In many tapas bars in Madrid you’ll be invited to a small snack when you order your drink. Visitors to Spain often assume that these ‘tapas’ are a nationwide tradition, however, this is not the case. Originally from Andalucia, the idea of giving a small snacks (a tapa) with a …
The tradition of bullfighting has long been a controversial issue in Spain. In 2010 bullfighting in Barcelona was banned by the Catalan Parliament in 2010 although the ruling was later overturned by Spain’s Constitutional Court. This view of bullfighting stands in stark contrast to other parts of the country, including …
The Andalucían capital of Seville enjoys a vibrant culinary scene rooted in history and tradition. From tiny tapas bars tucked away on side streets to elegant dining rooms which have welcomed patrons for generations, the restaurants in Seville offer a taste of authentic Spanish cuisine. When visiting Seville, food-lovers are …
At a time when the traditional ‘Corrida de Toros’ faces such scrutiny over its cruelty to animals, bullfighting in Seville remains ingrained in the city’s culture and identity. The practice dates back centuries in the Andalusian capital and is centred on the 12,000 capacity Plaza de Toros de la Real …
Whilst Catalonia has banned bullfighting, Madrid has protected it as an artform which is considered to be of special cultural value. Anyone guilty of trying to stop bullfights taking place is subject to substantial fines for attempting to damage Madrid’s cultural heritage. This puts bullfighting in Madrid on a par …
The original page of recommended Barcelona restaurants which we published on this website in 1998 was simply a short list of some of the author’s favourite places to eat in the city. Since then Barcelona has grown beyond recognition as a tourist destination and has seen a vast number of …
There are some magnificent day trips from Seville which you can arrange by means of public transport or by booking organised tours. The most popular full day excursions from Seville are to Granada where you can visit the Alhambra Palace, to Cordoba to see the Mezquita and to Jerez de …
On a short visit to Barcelona there’s a lot to keep you busy as you take a wander around the amazing Gaudi buildings such as the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Park Güell. There’s also a wealth of museums and art galleries, the hugely popular FC Barcelona stadium tour and …
Barcelona Airport lies just 12km southwest of the city of Barcelona next to El Prat de Llobregat. It is Spain’s 2nd busiest airport after Madrid with almost 35 million annual passengers passing through its terminals. Such is the importance of Barcelona as a major European city that both national carriers …