What to do in Spain

Spanish cuisine has grown considerably more popular in recent years, becoming one of the most important in the world, thanks to innovative geniuses such as Ferran Adrià and the Roca brothers.

To really get to know a country and the way it ticks, its traditions and its art, there’s no better place to start than the museums. Spain is a country that offers the cultural traveller a wide range of experiences and contains spectacular museums that will delight all tastes.

Believe it or not, as great as Spain is above ground, it has another spectacular world below.

While it may be true that Spain isn’t as famed for its opera as perhaps Italy or Germany, there is actually a surprising wealth of opera houses and quality performances put on frequently in every major city in the country.

The Festa da Faba When: 5th October – 7th October 2019 Where: Lourenzá, Spain Website: concellodelourenza.gal In the Lourenzá valley, they grow different varieties of beans, each of them have an exceptional quality.

Fiesta de San Miguel When: 29th Septmber 2018 Where: Lleida, Spain Website: turismedelleida.cat The Festival of San Miguel in Lleida is part of one of the most traditional agricultural fairs in Spain.

Fiesta de San Miguel When: 29th September – 1st October 2018 Where: Granada, Spain Website: juntadeandalucia.es In September, the city of Granada celebrates its patron saint with the Fiesta de San Miguel, a popular celebration that ends each year with the pilgrimage to the San Miguel hill. T

The magic of cinema has immortalised lots of places in Spain by turning them into the setting for national and international productions. Cities, monuments and natural landscapes, many of them easily recognisable, are all part of the history of the film world.

La Mercè fiestasWhen: 21st – 24th Septmeber 2018Where: Barcelona, SpainWebsite: irbarcelona.comThe Fiestas of La Mercè are the annual festivities of the city of Barcelona and have been its main festival since 1902 when it was celebrated for the first time in honour of the Virgen de la Merced.

For a great end to a fantastic summer, and before the kids start back at school, there's nothing better than a good adrenaline rush. Whether it's a route through cave tunnels, a descending a canyon or simply going from tree to tree, it will be an unforgettable experience.

Spain is famed for its beer culture. It’s not uncommon to see people from all walks of life, from police officers to retirees, in a bar having a swift half of shandy at any time of the day.

Las Fiestas de Santa Tecla When: 14th – 24th September 2018 Where: Santa Tecla, Spain Website: tarragonaturisme.cat During the Santa Tecla celebrations, one of Spain's funniest popular festivals, some of the most typical customs of Catalonia take place.

Flamenco is part of a very special tradition in Spain. It is lived and felt with particular devotion in Andalusia, but this artform is ubiquitous throughout Spain in one form or another.

Whether it's the relaxed pace of life, the Hawaiian motifs or the floral prints, everyone who tries surfing once wants to do it again and inevitably ends up a surfing convert.

The Bajada de la Bruja festival When: 28th August 2018 Where: Vidángoz, Spain Website: turismo.navarra.es The Descent of the Witch, la Bajada de la Bruja, marks the beginning of the local festival of the Navarrese village of Vidángoz in the Sangüesa area near Pamplona.

Bilbao’s Semana Grande When: 18th – 26th August 2018 Where: Bilbao, Spain Website: bilbaoturismo.net Bilbao's Semana Grande, also known as Aste Nagusia in the Basque language, is one of the most popular festivals in Spain with the most amount of events and activities happening.

Baixada dels Raiers When: 12th August 2018 Where: Coll de Nargó, Spain Website: viulafesta.cat Year on year, the Catalonian town of Coll de Nargó in Lleida welcomes hundreds of people who come to enjoy one of the most outstanding regional traditions: the Baixada dels Raiers. In this celebrat

The Fiesta del Pulpo When: 12th August 2018 Where: O Carballiño, Spain Website: spain.info One of the most popular festivals in Spain takes place on the second Sunday of August and is called the Octopus Festival (Fiesta del Pulpo).

Carreras de Caballos in Sanlúcar When: 8th – 24th August 2018 Where: Sanlúcar, Spain Website: carrerassanlucar.es Once the tide has gone out in the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, it’s time to put on several horse races that were declared of International Tourist Interest in 19

Feria de Malaga / Feria de Agosto When: 11th – 19th August 2018 Where: Málaga, Spain Website: feria.malaga.eu The so-called ‘Feria de Malaga’ or ‘Feria de Agosto’ is one of the oldest popular festivals in Spain, dating back to the conquest of the city of Malaga in the 15th century.

Romaría Vikinga in Catoira When: 5th August 2018 Where: Catoira, Spain Website: catoira.gal Popular festivals in Spain don’t come better than the one that takes place in Galicia in the town of Catoira, Pontevedra.

The Fiesta de la Rama When: 4th August 2018 Where: Agaete, Spain Website: grancanaria.com Agaete is located in the north of the island of Gran Canaria and the Fiesta de la Rama is held in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows).

New Year in Bérchules When: 4th August 2018 Where: Bérchules, Spain Website: turgranada.es There is one Spanish town that has turned the traditional New Year's Eve around.

Descenso del Sella festival When: 4th August 2018 Where: Ribadesella, Spain Website: descensodelsella.com Every first Saturday in August, the town of Ribadesella in Asturias celebrates the Descent of the Sella, popularly known as Les Piragües (The Canoes).

Festival Internacional de Santander When: 1st – 25th August 2018 Where: Santander, Spain Website: festivalsantander.com The Santander International Festival is endowed with art, culture and entertainment.