Spain attracts tourists not only with its beaches (Mediterranean and Atlantic coast) and islands. Those interested in what to see in Spain should pay attention to the impressive architecture of this country.
Holiday season in Spain
The ideal time to spend a vacation in the beach resorts of Spain (Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca) is June-September, and in the ski resorts (Catalan Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada) - November / December-March / May. As for the bullfighting season (held in Bilbao, Madrid, Cordoba and other cities), it lasts from March to October, and those wishing to visit exhibitions should plan a trip to Spain in April, November and March.
Of the curious events, do not miss the March of the Drummers (January), the Fallas festival (March), the Christians and Moors show (July).
Top 15 places of interest in Spain
Sagrada Familia temple
Sagrada Familia temple
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona can be reached by buses No. 43, 50, 33, 19, 34, 51. Entrance costs 15-22 euros (audio guide) or 24-29 euros (guide).
The temple is still not completed to the end, but people come here on excursions (a museum is open for tourists, one of the towers of the Passion Facade and one tower of the Nativity Facade, to the top of which those who wish to climb a spiral staircase or on an old vintage elevator, travel on which will cost 3 euros), and for services. It is worth noting that from the towers of each façade you will be able to enjoy the views of Barcelona from above (get ready to stand in line).
Mount Tibidabo
On Mount Tibidabo (you can get there by a funicular or a special Tibibus), travelers can admire Barcelona from a 512-meter height, visit the CosmoCaixa interactive museum, admire the Temple of the Sacred Heart, see a 268-meter television tower (an observation deck has been created for tourists), stroll along the landscape labyrinth of Laberint d'Horta, spend time in Tibidabo Park (there is a restaurant and attractions, as well as a tour of the empty Kruger Hotel, puppet shows and evening performances of Cercavila or Correfos).
The cost of a ticket to the park is 22 euros / day.
Magic fountains of Montjuic
In May-September (Thursday-Sunday), the music show is held from 21:30 to 23:30, in October-April (Friday-Saturday) - from 19:00 to 21:00. The show is held with the use of light, water and classical music, during which water jets shimmer with more than 50 colors and shades, and create unique figures. The fountains are worth visiting on the occasion of the end of the La Merce festival, when they will “perform” a pyro-music show (music + lasers + fireworks).
Alhambra palace
Alhambra
You can get to the Alhambra Palace in Granada through the Gate of Justice. Tourists will be shown the citadel of Alcazaba with the Armory Square, Dozornaya (height - 27 m), Kubicheskaya (from its observation deck you can see the Albaycín area and the valley of the Darro Arts of Granada), Partal Palace (the Dam tower, Chapel, Partal gardens have been preserved), Komares Palace (the main attractions are the Myrtle Courtyard, Boat Hall, Golden Room, Komares Tower and Baths), Lviv Palace (guests will visit the halls of Abenserraches, Biforiev, Stalactites, Two Sisters, Kings, the chambers of Charles V, the queen's boudoir and in the Lion's courtyard, where they will see a fountain in the form of 12 marble lions supporting a bowl of water) and other objects. Ticket - 14 euros.
Alcazar Palace
The Alcazar Palace in Seville invites its guests to admire the ancient Moorish buildings, go through the Lion's Gate into the courtyard where live plants are planted, and explore the Gothic palace of the 13th century (after an earthquake in the 18th century, its appearance acquired features of the Baroque style; in the halls of the palace, statues deserve attention, paintings, antique carpets and tapestries) and the Moorish Palace (there you can walk through the hall of ambassadors, royal bedrooms and state halls, admire the finest paintings and colored tiles, and relax in the courtyard by an artificial reservoir), visit concerts in the fresh air and other events …
A regular ticket costs € 9.50, an evening ticket (after 21:00) - € 13, and a concessional ticket costs € 2.
Prado Museum
In the Prado Museum in Madrid, the canvases by El Greco (Trinity), Velazquez (Isabella Bourbon on horseback), Goya (The Family of Charles IV), works by Raphael (Carrying the Cross), Botticelli, Veronese, Titian ("Venus and Adonis"), paintings by Rubens ("Three Graces"), Bosch, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, medieval frescoes, portraits of the 18th century, 4000 drawings, more than 200 sculptures of the 16-19 centuries from Italy, tables and consoles of the 16-18 centuries …
The entrance ticket (the museum is open daily from 10 am to 19: 00-20: 00) for adults will cost 14 euros, and for pensioners - 7 euros. Admission for children under 18 and students is free.
National Park "Peaks of Europe"
The "Peaks of Europe" are located in Cantabria, Asturias and the province of Leon. The highest point of the park is the 2600-meter Torre de Cerredo peak. Tourists will have a chance to see the beautiful lakes of Covadonga and the chapel of the Virgin of Covadonga in the Santa Cueva cave, admire what they see from the Mirador de la Reina, Mirador de la Picota and other viewing platforms, walk the mountain trails or take part in a mountain safari in a jeep or ATV, and also meet roe deer, wild boars, wood grouses, Spanish goats in different parts of the park.
Montserrat monastery
Montserrat monastery
Montserrat Monastery, located at an altitude of 725 meters, 50 km from Barcelona, can be reached by cable car or cogwheel railway.
Tourists will be shown the Basilica of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat (the altar of the cathedral is decorated with silver and enamel; walking around the Throne Room, guests will see original lamps, a statue of the Virgin Mary (which is an object of pilgrimage for women who did not know the happiness of motherhood) and the throne of the Madonna, and at 13:00 they will listen to the choir boys) and a museum (there are exhibits in the form of icons, paintings of the 15-18 centuries, jewelry and other things), but access to the monastery library is open only to world-famous male scientists (it contains rare medieval books and manuscripts in the amount of more than 400 items).
City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
The architectural complex of the City includes the L'Umbracle gallery / garden, a science museum, an oceanographic park (guests are delighted with underwater tunnels and exotic inhabitants), an opera house and L'Hemisferic with a planetarium, a theater of laser installations and an IMAX cinema, and around it are located pools, parks and streams. Guests and residents of Valencia head here to relax and visit the bars and cafes that are open here.
The city is open to the public from 10 am to 7 pm, and in July-August - until 9 pm. To services of tourists - buses No. 15, 1, 13, 35, 40, 95, 14 and metro lines 3 and 5 (you need to get off at the Alameda station).
Park Guell
Park Guell
Park Guell is a Barcelona landmark: here you can see 2 gingerbread houses at the entrance (one of them on the right is crowned with a 5-pointed cross), a multi-colored mosaic lizard, a bench in the shape of a sea serpent, “Hall of 100 Columns” (in fact, there are 86 Doric columns, and the walls of the hall are decorated with fake castles and mosaics; local musicians use it for performances thanks to good acoustics), exhibits (furniture) of the Gaudi house-museum.
In summer, the park (entrance fee - 8 euros / adults and 5, 60 euros / children) is open from 8 am to 9:30 pm, and in winter from 08:30 to 9 pm.
Rioja wine region
The Rioja region consists of three zones:
- Rioja Alta: Aged and strong wines are produced on almost 25,000 hectares;
- Rioja Alavesa: 12,000 hectares have been allocated for vineyards, and in this area you will be able to enjoy the taste of red and white wines;
- Rioja Baja: famous for fortified wines with a fruity aroma.
In addition to visiting wineries (head to Haro for a wine festival in June) and tasting 4 categories of wines, in Rioja you should go to Logroño (pay attention to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Redonda and the Temple of Santiago el Real), as well as enjoy a traditional dish (boiled potatoes and pork sausages).
Cuenca
Cuenca
Guests of Cuenca are interested in the Old Town with Plaza Mayor, the city hall (Baroque style), the Cathedral (Gothic style; a museum is open within its walls,where visitors examine the paintings of El Greco), the Watchtower of Magnan (formerly it was a sentinel point, but today there is an observation deck, where everyone who wants to admire the panorama of the city ascends), The Hanging Houses (these houses “hover” over the cliff of the Huécar River; before we have survived the Royal and the Mermaid House: they house a restaurant and a museum), the Skete of Alarms (there is a Madonna's cloak here), the Carmelite Monastery (today the Antonio Perez Foundation is open here), the Bishop's Palace (16-18 centuries).
Altamira cave
The Altamira Caves are located near Santander (30 km). The 270-meter cave is equipped with double corridors and halls. Fame was brought to her by stone painting in the form of handprints, images of bison, wild boars and horses.
Not far from the cave is the Altamira museum complex: it is worth stopping by in order to view a copy of the famous panel of the Large plafond (there are 24 images of animals on an area of 100 square meters) and other images of the cave. This is a great alternative for those wishing to visit the Altamira cave, access to which is limited to a few people per day (a special permit will be required), especially since the queue is scheduled for 3 years in advance.
Aqueduct in Segovia
Aqueduct in Segovia
The aqueduct, 28 m high and 728 m long, is located in the city of Segovia and was built under the Roman emperor Vespasian. The aqueduct, which served its main function until the mid-19th century, consists of 166 single and double arches that support columns. Today, those who wish can inspect the preserved niches: one of them was decorated with the image of Hercules the Egyptian (according to legend, he founded Segovia), and the other is interesting with images of the Virgin Mary Fuensisla and St. Stephen the First Martyr.
It is worth coming to the aqueduct on December 4, when, in honor of the celebration of St. Barbara's Day, a platform with the face of the Virgin is brought to it, and its arches are decorated in a special style.
Algar Falls
Those who have retired only 15 km from Benidorm will see water cascades falling from rock ledges (the highest falls from a 40-meter height). Despite the rather cool water (up to + 17˚C), there are always swimmers here.
At the entrance to the waterfalls located in the natural park (entrance ticket costs $ 4), tourists will find free parking and a park area with a small restaurant Les Fonts. And upstairs there is a picnic area for them (there is a brazier, benches and tables; barbecue + coal / firewood - 2.5 euros / 2 people), from where, moreover, everyone will be able to admire the beautiful valley.
