Spain

 

Ancient Rome, Islamic raiders, and other influences combine to make Spain one of the world’s top historical tourism destinations. The beaches don’t hurt either.

History of Spain

Part of Hispania, the Romans oversaw Spain and successfully integrated with the local population. Today’s Spanish language descends directly from Latin. In the latter stages of Roman rule Christianity became the dominant religion; Catholicism remains the dominant religious force in Spain.

The peninsula’s various groups came together to drive Muslims from Spain, in a reconquest that took nearly 700 years to complete (it took 1 year for the Muslims to invade, in case anyone wants to keep score). The reconquest was completed in 1492, the same year that Ferdinand and Isabella sent Christopher Columbus out to find more people to maraud.

Spain remained an independent country after 1492, although controlled as a satellite state of Napoleon’s France for a while in the early 1800s. Spain lost most of its colonies to the USA in 1898, and after that came the Spanish Civil War. The dictator Franco ruled Spain with an iron fist for much of the century, until his much-celebrated demise in 1975.

Today Spain is a peaceful and a shockingly liberal architectural and cultural wonder.

The Albayzin, the old city of Granada.

Travel Tips for Spain

  • Eat the local fare. Cheap but awesome food is just around the corner.
    • Meals consist of a light breakfast, a second light breakfast, late lunch, snacks and then a very late dinner.
    • Spanish pastries are a must have. They can be found at any café or pasteleria.
  • Exploring the country is easy by train or bus, just don’t expect it to be as efficient and logical as the rest of Europe.
    • City buses are really cheap, usually running from €1.20-1.60 a ride. You can usually pay for the ride on the bus.
    • Intercity buses are also pretty cheap. You can buy tickets ahead of time, at bus stations and on the bus.
    • Trains are the least confusing way to get around. However, they can be crowded and sell out. You can buy tickets online or at stations.
  • Explore the country on your own terms, rent a car!
    • Driving in Spain is relatively easy. Spain has a huge network of highways and expressways that are easy to navigate.
      • Tolls roads are easily avoidable. Set your GPS to avoid toll roads.
    • Parking can be a nightmare. Sometimes it’s just best to shell out for a parking garage.
      • Many cities have free parking on the outskirts of town, just have to walk a bit extra. Don’t be scared off if it’s just a random dirt lot. Looking at you Segovia and Cordoba.
      • Parking areas marked green are usually for permitted vehicles only. Blue parking areas are paid spaces during working hours and Saturday morning, free on Sundays and public holidays. (You can pay for parking at a nearby machine.) Parking spots marked white are golden. Aim for those.
    • Watch out for pedestrians. The Spanish have a habit of walking into a crosswalk without checking if oncoming traffic can stop or not.
  • The Siesta is an event. Between 2pm-5pm, many places including stores, museums, etc. close up shop. This is lunch and nap time. Many places stay open all day in larger cities, but stores will close in small towns and in southern Spain.

 

Top Sights

Some of the places I’ve been in Spain and other places I haven’t been to but look awesome (maroon color). Click on the links for posts for the places I’ve been!

 

Check out all these posts on the awesome country of Spain!


España: Wandering Madrid, Part 2

Puerta del Sol. Madrid, Spain

More explorations of Madrid in my last post on my journey through Spain. Continue reading

España: Wandering Madrid, Part 1

The Palacio de Cibeles and the Fountain of Cibele. Madrid, Spain

Explorations of the capital of Spain! Continue reading

España: Small Towns and Quick Visits

Castillo Almodovar del Rio, Spain

Some more places I found along my journey around Spain.  Continue reading

España: Wandering Toledo, Part 2

spouts. San Juan de los Reyes. Toledo, Spain

More explorations of Toledo. The one in Spain, not the one in Ohio. Continue reading

España: Wandering Toledo, Part 1

the city of Toledo on a hill

Explore the original Toledo, an ancient city upon a hill.  Continue reading

España: Belmonte, Aranjuez and El Escorial

El Escorial. San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain

One cannot just visit Spain without seeing some castles and palaces.  Continue reading

España: Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba

Mezquita-Catedral, Cordoba

Moorish mosque transformed into a Christian cathedral, the Mezquita-Catedral is one of the most unique churches in the world. Continue reading

España: Wandering Cordoba

garden. Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. Cordoba, Spain

Patios, gardens, and courtyards. Explorations of Cordoba.  Continue reading

España: Two Castles and Baeza

keep towers. Castillo de Alcalá de Real. Fortaleza de La Mota, Spain

A ruined town inside of a grand fortress, a castle overlooking a town, and a UNESCO World Heritage city, explore the province of Jaén. Continue reading

España: the Alhambra and Generalife of Granada, Part 2

Generalife. Granada, Spain

A fortress, palaces and gardens, this Andalusian marvel has to be seen. La segunda parte.  Continue reading

España: the Alhambra and Generalife of Granada, Part 1

Partial Palace. Alhambra of Granada, Spain

A fortress, palaces and gardens, this Andalusian marvel has to be seen. Continue reading

España: Wandering Granada, Part 2

chapel ceiling. La Cartuja. Granada, Spain

More explorations of the wonderful Spanish city of Granada! Continue reading

España: Wandering Granada, Part 1

cloister. Monasterio de San Jeronimo. Granada, Spain

Explorations of Granada, an Andalusian gem. Continue reading

España: Ronda and Setenil

Puente Nuevo. Ronda, Spain

A picturesque bridge and a town built under cliffs, Ronda and Setenil are truly unique. Continue reading

España: Baelo Claudia and Tarifa

ruins. Baelo Claudia. Bolonia, Spain

An Ancient Roman town and a seaside town, more explorations of the southern Spanish coast! Continue reading

España: Cadiz, Jerez, and the Southern Coast

Cadiz, Spain

Three days of exploration on Spain’s southern coast.  Continue reading

España: Itálica

mosaic. Italica. Seville, Spain

This mostly forgotten city was one of Ancient Rome’s finest treasures.  Continue reading

España: Churches of Seville

San Luis de los Franceses. Seville, Spain

Colorful facades, golden altars and towering towers, explore the splendid churches of Seville.  Continue reading

España: Palacios de Sevilla

courtyard. Casa de Pilatos. Seville, Spain

More mosaics, more gardens and more courtyards! Seville’s palaces are just breathtaking.  Continue reading

España: the Alcázar of Seville

The Maidens Courtyard. Palace of Pedro I. Alcazar. Seville, Spain

Mosaics, gardens and courtyards galore. Explore the breathtaking Alcázar.  Continue reading

España: Wandering Seville

plaza de España. Seville, Spain

Find out why this wanderer loves Seville so much. Continue reading

España: Wandering Mérida

Ancient Roman theatre. Merida, Spain

Explorations a Spanish city with Roman ruins around every corner. Continue reading

España: Trujillo and Medellín

Two castles, one ancient theater and two adorable towns on hills.  Continue reading

España: Cáparra and Alcántara

Roman ruins, ancient bridges, a random hermitage, and Portugal?  Continue reading

España: Wandering Cáceres

Uncover the awe-inspiring marvels of Cáceres, Spain’s medieval town center! Continue reading

España: Wandering Palencia and Plasencia

A couple of quick visits to two lovely Spanish cities.  Continue reading

España: Wandering Salamanca

Explorations of a university town steeped in history.  Continue reading

España: Wandering Ávila

Explorations of a picturesque walled city on a hill.  Continue reading

España: Wandering Valladolid

A Monday morning wander through the old town of Valladolid. Continue reading

España: Wandering Burgos

Explorations of a Northern Spanish city, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage cathedral. Continue reading

España: Wandering Segovia

Explorations of beautiful Old Segovia, Spain. Continue reading

España: A Real Spanish Castle

How does one start a five week journey around Spain? Well, with a castle of course! Continue reading