From Spanish Fiestas to Siestas

Think bright, vibrant colour, bongo drums and music that moves those dead bones, paella and sangria, lots of sangria! This is what comes to mind when we think of a Spanish fiesta on a holiday in Spain.

Here are a few of our favourite festivals for a Spanish fiesta:

Now there are many festivals one can join, but the most famous festival is La Tomatina, this is actually part of a larger celebration; it marks the end of an entire week of parades, parties, fairs and street markets. It is so original and fun that people visit Spain just to take part in it. Have you ever wanted to throw a tomato at someone? Then La Tomatina is for you! Note, this festival is limited to 20 000 people, so book early to avoid disappointment. La Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday in August in Bunol, Valencia.

You may have heard of the popular San Juan Festival (Saint John’s Day). Every year on the eve of June 23, Spain celebrates the arrival of summer and the birth of St John the Baptist. This is a magical night filled with old customs and superstitions. People will jump over fires believing it will bring them good luck. San Juan is usually celebrated at the beach amid a flurry of bonfires, and you can expect to experience spectacular fireworks at midnight.

From all this action, you are definitely going to need to find a hidden gem to enjoy your siesta 😉

Here are a few of our favourite Spanish spots for a siesta:

• Costa Brava – the clifftops of Catalonia – a most romantic, unspoilt stretch of coast.
• Mallorca – known for its beautiful coastline, secluded coves, limestone mountains, Spanish architecture, wineries and fresh produce farms, and stunning beaches.
• La Palma – home to an enormous number of banana crops.
• Costa Blanca – known for more than 200km of fine sandy beaches.
• Andalucia – known for its sandy beaches, beautiful countryside, spectacular mountain ranges, fabulous monuments and high-spirited people who live life to the full.

The nitty gritty:

South African passport holders require a Spanish Schengen visa to enter Spain. This may take between 15 – 30 days to process, so we advise planning in advance!

Currently, only travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (minimum of 14 days before the date of travel), with a certificate issued by your national health authority, will be allowed to enter Spain.

Before boarding the plane, make sure to note:

• Travellers are required to produce a negative PCR test (not older than 72hours) or an Antigen test (not older than 48hours).
• Travellers will also be required to complete an online form at www.spth.es and print the QR code that you have to show at the airport and on arrival.
• Some airlines may require other additional measures (eg. KLM asks for an antigen test for boarding purposes if PCR test is older than 24 hours). It is advisable to check with the airline prior to departure.
• All passengers arriving from South Africa may have to pass an additional antigen test at the airport upon arrival in Spain.

Are you looking for your ultimate Spanish fiesta or siesta? Browse our Spain holiday packages now.