We have had our eye on visiting Iberian Peninsula, a bit of a random choice you make think? Read this blog post to see why we REALLY want to visit and why you should as well!
So maybe we should start by telling you what the Iberian Peninsula is. The peninsula is the westernmost point of the continuous European continent. When most people think of the Iberian peninsula, they tend to think it comprises of two countries: Spain and Portugal. We didn’t actually know until we did a bit of research that Andorra is also located on the peninsula and so is a small portion of France and Gibraltar.
So why should we visit we hear you asking? It really does seem like there is something for everyone to do! It’s doesn’t have to be your typical beach holiday (although the beaches do look beautiful). There is so much more to the region. That’s why it’s good to shed some light on the other types of holidays available in the area, as there’s a very good chance some people just don’t know about.
SKIING
Andorra, the tiny country is particularly well known for the quality of its ski slopes and nearby resorts. The skiing holiday industry in Andorra is booming, and there’s a range of slopes offering different challenges for different levels of expertise. We would love to get ourselves to Andorra to experience the skiing there.
Sierra Nevada resort in Spain is another well known skiing resort on the Iberian Peninsula.
It’s also worth knowing there are also skiing resorts in Portugal, So while one might not imagine a skiing holiday when considering a trip to the countries on the Iberian peninsula, there are actually plenty of options you might want to consider exploring.
HIKING
There’s plenty of options across the Iberian peninsula for hiking.
La Concha mountain is known for being a wonderful place to hike. It overlooks Marbella, which is a wonderful destination in itself. The combination of the lively nightlife of Marbella and the mountainous background is truly spectacular; you may even find yourself tempted to look for property for sale in Marbella so you can visit again and again (we can keep dreaming)!
If you’re feeling brave, then hiking the Caminito Del Rey is a must-visit. This hike has been dubbed one of the most dangerous in the world, and actually had to close for renovations to try and improve the safety. Don’t worry, though; the work was successful, and this truly amazing route was reopened to the public in 2015.
Climbing the famous Rock of Gibraltar is also a worthy hike, especially if you’re an animal lover. You’ll delight in the Barbary macaques that line the most common routes, and the view from the top of the Rock is spectacular.
BEACHES
There are so many incredible beaches we would LOVE to visit! We sure do love a good beach:
Playa de Mazagon is on the western coast of Spain, not far from the Portuguese border. It is known for its golden sandy beaches, clear waters, and the gorgeous cliffs and pine trees. The nearby resort has all you could ever need from a relaxing beach holiday, including luxury hotels and excellent dining facilities.
If you’re looking for a beach in Portugal, then look no further than the Algarve region. The Algarve is a familiar destination for thousands of holidaymakers, but its popularity doesn’t diminish the fact that the area makes for a truly outstanding destination. If you’re looking for a classic sun and sand holiday, then any of the resorts on the Algarve will more than meet your needs.
It is impossible not to mention the Costa Del Sol. The Costa Del Sol is, as the name suggests, a beautifully warm and sunny place to visit, and a huge amount of effort has gone into ensuring that tourists feel as happy as possible when visiting the area. We mentioned Marbella above as a hiking destination, but it’s also an excellent choice if you’re looking for a convenient beach holiday where the weather is good, the water is warm, and there’s plenty of nightlife to keep you entertained- sounds like the perfect destination to us.
HISTORY
This is an area where the Iberian peninsula truly flourishes! Find some of them below, but we think this doesn’t event touch the surface:
Grenada might not be the most well-known Spanish city, but if you are a fan of history and culture is definitely going to want to visit. The city is home to the Alhambra, a particularly impressive palace and fortification that still stands in remarkably good condition.
A visit to Sortelha in Portugal is always going to be an excellent choice. It is a well-preserved ancient fortress which would make for an incredible day out. There are tons of bars, cafes and hotels in the area so it would also be the perfect place to stay.
We would love to visit the city of visiting of Cadiz, it has some incredible culture and it has an old style feel. There are lots of museums j. The city and while not necessary historical there is also the Saatchi gallery in Cadiz.
The Iberian peninsula should be able to satisfy all kinds of travellers. So whether you decide to head for Spain, Portugal, Andorra, or even the small sections of France and Gibraltar the Iberian peninsula truly is the travel destination that has it all.
So do you think you might be tempted to visit one of the countries on the Iberian peninsula in future? We know we certainly are!
