The mystical Mesquita and crumbling ruins of Medina Azahara in Córdoba and the intricate carvings and patios of the wondrous Alhambra in Granada turn the sands of time back to Moorish Spain, while the beating heart of flamenco can be found in Andalucía and Seville, where you can explore the narrow streets of its Jewish Quarter and admire the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Picturesque white villages and windy Atlantic beaches make for great sights whilst hiking in Cádiz, where you can tuck into juicy Sanlúcar prawns and enjoy a nice sherry in Jerez, the home of sherry. Strong Celtic roots can be found in the green valleys, fishing villages and cider culture of Asturias as you listen to bagpipes, savouring seafood and enjoying the warm hospitality, while Bilbao, the heart of the Basque region, has reinvented itself from an industrial to a cultural centre thanks to the Guggenheim effect and its excellent pintxo bars. In Valencia, feast on paella and seek the legendary Holy Grail, believed to be kept in its cathedral, and be entertained by the street performers on Barcelona’s famous La Rambla. Admire one of Europe’s finest art collections in Madrid’s venerated Museu del Prado or the supreme collection of modern art in Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sophia, which famously houses Picasso’s Guernica, or Madrid’s Royal Palace. Enjoy superb golf on the Costa del Sol and La Manga where you will find over 200 golf courses, or the thrill of windsurfing and kitesurfing in Tarifa or the Basque village of Mundaka. This is all Spain and its many faces, its 17 autonomous regions each having their own distinctive characters and cultures, and something to offer.
Córdoba
The once-beating heart of Moorish Spain, Córdoba was the former seat of the 10th-century Caliphate. Today its winding streets and magnificent Mezquita (Great Mosque, which was originally a Pagan and then a Christian church) stand as a nostalgic testament to a fascinating period in Spanish history, and the atmospheric ruins of Medina Azahara can be explored just outside of town
Barcelona
The Catalan capital of Barcelona is renowned world wide for the distinctive work of the architect Gaudi, from many of the buildings in the Eixample Quarter to the iconic, yet unfinished, La Sagrada Familia. The quirky modernism of Gaudi contrasts with Barcelona's medieval roots found in the twisting maze of its Barri Gótic. With its delectable food scene, shops, art galleries and museums, vibrant street life, Barcelona is ideal for a city break, and a must for culture vultures and foodies
Bilbao
A once-thriving industrial town in Spain's northern Basque region, Bilbao reinvented itself as a cosmopolitan city of culture in the 90s, rescuing itself from the doldrums of deindustrialisation. It started with the modernist Guggenheim museum, and grew from there. Now Bilbao is a hub of smart museums, art galleries and - being in the Basque region - its pintxos bars are unmissable
Tarifa
You can find swimming, jetskiing and all manner of watersports at virtually all of Spain's seaside resorts, but for the very best windsurfing and kitesurging, head to Tarifa, blessed with the strong winds and aqua-blue sea of the Atlantic Coast
Our Top Holidays in Spain
Walking the Camino de Santiago for Solo Travellers
8 Days
Spain, Portugal and Morocco Adventure
15 Days
Highlights of Northern Spain
8 Days
Related Blog Posts
Why you should consider an Urban Adventure
Are you perhaps looking for a tour or excursion with a difference? Do you prefer to explore in smaller, more intimate groups, go off the usual tourist track, and get insight from a local? That's what Select Travel Holidays' Amy was looking for on her own recent holiday with a friend, and so she booked a couple tours with Urban Adventures (part of Intrepid Travel) - and here's what she thought...
Julie Discovers Andalusia - the Real Spain
Julie recently travelled with Travelsphere and Just You to sample a taster of their Spanish touring, exploring the historic region of Andalusia - here's what she thought of her experience
A mini break in Valencia
Rachel recently enjoyed a mini-break in the historic Spanish city of Valencia with her husband - here's her travel review and tips for those looking for a sunny city break...