Spain is the cultural bridge between Europe and Africa. Cutting-edge cities and fine dining on the Bay of Biscay and Moorish architecture and late-night tapas on the Mediterranean coast show just how diverse this country really is. Mountains and plains, late nights and the serenity of siesta highlight the numerous contrasts all contained in one country.
Picture-perfect Spain
Sprawled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra Palace looms over the city of Granada. This building alone is reason enough to visit Granada, but it has many other charms. Come for the exquisite gardens and impressive Moorish architecture of the palace, but stay for the cosy tapas bars, ornate churches and laid-back city vibes.
If Seville is on your agenda, this unique city truly comes alive at night. The strum of Spanish guitar and stamp of heels on wooden boards accompanies swirling red and black skirts in a whirl of flamenco. This is the soul of the Spanish south. Stop in Cordoba where a medieval bridge links two sides of the city. The simply stunning Mezquita (mosque) is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world.
Find the Spain of your imagination on a road-trip around the small towns and villages of inland Andalusia. Towns like Mijas with bright white buildings and the magenta splash of bougainvillea dot the hillsides. Step into the gorge of Ronda where Romanesque houses and cafes stare into the deep crevasse.
From Madrid to modernism
In the centre of the country lies Madrid, Spain’s capital and beating heart. The sleek, modern facade hides myriad medieval buildings and fascinating alleys and squares. A visit to the Prado museum is a must. Home to more than 9,000 works of art, this is a museum that is renowned throughout the world for the majesty of its collection.
Bilbao on the north coast is home to some fabulous modern art and architecture. The gem in the centre of this city is the famed Guggenheim, housed in Frank Gehry’s outlandish and outstanding design. Fresh seafood from the Bay of Biscay is the perfect fuel after a day of gallery-hopping, or drive an hour away to San Sebastian, one of the culinary highlights of the northern coast.
Gaudí’s canvas, Barcelona, is filled with colourful, playful buildings designed by the famous architect. Park Güell in the north of the city was his playground and La Sagrada Família in the centre his unfinished masterpiece. Walk the streets of the Gothic quarter that inspired both him and Picasso. One of this city’s joys is that it combines the urban with a resort feel – you’re only ever minutes away from Barcelona’s beautiful beaches.
Coast to coast
The pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela in the north west of Spain left a litany of Gothic cathedrals and medieval towns in its wake. The road ends in Santiago, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, where warrens of cobbled streets twist through its centre.
On the opposite coast, the smell of lemons in the sun and hum of crickets in the trees are in store in the Sierra Nevada. Hiking trails up and down old mule tracks make this magnificent mountain rage easy to access for all fitness levels.
Whether you’re spending days or weeks in this beautiful country, car rental in Spain is the perfect way to experience the exquisite landscapes and cities you’ll find when you arrive.
