Barcelona is probably Spain's most visited cities. This beautiful city is everything that an European city entails, outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums, and churches. Home to modern architecture, the many sight and colours will bow your mind away.

Begin the day by soaking in the sights and sound of Barcelona, and getting familiar with the city. Today you can head to La Rambla, the main tourist attraction this boulevard cuts through the middle of the city. An excellent spot to people-watch and soak in the city’s vibes and artistic flair. You will find here a number of street performers, artists, shops boutiques, restaurants and some popular tourist spots.

La Rambla (Source: Volkanikz)

To get the feel of the local life, head to La Boqueria, one of the biggest food markets in Spain. A sensuous paradise it is bursting with colour, energy scents and flavors. You will find here local produce of fruits, fresh seafood and numerous meat shops.

(Source: gaetanoporcaro)

Another very popular tourist haunt is the Plaza Catalunya filled with beautiful fountains and statues. The city’s biggest square it is a popular commercial and shopping district. And also the central point for metro stations and bus stops. The tourist information office is located here.

Plaza de Catalunya (Source: Maldita la hora)

Today you will soak in the many historical and architectural delights of Barcelona.

A trip to Barcelona is incomplete without a visit to the iconic Sagrada Famillia. This neo - gothic yet has years to go before its finished. But it still is a marvelous and captivating structure. If you're interested in architecture you can easily spend an afternoon here reading up on the background and exploring the edifice in detail. Entry cost around 10 euros.

Sagrada Famillia (Source: dynamosquito)

A must do in Spain is to explore the old historic quarters which have maintained their charm through the years. Barri Gotic or the Gothic quarter in Barcelona is such one locale. Here you will find the wondrous gothic architecture standing tall in present day Barcelona. Get lost in the maze like streets and rediscover the past.

Barri Gotic (Source: Oh-Barcelona.com)

In the center of Barcelona, you will find the hilltop neighbourhood of Montjuic. Home to several tourist attractions, it is a popular haunt. Apart from giving you panoramic views of the city and making a wish at the magic fountains. You can also visit the National Art Musuem of Catalonia,Miró Contemporary Art Museum, the Barceona FC football museum etc. For a cultural extravaganza head to Poble Espanyol or the Spanish village, you can catch popular flamenco dance here.

 Magic Fountain (Source: Adriano Aurelio Araujo)

Today is a day dedicated to the ingenious artist and architecture Gaudi. His work has been immortalized within the city. Even if you're not a big fan of architecture, you will be amazed by his works.

Though slightly far from the main city, another of Gaudi's masterpiece is Parc Guell. Amazing stone structures, colorful tiles and captivating building give it an out of the world feel. Perched atop a small hill, it offers beautiful views of the city.

Parc Guell (Source: Sarah_Ackerman)

One of the two great building designed by Antoni Gaudi on Passeig de Graci, Casa Batillo appears to have been made from skulls and bones. On closer inspection you will find that, the "Skulls" are in fact balconies and the "bones" are supporting pillars. A stunning and original work, its worth a visit.

Casa Batillo (Source: EileenRose)

The other popular work of Gaudi is La Pedrera. A residential building, this quirky building is worth a look from outside. Influences of nature and tree formations are visible and if you wish you can go up to the roof top for panoramic views of the city.

La Pedrera(Source: Ulf Liljankoski)

After a whole day of sight seeing you can relax by the beach in the evening. The beautiful Barceloneta beach is crowded with tourists and locals alike. A number of restaurants and cafes along the beach make it a fun place to hang out.

Barceloneta beach (Source: Oh-Barcelona.com)

Today you'll head to the capital of Spain, Madrid. Famous art museums, tapas bars and cultural spots are on the itinerary here.

The bustling city of Madrid is quite a change from the easy going feel of Barcelona. The first day here head to Puerto de Sol, the centre point of the city. A popular hangout for tourists as well as locals. One of the main squares of the city, it is always buzzing with activity. Some of the popular nightclubs are located in this vicinity.

Dancing at Sol (Source: rjhuttondfw)

Another very popular square in the center of Madrid is the Plaza Mayor, eternally alive with activity. You will find here street artists and jugglers mixed with tourists. Sundays are especially crowded when street artists from the nearby Rastro flea market perform here. The square while retaining its colonial charm has a number of fabulous restaurants, tapas bars etc. Do look out for some traditional chocolateries. 

Plaza Mayor (Madrid) (Source: dalbera)

Madrid's lifeline is the Gran Via, a wide boulevard lined with fancy shops and restaurants on both  sides. Head here for a scrumptious meal, tapas bars, Spanish wine and some retail shopping. But the real charm lies in the old architectures that rise high along the way.

Gran Via, Madrid (Source: Dimitry B)

Today is a day kept aside for visiting the architectural and cultural delights of the Spanish capital.

The official residence of the King and Queen of Spain, Palacio Real is partly kept open to the public. This beautiful white edifice is surrounded by beautiful lush gardens throughout the year. The courtyard displays fantastic views of the city and countryside. Guided tours are available inside the majestic building's many parts including the throne room, dining room and ballroom, all of which are absolutely breathtaking.

Palacio Real y Jardines de Sabatini (Source: Jan S0L0)

If you're remotely interested in art, you cannot miss out on Museo del Prado art museum home to some of Europe’s highest regarded works from famous masters such as Francisco Goya, El Greco, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Botticelli etc. 

Museo del Prado (Source: Carlos Reusser Monsalvez)

Another site worth visiting is El Reina Sofia art museum. A tribute to Spain’s greatest artists with a few foreign names. Some popular works here include Picasso’s “Guernica” and Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory” . Housed in a stunning building, it has a glass elevator for an entrance and influences of modern architecture that play with natural lighting.

Reina Sofia Museum (Source: Dimitry B)

Today you can all out and explore all the fascinating aspects of Spanish culture. 

When you think of Spain, an image that comes clearly to mind is bullfighting. Famous around the world, this highly adrenaline charged sport is showcased daily at the bull fighting arena or Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas.   There are daily shows from 7pm and ticket prices are varied according to the season. The arena is magnificent, detailed in Spanish style architecture and can house approximately 27,000 spectators. The museum within the arena is also worth a visit. 

BULL FIGHT (Source: keepon)

If you're a football fan you cannot miss the Real Madrid Stadium. Towering high above the square the site itself is worth a visit. If you're lucky you can catch a game or take a guided tour of the stadium.

Real Madrid Score (Source: Dale Harvey)

A trip to Madrid is incomplete without a night of drinking, dancing and tapas. So take out your dancing shoes and head out to the many tapas bars and catch the fascinating flamenco performances and perhaps even dance some.  One such popular place where you can enjoy your meals and watch a show is Torres Bermejas. They offer a fixed price meal and show. Held in a beautifully decorated basement, the moving music and captivating performances are sure to amaze you. 

Flamenco Contigo(Source: waferboard)

The beautiful and charming city of Sevilla is a favorite among tourists. Home to some impressive monuments, museums, churches, it is also the spiritual home of both flamenco and bullfighting. Some of the most beautiful gardens and buildings in all of Spain are found here.

Begin your day here with a trip to Santa Cruz, the most touristy part of Seville. Several of the popular attractions are located here. Whereas this old Jewish quarter is a maze of alleyways, white washed buildings and narrow streets. Perfect to spend a day out exploring. 

Some of the popular site worth mentioning here are ;

Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the country, and the third largest overall in the world. This captivating structure was built upon the site of an old mosque. It is one of the main attractions of Seville. 

Seville Cathedral (Source: trioptikmal)

Just next to the Cathedral is the Giralda a beautiful 12th century minaret. Part of the Cathedral, you get splendid views of the city from atop the minaret.

Compared to the Alhambra of Granada, the Alcazar in Seville is a palace and garden complex located next to the Cathedral. Built for the Muslim Moors in the 14th century  its patios, ornate ceilings and beautifully kept gardens are worth visiting.

Alcazar #4 (Source: mrskyce)

A trip to Seville is incomplete without a visit to the flamenco museum. Learn about the history of the dance and even watch a performance. 

For more sights in Santa Cruz, go here.

A day is not enough to explore all the wondrous sites in Santa Cruz. So I leave you to carry on with yesterdays sightseeing. 

As already mentioned earlier, Sevilla is the place for some of the most authentic Spanish experiences. 

Regarded as home of bullfighting, it is best experienced here.  The city of Seville houses one of the oldest bullrings in Spain, the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. Bullfights take place here from April until October with majority of events happening on Sunday nights. For more info, read here

Bullring, Seville (Source: BBM Explorer)

The Santa Cruz neighbourhood is also home to some really good tapas bars, be sure to explore and relish in the finest. For tapas in Seville, read here.

 Alternatively you can also take a Tapas tour to experience some of Sevilla’s best tapas bars and sample an excellent selection of tapas & wines. 

tapas (Source: loop_oh)

If you aren't bored of museums as yet, a must see is the Seville Museum of Fine Arts,  Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Seville. Considered one of the finest museums in Spain it  contains exhibits of Spanish art dating from the medieval and Renaissance age. 

Museo de Bellas Artes (Source: Son of Groucho)

End your day with a flamenco show. Numerous venues showcase flamenco performances. From entertaining to authentic, you can choose what you like. For more info, check here.

Flamenco (Source: Y.Fujii)

Maitea Taberna is known for serving delicious tapas. This is a no-frills restaurant with very casual ambience. This is one of the restaurants that is frequented by the locals so you're in no danger of getting ripped of by a sub par tourist trap. Many diners have observed that the restaurant is a great value for money and te seafood is particularly recommended.

 (Source: Javier Lastras)

Check out the reviews.

Very cool restaurants with friendly staff and good prices. Traditional Catalan cusine with locally sourced ingredients - not your usual Tapas.
The menu is in the form of a food magazine which you can also download from the website.

(Source: DOPPLR) 

Price range: Moderate

Location: Casanova, 157 (entre Paris y Corsega), 08036 Barcelona 

Tel: 34 93 439 51 07

Open Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am - 12 am

One of the finest local restaurant, El quim is perhaps one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona. Located in the heart of the famous La Rambla Street, this place is a true family restautant.  The sheer variety of the extensive list of tapas will leave you pleasantly surprised. The ambience is that of a typical old man’s bar with florescent lights and classic furnishings.

An absolute no miss would be the “croquetes casolanes de pernil ibèricd".

(Source: frankartculinary)

Here is a review:

Walking through La Boqueria we noticed a crowd gathered by one of the bars... After waiting around 15 minutes for two seats we understood why. This little bar has great food, great service and even better atmosphere. We ordered a bottle of cava, patatas bravas, clams, calamari and fried artichoke - all were fantastic. The meal cost us around 50 Euros, not cheap but worth it.

 (Source:TripAdvisor)

Price range : Expensive

Address : Stalls 584-585-606-607-608-609, Boqueria Market, Rambles , 91, 08001 Barcelona

Call : 93 301 98 10 (NO RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED)

Open : Tuesday to Thursday - 7am - 4 pm. Friday, Saturday - 7am - 5 pm.

Centro Ecologico Gaia is a restaurant with magnificent bio-vegetarian dishes that are well-cooked, plentiful and well presented. The menu includes an extensive list of tapas, wines, and soft drinks. The restaurant is spacious, the service is personal and friendly and correctly priced. Recommended dishes are smoked tofu pie with a rich veggie sauce.

 (Source: suzettesuzette)

Here's a review :

It is rare to find such inspiring creative dishes. All food at Gaia is lovingly prepared. The owners are clearly passionate about making a gift of genuinely good, healthy, delicious food. All dishes are 'vegetarian', but with very few ovo/lacto additions, and plenty of vegan options. Gaia restaurant, for us, as vegan 'foodies', was one of the highlights of our visit to Sevilla, and we revisited several times during our stay.

 (Source: TripAdvisor)

Price : Moderate

Address :  Luis de Vargas 4, Seville 41001.

Contact : +34 954 211 934, +34 670 767 640

Open :

Lunch: Everyday 1:30-4:00pm

Dinner: Monday-Thursday 8:00pm-11:00pm, Friday & Saturday 8:00-11:30

Closed on Sundays in June, July & September.

Eslava is a great combination of value and taste, hugely popularly among the locals as well the tourists. The restaurant serves a great variety of Tapas and crowds fill in quiet quickly once the restaurant opens. Be there well on time or stand in the queue, which would be worth every minute of your wait.

tapas (Source: loop_oh)

A review :

There is a reason why this place is so highly rated -- it is amazing. You'll find lots of locals there and the atmosphere is authentic yet inventive. I went for dinner twice while in Sevilla -- my best advice is to sit at the bar and let the bartender order tapas for you. You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended are the beef cheek and the egg tapa (which apparently won an award for being the best tapa in Sevilla). Sangria is also excellent.

 (Source: TripAdvisor)

Price: Expensive

Address: Calle Eslava, 3-5, 41002 Seville, Spain

Call: +34 954906568

Hours:  

Tue-Sun 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm for lunch

Tue-Sat 9 pm - 12 am for dinner

Habanita is located in the historical center of Sevilla, close to Plaza Alfalfa. It offers peaceful open air as well as indoor seating options. The place serves not only vegetarian, cuban and mediterranean cuisines but also gluten free dishes. The wide selection of vegetarian items are clearly indicated in the menu. Feta cheese and mint samosas, fried yuccas and black beans with rice are some of the popular foods in this restaurant. Yummy, mouth - watering deserts are also available.

 (Source: seelensturm)

Here's a review :

We've already eaten here twice and I'm sure we will continue to eat here for the next few days while we are in Seville. The rice and beans are anything but ordinary, they are so good! They have a menu in English and an entire section of vegetarian and vegan options. The jacket potatoes, ratatouille, seitan steak, falafel are all so delicious! After going for lunch and dinner, our waiter (maybe the owner?) brought us a complimentary shot of honey rum and oh my goodness it was yummy!!! I think the staff is so pleasant, the service is great, the decor is nice. It's a holy land in this meaty country!!!

 (Source: HappyCow)

Budget : Moderate.

Address : Calle Golfo 3, 41002 Seville.

Call : +34 606 716456.

Hours : Daily 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, 8 pm to 12:30 am. Closed Sunday evening.

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