Spain: Things To Do

Doñana National Park A unique system of marsh, grassland, and desert listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Center, this park covers almost 1,000 square miles and is one of Europe’s largest nature reserves, home to dozens of species of birds and mammals. near El Rocio, Carretera El Rocio-Doñana, s/n; 011-34-959-506162; www.parquenacionaldonana.com
family | wildlife | outdoors

Gran Hotel La Florida This magnificent 70-room hotel, built in 1925 and reopened in 2003 after a 47-million-dollar renovation, sits high atop Mount Tibidabo with views over Barcelona and beyond. A heated indoor and outdoor infinity pool anchors the state-of-the-art spa. Carretera Vallvidrera al Tibidabo, 83-93; 011-34-932-593000; www.hotellaflorida.com
luxury | trendy | expensive

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao U.S. starchitect Frank Gehry created a sensation with his silvery, fish-scale skinned titanium and glass building housing the European outpost of the famed New York institution. Fortunately, the wonderful permanent collection and crowd-drawing temporary exhibitions are not overshadowed by the archit Avenida Abandoibarra, 2; 011-34-944-359080; www.guggenheim-bilbao.es
architecture | trendy | art

La Rambla Stroll along this tree-lined pedestrian boulevard running from Barcelona’s Plaça de Catalunya down to the port for a taste of this lively city’s eclectic atmosphere, with its bustling sidewalk cafes, engaging street performers, flower kiosks, and non-stop action. La Rambla
family | culinary | walk | shopping

Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art Spend a day visiting a trio of the world’s greatest art museums – the Prado for classical painting, the Reina Sofia for modern works, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum for a comprehensive collection from the 13th to 20th centuries. Paseo del Prado, s/n; 011-34-913-302800; www.museodelprado.es
family | museum | art

Parador of Alarcón Spend the night in this meticulously restored medieval fort, now a 14-room hotel operated by the famed state-run Parador chain and perched high on a promontory overlooking the Jucar River, 90 minutes southeast of Madrid. Avenida Amigo de los Castillos, 3; www.parador.es
moderate | historic | great value

Restaurante Arzak Basque chefs are renowned for their innovation and skill, and the guru of them all is José Mari Arzak Etxabe, whose namesake three-Michelin-starred restaurant serves up a rotating tasting menu with dishes like lobster claw in an onion-vermouth sauce. Avenida Alcalde Elosegui, 273; 011-34-943-278465; www.arzak.info
smart splurge | trendy | expensive

Sailing in the Balearics Spend the day fishing, enjoy a romantic sunset dinner cruise, or charter your own boat to explore hidden coves around the Mediterranean island of Majorca. Although the island has many charter services, Vita-Bel II is the best. Closed November through April. Majorca, Cala d’Or Marina, Cala d’Or, 40 miles east of Palma; 011-34-649-18-95-95; www.vita-bel.com
outdoors | expensive | sailing

The Alhambra Overlooking the city of Granada, this Moorish palace and gardens evoke an Arabian Nights fantasy, with colorfully tiled royal halls and rooms, patios with fountains, and even a harem, all surrounded by crumbling battlements and towers. Cuesta de Gomerez; 011-34-902-441221; www.alhambra-patronato.es
family | architecture | history

The City of Arts and Sciences One of Europe’s modern architectural marvels, this futuristic complex containing an aquarium, science museum, world-class concert hall, planetarium, and IMAX theater has made Valencia a must-go destination. Avenida Autopista del Saler, 1-7; 011-34-902-100031; www.cac.es
family | aquarium | culture | performing arts | art

The Mezquita Built by Moorish ruler Abd ar-Rahman in the 8th century, this mammoth mosque, a maze of horseshoe-shaped, double-tiered arches built of red and white stone, is one of the highlights of Islamic architecture. Calle Cardenal Herrero, 1; 011-34-957-470512; www.mezquitadecordoba.org
family | architecture | history