Mini guide to Spain

Spain, with its hot summers and unique character, is a favourite choice for countless tourists who are lured by its breathtaking beaches and by the distinctive culture of its towns and cities. And not least among its attractions is the delightfully relaxed atmosphere of its popular modern resorts.

In the capital, Madrid, masterpieces in abundance can be seen at the Museo del Prado, while memorable views can be found of the Palacio Real and the Palacio Real de El Pardo, two important buildings in the north of the city. The Basilica de San Isidro near the Puerta del Sol is also magnificent, as is the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena which took 100 years to complete. The world’s biggest bullring can be seen at the Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas.

The port of Seville, which ships the country’s wine and fruit to the rest of the world, is home to the majestic cathedral La Giralda, the13th-century Torre del Oro, the Barrio de Santa Cruz medieval Jewish quarter, and a scattering of palace architecture.

Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and a popular destination for tourists with its Picasso Museum and Museum of Modern Art. The city, with its colourful fountains, has been called the cosmopolitan and cultural capital of Spain and apart from its specially
developed Olympic facilites has the famed Las Ramblas, a tree lined pedestrian street of pavement cafes, street artists and buskers. Historic buildings include the Church of the Sagrada Familia designed by Antonio Gaudi, the gothic cathedral of Santa Eulalia and the Christopher Columbus monument.

Visitors to Valencia are drawn by the city’s many fine buildings which include museums, the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas, and a Baroque Cathedral..

A good road network allows drivers easy exploration of the Costa del Sol, where Málaga is the delightful tourist centre, as well as all areas of the country, from Cadiz in the south to San Sebastion in the north..