Offbeat Spain

Spain is a country that offers a multitude of options. It has a vast and exciting cultural, natural and gastronomic heritage. It’s a place where you can wander around modern cities, and cities that will take you back in time to a different age. You’ll fall in love with its climate and its people.

Immerse yourself in a culture with an ancient history. From the archaeological sites at Atapuerca in Burgos to the Alhambra in Granada. Spain is the country with the third largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The variety of Spain’s natural spaces makes it an outstanding setting for anyone with a spirit of adventure. From north to south, you’ll be amazed by the diversity of its landscapes. Spain is the country with the most UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves in the world, and it has no fewer than 15 national parks.

All this and much more is waiting for you in Spain: a country that welcomes visitors of all descriptions. Come with us as we take a look at its main attractions, and let yourself be charmed by the openness and friendliness of its people.

Spain is incredibly diverse, both culturally and geographically. The south and north are worlds apart. One is a hiker’s paradise, and the other more for the city slicker. It is suggested to visit  at least 2 regions to get a taste of the diversity in this country! Moreover, do not forget to explore out and visit the charming villages and countryside that make up Spain’s beauty and culture, away from the tourists.

Barcelona

The capital of Catalonia, it is the birthplace of major avant-garde movements of the 20th century and the epitome of the modernist city. Here you can see the foremost architectural
treasures designed by Antoni Gaudí, like the Sagrada Familia and Güell Park. It also has Roman remains and medieval neighbourhoods you can wander through and discover its history. 

There are few places in the world where you will find such a variety of cultural and leisure attractions. And if you are a nature lover, you will have  plenty to choose from: lying on a secluded beach, climbing, skiing, discovering its natural reserves. You can also enjoy unique gastronomy experiences in restaurants, city markets and small wineries in the area. To
treat your taste buds you can try dishes like escalivada (smoky grilled vegetables), calçotada (char-grilled onions) and homemade desserts like crema catalana (a type of crème brûlée), along with its famous cava sparkling wines. If your thing is shopping, Barcelona is the place for you. Leading exclusive stores, as well as more bohemian businesses
and charming markets, await you.

Girona

The so-called “City of the Four Rivers”, shows us a historic centre dominated by medieval buildings and reminders of Romans, Arabs and Jews. Inside the walled enclosure of “La Força Vella” you can find the culiminating works of its historical destiny. Its excellent position between the Pyrenean chain and the Costa Brava makes a multitude of trips possible, for example, to natural areas which are worthy of mention. Everywhere, the traveller will have the opportunity to try the regional cuisine which brings together in its recipes products of the sea and the mountains.

Andalusia is a large autonomous region of hills, rivers and farmland bordering Spain’s southern coast.  If flamengo dance, villages with white streets, architecture and buzzing tapas bars excites you, then Andalucia is the place to be.

Granada

At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, between the rivers Darro and Genil, lies one of the most interesting cities in Eastern Andalusia. Fountains, viewpoints and “Cármenes”, houses surrounded by typical gardens of this city, create unforgettable corners in the city. It is no surprise that one of its old neighbourhoods, the Albaicín, has been awarded the World Heritage designation, together with the Alhambra and Generalife.

Cordoba

Cordoba is situated in the interior of Andalusia where past and modernity blend in together. This thousand-year-old city, which has the World Heritage designation, is a living legacy of the different cultures that settled here throughout its history.

Malaga

The Gibralfaro castle casts a watchful eye over this warm-hearted and lively city full of attractive sites such as the Alameda Principal avenue and the La Farola seafront promenade.Its status as the capital of the Costa del Sol has made it one of Spain’s foremost holiday destinations, thanks to its mild climate, its beaches and its outstanding offer of golf courses.

Seville

Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville has a rich Moorish heritage, and used to be a prosperous port that carried out trade with the Americas. Museumsand art centres, theme parks, cinemas, theatres and clubs are some of the many leisure options that a great city like Seville holds. Without forgetting, of course, the numerous terraces, inns and bars where visitors can practise one of the most deeply-rooted and tasty traditions in the city: “Going out for tapas”.

From the ‘rías baixas’ of Galicia to the Bay of Biscay, Green Spain travels the north coast of the Iberian Peninsula through four autonomous regions: Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country.

Galicia

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city that combines the most modern infrastructures and the status as an economic, financial, administrative and service centre, with a large cultural and artistic heritage, a legacy of centuries of exciting history. Madrid has many artistic attractions, thanks to the different styles that have left their imprint in the city over the centuries. An art lover’s paradise, Madrid boasts of a collection of exquisite artworks by Spanish and other renowned painters across it’s museums and galleries. Madrid has embraced the gastronomic evolution of Spain and is a culinary capital of Europe. Madrid also reflects the rich architectural heritage of Spain in it’s attractions and buildings.

Day-trips from Madrid:

Visit to Madrid is not complete without a one or two-day trip to any of the wonderful places that surround Madrid, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to charming villages and magnificent palaces.  

Ibiza

A Phoenician-Punic settlement during ancient times, Ibiza contains within its Renaissance walls an interesting legacy from all the different cultures that populated it. This artistic wealth is found in the monumental area of Dalt Vila, in the necropolis of Es Puig des Molins and in the archaeological site of Sa Caleta. The beauty of the island capital is enhanced by the sands and coves at Figueretes, Es Viver and Talamanca, as well as by its the diverse marine ecosystem.

Crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, natural coves, otherworldly scenery – The Ibiza coastline is marked by one of a kind, awe-inspiring places to enjoy the beach and sea all year long. Taste a paella or take in a seaside concert, ramble down the coast by boat or kayak, go scuba diving or try all manner of other water sports. Or simply dig your feet into the sand and watch the sun go down. The options are endless.

Carob, fig, almond and fruit trees are joined by vineyards in populating the Ibizan countryside and imbuing it with a sense of peace and escape from the hustle and bustle. The setting calls for a slower pace, like from bygone times, when the only reds were those of the earth, the greens of surrounding vegetation and the blue of the sky above.

Mallorca

The capital of the island of Majorca is located in the bay of the same name and enjoys an excellent climate all year round (with an average annual temperature of 17.9° C). Known for its sun and beach tourism, it also has an attractive historic quarter. The Cathedral, the Almudaina Palace, the Lonja fish market and Plaza Mayor are some of the sites that are well worth visiting. The most beautiful monuments are surrounded by fishing boats, pine forests and palm trees. The landscape of the island is full of coves, beaches and cliffs on the coast, and inland you will find typical towns and mountain ranges up to 1,500 metres high. The variety of the landscape and culture invites visitors to explore every corner of Majorca and to find out more about the gastronomy of the island.

Spain is a vast country with varied culture, language and traditions. Here are few points to keep in mind before you set out to explore Spain:

• Have a basic understanding of the different regions and their culture/traditions.
• There are many semi-autonomous regions in Spain and there are pro-independence movements in few. So it would be best not to initiate any discussions on that front.
• Understand “Siesta” – Certain regions in Spain (the hotter ones) and certain seasons (*summer*) take an afternoon break to escape the heat. 
• Staying Vegan – much of the Spanish cuisine is based on meat. Though Vegan restaurants are available in Madrid and Barcelona, in other places it might be tough to find.
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