Things not to Miss

#01 Flamenco in Seville

The stamp of heels and heart-rending lament of a cante jondo encapsulate the soul of the Spanish south.

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#02 Las Alpujarras

Drive over lemons and walk old mule paths in this picturesque region of mountain villages nestled in the southern folds of the Sierra Nevada.

#03 Burgos cathedral

Perhaps Spain’s finest Gothic cathedral dominates the likeable small city of Burgos, destined to be European City of Culture in 2016.

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#04 Ibiza and Formentera’s hidden coves

The islands’ little-developed beaches range from gem-like coves to sweeps of white sand. For more information, see Ses Salines and Es Cavallet.

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#05 Gourmet snacks in San Sebastián

Pintxos are kings of the tapas in the Basque region’s culinary capital.

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#06 Clubbing in Ibiza

Forget sleep, and experience everything else to excess, on Ibiza – the ultimate party island.

#07 Segovia

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At eight hundred metres long the extraordinary Roman aqueduct of Segovia is one of Spain’s most breathtaking ancient monuments.

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#08 Teatre-Museu Dalí, Figueres

The Dalí museum in Figueres is as surreal as its creator – who lies in a mausoleum within.

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#09 Toledo

The capital of medieval Spain, Toledo has changed little since its depiction in El Greco’s paintings.

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#10 La Mezquita, Córdoba

Nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking Grand Mosque of Córdoba – one of the world’s most beautiful buildings

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#11 Bodegas Ysios

Rioja region’s amazing designer temple of wine.

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#12 The Alhambra, Granada

The legendary Moorish palace complex is a monument to sensuality and contemplative decoration.

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#13 Semana Santa

Easter week sees processions of masked penitents, with the biggest events in Seville and Málaga.

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#14 Santiago de Compostela

The pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela left a swathe of Gothic and Renaissance churches, not least the great cathedral.

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#15 Parque Nacional Coto de Doñana

Doñana’s unique habitats host myriad birds and other wildlife, including the Iberian lynx.

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#16 Universidad de Salamanca

Spain’s most famous and historic university sits at the heart of the gorgeous honey-coloured city.

#17 Picos de Europa

Take a hike along the stunning Cares Gorge, the most popular walk in glorious Picos de Europa National Park. For more information, see Hiking in the southern Picos: the Cares Gorge.

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#18 Museo del Prado, Madrid

Spain’s greatest art museum is an obligatory visit on any trip to the capital.

#19 Sitges

Sitges is Spain’s biggest gay resort and throws simply spectacular parties, especially at Carnival time.

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#20 Roman ruins of Mérida

Wander at will around the ancient Roman ruins of Mérida, the most extensive such remains in the country.

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#21 Museo Guggenheim, Bilbao

Frank Gehry’s flagship creation of undulating titanium has become one of the iconic buildings of our age.

#22 Seville

The quintessential Andalucian city with sun-drenched plazas, winding alleyways, Moorish monuments and more bars than seems remotely feasible.

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#23 Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

One of Spain’s truly essential sights – Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the church of the “Sacred Family”.

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#24 Sherry tasting in Jerez

There are few greater pleasures than a chilled glass of fino or manzanilla, and there’s no better place to sample them than in the sherry heartland of Jerez.

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#25 Las Fallas

In March, Valencia erupts in festivities as giant models are burnt and fireworks crackle across town to celebrate San José.

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#26 A night on the tiles, Madrid

Delight in the capital’s most traditional of rituals – a night of bar-hopping and clubbing rounded off by a dawn reviver of chocolate con churros.

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Travel advice for Spain

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