Popular Destinations: Travelling to Spain

 Feel like wandering through amazing architecture, laying on secret beaches, and cycling through quaint villages tasting wines and tapas? Book a trip to Spain! This beautiful country produced the world’s first global empire and it is still a worldwide sensation today.

1. Spain has the world’s third-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites
   

2. Spain’s visitors outnumber the actual residents, in 2018 the country entertained 82.5 million visitors, almost double their 46.7 million population

3. There are more bars in Spain than any other country in the EU

4. Spain’s national anthem has no words, ‘Marcha Real’ is just a tune and was written in 1761

5. Siesta time is a real part of Spanish culture, most establishments are closed from 2pm to 5pm for this 20-minute afternoon nap

6. Europe’s biggest fresh food market, 8,000 m2 Mercado Central, is in Valencia

7. The Spanish coastline is over 8,000 km

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency of Spain. Spanish is the prevalent language in Spain and 82% of the population call it their mother-tongue. Other languages spoken in Spain include English, Catalan, Basque and Galician. 11.7% of the population is fluent in English.

The most recommended time to visit Spain is between March and May during or autumn between September and November. At this time, the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds than in the summer.

Granada

This city will show you the best of Western Islamic culture in Spain. Nestled under the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, the picturesque Andalusian city of Granada holds the most beautiful architectural masterpieces that merge Islamic and Christian design elements. Look for sites like the Alhambra palace complex, right next to this is the Palacio de Generalife with its immaculate gardens that bloom in summer.

Seville

It’s sunny all year-round in the capital of Andalucia! The sunny weather and beautiful gardens of Seville have lended themselves to being the location of many films including Star Wars and Game of Thrones! The historic diversity of this town is unparalleled with Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world standing just a few metres from Real Alcázar and its Islamic, Baroque and Renaissance splendour.

The Balearic islands

Looking for those famous ‘Balearic blues’ with sapphire coloured waters and crisp-white sands? Visit the outlying islands east of the Iberean Peninsula. The four largest islands in this archipelago are Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera. Besides the partying in Ibiza, there is so much more to see including charming inlets and small towns with traditional restaurants and cafés.

San Sebastián

For the best culinary experiences in Spain, this Basque coastal city is the place to go. Once a whaling town, San Sebastián is now a world-famous gastronomic destination. It has the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants per square metre in all of Europe, with 18 Michelin stars within a 25km radius! But you don’t need a Michelin-star budget to eat in San Sebastián, if you head to Parte Vieja (Old Quarter), and walk along 31 de Agosto street, you will find a plethora of affordable restaurants and bars.

Madrid

The capital of Spain is full of world-class art. Art lovers will be delighted with Madrid’s Paseo del Prado (Art Walk) lined with famous museums including Museo del Prado, Reina SofÍa and Thyssen-Bornemisza. But the art is not only inside museums; Madrid’s street culture is vibrant and full of creativity, accompanied with endless wine-soaked tapas.

 

Watch a soccer match at Camp Nou or Santiago Bernabeu

You probably have a favourite between the two biggest soccer clubs in Spain; FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Why not pack your jersey and go watch these two go at it live in Camp Nou or Santiago Bernabeu? If you don’t get the luck of catching a match, you can still visit the stadiums for guided tours.

A wine festival in La Rioja

The region of La Rioja is famous worldover for the wine it produces. If you visit in June, you can enjoy La Batalla de Vino (Battle of Wine), a wine festival in Haro where Spanish red wine is sprayed to crowds of people waiting to battle it out with wine!

Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

This sleek, angled building is one of the most notable pieces of architecture in Spain. This Frank Gehry building is only second to the modern and contemporary art inside it.

A meal at the world’s oldest restaurant

Established in 1725, El Restaurante Botín is listed by the Guinness World Record as the oldest restaurant in the world. Botín has remained relevant for almost 400 years because of the mouthwatering dishes served there, like their signature spice-infused pork dipped in white wine and roasted in a wood-burning oven. Now that you know what to order, book a table!

Party in Ibiza

celebrities and glamour aside, the blue waters and white sands of Ibiza are just the beginning. The interior has traditional Spanish villages and farmhouses where a slower life and homemade Spanish food can be enjoyed.

Wander in the Moorish arches of the Córdoba Mosque

The 10th century Mezquita de Còrdoba (the Mosque-Cathedral of Còrdoba) is a symbol of Islamic grandeur. It boasts some 850 Moorish pillars topped with striped double arches and other Gothic elements. This mosque is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain.

A Spanish tourist visa is not required for citizens of the UAE if they intend to stay for 90 days or less. Make sure to check with your airline in case you have connecting flights overseas on your journey to Spain. The countries you pass through may require a separate transit visa.

Allianz Travel Insurance gives you coverage of up to USD 50,000 in emergency medical expenses for injury, sickness and other medical-related mishaps. In addition to this, Allianz Travel provides you coverage of up to USD 300 in the event of loss or theft of your travel documents. With Allianz Travel, you can travel with peace of mind knowing you are covered by an insurance provider with over 30 years of experience in the travel insurance industry.

Let us know how we can meet your travel insurance needs for your trip to Spain. dummy Contact us on our website today and speak to one of our highly experienced consultants.