15 reasons to visit Spain in 2015

Photo: Bilbao is just one of the reasons to go to Spain this year. stanjourdan

Do you really need more than one reason to visit Spain? Its beaches, an incredible culinary scene, friendly citizens, and a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage Sites have long enticed travelers from all around the globe. Made up of islands, rugged mountains, bustling metropolises, and quiet hill villages, there is a little something for everyone within Spain’s borders.

Throw in a falling euro and a host of budget-friendly destinations across the country, and you have one of Europe’s greatest treasures. However, just in case you’re still unconvinced, here are 15 reasons to pack your luggage and head to Iberia in 2015.

1. Carnaval in Gran Canaria

Carnaval is like Mardi Gras in Spain, and will be celebrated in style February 13-21, 2015. Gran Canaria Island is an unmatched destination to dress up in costume and join the wild soirée because its celebration is one of the most spirited in Spain and the weather is warm—the Canary Islands are closer to Africa than Spain, and enjoy springtime weather year-round!

2. Tapas and art in Bilbao

Set on a river in the Basque Country, Bilbao is often passed up for San Sebastian, but both cities are worth visiting. Bilbao offers up a delicious tapas and pintxos scene in the old town neighborhoods. You can nibble as you bar hop for a tasty and affordable dinner. Plus, the Guggenheim Museum is found in Bilbao, the silvery and swooping building by Frank Gehry. Admission is €10 for this world famous attraction.

Related: Five tips for Bilbao on a budget

Typical sculpture at Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain. Photo by Regina W Bryan

3. Las Fallas Festival in Valencia

From March 15-19, Valencia, a vibrant city on Spain’s southern Mediterranean coastline, comes alive with the annual Las Fallas celebration. The festival revolves around creating enormous sculptures from papier-mâché, and then burning them (about 700 sculptures in all) to ash on the last day of the celebration. The sculptures are called “fallas,” and some of them cost up to €300K to create.

Cheapos will love that Las Fallas is a free event open to all. Expect lots of fireworks, firecrackers, noise, late night merrymaking, food, drink, and of course, smoke and flames on the last night.

4. Semana Santa in Seville

Easter Holy Week is observed throughout Spain, but Seville is one of the best cities to partake in this religious celebration. Solemn, dramatic, traditional, and a major tourist draw, Easter Holy Week (Semana Santa) will be held this year from the March 29 – April 5, 2015. If you plan to be in Seville for the week-long event, make sure to book a hotel room way in advance.

Related: Affordable hotels in Seville

Standing at Teide’s crater on Tenerife, Spain. Photo by Regina W Bryan

5. Volcano climbing in Tenerife

Head to Tenerife Island, one of the Canary Islands near Africa, not just because the weather is always around 70ºF, but because in its center is Teide, a beautiful volcano. At 3,718 meters above sea level, Teide is the highest point in Spain. You can visit the crater and hike around its base along several well-marked trails. Only a few visitors can tour the crater each day, and access depends on the weather, so make sure book your pass ahead of time online.

6. Feria de Abril in Seville

The biggest bash in Seville is the Feria de Abril, or April Fair, held this year from April 21-26, 2015. For many, the classic image of Spain is portrayed during this week-long fair. Women are dressed to impress in tight “traje de gitana” dresses and men look handsome in suits and ties. This is a formal party, so if you go, do dress up. Dancing, eating, drinking sherry, and taking carriage rides are all part of the fun.

While the Feria de Abril is open to all, be aware that some of the “casetas,” or small houses, are private and invitation only.  Locals in Seville love this celebration and spend months preparing for it and a week recovering from it.

7. Local eats in Madrid

Madrid is often overshadowed by Barcelona when it comes to food, but the two cities should be placed in separate categories. Madrid and Barcelona have very different geographies (Madrid is landlocked, Barcelona is on the seaside), different climates, and different cultures. Madrid’s location in the center of the country and cold winters mean meat-heavy dishes and lots of succulent strews.

Discover the tasty side of Madrid by taking a tour of its restaurants and bars. Learn about the history of Spain’s capital while stuffing your face with authentic eats and washing them down with locally-sourced beer and wine.

Related: Cheap hotels in Madrid

Temps de Flors in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Photo by Regina W Bryan.

8. Temps de Flors in Girona

Located about an hour from Barcelona by train, Girona is a stunning cobblestone city with Roman roots at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. Each year in May, locals decorate the streets with elaborate carpets and sculptures made of flowers. The festival is free to attend, and it’s best to get there early in the week when the flowers are at their freshest. Temps de Flors will be held from May 9-17, 2015.

9. Walking El Camino

Walking El Camino, or The Way of Saint James, has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Does it have something to do with the Emilio Estevez movie, The Way? Trekking all of the trail, or just a portion of it (many pilgrims just do the last 110 km), promises an amazing experience in a lush region of Spain which is often overlooked. The end of the trail is Santiago de Compostela, which is a university city and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. Patios Festival in Córdoba

Homes in Córdoba are built around verdant patios which are concealed behind walls most of the year. In May, locals open up their homes and display beautiful flower-clad patios to the public. This year this fragrant fest will be held May 4-17.

11. Spain’s top nightlife in Madrid

There’s a constant rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona: Which city is better? When it comes to soccer, food, art, architecture, and fashion, everyone has an opinion. But there is one thing that locals in Madrid do better, and that’s having a night out on the town. Madrileños are famous for their “marcha” or ability to party ’til the cows come home. If you want lively bars, clubs, and a population of people who love to get down, there is no better city in Spain than Madrid.

12. Sant Joan festival in Barcelona

Sant Joan kicks off beach season on the Mediterranean falling roughly around the summer solstice. On the night of June 23rd, residents head down to the city’s shoreline to have bonfires, light firecrackers, and eat dinnertime picnics. Dancing, booze, and skinny-dipping are rampant.

Related: 10 ways to enjoy summer in Barcelona

13. Hiking in Picos de Europa

This emerald area of Northern Spain gets almost no love. Not many outside of Spain know about Asturias or its national park, Los Picos de Europa. If you want to get way off the sand and sangria tourist trail and experience tiny hamlets, pungent cheeses, tangy cider, and some exceptional hiking, head to the Asturias region. Trails into Los Picos will take you past alpine lakes and quiet mountainsides where a handful of dwindling shepherds tend to their flocks.

Laid-back bliss on Ibiza. Photo by Regina W Bryan.

14. Ibiza for Island Bliss

An island with a reputation (deserved) for being a clubber’s paradise and 24/7 party place, Ibiza is more than discos, drugs, and cheap booze. In fact, the island has long been home to part of Spain’s hippy scene and still has a lot to offer those searching for an alternative lifestyle. Ibiza teems with yoga retreats, arts and crafts markets, hidden beaches, and campgrounds that look like the overspill area from a Grateful Dead concert. To find the peaceful side of Ibiza stay clear of Playa en Bossa, home to the big clubs and the airport.

15. Primavera Sound in Barcelona

Many music festivals are held in Barcelona each year, but Primavera Sound is one of the most popular, bringing in fans from all over Europe for the three-day show. If you buy tickets in advance you get a discount, otherwise, tickets go for about €200. Expect The Black Keys, Anthony and the Johnsons, and many other bands to perform from May 28-30, 2015.

Whatever reason you choose to visit Spain, keep the season and what festivals will be on in mind. Prices and crowds increase in July and August, and anytime there is a festival you should book accommodations in advance. October to May is low-season in Spain, and there are deals to be had on hotels, rental cars, and flights.