Spain - Our Top 10

Over our four weeks in Spain we were able to cover a lot of ground, visiting Madrid, Barcelona, and a number of cities in Andalusia with a short stopover in Lisbon part way through. Here are our favorite sites, most memorable meals, and must see attractions from our time in beautiful Spain!

Mezquita 

If you've had a chance to read up on our visit to the Mezquita in Cordoba, it's probably not a surprise that it took the top spot. From our first steps inside we were captivated by the forest of red and white arches, while the detail of the Mihrab and the stunning Renaissance chapel and alter rendered us speechless for the duration of our visit. 

Segovia

A popular day trip from Madrid, Segovia grabbed out attention with it's stunning aqueducts and held it throughout the afternoon with a display of breathtaking viewpoints, a fairytale like alcazar, and an incredible gothic cathedral.  

 
 

Markets Galore 

Travis may go for the food and Calli for anything kitschy, but in the end cheap prices and people watching is the great equalizer. We've found wonderful markets throughout Spain, from La Boqueria in Barcelona to San Miquel Market in Madrid, and wonderful small flea markets throughout Andalucia, we definitely got our fill of window shopping.

 

 

Alhambra 

The last and greatest palace complex of the Moorish civilization in Spain is not only Granada's crowning jewel but a definite must see as well. The lines may be long, the admission process a bit convoluted, and the site expansive, but any confusion and sore feet are immediately forgotten upon entering the Nasrid Palace. 

 

Seville's Alcazar 

Like much of Andalucia, the beauty within this building lies in the seamless melding of Islam and Christianity. Rennaisance ceilings in some rooms, intricate tile work in others, and a central garden and reflecting pond made famous by Ridley Scott.

 

Gaudi 

Gaudi devoted over forty years to shaping Barcelona's architectural landscape and today, the city, and millions of tourists each year, pay homage to his creative genius. With seven of his buildings categorized as protected UNESCO World Heritage sites there are plenty of chances to contemplate his unique style. 

 
Prado Museum 

Although the French Impressionists at the Thyssen topped our list of Top 10 Art - Spain and Portugal, the Prado museum won us over in the end. With a seemingly endless collection of paintings and sculpture it's possible to spend a week here and still not see everything.

 
Madrid's Architecture 

From the Cathedral to the Royal Palace to the Piazza Mayor to the Gran Via, no city thus far (except maybe Zagreb) has put on such a display of architecture. Wandering through the city we didn't know where to look next, or where to focus the camera.

 

 

Plaza de Espana 

Hearing it was a worth a look, we decided to wander towards Parque de Maria Luisa one morning during our time in Seville. We ended up spending half the morning exploring and photographing the amazing Plaza de Espana. In a city boasting one of the largest cathedrals in the world and the only alcazar still in use in Europe, the Plaza has some heavy competition and it definitely holds its own.

 

 

Atletico Madrid Match 

We had a blast walking around the stadium, watching old people scream at the players, and laughing as a young guy paced up and down the aisles "coaching" the players and yelling instructions to the (actual) coach across the stadium. Oh and seeing a 30 yard volley to win the game in the 94th minute wasn't too bad either.

 

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Malaga - More than a Stopover

Unlike Seville, with the Cathedral; Granada, with the Alhambra; and Cordoba, with the Mezquita, we didn't plan on visiting any specific sites during our stay in Malaga, instead opting for a calm and restful end to our time in Andalucia. The city, however, had other plans, offering up a feast of fortresses, harbours, cathedrals, markets, and a beautiful historic core all worthy of exploration and making it nearly impossible to sleep in. Luckily, I've never found sleeping in too difficult, and the full breakfast offered at our hotel, complete with fresh waffles, made the morning feel overly indulgent.

Locks on the bridge we crossed on our way to the hotel

With so much to see, and just two days before our flight to Milan, we chose to explore Malaga from the outside, deciding not to enter the beautiful renaissance Cathedral or the grounds of the ancient Moorish Castle. A mistake? Perhaps, but it worked well for us, allowing us to explore at a leisurely pace and recuperate from a long month crisscrossing our way through Spain.  As a result, most of our favorite moments in Malaga aren't specific sites or activities, but rather the overall atmosphere of the city. 

Roaming through the local market was fun like always.

We began our day by wandering in no particular direction and simply enjoying the beautiful sunny weather. Eventually, we found ourselves in front of Malaga's Rennaisance Cathedral and took some time to listen in on tour guides describing its history (Did you know that only one of the two towers is completed - apparently the money raised to build the second was donated to help the USA gain its independence from Great Britain?). After that, we wandered down to the harbour and through some of the beautiful gardens, watching the people chatting after finishing a Marathon that had taken place that morning. 

The completed tower of Malaga Cathedral

Our first true Renaissance Cathedral

We stumbled upon a market in front of the ancient Roman Amphitheater at the base of the Castle and, after perusing the goods which included a vast assortment of jewelery, crafts, and carved wooden penises, we feasted on some dried apricots and honey roasted peanuts. 

The Castle and some of the lovely gardens

Great architectural sights are found all over the city

We finished off our day of relaxation by looking for a place to watch some soccer (clearly Travis' idea), eventually ending up in a small Irish Pub. The bartender, beer in hand, was more than willing to pour us a pint, but the kitchen was closed until the Malaga game was over. Twice during the match a couple British lads came in looking for English soccer, but their request to change channels was adamantly refused.

The old castle

The castle and old Roman Amphitheater

Once a stop over for tourists destined for the sun soaked beaches of Costa del Sol, Malaga has shown that it has plenty more to offer and tourists are starting to listen.

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