Tourist attractions in Spain
Spain’s natural, historical, social and cultural delights draw millions of tourists from around the globe each year to tourist attractions in Spain.
In the blistering summer heat its coastal beaches are a mecca for bronzers and party goers the world over; and throughout the year its great cities and varied terrain offer a whole different experience.
Architecture in Spain
For architecture and design with a twist, head to Barcelona. Antonio Gaudi, the maverick architect left his mark with weird and wonderful buildings across the city. The Sagrada Familia, his uncompleted masterpiece of a Cathedral is still being built today and is already one of the most unconventional churches in the world. For a more complete look at his vision, check out Park Guell overlooking the city.
Spain’s Islamic heritage before its forced re-Christianisation in the 13th century has also left some superb sites, mostly in southern Spain. The Mezquita, Cordoba’s Cathedral, uses the remnants of the old mosque to form its church, superimposed in the middle, with wonderful results. In Granada, the Alhambra - the beautiful palace / castle on the hill overlooking the city - is a superb remnant of enlightened Islamic rule, streaming with beautiful water features and proportioned courtyards.
Seville Cathedral is absolutely vast and richly decorated and again bares the signs of Spain’s religious history.
For royal Spain, it’s best to head inland to the capital and region around Madrid. The imposing El Escorial palace is a day trip from Madrid and the home to the royals’ tombs and a UNESCO World Heritage site; and back in Madrid the Museo del Prado contains a superb collection of art and is one of the finest galleries in Europe. For more fine, but this time, modern, art, head to Bilbao, the renaissance city in the Basque region and its Guggenheim museum.
Culture
In that other key centre of regional Spain, Barcelona, have a look round the institution which means most to Catalans: FC Barcelona and the Nou Camp. Big, indeed….
From the fun of Ibiza to the high culture of the Prado, tourist attractions in Spain are glorious and they form the perfect varied holiday destination.
