While trending destinations come and go, Spain continues to be a perennial favourite for the European summer holidays thanks to its laidback culture, sunny weather and delicious food.
The country’s tourism offering is incredibly diverse, from hiking trails on the Canary Islands to cultural breaks in historic cities like Córdoba or Granada, so it’s no wonder many tourists return again and again.
Count yourself among them? Here’s all the new things to see and do, and the new rules you need to be aware of.
A new museum dedicated to Manolo Valdés in Valencia
The Espai Manole Valdés in Valencia will open late 2026 or early 2027 at Pier 3 of Valencia’s Central Park.
This will be a specialised, free museum dedicated to the famous Valencian artist highlighting the connection to his home city. It will feature a permanent, rotating exhibition of rare and previously unseen sculptures and paintings, as well as key pieces, acting as both a conservation and cultural landmark.
Enjoy sculptures made with aluminium, wood, resin and bronze, as well as works reinterpreting classic art history figures with a playful, contemporary twist.
The return of the Sorolla Museum in Madrid
The Sorolla Museum in Madrid will open again in 2026, following its closure in October 2024 for extensive expansion and renovations.
Joaquin Sorolla’s very well-preserved and intimate house-studio features a huge collection of light-filled, impressionistic paintings, along with personal belongings, original furniture and a beautiful Andalusian-style garden designed by Sorolla himself.
Marvel at the tools and paintbrushes that created popular paintings like Walk on the Beach and Swimmers before taking a breath in the peaceful oasis of the garden.
Formula 1 returns to Madrid
Madrid is taking over from Barcelona as the Spanish Grand Prix host later this year with the first race set to take place on 13 September. The new 5.416 kilometre circuit, dubbed the Madring, is centred around the IFEMA Exhibition Center.
A hybrid circuit, the track will be on both public roads and private land, allowing for a mix of street-style racing with permanent high-speed sections. Like many of the other spots on the calendar, visitors can expect other F1-related activities and entertainment in Madrid during the race weekend.
It is expected to attract more than 85,000 tourists every year, with over 110,000 spectators per day. Capacity will increase in future years to 140,000.
A literary stay at The Hoxton, Madrid
The Hoxton Madrid, set to open this year, will be located on Plaza de Santa Ana in the heart of the city’s Literary Quarter.
Housed in a historic 19th-century building with a modernist facade dating back to the Belle Epoque, the hotel will have 192 rooms, a rooftop cocktail bar and a trattoria.
It will be designed to blend the city’s rich Moorish heritage with modern luxury, with a laid-back Havana-inspired concept and signature meeting and event spaces for intimate, creative gatherings.
Travellers will also have easy access to the Reina Sofía and Prado museums.
A grounding escape at Vestige Binidufà, Menorca
Vestige Binidufà, an 11-key, 18th-century finca restored as a luxury retreat in Menorca launched in April this year.
Designed to be a grounding experience, the hotel sits in a lush valley in an expansive 800-hectare estate shared by sister property Son Ermità and surrounded by Menorcan red earth. Guests can enjoy a calm, rustic stay with every room and suite including a private garden or terrace.
Admire the original stonework, locally crafted furniture and wood beams of the restored property, or head to the spa which offers a hammam, sauna and range of treatments.
The property also features private coastlines, swimming pools and hiking trails, along with plant-forward and Middle-Eastern inspired dining, using produce grown on the estate.
A culinary break at Mandarin Oriental, Punta Negra, Mallorca
The Mandarin Oriental in Punta Negra, Mallorca will open on 1 June 2026 on an exclusive peninsula in Calvià.
With 131 rooms, suites and bungalows, it will offer panoramic Mediterranean views and a high-end, specialised spa. There will also be six restaurants, including a signature Matsuhisa restaurant by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa featuring Nikkei-style cuisine.
With easy access to two secluded private coves and surrounding pine forests, guests can enjoy unmatched privacy. Suites will feature private plunge pools as well, with the resort also including two sea-view outdoor pools and an indoor pool.
The spa will feature treatments using local Mallorcan herbs and Oriental wellbeing philosophies, including unique offerings like the “Curandero Experience”.
A silver screen sojourn at Palacio Bellas Artes San Sebastián
A Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, the Palacio Bellas Artes San Sebastian will also open on 1 July.
The luxury boutique hotel will be housed in a converted 1914 landmark cinema designed by Ramón de Cortázar, which is also a Grade I cultural heritage building.
Blending Belle Époque architecture with modern facilities, it is designed to reflect eclectic style and a cinematic-themed, immersive experience. There will be a bar/lounge as well as a cafe and fitness centre, along with high-tech amenities like a robot valet.
Guests will have easy access to La Concha beach, as well as the cathedral and key pintxo bars.
A kid-free holiday at TUI Blue Yaramar, Fuengirola
The newly-refurbished TUI Blue Yaramar will open in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol this May as an adults-only (16+) hotel.
With 225 rooms, it will feature a large swimming pool with stunning ocean views, two restaurants and three bars. Guests can also enjoy a well-equipped gym and a variety of fitness classes like yoga and aqua training.
Cyclists will have specialised facilities too, while wellness seekers can enjoy the Gloria beauty and wellness centre.
There will also be entertainment like cultural shows, live music and themed nights.
A room with a view at Gran Hotel Claridge Granada
The Gran Hotel Claridge Granada will be another five-star 70-key boutique hotel, in the heart of the Plaza de Villamena, the historic centre of the city. Enjoy spectacular views of the cathedral, as well the La Alhambra palace and fortress.
The Gran Claridge Cathedral Suite will have two balconies under the stone portico of the city.
Guests can enjoy a rooftop wellness solarium with a heated infinity pool and a full-service tiled spa which offers a water circuit, sauna and hot tub. Yoga sessions and a dedicated fitness room are available too.
Indulge in gourmet Andalusian cuisine, with restaurants like Zima Luz&Top, or head on one of the hotel’s curated cycling routes or ski excursions.
New daily tourist tax for cruise travellers
Vigo, a popular Spanish cruise destination, is introducing a new tourist tax in an attempt to curb overtourism.
Travellers will soon have to pay a daily levy of up to €2 per person per night if they stay in four-star or five-star hotels.
Visitors staying in mid-range accommodation like tourist rentals or three-star hotels could pay a €1.60 tax per night, whereas those staying in campsites, hostels or rural properties could pay €0.80.
Cruise passengers disembarking at Vigo will also face a €1.20 charge.
The tax will come into effect from October this year and will apply to only the first two nights of a stay until 1 July 2027. It will then be extended to a maximum of five nights per stay. However, children and some disabled travellers could be exempt.
