Spain is one of the most popular tourist countries for holidaymaking Brits. The majority head to the Balearics for some clubbing and sun, or the Costa del Sol, or perhaps one of the major cities like Barcelona or Madrid. But Spain is a huge country, with much to offer the more particular vacationer, looking for something a little different. Visit On The Beach for a wide range of Spain holiday choices, and read on for our favourite three lesser known Iberian destinations.
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San Sebastian On the coastal fringes of the Basque country is San Sebastian. Located on the southern edge of the Bay of Biscay, it is a charming mixture of watersports and culture, with a delightfully picturesque shoreline. The city sits at the mouth of the River Urumea. There is surfing and waterskiing on the ocean, particularly at Zurriola Beach, whose shape is very well-suited to channeling the Atlantic swells in the boarders favour. Best time to go to see a bit of real Spain the likes of which you wont find in Marbella is during Basque Week at the start of September. The festival celebrates the best of Basque culture, with poetry, pelota, stone lifting, dancing, music, cider and even oxen wagers! The highlight is the Flag of La Concha, which is the Bay of Biscays very own prestigious boat race. Enthusiasts come from all over Spain and theyre onto a winner. Cordoba Cordoba, in Andalucia, was once a strategically vital area. The scene of many historical conflicts, Cordobas most keenly felt influence these days is that of the Moors, who toppled the city in 711AD (before losing it to the Christians nearly 800 years later). The cuisine is an appealing mixture of Moroccan, Spanish and Arabic flavours, with the local Gazpacho soup a particular highlight. The Mihrab Cordobas cathedral is impressive, as is the Medina Zahara, the towns great mosque. Malaga Ok, so not everyone will consider Malaga to be off the beaten path, but it is still under-visited in relation to its greatness. Of course, the Pablo Picasso museum is a must-see, celebrating the life of Malagas most famous son. But the coastal walking and historical town centre are equally as visual if a little more conventional as the great mans works.