By E.L. Kateb

Posted: 20th January 2012 16:57

Spain is considered an exotic country in Europe due to its friendly inhabitants, relaxed lifestyle, wonderful cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and world-famous folklore and festivities.  Among many places worth visiting are Spain's thriving capital Madrid and the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona. 

With great beaches, fun nightlife, many cultural regions and historic cities, Spain makes a great destination for any kind of trip.  A country of large geographic and cultural diversity, Spain is a surprise to those who only know its reputation for great beach holidays.  There is everything from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and deserts in the south east. 

Madrid

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain.  The city is best known for its great cultural and artistic heritage, a good example of which is the El Prado museum and Retiro Park.  

El Prado museum features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century.  Founded as a museum of paintings and sculpture, it also contains important collections of other types of works.  El Prado is one of the most visited sites in the world, and is considered to be among the greatest museums of art. 

The Retiro Park is a magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events; it’s one of Madrid's premier attractions.  

Cadiz

Cadiz is said to be the oldest city in Western Europe and is full of history.  Archaeological remains can be found throughout the old town and the Archaeological Museum (Plaza de Mina) exhibits are definitely worth a look.

The town is surrounded by massive stone walls and forts which helped protect the city.  The forts of San Sebastian and Santa Catalina are open to the public.

While in the city you should also pay a visit the Cathedral of Cadiz and climb to the top of the North Tower for a stunning view of the entire city.

Barcelona

The Magic of Antoni Gaudi

La Sagrada Familia Basilica

La Sagrada Familia is one of Gaudi's most famous works in Barcelona.  It's a giant Roman Catholic Church that has been under construction since 1882.  Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  You can visit the crypt were Gaudí is buried.  A museum tells the story of this great architect and the history of the church.  You can also visit the towers.  An elevator and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona.  

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Casa Milà is the largest civil building designed by Gaudi.  The apartment block was constructed between 1906 and 1910.  It was Gaudi's last work before devoting himself to the construction of the Sagrada Familia.  The building breaks with traditional architecture by using not a single straight line.  On the outside, the undulating balconies look like a series of waves.  The top floor, attic and the extraordinary roof are open to visitors. 

Casa Batlló

The facade of the Casa Batlló is made of sandstone covered with colorful trencadis (a Catalan type of mosaic).  Typical of Gaudí, straight lines are avoided whenever possible.  The first floor features irregularly sculpted oval windows.  Balconies at the lower floors have bone-like pillars, those on the upper floors look like pieces of skulls.  These features gave the house the nickname 'House of Bones'. The enlarged windows on the first floor gave it another nickname, 'House of Yawns'.  The colourful scaled roof recalls a reptile skin. 

Parc Guëll

Guëll Park is one of the world's most fascinating parks.  The pavilions and main staircase look like they belong in a fairy tale.  The dragon-like lizard at the centre of the trencadis-ceramics decorated staircase is the best known symbol of the park. 

Another famous feature of the park is the Gran Placa Circular.  Originally intended as a market place for the residents, this plaza is bordered by what is known as the largest bench in the world.  The colourful ceramic serpentine bench twists snakelike around the plaza.  The view from the plaza is spectacular, you can see as far as the Mediterranean Sea. 

Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountain and an exceptional Natural Park.  Towering at over 4000 feet high, Monstserrat is visible for miles.  With weird shapes and rounded peaks that jut into the sky; there are paths, stairs, caves, chapels and hermitages scattered over the mountain, extraordinary landscapes and wonderful views. 

La Rambla

La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona and is considered the heart of the city.  The street is filled with street theatre, stalls, café’s, shops and famous buildings.  The footpath is lined with trees and if you head in the direction of the Port Vell, a wooden walkway leads you to the Maremàgnum, a complex with shops, movie theatres and a large aquarium.

Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music)

The Palau de la Música Catalana is a beautiful concert hall and is one of the most interesting modernist architectural gems.  More than half a million people a year attend musical performances in the Palau that range from symphonic and chamber music to jazz and Cançó (Catalan song).

Barceloneta beach

According to a documentary by the Discovery Channel in 2005 Barceloneta beach was declared the third best beach in the world.  Known for its sandy beach its many restaurants and nightclubs along the boardwalk the beach can be both exciting and tranquil.  Only a fifteen minute walk from the city centre the location couldn’t be more convenient.

Magic Fountain

Stunning and awe inspiring are just two of the words that can describe this fountain.  A spectacular display of colour, light, motion, music and water acrobatics - if you mix all these elements together in just the right combinations, you end up with pure magic!  The magic fountain is a "must see" when you come to Barcelona.