Things To Do In Spain

Ultimately one of the best reasons to visit Spain is because of its people who are warm, friendly and who will greet you with open arms.  Whatever pace you want to take your holiday, Spain really has something for everyone whether you are looking for a family activity holiday, pure beach relaxation, culture and art or hedonistic partying.

After you have decided on your Spanish destination, whether you choose to stay inland or whether you choose a beach holiday - or both - Spanish Lettings can help with you with hardest part - locating that perfect Spanish holiday home in which to spend an unforgettable holiday.

Art and Culture
Spain possesses an impressive number of historical sites for those looking to discover the country's cultural heritage.  Spain was once one of the largest empires with colonies located around the world.  It was invaded by the Moors during the Crusades period and was a vital trading link to both Northern Africa and Southern Europe resulting in a great amount of historical diversity and heritage.  The culture and history of Spain not only lies in those who conquered and fought for the control of the country but also within its art which flourished during the Golden Age to the era of the contemporary masters such as Pablo Picasso and Dali.  Of all Spain's cities it is Barcelona that most encompasses Spain's culture, history and art.  Barcelona itself is more than just a single city and actually a group of multi-faceted and diverse cities.  It juxtaposes its contemporary culture with its historic Gothic centre which can be seen in the extraordinary contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the Eixample, the urban planning "Enlargement" project of the end of the 19th century. Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the hills of Montjiuc, its highly desirable location also offers a 4km beach.  Attractions include Gaudi's spectacular Guell Park, an artistic monument which contains amazing tiling, stone structures, vibrant colours and fascinating buildings.  The Picasso Museum is in the old city which has been recently expanded over five Gothic palaces and exhibits work from the world famous painter.

The Spanish capital of Madrid has a real buzz of cultural activity, offering both tradition and modernity.  Madrid has a vast and diverse range of culture and arts of offer.   For example it is home to the Prado Museum, which is one of the finest in the world housing over 10,000 pieces of original art and the Reina Sofia Museum as well as numerous theatres, music venues, flamenco locales and festivals.

Beaches
The most popular destinations within Spain are the Costa Brava, Costa De la Luz, Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean coast.   Holidays in the Balearics and each of the Canary Islands are also holiday hotspots.  Their popularity lies in their immense sandy beaches that ring the coastal areas, coupled with their year-round sunshine.  Costa del Sol is a popular resort and has beaches stretching east from Gibraltar along the southern coast of Spain.  The beaches have superb sand and calm Mediterranean waters which remain warm throughout the year.  Equally as beautiful and noted for its tranquillity is the Costa de la Luz, which boasts long stretches of sandy shores and almost constant sunshine in the south-western Andalusia area of Spain.  Its Atlantic waters and proximity to the historical cities of CadizSeville make it an agreeable destination to visit.

The Balearic Islands are a number one choice with sun-seekers and hedonists alike who retreat to the islands for their summer vacation. Majorca is a popular holiday choice with its beautiful sand beaches, many of which have been made into popular tourist resorts.  There are around 200 beaches on the island to choose from with 65 relatively untouched.  Menorca also has a wealth of stunning beaches - in particular, Cala Galdana, known as the 'Queen of the Calas', is a picturesque pine clad bay which remains unspoilt and is a place of mesmerising beauty.   Cala Turqueta is also to be noted for its beautiful simplicity and natural white sandy beach. 

Ibiza is a partying paradise for its hedonistic visitors who flock there each year.  However, the additional attractiveness of Ibiza comes from its relaxed and chilled-out aspect.  With its 18kms of shoreline you can discover some excellent and almost deserted beaches.  Calla Vadella is a stunning bay with beautiful crystal clear waters which are perfect for diving and snorkelling.  Calla Vadella also boasts magnificent views of Es Vedra, the spiritual landmark of the Ibizian coast line. 

Bull fighting
Bull fighting is Spain's national sport.  In the Mediterranean, sacrificing bulls is a practice dating back to pre-historic times. Although controversial, watching a bullfight is one of the activities that you can't miss in Spain and a must for a tourist.  Seville is one of the best and most important places in Spain to watch the bullfighting.  The bullfighting season runs from April until mid-October, however there is no bullfighting between July and August.

Festivals & Fiestas
Everywhere in Spain, from its hamlets to its cities, devotes at least a couple of days a year to their festivals which celebrate local saint's days, celebrations of harvests or even the safe return from the sea.  It is difficult to surpass the experience of arriving in a small Spanish village, to discover its streets decked out with flags and streamers, a band playing in the plaza and its entire population out celebrating the local fiesta.

There are numerous colourful national and local festivals which are celebrated especially in spring and early summer.  In Madrid, Concerts and recitals can be enjoyed throughout the year.  In February, the Carnival on Shrove Tuesday is celebrated everywhere and Cadiz city hosts one of Spain's best Carnival celebrations.   In June when the International Festival of Music and Dance takes place, Granada hosts a varied programme of music and dance by national and international companies.  Verge Merce festiva, Barcelona's biggest festival takes place in September.

Every festival is different for example in the Basque country there will often be bulls running whilst in Valencia they specialize in huge bonfires and magnificent firework displays.  Fiestas can take on a different format altogether, ranging from parades of devils to full-blown battles with water or even tomatoes.

Flamenco
Flamenco is the traditional song and dance of the Gypsies (flamencos) of Andalusia and no doubt one of Spain's greatest contributions to the musical art form.  Its history can be traced over several centuries from Gypsy, Moorish, Andalucian, and other roots.  Outside of Andalucia, Madrid is the best location to watch quality Flamenco.  Flamenco shows in Madrid are available in a number of impressive venues.  The festivals and contests held between the end of June and the middle of September in small towns also showcase fantastic flamenco and the best known are the Potaje in Utrera, Seville at the end of June, La Caracola in Lebrija, Seville in mid-July and the festival in Mairena del Alcor, Seville at the beginning of September. 

Golf
Spain hosts some of the most stunning and intriguing golf courses in Europe.  The golf industry here has become a multi-billion dollar tourist draw, leading to the creation of some of the world's best courses since the Costa Del Sol hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, the locals have justifiably claimed this to be the golfing capital of continental Europe providing courses of all types and difficulty levels.

From Malaga to Gibraltar, a coastline stretching some 70 miles, as many as 30 courses can now be played in a variety of settings.  Whilst Murcia contains three of the finest golf courses in all of Spain; located along the coastline, you can't beat the view from the greens, and if you are looking for a high quality, challenging course, this is the place to be, having hosted five Spanish Opens.

In Madrid you will find several fantastic golf courses, including the 9-hole Las Encinas de Boadilla, with a par 54. Such half courses are excellent for those looking for a more casual golf vacation.  In Cataluna, you'll find the PGA Golf de Catalunya, all the way in the northeast portion of Spain. It is located near Girona and, having been designed by Robert Van Hagge, a top American architect, is highly rated and well known as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

Horseriding
The provinces of Granada and Almeria offer some of the most beautiful routes to ride in all of Europe.  The area boasts a diverse landscape of chestnut, Holm oak and pine forests, surrounded by high mountain pastures and the snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The abundant variety of scenery provides a magnificent backdrop for peacefully roaming around the countryside on the back of a horse.  Riding from village to village you'll get a unique opportunity to learn the history of the area as you are exposed to a culture where traditional methods remain very much a part of every day life.

Scuba Diving
Just as most of Spain, the Costa Blanca is an ideal place to base yourself for a scuba diving holiday.  The visibility in this part of the Mediterranean Sea is very good with visibility of 20 to 40 meters approx. quite normal. There are, of course, days with heavy seas but these are rare and there are plenty of dive sites to choose from so it is generally possible to find at least one with calm seas.

Theme Parks, Zoos & Water Parks
This sector of the tourist industry has taken off spectacularly in Spain which now boasts some of the best parks and attractions in Europe.  For theme parks, water parks, animal attractions and all-round family fun, Fuerteventura ticks all the boxes.  Lanzarote is also famous for its family entertainment, offering a variety of amusements at reasonable prices.

Volancanos
Tenerife's most famous feature is its extraordinary and breathtaking volcanic landscape. The island is home to the world's third highest volcano - the majestic Mount Teide, an active volcano which at 3,718 metres is the highest peak in Spain. The volcano is the centre piece of Las Canadas national park which is littered with eerie lava formations.  The 14 minute cable car ride to the summit of Mount Teide is top of the excursion list for most visitors to the island giving views of the strange volcanic rock formations and spectacular scenery that distinguish this park.