by Katerina Nikolas

Created on: September 04, 2010

Every year millions of package tourists flock to the Spanish costas to indulge in sun worshipping and tapas. The country offers far more than beaches though with a rich and diverse cultural history strongly influenced by the Moors. Home of the Spanish Armada, Don Quixote and the Spanish Inquisition, there are hundreds of wonderful places to visit while in Spain. Here are ten of the best:

Albaicin: This is the famed Moorish quarter of Granada, home to some magnificent architecture and in the Casa de Castril, the Real Chancilleria, and the Iglesia de Santa Ana. Stroll along the Paseo de los Tristes, an esplanade of great beauty, and stop to drink Moroccan mint tea amidst the white washed buildings and narrow alleyways.

Barcelona: The most popular destination in Spain, famous for the Gaudi architecture. The city with beaches is a must for its vibrancy and culture. Visit the most famous boulevard in Europe, Las Rambas, lined with impressive building. Barcelona is host to the Picasso Museum, the Barcelona Football Club Museum and the Erotica Museum, amongst many others.

The Alambra Palace: The famous Moorish palace is also situated in Granada, Andalucia, and is a must for any visitor to Spain. As well as the Alambra palace it self allow a full day to visit the Garden of Paradise.

Bilbao: This city is visited primarily for those who wish to see the Guggenheim museum, the architectural landmark of the 20th century.

Bunyol: This small town is a an attraction for tens of thousands on the last Wednesday of August each year, when it hosts the infamous festival of La Tomatina, the tomato throwing festival which leaves participants covered in tomatoes from head to foot.

Pamplona: An absolute must for its beauty and its high hilltop setting. The bull running festival is famous the world over: http://www.helium.com/items/1909819-vacations-in-pam plona-spain

Valencia: A city of stunning of splendour with Gothic palaces, gardens galore, and wonderful architecture. Valencia was the birthplace of paella and houses the magnificent vision of the future in the amazing City of Arts and Sciences designed by Santiago Calatra.

Seville: Another stunning city and this time the birthplace of Flamenco music. Seville is rich in both culture and history, and of course well known for Seville oranges. It has a great tapas culture but head out very late to enjoy it at its best.

Jerez de la Frontera: The town from which sherry originates is well worth visiting for the opportunity to visit the famous wine cellars. The town is rich with historic and artistic sites and houses glorious palaces.

Cordoba: Another Andalucian town of impressive beauty which is home to Cordoba’s Great Mosque which many consider the most beautiful building in Spain. Cordoba’s cultural past is visible everywhere as it shared a Jewish, Muslim and Christian past. Visit the old Jewish quarter.

These are just ten of the top places to visit while in Spain, but be sure to make time to sit and sample tapas and sherry, dance the Flamenco and throw a sack of tomatoes.

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