Our pick of Spain’s best bits
The Spanish people really know how to enjoy life, and you can’t help but to absorb and project this mantra yourself through every pore when visiting Spain.
This is a country that practically pulsates with passion, excitement and a zest for life. The Spanish are immensely proud of their history and their culture and it’s not hard to see why.
Relish the traditional architecture, the colorful street art, thin streets lined with beautiful flowers, sun drenched beaches welcoming the warm coastal waters and some of the most delicious food you could ever wish to taste.
There are so many different things to do in Spain but here are five experiences that undoubtedly stand out, but are they the right five?
La Tomatina
La Tomatina Festival, or festival of the Tomatoes, is 100{1e29904c885515873022ed5b62c6c7d923686363a219a3c356dc5ccea4ad6161}, without a doubt, the most fun you can have with food. EVER.
Every year, on the last Wednesday of August, the small town of Bunol, just outside of Valencia, holds the world’s biggest food fight.
Once a year, this town of 9,000 people swells to almost 50,000 in preparation for 1 hour of Tomato throwing craziness through the narrow – and soon to be bright red – streets.
The start and end of the festival is signalled by the firing of water cannons, and what happens in between is the stuff of childhood dreams.
Barcelona
One of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities that are absolutely buzzing with atmosphere 24/7, Barcelona is interesting, fun and full of character.
Prepare to be spoilt with a huge selection of sights and experiences to explore from historic Gothic architecture (the biggest concentration in Europe no less), a beautiful sandy beach, museums, art galleries, delicious food and some of the best night life in Spain.
Benicassim
One of Europe’s best-loved music festivals… drum roll please… Benacassim. Party on the beach and enjoy gigs from some of the biggest acts in the world, all while topping up your tan and enjoying a nice cold beer. There’s no boots required at this festival it’s flip fl0ps and sunnies all the way! You can buy tickets to this year’s festival via Festicket.
Image: covered2go.co.uk
Camino de Santiago
Trek through town and country, past vineyards, through quiet little Spanish villages and across large green hillsides as you make your way from one side of Spain to the other (or start in France if you really want to go for it).
Camino de Santiago is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, originally taken by Christians wanting to reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, North West Spain where the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried.
However more recently it’s lost a bit of its religious significance and is more widely known, quite simply, as a trek which allows you to embed yourself right into the heart of Spain.
San Sebastian
Constantly mentioned among traveler’s favorite places in Spain, San Sebastian is a beautifully authentic Spanish coastal town in the Basque region in the north of the country. It provides exactly what you’d hope from a Spanish city break, including one of the best city beaches to be found anywhere in Europe, as well as quaint little street cafes serving pinxos – a selection of tapas held together by a cocktail stick (yum!).
Image: telegraph.co.uk
It’s thriving with cultural tit bits to digest at every corner, and somehow manages to perfectly balance the ‘typical’ with the unique providing a taste of Spain that will appeal to everyone. Particular highlights include the San Sebastian Film Festival and their International Film festival.
ANDALUCIA
A cool little route that would really show Spain off in its full glory is from Malaga to Granada to Cordoba to Seville. These stops are all in the region of Andalucia, renowned for arguably the best tapas in Spain and where flamenco dancing was invented!
Malaga has more museums than any other city in Spain, from Picasso to cars and wine to archaeology. The restaurant scene is pretty damn good thanks to Michelin star chef Dani Garcia.
Visit the Alhambra in Granada, a complex of spectacularly sand-colored Moorish palaces sitting a top of a mountain over looking the city.
Don’t miss the Mezquita in Cordoba, one of the most famous buildings in the world, and originally one of the most important mosques in the world.
In Seville head to Alameda a haven of buzzing bars and Soho Benita for independent shops and galleries.
LEARN SPANISH
Delve head first into life in one of the most vibrant countries, by taking Spanish lessons. If you’re keen to learn the language then this is the way to do it in style.
You can decide to learn anything from 1 week to 1 year and you can also choose to stay in a modern apartment in the city or in local Spanish home stay.
With courses available in a range of cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville and Malaga, this is a perfect opportunity to experience life as a resident of this extraordinary country, while gaining a skill (and experience) that will stay with you forever.