Top 10 Things To Do

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Do a Tapas Bar hop. Eating tapas is an integral part of Spain’s culinary traditions. And with the myriad of choices and creative ways by which the tapas bars make these scrumptious bites, trying them out with friends and family is an adventure on its own.  Some recommended places to go would be Seville (said to be the city where tapas was invented), Granada, Madrid and Barcelona.

Watch a bullfight. If you are an animal lover you may balk at the idea, but the fact remains that bullfighting is a unique Spanish tradition that dates back to ancient times and really quite a spectacle to behold. The bullrings or plazas de toros can be found in cities like Madrid, Granada or Sevilla. Or you can check out local festivals where they do bullfights as part of the activities.

Go to a local fiesta. Just about every city and town in Spain has a number of festivals where the streets come alive with music, dancing and colorful parades. The popular ones are the Las Fallas de San Jose in Valencia, Feria de Abril in Seville, Fiesta de Verano in Malaga and the Holy Week festivals all over Spain.

Be a beach bum. You can’t go to Spain and not make a trip to any of the hundreds of lovely beaches in this part of the Iberian Peninsula. Powdery white sand and crystal blue waters await sun worshippers and nature lovers especially in the islands.

Catch the Flamenco spirit. Flamenco is a traditional song and dance from the southern Spain. Whilst you may not be able to learn this passionate art form while you’re in Spain, you can catch performances by professional Flamenco dancers and musicians in places like Madrid, Cordoba and of course in Andalusia from where it originated.

Soak in artistic Spain. Most of the major cities in Spain have art galleries and museums that showcase works from Spanish artists both past and present. The best ones are the “triumvirate” in Madrid – the Museo del Prado, Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces. If there is one thing you should not miss seeing in Barcelona, it is Antonio Gaudi’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. Other modernist architecture from Gaudi include Casa Batllo, Park Guell, Casa Calvert and El Capricho.

Sample traditional Spanish dishes. Spain has given the world delicious legacies such as paella, gazpacho, tortilla de patatas, gambas al ajillo, crema Catalana and many more. To experience the best of Spain’s cultural influences is to enjoy these regional dishes.

Explore the Alhambra in Granada. One of the most majestic representations of Moorish architecture in Spain, the Alhambra is made up of three magnificent sets of buildings. This national monument is worth spending an entire day for.

Walk in the Parks. You can learn more about Spain and all its interesting facets just by taking a leisurely stroll through its scenic parks, natural reserves and green spaces. Some would have historical monuments and sculptures while others house a collection of amazing flora and fauna. Some good ones would be the Sabatini Gardens in Madrid, the Donana National Park in Andalusia and the Botanical Gardens in Barcelona.