Spain is synonymous with a Mediterranean getaway - and with good reason. From bustling Barcelona etched with Gaudi’s finest forays, to the quietly captivating Cartagena, Spain is not to be underestimated.
This variety shouldn’t come as a surprise for a hunk of land that measures over 195,000 square miles - that’s more than twice the size of the UK. There’s potential to encounter everything from fiestas to siestas as you slink across Spain, and whatever happens to lie between.
Officially known as the Kingdom of Spain, Spain occupies the greater part of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea, to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay, and to the west by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. The country also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and two autonomous cities in North Africa: Ceuta and Melilla.
Spain is synonymous with a Mediterranean getaway - and with good reason. Beautiful beaches, a bounty of delicious food and architecture that defies the imagination make this a country that just begs to be explored.
Spanish cuisine is a rich tapestry of regional flavours, fresh ingredients, and time-honoured culinary traditions. Known for its tapas, small plates that encourage sharing and socialising, Spanish food showcases a variety of seafood, meats, vegetables, and spices. Paella, the iconic rice dish from Valencia, epitomises the marriage of robust flavours and local ingredients, while scrumptious churros dipped in rich, hot chocolate embody the nation's love for indulgent sweets. From the bold flavours of Andalusian gazpacho to the delicate taste of Basque pintxos, Spanish cuisine truly caters to every palate.
Spain's landscapes are as diverse as they are vast. From the sun-drenched, azure coastline of Costa del Sol, and the windswept, rocky landscapes of the Atlantic-facing Galicia, to the towering peaks of the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada, there is something for everyone. Travel inland to discover the arid beauty of the Andalusian plains, or the lush vineyards and olive groves stretching across La Rioja and Andalusia.
From bustling Barcelona etched with Gaudi’s finest forays, to the quietly captivating Cartegena, Spain has its fair share of amazing cities. In the north, the Basque city of Bilbao beckons, where art and architecture permeate through every pore. There’s the love-it-or-hate-it Museo Guggenheim Bilbao to explore, or perhaps the more traditional Museo de Bellas Artes will endear itself. Squatting in the sun-dappled south of the country is the culinary work of art that is Valencia, the birthplace of paella and all-round aesthetic masterpiece, and Seville, a true sensory delight of a destination.
The mystical Alhambra Palace in Granada lives up to its reputation as a symbol of Moorish architectural grandeur, while the timeless beauty of Sagrada Familia and the vibrant Park Güell showcase Antoni Gaudí's singular artistic vision - both in Barcelona. Dive into history at the ancient city of Toledo, a melting pot of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures, or step back in time by wandering the cobblestone alleys of the Great Mezquita of Córdoba. Immerse yourself in the passionate art of flamenco dancing in Seville. Embracing the arts is never an issue when you set foot in Spain.
