Travel Reads > Spain
• Madrid: the growing pains of a superstar city (archive) [Financial Times]
“The Spanish capital is changing before its residents’ eyes. Restaurants are even imposing a two-hour limit on diners.”
• No resorts, no direct flights: Why this island might be one of Europe’s best-kept secrets [CNN Travel]
“While the big-hitter islands like Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria are saturated with visitors, El Hierro is relatively untouched by tourism. In 2024, over six million international tourists descended upon Tenerife. In the same period, only 4,100 came to El Hierro.”
• Festa de Gracia: The neighbourhood festival of all festivals [The Local Insider]
“Catalan creativity is at its highest in August in this Barcelona barrio.”
• From Casa Vicens to the Sagrada Familia, Architect Antoni Gaudí left an indelible mark on Barcelona [Smithsonian Magazine]
“To honor the pioneer of Catalan Modernism, who died 100 years ago, learn about both his lesser-known and famous works.”
• Holy parades and earthly pleasures in Spain: Easter in Granada [The Guardian]
“The ancient city – with its gardens, hammams and Moorish architecture – comes alive in spring and its Holy Week processions are among the most authentic in Andalucía.”
• Hike 115 miles around this Spanish island for farmhouse stays, Mediterranean swims, and well-earned siestas [Afar]
“The Camí de Cavalls is a finca-to-finca walk on the underrated island of Menorca.”
• The island that keeps surprising me [Without Maps]
“I’m going back to Menorca.”
• Why Valencia is on everyone’s radar [Escape Artist]
“The Spanish city redefining what a better life in Europe looks like.”
• Re-visiting Granada [Bookish Backpacker]
“Setting aside my rose-tinted glasses for a moment.”
• Madrid locals are fighting to preserve the city’s soul (archive) [Bloomberg]
“As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.”
• The oldest restaurant in the world just turned 300 years old [Smithsonian Magazine]
“Madrid’s Sobrino de Botín is filled with legends, ghosts and priceless art. The food is pretty good, too.”
• The overlooked Canary Island with cobbled streets, local markets and subtropical forests [Independent]
“La Palma is proving tourism can thrive without spoiling the island.”
