Spain Travel
Spain boasts a colorful mix of history, culture and modern flavor. That's part of what makes travel in Spain so appealing. Whether you're planning to watch the running of the bulls, attend a festival, relax in the quiet countryside or wander along a beach, this Spain Travel Web Guide points you to the best Internet resources to make your visit to Spain a memorable one.
Expand All Guide SectionsSpain Travel Information
The opportunities for culture and adventure in Spain are vast. Use the Web to make the most of your trip by discovering cities, attractions, and events you'll want to experience first-hand.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The English name for this country is "Spain," but Spaniards say, "España." If you are having trouble locating specific information about Spain, it can help to search for "Espana." Also the names of many cities as you know them might not be the same as they are pronounced or written in the country. For example, "Majorca" is also known as "Mallorca."
- Spain's territory extends beyond mainland Europe. The country also includes several islands, such as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands; the Plazas de Soberanía ("places of sovereignty") in the Strait of Gibraltar; and other coastal islands, such as Islas Cíes.
- Did you know Spain is the setting for the novel from which findingDulcinea gets its name? In Don Quixote, by Miguel Cervantes, a country gentleman imagines a new reality for himself after reading too many stories of chivalry. Convinced he is a knight, he sets out in pursuit of Dulcinea, a beautiful woman created in the workings of his imagination. Ultimately, Quixote's quest proves futile, but we took the name because we're here to help you find what you seek-to ensure that your quest for information is anything but quixotic. Learn more about Don Quixote at The Literature Network, or read the book yourself.
- Web sites with a ".es" in the URL will likely be written in Spanish. If you're not familiar with the Spanish language, look for a British flag or an "Inglés" link on a Spanish site, which should take you to an English version of the same content.
- Planning a trip to more than one country in Europe? Try exploring the whole continent with our findingDulcinea Europe Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of Spain ...
National Geographic
provides videos, music, and maps of Spain, along with a short history of the country. A major draw of this site is the vividly colorful photography, which offers a great view into Spanish life.
Infoplease.com
has historical, cultural, and statistical information about Spain. Some links present worldwide statistics to give you an idea of how Spain compares with other countries.
Spain Tourism
is the official site of the Instituto de Turismo de España (the Institute of Tourism of Spain). This one-stop travel guide has information about planning your trip and recommendations for attractions to see. You'll also find videos, photo galleries, and virtual tours of Spain.
For some popular tourist attractions ...
The Spain Travel Guide
offers a map of Spain that leads you to the country's most popular tourist destinations. Check the menu on the right side of the page for information about Spain's major cities, Spanish culture, airport transfers, and general travel facts.
Frommer's
features a "Best of Spain" section in its Spain travel guide. Review this site for Frommer's opinion on the best castles, cathedrals, hotel bargains, and museums to see. Browse the "Complete Guide to Spain" section for dining recommendations, an art and architecture guide, and suggested itineraries for families and trips of one week or longer.
Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia
is the official site for the famous work of architect Antoni Gaudi. Study the history of this cathedral; learn about Gaudi, himself; and take a virtual tour of the Temple (available under the "What you can see" link). Tour information and admission fees are also available.
FCBarcelona.cat
is the official site for the Barcelona sports club in Spain. Much of the site features information about the football (soccer) team of Barcelona, which features stars such as Ronaldinho, Messi, and Henry. You can also find ticket information to an FC Barcelona game at the 90,000-seat Camp Nou stadium, which has housed Olympic events, major concerts, and even a visit from the Pope.
The Museo Picasso
explains the life and works of artist Pablo Picasso. The site also includes tour information for the museum.
To learn about local customs and traditions ...
Virtual Tourist
explains some of the elements of Spanish culture and traditions. This site also highlights many of the popular destinations in Spain, accompanied by tips and photographs from travelers who have been there.
Don Quijote
is primarily a site dedicated to highlighting Spanish-language study-abroad programs for students. However, this site also delves into aspects of Spanish history and culture, which can aid any traveler.
Encyclopedia Britannica
has a discussion of religion in Spain, including the presence of Catholicism in the country.
For a bit of Spanish cuisine ...
Spanish Recipes
presents a selection of recipes to browse through if you are interested in the country's ethnic cuisine. To get frequent updates of recipes, go to the Spain Recipes Blog.
The Spanish Wine Page
familiarizes you with the various wines produced in the country, explaining differences in taste, grape varieties, and how to interpret wine labels. You'll find wine dealers listed at this site, as well as Spanish wine news.
For major cities ...
The About Madrid Travel Guide
highlights popular attractions in Spain's capital, provides map links, and lists contact information for transportation hubs and tourist offices. Follow the clearly labeled menu on the left side of the page for other great information about Madrid, including the city's history, profiles of some popular parks, information about exciting nightlife, and more.
Barcelona On-Line
reveals a selection of sights to visit in Barcelona, as well as maps of the city, and suggestions for what to look for along the way. If you need to rent a car or arrange lodging, this site also functions as an online travel agent, and might be able to accommodate your needs.
ValenciaValencia.com
is an independent tourist guide to Valencia. It's another clearly organized site on which you can easily search for information by skimming the menu on the left. Get inspired for your trip by visiting the photos section of this site.
Malaga City Guide
offers great photographs and an in-depth look at the city of Malaga. Learn about the culture and art of Malaga, get a feel for the nightlife, or learn about places to explore in the "City Guide" section. You'll find a wealth of knowledge about Malaga here.
Bilbao.net
is the Web site of the Bilbao Council. Search the sections along the top or down the left side of the page for information about the city of Bilbao. Unfortunately, much of this page is still written in Spanish (even though we've given you the link to the English version), but you should still have an easy time finding relevant tourist and visitor information.
Palma de Mallorca
is a guide for the city of Palma de Mallorca, Spain. This site offers recommendations for what you should see and do during a visit to Palma de Mallorca, and it also provides links for Internet cafés, a street finder, and transportation options.
For festivals and major events of Spain ...
About.com's Guide to Tomatina Tomato Fight
teaches you what to do and expect at what arguably could be the largest food fight in the world. Learn how to dress, how to waterproof your camera, and what the rules are (yes, there are rules) if you want to participate in this unique event. This article also contains pictures of the tomato throwing and its aftermath.
The San Fermín Guide
recounts the history of the San Fermín festival and gives you the facts you need to know if you want to watch or participate in the famous running of the bulls. Click the "Pamplona" link if you're planning an extended stay in Pamplona and need to know where to stay and eat.
Spanish Fiestas
offers this video of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. A short explanation of the history of the bull run is also available.
SpainTurismo.com
has provided a helpful calendar of festivals around the country. The design of this page is simple, but useful if you're hoping to plan your trip around a noteworthy event.
For pictures of Spain ...
PlanetWare
has pictures of tourist sites, buildings, and various attractions to potentially inspire your Spanish getaway. Photos are grouped together by city, beginning with Madrid. Be advised that there are many ads on this site.
My Photographs
features numerous photographs from Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, and Valencia in a well-organized format that presents photos in order from Barcelona to Valencia. Thumbnails of each image are big enough to see easily, before you download a larger size.
Sacred Destinations Travel Guide
has pictures of religious locations in the country, specifically the Mezquita de Cordoba, Montserrat, and Mezquita de Cristo de la Luz. This site also contains travel guides and photos for some of Spain's villages.
To read news from Spain ...
Typically Spanish
provides breaking-news updates for Spain. The main breaking-news page covers news from several regions of the country. Look at the "Spain News Sections" to the right for news from a specific area.
Madrid News
focuses on recent events in the capital, and publishes an English version. You'll also find news about the European Union and links to other newspapers in Spain.
The Barcelona Reporter
is an online newspaper focused on the Catalonia region. The publication aims to foster citizen journalism, encouraging feedback and commentary from local readers, or from those passing through Barcelona. Content has a local, homegrown feeling that might offer valuable information and insight you wouldn't find in a larger news source.
Spain Travel Requirements
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Traveling to Spain
Figuring out how you'll arrive at your destination is one of the most important decisions you'll ... read more »
Spain Hotels
Whether you're looking for a quiet finca in the Spanish countryside, a luxurious resort, or an ... read more »
Getting Around in Spain
Navigating a foreign country isn't always an easy task. If you're not sure how you want to travel ... read more »
Spain Travel Blogs and Forums
Second opinions can be beneficial when you're hoping to plan a great vacation. With travel guides, ... read more »
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