10 adventures for a gap year #VisitSpain
Hiking, sunbathing on the beach, partying, enjoying gastronomy, experiencing culture and tradition... There are many ways to make the most of your time discovering Spain. These are some of the most original proposals to enjoy a sabbatical year in Spain.
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St James Way
A good option to use your time in Spain is to travel this route, whether for tourism, spiritual reasons or the desire to get closer to the culture, gastronomy or nature of northern Spain. There's not just one Way, but many, and its duration also depends on you. But at the end you'll have the satisfaction of having reached your goal: the Cathedral of Santiago. And you will be able to make many friends along the way. Certainly a most rewarding experience.
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The hippy life in Almería
If you prefer the south, the heat and the sea, you can try spending time in Almería (Andalusia). All around the province you'll find wonderful beaches surrounded by a desert landscape reminiscent of the scenery in Westerns. In Cabo de Gata you'll find towns like San José, and secluded coves like San Pedro, and an extremely open, tolerant and inclusive atmosphere. There is nothing better than getting away from the noise and frenetic pace of big cities to renew your body and spirit.
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Festivities all year round
A very lively possibility is to enjoy all of Spain's festivities. Not only the ones in big cities, such as Las Fallas and the Tomatina in Buñol, Valencia, the April Fair in Seville or the San Fermín festivities in Pamplona, but also local ones which are just as much fun, like the Viking Pilgrimage in Catoira (Galicia) or the Wine Battle in Haro (La Rioja).
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Spain by train
If you like this means of transport, you can use one of the interrail passes for Spain: a good way to tour the country comfortably and without having to drive. You can visit big cities like Barcelona and Madrid or even access beautiful beaches. If you want to save time, your best bet is to take high-speed trains (AVE). To start your sightseeing experience you can climb on board one of the Galician sightseeing trains, the Transcantábrico or the Al Ándalus train, which tours Andalusia.
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Extreme relaxation
To forget about your troubles and reach a perfect state of inner calm and well-being, what could be better than a visit to a spa or spa resort? Another option is to indulge in some unusual beauty treatments, such as chocotherapy, milk baths, seaweed wraps and vinotherapy. You can find a multitude of options on the coasts and in the mountains.
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Shopping
Are you a fashion lover planning a holiday in Spain? Well, you are in luck, because you will find endless opportunities for spending money on what you like the most. You can find many options in both Madrid and Barcelona, even if you are seeking something very exclusive, and you can even go shopping in each place that you visit. You can also pick up bargains in the sales (in summer and winter) and discover fascinating open air markets such as el Rastro (Madrid), and the typical Christmas markets.
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Good, plentiful food
Who doesn't good food? Gastronomic tourism is another way of discovering Spain through its typical dishes. From the popular and economic tapas to the fried fish of Cádiz, not to mention the Valencian paella and the pintxos from the Basque Country. For more discerning palates we suggest the gourmet markets or fine dining restaurants: Spain has around 300 establishments with Michelin stars. You can also discover Spain along its Wine Routes.
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Feeling like in a movie
From north to south, many well-known masterpieces of cinema have been shot in very different locations in Spain. One of the most cinematographic cities is Barcelona. As you stroll around this city you'll see for yourself all the charms showcased by films like Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. What's more you can also be the star of your own Western in Almería. There are many celebrities who have visited the country and shown it on the big screen. Explore the setting of your favourite films.
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Theatre festivals
Do you like the theatre? If the answer's yes, then you're in luck. In Spain you'll find a wide variety of festivals dedicated to this art, many of which are outdoors as they tend to be held in summer. The classics are never out of fashion in the festivals in Mérida (Extremadura) and Almagro (Castile La Mancha), for example. And you can always find a good stage arts programme in most theatres in the main cities and villages.
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Music for everyone
You like dancing? Prefer to listen to something quiet? Especially in summer, numerous Spanish cities organise festivals dedicated to different types of music, as is the case of the San Sebastián and San Javier International Jazz Festivals. You can find flamenco at the Cante de Las Minas de La Unión festival in Murcia and folk music at La Mar de Músicas in Cartagena. To get those feet moving there is the Benicàssim International Festival (FIB) and Sónar (Barcelona). Outside of the festival period you can also find other options, such as WOMAD in Gran Canaria, the Cáceres festival, and in Barcelona, the International Jazz Festival and Primavera Sound.
We also suggest sharing your experiences on social media with the hashtag #VisitSpain
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