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Peninsular Spain is bordered to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; to the east and south by the Mediterranean Sea and Gibraltar; and to the west by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. Spain's capital and largest city is Madrid, and other major urban areas include Barcelona, Valencia, and Zaragoza.
- Hike Or Ride to A Secluded Beach
- Taste Spain's Best Wines
- Dive Into Art (and Nightlife) in Madrid
- Feast on Local Specialties Across Spain
- Admire Modernisme in Barcelona with An Insider
- Road Trip Around Galicia’s Lyrical Landscapes
- Walk An Alternative Camino
- Wander Off The Beaten Track in Extremadura
- Bask in The Beauty of Andalucía’s Moorish Architecture
- Enjoy Heavenly Hikes in Every Season
Hitting the beach is a national hobby here, and you’ll inevitably fall in love with your own pocket of Spain’s 5470km-long (3400-mile) coastline. Leave the crowds behind by escaping to tranquil, hidden coves that can only be reached on foot, on a bike or on horseback. Head out hiking along Menorca’s pine-shaded Camí de Cavalls (a restored 14th-cent...
From headlining grape-growing regions such as La Rioja and the cava-making Penedès to Andalucía’s unmatched Sherry Triangle, Spain’s 70 Denominaciones de Origen(Denominations of Origin) roll out a tantalizing line-up of wines. Many wineries here are now experimenting with unusual combinations, pushing forward sustainable production methods and work...
Spain’s capital is one of Europe’s greatest cities for art lovers, with a clutch of prestigious galleries where you’ll meet such icons as Picasso’s Guernica (Centro de Arte Reina Sofía), Van Gogh’s Les Vessenots in Auvers (Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza), and Velázquez’s Las meninas and Goya’s Saturno devorando a su hijo (Museo del Prado). More hidden th...
A deep love of fabulous food infuses Spain’s soul. You’ll be grazing on pintxos in Bilbao and San Sebastián, crowding into Granada's tapas bars, seeking out creative Michelin stars in Catalonia, digging into super-fresh Valencian paellas by the Mediterranean, getting to know the country’s 2023 Capital of Gastronomy Cuencaand much more. Planning tip...
Exploring Catalonia’s irresistible capital with a local architect instantly brings life to the Modernista wonders created by Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch and others in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Look beyond the star acts (La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Park Güell), and don’t miss Gaudí’s floral-tiled first commission ...
Savoring a glass of crisp albariño with a platter of fresh-as-it-gets seafood is a distinctly Galician moment – just one of many surprises in Spain’s beautifully green northwest corner. Roam well beyond Santiago de Compostela to uncover timeworn stone villages, centuries-old wineries, plunging valleys and over 1000km (620 miles) of wild, windswept ...
Finally stumbling into the glittering cathedral in Galicia’s capital Santiago de Compostela, after trekking hundreds of miles along the fabled Camino de Santiago (Way of St James), is a magical moment. Travelers seeking a less-trodden path can swap the popular traditional Camino Francés for the wonderfully rewarding Camino del Norte (Northern Way) ...
Portugal-bordering Extremadura plunges visitors into one of Spain’s least-touristed corners and is well worth a visit. The secluded Jerte, Ambroz and La Vera valleys reveal half-timbered houses, snow-topped mountains and spring cherry blossom, and there’s outstanding birdwatching in the 180-sq-km (69-sq-mile) Parque Nacional de Monfragüe from March...
Spain’s eight centuries of Islamic rule produced some of its most spectacular architecture, particularly across Andalucía. The unmissable jewels of Moorish Al-Andalus are Granada’s Alhambra, Córdoba’s Mezquita-Catedral and Seville’s Real Alcázar and Giralda, but there’s plenty more. Travel between Córdoba and Granada along the little-known Ruta del...
Spain’s varied climate means there are outstanding hiking opportunities year-round – from Granada’s snow-dusted Sierra Nevada (perfect in July/August) and northern Spain’s jagged Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa to the cloud-brushing heights of Aragón’s Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido and Catalonia’s Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i E...
- Barcelona is without a doubt Spain's cultural capital. The Catalonian city's urban sprawl is dotted with Antoni Gaudí's whimsical architecture, including La Sagrada Família, as well as museums carrying the masters, such as the Picasso Museum.
- This beautiful Andalusian city is awash with romantic allure. During the day, you'll find outdoor cafes along cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages meandering through pastel-colored plazas.
- Of all the cities in Spain, Madrid is the one that knows how to show travelers the best time. The city's party-hard reputation is really all it's cracked up to be, but that's not all Spain's capital has going for it.
- Granada's Arabic influence makes this destination different from the rest of Spain. Thanks to its history as part of the Moorish Empire, Granada is home to tapas bars and flamenco venues that rub elbows with Moroccan tea cafes and Arab bathhouses.
- Pack warm clothes. Really. There is a humorous Spanish expression that goes, “Hasta cuarenta de mayo, no te quites el sayo”, which translates to “Until the 40th of May, don’t remove your coat” – sage advice to keep a jacket handy until mid-June.
- Being cashless is common. Card is king in Spain. The main tourist hubs such as Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastián and Ibiza are generally credit card-friendly destinations.
- Choose your time to visit Madrid wisely. Think twice about visiting Madrid in August. Most establishments in the Spanish capital close, and Madrileños usually head for the beaches to escape the brutal August heat.
- Expect to eat late. Prepare for late Spanish dining times. Many tourists who come to Spain for the first time end up hungry while waiting for restaurants to open.
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- Madrid. Best city for visiting world-class art museums. The Spanish capital is a lively city blessed with year-round clear blue skies draped over its vibrant barrios (neighborhoods), architectural landmarks and famed art museums.
- Barcelona. Best for modernist architecture. Straddling the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees mountains, the Catalonian capital is a visually stunning metropolis with avant-garde architecture, city beaches and a Gothic Quarter that stretches back over 2000 years.
- San Sebastián. Best city for gourmet experiences. This alluring Basque coastal city in northern Spain is stunning, characterized by its belle epoque architecture, white-sand beaches that stretch for kilometers, and blue waters of the Bay of Biscay.
- Balearic islands. Best for beaches and sapphire-colored waters. Anyone who's been to these outlying islands east of the Iberian Peninsula would recognize the "Balearic blues" — the distinct shades of blue that characterize these Mediterranean waters.
Jul 18, 2024 · From charming villages and famous landmarks to gorgeous beaches and parks, these are the best places to visit in Spain.
Aug 31, 2023 · 19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Spain. Written by Michael Law, Lana Law, and Lisa Alexander. Updated Aug 31, 2023. Spain is a dream destination for travelers. The grandeur of a caliph's palace, the sun-drenched days spent on Mediterranean beaches, and the stamp of a flamenco dancer's heels. You can find the soul of Spain in tourist ...