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: Day trip to Morocco from Spain
by Moo_27 27 May 2012
Thanks for the advice and suggestions so far - really useful thank you!!
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RE: Day trip to Morocco from Spain
by battybilly 27 May 2012
Like *1 wisely says, a day trip is fully feasible. However, being a regular visitor to Morocco - I'd suggest (if you possibly can) doing…
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RE: Day trip to Morocco from Spain
by WanderinWilco 27 May 2012
On a one day trip it is feasible if the ferry is running (from Gib they are not as frequent). A better option might be to catch an early…
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Things to do
- All things to do (3,621)
- Activities (516)
- Entertainment (806)
- Restaurants (886)
- Shopping (366)
- Sights (1,005)
- 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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The Camino’s Ugly Side
Blog: Ottsworld - 25 May 2012
The Camino de Santiago trail is gorgeous – but like any beautiful creature it also has it’s ugly moments. It’s easy for you to sit and look at all of my Camino de Santiago photos and be swept up into the stunning landscapes and simplicity of life along the Camino; however before you book your [...]
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Travel Photos: Surprise in Spain
Blog: A Traveler's Library - 24 May 2012
Spain Week When we went to Spain, we spent several days taking short road trips into the mountains above the Costa del Sol, returning to a condo on the beach each evening. We drove through beautiful national forest land, down into valleys and back up again, wondering why the Spanish had never discovered the use [...]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. We'll leave a light on for you.
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Velvet moments: travel photo – ladies of Valencia
Blog: velvet escape's blog - 23 May 2012
It was a Sunday morning in Valencia and I sat at a café on the edge of the Plaza de la Virgen opposite the Cathedral with a cortado (an espresso with a shot of milk) and a croissant. It was my last day in Valencia and I thought of my visit to this fabulous city. [...]Velvet moments: travel photo – ladies of Valencia is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog
