Looking for distinctive Spain experiences to inject a contact of originality into your summer season getaway? From meals fights on the streets to ziplining throughout worldwide borders, there’s a myriad of distinctive issues to do in Spain.
Spain is among the hottest nations in Europe with vacationers, and it’s no shock given the nation’s wealthy historical past, epic nature, unbelievable cities and enviable local weather (which makes it notably interesting with those that stay in direction of the north of the continent).
However though Spain’s major attracts historically embody seaside getaways, metropolis breaks and booze-fuelled benders, there’s a lot extra to this unbelievable nation than typical vacationer traps and out of doors escapes.
Whether or not you need to politely throw tomatoes at strangers (and be appreciated for doing so), pattern volcano-grilled Mediterranean delights or zipline over the border into Portugal, one of the crucial distinctive experiences in Spain is sure to be proper up your alley. So, with out additional ado, let’s dive in!
Distinctive Spain experiences for an unforgettable getaway
Need to get pleasure from a far-from-typical journey to the immensely standard nation of Spain? Listed below are 13 of probably the most distinctive Spain experiences.
1. Zipline into one other time zone
Spain may not supply time journey providers simply but, nevertheless it does provide the likelihood to zipline throughout the border into Portugal, which units its clocks an hour behind Spain’s.
At Limite Zero, you possibly can zipline 720 metres over the Guadiana river from Sanlúcar de Guadina in Spain to Alcoutim in Portugal. Reaching speeds of as much as 50 mph, Limite Zero takes you from A to B throughout a global border in simply 60 seconds.
It would solely final a minute, however there’s no rush fairly like ziplining by way of the air on a sunny day surrounded by views of the glowing river and rolling hills. The views in the course of the ferry journey again to Spain from Portugal after the flight are attractive as effectively.
2. Dive into Europe’s solely underwater artwork gallery
Europe’s solely submerged museum resides inside the borders of Spain, extra particularly the Spanish Canary Island of Lanzarote close to the coast of West Africa. Designed by artist Jason deCaires Taylor – the identify behind submerged sculptures within the West Indies and Mexico – the Museo Atlántico is as a lot a hotspot for divers as it’s artwork lovers. It’s undoubtedly one of the crucial distinctive Spain experiences on the checklist.
On a glass-bottomed boat journey, you’ll see a spread of unbelievable sculptures 12 metres beneath the ocean’s floor. Attracting a wide range of vibrant sea life are synthetic reefs that make the Museo Atlántico one in every of Lanzarote’s greatest diving spots.
I’d advocate checking the climate circumstances earlier than embarking on a visit to the Museo Atlántico. Poor visibility might go away you disenchanted.
3. Admire the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is really out of this world in nearly each single approach. It’s the still-under-construction masterpiece of the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, who was a quite larger-than-life character himself. Visiting is unquestionably one of many greatest issues to do in Barcelona.
Development of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882, making it one of many longest-running architectural tasks in historical past. Attribute of Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia combines Gothic and Artwork Nouveau kinds. This huge basilica can be infused with non secular symbolism. The constructing’s façade and inside options, such because the columns and stained-glass home windows, inform ten completely different tales from the Bible.
Even for those who don’t discover the inside of the Sagrada Familia, admiring its modernist structure and tall spires is a novel Spain expertise that’s to not be missed. You too can choose up some nice Barcelona souvenirs when you’re right here too.
4. Dine on the planet’s oldest restaurant
Established all the way in which again in 1725, the Sobrino de Motín in Madrid is the world’s oldest restaurant in steady operation – it’ll be celebrating its 300th 12 months in enterprise in simply two years.
Inside, the restaurant is separated into completely different lounges on every flooring; most are adorned with paperwork and previous photos that make clear the venue’s three-century legacy.
The menu might seem considerably restricted, however the pork and lamb actually are to-die-for treats. These succulent meat dishes are cooked in an oven that goes all the way in which again to the restaurant’s beginnnings.
If you wish to feast on traditional Spanish delicacies when the ambiance on the Sobrino de Motín is at its liveliest, reserve a desk for round 10 or 11 pm. This distinctive Spain expertise is unbelievable at any time of the day – it’s attracted purchasers together with Ernest Hemingway in its lifetime.
5. Go to the Alhambra
Spain’s historical past has been formed by a various vary of cultures. If you wish to see top-of-the-line examples of Islamic structure on the Iberian Peninsula, you merely want to go to the Alhambra in Granada.
This beautiful palace and fortress advanced was constructed by the Nasrid Dynasty in the course of the 13th century. You’ll see a number of the most well-known examples of Islamic craftsmanship on the Courtroom of the Lions and the Generalife Gardens.
On high of being an iconic historic landmark in Spain, the Alhambra doubles up as a wonderful vantage level above the town of Granada with the Sierra Nevada mountains within the distance.
6. Pay your respects on the Valley of the Fallen
If you’d like a shifting expertise when you’re visiting Spain, head to the Valley of the Fallen close to Madrid to pay your respects to the 30,000 troopers that lie inside the basilica crypt.
The basilica was constructed beneath the orders of Normal Franco to commemorate the troopers who misplaced their lives within the Spanish Civil Warfare. Normal Franco himself was buried right here from 1975 to 2019, when the previous dictator’s stays had been exhumed following a authorized course of.
Along with the basilica, the Valley of the Fallen is residence to a 150-metre-tall cross that stands on high of a rocky hill. It’s a little bit of an eerie place, nevertheless it’s actually one of the crucial distinctive Spain experiences.
7. Cross the Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey is an elevated walkway hugging the rocky partitions of a near-vertical gorge within the village of El Chorro close to Malaga. Whereas not for the fainthearted, the views this walkway presents from 100 metres excessive are unbelievable.
The walkway was initially constructed early within the 20th century in order that employees might stroll between the facility crops at Gaitanejo Falls and Chorro Falls.
The Caminito del Rey was as soon as often known as the ‘world’s most harmful footpath’. Although a lot of the unique 3km walkway stays, full with rusted poles and lacking sections of concrete, most of it was rebuilt and made a lot safer in 2015.
8. Take part Valencia’s Fallas competition
In the event you fancy a novel cultural expertise when you’re in Spain, I’d recommend heading over to Valencia in March to attend the Fallas, a competition that sees the locals craft huge papier-mâché sculptures (often known as Fallas) of satirical scenes, artworks and public determine caricatures.
On the final day of the competition, the Fallas are set alight to symbolise the renewal of life and the triumph of sunshine over darkness.
In addition to the putting visible shows, the Fallas competition sees parades, musical performances and conventional costumes take over the streets of Valencia. The celebrations additionally offer you the proper alternative to pattern some tasty regional delicacies.
9. Battle it out at La Tomatina Pageant
Earlier than shifting on from the topic of festivals and meals, I want to present a fast shout out to the superb La Tomatina Pageant. Whereas meals, particularly tomatoes, take centre stage at La Tomatina, this isn’t precisely a competition in your typical meals aficionado.
As a substitute of consuming tomatoes at La Tomatina, you throw them at different attendees. The sound of fireworks alerts the start of the one-hour meals combat, which takes place within the city of Buñol on the final Wednesday of August every year.
Whereas the meals combat itself is comparatively quick, the events that pop up afterwards proceed till the early hours of the morning.
Phrase of recommendation – do NOT gown to the nines for this distinctive Spain expertise. La Tomatina Pageant could be very messy!
READ MORE: What Do I Have to Take to Tomatina?
10. Eat pintxos in San Sebastian
Heading to the attractive Basque Nation throughout your go to to Spain? In the event you’re desirous about broadening your culinary horizons when you’re right here, I’d advocate heading to San Sebastian to pattern scrumptious pintxos.
Pintxos are small, bite-sized snacks usually served on small slices of bread and secured with a toothpick or skewer. San Sebastian has a definite pintxos tradition, the place bars and taverns line the streets, every showcasing an array of tantalizing pintxos on their counters. The locals like to dine on pintxos whereas barhopping.
11. Feast atop a volcano
Consider it or not, you possibly can dine on volcano-grilled delicacies whereas visiting the Spanish island of Lanzarote. If you’d like a novel eating expertise throughout your journey, you merely want to order a desk at El Diablo.
Positioned on an energetic volcano (that’s been dormant for over a century), El Diablo cooks its dishes to perfection on a grill suspended over a gap within the flooring, which permits warmth from the lava under to flee into the ambiance.
On high of all the things, you possibly can absorb superb views of the Timanfaya Nationwide Park whereas digging into your volcano-grilled feast.
12. Ski within the deep south of Europe
Spain is among the hottest summer season vacation locations in Europe. However do you know that Spain can be a superb vacation spot for snow sports activities? And, consider it or not, the perfect of Spain’s snow motion will be discovered in direction of the south of the nation.
The Sierra Nevada Ski Station, Europe’s most southerly ski resort, is positioned lower than 20 miles from the town of Granada. Right here, you’ll discover round 65 miles of ski runs, and the ski season usually lasts from November all the way in which till Might.
In the event you don’t need to hit the slopes your self, maintain your eyes peeled for occasions and tournaments going down on the Sierra Nevada Ski Station. It hosted the Snowboard World Championships and FIS Ski in 2017.
13. Boogie in a record-breaking nightclub
It appears becoming to finish this checklist of distinctive experiences in Spain with one thing you are able to do all evening lengthy till dawn – boogie within the nightclubs of Ibiza! Or, extra particularly, dance the evening away within the largest nightclub on the planet.
The tremendous membership Privilege can accommodate as much as 10,000 partygoers per evening. It’s held the Guinness World Document for being the world’s largest nightclub since opening within the 80s, and it attracts a number of the largest names within the dance music trade.
READ MORE: The place to Keep in Ibiza
Any extra distinctive Spain experiences we must always find out about?
Because of its unbelievable cities, sandy seashores and enviable Mediterranean local weather, Spain is one in every of Europe’s high two or three vacation locations yearly. However, as you possibly can see from above, there’s way more to this various nation than simply sun-kissed sandy strips and historic metropolises.
A visit to Spain can embody a wide range of experiences that may’t be discovered anyplace else, from meals fights that take over the streets to meals dishes cooked over boiling lava. You may even go snowboarding on this famously sunny nation throughout winter and early spring.
Are there any distinctive Spain experiences that my readers and I ought to find out about? What are your favorite issues to do in Europe’s high summer season getaway vacation spot? Let me know within the feedback under.
Fast checklist of distinctive Spain experiences
- Zipline into one other time zone
- Dive into Europe’s solely underwater artwork gallery
- Admire the Sagrada Familia
- Dine on the planet’s oldest restaurant
- Go to the Alhambra
- Pay your respects on the Valley of the Fallen
- Cross the Caminito del Rey
- Take part Valencia’s Fallas competition
- Battle it out at La Tomatina Pageant
- Eat pintxos in San Sebastian
- Feast atop a volcano
- Ski within the deep south of Europe
- Boogie in a record-breaking nightclub
