9 UK destinations that are just like Spain | Travel News | Travel

The jet fuel crisis has sparked panic among UK holidaymakers, with industry experts warning that Europe may have only weeks of flight fuel left. While UK airlines have not announced flight cancellations, aviation experts have said fares could increase due to the jet fuel shortage. As the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and negotiations between the US and Iran fail to yield an agreement, airlines and tourists alike face an uncertain future for travel abroad.

In light of this, travel experts have suggested the UK destinations that most resemble Spain as Brits reconsider their travel plans. From white sandy beaches to Mediterranean-like marinas to exciting family-friendly resorts, experts from the travel industry say there is no shortage of sunny, seaside fun in the UK that can substitute a trip to Spain.

Here are their top picks.

The Isle of Wight is officially the UK’s sunniest spot, and it might be the place where you get the most Spain-like weather in the UK. That, paired with the fact that it is home to some incredible beaches, might make it an excellent substitute for the Mediterranean this summer if flights get too expensive.

Lee Hudson, commercial director at Red Funnel and Board Director for Visit Isle of Wight, said: “The Isle of Wight is a compelling option for a UK staycation. Thanks to its unique microclimate, it’s officially the sunniest spot in the UK and home to one of the world’s best beaches, with Yaverland ranked in Tripadvisor’s 2026 ‘Best of the Best’ awards.”

Additionally, the Isle of Wight has 11 more beaches rated ‘excellent’ for water quality, making it ideal for swimming and paddleboarding.

Your mind might not instantly liken Spain to Bournemouth, but one travel expert argues that the UK seaside town has plenty to offer for those who love a Mediterranean resort break. Founder of Hello Cruise, Peter Hodge, says that Bournemouth is one of the closest UK equivalents to a Spanish sun-and-sea resort because it offers the same simple holiday formula in a compact area.

Plus, tourists can easily plan days out to Poole, Sandbanks and Studland. “Basing in Bournemouth works particularly well because you can lean into the resort routine,” he said.

“The beach runs for miles, with a pier-to-pier feel, long seafront walks and enough space for daytime activity like beach volleyball and pop-up food spots. That constant background energy is part of what many travellers associate with Spain, where the beach is not just a view but the centre of the day.”

Perhaps the most iconic UK staycation destination, Brighton offers plenty to visitors of all ages, from its thriving nightlife to family-friendly fun. When the sun shines, Brighton is swarmed with eager visitors looking to enjoy a classic British summer’s day out.

According to Chris Wood, director of the travel company Escape The Past LTD, Brighton and Hove is the best UK substitute for Spain. “It combines the key ingredients of a Mediterranean city-on-the-sea in one walkable strip: beach and promenade by day, then busy streets of food, bars and live music after dark,” he said.

“A base around the pier area or along the front in Brighton or Hove keeps accommodation, beach access and evening spots within easy walking distance, which is what creates that relaxed, car-free rhythm.”

Cornwall is the most obvious choice, according to travel expert and seasoned backpacker LP Maurice. It boasts some of the best weather in the UK as well as some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, making for a summer getaway that can be closely compared with a few days on the Med. He said that experiences similar to those at Spanish resorts can be found in St Ives, Newquay and Porthcurno.

“All three of these destinations contain what travellers typically seek from their Spain vacations, which include: beach time in the sun, clean swimming waters on warm days, surf school options, casual dining experiences, and a variety of accommodation choices,” he said.

Although it’s a small village many people have never heard of, Portmeirion in North Wales boasts vibrant colours that many people would book flights to see abroad, says Alen Baibekov, CEO of Economy Bookings.

The village has a plethora of hotels, cottages, restaurants, bars, shops and cafes, giving tourists all of the amenities they need in between visits to the beach and the 70-acre sub-tropical forest of Gwyllt. Dwyryd Estuary has white sandy beaches to enjoy, which are within walking distance from most accommodation options in the village.

Although the sunny and hot weather is more uncommon here than in Spain, Alen says a few days here resemble “the slower rhythm of holidays that make Spain so appealing”.

Wedged between Margate and Ramsgate is Broadstairs, one of the go-to seaside day out destinations in Kent. It combines “classic seaside charm with continental flair”, says Pete Walls, co-founder of Split My Fare. “Often called the jewel of Thanet, this sheltered resort town is packed with sandy beaches, clifftop walks, independent cafés, and seafood restaurants, all within easy reach of its Victorian promenades and harbour,” he said.

“While seaside getaways to Spain might come to mind when planning a sun-soaked weekend, Broadstairs offers many of the same pleasures without a passport, currency exchange or airport queues.”

He names Viking Bay as a highlight, with its horseshoe sweep of sand and pastel beach huts, as well as the neighbouring beaches of Joss Bay and Botany Bay.

A microclimate that allows palm trees to flourish along the coastline gives Torbay in Devon its nickname, The English Riviera. Vukan Simic, travel expert and CEO of BoatBooker, says it has a “Mediterranean atmosphere”, with marinas in towns like Torquay and Paignton offering excellent sailing conditions and al fresco waterfront dining that” mirror the resort towns of the Costa del Sol”.

“For those seeking the yachting lifestyle and coastal energy of Southern Spain, this stretch of Devon provides a remarkably similar experience,” he added.

Boat trips take visitors out to sea to witness this unique landscape from a pretty vantage point. As one of the eight UNESCO Global Geoparks in the UK, tourists consider this a one-of-a-kind destination in Britain.

The Isles of Scilly have quite a unique climate influenced by the Gulf Stream, so visitors find flora here that differs vastly from mainland Britain. Its warm temperatures and clear blue waters make it a close substitute for Spain, says Eryn Gordon, a US-based travel writer and speaker.

“It’s quieter; it’s further away from other areas; and it operates in a smaller capacity,” she says. “Therefore, when you visit here, you’re not just visiting to utilise/consume the location; you’re travelling with it, which gives you a totally unique experience from what you typically consider to be a vacation.”

The islands have stunning beaches that don’t get swarmed with visitors, including Porthloo Beach on St. Mary’s and Great Par on Bryher. Some have gone as far as to compare the islands to the Caribbean.

Resembling northern Spain’s Picos de Europa, Ullswater is known for its dramatic mountain scenery. The water here is similar to the Lakes of Covadonga in the famous Spanish region, says the travel team at Twaites.

“With its long, glacial shape, steep green fells and shifting light, Ullswater bears a striking resemblance to northern Spain’s Lakes of Covadonga,” they said. Meanwhile, Twaithes local inn’s riverfront setting mirrors “the water-led, outdoorsy rhythm of northern Spain, where days revolve around swimming, boating and long, relaxed lunches”.