It almost feels like Summer has finally arrived and she certainly took her time! Typically as people begin to think of those Summer Holiday bookings, the much longed for beach vacation package, the weather here in England could not be better. One of the reasons I love to travel, other than the Sun, Sea and the possibility of freedom from laptop screens and never-ending to-do lists, is the food and one thing I love is a holiday in Spain for this very reason.
As much as I love Paella, having had Covid, my taste buds have changed dramatically, there are days when the thought of eating anything with meat turns my stomach and I feel bilious, so it is fair to say that the vegetarian/vegan option is now a must-have option.
Surprisingly, Spain offers a variety of options for vegan travellers, with many more cities and regions catering to plant-based diets than I had initially expected to find and some of these destinations might just surprise you!
1. Barcelona: Barcelona is known for its vibrant vegan scene, with 121 vegan and vegetarian restaurants, cafes, and vegan-friendly markets. The neighbourhood of El Raval has a concentration of vegan and vegetarian eateries and this includes the option to try the likes of paella or tapas which is made with vegan ingredients. Plus, if you are like me and love cats, a 2m-tall bronze sculpture of a plump cat, El Gat de Botero, which stands near the bottom of the Rambla, is something of a Barcelona icon and a must-see sight.
2. Madrid: The capital city and one which is described as being super vegan-friendly due to its growing vegan food scene with the neighbourhoods of Malasaña and Lavapiés being renowned for their vegan-friendly eateries, but with those two aside, there is over 40 places to choose from and not one place I have read about has been given a bad write up.
3. Valencia: Valencia is the third-most populated municipality in Spain and is famous for its mile long beaches, oranges and one food item I happen to love - paella. Thankfully with the growing plant based options in many restaurants, you can also find vegan versions of this iconic dish too.
4. Andalusia - Andalusian cuisine is famous for its gazpacho soup alongside a few meat-heavy meals, so finding that there is a whole host of alternatives was an eye-opener. Places such as Granada, often referred to as Spain's most romantic city has a plethora of vegan and vegetarian tea houses, restaurants and cafes to choose from.
5. Canary Islands: The Canary Islands is perhaps the most popular tourist destination with places such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote all being a growing vegetarian and vegan scene with a number of vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes making your choice of meal less daunting than it should ever be.
I have no doubt there is many more popular destinations across Spain that have equally good, if not better offerings when it comes to vegan-friendly eateries, be that at the hotel you are staying in, to local restaurants, cafes and tea houses, no longer should the phrase "Tiene opciones veganas?" (Do you have vegan options) be a chore to ask for.