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RondaCity/Region: Costa del Sol
Resort Name: Marbella
Situated on a towering plateau in the mountains 30 miles (48km) inland from Marbella stands Ronda, one of the loveliest and most historic towns in the region. Ronda is a popular day-trip for holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol wanting to escape the beach and soak up some culture in one of the many cafés and restaurants. It is famous for the plunging river gorge that divides the medieval from the 18th-century parts of the town. Known as El Tajo, the gorge is
spanned by a stone bridge, Puente Nuevo, that once housed a prison and now acts as a dramatic viewpoint for visitors. There is a spectacular walkway, El Parador, along the river gorge, which offers superb views of the surrounding countryside. Ronda is also well known for its bullring - the oldest and largest in Spain. When there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum.
GranadaCity/Region: Costa del Sol
Resort Name: Malaga
Granada, a high altitude city of romance and folklore, boasts one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra palace-fortress. Built by the Nasrid rulers in the 14th century the Alhambra is the most important and spectacular piece of Moorish architecture in Spain. The huge complex, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, includes the summer palace with its fountains and gardens; the Palacios Nazaries with its intricate ornamentation; and a hilltop fortress. The city also boasts a Cathedral containing a Royal Chapel in which Isabel and Ferdinand of Spain lie buried, and a Moorish medina area, known as the Albaicin, with its labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses. North of Granada is Sacromonte hill, famed for its cave dwellings which were once the home of a large gypsy community. The Interpretation Center has an Ethnographic Museum detailing the history and culture of the cave dwellers. See www.sacromontegranada.com for more information.
The PradoCity/Region: Madrid
Madrid's world-famous attraction is the 213-year-old Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, with more than 7,000 paintings that include masterpieces by Fra Angelico, Botticelli, El Bosco, Titian, Rembrandt and Velazquez. The museum began as a Royal collection, which succeeding dynasties have added to. The collection naturally focuses on the Spanish masters, particularly Goya, whose exhibited works follow the development of his painting from the sun-soaked early scenes of joyful festivities to the grim madness characterising his 'black period'. The Prado has few equals - whether you are an art lover or not.
Address: Paseo del Prado
Phone Number: 91 330 2800
Email Address: museo.nacional@prado.mcu.es
Website: museoprado.mcu.es
Transport: Metro to Banco de España or Atocha; train to Atocha station; bus 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37 or 45
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 8pm
Admission: EUR6; free for under-18s and over-65s; other concessions available. Free for all from 6pm to 8pm
Thyssen-Bornemisza MuseumCity/Region: Madrid
The second gallery in Madrid's 'golden triangle' of art museums is the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Housing the former private collection of the Thyssen family, the works were bought by the city of Madrid to enrich its fund of art treasures. The collection, in the restored 18th century Palacio de Villahermosa near the Prado, contains more than 800 paintings, sculptures, carvings and tapestries, ranging from primitive Flemish works to contemporary pieces. Among the highlights are works by Renoir, Durer and Van Eyck. The collection includes some major American works as well.
Address: Villahermosa Palace, Paseo del Prado 8
Phone Number: 91 369 0151
Email Address: mtb@museothyssen.org
Website: www.museothyssen.org
Transport: Metro to Banco de España station. A variety of public buses also provide transport to the museum
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Admission: EUR6 (permanent exhibition); concessions EUR4. Free for children under 12
Reina Sofia National Art Center MuseumCity/Region: Madrid
The third of Madrid's famed art galleries, the Reina Sofia, is dedicated to 20th century Spanish art, having been designed to give Spain a museum to equal France's Pompidou Center and London's Tate Gallery. The museum was opened by Queen Sofia in 1986, and is housed in the former Hospital de San Carlos. The artworks displayed here include those of Juan Gris, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso. The star attraction of the museum is Picasso's controversial Guernica, depicting the Nazi bombing of the Basque town in 1937 in support of Franco's cause in the Spanish Civil War. Until 1980 this painting hung in New York's Museum of Modern Art.
Address: Calle Santa Isabel 52
Phone Number: 91 774 1000
Website: www.museoreinasofia.es
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am and 9pm, and on Sundays between 10am and 2.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays
Admission: EUR6; concessions available. Free on Saturdays from 2.30pm to 9pm and Sundays
Royal PalaceCity/Region: Madrid
The massive bright-white Royal Palace (Palacio Real) on the Plaza de Oriente in Madrid dates from 1734, when the 3,000-roomed royal residence was commissioned by Philip V. It was last called 'home' by the royal family in 1931 - the present king, Juan Carlos, lives in the more subdued Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid. Most of the rooms are now open to the public, and others are used for state business. English tours are run regularly, lasting about two hours, taking visitors to the reception room and state apartments, the impressive armory and the royal pharmacy. The grandiose state apartments are filled with art treasures, antiques and opulent Rococo décor that could even rival Versailles.
Address: Calle Bailén
Phone Number: 91 454 8800
Website: www.patrimonionacional.es
Transport: Bus 3, 25, 39 and 148. Metro to Opera Station
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm, and Sunday 9am to 2pm (October to March); Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to 3pm (April to September)
Admission: EUR9, concessions available
Plaza MayorCity/Region: Madrid
Madrid's famous central arcaded square dates from 1619 and was built by Philip III whose statue still stands in the center of the cobbled expanse. In medieval times the Plaza de Arrabal, as it was then known, was the venue for numerous public spectacles, ranging from knights' tournaments and festivals to the burning of heretics at the stake. Today it remains a public gathering place, but the majority of people who congregate in the sidewalk cafes to sip sangria on summer nights are tourists, enjoying impromptu music performances and watching the passing parade.
Goya's TombCity/Region: Madrid
The Panteon de Goya is situated in the Glorieta de San Antonio de la Florida and is known as Goya's Sistine Chapel. The artist decorated the dome and cupola of the little chapel with a fresco depicting the miracles of St Anthony, with the use of sponges, a project that took six weeks to complete. Mirrors have been placed in strategic places to provide better glimpses of the art. The chapel also contains the artist's tomb.
Phone Number: 91 542 0722
Hours: The chapel is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 2pm, and 4pm to 8pm, and weekends 10am to 2pm
Admission: EUR2
Parque del Buen RetiroCity/Region: Madrid
Madrid's lush central park, one of many green spaces in the city, covers 350 acres (142 hectares) and was laid out originally as the private garden of Philip IV. The vast park features formal gardens, statuary, fountains, lakes, exhibition halls, children's playgrounds and outdoor cafes. Visitors can stroll among the trees, admire the rose garden, and take a boat ride on the lake. At weekends the park comes alive with buskers, clowns, fortune-tellers and sidewalk painters.
Hours: Daily 6.30am to 10.30pm
ToledoCity/Region: Madrid
The magnificent hilltop city of Toledo, about 43 miles (70km) southwest of Madrid, was immortalized by Spain's renowned artistic genius El Greco in a cityscape that currently hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The city has changed little since El Greco captured it on canvas in 1597, with its golden spires and Gothic buildings spreading across the Tagus River Gorge, overlooking the plains of New Castille. The ancient city was capital of Visigoth Spain in the 5th and 6th centuries, and as time passed Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities have all left their mark on the city's rich architectural heritage - from the Moorish gate (Puerta de Bisagrai) to the Gothic convent of San Juan de los Reyes. Pride of place is held by the El Greco's 'Burial of the Count of Orgaz' painted on the wall of the Santo Tome. The town's attractions and main street are packed with tourists throughout the summer, but it is easy to escape into one of the enchanting side streets, which wind up and down the hillside.
Monastery of San Lorenzo de El EscorialCity/Region: Madrid
The huge granite rectangular edifice, topped with four spiral towers, is a forbidding sight in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial about 30 miles (50km) northwest of Madrid. The monastery/church/palace complex was built by Philip II as a memorial to his father, Charles V, and contains some of El Greco's and Hieronymus Bosch's artworks. A vaulted library contains a priceless collection of more than 60,000 ancient books. The monastery itself houses a wealth of paintings and tapestries, and the mausoleum beneath the church's altar serves as a burial place for Spanish kings.
Address: Calle Juan de Borbón y Battemberg
Phone Number: 91 890 5903, or 91 890 5313
Transport: Bus 661 and 664 from Madrid, or the Madrid-El Escorial train
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (closes at 5pm October to March)
Admission: EUR10 (guided), EUR8 (unguided), concessions available
SegoviaCity/Region: Madrid
The ancient town of Segovia, lying on a slope of the Guadarrama Mountains with the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores Rivers below, is a delightful taste of the glorious past of the area known as Castile in central Spain. Segovia is 54 miles (91km) northwest of Madrid and is well worth visiting for its reputation as being the most beautiful city in Spain, awarded a place on the Unesco World Heritage list. The ancient Romans turned the town into a military base, leaving behind Segovia's famous aqueduct which begins nine miles from the city and until fairly recently still supplied the town with water. The other main attraction in Segovia is the fairytale Alcazar, a fortified citadel perched on the edge of town that the Walt Disney castle is said to be modeled on. The town overflows with Romanesque churches, 15th century palaces, narrow streets and small fountain-splashed plazas and is best explored on foot.
La RamblasCity/Region: Barcelona
The most famous street in Europe, the wide tree-lined boulevard known as La Ramblas, is a long continuous pedestrian avenue that changes names five times as it cuts through Barcelona's 'old city', the Barri Gotic, from the Placa Catalunya to the city's port. It is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, and is usually thronged with leisurely walkers enjoying the sights and sounds. Whilst walking around it is worthwhile to note some attractions along the way, including Gaudi's Guell Palace, his first big architectural assignment, and the pretty square, Placa Reial.
Picasso MuseumCity/Region: Barcelona
On Carrer Montcada, a street known for its elegant medieval structures, two palaces dating from the 15th century have been converted into the Picasso Museum, home to one of the most complete collections of works from his youth and formative years as an artist. Pablo Picasso spent his early years in Barcelona (between 1901 and 1906), and the museum is now the city's top attraction. The collection includes a number of childhood portraits and paintings, as well as engravings, drawings and art from his Blue and Rose Periods.
Address: Montcada Street 15-23
Phone Number: 932 563 000
Website: www.museupicasso.bcn.es
Transport: Metro to Jaume l, Liceu or Arc de Triomf stations; bus 17, 40 or 45 to Via Laietana or Jaume I bus stops, bus 39 or 51 to Passeig Picasso stop
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm
Admission: EUR6 for main exhibition - extra for special showings. Free days on 11 February, 18 May and 24 September
Guell ParkCity/Region: Barcelona
Barcelona's famous architectural son, Antonio Gaudi, left his mark on the city nowhere more prominently than in the gardens of the Parc Guell. The park, sited on Camel Hill offering splendid views of the city, was originally planned to be a garden city suburb, but only two houses were completed before it was turned into a public recreational park. The gardens are festooned with examples of his work, including flights of stairs, columns and a plaza decorated with mosaics. The pink fairytale house standing at the entrance to the park was once home to Gaudi and his niece, but is now a museum containing some Gaudi-designed furniture, décor, drawings and portraits of the architect.
Transport: 20 minutes walk from Lesseps Metro stop or bus 24 from Placa de Catalunya drops you outside the main entrance
Hours: Daily from 10am to 7pm (closing times vary depending on the season)
Admission: Free
La Sagrada FamíliaCity/Region: Barcelona
One of Catalonia's most intriguing landmarks, the bizarre Church of the Holy Family designed by modernist architect Antoni Gaudi, was started in 1882, but it remains unfinished and an object of controversy. Gaudi worked on what was considered his masterpiece until his death in 1926, imbuing the structure with his characteristic fantastic Art Nouveau styling. Work has continued sporadically since, but Gaudi left no plans for its completion and the continued construction has run rampant. The church site stands at the junction of Marina and Provenca streets in the central city area.
Address: Calle Mallorca 401
Phone Number: 932 073 031
Email Address: info@sagradafamilia.org
Website: www.sagradafamilia.org
Transport: Metro to Sagrada Familia stop
Hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm (October to March), 9am to 8pm (April to September)
Admission: EUR8, lift EUR2. Concessions available
MontjuicCity/Region: Barcelona
Montjuic is a hill overlooking the city center of Barcelona on which are sited some of the city's show-pieces, including the main sites of the 1992 Olympics; the Poble Espanyol (a replicated Spanish village displaying art and architecture); the Joan Miro museum; and the National Art Museum of Catalonia. There are also some leisure attractions and cool green parks festooned with fountains, popular for strolls on summer evenings. The magical fountains of Montjuic are a popular attraction that entertain on summer evenings with displays of light, color and music. Accessible by cable car from Montjuic the Barceloneta port district is below the hill. This former fishing village is now renowned for its seafood restaurants and beach, which is lined with boardwalks and cafes.
TibidaboCity/Region: Barcelona
Barcelona's second landmark hill is Tibidabo, about four miles (6km) northwest of the city in a wooded range that forms a backdrop to the city. Tibidabo can be reached by funicular, and is particularly popular at weekends with locals because it is home to the Parc d'Atraccions, an amusement park with some thrill rides and renowned house of horrors. Tibidabo also features the soaring Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower, which offers visitors the chance to ride in a glass lift to an observation platform 377 feet (115m) high to enjoy a spectacular view. There is also a large, interesting church called Temple del Sagrat Cor surmounted by a giant Christ statue, which also offers a lift to a rooftop viewing platform.
Website: www.tibidabo.es
TarragonaCity/Region: Costa Dorada
Resort Name: Salou
The Costa Dorada's main city, Tarragona, has almost doubled in size during the last few decades, its residential districts continually expanding around the medieval core. Tarragona, originally built on a rocky bluff, can trace its roots back to 218 BC, when it was founded by the ancient Romans as a legionnaires military base. Vestiges of its past still remain in the form of ruins of the Roman amphitheater, aqueduct, forum and other buildings sited on the Paseo Arqueologico (Archaeological Avenue), which leads to some panoramic viewpoints. A wide boulevard called the Rambla Nova represents the modern main street outside the old city walls. A popular outing for visitors is to explore the old harbor, known as El Serrallo, to watch the fishing boats arrive and auction their catch. The city also sports some excellent beaches on its doorstep, including Playa Llarga, regarded as one of the biggest and best on the Catalonian coast. Among the many museums is an archaeological museum devoted to Roman antiquities; the Diocesan Museum displaying Gothic paintings, sculptures and tapestries; and a house museum detailing the life and career of renowned cellist, Pablo Casals.
MontserratCity/Region: Barcelona
One of the most visited sights in Catalonia is the monastery at Montserrat, 35 miles (56km) northwest of Barcelona. The monastery is surrounded by strange rocky crags and caves, and was founded in 1025 to celebrate local visions of the Virgin Mary. It has become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain, sitting atop a 4,000-foot (1,200m) high mountain and housing about 80 monks. Its main claim to fame is a 12th century Romanesque wooden sculpture of a black Virgin Mary known as La Moreneta, which thousands come here to see and touch. The monastery on its mountain perch is reached by cable car.
Transport: Train from Espanya station (one hour)
Admission: Entry to the monastery is free, but the funicular ride to the Holy Grotto is EUR6
Tossa de MarCity/Region: Barcelona
The medieval town of Tossa de Mar, 56 miles (90km) north of Barcelona, is the most attractive town on the Costa Brava, offering lovely sandy beaches and a lively atmosphere. Once the main port for exporting cork, Tossa is now dependent on tourism. Visitors are drawn to its 12th century walled town, Vila Vella, the ancient walls, battlements and towers enclosing a quaint historical labyrinth. There are four beaches within the town itself and numerous others flanking Tossa on either side.
Website: www.infotossa.com
GironaCity/Region: Costa Brava
Resort Name: Roses
The city of Girona, on the route from the Pyrenees to Barcelona, is one of the most important historical sites in Spain, founded by the Romans and later a Moorish stronghold. Sitting astride the confluence of the Onyar and Ter rivers, this quaint medieval city attracts hordes of tourists from the Costa Brava resorts and Barcelona, all lured by the experience of walking through the old quarter, the Call, with its narrow alleyways and ancient stone houses. Inside the ancient walls are such gems as the 12th-century Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants and the14th-century cathedral built in the Catalonian Baroque style. The cathedral can be accessed by climbing up 90 steps. It includes a museum containing art works and rare manuscripts. Also of particular interest are the restored 12th-century Arab baths with their central octagonal pool, and the fascinating Jewish quarter where, between the 9th and 15th centuries the culture and religion flourished on the narrow steep streets. The arcaded promenade, the Rambla de la Llibertat, is lined with delightful cafes and shops selling souvenirs, crafts, antiques and curiosities. In addition the city is well supplied with museums and galleries.
Address: Tourist office: Rambla Llibertat 1 (at the eastern end of the old town)
Phone Number: Tourist office: 972 226 575
Hours: Tourist office: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. Saturday 8am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm. In July and August the office opens on Sundays from 9am to 2pm as well
Castell de Santa BarbaraCity/Region: Costa Blanca
Resort Name: Alicante
The impressive castle that towers over Alicante was originally built by the Carthaginians in 400 BC and later used by the Romans and Moors. The fortress is massive, encompassing moats, drawbridges, tunnels, cisterns and dungeons, not to mention a stately tower and keep. From the top of the castle there is a wonderful view of the bay and city. The castle can be accessed in an elevator from the Explanada d'Espanya.
Phone Number: 96 526 3131
Hours: Daily 10am to 8pm (April to September), 9am to 7pm (October to March)
Admission: Free
Museu de Arte del Siglo XX AseguradaCity/Region: Costa Blanca
Resort Name: Alicante
In the Plaza de Santa Maria stands Alicante's oldest building, a former granary dating from 1685. Ironically the city's oldest building contains its most notable modern art collection, donated by painter and sculptor Eusebio Sempere in 1977. Among the noteworthy paintings on display are those of Dali, Picasso, Calder and Miro.
Address: Plaza de Santa María, Alicante
Phone Number: 96 514 0768
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 2pm and 3pm to 9pm (10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm from October to May); Sundays 10.30am to 2.30pm; closed Mondays
Admission: Free, guided tours are also available at no cost if booked in advance
ElcheCity/Region: Costa Blanca
Resort Name: Alicante
For a change from beaches, just 12 miles (19km) inland west of Alicante is Europe's only palm forest, forming a lush oasis around the city of Elche (Elx). The city boasts several beautiful parks and public gardens. The Parque Municipal is one of the most popular, festooned with palm trees, grassy promenades and children's playgrounds. Most beautiful is the Hort del Cura, filled with shade trees and bright flowerbeds.
Transport: Elche can be reached by an hourly train service from Alicante, or by regular bus connections
Isla TabarcaCity/Region: Costa Blanca
Resort Name: Alicante
The tiny islet of Tabarca is becoming an increasingly popular day trip destination from Alicante, with its quiet fishing village offering an old fort, several very reasonably priced fresh seafood restaurants, a rocky beach with clear turquoise water, and several coves and tidal pools ideal for bathing. The island lies 10 miles (16km) south of Alicante and can be reached in an hour by ferry from the dock on Explanada d'Espanya in the city.
CathedralCity/Region: Seville
As a monument to Christian glory, Seville's cathedral has few equals, in fact it is still undecided whether it is the largest church in the world when measured against St Peter's in Rome and St Paul's in London. This massive Gothic edifice took more than a century to build, after a group of religious fanatics decided in 1401 to build a church so wonderful that 'those who come after us will take us for madmen'. The cathedral was built on the site of the Almohad mosque, which was demolished to make way for it, leaving no more than the minaret, built in 1198, known as La Giralda, which is today open to tourists to climb. The interior of the cathedral contains some marvelous sights in its 44 chapels, including mahogany choir stalls made from recycled Austrian railway sleepers. It is claimed that Christopher Columbus' remains are here in a tomb dedicated to him, but there is some controversy over this. Artworks to be seen include gilded panels, glittering icons, and intricately carved altarpieces.
Address: Avenida de la Constitución
Phone Number: 95 421 4971
Hours: Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm (July and August); rest of the year Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm, Sunday 2.30pm to 6pm
Admission: EUR7.50
AlcazarCity/Region: Seville
The site of Seville's Moorish Alcazar palace has been occupied by the city's rulers since Roman times, and has been a favored residence of Spanish kings since the Middle Ages. The palace was built by the Moors in the 7th century, and has been added to and altered by successive occupants ever since. First to enlarge the building was the infamous al-Mu'tadid of the Abbadids, who reputedly kept a harem of 800 women and decorated the terraces with flowers planted in the skulls of his decapitated enemies. Of the early Christian additions most notable is the colonnaded quadrangle of the Patio of the Maids. The golden-domed Salon de los Embajadores was a wing built by Fernando and Isabel, and was where the royal pair welcomed Columbus back after his discovery of America. The palace is set in beautiful gardens.
Address: Plaza del Triunfo
Phone Number: 95 450 2323
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 7pm, Sunday 9.30am to 5pm
Admission: EUR5
Santa Cruz neighborhoodCity/Region: Seville
Visitors usually need to visit a tourist office to obtain a detailed map of the winding alleys, gateways and courtyards of this enchanting and fascinating section of Seville, a former Jewish ghetto, where every street corner has a romantic legend attached to it. The balconies and windowsills are all festooned with flowers and the fragrance of jasmine pervades the air in this picturesque corner of the city, which can be reached via the Calle Rodrigo Caro. Some of the sights to look for are the Hospital de los Venerables, which contains Sevillian art works; the beautiful mansions in the Calle Lope de Rueda; the Convent de San Jose which boasts relics of Saint Teresa of Avila; and the Iglesia de Santa Maria la Blanca which features Murillo's 'Last Supper'.
Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de SevillaCity/Region: Seville
A restored convent, dating back to 1612 and hidden in a tiny plaza off Calle de Alfonso XII in Seville, houses one of Spain's most important art collections. Highlights here are the religious paintings of Seville's own Esteban Murillo, but the collection also includes other Seville School artists such as the macabre works of Juan de Vales Leal and Francisco de Zurbaran. There are also two paintings by El Greco among the exhibits.
Address: Plaza del Museo 9
Phone Number: 95 422 1829
Hours: Tuesday 3pm to 8pm; Wednesday to Saturday 9am to 8pm; Sunday 9am to 2pm
Admission: EUR1.50
Maria Luisa ParkCity/Region: Seville
Regarded as one of the loveliest parks in Europe, this half-mile area in southern Seville, near the port, is planted with palms, orange trees, elms and Mediterranean pines. Bright and beautiful flower beds vie for the eye with hidden bowers, ponds and pavilions in this little paradise, which was designed in the 1920s and thus reflects a mix of Art Deco and Mudejar styling. The park was originally part of Seville's world exposition, which brought a burst of building and rejuvenation during the 1920s, which included the re-direction of the Guadalquivir River and the construction of some opulent buildings, like the stylish Guatemala building off the Paseo de la Palmera. Also fronting the park is the city's archaeological museum, focusing on the Romans and prehistory of the province of Seville. Near the park is the Royal Tobacco Factory (today part of the university), immortalized by the fictional operatic gypsy heroine, Carmen, who worked there.
Torre del OroCity/Region: Seville
The 'tower of gold', overlooking the Guadalquivir River, was part of the original Moorish city fortification, built in the 13th century, and is believed to have been covered with gold tiles imported from the Americas. The tower has been restored and now houses a maritime museum, which contains drawings and engravings depicting Seville in its heyday.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 2pm; weekends 11am to 2pm
Guggenheim MuseumCity/Region: Bilbao
Locals in Bilbao are divided on whether it is a 'beauty or a beast', but the bizarre multi-million dollar Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997, has brought thousands of visitors flocking to the city to be awed or floored. The massive museum, designed by Frank Gehry has no right angles and resembles a metallic flower, clad in shiny titanium, sited in the former dockyard alongside the Nervion River. Inside, apart from breathtaking spaces, the museum houses the works of some important 20th century artists, including Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Willem de Koonig and Clyfford Still. There are also sections displaying the work of young Basque and Spanish artists, and rotating exhibits lent by the Guggenheim museums in New York and Venice.
Address: Abandoibarra Et. 2
Phone Number: 94 435 90 80
Website: www.guggenheim-bilbao.es
Transport: Metro to Moyua station, streetcar to Guggenheim stop; a variety of buses also service the museum
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm (open Mondays between June and August)
Admission: EUR10.50 (adults), children under 12 are free. Other concessions available
Museo de Bellas ArtesCity/Region: Bilbao
For a more mainstream artistic experience than that offered by the astonishing Guggenheim gallery, the Museo de Bellas Artes in the Plaza Museo fits the bill admirably with some valuable works on display behind an unassuming façade. The museum's impressive collection spans art from the 12th to 20th century, highlights being some excellent Flemish works from between the 15th and 17th centuries. There are also works by El Greco, Goya, Gauguin, Francis Bacon, Picasso and Velazquez. To the rear of the building is a sculpture garden.
Address: Museo Plaza 2
Phone Number: 94 439 6060
Email Address: info@museobilbao.com
Website: www.museobilbao.com
Transport: Metro to Moyúa station, or bus 1, 10, 13 and 18 to Museum Plaza
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am and 8pm
Admission: EUR5.50 (adults), children under 12 free, concessions EUR4
Museu VascoCity/Region: Bilbao
The Museu Vasco, also known as the Euskal Museoa or Basque Museum, is in the heart of the old quarter of the city, housed in a 17th century Jesuit cloister. The museum depicts Basque culture, history and ethnology, and its exhibits span a wide range of interests including: weaving, the blacksmith trade, pastoral life and maritime matters. The displays offer the chance to dip into Basque political and social life, using everything from model ships to reconstructions of rooms and gravestones.
Address: Plaza Miguel de Unamuno, 4
Phone Number: 94 415 5423
Email Address: museoa@euskal-museoa.org
Website: www.euskal-museoa.org
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 2pm
Admission: EUR3, concessions available. Free for children under 10 and senior citizens
City HallCity/Region: Bilbao
Bilbao's elegant city hall in the Plaza Erkoreka Ernesto dates from 1892 and was designed by Joaquin Rucoba with a spire and magnificent façade featuring balconies, columns and a sweeping staircase. The highlight of the interior is the 'Arab Room', an opulently decorated chamber used for civil marriage ceremonies. Guided tours, lasting about an hour are available; these need to be booked in advance by phone.
Phone Number: 94 445 2828 (Reservations)
San SebastianCity/Region: Bilbao
The Basque region's most popular beach, La Concha, is to be found in the genteel resort city of San Sebastian, 62 miles (100km) east of Bilbao. The town became fashionable as a summer getaway during the reign of Queen Isabel when she took to holidaying there in 1845. Today the town hums with boutiques, surf-shops and nightclubs, but the elaborate boardwalk and grandiose historic mansions lend an air of sophistication. For a spectacular view of the sea and countryside ride the funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo, or opt for the opposite side of the bay where it is possible to stroll through shady woods to the summit of Monte Urgull, topped with a statue of Jesus blessing the city. The town's Museo de San Telmo, housed in a Dominican monastery, displays some interesting prehistoric Basque artifacts, and a few dinosaur skeletons. The house where Victor Hugo once lived is in the nearby charming fishing village of Pasajes de San Juan, which can be reached by ferry from San Sebastian.
Website: www.sansebastianturismo.com
Vitoria-GasteizCity/Region: Bilbao
British visitors are reassured by the presence of a statue of Wellington, the 'Iron Duke', standing on the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, 41 miles (66km) south of Bilbao. The statue commemorates Wellington's victory in battle here against Napoleon's forces. The main reason for visiting this Basque city, however, is to enjoy the impressive new contemporary art museum, and soak up some of the charm of this green urban enclave, packed with avenues and parks. There is also an old quarter, full of Renaissance palaces, most of which are now art galleries and museums. The city also has two Gothic cathedrals, one dating from the 12th century and one, modern but designed in Gothic style, still under construction.
Website: www.vitoria-gasteiz.org
PamplonaCity/Region: Bilbao
Hordes of tourists flock to this town in Navarre, Northern Spain, in early July each year for the Running of the Bulls, officially La Fiesta del Fermin. The festival, in honor of the city's patron saint, was made world famous by Ernest Hemingway in his novel 'The Sun Also Rises', and it has become Spain's most popular attraction. A bust of Hemingway stands outside Pamplona's bullring, where the 8-day extravaganza of dancing, dashing through the streets ahead of rampaging bulls, and drinking begins. The practice of driving bulls through the center of Pamplona started in the 19th century as the most practical way to get them to the ring, and for many years the city authorities tried to prevent the practice of running with the bulls. Aside from the festival, though, Pamplona is worth a visit any time of year, boasting lush parks, a splendid Gothic cathedral, huge citadel and quaint old quarter. Pamplona is the capital of the province of Navarre, but its roots are Basque and a large section of its population are Basque nationalists.
Catedral El SeoCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
Palma's magnificent Catalonian Gothic cathedral is a landmark of the city, standing in the old town overlooking the ocean. The cathedral is dedicated to Palma's patron saint, San Sebastian, and contains some saintly relics and pieces of the True Cross in its treasury. Construction started on the edifice in 1300. The vast central vault is 144ft (43m) high, its columns towering to a height of 65ft (20m). The wrought-iron canopy over the main altar was added by Gaudi in 1909.
Address: Placa Almoina, Palma
Phone Number: 971 723 130
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. Open for services on Sundays
Palau de l'AlmudainaCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
Opposite the cathedral in Palma stands an austere fortress palace that was erected by the Moors and later became the residence of the kings of Mallorca. Inside, most rooms and corridors are bare, but there are some beautiful Flemish Gobelin tapestries on display as well as a few antiques, art works and suits of armour. The palace, on the Plaza Reina, is surrounded by a pleasant Moorish-style garden sporting fountains, which offers panoramic views of the harbor.
Phone Number: 971 214 134
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 6.30pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm, closed Sundays (April to September); Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm, closed weekends (October to March)
Admission: EUR3.20 (adults), EUR2.30 (children)
Castell del BellverCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
The round hilltop castle built in 1309 was the summer residence of the kings of Mallorca during the short period in which the island had a Royal family. The fortified castle with its double moat also served as a prison. Today it contains Palma's Municipal Museum, displaying mainly archaeological artifacts and old coins. There are also models of archaeological digs to be seen.
Address: Palma
Phone Number: 971 730 657
Transport: The castle can be accessed by buses 3, 4, 20, 21 and 22
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm; Sundays 10am to 7pm (April to June, September) and 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm (July and August). Winter: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Sunday 10am to 5pm (October to March)
Admission: EUR1.73
Museu d'Art Espanyol ContemporaniCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
Palma's most renowned art gallery contains works collected by the Juan March Foundation, housed in a restored mansion on the Carrer Sant Miquel. The collection focuses on modern works including Picasso's Head of a Woman and paintings by Miro, Dali, Juan Gris and Antoni Tapies.
Address: Sant Miquel 11
Phone Number: 971 713 515
Email Address: museupalma@expo.march.es
Website: www.march.es/arte/ingles/palma/index.asp
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 6.30pm, Saturday 10.30am to 2pm, closed Sundays
Admission: Free
Banys ArabsCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
The only remaining complete Moorish-built building in Palma is the bathhouse in the medieval quarter. It contains an elegant horseshoe-arched and domed chamber, supported by 12 columns, and is fronted by a garden with picnic tables.
Address: Palma
Hours: Daily 9.30am to 6pm
Beaches near PalmaCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
There are several good, though usually crowded, beaches accessible by bus from Palma. El Arenal, seven miles (11km) to the southeast of the city, attracts many German visitors as is reflected along its waterfront in the signs on restaurants, bars and hotels. The long beach boasts white sands and turquoise water. Palma Nova and Illetes, between six and 10 miles (10-16km) to the southwest, are smaller but equally popular beaches. On the road to Palma Nova is Marineland, offering dolphin, sea lion and parrot shows as well as Polynesian pearl-diving demonstrations. Other beaches include Portixol, El Molinar, Coll d'En Rebassa and Can Pastilla. The most popular beach on the entire island of Mallorca, Es Trenc, on the southeast coast between Cap de Salinas and Cap Blanc, can be reached by bus from the Plaza Espanya in Palma with departures three times a day. The local tourist office distributes an information leaflet on 40 beaches in the Palma area.
SollerCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
Soller, set in a lush valley of orange groves between the mountains and the sea, half way along the northwest coast of the island, is a popular day-tripper destination because it can be reached on a vintage train ride from Palma. The town is awash with tempting pastry shops, ice-cream parlours and tapas bars in its quaint squares, but there is more to do than just eat and drink. There are some good examples of modernist architecture, like the church of Saint Bartomeu with its 1912 arched tower above a rose window, and needle-like spires. There are also two museums: the Natural Science Museum displaying fossils and the Museu Municipal filled with antiques.
ValldemossaCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca's favorite titbit of tabloid gossip has turned the monastery in the small town of Valldemossa, on the west coast, into a tourist attraction. In 1838 Frederic Chopin arrived with his lover, George Sand, to stay in a former monk's cell in the Cartoixa Reial monastery and carry on their affair away from the eyes of Paris. The shocked locals shunned the tubercular Chopin and his lover, and the couple were so unhappy that their relationship never recovered from the wet, windy and miserable winter in the monastery. Today the cells occupied by the lovers are open to visitors. The library and old pharmacy can also be visited and there is a small art museum with works by Picasso, Miro and Juli Ramis.
Hours: Cells open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 1pm
LlucCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Alcudia
About 20 miles (32km) beyond Soller, after a precipitous drive through the Serra de Tramuntana in the north of the island, is the remote mountain village of Lluc, in a valley that has been an important place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. Lluc became Mallorca's most sacred site when a shepherd boy discovered a dark wooden statue of the Virgin in a cleft in the rock. The miraculous statue returned to its cave three times after being placed in the local church. Now the statue, known as La Moreneta, has been encrusted with precious stones and presides in its own chapel, receiving pilgrims and tourists who come to pay homage each day.
D'Alt Vila (Ibiza Old Town)City/Region: Ibiza
The old medieval district of Ciudad de Ibiza (Ibiza Town), the capital of the island, sports narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque whitewashed houses and Gothic buildings around courtyards bright with blooming geraniums and bougainvillea. The old town, enclosed by historic walls and entered through the Puerta de las Tablas, contains some interesting sights, most noteworthy of which is the Archaeological Museum. The museum contains artifacts from prehistoric sites on the Balearic Islands, dating as far back as the Punic period between the 5th and 7th centuries BC. Also in the old town is the cathedral with its 10th-century Gothic tower and 18th-century Baroque nave.
Santa Eulalia del RioCity/Region: Ibiza
Santa Eulalia is a pretty, atmospheric little town about nine miles (14km) north of the island's capital, much favored by tourists because of its proximity to some of the best beaches and for its scenic setting. The town is situated on the estuary of the only river in the Balearic Islands, overlooked by the Puig de Missa, a fortress-church, sited on a hilltop view site. Another attraction in Santa Eulalia is the Sant Carles settlement a few kilometers to the north: the last true 'hippy' commune on Ibiza island remaining from the 1960s when hippy cultists flocked here. The famous Ibiza northern beaches like Aigues Blanques and Cala Llonga, can be reached by bus or boat from the town.
Cova de Can MarcaCity/Region: Ibiza
A few miles north of the village of Sant Miquel, which has an attractive hill-top church and some good tapas bars, is the tourist attraction cave complex of cova de Can Marca. The caves have been commercialized and fitted with some spectacular sound and lighting effects, providing for an entertaining guided tour. The caves are situated atop a rocky inlet and there is a good view from the cave site.
Phone Number: 971 334 776
Hours: Daily 11am to 1.30pm and from 3pm to 5.30pm, tours depart every half-hour
Admission: EUR5.50 (adults), EUR3 (children)
La SalinasCity/Region: Ibiza
One of Ibiza's famous landmarks are the salt flats, La Salinas, close to the airport on the southern-most tip of the island. The saltpans have been in use for more than 2,000 years, since the earliest colonists, the Carthaginians, traded in the 'white gold' left in the pans when water evaporates in the hot summer months. The sparkling salt lakes provide one of the world's most beautiful sunset photograph opportunities.
FormenteraCity/Region: Ibiza
The tiny island of Formentera covers 35 square miles (90 sq km) and is home to just over 5,000 people. It can only be reached by ferry from Ibiza town, with a regular service running every two hours. The island is a popular day trip from Ibiza, and is relatively unspoilt by tourism development; accommodation options are very limited. The main attraction of this flat piece of land are some pretty villages and marvelous beaches flanked by palms and pines, many frequented by nudists. The best way to explore it is on a rented moped. The main port is La Sabina, and the other villages include beautiful Las Salinas, San Francisco Javier and San Fernando, all featuring quaint white-washed houses. Recommended beaches are Es Pujols in the north, Mitjorn in the south, and Cala Saona in the wild west. Other beaches of note are En Boster, Ca'n Xico Mateu and the natural port of Es Calo. The highest point on the island is in the southeast corner at El Mirador.
MahonCity/Region: Minorca
Minorca's capital town, Mahon, is an unavoidable port of call for visitors arriving on the island, and most head for the string of restaurants and cafes that line the harbor frontage. The town itself is sedate and conservative, featuring classic Georgian townhouses (bearing testimony to the British occupation of bygone days) and tall apartment blocks. The town does have some attractions for those interested in making more of their holiday than dashing off to the beach. The mansion house, Golden Farm, overlooks the harbor and was once occupied by Admiral Lord Nelson. Also on the sightseeing list is the Xoriguer Gin Distillery where famed Minorcan gin is produced in an age-old process, and the celebrated huge organ (with more than 3,000 pipes) in the church Esglesia de Santa Maria la Major. The Swiss-made organ was brought to Mahon during the Napoleonic wars and is used during an annual music festival in July and August.
CiutadellaCity/Region: Minorca
Minorca's second town, the compact port of Ciutadella, is west of the capital and linked to it by the main island road. Ciutadella is very different in character to Mahon, sporting a distinct Moorish and Spanish influence in its Gothic and Baroque grand mansions and palaces. The town does not boast any specific sightseeing attractions but it does offer excellent restaurants, interesting shops and arcades as well as a relaxed ambience; perfect for wandering around. There are also some coves nearby inviting exploration.
Naveta dels TudonsCity/Region: Minorca
Regarded as the 'cathedral of prehistoric monuments' the Naveta dels Tudons is the best-known sight on Minorca. One of numerous navetas on the island, it is situated just outside Ciutadella on the road from Mahon and stands two stories high, shaped like the upturned bow of a ship. It is accepted that navetas were funereal structures, but they remain surrounded by mystery and legends. Another important ancient sight is the Torre d'en Gaumes, the largest prehistoric village in the Balearic Islands, which is on the south side of Minorca between the village of Alaior and the Son Bou beach. The village features three talaiots (stone towers) surrounded by a defensive wall, pillared naves and a taula (a T-shaped stone temple structure). There is also a dolmenic burial chamber at the site.
Beaches around MinorcaCity/Region: Minorca
Minorca has a variety of beaches and resorts. Fornells, an attractive fishing village on the north coast, is on a spectacular bay ideal for windsurfing and watersports. Close by is the beach Cala Tirant. Cala Galdana is one of the most popular beaches, set in a horseshoe bay, while Santo Tomas with its stretch of golden sand is a small resort favored by families and honeymoon couples. Son Bou is one of the longest sandy beaches on the island, backing on to open countryside and unspoilt by development, although there are a few shops, bars, restaurants and a discotheque nearby. Binebeca and Binisafua on the southwest coast were Minorca's first resort centers, now mainly residential areas filled with private villas fronting numerous sandy bays.
Museo CanarioCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Las Palmas
The main museum in Las Palmas is well worth a visit, boasting the world's largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls and a few mummies. The museum also gives a comprehensive overview of the life and times of Gran Canaria's original inhabitants, the fair-haired light-skinned Guanche people, who were conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century.
Address: Dr. Verneau, 2
Phone Number: 928 336 800
Email Address: info@elmuseocanario.com
Website: www.elmuseocanario.com
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, weekends 10am to 2pm. Guided tours are available
Admission: EUR3, concessions available
Casa de ColonCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Las Palmas
Christopher Columbus is believed to have stayed for different periods in the Casa de Colon in the historical quarter of Vegueta in Las Palmas on his way to the Americas. The house now serves as a museum displaying relics of early transatlantic voyages and pre-Columbian cultures, as well as acting as a cultural center for the study of the Canaries' relationship with the Americas.
Phone Number: 928 312 373
Email Address: casacolon@granca.step.es
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, weekends 9am to 3pm
Admission: Free
Pueblo CanarioCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Las Palmas
The whitewashed Pueblo Canario was the pet project of Canarian artist Nestor Martin-Fernandez de la Torre, who conceived and oversaw the creation of this idealised representation of a typical island village in Dorames Park, Las Palmas. Buildings surround a square where performances of traditional folk music and dance take place every Sunday morning. The village also contains the Museo Nestor, in which is housed a collection of the artist's modernist paintings. The village also contains a Bodegon (wine bar) serving local dishes.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 10.30am to 2.30pm
ArucasCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Las Palmas
The delightful town of Arucas sits beneath a dormant volcano on the northern coast of Gran Canaria, and is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. The neat town is dominated by the majestic Church of San Juan Bautista, carved in stone by local workers. The town is also the center of sugar and rum production on the island and visitors are welcome at the Fabrica y Museo del Ron to witness how sugar cane is turned into rum. It is possible to take a short walk out of the town to the Montana de Arucas viewpoint for a panoramic look at the northern coastline.
Palmitos ParkCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Puerto Rico
A colorful and entertaining look at nature is presented at Palmitos Park, situated four miles (6km) inland from Arguineguin on the south coast. The park is a subtropical oasis containing thousands of birds, fish, trees, plants and particularly orchids. The orchid house is the largest in the Canary Islands and the range is astonishing. There is a cactus garden too, a huge butterfly house and an aquarium featuring a recreated riverbed. Parrots complete the picture among the lush Canarian flora which fills the park. Due to the devastating fires that swept through Gran Canaria at the end of July 2007, Palmitos Park is closed until further notice.
Phone Number: 928 140 276
Website: www.palmitospark.es
Hours: Daily 9am to 6pm
Admission: EUR16 (adults), EUR11 (children)
Teide National ParkCity/Region: Tenerife
Resort Name: Playa de las Americas
The Parque Nacional de las Canadas del Teide was declared a protected area in 1954 and has become recognized as offering one of the most spectacular landscapes of the world, including an enormous volcanic crater with a circumference of 30 miles (48km), out of which rises the highest peak in Spain, Mount Teide. In contrast to the coastal regions of Tenerife, winter in the park, which lies at about 6,562ft (2,000m) above sea level, brings snowfall and gale force winds, while in summer temperatures can soar to above 104°F (40°C). A cable car carries visitors to the summit, but many prefer to hike the route to experience the flora and fauna, including rare specimens like the violet of the Teide, the Tajinastes, as well as the many varieties of lizards and birds.
Hours: Cable car operates between 9am and 4pm daily, weather depending
Pirámides de GüímarCity/Region: Tenerife
Resort Name: Playa de las Americas
On the east coast of Tenerife, south of Santa Cruz, stand six mysterious step pyramids of which archaeologists have yet to discern the origin. The pyramids were initially thought to be just remains of agricultural stone terraces, or random piles of stone cleared from fields by early Spanish settlers. However Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian anthropologist who lived in Guimar on Tenerife until his death in 2002, thought differently. His research indicated that the pyramids were constructed on similar principles to those in Mexico, Peru and ancient Mesopotamia. The pyramids are now enclosed in an Ethnographic Park; the site includes a museum, life-size replica of Heyerdahl's reed ship Kontiki, a cafeteria and souvenir shop.
Address: Calle Chacona, Guimar
Phone Number: 922 514 510
Website: www.piramidesdeguimar.net
Hours: Daily 9.30am to 6pm
Admission: EUR10 (adults), EUR5 (children 9-12)
MascaCity/Region: Tenerife
Resort Name: Playa de las Americas
For scenery a visit to the northwest tip of the island of Tenerife, around the picturesque village of Masca, is hard to beat. The village is set in the Teno Mountains, clinging to the slopes of a deep green ravine beside a narrow road full of alarming hairpin bends. Until recently Masca was off the beaten track and not accessible by road. The zigzag drive from Santiago del Teide has now opened up the village and its magical setting, reputed to have once been a pirate's hideaway. Hikers have popularized a two-hour walk from the village through a gully to the sea at the base of the majestic cliffs of Los Gigantes.
Tenerife BeachesCity/Region: Tenerife
The volcanic nature of the island of Tenerife meant that the land has few natural beaches. Those that exist are characterized by black shingle stretches created from the island's volcanic rock foundations. The demand for tourist sun-bathing space, however, has led to the creation of resorts and man-made beaches, with golden sand having been imported in some cases. The good beaches on Tenerife for sunbathing and soft sand are Los Gigantes and San Juan in the west and Fanabe, with its soft, yellow sand, showers and other facilities, located to the south. Also popular are Torviscas with its marina, Playa las Americas for its grey sandy stretches, the soft yellow expanse of Los Cristianos' beach, Las Vistas, and Los Cristianos. Candaleria in the east has a small black shingle beach. Up north Puerto de la Cruz has a beach with fine black shingle, but at Santa Cruz golden sand has been imported for its Terasitas beach.
Museum of Contemporary ArtCity/Region: Lanzarote
Resort Name: Puerto del Carmen
Modern art in an old building works well in Lanzarote's capital, Arrecife, where a collection of works by international artists is on permanent display in the Castle of San Jose, a fortress built between 1776 and 1779 by King Carlos III of Spain. Some of the artists featured are Bacon, Picasso, Miro, Botero, Damaso and Luis Feito.
Phone Number: 928 812 321
Hours: Museum: Monday to Sunday 11am to 1pm; art galleries: Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm
Admission: Free
Timanfaya National ParkCity/Region: Lanzarote
Resort Name: Puerto del Carmen
Timanfaya National Park is unique because it is the only national park in the world to have been developed by local residents. Also unique is what the park offers, which includes a volcanic field filled with a variety of geological and geothermic phenomena. In the restaurant visitors can end their guided tour of these wonders by enjoying a meal cooked on geothermal heat emanating from the steam vents and geysers exuding from the lava. The park also features 180 different plant species on its stark landscape.
Phone Number: 928 840 057
Hours: Daily 9am to 7.45pm
Admission: EUR8
La Cueva de los VerdesCity/Region: Lanzarote
Resort Name: Costa Teguise
In the northern part of Lanzarote, close to the Monte de la Corona volcano, is a spectacular system of underground grottos known as La Cueva de los Verdes. This is one of the largest volcanic galleries in the world, at just over four miles (six km) long, formed approximately five thousand years ago in a prehistoric eruption when a massive stream of lava boiled down to the sea, hardening around the spaces inflated by gases. More than a mile of these grottos are accessible to visitors, and lighting effects have been added to accentuate the contours and colors of the weird shapes resulting from the lava flows.
Phone Number: 928 848 484
Hours: Daily 10am to 7pm (last admission at 5pm)
Admission: EUR8
The Cactus GardenCity/Region: Lanzarote
Resort Name: Puerto del Carmen
Situated between Guatiza and Mala is an unusual sightseeing attraction that combines art with nature. Artist Cesar Manrique created a work of art in the form of a cactus plantation in an old quarry. The site also features a restored windmill.
Phone Number: 928 529 397
Hours: Daily 10am to 7pm
Admission: EUR5
FuerteventuraCity/Region: Lanzarote
Resort Name: Playa Blanca
If sand and sun is what you are after, then Fuerteventura, second largest island in the Canaries archipelago (but the most sparsely populated) is the place to go. Its whitewashed capital, Puerto del Rosario, is known as the place where goats outnumber its citizens by a long chalk. Other than that however there is not much to the place except for very bleak buildings, which only the most curious visitor may find interesting. What one will find when taking the ferry to Fuerteventura from Lanzarote, is a good beach. Giniginamar is a peaceful spot with black sand fringed by elegant palm trees. There is also a long stretch of golden sand at the mouth of the Juan Gomez ravine on the Jandia peninsula. La Pared in the south has a black pebbly beach with rough seas, and there is the secluded, scenic Ajuy beach near the fishing village of the same name. One can still explore Fuerteventura and find stretches of virgin sand, even in the height of summer. The name, Fuerteventura, most likely derived from the amalgamation of fuerte (strong) and viento (wind), describing the strong off-shore winds that offer cooling breezes for the sun-worshippers.
Transport: Fuerteventura is an easy day-trip from Lanzarote. Ferries leave regularly from Playa Blanca, at the south of the island
Terra MiticaCity/Region: Costa Blanca
Resort Name: Benidorm
Situated on the outskirts of Benidorm, Terra Mitica is Spain's largest theme park and, with its rides, shows, restaurants and shops, can be a great day out for all the family. Rides like the Tizona, an inverted roller coaster that reaches speeds of 62mph (100kmh) and heights of more than 100ft (31m) with visitors suspended beneath the track, and attractions like Warrior of the Dawn (simulator) provide exhilarating entertainment for all ages.
Phone Number: 902 02 02 20
Email Address: callcenter@terramiticapark.com
Website: www.terramiticapark.com
Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm; 10am to 1am in peak season (June/July)
Admission: EUR34 (adults); EUR25.50 (children 5-10). A ticket gives free entry to all the attractions and shows for the day. Afternoon and two-day passes are also available
Pollensa (Old Town)City/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Puerto Pollensa
Situated in the hills, towards the north east of Mallorca, Pollensa is a peaceful old town that has been largely unaffected by tourism. The town was established a few miles inland to protect against any sudden pirate attacks; its harbor, Puerto Pollensa, was left as an unprotected outpost. Today the port has grown into a popular family resort. Some of Pollensa's medieval center remains around the Plaça Major, the main square, including the church of Nostra Senyora dels Ãngels. From the outside the church is fairly austere, the sheer stone façade is pierced only by a large rose window, but the interior is highly decorative particularly during the packed Sunday morning services when it is ablaze with candles. Other than the church, the main square houses a cluster of bars and cafés, and on Sunday morning, a busy market. Just north of the square is the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a long stone stairway, bordered by ancient cypress trees. At the top, in a small chapel, is a much-revered statue of Mare de Déu del Peu de la Creu (Mother of God at the Foot of the Cross). On Good Friday, a figure of Jesus is slowly carried down the steps by torchlight in the Davallament (Lowering). Perched on a hill just south of Pollensa is a rambling 18th-century monastery, a peaceful and serene spot to take in wonderful views of the surrounding area. The monastery is an hour's walk from town.
ArtaCity/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Sa Coma
The ancient hilltop town of Arta close to the east coast of Mallorca has been occupied for about 3,000 years, and today welcomes visitors to the remains of its Bronze Age settlement at Ses Paisses, just outside the town in a grove of olive, carob and holm oak trees. Arta presents a picturesque sight from the Santuari de Sant Salvador, the chapel-shrine on top of the hill, with its bleached rooftops spilling down the hillside below the battlements of a Moorish fortress. The town is particularly lively on Tuesdays, which is market day.
Sioux CityCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Playa del Ingles
One of the most popular days out in Gran Canaria, Sioux city was built originally as a stage set for an American western film in 1972, but developed into a Wild West theme park complete with cowboys, Indians, Mexicans and of course a sheriff. There are shows throughout the day featuring bank robberies, saloon fights, cattle stampedes, rodeos and gunfights at the OK Corral. Between shows visitors can enjoy a barbeque or taste the culinary delights of the Three Star Saloon. Every Friday evening there are barbecue evenings complete with country dancing.
Address: San Agustín
Phone Number: 928 762 573
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; closed Mondays
WaterparksCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Playa del Ingles
There are three water parks on Gran Canaria: Aqua Park in Puerto Rico, and Ocean Park and Aqualand Aquasur, the largest on Gran Canaria, in Maspalomas. All offer enough attractions to keep children and adults amused all day, including dozens of slides and swimming pools. Aqualand also has a wave machine and a 'lazy river' where visitors can float around the complex on an inflatable tyre.
Hours: Ocean Park and Aqualand Aquasur: 10am to 5pm, Aqua Park: 10am to 6.30pm, closing at 5.30pm in winter
Admission: Aqualand: EUR22.50 (adults), EUR16 (children 3-12 years). Aqua Park: EUR 21,50(adults), EUR15,50 (children) ; sunbed EUR2 extra. Ocean Park: EUR10 (adults), EUR5 (children)
ReptilandiaCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Las Palmas
Those with a soft spot for reptiles should visit Reptilandia, situated a little off the beaten tack, near Agaete in the northwest of the island. It includes a collection of snakes, tortoises, turtles and lizards - the Komodo Dragon here is believed to be the largest lizard in the world. There are also sections on spiders and monkeys.
Address: Parque Rural de Amagro
Phone Number: 928 551 269
Hours: Daily 11am to 5.30pm
Parque de los CocodriloCity/Region: Gran Canaria
Resort Name: Playa del Ingles
This Crocodile Park is home to more than 300 crocodiles and alligators from all over the world. Visitors shouldn't miss the crocodiles' feeding time - at 12pm, 2pm and 4.15pm. The other half of the park is a zoo, which has sections on monkeys and chimpanzees, tigers, jaguars, camels and much more. There is a restaurant in the center of the park where visitors can see a show where parrots perform various tricks, including doing a jigsaw puzzle and roller skating! The park is near the town of Aguímes, a few miles southwest of the airport.
Address: Villa de Aguímes
Phone Number: 928 784 725
Email Address: cocodril@arrakis.es
Transport: Hourly bus between 9am and 3pm from near the fun fair in Maspalomas. Alternatively the park operates a service from Puerto Rico, picking up outside the Jamaica Supermarket, at 10.30am on Thursdays and Sundays
Hours: Sunday to Friday 10am to 6pm
Alcudia (Old Town)City/Region: Mallorca
Resort Name: Alcudia
The ancient town of Alcudia, not to be confused with the modern resort two miles (3km) to its south, has a fascinating and turbulent history. The Phoenicians and Greeks settled here and the Romans made it their capital in the 2nd century BC. Destroyed by the Vandals in the 6th century it was rebuilt again by the Moors before being liberated by King Jaime I of Spain in the early 1200s. The Spanish sensibly fortified the city; its massive city walls date from this era. Today visitors still enter the narrow streets of the old town through one of the two gates, which are guarded by large towers. Near the town, at Polentia, is a well preserved Roman amphitheater and the Orator de Santa Anna, one of Mallorca's oldest churches.
Port Aventura ParkCity/Region: Costa Dorada
Resort Name: Salou
This massive theme park, based on Busch Gardens in Florida, attracts holidaymakers from far afield to its five worlds (Far West, Mediterránia, Mexico, China and Polynesia). Visitors can be at the Great Wall of China one minute and at the ruins of Mayan Mexico the next, and meet some cowboys for a taste of the Far West before cooling off by jumping into the great lake from the summit of the Tutuki Splash volcano. Popular attractions include the Sea Odyssey underwater adventure, the Stampida roller coaster ride and the Grand Canyon Rapids water ride.
Phone Number: 0977 779 090
Website: www.portaventura.co.uk
Transport: Port Aventura has its own Renfe train station. Buses and coaches serve the park from Barcelona and nearby towns
Hours: Daily 10am to midnight (earlier off-season). Open on some weekends during winter and closed from 7 January to end of March
Admission: EUR39 (adult), EUR31 (child) in high season
Puerto del RosarioCity/Region: Fuerteventura
Resort Name: Corralejo
The main town of Fuerteventura, Puerto del Rosario on the western side of the island was once called Puerto de Cabras (goat harbor), and even today it is said that goats outnumber people in this whitewashed town. Only recently capitalising on the tourist trade, the streets in charming Puerto del Rosario have been resurfaced and the harbor promenade rebuilt. The main street provides some good souvenir shops and the old harbor area features some attractive examples of Canarian architecture. The home of exiled poet Miguel de Unamuno, which has been turned into a museum, is situated in the harbor area.
BetancuriaCity/Region: Fuerteventura
Resort Name: Caleta de Fuste
The original capital of the island Betancuria was founded in 1405 by Norman conqueror, Jean de Bethencourt, but suffered repeated raids by pirates who eventually totally sacked the city and caused its citizens to move elsewhere. Today it has a small population of a few hundred, and relies mainly on day visitors who come to admire the restored Santa Maria church and explore the Museo Arqueológico y Etnográfico, an interesting museum documenting the history of the island. Visitors can also watch local artists at work at the Casa Santa Maria, and pick up some local handcrafts at a quaint shop. There is a good restaurant beside the church, and cheese and wine tasting is offered nearby.
Hours: The church is open from 10am to 6pm. The museum is temporarily closed for works
La Lajita ZooCity/Region: Fuerteventura
Resort Name: Corralejo
The little fishing village on the east coast of Fuerteventura has been put on the tourist map because it offers one of the island's main attractions, the 'Oasis de Los Camellos' zoo. The zoo is home to a small selection of animals, but the main activities offered are parrot shows, horse rides and camel safaris. While waiting their turn visitors can relax under the palm trees at the zoo's bar, or try out one of a few seafood restaurants that have sprung up in the village.
Hours: 9am to 7.30pm
La OlivaCity/Region: Fuerteventura
Resort Name: Corralejo
The village of La Oliva was formerly the home of the military governors of the island between the 17th and mid-19th centuries. The Governor's townhouse has been restored and is open to the public. Also in the center of the village is the pretty church of Parroquiade Nuestra Seiiora de Candelaria, with a square bell tower and finely carved wooden door. The interior of the church features a painting of the Last Judgment, a baroque altar painting by Juan de Miranda and some wonderful trompe l'oeil work. The village also has an art center exhibiting the work of Canarian artists.
Beaches on FuerteventuraCity/Region: Fuerteventura
Resort Name: Corralejo
One does not need to go far on Fuerteventura to find a perfect beach, even if you are intent on seeking out solitude away from other holidaymakers. The best can be found around Jandia, on the southern tip of the island. Juan Gomez is one of these, with a stretch of golden sand, reached by turning off of the Morro Jable-Punta de Jandia road. In the same section of the island is the pebbly black volcanic beach of La Pared, with right next door the beach of Viejo Rey, a long stretch of golden sand flanked by dunes. For real peace and quiet the black volcanic sand of Giniginamar is recommended, surrounded by palm trees and other indigenous plants. For remote beaches tourists can hire a 4WD and explore the tracks leading to the sea on the west coast. Nudism is tolerated on all the island's beaches.
Flamenco at Corral de la MoreriaCity/Region: Madrid
Listed as one of Madrid's top ten sights, the tablao flamenco (flamenco show restaurant) is renowned as the oldest and most famous show in the world. The establishment draws kings and queens, international presidents, film stars, and well-known artists and writers who come to witness the nightly performances of top flamenco stars while receiving excellent service and dining on exquisite meals prepared by some of the best chefs in Madrid.
Address: Calle Moreria 17
Phone Number: 91 365 8446, 365 1137
Email Address: web@corraldelamoreria.com
Website: www.corraldelamoreria.com
Transport: EMT 3 or 148, Metro to Opera or Sol stops
Hours: Open daily 8.30pm to 2am
Admission: EUR29 per show, not including dinner
Almeria CityCity/Region: Costa Almeria
The ancient Andalusian city of Almeria lies sheltered at the base of a bay, proudly dominated by the amazing Alcazaba, a huge Moorish citadel with three walled enclosures dating from 995. From the citadel visitors have a good view of the city's most impressive and important Christian monument, the Cathedral, dating from 1524, designed more like a fortress than a church because of the need to defend it from pirate attacks. The Cathedral contains numerous art treasures, including a tabernacle dating from the 18th century, designed by Ventura Rodriguez. With its interesting medieval architecture, Almeria's old town is a delight to stroll through with its tranquil squares, archways and colonnades. The city also has a fascinating archaeological museum and unique cave dwellings in the hillside above the old gypsy quarter.
Phone Number: Tourist information: 950 280 748
TabernasCity/Region: Costa Almeria
Movie buffs in particular enjoy a visit to the little village of Tabernas, about 16 miles (26km) from Almeria city, set between the Sierra de Alhamilla and Sierra de Filabres in a barren landscape of canyons and rocky wasteland reminiscent of the American Wild West. A few decades ago when Western movies were the most popular Hollywood genre, legendary stars such as Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef, Claudia Cardinale and Charles Bronson strutted their stuff here in the dry heat on film sets which fans will recognize from such great films as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars and The Magnificent Seven. The movie lots have now become theme park tourist attractions. There are three to visit: Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western Leone. All offer a fun day out in Europe's only desert region, with stagecoach rides, live shows, a zoo and the opportunity to quench your thirst in the saloon.
Hours: The movie lots are open daily. Times of shows vary
Cabo de Gata Natural ParkCity/Region: Costa Almeria
A lighthouse stands at the tip of the Cabo de Gata peninsula, north of Almeria city, marking the extremity of Andalusia's largest coastal nature reserve, a fascinating landscape cocktail of arid desert, volcanic mountains, jagged sea cliffs, sand dunes, wetlands, a lagoon and sandy hidden coves. Mountain bikers, hikers, bird-watchers and water sports enthusiasts of all persuasions get away from it all to this natural wonderland which encompasses some quaint fishing hamlets, historic ruins and magnificent stretches of beach.
Address: The park can be accessed from the village of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata
Phone Number: 950 160 435
Website: www.parquenatural.com
Vall de Nuria Rack RailCity/Region: Costa Brava
Resort Name: Blanes
About two hours from the coast are the southern slopes of the western Pyrenees, where in winter skiers skim the sides of the valleys, and in summer time nature-lovers enjoy the tranquility of the Alpine environment. A popular excursion for holidaymakers on the Costa Brava is to take Spain's only cog railway into the scenic Vall de Nuria north of Girona, surrounded by mountain peaks and passes that form a massive amphitheater. The rack railway connects with regional trains, departing from the Ribes-Enllac station and traveling to the village of Queralbs.
Address: Vall de Núria Mountain Resort, Queralbs
Phone Number: 972 732 020
Website: www.valldenuria.com
Admission: Return Ribes-Nuria-Ribes: EUR16.30 (adults), EUR8.95 (children). Return Queralbs-Nuria-Queralbs: EUR13.95 (adults), EUR7.70 (children)
Salvador Dali Museum HouseCity/Region: Costa Brava
Resort Name: Lloret de Mar
The busy fishing village of Cadaques draws plenty of visitors, but they do not come for the local beach, which is narrow and stony. Rather the resort town's attractions are its picturesque natural harbor, some excellent restaurants, numerous galleries, fashion and art and craft shops, and the former home-turned-museum of world renowned surrealist painter, Salvador Dali, sited in Portlligat Bay just to the north of the town. Dali's somewhat bizarre home consists of a labyrinthine cluster of fishermen's huts, added to the original building in various stages by the artist over a period of 40 years. Visitors are conducted through the house and garden in small groups, having pre-booked.
Address: Portlligat, Cadeques
Phone Number: Information and bookings: 972 251 015
Email Address: pllgrups@dali-estate.org
Website: www.dali-estate.org
Transport: Train to Llanca or Figueres station. It is possible to walk to Portlligat from Llanca station, or take the bus from Figueres
Hours: Open from 10.30am daily, except Mondays and bank holidays (13 March to 6 January). Between 15 June and 15 September no Monday closure and open till 9pm. Visitors must pre-book by telephone, fax or email and are admitted in groups every ten minutes during the day
Admission: EUR10 (adults), concessions EUR8, children under 9 free
The Medes IslandsCity/Region: Costa Brava
Resort Name: L'Estartit
Situated scarcely a mile from the beach of the popular resort town of L'Estartit on the Costa Brava, the protected Medes Islands have been dubbed 'heaven for divers'. The little archipelago of seven islets and a few reefs form one of the most important and rich marine reserves in the Mediterranean. The millions of fish and thousands of animal and plant species that inhabit the shallows, crevices and submarine caves at the base of the island cliffs are a delight to behold for divers of all levels, whether splashing with a snorkel or descending to the depths in scuba gear. Visitors can take glass-bottomed boat trips around the islands departing hourly in season from L'Estartit, or arrange a fully equipped diving trip though one of the numerous tourist diving centers in the resort town.
BanyolesCity/Region: Costa Brava
Resort Name: Lloret de Mar
The historic lakeside town of Banyoles just north of Girona is well known for hosting international rowing events, but it is also a fun, attractive and interesting place to visit and perhaps work off some energy in a pedal-boat or on a bicycle. The bright blue lake itself is the only one in the world fed by two merging subterranean rivers, the clean water flowing in at 600 liters a second. There are numerous options available to those wanting to take to the water, from a swimming dock to cruises or hire boats, and a grassy bank for sunbathers or a network of shady footpaths for those who prefer the shore. The town of Banyoles dates from 812, having grown up around a Benedictine monastery, and its old section is full of fascinating ancient buildings. The natural history and archaeological museums are worth visiting, and all is centered on a lovely arcaded square where a traditional market has been held every Wednesday since medieval times.
Address: Tourist Office: Passeig de la Indústria 25
Phone Number: Tourist Office: 972 575573
City of Arts and ScienceCity/Region: Valencia
The impressive, futuristic landscape of the City of Arts and Science covers a vast area, rising out of a man-made lake, and encompasses various attractions, accessed along a magnificent arched walkway overhung with an array of flowering, aromatic plants and shrubs. The complex includes an Imax cinema, planetarium, and Europe's biggest aquarium. The 'wow' factor is topped off with the fascinating Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences.
Address: 7 Autopista del Saler
Phone Number: 902 100 031
Website: www.cac.es
Transport: Metro lines 3 and 5 to Alameda (15 minutes from the complex); buses 19, 35, 95 and 40 stop at the complex
Hours: Daily 10am to 7pm (2 January to 30 June, and 16 September to 30 December); 10am to 9pm (1 July to 15 September)
Admission: EUR30.50 (concessions available)
El CarmenCity/Region: Valencia
The picturesque old town of Valencia is the city's favorite 'chill out' zone with its narrow alleyways, honey-colored buildings, Bohemian atmosphere and nooks and crannies packed with bars and cafes. Apart from being the ideal spot for people-watching, El Carmen also has several interesting attractions, including the remains of the medieval city walls, the gothic towered gates of Torres de Serrano and Torres de Quart, the latter pocked with cannon-ball marks dating from an assault by Napoleon. Also in El Carmen is a convent complex dating from the 13th century, and several museums.
CathedralCity/Region: Valencia
It is reputedly the resting place of the Holy Grail, but whether you believe that or not the ornate Valencia Cathedral is worth a visit just because of its unique history and combination of architectural styles. Since it started out in 1262, it has shuffled back and forth from being a mosque to a Christian church, and has been added to accordingly in a variety of styles from Romanesque to Gothic, Baroque and even Moorish. It houses an interesting museum, treasury and the Holy Grail chapel. Most visitors, though, make a pilgrimage to the cathedral simply to climb its octagonal medieval tower, which provides a wonderful panorama of the city if you have the staying power to make it to the top of the winding staircase.
Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda)City/Region: Valencia
Valencia's World Heritage Site is the old Silk Exchange, founded in 1469, copied from a similar structure built in Palma de Mallorca. The crenellated tower and flamboyant Gothic trading hall, regarded as the city's most beautiful building, is now a top tourist attraction, often used for hosting exhibitions. The immensely high vaulted ceiling tops off some rather risqué etchings. A good time to visit is on a Sunday morning when a popular stamp and coin collectors market makes for a lively trading buzz.
Address: Plaza del Mercado
Phone Number: 96 352 5478
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1.30pm
Admission: EUR2, concessions available
Crypt of Saint VincenteCity/Region: Valencia
It may sound creepy, but it is fascinating to visit the crypt of the Prison of Saint Vicente the Martyr, beneath the Church of Saint Vicente, formerly the site of an ancient Visigoth chapel, which later became a prison for Valencia's patron saint. An audiovisual tour of the crypt brings to life the city's ancient history, taking visitors through Visigoth altars, past exhibits of Muslim artifacts, and Roman murals.
Address: Plaza del Arzobispo
Phone Number: 96 394 1417
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 2pm and 5.30pm to 8pm, Sunday 9.30am to 2pm
Admission: Free
Plaza de la VirgenCity/Region: Valencia
One of Valencia's loveliest squares, the Plaza de la Virgen is a great place to sit and soak up the atmosphere among the flapping pigeons. In the center of this square, which was once the site of the ancient Roman forum, a fountain representing the Turia River plays, surrounded by plenty of open-air cafes. On one side of the square is the impressive Gothic façade of the Palau de la Generalitat, seat of government for the Valencia region, and opposite is the Baroque Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados, a grand name for a grand church dating from the 17th century and containing fascinating frescoes.
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