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Best places to visit in Spain

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Spain, or officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a beautiful southwestern European nation, situated on the Iberian Peninsula.  The country is home to many autonomous communities, divided into 50 provinces.  These divisions closely follow the pattern of the territorial division of the country carried out in 1833.  The only major change of provincial borders since that time has been the sub-division of the Canary Islands, divided into two provinces rather than one.  Within each of the autonomous communities of Spain are a number of cities, towns and villages, each with its own history, traditions and customs.  Most of these cities are fairly small in terms of population, all but Madrid, the capital and largest city in the country; and Barcelona, the second largest city, with a population that is more than double that of the next largest city, Valencia.  Because these two cities stand out as the major political, cultural, and economic centers in Spain, below we will take a closer look at both of them, including some information regarding their location, demographics, sights and attractions.

Madrid

Madrid is located in and serves as the capital of the province of the same name.  It is also the capital and largest city of Spain, with a total population of 3.3 million in the city proper, and a population of 6.5 million when you include the entire Madrid metropolitan area.  Madrid is the third-largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third-largest in the European Union after London and Paris.  Geographically, the city spans a total of 604 square kilometers, or 233 square miles.

El Escorial Monastary, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid Located along the banks of the Manzanares River, Madrid sits at the center of both the country and the Autonomous Community of Madrid, an area that comprises the city of Madrid, its conurbation and extended suburbs and several smaller towns and villages.  Being the capital city of Spain, Madrid serves as the political nexus of the country:  the seat of the Spanish government and home to the Spanish monarch.  It is also the economic and cultural hub of the country.

Madrid is a fun and fascinating city to visit, largely because of its friendly people, warm weather, laid-back lifestyle, delicious cuisine, exciting night-life, and its world famous festivities and folklore. In a city that is so culturally rich, there is never a shortage of sights and attractions to behold.  Whether you are taking in its many famous landmarks and museums, attending a bullfight or exploring the city’s rich history, you will always find something enjoyable and enriching to visit.  Some of Madrid’s most famous sights and attractions include:

  • Parque del Buen Retiro.  Known familiarly as Retiro Park, the Parque del Buen Retiro, or Royal Park, is the most popular park in Madrid. Belonging to the Spanish monarchy until the late 19 century, this now public park is one of the premiere destinations in the city for rest and relaxation.  Among its many admired features is a monument to King Alfonso XII, a massive memorial featuring a semicircular colonnade and an equestrian statue of the King atop a tall central core.  Adjacent to the monument is the Estanque del Retiro, or “Retiro Pond,” an artificial lake that offers some much-appreciated cooling during the hot summer months in Madrid.  Other popular features of the park include the old Mining building, locally known as the Palacio de Velázquez, built in 1884 by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who also designed one of the park’s other emblematic buildings, the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), a glass pavilion fashioned after the Crystal Palace in London. El Retiro Park, Madrid
  • El Prado Museum and the Golden Triangle of Art.  Located close to each other in the heart of Madrid, the Golden Triangle of Art is made up of three internationally-renowned art museums:  the Museo del Prado (Prado Museum), a national museum featuring pre-20 century art; the Museo Nacional Centre de Arte Reina Sofía (Reina Sofía Museum), also a national museum, home to modern art of the 20 century; and the Museo de Arte Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum), a private museum featuring both historical and contemporary art.
  • Plaza Mayor.  The Plaza Mayor is a grand symmetrically-designed city square surrounded by elegant arcaded red brick buildings. Located in the heart of Madrid, this historic and famous square is filled with majestic statues and landmarks, and is home to many festivals and festivities, from bullfights to royal coronations.
  • Alcala Gate.  The Puerto de Alcala, or Alcala Gate, was built in 1778 by the renowned Italian architect Sabatini.  The neo-classical city gate stands in the Plaza de Indepencia and is one of Madrid’s best known symbols.

Like most major cities around the world, Madrid has a very modern infrastructure, but there are still many remaining signs of its Old World past, represented by the beautifully preserved streets, stunning landmarks and historic neighborhoods.  This blend of architecture and attitude, in which the old and the modern seem to converge effortlessly, is what makes Madrid one of the most treasured and most oft-visited cities in the world.

Barcelona

Located in the province of the same name, Barcelona is the capital of the Autonomous Region of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, with a population of 1.6 million in the city proper, an area that encompasses 101 square kilometers, or 39 square miles.  The Barcelona Metropolitan Area extends beyond the city limits, with a population of roughly 4.5 million and an area of 803 square kilometers, or 39 square miles.  Barcelona is the sixth-largest metropolitan region in the European Union by population, following London, Paris, Madrid, the Ruhr and Milan.  It is also the largest metropolitan area on the Mediterranean coast.

A former host of the Summer Olympic Games (1992), Barcelona is an important economic and cultural center of Spain; a city with a rich cultural legacy and proud heritage.  The city is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.Park Güell, designed by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona

Like Madrid, Barcelona is a fascinating and very enjoyable city to visit.  Its people are friendly and welcoming, and its warm, breezy weather and proximity to white-sand beaches makes it a perfect locale for relaxing and working on that great summer tan.  The nightlife is outrageously raucous in Barcelona—a place where people are known to dance the night away in the hundreds of bars and nightclubs located there—and its attractions are simply one of a kind.  Some of the fun, exciting and historical places to visit in the city include:

 

  • L’Aquarium Barcelona.  Located on Moll d'Espanya del Port Vell, just steps away from its convenient Metro stop, the Barcelona Aquarium is home to thousands of varieties of sea life, with shows and exhibits featured throughout the day.  This is a great place to take the kids for a fun and relaxing day when visiting the city.
  • La Sagrada Familia.  Designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, La Sagrada Familia is one of the top tourist destinations in Barcelona, with over 3 million visitors a year.  This massive unfinished church was begun over 100 years ago, showcasing the amazing architectural styles of the past.  Visiting the outside of the church is free of admission, but for those who desire to see the inside of the church, your best bet is to get reservations at least a month in advance, as the attraction is very popular among locals and tourists alike.
  • Picasso Museum.  The Picasso Museum is Barcelona’s most famous museum, attracting millions of art lovers each year.  It celebrates the life and work of Pablo Picasso and features a unique collection of early sketches and lesser known works by one of the world’s most renowned artists.
  • Las Ramblas Street. Las Ramblas Street is a must-see for anyone visiting the Barcelona area.  Beginning at the Plaza Catalunya and ending at the Monument of Columbus at the Port Vell Harbor, this pleasant stroll is said to be the heartbeat of Barcelona, with hundreds of cultural displays, cafes, restaurants and bars.  Of Las Ramblas, the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca once said, “It’s the only street in the world that I wish would never end.”

Barcelona is also home to some of the most stunning architecture in the world.  In fact, in 1999 the city won the RIBA Royal Gold Medal for Architecture, the first and only time that the winner has been a city, rather than an individual architect.  The city is home to scores of World Heritage Sites (as named by UNESCO), museums, parks, beaches, gardens and historical landmarks, and its culture is warm and embracing.  It may be known as Spain’s “second city,” but the truth is, once you arrive there you may never want to leave.

More places to visit in Spain

If you weren’t planning on going to Granada, you might just have to add it to your plans because The Alhambra is a fortress that you simply can’t pass up visiting. The structure was originally built to be used as a small fortress close to AD 890 and was only used briefly at that time. However, during the 13th century Alhambra was rebuilt and converted into a royal palace. For hundreds of years it was used for very important royalty from the area and with Andalusian architecture it was built so well that today all the principle walls are still standing today. It is an unbelievable place to explore and imagine all that once went on inside.

Also, located in Barcelona, Park Guell is definitely worth your time. Its colorful gardens, views of the city and incomparable architecture are so much fun to explore. You can spend hours finding new nooks and crannies throughout the park, making for an unforgettable experience. Often times local musicians will be stationed throughout making for a very relaxing and enjoyable opportunity to sit and relax a moment. Park Guell was officially open to the public in 1926 and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in the min 1980’s.

If you aren’t sure whether the Cordoba, Andalusia area is worth your time, well it is! Located in the historic center you will find the Great Mosque of Cordoba, which is considered one of the most remarkable and widely recognized Moorish architectures. Although it was used for religious practice for both Muslims and Christians, it is today used as a Roman Catholic church.

Of all there is to see in Spain’s capital city, one place you should be sure to visit is the Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the offered as official residence of the Royal Family. However, it is currently only used for ceremonies and not as a residence. King Felipe VI and his Royal Family have chosen not to live there, although it has been home to royal families in the past. The sheer size of the palace is incredible. It covers a whopping 135,000 meters squared and has a total of close to 3,500 rooms, making it the biggest royal palace in the European continent. The inside is full of original art pieces from a number of notable artists such as, Francisco de Goya and Velazquez. Many areas of the palace are open to the public to explore for a small fee, which will prove to be worth your money!

If you are even the slightest bit interested in sports, specifically soccer, Camp Nou, located in Barcelona is most definitely worth going to. Camp Nou is home of FC Barcelona since it was finished being built in the late 1950’s and is truly an impressive stadium to see. It has a seating capacity of just under 100,000 fans, making it the stadium able to seat more people than any other in the country. Some of the most important events that have taken place there include the 1982 FIFA World Cup, two UEFA Champions League finals and the 1992 Summer Olympics. Apart from soccer, the stadium has also been used for numerous concerts and even a mass given by Pope John Paul II. Camp Nou is easily reached by the Tramway, metro, bus and is only 8.5 miles away from the El Prat International Airport.

Sun Coast, locally known as Costa del Sol. The coastline of Costa del Sol, includes a region of southern Spain in Andalusia which is made up of multiple coastal towns along the Province of Malaga. The Costa del Sol shoreline region reaches from the amazing cliffs at Maro in the East to Punta Chullera on its most western point. There is so much to do and explore in each and every beachside community in this area and the beaches are beautiful. Costa del Sol is an internationally famous tourist destination that you just can’t pass up.

Now before we wrap up this article, we have just a few more destinations that we couldn’t leave out. We recommend looking into also visiting the National Museum or Prado which is home to a unique and world-class collection of European art, located in the heart of Madrid, the Gothic Quarter and Casa Batllo, Casa Mila in Barcelona among many, many other unforgettable Spanish sites.