Find the best Spain Hotels

Italy and China are the only two countries which boast more UNESCO World Heritage sites than Spain. This small Iberian Peninsula nation in southwest Europe once ruled over an empire extending from North America to Asia. Ever since Spain's 40-year military dictatorship ended in 1975, the country has become one of Europe's top holiday destinations. Madrid is the first Spanish stop for many tourists from Bangkok, 10,175 km and a 15-hour direct flight away.

Most of Spain enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. Winter temperatures can plummet beneath the freezing level, while August is the month when northern Europeans flock to Spanish beach resorts and is when many Spaniards close up shops and restaurants to take their own holidays. Therefore, autumn and spring may be better times of year to come to Spain when temperatures remain warm enough for comfortable sunbathing, more businesses are open, and crowds are smaller.

At least two days are recommended to fully explore Madrid's attractions, which range from the majestic Palacio Real, which visitors can tour for free on Wednesday, to the enclosed Plaza Mayor square. Puerta del Sol is the place where Spaniards ring in each new year by eating a grape for each of the dozen chimes of the Royal Post Office clock tower. Barcelona boasts more architecture types than any other Spanish city, but its best known landmark is still the unfinished La Sagrada Familia church. The even bigger Seville Cathedral is the third largest on Earth. The Las Fallas Festival in the southeast Spanish city of Valencia is a five-day March celebration filled with flamenco, fireworks, and papier maché sculptures named ninots.

Tapas, typically served with small drinks at bars, are the simplest way to sample a variety of Spanish appetizers like manchego cheese and iberico ham. Diners in groups may prefer ordering and sharing larger snacks called raciones. Each Spanish region has its own version of another iconic Spanish dish, paella, which originated in Valencia. Spanish bars and clubs open later than in most other European countries and do not close until well into the next morning, especially in hot nightlife spots like Ibiza, Barcelona, and Madrid.

Scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, fishing, or simply sunbathing are just a few of the available water activities at the numerous beach resorts on Spain's nearly 8,500 km coastline. Beach lovers can choose between the popular Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol or northwest Spain's lesser known Costa Verde. One of Spain's most popular road trips travels 200 km between Valencia and Cuenca. Climbing in Siurana or Los Mallos, Sierra Nevada or Pyrenees skiing, and Sierra de Guara National Park canyoning are among Spain's popular dry land activities.

Madrid's main shopping spots include the upscale Ortega y Gasset shopping centre and Fuencarral shopping street. Barcelona's main shopping district stretches between Avenue Diagonal and Las Ramblas. Porcelain figures, embroidered shawls, ceramics, guitars, and leather shoes are some of the souvenirs sold at Madrid's Plaza Felipe II and Rastro markets as well as Barcelona’s Portal de l'Àngel flea market.