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Sights & Activities

Because of its rich culture and heritage, there is no shortage of wonderful sights to see in this country. Within the historic center of Cordoba is the famous Mosque-Cathedral, world renowned for its beautiful architecture and rich interiors. This impressive structure is made up of nineteen naves and was originally a Roman temple, a Visigoth cathedral, and a mosque before becoming a Christian site. It is intricately decorated with marble, mosaics, and plasterwork. The rare combination of Moorish and Baroque designs in its interior was due to the decision to build a cathedral inside the original structure. With nearly a thousand columns, it is indeed an unforgettable sight to behold. During the 13th century, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, or the the Fortress of the Christian Monarchs, and the Tower of Calahorra were built near the Mosque-Cathedral as part of the city’s defenses. It is now a pleasant area to stroll around, with its beautiful gardens and magnificent fountains.

North of Cordoba is the city of Mérida, which was established as a Roman town in 25 BC. It was then known as the Emérita Augusta. This city by the Guadiana river is the location of the National Museum of Roman Art, which showcases priceless artifacts taken from the around the city. There are several well-preserved Roman structures scattered all over the historic center of Mérida and a fine example of which is the Roman Theatre. Constructed during the 1st century BC, it features sculptures of Roman gods and rulers. Adjacent to it is the Amphitheatre that used to be the venue of gladiatorial games. Other Roman structures worth exploring are the Temple of Diana, the Arch of Trajan, and the bridge called the Puente Romano.

In the northern part of the country is the city of Burgos, famous for its Gothic cathedral. Construction of the structure began in the 13th century and it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Looking much like the cathedrals in France, the structure bears an enormous number of priceless arts such as sculptures and paintings. It is also where the tomb of El Cid and his wife is located.

Further north is the town of Santillana del Mar, mostly associated with the Altamira cave that are located just a short drive away. The cave has become world famous because of the presence of paintings on its walls, dating back to the Paleolithic period.

Northwest of Spain is the city of Santiago de Compostela, which has its cathedral as its most prominent landmark. Christians believe the cathedral was constructed on the burial site of St. James the Great, one of Christ’s apostles. Because of this, the cathedral is a famous pilgrimage destination and is full of faithful pilgrims the whole year through. The structure is considered as the largest Romanesque church in the country and bears numerous works of art. Apart from housing the remains of St. James, the cathedral also keeps the relics of Saints Theodorus and Athanasius.

Spain also has several well-known natural attractions and foremost of which is the Doñana National Park, situated in the southwestern part of the country. This national park supports an incredible diversity of plants and animals in several distinct ecosystems. There are also several endangered animal species calling the park’s heavily forested areas home.

All of the places and sights mentioned above are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Weather

Spain is one country in Europe that is ideal to visit all year round. As expected, the places located on and near the Mediterranean coast enjoy hot summers and mild winters. Weather is cooler as one goes inland and to the north, which enjoys a more continental climate characterized by hot summer and bitterly cold winter. Most visitors come to the country in April to November, where it’s generally sunny with occasional rains showers. Those located in elevated areas experience snowfall during most times of the year and temperature can drop below freezing during the winter months.