What makes Spain special for cultural experiences and how can you really get into local life?

Spain's got this amazing mix of different regional cultures each with their own thing going on. You can catch an incredible flamenco show in Seville where the dancers just pour their hearts out or head to Valencia to learn how to make authentic paella right where it all started. Walking through Cordoba's Jewish Quarter or getting lost in Seville's Santa Cruz neighborhood with all its tiny winding streets really takes you back in time. The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route's pretty special too you can actually walk the last 100km over 7 days stopping in these beautiful old towns like Portomarin trying local stuff like that mystical Galician fire drink Queimada and amazing Arzua cheese or octopus in Melide.

How do you get around Spain's cities efficiently while experiencing their modern side?

Spain's got this fantastic high-speed train network called AVE that connects all the major spots like Madrid Barcelona Seville and Valencia. It's super comfortable and you get these amazing views while traveling at high speed which really helps you make the most of your time. If you're heading to smaller towns there are plenty of regional buses that won't break the bank and renting a car gives you the freedom to explore those hidden spots nobody else gets to. You can zip from Seville to Madrid in just 2.5 hours on the AVE or take this incredible road trip through Andalusia checking out places like Ronda with its old bridges and bullring maybe stopping by Jerez to try some authentic Sherry.

Which lesser-known parts of Spain should you visit to see something different?

There's so much more to Spain than the usual spots everyone visits. The Picos de Europa National Park up north is absolutely stunning you can hike through the dramatic Cares Gorge or chill out in a traditional cider house in Oviedo. The cave houses in Guadix Andalusia are fascinating and the White Villages route near Ronda takes you through some of the prettiest countryside you'll ever see. San Sebastian in Basque Country is incredible for food lovers and has this amazing coastline. You can even stay in Sotres the highest village in the Picos and go on these challenging hikes to see the famous Naranjo de Bulnes peak or walk along these incredible cliff pathways in the Cares Gorge.

What local foods should you try in different parts of Spain?

The food in Spain changes completely depending where you are and it's all amazing. Up in Cantabria you've got to try Cocido Lebaniego this hearty stew with black pudding pork shoulder chorizo and local chickpeas. Galicia's known for its Arzua cheese and this incredible octopus dish called polbo a feira that you can get in Melide. In San Sebastian the pinxtos are like these fancy Basque tapas that go perfectly with txakoli this slightly sparkling white wine. And you absolutely can't miss the tapas in Seville it's basically the tapas capital of Spain. There's even this 10-day food tour starting in Barcelona where you get to try everything from local cava and learning to make paella with a chef to that amazing Cocido Lebaniego in Cantabria and all the pintxos you can eat in San Sebastian.

What should you know about Spanish customs and etiquette before visiting?

Life in Spain moves at its own pace and that's part of what makes it special. Most shops and businesses take a break during siesta usually between 2 and 5 in the afternoon so you'll want to plan around that. Don't expect to eat dinner before 9pm that's just how it works here. It really helps to learn some basic Spanish phrases since English isn't always widely spoken outside the main tourist areas. Just be mindful of personal space and try not to be too loud in public places Spanish culture appreciates good manners and respect for others.

Spain Tours & Trips

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Explorer Family Historical Christmas & New Year +1
Discovery of Spain - 10 days
3.4 (37 traveler reviews)
"Overall, our trip was amazing. I thought the itinerary was well put together and we were able to see the major historical sites."
Danielle, traveled in June
Destinations
Madrid, Merida, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia,Barcelona,Zaragoza+2 more
Age Range
4 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Click Tours
29% Off
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10 days
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Explorer Family Historical Christmas & New Year +1
Charming Spain - 9 Days
3.7 (45 traveler reviews)
"Flawless tour as regards logistics. Enjoyed all the guides and people."
Scott, traveled in July
Destinations
Madrid, Merida, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia,Barcelona+1 more
Age Range
4 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Click Tours
29% Off
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9 days
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TourRadar Curated
In-depth Cultural Family Christmas & New Year +2
Andalucia & Toledo, 5 days on Tuesdays
4.5 (28 traveler reviews)
"The tour was amazing. I will definitely be booking another VPT Tour in the future."
Sharyn, traveled in October
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Torremolinos, Granada,Toledo+1 more
Age Range
1 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
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5 days
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In-depth Cultural Family Christmas & New Year +1
Spanish Delights, 7 days
4.3 (18 traveler reviews)
"The places I stayed, the things I've seen…. Priceless!"
Stephen, traveled in December
Destinations
Madrid, Caceres, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Torremolinos,Granada,Valencia,Barcelona+3 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
VPT Tours
10% Off
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7 days
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Hiking & Trekking Explorer
Trekking in Spain - Picos de Europa
4.7 (44 traveler reviews)
"The hiking routes were very well-chosen, paired with the best views. The locally-sourced and homemade foods were also excellent."
Nigel, traveled in September
Destinations
Bilbao, Sotres, Las Arenas de Cabrales, Bulnes, Potes,Fuente De,Poncebos+2 more
Age Range
16 to 85 year olds
Country Region
Northern SpainCantabria & AsturiasPicos de Europa+2 more
Operated in
English
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Explore!
20% Off
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8 days
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In-depth Cultural Family Christmas & New Year +1
Absolutely Spain
4.8 (55 traveler reviews)
"The program is well organized for solo travelers. Highly advised."
JeanPaulCorelon, traveled in April
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona,Zaragoza+1 more
Age Range
6 to 80 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Eskapas
8% Off
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7 days
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In-depth Cultural Family Explorer Christmas & New Year +1
Andalusia & Mediterranean Coast with Barcelona
4.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"TOURRADAR made our trip to Spain easy and smooth, answered all our questions, and gave us an awesome tour."
Jeanette, traveled in June
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona,Zaragoza+1 more
Age Range
10 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Spain
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Looking for tours beyond just Spain?
Explore tours with itineraries going through multiple countries, including Spain.
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In-depth Cultural Family Historical Christmas & New Year +2
Spain, Andalusia and the Mediterranean cities
Destinations
Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona
Age Range
5 to 90 year olds
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
10% Off
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
A Taste of Spain: : 11 Days Across Madrid, Seville, Granada & Barcelona
Destinations
Madrid, Seville, Granada, Barcelona
Age Range
2 to 90 year olds
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
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In-depth Cultural Family Historical Christmas & New Year +2
Andalusia with Costa del Sol & Toledo
4.4 (5 traveler reviews)
"The culture, people, way of life, history & places we explored didn't disappoint."
Denise, traveled in February
Destinations
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Marbella, Granada, Toledo
Age Range
10 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
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