The 20 most beautiful places to visit in Spain
Spain is a country rich in diverse landscapes, historic cities, and vibrant culture. Here are 20 of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain:
- Alhambra, Granada:
- A stunning palace and fortress complex with intricate Islamic architecture, gardens, and panoramic views of Granada.
- Sagrada Familia, Barcelona:
- Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, an iconic basilica with unique and elaborate architectural details.
- Park Güell, Barcelona:
- A public park also designed by Gaudí, featuring colorful mosaics, sculptures, and panoramic views of the city.
- Seville Cathedral and Alcázar:
- A UNESCO World Heritage site with a cathedral and palace showcasing Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudejar architecture.
- Toledo:
- A historic city with medieval architecture, narrow streets, and a mix of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences.
- Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral:
- A unique structure that was originally a mosque and later converted into a cathedral, representing centuries of cultural changes.
- Montserrat:
- A mountain range near Barcelona with a monastery perched on the cliffs, offering breathtaking views.
- Ronda:
- A charming town with a dramatic gorge, ancient bridge, and historic bullring.
- Valencia City of Arts and Sciences:
- A futuristic complex featuring avant-garde architecture, including an opera house, science museum, and an oceanarium.
- Ibiza Old Town (Dalt Vila):
- A UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and stunning views of the Mediterranean.
- Costa del Sol – Nerja and Frigiliana:
- Coastal towns with beautiful beaches, caves, and charming old quarters.
- San Sebastián:
- A picturesque coastal city known for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and renowned culinary scene.
- La Rioja Wine Region:
- Famous for its vineyards and wineries, offering picturesque landscapes and excellent wine tasting experiences.
- Pyrenees Mountains:
- A stunning mountain range with charming villages, hiking trails, and natural beauty.
- Mallorca – Serra de Tramuntana:
- A UNESCO World Heritage site with a mountain range featuring picturesque villages, olive groves, and hiking trails.
- Gran Canaria – Dunas de Maspalomas:
- A unique landscape with vast sand dunes near the coast, offering a contrast to the island’s volcanic scenery.
- Bilbao – Guggenheim Museum:
- An iconic modern art museum designed by architect Frank Gehry, known for its avant-garde architecture.
- Salamanca:
- A historic university town with stunning architecture, including the Plaza Mayor and the University of Salamanca.
- Cádiz:
- A coastal city known for its historic charm, beautiful beaches, and lively atmosphere.
- Asturias – Picos de Europa:
- A national park with rugged mountains, deep gorges, and picturesque villages, offering excellent hiking opportunities.
Spain’s diversity makes it a country with something for everyone, from historical landmarks to natural wonders and vibrant urban centers.
The most beautiful places in Spain that you absolutely must visit and discover!
Few of the travelers have not been to Spain at least once. And for a good reason, the country is in second place in the ranking of world tourist destinations. However, we often visit the same sites: Madrid, Catalan Barcelona, the Costa Brava for summer vacations, or the Andalusian Seville.
But now, Spain has more to offer. Rich in fascinating history, at the crossroads of the Arab-Muslim and Latin-European worlds, it allows you to cross history from one region to another and to cross. The world! Many sites and monuments in the country are now listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Both cities and Spanish nature are full of wonders to discover.
To help you in your Iberian adventures, we have prepared a list of the 20 most beautiful places to visit in Spain!
1. Granada and its Alhambra
Granada is located in eastern Andalusia. It was the last city reconquered by the Spanish Catholics in 1492, after several hundred years of Arab-Muslim rule. Thanks to this influence, the city has impressive and fascinating architecture, of which the Alhambra is the highlight.
This fabulous palace and its gardens are listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. It is one of the major monuments of Islamic and Moorish architecture.
The Alhambra is divided into four main parts, within a fortified enclosure: the Alcazaba (the fortress), the Nasrid palaces (the last Arab dynasty in the region), the Generalife, and the gardens, and finally the palace of Charles V (added by the Castilian conquerors).
2. San Sebastian
Photo credit: Flickr – caccamo
Not far from the well-known Bilbao is San Sebastian, in the middle of the Basque country . This city with sophisticated architecture is facing the azure blue of the ocean with magnificent white sand beaches. It is also an essential gastronomic destination in terms of visit. Here, no tapas, but pintxos – the Basque version of the famous Spanish tapas.
3. Playa del Silencio
The most beautiful beach in Spain is located in Asturias , in the northwest of Spain. It deserves a detour both for its picturesque beauty and for its clear waters, which reflect the sky. The tranquility of the place gave it its name: the Beach of Silence.
To reach the Playa del Silencio, you have to go to the village of Castañares. Then you have the choice to go by car or on foot. The path is long, but it is worth it: the view of the beach is breathtaking. The coast of Cudillero is unique, with sumptuous cliffs and small islands, a remarkable and spectacular sight.
4. Carmona
30 minutes by car from Seville, Carmona presents itself as the competitor of the Andalusian capital in terms of history and culture, despite its smaller size.Rich of a fascinating preserved heritage, it was first founded by the Carthaginians before being conquered by the Romans who built a Roman necropolis in the 1st century, considered a major Roman monument of Andalusia.
The city also has many medieval gates, Baroque palaces and Moorish fortresses that tourists never tire of visiting. In the evening, the city comes alive and you can enjoy delicious tapas in quaint little stalls.
5. Santiago de Compostela and its pilgrimage
Wondering what else to do in Spain? How to discover the country and visit it from a unique angle? The pilgrimage of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle offers you this possibility. It has to be done at least once in your life to truly understand the riches of Spain.
The path from the French Pyrenees to the magnificent city of Santiago de Compostela takes you through picturesque places, discovering local life and the Spanish way of life. If you are not a fan of long walks, visiting the city of Santiago de Compostela is already a huge step.
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Capital of Galicia and medieval city, the architecture of the city is simply magnificent. The baroque cathedral, point of arrival for pilgrims, is the perfect example!
6. Islas Cies
Off the coast of Galicia, you will find the Cies Islands archipelago. The archipelago has three main islands: San Martiño, Do Faro and Monteagudo. Each of them has incredible and fascinating landscapes. Exploring them can occupy entire days: forests, vertiginous cliffs, caves, small islets and golden beaches… The diversity of places and landscapes make the Cies Islands a unique place to visit in Spain.
7. Zaragoza
Capital of Aragon, Zaragoza is a fabulous medieval and historical city located in the south of the Pyrenees, right next to Catalonia. The architecture of the city is surprising, mixing different eras and styles. The most emblematic monuments are the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, as well as its Stone Bridge, which spans the Ebro.
Nothing better than tasting succulent tapas in the small streets of the city, then strolling the banks of the Ebro to admire the city lights and sparkling waters. Visiting Spain without stopping in Zaragoza would be a shame!
8. Ordesa and Mont-Perdu National Park
The Ordesa and Mont-Perdu National Park is one of the most magnificent reserves in Europe, which will offer you exceptional walks and hikes. The path through the canyon of Ordesa with its gigantic ocher cliffs is notably one of the most incredible to walk.
It follows the waters of the Rio Arazas, which form successions of splendid waterfalls! With its canyons among the deepest in Europe, its depopulated Pyrenean valleys and its many waterfalls, the Ordesa and Mont-Perdu National Park is one of Spain’s natural gems, on the border with France and not far away. of Zaragoza.
9. Segovia
What to do in Spain and also during your stay in Madrid? Visit the historic city of Segovia, of course! Located northwest of the capital, Segovia has a superb architectural heritage: medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a royal palace and a magnificent Gothic cathedral.
One of the city’s most fascinating monuments is the perfectly preserved aqueduct. The Romans ruled Spain for more than 700 years, they dotted the Iberian Peninsula with architectural treasures that houses this aqueduct. Good to know: Segovia is just two hours by train from Madrid.
10. Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada, the “snow-capped mountains” in French, is an Andalusian mountain range. It is the second highest massif in Europe after the Alps, with the Mulhacén peak which rises to 3,478 meters above sea level. Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the Sierra Nevada National Park is to be visited in Spain.
You will discover a unique fauna and flora, specific to the Iberian Peninsula. At the foot of the mountains you will also find Las Alpujurras, an area populated by thermal springs, small white houses, Serrano hams and winding goat paths. Do you like the mountains and hiking, wondering what to do in Spain? Sierre Nevada is the answer. These mountains are unique and must be seen at least once in your life!
11. Las Palmas
We leave the mainland for the Canaries, where the sublime island of Las Palmas is located. Off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canaries are a collection of Spanish islands with fantastic volcanic landscapes. Las Palmas is probably the most beautiful of all, with its rocky and wooded landscapes, dotted with volcanoes like Cumbre Vieja or Teneguía.
The main city and capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Las Palmas, is a fabulous port city. The narrow cobbled streets, the houses with wooden balconies and the sea air are all the little things that make the charm of Santa Cruz and that will bewitch you. Finally, La Palma is home to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. Covered with pine forests, the latter is crossed by sparkling waterfalls. A unique place to visit in Spain!
12. Toledo
In the heart of Spain reigns Toledo, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The city has many historical sites. It was known as the “Imperial City”, because seat of the court of Charles V, Germanic Roman Emperor and King of Spain.
The most sought-after monuments in terms of visit are the Castillo de San Servando (a medieval castle overlooking the Tagus), but also the Cathedral of Toledo, the Church of St. Thomas or the Alcázar!
13. BarcelonaSecond city in Spain and one of the most visited, Barcelona has an undeniable charm. Whether it’s its location on the Mediterranean, its iconic architecture or its international atmosphere, everything is spellbinding in Barcelona.
The must-see monuments are of course the Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell . And to party and have fun in Spain , nothing better than the beautiful Catalan city of Barcelona!
14. Madrid
If you are planning to visit Spain, Madrid is one of the most beautiful destinations – especially if you are looking for an exotic city for a weekend. On the menu: the Prado Museum , the majestic Royal Palace of Madrid or the charming Retiro Park.
The city is full of monuments and tourist attractions to discover with delight. Speaking of delicacies, in the city center you will find many small tapas restaurants, as well as lively bars for a night out. The capital of Spain is not lacking in energy.
15. Bilbao
Known for its Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry, Bilbao is one of the most amazing cities you will find in Spain. Located in the heart of the Basque country, this port city is a must-see cultural destination.
In addition to the Guggenheim, the city hosts many museums such as the Archaeological and Historical Museum of the Basque Country or a Museum of Fine Arts, whose permanent collection is made up of local works.
16. Valencia
Located on the east coast of Spain, Valencia has no shortage of attractions. Known for its City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex with lots of entertainment, the city also has a particularly charming Old Town, where you can enjoy a delicious paella – a dish from Valencia !
17. Palma de Mallorca
It is the second Palma in this top 20 of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain. Main city of the island of Mallorca, Palma has an impressive historical heritage. A highly strategic place in the Mediterranean Sea, the island was coveted by all powers. It thus hosts architectural treasures such as the Royal Palace of Almudaina, the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca or Roman arenas, among other wonders.
The island of Mallorca, the largest island in the Balearic Islands, is a dream destination for enjoying the sun and the sea. In addition to its magnificent beaches and coves for swimming, the island has incredible and breathtaking landscapes.
18. Cordoba
A major city during Roman Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Cordoba is best known for its magnificent Mezquita, the Mosque-Cathedral , which bears witness to the rich history of the city and the region. It was the heart and capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba, during the golden age of Muslim rule over Spain.
Other famous monuments are also to be discovered such as the Roman bridge, spanning the Guadalquivir, the palace of the Christian kings or quite simply the Old Town of Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
19. Seville
If you are wondering what to do in Spain, then we have the answer: visit Seville, the capital of Andalusia, probably one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Spain, Seville is famous for its historical and architectural heritage and its vibrant flamenco culture.
During your stay we advise you to visit the Alcazar and its gardens – a perfectly preserved example of Mudejar architecture, dating from the Muslim era, but also to lose yourself in the alleys of the Old Town to appreciate all the life and beauty of the Andalusian city. To complete your visit, do not hesitate to attend a flamenco show.
20. La Rioja
La Rioja is the wine region in Spain. It will delight all wine lovers. If you visit La Rioja, the program will be simple and delicious: discovering the local wineries and vineyards, but above all, wine tastings and tapas. The region’s capital, Logroño, is the perfect base camp for exploring the surrounding areas. Its picturesque town center is also home to many tapas bars.
Now you know what to do in Spain! We can only advise you to include these must-see and one-of-a-kind places when you visit Spain.
Conclusion:
Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval castle (the Alcázar) and an intact Roman aqueduct. Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical modernist landmarks like the Sagrada Família church.
The 20 most beautiful places to visit in Spain
