Destination: Spain

WHY VISIT SPAIN

The attractions of Spain go beyond its beaches and festive atmosphere: It has marked regional identities, a magnificent historical heritage, diverse landscapes and lively cities that all make this country an exciting destination.

Madrid, the capital, offers many beautiful museums; the Prado Museum is the most famous as well as being very beautiful, the Plaza Mayor has a lovely relaxing botanical garden, the Royal Palace is notable with its beautiful decorations and there are several bullrings where fans can watch good quality bullfights.

Barcelona is another city in this splendid country that you mustn’t miss:it is dynamic and active in many areas, very lively and “connected”, this city will seduce you with the Ramblas where you can meander during the day and night, the Gaudi’s Holy Family church, various museums, the medieval district (Barrio Gotico), Park Güell, numerous shops and various markets.

Andalusia boasts treasures that should be seen: Cordoba’s mosque-cathedral, Seville’s Alcazar Gardens, Granada, and the Alhambra are some examples of recommended stopovers in this area.

In Castile, Toledo is another wonder that will dazzle you: a medieval city overlooking the Tagus, it has churches, museums and palaces, synagogues and a Gothic cathedral.

Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) is another manner to explore the country, on foot though.

There’s so much to see in Spain, you will realize that one visit will not be enough!

WHAT TO SEE IN SPAIN

Top destinations in Spain are:

Barcellona
Madrid
Teide National Park
Seville
Granada
Toledo
Valencia
Bilbao
Córdoba
Picos de Europa National Park
Málaga
Tenerife

WHEN TO GO TO SPAIN

Weather in Spain

The best period to visit Spain is from May to October.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

If Spain is a country of many regions, it’s also a country of many climates. The best time to visit depends on where you’re going and what you’re planning to see. The high central plains (which include Madrid) suffer from fierce extremes – stiflingly hot in summer, bitterly cold, and swept by freezing winds in winter.

The Atlantic coast, in contrast, has a tendency to be damp and misty, with a relatively brief, humid summer. The Mediterranean south is warm virtually all year round, and in parts of Andalucía it’s positively subtropical – it’s often pleasant enough to take lunch outside, even in the winter months.

On a general holiday or city break, in most regions spring, the early part of summer and autumn are the best times to visit. Temperatures will be fairly clement, sites and attractions open, and tourist numbers relatively low – worth considering, especially if your destination is one of the beach resorts or cultural attractions.

Spain is one of the most visited countries on the planet – it plays host to about sixty million tourists a year, rather more than the entire population – and all main tourist destinations are packed in high summer. Even the Pyrenean mountains aren’t immune, swapping winter ski crowds for summer hikers and bikers. August is Spain’s own holiday month – when the costas are at their most crowded, though inland cities (including Madrid) are, by contrast, pretty sleepy, since everyone who can, leaves for their annual break.

Following a list of typical festival and celebrations of Spain

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Three Kings Day (January 5–6). This day is celebrated throughout Spain with the biggest processions in the major cities, and it is the traditional Spanish version of annual gift-giving (similar to Christmas). In Spain, children are brought presents by the Three Kings, who visit their homes at night. Before this, the kings take part in an elaborate procession where they throw confectionery to children in the streets. Though the official Dia de Los Reyes is January 6, the gift-giving procession (Cabalgate de Reyes) takes place the night before.

San Sebastian Festival, Majorca and San Sebastian (January 19–20). An explosion of bonfires and dancing to celebrate St. Sebastian, with the famous taborrada drumming taking place in Spain’s northern city of San Sebastian.

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The Arizkun Carnival (Jumping the bonfire), Arizkun, Navarra (February 1–3). Thousands of people queue up in the streets ready to jump over some 20 bonfires, a tradition dating back to pagan times and said to encourage fertility and ward off evil spirits. Locals dress up in instantly recognizable costumes that look like sheepskin coats, adorned with black pots, wearing maypole style hats, and carrying brushes.

Sitges Carnival, Catalonia (February 4–10). The huge gay event is one of the most flamboyant in Spain with wild partying launched by Jueves Lardero (‘Fatty Thursday’). There are a massive drag queen show and an enormous feast of local dishes. The two main parades come through the town on the Sunday and Tuesday from 7.30 pm and the partying continues through the night. The names alone — Extermination and Debauchery Parades — are a clue to the extravagance of the event so don’t dress down, but be warned, temperatures can drop in the early hours. Extra night buses and trains for the event can get you back into Barcelona if you’re not staying over. See www.sitges.cat.

International animation festival, Lleida, Catalonia (February 18–21). The Animac Mostra Inernacional de Cinema d’Animació de Cataluyna is a non-competitive film exhibition open to makers of animated films using a variety of techniques. See www.animac.cat.

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Las Fallas Festival, Valencia (March 15–19). High-tech giant-size sculptures are made into the shape of traditional figures or even modern cultural icons like Shrek and President Obama. The creations are on display all over the city before being burned in one of the many bonfires, which takes place amid much partying. You haven’t seen bonfires until you’ve seen the ones the Valencians light on the last night of Las Fallas. See www.fallasfromvalencia.com.

Holy Week (Semana Santa), Seville (March 20–26). Semana Santa is one of the most important festivals on the Spanish calendar. The Easter festivities are big all over Spain, but the biggest spectacle is in Seville. Semana Santa is mainly a series of processions of elaborate floats bearing jeweled statues of Mary and Jesus, penitents wearing pointed hoods, and brass bands. They begin on Palm Sunday the week before Easter, followed by those on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The city may be packed with visitors and locals but the experience is worth it. See www.andalucia.com.

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Saint George Festival, Barcelona (April 23). Sant Jordi, or St George, is the patron saint of Catalonia (as well as England and about 10 other countries and regions). But St George’s Day in Barcelona is also the city’s version of Valentine’s Day when romance sweeps the city. The tradition is for the man to give his lady a rose in return for a book. The streets and balconies are clad in Catalonia’s red and yellow flag, the Senyera.

Feria de Sevilla, Seville. Spring Fair, the Feria, comes two clear weeks after Semana Santa. This will be around 12 to 17 in 2016. The Feria is a joyful festival with masses of food, drink, music, and dancing. To the southwest of the city, a huge area is given over to the fair, creating a small ‘town’ of casetas (tents or pavilions) for drinking, eating, and socializing. Most of the tents are private and invitation-only but there are seven public ones, so you won’t miss out. Sevilliano/as, in traditional flamenco dresses, or tight trousers and boleros, parade around on horseback and in carriages – providing you with some fabulous photo opportunities. Not to be missed. See www.andalucia.com.

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Fiesta de San Isidro, Madrid (Mid-May). It’s Madrid’s largest festival, and the events offer an opportunity to wear the traditional castizo finery and sample tasty delicacies like thick steamy broth. Music and dancing is everywhere with flamenco, zarzuelas, and Latin rhythms happening at concerts all over the city. The festival is launched with a grand procession of giants and cabezudos, followed by an opening speech in the Plaza Mayor. Over the next few days, entertainment and revelry take over the city’s public spaces. The fiesta runs from 11 to 15 May 2016. See www.esmadrid.com.

Feria de la Manzanilla in Sanlucar de Barrameda (Late May). If you like your sherry this should be right up your street, as the locals celebrate their local drink by drinking unhealthy quantities of it (along with consuming plenty of fish and tapas). The week officially begins on Tuesday night when the lights are turned on, but festivities usually start early the previous weekend. Then on Sunday, there is a spectacular fireworks display to end the festival with a bang. Check their website to confirm the 2016 dates: www.andalucia.org.

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Moors and Christians Festivals (Spring/Summer). La Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos is a celebration of the victory over the Moors in the 13th century. The festival itself dates back to the 16th century and includes street parades of costumed soldiers and battle re-enactments. It is held in many cities at various times of the year, with some of the largest street parades taking place in Alicante, Alcoy, and Villajoyosa. See www.spain.info.

Night of San Juan, Valencia region (June 20–24). In this festival, you won’t see costumes or religious parades, but rather it’s a pagan celebration of the Summer Equinox. It’s the one night of the year that locals can light bonfires on the beach, barbeque, and drink, and later everyone jumps over the fires and waves to make a wish. You need to bring your own wood, food and drinks, and celebrations last until sunrise. Valencia and Alicante have the biggest congregations of local partiers, with celebrations in Alicante lasting several days and culminating in huge papier-mâché figures being burnt on the night of 24 June. See www.spain.info.

Haro Wine Festival (June 28–30). There are celebrations all over Spain to mark the wine harvest and one of the best is held in Haro in La Rioja region. La Batalla de Vino or the Wine Fight starts with a huge street party on the eve of 28 June. The next day the locals (and you too, if you’re lucky), climb up a nearby mountain and drench each other with rioja using sprays, buckets, water pistols, or whatever they can lay their hands on. The battle moves down the mountain and into the town where dancing and general merrymaking continues, all accompanied by the quaffing of lots and lots of vino tinto. Wear old clothes. See www.wine-fight.com.

International Festival of Music and Dance, Granada (Late June to July). A celebration of flamenco and classical music that traces its origins back to the 1880s, and combines the vibrant energy of Spanish guitars, castanets, and flamenco dancers. The dates for 2016 are yet to be confirmed: check their website at www.granadafestival.org.

El Colacho (Baby Jumping) Festival, Castrillo de Murcia, near Burgos (Mid-June). The uniquely Spanish festival sees townspeople dress up in colorful costumes and form a queue to leap over a mattress laden with babies born during the previous 12 months. The ceremony rids the babies of evil spirits and guards against illness. This is one of the Corpus Christi festivals held all over Spain on the first Sunday after Corpus Christi, making it fall on 7 June 2016. See www.burgos.es.

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Running of the Bulls (Fiesta de San Fermín), Pamplona (July 6–14). This is probably Spain’s most famous festival and is a magnet for thrill-seekers and spectators alike. Hundreds of thousands of Spanish and international visitors don white shirts and red bandanas for some serious partying. The bravest (or most foolhardy) line up to engage in a mad dash ahead of rampaging bulls careering through narrow cobbled streets. Luckily the runners have a newspaper to protect themselves with. By night the squares are strung with fairy lights for drinking, eating, and dancing; there are fireworks and brass bands. See www.turismo.navarra.es.

Feast of St. James, Santiago de Compostela (July 25). A public holiday in the Basque Country and Galicia, this religious event commemorates the life and work of Saint James, the town’s patron saint who is reputed to be buried in the local cathedral. Theatre productions, street shows, concerts, and dance events are held, together with religious services, during the Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol en Santiago de Compostela. Those walking the ‘Camino de Santiago’ can time their pilgrimage to end at this event. See www.santiagoturismo.com.

Near Death Festival, Neves (Late July). Those who have had a brush with death in the past year are carried through the streets in coffins to thank Saint Marta, the ‘patron saint of death’. Known in Spanish as Romería de Santa Marta de Ribarteme. See www.turgalicia.es for the 2016 festival date.

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Festa Major de Gràcia, Catalonia (August 15–21). All year long, the residents of Gràcia work on elaborate decorations with themes such as marine life, the solar system, or even local politics, to hang in the streets. By day, long trestle tables are set up for communal lunches and board games; at night, thousands invade the tiny streets for outdoor concerts, dances, and general revelry. See www.festamajordegracia.cat.

Aste Nagusia, Bilbao (Mid-August). The Aste Nagusia, Semana Grande, or Big Week, the largest festival in northern Spain, starts on the first Saturday after 15 August when a rocket (txupinazo) shoots into the sky and the festival mascot Marijaia makes her appearance on a balcony of the Arriaga Theatre. This nine-day festival celebrates Basque culture with live music and dancing; wood chopping, stone carrying, and strongman competitions; parades of giants; food and drink; bullfights; concerts; nightly fireworks — and culminates in the burning of Marijaia. See www.astenagusia.com.

La Tomatina, Buñol, west of Valencia (August 29–31). This is the world-renowned, tomato-flinging festival held on the last Wednesday of August. Thousands of joyful revelers use truckloads of overripe tomatoes as missiles. Only recently has the town started charging an entrance fee, so you’ll need a ticket to get in. Bring goggles and a change of clothes. See latomatina.info.

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Fiestas de la Mare de Deu de la Salut in Algemesí, Valencia (September 7–8). The main local festival in Algemesí dates back to the Middle Ages and has been awarded the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation. Theatre, dance, and music are part of the celebrations and more than 1,400 people take part in the main parade. The festival also features giants representing King James I of Aragon and his wife as part of the ‘Volta General’, which also includes numerous biblical characters. See www.algemesi.es.

San Sebastián International Film Festival (Late-September). The premier film festival of Spain takes place in the Basque capital around 18 to 26 September 2016, usually at several different theatres. Retrospectives are frequently featured, and weeklong screenings are held. See www.sansebastianfestival.com.

Fiesta De La Mercé, Barcelona (September 24). This celebration honors Our Lady of Mercy (La Mercè), the city’s patron saint. Free music concerts, from traditional to contemporary, are held in the plazas (particularly Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça Sant Jaume), and figures from folklore such as the gigants (giants) and cap grosses (fatheads) take to the streets. People come out to perform the sardana (the traditional Catalan dance) and to watch the nail-biting castellers (human towers). Firework displays light up the night, and the hair-raising correfoc, a parade of firework-brandishing ‘devils’ and dragons, is the grand finale. See merce.bcn.cat.

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Hispanic Day / Columbus Day, throughout Spain (October 12). El Día de la Hispanidad is a national holiday of Spain that is celebrated on 12 October, commemorating the exact date that Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas. A special parade is held in la Plaza de Colon, in Madrid, led by the Spanish military and followed by the King and the Royal Family. A wide array of other authorities, from foreign diplomats to the presidents of the autonomous governments, are invited to attend this parade. The Spanish Armed forces also fly through the air doing aerobatics with red and yellow smoke drawing images for the crowd to see.

Annual Horror and Fantasy Film Festival, San Sebastian (Late-October to early-November). A range of horror movies are screened at various venues, particularly at the Teatro Principal, together with outdoor performances and street theatre, comedy events, horror-related exhibitions, and many fanzine festivities. The 26th festival will run from 29 October to 4 November 2016. See www.donostiakultura.com.

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San Andres Festival, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (November 29). In theory, the celebrations are about tasting the new year’s wine, but it’s usually more about making a lot of noise in the streets with pots, pans, and assorted objects. Celebrants drag cans and other noisy metal objects tied to string and wire through the streets of the town and then everyone drinks into the early hours. See www.todotenerife.es.

All Saints’ Day, Cadiz (November 1). Although All Saint’s Day is celebrated throughout Spain, it is a lot of fun to spend it in Cadiz. There, celebrations are a little different: it is known as Tosantos and the Gaditanos (locals of Cadiz) do wacky things like dress up rabbits and suckling pigs in the market, as well as making dolls out of fruit. The whole region gets involved and the festivities last all week.

Nadal (Christmas), Barcelona (End-November to December). In mid-December stallholders set up Fira de Santa Lucia, a huge open-air market held in the streets around the main cathedral. Thousands come to buy handicrafts, Christmas decorations, trees, and the figurines for their pessebres (nativity dioramas) that are hugely popular here. The Betlem Church on La Rambla holds an exhibition of them throughout the month, and a life-size one is constructed outside the city hall in the Plaça Sant Jaume. Check their website for dates at en.firadesantallucia.cat.

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Día de los Santos Inocentes, throughout Spain (December 28). This equivalent of April Fools’ Day gives people an excuse to do crazy things.

Els Enfarinats, Ibi in Alicante (December 28). This day-long festival is a mix of carnival and anarchy which dates back around 200 years and is part of the celebrations around the Day of the Innocents. A group of Els Enfarinats (Flour Men) dressed in mock military uniforms ‘take control’ of the town, make satirical speeches (often against local politicians and businessmen), impose ‘laws’, and have a huge battle with eggs, flours, and firecrackers. See www.ibi.es.

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HOW TO REACH AND TRAVEL THROUGH SPAIN

To travel within the country, train and buses are both efficient and inexpensive means of transportation; however, a car is still the most practical solution.

by plane, the main airports are:

by train

by car

GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPAIN

health tips & vaccination: none

local currency: European euro

local time zone: GMT+1 (+2)

electricity: [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/C_plug.png”]type C[/su_lightbox] and [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/F_plug.png”]type F[/su_lightbox] (230 V – 50 Hz)

mobile phone operators:

WHAT TO DO IN SPAIN

typical food in Spain

Paella: saffron rice combined with white fish, shrimps, squids, and clams.
Arròs Negre: similar to Paella, with cephalopod ink, cuttlefish or squid, rice, garlic, green cubanelle peppers, sweet paprika, olive oil, and seafood broth.
Croquetas: breaded and fried ham (Croquetas de Jamon), chicken (Croquetas de Pollo), tuna (Croquetas de Atun), rice (Croquetas de Arroz) or potatoes (Croquetas de Papas) croquettes.
Patatas Bravas: potatoes in a cheese gravy.
Gazpacho: cold soup made with raw tomato, cucumber, pepper, onion, and some garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, water, and salt.
Empanada: meat or vegetables filled pastry.
Jamón Ibérico: cured ham served raw in thin slices.
Crema Catalana: a crème caramel-like dessert. A custard base with a hard caramel top.
Tortilla Española: thick omelet made with eggs and potato, fried in oil.
Albondigas: meat-balls served as an appetizer or main course, usually in a tomato sauce.
Bocadillos: a sandwich made with Spanish bread cut lengthwise and filled with an omelette, cheese, salami, or ham.
Chorizo: cured, spicy pork sausage made of chopped pork and pork fat, seasoned with pimentón (smoked paprika) and salt. Can be served raw or cooked.
San Jacobos: ham wrapped around cheese (or with cheese filling), then breaded and pan-fried or deep-fried.
Polbo á Feira: crunchy boiled octopus seasoned with salt, paprika, and olive oil. Served with sliced boiled potatoes and bread.
Pan con Tomate: toasted bread, with rubbed tomato, seasoned with olive oil and salt and sometimes, garlic.
Tapas: small portions of any kind of food; maybe cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, battered, fried baby squid).
Fabada: rich bean stew made of dried large white beans, pork shoulder (Lacón Gallego) or bacon (tocino), black pudding (morcilla), chorizo.
Mallorcan Tumbet: layers of sliced potatoes, aubergines and red bell peppers previously fried in olive oil, topped with tomato fried with garlic and parsley.
Tigres: mussels stuffed with different fillings, breaded and lightly fried.
Churros: sweet fried pastry-dough snacks
Sangria: Alcoholic drink symbol of Spain made from wine, fruit pieces, and spices.
Tinto de Verano: half red wine, half lemonade, usually served with ice cubes.
Cava Wine: white sparkling wine
Licor 43: liqueur made from citrus and fruit juices, flavored with vanilla and other aromatic herbs and spices, for a total 43 different ingredients (hence the name).
San Miguel beer

souvenirs from Spain

Flamenco Dress
Bull-fighter attire
Toledo sword
Sombrero
Mantilla
Fan
Bota wineskin
Bottle of red wine

SIMPLE DICTIONARY

Hello: Hola

Goodbye: Adiós

How are you?: Cómo estás?

Thank you: Gracias

What is your name?: Cuál es su nombre?

How much is it?: Cuánto cuesta?

Sorry: ¡Perdón!

Source:

Source: http://www.thebesttimetovisit.com/
Source: http://www.roughguides.com/
Source: http://www.expatica.com/