By Elizabeth Gregory
I've been lucky enough to travel to Spain 5 different times. Each time, I've been to a different city. Over the course of my travels, I have found that nightlife in Spain is great anywhere, it is usually super easy to get around, and the people are great. Although I must admit just like in many places, things tend to move a little slower down south. When asked what my favorite place in Spain is, I honestly cannot give one. I like them all in different ways for different reasons. I plan to hit Northern Spain on my next trip since that is really the one part of the country I haven't yet had an opportunity to explore. Below is a synopsis of why each of these places I've been to is my favorite city in Spain.
Madrid is big city living although you can still find spots that allow you to forget the huge metropolis you are in. That's what makes it my favorite city in Spain. Two of my favorite spots are the Plaza Mayor (where you can sit and relax at a café) and Parque Retiro where you can have a nice picnic lunch in the grass, or stroll around admiring fountains, gardens, and sidewalk chalk artists.
Barcelona is my favorite city because it's on the waterfront. I also enjoy Las Ramblas (a pedestrian zone) loaded with street performers. It's a great walking city and has quite a different feel to it than Madrid does.
Granada is my favorite city in Spain because of the Alhambra and the proximity to the beach and mountains (1 hour to each – take your pick). Although, I must admit my first trip to a Mediterranean beach was in Almuñecar and I had visions in my head of white sand beaches, not gravel. The water, however, was so clear that we took a paddle boat out and were able to see down to the bottom in about 50 foot deep water. Amazing!!
Salamanca and Avila are my favorite cities in Spain because of their medieval feel and narrow alley ways filled with restaurants and shops. Cobblestone streets are another reason why I love Avila. (Something about cobblestones in Spain seem more charming than the ones here in Philadelphia). They're also within a 2-3 hour ride from Madrid so when you get that hankering for big city life, it's easy to get to.
Sevilla is my favorite city in Spain because it's Southern Spain at its best. The Moorish architecture is amazing, and the people are very friendly.
Ernest Hemmingway, as most of you know, is a great writer who captured many images of Spain in his writings. I highly recommend reading some of his works if a trip to Spain is not in your immediate future (or budget).
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