Heading off to Spain for a week - tips?

riveratom

Lads,

I have decided I am going on hols to Spain next month, sometime in the next couple of weeks. Haven't been away anywhere in ages, and I need a break from working all the time.

I'm debating whether to go to mainland Spain, or the Canaries. I speak Spanish and have a slight preference for going somewhere like Malaga - weather is sweet at the minute (approx 22-23 degrees). I'm single and I want to meet up with some other independent travelling heads in some of the hostels/guest-houses along the way, and head out and have the craic here and there. Mainly though I just want to rest and relax and take in the sun. I'd also be renting a car or jumping on a bus/train and going out and seeing places.

Then again, somewhere like the Canaries is likely going to have more reliable sun and heat, and the beach and the pool will be right there on a package hol. That said, possibly a better chance of meeting other people in a city.

Where would people recommend / where would ya go if you had the choice?! If anyone has any recommendations for Canaries accommodation or tips on mainland Spain at this time of year, they'd be welcome.

Benicetomonty

I'd strongly recommend Lanzarote as a destination. Went there 2 years ago and had a great time. Weather was fabulous and plenty to do, such as boating, wine-tasting or taking a tour through the Timanfaya national park, which contains spectacular volcanic features and a restaurant that cooks its meat via a volcano vent.

I stayed with my better half for the week in an apartment we saw on daft :

http://www.daft.ie/searchinternational_rental.daft?id=145885

Rented by 2 Irish guys, great value and in the old part of Peurto Del Carmen which is a little quieter (not necessarily what you might be looking for..) but only a short walk from anything you could ask for. Lots of Irish pubs and always plenty of Irish people around as you'd expect; we ran into a friend from home completely out of the blue. Really had a great time all in all!

Johnny31

Agree on Lanzarote.. Great place.. very popular too... Gran Canaria is another great resort

BopNiblets

Malaga is nice enough, plenty of student life at night if you're that age.
I was there by myself and I'm a little bit older but met two French ERASMUS students going out with some other people, so people seem friendly.
Couple of sights and nice beaches, the one south of the port is quieter than the one nearest the high rise hotels front.
Calle Marques de Larios is like their Grafton St. :pac:

awec

Hi OP, the good people of the travel forum should be better placed to guide you.

Good people of the travel forum, say hello to riveratom.

Moved from Gents Club.

riveratom

Some great tips there guys.

I'm early 30s - if you were me, would ya go solo and look to meet people there (I'm single , or look into one of those group holidays...? I'm not sure really.