The week before Lent is carnival time in Spain. There is no one way that carnival is celebrated in Spain - each one of the below cities has a slightly different style. You will find some sort of celebration in most cities in Spain, but these five are the best places to be.
The carnival in Spain ends with the bizarre burial of a sardine. Read more about the Entierro de la Sardina.
The most glamorous of the carnaval celebrations, this is the carnival that most resembles the big event in Rio. As Tenerife is closer to Africa than Europe, the weather will be warm.
The carnival in Cadiz has a healthy dose of music and comedy added to the mix.
The large gay community in Sitges has made the their carnival one of the wildest affairs in Spain.
Madrid has everything - and that includes a carnival. Expect most of the action to be in the Chueca district, which is Madrid's gay neighborhood.
Very little do with the carnival as seen in other parts of Spain - this is a bullfighting event. The public is invited to get involved and have a fight with a young bull.
Continued to hold carnival celebrations during Franco's rule, despite the fact the dictator banned it, this seaside town's festivities begin with a meringue fight on the Thursday!
Barcelona isn't well known for its Carnival, but it does have one big parade each year that is worth heading to see if you're in town. The venue changes each year but it always takes place on Carnival Saturday. Ask at the tourist office when you're in the city for more information.
