Spain's Best

Spain has one of the most varied landscapes in Europe, if not the most. It is peppered with spectacular geological wonders, many of which have been included in the UNESCO European Geopark Network. All landscapes included in this register must be of scientific, esthetic or educational significance. Of course, there are many more geological 'maravillas' but here are a few that need to be contemplated...

1. Sobrarbe, in the Aragonese province of Huesca, is home to some of the most striking landscapes in the entire Pyrenees, from the calcareous summits of Treserols to the canyons of Ordesa and Añisclo (pictured), the valleys of Pineta and Escuaín, the Posets massif, the valley of Chistau and the Sierra de Guara mountains. http://www.geoparquepirineos.com 

2. Dating from 10 million years ago, the formations at Cabo de Gata on the Almería coast are one of the largest magma-derived mountains in Europe. Old lava flows, volcanic domes, craters and fossilized beaches make up a landscape that, despite looking like a semi-desert, is home to a variety of ecosystems, including more than 1,000 endemic plant species and some of Spain’s most beautiful beaches. http://www.degata.com

3. Around 36 million years ago, Catalonia’s interior was covered by a sea that disappeared as a result of the great folding process that gave birth to the Pyrenees. Among the products of that geological process are the Toll and Salnitre caves, the serrated peaks of Montserrat and the Catalan potassium basin. http://www.geoparc.cat/es

4. The collection of limestone massifs extending southeast of Córdoba province, along the border with Jaén and Granada, show the effect of water over the course of aeons. This is a chaotic landscape filled with pits and sinkholes, karst formations such as the limestone pavement of Los Lanchares, the Bailón River Canyon and the Bat Cave, near Zuheros. The area is also known for its ammonite fossils – the remains of cephalopods that ruled the seas during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. http://www.andalucia.org

5. Fossils trapped for over 50 million years in the pastry-puff rock formation – technically known as flysch – along a 13-kilometre stretch of land on the western coast of Gipuzkoa have earned this place a spot in the European Geoparks Networks. Like a book written in stone, each stratum of flysch contains a 60-million-year-old chapter in the history of the Earth, from the Upper Cretaceous period (around 100 million years ago) to the Eocene (40 million years ago). http://www.geoparkea.com

6. Extremadura conceals unexpected landscapes, such as the one to be found at the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara geopark in Cáceres, where deciduous forests sit alongside olive groves, holm oak and fields of rockroses. It is a rocky place of jagged-peaked mountains that rise above the oak forests like dinosaur backbones. And beneath it lies a striking world of karst formations inside the cave of Castañar de Ibor, which was declared a natural monument in 1997 thanks to its eccentric calcite stalactites, arboreal shapes and delicate aragonite “flowers.”  http://www.geoparquevilluercas.es

7. The eruption of an underwater volcano off the Canary island of El Hierro in 2011 is just the latest chapter of an epic geological journey that began 100 million years ago when the seabed opened up and released the magma that formed the isle. The smallest and wildest island in the archipelago, its 278 square kilometres contain over 500 volcanic cones and nearly 70 lava-made caves such as Don Justo, whose galleries span over six kilometres.  http://geoparqueelhierro.es

8. From the heights of Gúdar down to the border with Lower Aragón, the Guadalope River crosses a network of mountains, peaks and canyons that were once home to the Sea of Tethys and monsters such as the Elasmosaurus. Its tracks, and those of other dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras, are on display at nearly 70 paleontology sites inside the El Maestrazgo geopark. http://www.geoparquemaestrazgo.com

Visited by more than 83 million tourists in 2019, Spain can be proud of having some of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, fifteen cities that are recognised as World Heritage Sites by the UN and 52 Biosphere Reserves declared by UNESCO. In addition, Spain has museums that house world-famous works of art, historical buildings, and unique constructions. Among all of them are some of the most visited monuments in Spain. Here is a list of the top 11...

11  Royal Palace (Madrid)

Destroyed by fire in 1734, Felipe V ordered the reconstruction of the Royal Palace to the extended form it shows today, although today it is no longer the residence of the Monarchy, its more than 3,000 rooms serve daily as a museum and, on special occasions, as a venue for events and receptions for the Head of State.

The Royal Palace of Madrid received 1,547,967 visitors in 2019.

10 Reina Sofía National Art Center Museum (Madrid)

Specialising in contemporary and 20th-century works of art, the Reina Sofía Museum exhibits abundant and well-known works by Picasso, Dalí or Miró along with other representatives of Cubism, Surrealism and other pictorial trends.

The MNCARS complex received a total of 4,425,699 visitors in 2019. Of these, the main headquarters, the Reina Sofía Museum, received 1,714,409 visitors, the Crystal Palace 1,994,979 and the Velázquez Palace 716,671 (the latter two in the Retiro Park).

9 Camp Nou (Barcelona)

The Soccer Stadium of one of the most famous teams in the world is also one of the most visited spots in Spain. A tour of the Camp Nou covers the most significant corners, such as the stands, the pitch, the visiting team's dressing room, the dressing room tunnel, the press room, the mixed zone, the benches and much more.

In 2018 the Camp Nou Experience had 1,900,000 visitors.

8 Reales Alcázares (Seville)

With architectural elements from the High Middle Ages, the Islamic world, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque, this set of buildings that includes a remarkable garden in addition to being the oldest Royal Palace in Europe is so impressive that it has been the scene of films and TV series such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), 1492: the conquest of paradise (1992), The Kingdom of Heaven (2004) or Game of Thrones (5th and 6th season).

The Reales Alcázares de Sevilla received 2,067,016 visitors in 2019

7 Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (Córdoba)

Re-Christianised, so to speak, with the construction of a basilica consecrated as a Cathedral after the Christian reconquest of the Andalusian city, the Mosque of Córdoba is a beautiful example of Muslim art in the Peninsula, surpassed perhaps only by the Alhambra in Granada.

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba received 2,079,160 visitors in 2019

6 Cathedral of Seville 

The Cathedral of Seville is the largest Gothic temple in the world, it is a World Heritage Site and has an attached bell tower that was originally the minaret of the old mosque and is today the famous tower known as La Giralda.

2,298,702 visitors passed through the Seville Cathedral in 2019

5 The Alhambra (Granada)

Alhambra, palace and fortress of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, Spain. The name Alhambra, signifying in Arabic “the red,” is probably derived from the reddish colour of the tapia (rammed earth) of which the outer walls were built. Constructed on a plateau that overlooks the city of Granada, the Alhambra was built chiefly between 1238 and 1358, in the reigns of Ibn al-Aḥmar, founder of the Naṣrid dynasty, and his successors. 

2,766,887 people passed through the Alhambra in Granada in 2018 (curiously, 3,387 exceeded the limit of 2,763,500 annual visitors established by a regulation of the Board of the Alhambra and the Generalife in 2016)

4  City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia)

With such a futuristic appearance that it has even served as a set for the “Westworld” series, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a snowy set of buildings with stylized shapes and biological inspiration. The largest aquarium in Europe, the largest exhibition hall in Spain or the interactive exhibitions of the Science Museum and the world-leading Opera house are some of the attractions that will get you walking through its doors.

The City of Arts and Sciences was visited by 2,876,524 people in 2019

3 Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Santiago de Compostela)

At the end of the Camino de Santiago, the ritual of entering the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela looking for the tomb of the Apostle Santiago is the wish of the thousands of people who make a pilgrimage there every year and who, in addition, enjoy visiting a colossal building with beautifully detailed facades such as the Obradoiro or the Platerías.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela does not have an access control system, as it is free, but it is estimated that between 3 and 3 and a half million people visited it in 2015, given that that same year 262,516 pilgrims arrived in the city (rising to 301,000 in 2017, the same year that overnight stays in Santiago were around 1.5 million) the figure of 3 million visits is not unreasonable.

2  Prado Museum (Madrid)

The most important art gallery in Spain, the Prado Museum, houses great works such as "Las Meninas" (Velázquez), "The Garden of Delights" (El Bosco), "The executions of May 3" (Goya) as well as one of the best collections of Flemish art, to name just a few of the more than 35,000 works in the museum's collection.
The Prado Museum received 3,203,417 visitors in 2019

1  Basilica of the Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)

It may be curious that the most visited monument in Spain has been under construction for almost a century and a half, but the cranes and scaffolding don't scare away the visitors. What will be the highest Christian church in the world was designed by the great Gaudí at the end of the 19th century and exudes his peculiar style from the moment you first step inside to the top of any of its 8 towers.

The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia received 4.5 million visitors in 2018.

Everyone in the wine community will be celebrating their local wine festivals this month and next, some large and some small, but all celebrating "la vindimia": the grape harvest. Take note of the one near you and pay a visit this year if you are still in time...!

You don't have to travel to Florence to suffer from Stendhal syndrome. Spain also boasts an extensive art collection, envied the world over. Just visiting one of the ten art centres in this top ten would be enough. You might not experience dizziness, palpitations and trembling, as French writer Stendhal did on his visit to the Italian city, but you will without a doubt leave with another perspective on art. Here are Spain's ten best museums. Not in any particular order.....

CaixaForum, Barcelona

It represents a trend in museums that has spread throughout Spain in recent years, where art galleries combine exhibitions with all kinds of activities, such as workshops, conferences, projections, etc. The space is managed by La Caixa through the bank's Obra Social foundation, but the programming isn't its only appeal. It's located in a very remarkable Modernista building, the old Casaramona factory designed by famous Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

Reina Sofia Art Centre, Madrid

It's one of Madrid's large museums and full of art both inside and out. It's dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary art and walking through its rooms you can see one of the key works of Spanish art: Guernica, by Pablo Picasso. Before contemplating this marvellous piece, you should take a moment to enjoy the surroundings. The museum is comprised of two buildings: the first dates from the 16th century and used to be the old San Carlos hospital; the second was built in 2001 and is the work of prestigious architect Jean Nouvel.

The Guggenheim, Bilbao

Few museums can claim to have triggered a city's transformation, but that's exactly what the Guggenheim did. In fact, Bilbao is now one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations. Its avant garde architecture, the work of Frank O. Gehry, will undoubtedly impress you with its curvilinear forms and extraordinary play of titanium volumes, now a symbol of Bilbao. You mustn't miss the work 'The Matter of Time' by Richard Serra which is part of the permanent exhibition, where you will find yourself immersed in seven impressive sculptures.

Valencia Modern Art Institute - IVAM, Valencia

If you're an art lover and you're going to Valencia, as well as visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, another must-see is IVAM. This gallery is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It has two different spaces: the Julio González Centre, dedicated to the museum collection and temporary exhibitions; and the Sala de la Muralla, located in the building's basement, with the preserved remains of the city's mediaeval fortifications. The activity programme includes courses, workshops and even concerts.

La Casa Encendida, Madrid

This is a social and cultural centre with some of Madrid's most experimental artistic expressions and an outstanding programme of educational activities, conferences and debates. The gallery is managed by the Obra Social Caja Madrid foundation and pursues four lines of action: Solidarity, Environment, Culture and Education. After participating in one of the activities on offer, there's nothing better than taking a walk around the rooftop garden and enjoying the great views.

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona - MACBA, Barcelona

While it didn't transform the city like the Guggenheim in Bilbao, it did become one of the motors of change in the renovation of the neighbourhood of El Raval, which went from being a run-down area to one of Barcelona's most modern. The building by Richar Meier is noteworthy for its combination of straight lines and curves, the large interior spaces and the harnessing of natural light. The exhibition and event spaces include the Capella MACBA annex, formerly the Los Angeles convent church. The museum focuses on art from the second half of the 20th century.

Dalí Theatre-Museum, Figueres, Girona

The museum took over the former Figueras municipal theatre (19th century) and clearly reflects the artist's personality and work. Dalí himself supervised the renovation works on the building, which is recognisable for its red and gold paint job and the large white eggs that crown it.  Although you can visit throughout the year, it's worth going in August when they open at night. From 10 until 1 in the morning you can contemplate the artist's work while having a glass of the Spanish sparkling wine cava.

Picasso Museum, Malaga

The fascinating work of the artist from Malaga and the beauty of the Buenavista Palace make this museum a unique place to enjoy art and culture. The gallery's 155 works range from his first academic studies to his personal vision of classicism; from the superimposed planes of cubism to his incursion into ceramics; from his interpretation of the great masters to his last paintings in the seventies. Temporary exhibitions, educational and cultural activities, the library and a specialised bookshop complete a suggestive proposal.

Thyssen – Bornemisza Museum, Madrid

Located on the famous Paseo del Prado and forming part of what is known as Madrid's Art Triangle, the museum is in the beautiful Duque de Villahermoso Palace, remodelled by the prestigious architect Rafael Moneo. It houses what is without a doubt one of the most important private art collections in the world, with works from the 13th to 20th centuries. The museum proves particularly didactic due to its size and the way the works are displayed according to chronological, thematic and stylistic criteria. 

The Prado Museum

This is the king of Spanish museums, an international authority due to the fact it possesses the most complete collection of 11th to 18th-century Spanish painting. You will need several hours to go through the rooms displaying the works of the great masters such as El Greco, Goya, Rubens and Rembrandt.  Here you can see one of the most famous Spanish paintings of all time: Las Meninas, by Velázquez. Architecture lovers will also enjoy visiting the museum's new wing, an extension designed by the architect Rafael Moneo. 

In Spain, there are as many as 120 hundred-year-old restaurants. The term is used to define what used to be called "casas de comidas" (meal houses), although the name was created in France in the second half of the 18th century. "Restaurants" constituted another sort of eating establishment, a new one if we define them as places where one can order a meal from a range of choices at a range of times and eat it on the premises.

About 1765, people rounding the corner of the Rue Bailleul and the Rue des Poulies, just a few blocks east of the Café de la Régence, passed by the innovator’s sign: “Boulanger débite des restaurants divins” (Boulanger sells divine restaurants). Boulanger was originally a soup vendor and certain soups were known as restaurants—literally, “restoratives.” The Encyclopédie defined restaurant as “a medical term; it is a remedy whose purpose is to give strength and vigour.” Thanks to Boulanger and his imitators, these soups moved from the category of remedy into the category of health food and ultimately into the category of ordinary food...Almost forgotten in the spread of restaurants was the fact that their existence was predicated on health, not gustatory, requirements. None the less I can assure you these restaurants found around Spain were certainly founded on gustatory requirements and still do to this very day serve some of the finest food in the country. Here are 10 of the oldest and best restaurants in Spain in no particular order:

1. Botín (C/ Cuchilleros, 17. Madrid) - 1725

In 1989 the Guinness Book of Records classified it as the oldest restaurant in the world. This establishment in Madrid is the genuine birthplace of suckling pig and lamb, which they continue to roast with holm oak wood in the oven that was used on the date the premises were founded, in 1725. The restaurant was founded by the Frenchman, Jean Botín, and then handed down to his nephews. Since 1930, it has been run by the González Martín family. It achieved the world record as it has been the only restaurant so far that can certify how long it has been a "restaurant" - as we understand it today. Others may have started out as taverns or shops that sold food and later transformed into restaurants.

2. Lhardy (Carrera de San Jerónimo, 8. Madrid) - 1839

Thanks to Lhardy, founded in 1839 by Emilio Lhardy, gastronomic modernity arrived in Madrid. In a building near the Puerta del Sol, the restaurant is divided into three floors and 6 dining rooms. It is said that Isabel II used to meet her lovers in one of them, the Japanese room. Eating in Lhardy is like travelling back in time, everything is just the same as it was when the establishment first opened.

3. Casa Gerardo (Carretera AS-19, km 8.5. Prendes) - 1882

It opened its doors in 1882 and today it is managed by the fourth and fifth generations of chefs. Pedro and Marcós Morán, father and son, are specialists for including Asturias in their dishes. Their most well-known creations are the fabada desgrasada (fat-free bean stew with Spanish sausage) and merluza a la sidra (hake with cider). Their menu also includes room for innovation, and this is reflected in the traditional and new dishes.

4. Casa Duque (Calle Cervantes, 12. Segovia) - 1895

The first meal house in Segovia belongs today to Marisa Duque, the fourth generation of restaurateurs. Keeping to the traditional essence, the typical Segovian menu always features large French beans, Castilian soup and suckling pig. For starters, there is nothing better than some juicy slices of bacon

5. Hotel Santa Catalina (C/ León y Castillo, 227. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) - 1890

The restaurant that is now managed by José Rojano belongs to the hotel that was initially planned for the English who, looking to make their fortune, used to stopover in the Canary Islands on their way to America. Now the menu has been renewed and, as a consequence of the chef's birthplace, includes creations from the Islands as well as the Basque Country.

6.  7 Portes (Passeig Isabel II, 14. Barcelona) - 1836

Josep Xifré i Cases was a powerful Catalan businessman in the first half of the XIX century; the richest Catalan at the time. He built the so-called Xifre houses in the Isabel II Promenade in Barcelona and took a hand in the design himself, as he wanted to create buildings with porches similar to those in the Rue Rivoli and the central squares of Paris.

He made his home and office in the new building and decided to place a luxurious café on the site as well. The café had seven doors through which the public could enter, and an eighth entrance for staff and goods.

Nowadays the restaurant is famous for its rice dishes. Politicians and intellectuals have sat at its tables since 1836, but when the restaurant was taken over by the Parellada family, who continue to run it today, it became a meeting point for expert gourmets. 

7. Arzak (Avenida del Alcalde José Elosegi, 273. Donostia) - 1897

Not everyone knows that Arzak is a hundred years old. It was Juan Mari's grandparents who decided to open a business in Alza (today part of Donostia) which the locals used to call the “highest of vinegars”, because of the quality of the wines served in the restaurant. His mother took a step forward with her baby cuttlefish in their ink or hake in parsley and wine sauce, her son followed in her wake, representing a benchmark in New Basque Cuisine, and now her granddaughter, Elena. 

8. Echaurren (C/ del Padre José García, 19. Ezcaray) - 1698

In 1898, Pedro Garcia and Andrea Echaurren decided to remodel their old coach house that served as a refuelling stop for carriages. The imminent arrival of the railroad forced to anticipate the future, to refocus its business and where previously housed the stables and carriages, they decide to install a dining hall taking advantage of the culinary virtues of his wife, Aunt Andrea. It started with them, this proud culinary tradition and hospitality that has endured for five generations. 

9. Antigua Taberna Las Escobas de Sevilla - 1386

Opposite the Cathedral of Seville, in the heart of the Andalusian capital, as Escobas is a living testimony of the history of Seville. There are writings that rate it as the oldest tavern in Spain, founded in 1386, when it was also grocery shop, where wine was sold and brooms were made and hung from the ceiling.

10. Cal Xarina (Collsuspina - Barcelona) 1550

The restaurant Can Xarina of Collsuspina (Barcelona) is a handsome Gothic-Renaissance mansion where you can taste the best flavours of the traditional Catalan cuisine. The restaurant Can Xarina prioritizes local and seasonal produce, so the ingredients are always fresh and high quality (mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, peas, artichokes, etc.). Some of his most characteristic dishes are baked shoulder of lamb, oxtail stew in the pot or preparations with hake and monkfish.

Other Centenary Restaurants in Spain:

Hotel Lleida, Graus, Huesca (1867)
Miramar, Alcúdia, Mallorca (1871)
Mesón de Borleña, Borleña de Toranzo, Cantabria (1834)
Las Cabañas, Peñaranda de Bracamonete, Salamanca (1885)
Venta de Aires, Toledo (1891)
Fonda Europa, Granollers, Barcelona (1771)
Gaig, Barcelona (1869)
Hostal Jaumet, Torà, Lleida (1890)
Hotel Durán, Figueres, Girona (1855)
Hostal Coca, Torredembarra, Tarragona (1820)
Paz Nogueira, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña (1838)
Café Gijón, Madrid (1888)
El Vinagrero, La Unión, Murcia (1910)
Café Roch, Pamplona, Navarra (1898)
Casa Montaña, Valencia (1836)

There are over 300 golf courses in Spain and many are amongst the best in Europe and the world. However, these are some of the best...

1. Real Club Valderrama

Green fee  € 350,00 

Real Club Valderrama is located in Andalucia, the largest and southern-most region of Spain. A few miles north of Gibraltar, it is approximately two hours' drive from Cádiz and one and a half hours from Málaga. The climate is ideal for year-round golf.

The Par 71 Championship Course measures 6356 metres from the professional tees. The fairways have been described by top pros and leading golf writers as the best in Europe, if not the world. It is not an easy course - nor was it intended to be. It is designed so as to call forth thought and precision for every shot. The course was designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, one of the great golf course architects, and was originally known as Sotogrande New. In 1981 its name was changed to Las Aves. Finally, Ortiz-Patiño renamed the course, Valderrama, after the ancient estate on which the land is situated.

2. Finca Cortesín Golf Club

Green fee  € 280,00 

Very near the Mediterranean Sea and in a privileged area of Andalusia, Finca Cortesin has become a reference in the world of golf. At almost 7,000 meters from the back tees, it is considered one of the longest courses in Europe. The natural environment and landscape of Cortesin are one of it's most attractive features.

Finca Cortesin Golf Club has 18 holes designed by Cabell Robinson, a length of 6800 meters and more than 100 bunkers. It is considered one of the best golf courses in Spain. The privileged location of the layout will make the player enjoy wonderful views of the Mediterranean sea and mountains.

3.Club de Golf La Reserva - Sotogrande

Green fee  € 235,00 

The Course RSGC is considered as one of the masterpieces of Robert Trent Jones who chose this course as one of his five favourites from more than 500 courses he designed worldwide according to what he wrote in his book GOLF – THE MAGNIFICIENT CHALLENGE – published in 1988. Officially opened in 1964 Sotogrande was the first course Trent Jones designed in Europe and is blessed with his design philosophy, which consists of building courses perfectly integrated with the natural surroundings which are a great challenge to the better players, but accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Nothing describes better a round on Sotogrande than these words. It is a fascinating course for players of any level which retains all the natural beauty of the land on which it was built only 150 metres from the Mediterranean.

4.Golf Son Gual

Green fee € 135,00 

Laid out across beautiful Mallorcan terrain, just east of the capital Palma, Golf Son Gual is the realisation of one man’s dream. Adam Pamer, a double-glazing magnate and a self-confessed golf nut has been visiting the island since 1974 and purchased a holiday home there in 1994. Frustrated with the poor condition and service he experienced at many of the island’s courses, he set out to build his own dream golf club and employed three-time German Amateur Champion, Thomas Himmel, to create it. Himmel has worked wonders and delivered an exquisite golfing experience that blends seamlessly into the local landscape.

5. PGA Catalunya Resort

Green fee  € 110,00 

One of the best courses in Spain and Europe and satisfying all requirements for hosting professional competitions.
A beautiful course and a very difficult one, where the stars of the round are the trees and the numerous big lakes. It's a long course suitable for big hitters, though accuracy is also essential from the tee as the greens are surrounded by water. Everyone who has had the pleasure of walking its fairways has gone away with a positive impression of the course. With its naturally undulating terrain, the fairways can seem quite narrow when you are driving off from the tee but they open up for the second shot before reaching greens which are wide but full of secrets.

6. Real Club de Golf El Prat

Green fee  € 114,00 

The Royal El Prat Golf Club is designed along classic lines on a marvellous estate and is dotted with bunkers and gentle slopes.
It is a varied and entertaining 45-hole course and is suitable for all levels of play. The greens are very tricky and the round is both demanding and rewarding. It is possible to combine five different rounds.
In short, a new course that plays host both to daily matches and social tournaments and to major national and international championships, while respecting the strictest environmental regulations and blending perfectly with the natural surroundings.

7. Parador & Golf El Saler

Green fee  € 105,00 

In the early 1960s, Javier Arana, undoubtedly the best golf course designer Spain has ever had, took a walk through the pine forest next to the sea at El Saler and his special intuition enabled him to determine that this land could be used to build a magnificent golf course. After a great deal of effort, the Ministry of Information and Tourism agreed to the idea and construction began on the current Parador, with Javier Arana responsible for creating the golf course. His customary wise choices included the decision to do the utmost to respect the natural landscape, keeping as many pine trees as possible and the sand dune that separates the pine forest from the sea.

The result is now familiar to anyone who has visited this golf course, which has generally wide fairways; vast, challenging greens; and almost one hundred bunkers, some of them natural, created by using the dunes. Although there are no other special challenges, it is difficult to achieve the course's par 72. Those who play at El Saler should know that this is one of the best courses in the world, with an exceptional location beloved by all Valencians: the Dehesa de El Saler forest.
 

8. Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

Green fee  € 220,00 

Real Club De Golf Las Brisas was founded by D. José Banús in 1968 as "Club de Golf Nueva Andalucía." He was appointed its first President until 1981. For its design, he chose the American, Robert Trent Jones, already considered one of the best golf course designers in the world. He had just finished building the golf course at Sotogrande and after Las Brisas, went on to design Los Naranjos and Valderrama. The course includes numerous water obstacles: there are ten artificial lakes fed by two streams. The greens, the majority of which are raised, are amply protected by bunkers.

The results of Robert Trent Jones's efforts, which we continue to enjoy today, were truly notable and original, obtaining a difficult and attractive course. He was also original in his choice of Bermuda grass for the fairways and Pencross Bent on the greens, unusual species in the Europe of the sixties. The outcome of all this is a round that requires a precision game of golf. As an example of the opinion of great golfers, we can quote that of Paul Azinger (USA), "There is not a single bad hole in Las Brisas. Indeed it is one of the finest courses on which I have been able to play".

Nº 9  REAL SOCIEDAD HIPICA ESPAÑOLA CLUB DE CAMPO (NORTH) - MADRID

Green fee €100,00
 
The RSHE Club de Campo can trace its roots as far back as 1901- attaining royal status in 1908- and it was one of the founder members of the Spanish golf federation. The two courses on the property – North and South - were both laid out by the prolific American architect Robert von Hagge. The North course was redesigned in 1997 and it now stretches 7162 yards from the back tees. Most fairways are gently undulating and tree lined – but not restrictively – and water comes into play at four holes on the back nine. There are no fewer than seven left-dogged holes. Laid out on a huge scale across naturally undulating and sometimes hilly ground. These elevation changes provide for an interesting and though provoking round

10. Desert Springs Resort

Green fee € 68,00 

In the last `forgotten´ corner of the Mediterranean coast of south eastern Spain on a plateau overlooking the Almanzora Valley, with easy access from the international airports or Almería and Alicante, Desert Springs has constructed Europe´s first ever Arizona style desert golf course.
Designed by Peter McEvoy, Desert Springs is built to full USGA specifications and is well worth the visit.
Here the talk is of water courses, hardpan, armadillos, cactus and there is, of course about half the green planted area you will find on a regular course. But this the desert where host of other westerns so a tough golf course fits in perfectly. Not that Desert Springs is especially tough, it just looks, well, rugged with those towering outcrops of sandstone rock. Eventually there will be two courses on the site.
For the time being be among the first to enjoy the original. Desert Springs is certainly that and it offers a challenging round of golf.

Despite the heat and drought most of the year in Spain there are hundreds of waterfalls across its landscape. These 10 stand out among them and must be seen.

1. Fervenza do Ézaro

For its uniqueness, the most beautiful of Spain. The Xallas is the only river in Europe that flows into the sea via a waterfall. 

2. Pozo de los Humos

This waterfall located on the river Uces in northwest Salamanca. It falls within  the Natural Park Arribes del Duero. This authentic water curtain plunges down two brutal jumps of more than fifty meters hitting the bottom with clouds of mis that overhang the landscape.

3. Cascada de Colores

Red, yellow, green, gray and even black. As we were taught at school, water is colorless but in the ravine of Sorrows on the island of Palma this waterfall has all those colors. Sitada in the National Park Caldera, to reach it there is a fun trek through mountain trails.

4. Nacedero del Nervión

In recent years an specially in late summer this waterfall is quite dry, but it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Spain. The cliff's edge from which it falls is 270 meters high, the highest of Spain. 

5. Oneta

In the heart of a landscape of forests and mountains, this waterfall is located in the municipality of Villayón, western Asturias, relatively close to Luarca. It was declared a Natural Monument.

6. Cascada de la Cimbarra

The Guarrizas river is just two kilometers from Aldeaquemada, Jaen, and only 11 from Despeñaperros, but hardly anyone crossing the famous passage of the highway of Andalusia detours the short distance to see one of the natural wonders of Spain. It was declared a Natural Park by the Junta de Andalucía. The force of this waterfall has created a natural well in the ground which no one knows the real depth of.

7. Nacimiento río Asón

The Ason River is born here and lies within the Natural Park Hillocks of Assos, in the municipality of Soba, Cantabria. This river features a spectacular jump of 70 meters over the limestone wall.

8. Cascada del Estrecho

An area of intimate beauty, the river Arrazas carves it way through the canyon to reveal this spectaucular waterfall.

9. Sauth deth Pish

If in winter the Aran Valley is known for the ski resort of Baqueira Beret, in summer it is know for this beautiful waterfall located to the north. Formed by the river Varradós, it plnges down a 35m drop into a crystal clear pool. It is only a 45min walt to reach it.

10. Chorros del río Mundo

This turbulent waterfall is located in the Los Calares River Park Natural World, Albacete. It is a karstic territory, which means it is porous like a gruyere cheese, where water submerges and is absorbed. The result is abundant powerful springs, the source of the river Mundo.This waterfall of over one hundred meters high  and when it is in full flow it can move over 100,000 liters per second.

With the return to nature that tourism is experiencing, the campsites have experienced a small rebirth. Now they are as cool as ever. There are also those that offer innovative tree houses, waterfront cabins and even luxury safari tents.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to choose, but the Best Campsite in Spain awards make it a little easier. These awards given by the Spanish Campsite Federation (FEEC) are granted to certain establishments taking into account both their characteristics and the evaluation of the campers themselves.

The winners reveal spectacular landscapes and luxurious facilities, both aimed at the whole family and focused on enjoying peace and silence. Here they are the main prize winners:

1. BEST MOUNTAIN CAMPSITE: PINETA (BIELSA, HUESCA)

https://campingpineta.com/

The location of this campsite is truly spectacular. It sits at the entrance to the extraordinary Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, in the Pineta Valley.

It is surrounded by majestic mountains, pine, beech and fir forests and next to the source of the River Cinca and is located in the spot where the majority of walking routes in the area begin. It has bungalows, double rooms and plots for rent.

2. BEST BEACH CAMPSITE: PINAR SAN JOSÉ (ZAHORA, CÁDIZ)

https://www.campingpinarsanjose.com/

In the beautiful Natural Park of La Breña y Marismas de Barbate, a large dune populated by pines, wild olive trees and mastic trees and located next to magnificent cliffs, is the Pinar San José. There, time is spent surfing or hiking, riding bicycles, spotting dolphins or strolling under the sun on mythical beaches like those of Bolonia.

Nearby are some popular towns like Vejer and Conil. The facilities also cater for sports, a children's club, swimming pools and a dog area.

3. BEST FAMILY CAMPSITE: RIBADESELLA (RIBADESELLA, ASTURIAS)

https://camping-ribadesella.es/

Spa, gym, playgrounds, entertainment activities for children, miniature golf, sports courts, outdoor and heated swimming pools ... The Ribadesella campsite is certainly an Eden for the whole family, located just one kilometre from the beach.

In fact, the little ones will dream of sleeping in their safari tent in the glamping area, although the enclosure also has bungalows and a camping area. It is, of course, a destination to remember only when the sun rises, since it only opens from the end of April to the end of September.

4. BEST CAMPSITE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND: MOLINO DE CABUÉRNIGA (CABUÉRNIGA, CANTABRIA)

https://www.campingcabuerniga.com/

This family business, which pampers every aspect of its accommodation, prides itself on the beauty of its protected natural environment, the Cabuérniga Valley. Its greatest asset is its tranquillity.

Open since 1991 and named Best European campsite open all year round in 2017, Cabuérniga offers pitches, as well as cabins and apartments with a rural air, lined with stone from the area.

5. MOST ORIGINAL ACCOMMODATION CAMPSITE:  SON BOU (ALAIOR, MENORCA)

https://www.campingsonbou.com/es/inicio

70,000 square meters of pine forests and large green areas and the most charming architecture based on wooden chalets make up this beautiful Mallorcan campsite with a swimming pool, restaurant, sports courts, mini-club and children's playground.

Nearby, the Son Bou beach, the Cavalleria lighthouse and the Sanitja port are wonderful excursions for the whole family.

6. SPECIAL MENTION: CAMPSITE BAYONA PLAYA (BAIONA, PONTEVEDRA)

https://www.campingbayona.com/

The wonderful renovation carried out at this campsite, which now has a series of modern glazed bungalows with a terrace practically on the seashore, has earned it a special mention from the FEEC. They also have a glamping area made up of two-level raised wooden tents with a dining room, storage area and bedroom, as well as traditional pitches.

The accommodation offer is complemented with all kinds of attractions for children -animation, trampolines, zip line, water slides ... as well as a privileged environment, formed by wide beaches and very close to the interesting old town of Baiona.

Before I go into the best national heritage Hotels of Spain, I thought it might be interesting to know a little background on this wonderful initiative. It was in 1910 that the government entrusted Marqués de la Vega Inclán the project of creating a hotel network, practically non-existent in the country at the time, which would provide accommodation for tourists and improve Spain’s international image.

In 1926, continuing this Project and from the office of the Royal Tourism Commission created in 1911, De la Vega Inclán impelled the construction of a hotel in the Gredos Mountains, which would open up the wonders of this landscape to tourism.

The idea excited King Alfonso XIII, who chose the location personally. Work began in August of this same year and was completed on the 9th of October 1928 with its inauguration by the King himself. This was to become the first establishment of the subsequent network of Paradores de España, the Parador de Gredos.

With this first establishment inaugurated, the ‘Board of Paradores and Inns of Spain’ was drawn up and efforts were focussed on perfecting the original idea and making use of chosen historical and artistic monuments and areas of great natural beauty to establish new Paradores.

In the favourable climate of the twenties, the results of the first administration and the imminent Latin American Exposition reinforced the project and inspired the construction of new Paradores, now in monumental buildings, such as those inaugurated in Oropesa (1930), Úbeda (1930), Ciudad Rodrigo (1931) and Mérida (1933), among others. At the same time, the first lodging houses that were being integrated into the network would also open to the public, such as Manzanares (1932), Bailén (1933) and Benicarló (1935).

With the passing of the years, Paradores continued to spread out over the entire country. This was also a period marked by the development of infrastructures such as roads, railways, airports, ports…

The Civil War, naturally, meant not just stagnation but a slump for tourism. Some of the infrastructures comprising the network were damaged or used as hospitals, but once the conflict was over, the idea was consolidated and a new impulse was produced with the restoration and reopening of the existing Paradores.

During the period following the war, Paradores were created with diverse ends, as in the case of the Parador de Andujar, as well as others whose objective was to promote the country’s tourist attractions. The conversion of the San Francisco de Granada Convent, located in the heart of the site of the Alhambra, one of today’s most attractive Paradores, took place during these years (1945). The same occurred in other tourism settings, such as Santillana del Mar (1946), Malaga, with the Parador de Gibralfaro (1948), and Pontevedra (1955).

Nevertheless, the greatest expansion was produced during the decade of the sixties, coinciding with the significant tourism development that the country experienced. During these years the network of Paradores went from 40 to 83 establishments. Among others, the following were opened: Córdoba (1960), Cañadas del Teide (1960), Jaén (1965), Guadalupe (1965), Nerja (1965), Aiguablava (1966), Ávila (1966), Olite (1966), El Saler (1966), Vielha (1966), Gijón (1967), Zafra (1968), Hondarribia (1968) and Toledo (1968).

The period of the Spanish transition brought about the change in the ownership of the General Management of Paradores, and more importantly, its administrative department. A broad restructuring was implemented, closing some obsolete installations or those very far of the traditional routes and as such producing heavy losses, and the operating criteria were revised in order to improve profitability. Over these years Paradores provided the setting for acts as important as the elaboration of the draft of the Constitution in the Parador de Gredos (1978), the signing of the draft of the Statute of Catalonia in the Parador de Vic (1978), and the Statute of Autonomy for Andalusia in Carmona (1980). And the inaugurations did not cease. Among them were some as outstanding as Sigüenza (1976), Carmona (1976), Cardona (1976), Tortosa (1976), Almagro (1977), Seu d’Urgell (1977) and Segovia (1979).

During the eighties, a number of hotels from the public chain Entursa became part of the Paradores network. Among them, establishments as emblematic as the Hostal de Reyes Católicos (Santiago), the Hostal de San Marcos (León) and the Hotel La Muralla (Ceuta). Both Santiago and León have maintained their five stars deluxe category throughout the years. At the same time Salamanca (1981), El Hierro (1981), Chinchón (1982), Trujillo (1984) and Cáceres (1989) were opened.

With the arrival of the nineties, Paradores experienced a fundamental change. On the 18th of January 1991 the corporation, ‘Paradores de Turismo de España, S.A.’ was established. The objective was to make the hotel chain a profitable company which depended exclusively on its own profits for the maintenance and operation of the network. At this time its activity consisted of the management of 85 establishments and two lodging houses located on the Spanish mainland, the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.

Paradores has combined tradition with innovation and developed new strategic policies: a clear commitment to environmentally-friendly policies, a strong investment in the renovation of the network, the development of R&D initiatives, the implementation of new technologies and the promotion of quality as the main premise of the hotel service offered by the chain.

The thirty hotel beds with which Paradores started, with the inauguration of the first establishment in the Gredos Mountains in 1928, have now reached over 10,000 and the number of establishments has reached a total of 97. Many of these are located in historical buildings such as convents, monasteries, castles and palaces. The rest, often located in monumental settings or in the very heart of nature, exhibit a regional or modern architecture.

Currently, more than 3.500 professionals work for Paradores and the establishments have an average of 63 rooms, a size which allows for more personalised attention with a higher degree of quality in the services offered to guests.

With establishments in all of the autonomous communities (with the exception of the Balearic Islands) Paradores de Turismo is the leading hotel chain in cultural and nature tourism. As such, in addition to having establishments in nine cities declared World Heritage Sites, more than half of the Paradores in the network are found in monumental settings and many others allow people to lodge in national parks and the most interesting natural areas of the country.

A corporation with just one shareholder, the Spanish state, Paradores de Turismo is also an instrument of the government’s tourism policy, as well as a leading company in the Spanish tourism sector.

TOP 10  Paradores selected by travellers from around the world :

1. PARADOR DOS REIS CATÓLICOS – Santiago de Compostela  *****

Combining history, art and tradition, the goal of pilgrims and the emblem of St. James, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, in the Plaza do Obradoiro, forms together with the cathedral one of the world’s most remarkable, and most visited, urban settings. The Hostal, which first saw life as a Royal Hospital in 1499 to house the many pilgrims arriving in Santiago, today still invites the traveller to enjoy this universal and fascinating city.
Considered the oldest hotel in the world, it is also one of the most luxurious and beautiful. It has four extremely beautiful cloisters, elegant public rooms, spectacular bedrooms and a luxurious dining room offering Galician style fish and meats and the classic apple pies and crème Brulee.

2. PARADOR SANTO ESTEVO – Ribeira Sacra  ****

This Benedictine monastery in the middle of the Ribeira Sacra, an area of outstanding natural beauty where the rivers Miño and Sil meet, is one of Galicia’s monastic centres and now a holiday highlight. The existence of the Monastery has been proven in the 10th century, although its origins appear to be in the 6th and 7th centuries. In the monastery, styles range from Romanesque to Baroque, with three remarkable cloisters (Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance). The building was declared a Historic and Artistic Monument in 1923.
The Hotel has a total of 77 rooms distributed around three cloisters of different styles and periods. The rooms are particularly interesting as they are all different, some with impressive views over the landscape and the valleys of the river Sil. The Hotel has a restaurant with terrace by the chestnut forest, a café with terrace in the entrance cloister, lounges and beautiful gardens.

3. PARADOR DE ALCALÁ DE HENARES – Madrid  ****

This newly opened hotel is located in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, only 26 km from the capital city and 20 km away from Barajas International Airport and IFEMA. It has 128 guestrooms. Parador de Alcalá de Henares is housed in a magnificent seventeenth-century building, the former Santo Tomás Dominican Convent and School. It is one of the city’s landmarks along with Hostería del Estudiante, in the former Minor School of San Jerónimo, founded by Cardinal Cisneros in 1510 and overlooking the beautiful Patio Trilingüe at the University of Alcalá de Henares. These monuments form a complex that was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Around the cloisters, at the Santo Tomás School-Convent, there are the restaurant, the bar, the breakfast room, the guests’ lounge, and the night bar. There is also a restaurant in Hostería del Estudiante, which serves a wide range of courses, including Cervantine food and the well-known traditional “costradas”. The Parador has a swimming pool, which is open only in the summer. All in all, it is a wise combination of tradition and avant-garde, creating a space where you can relax or hold successful business meetings in a comfortable place living up to the high-quality standards of Paradores. 

4. PARADOR DE OROPESA – Costa Azahar  ****

The stately home of the Álvarez de Toledo, Counts of Oropesa, once the home of soldiers, clergy and noblemen, enjoys exceptional views of the Sierra de Gredos. The historic value of the Torre del Homenaje, a tower attached to the Parador, the columns of the courtyard, and the pool with outstanding views over the plains of Campo Arañuelo, make up a very attractive hotel.
The interior is dominated by lamps, chests and curtains, with large, bright rooms, lounges and workspaces. Game and seasonal produce are features of Oropesa, where the cookery of Toledo offers lamb, roast kid and other specialities such as Migas del Arañuelo, a bread-based dish, and confit of partridge.

5. PARADOR  AIGUABLAVA -  Costa Brava ****

The Parador de Aiguablava is situated in the unique Punta D'es Muts enclave, surrounded by pine trees and overlooking the sea. Here guests can enjoy beautiful beaches, coves and unspoilt landscapes. It is an ideal location for sports and outdoor activities, as well as relaxing walks through picturesque green settings.
Under the distinctive light of the Mediterranean, the hotel provides its guests with a high level of comfort and a range of services both for individual guests and business conferences. There is a gym, swimming pool and sauna, as well as rooms with spectacular views overlooking the sea.
Costal influence is also reflected in the ‘ampurdanesa’ cuisine, whose typical dishes include sea urchins, baked snails and chicken and lobster stew. During the summer, dishes can be sampled on the beach alongside the restaurant.
The Parador has its own restaurant, ‘Mar i Vent’ which is separate from the hotel located in the neighbouring cove overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

6.PARADOR DE CANGAS DE ONÍS – Picos de Europa ****

Tradition has it that it was built by Rey Alfonso I, ‘The Catholic’, on February 21st 746, with excavations carried out before conversion work started on the building for the Parador supporting the idea. The present monastery was founded on the site and run by the Order of San Benito until the 1835 sale of Church lands. Two rooms displaying archaeological remains found during refurbishment work, especially ceramics, bear witness to its distant past.
The Monastery was declared a National Monument in 1907 with a new wing added using matching building materials to match the original. Set on the green banks of the River Sella, this jewel is reflected in the waters below.
The magnificent Picos de Europa setting frames the backdrop. The modern and comfortable facilities at the Hotel make it the ideal spot to discover the wondrous Asturian landscape, enjoy local colour at celebrations and the ancestral folklore, as well as savour the best most genuine dishes from the rich local cuisine.

7. PARADOR DE CARDONA – Catalunya ****

The Hotel is located on a headland in a 9th century fortified enclosure, alongside the 11th century Minyona tower and an 11th-century church with characteristic features from the surrounding Catalan Romanesque. Its location provides exceptional panoramic views over the city and the fertile lands bathed by the River Cardoner.
Some of the hotel rooms have charming canopy beds. Pits, towers, walls and gothic features come together with predominantly comfortable décor and Catalan-inspired mediaeval furnishings.
Catalan cuisine is served in the dining room including aubergine terrine with pig’s trotters, selections of sausages and especially barbecue dishes with the braised lamb shoulder a highlight.

8. PARADOR DE PLASENCIA – Caceres ****

The hotel is in the former convent of Sto. Domingo, founded by the Zúñiga family in the mid 15th century, in the Gothic style inside and in part of the exterior.
Strategically located in the historic centre of Plasencia, this is the ideal place to explore the architectural beauty of this singular city and the beautiful landscape around it.

9. PARADOR DE CACERES – Caceres ****

The Parador de Cáceres represents the harmonious union of the palaces of the marquises of Torreorgaz and the so-called Ovando Mogollón, Perero y Paredes House, both dating from the 14th century.
The interior of the building boasts all the elegance, quality and comfort of a historic structure adapted to suit the needs of today's guests, especially the restaurant and outdoor areas, café and guest lounge. This last room is a particularly pleasant spot to meet and chat.
 In short, the renovated Parador de Cáceres will set the standard for tourism and gastronomy in the region as both a tourist location and a venue for celebrations and events.

10. PARADOR DE NERJA – Málaga ****

The Hotel is on a cliff overlooking the sea, in an ideal spot to enjoy the beach, which is reached by a singular lift; the coastline and the lovely natural landscape of the area. The entrance to the building boasts a splendid garden whose greenery contrasts with the blue of the pool.
The spacious, light-filled interiors are comfortably furnished with elegant decorative details. All the rooms in the hotel have large terraces looking onto the sea (except basic rooms). The upper rooms also enjoy spectacular views over the Mediterranean and the mountains of the Sierra Almijara, and the beautiful cliffs of this rustic Málaga coast.

The summer is in full swing and it's time to get together with friends or family and decide what plans to make. If you have already enjoyed the beach and the pool, you may want to try a gastronomic adventure. One of the best ways to enjoy Spain and good company is to have some tapas in the purest Spanish style. Recently the internet users on the holiday website Holidu voted for their 10 best cities in Spain for ‘tapas’. These were the results:

1. Seville

With a score of 10 out of 10, the Andalusian capital has more than 215 establishments that offer these small portions with the highest quality. Its gastronomy is full of traditional recipes such as "cazón marinado" - marinated dogfish or otherwise known as mako shark, the Montadito de Pringá or a very cool Gazpacho.

2. Granada

With a score of 9.22 out of 10, Granada ranks second in this ranking thanks to its more than 150 restaurants that work to offer the best tapas you have ever tasted. Its tasty, varied and simple gastronomy, based on the variety and richness of local products that nature offers, such as vegetables, meats from Sierra Nevada or fish from the Motril coast. Tapas such as roast ham, croquettes or "Carne en salsa - meat in sauce" will keep you coming back for more.

3. Santiago de Compostela

Achieved a score of 8.06 out of 10 and has 72 restaurants specialising in tapas. The Galician city stands out gastronomically for its seafood, considered the best in Europe, although we cannot ignore its excellent meats. All this translates into spectacular snacks that, enjoyed with a good bottle of Albariño, will make you touch the heavens.

4. Cadiz

Achieved a score of 7.91 out of 10 and has 82 restaurants specialising in tapas. Cuttlefish, bluefin tuna, shrimp omelette or mackerel with piriñaca definitely stand out. Typically food in Cádiz is made up of a variety of dishes and delicacies predominantly from the sea.

5. Malaga

Achieved a score of 7.46 out of 10 and has 137 restaurants specialising in tapas, Malaga's gastronomy is characterised by being healthy, of quality, varied and, above all, well priced. The art of tapas in Malaga goes much further than just tasting small and tasty snacks; tapas are enjoying the company of friends, a good bottle of wine, a chat and letting yourself get impregnated by the open character of the people of Malaga. The fried fish or the Malaga salad is not to be missed.

6. Salamanca

It has a score of 6.90 out of 10 and has 76 restaurants specializing in tapas. Its gastronomy is recognized for its great variety and quality, with special emphasis on its legumes, denomination of origin, meats such as roast lamb and sausages such as Iberian ham or chorizo.

7. Toledo

Achieved a score of 6.78 out of 10 and has 55 restaurants specialising in tapas. Apart from its medieval beauty, Toledo has another attraction: its gastronomy. Toledo's cuisine is characterised by deep-rooted traditions and this is shown in its most typical tapas such as Repollo de Ludeña - cabbage, grilled octopus or the Bomb at the Trebol restaurant.

8. Almeria

Once again in Andalusia, we find Almería, which has a score of 6.56 out of 10 and 114 restaurants specialising in tapas. Being a typically agricultural region with a coastal area, its cuisine is closely linked to the vegetable garden and to the sea. As a result, a multitude of tasty tapas such as fish roe in vinaigrette, grilled octopus or "patatas a la pobre" will make you extend your stay in this wonderful city.

9. A Coruña

In the north, Galicia stands out again and in this case A Coruña with a score: 5.92 out of 10. There we will find 84 restaurants specialising in tapas in which fish and seafood are the protagonists. Tapas and servings of the highest quality can be found throughout the bars, taverns and restaurants all over A Coruña, along with wines, beers and a sensational atmosphere. The octopus, the empanadas and the pork shoulder should definitely be on the list.

10. Pontevedra

Finally and once again in the Galician community, we find Pontevedra and its 68 restaurants specialised in tapas. It achieved a score of 5.81 out of 10 and a multitude of small bars that populate every square and every alley, and that will delight everyone who wants to try the fantastic traditional Galician cuisine. Seafood, with its famous oysters and cockle patties, or fish and lamprey as the main protagonist, is the most requested in bars and restaurants. But you can also enjoy good pork and beef.

Start eating!