15 Unusual Experiences You Might Try in Spain
15 Unusual Experiences You Might Try in Spain
Many tourists come to Spain to experience the fascinating cuisine, it's gorgeous seas and to soak up the sun. But Spain offers many other unusual experiences that a visitor can have in the country. Let's take a look at some of the best.
1. Cross-Country Zipline
So you don’t think time travel is real? Well, it is, and it's in the form of the world’s first international zip line. The LimiteZero zipline is a very unique experience that allows you to take a zip line from the small village of Sanlucar de Guadiana in Huelva and soar over the Guadiana river, arriving in the Portuguese village of Alcoutim. This 720-meter wire zips you across between 70 and 80 km/hr. So how is this time travel, you ask? Portugal is one hour behind Spain, and due to the time difference, you have effectively traveled one hour into the past as you arrive on Portuguese soil. While zipping across, you will be able to enjoy the stunning views of the river and its surrounding olive groves.
2. Walking The World’s Scariest Footpath
In southern Spain’s province of Malaga, you can walk 'El Caminito del Rey' what has been named ‘the world’s most dangerous footpath’ (after 5 people died along its route in 1999 and 2000) while hugging the walls of the steep gorge in El Chorro. After the deaths, the path was closed to the public but was reopened in 2015 after significant repairs. True, there are new safety measures in place, but only the tough at heart will want to walk the terrifying 3km path.
3. Underwater Museum Visit
In 2016, Lanzarote submerged a group of sculptures off of Spain’s southern coastline. The Atlantic Museum (Museo Atlantico) was thought of by Jason deCaires Taylor. Taylor has also created underground statuses in the West Indies, as well as in Mexico. Lanzarote’s museum is visible to scuba divers and from glass-bottom boats. The statues sit roughly 12 meters below the water’s surface.
4. Dine At The World’s Oldest Restaurant
How cool would it be to be able to say that you have eaten in the oldest operating restaurant in the world? That is an experience you can check off your bucket list by visiting Sobrino de Botin in Madrid. Established in 1725, this establishment holds the Guinness Book of World Records lead for the world’s oldest restaurant (and they proudly display the certificate of the distinction in their window). A place once frequented by Earnest Hemingway invites you to dine in their wood-paneled dining room and to try their house specialty: the roast suckling pig.
5. The Most Controversial Church In The World
After 150 years of construction, La Sagrada Familia is on track to become Europe’s tallest religious building. Besides the notable size achievements, the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi designed a true magnificence of fusing Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. His belief that the divine and nature are inextricably linked, drove him to design a stunning combination of vivid stained glass, carvings of animals, and zoomorphic presences The construction is slated for completion in 2026.
6. Engage In A Tomato ‘Bloodbath’ at La Tomatina in Bunol
This is not “get off the stage” type tomato toss. During La Tomatina, a unique celebration festival by the Valencians in the town of Bunol on the last Wednesday of August, participants cheerfully throw plump, red tomatoes at one another during a gathering in their town soiree. The aftermath of red typically resembles a ‘bloodbath.’
7. Party In Ibiza
Spain hosts its own hedonistic party paradise on the island of Ibiza. Not shockingly it is also home to the world’s largest nightclub named Privilege, officially recognized as such by the Guinness Book of World Records. Privilege hosts a capacity of 10,000 people and was the first club to open on the ‘party island’ in the 1980s. It is a prime destination for visitors to the island and hosts the most well-known DJs in the world who fly there each summer to perform at mega-parties that get bigger and more exciting every year.
8. Take In A Football Game
Whether you are into football (or soccer as it is known in the US), visiting a game between Real Madrid and Barcelona is a must-have experience. You will not be able to help to have a great time between the suspense, the excitement, and the unison cheering. If you do want to attend you would need to get tickets way in advance as this a very popular destination. If you can attend, a trip to ‘El Clasico’ would be a worthwhile experience as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (long time rivals) square off.
9. Enjoy Some Rioja in La Rioja
You may be aware that Spanish wines are generally regarded as some of the world’s finest. La Rioja is one of Spain’s most famous vineyards and premiere wine production centers, producing some of the most sought after wines on the market from the region’s grapes. La Rioja is full of state of the art wineries designed by renowned architects like Santiago Calatrava and Marque de Riscal. If you expect to pay a fortune for the wines, you will be surprised by the reasonable prices offered on-site for the vineyards.
10. The Ice Bar
If you visit Barcelona’s El Somorrostro beach, make sure to stop by the world’s only ice bar (The Icebarcelona). It's a great chance to get out of the blistering beach heat and step into the -5C environment and ‘chill’ at an ice bar while overlooking the gorgeous blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Your visit will include a jacket, gloves, and a cocktail served in a glass made of ice. The average visit length tends to be about 45 minutes.
11. Learn To Surf In Tarifa
Tarifa is a surfers’ paradise. Built at Europe’s most southern point, the charming town of Tarifa sits at the nexus of the Meditarnian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The town has dozens of surfing schools, so all you have to do is choose which water sports you want to try: surfing, windsurfing, or kite surfing. Tarifa’s delightful long golden sand beaches are full of cool, tanned people, and are said to host the best winds. On top of that, Tarifa offers a great dining cuisine as well as a vibrant nightlife.
12. Try Volcano Cooked Food
Sitting among the landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, located in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, is the El Diablo Restaurante. This is the ultimate BBQ experience where chefs leverage the heat being generated from an active volcano to cook meats and fish on grills powered by geothermal heat from the volcano. While you await your meal, take in the stunning sights of the volcanic landscapes around you.
13. Safari In The Dunes Of Donana
The Donana National Park located partially in the provinces of Huelva, Seville, and Cadiz, is host to pine forests, lakes, cliffs, beaches, streams, and dunes. You can take in the full experience of Spain’s most impressive national treasure with a four-hour tour of the park in a 4X4, hosted by a guide who will also be your driver. You can also partake in multiple other types of activities in the park. These include horse riding, mountain biking, kite surfing, hot-air ballooning, and many other thrilling activities.
14. Playa De Ses Illetes in Formentera
Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands and serves as a short island escape for party-goers from the isle of Ibiza. Its coastline consists of long white sand beaches on the shores of the Mediterranean waters. One of these beaches, and arguably the most popular, is the Playa de Ses Illetes. Here you can sunbathe, swim, surf, or go snorkeling. Gain the envy of your Instagram followers by posting a shot of yourself in the water against the pines and the gorgeous dunes.
15. Walk The Camino De Santiago
The rich history of Europe’s most traveled pilgrimage route, Camino De Santiago (The Way of Saint James) stretches back to the year 812. The discovery of the apostle’s relics has brought thousands of Catholic pilgrims around the world to make the trek. But the visitors range far beyond than just Catholics. There are dozens of routes to take, with the French Camino being the most popular. We recommend taking the northern route, Camino del Norte. It will allow you to take in gorgeous sites and greenery that run along the peninsular coast, bordering the province of Cantabria.
So have you done any of these things yet? Do you have any stories to tell? Or perhaps you have more ideas to share. Share your ideas in the comments below.