With glorious beaches, a fantastic sunshine record, vibrant towns and laid back sleepy villages, Spain has all the ingredients for a great family camping holiday. They say variety is the spice of life. If that’s so then Spain will leave you feeling full of zest. From the rugged foothills of the Pyrenees to cosmopolitan Barcelona, the Costa Brava is steeped in the old and the new. Along with endless traditional white-washed villages, rocky coves and sandy beaches, this region of Catalonia is not short of places to explore. In contrast the Costa Dorada leans heavily towards the sun and sea worshippers and with good reason: the warm Mediterranean waters lapping along 150 miles of golden sandy beaches. And there’s Spain’s green coast, the Costa Verde with some of the richest and most varied scenery in the whole of the country

TRAVEL TIPS

Travel requirements

Prior to travelling abroad it’s always recommended that you seek the advice of the Department of Health and your GP. The E111 which allows eligible travellers free or reduced cost medical treatment has now changed to an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). You can apply for your EHIC* by filling in a form in the ‘ Health Advice for Travellers’ booklet or by applying online at the Department of Health website. The EHIC is not mandatory, and in fact our own insurance will cover you anyway. However you might be saved from paying a large bill while away.

* Please allow up to 21 days for delivery of your EHIC if applying via post, or 7-10 days if applying via

the website.

Camping in spain has recently enjoyed a huge surge in popularity. From being the preserve of socks-and-sandals, thermos-of-tea types, it has evolved into the trendy travel alternative for free-spirited, independent types who prefer to wake to the sound of birdsong rather than the sound of traffic, enjoy cooking up their meals on a stove and relish the beautiful rural settings. And Andalucía is one of the best places to camp, with a stunning variety of rural landscapes to choose from: mountains, rolling countryside, beaches and woodlands, although they can also be conveniently located just outside towns or cities. A great way to experience nature at first hand, camping is also the cheapest form of accommodation - and the most flexible. Whether you're a family looking for an active, outdoorsy holiday or a group of friends who want to be near the action but are on a tight budget, camping offers an affordable and rewarding way to see the south of Spain.

Registered camp sites

There are nearly 200 registered camping grounds around Andalucía, divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd categories according to the facilities available. Most camp sites are only open in summer and can get extremely busy in peak season, so book ahead.

As a general guide there are three categories. Third will have basic amenities such as showers and toilets. Second will also have a swimming pool, bar, cafeteria and/or restaurant and hot water, as well as laundry, and telephone. First will be well-equipped with a supermarket and even, in larger camp sites, a post office and money exchange. Other amenities might include a children's play area, and sports facilities such as tennis and racquetball courts. Some camping grounds will also have bungalows, complete with toilet, TV and kitchen, should you prefer a roof over your head!

It is worth considering these categories when deciding where to pitch your tent: do you have your own transport? If not, choose a camp site either within walking distance of a town or with its own supermarket (1st) and/or café/restaurant (1st and 2nd). How long are you planning to stay in your accommodation? If more than a week, laundry facilities will come in handy (1st and 2nd).

Sleeping wild

In addition to the official camp sites, there are a number of other options for sleeping wild in rural Andalucía. National parks often have refugios or mountain shelters, marked on better maps, usually basic accommodation with limited cooking and washing facilities, although some are more like guesthouses. Free camping areas can also be found in and near some national parks. Otherwise, if you ask permission to camp on private land, you may get lucky.

With its appealing and varied coastline, it's not surprising that many of Andalucía's camping grounds are by the seaside. However, bear in mind that although it is widely practised, especially in the summer months, camping on the beach itself is actually not allowed in most areas. Although tolerated, it is discouraged, and some local by-laws officially forbid visitors from camping on the beach: be warned, as you may be fined. Take care of the environment – fires are a constant hazard in this tinder-dry landscape – and be aware that others may be using the beach for their own reasons. The good news about seaside camping in Andalucía is that in summer, larger (official) seaside camp sites become party centres in their own right.

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