 to 31 °C. Some people prefer to cruise in Spain in late spring or late summer when temperatures are more pleasant and the main cities are less crowded with holidaymakers.

Soak up the atmosphere at a traditional display of Flamenco dancing, be brave enough to walk 100 metres above a river along the fear-inducing Caminito del Rey in Malaga, party at a colourful Spanish fiesta or enjoy a meal at Botin, the world’s oldest restaurant which is located in Madrid.
Major attractions in this spellbinding country include The Alhambra palace in Granada, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, the fabulous City of Arts and Sciences complex in Valencia and La Sagrada Familia, the Gaudi-designed landmark church. Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is a fascinating coastal city where you’ll discover amazing architecture, a magnificent cathedral, up-market shops and Park Güell, a surrealist park designed by famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. For some traditional beachfront holiday action, with plenty of souvenir shops, sunbathing and pulsating nightlife you should consider Benidorm, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Calella or Fuengirola.