Spain, Europe (Point of interest)

Valencia's 13th-century cathedral is said to be the home of the Holy Grail. Admire the famous chalice, Goya paintings and the interesting mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture before climbing the Miguelete bell tower for excellent city... Continue reading →

Soaring above Plaça de la Seu square in Barrí Gòtic, attention-grabbing Barcelona Cathedral features smooth arches, skeletal spires and lofty towers. Inside the vaulted cloister awaits an oasis of palms and fountains. Take the lift for spectacul... Continue reading →

Seville Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, boasting five naves, a huge carved altar, numerous Renaissance paintings and Christopher Columbus' tomb. Climb the 95-metre high Giralda (belfry) for the best views of the city. Back when ... Continue reading →

Ibiza's UNESCO-protected Old Town, Dalt Vila, is a medieval port of steep, labyrinthine streets enclosed by towering fortress walls. It became a retreat for free-thinkers escaping Franco's autocratic rule in the 1960s and retains a special, alterna... Continue reading →

Seville's royal palace, the Alcázar, is a showpiece of intricate stucco, cloistered patios and beautiful gardens. Over the centuries, Spain's monarchs have each influenced the palace's design. Mudéjar, Gothic, Plateresque and Baroque styles all c... Continue reading →

Seville's Archive of the Indies (Archivo General de Indias) is a Renaissance building by architect Juan de Herrera. It houses important documents relating to Spain's conquest of the Americas, including papers from Christopher Columbus and Cervantes... Continue reading →

Madrid's Bullfighting Museum, the Museo Taurino, is located inside Madrid's premier red-brick Las Ventas Bullring. As well as looking at the history and development of bullfighting, the museum displays different styles of costumes and capes worn by... Continue reading →

CaixaForum Madrid is a contemporary art space located on Madrid's leafy Paseo del Prado. Housed in a revamped power station, the innovative building hosts a changing programme of exhibitions, film cycles and concerts across its six floors. Swiss a... Continue reading →

CaixaForum by Plaça Espanya square, is one of Barcelona's most exciting contemporary art spaces. Housed in an old modernista textile factory with a stylish modern walkway, courtyard and entrance, the gallery's three exhibition spaces display an ec... Continue reading →

Las Palmas' Casa de Colón is a whitewashed cubic house, typical in the city during the Conquest era. In 1492, Christopher Columbus visited the governor here en route to the Americas. The permanent exhibition examines voyages of discovery.... Continue reading →

It's an inescapable fact that the people of Barcelona love chocolate. Chocolaterias lurk temptingly all over the city but the Chocolate Museum in the Born district is the highlight. Exhibits include Snowy, Barcelona's famous albino gorilla, carved ... Continue reading →

The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències) is Valencia's hi-tech quarter. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the complex comprises five futuristic structures, including an interactive science museum, giant aquarium and IMAX ... Continue reading →

Scintillating science is on the menu at the hands-on CosmoCaixa Barcelona. Study the stars in the 3D planetarium, explore rich Amazonian ecosystems in the Flooded Forest and trace the world's geological roots with the wall of ancient rocks.... Continue reading →

The Costume Museum (Museo del Traje) in Madrid's Moncloa district displays some of Spain's most precious threads, from tenderly preserved medieval garments to contemporary designer couture by Dior and Balenciaga. A free audio guide is included in t... Continue reading →

Descalzas Reales Monastery, located close to the Plaza del Sol, was founded in 1564 and is still active today. It is an oasis of calm filled with art treasures, including elaborate floor-to-ceiling frescoes and paintings by Rubens and Titian. Hous... Continue reading →

Founded in 1981 by Palma City Council, the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró (Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation) houses original works by Joan Miró. The collection, donated by the artist himself, includes paintings, drawings and sculptures. The FundaciÃ... Continue reading →

The bell tower of Seville's cathedral, the Giralda, is a rich blend of Gothic and Baroque architectural styles. Head to the top for spectacular city views. The Giralda has ramps instead of stairs, which allowed men to ascend on horseback. The towe... Continue reading →

Gran Teatre del Liceu is a monument to Belle-Époque extravagance and one of the grandest theatres in the world. Centrally placed on Las Ramblas, this source of Catalan pride presents world-class theatre, concerts and opera in plush surroundings. ... Continue reading →

Also known as the Gate of Europe, the leaning KIO Towers on Castellana resemble a pair of designer stereo speakers. Originally planned to symbolise Spain's new economic dawn in the early 1980s, they were finally finished in 1996.... Continue reading →

L'Auditori in Glòries is the newest of Barcelona's classical music bastions, designed by award-winning architect Rafael Moneo as a permanent home for the Orfeó Catala choral society and Barcelona's Symphony Orchestra. International names also mak... Continue reading →