Life in Spain through the eyes of a tourist

Barcelona is a beautiful area and it’s no surprise that so many directors decided to shoot their movies here. This is a great way for movie lovers who visit the city to discover the different places where the movies have been set. If you are a cinema fan and you are taking part in a movie tour around Europe, Barcelona is a must-visit city. Why not walk the streets of the Catalan capital looking for places where the scenes have been shot and reliving your favourite scenes from the film.

As well as Cédric Klapish, with his movie L´Auberge Espagnole aired in 2002, the famous director Woody Allen chose the city of Barcelona as a set. Indeed, the American director, after he visited the country, had decided to move to Spain with his team, and more particularly to Barcelona, to film some of the scenes of his successful movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. A movie starring the famous Spanish actors Javier Bardem (Juan Antonio) and Penélope Cruz (María Elena), but also the Woody Allen´s Muse, Scarlett Johansson (Cristina).

The movie tells the story of Vicky and Cristina, two American’s women who are coming to Barcelona to spend their summer. There, they meet Juan Antonio, a painter, who even though he is separated with his ex-wife, María Elena, still has a confrontational relation with her.

The director did not choose this movie´s title at random. As he says, “as I was writing the screenplay, I was thinking about nothing but creating a story in which Barcelona would be a full-fledged character. I wanted to pay the city a tribute because I love it as well as the rest of Spain…”. During the filming of the movie, the director had planned to give his movie the title “Midnight in Barcelona”, a title which curiously seems to the one that Woody Allen will shoot later in Paris (Midnight in Paris).

You want to visit the places where the movie has been shot in Barcelona?

If yo are a cinema addict and you want to discover the movie from a different point of view in Barcelona, the best option would be to rent an apartment in Barcelona, ideally in a central location. Spend your time going to the Parc Güell (L3, Lesseps), discovering the Sagrada Familia (L5, Sagrada Familia) or the Fundació Miró… and even more places where Woody Allen shot the movie in Barcelona. If you want a complete list of those places, you can take a look at the site Barcelonamovie.

The popular city of Barcelona is the capital city of the Catalonia region, which is a scenic rich region with the Pyrenees Mountain Range located to the north and the Costa Blanca coast to the southeast. So if you have stayed in the city in the past, you have surely spent time down Las Ramblas, La Ribero, browsed around the Gothic Quarter and perhaps visited the Camp Nou!

What you may not be aware of is that much of the Catalonia region is actually very reachable in a day trip from Barcelona! For some touring ideas check out our guide to the top 5 driving tours of the Catalonia region…

Barcelona to Gerona Driving Tour
This driving tour is about 103km in length, and will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. Starting out from Barcelona, the key is to travel along the north east coast get onto the Gerona A7 road, then the Autopista Barcelona-Montmelo Road and the AP 7 road, which is a partial toll road. 

Gerona is a pleasant and attractive medieval city, which is perched on the side of a hill and offers great space to explore. Places to look out for are the Cinema Museum, the historic Jewish Quarter and the Roman ruins in the area, notably the Roman baths. The medieval architecture is really something to savour in the town. Gerona is actually an ideal base if you wanted to make further trips to places like Olot and Figueres. It's an ideal central point to take excursions to the beaches of Costa Brava, or coastal towns such as Calella de Palafrugell.

Figueres - A Day Trip from Barcelona
After reaching Girona, you could head on for Figueres, which in total is 140km and a two hour drive from Barcelona, and to get there take the AP 7 partial toll road to Gerona, and follow the signs for Figueres. Figueres is a small town on the French border, which was the birthplace of renowned artist Salvador Dali, and the town is now home to the Dali Museum. Whether you have an interest in surreal abstract art, or just interested in the life of Dali himself, this is a must visit place to see how he lived and where he came from that made create his wonderful work.

Port Lligat Dali Museum, a smaller museum dedicated to Salvador Dali, is to be found at Port Lligat, Cadaqués. The museum is in a former residence of the artist, who lived there from 1930 until his wife became deceased in the early 1980s. Or travel to Gala Dali Castle in Púbol – which is a shrine to Dali's deceased wife and his home place for the remainder of his life.

Barcelona to Tarragona Driving Tour
The pleasant town of Tarragona is located to the southwest of Barcelona, around 115km away, and would take around 80 minutes for you to get there. Again, take the AP 7 route south from Barcelona, and you will be driving through some majestic mountain scenery en route.

Tarragona is an ancient port town, and is situated in a terrific setting, on a hill which rises over 150 metres above the Mediterranean Sea. The hill’s highest point is the Cathedral. Perhaps the main attractions in Tarragona are the Roman and Ancient ruins to be found there. This ancient Phoenician and Roman settlement is fascinating for those interested in history.

Tarragona has plenty to occupy the family, with a majestic beach nearby, the famous Port Aventura Amusement park quite nearby along with the holiday resort town of Salou.

Andorra  - Driving tour from Barcelona
Andorra is a separate nation from Spain – but can be accessed by car quite easily and is well recommended as a driving tour destination from Barcelona. On route to Andorra, you will be astounded by the magnificent mountain scenery on the E9 road. With a driving distance of over 200km, it would take probably over three hours to reach Andorra.

Andorra is the only country in the world where Catalan is the first language, although French and Spanish are spoken. Andorra is an excellent destination for skiing with wonderful slopes all year round. It is also a great place for shopping due to the tax free status of the country.

Barcelona to Olot Driving Tour
Situated to the northeast of Catalonia in Spain, Olot is located 110km from Barcelona and takes nearly two hours to get there along the C17 and then the C152.

The biggest attraction of the Olot area are its volcanic craters, which are renowned as being the best preserved on the European continent. One of the most fascinating things to see here is a church that was built in one of the craters, and the view is most spectacular. Why not visit the scenic villages of Banyoles and Besalu via Olot as part of your driving tour.

So if you're heading to Spain and you want to get away from the city, Make yourself a packed lunch, find a place that offers cheap car hire and spend your trip soaking up some true Catalan culture.

 Don’t make the mistake of missing out on Seville. For budget travellers, Andalucia’s capital has plenty more to offer than scorching summers and tasty tapas. You won’t have to spend a single penny on enjoying these sights and sounds. You might even leave that little bit more cultured too. That’s the idea right?

View Seville in a larger map

 Santa Cruz

Seville’s lovely old Jewish quarter is famous the world over as being one of the quaintest, most attractive, barrios in all of Spain. For that reason alone you’re going to want to stroll down its delightful cobbled streets, twist in and out of its alleyways and wander past its thick-walled houses. Seeing this area on foot won’t cost you a dime. It’ll also provide you with some shady spots to escape the searing summer sun too!

Home to some of the cities oldest churches, make sure you stop in their courtyards and take in Seville’s elegant past as the city founded on the riches of the Americas. There’s plenty for your literary nerds too. The legend of that saucy Spaniard Don Juan is set on the streets of Santa Cruz. Check out the Plaza de los Venerables, Don Juan’s supposed birthplace, and pay homage to the man who swash buckled and seduced his way to the deflowering of a hundred delicate virgins. Just don’t get any ideas now. Remember how it all ended for the Don?

Santa Cruz by: Matthew Black

 Plaza de Espana

Free all year round, the recently renovated Plaza de Espana is definitely worth whiling away a few hours. Designed for the Latin American expo in 1929, this semi-circular palace looks particularly stunning slap bang next to the park of Maria Luisa (whose gigantic ferns make it too worth a wander). Navigate the path leading across from the horse drawn carts (yes, don’t worry, you are in present day Spain) stationed next to the giant centre fountain and head to the two towers looming over the circle of shining colours. Here you can see the separate artistic designs dedicated to each of Spain’s regions, each with its own cultural motifs and decorations. Keep your eyes peeled for the painted donkeys of Badajoz. Beat the pants off the real-life horses nearby.

Go to the Plaza de Espana at night and you’ll be in for an even greater treat with the square lit up and its alcoves illuminated. Run your hands all over the tilework and amble up to the balcony for views out over the Plaza below. Watch as tourists bump into each other in rowboats on the water that runs in a ring beneath the bridge. Apparently it’s the same bridge that Princess Leia walks across in Star Wars: The Emperor Strikes Back. No Jabba the Hut though I’m afraid.

Plaza de Espana by: asw909

 Parroquia de San Lorenzo

Seville’s Parroquia de San Lorenzo means that budget travellers needn’t break the bank to see some top rated art in this part of Spain. Step inside the church, a 14^th century architectural mix of North European gothic meets Arab mudejar, sit back and take in its glory. The Parroquia, famous for its five naves, also features an altarpiece designed in 1632 by Martinez Montañés, considered the best Sevillian sculptor of the time. Not a shade on me though.

Searching for more creative inspiration? Head next door and you’ll be able to walk straight up to the feet of the most famous statue of Christ in Seville at the Basilica de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder. Make sure you don’t miss out on the mural painting of the Virgin de Rocamador or Murillo’s painting “Charitas” either. We’d never miss a good virgin. Nor should you.

Parroquia de San Lorenzo by: JJ Filpo

 Cathedral and Giralda

Go any other time of the week to Seville’s symbolic Cathedral and Giralda and expect to pay the price for such beauty. Head on a Sunday however and you can enjoy the cities most famous landmark entirely forfree.

Seville Cathedral, the third largest in the world, is a splendid blend of Christian and Arabic styles (not surprising given its foundation on the site of an old mosque), finished in the 16^th century. Here you can see the tomb of the legendary Christopher Columbus, for whom Seville had to thank for its hey day as one of the worlds richest cities after the discovery of the Americas. The inside of the cathedral is no less opulent with its retablo (carved scenes from the life of Christ), the Giralda (a minaret converted into a bell tower) and the longest nave in all of Spain. Keep an eye out for the dome mind; it’s collapsed a fair few times since old Columbus’ has been laid to rest.

Cathedral Giralda by: Wit

 Museo de Bellas Artes

If you still haven’t had your fill of all the wonderful art that Seville has on offer, it’s worth checking out the Museo de Bellas Artes and having a wander around its galleries for free.

This 17^th century building houses one of the finest art galleries in the whole of Europe, featuring works by Seville’s own Murillo, Velazquez and El Greco. If you do find yourself tiring looking at the work of such gods (it’s OK the rest of us are human) take a peek at the museums hedged gardens. A nice little break from the buzz of the cerveza swigging centre!

Museo de Bellas Artes by: Alex E Proimos

Seville guarantees a good time for the cash strapped traveller, just prepare to have your eyes bombarded by all the glitz and glamour on display.

The idea that “less is more” is a tough one to follow when it comes to packing. How can you fit enough of your belongings in a single bag to last you six months or more? It’s probably no surprise that there have been hundreds of inventors that have tried to solve this problem, by using innovative ways to solve this. Unfortunately, what they have ended up doing is making you carry more useless travel gadgets in your bag, leaving less room for the clothes and essentials you actually need! Here are five of the worst offenders.

Travel iron

For most backpackers, waking up and ironing your clothes is probably the last thing you’re going to do. There is so much to be seen that you don’t want to waste your time chained to an ironing board. On the other hand, those are staying in anything ranging from a three star B&B to the best five star hotels, that find a socket in your room, you’ll probably find an iron. I’d also include a clothes steamer unnecessary too. Unless you plan on starting a business during your travels, meeting important people and wearing a suit every day, what harm will a crease here and there do?

The Rufus Roo Jacket

One of the ugliest of inventions is this jacket invented by businessman Andrew Gaule. After being losing money to the high extra baggage fees the airlines charged passengers for carrying an extra amount of luggage, Gaule invented the Rufus Roo jacket, complete with six massive pockets to carry your extra things in. However, it looks silly and you could end up carrying so much extra weight and walking so much slower that you will probably miss your flights anyway!

Wearable sleeping bag

Why anybody would need a sleeping bag they can walk in is beyond me. Apart from the fact you look like a crazy person, I really don’t see what problem this is trying to solve. It can’t really be used in the cold weather in replacement of a jacket because it’s awkward to manoeuvre in most decent sleeping bags are designed to keep you warm at night so there was no problem there. Also, what if you need the toilet in a hurry and there is nobody around to help unzip you?

Cotton shoe bags

These delightful lightweight bags were designed when some genius thought it would be a great way to protect your clothes from your dirty shoes. Despite the fact that these bags get so dirty themselves that you are left with extra washing, cotton isn’t waterproof! So if your shoes are slightly damp, your clothes are not protected in the slightest. Give me a good old plastic carrier bag any day. They’re free and they do the job perfectly!

Disposable underwear

Whoever thought of a type of underwear you can wear for a day and then toss in the bin must have been an incredibly wasteful being. Of all the things you will have that need washing; surely the underwear is the easiest to wash. Even if you buy cheap underwear and wear them until they need binning this is surely more environmentally friendly than throwing away a new pair every day. Also, they aren’t the most comfortable of things to wear so I know what I’d rather use.

How to Live Like a Local in Spain

Normally when we take a trip to another location we have the traditional holiday experience involving standard accommodation, places to eat out and transportation all tailor made to be tourist friendly. What would it be like to take a trip abroad and truly live like as the locals do? Is this even possible? The answer is of course yes; with careful planning and a desire to really get involved into the culture a foreigner can savour a slice of life in a foreign country like Spain.

Research and Prepare
If you really want to enjoy life as a local, a basic grasp of the spoken language is key. Many people will see this step as an excuse to never even get out there and live like a local but in truth this step will be as easy or as hard as you make it. Spanish isn't definitely not the hardest language to learn, especially for speakers of other Romance languages such as French, Portuguese or Italian. There are countless resources for even the most time-strapped travellers. How often you practice is the most important factor so don't let perfectionism get in the way here; the most valuable learning will be done while you are there as you learn from the locals during conversation.


There are companies whose job is to set up travellers with a temporary apartment in Spain, transport and a guide of the local area, including shops and cafes. These are a great option but not necessary the best in terms of experience. Once you have a small grasp on the language, head out to Spain. You can stay at any hotel or even hostel you feel like but it’s better if the area is less touristy and more local. To live like a local, pack lightly and avoid backpacks at all costs. Nothing screams traveller like walkin around with your possessions strapped to your back. When it comes time to eat, avoid places that are near cthe city centres and head a little further out. Kepp an eye out for a steady stream of locals; the best local hotspots enjoy a steady amount of foot traffic.

As you wander through Spain, talk a lot, to everyone you approach. Walk up to people and engage with them in polite conversation. Be friendly, welcoming and ask lots of questions. Then sit back and learn. Many people are happy to take the time to share their stories if they realise that you're genuinely interested. Take note of regional sayings; having a small notepad on hand is great for this.

To live like a local, take ownership of your surroundings and drink in as much local culture as you can. That's all it takes to live like a Spanish local.

Spain is one of Europe's best travel treasures as a huge portion of the country is able to receive sun for around 300 days a year.  It’s Mediterranean climate means the summers are hot and dry and the winters are mild making any time or season a perfect time to visit Spain! Here are three very different parts of Spain that all offer the same warm weather, but vary in what attracts people to them. Where ever you go, make sure you pack your sunglasses, sun cream and sun hat!

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and as a result, a very popular tourist destination, It’s actually the 4th most visited city in Europe. Barcelona contains both the highest concentration of Gothic architecture in the whole of Europe thanks to buildings such as the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, and more avant garde buildings built with a more modern design. With plenty of divine culinary delights to choose from, you’ll never go hungry in Barcelona. With its numerous fresh food markets and local street food delights dotted throughout the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

The island of Ibiza is well-known for its wild party lifestyle, and throughout the summer you will never be short of a party to join. Thousands visit the island each year to enjoy the sun and sea, from across Europe and also further afield. Some of the world’s biggest and best DJ’s flock to this area to play in the top clubs. But these big DJ’s come at a price. It’s not uncommon to pay 40 Euro to get into some of these places.

Located on the Southern coast of Spain you’ll find Malaga, right at the heart of the popular Costa del Sol. Malaga is the southernmost larger municipality in Europe, and has one of the mildest winters around meaning if you head in the winter month, you can actually enjoy a enjoying a subtropical climate. Malaga has become synonymous with package holidays but there are areas that are seen as much more exclusive. Marbella has become an international reference for luxurious escapes and has the designer shops and fancy restaurants to keep everyone entertained.  

Here are just a few of the different types of holidays that Spain has to offer but there are plenty more and I look forward to writing about them!

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and over 53 million people came here last year. This is great news for the tourist industry, but if you take a moment to think about that number it begins to seem a bit overwhelming - not least because Spanish tourist spots are becoming incredibly crowded. This works for many people especially if it’s your first time to the country, but if you want to relax, get some peace and quiet and enjoy the sunny weather, it might not be ideal. For a relaxing break in Spain, I’d say head away from the city centres and head for the hills. Here are a few of the ways I’ve experienced Spain with a difference.

Hiking holidays are a great way to avoid the crowds especially because most people probably aren’t aware there is a great landscape for it. Most people relate Spain with beaches and islands, but the country has so much more to offer, especially when you head inland.

Andalusia is in the south and has an incredible collection of remarkable trails that will take you up into the highlands and hills for some truly amazing views. Once there, you’ll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city centres.

The majority of people go on holiday to Spain between the holidays of Easter and the end of summer; and as a result, prices of all types of activities, transport and accommodation costs rise dramatically. Over the years I’ve learnt there is no reason to conform to this. If you really do want to enjoy the cities but without all the business, your best bet is to head there outside of peak season.

You won’t have to put up with the sometimes unbearable heat, and the crowds will be much smaller. Be sure to avoid school holiday times, as these weeks will see the beaches flooded with families.

Another way to have a great trip is to plan it yourself from scratch. While package holidays are great for those who enjoy laying by the pool instead of expoloring a new city. By tailoring your trip specifically to what you want to do, you generally avaoid the corwds. For example, My family and I have had a few memorable holidays walking up in the Pyrenees, enjoying visits to medieval castles  and learning about the unique culture of the Basques. There is so much to see in Spain, and, thankfully, often the best bits are hidden away from the crowds.

If you've got any tips on how to enjoy Spain without the crowds, let me know in the comments below!

Valencia was one of the first places in Spain I visited and I went there on a camping holiday when I was about four years old. At the time I probably didn’t enjoy it but my parents, made sure we explored the city and took in as much as the culture and past heritage the city had to offer. This is where my love affair with the beautiful city began.

Below are five of the many, many things we did while in Valencia that will help you learn about the culture of this beautiful city.

1.      
The L'Umbracle Garden is a walkway that overlooks the City of Arts and Sciences and contains a garden that grows lush vegetation. It displays work by contemporary Valencian artists and also features a car park.

2.      
For a more historical adventure, visit the Museo De La Ciudad. This beautiful museum displays paintings and sculptures spanning five centuries that were previously held by the Valencian government and private collections.

3.      
The entire family will enjoy the L'Oceanographic aquarium. This underwater aquarium allows visitors to view thousands of aquatic species in an underground facility. Don't miss Nights at L'Oceanographic in July, which is a celebration of all ocean life and features a sound show made by dolphins.

4.      
To get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, venture up to Patacona Beach located in the northern beach area. This beach is known for its quiet, serene atmosphere and is great for taking a dip.

5.      
In mid-March the Las Fallas, which means "the fires", is a moving carnival through the streets of Valencia. It is known for its wild bonfires and spectacular fireworks.

These are just a few suggestions from my fun and educational camping trip. Valencia offers far too many activities to mention but if you have any you think should be on the list, let me know.

Hi All,

My name is Sally and this is a short welcome message to say hi and what you can expect from me and my posts.

I’m in the middle of travelling around South east Asia but will be returning to the UK at the end of August. I love travelling and have been travelling around Europe since I was a little kid. Spain is by far my favourite European destination and I have stacks of journals from all my trips which I thought would be great content to share with everyone. So here I will be writing about things I’ve seen and done in the past and mainly about how to enjoy Spain as a tourist.

I’ll be posting some stuff soon so I hope you enjoy reading it!

Thanks,
Sally