Spain is a country with a lot of diversity, from the capital city of Madrid to rural areas that are still relatively untouched. A diverse range of people reside in pain, and you’ll find everything from luxury hotels and palaces to backwater fishing villages.
An Epic Land
Spain’s craggy coastlines and lush mountainsides provide breathtaking beauty. The Pyrenees and Picos de Europa are just as beautiful as any other mountain range on the continent, while the snowcapped Sierra Nevada rises up like a mirage from Andalucía’s scorching plains; these are worthy excursions of the highest caliber. Spain’s Atlantic northwest boasts spectacular cliffs, while the Mediterranean offers lovely coves. Elaborate stone walls, whitewashed stucco houses, and fragrant orange trees cling to the sides of mountain passes, while distant vistas unfold across broad valleys and sun-drenched beaches. These rural communities are timeless gems of beauty that dot every landscape. That’s where Spain’s charms are most likely to take hold.
A Culinary Feast
Spain is obsessed with food and wine, which is understandable. The foundations of Spanish cuisine are deceptively basic: an unimaginable sense of variety, time-tested recipes passed down through the generations, and an inherent desire to experiment and see what comes out of the kitchen laboratory. Tapas in an earthy bar where everyone’s shouting or a meal cooked by a well-known chef in the exquisite surroundings of a Michelin-starred restaurant may provide you with the finest meal ever.However, regardless of which one you choose, the variety of culinary expertise that awaits you will be breathtaking and will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip.
Art Imitates Life
The nation of Andalusia, home to some of the world’s best-known archaeological sites and iconic works of art, is a land where great civilizations have risen, fallen, and left their mark. What other country could produce such anti-establishment artists as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Antoni Gaudí and put them on display in the public eye? Grand monuments from history sit alongside architectural marvels that testify to Spain’s uniqueness equal to its history.
Fiestas & Flamenco
For all the talk of Spain’s ancient history, it is a country that prefers to live in the present, and there’s a reason why ‘fiesta’ is one of the most known words in Spanish – life itself is a fiesta here, and everyone appears to be invited. Perhaps you’ll catch it on a bustling, post-midnight street when the entire world has emerged to enjoy. Alternatively, you might experience it while watching a flamenco performer whose shredding moves remind you of Spanish dancers. You’ll realize that this is Spain whenever it happens because you’ll be nodding in acknowledgment: This is Spain.
When to Visit
Spain, like other countries in Europe, is a year-round destination. In the summer, when European backpackers flood into Madrid, Barcelona, and Andalusia, Spain becomes a popular tourist destination. However, the sweltering heat of southern Spain makes summer travel there difficult (unless you reserve a hotel with a pool!). Winter in southwestern Spain is advised due to the intense heat. There are even ski resorts in northern Spain, only a few hours’ drive from Barcelona, the Pyrenees Mountains—so if skiing is your thing, go there. The Madrid Gay Pride Festival, Sitges’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival and Barcelona’s (one of Europe’s largest) La Tomatina Festival are just a handful of Spain’s major events.
Two Weeks in Spain
You may easily arrange a few city excursions to Spain, but why not schedule a longer vacation to see more of the sights, enjoy more of the sunshine, and get the most out of your Spanish experience? Here are some two-week itineraries for Spain that I recommend.
- Learn Spanish! Spain is a wonderful location to learn the language. I’ve taken several different Spanish language courses throughout Spain, but my favorite was the month I spent learning Spanish in Andalusia. The Andalusian accent is distinct from other Spaniards’ accents, although Seville is an excellent base for studying because of its history and culture. In Seville, I recommend taking the Clic Spanish Courses.
- Madrid and Barcelona are both world-class cities, and they’re not even in the same country! There are some fierce rivalries between the two Spanish metropolises, but that doesn’t mean you should pick one over the other. Plan a trip that includes Madrid with day excursions to Segovia and Toledo, as well as a stop in Valencia in the east before heading up to Barcelona in the north for some of Spain’s city highlights.
- Spain’s islands are some of the most tropical in Europe, which explains why they’re so popular with European tourists.
- Andalusia in Southern Spain: Andalusia is one of my favorite areas in Spain. It’s one of the greatest places to visit in Spain because of its pace, sunshine, and cuisine. Visit the major cities including Malaga, Granada, and Sevilla but don’t forget about the little towns and other locations like Gibraltar (not technically part of Spain), Tarifa, and Cadiz.
Spain Tours & Trips
Taking a trip to Spain is strongly advised, with its diverse environment and numerous architectural wonders of its cities. Being led by someone who knows their stuff will offer you a fresh view on the country while providing you with the most immersive experience in the least time. Take a look at these suggested Spain excursions for some inspiration.
The purpose of this information is to assist visitors understand more about the LGBTQ community in Spain by providing knowledge and insights on a variety of topics.
Spain is a very simple country to visit as a tourist due in part to the warmth of its people. But many individuals are unaware of just how simple (and fun!) it is to go on holiday to Spain. I believe that’s why it’s such a popular choice. But be cautious: once you’ve seen Spain, you’ll want to return. There’s so much more to this nation than Madrid or Barcelona, so much more than paella and tapas, and so much more than attractive guys and flawless flamenco dancers.Spain is as varied as any other country (perhaps more so), yet it is also very surprising. That’s what keeps people coming back, whether they’re visiting for annual vacations to the beach, on cruises, or city breaks to Spain’s sexiest cities. Look for some of Europe’s biggest gay events, parties and festivals in LGBT hotspots like Madrid, Barcelona, Sitges and Maspalomas on Gran Canaria for LGBT travel in Spain.
