Spain is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The country is diverse geographically and culturally. The sea, beaches, nightlife and sports are the main reasons why millions of tourists from all over the world visit Spain every year. This is the closest country to Africa in Europe, from which it is separated by the Strait of Gibraltar 14 km wide.
Features of Spain
Spain, together with Portugal, forms the Iberian Peninsula, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by France in the north and Portugal in the west. Neighbor countries: Andorra, Portugal, France and Gibraltar. Most of the territory is a peninsula, which is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and west, the Mediterranean Sea – in the south and east.
The two large archipelagos of the Canary and Balearic Islands are also part of it. The Balearic Islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean.
Additional Information! There are 16 major airports in Spain, both on the Iberian Peninsula and on the islands. All major cities have an airport. Routes from all over the world land in Madrid and Barcelona.
Most of Spain consists of a large plateau (Central Meseta) divided by a mountain range from west-southwest to east-northeast. It is a mountainous country through which 5 large mountain ranges pass. The landscapes of the country range from almost deserted to fertile and green.
Spain has a huge natural and cultural wealth, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is one of the most visited countries where you can meet people from all over the world. It is a country of many cultural influences. The history of Spain is based on many different civilizations, which succeeded each other in turn. Celts, Romans, Phoenicians, Moors, they all left a unique cultural heritage throughout the country.
Capital Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is the business, political and social center of the country, located on the Manzanares River in central Spain. The city is full of museums and galleries, there are many beautiful monuments, large parks.
Puerta del Sol is the center of Madrid, the most famous square with several important monuments of the city.
El Retiro is a large park in the center of Madrid, a huge green area in the city center. Crystal Palace Palacio de Cristal. This is a large structure made of steel and crystal, built at the end of the 19th century.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the royal family.
Famous cities in Spain
Barcelona, Seville, Zaragoza, Valencia, Bilbo are cities with a rich history and architecture.
Barcelona is a city in the northeast of Spain, the capital of the province of the same name and the autonomous community of Catalonia, a port on the Mediterranean Sea.
The city impresses with its magnificent street architecture, the network of buildings and the design of entire residential complexes, which are attractions in their own right. An important monument is Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, a building that has not yet been completed, and during its construction several reconstruction works had to be started.
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, a very popular tourist destination: a combination of ancient and modern architecture, the presence of many museums and dozens of other attractions. The coast is characterized by long white sandy beaches.
Seville is the capital of the region of Andalusia and, together with Cordoba and Granada, are the most visited cities in southern Spain. Tourists are attracted by the huge late Gothic cathedral with Renaissance and Baroque elements, the royal palace, the bullring and the amazing Plaza de Espana. Built on the banks of the river, the Golden Tower is a symbol of the city,
Grenada – one of the cities of Andalusia, attracts with its medieval palaces of Moorish origin, and the old part of the city, founded by the Arabs, with a large number of interesting churches. Here is the most famous building in southern Spain – the Alhambra and the adjacent gardens of the Generalife, the Alhambra is an old Moorish fortress – a city within a city where you can get acquainted with the life of the Moors.
Cordoba impresses with its historical sites. Among the most visited are: the Mesquite Cathedral Mosque of Moorish architecture, the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir River, the defensive tower of Calahorra and other monuments in the city center.
There are many picturesque streets and beautiful gardens in the center.
Malaga is an ancient Mediterranean port city famous for its beaches. It is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and there is a museum of him in the city. Here are the Moorish fortress of Alcazzaba and Malagueta beach
Marbella is a beautiful city in southern Spain, located on the Mediterranean coast. It is one of the most important tourist destinations on the Costa del Sol. The city also has an archaeological heritage.
The city of Ronda is located in the middle of the mountains on a mountain range and is divided into two parts by the Tahoe Canyon. Through this canyon passes the Puente Nuevo bridge, which is one of the main attractions of the city. Also attracting people to Ronda is one of the oldest bullrings in all of Spain, built in 1781.
Holidays in Spain
Spain is a warm and even hot country, famous for its huge number of holiday destinations for every taste: beach, thermal ski resorts. The country boasts almost 8,000 km of coastline: pristine volcanic beaches can be found in the Canary Islands, sandy beaches in the Mediterranean.
Holidays on the Spanish mainland are ideal. Long coastal strips in the east stretch along the Mediterranean Sea (from the Pyrenees to Gibraltar), then in the south and west to Portugal along the Atlantic Ocean. Costa Brava and Costa Dorada in Catalonia, Costa Blanca and Costa del Azar in the Valencian Community, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Costa Tropical and Costa de Almeria in Andalusia.
The beach season officially opens in June, but tourists begin to appear on the beaches in April. Peak beach season is in July and August. The velvet period in Spain begins in September and lasts until the end of October. Although the weather in Spain is warm in autumn, it rains here, especially often in October.
Resorts in Spain can usually be divided into 3 groups, each with its own features for relaxation, and no one can answer where it is better to relax in Spain / The country boasts almost 8000 km of coastline. Pristine volcanic beaches can be found in the Canary Islands, sandy beaches in the Mediterranean.
Continental Spain offers resorts: Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada and Costa Blanca.
The Costa del Sol includes a number of cities from the province of Malaga to Campo de Gibraltar and Cadisata. Part of the Mediterranean coastline with over 150 km of beaches of unparalleled beauty. The mountains protect the coast and contribute to a mild and temperate climate almost all year round.
The Costa Brava boasts some of the most beautiful Blue Flag beaches in Europe, sandy beaches, bays and coves. The beautiful coast stretches continuously for 160 kilometers from the city of Blanes to the border with France and includes Rosas, Cadaqués, Calella de Palafrugell, Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar.
The Costa Dorada has a total of 216 kilometers of coastline, with beautiful long beaches of golden sand and turquoise waters. The plains between the coast and the nearby mountains offer natural scenery, with villages surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, almond groves.
Costa Blanca, belonging to the province of Alicante, stretches for 200 kilometers of the Mediterranean coast. This area with beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear sea offers a wonderful mild and sunny climate all year round.
The Costa Tropical is an area of the Andalusian coast with an idyllic climate, beautiful beaches and some of the most attractive scenery in southern Spain. The coast of the province of Granada – Costa Tropical, starts west of Almeria and ends in the east at the resort of La Herradura.
Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventurt, Tenerife, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro). Islands of volcanic origin are separate centers of tourism, with various attractions, fauna and flora. The Canary Islands are an excellent choice for those who do not like the heat and prefer to relax at any time of the year. The water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean does not fall below +21°C even in winter, and the air temperature is at least +22°C.
Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and the small island of Formentera. It is better for young people to relax in Spain – on the island of Ibiza. The main attractions of the island are nightclubs and restaurants where young people spend all their free time. The atmosphere of celebration and entertainment reigns on the island. In Ibiza there is no place for lovers of a relaxing and family holiday.
Mallorca is the best place to stay. Here you can have a great rest with children, because the island of Majorca has its own Disneyland. Also Mallorca is a holiday destination for older people than Ibiza;
The best thermal resorts in Spain
You can improve your health at the best Spanish thermal resorts:
- La Garriga – located 35 km from Barcelona, used for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and for various cosmetic procedures
- Archena is a popular place with thermal springs (52 ° C) for the treatment of respiratory diseases, rheumatism and neurosis, recovery from injuries and the elimination of dermatological diseases.
- Caldes de Montbuy is one of the oldest thermal springs located near Barcelona.
- Panticos is a thermal spring in the province of Huesco in the Pyrenees. here they treat the digestive system and the respiratory system;
- Valencia Resort: Various beauty treatments are available here.
- Costa del Sol is a resort offering beauty treatments, vitamin complexes and underwater massage.
- Costa Brava is a thermal spring in the city of Blanes, whose thermal waters successfully treat dental diseases, normalize metabolism and eliminate rheumatism (42 ° C).
Interesting natural monuments
In addition to fifteen national parks and fifty-two biosphere reserves:
- Altamira – a cave with finds of prehistoric paintings, The drawings depict animals;
- Andalusia is a place of contrasts, where snow-capped mountains alternate with the lush greenery of river valleys and wild gorges;
- Garonay National Park on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands – laurel forests;
- Laurisilva on the hill of Garajonay, where waxy and large forms of heather grow:
- Teide National Park on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands is the third largest in the world, the largest in Spain.
Interesting! Doñana National Park is one of the wetlands in Europe and a major migratory site for birds. This is the most interesting place in Spain where over half a million waterfowl arrive for the winter. It also hosts one of the world’s largest colonies of Spanish imperial eagles. The park is also home to other animals,
Ski resorts
Ski resorts in Spain are popular not only among beginner skiers, but also among professionals.
The Sierra Nevada is located in the southwestern part of the country. a popular skiing destination for popular stars, government officials and lovers of noisy vacations. The high cost of holidays in the Sierra Nevada is fully justified by the presence of luxury hotels and high quality services. 62 km of pistes are more than enough for skiers of all skill levels.
Baqueira-Beret is another stellar place in the heart of the Pyrenees. 77 km of trails of varying difficulty, alpine landscape, well-developed infrastructure make it a universal resort for vacationers of all ages and preferences;
Port del Compte in the Eastern Pyrenees has about 12 km of slopes with perfect snow cover. The resort is suitable for skiing and has a large number of ski schools with professional instructors.
Panticosa Los Lagos – the western part of the Pyrenees, the Tena Valley, near Panticosa. 34 km of trails of varying difficulty provide maximum comfort for all vacationers. Hotels and restaurants with a high level of service, a wide range of entertainment for adults and children. It is considered the best resort in the region;
Aramon Valderinales in the Maestrasgo Bajo area on the Iberian Peninsula is a cozy comfortable place for a family vacation. 10 kilometers of groomed trails.
Espolite Eskui – near Lake San Maurico in the Catalan Pyrenees. The total length of the tracks is about 32 kilometers, the tracks are designed for different categories of skiers. Best for a relaxing family holiday.
La Sierra de Cadi is the La Molina region in the Catalan Pyrenees. There are no more than 10 kilometers of routes. The entertainment network and the traditional cuisine of the region deserve special attention. A popular place to stay at any time because there are many areas for mountain biking and rock climbing during the summer season;
Aramon-Curler – located in the Benasque Valley in the Pyrenees. There are more than 63 kilometers of slopes here, most of which are reserved for professional slopes. Paradise for professional skiers and athletes. Pretty expensive resort. There are many sports activities. The high level of comfort in the apartments and excellent service, for which the resort has won more than one award;
La Mazella – located in the La Gerdanes area, the total length of the motorway is about 27 kilometers. For beginners, there are professional slopes and several ski slopes. A number of sports complexes and playgrounds can provide an unforgettable holiday for athletes and their families.
Manzaneda is a resort in the center of the Sierra Quays, east of Pontevedra. The length of the slopes does not exceed 16 kilometers. The low elevation of the slopes makes it ideal for beginners. A wide range of entertainment: karting, tennis, swimming pools, sports centers, parks and much more.
The climate of Spain
Spain is very large and different parts of the country have different weather conditions. But this is one of the warmest countries in Europe, and the summers here are dry and hot, with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. For example, on the northern coast, temperatures rarely exceed 25°C and it rains much more than in other parts of Spain. The Canary Islands, due to being located close to Africa, the weather and temperature are almost the same all year round at about 22 ° C. In the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada and other mountainous areas, the climate is more severe and these mountains are covered with snow all winter . The weather in the most popular places and seaside resorts is great in summer.
