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:
- Download our new Spanish Offline Translator app. Simply talk or type, and it translates. Available for iPhone, iPad and Andorid.
- Go on a 4-day trip to Cordoba, Seville and Granada
- Discover the hidden valleys and soaring peaks of Spain's Picos de Europa
- Gourmet food and Catalan culture on a tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars
Last updated: Jan 18, 2012
Tips & articles
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Seville’s fine art of flamenco
2 May 2012
Seville’s flamenco roots run deep. If you don’t feel its rhythms singing through the winding streets and among the orange...
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Ask Lonely Planet: where can I find a unique seaside honeymoon spot?
1 May 2012
A honeymoon with seaside charm but none of the cliches? Our travel experts were full of suggestions for Lonely Planet...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: A political question: parties in Belgium
by crackedpleasures 22 May 2012
I wouldn't say Belgium has no crisis whatsoever, I'd however say those complaining should first see the state Spain (where I've lived…
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Going to Spain June 28 - July 8 and looking for travel buddy
by Travelin_Canuck 22 May 2012
Hi, I'm a Canadian and will be checking out Spain from June 28th to July 8th and would like a traveling partner. This will be my first…
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RE: A political question: parties in Belgium
by Peejee 22 May 2012
Fair point. Well I would vote NVA if I was still living in Belgium. That would probably make you cringe. I just got back from a 10 day…
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Spain
Things to do
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- Activities (514)
- Entertainment (805)
- Restaurants (884)
- Shopping (364)
- Sights (1,000)
- Tours (42)
Make it happen
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
Our favourite Spain Blogs (beta)
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A bird’s eye view of Costa Brava
Blog: velvet escape's blog - 22 May 2012
Costa Brava, in the northern corner of Catalonia (Spain) is one of my favourite destinations in the world. Not many places combine sun, sea, nature, culture and gastronomy as effortlessly as Costa Brava. Every time I visit, there’s always something new to experience: another gastronomic highlight, an artistic wonder or a hidden panorama. A great [...]A bird’s eye view of Costa Brava is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog
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SPAIN WEEK: Hidden Assassins
Blog: A Traveler's Library - 21 May 2012
Spain Week Three books–set in Seville, in Barcelona and in a small fishing village are our ticket for travel to Spain this week. Here’s the first. Come back Wednesday and Friday for the next two. Destination: Seville Book: The Hidden Assassins, by Robert Wilson (2006) I’m back with one of my favorite detective novelists, Robert [...]This content is a post from: A Traveler's Library To comment on this post or search for related information, click on the link to A Traveler's Library.
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Postcard from Sarria Spain
Blog: Ottsworld - 21 May 2012
“No one grows old by living, only by losing interest in living.” I left this quote along the trail to inspire others this week. Yet as I walked on through the week I realized that this was really the theme of my Camino week 4. I met an American man who was 80 years old [...]
