Must-See Attractions in Spain and How to Get Around

Here's I-explore's must-see attractions in Spain.
 
With a number of convenient and accessible transportation options, Spain is one of the easiest European countries to circumvent to make the most of your trip. Traverse the area by land, sea or air to spend a few days in each major city. Spain has the second largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, making attractions in Spain contain everything from cave art to the historic quarters of modern towns, and everything in between- nature reserves, gardens and monuments. When you've had your fill of culture and customs, make your way to the neighboring Canary Islands for some rest and relaxation.


Must-See Attractions in Spain

Marques de Riscal (La Rioja)- A five-star hotel located in the heart of Elciego village, the Marques de Riscal was designed by famed Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry, creator of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilba. The revolutionary building with titanium exterior panels rises up from the ground as though it were a vine, fully integrated into the surrounding vineyards and countryside. The innovative hotel features Vinothérapie®, a wine therapy spa, a business centre and a museum.


Hotel Ritz (Madrid)- A baroque palace positioned at the heart of Madrid's 'Golden Triangle', Hotel Ritz was constructed in 1910 according to the wishes of King Alfonso XIII. This iconic Orient-Express landmark has welcomed visiting aristocracy, dignitaries and high society ever since. Every Wednesday evening in the summer, enjoy live jazz performances while sipping champagne on the terrace.


Barrio Gótico (Barcelona) - Take a walking tour of Antoni Gaudi's famed Art Nouveau pieces. Must-see constructions include Sagrada Familia, the worldwide symbol of Barcelona and a monumental church comprised of shapes, towers and curves. Park Guell is also a lovely place to spend the afternoon, a public square of interesting sculptures, houses and benches, Gaudi's interpretation of a suburban city.


Palacio de Congresos y de la Música de Euskalduna- A 21st century depiction of Bilbao, this modern convention center was designed by architects Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacios as a vessel permanently under construction that stands in a dock on the site of the former Euskalduna Shipyard. They received a 2001 Enric Miralles award at the 6th Biennial of Spanish Architecture for their innovative and futuristic design.

How to Get Around Spain

Train- The Spanish National Railway Network connects all provincial capitals with Madrid and is operating more and more high speed AVE trains every day. Get to all Seville, Malaga, Barcelona and Valencia in less than two hours from Madrid on a flexible schedule at a great cost.


Plane- The largest airports in Spain are Barajas in Madrid, and El Prat in Barcelona , which offer the greatest number of international flights daily. With recent expansions and revamps, they make traveling in and out a breeze. Terminal 4 in Madrid was a recent addition in 2006 and is the world's largest terminal by area. Designed by Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers and TPS Engineers, they collectively won a Stirling Prize and IStructE Award for their innovative and modern design utilizing glass panes instead of walls and domed ceilings to let natural light in, aimed to give travelers a stress-free journey. It's also fairly easy to island hop between Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur and Tenerife Norte in the Canary Islands via smaller regional carriers for a very reasonable fee.


Boat- You can also visit the Canary Islands by sea as Trasmediterranea and Balearia, two of the major tour operators run regular routes between Cadiz, Barcelona and Valencia and the smaller ports. Enjoy the wind in your hair as you embark via boat to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The larger cities of Barcelona, Valencia and Málaga are also accessible by harbor, making it easy and enjoyable to visit multiple cities in one visit. Barcelona Port is one of the busiest on the Mediterranean and offers scheduled ferry services to and from Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca and Italy, with the option of traveling with your car. It is also a departure and stopping point for many cruises. Valencia Port offers scheduled ferry services to Majorca, Ibiza and Minorca. The port of Málaga has much history as a Phoenician trading port and is now the second most important cruise terminal in Spain.

The world’s best long walks

For the ultimate in picturesque, outdoorsy getaways, check out these long walks from across the globe.

From Lonely Planet's Stepping out: the world’s best long walks!

Forget planes, trains and automobiles – the greenest and greatest way to travel is to use your own two feet. It immerses you in a country like nothing else. and, with time and a bit of fitness, you can traverse whole counties, countries – even continents. Here are a few trails to get your feet itching…

Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica

Start/finish: Scotts Head to Cabrits

Length: 184km

The Caribbean’s first long-distance hike tip-to-toes the rugged, rainforested isle of Dominica – the alternative Caribbean, where nature still rules and you’re more likely to pass parrots than people. The trail is divided into 14 sections: pick a couple – the Boiling Lake bit, or bird-rich Morne Diablotin – or do the lot, using homestays en route.



St Paul’s Trail, Turkey

Start/finish: Perge to Yalvac

Length: 500km

Heard of Turkey’s coast-tracing Lycian Way? This is its offbeat brother – a wilder, inland ramble dotted with Roman ruins and mooching tortoises. Beginning near Antalya, it wends north, following St Paul’s first missionary foray into Asia Minor. Waymarking is complete, signposts non-existent – bring a compass and a sense of adventure.



Baekdu-Daegan Trail, South Korea

Start/finish: North Korea border to Cheonwang-bong

Length: 735km

This hike should be twice as long: it follows the Baekdu-Daegan ridge, which dragon-backs the Korean Peninsula for 1,400km. Only North Korea’s not keen on hikers… so stick to South Korea’s stretch. Here, the ridge is deeply spiritual – a symbol of nationhood – and small shrines dot the mountainscapes: to walk this path is to tread on Korea’s soul.



Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia

Start/finish: Kalamunda to Albany

Length: 964km

Waugal lead the way on this epic Aussie tramp: a rainbow serpent from the Aboriginal Dreaming, it’s depicted on the Bibbulmun’s waymarkers, ever-present amid the granite peaks, tingle forest and Southern Ocean beaches. Good but basic campsites are handily spaced every 20km – just watch out for the snakes…



South West Coast Path, UK

Start/finish: Minehead to Poole

Length: 1,008km

It started because of smuggling: in the 19th century banditry was so rife that guards had to patrol England‘s entire south coast. Today, those old patrol paths are the UK’s longest National Trail, tracing every cove, cranny and cute fishing village in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. It takes eight weeks, non-stop, including 35,000m of climbing: a good excuse for fuelling on a pasty or two.


Via Francigena, Europe

Start/finish: Canterbury, UK to Rome, Italy

Length: 1,700km

The Via Francigena is the ‘other Camino’. While many medieval pilgrims embarked for Spain‘s Santiago de Compostela, some set off to worship saints Peter and Paul in Rome. Few use this way now, but it can still be walked – across England, France, Switzerland and Italy: an 80-day hike back in history.



Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal

Start/finish: Kanchenjunga to Humla

Length: 1,700km

Mountain walking doesn’t get much better: a traverse of the world’s highest range. Launched in 2010, the GHT spans the Nepalese Himalaya, passing rhododendron forests, high-altitude lakes, 8,000m peaks and the remote communities that call them home – providing vital income and support. Do the lot in 160 days, or choose one of ten tantalising sections.



Continental Divide Trail, USA

Start/finish: Antelope Wells, New Mexico to Glacier NP, Montana

Length: 4,960km

Connect Canada and Mexico via 5,000km of backcountry walking along the north-south spine of the USA. The Continental Divide follows the Rocky Mountains, dissecting New Mexican badlands, the gold ghost-towns of Colorado, the geyser-spews of Wyoming and the granite massifs of Montana. The trail is only 70% usable (though some have walked its entirety); dip in – at Yellowstone National Park or the San Juan Mountains – for a fine taster.




Trans Canada Trail, Canada

Start/finish: St John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia

Length: 22,000km

Got a spare few years and a very sturdy pair of boots? The grand dame of grand rambles is an east-west traverse that also shoots north to take in Canada‘s Arctic reaches. It’s a work in progress, currently comprising 400 mini trails in every province: chose from blueberry walks in Nova Scotia, gold-rush history in the Yukon – or do the whole lot…