Visitors Guide to Spain
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Guide no: 96
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History, Geography, Tourism
Plane, Train, Boat, Car
Health, Entry Requirements, Security etc
Cities, Museums, Castles, Churches, Monuments, Natural Phenomena
Golf, Rafting, Sailing, Canoeing, Horse Riding, Climbing, Paragliding etc
Food, Restaurants
Festivals, Concerts, Special Events
About Spain
Spain is the second largest country in Europe. It comprises the spanish mainlaind, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands. A huge plateau (Meseta Central) surrounded by mountain ranges forms most of the interior of the mainland. Other mountain ranges of note include the Pyrenees, which seperate Spain from France in the north east, and the Sierra Nevada in the south east near Granada. The coastal areas are mainly lowlands with the largest being the Andalucian Plain in the south west and the Ebro Basin in the north east. Most of Spain is covered in shrubs with most woodlands being found on the mountain slopes especially in the north west.
Tourism is mainly centred around the coastal areas which have an abundance of good sandy beaches and rocky coves. The hot dry climate makes it a popular summer destination for sun seeking holiday makers while the mild winters in the south of the country attract winter visitors escaping the colder climate of northern Euurope. In particularly the Canary Islands, being further south, are a popular Christmas destination. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza are also a popular summer destination offering fine beaches and rocky coves. Mallorca is the most developed while Menorca is the greenest and the 24 hour life style of Ibiza make it a popular destination for the young.
Spain is also a popular city break destination, with Madrid, Barcelona and Granada being of particular interest.
While Spain is most well-known for its costas, there is also an abundance of scenery inland. In particular, the north is greener and more hilly than the centre and the south, with skiing available in the Pyrenees mountains. Even in the south, it does not take long to get away from the coast and into picturesque rural areas.
For places to stay, choose from villas (or casas) to rent by the sea with fantastic ocean views, or spend your holidays in self catering apartments, flats, bungalows and cabins to let on the coast. Inland are fincas (originally farmhouses although the term is somewhat more widely used now), country houses, lodges, cabins and chalets. Cave houses in the south provide something unusual and different. For those on a budget, Spain still represents great value compared to much of Western Europe and cheap studio lettings are available, although some of those luxury penthouses are not to be missed either! For short stays or a more Spanish experience, B&Bs and guesthouses are also available.
Spain is the second largest country in Europe. It comprises the spanish mainlaind, Balearic Islands and Canary Islands. A huge plateau (Meseta Central) surrounded by mountain ranges forms most of the interior of the mainland. Other mountain ranges of note include the Pyrenees, which seperate Spain from France in the north east, and the Sierra Nevada in the south east near Granada. The coastal areas are mainly lowlands with the largest being the Andalucian Plain in the south west and the Ebro Basin in the north east. Most of Spain is covered in shrubs with most woodlands being found on the mountain slopes especially in the north west.
Tourism is mainly centred around the coastal areas which have an abundance of good sandy beaches and rocky coves. The hot dry climate makes it a popular summer destination for sun seeking holiday makers while the mild winters in the south of the country attract winter visitors escaping the colder climate of northern Euurope. In particularly the Canary Islands, being further south, are a popular Christmas destination. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza are also a popular summer destination offering fine beaches and rocky coves. Mallorca is the most developed while Menorca is the greenest and the 24 hour life style of Ibiza make it a popular destination for the young.
Spain is also a popular city break destination, with Madrid, Barcelona and Granada being of particular interest.
While Spain is most well-known for its costas, there is also an abundance of scenery inland. In particular, the north is greener and more hilly than the centre and the south, with skiing available in the Pyrenees mountains. Even in the south, it does not take long to get away from the coast and into picturesque rural areas.
For places to stay, choose from villas (or casas) to rent by the sea with fantastic ocean views, or spend your holidays in self catering apartments, flats, bungalows and cabins to let on the coast. Inland are fincas (originally farmhouses although the term is somewhat more widely used now), country houses, lodges, cabins and chalets. Cave houses in the south provide something unusual and different. For those on a budget, Spain still represents great value compared to much of Western Europe and cheap studio lettings are available, although some of those luxury penthouses are not to be missed either! For short stays or a more Spanish experience, B&Bs and guesthouses are also available.
Spain has three main trans-continental airports listed below and many regional airports, too many to list here. See regional guides for details.
Barcelona is the main train entry point from Europe through France. Trains also operate between Lisbon (Portugal) and Madrid.
Barcelona is the main train entry point from Europe through France. Trains also operate between Lisbon (Portugal) and Madrid.
Museums Art - Prado Museum(Madrid), Antoni T�pies(Barcelona), Museu Picasso(Barcelona), National Art Museum of Catalonia(Barcelona), Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao), The Dal� Museum(Figueres)
Natural History - National museum of Natural History(Madrid)
Archeaology - Provincial Archaeological Museum(Valencia), National Museum of Archaeology(Madrid)
Natural History - National museum of Natural History(Madrid)
Archeaology - Provincial Archaeological Museum(Valencia), National Museum of Archaeology(Madrid)
Historic Buildings Alhambra Palace(Granada)
Seville Cathedral(Seville)
Sagrada Familia(Barcelona)
Seville Cathedral(Seville)
Sagrada Familia(Barcelona)
Golf courses Spain has many champonship courses throughout the country - Website
CuisineBack to top
The cuisine varies throughout the country but includes a lot of fish dishes, some served with rice such as Paella, which is a speciality of the Valencia region. Other traditional food include cured ham and spicy sausage.
Arguably even better known thas paella is tapas. This takes the form of small saucers of appetizers such as anchovies, olives, Russian salad and almost anything else savoury, hot or cold.
The cuisine varies throughout the country but includes a lot of fish dishes, some served with rice such as Paella, which is a speciality of the Valencia region. Other traditional food include cured ham and spicy sausage.
Arguably even better known thas paella is tapas. This takes the form of small saucers of appetizers such as anchovies, olives, Russian salad and almost anything else savoury, hot or cold.
What's OnBack to top
Notable events in Spain:
Notable events in Spain:
Mar/Apr Semana Santa(10 day festival depicting the fall and rise of Jesus) Seville and other cities throughout Spain
July San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run)
Cristianos y Moros - The story of the return to chrisianity from moorish control represented by mock battles. Held around July in the Alicante region but celebrated at diferent times of the year rhrough the country.
Cristianos y Moros - The story of the return to chrisianity from moorish control represented by mock battles. Held around July in the Alicante region but celebrated at diferent times of the year rhrough the country.
August Tomatina Tomato Fight Bunol 1hr from Valencia
Semana Grande (Bilbao) general festival with rock and jazz concerts
Semana Grande (Bilbao) general festival with rock and jazz concerts
March Las Fallas 5day firework and puppet burning festival(Valencia)
April Feria de Sevilla Two week general festival with flamenco dancing, animals and rides for the childrens, horses, Bullfighting and plenty of sherry drinking.
Feb/Mar Carnival General Carnival Top cities include(Cadiz,Tenerif,Madrid,Sitges)