Spain is rightfully on the itineraries of millions of tourists from Europe and North America every year.

Andulucia Spain

Spanish culture has managed to transplant itself to former colonial territories from Mexico all the way through Central America and into South America. Even in Los Angeles in the US, has the most Spanish speakers out of any city in the world, barring Mexico City.

From the beaches of the Costa Brava, to Cosmopolitan cities and Moorish architecture in the deep south dating back the times when Southern Spain was under the influence of Islam, there is enough in Spain to keep even the most discerning of traveller satisfied.

There are usually 2 entry points to Spain: One is via the capital, Madrid, a thriving city in itself, and Barcelona, which feels like a capital in it’s own right: Indeed, currently there are calls for a referendum on Catalonia’s independence from the rest of Spain, such is the difference in culture, political leanings (Barcelona is traditionally left wing by Madrid is firmly Right wing) history and language (Catalan is a separate dialect from traditional Spanish).

Barcelona is city by the ocean, it has a buzzing night life and is home to the famous architect Gaudi, who’s master pieces can be found dotted around the city: Parc Guell is full of his sculptures and commands great views of the city from on the top of the hill, but the star attraction is La Sagrada Familia, a huge cathedral that was never completed before Gaudi’s death and still remains incomplete to this day.

The Costa Brava is the name for the stretch of coastline that goes all the way to the French border: Although some of the towns there are full of stag parties and cater towards more of the ‘party crowd’

from Tossa De Mar (with it’s old medieval fort) and northwards you’ll find charming towns built onto the cliff faces and harbours, such as Palafrugell.

Madrid has the most bars per city of any other European capital (perhaps except Prague) and the nightlife here is buzzing. But it’s also a city of some beautiful architectural wonders, such as the various plazas and the spectacular Palacio Real: The massive palace – one the largest in the world –  is the official residence of the King of Spain, but is only really used by the Royal Family for official visits and ceremonies.

Moving further south, the cultural feel changes yet again. Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is a real mix of architectural styles, from Gothic Christian, to Moorish and even the La Giralda, which is a beautiful minaret tower that was going to be the centre piece for a mosque during the days of when Islam ruled this part of Spain, but now however serves as the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville, which is said to be one of the largest cathedral in Europe.

Nearby Cadiz is said to be the oldest city in Western Europe, founded 3,000 years ago by Phoenician sailors, and archaeological sites abound: Roman theatres, an Old Cathedral, the massive stone walls that used to protect the city, and forts are jutted all around the old town.

Other places in Spain are actually islands in the Atlantic, such as the volcanic islands of Tenerife, or the party island of Ibiza, but also Mallorc and Gran Canaria, which offers a more balanced nightlife scene with quieter beaches for those who aren’t interested in nightlife.

There is so much Spain has to offer it is impossible to cover it all in this article. Spain is a bit like the United Kingdom, in that it is a collection of a few countries rolled into one. The Basque region on the north-east coast that borders France is another example of this: Basque culture and language is very different to the rest of Spain.
Infact, you can even go skiing in Spain, with the Sierra Nevada and Formigal ski resorts offering some world class skiing and snowboarding.

So in a nutshell, Spain is bursting with a highly diverse culture, as well as diverse opportunities for enjoying some glorious beaches, cultural masterpieces, history and skiing. It really is a country that has something to do for anyone.

Spanish culture has managed to transplant itself to former colonial territories from Mexico all the way through Central America and into South America. Even in Los Angeles in the US, has the most Spanish speakers out of any city in the world, barring Mexico City.

From the beaches of the Costa Brava, to Cosmopolitan cities and Moorish architecture in the deep south dating back the times when Southern Spain was under the influence of Islam, there is enough in Spain to keep even the most discerning of traveller satisfied.

There are usually 2 entry points to Spain: One is via the capital, Madrid, a thriving city in itself, and Barcelona, which feels like a capital in it’s own right: Indeed, currently there are calls for a referendum on Catalonia’s independence from the rest of Spain, such is the difference in culture, political leanings (Barcelona is traditionally left wing by Madrid is firmly Right wing) history and language (Catalan is a separate dialect from traditional Spanish).

Barcelona is city by the ocean, it has a buzzing night life and is home to the famous architect Gaudi, who’s master pieces can be found dotted around the city: Parc Guell is full of his sculptures and commands great views of the city from on the top of the hill, but the star attraction is La Sagrada Familia, a huge cathedral that was never completed before Gaudi’s death and still remains incomplete to this day.

The Costa Brava is the name for the stretch of coastline that goes all the way to the French border: Although some of the towns there are full of stag parties and cater towards more of the ‘party crowd’

from Tossa De Mar (with it’s old medieval fort) and northwards you’ll find charming towns built onto the cliff faces and harbours, such as Palafrugell.

Madrid has the most bars per city of any other European capital (perhaps except Prague) and the nightlife here is buzzing. But it’s also a city of some beautiful architectural wonders, such as the various plazas and the spectacular Palacio Real: The massive palace – one the largest in the world –  is the official residence of the King of Spain, but is only really used by the Royal Family for official visits and ceremonies.

Moving further south, the cultural feel changes yet again. Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is a real mix of architectural styles, from Gothic Christian, to Moorish and even the La Giralda, which is a beautiful minaret tower that was going to be the centre piece for a mosque during the days of when Islam ruled this part of Spain, but now however serves as the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville, which is said to be one of the largest cathedral in Europe.

Nearby Cadiz is said to be the oldest city in Western Europe, founded 3,000 years ago by Phoenician sailors, and archaeological sites abound: Roman theaters, an Old Cathedral, the massive stone walls that used to protect the city, and forts are jutted all around the old town.

Other places in Spain are actually islands in the Atlantic, such as the volcanic islands of Tenerife, or the party island of Ibiza, but also Mallorca and Gran Canaria, which offers a more balanced nightlife scene with quieter beaches for those who aren’t interested in nightlife.

There is so much Spain has to offer it is impossible to cover it all in this article. Spain is a bit like the United Kingdom, in that it is a collection of a few countries rolled into one. The Basque region on the north-east coast that borders France is another example of this: Basque culture and language is very different to the rest of Spain.
In fact, you can even go skiing in Spain, with the Sierra Nevada and Formigal ski resorts offering some world class skiing and snowboarding.

So in a nutshell, Spain is bursting with a highly diverse culture, as well as diverse opportunities for enjoying some glorious beaches, cultural masterpieces, history and skiing. It really is a country that has something to do for anyone.

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