The Spain Travel Deals Blog

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The best Majorca tourist attractions would definitely be the many be beautiful natural sites that the island boasts.  With its many gorgeous beaches and coves Majorca is a great place for a summer hoiday.  Although it is the largest of Spain’s islands, and quite popular with tourists, it can still offer a more peacefull holiday than many areas on the mainland.

Of course there are planty of resorts which offer the full range of ammeneties  that you might expect.  Indeed, Majorca has made a great effort to cater to tourists, so in addition to some fun at the beach, visitors of every age group will find activities to enjoy.

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In this post I want to talk a bit about Spain sightseeing tours, and when they might be the best option for a person visiting Spain. First lets look at some reasons why you might want to join a tour group. One obvious reason is ease of travel. If you don’t know the local language, are unsure about how to get around, or just want some help finding the best tourist spots, a tour might be for you.

The drawback is that you have a bit less freedom regarding where you go. If you are on a walking tour, or any kind of fully guided tour for that matter, you go where your group goes. Now this can be remedied to some extent if you select something like a hop on hop off bus tour. In this case, you decide which places you visit along the bus route, and what you do at each place.

Essentially, it all boils down to a choice between having some expert help and guidance on your tour of Spain, or having the option to go fully of the beaten path, while maintaining complete control of your sightseeing experience.

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Some of the most intriguing tourist attractions in Spain can be found in the city of Barcelona. I always recommend the city to those visiting Spain for the first time, as there is so much to see and do. In my opinion, the architectural works of Antoni Gaudi are among Barcelona’s best attractions. The above clip gives you some views of Sagrada Familia, a cathedral considered by many to be Barcelona’s most stunning site. After a visit there, I also recommend having a look around Park Guell, another Gaudi creation that has become a major tourist destination.

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In a previous post, I told you about some great Spain travel deals being offered by a beachfront Hotel in Nerja.  In that article, I expressed my opinion that the town of Nerja is a still a bit neglected by many tourists, and I promised to share with you some information about a few of the best things to do in Nerja.

In this p0ost, I want to discuss some Spain tourist attractions in the town that I think will be of real interest to those who enjoy natural sites. 

I’ll start with a beautiful attraction in the center of the town known as, Balcon de Europa, or the Balcony of Europe.  There you’ll find a man made outlook built on a beautiful cliff that overlooks the sea.  Local tales state that the cliff itself got the title of Balcon de Europa when King Alfonso XII of Spain visited the area, and was moved by the beautiful view.  Accordingly, a statue of the king now stands at the site.

I would say that the balcon is certainly one of the best Spain tourist attractions for photographers, and lovers of natural beauty.  It offers wonderful views of the rocky coastline below the cliff, and a crystal clear view of the water for some distance.  There are also beautiful views of the Aljimara Mountains, and the palms around the cliff.

As a lover of historical sites, I am also intrigued by the fact that a Moorish castle stood on this cliff in the ninth century, and was later replaced by a fort that remained on the site for several hundred years.  One can imagine what striking views those residing in these structures must have had.

If you’re intrigued by natural Spain tourist attractions, the caves of Nerja are also a must see during your visit to the town.  The beautiful and extensive cave complex was discovered in the late 1950’s, and has a rich history dating to prehistoric times.

Archeological studies have revealed that humans were using the complex as a shelter as early as 25,000 BC.  Over time, tribes of prehistoric hunters began to use the caves as a year=round shelter.  This practice would continue until the Bronze Age.

Today, you can visit the caves to see paintings done by prehistoric inhabitants, and an impressive number of items discovered during archeological digs at the site.  Interestingly, one of the chambers which are open to the public is also used for several festivals and concerts, due to the natural acoustic effects which are produced. 

If you want to see areas of the cave which are generally not open to the public, it is possible to join a tour led by professional spelunkers. 

Access to the cave complex will cost you a very reasonable 6 Euros (discounts are available for children, elderly, and groups).  This makes the complex one of the best Spain travel deals for the naturalist on holiday in Nerja. 

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In any list of Europe’s best attractions, the Alhambra will almost certainly appear near the top.  I would say that it is by far the best of the Spain tourist attractions that a visitor to Granada will find.  Indeed, if you are in southern Spain, this is one sight you can’t afford to miss.

For those that aren’t familiar with the Alhambra as yet, it is a large palace and fortress complex, perched atop a hill overlooking Granada.  Built largely in the fourteenth century, this sprawling structure served as a home for Muslim rulers in Granada, during a period of time when Christianity was becoming a much more powerful force in Spain. 

The Alhambra complex is a place of majestic atmosphere, populated with many ornate palaces and looming towers that offer fantastic views of the city below.  The architectural and artistic elements in each area of the Alhambra complex makes for an awe inspiring visit. 

You will be particularly impressed with the Patio de los Leones.  This courtyard area is home to twelve beautifully carved lion figures surrounding a central fountain.  All around this area are beautiful pillars and colored tiles that make the Alhambra such an amazing place to visit.

This area of Alhambra is part of the Nasrid Palace, perhaps the most popular and exquisite area of the structure.  This palace alone serves to make the Alhambra one of the best Spain tourist attractions in the southern part of the country.  Throughout this section be sure to take note of the ornate arches, and finely crafted carvings you will find.  (Do keep in mind  that because this palace is so popular, you will be allotted a specific time to view it when purchasing your ticket).

The Generalife Gardens of the Alhambra offer another wonderful element to your tour which you can’t afford to miss.  The greenery here is beautiful, and gives the gardens area its own special atmosphere.  The rushing of fountains that you will hear while visiting the garden area only heightens this atmosphere. 

As a side note, if you are particularly interested in viewing the gardens, they are generally at their best in the early summer.

One final thing to keep in mind when planning a visit to the Alhambra has to do with ticketing and arrival time.  You do have the option to purchase tickets online; however, you might also choose to buy them at the ticket office so you can be sure that you won’t miss your time slot for the Nasrid Palace.  If you do plan to purchase on site, I recommend getting to the complex  as early as possible to maximize the time you have to spend at Alhambra.

Finally, if you are still looking for Spain travel deals on hotel accommodation for your time in Granada, I encourage you to take a look at one of my earlier posts which highlighted a nice centrally located option.

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One of the goals I have for this blog is that it should offer you  information about as many notable Spain tourist attractions as possible.  Today, I would like to start this off by telling you about Castillo de Loarre in Huesca Provence, Spain.  Located less than an hour by train from Madrid, Huesca and the castle make an unforgettable side trip if you are based in the capital.

Being a fan of historical attractions myself, I would highly recommend a visit to Loarre Castle.  With its construction started in the eleventh century, Loarre is the oldest fortress castle complex in Spain.  It is remarkable how well this structure has stood the test of time.  Indeed, two of the rowers which still stand on the grounds today are from the first period in Loarre’s construction.

Considering that they date back to about the fourteenth century, the imposing outer walls of the fortress, and their accompanying towers are equally impressive.  The historical significance of the complex has long been recognized.  A major restoration of the castle, took place in the early nineteenth century, and there have been a number of other campaigns which were undertaken to preserve the structure in more recent times.  More than a century ago, the castle became one of Spain’s national monuments, and it remains a popular attraction today.

Some of the contemporary interest in Loarre Castle can no doubt be attributed to its presence in film.  (Several scenes from the popular 2005 movie Kingdom of Heaven were filmed on the grounds).  Hollywood’s interest in Loarre Castle will come as no surprise to you once you have had an up close view.  Although the entrance to the complex can be reached by car, I recommend arriving on foot if you are able.  Walking from the village below to the entrance will afford you some great photographic opportunities, and a more atmospheric experience.

Once you arrive at the castle, you can elect to undertake one of the 50 minute guided tours that are offered in several languages (including English), throughout the day.  The price of admission for adults is 2 Euros or 3.50 Euros with guide.  Given the low cost of entry, and the fact that the castle is an easy, and relatively inexpensive side trip from Madrid, I would say that Loarre Castle is one of the more exceptional Spain travel deals in the northern part of the country for tourists interested in historical sightseeing. 

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