Read in detailBarcelona draws outside the lines
In Barcelona, Gaudí’s architecture meets the Mediterranean.
¡Qué formas tan originales!Read in detailFeel Spain
Four themes and 60 stories and conversation situations. Open a photograph on a ring or choose a reading below for its story, Spanish phrases and practice.
60 readingsRead in detail
Read in detailGranada: palaces and reflections
The Alhambra is Granada’s palace complex.
Me gustaría conocer la Alhambra.Read in detail
Read in detailSeville: a square like a stage
Seville’s Plaza de España stands beside María Luisa Park.
¿Damos un paseo por la plaza?Read in detail
Read in detailSegovia: Roman arches over the city
A Roman aqueduct marks the approach to Segovia.
¿Para qué servía el acueducto?Read in detail
Read in detailCórdoba: history in a silhouette
The Mosque–Cathedral is a major Córdoba landmark.
Cada detalle cuenta una historia.Read in detail
Read in detailBilbao: the museum starts outside
Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum opened in 1997.
¿Es un edificio o una escultura?Read in detail
Read in detailToledo: a city of many stories
Toledo is known as the city of three cultures.
Me gusta perderme por estas calles.Read in detail
Read in detailRonda: a bridge between two sides
The deep Tajo gorge divides Ronda.
¡Qué vistas desde el puente!Read in detail
Read in detailCamino: many ways to one destination
The Camino de Santiago is a network of routes towards Santiago de Compostela.
¡Buen camino!Read in detail
Read in detailMadrid: meeting by the arcades
Plaza Mayor is a historic square in central Madrid. Arcades link its façades and give a walk a recognisable rhythm.
¿Quedamos en la Plaza Mayor?Read in detail
Read in detailSalamanca: a square of golden light
Salamanca’s Baroque Plaza Mayor uses Villamayor stone. Its warm colour becomes especially noticeable as the light changes.
La piedra cambia con la luz.Read in detail
Read in detailValencia: architecture in reflection
The City of Arts and Sciences is a modern cultural complex in Valencia. White structures, water and reflections shape its striking appearance.
¿Qué edificio te llama la atención?Read in detail
Read in detailZaragoza: towers above the Ebro
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is a symbol of Zaragoza. Its towers and domes can be seen from the Ebro riverbanks.
Vamos a pasear junto al río.Read in detail
Read in detailMálaga: fortress and city views
Málaga’s Alcazaba is a fortified palace complex on a hillside. Its appearance combines defensive walls with palace spaces.
¿Subimos hasta el mirador?Read in detail
Read in detailSan Sebastián: the curve of a bay
La Concha beach lies beside its namesake bay in San Sebastián. The curve of the shore and promenade shape a recognisable city view.
Hoy el mar está tranquilo.Read in detail
Read in detailPaella: a conversation to share
Valencia is closely linked with paella and other rice dishes.
Una paella para compartir, por favor.Read in detail
Read in detailChurros: a sweet conversation starter
Hot chocolate with churros is a well-known Madrid combination.
Un chocolate con churros, por favor.Read in detail
Read in detailJaén: a landscape with an olive flavour
Jaén is surrounded by olive groves and is known for olive oil production.
¿Este aceite es de aquí?Read in detail
Read in detailLa Boqueria: words between the stalls
La Boqueria is one of Barcelona’s traditional markets.
¿Cuánto cuesta un kilo?Read in detail
Read in detailTortilla: a small question of taste
Spanish tortilla de patata is made with potatoes and eggs. Versions with and without onion invite a conversation about personal preferences.
¿La prefieres con cebolla o sin cebolla?Read in detail
Read in detailGazpacho: summer in a bowl
Gazpacho is a cold preparation based on vegetables, including tomatoes. Recipes and ways of serving it vary.
¿El gazpacho se sirve frío?Read in detail
Read in detailSalmorejo: asking about ingredients
Salmorejo is associated with Córdoba. Tomatoes, bread and olive oil form the basis of this thick cold dish.
¿Qué lleva el salmorejo?Read in detail
Read in detailBread with tomato: a short order
Pan con tomate combines bread, ripe tomato and olive oil. A simple combination helps introduce breakfast vocabulary.
Una tostada con tomate, por favor.Read in detail
Read in detailPintxos: a conversation at the counter
Pintxos are small bites prominent in Basque food culture. In San Sebastián they are closely linked with socialising in bars.
¿Cuáles me recomiendas?Read in detail
Read in detailPatatas bravas: how spicy?
Patatas bravas are a familiar potato-and-sauce tapa. The heat and preparation of the sauce can vary.
¿La salsa pica mucho?Read in detail
Read in detailCroquetas: what is inside?
Croquetas come with different fillings, including mushrooms or cheese. Their appearance alone cannot reliably tell you the ingredients.
¿De qué son estas croquetas?Read in detail
Read in detailManchego: a shared cheese plate
Manchego is made from the milk of Manchega sheep. Its name is linked to the region of La Mancha.
Un poco de queso para compartir.Read in detail
Read in detailTurrón: two words for texture
Well-known turrón varieties include firm Alicante turrón and soft Jijona turrón. They introduce useful words for the texture of sweets.
¿Lo quieres blando o duro?Read in detail
Read in detailHorchata: a cool pause in Valencia
Valencian horchata is made from chufas, small edible tubers. It is often paired with elongated pastries called fartons.
Una horchata bien fría, por favor.Read in detail
Read in detailFabada: a hearty taste of Asturias
Fabada is an Asturian dish based on white beans with meat accompaniments. It is an example of Spain’s regional culinary variety.
¿Compartimos una ración?Read in detail
Read in detailFlamenco: listen for the rhythm
Flamenco brings together song, dance and guitar.
Me encanta el sonido de la guitarra.Read in detail
Read in detailFallas: art that does not stay
Valencia’s Fallas are known for their huge festive figures.
¡Cuánto trabajo hay en esta figura!Read in detail
Read in detailSant Jordi: a book says it all
Catalonia celebrates Sant Jordi on 23 April.
Este libro es para ti.Read in detailRead in detailGranada: palaces and reflections
The Alhambra is Granada’s palace complex.
Me gustaría conocer la Alhambra.Read in detailRead in detailCamino: many ways to one destination
The Camino de Santiago is a network of routes towards Santiago de Compostela.
¡Buen camino!Read in detail
Read in detailCórdoba: a courtyard made together
Córdoba’s courtyard festival brings together flower decoration, hospitality and neighbourly exchange. The tradition is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.
¡Qué patio tan bonito!Read in detail
Read in detailCastells: the strength of a shared base
Castells are human towers built by teams in Catalan festivities. UNESCO describes them as a collective cultural practice.
Todos formamos parte del equipo.Read in detailRead in detailTiles: when walls tell stories
Ceramic panels and decorative tiles are a distinctive part of Seville’s Plaza de España. Patterns invite a closer look at architecture.
Mira los colores de estos azulejos.Read in detail
Read in detailGuitar: describing a sound
The guitar is associated with Spanish musical culture and flamenco. Talking about music lets beginners describe impressions in simple words.
¿Te gusta el sonido de la guitarra?Read in detail
Read in detailFan: an object with its own design
A folding fan opens on connected ribs. Its material, pattern and movement turn an everyday object into a conversation topic.
Este abanico tiene un dibujo precioso.Read in detail
Read in detailTalavera: a ceramic bridge between cultures
Talavera ceramics connect Spanish and Mexican workshops. UNESCO recognises the knowledge and manual processes passed between generations.
¿Está pintado a mano?Read in detail
Read in detailSeville Fair: lights and encounters
Seville’s April Fair is associated with music, festive clothing and socialising. Illuminations create a distinctive evening atmosphere.
Hay música y luces por todas partes.Read in detail
Read in detailHórreo: why the raised floor?
Galician hórreos are raised structures used to store harvests. Their construction uses stone or wood.
¿Para qué sirve esta construcción?Read in detail
Read in detailMantón: embroidery that crossed seas
The history of the mantón de Manila connects Chinese embroidery with trade routes through the Philippines. The shawl became part of Spanish dress culture.
El bordado está lleno de flores.Read in detail
Read in detailAlpargatas: talking about everyday objects
Alpargatas are lightweight shoes with a textile upper and a sole made from plant fibres. A familiar object introduces useful everyday vocabulary.
¿Tienen estas alpargatas en mi talla?Read in detailRead in detailGreet someone and keep talking
Classroom situation: you arrive at a meeting and want to do more than say hello; you want to show interest in the other person.
¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?Read in detailRead in detailIntroduce yourself without a speech
Classroom situation: at a first meeting, give your name and respond politely. Even a short line begins a real exchange.
Me llamo Ana. Encantada.Read in detailRead in detailNot hearing is not the end
Classroom situation: the other person speaks too quickly. A polite request to repeat helps keep the dialogue moving.
¿Puedes repetir más despacio, por favor?Read in detail
Read in detailOrder a coffee and answer a follow-up
Classroom situation: you order a drink at the counter. A short question may follow about where you plan to drink it.
Un café con leche, por favor.Read in detailRead in detailAt the market: quantity and courtesy
Classroom situation: you are at a vegetable stall. Name the product and quantity, then understand an offer of anything else.
Medio kilo de tomates, por favor.Read in detailRead in detailAsk directions and follow the answer
Classroom situation: you are looking for a square in an unfamiliar city. The question and simple route words both matter.
Perdona, ¿cómo llego a la plaza?Read in detail
Read in detailOn the metro: understand the direction
Classroom situation: you check a metro map and confirm a direction. This practice dialogue is not a current transport map.
¿Esta línea va al centro?Read in detailRead in detailCheck an opening time
Classroom situation: before visiting a place, you ask when it opens. Practise the difference between asking the time and asking at what time.
¿A qué hora abre?Read in detail
Read in detailIn a bookshop: explain your choice
Classroom situation: you are choosing a Spanish book and want to explain your level and interests briefly.
Busco un libro para principiantes.Read in detailRead in detailWhile travelling: mention a reservation
Classroom situation: you approach a reception desk and give the name on a reservation. The picture illustrates a courtyard atmosphere.
Tengo una reserva a nombre de Ana.Read in detailRead in detailAt a restaurant: start with the menu
Classroom situation: you sit down with friends and want to look at the menu before placing an order.
¿Podemos ver la carta?Read in detailRead in detailTalk about what you enjoy
Classroom situation: you discuss food and want to express your preference without automatically agreeing with everything your friend likes.
Me gusta probar cosas nuevas.Read in detailRead in detailArrange a meeting and choose a landmark
Classroom situation: you agree on a convenient time and place. A clear landmark is more useful than simply saying “in the centre”.
¿Te viene bien a las seis?Read in detailRead in detailDescribe the weather in your own words
Classroom situation: before a walk, you discuss what you see outside. The task is description rather than an exact weather forecast.
Hace viento, pero hay sol.Read in detailRead in detailEnd a conversation warmly
Classroom situation: a short meeting is ending. You can say goodbye and wish the other person a good day.
¡Hasta pronto! Que tengas buen día.Read in detail