Five inspiring ideas for accessible holidays in Spain

Travelling with some form of disability can be extremely challenging, whether it be riding public transport, visiting restaurants, tourist buildings or simply navigating the streets.

Accessible tourism aims to eliminate these barriers by creating accessible infrastructure for hotels, transportation, leisure activities, and other tourism-related services.

According to Discapnet, an initiative to promote the social and employment integration of people with disabilities these are five of the most accessible destinations in Spain.

Barcelona

Barcelona is an excellent example of an accessible city and has even been praised by the EU for its ongoing commitment to accessibility. It won third prize in the EU's Access City Awards 2022.

Approximately 90 percent of the the Catalan capital's metro stations are accessible and all buses are have with electric ramps for wheelchairs.

Iconic sites such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and the Picasso Museum are all accessible for people with disabilities, while the city’s Parc de la Ciutadella has accessible paths and areas adapted for people with reduced mobility.

When it comes to getting around without public transport, the streets of the Gothic Quarter and Eixample have been adapted to be accessible, which are either pedestrianised, have wide sidewalks or ramps at intersections.

Several beaches, such as Barceloneta are also equipped with ramps, walkways, and amphibious chairs.

READ ALSO: What are the best places in Spain for disabled tourists?

Madrid

The Spanish capital is another good example of an accessible destination. Around 70 percent of Madrid’s metro stations are accessible for disabled travellers.

The Madrid City Council Tourism Department has put together a guide with eight different tourism routes specifically for disabled travellers. Each one includes a brief description of the route as well as tips and suggestions on which museums, monuments or gardens you can visit.

Some of the most important museums in the city - the Prado National Museum and the Reina Sofía National Art Museum and the Royal Palace have also been adapted for disabled travellers.

Parks like El Retiro have accessible paths and adapted areas, while several theatres and cinemas such as the Teatro Real and the Yelmo cinemas, have implemented adapted access, subtitles, and audio description for people with hearing and visual impairments.

Málaga

The Andalusian city of Málaga is popular with all kinds of tourists, including those with accessibility needs. The city has implemented various measures to ensure everyone can enjoy its offerings.

Some of Málaga’s best museums including The Picasso Museum, the Centre Pompidou and the Carmen Thyssen Museum have accessible facilities, including elevators, ramps and adapted toilets.

Public transport is also good as both the bus and metro network has adapted vehicles and accessible stations. Málaga’s historic centre has also been adapted to facilitate movement for people with reduced mobility.

And one of the city’s main draws – it’s beaches are also accessible. La Malagueta and La Misericordia are equipped with walkways, amphibious chairs and other accessible services.

Ávila

The old city Ávila in the region of Castilla y León is one of the most accessible destinations in Spain which has been applauded for its commitment to inclusion.

The city, which is easily reachable from Madrid, has implemented various measures that have earned it prestigious awards, such as the European Accessible City Award.

Ávila's famed city walls are one of the few medieval walls in the world with access adapted for people with reduced mobility. There are also audio guides and typhlological models for blind people.

The city’s cathedral also has access and ramps for those disabilities, while the historic centre is filled with streets and squares which have been adapted for those with mobility issues.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna on the Canary Island Tenerife was awarded the title of Accessible City 2024 for its dedication to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.

These include accessible tourist routes such as the 'Feeling My City' programme which offers guided routes with interpreters for deaf and blind people, easy-to-read materials, adapted transportation, and escort services.

The Department of Social Welfare has developed a guide that provides information on the accessibility of cultural and tourist resources, available in accessible formats such as audio guides, sign-in guides, and adapted maps.

Beach holidays

If you’re looking for a beach holiday more than a city break, then there are plenty of accessible beaches across the country too.

In the southern region of Andalusia these include Playa de Aguamarga in Níjar, Almería; Misericordia in Málaga; Laya de Poniente in Motril, Granada; Matalascañas in Almonte, Huelva; and Santamaría del Mar in Cádiz.

In the Canary Islands you could visit Pocillos in Tías Yaizas, Lanzarote; Las Teresitas in Santa Cruz, Tenerife; Santa Eulalia in Fuenteventura; Puerto de Naos in La Palma; or Amadores in Mogán, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

In Catalonia some of the best accessible beaches are Los Pescadores in Badalona; Nova Icária and Sant Sebastiá in Barcelona; Vilafortuny in Cambrills, Tarragona; and Torre Valentina in Calonge, Girona.

And finally, if you’re visiting Valencia some of the best beaches to enjoy are Poniente de Benidorm, Altea and Santa Pola in Alicante province; Morrongo de Benicarló in Vastellón; and Nord Gandía in Valencia.