Ham - Lonely Planet Spain

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Passionate, sophisticated and devoted to living the good life, Spain is at once a stereotype come to life and a country more diverse than you ever imagined.

Spains diverse landscapes stir the soul. The Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa are as beautiful as any mountain range on the continent, while the snowcapped Sierra Nevada rises up improbably from the sun-baked plains of Andaluca; these are hiking destinations of the highest order. The wildly beautiful cliffs of Spains Atlantic northwest are the scene for some of Europes most spectacular drives, even as the charming coves of the Mediterranean are still the continents summer destination of choice; despite decades of overdevelopment, numerous unspoiled corners remain. And everywhere you go, villages of timeless beauty perch on hilltops, huddle in valleys and cling to coastal outcrops as tiny but resilient outposts of Old Spain. Spend as long as you can in places like these.

Menorcas prehistoric Cova den Xoroi
DOUG PEARSON / JAI / CORBIS

Food and wine are national obsessions in Spain, and with good reason. Yes, theres paella, tapas, jamn and olive oil in abundance, but these are merely the best-known ingredients of a national cuisine that continues to take the world by storm. The touchstones of Spanish cooking are deceptively simple: incalculable variety, strong traditions of recipes handed down through the generations, and an innate willingness to experiment and see what comes out of the kitchen-laboratory. You may experience the best meal ever over tapas in an earthy bar where everyones shouting, or over a meal prepared by a celebrity chef in the refined surrounds of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Either way, the breadth of gastronomic experience that awaits you is breathtaking.

The colourful Feria de Abril in Seville
JTB MEDIA CREATION, INC / ALAMY

Spains story is told with endless creativity through its arts and architecture. Poignantly windswept Roman ruins, cathedrals of rare power and incomparable jewels of Islamic architecture speak of a country where the great civilisations of history have always risen, fallen and left behind their indelible mark. More recently, what other country could produce such rebellious and relentlessly creative spirits as Salvador Dal, Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaud and place them front and centre in public life? Here, grand monuments to the past coexist alongside architectural creations of such daring that it becomes clear that Spains future will be every bit as original as its past. For all such talk, this is a country that lives very much in the present. Perhaps youll sense it along a crowded postmidnight street when all the world has come out to play. Or maybe that moment will come when a flamenco performer touches something deep in your soul. Whenever it happens, youll find yourself nodding in recognition: this is Spain.

Alhambra

The palace complex of Granadas Alhambra () is close to architectural perfection. It is perhaps the most refined example of Islamic art anywhere in the world, not to mention the most enduring symbol of 800 years of Moorish rule in what was known as Al-Andalus. From afar, the Alhambras red fortress towers domin- ate the Granada skyline, set against a backdrop of the Sierra Nevadas snowcapped peaks. Up close, the Alhambras perfectly proportioned Generalife gardens complement the exquisite detail of the Palacios Nazares. Put simply, this is Spains most beautiful monument.

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La Sagrada Famlia

One of Spains top sights, the Modernista brainchild of Antoni Gaud remains a work in progress more than 80 years after its cre- ators death. Fanciful and profound, inspired by nature and barely restrained by a Gothic style, Barcelonas quirky temple () soars skyward with an almost playful majesty. The improbable angles and departures from architectural convention will have you shaking your head in disbelief, but the detail of the decorative flourishes on the Passion Facade, Nativity Facade and elsewhere are worth studying for hours.

JEAN-PIERRE LESCOURRET / GETT IMAGES

Mezquita

A church that became a mosque before reverting to a church, Crdobas Mezquita () charts the evolution of western and Islamic architecture over a 1000-year trajectory. Its most innovative features include some early horseshoe arches, an intricate mihrab, and a veritable forest of 856 columns, many of them recycled from Roman ruins. The sheer scale of the Mezquita reflects Crdobas erstwhile power as the most cultured city in 10th-century Europe. It was also inspiration for even greater buildings to come, most notably in Seville and Granada.

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Easter in Seville

Return to Spains medieval Christian roots and join Sevilles masses for the dramatic Easter celebration of Semana Santa (). Religious fraternities parade elaborate pasos (figures) of Christ and the Virgin Mary around the city to the emotive acclaim of the populace; the most prestigious procession is the madrugada (early hours) of Good Friday. Seen for the first time, its an unforgettable experience, an exotic and utterly compelling fusion of pageantry, solemnity and deep religious faith. There are processions in towns across Spain, but none on the scale of Sevilles.

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Madrid Nightlife

Madrid is not the only European city with nightlife (), but few others can match its intensity and street clamour. As Ernest Hemingway said, Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night. There are wall-to-wall bars, small clubs, live venues, cocktail bars and mega-clubs beloved by A-list celebrities all across the city, with unimaginable variety to suit all tastes. But its in Huertas, Malasaa, Chueca and La Latina that youll really understand what were talking about.