3 of the best Spanish day trips

Picturesque street of Mijas. Charming white village in Andalusia, Costa del Sol. Southern Spain

So you want to check out Spain’s finest cities but don’t have much time? Never fear, Travel Weekly has joined forces with the good people at Excite Holidays to provide you with the ultimate day trips

1. Madrid

The Spanish capital is one of Europe’s finest cities and it abounds with cultural highlights to explore. Take to the city streets and explore the spacious Plaza Major and the glorious Parque del Buen Retiro before heading to the glitzy Salamanca district for some retail therapy.

For your cultural fix the Museo del Prado is one of the world’s greatest museums, home to 7000 works of art, while the incredible Reina Sofia has a treasure trove of its own, including Picasso’s famed Guernica.

Come Sunday morning there’s no more refined activity than strolling the El Rastro markets and picking up a souvenir. And for a slice of ancient history the Temple of Debod is an Egyptian structure that was donated to Spain in 1968 for the country’s help in saving the Egyptian temples of Abu Simbel.

Finally, for a spectacle like no other, visit the home of Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabeu, to take in match or tour the impressive facilities.

2. Barcelona

A coastal beauty, Barcelona is without peer in the cultural and architectural stakes. As a starting point, visitors should check out the beachside and waterfront district – with its lively cafes by day and trendy bars by night. The Eixample district features some of Europe’s most astonishing architecture with Gaudi’s La Pedrera a standout. The tree-lined La Rambla promenade is also an integral part of Barcelona, while exploring the La Boqueria market is a culinary joy.

Then there’s the Sagrada Familia, another Gaudi enterprise, which attracts 2.8 million visitors annually and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, despite being incomplete. Culture buffs will also be thrilled by the city’s history museum, the MACBA art museum and the incredible Picasso museum. And if sport’s your passion then Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, is a must see.

3. Seville

iStock_Seville

The beautiful city of Seville is simply made for walking. Start by exploring El Centro, where you’ll find a stunning three UNESCO World Heritage sites. You could spend a whole day just taking in Cathedral of Seville, the Archivo General de Indias, and the City Hall.

Once you’ll seen El Centro, head east and discover the bustling commercial district of Nervion, where you’ll find the central rail station, the University of Seville and Santa Justa.

Other architectural marvels to admire include the 14^th century Alcazar, the 17^th century baroque mansion known as the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes and the Hotel Alfonso XIII, completed in 1928.

For a relaxing break, hire a boat on the canals of the Parque de Maria Luisa, or visit the Museo del Baile Flamenco for a cultural interlude, where nightly concerts will acquaint you with flamenco greats.

And even after taking in all this, you’re still barely scratching the surface of this vibrant city.

For further information and accommodation options in these three cities, as well as day trips to San Sebastian and the Balearic Islands, visit http://excitecampaigns.com/spain/

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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