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What to See in Avilés: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
15
December,
2025
Avilés is a post-industrial city in Asturias, on the northwest coast of Spain. It blends impressive medieval architecture with modern design along the Avilés estuary. The Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre, opened in 2011, is the only work in Spain by the famous Brazilian architect. Its white, curved buildings—an auditorium, observation tower, exhibition dome, cinema, and restaurant—stand out against the city’s industrial background. The well-preserved medieval center features arcaded streets and Plaza de España (known as "El Parche"), the city’s main square since the 17th century, surrounded by the Town Hall, Ferrera Palace, and Llano Ponte Palace. The Sabugo neighborhood, once a fishing village north of the old inlet, keeps its maritime character, distinct from the commercial area of La Villa. Gothic churches like San Nicolás de Bari and the Church of the Franciscan Fathers, along with palaces such as Valdecarzana and Camposagrado, reflect the wealth from overseas trade in medieval and baroque times. The Chapel of Las Alas, a 14th-century highlight, is open to visitors on special tours. With about 79,000 residents and a spot on the Northern Way of the Camino de Santiago, Avilés offers authentic Asturian culture, traditional cider houses (sidrerías), and easy access to beaches like Salinas.
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What to See in Soria: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Sofia Ricci
15
December,
2025
Soria is in north-central Castile and León, set along the Douro River. The city blends ancient Celtiberian history, a strong literary tradition, and beautiful natural surroundings. Just 7 km north, the Numancia Archaeological Site preserves the Celtiberian city that famously resisted a Roman siege for 13 months (134-133 BC) before its people chose death over surrender. The Church of Santo Domingo, built in the 12th century, has one of Spain's finest Romanesque facades, with detailed sculptures and a striking rose window. Soria is called the "City of Poets" because writers like Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Antonio Machado, and Gerardo Diego found inspiration here. The Ermita de San Saturio, an 18th-century baroque hermitage on a rocky outcrop above the river, contains frescoes and marks the place where the city's patron saint lived. Outside Soria, you can visit Laguna Negra de Urbión, a glacial lake surrounded by pine forests and cliffs, and the Cañón del Río Lobos, a 25-km limestone gorge with the 12th-century Ermita de San Bartolomé. Soria's signature dish is torreznos de Soria: crispy fried strips of cured pork belly with a Quality Guarantee certification.
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What to See in Antequera: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Ava Sterling
12
December,
2025
Antequera is located in the center of Andalusia and is known for its rich history, from ancient megalithic tombs to Moorish fortresses. The Antequera Dolmens Site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016, includes three large tombs—Menga, Viera, and El Romeral—built between 5,500 and 4,000 years ago. The area also features two natural landmarks: Peña de los Enamorados (Lovers' Rock) and the unique El Torcal karst landscape. The Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress on a hill, played a key role in defending Granada during the Christian reconquest. Nearby, the Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, completed in 1550, stands as the first example of Andalusian Renaissance architecture. Antequera is often called the "City of Churches" because it has 33 religious buildings, and its old town is filled with narrow streets, palaces, convents, and baroque facades. El Torcal Natural Park, 14 km to the south, is famous for its unusual limestone formations shaped over millions of years. The city is also known for molletes de Antequera, soft round bread rolls with Protected Geographical Indication, baked since the 16th century. Whether you are visiting ancient dolmens, climbing the Alcazaba for views, hiking in El Torcal, or enjoying molletes at sunrise, Antequera offers a blend of history and natural beauty.
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What to See in Vitoria-Gasteiz: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Sofia Ricci
12
December,
2025
Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of Álava and the Basque Country, combines its medieval roots with a strong focus on sustainability. The old town still has its original almond-shaped layout, created when King Sancho VI "The Wise" founded the city more than 800 years ago. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa María, currently being restored through the "Open for Works" program that won the Europa Nostra 2000 award and inspired Ken Follett's novels, stands at the top of the old quarter. The cobbled streets are named after medieval trades like Herrería (ironworkers), Zapatería (shoemakers), and Cuchillería (knifemakers). Plaza de la Virgen Blanca is the heart of the city, featuring the Battle of Vitoria monument and San Miguel Church, which holds the shrine of the city's patron Virgin. Vitoria-Gasteiz was named European Green Capital in 2012 and Global Green City in 2019, and offers 46 square meters of green space per person, including a 30 km Green Ring of parks. The city’s pintxos bars are famous, with places like El Toloño serving the best Gilda and Sagartoki winning Best Pintxos Bar of Spain twice. Whether you’re climbing the cathedral scaffolding to see restoration work, cycling through the Green Ring, sampling pintxos in the old town, or visiting Renaissance palaces, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a great place to experience Basque culture, environmental progress, and excellent food.
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What to See in Sanlúcar de Barrameda: Itinerary, Highlights & Tour
Alexandra Dubakova
12
December,
2025
Sanlúcar de Barrameda sits on the Cádiz coast, where the Guadalquivir River meets the Atlantic Ocean and faces the protected shores of Doñana National Park. This historic port town is the only place where manzanilla sherry is made—a delicate, slightly salty white wine aged in seaside wineries. Sanlúcar played a key role in history as the departure point for Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition, which completed the first trip around the world in 1519. The town’s upper and lower neighborhoods are full of history, from the Renaissance Palacio de los Duques de Medina Sidonia to whitewashed streets that lead to the lively Plaza del Cabildo. Every August, Sanlúcar hosts famous beach horse races, a tradition of 175 years, with purebred horses running along the Atlantic shore at low tide. Whether you’re enjoying fresh langostinos from the river, sipping chilled manzanilla, taking a boat to explore Doñana, or watching the horse races, Sanlúcar gives you a real taste of Andalusian coastal life, away from the usual tourist spots.
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