A growing number of Australian visitors to Europe are using their long service leave or summer holidays as a time to try an overseas retirement on for size. In a new report, the editors at Internationalliving.com/au have pinpointed five must-see spots in Spain.
Source: InternationalLiving.com/au
Spain—Western Europe’s second-largest country—offers fantastic variety in terrain, culture and lifestyle including 5,000 kilometres of coastline.
The food, the almost poetic sounding language and the ambitiously elegant architecture of rising church spires, the oddities of Gaudi’s work and Moorish castles overlooking the sea, attract millions of visitors every year.
Whatever the attraction, Spain is high on a lot of people’s bucket lists—both as a holiday destination and a place to settle down and retire with plenty of sunshine, good food and a low cost of living.
If Spain is on your must-see list, here are five of its most charming spots to visit:
1. Toledo
If cobblestone streets and walled cities make your heart beat faster, Toledo is your place. Set on a hill almost entirely surrounded by a winding river, this Medieval city is a maze of cute alleys full of restaurants and shops, spacious squares dominated by churches and cute apartments tucked away above the shopping streets.
If you’re a hiker, make time to wander the portion of the Don Quixote trail that passes by the city. About 20 minutes up the hill outside town on the trail, you’ll come to a viewpoint with breathtaking vistas of the city, especially at sunset. You’ll find lots of locals here in the early evening, snuggling their sweethearts as they sit on the wall and watch the sun set.
2. Frigiliana
Tucked up in the mountains of Southern Spain, this whitewashed town is a warren of cute cobbled alleyways, brick steps and streets lined with flowerpots at every turn. Expect sweeping mountain views, sunny squares and lemon trees along the lanes.
The town frequently makes it onto “most beautiful places in Spain” lists and it’s only a short drive from the coast, so you can get your mountain fix here and then head down to popular Nerja for sun, surf and beachfront dining or Malaga for Moorish fortresses overlooking the sea and lively nightlife.
3. Girona
Drive about an hour-and-a-half north of Barcelona and you’ll find yourself in old Girona, where black metal street lamps light the narrow cobblestone corridors and lush, green mountains rise in the distance.
For excellent views, walk the Medieval city walls, with their rough white and red stones. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, wander the narrow alleys of the Jewish Quarter, a major filming location for the show. And if you’re a foodie, don’t miss out on the pa amb tomaquet—tomato, garlic and olive oil on toast—and calcots—a special kind of grilled onion that you’ll only find in this region and only in the winter.
4. Seville
If delicate architecture, castles and flamenco dancing sound fabulously exotic, head to Seville—Spain’s sunniest city and home of the Alcazar Castle complex.
Stay overnight in a restored 17th-century palacio. Attend a flamenco show. Visit Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest. And don’t miss the city’s many tapas bars, like Catalina Casa de Comidas. For a more unusual experience, make your way to the 13th-century convent for a special sweet treat alled yemas de San Leandro.
5. Madrid
For museums, galleries and classic Spanish architecture, make your way to Madrid—Spain’s enormous, elegant capital (just 20 minutes by train from charming Toledo). The city is known for its world-class art collections and pretty boulevards and you’ll find plenty of famous art as well as intriguing collections like the historic weaponry at the Royal Palace and Armory.
Don’t miss Parque de El Retiro—a sprawling 19th-century park full of fountains, statues, boating opportunities and happy locals—or Casa de Campo (which is five times bigger than New York’s famous Central Park). For shopping, head to the popular tourist thoroughfare Gran Via. And when it’s time to dine, you’ll be happy to know that Madrid now boasts 17 restaurants with Michelin stars.
The full report can be found here: 5 Must-See Places in Sunny Spain or more information on Spain can be found, here: Spain, the Complete Guide.
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