Madrid, the magnificent capital, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville are throbbing cosmopolitan cities with some of the best museums and galleries in Europe. And, when the cultural attractions close for the night, the bars and restaurants open - and no-one parties like the Spanish. If you have the stamina you can eat, drink and make merry until dawn.
If you visit just one city it should be Granada in Andalucia - the Moorish Alhambra palace is one of the most romantic and spectacular monuments in Europe. Much of the coast is taken up by Costa-style resorts although cities such as Alicante, Marbella, Malaga and Mallorca's Palma retain their charm. And everywhere you can find secret hideaways with empty beaches. Try Peniscola near Valencia for starters.
Then there is the countryside. From the lush greenery of Galicia and Asturias, to the arid villages of Andalucia and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees, Spain is a rural country and the best way to experience it is to get out there and explore.
Whatever you do in Spain, remember to enjoy it - and, rest assured, the Spanish will be enjoying it with you.
Transportation Go there, travel in the country and after
Getting around Spain is relatively easy - there is an excellent bus network and car hire is among the cheapest in Europe, although not recommended if you are planning to stick to big cities. The rail network is variable, but can be a comfortable way of making a long inter-city journey, and is great for exploring the area around Barcelona in particular. Remember that on public holidays timetables can alter - and there are lots of public holidays in Spain.
Click here for transport possibilities
See & Do
Traditionally, people have visited Spain for the wide range of beaches, warm climate and friendly people. These days the excellent cuisine, first rate art galleries and world famous architecture are equally important attractions of this fabulous country.
Madrid
Madrid is Spain's lively capital, with galleries featuring a wide range of modern art, old masters and everything in between. The shopping is legendary and the nightlife, particularly in Malasana, can test the endurance of most, although it is easy to find a quiet café or a traditional plaza where you can watch life go by.
Nearby, in the Communidad de Madrid region, there is a wealth of history with numerous small towns and cities to visit. Toledo, for example, has been at various times a Roman, Moorish and Spanish town, influences reflected in the stunning range of art and architecture on display. Meanwhile, Segovia's incredible aqueduct is an architectural wonder that survives from the Roman Empire.
See our Madrid guide for more details of the city.
Canary Islands
South of Gibraltar, the Canary Islands are popular among sun worshippers. Warm all year round, these volcanic islands offer nightlife, beaches and idyllic countryside in equal measure. There are seven main islands, and a variety of resorts. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are all well-known as holiday destinations, and each has a unique history and exotic character.
Southern Tenerife has admittedly become a bit over-developed with high-rise hotels, but the rest of the island largely retains its unspoilt natural beauty. The surrounding islands of La Gomera, La Palma and Hierro offer geographical diversity and peaceful, gorgeous beaches.
Barcelona
Madrid's long time rival Barcelona is a more relaxed, spacious and cosmopolitan city, which has some stunning views and a spectacular harbour. At night, take a walk on Las Ramblas, the famous restaurant-lined street leading to the sea. The historic Gothic Quarter is nearby, containing a wealth of architecture from the city's venerable past.
The Gaudí Park, Miró Sculpture Gardens, Picasso Museum and the Sagrada Familia cathedral will delight art and architecture lovers.
See our Barcelona guide for more details of the city.
Costa Brava - Catalonia
The Costa Brava is part of Catalonia, the capital of which is Barcelona. Beyond the stigma of mass tourism there is a good range of excellent beach resorts along the coast here. Tossa de Mar is probably the prettiest, while Lloret de Mar is packed with busy nightclubs.
A visit to the eccentric Dali Museum at Figueres is a popular distraction featuring works from the innovative artist, or you can head for the hills and spend time in charming, medieval Girona.
Castile and Leon
Slightly further afield is the historically rich region of Old Castile and Leon (Castilla y Leon). The medieval university town of Salamanca and El Cid's former home at Burgos are among the many places with an interesting story in this part of the world.
The entire region is a brilliant area for touring for anyone with even a passing interest in history. It is liberally littered with castles, churches and relics, the walls at Avila being particularly well preserved examples from the region's feudal past.
Basque Provinces
The distinctive Basque Provinces are an increasingly popular destination for discerning travellers. Chief resort is San Sebastian which can boast some of the best restaurants in Spain: the chic town looks fantastic and has a number of good beaches. Be warned - in summer it is packed with Spaniards escaping the heat of Madrid.
Meanwhile, state capital Bilbao has undergone something of a revival in recent years. The spectacular new Guggenheim Museum has proved a hit with visitors, keen to marvel at this amazing example of modern architecture.
See our Bilbao guide for more details of the city.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, east of mainland Spain, are notorious for attracting partygoers. Ibiza has probably the best nightclub scene in the Mediterranean, although there are plenty of quiet spots and unspoilt beaches on the other islands - especially on Menorca, tiny Cabrera and Formentera.
Palma, the capital of the largest island Mallorca, is an attractive and fascinating place. Behind its sunshine holiday image Palma is a historical city of great worth. The cathedral alone is worth a visit in its own right.
See our Ibiza and Palma guides for more details of the islands.
Levante
The Levante region (Valencia and Murcia provinces) has plenty of variety. The Costa Blanca has some of the most popular beaches in Spain and thousands of holidaymakers flock here from all over Europe each summer. The high-rise resort of Benidorm is packed year round, but there are plenty of quieter beaches to be found if you venture outside the main resorts. The region is breathtakingly beautiful despite the best efforts of the high rise hotels to spoil it.
Throughout the region you'll find the food is excellent. Valencia is the home of that most distinctive of Spanish specialities, paella. No visit here is complete without trying some of the delicious rice dish. The city also has several new museums, including the excellent City of Science.
See our Valencia guide for more details of the city.
Andalucia
The Costa del Sol resorts on Spain's south coast are known mainly for their beaches and sunshine. But Andalucia has much more to offer. It was the last province recaptured from the Moors by Spain's medieval rulers and has some fabulous architecture, most notably the Alhambra in Granada; one of the most spectacular ancient monuments in Europe.
Regional capital Seville is everything you would expect of Southern Spain; it has whitewashed buildings, oranges, bullfighting and extraordinary Easter festivals. Meanwhile the wealthy town of Marbella is one of the few Spanish coastal resorts to retain some of its historic buildings and makes a charming seaside destination.
See our Seville guide for more details of the city.
Gibraltar
A visit to Gibraltar is a truly strange experience. As well as the Moorish castle and baths, casino and museum there are pubs, fish and chip shops, and curry houses on this rocky outcrop. There is also a mischievous population of semi-tame apes that constantly amuse tourists.
Strictly speaking it is not part of Spain at all, but a British province, and the currency is the Gibraltar pound. You can pay for things with Euros, but there is generally a charge for doing so.
See our Gibraltar guide for more details of the province.
Peniscola
Near Valencia is the secret seaside resort of Peniscola, known to hardly anyone outside Spain. It has a large safe beach, an old town with a castle and great seafood restaurants.
An hour's drive away into the hills is Morella, a medieval town where you can stay in an old cardinal's palace. The walking is excellent and local companies, can arrange tours where you hike from village to village, and your luggage is moved for you. If you want to sample the local delicacies, the area is famous for its honey and truffles.
