Visiting Spain is not only about sun, great cuisine, and a warm welcome, but also its rich monumental heritage and dazzling natural environment. There is a perfect destination for everyone: from beautiful beaches to spectacular mountains, from lively cities to the fiesta on the countryside. The season of festivals and fiestas is revving up to full throttle, from streets carpeted in flowers to films-by-the-sea, from the running of the bulls to concerts and ballet in the gardens of the caliphs. Paella and sangría are world-famous.

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Walking through the streets of Cordoba is like going from one period in history to another. This city in Andalusia has a unique wealth of monuments. Its historic centre has the UNESCO World Heritage designation, and this is not only on account of the Great Mosque. Over the centuries, the different peoples and cultures who settled in Cordoba left a priceless legacy of monuments in the streets of the city. If you come to southern Spain, then make a note to visit this destination. More about Cordoba

The Cactus Garden is in an old quarry for the extraction of volcanic rock or gravel used by the old prickly pear growers to retain the night-time dampness in the soil. The artist César Manrique could see in this area the opportunity to convert a residual space into a strange terraced enclosure where more than one thousand four hundred species of cactus - all perfectly classified - are cultivated. The whole thing, which has Manrique's unmistakable stamp, is presided over by a windmill which used to be used to grind maize and today works for educational purposes. More about the Jardín de Cactus

Barcelona is an open-air museum with a wealth of culture, many historic sites and the special flair of Catalonia. You can visit it by bus, bicycle or on foot, and enjoy its bustling streets. There are many ways to discover Barcelona and a whole host of things to do, for those interested in culture, for those in search of entertainment or for those thinking about where to do some shopping. Walk the Ramblas, see Picasso’s paintings and expierence the spirit of this beauty at the Mediterranean Coast. More about Barcelona

Spain has inherited the tradition of thermal baths that Greeks, Romans and Moors enjoyed here thousands of years ago. Today Spain offers one of Europe's richest, most attractive and varied range of health-based tourism resorts. The vast majority of Spain's thermal centres, offering mineral-rich, medicinal waters, are situated in incredibly beautiful natural surroundings, close to mountains, beaches and forests. Besides all this, Spain offers the health tourism sector something that few other European countries can: climatotherapy. More about Spain, the Spa of Europe

Get on your bike and discover the Balearic Islands in a different, fun and green way. Any time of year is ideal to explore the archipelago's tracks and trails. You will discover countryside, towns and villages, beautiful coves and monuments, enjoying the island's stunning landscapes while you do sport in complete harmony with the surroundings. There are many, fully signed itineraries that cover the Balearic Islands. The tracks tend to be mainly flat, not too physically demanding, and they are thus ideal for everyone, including children. More about the Balearic Islands by Bike

"For all eternity" is the inscription on the cornerstone of the Royal Palace, which was laid in 1738. This solemn, monumental building was erected in the centre of Madrid as a symbol of solidity, strength and continuity. Built of granite and limestone, with wood used only in the doors and windows to minimise the risk of fire, it is the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain. Even though the Royal Family do not live there, they do use it for numerous important acts and events. Its architectural beauty, serene and harmonious, is enhanced in an extraordinary way by its setting, which may even be more beautiful than the palace itself. More about A Tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid

Andalusia has a multitude of charms that will entice you to stay: wonderful beaches, its extraordinary cultural heritage, an unrivalled festive atmosphere, and of course, its delicious cuisine. And to savour it all there is nothing more typical than some "tapas" accompanied by some fino sherry. This wine is at the centre of a whole style of life; come and discover it, and it will open up another way to enjoy the culture of Spain. More about the Fino Sherry of Andalusia

Sun and sand are, without doubt, the trademarks that have made the coast of Malaga province into the ideal destination for more than eight million tourists who come to this privileged part of Andalusia every year. Initially attracted by its exceptional climate (the average annual temperature is about 18ºC), visitors to the Costa del Sol end up being seduced by its attractive towns and villages, many with quiet coves, kilometres of clean sand, unusual natural settings and the Mediterranean sea, perfect for swimming and all sorts of water sports. More about the Beaches, Art and Leisure on the Costa del Sol

Zoos, safaris, museums, nature trails...Spain has a wide array of leisure and entertainment options for children that goes beyond the big theme parks that have sprung up over the last few years. In the last decade, Spain has seen a significant growth in the number of theme parks, with Terra Mítica in Benidorm, Port Aventura in Tarragona, Isla Mágica in Seville, Warner Bros Park in Madrid. At the same time however, a wide range of leisure activities has also come about, that focus more on contact with the environment and science than tall, twisting roller coasters. More about Fun Beyond Theme Parks