Discover Spain
Spain is a country best explored slowly, one neighborhood, meal, and unexpected discovery at a time. Its cities are layered with history and alive with creative energy: the medieval lanes of Toledo, the grand boulevards and world-class museums of Madrid, the tiled courtyards of Seville, and the surreal architecture of Gaudí rising above Barcelona. In Granada, the Alhambra reveals centuries of Moorish influence, while flamenco carries the emotion and history of Andalusia into intimate bars and cave venues. Food is woven into every journey, whether lingering over pintxos in San Sebastián, sharing tapas in a crowded Madrid tavern, tasting wine among the vineyards of La Rioja, or enjoying paella near the sea in Valencia. Beyond the cities, Spain stretches from the rugged peaks of the Picos de Europa to the whitewashed villages of Andalusia, the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, and the beaches of the Mediterranean. Art, architecture, literature, and regional traditions give each part of the country its own character, making Spain a place that rewards curiosity—and a destination that becomes richer the more deeply you read before, during, and after the journey.
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Spain
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Spain
Travel Writing
Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through Spain and Its Silent Past, by Giles Tremlett
Spain may appear confident, sociable, and thoroughly modern, but Giles Tremlett discovers a country still debating what it means to be Spanish. Traveling through Madrid, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, and Andalusia, he investigates the mass graves left by Franco’s forces, the long “pact of forgetting” that followed the Civil War, and the regional identities that continue to challenge the idea of a unified nation. His journey also leads into the worlds of flamenco, tourism, political corruption, Basque separatism, Catalan nationalism, and the rapid social changes that transformed Spain after the dictatorship. Written with the curiosity of a longtime foreign correspondent who has made Madrid his home, Ghosts of Spain looks beyond beaches, tapas, and famous monuments to explain the historical arguments and cultural differences that remain just beneath the surface. It is an absorbing introduction to modern Spain—and an especially valuable book for travelers hoping to understand why different parts of the country can feel so proudly and unmistakably distinct.
Roads to Santiago, by Cees Nooteboom
Rather than following the Camino de Santiago as a conventional pilgrim or tracing a single route across northern Spain, Dutch writer Cees Nooteboom takes a series of searching, wonderfully unpredictable journeys through the country’s landscapes and history. His detours lead to Romanesque churches, silent monasteries, remote Castilian villages, the shrine of the Black Madonna at Guadalupe, the Alhambra, the Prado, and the great pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, he reflects on painters including Velázquez and Zurbarán, Spain’s Roman, Islamic, and Christian inheritances, the Reconquista, royal dynasties, architecture, faith, and the layers of memory preserved in old stones and empty landscapes. The result is less a guide to where to go than an invitation to look more closely at what Spain’s roads, churches, paintings, and forgotten towns can reveal. Learned, poetic, and deliberately digressive, Roads to Santiago is an exceptional choice for travelers who believe that wandering away from the obvious route can lead to a deeper understanding of a place.
The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway's passion for Spain pulses through the pages of his groundbreaking novel, The Sun Also Rises. This gripping tale follows a band of disillusioned American expatriates—members of the "Lost Generation"—as they embark on a journey to witness the electrifying festival of San Fermin in Pamplona. Against the backdrop of pulsating crowds and thundering hooves, Hemingway masterfully weaves a narrative that captures the raw emotions and existential angst of a generation scarred by World War I. The visceral descriptions of bullfighting serve as a metaphor for the characters' internal struggles, creating a powerful commentary on love, loss, and the human condition. The Sun Also Rises stands as a timeless masterpiece, cementing Hemingway's place in the pantheon of American literature.
It’s Not About the Tapas, by Polly Evans
Polly Evans' captivating travelogue, It's Not About the Tapas, takes readers on an exhilarating journey through Spain. The intrepid author pedals her way across 1,000 miles of diverse terrain over six unforgettable weeks, offering an intimate glimpse into the breathtaking landscapes, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant characters that define this enchanting country. With a refreshing sense of humor, Evans shares a personal view into Spanish culture, seamlessly weaving in fascinating historical anecdotes that span from the dark days of the Spanish Inquisition to the thrilling spectacle of the Tour de France. Her down-to-earth narrative style and witty observations make for an engaging read, striking a perfect balance between informative travel guide and entertaining personal memoir.
Guides for the Journey
Rick Steves Spain, by Rick Steves
Designed for travelers who want to understand Spain as well as navigate it, Rick Steves Spain combines practical planning advice with clear explanations of the country’s art, history, food, and regional character. The guide covers major destinations including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Toledo, and San Sebastián, while also helping readers decide which smaller towns and experiences are worth adding to an itinerary. Steves provides detailed walking tours, transportation guidance, hotel and restaurant recommendations, and strategies for visiting celebrated sights such as the Alhambra, the Prado Museum, and the Sagrada Família. His approachable style and emphasis on meaningful, independent travel make the book especially useful for first-time visitors trying to make sense of Spain’s remarkable variety. Readers can also learn more about Rick Steves and his approach to European travel here.
Journey El Camino de Santiago, by Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet's Journey El Camino de Santiago transforms one of the world's most iconic pilgrimages into an accessible, deeply personal adventure. More than just trail directions, this comprehensive companion delivers insider knowledge from experts who've walked every kilometer—revealing where to savor the perfect Spanish omelette in a village square, when to wake for haunting monastic chants at dawn, and how to connect authentically with fellow pilgrims and locals along the way. With flexible itineraries spanning 4 days to 5 weeks, detailed stage-by-stage maps with elevation charts, and rich cultural features exploring everything from Gothic cathedrals to the modern impact of Camino tourism, this guide helps you craft a journey that's uniquely yours—whether you're seeking spiritual renewal, physical challenge, or simply the magic of walking through centuries of history across northern Spain.
Food, Art & Culture
Spain: The Cookbook by Simone and Ines Ortega
First published in Spain more than forty years ago as 1080 recetas de cocina, this monumental cookbook has become a trusted guide to the dishes Spanish families actually prepare at home. Its 1,080 recipes extend far beyond familiar tapas and paella, covering everything from tortillas, rice dishes, soups, and stews to salt cod, vegetables, sauces, desserts, and regional specialties from across the country. The recipes are intentionally straightforward, supported by cooking tips, menu suggestions, and a useful glossary, making the book approachable despite its extraordinary scope. This English-language edition also includes specially commissioned photography and more than 500 playful illustrations by celebrated Spanish designer Javier Mariscal, with an introduction from influential chef Ferran Adrià.
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Fear and Loathing in La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid, by Sid Lowe
In Spain, football is rarely just football, and Sid Lowe uses the rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona to explore the history, identity, and regional tensions behind the country’s most famous sporting contest. Drawing on extensive interviews and years spent reporting from Spain, he traces El Clásico from the disputed signing of Alfredo Di Stéfano and the clubs’ complicated relationships with the Franco era to Luís Figo’s explosive move from Barcelona to Madrid and the modern rivalry shaped by Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Along the way, Lowe examines how Real Madrid became associated with the Spanish capital and centralized power, while Barcelona came to represent Catalan identity and the idea of being “more than a club”—without reducing either side to a simple political symbol. Fast-paced, deeply researched, and filled with unforgettable personalities, Fear and Loathing in La Liga reveals how stadiums, transfers, victories, and grudges can reflect much larger arguments about history and belonging. It is an ideal book for travelers who want to understand why football occupies such an important place in Spanish life, even if they rarely watch the sport themselves.
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After 144 years, Barcelona has finally seen Antoni Gaudí's extraordinary vision rise to its full height. But the Sagrada Família is more than an architectural masterpiece or the world's most famous unfinished church. It tells a deeper story about craftsmanship, ambition, and a city that refused to compromise on greatness. Discover why this remarkable basilica reveals as much about Barcelona as it does about Gaudí himself.