As many Brits flock to Spain this summer for their usual serving of sun, sea and sand, we take a look at our top five Spanish city break destinations to show you how much more Spain has to offer, aside from the good weather:
Barcelona
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One of the most famous cities in the world, Barcelona has a fascinating cultural heritage. Spain’s second largest city boasts mesmerizing architecture and fine art, including Gaudi’s iconic Sagrada Familia, the unfinished cathedral which Gaudi dedicated his life’s work to. The famed street, La Rambla, offers a colourful experience filled with cafes, shops and street performers. La Ribera is home to the Picasso Museum, one of Barcelona’s many museums filled with past treasures. Pay a visit to the Nou Camp, home of FC Barcelona and one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world. Or relax on the beaches of Barceloneta, where you can enjoy fine food and scorching nightlife.
Alicante
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The historic Mediterranean port of Alicante is all about relaxation and having fun. With its hot, white beaches, Alicante offers year-round sunshine, shops, cafes and nightlife like you have never experienced before! One of the most noticeable sights in Alicante is the castle of Santa Barbara, home to the Bonfires of Saint John festival during the summer solstice. Parks such as El Palmeral provide a place for picnics and boat trips to nearby island Tabarca are popular. Fine seafood, rice and wine are commonplace at Alicante’s many restaurants before the all-night parties begin!
Madrid
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Madrid, Spain’s capital, has a unique buzz and atmosphere. It has a pace of life as fast as any world city and it offers remarkable architecture dating back to the Renaissance period. Art is important throughout Spain and Madrid is no different. The three major art museums located close together along Paseo del Prado offer a mix of fine, classical and modern art. Madrid has many picturesque parks and gardens and, similar to London, has venues such as theatres offering classical music and opera. Shopping districts offer a mixture of local, independent and mainstream shops. And as is the case with most Spanish cities, Madrid offers a fantastic nightlife for party-goers.
Seville
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Famous for its rich and sweet oranges, Seville is a city known best for fine food and culture. It is the birthplace of Flamenco music; hence dancing and nights out are a large part of its many attractions. Soaring temperatures mean that spring or the autumn may be the most comfortable time for tourists to visit. The architecture is impressive, with sculpture and public engraving ensuring the city is unique. Climbing the Giraldo tower is a must to witness breathtaking views of the city and bullfighting is a popular attraction, as is the city’s many bars, clubs and festivals. Tapas is very popular in Seville, why not try the tortilla española (potato omelette) or the pulpo gallego (Galician octopus) for some mouth-watering Spanish flavours.
Valencia
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The historic city of Valencia is said to date back to around 150BC and today it offers a fine blend of its past and the present. Valencia is a relaxing city home to beautiful beaches and quaint cafes. Explore the city’s history or visit the modern City of Arts and Science, which features a planetarium and an aquarium. The Fallas Festival takes place every March and offers a wonderful combination of fires, fireworks and paper maché models. And no visit to Valencia is complete without sampling some local paella as the city is the birthplace of the famous dish.
