British holidaymakers are flocking to Spain’s ‘Cornwall’ and it is easy to see why

This Easter, a quiet travel trend is emerging among Brits in Spain and it’s taking them far from the usual sun-soaked resorts.

Instead of flocking to the Balearics or Costa del Sol, more British travellers are heading north, to a rugged, green region on Spain’s Atlantic coast often dubbed the “Cornwall of Spain.” The place is Galicia.

It comes at a time when British tourism to Spain is not only booming, but changing. Spain welcomed over 19 million UK visitors in 2025, with growing numbers choosing to travel outside peak summer months and explore lesser-known regions.

And Easter, it seems, is becoming the perfect moment to do exactly that.

The unexpected Easter destination Brits are turning to

Galicia feels like a different country compared to the Spain most expats know. Here, dramatic cliffs replace beach clubs, rolling green hills stretch inland, and seafood-heavy menus rival anything you’d find in coastal Britain.

It’s this familiarity that’s earning it comparisons to Cornwall: not just visually, but culturally too. The region’s Celtic heritage, cooler climate and wild coastline give it a distinctly northern European feel.

For Brits used to traditional Easter breaks back home: coastal walks, blustery beaches, long pub lunches – Galicia offers something similar, but with a Spanish twist.

And crucially, it delivers what many travellers are now actively seeking: space.

While Spain continues to break tourism records, welcoming nearly 97 million international visitors, the vast majority still concentrate in a handful of destinations.

That imbalance is pushing more travellers to look elsewhere.

Why Easter travel trends are shifting in Spain

The rise of Galicia fits into a wider change in how, and when, Brits are travelling.

Tourism officials have noted a clear move towards off-peak travel, with fewer people packing into July and August and more opting for spring and autumn escapes.

Easter sits right in that sweet spot: warm enough to explore, but without the crowds or soaring prices of summer.

There’s also a growing appetite for what’s often called “slow travel”: swapping poolside holidays for something more immersive. Galicia delivers that in spades, whether it’s walking part of the Camino de Santiago, exploring fishing villages, or simply eating your way along the coast.

For Brits living in Spain, it’s an easy domestic escape that feels completely different from the usual expat circuit. For visitors flying in, it offers a new way to experience a country many think they already know.

Spain isn’t losing its appeal – far from it. But the way Brits are travelling here is evolving.

And this Easter, it’s not just about where’s hot. It’s about what’s next.