With its sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches, World Heritage cities, incredible cuisine, and multi-faceted culture, Spain is one of the best places to visit. It is unlike anything else.
Spain has a long and storied history of Catholic monarchies, Muslim caliphates and New World conquistadores. There are many places to visit in this Iberian destination.
Squeeze every moment out of your next vacation with tips and tricks from Lonely Planet in our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.The Spanish capital is a lively city with year-round clear blue skies. The Templo de Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple located in Madrid.
Some of the world's most valuable art collections can be found in Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art", which includes the Museo del Prado, Reina Sofa and the Thyssen- Bornemisza. The Paseo del Prado is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
One of the best streets in Madrid is called Cava Baja, which is lined with quaint little bars and taverns.
Straddling the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees mountains, the Catalonian capital is a visually stunning metropolis that stands out for its avant-garde architecture, city beaches and a Gothic Quarter.
The obra maestra of the illustrious Catalan architect and proponent of Modernism,Antoni Gaud, is one of the highlights of a trip to Barcelona. The Casa Batll, La Pedrera and Park Gell are some of the architectural jewels that he has created.
The Plaa Reial is located at the heart of the city's Gothic Quarter. The public square is illuminated by street lamps. The Gothic Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia were built over two centuries ago in this area. One of the oldest markets in Europe is located at the border of the quarter.
It's a good idea to visit Mercat de la Boqueria at lunchtime when the places to eat are not well known.
The beautiful Basque coastal city is characterized by its elegant architecture, white sand beaches, and blue waters of the Bay of Biscay. You can walk along the boulevard of La Concha beach to get a feel for the locals.
San Sebastin is a world-famous gastronomy capital and used to be a whaling town. It's the second city in the world with the mostMichelin stars, and has the greatest concentration of restaurants with the prestigious rating.
You don't have to have a lot of money to enjoy San Sebastian's food culture. The parte Vieja is located along 31 de Agosto street. The streets here are lined with restaurants and bars selling various types of food. These Appetizers are presented with skewers or toothpicks for easy pick up.
The outlying islands east of the Iberian Peninsula are known as the Baltic blues. The islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera are home to many beaches and calas.
Ibiza is the most famous of these islands because of its reputation as a partying place. Ibiza is a small part of the world heritage list. There is a plethora of hidden inlets and charming beachfront restaurants and cafes. The ancient colonies that inhabited this island before the clubbers discovered it can be seen at the ruins of the ancient Phoenician civilization.
It's easy to feel like you're in the same place because of its year-round sunny days, lush gardens and intricately carved palaces, but that's not the case. Horse drawn carriages, flamenco tablaos, huge Gothic structures and Islamic stylings combine to create a dreamscape of a city.
Once a Moorish capital, later the seat of the Castilian aristocracy, and then as the European gateway to the Americas after Columbus' journey in 1492, Sevilla has a rich cultural tapestry. When visiting the Real Alczar, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the final resting place of Columbus, you can see the unique juxtaposition of cultures.
Do you want to experience a big event? The Semana Santa and Feria de Abril are two of the city's best annual festivals.
The walled city is a significant part of Spain's history. The seat of power of King Charles V and the former capital of Spain are included in the UNESCO World Heritage site. Toledo is known as The City of Three Cultures. There are ancient Roman structures, Moorish architectural styles, and the Gothic Cathedral that can be seen on the narrow cobblestone streets.
You can take a picture of the historic city by the Tagus River if you head over to the Mirador del Valle.
The final destination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage is Santiago de Compostela, a place that has been visited by pilgrims for over 1000 years. Pilgrims from all over the world pay their respects at the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela on a daily basis.
The mystical beauty of this northern Spanish city can be enjoyed by even non-pilgrims. The oldest hotel in the world that was once a hostel for pilgrims is located at the Plaza del Obradoiro.
The Mercado de Abastos is Santiago's second most popular attraction after the Cathedral and features excellent seafood.
The city of Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is a postcard-perfect example of Andalusia. The last Muslim dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula to rule until the 15th century was the Nasrid Dynasty. It's impossible to not feel transported to a fantasy world with its intricately carved walls and archways.
The Palacio de Generalife is located by the Alhambra, a summer palace with gardens and perfectly orchestrated fountains.
The article was first published about a year ago.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
