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Barcelona
The Catalan capital is a city where every district boasts its own history and inimitable atmosphere. Tourists travel to Barcelona for beach holidays and a rich cultural program, as well as for entertainment such as studying street art and the local bars.
How to get there
- By car from El Prat Airport to the city center ≈ 35 minutes
- By public transport from El Prat Airport to the city center ≈ 32 minutes
How to get around the city
- Subway. A single journey costs €2.40
- Bus. A single journey costs €2.40
- Taxi
What to visit
- Plaça de Catalunya
- Park Güell
- La Sagrada Familia
- The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia
- Casa Mila and Casa Batlló
- The Gothic district
- Mercado de La Boqueria
- The royal square and royal palace.
Where to stay
Auto Hogar
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. To get to the airport takes ≈15 minutes by car, and the tourist sites are within easy walking distance.
- Breakfast included in the room rate.
- Free internet.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
It can be noisy in rooms with a view to the street.
Auto Hogar — from $106 per night for two.
Gran Hotel Barcino
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. A large number of tourist sites are within easy walking distance.
- Spacious rooms.
- Good value for money.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- People partying in the streets at night in the Gothic district might alarm guests.
Gran Hotel Barcino — from $156 per night for two.
Hotel 4 Barcelona
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. Near to a subway station.
- Good beach. The hotel exits onto a public beach.
- Friendly staff.
- Free internet access.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- There may be a queue for breakfast.
Hotel 4 Barcelona — from $114 per night for two.
Hotel Amrey Sant Pau
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. Three subway stations are located 3-5 minutes away.
- Rooms have a great view over the city.
- Good value for money.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Small rooms.
Hotel Amrey Sant Pau — from $83 per night for two.
Hotel Roma Reial
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. In the historical center of Barcelona.
- A budget option.
- Rooms look over the royal square.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Meager breakfasts.
Hotel Roma Reial — from $89 per night for two.
Rialto
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. In the historical center of Barcelona.
- Great breakfasts.
- Interiors. Wooden decor, stucco ceilings, spacious halls.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Sound-proofing in the hotel – it can get noisy.
- Lack of air conditioners and heaters.
Rialto — from $136 per night for two.
Senator Barcelona Spa Hotel
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. A quiet district 7 km from the historical city center.
- Good swimming pool.
- Great breakfasts.
- Good value for money.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Rooms provide a view of high-rise buildings in the district.
Senator Barcelona Spa Hotel — from $114 per night for two.
Madrid
One of the youngest cities in Spain which is very attractive to tourists who like a packed program: it will take about five days to view all the museums and galleries. At the same time, there aren’t as many architectural sites here as there are in Barcelona, although the Old Town will be interesting to any traveler.
How to get there
- By car from Madrid-Barajas airport to the city center ≈ 40 minutes
- By public transport from Madrid-Barajas airport to the city center ≈ 20-30 minutes
How to get around the city
- Subway. A single journey costs €1.50-2.
- Bus. A single journey costs €1.50-2.
- Express from the airport. A single journey costs €5.
- Taxi.
What to visit
- Prado Museum.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
- The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
- The royal palace of Madrid.
- Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Cibeles.
- El Escorial.
- Parque del Buen Retiro.
- Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales.
- The Bullfighting Museum of Madrid.
- Mercado de San Miguel.
Where to stay
Mayorazgo Hotel
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location in the center of town. Near a subway station and several tourist sites.
- Good breakfasts.
- Interiors. In medieval style.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Poor sound proofing in some rooms.
Hotel Mayorazgo — from $141 per night for two.
Hotel City House Florida Norte
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location in the center of town. Royal palace within easy walking distance.
- Good sound-proofing.
- Fast internet.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Safe has to be paid for.
- No fridge or kettle in the rooms.
Hotel City House Florida Norte — from $81 per night for two.
Gran Melia Fenix
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location. Easy walking distance to a subway station and several tourist sites.
- Great breakfasts.
- Attentive and polite staff.
- Interior. In the style of an ancient palace.
- Excellent level of room cleaning.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Rooms are not very spacious.
Gran Melia Fenix — from $245 per night for two.
Senator Barajas
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location: The main tourist sites are within easy walking distance.
- Free transfer to the airport.
- Good swimming pool.
- Great breakfasts.
- A budget option.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- Poor sound-proofing.
Senator Barajas — from $84 per night for two.
Regente Hotel
Merits noted by hotel guests
- Location in the center of the city.
- Great breakfasts.
- Good value for money.
Deficiencies noted by hotel guests
- There may be queues for breakfast.
Regente Hotel — from $133 per night for two.
Valencia
Valencia is the capital of the similarly-named province of Spain. It is a city with a rich history, reflected in its architecture and culture. Its large number of ancient towers, cathedrals, and museums mix with this “City of Science and Arts.” The territory of “City,” a modern architectural complex, contains L’Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest oceanarium, as well as a science museum and a palace of arts.
What to visit
- La Lonja de la Seda silk exchange (a UNESCO world heritage site).
- Central market.
- Valencia Cathedral.
- Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas.
- Museu de Belles Arts de València.
- The ancient city of Sagunto.
- The Bullring (or the Museum of Bull Fighting).
- Valencia Bioparc.
Seville
Seville is a port city and Spain’s fourth-largest. Further, its historic part (the old city) is considered one of the largest in Europe. Seville is also famous for its Arab-style gardens and parks. The city’s main architectural tourist site is the Cathedral de Santa María de la Sede, the third-largest cathedral in the Christian world.
Like other cities of Spain, Seville will be particularly appreciated by culinary tourists: it is famous for its tapas bars.
What to visit
- The old city El Cento.
- Parque de María Luisa.
- The Giralda minaret tower.
- Santa Cruz district.
- Gothic cathedral of Seville.
- Plaza de España.
- Reales Alcázares de Sevilla.
- Palacio de San Telmo.
- Isla Magica fun park.
Salou
Tourists mostly visit Salou for beach holidays: the city is located on the Costa Dorada by the Balearic Sea and basically comprises one long beach. Overall, this coastal resort is quite developed in both cultural and entertainment terms.
Favorable weather is enjoyed here during most of the year — from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Beaches in Salou have earned a blue flag.
What to visit
- PortAventura theme park.
- Costa Caribe Aquatic Park.
- Boulevard of King Jaime I.
- Torre Vella tower.
- Masia Catalana.
- Villa Voramar.
Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca is the largest island in Spain, famous for its green groves, rich underwater world, and architecture. Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, attracts tourists with its historical buildings and natural sites. Its rocky inlets, sandy beaches, and emerald and turquoise sea make this destination one of the most expensive in Spain, close in price to Barcelona.
What to visit
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina.
- Mallorca cathedral.
- Castell de Bellver.
- The Arab baths.
- Gran Hotel.
- Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró.
Book a hotel in Palma de Mallorca
Malaga
Malaga is a port city, the economic and financial center of Andalusia, and at the same time, the most fashionable resort in Spain. Malaga, despite its contemporary image, it an ancient city with its own history, hence a cultural program here will be packed.
What to visit
- Picasso Museum and Birthplace Museum.
- Calle Marqués de Larios (for shopping).
- Malaga cathedral.
- Iglesia Capitular de El Sagrario.
- Palacio Episcopal.
- Carmen Thyssen Museum.
- Alcazaba fortress.
Spain, with its ancient cities, wild nightlife, clean and sometimes endless beaches, will suit any tourist, including the most fastidious among them. The variety of ways to spend time here is striking; hence Spain is a universal destination for many travelers. Take note!
