explore Spain
WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE!If I had to choose one word to describe Spain is festive. I’ve never seen a culture that knew how to enjoy life as much as the Spanish do. From the fiery passion of flamenco to the lively chaos of every traditional town party, Spain loves a celebration. But it’s also about enjoying the little things in life, a vermouth in a sunny terrace, the time spend with friends. So it might be the landmarks and landscapes that bring you to Spain, but it’s the way of life what will charm you and keep you coming back again and again.
the Quick Facts✷ Where: The Iberic Peninsula, in Western Europe
✷ Language: Spanish
✷ Currency: Euros
✷ Religion: Roman Catholicism
✷ Population: 48.37 million
Emilia’s Favorite Cities
01. Zaragoza:
Where I live! While this city isn’t overly touristic and as buzzing as cities like Madrid and Barcelona are, it’s a great stop for a laid-back, crowd-free, and more local Spanish experience. The quality of life here is truly priceless.
02. San Sebastian:
Spain’s culinary mecca. If you’re anything like me, and food is a huge part of your travels, then San Sebastian is a must. There’s a reason why it’s the city with the most Michelin stars in the world!
03. Madrid:
Because visiting a country’s capital is always a must, Madrid is a both exciting and cultural destination to do a first immersion into Spain. Hit the museums and monuments by day, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife by night.
04. Cordoba:
A beautiful and historical city, with winding cobble-stoned alleyways full of Andalusia’s festive spirit, but way less crowded than Granada and Sevilla.
05. Segovia:
Just one hour away from Madrid, Segovia is sometimes overlooked by travelers in favor of Toledo. But, trust me, go to Segovia. It is absolutely gorgeous, and still keeps a local feel to it. Food is amazing, and the sights even more so.
MY TOP ADVICE FOR SPAIN
the Spain Bucket List
✷Wherever you are, go on a Tapas crawl!
✷Visit the Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces in Granada.
✷Watch the flamenco dancers in Plaza de España in Sevilla
✷Do a day trip to Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas from Sevilla
✷Explore the Museum Triangle in Madrid and visit El Prado, Thyseen Bornemiza (my fave!) and Reina Sofia museums.
✷Do a cooking class & market tour in San Sebastian
✷Go on a Day Hike in the Spanish Pyrenees in the Spring
✷Visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and yes it is absolutely worth it to go on inside!
Emilia’s Favorite Hotels
Foods to Try …
✷Tapas, of course…tapas come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Approach the bar, and see what appeals to you!
✷Gildas…a tiny skewer made of olives, piparras (tiny green peppers) and anchovies! They’re absolutely delicious…if you like fish.
✷Croquettes…a Spanish staple, the most famous are made with cured ham. But they can also stuffed with cheese, boletus, oxtail, etc.
✷Pan Tomate…Spain’s most typical breakfast: a piece of toast with grated tomato and olive oil. Cured ham optional. Simple but delicious!
✷Paella…one of Spain’s most iconic dishes, but less common that you’d think. Save eating paella for when you’re on the coast.
✷Huevos Rotos…Literally translated as “broken eggs'', this heavy dish is fried potatoes and cured ham, with a friend egg on tops, which you’re meant to “break” and mix with everything. Great for hangovers.
Pro Tips for Spain
✷Spain is so much more than flamenco shows and tapas in the south. The Northern areas are full of gems to visit too…and spectacular food!
✷Stay in Paraderos…renovated historic sites turned into hotels.
✷Switch Sangria for Tintos de Verano!
✷Order “raciones” (rations) instead of a full plate, so you can try more things at local bars and restaurants.
✷A “caña” is a small glass of beer, while a “copa” is a larger beer.
✷ Life runs pretty late in Spain…with dinner time being around 9pm, especially in the summer when the sun sets almost at 10pm!
