Spain is one of the favorite tourist destinations for Germans. Are you also planning a trip to the southern European country? In this overview you will find important tips and information about Spain.
Wide ocher fields stretch inland, just across the French border and the misty Pyrenean mountains. An enormous black bull welcomes the travellers, the emblem animal of the country. Not far away: a rugged coast with charming villages, but also cities with charming modern and perhaps even more charming historic buildings. A little further away is the playful art of the best-known Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Far to the south, not far from the African continent, is perhaps the most beautiful of all Spanish landscapes, Andalusia, with its impressive buildings and partly indented coast. Welcome to Spain.
The beautiful neighboring country Portugal and France is full of world art and special architecture. Spain attracts beach lovers with a long coastline and some fantastic dream beaches. And beyond that, the southern European country spoils locals and visitors alike with its delicious cuisine. Last but not least, the popular Balearic and Canary Islands offer Spanish island flair with some particularly beautiful beaches, diverse nature and sometimes various celebration options. For many reasons, Spain is a favorite holiday destination for Germans and many others. The country is worthwhile for young and old, families will find wonderful holiday destinations as well as friends, single travelers and couples.
Characteristics
region
Southern Europe
Capital
Madrid
time shift
minus 0 to 1 hour; multiple time zones, from UTC+0 to UTC+1
Spain has countless fantastic travel destinations to offer. These include impressive cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Granada and Donostia-San Sebastián. But Spain is also popular with holidaymakers away from the mainland, especially for dream islands such as Mallorca, Tenerife or Ibiza. Click through our image gallery with the top 10 travel destinations in Spain.
1. Madrid – the Spanish capital is located in the center of the country and, at 667 meters above sea level, is the highest capital in the European UnionPhoto: Getty Images2. Barcelona – the capital of Catalonia is one of the artistic centers of the country where the famous works of Antoni Gaudí are omnipresentPhoto: Getty Images3. Seville is the capital of the southern Spanish region of Andalusia and is considered the “cradle of flamenco”Photo: Getty Images4. Málaga is the second largest city in Andalusia and is situated on the famous Costa del Sol on the western Mediterranean Sea. Photo: Getty Images5. Tenerife – the popular holiday island belongs to the Canary Islands and is located off the coast of West AfricaPhoto: Getty Images6. The Spanish Balearic island of Ibiza is best known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear water bays, and extravagant nightlifePhoto: Getty Images7. The pretty port city of Valencia on the southeast coast of Spain impresses above all with the contrast between a more than 2,000-year-old historic center and futuristic buildingsPhoto: Getty Images8. Granada – the Andalusian city is best known for its magnificent medieval architecture, especially the AlhambraPhoto: Getty Images9. Palma – the capital of the holiday island of Mallorca is the arrival point of many holiday travelers on the popular Balearic islandPhoto: Getty Images10. Donostia-San Sebastián – The picturesque coastal town is located on the Bay of Biscay in the mountainous Basque Country Photo: Getty Images
Top 10 attractions in Spain
Spain has a large number of impressive buildings, artistic architecture and numerous places, some of which are very special. The most popular attraction is the impressive Sagrada Família in the bohemian Spanish city of Barcelona, but the Alhambra in Granada and the Plaza Mayor in Madrid also draw crowds every year. Click through our picture gallery with the top 10 attractions in Spain.
1. Sagrada Família – the unfinished Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona is considered the main work of the Spanish architect Antoni GaudíPhoto: Getty Images2. Alhambra – the famous Moorish-style city castle is located in Granada, AndalusiaPhoto: Getty Images3. The arcaded Plaza Mayor in the historic center is the central square of the Spanish capital, MadridPhoto: Getty Images4. Retiro Park – Madrid’s famous city park is located on the eastern edge of downtown and was laid out as early as the 17th century Photo: Getty Images5. The Prado Museum in Madrid is one of the largest and most important art museums in the world: more than three million visitors come every year to admire numerous Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces Photo: Getty Images6. Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba – the mosque/cathedral is one of the most impressive structures in SpainPhoto: Getty Images7. Park Güell – Barcelona’s famous park was designed by Antoni GaudíPhoto: Getty Images8. Plaza de España – the impressive square in Seville was built in 1929 as part of the Ibero-American ExpositionPhoto: Getty Images9. Alcázar – the medieval royal palace is located in SevillePhoto: Getty Images10. La Giralda – the current bell tower of the Seville Cathedral was once the minaret of the main mosque Photo: Getty Images
Top 10 things to do in Spain
In addition to the destinations to visit and the places to see, there are many activities that are worthwhile on a holiday in Spain. If you are interested in art and culture, you will surely be spoiled for choice for city trips in Barcelona and Madrid. If you are more in the mood for nature, you could visit the Basque Country and the semi-desert Bardenas Reales. And then there are also the various dream beaches on the coasts and islands. Click through our image gallery with the top 10 things to do in Spain.
1. Immersion in the arts and culture of Spain starting in Barcelona and MadridPhoto: Getty Images2. Discover Andalusia with its impressive buildings such as the Alhambra in Granada, the Giralda in Seville and the Mezquita-Catedral de CórdobaPhoto: Getty Images3. Visit the Basque Country, hike its cliffs, admire and explore the small townsPhoto: Getty Images4. Cycling through the impressive semi-desert of the Bardenas Reales between Navarre and AragonPhoto: Getty Images5. Experience cultural events at Matadero MadridPhoto: Getty Images6. Go on a safari through Doñana National ParkPhoto: Getty Images7. Walk the northern route of the Camino de Santiago, Camino del NortePhoto: Getty Images8. Get an adrenaline rush on the Caminito del Rey wooden walkway in MálagaPhoto: Getty Images9. Drive through Extremadura’s Jerte Valley during cherry blossom season (late March/early April).Photo: Getty Images10. Choose the most beautiful Spanish beach (on the islands or on the mainland) and relax (pictured: Las Teresitas in Tenerife)Photo: Getty Images
Editor’s Reading Tips
“Costa Brava”, “Costa Dorada”, “Costa Blanca”, …
How did the Spanish coasts get their name?
City of artists in Spain
7 things to know before leaving for Salamanca
Map of Spain
Weather
Spain has several climatic zones. The Atlantic climate prevails on the coast of northern Spain, summer and winter are mild, most of the rain falls in winter, average temperatures are usually above ten degrees. Central Spain has an oceanic-continental climate with rainy and sometimes cold and even snowy winters and hot summers. In the Spanish part of the Pyrenees, winters are long and cold, while summers are cooler and shorter. The south of the country has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers.
