Madrid
Madrid is Spain's capital and one of its largest cities. It's also one of the cheaper countries in Western Europe. Reasonable prices, beautiful architecture, yummy food, lively nightlife make Madrid a sought after destination for one and all. As soon as you step foot in the city you can see it breathe around you! It is one of the most liveliest cities in the Western Europe. Madrid may lack the romance of Paris, and the history of Rome but it doesn't make it any less exciting. It is a city of passion and life, music and dance, good food and better wines. And it is an artistic city which can confidently claim the title of 'Culinary Capital' of Europe!Cheapest Month To Fly: October 2017 from AhmedabadMust Visit: Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid Royal Palace, Prado Museum and Plaza MayorMust Eat: Tapas, Tortilla Espanola, Gazpacho, Seafood Paella and SangriaMust Do: Dine at Botin, a famous restaurant that has been mentioned in numerous books and movies; Stroll along Grand Avenue, a beautiful stretch with stunning sights all around; Shop at El Rastro Flea Market; Dine at a Tapas Bar; Eat late night churros, available almost at every corner in Madrid.Approximate Cost for a day: Attractions – Rs. 750; Food – Rs. 1800; Inter-city travel via public transport – Rs. 250; Accommodation – Average cost for 1 night – Rs. 3500 on double occupancy.
Seville
These 7 days literally flew away for us. We kept discussing what we’d missed. We wanted to stay each place a little more, but we also wanted to explore more places.You know what we were living with?THE FEAR OF MISSING OUT
Malaga
MalagaIn Malaga you will breath such a sparkling Spanish atmosphere! Maybe for the sea air of Costa del Sol, or maybe for the tasty tapas you will eat :) Anyway, in Malaga you absolutely have to visit the Gibralfaro castle, one of the most popular attractions, and the Cathedral, also called Manquita because of the incomplete right tower. If you have time in advance and you are an art lover, don’t miss the Picasso Museum!
Granada
Granada: Largely famous for the grand Alhambra, this beautiful hill town presents a rich cultural experience. Try staying in Albacin rather than the city to have a more authentic and rustic experience. Ensure you have made early online booking of Alhambra as there are limited tickets per day. You can either go for a guided tour (39 Euros) or explore by yourself. The palaces and the gardens provide some majestic views and a cultural ratatouille with layers of Arabic and Spanish influence. Granada is also famous for its Gypsy culture centered around the Sacramento area with cave dwellings.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Wandering away from the mainland, there are still other offbeat places to visit in Spain. Tenerife, a volcanic island off the coast of West Africa, is a lesser known place full of wonderful experiences.What to See/Do
Burgos
Home to unique Gothic architecture and religious artifacts, this ancient town is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Spain for history lovers.What to See/Do- The Cathedral: The Cathedral of Burgos is a Gothic masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The building spares no extravagance, and features Gothic spires, mural-covered ceilings, medieval tombs, and more!- Castle of Burgos: In the midst of a beautiful park, this castle stands as a witness to the ancient history of Spain, dating back to the 9th century. Check out the castle’s museum to see its violent history, and don’t forget to enjoy the views of the city below.Where to Eat- El 24 de la Paloma: Near to the Cathedral, you’ll find this treasure of Castillian cuisine.- El Fogon de Jesuson: Typical foods served with style can be found in this lovely restaurant.9. Girona
Acantilados de los Gigantes
- Cliffs of Los Gigantes: The Giants are well named, as they stand towering over a small town on the western coast of the island. Watch in awe as the waves of the Atlantic crash against these monstrous cliffs.Where to Eat- For a Michelin star restaurant in a fantastic setting, head to El Rincon de Juan Carlos, in the town of Los Gigantes.- For a fusion of Mediterranean and Canarian cuisine, try Los Roques in the typical town of Los Abrigos.ConclusionSpain is certainly full of wonders. The best hidden places to visit in Spain will provide you with some incredible experiences to treasure for a lifetime.
Ibiza
I don’t remember if I’ve mentioned this in my blog before that every year on my birthday I travel. It’s a pact that I made with myself long time back. My goal is to visit all 7 Continents before I turn 35.This was back in 2014 that I did backpacking through Spain and Ibiza was my last destination.
Girona
Full of museums, religious monuments, and ancient history, Girona is a wonderful tribute to Catalonia and its people.What to See/Do- Museums: Girona is home to a tragic and beautiful history, as shown out in its museums. See the Museu d’Historia dels Jueus for an overview of the Jewish community that once inhabited this town, or the Museu d’Historia de Girona set in 18th century cloisters to see the city from its Roman times until now. There is also an art museum with over 8500 pieces, and a Cinema Museum.- Banys Arabs: These Arabic bathhouses are a lovely testament to the early Muslim influence on Spain, and a great place to relax.Where to Eat- There are two restaurants with Michelin stars here, El Celler de Can Roca, and Massana.- Another local favorite is Divinum, full of delicious Catalan cuisine and local wines.10. AlpujarrasThis mountain range in the south is home to white-washed villages soaking up the ever-present sun. They offer wonderful places to unwind, relax, and get in touch with nature.What to See/Do
Torremolinos
We visited Malaga very briefly, mainly to enjoy a “fishy” meal by the beach. Like people tend to do in Europe when their pockets are tight, we went to a beach destination… but in the middle of December! Who cares about high season! The beach can also feel great on winter days. According to some, Torremolinos is the place that “used to be” but no longer is. But allow us to disagree.
Although the majority of the people in town were old couples in search of a ray of sun (we could tell most of them were from Northern Europe) Torrremolinos is still a place that is “in” for the simple fact that it is a very pleasant sea-side town. You can easily fill your time taking walks, dipping your toes in the Mediterranean (but not much more than the toes this time of year!) and eating the typical fritura malagena, which is a traditional local dish consisting of assorted fried fresh fish.
Ronda
Ronda: Ronda, a beautiful hill village, built atop a gorge is a must visit destination in Andalusia. A couple of hours train journey from Granada, Ronda is quaint yet dramatic. While most prefer it to be a day trip, we stayed here for couple of nights to relax and unwind. The town is most famous for its 3 historic bridges built over the gorge. It provides mesmerizing views from the edge of the valley. You can start from the top and come down towards the old bridge on left covering multiple points enroute. The other trek is down towards Puente Nuevo, or as we did, take a fixed price 15 Euro taxi down to the foot of the bridge.
Cuenca
Due to the abundance of history contained in this walled city, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It was originally built by the Moors, but was conquered in the 12th century and has earned a reputation for historic buildings and abstract art.What to See/Do- Cathedral Nuestra Señora de Gracia: Originally built in the 1100’s over the site of the mosque which once stood here, this cathedral has been well preserved in the Neo-Gothic style.- Spanish Abstract Art Museum: Displayed throughout the fascinating hanging houses that stand clinging to the sides of steep hills, you can find some of Spain’s most lovely abstract art pieces.Where to Eat- Try a menú del día at El Bodegón, or some typical tapas at La Bodeguilla de Basilio.5. Tabernas
