Rick Steves - Rick Steves Best of Spain

BEST OF SPAIN

Like a grandpa bouncing a baby on his knee, Spain is a mix of old and new, modern and traditional. Spain means massive cathedrals, world-class art, Moorish palaces, vibrant nightlife, whitewashed villages, and glorious sunshine. Spain has a richness of history and culture. From the stirring sardana dance in Barcelona to the sizzling rat-a-tat-tat of flamenco in Sevilla, this country creates its own beat amid the heat.

Spains charm really lies in its people and their unique lifestyle. Even as the Spanish embrace modern times, their daily lives focus on friends and family as they always have. Many still follow the siesta schedule, shutting down work during the midday heat to enjoy the company of loved ones. In the cool of the evening, Spain comes back to life. Whole families stroll through the streets and greet their neighborsa custom called the paseo. Spaniards are notorious night owls. The antidote for late nights? The next days siesta.

You can see many European countries by just passing through, but Spain is a destination. Learn its history and accept the country on its own terms. Gain an appreciation for cured ham, dry sherry, and bulls-tail stew. When you go to Spain, go all the way.

In this book, Ive broken Spain down into its top destinations, offering a balanced, comfortable mix of exciting cities and cozy townsalong with the sights and experiences they offer.

The biggies on everyones list are exuberant Barcelona and bustling Madrid, the nations capital. Buzzing with energy, Sevilla features flamenco and nightlife that doesnt quit. Granada has Spains finest Moorish sightthe grand palace of the Alhambra. And no visit to Spain is complete without exploring its smaller towns, from historic Toledo to the sleepy whitewashed hill towns of Andaluca.

Beyond the major destinations, Ill briefly cover what I call the Best of the Restgreat destinations that dont quite make my top cut, but are worth seeing if you have more time or specific interests: the Basque Country, Santiago de Compostela, Crdoba, and the South Coast.

To help you link the top stops, Ive included a two-week itinerary (later in this chapter), with tips to help you tailor it to your interests and available time.

Spains second city and the proud capital of the Catalan people, Barcelona bubbles with lifefrom the tangled lanes of the Barri Gtic to the trendy boulevards of the Eixample. The cradle of modern art, and home to Gaud, Picasso, and Mir, the city itself is a dynamic work of art in progress, with everythingenthralling sights, man-made beaches, and a fun street scenecontinually evolving. Join the parade of people and become part of the show.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

The RamblasBarcelonas grand, tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly boulevardspills gently down from the heart of the city to the harbor.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

The huge, unfinished church of Sagrada Famlia, with its Sequoia-sized columns and fantastical Neo-Gothic decor, feels both medieval and futuristic.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

Barcelonans crowd into lively bars to feast on tapassmall portions of olives, seafood, meatballs, and all things deep-fried, on a toothpick.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

In the shadow of the 700-year-old cathedral in the Barri Gtic neighborhood, locals still join hands in a communal circle to dance the sardana .

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

Parc Gellwith its colorful mosaics, wavy forms, and whimsical statuesis one of several fanciful sights by Antoni Gaud, the master of Modernisme.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

The vibrant and colorful Boqueria Market along the Ramblas evokes deep passion among Spains devout jamn -iphiles.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

In the shape of an animals back with iridescent scales, Gaudis Casa Battl is a magical place.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

Near the busy downtown but a world away, the beach at Barceloneta is a balmy world of sand, surf, snack shacks, and slow sunsets.

THE BEST OF BARCELONA

The numerous street performers express the spirit of this cityplayful, nonconformist, spontaneous, and a bit theatrical.

Lively Madrid, both the nations capital and its heart, is Spain on a grand scale, with stately squares and modern skyscrapers. The main square, Puerta del Sol, leads west to the lavish Royal Palace and east to the outstanding Prado art museum and Picassos thought-provoking