Spain — Destination Guide: Overview

Spain receives 50 million guests annually, more than its total populace of 44 million, a staggering fact indicating a successful tourist industry. Sun, sea and partying on its coasts lure most visitors but there are innumerable threads to follow from Spain's omnipresent history to its excellent wines. Spain has rugged alpine areas, verdant valleys, the high dry meseta, impressive rivers, island chains, wild misty coastlines, and even desert. Its Atlantic beaches are world class and its outdoor activities scene booming. Magical castles dot much of the country, and its cities, towns and villages brim with architecture from many periods. Most ...

Spain receives 50 million guests annually, more than its total populace of 44 million, a staggering fact indicating a successful tourist industry. Sun, sea and partying on its coasts lure most visitors but there are innumerable threads to follow from Spain's omnipresent history to its excellent wines. Spain has rugged alpine areas, verdant valleys, the high dry meseta, impressive rivers, island chains, wild misty coastlines, and even desert. Its Atlantic beaches are world class and its outdoor activities scene booming. Magical castles dot much of the country, and its cities, towns and villages brim with architecture from many periods. Most exotic are the buildings from Islamic Spain, but Romanesque, Gothic, post-Reconquest, Renaissance and bold modern architecture are highlights. Some of the best accommodations are in converted historical buildings. Increasingly sophisticated, Spanish cities nurture a creative whirl of fashion, art, music and experimental cooking. Spaniards are hardworking but they love to party and that includes food, drink, music and dance. Make sure to plan to attend a fiesta. Gentle Spanish guitar is one of the sweetest of musical sounds, flamenco strange and exciting.

About the Expert

John Noble and Susan Forsyth are coauthors of Lonely Planet's Spain, Andalucia, and Mexico as well as many other LP titles from Indonesia to Belize to Brazil.