Spain guide. Spain. Tourist information and video Prices for holidays in Spain
Holidays in Spain are flamenco dances, meeting with the sun, with good cuisine and Spanish wines, with hospitality and joy of life.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
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Spain weather map:
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How much does a holiday in Spain cost? September 2019.
tour cost
Most recently, I from my work colleagues decided to go somewhere to relax. Our city has good firm who gave us a list of resorts to go to. There were many cities with different countries. By all means we tried to choose something interesting and unique. We decided to go to Solomanka (Spain). Solomanka is a scientific city, just connected with work. Therefore, everyone was happy to visit this city. The price together with the flight was 45,000 rubles. We rested for a whole week, that is 7 days. This cost included accommodation, meals, airfare and everything you need for active tourism. In general, we were very pleased with the trip. I personally spent 65,000 rubles in a week, but it was worth it.
Souvenirs and other goods
Naturally, everyone bought souvenirs. Prices in Solomanka are quite high. Everything can be bought with euros. A magnet, for example, costs between 5 and 10 euros. In total, I spent about 50-60 euros on souvenirs and other goods.
Cost of services and entertainment
It was also a big plus for us to hire a car. In the evening, when we had free time, we rented a car and drove around the city at night. Renting a car for 12 hours cost 150 euros, it also depends on the brand. Also, gasoline is bought with your own money. Since there were 5 of us, this amount was not significant.
Total money spent on vacation
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Holiday experience in September
We rested in Tossa de Mar with a family (two adults and two children - 3 years and 12 years old) in mid-September. We were a little worried about the weather, but in vain: the sun warmed, but did not burn; the sea was warm and crystal clear; strong waves were only one day, but no one forbade entering the water; the rain was also only once, fine, rather protracted - almost the whole day, but this did not spoil the overall impression of the rest.
It is already the end of the season, so there were a moderate number of vacationers, you can easily find a place on the beach and for every taste, and sellers in shops are more willing to provide a discount on their goods. And according to the visiting card of the resort, the beautiful medieval fortress of Villa Velha, walking and taking photos is much more pleasant when there are as few people around as possible.
Family holiday
Tossa de Mar is a very quiet town, with clean, well-groomed streets, where almost any accommodation is close to one of the several beaches. All beaches are well-maintained, suitable for children. The resort almost completely lacks nightlife, so in the evening the town is immersed in silence, which means you don’t have to worry that it will be difficult for the child to put to sleep because of the noise. The main contingent of holidaymakers are European pensioners and families with children. The town is literally immersed in greenery, this is especially noticeable when you go down to it along the serpentine - it looks like a pearl in a frame of lush thickets of Mediterranean pine. Thanks to this, the resort has amazing air, which is certainly beneficial for the children's body.
What to do at the resort?
Resting in Tossa de Mar, you must definitely visit the medieval fortress of Villa Vella and Old city. I don't like to scatter words like "should" and "necessarily", each person decides for himself what he needs, but not in this case - it would be a huge mistake not to visit this fortress. People come to it specially from other resorts in Spain, because it is really magnificent. It's nice and easy to wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets, and sit in cozy cafes and take amazing photos. Especially vivid impressions leaves a walk through the fortress and the Old City in the evening, when the lights turn on. The sensations are indescribable, the atmosphere is both romantic and mysterious, and even a little frightening (just a little bit).
From independent excursions, I would also like to note a small cruise on a glass-bottom boat from Fondo Cristal. In our hotel (Tossa Beach 4 *), upon check-in, they gave a coupon, according to which it was possible to make this walk with a 10% discount. The glass bottom of the ship is large, tourists are seated comfortably, so that the seabed can be observed with comfort. Of course, the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea cannot be compared with the underwater world of the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean, but children are still very interested. The ship sails along the coast, enters several caves, and eventually delivers passengers to the bay of Giverola with a sandy beach, where you can swim, sunbathe, explore the surroundings, sit in a restaurant, and then go back to Tossa on any other Fondo Cristal ship. Pleasant, not tiring boat trip.
Spain is generally a country-museum under the open sky. The excursion program here is simply amazing. And Tossa de Mar is no exception. Among the variety of excursions, we chose a sightseeing tour of Barcelona and a visit to the Barcelona-PSV football match, which takes place as part of the Champions League. We could not deny ourselves the pleasure of seeing with our own eyes the game of such excellent players as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, Dembele, and even at the legendary Camp Nou stadium. Moreover, my eldest son is a fan of Messi and it was a gift, first of all, to him. They were simply delighted with this event, the energy during the match is just crazy, even if you are completely indifferent to football, Spanish fans will make anyone experience the full range of emotions, from glee to despair and back.
There are three main beaches in Tossa de Mar and all of them deserve attention. We mostly spent time on the main one - Playa Gran, marked with the Blue Flag for the purity of the water and comfortable infrastructure. The beach is small-pebbled, and the pebbles are so small that many people think that it is coarse sand. The depth starts quite abruptly, but even non-swimmers, poor swimmers and small children can easily spend time in the water. For kids, the most suitable section of the beach is located near the fortress itself, where the bottom is more gentle. Once we went to Kolodar beach, quite cozy, in a beautiful place, surrounded by rocks, protected from wind and waves, but it did not become our favorite. The third beach - Mar Menuda, we bypassed our attention, but I know that divers respect it very much.
Pros of staying in Tossa de Mar
The resort is wonderful and in general it is one big plus, but still I will try to highlight its most important advantages:
The presence of several beaches for every taste, the main of which is marked with the Blue Flag;
Crystal clear sea water;
Insanely beautiful medieval fortress, the entrance to which is completely free;
Stunningly beautiful nature and healing air, an abundance of Mediterranean pines;
The place is very well maintained, respectable, quiet;
There are a lot of places where you can take unrealistically beautiful photos.
Cons of staying in Tossa de Mar
For our family, the only negative was the long transfer from Barcelona airport. When we boarded the Pegas Tourist bus, our guide said that the transfer would take from three hours to infinity (due to traffic in Barcelona). As a result, we managed to avoid traffic jams, but we got to the hotel for the three hours promised by the guide, the same time it took to get from Tossa to the airport on the day of departure.
Groups are small - up to 4 people. Routes of the 1st and 2nd degree of difficulty are offered. All the way through picturesque bays Costa Brava, surrounded by the greenery of pine forests and the emerald-turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
At the end of the route - a reward for all the efforts spent - a small picnic by the rocks, where you will be offered soft drinks, chips and seasonal fruits.
Included in the price of the tour
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Do you want to feel like kings? Then visit our tour "Spain - the land of kings", which includes three cities:
Zaragoza - one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, the former capital of the Aragon-Catalan Crown since the 13th century;
Madrid is the capital of Spain, the capital of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons, and the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Spain.
Toledo is the first capital of Spain and ancient capital Visigoths, 2 days with an overnight stay at a hotel in Madrid.
1st day. Zaragoza. Walk through the historical part of the city, visit the Cathedral, where you can see the frescoes of Francisco Goya and learn about the life of this extraordinary artist. In the Basilica of Saint Pilar of Zaragoza, you can touch the symbol of faith of the Aragonese people - a pillar of jasper that forgives sins. Then we...
Private walking tour: just for you and your loved ones (from 1 to 8 people)
It is impossible to imagine the history of modern Spain without visiting the city of Tarragona - ancient city, built by the Romans, destroyed by the Visigoths and Moors and restored by the Christians.
Like millennia ago, Tarragona today is one of the most developed and wealthy cities of the Iberian Peninsula.
Here you can walk through the narrow streets of the old city, see and even touch with your own hands the powerful walls built by the ancient Romans, imagine how gladiators arranged competitions on their chariots. You will learn the legend about Saint Thekla, the patroness of Tarragona, and how exactly the phrase “Money doesn’t smell” was born here, about city...
Spain guide
Hedonist Club is a practical adviser, an operational source of ideas and a guarantor of a good mood for the traveler. Our guide to Spain will help you find the right services anywhere in the country, learn about new products, quickly organize a vacation, holiday or day off. For example, there are tens of thousands of restaurants in Spain, but only 5 percent of them are truly good. How not to make a mistake with the choice? We have learned to find the best among the mediocre, we were able to combine consistent quality and low prices in one project. It was a long and not easy way, years of work, trials and searches. Now you just have to use our knowledge, experience and enjoy the life that every person on earth deserves. The guide to Spain is called "Hedonist Club" for this very reason. Any of us can become happier today if we want to.
Excursions in Spain is an inexhaustible source of new ideas for active rest and enjoy spending time together. For a Russian-speaking holidaymaker, staying in Spain is already one never-ending beautiful excursion, when compared to a possible walk along a frosty street at -35 degrees in a northern Russian city. Excursions in Spain are for every taste and budget. If you are a millionaire who has seen everything in his lifetime, do not despair, our company will also have its own excursion in Spain for you. If you are a principled economy who will never pay a cent for additional services, then we will be happy to offer you, using our ideas and routes detailed on the website, to independently organize your excursions in Spain without extra expenses.
Wine and roast trip to Penedes
On a warm summer day, closer to noon, when you have absolutely nothing to do in Barcelona warmed up by the sun, you can get into the car and go to the province for lunch. The trip will not take much time and will bring a lot of positive emotions, help you unwind in the middle of the working week without any damage to current affairs. Fortunately, the destination is less than 60 km from the center of the capital of Catalonia.
Guide toSpainand will help tourists to get to know a wonderful country better,will introduce independent travelers to the traditions and culture of the country.INIn each guide you will find useful practical information and professional advice, which will help you save money on the services of guides.You canbuy a guide to Spain ai in the online bookstorelabyrinth
Ham, Butler, Kaminsky: Spain
You can trust the information provided because Lonely Planet authors always visit the places they write about. And for each new edition - visit again. You can be sure that we show things as you saw them yourself. Looking for the best guide to Spain in Russian? Try Lonely Planet!
Alena Aleksandrovna: Spain: Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Toledo and other cities
The Orange Guide will help you on your trip to Spain. detailed maps they will guide you along interesting routes, photos will illustrate all the sights in detail, and advice from the author will help out in any situation. The included map of Barcelona will not let you get lost in the capital of Catalonia.
Alena Aleksandrovna: Spain. Guide
Here is an express guide to Spain. It contains brief information about the country, tips on how to make the best of the first and second weeks, and 25 top attractions. In the book you will find descriptions interesting places each region. Walk, get acquainted, admire Spain and get information non-stop! The publication is accompanied by maps of the country and Madrid.
Tatyana Kalinko "100 the best places Spain"
A series of books about the best places in the world and the achievements of mankind. Each book features 100 themed objects with colorful illustrations, interesting descriptions and useful information. The book describes the most famous and beautiful places in Spain. The book will be a great gift for anyone who loves travel and is fond of this country.
Emma Stanford: Spain: Travel Guide
Packed with information and color-coded for quick retrieval, they provide a comprehensive description of the history, culture and traditions of different countries, allowing you to independently explore the sights, make purchases and get acquainted with local cuisine. A series of interesting places will make your trip with this guide to Spain bright and unforgettable.
Anthony Ham: Madrid
There is no city on earth more lively than Madrid. The bustling life on the local streets makes visitors to the city feel that this is the place where absolutely anything can happen. This is a city where the passions of an ardent European country are the basis of everyday life. It is one of the most open metropolitan areas on earth. It doesn't matter where you are from - if you are in Madrid, you are from Madrid.
Lipman: Madrid
Madrid's area has quadrupled in size in the last 50 years, but all the important ones are in the city center and within walking distance. If you want to spend the whole day in Madrid with your family, you will have to use transport. Attraction information has links to help you learn more and plan your time.
Irina Peretz: Barcelona
Here is an express guide to Barcelona. It contains brief information about the capital, tips on how best to spend the first and second days, and 25 main attractions. In the book you will find descriptions of interesting places in each district of the city. Walk, meet, admire the unforgettable Barcelona and get the information you need non-stop!
Barcelona. P guide
Walk through the shady alleys of the Gothic Quarter, past tranquil squares and majestic 14th-century cathedrals. takes us a thousand years ahead, to the Middle Ages. In other areas of the city, sculptural masterpieces of Catalan modernism bloom - a mix of original, bizarre creations by Gaudí and his contemporaries, the Catalan architects who glorified the city.
Burda Cova, Rapoport: Barcelona and the East Coast of Spain
One of the true gems of this part of Spain is Barcelona. Medieval streets, through which the cool Roman wind walks, an architectural fairy tale created by Gaudi, the apotheosis of modernity. Here, centuries-old traditions are honored, although they fight against bullfighting, here they almost equally love opera and football.
Andrews Sarah: Catalonia. Guide
Dazzling Catalonia! The land of great history and original culture, which has preserved its independent spirit and unique traditions. The guidebook offers travelers routes full of beauty and wonders, accompanying them with comprehensive information and advice, allowing the tourist to independently get acquainted with history, traditions and culture.
Costa Brava. Barcelona, Catalonia, coast
Here is an express guide to the Costa Brava. It contains brief information about the city, tips on how best to spend the first and second days, and 25 top attractions. Also in the book you will find descriptions of the most interesting places of each region of the coast. Walk, meet, admire the Costa Brava and get information non-stop!
Nick Inman: Andalusia and Seville. Guide
Andalusia! The hot and passionate soul of Spain, the cradle of flamenco and bullfighting, the birthplace of Don Juan and Carmen. Ancient palaces and castles still shine with proud beauty, and the generous land is so beautiful that one wants to exclaim after the poet: “Oh, Andalusia, separation from you is unthinkable! I just left you and already miss you…” Nothing superfluous. Just you and Spain!
Sainsbury, Noble, Quintero: Andalusia
Memories of Andalusia will remain with you, like souvenirs, calling you back here again and again. What is not here: defiant, artistic Malaga, lively Seville, sleepy Setenil de las Bodegas, strict Ronda, shameless Marbella. On the endless road of mysteries you will get to where, layer by layer, removing the age-old dust, you will learn the history of Andalusia.
Patskevich, Farina-Patskevich: Canary Islands
This book will help you make the most of your stay in the Canary Islands. She will direct you to the places you need to visit and give you detailed practical advice. Separate sections describe the locations of major historical events and points of interest to visit on each of the seven inhabited islands. Information about the arrangement, the nourishment, the entertainments.
Rolf Goetz: Canary Islands Travel Guide
Guide "Polyglot - Russian guide" is an indispensable tool for independent travelers! In each guide in this series: the best hiking and driving routes, photos, plans and maps, detailed description attractions, practical recommendations, phrase book, the most interesting selection of museums, hotels.
Nigel Tisdale: Mallorca. Guide
This guide invites you on an exciting journey through Mallorca. This Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea attracts with its nature, beaches, coves and azure sea. Enjoying the views, you can take a vintage train from Palma through the Serra de Tramuntana to Port Soller. Or walk along the shores of the Badia de Soller Bay to the lighthouse.
Mikula, Pasechny: Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza
This guide will help you get the most out of your trip to the Balearic Islands. In the “General overview” section, a characteristic is given geographical location and provides brief information on the history and culture of the Balearic Islands. In the “Tourist Information” section you will find information about hotels, restaurants, entertainment.
Hunt Lindsay: Tenerife
The small guidebooks published by "Thomas Cook" have everything to get to know any corner of the world in the shortest possible time: visit sights, shops, restaurants, learn about entertainment and nightlife features. Maps and information about public transport make your trip as comfortable as possible. This guide introduces Tenerife.
A complete guide on how to organize an independent holiday in Spain: which resort to choose, where to find and book flights and hotels, how to get around the country, various routes in Spain, what to see, where to go, where to eat; summary information to help you plan your trip.
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Briefly about Spain
Spain is the southernmost country in Europe, in addition to the mainland, it also includes the Balearic and Canarian archipelagos. Tourists and travelers love Spain for its originality, long traditions, a huge variety of attractions and entertainment. In addition, Spain, with its wonderful climate, has more than 2,000 km of coastline, most of which is suitable for a beach holiday. The beaches in Spain are long, sandy and one of the best services. Many beaches in mainland Spain, as well as Mallorca and the Canary Islands, have the Blue Flag distinction as the cleanest beaches in the world.
The traditional centers of attraction for tourists in Spain are the regions of Catalonia and Andalusia, as well as the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza among the Balearic Islands and Tenerife among the Canary Islands. These places perfectly combine the possibilities of beach and sightseeing holidays. The central part of Spain is famous for its ancient cities, which have perfectly preserved architecture from different eras, and the north of Spain boasts the best places for surfing, colorful cuisine and unusual architecture.
The country is suitable for recreation all year round. In mainland Spain, the beach season lasts from May to September inclusive, the rest of the time the place is ideal for excursions, walks and trips of various durations. In Mallorca and Ibiza, the beach season also lasts from May to September. But on Tenerife and other islands of the Canary archipelago, you can swim even in winter. In general, holidays in Spain are a combination of beach and sightseeing opportunities, varied cuisine, amazing traditions and many entertainments that leave few people indifferent.
Tom Maisey/Beaches of the Costa Brava Holiday destinations in Spain
Almost all of Spain is suitable for independent recreation and active travel. In total, there are 17 regions in the country, although the largest share of tourists in mainland Spain falls on Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia, and on the islands - on Mallorca, Ibiza and Tenerife.
The following regions are suitable for a beach holiday:
Andalusia- the southernmost region of Spain, which is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The best beach resorts are concentrated on the coasts of Costa Almeria, Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz. The beaches are spacious, sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea, equipped with everything you need. The most famous resorts of Andalusia include Almeria, Nerja, Marbella, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Tarifa, Cadiz. In addition, the region is also ideal for sightseeing holidays. It is here that such ancient cities as Seville, Granada, Ronda, Malaga, Cordoba and others are located. More about ;
Catalonia- a region located in the east of Spain and washed by the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to the fact that Barcelona, the most visited city in Spain, is located in Catalonia, the region specializes in beach holiday. Local resorts are traditionally in great demand, incl. and tourists from Russia. The most famous beach resorts include Lloret de Mar, Salou, Blanes, Calella, Tossa de Mar and others. The coast of Catalonia is conditionally divided into 3 parts: Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme and Costa Dorada. Throughout the coast, extensive sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea and equipped with everything you need prevail. More about ;
Valencia- the southeastern region of Spain with the administrative center of the same name in the city of Valencia. The region is also famous for its beach resorts, sandy coastline and many activities. The main resorts are located in Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm, Torrevieja and other towns. Valencia is also worth visiting for sightseeing purposes; here you can find a wide variety of attractions for every taste; More about
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Northern Spain (Basque Country, Cantabria, Galicia)- regions with gorgeous sandy beaches, but are of little use for a traditional beach holiday due to the climate. Precipitation in the form of rain falls quite often here, and the waters of the Bay of Biscay can hardly be called calm due to the constantly blowing winds. In general, the northern regions of Spain are more suitable for windsurfing than for swimming and sunbathing.
Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza) is a popular tourist destination for beach holidays. The islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea, about 250 km from the east coast of Spain. Mallorca and Menorca have beautiful sandy beaches located in bays. The main resorts of Mallorca include places such as Alcudia, Magaluf, Palma Nova, Santa Ponsa and others. In terms of sightseeing holidays, the city of Palma de Mallorca is attractive, as well as some natural attractions. More about . Ibiza, on the other hand, is more famous for its unlimited possibilities in terms of entertainment than for beaches;
Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria)- a year-round beach resort, the islands are located in Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The beaches here are spacious, sandy, in some places mixed with volcanic ash. The resort infrastructure is developed on high level. Tenerife has direct flights from Russia. More about . There are no direct flights to Gran Canaria, you will need a transfer in Madrid. More about . The islands of the Canary archipelago are often referred to as the "islands of eternal spring" due to their mild climate and unique natural conditions.
Jorge Franganillo/Costa Dorada Beaches For excursions, you can go to:
Spain, like no other country, is rich in historical sights, architectural monuments of different eras, in natural landscapes and in all kinds of traditional entertainment, such as, for example, bullfighting or flamenco. In addition, Spain is famous for its authentic Mediterranean cuisine and the production of various varieties of wines, it is not surprising that tourists often go on gastronomic tours in Spain.
Often beach and sightseeing holidays in Spain can be skillfully combined, because. many resorts are located near large historical cities. It is convenient to move between settlements in Spain by train or by car.
In Andalusia:
Seville is the "heart" of Andalusia. It was here that flamenco was born, and bullfighting became widespread. And the city is also famous for its Alcazar Palace, the Cathedral, Plaza de España, the huge Metropol Parasol umbrella, the Maestranza bullring and other architectural landmarks, in which flaming Gothic and Mudéjar style intertwined. More about ;
Granada is a well-preserved historical city in Andalusia, where the concentration of monuments from the era of Moorish rule literally rolls over. There is also a "city within a city" - the Alhambra. In addition to the Alhambra, the Cathedral, the old Albacijn quarter, the Generalife palace and gardens, the Sacromonte Abbey and much more deserve attention. More about ;
ronda- the ancient town of Andalusia, which is located on a sheer cliff, on the edge of the abyss. It is the unusual location of the city that attracts tourists to these parts. It is definitely worth visiting the Punta Nuevo Bridge and the El Tajo Gorge with the Guadalevín River. More about ;
Cordoba (Cordoba)- an ancient Spanish city where the Muslim Alcazar and Mezquita are adjacent to the ancient Roman bridge and the Jewish quarter. Historical heritage cities are extremely wealthy. More about ;
Cadiz- is considered the most ancient city in Europe. Cadiz is located in the bay of the same name, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Cadiz is famous for its cathedral, ancient Roman ruins, the Candelaria bastion, baroque churches and a magnificent landscaped park. In addition, here are best beaches in the area, long, clean, with a golden sandy coating. More about ;
Malaga- a port city from where the "gates" to the resorts of the Costa del Sol ("Coast of the Light") open. In Malaga, it is worth seeing the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, rent for the bullfight of La Malagueta, look into the Pablo Picasso Museum and wander around the ancient fortresses of Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba, which offer the best views of the bay. And then be sure to go to local beaches or neighboring resorts. More about ;
In Castile:
Madrid- the capital of Spain and one of the most elegant cities in Europe. The main places of attraction in Madrid are the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, Gran Via Street, the Royal Palace, the Almudeina Cathedral, the Gate of Europe, the Debod Temple and numerous museums, including the world-famous Prado Museum. More about ;
- the "golden" city of the Spanish Baroque. Elegant, lush, seasoned, the city attracts attention and is a great idea where to go from Madrid for a day or two. The main attractions here are the Cathedral, the stone Roman bridge, Monterrey Palace, San Esteban Monastery and much more. More about ;
Toledo - the ancient capital of Spain with its Cathedral, Alcazar Palace, San Martin Bridge and other architectural landmarks. Like Salamanca, Toledo is a great alternative for a day trip from Madrid. More about ;
Segovia- an ancient Castilian city, the historical center of which is fully listed world heritage UNESCO. The “pearl” of the city is considered to be the ancient Roman aqueduct of gigantic proportions. The main tourist trail is considered to be the triad of sights - the aqueduct - the cathedral - the Alcazar fortress. More about ;
William Warby/Puerto de Mogan Beaches In Catalonia:
Barcelona- the largest Catalan city and the center of attraction for tourists from all over the world. Barcelona is a self-sufficient city with many attractions and entertainment. In addition, Barcelona is also the "gateway" to the beach resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, Costa Dorada. In Barcelona itself, the TOP 5 main attractions include La Rambla, Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter and the hills of Montjuic and Tibidabo. More about ;
Girona- an old Catalan town located near the French border. Its top places are often called the embankment of the Onyar River, the Cathedral, fortress walls, churches, the Eiffel Bridge, Arabic baths, etc. Often a trip to Girona is combined with a visit to Figueres. More about ;
Figueres- the place where the famous Salvador Dali Museum-Theatre is located, and it is this attraction that attracts a large number of tourists who relax in Catalan resorts. In addition to the museum, other architectural sights are also interesting in Figueres. The local toy museum is also of interest. More about ;
In Valencia:
Valencia- on the one hand, the city is ancient, on the other hand, extremely modern. Here you can find a lot of entertainment and ideas for excursions. You should definitely visit the Cathedral and the Queen's Square, the Silk Exchange, take a walk along the Paseo Maritimo promenade, visit the city of arts and sciences. In the vicinity of Valencia, the Bioparc and Albufeira Natural Park are curious. More about ;
Alicanteis a city that combines historical sights, developed infrastructure, all kinds of entertainment and, of course, gorgeous beaches. Alicante is considered one of the most sought after resorts on the Costa Blanca. More about ;
On Tenerife:
On Gran Canaria:
In Mallorca:
TimOve/Night Costa Adeje Visa to Spain and entry rules
To travel in Spain, you need to open a visa. Since Spain has signed the Schengen Agreement, most often tourists are issued a Schengen tourist visa type C. Such visas differ in duration and in the number of entries allowed (single or multiple). You can open a visa at the embassy or consulates of Spain in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), as well as in visa centers Spain, which are located in many major cities Russia. In addition to the standard set of documents and fingerprinting, to open a visa, you will also need to present return tickets, hotel reservation and with a coverage amount of at least 30 thousand euros. Learn more about how to choose insurance for a trip to Spain—>. On the territory of Spain, the entry rules prescribed in the Schengen Agreement apply, i.е. essentially the same as the rules for entry into any other European country that has signed the Schengen Agreement.
TimOve/Resort Costa Adeje Weather in Spain
The climate of Spain, for the most part, is hot Mediterranean on the coasts and continental in the central part of the country, where the terrain is quite mountainous. Spain is characterized by a warm spring-summer-autumn period, winters in the country are relatively short. The beach season in Spain lasts from May to September inclusive on the mainland and in Mallorca, but in the Canary Islands you can swim all year round.
When planning trips, it should be borne in mind that the summer months, especially July and August, are quite hot and are only a stretch for sightseeing purposes. At this time of the year it is better to focus on the beach. The air temperature in some regions (especially in Castile and Andalusia) in the summer months can reach +40 degrees and above. It is not surprising that in Spain there is a so-called unspoken law of "siesta", when many public institutions are closed during the daytime for a long lunch break.
Winters in Spain are mild, sometimes rainy, snow falls extremely rarely and only in the mountains. For the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza) and the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.), snow is not typical at all. The ideal season for excursions in Spain is spring and autumn, winter is also suitable if you are going to the central or southern regions of the country. If you are planning a trip to the north of Spain (Basque country, Galicia, Cantabria), then you should take into account that it is almost always rainy here due to the cyclones that the Bay of Biscay brings.
More about the weather:
Andrew Nash/Costa de la Luz Currency, language, time
In Spain, it is customary to pay with the euro currency. You can change money not only before the trip, but also upon arrival at the airport. Despite the widespread use in Spain bank cards to pay for goods and services, cash may still be needed, for example, in order to pay in public transport or for a taxi. Other currencies (dollars, for example) are not accepted for payment in Spain. For payment, you can use debit and credit cards, but not lower than the Standard level. Electron and Maestro cards are not accepted for payment.
In Spain they speak Spanish. Other languages are also accepted in some regions. For example, in Catalonia and Mallorca, both Spanish and Catalan are spoken. As far as English is concerned, tourist places there shouldn't be any problems. Many signs and inscriptions are also duplicated in English. But far from the tourist trails, you can also encounter a complete lack of knowledge of foreign languages. For Russian tourists, the advantage is that some hotels in Catalonia and Mallorca have Russian-speaking staff.
The time difference between Moscow and Spain is 1 hour. A single time is valid throughout Spain, including the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza). Please note that the time difference between Moscow and the Canary Islands is 2 hours (including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.).
Carquinyol / Panorama of the Costa del Maresme from above How to get to Spain
The best option to get from Russia to Spain, both the mainland and the islands, is air travel. Several major cities in Spain have their own international arrival airports, and some smaller cities have local airports where you can fly with a transfer. List of cities in Spain, which can be reached by plane from Russia:
Barcelona: El Prat Airport receives direct flights from Aeroflot, S7, Russia, Spanish Vueling. Direct flights are possible from Moscow (4.5 hours) and from St. Petersburg (4 hours 20 minutes). Also, direct flights are launched from some other Russian cities in the summer. In addition, you can fly to Barcelona with a transfer in one of the European cities, such flights are usually somewhat cheaper, but longer in time. It is from El Prat Airport in Barcelona that most tourists get to the resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, Costa Dorada;
Girona: relatively recently, the Russian low-cost carrier Pobeda launched direct flights from Moscow to Girona, a city located in the north of Catalonia, 90 km from Barcelona. From Girona it is also convenient to get to the resorts of the Catalan coast. Flights are operated several times a week from Vnukovo Airport. If you buy tickets in advance, you can find really cheap options to get to Spain;
Valencia and Alicante: to get to the resorts of the Valencian coast, you need to fly to the Valencia airport of the same name, to which Aeroflot operates direct flights. Travel time is 4 hours 50 minutes. You can also fly directly to neighboring Alicante, flights are operated by S7. Travel time is 5 hours 10 minutes;
Madrid: people often fly to the capital of Spain for sightseeing purposes and for business tourism, because. The city is located at a considerable distance from the sea. It is also convenient to get from Madrid to the cities of the neighboring region - Andalusia. In Madrid, flights from Russia are accepted by Barajas International Airport. Direct flights from Moscow are operated by Aeroflot, the flight time is 5 hours 10 minutes;
Malaga: one of the most convenient ways to get to Andalusia and the resorts of the Costa del Sol is to fly to Malaga airport. A direct flight from Moscow is operated by Aeroflot, the travel time is 5.5 hours. From Malaga, you can easily get to such cities of Andalusia as Granada, Ronda, Seville, Cordoba, as well as to the famous resorts of Marbella, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and others;
To cities like Bilbao, Seville, Almeria, Jerez de la Frontera , can be reached with a change in Barcelona or Madrid, because. these cities have local airports.
Majorca: to get to the island, you can fly directly from Moscow by S7 (in summer). Flights are operated several times a week. In addition, you can get to Mallorca with a transfer in Barcelona. As a rule, the second method is cheaper. The duration of the flight in this case will depend on the duration of the connecting flights. The airport of arrival in Mallorca is located in its administrative center - the city of Palma de Mallorca;
Tenerife: you can fly to Tenerife on a direct flight from Moscow, which is operated by Russian air carriers, and several charter flights are launched in the summer, which, in particular, are operated by the Spanish airline Iberia. A cheaper way to fly to Tenerife is by connecting in Madrid. In Tenerife, the international airport of arrival is called "Tenerife South". In addition, the island also has the Tenerife-North airport, from which flights are carried out to other islands of the Canary archipelago;
Gran Canaria: you can fly to this Canary island from Russia only with a transfer, there are no direct flights. Flight connections are usually made in Barcelona, Madrid or Tenerife. The flight time depends on the duration of the transfer (from Moscow to Madrid or Barcelona - 4.5-5 hours + from Madrid or Barcelona to Gran Canaria - 2 hours 50 minutes). From Tenerife, you can get to Gran Canaria not only by air, but also by water, ferries run between the islands, however, this is more time-consuming than a flight.
Search and purchase of air tickets to Spain:
The general recommendation for finding and buying tickets to Spain is to purchase tickets as far in advance as possible before the date of travel, at least a few months in advance. So there are more chances to find budget flight options. It is more expedient to search for air tickets through special search engines that compare all available flight options for specific dates from different airlines:
Carquinyol/Beach of the Costa del Maresme How to get from the airport to the city
The main ways to get from airports of arrival is to use public transport or taxi/transfer services. Transfers in Spain are both group and individual.
Taxis at arrival airports can be found at the exit of the arrivals terminal. You can order a transfer in advance by the time of arrival on specialized international services:
From airport Alicante you can independently drive to the city or to resorts in the vicinity by city and suburban buses. Travel time to the city center is about half an hour, travel time to Torrevieja or Benidorm is about an hour. Also from Alicante airport you can get to the central railway station of the city, from where you can go to the resorts by commuter train;
Getting from Barajas Airport to Madrid in several ways: by metro (city line No. 8), express bus (runs to the railway station or the Cibeles Square stop), electric train (line C1);
Get to the city center, as well as to other resorts of the Costa del Sol from the airport Malaga can on commuter train or by bus. The railway station is located right at Malaga Airport in the arrivals section of terminal number 3, from there trains run in various directions. The bus station is also located in close proximity to the airport - at the exit from the terminal. Buses also have an extensive route grid. Public transport does not operate at night;
Between airport and resorts Mallorca established bus service. Transportation to different parts of the island on 4 main routes is carried out by the company Tib. You can check the schedule on the carrier's website. Buses do not run at night;
From South Airport on the island Tenerife you can get to the main beach resorts by the company's bus shuttle titsa. It runs to all the main destinations of the island, but only during the daytime. At night, you will have to get by taxi or individual transfer;
On Gran Canaria you can get from the airport to the desired resort by regular buses of the company Global or by taxi.
VivirElTren/metro in Madrid Spanish public transport
The main types of public transport that you can use in mainland Spain are trains and buses. Compared to other European countries, travel in Spain is quite cheap, while high-speed trains and comfortable buses run between settlements. You can check the train schedule for the route you need at the railway service , bus schedule - from the main carrier - the company Alsa. In some regions of Spain, local bus carriers also operate, but as a rule, their routes are limited only to trips within this particular region.
You can move around the islands of Spain exclusively by buses, because. there is no railway connection between cities (the exception is 2 branches of electric trains in Mallorca). In Mallorca, the main bus carriers are companies Aerotib, Emtpalma and Aena; in Tenerife - company Titsa; in Gran Canaria - Global. It is worth noting that it is often much more convenient to move around the islands on a rented car, because. public transport routes are limited and it is not possible, for example, to get to some of the natural attractions on the islands.
rafa_luque/Buses in Madrid Car rental in Spain
In Spain, in addition to public transport, it is quite convenient to travel by car, while car rental is relevant for both mainland Spain and the islands. This option is very popular among tourists and travelers due to the ease of movement and the ability not to depend on public transport schedules.
I must say that the rental itself is often so cheap that in some cases it turns out to be a more budgetary way of transportation than traveling by train, for example. To monitor prices for all rental offices of a particular city, you can use specialized search engines:
Carles Tomás Martí/Almudena Routes in Spain
Spain by the standards of Europe is a fairly large country, so most often tourists prefer to travel not throughout the country as a whole, but in its individual regions. Getting around Spain is equally convenient both by public transport (by trains in mainland Spain and by buses around the islands) and by a rented car.
There are enough interesting routes in Spain, most often they are not tied to certain iconic cities. There are interesting routes in the National Parks, but here you definitely cannot do without a car. Here are some of the most popular routes for traveling around the regions of Spain:
- Barcelona and radial trips to Girona, Figueres, Reus, to Montserrat, to the resorts of the Catalan coast and to the Port Aventura amusement park (the same radial trips can be made from any resort in Catalonia);
- The route through Northern Spain most often runs through places such as San Sebastian-Bilbao-Santander-National Park "Peaks of Europe"-Gijon-Oviedo-Santiago de Compostela-Pontevedra-Vigo-Ponferrada-Lyon-Bilbao;
- Madrid and radial trips to Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Avila, Escorial Palace;
- Valencia-Alicante and intermediate resorts on the coast;
- Madrid-Cordoba-Seville-Cadiz;
- Seville-Huelva-Doñana National Park-Jerez de la Frontera-Cádiz-Tarifa;
- Malaga-Granada-Ronda;
- Malaga resorts of the Costa del Sol;
- If you wish, you can make longer journeys, for example, from Madrid to Barcelona or from Madrid to Valencia. Combined routes in Spain and Portugal are also quite popular;
- In Mallorca and Tenerife, circular routes around the island are in demand, as well as trips to the center of the islands, where the mountain ranges are located. As for interesting architecture, in Mallorca it is concentrated in Palma de Mallorca, and in Tenerife - in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna.
Tommie Hansen/Swim season in Mallorca How to book accommodation in Spain
Spain is a country with a developed tourist infrastructure, so you can find a vacation home here for every taste. These can be classic hotels, apartments, guest houses, vacation homes, hostels, bed and breakfasts, villas, campsites, resort hotels. For some regions of Spain, for example, for Catalonia, Mallorca and Tenerife, the predominance of resort hotels is typical. They differ from the usual ones in that almost all the necessary infrastructure is located on the territory of the hotel (including entertainment, evening programs, children's animation, food, etc.).
If you are traveling in Spain for sightseeing purposes, then you need to know that in large cities you can find almost any accommodation options, while in small towns the choice is small and they know about five-star hotels only by hearsay. Nevertheless, the general level of service in Spain is the European quality of service.
In Spain, this type of housing, such as apartments or apart-hotels, is gaining popularity. The first option is a detached house or apartment in a residential complex. The second option (apart-hotels) is a whole complex of apartments, often they are also equipped with a common area for recreation and a swimming pool. Mainly, living in apartments differs from living in hotels - food, i.e. apartments have built-in kitchen options, while hotels serve cooked breakfasts (half board or full board).
You can find and book suitable accommodation in Spain on specialized services, just enter locality and desired travel dates:
Costa del Maresme: the most affordable resorts are located here. Often the local coast is chosen by families with children, because. The Costa del Maresme is famous for its gently sloping sandy beaches. The main resorts of the region are , , . The Costa Blanca is located in the southeastern part of the country, so the water warms up faster here than on other coasts of Eastern Spain. And the Costa Blanca got its name thanks to the white sand, which is common on local beaches;
Costa de Almeria: on this coast there is a resort of the same name , the hottest in southern Spain. The climate here is almost semi-desert, this is due to the fact that nearby is the Almerian Desert, the only one in Europe. The resort of Almeria is more like some Egyptian or Moroccan resort than a European one (in terms of climate and landscape), but the service here meets all European standards. The beaches here are spacious, sandy, more reminiscent of sand dunes; , , and others;
Tenerife: on the island, most of the beaches are sandy, but their peculiarity lies in the fact that the sand here is mixed with volcanic ash, so its shade is grayish. This is due to the fact that the island is of volcanic origin. Nevertheless, the beaches of Tenerife are clean, well-groomed, equipped with everything you need, with a gentle entry into the water. The main resorts are , , ; on the opposite bank is beautiful beach with golden sand ;
Gran Canaria: the main beach resorts of Gran Canaria are concentrated in the southern part of the island. This is due to a more favorable climate. The beaches here are vast open spaces, because. The island has a fairly gentle relief. The cover is fine sand. The most popular resort areas on the island are , Playa del Ingles, Campo International, Meloneras, Bahia Feliz, San Augustin, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogan and others.
kevin pacheco/Beaches of Almeria Holiday prices in Spain
It is believed that the resorts of Spain are more democratic in terms of the cost of rest than other southern countries of Europe, and this is another plus in the treasury of the merits of Spain. Some resorts in Spain offer package tours for holidays, which include the main set of options, but we will talk about what the approximate cost of a holiday in Spain will be if you travel it on your own.
Accommodation cost in hotels in Spain starts from 25-50 euros per day (more often these are bed and breakfast hotels and apartments). Hotels in the 4 * category cost from 50 to 80 euros per day for accommodation. If your trip falls on the “high season” (from June to September), then housing prices during this period can rise by 15-20%. To avoid overpayments, it is recommended to book hotels, hotels, apartments in advance;
Travel by city public transport will cost between 1.5-2 euros per trip. If you stay in any city in Spain for a day or more, then it is usually more profitable to purchase a travel pass for the whole day (from 4.5 euros);
Meals in the restaurant will cost 15-25 euros (without alcohol), cafe– up to 15 euros, in establishments fast food- about 10-12 euros, gelateria ice cream - from 4.5-5 euros (prices can be 10-30% higher in tourist places). Please note that so-called tapas bars are common in Spain, in which, when you buy a drink, you also get small snacks for free.
Cheapest to buy products in stores. Approximate prices for some popular food products: pork fillet - 8 euros; jamon - from 12 euros; smoked sausage - from 9 euros (prices are per kg); local wines - from 3 euros per bottle; pasta - from 1 euro per package; yoghurts - from 2 euros per pack of 4 pcs.; processed and curd cheeses - from 1.30 euros per jar; mineral water- 0.5 euros per bottle; carbonated drinks - from 1.50 euros per bottle; semi-finished products (lasagna, pizza) - from 2.5 euros.
Entrance to some spanish attractions also paid. If it is a historical or architectural monument, or a museum, then the cost usually varies from 5 to 10-12 euros per adult. If these are water parks and amusement parks, then the entrance fee starts from 17-20 euros. And, for example, a trip to the famous Port Aventura amusement park will cost a record 47 euros for adults and 40 euros for children.
Price excursions varies depending on its type. Group bus tours for short distances usually cost 25-30 euros, individual - from 50 euros.
rey perezoso/Caleta Beach Food in Spain
You can eat in Spain restaurants, cafesortapas bars, you can also buy ready-made products in stores or at markets and cook your own food. The basis of Spanish cuisine is seafood, beef (including smoked meat - jamon), rice, cheeses, local wines (including sangria and sherry). Here they like to cook roasts, stews, marinated meat, omelettes, cold gazpacho soups, paellas, risottos, and various pastries that look like donuts are served for desserts.
The cost of food in restaurants or cafes, as a rule, costs 15-20 euros, excluding alcohol. In tapas bars, there is such a system: when you order a drink, you get a small plate with various snacks, canapes. If you stay in apartments or apart-hotels equipped with a kitchen area, then you can save a lot on food, because. products in shops or markets are cheaper. Famous markets with fresh products in Spain are Boqueria (Barcelona), San Miguel (Madrid), Central Market (Valencia), Mercado de San Martin (San Sebastian), Mercado Central (Alicante), Triana and Encarnacion ( Seville), Atarasanas (Malaga).
Jorge Franganillo/Barcelona at night We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments!
Photo at the beginning of the article: Edmund Gall
Spain is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world. Usually, when describing it, the locals use an expression that, according to legend, belongs to Alexandre Dumas: "Africa begins in the Pyrenees", and then add: "Spain is different." And both proverbs are true.
Spain is different. Spain is special. Perhaps it is not easy to find a second country that combines such a rich culture, centuries-old history and geographical diversity at the same time. This is the uniqueness of Spain, which makes millions of people come back here year after year. That is why Spain is consistently included in the top 4 most popular countries for tourism in the world. And this is not surprising - everyone finds something of their own here.
On the international sites of the Spain-holiday group - including the site, gigabytes are collected useful information about holidays in Spain. High-quality videos about different regions of Spain, first-hand recommendations, traveler reviews, detailed descriptions of regions, tips on what to do, what to see and where to go in Spain. Whatever your purpose of holiday, on the Spain-holiday websites you are sure to find everything you need to plan your trip. Due to the recent launch of the Russian-language portal, the information available in Russian is still limited, but will be updated regularly.
Geography
Spain is the fourth largest country in Europe with an area of approximately 504,782 km2. In addition to the mainland, it includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Spain occupies 84% of the Iberian Peninsula, coastal borders stretch along the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
An amazing fact that comes as a surprise to many: in terms of the predominance of mountainous terrain, Spain is the second country in Europe after Switzerland. The diversity of the landscape provides a great variety of options for outdoor activities. Stereotypically associated with the beach, sun and sangria, Spain has so much more to offer.
Spain's national parks are truly second to none and the country proudly guards them. Indeed, 9.1% of Spain's area is protected areas, in the Canary Islands this figure reaches 42%, in Catalonia - 21.5% and almost 19% in Andalusia.
Andalusia is the second largest autonomous region, covering 36% of the total area of Spain's reserves. Protected areas are an ideal habitat for the rarest and most amazing representatives of flora and fauna.
culture
For over 700 years, Spain was occupied by the Moors. The heritage of that era is unique architecture, as well as various agricultural achievements, some of which - for example, irrigation canals - have survived to this day.
The reconquista and colonization of America, with its endless supply of gold and silver, was the cause of great expansion. The construction of magnificent palaces and churches, even in the most unexpected places, became a symbol of the prosperity and wealth of the era.
The imprint of history, which is so clearly visible in the Spanish metropolises - Madrid and Barcelona - annually attracts millions of tourists. However, lovers of unhurried walks along the winding streets in search of architectural monuments and will take time to discover many discoveries in other cities, among which are Seville, Burgos, Valencia, Malaga, San Sebastian, Granada, Cordoba, as well as an innumerable number of small villages and settlements.
Each region of Spain is a separate amazing world - with its own history, unique culture, traditional cuisine, and sometimes even a language of communication.
Mobile, open, able to feel the taste of life, the Spaniards are different from most of their European neighbors. Spain has a population of just under 45 million, of which 74% speak Castilian Spanish, 17% Catalan, 7% Galician and 2% Basque. Not counting the numerous dialects that are present in each region.
Approximately 11% of the Spanish population are foreigners. 96% of Spaniards are adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, the remaining 4% are mainly Christians of other faiths and Muslims.