Spain is a country that manages to be super unique, even so close to so many other huge forces of culture. There’s a palpable passion and vibrancy that is so specific to Spain and has huge cultural differences from other Southern European countries like Italy and Greece. It can be hard to try to narrow down, but I’ve been traveling in Europe since I was 16 and have photographed over 300 elopements all over the world and know what to look for to find a great wedding spot.
On mainland Spain, Seville is the perfect place to start. Lots of canals, beautiful architecture, and proximity to the best sights in Andalusia. That includes great coastal spots like the Parque Nacional de Doñana. Eloping here will give you the perfect blend of cultural heritage and beautiful nature.
If you’re open to other ideas, though, I have them for you down below! Including locations on the Canary Islands and Iberian Peninsula. You’ll find my personal favorites down below!
(Hey, did you know I made a searchable location database? Click here to be taken there and filter by scenery, season, and activity to get custom results from nearly 600 locations!)
The Canary Islands, Spain
If you love the scenery of Ibiza and Mallorca but want more nature and less glam, the Canary Islands could be a great destination for your elopement. This archipelago has eight islands and FOUR national parks, so you can be sure to get a heavy dose of untouched Mother Nature during your wedding day. Go on a tour of canyons or lava tubes, get out in the sea via SCUBA, surf, or sail, or climb on rock archways. Every one of these islands has a distinct feel and flavor to it. You could easily spend a week or two here getting to know each one! Or, have some fun in the planning process getting to pick the exact vibes you want.
Best for: Coast, Mountains, Cities, Sand Dunes, Forest and Beaches
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking and Rock Climbing
Barcelona, Spain
Full of life, art, and stunning natural scenery, there’s a reason why people love Barcelona. If you’re looking for a destination for your elopement that’s going to perfectly balance urban culture with relaxing and beautiful beaches, this could be a fantastic option for you. Visit Casa Batlló for an intersection of art and architecture or take a sunset cruise through the Mediterranean Sea. Or head into the city to sip cava and make paella at a cooking class. There’s no shortage of experiences that you can find here! This is a great fit for folks who want to take it all in during their elopement.
Best for: City
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Nightlife, Art
Tabernas Desert, Spain
If you’re a desert lover but still want to explore a new continent on your elopement day or want something closer to home if you’re a European yourself, this is the only one on the continent! This is prequalified as filmworthy enough for a wedding day, because everything from Hollywood blockbusters to Spaghetti Westerns have been shot here. The mountains and palms make for great backdrops while you explore the area during your wedding day on foot or on 4X4.
Best for: Desert and Mountain
Best months to get married here: March to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Jeep/4×4
As Catedrais Beach, Spain
If you’re thinking of checking out the Galicia area on the Iberian Peninsula, you’ve gotta look at As Catedrais. The rocks here are what make this beach so special, as they rise up straight out of the sand and form natural altars for your elopement day at low tide. The cliffs overlooking the beach also provide some great views that you can stop for portraits at! Especially after you’re done exploring below and the tide starts to come back in.
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Madrid, Spain
As the capital of Spain, Madrid has so much to offer in terms of Spanish culture, architecture, and experiences. This city would be a great elopement spot for couples who want historic sights (the city was founded in the 9th century!) but want to make sure they never run out of fun things to do. Explore palaces, legendary museums, and beautiful fountains are all waiting around every corner here! There are also dozens of beautiful and super unique parks throughout the city that make it easy to find a piece of nature to say your vows on if that’s your energy. El Retiro park has paddling lakes for small rental boats, a huge rose garden, and lots of tidy paths with statues and fountains. Madrid also has a thriving culinary scene that’s sure to please any budding sommeliers or foodies.
Best for: City
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, History
Otzarreta Forest, Spain
You’ve probably seen photos of this forest before. That’s because it takes the concept of a fairytale forest and cranks it up to 1000! Winding paths weaving through trees covered in moss with unique shapes that form dozens of upside down umbrella shapes. In the fall, the ground gets cloaked with bright red leaves as the seasons change and fog is known to settle in between the trees. To say this location is unreal is an understatement.
Best for: Forest
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and would bring a great blend of historic buildings and ruins with beautiful surroundings. If you’ve ever wished you could get the historic buildings of Madrid with the scenery of the French Riviera, this is the place. There is so much to explore here. Castell de Bellver on the island is a 14th century castle with unique archways and circular towers that will give you a taste of royalty during your elopement day. Or you can venture into the city of Palma to take in red-brick historic architecture, bike along a beachfront path, lounge in sun-soaked manicured parks, or walk down narrow city streets lined with local restaurants. If you’re looking for more of a resort vibe, head to Cala d’Or on the southern coast for a slower pace.
Best for: Beach, City, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Seville, Spain
There are few better places to get a great taste of Spanish culture, heritage, and lifestyle all at the same time!. Seville is home to over half a million people and offers endless possibilities—from learning flamenco to dining on tapas and wine to embarking on an architecture tour of the city. You’re also only about an hour from the coast, so you can have a little bit of everything when you come here!
Best for: City, History, Oranges
Best months to get married here: March to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Parque Nacional del Teide, Tenerife, Spain
Sitting on the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, the Teide National Park still manages to be one of Europe’s most visited national parks despite not being on the mainland of the continent. The crown jewel of the park is the volcano of the same name, which clocks in at over 12,000 feet in altitude! Don’t feel like hiking? Not a problem here—you can grab a scenic cable car ride straight to the top. The altitude and position of the island also makes it an ideal place to catch sunrise (golden hour ceremony!) or see the stars at night.
Best for: Desert and Mountains
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Ibiza, Spain
Off the coast of mainland Spain and drifting in the Balearic Sea, Ibiza has a reputation as a party town. But it’s so much more than its nightlife! Cala Tarida sits on the western, more quiet edge of the island and offers beautiful beaches and calm waters that are ideal for paddling in the bay, snorkeling, and small craft like jet skis. Because of the direction of the beach, sunsets over here are super spectacular and would make a stunning backdrop to say your vows against. Or head to the top of Sa Talaiassa to have your ceremony on the highest point on the island. Ibiza is a great elopement pick if you want a blend of the lively and peaceful, great views, and a little taste of luxury.
Best for: Beach, Forest, City and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding and Nightlife
Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
All of Gran Canaria is stunning, formed in the deep canyons of this volcanically created island, but it really shines on its shores. Maspalomas is a great spot to elope due to the sheer amount of variety that it packs into its space! From dunes, to more traditional beaches, to an 1800s lighthouse—there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy your wedding here. If you want to interact with animals, you can also hop on camel rides or take a dolphin tour!
Best for: Beach, Coast, City and Sand Dunes
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, jeep/4×4 and Boating
Caló des Moro, Spain
This is a tiny sliver of what feels like paradise on your elopement day. The rectangular inlet is flanked on either side by rocky cliffs and trees growing out of the rock. The scenery here is practically custom-made for finding those sweeping views for your vows that you’ll remember forever. There’s also great activities if you’re looking to get out on the water, like paddling opportunities and snorkeling excursions.
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Cies Islands, Spain
An archipelago off the coast of far northwest Spain, the Cíes Islands are a super well-protected nature preserve. Which means when you visit, you’ll find incredible deep blue waters, bright sunny skies, and greenery crawling over rocky hills and peaks. There are hiking paths all over the islands, including up to the highest point, giving you endless options to explore from. If you want to stay here, you’ll have to camp, but you can rent a tent and mattress from a provider on-site to cut down on things you have to carry. They’re serious about protecting their landscape from the impacts of tourism, so you won’t find throngs of people here.
Best for: Coast, Beach and Islands
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping
Marbella, Spain
Mountains and national parks, navy blue waters, and a thriving resort life, Marbella is a beautiful pick for a Spanish coastal elopement. Get married underneath the orange trees and then charter a yacht to take you on a Mediterranean excursion. You can explore the town (which has roots in the 9th century!) full of restaurants and shops or you can adventure north into the Sierra de las Nieves National Park and get directly into nature. I love the idea of an elopement here that balances everything it has to offer. The urban with the wild, the land with the sea, the luxury with the laid back. No matter what your vibe is, you can make your adventure here count!
Best for: Beach, City, Mountains and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Boating
Las Médulas, Spain
Formed from an ancient Roman mining village, Las Médulas is made up of bright red rock tunnels, which form a super striking contrast against the deep blue sky and bright green foliage. There’s also something special about having your wedding day take you past a site that other humans were using in the 1st century! Take on this unique spot on your own on hiking trails or let a local guide you through the ruins so that you can learn about the history as you go!
Best for: Cliffs and Forest
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Parque Nacional de Doñana, Spain
Doñana is a crucial piece of Spain’s ecosystem, representing a critical stronghold for biodiversity in the country. That’s largely because of the wide variety of scenery you can find here, ranging from forest, to sea, to marsh, to dunes. Take a 4X4 tour of the park, ride horses over the dunes, observe flocks of flamingos in their natural habitat, or explore the in-park city of El Rocío. This is a super special spot to get a whole lot of beauty and culture in one stop.
Best for: Forest, Coast, Beach and Sand Dunes
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Jeep/4×4
Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote, Spain
While the majority of this park can only be accessed by bus, there are two hiking trails here that can be done without a guide! Full of black volcanic ash and twisted metamorphic rock from eruptions in the 1700’s, Timanfaya National Park is a land of landscape extremes. You can also see it from a camel’s back, if that’s more your speed. Don’t leave without grabbing dinner at the park’s restaurant which is powered by geothermal heat!
Best for: Desert, Volcanos
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
National Park of Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Spain
This park is tucked into the Pyrenees mountains along the border of Spain and France and has excellent hiking! If you’re looking for alpine scenery in the country, you won’t be disappointed. Elope here for tiered waterfalls, glaciers, and epic canyons and gorges around Monte Perdido. If you only have time for one stop during your elopement, this is an excellent choice, because you’ll get a ton of different scenery super close together!
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Waterfalls, Lakes and River
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Narrowing down to one elopement location can be a ton of work… even choosing a country! The world has a lot to offer and a ton of beautiful places. That’s where my interactive map comes in handy! This location database is packed with hundreds of my personal recommendations all around the world and filters to comb through them to make the process easier than ever.
If that’s still intimidating, I’m always here to help! I love providing custom location lists to my clients based on what you actually want and need. I pair my decade of travel expertise and wedding photography to craft a plan for your day that works with the elements, gives you a stress-free experience, and still hits all the scenery you want in your elopement day!
If you’re ready to get to planning click here to go to my contact form! Let’s get your elopement started!
