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The second largest country in the EU, Spain comprises 17 autonomous regions, each with its own distinct culture and heritage. With so much to see and do, Spain has something to offer all travellers, from those who travel with food in mind, to those seeking to see the sights, and even those seeking more of an active holiday, filled with activities like a free walking tour Bilbao, or perhaps a more adventurous hike to the famed El Camino de Santiago.
Read on to discover the best places in Spain to visit on your next holiday.
Santiago de Compostela
A religious city with a vivid history, Santiago de Compostela is also referred to as the Spanish Mecca, due to the number of pilgrims who travel here every year to walk the aforementioned El Camino de Santiago—Europe’s longest, most iconic pilgrimage route.
However, making a pilgrimage isn’t the only good reason to come here. During your stay, you’ll also have the option to to explore the city’s historical centre.
Besides having the option to stay in ancient monasteries, you’ll also be able to marvel at the wonder of St. James Cathedral – the largest building in the city.
Bilbao
An actively developing and growing city, the Basque city of Bilbao marks the industrial centre of Spain, as well as being a top tourist hotspot.
Here, tourism is growing rapidly, thanks in part to The Guggenheim Museum. An eclectic structure made from titanium, glass and limestone, this iconic museum was dubbed the most important of its kind when it was built back in 1997. Today, it houses different exhibitions hosted by the Guggenheim Foundation and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, besides works sourced from the permanent collection of the Guggenheim museums.
San Sebastian
Sitting on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, also in the Basque Country, San Sebastian is one of the most popular resorts in Spain, famous for its beautiful beaches and local cuisine.
Two must-visit beaches include Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, which are the most famous beaches in the town.
During your stay, you’ll also be able to dine at world-renowned Spanish restaurants, and you’ll have the option to explore the old town of Parte Vieja, with its winding, cobbled streets; boutique shops, and authentic pintxos bars teaming independent local wines with authentic Spanish delicacies.
Toledo
A treasure trove of Spanish history, Toledo was built on a high mountain in the centre of Spain, overlooking the plain of Castilla-La Mancha.
Traditionally, the city was inhabited by three cultures including Jews, Christians and Muslims, earning it the title of the ‘city of three cultures’. Even to this day, you can still see many of the monuments built during the Roman Empire within the old walled city, as a big, gloomy Alcazar fortress, today the site of the city’s Army Museum.
Valencia
From its pleasant climate and beautiful beaches, to its friendly local and its irresistible local food and drink scene, the port city of Valencia has much to offer the discerning traveller on a visit to Spain.
As a fairly large city, Valencia comprises several museums and cultural institutions. If you like to learn while travelling, don’t miss out on visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, home to a planetarium, oceanarium and interactive museum.
The city is brimming with leading restaurants and bars and, as passionate foodies like myself will know very well, Valencia is synonymous with paella, as it is the official birthplace of this popular Spanish rice dish.
Barcelona
Offering a unique combination of trade, music, art and architecture, Barcelona is a lively, bustling city. As cliche as it may sound, life never stops here, even during the night – the city never sleeps.
Besides its vibrant nightlife scene, Barcelona is also home to the most luxurious and beautiful beaches, brimming with cafes and bars where you can relax after a hot day by the sea, or indulge in a few tapas plates to refuel your energy after all that sight-seeing.
Meanwhile, venturing into the city, you’ll come across some of the most famous shops in Spain, including high-end clothing stores. You could also consider visiting the oceanarium, which is home to a number of unusual creatures of the marine world.
Cordova
Founded by the Phoenicians and later captured by the romans, Cordoba is the capital city of Andalusia, located in southern Spain.
The city is particularly famous for its Roman bridge, which is located on the Guadalquivir River. The southern side of the bridge marks the site of the Calaorra Fortress – ole oldest fortress in Cordoba.
While this isn’t one of Spain’s top tourist hotspots, Cordoba is well-worth visiting, at least for a few days. If you prefer travelling off the beaten path and avoiding the crowds, you may even prefer it over some of Spain’s more well-known cities.
Madrid
During the day, Madrid offers a relatively calm and moderate pace of life. Explore the local landmarks, including the famous Prado Museum, home to impressive works by leading artists like El Greco and Goya, as well as the Reina Sofia, another world-leading art gallery and museum, home to iconic contemporary works including Picasso’s ‘Guernica’.
By night, however, the city transforms into a hub of exciting energy and entertainment, with clubs and bars hosting all-night parties and the like.
And, if you get peckish, rest assured that Madrid is one of the best places to eat in the whole of Spain, home to high-end restaurants like the three Michelin-starred restaurant, DiverXO. Don’t just stop there, though – the local food markets are also well-worth a look, especially if you love sampling local street food on your travels. Take your pick from a range of independently produced local specialties at Mercado de Vallehermoso, or browse the traditional market stalls of Mercado de Antón Martin.
So, there you have it – eight great places to visit on your next holiday in Spain. Now, you just need to decide which destination will be right for you, and get booking that trip!
Where are your top destinations to visit in Spain? Comment below to share your thoughts.
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