in Spain

CITY BREAKS

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Ministry of Industry and Tourism
Published by: © Turespaña CONTENTS
Created by: Lionbridge
NIPO: 086-17-054-7
Introduction 3
Come and enjoy Spain
FREE COPY
for two or more days 4
The content of this leaflet has been created with
the utmost care. However, if you find an error, Madrid, the city of art 4
please help us to improve by sending an email to
[email protected] Barcelona, city of Modernism 8
Seville, city of light 12
Front Cover: Plaza Mayor square, Madrid
Back cover: Plaza de España square, Seville Malaga, city of museums 16
Bilbao, city of gastronomy 20
Valencia, avant-garde city 24
Palma 27
International Airports
Transport 31

2
 INTRODUCTION
Any time of the year is ideal for a city break a METROPOL PARASOL
SEVILLE
in Spain. Enjoy a couple of memorable days
in one of our main cities.

Discover all its charm as you stroll Then there are incredible parks like the
through the streets and parks, enjoy the Retiro in Madrid and the María Luisa
culture, a little shopping and make a gas- Park in Seville, green areas which really
tronomic tour. You'll want to come back are the lungs for these cities.
again soon! Spain is a cheerful, welcoming and
Take a flight and get from anywhere in open-minded country. We invite you to
Europe to cities like Madrid, Barcelona, discover our customs and spend a few
Seville, Malaga, Bilbao and Palma de days enjoying memorable festivities.
Mallorca in just a few hours. Once in You'll have a great time at the “Fallas” in
Spain, it's easy to make short trips from Valencia (Intangible Cultural Heritage),
one city to another by plane or high- the “Semana Grande” Festival in Bilbao
speed train. and the “La Mercé” Festivities in Barce-
You can just feel the culture in every lona.
corner of our cities. Stroll around his- Savour Spain's traditional as well as its
toric neighbourhoods like Madrid de avant-garde cuisine. Visit traditional
los Austrias and the Gothic Quarter in and avant-grade restaurants, gastro-
Barcelona, visit the Picasso Museum in nomic markets and try some of the best
Malaga and make the most of Seville's wines in the world.
cultural agenda.

3
 CITY BREAKS

Don't worry, the excellent quality of

public transport will enable you to get
around in the cities with no problems. The Spain is cheerful and
wide variety of hotel accommodation welcoming, find out for
means you'll be able to choose the best
yourself. We welcome you
alternative to suit your requirements.
Take a dip in the pool on a terrace with with with open arms!
sea views or get your strength back in
a spa after a long walk around the city.

COME AND ENJOY SPAIN

FOR TWO OR MORE DAYS

MADRID,
THE CITY
OF ART
You can wander through streets
steeped in history, discover some of the
more than 60 museums, stroll around
parks and gardens and enjoy an exciting
cultural programme... and why not,
enjoy the legendary Madrid nightlife.
Madrid is a modern and welcoming city
with a multitude of things to see and
do. Come and discover one of Europe's
most entertaining cities.

THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA MUSEUM
MADRID
 MADRID, CITY OF ART

DAY 1: ROUTE FOR

HISTORY AND MUSEUMS
As a starting point, Madrid offers visitors
an incomparable tour: The “Paseo del
Arte” or “art walk”, with its concentration
of museums, palaces and beautiful gar-
dens. Starting out from the monumental
fountain of Cibeles you'll find some of
the best art collections in the world in the
Thyssen-­Bornemisza Museum, the Prado
Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum
which houses great works of contempo-
rary art like Picasso's Guernica.
Nearby you can enjoy beautiful, interes-
ting places like the Royal Botanical
Gardens which has species of plants
and trees more than 200 years old.
To whet your appetite, move on to
Malasaña, the scenario for the “Movi-
da madrileña” counter-cultural move-
ment of the 80s, and Chueca the focal
point for the city's LGBTQI+ scene. Two
fashionable neighbourhoods where you
can eat in truly original places and enjoy
some alternative shopping.
Take a relaxing walk or cycle through the a REINA SOFÍA NATIONAL ART MUSEUM
El Retiro Park, an emblematic garden MADRID

full of statues, fountains and magical lit-

tle enclaves. Together with paseo del
Prado, it makes up the “Paisaje de la luz”, side the Manzanares River with more
UNESCO World Heritage. You can also than 10 kilometres of pedestrian routes.
row out on the lake, watch street per- When night falls it's time to enjoy the
formers and admire monuments like atmosphere in the La Latina neighbour-
the Crystal Palace, a beautiful building hood, one of the oldest and most
that used to be a greenhouse and is now charismatic in the city. In the winding
used for holding temporary exhibitions. streets and beautiful little squares you'll
Another area where the natural envi- find some of Madrid's most traditional
ronment plays a leading role is Madrid restaurants and plenty of places to
Río, a large green area running along- enjoy some tapas.

5
 Photo: Achiartistul/123rf.com
CITY BREAKS

DAY 2: THEATRE
AND SHOPPING
A day spent shopping and enjoying your-
self will prove the best way of getting to
know other parts of the city. You'll be
seduced by luxury in the Golden Mile, in
the district of Salamanca. This is where
you'll find the most exclusive shops, in-
cluding the top Spanish firms. The busy
Gran Vía is another good shopping area
where most of the fashion chains can
be found.

GRAN VÍA
MADRID
 MADRID, CITY OF ART

Take a walk through the Madrid de los

Austrias, the home of such represent-
ative monuments as the Puerta del Sol,
and the Royal Palace. When it's time
to rest, sit down with a vermouth near
puerta del Sol or go to the San Miguel
Market for a few gourmet tapas.
The Barrio de las Letras or District
of Letters pays homage to the great
writers living here in Spain's Golden
Age and is one of the city's cultural focal
points. Here you'll find some of the
most renowned of Madrid's extensive
network of theatres.
If you're looking for a great show, then
you could try a musical in the Gran Vía, a SEGOVIA
or perhaps an opera at the Teatro Real.

IF YOU'RE STAYING
FOR A FEW MORE DAYS...
Photo: kasto/123rf.com

Less than an hour's drive from Madrid

there are a number of interesting cities
like Alcalá de Henares, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and the birthplace of Miguel
de Cervantes. You can walk around the
churches and mansions, the historical
University and follow in the footsteps of
the author of Don Quixote.
Segovia, which is also proud to be a World
Heritage Site, has the Roman Aqueduct, the
Plaza Mayor square and the Jewish quarter
as its main attractions for the visitor.
Very near Madrid there are other delightful
towns with so much history, like Aranjuez
and El Escorial.
L Further information: www.esmadrid.es
a SAN MIGUEL MARKET
MADRID

7
 CITY BREAKS

BARCELONA,
Photo: Marco Rubino/123rf.com

CITY OF
MODERNISM
Discover why Barcelona is one of the
world's most visited cities. The cosmo-
politan feel, the privileged location on
the shores of the Mediterranean and
the cultural attractions will make you
want to come back again and again. It is
the capital of Catalonia, the birthplace
of the major 20th-century avant-garde
movements and the epitome of a mod-
ernist city. It also has Roman remains
and medieval neighbourhoods through
which you can stroll and just feel the
history.
_ CASA BATLLÓ
BARCELONA

DAY 1: MODERNIST ROUTE

Your day starts in the heart of hand-in-hand with avant-garde archi-
Barcelona. Here you'll find the Basilica tecture in this former hospital (also
of La Sagrada Familia, the icon of the UNESCO World Heritage) designed by
city, UNESCO World Heritage and its Lluís Domènech i Montaner, one of the
greatest exponent of Modernism. It essential celebrities of Modernism.
is the extraordinary work of Antoni The city's most surprising buildings
Gaudí; its most spectacular feature and monuments are shared between
being the pointed towers. You can Montaner and Gaudí. The latter was
climb to the top of some of them and responsible for the Parque Güell
enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of (UNESCO World Heritage) which is like
the city from high up. something out of a fairy tale. A walk
If you go straight along the Avenida de through this park awakens even the least
Gaudí it will take just five minutes to vivid imagination. The curious shapes
reach the modernist enclosure of Sant and bold colour combinations mixed
Pau, with colourful stained-glass win- with the vegetation create a magical
dows and golden domes. History goes world.
8
 BARCELONA, CITY OF MODERNISM

Stop for a rest and something to eat in DAY 2: THE ART

the Gracia neighbourhood where the
narrow streets and little squares are OF SHOPPING
home to real culinary treasures. Here Visit the ancestral heart of Barcelona in the
you'll find everything from traditional Gothic Quarter. The narrow streets and me-
cellars and bars to prime examples of dieval buildings will take you back in time. Vis-
international and signature cuisine. it the palaces which are now the Town Hall
and the “Generalitat” or Regional Govern-
Once your hunger has been satisfied ment, the Cathedral and the Gothic Basilica
you can move on to the Paseo de Gracia, of Santa María del Pi.
one of the cities main thoroughfares. In
this area you'll find two of Gaudí's most
representative buildings, La Pedrera-

Photo: Marco Rubino/123rf.com

Casa Milà and the Casa Batlló, where
the light, the colour and the organic
shapes blend together with the wood,
the ironwork and the stoneware. Pure
magic and both awarded the UNESCO
World Heritage declaration.
In the evening you can visit El Born,
Barcelona's most sophisticated neigh-
bourhood. An area full of charm where
you can admire the church of Santa María
del Mar or enjoy a pleasant dinner in one a SANTA MARÍA DEL MAR CHURCH AND SQUARE
BARCELONA
of the restaurants or delightful terraces.

b GÜELL PARK
BARCELONA

9
 CITY BREAKS
Photo: Mauro Rodrigues/123rf.com

a PORT VELL
BARCELONA

Mid-morning, we suggest you take a of sculptures, the Catalonia Parliament

culinary tour through the district of building and even a municipal zoo.
Ciutat Vella. There you can enjoy the In the evening you can go shopping in La
lively atmosphere of the Santa Caterina
Rambla and the surrounding area, one
Market and its colourful roof and ceiling.
of the most colourful and lively areas
Try the exquisite dishes served at one
in the city and home to the some of
of the stalls and some of the delicious
Barcelona's oldest and most emblematic
products of Catalan cuisine, like butifarra
establishments.
sausage and bread with tomato.
Another option is to visit the extensive
If you have a sweet tooth try some hot
district of Sants-Montjuïc, overlooked
chocolate with “churros” (traditional
by the hills of Montjuïc. The Castle of
fried-dough pastries) in one of the re-
Montjuïc and other look out points on
nowned chocolate shops in the Calle
these hills offer panoramic views of
Petritxol or go to the Ciudadela Park,
a garden enclosure built to imitate the Barcelona and allow to contemplate all
Luxembourg gardens in Paris and where the splender of the Mediterranean.
there are several museums, a collection
10
 BARCELONA, CITY OF MODERNISM

At the most westerly end of the city you'll

find the Monastery of Pedralbes, an ex-
cellent example of Catalan Gothic archi-
tecture. From the beautiful cloister and
chapels to the areas where the monks
undertook their everyday activities, it is a
place where time appears to have stood
still. Next to it you'll find the Palacio Real
de Pedralbes, an ancient country man-
sion restored in the 19th century and
surrounded by impressive gardens.
When evening comes you can enjoy the
opera at the Gran Teatro del Liceo, one
of the most important in Europe. You
not only get to enjoy the performance,
you can also visit its most representa-
tive areas and learn about the details of
its magnificent architecture.
For a dinner by the sea, you should go to
Port Vell and Maremagnum, a shopping
centre with a wide selection of restau-
rants and numerous terraces with views
of the Mediterranean.

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME…

You could perhaps visit the Güell colony (San-
ta Coloma de Cervelló), a group of Modernist
buildings of great historical and cultural value.
If you're looking for a natural environment,
the Sau-Collsacabra valley, with streams,
cliffs and pre-historic caves, and the Mont-
serrat Nature Reserve are two magnificent
options.
Your getaway won't be complete without
taking a dip at one of the sublime, sandy
beaches in nearby towns like Vilanova i la
Geltrú or Sitges.
L Further information:
www.barcelonaturisme.com
11

` MONTSERRAT NATURE RESERVE

BARCELONA
 CITY BREAKS

SEVILLE,
CITY OF LIGHT
Visit Andalusia's capital and enjoy the
lively atmosphere in the streets and
squares while you discover some real
cultural treasures. The influence of the
Moorish culture has left an especially
beautiful mark on the historic quarter.
While you're there you really must go
to a “tablao” and fall under the spell of
Photo: Brian Kinney/123rf.com

Flamenco dancing and singing.

_ REAL ALCÁZAR FORTRESS IN SEVILLE

DAY 1: HISTORY, TRADITION

AND MODERNITY
Start your tour at the Real Alcázar for- lead you to the Plaza de la Virgen de los
tress, one of the most spectacular mo- Reyes where you'll find the Cathedral
numental complexes in the world (UN- of Santa María de la Sede (UNESCO
ESCO World Heritage). You'll feel like World Heritage). Climb up the ramps to
you're in Game of Thrones as you stroll the bell tower where you'll be rewarded
through the interior and the gardens with unforgettable views over the city
which were used as a location when the from the Giralda, formerly a minaret on
series was filmed. In the nearby Plaza what was a Moorish mosque.
del Triunfo, surrounded by historical
buildings, you'll find the Archive of the The route continues towards the Plaza
Indies, UNESCO World Heritage and Nueva or Plaza del Salvador, where ta-
a principal point of reference for the pas become an art form. There is a se-
study of Spain's presence in America. lection of small taverns and up-to-date
bars offering delicious snacks in an in-
Around the Alcázar stands the San-
comparable atmosphere.
ta Cruz neighbourhood, formerly the
Jewish Quarter, where you'll find the In the afternoon, continue on to the
authentic Seville and what used to be Guadalquivir, the river which has
a synagogue, now the church of Santa determined the history and the layout
María la Blanca. The narrow streets will of the city. There you'll find the Torre

12
 SEVILLE, CITY OF LIGHT

Photo: Ievgenii Fesenko/123rf.com

a SEVILLE CATHEDRAL a PLAZA DEL SALVADOR, SEVILLE

del Oro, a defence fortress built in the DAY 2: HORSE-DRAWN

13th century. The interior houses the
Naval Museum which contains models, CARRIAGE RIDE DOWN A
compasses and ancient navigation ROUTE OF SCENTS AND
charts. FLAVOURS
Cross over the San Telmo or the Triana One of the most traditional ways of
bridge to the other side of the river discovering the majestic Plaza de España
and you'll be in Seville's quintessential and the delightful María Luisa Park is
sailor's and Flamenco district. Dine to take a horse-drawn carriage. This
on one of the terraces overlooking architectural complex was designed to
the Calle Betis, at the foot of the be the main building for the 1929 Latin
Guadalquivir, and enjoy the delights American Exhibition. It is semi-elliptical in
of Seville's night atmosphere. Or go to shape which symbolises Spain embracing
one of the numerous “tablaos”, given its former American colonies, and looks
over exclusively to Flamenco, which has out towards the Guadalquivir River as the
been awarded the UNESCO Intangible suggested route to take to reach America.
Cultural Heritage declaration.
Photo: Lucas Viani/123rf.com

METROPOL PARASOL
SEVILLE

13
 Photo: Karol Kozlowski/123rf.com
CITY BREAKS

a PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
SEVILLE

Then continue on towards the former

Photo: joserpizarro/123rf.com

Real Fábrica de Tabacos, where tobac-

co from the Americas was received and
processed. It is one of the prettiest build-
ings in the city where the main charac-
ter of Bizet´s Opera “Carmen” worked.
All this before it became the headquar-
ters for the University of Seville.
From there you can take the metro, the
bus or hire a bicycle to complete the
cultural route at the Fine Arts Museum.
There you'll find a splendid collection
of 17th century paintings from Seville,
with works by great artists like Murillo,
Velázquez and Zurbarán.
Enjoy the sunshine and the atmosphere
as you stop for lunch in the Alameda
de Hércules. The area around the old-
est public gardens in Europe has re-
cently been populated with tapas bars,
delightful cafeterias and first-class a PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
restaurants. SEVILLE OLD ROYAL TOBACCO FACTORY
UNIVERSITY OF SEVILLE

14
 SEVILLE, CITY OF LIGHT

The evening is perfect for a walk

through the San Luis neighbourhood
as far as the Basilica of La Macarena
and its Museum, one of the city's most
important centres of religious devotion,
especially at Easter when the Nazarenes
take out their images for the procession.
Dine in the area around the Metropol
Parasol, a wooden structure which the
people of Seville have named as “The
Mushrooms”. This avant-garde creation
was designed by the architect Jürgen
Mayer, and claims to be the largest
wooden structure in the world. From
the viewing platform you get sensational
views over the city.

b METROPOL PARASOL
SEVILLE

a CORDOBA GATE
CARMONA, SEVILLE

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME…

You really should visit the towns and
cities on the Baetic-Roman Route. In
the Seville countryside you can explore
Carmona, Osuna and Écija, where his-
tory lives on in the form of castles and
beautiful Baroque buildings.
The archaeological complex of Itálica, in
Santiponce, contains the ruins of what
was the first Roman city built outside
what is now Italy. There you'll find the
remains of the amphitheatre, precious
houses, thermal baths and other public
buildings.
L Further information:
www.visitasevilla.es

15
 Photo: Malaga Tourist Board
CITY BREAKS

MALAGA,
CITY OF MUSEUMS
Enjoy the sunshine in one of Spain's most fashionable cities.
The Gibralfaro castle casts a watchful eye over this lively and
bustling city full of beautiful little corners. You'll just love the
beaches, the museums and the hospitality of the people.

a MALAGA MUSEUM

DAY 1: SHOPPING
Photo: Ivo De Rooij/123rf.com

AND CULTURE
The calle Marqués de Larios and the
surrounding area, in the historical town
centre, are perfect for a morning's shop-
ping. It is the commercial hub of the city
where you'll find the main shops selling
fashion and accessories.
You can round off the morning with
a cultural visit to one of Malaga's many
museums. The city where the genius
Picasso was born maintains vivid
memories of one of the 20th century's
greatest artists. The Buenavista Palace
houses the Picasso Museum which
represents eight decades of his artistic
a CALLE MARQUÉS DE LARIOS
production. MALAGA

16
 MALAGA, CITY OF MUSEUMS

There are 40 museums in the capital of near the Cathedral of La Encarnación, one
the Costa del Sol, so you have plenty to of the city's most important monuments,
choose from. Looking for some surpris- after you have been inside for a visit. It has
ing contemporary art? Your best choice its own gardens and a magnificent patio,
is the Pompidou Centre and its multi- as well as the ashlar in the choir, the work
coloured cube. Here you'll find bench- of the sculptor Pedro de Mena.
mark works from the collection of its It is less than a ten-minute walk to the
counterpart in Paris. Alcazaba, an 11th century Moorish for-
If classical painting is more your style, tress-palace which is a blend of history
then try the Carmen Thyssen Museum and beauty. Climb up to the battlements
where there is a comprehensive for a magnificent view of Malaga and
collec-tion of 19th and 20th-century learn more about how it was built and
Andalusian art. Or visit the Collection at its occupants, from the archaeological
the Saint Petersburg-Malaga Russian samples in the interior.
Museum in the unique Tabacalera At its feet there is what used to be a
building, with over a hundred works Roman theatre, an ideal area for a
from the 15th to the 20th centuries. pleasant dinner in one of Malaga's most
Midday is the ideal time to stop for a few traditional bars.
tapas and a glass or two of Malaga wines
b POMPIDOU CENTRE
MALAGA
Photo: pabkov/123rf.com

17
 CITY BREAKS

Photo: Eduardo Huelin/123rf.com

a LA MALAGUETA BEACH
MALAGA

DAY 2: A DAY AT
THE BEACH AND THE
BOTANICAL GARDENS
An essential part of any visit to Malaga is
to spend some time on one of the city's
beaches. One of the most popular with
local residents is La Malagueta, since it
is very near both the city centre and the
port. Forget the stress, lie under the sun
on the golden sands and cool off with
a nice dip in the sea.
All along the beach front there are nu-
merous places where you can get a bite
to eat. The most typical ones are the
beach bars serving traditional skewered
grilled sardines, the genuine flavour of
SARDINE KEBABS Malaga.

18
 MALAGA, CITY OF MUSEUMS

In the evening you can enjoy the You can end the day in the shopping
hundred-year-old trees and magnificent centre in the port where you'll also get
surroundings in the Botanical-Historical one of the best panoramic views of the
Gardens of La Concepción. Follow one city's monumental district.
of the routes suggested by the garden
itself (the forest route, the lookout
points and round the world in 80 trees)
or explore the surprising palatial house
of the Loring family, part of the Malaga
gentry, for whom it was built at the end
of the 19th century.

MALAGA

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME…

Visit the dolmens in Antequera and
Ronda, nearby towns with a lot of charm
and home to these megalithic remains
and other architectural treasures. In
Ronda there is an amazing gorge which
is over 150 metres deep dividing the
city in two and crossed by two incredi-
ble bridges. Or you could try one of the
beaches in Nerja and see the caves, with
really original rock formations and cave
art.
L Further information: RONDA
MALAGA
www.malagaturismo.com

19
 CITY BREAKS

BILBAO,
CITY OF
GASTRONOMY
Bilbao is a hospitable city which invites
you to stroll around and go shopping or
discover surprising outdoor sculptures
and buildings designed by some of the
best architects in the world. Basque cui-
sine and its exquisite pintxos or aperitifs
is yet another added value.
Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board

_ OLD TOWN
BILBAO

DAY 1: TRADITION There you can enjoy masterpieces

of modern and contemporary art. It
AND AVANT-GARDE also provides two first-class culinary
Take the funicular up Mount Artxanda experiences. Nerua, with one Michelin
and enjoy one of the best panoramic star and the Bistró Guggenheim Bilbao.
views of Bilbao. This hundred-year-old In the area surrounding the museum
train takes only three minutes to reach you'll find Puppy, the famous sculpture
the Artxanda lookout point, with stun- shaped like a dog and covered with
ning views of the city and the surround- natural plants, as well as numerous
ing hills. places where you can sample delicious
Ride back down in the funicular and Basque cuisine.
you'll reach the estuary. Then stroll Visit the Abandoibarra district where
along the paseo Campo Volantín walk- the city's shipyards used to be and
way as far as the Zubizuri, a futuristic which have been immortalised in
pedestrian bridge which leads to the the numerous sculptures you'll see
Uribitarte Promenade. This landscaped as you pass by. Very near here you'll
route along the left bank of the estuary find another great gallery, the Bilbao
leads to the Guggenheim Museum Bil- Museum of Fine Arts, with works by
bao. Goya, Velázquez and Picasso.

20
Photo: javitrapero/123rf.com

BILBAO, CITY OF GASTRONOMY

The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, designed MOUNT ARTXANDA

BILBAO

by Frank Gehry, is the international symbol

of the city. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO
Photo: Igor Plotnikov/123rf.com

21
 CITY BREAKS

This pleasant walk takes you across

Photo: Yulia Grogoryeva/123rf.com

the Pedro Arrupe bridge and onto the

campus of the University of Deusto,
comprising a number of buildings
of great architectural value. Special
mention should go to the main building
in Classicist style. In the interior you'll
find a great central staircase, the library
(now a conference room), a Gothic
chapel and an auditorium.
Further along the Botica Vieja riverbank
you'll be able to enjoy another of the
city's defining views. To the right, a gigant
stone tiger crowns a former important
PINTXOS
factory.

Discover Bilbao’s night life in Azkuna Zentroa, an old

wine warehouse refurbished by the designer Philippe b AZKUNA ZENTROA
BILBAO

Starck. You’ll find a culture and leisure centre where

everything imaginable is possible: exhibitions, concerts,
swimming pool, restaurants, shops, cinemas...
Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board

22
 BILBAO, CITY OF GASTRONOMY

DAY 2: GET TO KNOW

BILBAO THROUGH ITS
FLAVOURS
You should spend the morning of your
second day quietly enjoying the old town,
also known as the “Siete Calles de Bilbao”,
or Seven Streets of Bilbao. An ideal area
where you'll be surrounded by shops,
restaurants and churches like that of San
Antón and the Cathedral of Santiago.
Stop for a rest in the Plaza Nueva and
try some delicious aperitifs in some of
the best bars in the old town. a HISTORICAL TOWN CENTRE
BILBAO

From the monumental Arriaga Theatre,

cross over the Zubia Bridge and The Bizkaia Bridge, connecting the
continue your gastronomic journey in towns of Portugalete and Getxo, bet-
what is called the Ensanche. This area ter known as the hanging bridge, is a
features bars serving exquisite pintxos UNESCO World Heritage Site and re-
in the Gran Vía, Calle Albia and the Plaza ally should not be missed. It is one of
Circular. It is one of the best shopping the oldest and most original transport-
and cultural districts in Bilbao, with er bridges in the world, and provides
hundreds of shops, cafés and theatres. an incredible view of the countryside
around the Bay of Abra.

© Donostia San Sebastián Turismoa

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME…
You'll find Donostia/San Sebastián
fascinating. This beautiful city is the
capital of Guipúzcoa and is a perfect
blend of architecture, gastronomy and
the sea. The different neighbourhoods
are home to buildings in the style of the
Belle Epoque, like the Victoria Eugenia
Theatre and the Town Hall.
Nearby there are beautiful seafaring
towns like Orio, Zarautz and Getaria,
home to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Muse-
um. This is the birthplace of the famous
fashion designer and of Juan Sebastián
Elcano, the navigator who completed the
first circumnavigation of the Earth.
23
L Further information:
www.bilbaoturismo.net
` DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIÁN
 CITY BREAKS

VALENCIA,
AVANT-GARDE CITY
Valencia is a place you're bound to love. Washed by the Mediterranean,
it is the capital of the Region of Valencia and is famous for its beaches
and exceptional climate. You'll find traces of the remote past in the old
town centre and be amazed by its avant-garde buildings. History, tradi-
tion and the future await you in this city full of contrasts.

a CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

VALENCIA

DAY 1: AVANT-GARDE
VALENCIA
Leave a full morning free for visiting one a colossal transparent glass structure.
of Europe's largest centres for the pro- This is the Museu de les Ciències. Here
motion of science and culture: the City the motto is, “Forbidden not to touch”,
of Arts and Sciences. Walking amongst and it contains a number of interactive
penguins, observing the earth from space exhibitions.
and going inside the DNA structure are In L'Oceanogràfic, the largest aquari-
just some of the surprises that await you um in Europe, you can learn about the
in this futuristic venue. sounds of the sea and walk along sur-
It was designed by the architects San- rounded by sharks. The stunning Hem-
tiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, and isfèric houses a cinema which shows
engineers Alberto Domingo and Carlos films in three-dimension and IMAX dig-
Lázaro, and consists of several buildings ital format. And finally, there's the Palau
with amazing avant-garde architecture. de les Arts auditorium, a building de-
After crossing l'Umbracle, an enormous signed in the form of an immense sculp-
landscaped garden with sculptures by ture that is a venue for theatre, music
contemporary artists, you will come to and dance.
24
 VALENCIA, AVANT-GARDE CITY

Then you should visit the multicul-

tural neighbourhood of Ruzafa, an area
full of contrasts and one of the most
fashionable in Valencia. Ruzafa Market is
the nerve centre of this neighbourhood.
Stroll around its stalls and immerse
yourself in a world of colours and
flavours. The surrounding area is full of
restaurants, bars and shops where you'll
find a souvenir so as not to forget your
stay in the city of the Turia.
Just 20 kilometres from the city you
can spend a relaxing evening in the
Albufera Nature Reserve, a navigable
wetland with a great variety of flora and
fauna. This privileged environment will
transport you to a world of unspoiled
nature, where the only sounds you'll
hear will be the birds singing and water SILK EXCHANGE
VALENCIA
trickling.

DAY 2: TRADITIONAL
VALENCIA
Start the day in the heart of Valen-
cia with a visit to the World Heritage
Silk Exchange. It is one of the most
impressive civil Gothic buildings in
Europe (UNESCO World Heritage), and
includes such fascinating elements as
the hall of Columns and the patio of
the Orange Trees.
Nearby you'll find the Miguelete as
the bell tower of Valencia Cathedral is
known. From the top, you get a beau-
tiful panoramic view of the city. From
here, as you go towards the banks
of the Turia River you'll come to the
Serranos towers, a gateway in the me- EL MIGUELETE TOWER
dieval city walls used as a prison for VALENCIA

knights and noblemen until the end of

the 19th century. 25
 CITY BREAKS

And your trip could not be complete

without a little shopping. In the
picturesque neighbourhood of El
Carmen you'll find souvenirs, culinary
delights, top fashion, exclusive
porcelain and footwear designed and
manufactured in the Valencia region.

a CENTRAL MARKET
VALENCIA

a SAGUNTO
VALENCIA

Once there you can stroll around or

stop for a rest in any of the beautiful
spots in the Turia gardens. It is one
of the largest urban green parks in IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME…
Spain, a paradise for joggers, cyclists,
With more than 2,000 years of history,
families and nature lovers. At one of
in the city of Sagunto there is a lot to
the bends of the river you'll find the
see. The highlights are the Roman ru-
IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern
ins and Sagunto Castle.
Art), which exhibits the evolution of
Spanish art, from the crisis in classic The region of Utiel-Requena is famous
avant-guard art up to the sixties. for its wines. Visit the vineyards that
dot the rocky landscape. Stop off at a
If you feel like eating somewhere
wine-cellar and taste the wine from the
different, then take a walk in the old town
area.
as far as the Central Market, a Modernist
gem where you'll find products from Manises is famous for its pottery. Here
Valencia's sea and gardens. Stroll around there a several museums and you can
the traditional stalls and delicatessens admire the Els Arcs aqueduct.
and admire the light shining through the L Further information:
domes and stained glass windows. www.visitvalencia.com

26
 PALMA,
MEDITERRANEAN
CITY
Culture, beaches, nature, great alternatives for
leisure and relaxation... The capital of the is-
land of Mallorca has so much to offer. You'll
be amazed by the historical old town and the
surrounding areas.

a MAJORCA CATHEDRAL
PALMA

DAY 1: BEACHES AND CULTURE

Start your tour of the city in the de- Mallorcan garden with Andalusian
lightful Plaza de la Reina. It has a cen- elements like the water fountains in the
tral round fountain and a pretty garden Generalife in Granada.
with flowers and tall trees. From there, continue along what used
It is less than a five-minute walk to the to be the city wall until you reach La
Almudaina Royal Palace. In the interior Seu, the cathedral of Palma. This is a
there are Moorish baths, collections of chance to see one of the most spec-
tacular rose windows in the world,
Flemish tapestries and vintage clocks,
known as the “eye of the Gothic era”.
palatial rooms...
The cathedral was renovated by Anto-
At the foot of the Almudaina you'll find nio Gaudí and contains a spectacular
the charming gardens of S'Hort del mural by the Mallorcan painter Miquel
Rei, which are a blend of a traditional Barceló in one of the chapels.

27
CITY BREAKS

You really shouldn't miss resting on one access a number of streets where the
of the fine sandy beaches and taking a spirit of the old-fashioned merchant still
dip in the turquoise blue waters. Apart prevails, like the Paseo de la Artesanía,
from the beach of Playa de Palma, if where genuine craft work can still be
you're looking for sea, sand and sun- found.
shine you should try Portitxol, Arenal, Then you'll come to the Paseo del Borne,
Caló des Grells or Cala Comptessa where you'll find the most exclusive
which are all near the centre of the city. shops as well as restaurants and bars
You'll think you're in paradise. where you can sample and purchase typ-
In the afternoon we suggest a shop- ical Mallorcan specialities like sobrasada
ping trip in the Plaza de Cort area where sausage and “ensaimada” pastry, as well
you'll find the Town Hall with its beauti- as the best international cuisine.
ful Baroque facade. From here you can

28
 PALMA

DAY 2: MUSEUMS
AND SHOPPING
The Palau March and its museum
are located between the Plaza de la
Reina and the Almudaina. Its patios
are home to an excellent collection of
contemporary sculpture, with works
by Rodin, Moore and Chillida, amongst
others. The interior rooms contain such
gems as an 18th century Neapolitan
nativity scene and a valuable library
containing incunables, codices and
nautical charts.
Learn about the history of the city
through its archaeology in the Mallor-
ca Museum and the Moorish baths in
the Can Fontirroig gardens. This is one
of very few monuments remaining in
Palma from the time of Moorish occu-
pation.
On your way to the Plaza Mayor, re-
member to stop in front of the adjoin-
ing facades of Can Forteza-Rey and
Almacenes El Águila, a fine example
of the influence of Modernism on Pal-
ma's architecture. You can access the
beautiful private patios by purchasing
a guided tour.
A good choice for lunch would be one
of the modern, alternative restaurants
near the Olivar Market. This area has
a wide choice of culinary establish-
ments where you can try some of Mal-
lorca's most exquisite products.
If you're looking for more culture, then
go to the headquarters of the Pilar and
Joan Miró Foundation on the outskirts
of the city. This is where you'll find
a good part of the legacy of Joan Miró, an
area dedicated to contemporary artistic
creation and where you can reflect on
themes relating to the surrealistic works
of this genius. You could also visit the
Juan March Museum Foundation and
Photo: balakate/123rf.com

enjoy the collection of works by 20th

29
century Spanish artists like Picasso,
Juan Gris and Salvador Dalí.
` PALMA
 CITY BREAKS

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME…

Photo: Antonio Balaguer Soler/123rf.com

Very near the city you'll come to
Valldemossa and the Real Cartuja,
formerly a monastery and where the
Polish composer Chopin lived with the
French author George Sand.
Manacor is renowned for the manu-
facture of beautiful artificial pearls.
It is also the municipal district where
you'll find extraordinarily beautiful
underground caves like those of El
Drach and El Hams.
Then there's the wonderful Sierra de
Tramuntana mountain range and the
a PLAZA MAYOR SQUARE
PALMA
natural monument of Torrent de Pareis,
a spectacular cliff. Are you ready for
more? Take a dip at one of the beaches
and coves. You can go hiking in the
After the museum you might like to Mondragó Natural Park, take a boat
go shopping, so we suggest a pleasant trip to the Island of Cabrera or visit the
walk along La Rambla, with stalls selling stunning Gothic fortifications of the
flowers and plants, an image that would Bellver Castle.
make an ideal postcard. Between
La Rambla and the Plaza de España,
the nerve centre of Palma, you'll find
streets like Vía Sindicato and Jaime III,
where there is a blend of traditional
shops and modern stores selling
perfume, accessories and fashion.
For dinner, we recommend the
delightful, unusual and fashionable
neighbourhood of Santa Catalina. In
what used to be where the fishermen
lived you can now enjoy anything from
Mediterranean cuisine to international
gastronomic delicacies.

30
 INTERNATIONAL
Photo: Paolo Giocoso © Madrid Destino

AIRPORTS
TRANSPORT

a ADOLFO SUÁREZ MADRID-BARAJAS AIRPORT

MADRID

Travel securely and comfortably. as their main hub. You can trav-
The airports of Madrid, Barcelona, el from Madrid to Valencia in only
Palma, Malaga, Seville, Bilbao and one hour and thirty five minutes,
Valencia have excellent domestic or from Madrid to Barcelona in two
connections and with the main Eu- and a half hours.
ropean cities. Spain has one of the best networks
If you prefer the train, the Spanish of motorways and dual carriage-
National Railway Network (REN- ways in Europe. There are excellent
FE) links all the country's main cit- connections between all the cities
ies and regions. The unquestiona- in Spain which means that it is easy
ble stars of the system are the AVE to combine different destinations.
high-speed trains which serve over The main vehicle rental companies
30 tourist destinations, with Madrid operate throughout the country.

31
CITY BREAKS

MINISTERIO
MINISTERIO
DE INDUSTRIA
DE INDUSTRIA, COMERCIO TURESPAÑA
Y TURISMOY TURISMO

32

@spain @spain Spain.info /spain @visitSpain