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Font Màgica
A huge fountain that crowns the long sweep of the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina to the grand facade of the Palau Nacional, Font Màgica is a unique performance in which the water can look like seething fireworks or a mystical cauldron of colour. It is wonderful that an idea th
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Antiguo Cuartel del Conde Duque
This grand former barracks dominates Conde Duque on the western fringe of Malasaña with its imposing facade stretching 228m down the hill. Built in 1717 under the auspices of architect Pedro de Ribera, its highlight is the extravagant 18th-century doorway, a masterpiece of the baro
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Concurso de Patios Cordobeses
In the first half of May youll notice patio signs in the streets and alleyways, which means that youre invited to enter and view what are for the rest of the year closed to the outside world. At this time of year the patios are at their prettiest, and many are entered in an annual
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Faunia
This modern animal theme park takes you through a range of thematic areas, including an aviary, an insectarium, a parade of more than 70 penguins in the polar ecosystem, an Amazon jungle scene (complete with simulated tropical storm), an African forest and performing dolphins and s
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Dunas de Maspalomas
These fabulous dunes were designated a nature reserve back in the 1990s, ensuring that the rapidly multiplying hotels would never encroach on their golden sand. The best view of the dunes is from the bottom of Avenida Tirajana. Stroll through the arches of the Hotel Riu Palace Masp
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Ermita de Betlem
The alluring views over country and wind-whipped coast make the pilgrimage to this hermitage worthwhile. The 19th-century Ermita de Betlem is still home to hermits who live a life of seclusion and self-sufficiency. There is a small church with irregular opening hours – its lovely s
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Castell de Sant Ferran
This sturdy 18th-century fortress commands the surrounding plains from a low hill 1km northwest of the centre. The complex is a wonder of military engineering: it sprawls over 32 hectares, with the capacity for 6000 men to march within its walls and snooze in military barracks that
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Hospital de la Caridad
The Hospital de la Caridad, a large sturdy building one block east of the river, was once a hospice for the elderly. It was founded by Miguel de Mañara, by legend a notorious libertine who changed his ways after seeing a vision of his own funeral procession. Its main set piece is i
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Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Cura
This gracious monastery stands atop the 548m hill of Puig de Randa. Like most monasteries, it was built partly for defence purposes, though supposedly the monks enjoyed the heavenly views, too. Ramon Llull lived here as a hermit, praying in a cave (now closed to visitors). In the 1
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Raixa
Recently restored and opened to the public, this formidable mansion is surrounded by expansive gardens and is also home to an informative interpretation centre for the Serra de Tramuntana. Apart from the gardens, its worth exploring the cloisters, manor house, arcaded loggia, chape
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Església de Sant Bartomeu
A disciple of architect Antoni Gaudí, Joan Rubió got some big commissions in Sóller. The town didnt want to miss the wave of modernity and so Rubió set to work in 1904 on the renovation of the 16th-century Església de Sant Bartomeu. The largely baroque church (built 1688–1723) pres
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Parque Cultural de El Julán
Housed in an attractive modern building from where there are stunning coastal views, the exhibits here centre on one of the islands most important cultural sights, Los Letreros , where a scattering of indecipherable petroglyphs was scratched into a lava flow by the Bimbaches. The a
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Palacio de Linares & Casa de América
So extraordinary is the Palacio de Comunicaciones on Plaza de la Cibeles that many visitors fail to notice this fine 19th-century pleasure dome that stands watch over the northeastern corner of the plaza. Built in 1873, the Palacio de Linares is a worthy member of the line-up of gr
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Catedral de Granada
Too boxed in by other buildings to manifest its full glory to observers at ground level, Granada’s cavernous cathedral is, nonetheless, a hulking classic that sprang from the fertile imagination of the 17th-century painter cum sculptor cum architect Alonso Cano. Although commission
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Catedral de Sant Pere
Centuries of styles clash in Vic’s impressive cathedral. Most of the neoclassical exterior was built during the 18th century, but the Romanesque belltower is one of few remnants dating to the 11th century. Within, the Stations of the Cross are animated in colourful World War II–era
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Basilica
The open courtyard in front of the basilica immediately sets an impressive tone, with marbled floors and art nouveau–style frescoes visible between elegant archways. The basilicas brick facade features carvings of Christ and the 12 Apostles, dating to the early 20th century. Beyond
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Drago Park
Located past Plaza Constitución (aka Plaza Pila), a square with historic Canary homes, is Drago Park, where you can pay to get up close to the pride of the town – a tree said to be the world’s largest and oldest dragon tree, allegedly here for more than 1000 years. On closer inspec
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Castillo de Peñafiel
Dramatically watching over Peñafiel, this castle houses the state-of-the-art Museo Provincial del Vino . Telling a comprehensive story of the regions wines, this wonderful museum is informative and entertaining with interactive displays, dioramas, backlit panels and computer termin
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Ecomuseo de Guinea
The island’s premier cultural site, this outdoor museum is two centres in one. The Casas de Guinea encompasses a fascinating route through a volcanic cave and 20 ancient houses (four of which are visitable). The houses represent islander lifestyles through the centuries. Next door,
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Granadilla
About 25km west of Hervás, the ghost village of Granadilla is a beguiling reminder of how Extremaduras villages must have looked before the rush to modernisation. Founded by the Moors in the 10th century but abandoned in the 1960s when the nearby dam was built, the villages traditi
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