The Kingdom of Spain is a country located in Southwestern Europe. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Britain’s Gibraltar and Portugal. Beyond the border in the northeast are the small principality of Andorra and France, and to the south, it shares a border with Morocco.
The area of Spain is about 505,990 square kilometers, the population is about 47.4 million and the official language is Spanish.
Attractions in Spain
The holiday in Spain feels like a vacation, especially for people from the Nordic countries because Spain has a Mediterranean climate. Sunny beaches, enchanting nature, rich history, gorgeous architecture, and plenty of entertainment. All this is about Spain, a beautiful and vibrant country that will never let you get bored. Some top attractions to visit here include:
Alhambra
Alhambra complex is one of the emblematic sites of Spain’s Islamic period. It comprises several Moorish buildings, towers, fortification walls, gardens and a mosque. The Nasrid dynasty’s royal palace entices visitors with beautiful stone carvings, graceful arches and elegant filigrees.
The nearby castle built for the Emperor Charles V is considered one of the most beautiful creations of Spanish Renaissance. Its terraced gardens offer a peaceful retreat from the grandeur and opulence of Alhambra complex.
Barcelona
You should set aside at least one week to explore all the beauty of Barcelona. Still, if you have only one or two days for its exploration, here are some attractions you shouldn’t miss out. First and foremost, visit the most recognizable building of this Catalan city, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. This Art Nouveau church dominates the skyline of the city with its fancy design and sheer size.
Park Güell is a large green space stretching over 17 hectares with stunning gardens and astonishing architecture elements created by Antoni Gaudí.
Barcelona is home to many museums, including Picasso Museum with a vast collection of artworks by the renowned artist. If you love strolling for pleasure, take a walk along La Rambla, a lively tree-lined boulevard cutting through the city center.
Ronda
There are many villages and towns in Spain built on the edge of high cliffs. The most popular one is Ronda in Malaga. Built on a dramatic gorge staring 150 meters down, Ronda has repeatedly been recognized as the most beautiful village in Spain. To capture the best views of the town and surrounding landscape, take a walk on the panoramic bridge Puente Nuevo over the River Guadalevín.
For a different perspective, go downhill at the foot of the gorge and admire the majestic bridge squeezed between rocky walls. Other not to be missed attractions in Ronda are the Mondragon Palace and the Casa del Rey Moro.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
Whether you are a fan of museums or not, a visit to Bilbao’s main attraction will take your breath away. Guggenheim Museum is an architecture marvel created by the American architect Frank Gehry. He used limestone blocks, undulating titanium sheets and his rich imagination to create something that revolutionized the notion of modern architecture.
This masterpiece gave birth to the term “The Bilbao Effect” – the ability of a depressed city to become a popular tourist destination and thrive economically by constructing a single attractive building.
Canary Islands
Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, best known for its superb beaches. Among the best ones are Playa de Las Canteras with calm waters and much space for sunbathing and barefoot walking, and Playa del Inglés, a buzzing beach with plenty of cafés, shops and amusements. Other activities available on Canary Islands include windsurfing, sailing, diving, and camel riding through sand dunes.