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Introducing Spain
Some clichés hold true. Spain, stretching sun-drenched and untamed to the south of the wild and majestic Pyrenees, is a passionate nation littered with glittering beaches where beach lovers soak up pitchers of sangria over steaming paella (at its tasty best in Valencia). Flamenco bailaors (dancers) stamp and swirl in flounces of colour, while toreros flaunt their bravado in the bullrings. Scratch this surface and a vast, unexpected panorama unfolds before you. It is extraordinary what splendours remain off the beaten track: the green hills and ocean coves of the north; proud, solitary castles and medieval towns, like Toledo, across the interior; the white villages of Andalucía; and mountain ranges such as the Gredos and Sierra Nevada (Europe's southernmost ski resort).
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Few know that Spain has four official languages. Its regions differ vastly from one another but are held together by a national passion for drama, contrast and a noisy, live-for-today hedonism. If there is one thing all Spaniards love, it is to eat, drink and be merry, whether enjoying tapas over fine wine in Madrid, Seville or Barcelona, or the elaborate Basque Country equivalent, pintxos, over cider in the north. A day hardly goes by without one town or another celebrating a fiesta.
The country combines its superb artistic and natural heritage with an infectious, go-ahead dynamism. In its kitchens, stores and building sites, Spain's avant-garde chefs, designers and architects have unleashed a formidable wave of uninhibited innovation. So pack your bags and head out to see it all for yourself.
Make it happen
Ready to go? These recommended tours make it easy:
- traverse the finest trails of the Sierra Nevada-Alpujarras National Park and explore Granada
- take in the Sierra de Tramuntana and the Majorcan coast on foot
- explore two of Spain's most fascinating cities on this exciting 8-day adventure to Madrid and Barcelona
- or check out some exciting things to do in Madrid
Want more? Choose from a wide selection of similar trips in Spain
Last updated: Oct 22, 2009
Tips & articles
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Raging bull: Festa do Boi in Allariz
20 November 2009
Dominic Bonuccelli travelled to Spain on assignment for Lonely Planet. You can follow his adventures...
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Baby-jumping: the work of the devil?
20 November 2009
Dominic Bonuccelli travelled to Spain on assignment for Lonely Planet. You can follow his adventures...
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Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled Spain itinerary
10 November 2009
A circuit through the northern reaches of Spain, incorporating colourful local festivals, is an Odyssean...
Spain
Our Top Picks For Spain
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1 Santiago de Compostela
The object of pilgrimage for centuries and still so today, this beautiful medieval city marks the end of the Camino de Santiago
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2 Madrid
With its grand boulevards and art museums and outrageous nightlife till dawn, there’s no time for boredom
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3 San Sebastián
The elegant old centre of this Basque city, sited on a crescent-shaped beach, is a hive of nocturnal activity
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4 Barcelona
Spain's Mediterranean jewel sparkles with its Gaudí and gourmet delights, a buzzing waterfront scene and 2000 years of history
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5 Balearic Islands
From Menorca's crystal coves and Mallorca's dramatic mountain coast to Ibiza's clubs and Formentera's chilled scene, these islands offer it all
Fast Facts about Spain
- Average life expectancy
79 years
- Highest point in peninsular Spain
Mulhacén at 3479m
- GDP
€840 billion
- Area
505, 000 sq km
- Unemployment rate
9.1%
- Inflation
3.9%
- Population
44.1 million
- GDP growth
3.4%
- GDP per head
€20, 020
- Biggest paella
Made in Valencia in 1992 in a pan 20m in diameter; it was eaten by 100, 000 people
Related Groups
Our favourite Spain Blogs (beta)
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More Bread Searching in Spain - Madrid Now
Blog: Green Earth Guides ~ Traveling Naturally - 23 November 2009
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The Cathedral of Burgos: A treat on the inside
Blog: Abroad in Spain: Travel Blog - 21 November 2009
Not too long ago I wrote a post about the exterior of the Cathedral of Burgos, a thirteenth century Catholic Cathedral. As far as cathedrals in Spain go, this one is a bit on the famous side — and it’s no wonder why. The building itself is beautiful. Just the other day I paid another trip to [...]
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Morocco's close ties with Spain
Blog: The View from Fez - 21 November 2009
While Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is the common language of Moroccans, many speak at least one other language, usually French, Modern Standard Arabic, and perhaps a Berber language. Judging by the success of language schools across the country, many people recognise the importance of learning or improving on their language skills, and Moroccans are very good at learning languages. There are nine American Language Centers in Morocco teaching English, and six Cervantes Centres for Spanish, as well as French Institutes in all major cities.
