Spain... Corrida, flamenco and tiled roofs under the blazing sun - isn't it romantic? Do you want to fall in love with the beautiful southern country definitively and irrevocably? Then you must try it:
1. See how real Spanish flamenco is performed
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This passionate and expressive dance is adored in all regions of Spain. For example, in Madrid, seasoned travelers recommend immersing yourself in the enchanting rhythms of flamenco at Tablao Villa Rosa. In Barcelona, check out Tablao de Carmen, Tablao Cordobes and Palacio del Flamenco (admission €39-77 / €42-70 / €30-90 respectively), and in the Costa Brava - La Masia, La Siesta or Comte de Valltordera (€38-50 / €29-72 / €40-55 per ticket). Great live music, songs and, of course, flamenco!"
2. Taste traditional cuisine.
Spain is a foodie's paradise. Each area of the country (there are about 50 of them) is famous for its unique gastronomic delights, and it's impossible not to try them.
In Andalucía, for example, the crowning specialty is cold tomato gazpacho soup and a dish called puchero (a sort of sauce made from potatoes, several meats, vegetables and chickpeas).
In the Basque Country you should try changurros (clams with crab) and potatoes with mackerel (marmitaco), and in Cantabria you can't pass up locally produced beef and cheese.
Galicia will surely be remembered for its boiled octopus and pote (pork and cabbage stew), while Asturian cuisine should be appreciated for its fabada, a thick bean soup with ham and sausage.
Catalan cazuela (oxtail stew with vegetables) and Valencian paella and fideua (vermicelli with seafood) are good additions to a gastronomic tour of Spain. For meat lovers, Central Spain is the first place to go for a variety of sausages, hams and meat dishes!
Tip: when choosing where to eat, favor establishments that are popular with locals, as this is usually the first indicator of quality.
More on the national cuisine of Spain
3. Go to a bullfight
The original Spanish entertainment nowadays attracts tourists primarily because of the intensity of emotions and the colorfulness of the action.
The color and atmosphere of bullfighting can be experienced in arenas in Madrid (Las Ventas Arena, March to October), Pamplona (Plaza de Torros, July 5 to 14), Ronda (Real Maestranza, April to October), Seville (in the country's oldest arena, Plaza de Toros de Maestranza, April 3 to 10), Málaga (La Malagueta, March to September), Cordoba (Los Califas Arena, May 24-31) and Valencia (Plaza de Torros, in April and July). Tickets cost from €10.
4. Visit Gaudi Park in Barcelona.
Spain, however, is not only famous for its cuisine and bullfighting. Architecture is another hallmark of this sunny country, and its crowning glory is undoubtedly the work of the great Antoni Gaudi. You can appreciate the architect's talent just by walking around Barcelona, where the famous Catalan lived and worked: the majestic Sagrada Familia, the Casa Vicença, Parc Güell and Casa Batlló are what make this city unique.
5. Go skiing in the Sierra Nevada
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You think Spain and snow are incompatible? Well, you'd be wrong! Snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts should head to the ski resorts of Sierra Nevada. Bright sun, snow, a sea of entertainment and, of course, slopes of different levels of difficulty - what else can you dream of? Another plus - you can get to Sierra Nevada from neighboring Malaga, Cordoba, Seville and Granada by bus in just over an hour.
6. Go to a soccer game
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Even if you're not one of the lucky fans of the game, not going to a soccer game in Spain is like not trying pizza in Italy. It's not for nothing that the Spanish are the world's third largest soccer fans!
Take in the atmosphere of excitement and adrenaline at one of the best stadiums in the country:
- Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid's home stadium is one of UEFA's top-category stadiums and the second largest in Spain.
- "Camp Nou"
The home stadium of another soccer "monster", Barcelona, and the largest in Europe in terms of capacity.
- Mestalla
The Mestalla Stadium in Valencia is the home stadium of the soccer club of the same name.
7. Go back in time at the Alhambra
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The fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada is a must-see for any visitor to Spain. Christian, Muslim and Moorish architecture and flavor combine in an intricate and wonderfully organic way, and the shady courtyards with gurgling fountains seem endless to stroll through.
Tip: To get to the palace without a hitch, it's worth buying tickets in advance, for example here.
8. Taste local wines
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Spain isn't just the home of jamon and paella. The country is famous for its vineyards and delicious wines, so you must take a day to visit one of the local wineries. Here you'll be offered a variety of wines to try, and after tasting, you can buy your favorite as a pleasant (and tasty) reminder of Spain.
Reserve a tasting here or here.
9. Light it up in Ibiza
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The world-famous holiday island welcomes everyone who wants to dance the night away, as the nightclubs and discos of Ibiza are the place to be if you've got energy to spare. Where to go?
Amnesia for foamy parties with great live electronic music, Space for a crazy mix of techno and traditional Balearic rhythms, Pacha Ibiza if you're into grunge and house, and of course Privilege, the biggest club in the world.
10. See the fountain show at the Montjuïc hill in Barcelona
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When in Barcelona, be sure to wait until the evening to watch the colorful show of singing fountains on the hill of Montjuïc. It's an unparalleled spectacle of color and water that you'll remember for a long time.
The fountains are free of charge. Opening hours are fall-winter (Friday through Saturday from 19:00 to 21:00) and summer-spring (Thursday through Sunday from 21:00 to 23:30). Address: Pl. Carles Buïgas.
Have a good trip!
