Top 5 Places to Visit While in Spain

Spain – a dynamic country, sure to breathe a breath of fresh air into any traveler’s wish for exciting adventures, great food and vibrant culture.  From running with the bulls in Madrid, to participating in the world’s largest tomato fight in Valencia, Spain is a playground filled with historic architecture, amazing cuisine and lively festivals.

While in Spain there is so much to take in.  To get the most out of your trip, include into your itinerary, cities and places that will allow you to sample and experience the best that Spain has to offer.

Madrid

Serving as the capital of Spain, Madrid, the country’s largest city is a multi-faceted metropolis that encompasses the finest in dining, entertainment, architecture and museums.

The city is admired for its 73 museums featuring the “Golden Triangle”, which is an assemblage of art museums, sure to excite and thrill any lover of art!

This assembly of museums include:  Museum Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the legendary Prado.  This museums carries some of the most distinguished art in the world including:  Goya’s Naked Maja and Clothed Maja, Velázquez’s Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), Bosch’s The Garden of Delights. 

Some of the amazing artists featured there are:  Fra Angelico, Raphael, El Greco, and Flemish artists such as: Van Dyck, Bosch and Rubens.

A visit to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Old Madrid, Retiro Park, the gardens, and the city’s incredible and world-famous plazas are all must-sees while in Madrid. 

Barcelona

The city is undoubtedly, the most popular destination in Spain.  Take a stroll down Las Ramblas, and incredibly popular street in Barcelona which covers the Gothic Quarter and the ‘barrios’ of La Ribera.

Along the stretch of Las Ramblas, you’ll experience vintage cafes and performances by the celebrated Las Ramblas Street Performers which perform throughout the main road.

Another great place is the underground Arabic grottos in El Born right next to Ciutadella Park.  There, you’ll experience Aire de Barcelona, a striking and gorgeous spa retreat.

Barcelona also boasts many wonderful plazas:

  • Plaça Sant Vicenç is well known for its café terraces and popular oyster bar
  • Plaça del Sol features a host of bars and restaurants
  • Plaça Sarrià is a very happening square which highlights Sardana dancing, with antique markets and books during the weekend
  • Other wonderful plazas include: Plaça Sant Vicenç, Plaça del Diamant, Plaça de Virreina, Plaça George Orwell, Plaça Reial and Plaça del Pi

Granada

This city is truly striking and is known as a vacation spot for locals.  There you will see dramatic and breath-taking views, beautiful weather during the summer, and free tapas with each beer you purchase!

The city is also home to the Moorish Alhambra.  There are two unique sections – The Fortress Complex and the Generalife Gardens.

Within the Fortress Complex:

  • Museo de Bellas Artes – Fine art museum
  • Nasrid Palace – The Palaces of  Mexuar (Moorish Palaces) and  Moorish architecture

Within the Generalife Gardens:

  • Gardens and orchards which encircle the villas

In addition, Granada offers some of the most superb flamenco performances in the region, and during the winter, the Sierra Nevada Mountains provide for some of the best winter sports.

Festivals

Spain features some of the best festivals in the world and no matter what time of year you’re visiting, you’re sure to encounter one of them, if not many!

  • Carnival Tenerife in   Tenerife, Canary         Islands  (February)     –          compared to    festivals          given in Rio de Janeiro
  • Las Fallas Festival in             Valencia (March         15th – 19th) – raucous party filled with         firework displays
  • Semana Santa in Seville & Malaga, Andalucia (on the week prior to Easter Sunday) – a religious type parade celebrating images of La Macarena , Jesús El Gran Poder, and Triana
  • Feria de Abril in Seville, Andalucia (April) – riders and their horses, tents, food, music and the traditional parade
  • Fiesta San Isidro in Madrid (May 2nd – 15th) – outdoor dances and bullfight festival
  • St. John’s Bonfires in Alicante, Costa Blanca (June 20th) – bon fires, entertainment, fireworks and parades
  • Sant Joan Festival in Menorca, Balearic Islands (June 23rd – 24th) – very vibrant event with riders and their horses as the main attraction
  • San Fermín Fiestas & running of the bulls in Pamplona – July 6th – 14th
  • La Tomatina, Tomato Fight Festival in Valencia (on the last Wednesday of August) – a big tomato fight
  • Castellers – La Mercè Festival in Barcelona (September 24th) – the local’s festival 

Ibiza

This city is the party mecca of Spain.  It’s all about long days on the beach and clubbing at night.

Warm, translucent, deep blue water, with gorgeous sea views and brilliant coastline, makes for a well-liked destination for divers.

A must-see in Ibiza is the Hippy Market where you’ll find East Asian silver jewelry, leather moccasins, colorful wraps and trinkets.

There are a number of lovely spas for detoxing, yoga, meditation and overall beauty indulgence.

The Can Marça Caves are absolutely astounding with its gold and yellow tones, and at the center is a fantastic Music & Light Show amid a 30 ft. waterfall of brilliant and sparkling water.

Check out Dalt Vila, a medieval romantic castle, and later, head to Ibiza’s bustling night life.

It’s a festive experience at night as you’ll encounter fetish shops, many gay bars, hippie-chic boutiques, all along the Calle de la virgin. 

If the “festive experience” is a bit too robust for you, head over to one of three diverse restaurant districts in Ibiza Town which offer fine dining at its best.

  • Dalt Vila (the old walled town) – historic with a romantic drawbridge which leads you to the plaza and restaurants
  • Sa Penya (the old fishermen’s quarter) – cobbled stone streets filled with restaurants and bars
  • The Portpositioned around the water’s edge, has upscale cafes, restaurants and bars along with an upscale price!  The Port marks the spot where club parades begin.

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