Because of Spain’s geography, several different climates are covered.

The centre of Spain enclosed by mountains has hot summers, cold winters, low rainfall and low humidity.

Northern Spain is temperate.

The southern coastline of Spain enjoys the warmest weather all year round (Malaga can boast approx 200 days of clear skies each year). However, the winter nights can be cool.

Temperatures in Madrid and Seville can be as hot as 80-90, although in the winter months Madrid can fall to around 30 degrees. Even in winter Malaga has an average temperature of around 50-60.

THINGS TO DO IN SPAIN

All of the larger cities are great to visit any time of year, and are awash with places of historical interest.

If you were to visit only one city in Spain, it would have to be Barcelona. It has incredible architecture and museums, as well as hundreds of bars, cafes and shops to choose from. La Rambla is a great place to start; it is the promenade where there is a constant stream of people enjoying the experience of being in Barcelona.

Barcelona’s best-known landmark is the Sagrada Familia (The Sacred Family), the cathedral started by Antoni Gaudi, and when finally finished (if ever!) will be Europe’s largest.

Away from things cultural, football is big in Barcelona and a visit to Barcelona’s ground Nou Camp is highly recommended, even for those who are not avid followers it is a surprisingly interesting day out.

Madrid may not appear as glamorous as Barcelona, but is certainly as rich in substance. It has many museums, galleries, parks and a great nightlife. The Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world is in Madrid, with work by Goya and Diego Velazquez.

Madrid is also home to the Plaza de Toros Monumentos de las ventas, the largest bullring in the world. If seeing a traditional Spanish bull fight is of interest, then a visit here is highly recommended.

For visitors who prefer activities less cruel to animals, then catching a football match with either of the local favourites Real Madrid or Atletico de Madrid is a must.

The Alhambra in Granada is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and well worth a visit. Another popular attraction in Granada is the caves of Sacromonto, dug into the hillside by gypsies in the north of the city.

To list everything that there is to do in Spain would involve writing a book.

If you are planning a visit, then the best advice is to buy a guide on the places you are thinking of going to, to ensure that you are able to see the things you want to see. Whether it be walking in the country, going to the beach, getting you fill of culture in one of the many cities such as Valencia, Toledo, Sevilla or Cordoba, then finding out for yourself is all part of the fun of planning your trip to Spain.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lonely Planet: Spain – Damien Simonis, et al (Paperback 15 April, 1999)

The Rough Guide to Spain – Mark Ellingham, John Fisher (Paperback 25 January, 2001)

Living and Working in Spain – David Hampshire (Paperback May, 2000)

CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS IN SPAIN

In January throughout Spain, parades are held to celebrate Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes).

The best place to be in Spain during March is Valencia for the Fallas de Valencia. It is a huge fiesta with fireworks, parades and the burning of papier-mache winter demons. (A tip for anyone experiencing Las Fallas – take chewing gum. The fireworks are so loud; chewing helps to ease the temporary deafness!)

Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday sees festivities and processions throughout Spain for Semana Santa (Holy Week), Seville holds the most elaborate celebrations.

June see the whole of Spain celebrating Corpus Christi, with processions being especially large in Malaga, Toldeo and Granada.

July is the time for the Running with the Bulls in Pamplona. It is the most dangerous ritual in Spain, far better to watch than take part!

August in Bunol, Valencia, sees the Battle of the Tomatoes (La Tomatina) where a tomato war between warring towns and villages is followed by music and dancing (and clearing up the mess!)

November 1^st is All Saints Day and is the day where all over Spain relatives and friends lay flowers on the graves of the dead.

Spain’s equivalent of April Fools Day is December 28, Dia de los Santos Inocentes. A day that provides everyone with an excuse to do something silly.

As with most large countries, because Spain is so large with so many traditions and festivals, the best advice to give anyone thinking of visiting a particular area of Spain would be to buy themselves a guidebook. Enabling them to find out in more detail what is happening where and when. (See recommended reading)

As with the rest of Europe, Spain can offer accommodation to suit any budget.

Youth hostels and camp sites are located all over the country, and offer reasonable accommodation for those wishing to travel on a budget.

The Arts Ritz Carlton in Barcelona can cost over £200 per night, mid range hotels such as the Alimara and the Zenit costing around £50-80 per night whereas, for those on a tighter budget the Hostal del Mar is a more affordable £30/40 per night.

In Madrid hotels such as the Finisterre cost in the region of £40/50 per night, or the Holiday Inn and the Castellana Intercontinental are more expensive costing over £110 per night. The Villa Magna and the Ritz cost over £200 per night.

You can find hotels at prices similar to these all over Spain, more often than not rising during the popular summer months.

Visitors to Spain from the UK do not need to apply for entry or a transit visa, but please do check first if you do not hold a UK passport.

There are no immunisation requirements however, if you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus this is an ideal opportunity to have the immunisations carried out.

The tap water is safe to drink but may taste stronger than English water. If you are prone to upset stomachs, drink bottled water. Take care against dehydration and over exposure to the sun, by drinking lots of (bottled) water and use high factor sun creams.

SPANISH PHRASE BOOK