SPAIN: WHAT WE LOVE

A world to discover, beyond the sun and sand

With its infinite variety and abundant natural beauty, it’s hard not to stop and simply enjoy life in Spain. From life-affirming tapas to intriguing Gaudi façades and an annual festival of the tomato, there is no end to the array of cultural delights.

A villa holiday in Spain lets you choose just how much action you’d like to take. Our rarefied homes in Andalucia and on the Balearic Islands are so much more than just a place to rest your head. Each of our villas and fincas has been carefully chosen for its own unique charm, fabulous location, and sumptuous amenities that promise a sense of utter calm as soon as you step inside. 

Mealtimes in Spain are not just a menu and a plate of local cuisine. It’s today’s selection of freshly prepared pintxos and a hearty regional sherry as the sun starts to set, followed by endless small plates, ladles of seafood paella, and glasses of the finest Rioja. Conversation flows into the small hours, and the flavour sensations get more and more magical with each round. Once you’ve had your fill and the table is finally cleared, it might be time for a snap of the fingers and a flamenco-fueled fiesta in the winding, cobbled streets of Andalucia. Or, perhaps, you retreat to your finca and slump into your soft, sumptuous bed for a blissful sleep, cocooned away from the bustle.

The pristine shores of the Balearic Islands and the lively stretch of sand lining the Costa del Sol promise a beach holiday with flair. The freshest seafood flavours will never be far from reach, and there is no shortage of twinkling, sandy bars that come to life as the sun turns amber.

On Mallorca, the largest of the Balearics, the beach is set against a backdrop of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range – a walker’s paradise, or an equally lovely setting for morning coffee at your hilltop villa. Back on the mainland in southern Spain, you can pair a morning on the sand with an unforgettable afternoon spent watching a flamenco show or walking in the sun-kissed Sierra Nevada.

Mallorca

Mallorca is a hearty Mediterranean island that is abundant with treasure. Its undulating landscape boasts rugged limestone mountains and verdant hilltop villages overlooking the lapping turquoise sea. Down at the water’s edge is a mass of secluded sandy coves and long, white beaches; some are tucked away for romantic sunsets, others are a melting pot of waterfront restaurants and bars. If you choose the right spot, you can enjoy boundless views without a building in sight.

Our homes here have been selected to provide bountiful sea vistas and the kind of peaceful, rural settings that villa holidays in Spain are celebrated for.

The beating heart of Mallorca lies in Palma, where you will find an interesting cathedral with vast stained-glass windows and a great selection of fresh seafood restaurants, as well as the late-night party haunts. Mallorca’s airport in Palma is one of the largest airports in Spain. There are good connections for most international flights, especially during the summer months.

Beyond its cities, it goes without saying that some of the loveliest things to do in Spain can be found along its coasts, and we highly recommend taking a boat out for the day to find hidden coves from the water.

Not to be missed are the Drach Caves along Mallorca’s eastern coast; these are the largest caves in Europe and a vast underworld of stalactites and stalagmites.

Days exploring out at sea or up in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range are best concluded with a sumptuous feast of traditional Mallorcan delicacies. The island has a flavour of its own, distinctive from the cuisine on mainland Spain. Gorgeous local dishes can be enjoyed from a cosy restaurant in Ses Salines or from your villa’s own al fresco dining terrace, prepared just for you by a private chef.

Menorca

Menorca is a gem among the Balearics. This soulful mass of land is not so far from Mallorca, and yet it rests tranquilly in a world of its own.

Simple villages are spared from modern tourism; cobblers and artisans are at the heart of trade; the seas are crystal clear; and plates of food hold the secrets of local recipes—you won’t find this cuisine elsewhere in Spain. This is the place for padding barefoot with no agenda and giving into the wonderful ways of island time.

Peaceful afternoons at your gorgeously restored farmhouse are the definition of easy living, with your own Mediterranean gardens fit for a leisurely game of boules and a fresh fish lunch by the sea waiting whenever you are ready. Sleepy islands may not be what Spain is famous for, yet a world of pure pleasure awaits on gentle Menorca.

Menorca has its own international airport, with connecting flights from most European countries. How do you get to Menorca, Spain, from further afield? Trans-atlantic routes will usually go through Barcelona or Madrid, and from here you can take a domestic connection by plane or ferry.

Andalucia

An amalgamation of cities in southern Spain, where flamenco music plays the loudest and whitewashed buildings, are distinguished with a Moorish flair.

Inland, you have Seville and Córdoba, and lining the coast are Marbella, Granada, and Malaga. A journey through Andalucia could take many forms. Perhaps it’s an indulgent food odyssey, stopping for gazpacho, shelled prawns, and glasses of sherry at every cobbled street corner. Or maybe it’s a deep dive into the region’s ancient history—the knotted past of invaders and settlers who have left their mark on the region, from Roman ruins to Moorish architectural influences. 

Our Andalucia hideaways include restored fincas in the lush green hills and lavish estates that are mere steps from a golden beach. With its coastline bathed by both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, there is a great variety of sandy stretches here—some lined with only sand dunes and cacti, others a hub of beach bars and waterfront restaurants. Andalucia is loved for having some of the most authentic bars in Spain; live music and dance shows are the norm, and wine glasses are never left empty for long. 

Malaga, one of the largest airports in Spain, serves most international travellers to Andalucia. Another smaller international airport is available in Seville, and there are four additional domestic airports in Almería, Cordoba, Granada, and Jerez de la Frontera.