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.

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.

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.

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.

Carnival
February is the month, to witness the crazy carnivals. It is celebrated in different parts of the country, which follow different ways to make these carnivals enjoyable. It’s the best time, where many people socialize and get together, with an intention of having fun. Canary Islands, Cadiz and Stiges are the cities, which conduct one of the most amazing and wild carnivals. A lot of people are dressed in unusual and beautiful costumes, and sing and dance all through the night. The streets are occupied with many people as they watch and participate in many events and parties. The carnival in Spain is filled with many wonderful and interesting events such as, beauty pageants, music shows and various forms of dances. Every citizen of Spain actively participate in these carnivals. In case, these competitions do not interest you, then you can always book your villas and throw a great party or instead head to open air parties. Carnivals, is a reflection of art, where many artistes get a chance to display their skills. This fun filled spectacle takes place just before Lent, which involves 40 days of fasting and as per old traditions no parties were permitted. Origin of carnival is under many speculations, but masquerading and parades were observed in Italy and soon spread to other European countries.

San Fermin – Running of the Bulls
San Fermin is among the popularly celebrated events in Spain. Saint Fermin was dragged by the bulls on the streets of Pampola, which is an event of great significance. The celebrations take place from 6th July from noon and goes on till 14th July. The event is inaugurated with the launch of a rocket, an act popularly known as Chupinazo. As the day proceeds, the city council members, parade from City Hall to the Saint Fermin chapel, while many young people block the streets by performing various art forms. Each day involves certain events for which this festival is famous. The event of bulls running begins at 8 in the morning, when the firecracker is launched, indicating the release of the bulls. This event takes place from the 7th to 14th July. After the bull run, the bulls come back to the bullring of Pamplona, where they are killed in the bullfight. This is the most dangerous and yet intriguing part. Many bulls get killed and people or bullfighters who participate in this event also pay with their lives. Irrespective of the bull run and fights, there are many sports such as stone lifting, hay bale lifting and wood cutting are organized. San Fermin, is among the most awaited events of the year, where many Spanish and even people from all around the world visit to witness the great bullfights.

Easter
Easter begins with Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and comes to end with Easter Monday (Lune de Pascua). A lot of people carry palm leaves and visit the church to get it blessed by the priest. Many churches also organize a parade mark the arrival of Jesus. On easter Sunday, many dummies are made, which are ultimately torn into pieces and thrown into the air. The easter Sunday meal is a special one, as the godfather presents the cake, La Mona to his godchild. These cake come in many shapes and designs, which are served by wine or honey syrup.

Tomato Festival
Known as Tomatina, this big tomato fight event takes place in Bunyol. This festival takes place on the last Wednesday of August. Many people from different parts of Spain gather at Bunyol and throw around 240,000 pounds of tomato at each other. The tomatoes are specially grown for this event and are smashed before the fight to avoid injury. Many participants protect themselves by wearing goggles and gloves and continue to fight up to 1 hour.

Christmas in Spain
Christmas is celebrated all around the world. However, in Spain it is a little different. At the time of Christmas eve, 24th December, people light up bonfires, while candles are placed outside every house. Many people attend the Christmas mass and enjoy various Christmas recipes cooked on that day. The next day is spend in family reunions and exchanging gifts among friends, family and neighbors. In Spain, Christmas does not end on the eve of 25th December. It is followed by Days of Innocent, which is celebrated on 28th December. The story of this day goes way back in history, which marks a huge massacre, where many innocent people were killed. However, in present times, the Spanish play pranks and consider this as a Fool’s Day.

Some of these celebrations in Spain have attracted many tourists, who visit and enjoy all these wonderful events. Celebrations are one of the factors, that attract people to this destination. However, its great cuisine, enchanting beaches and wonderful culture also pull the attention of many, who wish to become a part this beautiful country.

Spanish Culture Facts

The language spoken by Spaniards i.e. Spanish (Espanol) is known by different names as follows: Castillan, Catalan, Galician, Basque and Aranese. The Castillan or Castellano is a widely spoken Spanish language. The Iberian, Megalithic and Celtic works represent architecture of Spain during pre-historic times. Urban development in Spain mostly took place during the Roman period. Taifas, Caliphate of Cordoba and others made contributions to the architecture of Spain after the Roman period. Just like architecture, the literature of Spain too had many influences. The ‘Cantar de Mio Cid’ represents this diversity and richness of Spanish literature. This work of literature is a cantar de gesta. A cantar de gesta is a form of literature used in illustrating heroic deeds through songs/verses. The topic of culture, traditions and customs of Spain are discussed in the paragraphs below.

Spanish Customs and Traditions

The Spanish culture and traditions which continue till date are described in the article below. Spain is known for its great diversity and cultural heritage. These traditions thus, give a rough idea of Spanish culture and customs.

Fiestas: The different festivals/fiestas which continue almost 365 days of the year in this country are the highlights of Spanish culture. The ‘Tomato Festival’ (la Tomatina) is one such popular fiesta. This festival (la Tomatino) is celebrated every year in Bunyol; it takes place in the last week of August. The la Tomatino is kind of a ‘tomato battle’ played both by locals and tourists. Highlights of festivals celebrated in Spain are the fireworks, dances and music. People wear traditional attire during these festivals.

Romerias: The Romerios are pilgrimages taken people in villages and smaller towns. This tradition is not very popular amongst people in urban areas/big cities. The duration/period of Romerios vary on the distance of pilgrimage; These could be one-day or even week-long pilgrimages. People generally travel on foot. However, some of them also use caravans, carriages, horseback or carts for these pilgrimages. The Romerias are thus an important part of Spanish culture and customs.

Bullfights: The tradition of bullfighting in Spain is a long one. The bullfighting festival which takes place in Pamplona is known as Fiesta of San Fermin. This fiesta takes place in the month of July. Bulls are let loose in streets and people chase them. People wear white and red colored clothes during this festival. Bulls enter the arena meant for bullfighting; the bullfights are organized later in the afternoon.

La Vuelta a Espana: It is a cycling competition conducted in Spain. Cycling is a popular sport in this nation. Cyclists are highly revered in this country for the endurance they display and strength possessed by them. Hundreds of Spanish people come out to watch this event. The event of La Vuelta a Espana is amongst three ‘Grand Tours’ of cycling that are held in Europe. You may also want to take a look at some other world culture and heritage.

The Spanish culture and customs are described in short in this article. It is difficult to even summarize the richness and diversity of Spanish culture through information presented above. However, the highlights of Spanish customs and traditions presented in the article should prove to be useful for readers who are commencing on Spain travel and looking forward to experience Spain in its splendor colors.

The annual average temperature of 20 degrees and boasts over 320 days of sunshine each year. The La Manga weather can be very hot during the summer months but with a nice breeze off the Mediterranean makes it a comfortable holiday destination during winter, spring and summer.

La Manga Club is set high into the Murcian hillside, so whilst the weather is hot during the day it remains cool at night. Temperature during the summer months is usually 25-30 degrees

A study undertaken by Halifax in April 2008 revealed that British travelers now spend on average less than seven hours in total away from their hotel or resort while on holiday. The research showed that 70 per cent of Britons on package holidays do not wish to venture out on day trips, as most of the activities in La Manga Club are weather-reliant to an extent, it is important that the sun shines for you during your week’s holiday.

Fortunately, the climate in La Manga Club is enviable and enjoys more than 2,800 hours – the equivalent of over 300 days – of sunshine each year.

The average annual temperature in La Manga is 19.3 degrees Celsius, a temperate climate by all means. Because the weather and climate is so balmy, feel free to leave your winter thermals, scarves and gloves at home when packing for your flights to Murcia.

Although November to March are cooler months, especially following sunset, during the days it is still permissible to dress in shorts and a t-shirt or similar.

Weather in La Manga – Summer

Summers are very hot with very little rainfall. The average daily temperature is usually 25 to 35 degrees and some days reaching 40 degrees. The low humidity and Mediterranean sea breeze provide relief from the heat and conditions and can be quite comfortable. The weather cools quite considerably after 7:30 pm.

Weather in La Manga – Winter

The Murcia region is very mild, particular when compared to northern Europe. The winter period is filled with clear, sunny days and with very little rainfall. The wettest month is November. The mildest months are December and January although the weather is still very pleasant with average temperatures of 10 degrees.

Weather in La Manga – Spring and Autumn

The weather in Spring in La Manga sees the weather warming up. The temperatures in the area are warm enough to swim and are perfect for the wide range of out door activities in the area. Autumn is very pleasant and temperatures return to a pleasant 24 degrees. Autumn is a great time to visit La Manga and you can enjoy a genuine experience of the region.

The Times reported that according to the Meteorology Institute, there has been 40 per cent less rain than usual in Spain since October 1st, 2007.

La Manga Club is a luxury holiday resort and provides golf, tennis, horse riding, water sports, children’s club, cycling and activities for the whole family.

Spain is bound by the Meditarranean Sea on the south and the east. It shares it borders with the Bay of Biscay on the north and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It’s terrestrial borders are shared with Morocco, Gibraltar, Andorra, Portugal and France. Spain is the largest of all the sovereign states making up the Iberian Peninsula.

The Iberians, Basques and the Celts were the original inhabitants of Spain. It became a part of the Roman Empire in 206 B.C. It was later ruled by Visigothic rulers, Muslims, the Franks and the Christians.

In the 1600s, SPain ruled the entire Iberian Peninsula, a number of Carribean Islands, most of central America, South America and parts of North America. The Spanish Empire, as it was known then, also included Austria, parts of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Spain is the country nearest to Africa. Spain has contributed a lot to world history and culture. In ancient times, the Pheonicans traded with spain for minerals. When Spain was ruled by Islam, it was famous for its learning. Cordoba in Spain became the global center for studying literature, philosophy, medicine and science. Eusaska, the language spoken by the Basque population, is one of the oldest living languages in the world. The Basque people live in the Pyrenees in North Central Spain.

Spain has been instrumental also in the discovering of places and other important landmarks in the extension of the globe. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer was the first to complete a circumnavigation of the globe. He was financed by Spain.

Christopher Columbus was financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who then ruled Castille and Aragon in Spain for his journey to America. Spanish Explorers also have claimed a number of countries in the early sixteenth century. Francisco Pizarro invaded Peru, while Pedro de Mendonza colonized Argentina and Hernan Cortes annexed Mexico.

The Spanish have contributed a lot towards literature as we know it today. Ernest Hemingway wrote the famous novel ‘For Whom The Bells Toll’ about the Spanish Civil War. ‘Don Quixote’, which is considered by some to be the first modern novel, was written by the Spanish Miguel de Cervantes. The oldest known Spanish poem is about the Eil Cid, an eleventh century hero from Castille.

Today, Spain is an constitutional monarchy consisting of a parliament with two legislative chambers and a hereditary monarch. A council of Ministers is presided by the President of Government for the executive branch, whereas the legislative branch consists of a Congress of Deputies. The President of Government post is equivalent to the post of a Prime Minister in other countries.

The Congress of Deputies consists of three hundred and fifty members, all of them elected by popular voting. They serve a four year term. The Senate in the legislative branch is consists of two hundred and fifty seats. Two hundred and eight seats are elected by popular voite, whereas the other fifty one are elected by the regional legislatures. They serve a four year term.

Spain is the eighth largest economy in the world. The purchasing power parity as of 2006 is estimated to be more than one thousand billion dollars. The real growth rate as of 2005 is estimated to be about three percent. The purchasing power parity per capita is about twenty six thousand dollars.