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Introducing Spain
Stretching sun-drenched and untamed to the south of the wild and majestic Pyrenees, this passionate nation works a mysterious magic. Spain is littered with hundreds of glittering beaches; flamenco bailaors (dancers) swirl in flounces of colour; and toreros (bullfighters) strut their stuff in the bullrings. Summer holidaymakers gather around great pans of steaming paella (at its tasty best in Valencia) and pitchers of sangria…
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Beyond these clichéd images, a vast, unexpected panorama unfolds before you. Emerald green mountains seem to slide into the wild blue Atlantic in the north. Proud, solitary castles and medieval towns are strewn across the interior. White villages glitter in inland Andalucía. Rugged mountain ranges such as the Sierra Nevada (Europe’s most southerly ski resort) are draped across the country. The Celtic music of Cantabria, Asturias & Galicia reminds one of the misty lands of Brittany, Scotland and Ireland.
From its Roman relics to Muslim palaces, from baroque cathedrals and Modernista constructions, the country is a treasure chest of artistic and architectural marvels across a matchless cultural palette. More than 30 years of democracy and rapid economic development have spurred Spain’s cities to bedeck themselves with sparkling new ornaments. An army of local and international architects has left a slew of daring signature buildings in Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid, to name a few.
Up and down the country, a zest for life creates an intense, hedonistic vibe in its effervescent cities. Indeed, if there is one thing Spaniards love, it is to eat, drink and be merry, whether gobbling up tapas over fine wine in Madrid and the south, or its elaborate Basque Country equivalent, pintxos, over cider in the north.
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: Dec 8, 2009
Tips & articles
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Best things to do in 2010
27 November 2009
Rest up while you can, dear travellers, because 2010 is going to be an action-packed year! Total eclipse...
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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...
Spain
Our Top Picks For Spain
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1 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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2 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
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3 Granada
Eight hundred years of Muslim rule left an indelible mark on this fascinating city, dominated by the magic of the Alhambra
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4 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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5 Madrid
With its grand boulevards and art museums and outrageous nightlife till dawn, there’s no time for boredom
Fast Facts about Spain
- Head of government
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
- Highest point in peninsular Spain
Mulhacén at 3479m
- Official languages
Spanish (Castilian or castellano), Catalan, Galician (gallego), Basque (euskera/vasco)
- Area
505, 000 sq km
- Famous for
Bullfighting, Pablo Picasso, jamón, sunshine, Penelope Cruz, Don Quijote, Pedro Almodóvar films, late nights, tapas, Manolo Blahnik
- Capital
- Population
46.6 million
- Captain of Spanish national football team
Iker Casillas
- Foodie fact
Spaniards spend more on food per capita than anyone else in Europe!
- 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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Holiday apartments in Sagrada Familia
Blog: Barcelona travel and culture - 10 December 2009
Quite a few questions come up from time to time and many are often about accommodation i.e. vacation rentals and holiday apartment rentals in Barcelona. Las Ramblas is often asked about, as are Exiample and Sagrada Familia.
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More Travel Tales by Emily Callagan
Blog: GoBackpacking - 10 December 2009
You remember Emily Callagan, right? She wrote the most popular article on Go Backpacking last month, entitled “The Importance of Hooking Up Abroad.” Since so many people enjoyed her writing, we thought it was time to share a little more of it. The following excerpts are from her stories on Drexel’s blog, The Smart Set. Birthday Wish I [...]Buy travel insurance from Worldnomads.com (Lonely Planet's preferred carrier)
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Madrid Barcelona - Barcelona's Best restaurant
Blog: Barcelona Travel and Living - 7 December 2009
I have eaten in probably a hundred plus restaurants, bars and cafes in Barcelona over the last few years and there is a clear winner in my mind when balancing quality, to cost, to service and to location.
