Many people choose Spain as a travel destination because of the warm and sunny weather. The coastline between Barcelona and Tarifa as well as the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera are dotted with sandy beaches. Year around sunshine is promised by the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Gomera, La Palma, Gran Canaria and Teneriffa which are more than a thousand kilometers south of the mainland.

The mainland on the Iberian Peninsula has a lot more to offer than most of the visitors would possibly expect. The southern Region of Andalusia for instance is strongly influenced by the occupation of the Moors starting in the 8th century. The result of this diverse history is an impressive mix of different architectural styles that can’t be found anywhere else in Europe. The magic of Sevilla lies in the small alleys, Granada is home of the widely renowned Palaces of the Alhambra while the city of Córdoba has a stunning setting on the foothills of the Sierra Morena.

The two biggest cities, Barcelona and Madrid, are rivals not only about the crown in Spanish football. Out of Catalonia there does not seem to be much doubt about the cultural primacy of the capital Madrid. The King’s Palace is as much worth a visit as the two most prominent museums of the country, the Museo de Prado and the Reina Sofia.

The northern part of the country holds some of the most beautiful treasuries of Spain while it is not as much on the tourist trail as the south and southeast. The rocky cliffs and the massive construction of houses are unique on the Iberian Peninsula. The landscape is more fertile due to cooler weather conditions and with Santiago de Compostela being located in the north there are lots of pilgrims making their way along the Camino de Santiago.

The Spanish people are outspokenly friendly and it makes a great difference to know some Spanish before visiting the country. To learn Spanish online before making a trip is a good idea not only to be more independent, but to get to know the people and their culture.

Foto: © “madrid” by eschipul under a creative commons licence.