Appetite for holidays to lesser-known areas in Spain has grown, say specialist tour operators Headwater, Pura Aventura and Naturetrek, who are expanding their programmes to include more nature-based, cultural and active itineraries.
Self-guided walking and cycling holidays provider Headwater has seen a ‘good year for sales in Spain’, says Product Manager for Mainland Spain and the Balearics Sharon Zanni.
Sharon said: “An emerging new trend is exploring lesser-known parts of Spain, and for this we launched a new trip in 2025 ‘Cycling Central Spain in Style’.”
The operator’s most popular itineraries for Spain include ‘Cycling in Mallorca: Coast to Coast’ and ‘Cycling in Andalucia: Seville to Cadiz’.
Demand for non-fly travel from the UK has also grown, with families choosing to take the train to Spain via Paris, according to sustainable operator Pura Aventura.
Pura Aventura Spain Product Lead Chris Bladon said: “Over the past three years, we’ve seen a consistent trend for families with teenagers choosing active holidays in the mountains and beaches of northern Spain, instead of holidays in the more traditional resorts of the south.”
The operator added six new family adventures to northern Spain last year and is launching its first multigenerational family adventure to the Spanish Pyrenees.
Spain remains the top overseas destination for wildlife tour operator Naturetrek, which has launched new vegetarian and vegan tours in Extremadura, western Spain, one of its most popular destinations.
Naturetrek Managing Director Andy Tucker said: “Our attention also turns to the total eclipse of the sun which occurs in northern Spain in 2026.”
