In majestic Madrid, the Prado gallery houses haunting El Greco paintings, and 20th-century art fills Frank Gehrys Guggenheim in Bilbao. Its easy to pack your Barcelona visit with Gaudis eccentric mosaics, while in vibrant Seville the royal palace Alcazar drips with Moorish influence. Snorkel in the warm Mediterranean waters off sandy beaches, threaded along the southern Spanish coast.
In Malaga, take a romantic walk to the craggy ramparts of Gibralfaro Castle for views of the sandy coastline. Wake up in your romantic restored townhouse hotel, to fall in love with hot, sensual Seville. Andalucian neighbour Granada's Moorish Alhambra is dotted with carved ceramics and Koranic inscriptions. For solace, its easy to lose yourselves exploring Barcelonas medieval lanes in the Gothic Quarter.
It's a short walk from Barcelonas centre to the urban beach for seaside fun or a thrilling cable-car ride to Montserrats hilltop monastery. Paddle at the golden sands of Costa Bravas resorts, and spot dolphins from glass-bottomed catamarans off Malagas coast. Sporty families whoosh down the ski slopes at the Sierra Nevada rugged resort.
A Spanish night out starts, and ends, late. For local flavour, Madrids passionate flamenco tradition lives on in local tablaos restaurant-theatres. In Seville, explore the eclectic riverfront bars with hip locals or if youre the clubbing type, head to busy resort Torremolinos for a frenetic dance party in laser-filled clubs.
Valencia is king of paella; try the traditional version made with snails and rabbit. Madrid is the place to dine on local chickpea and meat stew cocido madrileo accompanied by a rich Rioja wine. Watch the world go by in an outdoor caf while dipping fried churros pastry into thick hot chocolate, or end your Barcelona evening sipping Catalonian cava in a cosy wood-panelled bar.
