Things To Do In Spain

Spain offers many adventurous outdoor activities and culturally rich indoor activities for visitors. Activities range from water sports on the coast, to museums and dance shows in the cities, to mountain hiking in the north, to sporting events and much more. The most awe-inspiring experience for most visitors is the Spanish holiday. Here are a few of the most popular Spanish fiestas.

San Isidro, Madrid

On May 15th there is the Fiesta de San Isidro to the honor of Madrid's patron, one of the most spectacular events in all the year with numerous concerts and other kinds of public performances.

Feria de Abril, Sevilla

Feria de Abril, takes place two weeks later. At this festival, you will have the opportunity to see the typical flamenco dresses, which almost all women wear.

Semana Santa, Andalucia

Year after year, each and every village proudly enjoys the beauty and mystery of "Semana Santa" although there are variances and some towns for instance, will preserve certain traditions more than others.

San Fermín, Pamplona (Running of the Bulls)

The festival of San Fermin is by far the best known event taking place in Pamplona. Spectators from all over the world are surprised, impressed or shocked each year when they watch the spectacle of bulls running.

Carnaval, Cádiz (and Tenerife)

Carnival in Cadiz is said to be the third largest Carnival celebration in the world (after Rio de Janeiro and Trinidad). Both European jet-setters and local lowlifes know and crave the intense energy that pervades the city during the ten days leading up to Shrove Tuesday. It seems that all the party-goers within a thousand-mile radius show up to partake of the fun.

Las Fallas, Valencia

Las Fallas literally means "the fires" in Valencian. The focus of the fiesta is the creation and destruction of ninots--huge cardboard, wood and plaster statues--that are placed at over 350 key intersections and parks around the city today. The ninots remain in place until March 19th, the day known as "La Crema." Starting in the early evening, young men with axes chop holes in the statues and stuff them with fireworks. The crowds start to chant, the streetlights are turned off, and all of the ninots are set on fire at exactly the stroke of midnight. Over the years, the local firemen, called "bomberos," have devised unique ways to protect the town's buildings from torching along with the ninots.

La Tomatina, Buñol (Valencia)

Without question the biggest tomato fight in the world, La Tomatina started with a good laugh. During the forties, in Buñol's main town square, a number of friends started a tomato fight for unknown reasons. It's unclear whether the initial volley was aimed at city officials or simply pedestrians unlucky enough to be in the line of fire. Soon enough, however, with their rowdy hooliganism drawing passers-by into the fray, everyone was having a great time. They had so much fun, in fact, that from that day forward, the fiesta has been celebrated annually and has grown ever bigger each year.