From the northern mountains to the hot Seville and the distant Canary Islands: what places are worth visiting in order to most fully capture the splendor of sunny Spain.
1. Pueblos Blancos, Andalusia
The snow-white villages that littered the hilly region in central Andalusia not so long ago experienced a period of decline: young people massively left these farm settlements, going to work in large cities. However, now the inhabitants of the villages have clearly decided to attract more tourists to their homes and are engaged in the restoration of buildings and pavement.
Narrow alleys, winding between snow-white houses, ancient churches and mottled with colorful flowers, returned their medieval charm. The most picturesque of the villages are Grazalema, Vejer de la Frontera and Arcos de la Frontera.
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2. The Alhambra, Granada
The Moorish fortress, covered with stunning carvings, is one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain. The complex of palaces, surrounded by well-kept gardens, crowns the top of the hill; The background is the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Inside its walls, the fortress is no less impressive: here, among the peaceful inner courtyards, the Moorish luxuriant elements of the decor are in vivid contrast to the laconic lines of baroque elements of later eras.
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3. Masterpieces of Gaudi, Barcelona
The Catalan capital has no shortage of advantages: a vibrant nightlife, long beaches and an open air for shopping make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. However, its main pearls are, undoubtedly, phantasmagoric buildings erected by the legendary Antonio Gaudi. The most visited of his creations (and, in combination, the symbol of the city) is, of course, the Cathedral of the Holy Family with its carved towers and bizarre columns. Other masterpieces of the architect, obligatory to visit - the house of Casa Mila, as well as the "gingerbread" houses of the Park Güell.
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4. Mountain beauty, Picos de Europa
Spanish landscapes are good everywhere, whether it is long sandy beaches or wide plains. But the most impressive natural views of the country are concentrated in the mountains of the Picos de Europa nature park. Rocky slopes, emerald green valleys and bubbling rivers make this area in northern Spain an ideal place for trekking, rafting and other outdoor activities.
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5. Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela
Numerous Gothic cathedrals of Spain - an important tribute to Catholic traditions. Perhaps the most impressive of these is the mass of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. This is a huge building, covered with baroque curls, statues and stalagmites. And the cathedral is the last point in the route of many thousands of pilgrims who annually pass along the famous pilgrimage road known as the Way of St. James.
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6. Teide volcano, Tenerife
To the Canary Islands from Spain you need to fly, no small two hours. The islands are located much closer to the African coast, rather than to the European one, and their nature differs sharply from the landscapes presented in Spain. These lands of volcanic origin are covered with stepped slopes and black sands. In the center of Tenerife - the most popular of the islands - towers the mighty Teide volcano, crowned with a snow cap. Those who decide to conquer its slopes on foot, have a walk among the "lunar" landscapes, and from the very top there are stunning views of the Canary Islands.
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7. Beaches Formentera, Balearic Islands
Almost 10 thousand kilometers of coastline and abundance of sun rays have long turned Spain into a beach Mecca. The beaches here are very different: from the sun-drenched and variegated umbrellas to the pristine desert sand stripes. Perhaps the most pristine (and the whitest!) Beaches can be found on Forteman - one of the Balearic Islands. You can swim to Formentera from the mainland in just a couple of hours. The most picturesque of the beaches of the island - Ses Illetes - is a curving strip of snow-white sand, about which the ultramarine waters of the Mediterranean Sea gently splash.
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8. City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
Spain is famous for its outstanding old architecture, but its modern projects are no less interesting. Located in Valencia, the architectural complex "City of Arts and Sciences", designed by the outstanding architect Santiago Calatrava, can be called a visiting card of modern Spanish architecture. Dazzling white buildings of bizarre shapes, whose walls are curved under the most unimaginable angles, are impressive at any time of the day, but they are especially picturesque at night, when their sketches are emphasized by a skilful illumination.
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9. Plaza of Spain, Seville
The capital of Andalusia is full of beautiful buildings and a stunning, primordially Spanish atmosphere. The Plaza of Spain, designed by the local architect Anibal Gonzalez in 1929, is a colorful kaleidoscope of colorful towers and colonnades, lavishly covered with curled patterns. In the center of the square splashes a huge fountain and canals, along which you can ride on rented catamarans. The place is so picturesque that it has often appeared in various films, the most famous of which is the second episode of "Star Wars" ("Attack of the Clones").
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10. Old Town, Toledo
Ancient Toledo, located in the heart of Spain, until the 16th century was the capital of the country. For many centuries here lived side by side Jews, Christians and Muslims, for which Toledo received the nickname of "City of Three Cultures." Narrow cobbled streets, historic buildings, architectural monuments, majestic temples and cathedrals - this place is indispensable for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the rich history of the country.
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