Spain Archives - Hoblets On The Go

Castilla-La Mancha

Spain: La Ciudad Encantada (Enchanted City)

The Enchanted City near Cuenca is a fascinating natural park where visitors can walk among huge, oddly shaped limestone rocks that have been carved by wind and water over thousands of years, creating formations that look like animals, people, and everyday objects, all set within a peaceful pine forest that adds to the magical, otherworldly feeling of the place.

Comunidad de Madrid

Spain: Madrid – Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro

The Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro area in Madrid offers a graceful blend of art, history, and green spaces, where grand museums line a tree-shaded boulevard leading to the tranquil gardens, fountains, and lakes of the city’s most beloved park.

Comunidad de Madrid

Spain: Madrid

Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is a city where grand boulevards, lively plazas, and elegant architecture blend effortlessly with a relaxed way of life, offering a mix of history, culture, and everyday charm that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Castilla-La Mancha

Spain: Cuenca – The “Eagles Nest”

Cuenca, a stunning city in central Spain perched dramatically between deep river gorges, is renowned for its mediaeval charm, its famous hanging houses known as casas colgadas, and its beautifully preserved old town that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply soaking up authentic Spanish culture in a breathtaking natural setting.

Castilla-La Mancha

Spain: Toledo – “City of Three Cultures”

Toledo, Spain, often called the "City of Three Cultures" because of its rich history of Christian, Muslim and Jewish influence, is a breathtakingly beautiful place where ancient cobbled streets wind through a maze of stunning medieval architecture, including the towering Alcázar fortress and the awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral, all perched dramatically on a hill overlooking the Tagus River, offering visitors a truly unforgettable glimpse into Spain's vibrant and multifaceted past.

Spain: Trujillo

Trujillo, a historic town in the heart of Extremadura, Spain, is known for its striking medieval architecture, charming cobbled streets, and panoramic views from its ancient castle, all of which reflect its rich heritage as the birthplace of famed conquistadors and make it a captivating destination for anyone interested in Spanish history and culture.

Spain: Mérida – “the mini-Rome in Spain”

Mérida, a historic city in western Spain, is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved Roman ruins—including a grand amphitheatre, an impressive aqueduct, and a majestic temple—all of which reflect its ancient significance as a key outpost of the Roman Empire, and today it offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past amidst a charming blend of modern Spanish culture and centuries-old heritage.

Spain: Cáceres‎

Cáceres, a beautifully preserved mediaeval city in western Spain, enchants visitors with its cobbled streets, ancient stone walls, and blend of Roman, Moorish, and Gothic architecture, making it feel as though you’ve stepped back in time while wandering through its quiet plazas and sunlit courtyards.

Castile and León

Spain: Salamanca – Cathedral of Salamanca

The Cathedral of Salamanca, a majestic blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, stands as a testament to the city's rich historical and artistic heritage.

Castile and León

Spain: Salamanca – Convent of San Esteban

The Convent of San Esteban in Salamanca is a magnificent example of Spanish Plateresque architecture, renowned for its intricately carved façade and rich Dominican heritage.

Castile and León

Spain: Ávila‎

Ávila, Spain is a historic city known for its stunning medieval walls, well-preserved Romanesque churches, and connection to Saint Teresa of Ávila.

Castile and León

Spain: Alcázar de Segovia

Visiting the Alcázar of Segovia feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with its majestic towers and panoramic views overlooking the Castilian countryside.

Castile and León

Spain: Segovia

Segovia, Spain, is a historic city famed for its awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct, fairy-tale Alcázar castle, and soaring Gothic cathedral, all set against the backdrop of Castilla y León’s rugged landscape.

Spain: El Escorial

El Escorial, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid, is a vast and austere royal monastery that embodies Spain’s imperial power and deep Catholic heritage, housing a palace, basilica, library, and the royal pantheon.

Castilla-La Mancha

Spain: Salamanca – “The Golden City”

Salamanca, Spain, is a historic city known for its stunning Plaza Mayor, golden sandstone architecture, and one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218.

Spain: Madrid – Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. With over 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, it has witnessed centuries of Spanish history.

The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Galicia, Spain

Spain: Galicia – Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela simply Santiago, or Compostela, has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great as the destination of the Way of St. James, a Catholic pilgrimage route since the 9th century.

10 Great things to do in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of our favourite cities to visit. It has a fascinating history and culture, as well as some of the greatest architecture in Europe, if not the World. We are huge fans of the works of Antoni Gaudi, so we loved visiting Casa Mila, Park Guell and in particular La Sagrada Familia. Beyond Gaudi's works, the city's Gothic Quarter is a great place to wander and explore with its cobbled street, squares and amazing gothic cathedral. Of course, there are the museums, the restaurants, bars and the beach. Something for everyone!

Casa Milà, roof terrace - Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Spain: Barcelona – Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

UNESCO has recognized the works of the great architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), in particular, seven properties in or near Barcelona, which are a testimony to Gaudí’s exceptional creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Spain: Catalonia – The Sagrada Familia

UNESCO has recognized the works of the great architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), in particular, seven properties in or near Barcelona, which are a testimony to Gaudí’s exceptional creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Spain: Barcelona- Park Güell

UNESCO has recognized the works of the great architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), in particular, seven properties in or near Barcelona, which are a testimony to Gaudí’s exceptional creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Roman Bridge of Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain

Spain: Andalusia – Córdoba

The City of Córdoba is the capital of the province of Córdoba and has a colourful history. It also has the highest temperatures in Spain and Europe, with average high temperatures around 37 °C (99 °F) in July and August. When we were there it was indeed hot, not quite to those levels, but still toasty.

One-of-the-incredible-displays-at-the-parque-de-las-ciencias-granada-andalusia-spain

Spain: Andalusia – Granada, Parque de las Ciencias

If you are in the Andalusian city of Granada why not try a visit to the excellent Parque de las Ciencias (science park). Minutes from the heart of the city this is a great day out for kids and adults of all ages, with a host of interesting galleries and live exhibits.

Spain: Andalusia – Ronda

Perched on an inland plateau riven by the 100m fissure of El Tajo gorge, Ronda is Málaga province’s most spectacular town. It has a superbly dramatic location and owes its name to the encircling Serranía de Ronda. A great place to spend a day or two wandering around!

A skeleton on a wheel - Spansih Inquisition Museum, Granada

Spain: Granada – Spanish Inquisition Museum

The Museum of the Spanish Inquisition is a fascinating insight into the cruel and grisly punishments inflicted during a turbulent time in Europe. Granada is also a great place to watch some passionate and energetic flamenco dancing.

Spain: Andalusia – The Alhambra

The Alhambra, in Granada, Spain is a large palace and fortress complex that sits high on a hill high above the old city of Granada. It is one, if not the most visited tourist site in the whole of Spain. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inspiration for many songs and stories.

Boats moored in Port Lligat - Catalonia, Spain

Spain: Catalonia – Cadequés, Port Lligat; Dalí’s home

Today we set out at the crack of sparrows to reach the small fishing village of Port Lligat, where we were booked into an early tour of the home that Salvador Dali had shared with his wife Gala for many years.

Spain: Figueres – Teatre-Museu Dalí; Salvador Dalí museum

Reaching Figueres late morning meant we beat the rush for visiting the Teatre-Museu Dalí, which houses a fabulous collection of his works and is also the site of his burial. The museum itself was originally a theatre that had fallen into ruin after it was burned during the Spanish Civil War. In the 1960 Dalí and the town mayor decided to rebuild it and dedicate it as a museum to the town’s most famous son.

The buidlings along the Onyar River - Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Spain: Catalonia – Girona

A couple of excellent days spent in the culturally rich city of Girona. This northern city in Catalonia has a complicated history.

The Central Post Office - Valencia, Valenciam Community, Spain

Valencian Community

Spain: Valenican Community – The beautiful city of Valencia

Valencia is one of those cities I have driven by and flown through several times, always meaning to visit. During our most recent visit to Spain we had a few hours to kill before catchign a flight from Valencia to Rome so we thought we take a quick trip in the heart of the city to see what it was all about.

Spain: Catalonia – 2-day itinerary for Barcelona

Few…