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Great Destination Cities
Madrid is the capital of Spain. It is a cosmopolitan city that has become the economic, financial, administrative, and service center of an enormous cultural and artistic heritage—the legacy of centuries of exciting history. Located at the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid is home to one of the most important historical districts of any large European city, which blends seamlessly with luxurious, ultra-modern infrastructures, a complete range of lodging and services, and the very latest in audiovisual and communications technology.
The city holds true gems for tourists. The historical center, also known as “Madrid de los Austrias”, is well known for its Plaza Mayor or central plaza, which was inaugurated in 1620 and has since become one of the most popular and traditional sites in Spain. Near the Plaza Mayor is an area known as the “aristocratic center”, where the majestic Royal Palace is located. This monumental construction dates back to the 17th century. The Plaza de Oriente, the opera house, and the modern-style Almudena Cathedral—consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993—are all a short distance from the Royal Palace. The Puerta del Sol square, surrounded by a varied, upscale commercial zone, and the “Paseo del Arte" (Art Zone), named for its unrivaled museums, palaces, and gardens, complete our tour of this center.
The city hums with intense artistic and cultural activity, which explains its 73 museums covering every aspect of human knowledge. Some of the most notable of these include the Prado Museum, one of the foremost art galleries in the world; the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum; and the Reina Sofía National Museum of Art, which is dedicated to contemporary Spanish art and includes works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, and others.
Madrid also offers a wide selection of parks and gardens. The Retiro Park, formerly a choice relaxation spot for Spanish kings; the Casa de Campo park; and the Juan Carlos I Park are true gems that make Madrid one of the greenest cities in Europe—don’t forget to stop and admire these beautiful treasures!
The recently expanded Madrid-Barajas international airport, two large convention centers, the ultra-modern Campo de las Naciones exhibition hall, and numerous meeting centers with a combined capacity of over 80,000 make Madrid one of the premier business centers in Europe.
Related Links:
http://www.esmadrid.com/
Barcelona, the capital of the Autonomous Community of Cataluña, is a cosmopolitan, Mediterranean city that gracefully combines Roman ruins, medieval neighborhoods, and some of the most striking examples of 20th century Modernism and avant-garde within its city limits. It is for good reason that UNESCO has placed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s outstanding constructions on the World Heritage List.
Barcelona’s long history and dynamic economy have given it an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage, evidenced by the preservation of its tremendous historical and artistic legacy and the promotion of cutting-edge artistic trends. Its broad cultural spectrum has made the city one of Spain’s most important cultural centers. It is a city of deeply ingrained tradition, including the Mercè festivals and local celebrations in the neighborhoods of Gràcia, Sants, and Poblenou.
However, Barcelona celebrates its past without losing sight of its future. Barcelona is also home to remarkable infrastructures designed for hosting international conferences, symposiums, and competitions. Its exceptional communications networks, Mediterranean climate, and the large number of tourist attractions make Barcelona an important business hub.
Visitors will also enjoy Barcelona’s Mediterranean atmosphere, especially in Costa del Garraf and Costa del Maresme. Nature lovers will enjoy hiking in the nearby mountains of the Coastal and Catalan Pyrenees ranges.
Related Links:
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/
Few cities are able to blend the remains of a remote past, dating back to the year 138 BC, with innovative, avant-garde buildings of the next millennium as well as Valencia does. It is a city of commerce and culture, film, theater, museums, music, and business. It is the center of international, avant-garde design and hosts more fairs and conventions than any other city in Europe.
The fine sands and clear water of its coastal regions, together with the open sea and the nearby coastal mountain range set the city and its surrounding regions apart as the crème de la crème of Spain. The La Malvarrosa and Levante beaches, found within the city itself, are spectacular examples of building a city at the edge of the sea.
Related Links:
http://www.turisvalencia.es/
With a population of over one million, the city of Bilbao is the economic engine of the Gulf of Vizcaya. Large projects carried out in recent years have regenerated the urban landscape and economic growth of the city, which means that places such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Euskalduna Music and Convention Center, the Norman Foster Metro System, and the Calatrava Airport have given the city renewed vitality. Bilbao is the capital of the province of Bizkaia and is surrounded by the tremendous natural beauty of forests, mountains, beaches, and rocky coastlines, making it an ideal travel destination.
Related Links:
http://www.bilbao.net/
The capital of the Kingdom of Aragón during the Middle Ages, Zaragoza possesses a rich legacy of monuments reflecting the influences of the diverse cultures that have lived there. Medieval streets and immense French-style avenues wind their way through the open, cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city. Zaragoza is also an excellent starting point for visiting sites such as the Moncayo Natural Park, hiking the Pyrenees, or touring historical towns such as Ejea de los Caballeros or Sos del Rey Católico.
The capital of Andalucía, Sevilla is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River and is home to an enchanting group of World Heritage buildings and neighborhoods steeped in tradition, such as the Triana or La Macarena districts. It is an important business and service hub of the South Peninsula and contains a large selection of hotels scattered throughout the city. Museums and art galleries, theme parks, cinemas, theaters, and nightclubs are just some of the many leisure opportunities for travelers in Sevilla. And don’t forget the countless cafés, bars, and pubs where you will be able to participate in one of the most deeply-rooted and delicious customs of the city: “tapa hopping”.
Holy Week and the April Fair—two festivals of international interest for tourists—are a reflection of Sevillano devotion and folklore.
The natural riches of a region straddling two continents are also worthy of mention. This area contains natural treasures such as the Doñana Natural Park, listed as a World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and the Sierra Norte Natural Park.
Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nestled between the Darro and Genil rivers, Granada is one of the most fascinating cities in Eastern Andalucía. Here, breathtaking Andalusian heritage is complemented by architectural treasures dating back to the Renaissance, as well as modern 21st century facilities.
The last city to be reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, Granada has a distinct Arabic feel. Its food, handicrafts, and city life are deeply influenced by its glorious history. Small wonder that one of its oldest neighborhoods, el Albaicín, has been listed as a World Heritage site, together with the Alhambra and the Generalife. For centuries, under both Muslim and Christian rule, Granada has been an important cultural center; and today, the city offers a wealth of opportunities for cultural enjoyment and leisure. .
Related Links:
http://www.andalucia.org/
Santiago de Compostela is a World Heritage city and the capital of Galicia. It is the final destination of the Jacobean Pilgrimage route. Centuries of splendor and development have created an urban legacy that combines Medieval Christian heritage with monumental Baroque constructions.
Related link:
http://www.santiagoturismo.com100/
Salamanca, one of the oldest university cities in Spain, continues to emanate the spirit of youthfulness and wisdom within a monumental array of churches, palaces, schools, and noble houses..
Related link:
http://www.turismocastillayleon.com//
Córdoba.
This millennial city is a living legacy of the diverse cultures that have settled here throughout history. Few places in the world share the prestige of a city that has served as capital of Lower Hispania in the Roman Empire and capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. The prestige of this center of learning and knowledge is deepened by its intellectual heritage, as the birthplace of great thinkers such as Seneca, Averroes, and Maimonides. A stroll through the ancient streets of Córdoba will reveal a delicate web of whitewashed alleyways, plazas, and courtyards surrounding the Mezquita Cathedral—a monument to the importance of this city in Medieval times and the traditional symbol of the capital city.
Related Link:
http://www.turismodecordoba.org/
Segovia.
Located on a slight elevation between the Eresma and Clamores riverbeds, this city is known for its famous Roman aqueduct and large number of medieval churches. The Cathedral and the Alcázar are a magnificent sight that dominates the view of this Castillian city. The nearby La Granja palace and the Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park are also wonderful sites to visit.
Ávila.
In the shadow of the Sierra de Gredos mountain range, the imposing walls of the city of Ávila surround a priceless group of Renaissance churches and palaces—a witness to the city’s past preeminence as a center of textile production.
As birthplace of Santa Teresa de Jesús, the city is home to a large number of religious edifices, both inside and outside the city walls
Alcalá de Henares.
This city, located in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, is the birthplace of renowned writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote", and home to one of the most prestigious universities in Spain. It was also recently named a World Heritage site. Its rich monumental heritage, consisting of churches, convents, and university buildings, returns us to Spanish life during the Golden Age.
Cuenca.
In La Mancha, between the Júcar and Huécar river gorges, the city of Cuenca extends its monumental, historical constructions to the very brink of the rocky cliffs of the Cuenca highlands. Its Cathedral, Hanging Houses, and cobbled streets will captivate even the most seasoned traveler.
Toledo.
Toledo is home to some of the richest monumental treasures in Spain. It is known as the “city of three cultures” due to the coexistence of Christian, Arabic, and Jewish cultures that lasted for centuries, and behind its walls, Toledo holds an artistic and cultural legacy made up of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques, and synagogues that makes it a true World Heritage.
Cáceres.
Over a dozen towers dominate the skyline of this ancient city, which is surrounded by walls dating back to the Arab rule. Cobbled streets dotted with medieval fortified houses and Renaissance palaces characterize this picturesque city, whose history is very closely linked to one of the Peninsula's historic routes: the Vía de la Plata, an ancient Roman roadway that connected Sevilla and Astorga that was also used by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
San Cristóbal de la Laguna.
The former capital of Tenerife, the city of San Cristóbal de la Laguna on the Canary Islands has a long tradition of university education. Its archetypical colonial layout holds some of the most important religious monuments of the island, including its Cathedral and a number of stately homes dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Ibiza.
In ancient times Ibiza was an important Phoenician-Punic settlement, and behind its walls, it holds the fascinating legacy of the various cultures that lived here. The monumental Dalt Vila zone, the Es Puig des Molins necropolis, and the Sa Caleta archeological site are among the most notable areas. The beauty of this island capital is further augmented by sandy beaches and coves such as Figueretes, Es Viver, and Talamanca, as well as its incomparable marine ecosystem.
With the largest number of blue-flag beaches in the world, the Spanish coasts provide exceptional tourist destinations along more than XXXXX km of beaches. Notable beaches include Rías Baixas, Costa da Morte, Rías Altas, Costa Verde, Costa Cantábrica, Costa Vasca, Costa Brava, Costa del Marcéeme, Costa Garraf, Costa Dorada, Costa del Azahar, Costa de Valencia, Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida, Costa de Almería, Costa Tropical, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, and the incredible island beaches of the Balearic and the Canary Islands.
Spain is a land of abundant natural resources. This is reflected in the fact that Spain ranks third in the world with regard to the number of areas that have been declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. Six areas of Spain were recently added to this international listing. This tremendous natural wealth has been given various levels of protection at both the autonomous community and regional levels, based on the area. The following national parks have been given the highest level of protection: Islas Atlánticas de Galicia (Galicia), Picos de Europa (Asturias and Castilla León), Ordesa y Monte Perdido (Aragón). Aigües Tortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (Catalunya), Tablas de Daimiel and Cabañeros (Castilla La Mancha), Doñana and Sierra Nevada (Andalucía), Archipiélago de Cabrera (Baleares) and Caldera de Tabueriente, Garajonay, Teide, and Timanfaya (Canary Islands).
Related Link:
http://www.spain.info/