Visit Spain with Lonely Planet

Spain

Spain is a huge country, full of castles and moor palaces, in the north can look green and lush and in the south like a desert. The separate kingdoms which made up the original medieval Spain remain very much in evidence, in a diversity of language, culture and artistic traditions. Spain is also as mountainous as any other country in Europe. In 1992, Spaniards believe they finally reached their rightful place among Europe's leading nations, Barcelona hosted the Olympics, Sevilla the World Fair, and Madrid was the official "Cultural Capital of Europe". In the cities there is always something happening, in clubs, on the streets, in fashion, and even in the most out-of-the-way places there's nightlife, music and entertainment, not to mention the more traditional fiestas. In the countryside you can still find villages which have been decaying steadily for hundreds of years, yet somehow they still hold their appeal, rural areas are more and more depopulated as the young head for the cities. Still, for the visitor the landscape retains its fascination, even local variations can be so extreme that a journey of just a few hours can take you through scenes of exreme contrast. It's almost impossible to summarize Spain as a single country. Catalunia is vibrant and go-ahead; Galicia rural and underdeveloped; the Basque country fighting post-industrial depression with spectacular new civic initiatives; Castile and the south still, somehow, "Spanish" as we perceive them. There are definite highlights to Spanish travel, the three great cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla; the Moorish monuments of Andalucía and the Christian ones of Old Castile; beach-life in Ibiza (the island of the beautiful people), Mallorca or Menorca, or on the more deserted sands around Cádiz. In the north, for some, some of the best trekking in Europe, the Pyrenees and the Asturian Picos de Europa.

Hostels and Accomodation

Youth hostels (Albergues Juveniles) are rarely very practical, except in northern Spain where it can be difficult for solo travellers to find any other bed in summer. Few stay open all year, and in towns they are often inconveniently located. They tend to have curfews, are often block-reserved by school groups, and demand production of an HI card (though this is generally available on the spot). At between 1000-2000ptas a person, you can easily pay more than for sharing a cheap double room in a fonda or casa de huéspedes. But don't be downhearted over this, there are countless places to stay at very reasonable rates. It is sometimes possible to stay at Spanish monasteries, which may let empty cells for around 450ptas a person, but if you want to be sure of a reception it's best to approach the local Turismo first, and phone ahead. In northern Spain, the Basque Country's agroturismo and Navarra's casa rural programmes offer excellent cheap accommodation in rural areas, usually in beautifully preserved and well-maintained private houses. Full lists are available from the relevant tourist offices. Other parts of the country, including Andalucia, have recently launched similar initiatives.
Use our Hostel Booking form to book your hostel.

Places to See

Barcelona It isn't difficult to spot Gaudí's trademarks around Barcelona. His twisted ironwork and flamboyant flowing lines are most monumental in the stunning, but unfinished, La Sagrada Familía, and most dreamlike in his fantasy world of Parc Güell.

Benasque Nestling between the two highest summits in the Pyrenees, is a great starting point for mountain rambles.

Bilbao Along the Rio Nervion a whole number of exciting new buildings have appeared, including the futuristic Museo Guggenheim.

Cordoba's Mezquita is the grandest and most beautiful mosque ever constructed by the Moors in Spain.

Galicia A wet, wild Celtic outpost, Galicia couldn't be more different from the Spanish Costas, but with its fantastic seafood, verdant countryside, endless sandy beaches and the perfectly preserved medieval centre of Santiago de Compostela, it has so much more to offer.

Granada The climax of Moorish art in Spain, the Alhambra has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The palace consists of a series of courtyards, patios and rooms, superbly decorated with intricate inlaid walls and ceiling designs.

Madrid 100pts gives you day membership of the Circulo in Madrid, where you can visit exhibitions and drink in its luxurious bar.

Museo del Prado houses one of the world's greatest art collections. Don't miss Velazquez's Las Meninas and Goya's Las Majas.

Madrid's Nightlife Try to sample some of the huge variety of bars, restaurants, and discotecas that comprise a typical Madrileño night out. Chueca is an especially lively area, its most eclectic bar being Torito.

Salamanca, Sip sangria and watch the world go by in Salamanca's grand Plaza Major, surrounded by Churrigueras' Baroque-inspired architecture.

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