Deciding the place to journey in Spain is not any straightforward job because the listing of the most effective locations to go to in Spain appears infinite. It’s no overstatement to say that it could take a lifetime to see the whole lot that Spain has to supply.
However that’s what we’re right here for, to assist slim down a shortlist with our suggestions for the most effective locations to go to in Spain for wealthy cultural heritage, good meals, and unbelievable landscapes.
9 Greatest Locations To Go to in Spain
1. Barcelona
Barcelona is the traditional start line for any Spanish odyssey. The capital of Catalonia is the most effective metropolis to go to for a little bit of the whole lot Spain is famed for. Beguiling neighborhoods, very good meals, magnificent structure, and delightful seashores.
Get the lay of the land with a wander down La Rambla. This pedestrian avenue bisects the labyrinthine Gothic Quarter with its church buildings and squares and the hip El Raval with its murals and modern galleries. This central space is the pure base for a keep in Barcelona as it’s near sights and transport.
Within the iconic district of Eixample, Antoni Gaudi’s obra maestra is slated for completion in 2026 after a 144-year-long development course of. An insightful guided tour can make clear the importance of La Sagrada Familia earlier than you proceed to listen to the tales behind Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, two extra stunning buildings of modernist structure, born of the genius of Gaudi. Seeing Park Güell and Colonia Guell Church completes your necessary Gaudi path.
All that exploring makes for an urge for food and Barcelona doesn’t fall brief. The Boqueria Market is a cornucopia of seasonal produce and gourmand pantry staples. Tapas taverns serve Barcelonian potato Bombas alongside Iberian ham, regional cheeses, and nationwide favorites. Search for Esqueixada on a scorching day – a Catalonian dish of salt cod, tomatoes, and onions, much like ceviche.
There’s little must enterprise past La Barceloneta for a seaside session. If time permits, although, add an outing to the alluring Costa Brava to your summer season itinerary, full with sea kayaking and snorkeling.
A Aspect Journey To Tarragona
Alternatively, head to Tarragona, both on a straightforward day journey or as an extension to your journey throughout Catalonia. Based as Tarraco within the third century BC, Tarragona was the primary settlement established by the Romans on the Iberian Peninsula.
Lots of its historic ruins are nonetheless standing, with the foundations of the Roman Discussion board claiming the guts of the modern city. Remnants of town partitions and towers can be seen close to the historic Half Alta or Higher City. The fantastically preserved Roman amphitheater and circus stand a stone’s throw from the principle seaside.
There’s a lot in Tarragona to fulfill seaside fanatics, too. Playa El Miracle is the simplest possibility. But, we’d urge you to take your towel additional up the coast to the prettier seashores of Savinosa and Llarga.
2. Madrid
Some are deterred by the inland place of the Spanish capital, however we think about all of it a part of the magic. The flowing River Manzanares, lush Retiro Park, and huge Casa de Campo compete with any seaside. Moreover, the biggest metropolis in Spain, Madrid is a bastion of the humanities with common festivals celebrating the whole lot from jazz to flamenco.
Stroll down the Paseo del Prado the place the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofia museums type Madrid’s celebrated Golden Triangle of Artwork. These galleries are a who’s who of Spanish and European artists with works from Velazquez, Titian, and Rembrandt to Dali.
Though it stays the official residence of Spanish royalty, the Royal Palace of Madrid is open to the general public. The palace stands subsequent to the Almudena Cathedral the place noble Spaniards are laid to relaxation.
Madrid’s gastronomy orbits round La Latina’s energetic tapas bars, Ibiza’s stylish bistros, and fusion delicacies in Lavapies. Right here’s an icebreaker on your meals tour: why do Madrileños name themselves gatos (cats)? The origins are hazy, however asking yields all types of tales.
A day journey from the capital of Spain comes with the perk of getting misplaced within the jungle of crops and bushes from 5 continents that lie hidden within the Atocha Station. Take a 30-minute practice to Toledo to find out how the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths co-existed on this Imperial Metropolis.
3. Seville
There’s magnificence at each flip in Seville, the good-looking capital of Andalusia. Pore over each tile at Plaza de España, marvel on the frescoes at Plaza del Cabildo, and take within the views from La Giralda, for starters.
Seville is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Spain for attending to grips with historical past. The Moors swept by means of the Iberian Peninsula from the eighth century onwards, laying down roots with fortified palaces and opulent mosques later repurposed after the Reconquista. The Royal Alcazar of Seville exemplifies Mudejar structure and joins the Cathedral – the biggest Gothic cathedral on this planet – and the Archive of the Indies as Seville’s trio of UNESCO World Heritage Websites.
The mighty Guadalquivir River noticed Seville play an integral position in Spain’s Golden Age. The nation’s sole inland seaport stays in use, and river cruises reveal snippets about its legacy. As commerce waned, Spanish flamenco was born in Seville. Performances of this passionate artwork type that blends dance, track, and music happen nightly on the Flamenco Dance Museum and numerous theaters across the heart.
As with Barcelona and Madrid, Seville enjoys a first-rate location for day journeys. Go to the Doñana Nationwide Park with crossed fingers to identify migratory birds, eagles, flamingoes, and, probably, an Iberian lynx. Alternatively, historical past buffs shouldn’t miss an tour to the Nice Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba – one other unmissable Moorish web site in southern Spain.
Seville’s Mediterranean local weather brings scorching summers and delicate winters with sunny skies even on chillier days. There’s by no means a foul time to go to Andalusia.
4. San Sebastián
Everybody is aware of about tapas however few are acquainted with the pintxos of northern Spain. Pintxos are served at bars in San Sebastian (Donostia within the Basque language) and the broader area. Often held collectively by a toothpick, pintxos sometimes have a bread base garnished with meats, seafood, and greens. These are served with a Txikito – a small glass of Txakoli white wine or La Rioja purple wine.
That mentioned, San Sebastian brags a surprisingly excessive variety of Michelin stars. Due to this fact, you would possibly need to save your starvation for the principle occasion. Your JayWay contact is at all times accessible to offer private suggestions and help with reservations.
Apart from being among the finest locations to go to in Spain for gourmands, San Sebastian additionally boasts a captivating Outdated City. Parte Vieja followers out across the peninsula-like Mount Urgull the place Belle Epoque buildings and beautiful Bay of Biscay views vie for equal consideration. That sweeping crescent, La Concha Seashore, is certainly one of The 12 Treasures of Spain.
Along with swimming, biking, and cruising the bay, you possibly can expertise the underwater world at San Sebastian’s aquarium. Youngsters – and adults – love strolling by means of the 360-degree tunnel as tiger sharks and stingrays swoop overhead.
This glamorous coastal metropolis is something however sleepy after sunset. Duck right into a sidreria (cider home) and pattern the tangy apple drinks crafted in Astigarraga. There’s at all times someplace to faucet your ft in San Sebastian with the stay music scene encompassing underground jazz golf equipment by means of to acoustic jam nights.
5. Granada
Granada perpetually ranks as probably the most stunning place to go to in Spain, and rightly so. This superb metropolis on the foot of the hovering Sierra Nevada Mountains is the right marriage of architectural triumph and pure magnificence.
Granada was the capital of the Moorish kingdom and harbors one of many nation’s most important World Heritage Websites. Tailored from the Arabic al-Hamra that means purple tinted, the Alhambra consists of the fortified Alcazaba, the ornate Nasrid Palaces, and the majestic Generalife Gardens with their porticos and fountains.
Experiencing golden hour on the Mirador de San Nicolas within the Albaicin is purpose alone to spend an evening in Granada. As the sunshine softens, the advanced shifts from vermilion to terracotta and rose pink. Relaxation assured, there’s a lot extra to see earlier than the solar drops.
Scrunch up your map and get joyfully misplaced meandering Albaicin’s cobblestone streets and hilly nooks. After your uphill strolls, a refreshing tonic of candy mint tea is available on the Teterias, the tea homes that had been left behind as an emblem of the Moors, or a pampering session at Granada’s functioning hammam to appease sore muscular tissues.
Sacromonte is the Roma quarter the place properties are chiseled into the caves of the Sierra Nevada. The barrio springs to life within the night when Granaina, a slower variation of flamenco distinctive to Granada, ripples by means of the slim streets.
The younger Federico Garcia Lorca relocated to Granada along with his household and went on to pen his poetry and performs in what’s now the museum Huerta de San Vicente. If there’s a metropolis in Spain that’ll kindle the creativity, it’s undoubtedly Granada.
6. Ronda
Ronda is likely one of the most dramatic locations to go to in Spain. This white-washed city is perched atop a 100-meter-high ravine on the assembly level of the Sierra de Grazalema Pure Park and Sierra de Las Nieves Nationwide Park.
It’s divided into two districts: the previous Moorish medina and a youthful settlement north of the Guadalevin River. These settlements on both aspect of the El Tajo Gorge are linked by the Puente Viejo, Puente Nuevo, and Puente Romano bridges.
Ronda is certainly one of Andalusia’s pueblos blancos – white villages – scattered throughout the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga. Of their heyday, these white cities would have been glorious vantage factors to observe threats. Lately, all it is advisable to fear about is the place your subsequent bowl of gazpacho is coming from as you drink up the views underneath the Andalusian solar.
As the biggest and most simply accessible of all pueblos blancos, Ronda is good for an in a single day keep. It has probably the most vacationer points of interest, together with the Thirteenth-century Arab Baths that show a system similar to these of Historic Rome.
Twenty minutes north of Ronda, the properties and eating places of Setenil de las Bodegas are carved proper into the rocks of the gorge. Furthermore, Olvera strikes a unprecedented scene with its neoclassical church and Moorish fort rising above the small village. In the event you don’t know the place to start out, relaxation assured that JayWay will tailor the right Andalusia itinerary for you.
7. Bilbao
The opening of the Guggenheim Museum put Bilbao on the map as a vacationer vacation spot as just lately as 1997. Frank Gehry conceived the artwork museum’s head-turning design, finest appreciated from the north financial institution of the Nervion River within the metropolis heart. From some angles, the swirling construction resembles a ship which can be in honor of town’s origins.
Earlier than the Guggenheim shook issues up, Bilbao existed as a port metropolis. Its former shipyard is now a tribute to the area’s maritime and shipbuilding prowess by means of vessels and nautical relics exhibited on the Itsasmuseum.
Bilbao is stuffed with quirky little spots such because the Arcos de la Ribera – a sequence of porticos with hidden frescoes depicting town’s wealthy historical past. The close by market occurs to be the biggest indoor market in Europe with a dizzying assortment of stalls, eating places, and bars.
As a part of the Basque Nation, Bilbao is usually visited together with San Sebastian. The 2 cities couldn’t be extra completely different however you’ll be relieved to listen to each are swimming in pintxo taverns and wine excursions.
Spain’s foremost wine area, Rioja, is simply an hour’s drive from Bilbao. The area is split into Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Baja with the previous two producing probably the most superior reds utilizing Tempranillo grapes. Fall’s grape harvest could possibly be the most effective time to go to Bilbao for wine lovers. But, it’s by no means troublesome to supply a top-notch glass of wine.
8. Malaga
If Barcelona captured your coronary heart, there’s a ninety-nine p.c likelihood you’ll fall for Malaga, too. Each cities have a Mediterranean shoreline, a vibrant port space, artsy enclaves, and effervescent nightlife. Thoughts you, the similarities finish there. Barcelona is the soul of Catalonia, whereas Malaga is the gateway to Andalusia’s Costa del Sol.
Layered atop Roman foundations and predating the Alhambra, Malaga’s Alcazaba looms over the Centro Historico. The addition of Gibralfaro Fort over a Phoenician stronghold solidified town and led to a four-month siege throughout the Reconquista.
The town has seen its justifiable share of ups and downs since 1487, as illustrated on the Malaga Museum. The beautiful Renaissance Cathedral is called La Manquita, the One-Armed Girl, as work was finally signed off with out its south tower. 100 years later, probably the most well-known Malagueño was born. Study concerning the artist who set Cubism in movement on the Picasso Birthplace Museum and see his prized items on the Picasso Museum.
Artwork additionally spills into the streets in Soho, Malaga’s harborside barrio the place murals fill the gaps between artwork galleries and boutiques.
Malaga’s closest seashores are walkable from the historic heart. Look out for the Chiringuitos, seaside shacks serving thirst-quenching cocktails, and engaging Espetos – grilled sardine skewers.
Malaga is usually visited in tandem with its glamorous western neighbor, Marbella. This luxury seaside resort has a captivating Outdated City comprising white-washed buildings and plazas canopied with orange bushes. It’s a trendy vacation spot with seaside golf equipment to rival these of Ibiza and world-class golf programs.
A Aspect Journey To Nerja
A brief automobile or practice journey away, Nerja is one other of the white cities of Andalusia and could be the best day journey from Malaga. It’s additionally the right place to detox for a few nights on a southern Spain itinerary.
As soon as a sleepy fishing village, Nerja has discovered a brand new lease of life as a laid-back seaside resort with white-washed buildings atop cliffs, aquamarine waters glistening in secret coves, and the well-known Balcony of Europe.
Nerja is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Spain for a standard environment. It’s a favourite amongst households and {couples} in search of tranquility and sunny days. The city is comparatively flat with strategic pedestrian paths to make getting round a doddle.
On the outskirts of the city, the Nerja Caves advanced options stalactites, stalagmites, and rock work that inform us the grotto was inhabited 40,000 years in the past. A second cavity is used for live shows.
9. Valencia
Valencia bridges the hole between north and south, previous and new. It’s one of the crucial fascinating locations to go to in Spain to be taught concerning the previous and get a sneak peek of the long run.
However first, paella. The emblematic Spanish dish was born within the Valencian Group, by the hands of farmers. Agricultural staff would toss bomba rice and no matter greens and legumes had been at hand right into a flat-bottomed pan known as a Paellera. Any protein would come from foraged rooster, rabbit, or snail meat.
This laborers’ lunch was successful and have become the cornerstone of household eating in Valencia. These days, paella is on the market all through the area, ready with saffron and seafood. Enrolling in a paella cooking class within the very birthplace of paella is a no brainer. There’s no higher memento on your summer season in Spain.
Stroll off the paella with a stroll across the Metropolis of Arts & Sciences. The avant-garde advanced designed by the Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava options an aquarium, science museum, live performance halls, IMAX movie show, and boating swimming pools.
Historical past nuts will gravitate towards the Ciutat Vella, now a UNESCO World Heritage Web site the place Romans, Visigoths, and Moors have left their mark. La Lonja de La Seda preserves Valencia’s affluent silk commerce, whereas the Cathedral accommodates a chalice that’s regarded as the Holy Grail.
Turia Park appeals to all. A sweep of inexperienced constructed on a former riverbed, the park is in style with cyclists, runners, and sunseekers. Valencia’s closest seashores are a brief tram or taxi journey from the Ciutat Vella. Farther south, you’ll enter Costa Blanca, Spain’s famed White Coast.
See Spain With Us
Spain is an insanely numerous nation that has one thing for everybody. The one downside is that planning a visit to Spain generally is a bit overwhelming. However, should you’re right here, it means you’re prepared to go away it to the consultants to plan the right Spain journey for you. All it’s a must to do is dream of the most effective locations to go to in Spain and our journey planners will put collectively a bespoke Spain itinerary only for you. At JayWay Journey, we all know Spain fairly effectively and our native employees in Spain can’t wait to welcome you to their beloved nation.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s obsessed with journey and storytelling, a mixture that makes her excellent for her position as our content material supervisor.