Things to Do in Spain

If you can't make it to Madrid's Prado, then consider Seville's Museum of Fine Arts your second-best option. Hailed as having one of the most impressive art collections outside of the capital, the museum is well worth the stop, and for more than just the artwork.

The Museo de Bellas Artes (as it is called in Spanish) dates back to the 1830s, and is situated in what used to be a 16th-century convent. Within its walls, explore works – largely religious in subject matter – dating from the Gothic period to the 20th century, and by greats like Murillo, Zurburán and even El Greco. Beyond just paintings, you'll also find other items on display, ranging from sculptures to ceramics and furniture.

But don't just come for the art: The building alone is worth scoping out. During your visit, you’ll pass through an entry hall adorned in Seville’s hallmark colorful tiles, then wander through tranquil patios and a garden-filled cloister, and finally discover museum nirvana below the elaborate ceiling of an art-filled former chapel. Even better: Given the museum's off-the-tourist-track location just north of the main sightseeing area, expect your visit to be relatively crowd-free.

In the sun scorched surrounds of Gran Canaria island lies a recreation of the American Wild West with cowboys and Indians, gunfights and saloons, and even a petting zoo for the kids.

Originally built as a stage set for 'A Fistful of Dollars' starring Clint Eastwood, Sioux City has since found fame as a popular theme park. Keep your wits about you as you meander along the dusty streets, past the sherrif's office, bank, and general store, for you could get caught in a shoot out. Bank robberies, saloon fights, cattle stampedes, rodeos, and gunfights are all part of everyday life at Sioux City!

If you visit Sioux City on a Friday, stick around for a Wild West BBQ (extra charge), stunts, gunfights, and cancan dancers. It's a wild day out for the whole family!

If your visit to Bilbao has gotten you into an artistic mood, then embrace that notion with a little theater at the city's Teatro Arriaga. The 19th-century Neo-baroque theater goes easy on the traveler's eyes with an elaborate facade that overlooks the east bank of the Nervión River, and a fancy interior of plush red chairs, golden balconies and ornate crown molding.

This may sound like theater-viewing perfection, but Teatro Arraiga's past hasn't been quite as flawless. Designed by Joaquín Rucoba, the theater was opened in 1890, and dedicated to Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, considered the Mozart of Spain. Flash forward to 1914, when a fire essentially demolished it, followed by other setbacks, such as its closing for a time during the Civil War. Then came threatening floods in 1983, which inundated the structure to the second floor, closing it once more.

The curtain of course rose again, though, and the intimately sized theater – seating some 1,500 people – has welcomed audiences ever since.

With everything from high-speed water slides to hair-raising amusement rides, there’s every opportunity to get your adrenaline pumping at Siam Park, and as long as you’re happy to get wet, Europe’s biggest water park is sure to be a hit.  Opening its doors in 2007, the Thai-themed park was designed by Christoph Kiessling and features a Thai floating market and Thai restaurants. Even just strolling through the park is an experience, with exotic architecture, streams filled with tropical fish and a huge white-sand beach, dotted with plenty of family-safe swimming areas and relaxing Jacuzzi baths.

Thrillseekers will likely make a beeline for the legendary Tower of Power – a vertical transparent slide that plummets riders through a pool of sharks and stingrays, or The Dragon, a gravity-defying Proslide Tornado, but less-confident swimmers might prefer to tackle the Jungle Snake slides or take a rafting trip along the Mekong Rapids. Additional highlights include the Wave Palace, where you can learn to surf on waves rising up to 3 meters high, the Lost City children’s play area and the six-lane racing slides.

One of the most famous points of interest on Montjuïc is the Poble Espanyol. The so-called "Spanish Village" was built for the 1929 International Exhibition to show off models of the architecture specific to each region in Spain.

Visitors ambling through the mixed-and-matched village will find themselves one minute walking down a street characteristic of the Basque region, and the next, standing before a home reminiscent of the Andalucian style. Also included are copies of Galician and Castilian architecture and, of course, Catalan dwellings. 

Filling these buildings are various craft shops left over from the International Exhibition that are still churning out keepsake crafts. There are also several bars, cafes and shops throughout to quench every thirst, appetite and need for a souvenir.

See everything from glass blowing to weaving in the craft shops of Poble Espanyol. Artisans working in every medium imaginable are drawn to this space as somewhere not only to showcase their art but to create it as well. There are a series of exhibition spaces throughout the village that host temporary exhibits, in addition to the Fran Daurel Foundation, which displays a permanent collection of over 300 works by international artists.