Best of Spain
Best Cities and Beaches of Spain…
There are a lot of attractions, sandy beaches and beautiful architectures in Spain. Below is a list of the best of Spain not to be missed.
Andalucia
If you absolutely have to choose and can only visit one place to be, then Granada, located in the city of Andalucia is the town you should definitely visit. In this lush and majestically beautiful natural surroundings, stands the very famous Alhambra, with its Moorish architecture that is breath-taking and awe-inspiring. The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress complex and arguably the most exciting, romantic and sensual of all European monuments. Andalucia’s 1300 year old heritage evokes pure Romanticism that is hard to equal. The Alhambra is perhaps one of the best-preserved Arab palaces the world has ever known. It stands on the inaccessible and imposing Sabika Hill, where it overlooks the city. In the 11th century began the gigantic complex’s very distinctive phase as the Ziridian rulers started building the Red Fort or in Arabic, the qa’lat al-Hamra. The next two centuries brought about the succession of the Nasrid dynasty and the kings from the era started to decorate the site in a very lavish manner. While the Christian décor and architecture are beautiful by themselves, they seem to clash with the more gentle, redolent and romantic Moorish architecture. Stroll through the gardens of Partal with their fountains and water-courses. This area leads up to the Generalife, the summer palace. Appreciate the Puerta de la Justicia, an amazing arch in the shape of a horseshoe that is used to impede the advance of enemies by using a technique of defense created by the Arabs.
Cordoba City, once one of the most important cities in Europe is truly one of the best that Spain has to offer. The main sight in Cordoba City is undoubtedly the Great Mosque, La Mezquita – one of the unsurpassed masterpieces of world architecture. This mosque, with its incongruous but splendid cathedral within is the world’s third-largest mosque and remains a place of grandeur and mystique. In addition to La Mezquita, other sights here include fine monuments and palaces from every age, art and history museums. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fortified palace built in 1328 is one such palace. Used by the Inquisition, it later became a prison until the 1950s. Today it is tranquil and beautiful, with its gardens, water terraces and fountains.
Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the best places to experience Spain. The Sagrada Familia is the city’s enduring symbol of Modenista legacy. Gaudi’s other-wordly piece de resistance pierces the Barcelona skyline with its eight spires. A fantastical tour de force of the imagination, this ambitious church has yet to be completed and is a work in progress. Things to look out for here are the nativity facade, the passion facade, the spiral staircases and the crypt museum.
The Spanish love to indulge in their ritual of the paseo (stroll) and the best place to do this would be La Rambla. This wide, pedestrian street features day and night activities and is a shopping and people-watching heaven. There are all kinds of things happening here and you will definitely be amused by the people who act as statues in the middle of the square, their bodies painted head to toe with spray paint as well as the buskers singing their melodies to the crowds. You can even get a caricature sketch of yourself done here. Don’t miss the flower and bird stalls here that are a throwback to Rambla’s true history and have been family-run for decades. The Gran Teatre del Liceu or the city’s grand opera house is also an amazing attraction to see when you’re walking around here.
Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona’s largest park and one of Barcelona’s highlights. This green, tranquil oasis provides a welcome respite from the city centre. Built in the late 1860s, it was artfully designed to offer Barcelona’s citizens an experience of nature with its shady corners, recreation and culture. You can rent a boat and row in Llac, the man-made lake in the centre of the park, and visit the Museu de Zoologica which houses a whale skeleton. The Arc de Triomf is the grandest entrance to the park and is also a beautiful site to see. There is even a zoo with pony rides and electric cars in Parc Zoologic.
Madrid
Madrid offers some of the best museums, shopping and food that Spain has to offer and is a definite must-see. This capital city which never sleeps houses Palacio Real, the former residence of Spain’s Bourbon rulers. This fabulous palace boasts more rooms than any other palace in Europe and is inspired by Bernini’s designs for the Louvre. Its outstanding architecture with its silk wall hangings, frescoes and gilded stucco is a magnificent sight to behold. The palace’s setting is equally breathtaking and the surrounding park and woodland stretches from the former royal hunting ground of Casa de Campo to the majestic peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Museo del Prado is the best museum in Madrid as it houses one of the world’s finest art collections. Spanish paintings are its main attractions, with works by Goya and Velasquez. The Royal Collection is at its heart with paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, transferred here from various palaces around Madrid. The Prado also owns works by leading Flemis and Dutch artists and has an impressive Italian collection including works by Raphael and Botticelli.
To simply watch the world go by, Plaza Mayor is the best place in Spain to do that. This magnificent square is lined with shops and Madrid’s focal point. Built in 1619, it has been a market, an open-air theatre, a bullring, a place of execution and a backdrop of tournaments. Today, it is a wonderful place to relax over a drink and people-watch. The statue of Felipe III is located here and so are the Casa de la Panaderia Murals.
Top beaches
Spain is best known for its warm and sunny beaches and Costa del Sol offers some of the best. This former fishing village now welcomes millions of visitors every year. With sun almost all year round, warm, clear waters and beaches, it is no wonder several tourists flock there every year. Estepona is a wonderful resort town, offering a quieter 19-km long beach. Marbella is more upscale and the country’s most luxurious resort. Close by is the Puerto Banus where the marina gives you great views of the expensive yachts and you might even catch a glimpse of some of the very famous celebrities who frequent the town. Nerja has kept much of its quiet, Old World charm and a perfect place to enjoy beautiful beaches and tapas bars.
On the Atlantic Ocean, Spain also offers an assortment with its six coasts. Rias Bajas, Costa Verde and Costa Vasca, where San Sebastian is located all have beautiful beaches offering plenty of sunshine. The Balearic and Canary Islands, Galicia and Asturias all offer shockingly beautiful beaches and splendid turquoise waters.
