Car Hire in Spain
Spain Area Guide
Spain, the land of sun, sea, sangria, flamenco, bullfights and that is just the start. Spain is an incredibly diverse country which has so much more to offer than the usual cliches, from wild landscapes to the unique and varied architecture and the fabulous food and people. Spain’s diversity lies behind the creation of the seventeen autonomous regions which each have their own individual governments, budgets, cultural ministries and in some cases, their own language. Indeed, Spaniards themselves often talk of Spain in the plural (Las Españas) due to the wide differences between the regions. And with variety comes choice for the holidaymaker: there really is something for everyone here.
If it’s a city break you’re after, you won’t be disappointed by what Spain has to offer. Barcelona is possibly the most popular city to visit in Spain, mainly for its mix of city life, beach and spectacular Gaudi architecture which really is a sight to be seen. Your browser may not support display of this image. The city itself could keep you occupied for weeks but if you have time, make sure you hire a car and visit Sitges and the Montserrat mountain range during your stay.
Spain’s capital city, Madrid is another favourite with tourists. The Madrid locals really know how to party and the nightlife scene is one of the most vibrant in the country. For something a little more cultural why not visit one of its three major art museums: Prado, Reina Sofia and Theyssen-Bornemisza which house fabulous collections of Spanish, European and American art.
A little more on the sedate side is the southern Spanish city of Seville, famous for its flamenco and the invention of tapas. Sights not to be missed are the Giralda tower, the beautiful Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) which is the largest gothic cathedral and the Alcazar. For those hiring a car, the stunning beaches of the Costa de la Luz are just a short drive away.
Situated in the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline is the city of Valencia which has seen vast improvements over the last few years. The giant complex of the Ciudad de las Artes ye las Ciencas (City of Arts and Sciences) has turned the city into a prime tourist destination and comprises 3 main attractions: Hemesferic - an imax cinema; Museo de las Ciencias – a science museum; and Parque Oceanografico – one of the world’s largest aquariums. Valencia is the home of paella and also a drink known as horchata which is made from tiger nuts – you can’t go to Valencia without sampling both.
Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque country and is almost synonymous with its biggest cultural attraction, the Guggenheim museum which holds a very fine collection of twentieth century art. The city has its own metro system which provides good transport around the city. Alternatively, if you hire a car you can head out of the city and discover the other delights of the basque region such as the coastal resort of San Sebastian or Pamplona, famous for its bull run during the San Fermin fiesta that takes place each July.
In the south east of Spain, in between the Sierra de Orihuela and the Cresta de Gallo mountains, lies the city of Murcia. One of the main tourist attractions is the Catedral de Santa Maria, a huge imposing cathedral which towers over the centre. As you would expect from a university town, the nightlife is vibrant (at least during term time) and centred round the university.
For more of a beach holiday why not fly into Malaga, pick up a hire car at the airport and visit one of the many resorts on the Costa del Sol such as Torremolinos, Fuengirola or the playground of the rich, Marbella. For a more ‘Spanish’ resort, keep going along the coast until you reach Estepona which has a fine sandy beach and a very pretty old town.
Alicante is another favourite beach holiday destination with tourists. Situated on the Costa Blanca it has a thoroughly Mediterranean feel, with its wide esplanades and seafront cafes. Alicante’s main historical site is the Castillo de Santa Barbara which is a medieval fortress located on the hill above the town’s beach.
Wherever you decide to visit in Spain one thing you’ll find everywhere you go is the Spaniards’ warm welcome and infectious enthusiasm for life.
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