Spain remains a perennial draw for European travellers, and 2026 brings a wave of new attractions, hotels, and cultural openings. From a revamped museum in Madrid to a Formula 1 circuit and boutique hotels in historic buildings, the country is expanding its tourism offering beyond the familiar beaches and tapas bars.
Museums and Cultural Sites
In Valencia, the Espai Manolo Valdés is set to open in late 2026 or early 2027 at Pier 3 of the city's Central Park. This free museum will showcase the work of the Valencian artist Manolo Valdés, featuring a permanent collection of sculptures in aluminium, wood, resin, and bronze, alongside paintings that reinterpret classic art history figures with a playful contemporary twist. The museum aims to strengthen the connection between the artist and his hometown.
In Madrid, the Sorolla Museum reopens in 2026 after closing in October 2024 for extensive expansion and renovation. Housed in the painter Joaquín Sorolla's former home and studio, the museum offers an intimate glimpse into his life and work. Visitors can see his light-filled impressionistic paintings, such as Walk on the Beach and Swimmers, along with his personal belongings, original furniture, and the Andalusian-style garden he designed himself.
Formula 1 Returns to Madrid
The Spanish Grand Prix moves from Barcelona to Madrid in 2026, with the first race scheduled for 13 September. The new 5.416-kilometre circuit, called the Madring, is centred around the IFEMA Exhibition Center. It is a hybrid track combining public roads with private land, mixing street-style sections with permanent high-speed stretches. The event is expected to draw over 85,000 tourists annually, with daily spectator numbers exceeding 110,000, and capacity set to rise to 140,000 in future years. The race weekend will include other F1-related activities and entertainment in the capital.
New Hotels and Accommodations
Several new hotels are opening across Spain in 2026, catering to different tastes. The Hoxton Madrid will open on Plaza de Santa Ana in the city's Literary Quarter. Housed in a 19th-century building with a modernist Belle Époque facade, the hotel offers 192 rooms, a rooftop cocktail bar, and a trattoria. Its design blends Moorish heritage with modern luxury, inspired by a Havana aesthetic, and provides easy access to the Reina Sofía and Prado museums.
In Menorca, Vestige Binidufà launched in April 2026 as an 11-key luxury retreat in an 18th-century finca. Set on an 800-hectare estate surrounded by red earth, the hotel offers a grounding experience with private gardens or terraces for each room. Guests can admire original stonework, locally crafted furniture, and wood beams, and enjoy a spa with a hammam and sauna. The property also features private coastlines, swimming pools, hiking trails, and plant-forward, Middle Eastern-inspired dining using estate-grown produce.
On Mallorca, the Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra opens on 1 June 2026 on a peninsula in Calvià. With 131 rooms, suites, and bungalows, it offers panoramic Mediterranean views, a high-end spa, and six restaurants, including a Matsuhisa by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa serving Nikkei cuisine. Suites have private plunge pools, and the resort provides access to two secluded coves and pine forests. The spa uses local Mallorcan herbs and Oriental wellness philosophies, with treatments like the Curandero Experience.
In San Sebastián, the Palacio Bellas Artes San Sebastián, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, opens on 1 July. Housed in a converted 1914 landmark cinema designed by Ramón de Cortázar, the luxury boutique hotel blends Belle Époque architecture with modern facilities. It features a bar, lounge, cafe, fitness centre, and a robot valet. Guests can easily reach La Concha beach, the cathedral, and the city's famous pintxo bars.
On the Costa del Sol, the TUI Blue Yaramar in Fuengirola reopens in May 2026 as an adults-only (16+) hotel with 225 rooms, a large swimming pool with ocean views, two restaurants, and three bars.
These developments reflect Spain's ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, offering visitors new reasons to explore its diverse regions. For those planning a trip, 2026 promises a rich mix of cultural, sporting, and hospitality experiences.
