Re: Anyone ever been to any Spanish Islands?
Well, Spain in general is diverse and amazing!!
Spain has beautiful architecture in general, however, Islamic architecture is something you won't like to miss.
If you have interest in Islamic History then southern Spain has a lot to offer, Andalusía - in cities like Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, Seville and Cadíz & Nerja.
Granada is famous for Al-hambra - a Moorish citadel and palace. It is "WOW" Granada is also famous as Students' city and it is the most multi-cultral and diverse city in Southern Spain, good for shoppin' and there is a lot of vareity in food comparing to Malaga and Cordoba. Also you can visit Old universities frm 17th centuries - the most famous on Universidad de Granada as during Muslim rule, Granada was famous as educational hub!
Cordoba is famous for La mezquita de cordoba (The mosque of Cordoba) which dates back to Ummayad Period. Its construction started in 784, however after fall of Muslim rule was converted to a Cathedral after the Reconquista. It is the same mosque where Allama Iqbal went and wrote one of his poems. Also the most famous n largest river in Spain is in Cordoba called Guadalquivir, founded by ancient Romans.
other attractions in CORDOBA:
Civil and military architecture
Alcázar of the Christian Kings (14th century)
Palace of Viana with its flowered patios (16th century)
Royal residences and palaces
The Tower of Calahorra (14th century)
The Door of the Bridge (16th century)
The Plaza Vieja or Plaza Mayor
Walls and towers of the Muslim and Christian period
Archaeological sites
Roman archaeological remains (temple, mausoleum)
Islamic archaeological remains (minarets preserved in the churches, Arab baths)
Archaeological site of Madinat Al-Zahra (10th century)****
The Roman Bridge
Málaga is also beautiful with it's famous river banks Guadalmedina and Guadalhorce, located on Costa de sol. It has beautiful beaches and historical sites. Don't forget to visit Nerja while in Málaga. Espeically Nerja Caves discovered in 1959 - it's a wicked place.
Cadíz has also beautiful beaches and the river Guadalete - where Tariq ibn Ziyaed fought battel of Guadalete with his soldiers and later conquered spain.
When you visit all those Islamic sites, you go speechless and go thru emotions like happiness, greif, tears and great sadness and anger !! Happiness that muslims built it, sadness because they lost it and anger for "how cud they"!!
apart from Southern Spain - cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, Toledo(Former Capital of Spanish Empire - also for muslims), Valencia, Bilbao, Andorra, Ronda and many more.
FOOD in general: (for muslims)
It can be a bit difficult to find halal food in some cities and especially when you don't know spanish. If you can communicate with locals then it won't be as difficult as if u didn't know Spanish.
You can easily buy food from spanish supermarkets. Tapas are famous around to be served when eating out, like Granada, tapas are given for free with a drink and have become very famous for that reason.
Another traditional favorite is the churro with a mug of thick hot chocolate to dip churros in. Churrerías, or stores that serve churros, are quite common.
Traditional dishes are Tortilla de patatas (Potato omlette), Shellfish paella (Rice), Gazpacho (soup), Stew(vegetarian as well), Migas(for breakfast), and cheeses.
It is easy to find halal food in Granada and other cities where there is majority of foreigners. Shawarma, Falafal and arabic food is wide-spread in the country as well.
TRANSPORT:
Public transport is good. although taxi isn't expensive either, depends on where r u frm. Like comparing to Scandinavia it is much cheaper, however I will recommend you Public transport. Easy and cheap. You can have a top up card from any "Tobbaco shop" and can have clips upto 10-15. otherwise a month's pass.
Siesta: This is the time which makes a few ppl go crazy, especially when u r not use to it. Siesta is a short nap in early afternoon after the midday meal. typically frm 13:00 til 16:30. You will find this tradition often in hot countries - in latin countries and also in south asia, known very well in Pakistan and India. It is the time when spanish people relax and chill and everythin' gets close down. and then they re-open in evening till 2000 hrs - 2200 hrs.
so if u have to top up your bas card then do it frm a Tobbaco shop before 1300 hrs otherwise wait until they re-open around 1600-1700.
Shoppin': There will be some bazaars where you can do bargain and all. There are often sunday markets and festivals and fiestas all the time happening in spain, so do check with Tourist info upon arrival.
ask me, if you have more questions.
the raves there are awesome :halo: