Spain, with its vibrant culture, sun, beautiful cities and great resorts, is a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers. However the country, steeped in European history, offers travellers far more than the bars and beaches of the Costa del Sol.

Right at the bottom of Europe, Spain has the ideal climate for sun holidays and the south remains warm for most of the year. The country was a major empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, with its powerful naval fleet and foreign territories, but fell behind its European rivals during the industrial revolution.

Neutral during the First and Second World Wars, Spain was torn apart by civil war and a fascist government. The country is now a parliamentary monarchy and has seen its economy grow rapidly in recent years, becoming an important member of the European Union.

Spain's major cities offer the perfect mix of art and museums, charming squares, shops and restaurants, beautiful buildings and narrow streets to get lost in. The capital, Madrid, is full of great bars and nightclubs, as well as being home to some excellent galleries.

The Basque city of Barcelona is one of Europe's most chic cities, with its fashionable bars, shops and restaurants and the fabulous Gaudi cathedral. The promenade of Las Ramblas is well worth a visit and the city is a joy to walk around.

The southern region of Andalucia is home to the cities of Granada and Seville, both with striking Moorish architecture, Flamenco music, warm buildings basking in the sun and tapas bars. Granada's 11th century Alhambra Palace is one of Europe's most impressive tourist sites.

As with many European countries, the various regions of Spain all have their own unique identities, cultures and administrative centres. The country is easy to travel around, with good bus and rail links and a host of airlines offer flights to all regions. It is worth checking when local fiestas take place and attending one if you can, for the colour, costumes, music, dancing and drinking.

Spain has 4,964 km of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, packed with holiday resorts and excellent beaches. Many of the major resorts are full of British holidaymakers and ex-pats, but quieter locations can still be found. The coastal cities of Valencia and Alicante are delightful ports, with shops, museums and restaurants.

Evocative Spanish music and dance can be found in most major centres and the country is also famous for its football, with Barcelona and Real Madrid remaining firm favourites. The desert-like plains, estuaries, hills and Pyrenees Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to a walking or cycling holiday and Spain boasts some interesting flora and fauna for nature lovers.

More than 50 million people travel to Spain each year and many return year after year. In the major tourist centres, English is spoken fairly widely. However, outside the holiday resorts and in the cities, it is wise to take learn some basic phrases in Spanish.

The hottest and most crowded months to visit are July and August, but the sun shines in the south from April to October. Spanish food is full of regional variations and is heavy on seafood, while the beer, wine and snack-sized tapas dishes are delicious.