Spain is primarily known as a beach and culture destination. Every year, in summer, numerous tourists visit the Spanish coasts. During the low season, the cities of Spain are the important attractions. In Spain you can enjoy many typically Spanish things like: bullfighting, flamenco dancing, paella, gazpacho, tapas, sangria and Spanish wines.
Sunny Spanish "costas" are the number one attraction of Spain. Costa is the Spanish word for coast. The Spanish coast has many beautiful beaches, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun. The resorts are lively and have much to offer tourists. The coastal regions of Spain vary and therefore each attract different tourists. The Costa Brava and Costa Maresme are fairly easy to reach by car and bus. Here you will find a lot of families with children, but also many young people come here by bus. Further south, the climate is also very good in winter and here you can find many Dutch. The Costas from north to south: Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, Costa Dorada, Costa del Azahar / Valencia, Costa Blanca, Costa de Almeria, Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz which borders Portugal. In the north of Spain you will find the Costa Vasca and Costa Verde / Costa Cantabria.
The Spanish interior is a particularly popular cultural destination. Andalusia is the southernmost region of Spain and border Portugal to the west. Here you can find some beautiful towns that are well worth a visit. For example, there is Seville with its Giralda (bell tower) and Gothic Cathedral dating from the 15th century. Cordoba contains the Mesquita (Mosque converted to a Christian church) and the Barrio de la Juderia. Granada lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and is famous for the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus.
In the middle of Spain lies the capital, Madrid. This city has many attractions including the Prado Museum, Puerta del Sol (a large square with shops), El Retiro (park) and the Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish king. There are also a number of attractions in the surroundings of Madrid. For example, the monastery of El Escorial, the former residence of Philip II, is about 30km south of Madrid. Nearby you will also find the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen), a monumental memorial conceived by General Franco to honor and bury those who fell during the Spanish Civil War. Franco's tomb is also here. The city of Toledo, 70 km south of Madrid, has been declared a national monument because of its beautiful location above the River Tagus.
Other important cultural cities include Barcelona (the Sagrada Familia [unfinished church with the 12 towers of Gaudi], Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas and Montjuïc, and Malaga with its 14th century fortress and Alcazaba palace with beautiful surrounding gardens.
The Pyrenees are situated on the border between Spain and France. This is a rugged and wild mountain range with plenty of steep peaks and vast forests. The valleys contain many picturesque villages. In the winter you can ski here while in summer you can enjoy hiking or mountain climbing. The small country of Andorra is an attraction mainly because it is tax-free.

Off the coast of Spain you can find many islands. The first is the Balearic archipelago, consisting of the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera. These islands are popular holiday destination because of their sunny climate. In summer the temperature can reach 40 degrees. The beach resorts on these islands are friendly and lively and have plenty to offer tourists. Before and after the peak season it is cooler and is thus ideal for hiking. As a winter destination, these islands are less suitable because of the cold fall winds blowing down from the Pyrenees.
Other islands located off Spain include the Canary Islands which consist of: Cran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. These islands lie to the south of Spain at the height of southern Morocco. These islands all have a volcanic origin. The Canary Islands are a year round holiday resort (suitable even for a winter holiday. As a result of the Gulf Stream, you can even swim in winter). In summer it is a real sun and beach destination. Furthermore, the islands offer plenty of natural beauty.