Spain
Spain is a country with a European flavour yet it’s own style, history and culture. We knew in a country so vast, we would have to break it down into more than one visit, or risk losing our jobs.
Our first visit was to the Spanish island Majorca. Like many of our European excursions this trip took place over a long weekend.
Located next to Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea. Majorca, namely Magaluf is identified by many English as an underage Ibiza, A holiday place where parents can sit in English styled pubs and not miss out on their all important football matches while the children play in the all inclusive hotels pool areas. “Agghh the cuddly bliss of comfort zone.” These holidays seem to me like a wasted opportunity, given the treasures waiting to be found all over the island for those willing to explore a little further.
Southern Spain is heavily influenced by its Moorish heritage. Palaces such as the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar in Seville were built for once powerful monarchy’s now attract people from all over the world as some of the most beautiful man made destinations in the world. The mosaic tiles and wood finishes in the palace is a style inherited from the Moors is so artistic and intricate that they defy belief and truly must be seen with your own eyes. It makes me feel
Our final trip to Spain included Barcelona and the San Vino wine fight in Haro. Barcelona is a really fun quirky city with Architecture from Antoni Gaudi including the Basilica De La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. In a short amount of time we crammed in a ton of sights! Then it was onto Haro to get a bit sticky… in a good way!
*This blog was written in 2016, please note some things may have changed*
Transport
Majorca
We found flights to Majorca return over the Easter weekend.
Once we arrived at the Palma de Majorca airport our plan was to get a rental car… this was a massive backfire as the rental agencies at the airport were all being extortionist buggers.
We got a little frustrated and decided we would sort it later from our hotel. Just as we were collecting our bags in a huff and making for the bus stop we found a local lady with a car rental sign. We stopped to enquire, got given a wonderful deal and the keys to a little gutless Fiat 500 which would become our little rocket ship around the island. Perfect!
Southern Spain
Firstly for our mid July flight from London to Madrid we found a Ryan Air deal we couldn’t pass up.
Madrid to Valencia = BlaBlaCar
Was a lady who was a first time BlaBlaCar driver. Everything went smoothly and she had a large comfortable car. Much nicer than taking a bus. Taken from bus station to Valencia main square.
Valencia to Granada = Overnight train
We saved on accommodation and got ourselves a sleeper berth on a night train. Arriving fresh at 7am well slept and ready for a full day at Granada’s Alhambra.
Granada to Nerja = Bus
Not a long trip this one and easy to bus- Found at the local bus station.
Return trip Nerja to Rhonda = Local car rental.
Europecar and all the major rental companies were far more expensive than this local company. Helpful easygoing staff gave us a good deal and we’re flexible on return times as we arrived back after hours and dropped key through return box A really nice day trip from Nerja to Rhonda. Just pack extra water for a hot drive. We managed to have enough time for a swim in Malaga just down the Coastline from Nerja on way home.
Nerja to Seville = Local busses
One change of bus at malaga. This route is a beautiful drive, although in the back of a bumpy bus in 30+ degrees it was quite uncomfortable.
Seville to Lagos (Portugal) = BlaBlaCar
Travelled with a full complement of other blablars and the individual driver who was visiting friends in Lagos. Young guys, very friendly. Medium English ability. No problems!
Northern Spain
From the airport you can catch an over ground train to the central stop Passeig de Gracia. From here you can metro or walk to your accommodation.
Barcelona to Haro
We were involved in the San Vino wine fight hosted in Haro. Stoke Travel organised a coach from Barcelona, Quite expensive however so are all the alternatives.
Haro to Bilbao airport
We tried our luck at hitchhiking from the highway for this short leg but after 30min some police pulled over and kindly let us know we were in an illegal spot… eeekkkk! If Hitchhiking in Spain stay off the highways or you can nab yourself a €200 Fine!
Tail between our legs we went to the safety of the bus station that has regular busses to Bilbao.
From the same Bilbao bus terminal you arrive in there are bus’s straight to the Airport, these leave every 20-30min.
Tip: The bus is cash only, and Haro has no cash machines, you must be prepared!
Accommodation
Please bear in mind when we travelled through Spain we were in our early 20’s (with no children) trying to make our money go along way. One thing that helped us was staying in decent priced hostels. We enjoyed staying at Hostels and there would be times where we had our own private room or shared a bunk bed in an 8 bed dorm. Here are our Hostel recommendations:
Madrid – Hostel Fun Sleep
Hostel Fun Sleep in Madrid is a budget-friendly and fun-filled accommodation option for travellers looking for a lively and comfortable place to stay. With cozy rooms, social communal spaces, and friendly staff, this hostel promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of Madrid.
Valencia – The River Hostel
The River Hostel in Valencia is a charming and affordable hostel located in the heart of the city, offering travellers a comfortable and social accommodation option. With a range of room types, friendly staff, and a prime location along the river, this hostel is a perfect base for exploring Valencia’s many attractions.
Nerja – Hostal Alhambra
The River Hostal Alhambra is a cozy and affordable hostel nestled in the heart of Granada, Spain. Prime location near the city’s top attractions, this hostel is the perfect base for travellers looking to explore Granada’s rich history and culture. We enjoyed a private room where we could relax after a busy day exploring.
Seville – Trotamundos Hostel
Tortamundas Hostel in Seville is a vibrant and affordable hostel located in the centre of the city – this made exploring the sites very accessible. With cozy rooms, social communal spaces, and friendly staff, this hostel promises a perfect place to rest your head in the lively city of Seville.
Barcelona – Hola Hostel Eixample
Hola Hostel Barcelona was a great hub to meet other travellers with the same mindset. We loved the social atmosphere and the friendliness of staff. Great location which made it a great place to explore all the sites Barcelona had to offer.
Food
Spain does very good seafood and most restaurants will have some seafood options.
Cold meats – you will see dried legs of meat in almost every window. Sliced thin this Jamón is delicious. Chorizo is another staple in the Spanish cuisine.
Paella – Especially the Negros Paella. Squid ink changes this usually bright and colourful dish into a grey/black pan of goodies. I don’t usually think black food is particularly appetising… I think granddads burnt toast, horrible liquorish strong overpowering flavours. The Negros Paella was something special. It reset the bar on paella even after some extraordinary versions
Tapas – The old tradition was when you ordered a drink in a bar, you received a small tapa free of charge. This could be a small portion of paella, a bowl of olives/chips or some delicious shopped uo choritzo sausage.
Highly Recommended Restaurants
- The Museo del Jamon in Madrid is a special place. 50euro cents gets you a small beer, hamburger slider and a scoope of choritzo. Cheap, very cheerful and delicious. You will have to jostle with locals and travelers for prime position at the bar. Looks more like a butcher rather than a bar with cold meats everywhere available for purchase.
Tip: Some old fashion establishments such as this one have rubbish all over the floor. Do not be disgusted this is encouraged, the dirtier looking the place the better it is!
- Bar La Catedral in Seville. If you fancy some extra special tapas you will need to go to a tapas restaurant. tapas are what these places specialise in so rather than have a main we chose a selection of tapas and shared those. I enjoyed trying lots of different flavours and was nice to share with Bianca… little romantic one might say. This one has really cool decor and some delicious tapas on the menu. If only I could have eaten them all!
Must See & Do
Majorca
- Magaluf, it’s dirty nasty but go on and indulge for a day in the all-inclusive. You deserve it, let your hair down and go out on the town. Good out of your system… leave Magaluf RIGHT NOW!
- Just drive – There are some spectacular drives in Majorca and on such a small island they are easy to find. Cruise on around the coast and marvel. The drive to Sa Calobra is as beautiful as the beach itself.
- Head to the lighthouse at the end of Cap de Formentor and stop off along the way for more of Majorcas magic panoramic locations.
- Walk the 13th century walled old town of Alcúdia.
- If your into windsurfing there is a massive windsurf community here.
Madrid
- Nightlife is pretty wild in Madrid. Head into the Salamanca District. Beware of going out too early though, most clubs/Bars will be dead quiet until after midnight. We met some locals who took us out until closing time when the sun was up. Just don’t get caught drinking in the streets, apparently they are very strict.
- Museo Del Jamon. Best place for a cheap beer and tapa. See more about in the food section.
- Walking Tour – Madrid is a really cool city to see in a walking tour. They explain the culture, the strange bear in the square and share some cool historical stories. My favorite stop on the tour was the oldest Restaurant in Europe (Sobrino de Botín), which happens to be Hemmingway’s favourite restaurant. The owner encouraged us to visit the ancient wine cellar… watch your head down the steps if you visit. Another awesome part to the tour is that she shared some awesome Tapa places with us. (The 50euro cent place mentioned earlier in the post.)
- Parque de El Retiro – If you have been out the night before then this park is a perfect place to relax in the sun. It has plenty of grass, statues and fountains to bask in as the hangover retreats.
- Prado Museum – Once you’re recovered this Art Museum is right next to the park. Entry costs but it has some of the world’s most important pieces of art.
- Egypt Monument – For those with an interest in Egyptology… Madrid was donated a wonderful temple as thanks for its support in raising money to help the UNESCO sites.
Valencia
- Visit the City of Arts and Sciences: a futuristic complex of buildings that houses museums, an opera house, an aquarium, and more.
- Explore the old town of Valencia: a charming area with narrow streets, historic buildings, and bustling plazas.
- Relax on the beach: Valencia has several beautiful beaches, such as Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa del Cabanyal.
- See the Torres de Serranos: a medieval gate that was once part of the city’s defensive walls.
- Enjoy the Turia Gardens: a 9-kilometer park that was once a riverbed and now offers a peaceful oasis in the city.
Granada
- Visit the Alhambra: a stunning palace and fortress complex that is one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks.
- Wander through the historic Albayzin neighbourhood: a charming area filled with narrow streets, white-washed buildings, and stunning views of the Alhambra.
- See the Cathedral and Royal Chapel: a beautiful Gothic cathedral and burial site of Spain’s Catholic Monarchs.
- Explore the Sacromonte neighbourhood: a bohemian area known for its flamenco shows and cave dwellings.
- Walk around Plaza Nueva: a lively square with outdoor cafes, street performers, and a great spot for people-watching.
Nerja
- Visit the Caves of Nerja: a stunning underground cave system with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
- Relax on the beaches: Nerja has several beautiful beaches, such as Playa Burriana, Playa de Maro, and Playa El Salon.
- Hire a car and drive out to the beautiful town of Rhonda.
- Explore the old town: a charming area filled with narrow streets, white-washed buildings, and small shops and cafes.
- Enjoy the Balcon de Europa: a beautiful viewpoint with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding coastline.
- Walk along the Rio Chillar: a beautiful river that offers refreshing waterfalls and pools for swimming and relaxing.
- Visit the Church of El Salvador: a beautiful 17th-century church with a stunning baroque facade.
Seville
- Visit the Real Alcazar: a stunning palace complex that showcases a blend of Islamic and Christian architectural styles.
- Explore the Santa Cruz neighbourhood: a charming area filled with narrow streets, orange trees, and beautiful squares.
- See the Seville Cathedral: a beautiful Gothic cathedral that houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
- Watch a flamenco show: Seville is famous for its flamenco culture, so be sure to catch a live performance.
- Stroll along the Guadalquivir River: Seville is situated on the banks of the river, and it offers beautiful views of the city and its landmarks.
- Visit the Plaza de España: a beautiful square with impressive architecture, fountains, and tile work.
- Explore the Triana neighbourhood: a lively area across the river that is known for its ceramics and flamenco culture.
- See the Metropol Parasol: a modern structure that offers stunning views of the city from its rooftop terrace.
Barcelona
- Explore the fairytale architecture of Antoni Gaudi including the Basilica De La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell.
Tip: Parc Güell cost €8 and needs to be booked in advance. Otherwise its free until 8am if you fancy waking up in time.
- Jump in the bustle of the La Rumblas and hustle yourself some food and souvenirs.
- You will need a bit of chill time at the beach after that. Lucky its right at the end of the La Rumblas.
- If you’re keen for a party then you have arrived in the right place! We started at our Hostel and followed the crowd for an amazing night out!
- Visit the Gothic Quarter: a charming neighborhood filled with narrow streets, historic buildings, and small shops and cafes.
- Visit the Picasso Museum: a museum dedicated to the famous artist, showcasing his early works.
- See the Magic Fountain: a beautiful fountain that offers a stunning light and water show at night.
Haro
- If you find yourself in Haro, it is likely for only one reason… Enjoy the annual wine fight. We went through Stoke Travel where anything goes. Even taking your airbed white water rafting.
The tour includes two nights with breakfast and dinner included. Unlimited beer and sangria gets everyone a bit loose, and they give you a box of wine to throw on people at the event.
Otherwise organise your own accommodation because the actual festival is FREE!
See our experience of La Batalla Del Vino Here.
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