The Best Places to Visit in Spain: A Travel Guide

Every year nearly 8 million tourists flood the borders of Spain for vacation. The country remains one of the leading tourist destinations around the world.

Spain is a hot tourist destination that is filled with centuries of history, art, and culture. However, when you are planning a trip is important to narrow your search.

When visiting Spain you need to determine how you want to spend your days abroad. Keep reading to learn more about the best places to visit in Spain.

Madrid

Spain’s largest capital city is Madrid. This is the perfect vacation destination equipped with museums, art, and touches of royalty.

As the national capital and former home to the royal family, Madrid has many royal sites to explore. Many visitors enjoy visiting the Real Jardín Botánico, the royal botanical gardens.

The city has three major art museums, each of which offers a diverse set of art. The Prado Museum is home to the Spanish royal art collection. Whereas the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum showcase masterpieces like Picasso and contemporary works.

La Latina is a cultural neighborhood that is full of specialty restaurants and shops. This spot is popular for outdoor strolls and delicious tapas.

Ibiza

One of the best resort-style vacation spots in Spain is Ibiza. This island is 100 miles off of the Spanish coastline in the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the most prominent resorts in Ibiza are Portinatx, San Antonio, and Santa Eulalia.

Ibiza is infamous for its non-stop partying. The main party area of Ibiza is located around Playa d’en Bossa, a town in the south of the island. Although this vacation spot is known for its techno music and beach parties, Ibiza also offers kid-friendly activities.

This beautiful coastal town offers great tropical excursions. Chief amongst these are horseback riding and beach picnics.

Barcelona

As the second-largest city in the country, Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. This coastal city offers the perfect mix of art, culture, and nature.

The most popular tourist destination is the Sagrada Familia basilica which is still under construction. This ornate basilica was designed by infamous architect Antoni Gaudi. Due to this church’s intricate sculpture work and stained glass, it has been adopted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another one of Barcelona’s gems is Park Guell, one of the largest green spaces in the city. This park is also adorned with Antoni Gaudi’s vibrant and intricate works. The park is covered with colorful mosaics and has also been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tourists often find themselves wandering the streets of La Rambla, a pedestrian-only boulevard. While walking this street, visitors can explore beautiful mosaics, stores, and the La Boqueria food market. With so much to see, you shoudl definitely book Barcelona tours to navigate the city.

Seville

Seville is a beautiful city in the south of Spain. The southern region of Spain has a rich and diverse history and has been touched by the Romans, Islamic Moors, and medieval royalty. Visitors enjoy exploring the city’s historical sites such as the Roman ruins, Moorish structures, and Gothic churches.

As the home of flamenco dancing, Seville is a hearth of culture and art. Flamenco is a passionate Spanish dance that captivates audiences through song, dance, and colorful costuming.

Valencia

Valencia is a historical port city with a large influence from Spain’s history of international trade. This coastal city hosted merchants from all over Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Valencia Science Museum sits on a 2km long structure with permanent and rotational exhibitions. This museum has many interactive exhibits to immerse you into the scientific world. This is also a fun stop for film buffs as Westworld, Tomorrowland, and Intergalactic were all filmed there.

This city offers a rich street life as well. Mercado Central is a 1914 market hall that is filled with different food vendors and cafes. Many visitors enjoy immersing themselves in this market hall to engage with locals and taste a smorgasbord of local cuisine.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a city in the north of Spain. This area is the capital of the Basque region and is considered an “autonomous community”. Its culture and society greatly differ from most of Spain.

Although many inhabitants are fluent in Spanish, the official language of the region is Basque. This area was greatly influenced by the 1983 flood of the Nervion River. After such a severe flood in the seaport region, the city was a blank canvas and reimagined as the artistic heart of the region.

Many visitors flock to the Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum located on the Bilbao riverbank. This museum offers exclusive insight into Guggenheim’s art collection and passion for modern architecture.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a resort city that sits right on the edge of the Bay of Biscay. This popular tourist destination offers many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

San Sebastian offers a variety of beautiful beaches such as the Beach of La Concha, Zurriolako Hondartza, and Antilla Beach to relax at. These beaches are perfect spots for an open water swim and have quickly become popular surfing destinations.

Look Into the Best Places to Visit in Spain

There are many benefits to traveling the Spanish countryside and cityscapes. However, by looking into the best places to visit in Spain, you can plot your itinerary around your dream excursions.

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