Spain

The Kingdom of Spain is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.  Portugal is located on the western side of the Peninsula.  Spain is bordered by the Bay of Biscay and France to the north,  Mediterranean Sea to the east and south, Atlantic Ocean to the southwest and Portugal to the west.  At the southern tip of Spain, across the Strait of Gibraltar, lies Africa which is approximately ten miles away. 

The south and east of the country is made up of mountains and valleys.  Major rivers include the Ebro in the NE, the Guadalquivir in the south and Tajo in the centre of the country. Spain includes the Canary and Balearic Islands.  Madrid is the largest and capital city of Spain.  Other major cities include Valencia, Seville and Barcelona.  The currency is the Euro. Castilian Spanish is the official language, but regional official languages include Catalan, Galician, and Basque. Spain joined NATO in 1982 and the EU in1986. 

Many people associate Spain with bull-fighting, crowded sunny beaches and flamenco dancing.  If you delve a little deeper there is so much history, culture and beauty to this country that is worth exploring.  From mysterious caves to Moorish palaces and castles to the weird and wonderful architecture of Gaudi and masterpieces of Picasso.  The beaches of the south coast resorts are popular year-round.

Andalucia is popular with bird watchers, especially for watching migrations as the Strait of Gibraltar is a route used by many species, such as raptors and storks, on their way between Europe and Africa.  Spain has a good climate for most of the year with the Mediterranean coastal areas enjoying mild winters, and the heat of high summer can be escaped by heading to the northwest of Spain.  Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of choices with the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges for both winter sports and summer activities.

Website:  www.spain.info

Alicante

Alicante is a port city located on the Costa Blanca in the region of Valencia on the Mediterranean Sea in the south east of the country.  It is one of the most popular tourist destinations for sun worshippers in the country.  Other than the lovely beaches there are also mountains, forests and historic castles close by.   Santa Barbara Castle is worth visiting for the wonderful views over the city and Bay of Alicante which can be accessed by car, a vigorous hike, or by lifts.   Alicante has all you would expect in the way of shopping, restaurants and nightlife.  Other attractions include the Cathedral, Archaeological Museum and Modern Art Museum.  You can catch a streetcar to take you from the port area to the beaches. The popular resort of Benidorm is close by. 

Website:  www.alicanteturismo.com

Barcelona

Barcelona is the main city of the region of Catalonia in north-eastern Spain.  Located on the Mediterranean it is a modern city and very popular as a tourist destination.  There are wide avenues to stroll as well as narrow and winding streets in the Old City.  The old city, or el Barri Gotic, is the medieval area which has plenty of atmospheric cafes, tapas bars and restaurants, including Picasso’s old haunt and the Picasso Museum which is located in one of the old palaces. 

Barcelona is probably most famously known for the surreal architecture of Antoni Gaudi.  Gaudi’s Church of the Sagrada Familia is one of the popular attractions and much-photographed as well as the Palau Guell and many other of his works around the city.  Other attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Picasso Museum, Museum of Catalonia, aquarium and the opera house.  Barcelona is a buzzing place for nightlife and restaurants.  The pedestrian street ‘Las Ramblas’ and Plaza de Catalunya are the places to see and be seen with the many street cafes, street performers and interesting stalls and shops. Or try Passeig de Gracia if you want the designer boutiques and shops.   Other famous Catalans include surrealist painters Salvadore Dali and Joan Miro.   In the area called Barceloneta you can catch a cable car for Montjuic – where you will find the Miro Museum.  Website:  www.barcelonaturisme.com

Bilbao

The port city of Bilbao is located in the Basque country of northern Spain. It sits on the banks of the river Nervion close to the Bay of Biscay.  A good way to get about in the city is via the Metro (subway).  Attractions include the Museum of Fine Arts, opera house,the futuristic Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum housing collections of modern art, Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Museum of the Sea and Bellas Artes Museum.  Bilbao also has an old city area which is worth a visit. 
Website:  www.spain.info

Granada

Granada is a beautiful city located in Andalusia in southern Spain at the meeting of the rivers Genil and Darro and at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  Granada is a popular destination, mostly for those who wish to admire the spectacular Alhambra, the famous Moorish citadel. Granada is within reach for a day trip from the beach areas, although you would need many hours to take in all the sights of the city.  The Alhambra and surrounding area is rich with palaces, gardens, fountains and spectacular Moorish architecture and art.  It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Granada is also ideally located to reach either the Sierra Nevada mountains for skiing or hiking, or for the sea and beaches. 

Madrid

Madrid is the capital city of Spain, located in the centre of the country on the river Manzanares.  It is a modern city and the main commercial and administrative centre.  The city has spacious boulevards with many good shopping areas and plenty for culture lovers with many art galleries and museums.  It also has an old quarter.  Attractions to see include the Royal Palace and Archaeological Museum. Madrid is famous for its art museums which are mostly located around the Paseo del Prado, including the famous Prado which houses works by Picasso, Dali and Miro, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia which hosts many international exhibitions, and the Thyyssen-Bornemisza Museum.  The city also has lovely parks including the Retiro, where you can relax rent a boat in the lake.  It is a lively city with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and nightlife which are all open late. So if you want to make sure you can stay awake to take it all in, follow the habits of the locals and remember to take a siesta.

Website:  www.spain.info

Malaga

Malaga is located in Andalucia on the Costa del Sol on the south coast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea.  The province of Andalucia includes other popular resorts such as Marbella to the west, and lovely mountains and scenery.   Attractions include the Moorish Alcazaba fortress, Picasso’s birthplace and museum, Gibralfaro Castle, a Baroque cathedral and Museum of Fine Arts with works by Picasso. The Calle Marques de Larios (known simply as Larios or Calle Larios) is a pedestrian street and is a great place to while away some hours shopping or sitting at the outdoor cafes.  Malaga hosts a film festival and jazz festivals as well as many other celebrations throughtout the year, so it is worth finding out before you go. 

Website:  www.andalucia.com

Palma

Palma de Mallorca, or simply ‘Palma’, is the capital city of the Balearic Island of Majorca, located on the Bay of Palma.  It is a major port and the commercial centre for the islands. The city is a very popular destination for visitors and has lots of history and places to see as well as excellent shopping, restaurants and nightlife.  The splendid Gothic Sa Seu cathedral is the place most head for first and the Royal palace (La Almudaina) next to it which was a former Moorish palace and the surrounding gardens and fountains.  This area is popular for visitors and for photo opportunities. 

Website:  www.majorca-mallorca.co.uk

Santiago de Compostela

The city of Santiago de Compostela (known as Santiago) is located on the river Sar in the province of Galicia in NW Spain. Known as a major Christian shrine, it is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to northern Spain, especially for pilgrims and those who wish to visit the cathedral for what is said to be the final resting place of the Apostle James.  There are many other historic buildings, churches and monasteries.  The city is also buzzing with young energy as it is home to a famous university. 

The Medieval old quarter of the city is worth a visit for its cobble stone streets, narrow alleys and plazas and most of it is traffic-free. 

Website:  www.spain.info

Seville

The city of Seville is located on the Guadalquivir River in Andalucia in the southwest of Spain.  It is a major port and connected to the Atlantic by canal and river.  The city is also a major tourist and commercial centre with a Moorish influence.  Its huge Gothic cathedral is a major attraction which includes the Moorish Court of Oranges and Giralda Tower.  The cathedral has many works of art and also houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus.  The 14th century Moorish Alcazar is located close by and is well worth a visit.  If you wish to experience Flamenco music and dancing and bull fights then Seville is the place. 

Website:  www.spain.info

Valencia

The port city of Valencia is located on the Gulf of Valencia in eastern Spain on the Mediterranean and river Turia directly opposite the Balearic Islands.  It is the third largest city of Spain.  The old quarter is very scenic with its narrow streets and churches.  The modern part of the city has leafy avenues and good shopping and restaurants.  There are plenty of sandy beaches in and around Valencia.  Attractions include the cathedral and bell-tower, the ‘Torres de Serranos’ towers built in the 14th century, art gallery, botanical gardens, maritime museum, bullfighting museum and aquarium. Valencia was host to the Americas Cup yacht races during the 2007 challenge and the city was chosen partly for its good facilities for tourists and for the good sea breezes. 

Website: www.aboutvalencia.com

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