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Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and it is located in the southwestern part of European continent. The country borders the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains. It is the third largest country in Europe in terms of geographical territory and the most spoken languages of this country are Spanish, Euskara and Catalan. The population of Spain is approximately 45 million, which makes it the sixth populous country in Europe. For people who are traveling to Spain for the first time, there are many activities which can be done and many places which can be visited. There will never be a dull moment in the itinerary and the people are also very hospitable. Here are some of the fun things to do in Spain.

Fun Stuff to Do in Spain

Right from water sports on the beaches and coasts, to museums and various dance shows which are showcased in all major cities, to trekking and mountain biking in nature’s lap, Spain is filled with exciting activities for people from all walks of life. It has the proper balance of traditions and new practices which makes this trip even more special. As a tourist you can do some crazy things which are not available elsewhere.

Sierra Nevada Mountains
People who are nature lovers have to visit the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Southern Spain. These mountains have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and they offer a range of activities like skiing, walking, cycling, trekking and mountaineering. The best way to reach Sierra Nevada Mountains is by taking the transportation available from the Granada, Malaga or Almeria airports. This location is beautifully bizarre.

Bull Fighting
Today this sport is not that popular as it was in the olden days but the Spanish people still love the traditional bull fight. This traditional sporting event has slowly disappeared from the country and all credit goes to the very active animal activists of Spain. Some people also call it a dangerous art form, people who want to see this ruthless fight should first inquire about the months in which bull-fighting seasons are hosted and try booking the tickets beforehand.

The Alhambra
History lovers can make a trip to the Alhambra fortress in the Granada hills. This fortress is considered to be of prime importance because it provided protection to the city’s first inhabitants from the Christian invasion for a number of years. It would take almost 4½ hours to see the entire Alhambra and it is a good idea to book the tickets in advance as they are always short in supply.

Tomato Fighting
People who are visiting Spain in August have to take part in the Tomato Fight aka La Tomatina. This crazy gathering is held on the last Wednesday in August during the week festivities of Buñol. More than 10,000 people participate in this festival every year and throw ripe tomatoes on each other. There are some simple rules which need to be followed before starting this festival; no use of bottles or foreign objects which can cause harm, clothes shouldn’t be torn, it is mandatory to crush the tomatoes before throwing them so that no injuries are caused.

Picos de Europa
One look at the Picos de Europa and travelers will fall in love with this place. This mountain range is situated 20 km from the northern coast of Spain. The place is filled with some amazing species of flora and fauna which are not visible everywhere. Picos de Europa is also home to Spain’s deepest caves and people are still carrying vast search operations to find more caves.

The Seville Fair
The Spanish people are known as hardcore party animals and they know how to party well. Travelers who like to party hard are welcome to the Seville Fair; the biggest party in Spain. From horse processions to beautiful carriages and people dressed up in beautiful traditional Spanish attire, the night is filled with great music, dance, food and drinks.

El Rastro
Travelers who want to enjoy lots of shopping at affordable prices should definitely head to the El Rastro market which attracts thousands of visitors daily. The streets of this market are filled with every type of good that people would want to buy. Attractive furniture, traditional paintings, authentic antiques, all can be bought here at a very cheap rate.

Hope this article on fun things to do in Spain was an interesting read. Spain is one country which not only follows traditions but is slowly turning into a safe haven for youngsters. It is the perfect destination for the young and old to enjoy life to the fullest.

Spain, a geographically and historically diverse country, is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking countries in the continent of Europe. Touring the country of Spain can be a unique and thrilling experience. Located on the Iberian peninsula in southwestern Europe, this country is surrounded by the Mediterranean sea and other seas on all the three sides. The cool, sparkling blue waters are surely alluring to the eyes. Visiting these exotic locales and tasting the authentic and delectable local cuisine is sure to be an unforgettable experience that will be etched in your memory. Due to constraint of space and time, I have only listed a few of the places to visit in Spain. But believe me, if you go to these places, you can get a taste of the entire country. So join me in touring some of the most beautiful and awesome places to visit in Spain.

Famous Places to Visit in Spain

Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cornucopia of pleasure, catering to everyone’s taste. This city of Spain is popular for its music culture with its discos, restaurants, bars, cafes etc. Also known as shopper’s paradise, Madrid has no dearth of things to be purchased. You will find everything that you need at Plaza Mayor Square. With its beautiful museums, it is also a feast to an art lover. An ideal vacation destination for family and friends.

Malaga
A tourist’s paradise with exotic holiday resorts, Malaga is the birth place of the famed painter Pablo Picasso. It is considered to be a Mecca for every artist or painter. This city is home to many museums and cathedrals, with their exquisite architectural works. The main landmark of the city, Alcazaba or the Arabic fortress, which is built on a hill has ruins of the Roman empire and also the amphitheater. This is one of the best places to visit in Spain with kids, since this city also has an aquarium which houses many rare species of marine life.

Barcelona
The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona has a spectacular history of culture and tradition. The city is a confluence for both art and nature lovers. Barcelona has a lot to offer for tourists like beaches, historical buildings, museums, etc. There are also some beautiful buildings that were designed by Gaudi, a famous architect. Historians would love to visit this place since it has a myriad of museums like the Archeology Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, Cosmocaixa science museum, the Maritime museum and even an Erotic museum. Visit Barcelona for an unique vacation and an altogether different experience. There are also many affordable hotels that suit everyone’s budget.

Ibiza
Ibiza, with its sun kissed beaches and sparkling ocean waters is an appropriate place to chill out during a summer vacation. Ibiza is very popular for its vibrant nightlife. The center of attraction of this city is a beautiful cathedral that stands on the beach and from where you can get a panoramic view of the nearby islands and the deep blue sea. The island also rents out boat charters, which can be hired for a day and used for touring the entire coast. You can also rent some vacation homes on the beach and laze the entire day on hammock with a chilled beer in your hand and staring at the vast mass of water. So pack your bangs and sing as the Vengaboys did, ‘We’re going to Ibiza‘.

Bilbao
One of the most economically active cities of Spain, Bilbao is famous for the Guggenheim museum., which has a gigantic structure shaped like a puppy. There are also other museums like the Fine Arts Museum that attracts hordes of tourists. Spend a different Christmas vacation at this Basque country for a unique experience with your family or friends.

Almeria
Located on the Mediterranean coast, Almeria is replete with beaches and many archaeological sites. You can take a closer look at the artistic beauty of the rock paintings. There are also many natural parks which have a wide variety of different species of flora and fauna. Tempt your taste buds with authentic seafood and vegetable dishes fresh from the fields. This is one of the excellent places to visit in Spain in summer because of its continental climate.

Granada
Popularly for its architectural beauty, Grenada is a heritage site of the world stamped by the UNESCO. Filled with beautiful palaces and Renaissance monuments, this is one of the best places to choose for an Europe vacation. Visiting the museums in Granada will make you travel back in history to the era of successful monarchs. There are also many marvelous landscapes that is sure to sweep you off your feet.

Valencia
The third largest city of the country, Valencia is perfect for a beach vacation. Valencia is famous for its orange orchards, which look awesome when all the trees are in full bloom. The beaches are pristine with its beautiful and soft white sand. There are also many adventurous sports activities like sailing, para-gliding and surfing that can enjoyed all the year round. You can also enjoy some of the local festivals celebrated in this city.

Spain is situated in the Northern hemisphere and is a reasonably big country. Being a large country there are various climactic zones within the same country. Climate of a country is largely dependent on relief features of that land and when we look at the relief features of Spain, we see that there is vast difference in the relief features of the coastal areas and the interiors. The lowland formed by the river Guadalquivir and also the highlands of Sierra Nevada occupy the southern part of Spain and the Sierra Nevada is a major relief feature on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea.

Therefore it is evident that Spain enjoys diverse climate and weather changes, in fact Spain is known for its diverse climates and there is a saying that in Spain you might enjoy the snow fall in one part of the country while in the other you might just enjoy the cool breeze of the sea with your swim suit on. This diversity and variety in weather condition comes from the vastness of the landmass of Spain. The eastern part of Spain experiences weather conditions that are far dissimilar to weather conditions in the western part and similarly the weather in North Spain varies from weather in South Spain. Spain has many mountains and its weather is also affected by the influence of two water bodies namely, Mediterranean and Atlantic. Let us take a brief look at the various climates and the zones, which experience these climates.

Different Weather Zones

Spain can be fairly divided into the following three weather zones except for Canary Islands where it is pleasant throughout the year, summers and winters being mild and rainfall being scarce. These islands are favorite tourist destination in Spain and they roughly have the same kind of climate though when studied in detail it can be observed that every island has one or the other unique weather aspect.

Continental Weather Zone-The Central region of Spain experiences the Continental kind of weather, so we can say if you are in Madrid you would experience the Continental weather. Continental weather would mean extremes of temperature with little rainfall so when the temperature increases it might rise up to 30 to 40 degree Celsius and when it starts decreasing it might fall below 4 degree Celsius.

Maritime Weather Zone - As we understand by “maritime”, the weather never reaches the extremes and is moderate most of the time which is due to the influence of an adjacent water body and the land breeze and sea breeze that works against the prevalent climate. Therefore north and northwest part of Spain, being close to the Atlantic Ocean experience climate that is neither hot and neither cold. Winters are not cold and summers are not hot because in summer the cool sea breeze creates a cooling effect and similarly in winter the hot sea breeze does not let the temperature go really low. This region receives high rainfall due to the proximity to the sea

Mediterranean Weather Zone- Mediterranean Weather is primarily hot and even in winters there are hardly cold days though the atmosphere becomes cool and this kind of weather can be found in the eastern coast of Spain. The duration that this region receives sunshine is more than average – during summers the duration of sunshine is somewhere around twelve hours a day and in winters it is around six hours a day. Though there is hardly a season which can be called winter yet this is one of the most visited regions of Spain owing to the beach like climate which is favorite for the visitors who take a break from the cold climates of their countries. In this zone rainfall is moderate and comes mostly as a part of the sea storms.