Spain

Spanish World Heritage Cities – the privilege of history

Spain has a lot to offer, and this is something backed up by UNESCO: Spain is the world's nation with the second most designated World Heritage Sites. In order to receive this privileged designation, a site must form a unique artistic achievement, have influenced a specific period in history or constitute an exceptional testimony to a culture no longer in existence. These are just some of the requisites. These universally important sites belong to all of us, you included. Come and discover some of our World Heritage Cities. Spain’s cultural inheritance is incalculable, for its tradition, history, wealth and diversity. This is backed up by UNESCO’s recognition and by the fact that Spain is one of the countries with most World Heritage Sites. The approval of this international body is a privilege because it implies that these sites are a reference point, the best example of the world’s cultural diversity. However, it also requires a deep commitment: to guarantee their protection and conservation for the enjoyment of future generations.

If Spain appeals to you as a cultural destination, then exploring its World Heritage Cities is the best option. You can experience their cultural wealth from close to, given that many historic buildings have been restored and are now used for a range of different functions: exhibition centres and craft sales centres, art galleries, markets, and first-rate accommodations such as the luxury “Parador” hotels. You will find that they are also dynamic cities, full of life. The majority of them are home to universities, and their student populations imbue them with a special atmosphere and vitality.

The Beaches of Cadiz province: sun and sea all year round Sunshine in summer and winter too.

Unspoilt countryside, sand dunes and pine groves that reach down to the very shore. Windsurfing and kitesurfing in crystal clear waters, the ideal setting for a range of water sports. Endless beaches of fine, white sand. Small coves and cliffs reaching more than 100 metres high. Golf courses. Towns and villages with thousands of years of history… This is the Cadiz coast. You decide. In southern Spain, on the Costa de la Luz coast, you will find the beaches of Cadiz province. It has 260 kilometres of coastline with some of the most beautiful beaches you could imagine. This province in Andalusia is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It has many protected nature areas which include salt flats, sand dunes, pine forests, pastureland where fighting bulls are reared, springs, cliffs... Here you will also find small fishing villages and traditional fishermen, with their whitewashed houses and peaceful streets. You can enjoy their craft and sports shops, restaurants offering excellent, local fresh fish and shellfish, and open-air terrace bars which are open most of the year and are ideal to savour, for example, a glass of Andalusian "fino" sherry.

The Way of Saint James

Useful information
Pilgrim's Office
Tel. +34 981562419

The Route is more than one Route

Registered in 1993 as a World Heritage Site. This is the route, from the French-Spanish border, which was and still is followed by pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela. Along the route there are around 1800 buildings, both religious and secular, of great historical value. The Route played a fundamental role in the cultural exchange between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe during the Middle Ages. It is still testimony to the Christian faith in people of all social classes from all over Europe.

The network of Jacobean routes which lead to Santiago de Compostela, confirmed as the Leading European Cultural Itinerary by the Council of Europe for its dissemination of cultural expression and creating a common identity among the peoples of the continent, is without doubt the first great route which takes travellers from all over the world through Spanish territory. For more than eight centuries, the cult of the apostle Saint James (Santiago) has resulted in an endless flow of pilgrims, which becomes more intense in the years of Jubilee and which usually has a spiritual foundation. This is all in addition to the wealth of experiences provided by a route with great cultural variety in the regions and areas through which it passes, the hospitality of the people who live there, the varied corollary of personal impressions of the countryside, and the experiences and anecdotes which arise during the route.

The land route par excellence, which is also the most well-known and the best equipped, is the one known as the French Route. It enters Spain through Somport or Roncesvalles, in the Pyrenees, joins up later in Puente la Reina, in the lands of Navarre, continues through La Rioja and Castilla-León, to enter Galicia via O Cebreiro until it reaches Santiago. Another interesting route is the Northern Route, also known as the Cantabrian route or the high route, which travels through the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias, dividing when it enters Galicia. Historically, some illustrious pilgrims completed the Route by continuing to Finisterre, which became a compulsory destination for everyone who had done the Jacobean route. The “Vía de la Plata” route, used by pilgrims living in Islamic territory, was a Roman road which came back into Christian hands. It crosses over Extremadura, Salamanca (where it joined up with routes coming from Portugal) and Zamora, reaching Galicia through Verín or linking with the French Route in Astorga. The Portuguese and English routes and the maritime routes were some of the many other ways of reaching Santiago.

Camino Francés

The “Pilgrim´s Guide”, contained in the Codex Calixtinus which is preserved in the library of Santiago cathedral, written by the Frenchman Aymeric Picaud around 1130, is a compulsory reference when talking about the ancient French Route. The French Route begins in Somport or Roncesvalles, depending on whether access is via the Aragonese or Navarre route. For pilgrims starting from Somport, Jaca will be the first stop. For those entering via Roncesvalles, remember that this place still echoes to the sound of the famous Olifante de Roldán, the hero of the 'Chanson de Roland' in his desperate call for help. Pamplona is the first provincial capital on the Santiago route which you will meet on this section.

Camino del Norte

Of all the reasons given for taking this route, the most respected is that of the famous pilgrim Aymeric Picaut, for whom it was merely an “escape from the barbarism of Navarre”, since the coast was the only peaceful area during the turbulent times of the first millennium. In addition, on the way to Compostela, they sought the protection of other relics and many of them were to be found in the kingdom of Asrurias. This route crosses so-called Green Spain. Coming from France, Irún is the first stop on this journey through the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias. Although it does not appear on the Santiago route, it is well worth breaking your journey in Donostia-San Sebastián.

Camino Inglés

This is the name of the route taken by pilgrims who, mostly from the British Isles, disembarked in the ports of the northwest of Galicia and made their way to Compostela from there. The route took on its greatest popularity from the 14th century onwards.

What is the weather like in Spain?

Spain, one of the warmest countries in Europe:
Spain has a predominantly warm Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and winters with balanced temperatures. Here you can enjoy more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. It is no surprise, then, that this is one of the warmest parts of Europe.

When talking of weather, special mention should be made of the Canary Islands. Their special location, facing the coast of Africa, gives them a benign climate with mild temperatures (22ºC year-round average on the coasts), with only small temperature differences between day and night, whatever the season.

Nevertheless, variety is the main characteristic of the climate here, due to Spain’s immense geographical diversity.

So that if you travel to the north, to the Cantabrian coast, you will find a mild climate with high rainfall. Winters are mild and in summer temperatures rarely exceed 25ºC.

However, in the higher parts of the country, the climate is harsher and it is common to see snow from the beginning of winter to the end of spring. This is the case of the Pyrenees, the mountains of Sierra Nevada, the Central and Iberian ranges, and the Cantabrian Mountains, amongst others.

What is the currency in Spain?

The currency in Spain is the euro, as in other European Union countries.

The euro is divided into 100 cents.

How to get IVA (VAT) back on shopping.

If a buyer’s residence is outside the European Union, then he/she can claim back the tax on purchases, as long as together they reach a total in excess of 90.15 Euro. In order to do so you should ask for a tax-free receipt at the point of sale.

There are various companies in Spain authorised to process the reimbursement of I.V.A. (Value Added Tax) to tourists. The procedure is very straightforward. You just have to complete the following steps to get your tax back:

1. Ask for a tax-free receipt and show your proof of residence (passport).

2. Show your purchases and stamp the tax-free receipts at customs. (Receipts must be stamped within 3 months of purchase.)

3. Claim the amount due from the company processing the claim. They all have I.V.A. reimbursement points at the main Spanish airports and borders, for payment in cash. You can also have the I.V.A. repaid onto your credit card, by bank transfer or international cheque.

How do electrical appliances work in Spain?

Electricity supply in Spain is AC 220 Volts, 50 Hertz. Sockets meet European regulations and use the round pin system. However, most hotels have adaptors for different plugs. Make sure that the electrical appliances you are going to use (computers, mobile phone chargers, shavers…) work at this voltage.

Where to call in case of emergency?

Dial 112 free of charge (valid throughout Spain). Service is given in Spanish, and also in English, French and German in some tourist areas.