Spain
Spain is the Germans’ place of longing. From the rebellious north to the Moorish south, it offers diversity in terms of landscape, culture and society. Spain is the Ballermann in Mallorca. Spain is techno beats on the beach in Ibiza. Spain is the black beaches of Tenerife. Cultural Barcelona and tapas bars in Andalusia. Guernica and For Whom the Bell Tolls. The Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Bridge to Africa. Flamenco and passion.
Perhaps Spain supposedly has everything to offer that you look for in vain in Germany: a relaxed lifestyle under the sun, extensive siestas, beaches and whitewashed fincas. Más vale tarde que nunca!
Málaga is a dream city on the Mediterranean, just a short flight away from rainy winter Germany. Thin palm trees tower over the surrounding residential buildings, their leaves bending in the wind. A cold wind blows and paragliders rise above the water. An endless beach promenade between subtropical-looking green strips and busy main roads. Somewhere there is industry, a multi-lane city highway, a mostly dry canal framed by graffiti-sprayed concrete walls. The residential areas on the outskirts: nice, but not particularly exciting. No, Màlaga’s strengths are its beaches, nightlife, tapas bars and life. An afternoon beer by the roadside. A cigarette in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A walk on the beach. Red wine with friends in front of a crowded bar. Because the truth is: as soon as dusk falls, the city’s inhabitants stream out of their homes and into the bars and restaurants. They live for pleasure and the finer things in life.
Granada on a cold March day attracts few people. Perhaps the best time to visit the otherwise crowded Alhambra. The castle is probably one of the most beautiful remnants of the Muslim-Arab influence in Spain around 700 years ago. Numerous building complexes including ornately decorated rooms, sweet-smelling gardens and gentle water fountains make the Alhambra a true voyage of discovery for all senses. After all, Spain wouldn’t be Spain if the sun didn’t occasionally fight its way through the clouds. Pause for a moment and enjoy the warmth on your skin.
Down in the city, it starts to rain. If it weren’t for the scattered palm trees, we would never believe this was Spain. The cathedral rises up between the houses and small alleyways. Street artists here and there, hoping for the few tourists on this day. The weather may be clouding our résumé, as we realize that Granada without the Alhambra would just be a boring city at the foot of a mountain range.
In the heart of Andalusia, the town of Ronda lies on the top of a mountain. A deep ravine separates the Moorish old town with its narrow streets from the new town. Ronda welcomes its visitors calmly, as if there was nothing special here. Boring suburbs, a very nice pedestrian zone with soulless chain stores. A quiet market square, a bullring. But suddenly the first viewpoint is in front of us. As we step up to the walls, a strong gust of wind hits us. Below us, we descend vertically into the depths. The Puente Nuevo leads across the Tajo gorge into the old town. From there, we follow a small path down to another viewpoint. The rape has yellow flowers, the trees are still bare. In the shade of the bridge, far down in the gorge, there are a few campers.
There are the hopeless romantics who cling to Spanish red wine and turn the balmy nights into day. There are the party animals on Platja d’en Bossa who shake the ground to thumping beats. Of course, there are the families who enjoy the all-inclusive package at the club hotel on Fuerteventura. Lovers and newlyweds roaming the streets of Madrid. African travelers seeking happiness beyond Gibraltar. Old hippies dreaming of love on La Gomera.
Spain is the diversity, the excitement, the life. It is the sunrise and the sunset – and all the shades in between.
Info about our trip
Our last trip took us to Andalusia in 2022. Unfortunately, the trip was overshadowed by cool, damp March weather. A long, long time before our travel blog (which is why we don’t have any pictures in good enough quality), we were on vacation in northern Spain and Mallorca, and Vany had also spent an internship abroad in Alicante.
What we always liked best about Spain was the open-hearted and sociable way of life. An evening with friends in a crowded tapas bar was once again our highlight in Andalusia. A moment that we personally remember better than the Alhambra or the Puente Nuevo in Ronda. Traveling is so much more than just seeing the sights. It’s the moments in between that really make a trip special. We get this feeling again and again in Spain.
Spain is a little cheaper than Germany, which is particularly noticeable when it comes to rental cars and restaurants. However, flights have generally become significantly more expensive than before the coronavirus pandemic (but which flights aren’t?). Spain is certainly not a cheap travel destination (anymore).
In Spain, tapas are of course on the menu, which means finger food that is ordered in great variety and shared with friends. These could be grilled peppers, prawn skewers or chorizo. Accompanied by a cold beer, a light wine or a delicious sangría, the evening is perfect. In Málaga, we recommend the tapas bar La Tranca. The food there is delicious and the atmosphere is great. However, you may have to wait a while for a free table. So it’s best to come early or make a reservation.
We always stayed in Airbnbs or hostels or the trip was so long ago that we can’t give you a recommendation for Spain.
Some people may still remember the serious terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and Barcelona in 2017. However, these two attacks remained absolute exceptions and Spain is an extremely safe country to travel to, especially with children.
We have not yet been to Spain with children, so we cannot comment on the child-friendliness of the Spanish.
he easiest way to get to Spain is by plane. The journey by car is likely to be a little longer and more stressful – but it is certainly feasible and an absolute must for anyone who wants to take the ferry from Gibraltar to Morocco.
In Spain you can then hire a car, they don’t cost much and it’s the best way to explore parts of the country.
- Carlos Ruiz Zafón was one of the best-known Spanish writers of modern times. His books are good and easy to read. The Shadow of the Wind, for example, is set in Barcelona in the last century.
- An unforgotten bestseller is without question For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, which deals with the Spanish Civil War.