Catedral de Santa María y La Giralda / Santa Maria Cathedral and The Giralda (Seville)

December 27, 2013Emblematic buildings, Seville / Sevillajulia

Santa Maria of the Sede Cathedral, Seville (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede in Sevilla)

Situated in the heart of Seville, near Guadaquivil river, the Gothic Santa María Cathedral in Seville is the largest Cathedral in Spain, and the largest Gothic Christian Cathedral in the world. In fact, the imposing Cathedral measures 116 metres in length and 76 metres in width, being together with the Zaragoza and the Toledo Cathedrals the three unique Gothic Cathedrals with five naves in Spain.

This outstanding Cathedral was built between 1433 and 1519 on the site of the Great Mosque aljama demolished when the Almohad Mosque aljama (dating in 12th century) started being in ruins, but fortunately, the minaret (currently known as the Giralda), El Patio de los Naranjos (the Orange trees Courtyard), and the Puerta del Perdón (the Pardon Door) were not demolished and have remained in the place for more than eight centuries.

Being one of the buildings more visited by tourists in Spain, the Cathedral has more than enough interesting thing to spend several hours seeing its 138 Gothic stained glass windows, its unbelievable sculptures, its beautiful paintings by Murillo, Zurbarán, Valdés, Goya and others. Moreover, visitors can see the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Its artworks can be stared inside and outside the Cathedral. Therefore, it is said that 99 per cent of tourists who arrive in Seville do not miss out on the Cathedral.

The Giralda (La Giralda de Sevilla)

Next to cathedral is its bell tower, the world renowned Giralda with its 24 bells is one of the most remarkable towers in Seville, it measures 13,61 m in width and the same in length (square) and 94,70 metres in height without the Giraldillo (the statue on its top).

It was constructed in two stages:

– The first stage was between 1184 and 1198 of Almohad architecture and was the minaret of the Great Mosque aljama of Isbiliya until 1248 when the king Fernando III of Castilla (1199-1252) conquered Sevilla and the Great Mosque and its minaret were converted into The Cathedral of Sevilla.

– The second stage was added from the bells to the Giraldillo between 1557 and 1568.

Do not leave without going up the Giralda there is a breathtaking view of Guadalquivir river, Santa Cruz neighbourhood, Patio de los Naranjos and the city.

To add, the Cathedral and its bell tower the Giralda together with The Alcazar, and Archive of Indias were declared World of Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1987.

More places to visit in Seville

– Plaza de España: Plaza de España is located in the middle of Maria Luisa Park, in the city center. The square has a fountain in the middle, rounded for a small lake and a building behind it that gives a traditional style to all the place.

– Torre del Oro: This ancient tower is by the river, near to San Telmo Bridge. The first part of its structure was constructed in the 13th century when the Muslims lived in Andalusia, one century later it was improved and finished by Pedro I.

– Plaza de toros de la Maestranza.

– Metropol Parasol: Metropol Parasol is the official name of this construction placed in Plaza de la Encarnación, near the city centre of Sevilla. Popularly, the structure is known as “Setas de la Encarnación” because of its similarity to a big-scale mushrooms.

Two-days tour in Bilbao: What to visit in Bilbao, a city full of activities, culture and gastronomy

December 26, 2013Bilbao, Tours and GuidesJorge

Bilbao is one of the main cities of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has more than 700.000 inhabitants, counting the city and the metropolitan area.

In this article we are going to tell you about what are the best places to visit in the city, and how to visit them on foot in a two-days weekend. Bilbao is very popular among the tourists because its gastronomy, the Guggenheim Museum and the benches of the estuary of the Nervion River.

Day 1: The Old Town, The estuary of the Nervion River and its bridges, The City Hall , Guggenheim Museum, University of Deusto, Casilda Park, Gran Via

– The Old Town (Casco Viejo): This is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of the city. To arrive at the Old Town 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.

In there, you will be able to visit San Nicolás Curch, Plaza Nueva, Santiago Cathedral, Santos Juanes Church and some museums.

– The estuary of the Nervion River: The Old Town is located bordering the estuary of the Nervion River. Once viewed it, our recommendation is to bordering the river on foot in the water flood direction.

Walking from Arenal Bridge (Puente del Arenal), you will reach the City Hall firstly, and then the Guggenheim Museum and the University of Deusto. During the ride, you will pass some famous bridges as Puente del Ayuntamiento, Zubizuri and Puente de los principes – La Salve.

– The Guggenheim Museum (Museo Guggenheim): This is a contemporary art center. 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.

Moreover, there are other relevant buildings of Bilbao near the museum: The University of Deusto, Doña Casilda Park, Iberdrola Skyscraper and more.

– Casilda Park: This is the biggest park in the center of Bilbao. The ideal place to rest and enjoy of its fountains.

Also, close to the park is located Conference Arts Centre (Palacio de Congresos Euskalduna).

– Gran Via Avenue (Don Diego Lopez de Haro): This Street is in the geometric centre of Bilbao, measures more than 1.5 km in length and it is the financial and institutional center of the city. This wide avenue is always full of people and reflects the life of the modern city.

Gran Via is a the perfect place to go shopping, take a coffee or eat something at the end of the afternoon.

Gastronomy: 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.

The best sites to eat in Bilbao are located in the Old Town (Plaza Nueva and its surroundings) and in some other streets that are indicated in the touristic map (in the end of this article).

Day 2: Getxo (sea, beach and port), Portugalete and Santurtzi

– Getxo Town: Getxo is a town located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The location of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have turned Getxo in one of the most touristic places of the region.

To arrive at Getxo from Bilbao, get on the metro Line 1 to Algorta or Bidezabal metro stations. The sea and the beaches are the main attractive of Getxo. Also, it has a port and commercial zones.

– Portugalete and Santurtzi: At the other bench of the estuary of the Nervion River, there are placed the towns Portugalete and Santurtzi.

To arrive at them from Getxo, there is only one way to cross the estuary: the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente colgante de Vizcaya).

Day 3 (extra day): San Mamés Stadium, Boat dock and House of the Mercy

If you have some free time on the second day or you have one day more, don’t leave Bilbao without seeing these other places:

– San Mamés Football Stadium:

– Boat dock Ramón de la Sota and Euskalduna Bridge: Both of them can be seen from the Football Stadium.

– House of the Mercy (Casa de la misericordia):

Bilbao touristic map

In the map below, there are described the most important monuments and places of Bilbao. Also, you have resalted the old town (in pink), the gastronomy areas (yellow), shopping streets (soft green and orange), nitghlige (dark green) and culture (blue).

Sierra Nevada: Skiing and hiking near Granada

December 24, 2013Beach, mountain and nature, GranadaJorge

Sierra Nevada is a mountain massif located in the south of Spain, more specifically in Andalusia, between Almeria and Granada.

In there, there is located The National Park of Sierra Nevada and the Sierra Nevada Ski station. These two places offer a lot of activities for the people who visit it, from skiing and snowboarding in winter, to hiking, to make excursions, cycling or para-gliding the whole year.

The National Park of Sierra Nevada

Inside the mountain massif it’s placed the National Park of Sierra Nevada (Parque nacional de Sierra Nevada). Declared a national park in year 1999, it covers an area bigger than 85000 hectares.

The park has more than twenty peaks over 3000 meters high. From all of them, Mulhacen is the highest peak, with 3480 meters high.

The Ski Station

The Ski Station of Sierra Nevada (Sierra Nevada, Estación de Esquí y Montaña de Andalucía) is the highest ski station of Spain and one of the biggest ones (only comparable with The Pyrenees, in Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra). Besides, its location in the south of the country, near the sea, creates a softer weather and its height propitiates to have high quality snow.

Every winter thousands of people from the south and the center of Spain, and also from outside, go skiing and snowboarding. One day skiing can cost from 40 to 65€ per person (depending if you have your own equipment, if you park the car in a parking or if you want to eat in its restaurants).

To arrive at the Sierra Nevada ski station, you can go by bus or by car from Granada city. The station is 31 away of the city. Another option is to take a bus (called Bus Blanco) from Madrid.

Map: Sierra Nevada Ski tracks

Here you have a map of the Ski Station:

The main entrance is at Pradollano (2100 meters), then a chairlift will you take you to Borreguiles. The highest ski tracks of the station are placed at Veleta peak (3400 meters).

More places to visit near Sierra Nevada

– La Alhambra (Granada): It is said that “There is nothing sadder in the world than being blind in Granada,” because one blind cannot see the wonderful sunset staring at the Alhambra from the Albaicín, and enjoy its extraordinary architecture, therefore, a must for tourists who visit Spain is to spend several days in Granada and visit The Alhambra which is one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

– Andalusia: Check here all our articles about this wonderful region of Spain.

Casa Mila – La Pedrera: A Gaudí designed building in Paseo de Gracia (Barcelona)

December 24, 2013Barcelona, Emblematic buildingsJorge

Casa Mila (popularly known as La Pedrera) is a unique modernist building located at Paseo de Gracia (Passeig de Gràcia) number 92, Barcelona.

The building was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and built between 1906 and 1912. Then, in 1984, Casa Mila was declared a World Heritage (UNESCO).

The Mila Family

When in the second part of the nineteenth century El Ensanche disctrict was built in Barcelona, Paseo de Gracia avenue became one of the main streets of the city. Many bourgeois families wanted to live in this area. One of them was the Mila Family that ordered Gaudí to design Casa Mila, whose first floor had to be a place to live , and the rest of them flats to rent to other families.

During its construction and some years later, the building was involved in some controversy. On one hand, its curved and unprecedented design generated discrepancies among the popular opinion about it appearance. On the other hand, also in the construction there were some administrative problems, which were finally solved.

The design of the building

Casa Mila is a modernist building, which has 1835 m², six levels and two courtyards. Its singular facade and balconies are famous for its curvilinear shape, never seen before in that age.

It is said that Gaudi was a highly chaotic, observant and religious person, so its designs reflect his desires of perfection and a fusion with the nature world.
Nowadays, Casa Mila is one of the most visited monuments in Barcelona. Furthermore, it has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Visiting Casa Mila – La Pedrera

La Pedrera is open to visitors almost every day from 9.00 to 18.00 in winter and from 9.00 to 20.00 in summer. To buy the tickets can cost between 10 and 16€.

To arrive at Casa Mila, take the Metro Lines 3 or 5 (Diagonal metro station).

More monuments designed by Antoni Gaudí

– 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.

– 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.

More popular places to visit in Barcelona

– 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.

– 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.

– 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.

What to buy in Spain? Food and drinks from Spain

December 19, 2013Gastronomy, Spain / España, Tips and opinionsAnna

If we talk about shopping… Spain offers many interesting things to buy for tourists and people visiting this beautiful country.

Let’s start from food!
If you are in Spain, you have to buy at least some of the things which are on the list:

– Jamón serrano, chorizo, salchichón: all of them are typical Spanish hams used to prepare tapas or bocadillos, the price of really good jamón can be very high (100 euros for 1kg), but it’s really worth trying. These cured meats have a very specific taste, so if you don’t like trying new things or you are not sure if you like it or not the best option will be to go to some coffe house or pub and ask fot the “bocadillo de jamón”. I’ll try it and decide if you enjoy it or not.

– Vine or sangria: Germany is famous from its beer, Poland from vodka and Spain from wine. Spanish wines are the best in the world and much cheaper than the French ones so that gives them a lot of advantage. La Rioja is the most popular region of the country where the vine is maid. Of course, the best vine is the red one, but you can also try other types of it. Another Spanish invent which is woth trying is sangria or summer wine (tinto de verano). Both of them are sweet red wine made form a lot of fruits. As I said they are very sweet but taste deliciuos, especially with a lot of ice! They are grat alternative for the beer which you may drink during hot Spanish summer. One bottle of sangria usualy costs around 1,5-2 euros. The prices of the vine are very diversified. You can buy many vines for 3 euros and there are considered to be a good ones, but the shops are full of many different types, so you can choose whatever you like.

– Turrón: is a traditional Spanish sweet for Christmas. Christmas in Spain begin after the 1st of November, at least in shops and malls. Turrón is a tradional things which may remind you chocolate, but only from inside. The two tipical types come form two cites near Valencia, in the east of country: Alicante and Jijona (Xixona in catalan language). Both of them are made from almonds, but the one from Alicante consist of the whole almonds while this from Jijona from the grinded ones. To prepare them, apart form almonds you need honey, eggwhites and nuts oil. The tradional recepies are supervised by a special comission which takes care of the quaility of turrons.

– Fruits: Spain is an Europe’s door to exotic fruits! Because of it situation you can find a wide range of fruits and vegetables in this country, which are often much cheaper and taste better. All of fruits shop are very colorfull and can offer you many things: khaki, chirymoya or papaya.

– Cheese: even thought the cottage chceese is not a Spanish delicacy, the one which is made from goat’s milk is one of the bests. You can’t leave Spain without trying it. You also have to try the typical cheese, made form cow’s milk, becuse they are very tasty. As you can see, you can call France the country of cheese, but Spain has also many things to offer in this area.

After eating well, you can finally go and visit some clothes shops!

Getxo: Sea and beach near Bilbao

December 18, 2013Beach, mountain and nature, BilbaoJorge

Getxo (or Guecho) is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The location of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have turned Getxo in one of the most tourist places of the region in the last century.

To arrive at Getxo from Bilbao, get on the metro Line 1 to Neguri, Aiboa, Algorta or Bidezabal metro stations. The trip from the centre of Bilbao city to Getxo will take almost 30 minutes.

The beaches and the sea in Getxo

The sea and the beaches are the tourist main attraction of Getxo. Its beaches (Las Arenas, Ereaga, Arrigunaga, Azkorri-Gorrondatxe and Barinatxe) can be classified in two groups: The ones which are closest to the open sea –with rougher sea- and the beaches protected by the port, -with calmer sea-.

To arrive at the beaches, get off at Bidezabal metro station or at Algorta.

The maritime port

The maritime port of Getxo has areas for any kind of boats, also cruisers.

Besides, there is a maritime club where people can sail, go canoing, etc..

Commercial zones and gastronomy

The commercial zones of Getxo are in Algorta neighborhood and the surroundings of the maritime port.

As we have told in other posts, remember that the Basque Country is one of the regions of Spain with best culinary culture. There are many bars and restaurants everywhere with a lot of variety food, above all “tapas” and fish.

Portugalete, Santurtzi and the estuary of the Nervion River

At the other bank of the estuary of the Nervion River, there are placed the towns Portugalete and Santurtzi. These towns are less tourist than Getxo, with more industrial areas. Anyway, both of them have also their attraction for people who want to discover new places.

There is only one way to cross the estuary from Getxo-Leioa to Portugalete-Santurtzi: the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente colgante de Vizcaya), which was declared World Heritage in 2006 by UNESCO. This suspension bridge was constructed between 1887 and 1893 and was the first of its class in the world.

Metro Map of Bilbao and Getxo

Below you have a metro and train map of Bilbao, Getxo (Guecho), Leioa (Lejona), Portugalete, Santurtzi (Santurce) and its surroundings:

More places to visit near Getxo

– The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao): 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.

– The Old Town of Bilbao: This 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.

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.

Museo Guggenheim / The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao)

December 17, 2013Bilbao, Emblematic buildingsJorge

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.

The building

This museum has many characteristics that makes it unique: Its structure, designed by the architect Frank Gehry has a curved surface covered in titanium. What’s more, its situation, close to the river bank, creates a wonderful game of highlights when the sun reflects its rays in the titanium and then they are reflected in the water.

The surroundings of the museum

The Guggenheim Museum is located in the estuary bank of the Nervion River, at Bilbao city center. Around it, you will find some famous sculptures, a tourism center and green zones. Moreover, there are other relevant buildings of Bilbao near the museum: The University of Deusto, Doña Casilda Park, The Princes Bridge, Iberdrola Skyscraper and more.

To arrive at Guggenheim, you can go on foot from the train station (10 minutes) or from the bus station (6 minutes). You can also go by tram.

Another option to arrive at the museum is to go from the train station in the historic centre of Bilbao, bordering the river until arrive at the museum. Surely, doing this you will take the nicest photos of Bilbao.

More places to visit in Bilbao

Other popular museums in Spain

– Reina Sofía Art Center (Madrid): This art gallery forms part of the “Madrid’s triangle”, next to Prado Museum and Museum of Thyseen-Bornemisza. These three art galleries are must-see places in Madrid. Each of them is full of masterpieces of art. This museum is dedicated to the modern art, mostly of the 20th century.

Read also our article about the best destinations to visit in Spain.