Page 387 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:
FESTIVALS
If you’re undertaking this trip in February, March or August, look out for the
following festivals.
Feria de Malaga (hmid-Aug) Málaga’s nine-day feria (fair), launched by a huge
fireworks display, is the most ebullient of Andalucía’s summer ferias. It resembles
a mad Rio-style street party with plenty of flamenco and fino (sherry); head for the
city centre to be in the thick of it. At night, festivities switch to large fairgrounds and
nightly rock and flamenco shows at Cortijo de Torres, 3km southwest of the city
centre; special buses run from all over the city.
Las Fallas de San José (www.fallas.es; hMarch) The exuberant, anarchic swirl of Las
Fallas de San José – fireworks, music, festive bonfires and all-night partying – is
a must if you’re visiting the city of Valencia in mid-March. The fallas themselves
are huge sculptures of papier mâché on wood built by teams of local artists. Each SPAIN 27 MEDITERRANEAN MEANDER
neighbourhood sponsors its own falla.
Sitges Carnaval (www.sitges.com/carnaval) Carnaval in Sitges is a week-long booze-
soaked riot made just for the extroverted and exhibitionist, complete with masked
balls and capped by extravagant gay parades held on the Sunday and the Tuesday
night, featuring flamboyantly dressed drag queens, giant sound systems and a wild
all-night party with bars staying open until dawn. Held in February/March; dates
change from year to year.

pedestrian promenade Ribera from El Raval. and gardens of Montjuic,
which was made with the To the northeast lies the site of the 1992 Olympics.
evening paseo (stroll) in Modernisme-inspired
mind. La Rambla divides L’Eixample quarter; to the 54 p387
the Barri Gòtic and La south are the steep parks

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