Spain Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Asturias
The green valleys and picturesque fishing villages of this northern province (www.infoasturias.com) don't feel like traditional Spain, and when you encounter the cider culture and bagpipes you'll wonder just how strong Celtic roots can be. Super seafood and hospitality redeem the regular showers.

Ávila
Take the high road to Spain's loftiest provincial capital (www.avilaturismo.com), a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its perfectly preserved 11th-century walls and for being the birthplace of the 16th-century mystic, St Teresa.

Barcelona
Immerse yourself in Barcelona (www.barcelonaturisme.com), from the cramped alleyways of the Barri Gótic (Gothic quarter) to the 19th-century Eixample quarter, where many Gaudi buildings lie. Stroll along the Rambla and on to old Barceloneta and the seafront. Sights include the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), the Seu (old cathedral), the Episcopal Palace and the Palau de la Generalitat. Take the funicular to Tibidabo or a cable car to Montjuic.

Bilbao
Visit Frank Gehry's marvelous Guggenheim Museum, which has turned the main city of the Basque region into a top tourist destination. The museum is a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture. Bilbao's Old Town is extensive with a gothic cathedral and atmospheric shopping streets studded with gourmet pintxo bars.

Cádiz province
The province that packs it all in could take weeks of your time, from the hiking around the picturesque white villages of its interior to its breezy Atlantic beaches and world-famous Sanlúcar prawns. Cádiz itself is a spectacular peninsular city with a unique atmosphere, while Jerez is home of sherry.

Camino de Santiago
Tread in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela (www.santiago-compostela.net) a center of pilgrimage since the early middle ages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The focal point for all visits is Santiago's Cathedral, a stunning blend of Romanesque and Baroque.

Córdoba
Live and breathe the essence of Moorish Spain in the winding streets of Córdoba (www.turismodecordoba.org), the former seat of the 10th-century Caliphate. The Mezquita (Great Mosque) is a mystic wonder. Just outside the city the ruins of Medina Azahara are similarly atmospheric.

Madrid
Explore Spain's capital (www.esmadrid.com). The Prado is a paradise for art lovers. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia focuses on modern art and houses Picasso's famous Guernica. Also don't miss the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid's Royal Palace, the atmosphere around Puerta del Sol and Madrid's historic square, the Plaza Mayor.

Mérida
Capture a whiff of ancient Rome among the stunning ruins of this western town, which also boasts an excellent Roman museum and underrated local wines. Extremadura, home to acorn-eating pigs that produce some of Spain's finest ham, is scorching in summer and chilly in winter but a much-bypassed region that rewards exploration.

Monasteries
Heartbreakingly beautiful Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found across the north of the country, with lonely San Juan de la Peña in the Pyrenees competing with Soria's San Juan de Duero and Burgos province's Santo Domingo de Silos as the most atmospheric cloisters.

Salamanca
See this ancient university town with many superb Baroque and Renaissance buildings, including its majestic Plaza Mayor, the finest public square in Spain. As well as the twin cathedrals and fine university buildings, visit the absorbing Museo Art Nouveau y Art Deco, with its fascinating collections from the first half of the 20th century.

Sevilla
Andalucía's hedonistic capital (www.turismo.sevilla.org) is the romantic heart of Spain, city of flamenco, of Carmen and Don Juan. Wander the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter, snacking at tapas bars, and admire the immense Gothic cathedral with its Moorish belltower. Opposite, the Alcázar is a superb example of Mudéjar (Christian-Moorish) architecture.

The Alhambra
The supreme creation of Moorish Spain is this magical palace-fortress (www.alhambra.org) that imperiously oversees the city of Granada. But it's by no means all there is to see in this seductive place, with its extensive Moorish quarter, spectacular Christian-era buildings and wonderful tapas culture.

Toledo
Head south of Madrid to this ancient Spanish capital (www.toledoweb.org), which is dominated by the magnificent cathedral and Alcázar. The cathedral has a magnificent series of paintings by El Greco, who made his home here; his Burial of the Count of Orgaz, is in the Santo Tomé Church.

Valencia
Check out Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Science Park in this forward-looking southeastern city (www.comunitatvalenciana.com). The Hemispheric, an amazing glass structure, houses a planetarium, IMAX dome and laserium. While in Valencia, visit the cathedral. It claims possession of the Holy Grail.

Top Things to Do

Bullfighting
This controversial but regularly thrilling gladiatorial activity is still very much alive in Spain. Most towns only hold bullfights during their annual spring or summer fiestas, but temples of tauromachy, like Madrid's Las Ventas or Sevilla's Maestranza, hold regular corridas. Book tickets via www.taquillatoros.com or www.tauroentrada.com.

Cycling
Pedal along one of the many vias verdes (www.viasverdes-ffe.com): scenic railway tracks converted to cycle paths. Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular, and paths and tracks are plentiful.

Fishing
Spain has opportunities for all types of fishing - the rivers and streams of the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa offer good freshwater casting, while trout is abundant throughout the country. Permits must be requested from the regional authorities.

Flamenco
Feel the passion of flamenco, in music, dance and song, throughout Andalucía and particularly the cities of Sevilla and Jerez de la Frontera.

Get chatting!
All Spanish cities have academies that offer classes, from a couple of days to kick-start your holiday to longer programs to gain real expertise. They can be combined with cultural visits and homestays for a richer experience.

Golf
Golf (www.golfspain.com) is immensely popular, with Costa del Sol and La Manga two of Spain's premier golfing destinations. The south of Spain has over 200 golf courses including many of mainland Europe's finest championship courses.

Enjoy Moorish pleasures
Soak in a real Arab bath or hammam, reconstructed to luxury standards to suit modern tastes. You can find them in many southern cities, often combined with a tetería, where you can sip mint tea on low cushions after your bath.

Mountain climbing
There are great opportunities for rock climbing in Spain's mountains. Well-known, challenging climbs include the Naranjo de Bulnes in the Picos de Europa and Monte Perdido in Ordesa National Park.

Run with bulls
Run with the bulls or join with the crowds at the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona (www.sanfermin.com). The famous 'running of the bulls' through the streets of the center takes place in July and attracts huge numbers of tourists.

Skiing
Spain has many natural ski runs and winter resorts, all well equipped with facilities. There are five main skiing regions, including the Pyrenean and Cantabrian ranges, and check out the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Granada, for the chance of combining a bit of winter sun with your snow.

Watersports
Swimming, jetskiing and waterskiing facilities can be found at nearly all seaside resorts. Spain's premier resort for windsurfing and kitesurfing is Tarifa, on the Atlantic coast, while surfing is big in the north, particularly around the Basque village of Mundaka. Spain is also great for sailing.

Wine Tasting
Wine tourism is relatively new in Spain, but the bodegas have upped their act recently. The wineries of La Rioja now offer everything from 5-star architectural treats with grapeskin spa treatments to state-of-the-art wine museums..