The Rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, if indeed at all which is why Spain is one of the most popular destinations for a European getaway. If you’re planning a trip to Spain then really anytime of the year is a good time.
Unlike the British Isles, you can expect an average of 300 or more days of sunshine in Spain making it one of the sunniest countries in Europe to visit.
So today, continuing the travel series of blog posts to inspire you to get up and go have an adventure (as with my previous post Planning a Trip to Ireland) I’m writing about Spain, a country we’ve visited (too long ago now) and a country we would love to go back to.
Why Visit Spain?
The coastal resorts are vibrant, the mountains are spectacular and when it comes to value for money Spain is probably still one of the best value destinations in Europe for a luxury summer getaway.
There are many beautiful cities in Spain, and probably Barcelona is one of the most fascinating, and most visited. So if you’re looking for somewhere to stay check out Barcelona Vacation Rentals and find yourself a luxury retreat.
Beautiful Places in Spain
Spain’s history is chequered because it’s been part of the Roman, Greek and Muslim empires.
As you travel around you’ll find so many beautiful places in Spain to capture your interest and an interesting legacy of ancient buildings.
Places of interest in Spain range from Roman ruins scattered throughout the country, to temples, Moorish baths, mosques, medieval castles, fortresses set high in hilltops, impressive cathedrals, and baroque palaces.
In amidst all the ancient, you’ll discover modernist architecture too.
Gaudi, the best known and most influential modernist architect lived in Barcelona for much of his life and if you visit Barcelona you’ll have fun discovering the largest concentration of his works in the world. His style is unique, and once you’ve seen a Gaudi building, you’ll never forget it.
From my journal …
“We went on a whistle stop tour of Barcelona which I found sophisticated, buzzing and cultured. Our children were fascinated by the Gaudi architecture, particularly the huge church, Gaudi’s modern masterpiece, ‘La Sagrada Familia’.
We also visited a period apartment, a strange but genially designed attic, and chimney pot roof garden, and the enchanting Park Guell with its peculiar shapes and vibrant combinations of colour.
Then we caught an open-top tourist bus around the city which among other things took in the huge Barcelona stadium.
We loved walking the length of The Ramblas with its art, it’s life-statues and street performers. From there we walked into the old Roman quarter, the 2,000 year old Cathedral and caught the lift to the top of the roof and from the steeples had incredible views. Oh those views!”
Art, History and Culture
Gaudi, Picasso, Dali and Goya were all born in Spain, so if you’re after culture, tradition and modernity you’ll find it in spades. There are beautiful museums and buildings in Spain, and one of the most well known is the Guggenheim Museum, close to the sea in Bilbao, in the north of Spain.
To appreciate the amazing beauty of the Moorish architecture then you must visit the Alhambra de Granada (The Alhambra Palace in Granada) is a bucket list must-see, and for me, one of the most fascinating historical places in Spain.
“The beauty of this Moorish palace and gardens, named in Arabic for its reddish walls, truly does have to be seen to be believed; set high on a hill with views over the city of Granada,” writes Telegraph Travel’s Rachel Cranshaw. “It’s a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions – book your tickets for first thing in the morning (and arrive in plenty of time) to minimise crowds, queues and sun in high summer.”
Fabulous Beaches and Mountains
In Spain you’ll find miles and miles of beautiful coastline offering thousands of beaches. The Mediterranean coast is dotted with picturesque and often secluded rocky coves while the Atlantic coast offers spectacular long sandy beaches.
If you are a beach person, there will be a beach for you!
Or alternatively a ski slope – did you know that in Spain it’s possible to be lazing on a beach and then hitting the ski slopes within an hour? The mountains are gorgeous 🙂
Fiestas and Festivals
Nearly every city, town and village in the country has its own fiesta or festival; a celebration, an event not to be missed, in which the all the townsfolk get involved.
There will be national or regional costumes on display, much dancing and music, and probably partying with neighbours – it’s folklore at its best.
In the south of Spain, beautiful Andalucia is known for its bullfighting, flamenco, music and wine festivals.
The most notorious and probably most famous festival is the bull running of Pamplona.
Then there are the fireworks of Las Fallas in Valencia, and so many more fiestas, right down to strange festivals like the snail festival in Lleida, and a paella festival in Sueca.
Food and Wine
There are so many different regional flavours of Spain, and each region has its now take on how things are prepared.
From delicious tapas, to tortillas, paellas, gazpacho, garlic prawns, grilled fish, serrano hams, Spanish cuisine provides an explosion of colours, fantastic aromas and distinctly Mediterranean flavours.
Many of us have probably enjoyed a glass of Spanish wine, and for a good reason. Spain produces some of the best wine in the world. If you haven’t tasted Rioja, then you’re missing out! Also Spanish wine, when purchased in Spain, is really affordable.
Planning a Trip to Spain – Where to visit?
I’m not going to list 10 best places to visit in Spain, because the country is so varied and whether you are seeking adventure or hiking trails, culture or the seaside, Spain has it in spades.
To give you a little personal insight, my most favourite places, Calella de Palafrugell which is one of three coastal towns belonging to the municipality of Palafrugell, in the province of Girona. (The other two are Llafranc (so picturesque) and Tamariu.)
Have you been to Spain? Are you planning a trip to Spain. Where will you go, or what recommendations do you have?
10 Top Tips for Everyday Style
The “bull run” in Pamplona is a maximum of about 3 minutes out of a 20 hour party day of the San Fermin Festival. You have another 19 plus hours with scores of events and about 1-2 million people extra per day. Very expensive, but worth a one or two day time.
I’m planning to visit Spain and Portugal next year. It’s my dream holiday so hopinng my plans eventuate. Thanks for sharing.
Dropping by from the Lovin’Life linkup
Hi Suzy, thanks for dropping by. Hope you have a wonderful trip to Spain and Portugal next year 🙂
We had 6 weeks in Spain and Portugal (too) long ago. Spain is such a spectacular country, with magnificent archictecture, an interesting cultural history, beautiful women, and people who patiently suffered my attempts at speaking to them in their language! It is certainly a country I would go back to. Nice to have a trip down memory lane Jo!
Glad you enjoyed a little memory boosting Jo 🙂 Yes, it is such a beautiful country and like you I’d love to return.
Ah Spain, we visited last year and loved it. Very briefly in Madrid (not really long enough to get a feel for it) then down to Granada (oh my a total love affair) and then into Barcelona which we also loved. The Spanish seem to have such a lust for life and we fell in love with the Country. Would love to see more of it. Ah cava sangria – cheers!
Hi Jan, oh Granada – my heart! Yes, the Spanish do have a wonderful lust for life and I think enviable lifestyle.
I have never thought of visiting Spain but your post makes me think about it. Beautiful pictures.
Hope you do get there for a visit Victoria. I’m sure you’d love it as much as we did 🙂
We have just come back from a Trafalgar tour in Spain. And whilst I hated the tourist crowds, and our tour was a little rushed, I wished we had spent longer there because I loved Spain. We went to a flamenco show in Seville which was my absolute highlight. We also loved the Moorish architecture and history of Cordoba, Alcazar and Albaicin and the beach front at Peniscola. And escaping by exploring the little backstreets. And of course tapas, paella and sangria!
Pics coming soon to my blog! If I went again I would like to do the Spain, Portugal and Morocco combo.
Your Trafalgar tour looked fantabulous Jill! I know what you mean about feeling rushed on a tour, but the upside is that you do get to do a lot and see some of the best ‘picks’ I think. Can’t wait for your blog posts 🙂
We visited Spain for my 60th birthday last year Jo and it was everything and more of what we had dreamed of. My husband in particular has wanted to visit there since we met about 25 odd years ago and we finally achieved that dream. We loved each area we visited but staying on La Rambla was a wonderful people watching experience. We were also there when the Catalonian Government declared independence which was exciting. What a wonderfully written article and you have convinced me to visit again! Thanks for linking up and sharing at #MLSTL and have a great weekend. xx
So glad you enjoyed the post about Spain Sue and that it brought back memories for you too. Yes, here’s hoping you get to visit again soon too 🙂
I got excited when I read your blog post title as Spain is certainly on my radar at present. I’m trying to convince my husband to go back to Europe next year to Spain, Morocco and Portugal, but he’s not showing any enthusiasm just yet. I will pin this post for further research.
Hi Kathy, me the same! I really want to go back to Spain and Portugal and visit Morocco for the first time. Maybe we should go together 🙂 How can we get the husbos onboard?
I went to Spain when I walked Camino de Santiago in 2014. I fell in love with rather countryside. Would love to visit Barcelona one day. Thanks for reminding me of beautiful memories
Oh Jennifer how wonderful. I’d love to do the Camino de Santiago too.
It looks beautiful Jo. Italy has always been on my list and I finally get to go this year. That (and England) in August / Sept may be it for my overseas travel for the forseeable future I suspect! #teamlovinlife
That’s great Deb! Wow, it’s nearly upon you! How fabulous 🙂
We finished a trip to Europe in Barcelona a few years ago – fantastic place – beautiful weather (after a freezing time in France) and the Gaudi architecture just blew me away. I’d go back there in a heartbeat. Loved seeing your photos of different Spanish places to add to my bucket list.
Ahh, so glad to hear that you’ve experienced some of the beauty of Spain, and yes, like you I’d love to go back Leanne.
Spain is SO on my bucket list. Not just for the food and wine, but for the other reasons you’ve mentioned – art, history, architecture…aaaaah one day. Love the snippets from your journal too 🙂 #teamlovinlife
Thanks Jo – and glad you liked the journal snippets too 🙂