It’s cooler there and the landscapes are varied… Everything to appeal to the locals who find far fewer tourists there.
France, Italy, Spain… Here are the top three in Europe for a great vacation according to (too) many tourists. Spain has captured the hearts of French holidaymakers but also British and Germans in particular. Several tens of millions cross the border each year, whether in summer but also in winter, to find sun, reasonable prices and long sandy beaches.
And the Spaniards themselves, where are they going? Not necessarily in the same place. According to several Spanish experts, hotels on the very touristy Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean coast recorded a drop of almost 10% in the number of Spanish visitors last year. And here’s where they’re going to put their bags instead! The Spanish have obviously opted for another region, more or north and less touristy, the Basque Country and Galicia, two booming regions. Experts suggest this trend could be linked to climate change, causing heatwaves in southern Spain, particularly in the last two summers. In summer, the north of the country is traditionally much cooler.
But this is not the only argument since Galicia offers many advantages: the beaches are wide and varied and the cleanliness of the water is recognized. The temperature is a little cooler there since it is the Atlantic coast but the climate is more pleasant in the middle of summer. Galicia is often referred to as Spanish Brittany due to the variety of its landscapes and its rich culture.
The city of Vigo also wins many votes like the archipelago of the Cies Islands, near Pontevreda. It offers superb beaches, beautiful hiking trails and the Spanish appreciate the relative tranquility compared to the most touristy places in their country. Hiking enthusiasts can also walk on the pilgrimage routes including the famous Camino de Santiago leading to Santiago de Compostela. Will it be the same this year? Spanish travelers have obviously made Galicia their secret paradise…