<< 7 things you probably didn’t know about St George’s Day |

Exploring the hidden secrets of the regions of Spain

April 27, 2015 11:54 by author

Just as the UK is divided into counties, Spain too is divided into regions – 17 to be precise.

Of these, 15 are found on the mainland while the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands will be well known among holiday makers (think Tenerife, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Lanzarote to name but a few)

These popular islands hold some secrets but it the regions of mainland Spain that deserve a little more exploration.

Here we take a peek at some of the regions to see what makes them popular, with both locals and tourists alike.

Andalusia

In the southern part of Spain is Andalusia, home to Flamenco dancing and bullfighting as well as sandy beaches and mountain ranges. The second largest region in Spain, it receives 3,000 hours of sun every year. Fine sands are found on the coast of Huelva and Cadiz while warmer waters can be found past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Med.

The region is the world’s largest producer of Olive Oil and it accompanies nearly every meal as a result. The landscape is dotted with olive trees which glisten in the warn sun.

Catalonia

Featuring a wide mix of different geographical features and with its own language, Catalonia is one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Spain. Home to Barcelona and with a number of beautiful beaches, there is plenty to see and do.

The Sagrada Familia, still under construction some 130 years after work first began, is one of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions. The huge architectural masterpiece should finally be completed in 2026 if all goes to plan. To give you an idea of its size, those little coloured specs at the bottom are people!

The Basque Country

The Basque Country has a completely autoctonous culture and its own language. Recognised as a key area for industry, it is also home to many areas of totally untouched nature, with natural parks and spaces making it popular for hiking, riding and golf.

Bilbao features an extensive range of architecture including its wonderful Gothic cathedral. But it is the Guggenheim Musuem, built less than 20 years ago which really captures the imagination. The facade of glass, titanium and limestone from architect Frank O. Gehry is viewed as one of the exceptional pieces of avant-garde architecture from the 20th century!

Galicia

The ‘land of the 1,000 rivers’, Galicia is criss-crossed with many rivers that work their way towards the coast from the mountainous regions found inland. Those first to leave their mark were of Celtic and Gaelic origins, yet the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle Santiago in the Middle Ages changed that.

Thousands of pilgrims now make their way to the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela and the world-famous Way of St James. One of the country’s most monumental towns, the route is now considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.

La Rioja

An area famed for its wine of the same name, it produced in the smallest of Spain’s Autonomous Communities in the Ebro valley. Haro is at the centre of wine production and holds a “battle of the wine” every year.

Part of the Way of St James makes its way through La Rioja, with many monasteries found along its route.

Madrid

The capital of Spain for more than 450 years, the central location and high altitude provides wonderfully warm summers and much cooler winters. The city itself is home to many great monuments and cultural sites.

It is also a lively metropolis with thousands of pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs. That’s not forgetting the city’s footballing sides, both of whom compete at the highest level year after year. Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium is a symbol of the club and of their status as a footballing power.

Castilla Y Leon

The largest region in Spain, but also in the European Union, the elevated plain is surrounded by mountain ranges and the border with Portugal. The region formed when Castilla la Vieja and Leon came together in 1983. Both are rich in history and many cathedrals, monasteries, castles and fortified towns form Spanish medieval period can still be found preserved in fantastic condition.

A number of natural parks also exist, much of which is untouched, while the towns and cities provide wonderful displays of ancient roman architecture. Salamanca’s university is also one of the oldest in Europe.

Valencian Community

A fantastic example of Mediterranean Spain and with more than 500km of coast, the Valencian Community is one of the country’s tourism hotspots. The Costa Blanca coast is home to golden sands that have proved popular with visitors for generations, not to mention the nightlife that has evolved in the region.

Home to remains from civilisations of old, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Iberians as well as the Moorish legacy from the Middle Ages, the community is awash with history. Indeed the foundations of the kingdom of Valencia that were formed after the conquests of Jaime de Aragon follow much the same boundaries as those of the modern community.