Category Archives: Streets and monuments

Casco Viejo de Bilbao / The Old Town of Bilbao

December 18, 2013Bilbao, Gastronomy, Nightlife, Streets and monumentsJorge

The Old Town of Bilbao (Casco Viejo) is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of Bilbao. This zone is popular among citizens and tourists because its gastronomy, atmosphere and for its churches and traditional buildings.

To arrive at the Old Quarter you can go by metro Line 1 and 2 (Casco Viejo metro station) or go from the Train Station, which is placed in front of Arenal bridge, the most frequent entrance for people who want to walk.

The train station

Santander Train Station (La Concordia) is the main station of the city. The long distance trains stop there and also it has a metro station inside (Abando).

The station was built in 1902 and its structure and decoration still has an industrial flavour that gives it a special attractive for tourists.

The Nervion River and its bridges

Close to the Train Station, you will find Arenal Bridge. This is the main entrance to the Old Town for the citizens who are coming from the commercial streets of Bilbao (Gran Vía and surroundings).

However, as the estuary of the Nervion River borders the old quarter, there are some other bridges in the zone as La Merced Bridge, La Ribera Bridge and San Antón Bridge.

In the newest part of Bilbao, you also can find the following bridges: City Hall bridge (Puente del Ayuntamiento), Zubizuri bridge and Princes Bridge (Puente de los príncipes).

Churches and relevant buildings

From Arenal Bridge can be seen San Nicolás Curch, built in 1756. Near it, there is located Plaza Nueva (New Square), a neoclassical square where you will find the Royal Academy of the Basque Language, and a lot of bars and restaurants always full of people.

Then, bordering the river to San Antón Bridge, there is San Anton Church and La Rivera Market.

Other important buildings that you will see in the zone are Santiago Cathedral, Santos Juanes Church and some museums.

The Gastronomy in Bilbao

Don’t leave the Old Quarter without trying the gastronomy!

Although the food is impressive in all the city, in this zone there are a large amount of bars and restaurants. Above all at Plaza Nueva and its surroundings, where there are a lot of places where you can eat “tapas” (small sandwiches or dishes with original and innovative food).

It is said that the food in The Basque Country is the best food of Spain… and probably it is true. In Bilbao you can find a lot of premium restaurants. But you also can eat high quality food in many cheaper places: By trying the tapas you will be able to try a lot of different dishes in many bars of the zone. Don’t miss it!

Once viewed the historic centre of Bilbao, our recommendation is to bordering the river in the water flood direction. Doing that you will reach the City Hall firstly, and then the Guggenheim Museum.

More places to visit in Bilbao

– The Guggenheim Museum: Museo Guggenheim is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

– Getxo (Guecho): Getxo is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The situation of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have become it one of the most touristic places of the region in the last century.

El Rastro de Madrid / The most famous street market in Madrid

December 10, 2013Madrid, Streets and monumentsAnna

On Sunday morning you have to go to El Rastro of Madrid – the most famous and popular market in the capital city. The first sellers appear there at 8.30 – 9.00 a.m. and they stay there until 2.00 p.m. The best idea is to wake up early, drink some coffee, eat “tostadas” and go to La Latina district to buy something unusual for you.

The easiest way to get there is to do it by metro (La Latina metro station – green line/no. 5 or Tirso de Molina metro station – blue line/no. 1). If you arrive there early, you will avoid the crowd, because later, from 10 o’clock, the market is full of people. The main market is situated on Ribera de Curtidores Street and its surroundings. Also the nearest streets and squares are full of sellers, so it’s almost impossible to see everything in one day.

It is an unique place in the capital city, where you can buy everything, starting from t-shirts with the photos of Marlin Monroe or James Dean and ending on the old, massive desk from XVI century. You will also find there flowers, plants, toys, CDs, clothes, shoes, decorations, mirrors, souvenirs, lamps, furniture, books and antiques. Most of these things are very interesting and worth looking at. Also the prices seem to be attractive.

The market takes place every Sunday from the morning until 2 p.m. Be ready! It’s always full of people and… thieves! So, be very careful with your things, because unfortunately every Sunday the police has a lot of work… It’s definitely worth-seeing place, but don’t forget to hide well your precious things, especially if you are a tourist and you don’t speak Spanish.

To walk through the Rastro and to see the most important part of it, you need around 3 hours. I recommend you to take a break and spend some time in t he pubs of the area and drink a beer. That would be a great time to consider your shopping decisions.

More places to visit in Madrid

– La Latina: La Latina is a central neighborhood of Madrid whose bars and restaurants are highly popular among the citizens. At the weekends, La Latina is always full of people, especially on Sunday at lunch and dinner time, but also in the afternoon and night.

– Puerta del Sol: This emblematic place is one of the reference points more used in the city, and many citizens are used to dating with other people from this point.

– Plaza Mayor: In this traditional square there is a Felipe II statue rounded of white ancient buildings.

– Gran Via: The most famous avenue of Madrid. It has a lot of theaters, coffee and ice cream shops.

– San Miguel Market: Inside of this famous market you will find an incredibly variety of food: juices, “tapas”, “croquetas”, hamburgers, fruit, fish… all of this of the highest quality.

Read also our post about What to see in Madrid in one week.

Parque Grande de Zaragoza / The Main Park (Saragossa)

December 9, 2013Saragossa / Zaragoza, Streets and monumentsJorge

The Main Park of Zaragoza (popularly known as Parque Grande) is the most famous park of Zaragoza and one of the biggest ones of the city. It is placed at the beginning of Fernando el Católico Avenue, near the Romareda Football Stadium, and the university campus.

The park was built between 1913 and 1927, and it was inaugurated in 1929, since then it has been improved many times. Currently it measures more than forty hectares, it has around 15 fountains, a botanic garden, a view point, many terraces, paths and statues, a swimming pool (for summer) and many more activities to do.

As a curiosity, although most of the citizens call it as “Parque Grande”, the full name of the park is Parque Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta, since its previous name (Parque Miguel Primo de Rivera) was changed in 2010.

To arrive at The Main Park of Saragossa you can use the tram (Line 1 – Fernando el Católico / Parque Grande Tram Stop).

The fountains

One of the most famous things of the park are its fountains. The most visited are in San Sebastian avenue, between the main entrance and the stairs. They are famous because they make the water swing like a dance.

Also, during the afternoon and night, the fountains are illuminated with dynamic colorway lights which dance with the rhythm of the water.

The botanic garden

The botanic garden is placed in the centre of the park. Inside it, you can discover a variety of plants, a lake with ducks and birds.

The entrance to the botanic park is free, although visitors should take into account that it is closed during the night.

The statue of El Batallador and the panoramic view points

Climbing the stairs of Parque Grande you will arrive at the statue of El Batallador.

This statue represents to Alfonso I the King of Aragón, called “El Batallador” because its conquests. Alfonso I reconquered Saragossa from the Muslims in the 12th century.

Near the statue there are balconies where you will be able to enjoy a nice landscape of the city.

The terraces of the park

It is very popular among the citizens to rest and take drinks in the terraces of the park in summer. There are several bars inside the park, and also a swimming pool on summer near the main entrance.

By the way, there is a unique traditional train which runs around the park. It is not expensive and children will enjoy it a lot. Also, you can rent bikes and pedal cars in the stands to cycling on the paths.

More places to visit in Zaragoza

– Gran Via: Gran Via avenue of Saragossa is one of the most important streets of the city. It communicates Plaza Paraiso and Goya Avenue – Fernando El Católico Avenue.

– Paseo Independencia (Independence Avenue): The main street of Zaragoza. Beginning at the end of Gran Via, the avenue runs from Plaza Paraiso all the way to Plaza Espana.

– El Pilar (The Pilar Cathedral): This cathedral is placed in the centre of the city, near the Ebro river and in the same square than “La Seo” Cathedral. The current cathedral was built in the XVII century, based in earlier constructions.

– The Expo 2008 Zone: Currently, the Expo Zone is open to all the visitors who want to see the area and enjoy its activities. Don’t miss it if you are visiting Zaragoza!

– La Aljafería (The Aljafería Palace): A must for all tourists that arrive in Saragossa is to visit the stunning Aljaferia Palace, which is really the most visited historic site in Saragosse. This medieval islamic palace was built by muslims on the banks of the river Ebro in the 11th century.

La Barceloneta: A beach in the touristic centre of Barcelona

November 29, 2013Barcelona, Beach, mountain and nature, Streets and monumentsJorge

La Barceloneta beach (Playa de la Barceloneta) is probably the most popular beach of Barcelona. It is placed in the city touristic centre, at 5 minutes on foot from La Rambla and Columbus Monument.

Also, La Barceloneta is the name of the marine neighborhood which occupies the area around the beach. This historic neighborhood was designed and built in the XVIII century, taking the ground from the sea.

To arrive at La Barceloneta, you can take the metro (Line 4) until Barceloneta Metro Station or Ciutadella – Vila Olímpica Metro Station.

What to visit in La Barceloneta

– The beach (Playa de la Barceloneta): As Barcelona has a warm climate; its beaches have many people during all the year (except maybe in winter).

Frequently, most of the people who go there to have a bath, swim and sunbathe are tourists. That is because the citizens of Barcelona prefer to go to other places where there are fewer people. However, we highly recommend to visit La Barceloneta beach and its surroundings, surely you will enjoy it.

– Ronda Litoral and the seafront: This avenue starts in Barceloneta Metro Station, near the old port and Marina, and goes along the beaches which are in this part of the city.

– Marina / Port Vell: A nice place to see the sea and the ships. Also in there you will find some restaurants and cafes.

– The olimpic port of Barcelona: The olimpic port is placed between La Barceloneta and “Nova Icaría” beach.

More popular places to see near La Barceloneta

– Columbus Monument (Monumento a Colón): One of the most famous statues of Barcelona city. It was built in 1888 for a Universal Exposition and it represents a statue of Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon) above a pillar, pointing with his right hand to the sea.

– Las Ramblas Avenue: Las Ramblas goes from Catalonia Square to the seaport, and it has a lot of cafes, terraces, pubs and discotheques. In the end of the street, there is the Cristobal Colon statue, one of the icons of Barcelona.

– Maremagnum: This commercial center is located between Colón Monument and La Barceloneta (Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell), just above the sea. In there, you will find shops, terraces, discotheques and a lot of hobby activities.

– The Aquarium of Barcelona (l’Aquarium): The aquarium is in the same location than Maremagnum Comercial Center. They have almost 4 millions tons of water in their pools, where you will be able to see the best of the Mediterranean Sea.

Other buildings and monuments in Barcelona

– The Güell Park: People who visit the beautiful Güell Park can enjoy strolling in its area, sitting down on its decorated benches or admiring its fantastic architecture and the perfection the artwork.

– Church of the Holy Family (La Sagrada Familia): It is a must for tourists that arrive in the Condal City see its outstanding architecture, design and sculptures.

More places nearby

– Sitges: Sitges is also known for its Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, the Barcelona-Sitges Vintage Car Rallys and its Carnival Celebration.

– Castelldefels: Castelldefels is located on the Mediterranean Sea coast of Catalonia, just to 18 km away from Barcelona city.

– La Pineda: With only 3,000 inhabitants, La Pineda (Vila-Seca) is a small town located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, at Tarragona Province.

– Salou: Salou is a reference for the holydays of Spring and Summer in Spain.

If you want to visit the whole county, read also our post about the best cities and monuments in Spain.

Estatua de Colón / Columbus Monument (Barcelona)

November 26, 2013Barcelona, Streets and monumentsJorge

Columbus Monument (Monumento a Colón) is one of the most famous statues of Barcelona city. It was built in 1888 for a Universal Exposition and it represents a statue of Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon) above a pillar, pointing with his right hand to the sea (metaphorically, pointing to America, although actually the statue is pointing to Italy).

Columbus statue is placed in the “Peace Square” (Plaza de la Paz in Spanish or Plaça de la Pau in Catalan), which is between La Rambla Street and the port, at the cross of Colon Avenue. The monument measures 60 metres in height, and it is made of iron and bronze.

This area of the city is one of the most popular among the citizens and tourists who visit Barcelona: That is because, staying at Colon, on one direction you will find the Port and the beach, and in other direction there is Las Ramblas Street, where you can visit some important museums, the Gothic neighborhood, La Boquería Market, Catalonia Square, Barcelona Cathedral and many more places. Also, it’s a good place to have a lunch and at night there are many bars and pubs for young people in the area.

To arrive at Columbus Monument, you can go by metro (Line 3, Drassanes Metro Station).

More important places near Columbus Monument in Barcelona

– Las Ramblas: “La Rambla” is a famous street in the centre of Barcelona where citizens and visitors can walk, visit monuments, eat and rest in the terraces, see the port of Barcelona, go shopping or go to pubs during the night. Generally, the whole area around this street is full of people, not only during the day, but also in the night.

– Maremagnum: This commercial center is located beyond Columbus Monument, just above the sea. In there, you will find shops, terraces, discotheques and a lot of hobby activities.

– La Barceloneta beach: In summer, you can sunbathe or swim in the beach of La Barceloneta, which is 5 minutes walking from Las Ramblas – Columbus Statue.

Salamanca: What to visit in Salamanca, a stone-made medieval city with the oldest university of Spain

November 8, 2013Emblematic buildings, Salamanca, Streets and monuments, Tours and GuidesJorge

Salamanca is one of the most beautiful cities of Spain. It is placed in Castile and Leon region, in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula and currently its population is around 150.000 inhabitants.

The origins of the city starts in the 3rd century before Christ, when Anibal conquered Salamanca,when it was still a town . Later, the city was occupied by the Roman Empire, conquered by the Visigoths and then by the muslims. After many wars, the city was destroyed and it remained uninhabited until the 10th century, when Ramiro II started it resettlement.

In 1255 was officially founded the University of Salamanca, the oldest university of Spain.

Why do we have to visit Salamanca?

Salamanca is a high popular destination: As it has the oldest university of Spain, many students (both Spaniards and erasmus of other countries) go every year to study there.

Also, the historic centre of the city is famous for its elegant stone-made buildings, as the cathedral, the university headquarters, monuments and squares.

Salamanca is surely one of the best maintained traditional cities of the country. Surely, if you visit the old centre of Salamanca, you will feel the sensation of being living in the medieval age. The city was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988.

The most important buildings, squares and monuments of Salamanca

– The two Cathedrals of Salamanca: There are two cathedrals in Salamanca, the older one and the newer one. Both of them are placed nearby in the centre of the city.

The old cathedral is placed in Juan XIII Square, and was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. It has an romanic – gothic style. The new cathedral is placed in Cardenal Pla Street. It was built in the 16th Century and it has a gothic – baroque style.

– La casa de las conchas (The Shells House): This gothic palace is located near Rua Mayor (Main Street), which goes from the New Cathedral to Plaza Mayor. It was built in the first years of the 16th century.

The walls of the of the palace are covered with shells, in where a legend says that there is hidden a treasure below one of the shells. Inside the building, currently you can find a public library.

– Plaza Mayor (Main Square): Salamanca Main Square is another icon of the city. It was built in 1729, and nowadays it is the neuralgic center of the city where people meet, have a lunch or take a walk. Maybe, it can remind some people of Plaza Mayor of Madrid, which was built some years before, in 1617.

– University of Salamanca: This is the oldest university of Spain, which have been alive since 1254/1255. However, its activity started some years before, in 1130.

The university buildings, faculties and residences are located in the old city. You can see the headcuarters of the university in the photo. As a curiosity, there is a frog hidden in the front of the building. Will you be able to find it?

– Iglesia y Convento de San Esteban (San Esteben Church and Convent): This convent belongs to the Dominicans Fathers, who have been in Salamanca since the University began in 1255. The original convent was built in 1256, but it was demolished and in 1524 was constructed the actual Gothic church that you can visit nowadays.

– Casa Lis (Lis Palace): Casa Lis is a 19th century palace in where currently is placed an Art Deco museum. It is placed just in the old walls of the city, in the line which separates the old city with the newer one.

– Puente Romano (Roman bridge): As many other cities in Spain, Salamanca also has a roman bridge. The bridge crosses the Tormes River, and can bee seen from the terraces of the old city.

– Night life in Salamanca: As the city is full of students, during the scholar year there are always a lot of activities for young people. You can find a lot of shops and restaurants for tourists in the old city, and during the night you can enjoy many pubs and discotheques.

Map of Salamanca

Other cities to visit near Salamanca

– Madrid: The capital of the country is always plenty of cultural and leisure activity.

– Segovia: With its impressive roman aqueduct and its Alcazar, Segovia is a must for tourists who are visiting the central region of Spain.

– Toledo: Toledo is an historical city with a lot of ancient buildings and monuments which make a medieval atmosphere for everyone who want to visit it.

– The best cities to visit in Spain: Read here our list with the best destinations of Spain.

Acueducto de Segovia / Segovia Aqueduct (Segovia)

November 7, 2013Emblematic buildings, Segovia, Streets and monumentsJorge

The Segovia Aqueduct is the most important roman architecture of Spain. It is placed in Segovia, a friendly city of 50.000 inhabitants located one hour away of Madrid by car or bus.

When the aqueduct was built by the Roman Empire, in the first century A.D, its mission was to transport water from Fuente Fria river to the town. The aqueduct covers a distance of 15 km and the structure of its final part consists in 36 stone arches which sustains the water channel.

Nowadays, many tourists visit Segovia to see the aqueduct and other important monuments as The Alcazar, The Cathedral and the old city centre, which are some of the most remarkable monuments of Castile and Leon region. The Aqueduct and the old city of Segovia were declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1985.

What to visit near Aqueduct of Segovia

– Historic centre of the town: The centre of Segovia has a lot of historic buildings, and also it is the perfect place to eat or take a drink in its bars and restaurants.

– Alcazar de Segovia: This is other of the most popular monuments of the city. It is said that this castle is dated from the same ages than the aqueduct, when the Roman Empire was in Spain. Later, in the medieval age it was used as a fortification and as a palace.

– Segovia Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de Segovia): This Gothic cathedral is placed in the centre of the city, and it can be seen from Plaza Mayor. The building construction began in the 16th century and it is well known for the Spaniards for its elegance and for its giant dimensions.

– Plaza Mayor (Main Square): As in many other cities of Spain, Plaza Mayor is one of the most traditional squares of Segovia. It is the perfect place to take a rest or drink something while you can appreciate the magnificence of the cathedral.

– San Martín church: Another ancient building placed in the centre of Segovia. Although is not as famous as the aqueduct or the Alcazar, this catholic church was built in the 12th century, four hundred years before than the cathedral.

Map of the old town of Segovia (Spain)

Here you have a touristic map of Segovia (click on it to maximize the map).

More cities to visit near Segovia

– Madrid: The capital of the country is always plenty of cultural and leisure activity.

– Salamanca: Salamanca has the most ancient university of Spain. Also, visiting its historic centre is like to stay in the medieval age, surrounded of elegant stone-made buildings, churches, squares and monuments. Salamanca is surely one of the best maintained traditional cities of the country.

– Toledo: Toledo is an historical city with a lot of ancient buildings and monuments which make a medieval atmosphere for everyone who want to visit it.

– The best cities to visit in Spain: Read here our list with the best destinations of Spain.

El jardín del Turia / The Turia Garden (Valencia)

October 20, 2013Streets and monuments, Valenciajulia

Valencia has about 800,000 inhabitants being the third largest city in Spain. The Turia garden (Jardín del Turia) is one of the most visited parks of Valencia, and it is placed in the centre of the city, close to the City of Arts and Sciences.

Its name comes from the Turia river, because it is located in the dried bed of this river after being changed the original course of the river. In fact, on 14th October 1957, Valencia was flooded by the Turia river once again, and the river overflowed its banks causing considerable damage in the city and surroundings. The flash flood was so devastating that the Government decided to divert the course of the river far away from Valencia City in order to avoid other floods in the future.

Nowadays, the Turia Garden is a public green park of more than 7,000 metres long being covered its more than 1,000,000 square metres with great variety of trees, plants ,flowers, herbs, grass, many fountains, several sports areas, some playgrounds, a lot of places to relax and rest, so on.

What to see in The Turia Garden

Being the Turia Garden one of the most visited park in Spain it is also the largest park in a metropolitan area in Spain. It starts at the Valencia Zoo goes through more than 15 emblematic bridges and finishes at the breathtaking City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia (La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias de Valencia).

The Turia Garden has plenty of leisure activities including several playgrounds for children and a little funny train to go sightseeing around the park. However, children must not miss the fantastic Gulliver Park, which is placed inside the Turia Garden, it is a colossal statue of Gulliver where the children can go into to play.

Visitors will be spellbound when they come across the big iron statues while they are strolling in the park, enjoy the lovely places with a lot of benches to sit down when they want to admire an artwork. Besides, they can also do all kinds of sports in the excellent facilities, such as baseball, football, basketball, rugby, cycling and others.

It is very easy to arrive at the Turia Garden, it is in the city centre. However, it can take several days to visit the whole city.

Other interesting sites to visit in Valencia

– Silk Market: A must for visitors who arrive in Valencia is the Silk Market ( la Lonja de la Seda) a masterwork of the 15th century declared a world Heritage site by UNESCO in 1996.

– City of Arts and Sciences: Visitors interested in architecture, art, nature and sciences should visit the amazing City of Arts and Sciences (la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias de Valencia), designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava.

– “Las Fallas” festivals: Most visitors to Valencia enjoy the bonfires in the Fallas de Valencia Festival on the 19th March, it is a unique experience to go for a walk through its lively streets.

– The beach: Most tourists spend spare time in they sunny beaches of white sand. Do not miss out the traditional delicious paella dish. Do not forget the historical centre of the city.

The best places in Spain

A guide to visit Spain, written by Spaniards