Spanish Cities
A look at the attractions of the great cities

From the vibrant Andalusian lifestyles and Moorish charm of the great southern cities, to the golden-stone grandeur of Castile, to the stylish cosmopolitan playgrounds of the coast, Spain has enough variety to inspire the most demanding of travellers.
Increasing numbers of holidaymakers are taking advantage of convenient and inexpensive flights, good quality accommodation and a reliable domestic travel infrastructure to take two and even three short breaks a year in this sun-blessed country.
City-breaks are more popular than ever before and some traditionally overlooked cities are beginning to see that they also have a part to play in Spain's number one industry.
            Madrid and Barcelona are still the favourite city–break destinations but Valencia - rated as perhaps the best city in the country in which to live - is more attractive than ever. Improving flight connections with the UK mean that Seville, Granada, Bilbao and even relatively unknown cities like Girona, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza and Valladolid are seeing growing numbers of tourists.           

FIVE CITIES:

MADRID
Madrid combines the fiery go-ahead spirit of a southern European capital with an aged-in-oak love for its own history and traditions. It's a heady cocktail that leaves you wondering what your next encounter will be among the peaceful plazas and bustling boulevards of one of the continent's most exciting cities.
Madrid is staking a claim as one of Europe's greatest party cities. To their countrymen the Madrileños are known as Los Gatos (The Cats) for their nocturnal lifestyle. Many young Gatos will consider a week with less than two sleepless nights as a social wasteland and for them the weekend starts on Thursday.

key attractions:

• Museo del Prado - Spain's prime tourist draw-card. You could spend days wandering around the galleries of the Prado without doing full justice to one of the world's greatest art collections…and then further tantalise yourself with the knowledge that only 20% is on display! (Other art museums not to be missed include Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza).
• Plaza Mayor - The stately walls, with their eye-catching murals, protect the plaza from the crowds out in Puerta del Sol and make Plaza Mayor's terraces the perfect place to sit and quietly soak up the historic grandeur of old Madrid.
• Barrio de las Letras - This is the 'Quarter of the Writers' and many of the bars here have not changed much since they were the haunt of Spanish greats such as Cervantes and Lope de Vega and, more recently, to star-struck (or shell-shocked) correspondents like Hemingway and Orwell.
• Parque del Buen Retiro - This park was once the private grounds of Spanish kings, and it has remained a green oasis right in the centre of the city. At the weekends, especially, it is a great place to wander through tree-shaded walkways lined with buskers, puppet-shows, artists, acrobats, and Gypsy palm-readers.
• Take a tapas tour - The streets between Plaza Santa Ana and Sol are packed with tapas bars and some are renowned for particular specialities: try the red-pepper salad at La Taurina; chorizo in cider at Cervecería Alemana (Hemingway's old hangout); the patatas bravas (spicy 'savage potatoes') at Las Bravas; garlic prawns at La Costa de Vejer…

shop in:

• Calle Serrano - Madrid's chic shopping area, for labels like Loewe, Prada, YSL and the best of Spanish designers.
• Puerta del Sol - For more affordable 'bargains' (especially in leather goods) hit the pedestrianised shopping streets of Preciados and Carmen. This is Madrid's mainstream commercial centre and it is home to several Corte Ingles superstores and the massive FNAC music and bookstore.
• El Rastro flea-market - Head to El Rastro (on Sunday mornings) for the chance of picking up a genuine, original Castilian heirloom. The streets around La Latina district offer the usual market goods, clothes and souvenirs but the two parallel streets to the west (Carlos Arniches and Mira el Río Baja) are where you'll find the most fascinating bric-a-brac and antique stalls. 

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BARCELONA
Vibrant, vivacious and 'vanguardista', Barcelona was recently voted one of the ten best cities for tourism in the world, according to National Geographic Traveler. The rich and beautiful have embraced a lifestyle that is known as 'tropical chic,' and every year almost four million visitors are lured here by an urge to sample the many charms of life in this Mediterranean playground.
With a perfect climate, a trendy (almost debonair) atmosphere, great nightlife and the temptation of countless sun-kissed terraces, this is the perfect choice for couples.Try to resist the urge to try to see everything in the minimum amount of time though...this is also an ideal place to 'chill.'

key attractions:

• Sagrada Familia Basílica - The candy-coated, streamlined rocket-ships of the Antonio Gaudí's most audacious building make this one of the most astounding buildings on earth.
• La Rambla - It often seems that it is impossible to get from A to B in Barcelona without crossing the bustling congregation of street artists, mimes, jugglers, buskers, flower-sellers, fortune-tellers, tourists and con-men that gather day-and-night in La Rambla. But then again Spain’s most iconographic street has a way of enticing you back!
• Barri Gòtic - This medieval warren with its grotesque gargoyles, mighty walls and shadowy alleys is the perfect contrast to the almost transparent weightlessness of Modernist Barcelona. Home to classy boutiques and irresistible patisseries and delicatessens during the daytime, these alleyways are crammed with busy bars and restaurants after dark.
• Gaudí Tour - You come across Gaudí's works all over the city and the Sleeping-Beauty palaces, enchanted parks and Hansel-and-Gretel houses that he built are still among the city's main attractions.
• Beach - The beaches and stylish promenades along Passeig Marítim and Vila Olímpica are easily accessible from city-centre by Metro or bus.

shop in:

• Passeig de Gràcia - The streets to the north of La Rambla (around Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal) constitute what might be the trendiest shopping district in the whole of Spain.
• Markets - Barri Gòtic is the venue for arts and antiques markets (most Thursdays and Fridays) and Sant Antoni is great for bric-a-brac and collectibles.
• Mercat de la Boqueria - This lovely, covered fruit and vegetable market is a great place either to browse or to pick up some of the Catalan delicacies that make the ideal holiday gift.

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VALENCIA
Valencia is the new jewel in the Spanish crown. With an enchanting old–town, the stunningly space–age 'City of Arts and Sciences' and countless miles of wonderful beaches it would be hard to find a city destination anywhere in the world with more to offer. Valencia's sea–faring traditions have been given a new lease of life for the 2007 America's Cup. The refurbishment of the port and waterfront has been a further boost tourism in what has been voted Spain's best city in which to live.
The fact that there is so much to do - not only in the city itself but also easily accessible in the surrounding area - makes this a perfect break for families. Kids will love the series of hands-on attractions in the City of Arts and Sciences.

key attractions:

• City of Arts and Sciences - Spain's second most popular tourist attraction (after the Prado). L’Oceanogràfic - within the complex - is the largest marine park in Europe and, apart from its team of performing dolphins and its 70-metre walk-through shark tank, it is an important scientific research centre.

• Barrio El Carmen - The old town is known locally as El Carmé. This is the charming heart of old Valencia by day…and the hub of the hip-city hotspots by night!

• Paella and Cava at the beach - There are some good terrace restaurants all the way along Playa de la Malvarrosa but a gentle stroll northwards along the promenade will lead you to the locals' favourite lunchtime hangouts (a fantastic paella and a bottle of cava at a beachfront table will set you back just £12).
• La Albufera - Just 15 minutes drive south of the city (and accessible with several local tour operators), this unique wilderness lagoon lies in the centre of 22,000 hectares of equally picturesque rice paddies.
• El Saler - Anybody who believes that there are no deserted, semi-wild beaches left on the Spanish Mediterranean need only catch a local bus (about 10 minutes) to the little seaside town of El Saler, to find miles and miles of empty beach.

shop in:

• Old Quarter - Artesanía Ruzafa (Cádiz, 55) or Casa de los Botijos (Plaza Redonda, 14) are two of the best places for Valencian souvenirs. Look for exclusive ceramics and earthenware bowls, and even holy-water receptacles...the perfect reminder of the city that is known as the last resting place of the Holy Grail!

• L'Eixample - This quarter is the prime area for fashion. Galería Jorge Juan (in the street of the same name) is a very nice little shopping arcade where you can catch up with all the latest trends.
• Marxalenes - Nuevo Centro in Marxalenes quarter was the city's first mall and remains a favourite of fashion-conscious Valencianos. Leather goods are excellent value here.

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SEVILLE
Seville has a well-deserved reputation as the most romantic – not to say 'passionate' – city in Spain. With good flight connections with the UK, this hot–blooded southern city (with guaranteed year–round sunshine) is now the perfect place for a short break.
A great place to take life slowly and enjoy almost guaranteed sunny winter days. The ideal romantic city-break.

key attractions:

• La Giralda, Cathedral and Alcázar palace - The massive 5-naved cathedral, the lovely La Giralda minaret (once part of the mosque) and the neighbouring Alcázar are the city's historic highlights.
• Barrio de Santa Cruz - One of the most iconographic whitewashed inner-city barrios in Andalucía.
• Río Guadalquivir - Wide-open views and (occasionally) a fresh breeze, from the banks of the great river. Check out the Maestranza bullring and Moorish Torre del Oro (once a navigational control tower).
• Triana - On the opposite riverbank is the old quarter of Triana, home to many famous bullfighters and countless Gypsy flamenco singers.
• Festivals - Semana Santa (Easter) is when the Sevillanos express typically fervent Catholic devotion...and Feria de Abril is when they cut loose and let their hair down with just as much dedication.

shop in:

• Calle Sierpes - Seville's loveliest shopping street and the prime place for an evening paseo.
• Souvenirs - Look out for mantilla shawls and of course the ubiquitous fans...or, for something more original, a Flamenco guitar.
• Mercadillo flea-market - Thursdays at Calle de la Feria.

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GRANADA
Granada was one of the sight-seeing highlights of Spain long before Madrid even existed. The Alhambra is still the city's most famous landmark but there is also the Generalife gardens and enough lovely plazas and terraces (and great tapas bars) to keep you wandering for a week!
History buffs are particularly attracted to Granada but as an important university town there is also no shortage of jumping night-spots.

key attractions:

• Alhambra - The great palace that the Moors knew as Al-hamra ('the red one') is still, over 1200 years after it was built, one of Europe's most legendary buildings. These days you have to book in advance to visit...but it would be a crime to go to Granada and not see the Alhambra.
• Albayzín - The labyrinth of alleyways that climb the hill opposite the Alhambra remains one of the most picturesque settlements on the Iberian Peninsula.
• Mirador San Nicolás - offers fantastic sunset views of the Alhambra and the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, but this plaza is also, in its own right, a great place to hang out in the evening.
• Realejo - Granada is all about strolling and taking in the atmosphere. The Realejo quarter below the Alhambra is full of pretty alleyways and peaceful sunny plazas.
• Plaza Nueva - This plaza, beside the Darro riverbank, is filled with a great selection of lively terrace bars offering the most substantial tapas in Spain (often free when you buy a drink).

shop in:

• Marquetry - Look out for a typical Granadino style of marquetry known as taracea (the most beautiful pieces inlaid with silver and mother-of-pearl).
• Albayzín crafts - More and more pseudo-Moroccan artefacts are turning up in Granada's backstreet craft-shops. For something more authentic look out for Andaluz baskets and pottery or Alpujarran rugs.
• Plaza Nueva - This is a great area for trendy (and ethnic) clothes shops and jewellery.

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BEST OF THE REST

1. Salamanca - grand old city of Castile, carved in golden stone.
2. San Sebastian - pearl of the north, with an elegant curving bay (and the most elaborate tapas on the peninsula).
3. Cordoba - ancient Andalusian capital, home to the Great Mosque and the loveliest patios.
4. Toledo - to see Spain's traditional cultural blend, mixing the best of Christian, Moorish and Jewish traditions.
5. Girona - charming provincial city, a labyrinth of water and stone.
6. Malaga - invigorating and exuberant Costa capital, full of life and southern spirit.
7. Santiago de Compostela - the perennial place of pilgrimage and still a charismatic historical draw-card.
8. Palma de Mallorca - the cosmopolitan and stylish Balearics capital, Mediterranean joie de vivre.
9. Murcia - an oasis in the southern desert, surrounded by lovely orchards and palm groves.
10. Bilbao - thriving Basque city and home to the astounding Guggenheim museum.

When to go?:
Blue skies are the norm throughout most of the country (with the exceptions of the appropriately named 'Green Spain'). Andalucía and most of the Mediterranean region enjoys sunny days even throughout the winter.

Getting Around:

• Rail – The Spanish railway system (www.renfe.es) is now among the best – and least expensive – in Europe. Seville can be reached from Madrid in a mere 2 hours.
• Bus – All major towns are linked by regular and reliable bus services (although these might be limited at weekends and bank–holidays).
• Taxis – Madrid is reputed to be second only to Cairo in number of taxis and in most major towns taxis are plentiful and, by UK standard, cheap.

The End