Spain Travel Guide

Whether you want to laze on a beach for days, take a short city break, or go skiing, Spain has something to suit your holiday needs. There are many attractions in Spain which interest all different types of holiday maker from golfers and sun seekers, to city explorers and hikers. The bustling nightlife of Barcelona and Madrid are a favorite for those looking for a city break and Spain’s coastline is full of resorts and villas for those looking to relax in the sunshine. Use our suggestions for things to see and do below to get some inspiration for your holiday activities...

Spain Tourist Board The official website for the Spanish Tourist Board. This site contains information on where to go, what to do and lots of other useful information about Spain.

Things to See and Do

• Visit a Tapas bar - Tapas are Spain’s national dish and are available in restaurants and bars anywhere in Spain.
• Go and see a bullfight, an inescapable part of Spain’s history.
• Take a tour of Gaudi's Barcelona - Antoni Gaudi’s famous Basilica has drawn many people to the city of Barcelona. His architecture is famous and is the reason why many people visit the city.
• Visit the Alhambra in Granada. The Alhambra Moorish fortress protected the city's inhabitants from invasion for hundreds of years. The gardens are beautiful and a whole day can easily be spent exploring them.
• Make time to see a Flamenco show and always do your research before going to ensure that you see an authentic show.
• Visit Madrid's three essential museums and see the works of Spain’s famous artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali in Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Museo del Prado, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
• Try the Spanish dish of paella, which is available almost anywhere in Spain.
• Visit Seville and admire its lovely cathedral with its Giralda tower, the neighboring Alcazar castle and garden complex, and the Plaza de España.
• See the areas of Austrian and Galicia in the north-west of Spain, this lush green area differs to the rest of the country and is well worth a visit to see an alternative side to Spain.

Festivals and Events

• Cabalgata de Reyes - any medium to large city will stage a spectacular and colourful procession. (January).
• Tamborrada de San Sebastian/The San Sebastian Drum Festival, San Sebastian, Basque Country (January).
• In the week preceding Ash Wednesday and Lent, the Carnaval event is an excuse for partying and masques. (February).
• Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated across Spain with religious processions, the most theatrical are held in Seville, Malaga, and Murcia. (March/April).
• Feria de Abril is a spectacular week-long fair in Seville, with a major bull fighting festival. (April).
• Corpus Christi, a focus for religious processions in Toledo, Granada, and Valencia. There are also many town fiestas. (May).
• From the 23rd to 24th June, San Juan and Midsummer's Eve is celebrated with bonfires all over Spain. (June).
• Santiago de Compostela, a festival to honour Spain's patron saint, St James, with fireworks and bonfires. (July).
• La Tomatina, a tomato fight lasting for two hours! Valencia (August).
• Vendimia, the grape harvest celebrations in Jerez and other wine towns. (September).
• San Miguel - villages across the country celebrate their patron saint's day. (October).
• New Year is celebrated by eating a grape for every stroke of the clock in main squares and bars across the country.

Useful Phrases

Useful Telephone Numbers

Time Difference

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