In this small square, tourists mingle with locals playing the Spanish guitar, all while watching the Alhambra blush in the last light of the day. Located on the Portuguese Riviera, the refined city of Sintra boasts dreamy palaces and castles, magnificent gardens, and a dramatic hilly setting. However, the peninsula technically includes the tiny country of Andorra, a sliver of France, and the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. As you explore the town, you’re likely to brush shoulders with students wearing traditional uniforms, which consist of a full-length black cape, tie, white button-down shirt, and a skirt or pants. print this map The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) offers magnificent views of the Atlantic, especially if Sintra isn’t veiled in fog. Iberian Peninsula. Toledo’s two remaining synagogues are also well worth a visit. If you’re in the market for a souvenir sword, or perhaps a kitchen knife, you’ll be spoiled for choice, as Toledo’s shops are brimming with steel souvenirs. Popular Spanish ports of call include Barcelona, Malaga, Valencia, and the island of Mallorca. And it’s not just fine cooking accessories that make Toledo a culinary paradise, because the city is also known for its saffron, its fine marzipan, and Manchego—cheese made from sheep’s milk.

The name “Iberian Peninsula” is most commonly used to refer to Spain and Portugal, as these two countries comprise most of the peninsula’s landmass. As you walk back downhill to Granada’s attractive center after the sun has set, you’ll find that Albayzín looks especially atmospheric when the lanterns of its Arabian-style shops are all aglow. Thanks to its commanding position and impressive size, the Alcázar is one of Toledo’s most recognizable buildings. Cruise ships often dock in Gibraltar, as well as the Portuguese cities of Lisbon, Portimão in the Algarve region, and Leixões, just a few miles from the popular destination of Porto. Situated in the heart of Sintra’s Old Town, the Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) stands out, thanks to its whitewashed exterior and a pair of overturned, funnel-like chimneys. Córdoba’s Old Town is known for its charming patios, which are studded with a colorful array of potted plants and other greenery. The 10th-century castle’s grey-stone ramparts crown a hilltop roughly 1,350 feet above sea level. The architecture clearly testifies to the great…, The Iberian reconquest, which began as a traditional war of conquest, became a crusade against Islam and fused an Iberian Catholicism that Spain and Portugal later transplanted around the globe. Its graceful white arches are dramatically illuminated by uplights, inviting you to marvel at the intricacies of the magnificent architecture. After you have savored the Alhambra, stroll through Albayzín—Granada’s hilly neighborhood filled with centuries-old whitewashed buildings. Iberian Peninsula, peninsula in southwestern Europe, occupied by Spain and Portugal. Iberia has diverse landscapes, which offer opportunities to participate in an array of water sports, as well as hiking, biking, and even skiing. An Affordable Retirement in Picturesque Portugal, Europe’s Top 5 Affordable Retirement Havens. The Crusades….

Your email address will not be published. As its name implies, the castle was constructed by the Moors. The Iberian Peninsula is located in southwestern Europe, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Bay of Biscay to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east. Featuring lemon and tomato-colored wings, the Pena Palace was built for King Ferdinand II in the mid-19th century. As you explore the windy lanes of Córdoba’s Old Town, you pass by bustling tapas eateries, as well as Arabian teahouses with inviting courtyards. Located on the southwestern tip of the European continent, the Iberian Peninsula , includes the countries of Andorra, Portugal and Spain, and the British Crown colony of Gibraltar. Located on the southwestern tip of the European continent, the Iberian Peninsula , includes the countries of Andorra, Portugal and Spain, and the British Crown colony of Gibraltar.

Simply enter your e-mail below to subscribe to International Living’s free daily e-letter and we’ll immediately send your free report–The World’s Top 10 Retirement Havens. However, to keep the originals safe, a resident colony of bats lives inside these elegant surroundings—kept there so as to devour any insects that might otherwise destroy the books. The region also produces an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables—including a vast share of the world’s olive oil. Frequent bus connections link the two cities. Los Millares was the name of one of the earliest attested cultures of the Iberian Peninsula , and it is a fitting start to the story of this region as it poses as one of the aspects of the Iberian identity and history. Coimbra’s star sight is the Joanina Library (Biblioteca Joanina), which along with several other university buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, successive rulers, as well as the great earthquake of 1755, altered the look of the fortifications. Long a refuge for Portugal’s royalty and elite, much of Sintra is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. During the late 8th century, the Moors started the construction of the mosque on the site of what was previously a Visigoth church. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. You’ll find grand rooms adorned with blue-and-white tiles depicting scenes of Portuguese life, as well as courtyards decorated with Moorish-style tiles. Córdoba’s most famous attraction is its magnificent Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita), which marries monumental Islamic—and Christian—architecture.