Spain has been an important tourist destination for decades, especially for people from northern Europe, who want to escape the damp and clammy weather there. There are countless interesting places, where remains of Spain's interesting history can be seen, but most travelers stick to the beach resorts and never see any of the country's cultural treasures.

Some of the most interesting cities include Barcelona, Córdoba, Sevilla, Granada, Mérida and San Sebastian, but ancient ruins and marvelous architecture can be seen all over Spain.

People such as Goya, Velázquez, Picasso and Dalí have all left their artistic legacy and Spain has probably influenced world history more than any other country. In all of its former colonies, including most of South America, Spanish is spoken and many Spanish habits still survive today.

The best months to visit Spain are May, June and September, although the south of the country is also very nice in April and October. The summer months of July and August are generally very hot and it gets very crowded with tourists. Most of the country's festivals take place between Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter Sunday) and September.

One of Spain's most famous festivals is the so-called Running of the Bulls (Sanfermines), which takes place in Pamplona in July. Other celebrations include Festividad in San Sebastian in January, the Feria de Abril in Sevilla in April, Las Fallas in Valencia in July and La Tomatina in Buñol on the last Wednesday of August.

Spain has a wide variety of sights and activities to offer and most likely you will enjoy something of your liking. Spain is also the place to enjoy local dishes such as tortilla and paella, as well as a good glass of the country's wine.

Click on the images to learn more about this interesting destination. A map of Spain will open full-screen. Just click on towns and places you want to know more about.