Spain
Passionate, romantic, and welcoming, Spain overflows with a wide-range of amazing adventures, storied history exploration, and culture-rich discovery. You can pick dramatic Mediterranean seascapes or snow-tipped Pyrenees mountainscapes, discover Spain’s deep rooted multi-cultural heritage (Catalan, Castilian, Basque), and savor traditional food from the North’s hearty stews like Marmitako (tuna and potato) to the South’s cooling gazpacho and scrumptious fried small fish (pescaito fritas).
For history discovery, you can find world-renowned landmarks that are not only found in famous cities such as Madrid’s Royal Palace, Barcelona’s Gaudi Sagrada Familia, and Seville’s Alcazar, but also in lesser known treasure troves along Costa Brava’s picture-postcard fishing villages and at Girona’s Roman ruins (of Game of Thrones fame).
For beach fun, you can while away sun-drenched days along the Mediterranean coastline from Malaga to Gibraltar or head north to experience San Sebastian’s famous crescent beach.
For cultural enrichment, you can visit the Roman ruins of Merida and Tarragona and a stunning array of world-class museums in culture-rich Madrid, Granada, Seville, Barcelona, Bilbao, Toledo, and Merida.
Where to Go - Top Spain Places
Barcelona – Culture-rich hot spot buzzing with modern-day vitality, famous architecture (think Gaudi), fun coastal vibe with 7 Mediterranean beaches, legendary history evident throughout old town’s maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with shops and eateries.
Costa del Sol – Famous sunshine drenched (300 days/year) Mediterranean beach towns like resorts Marbella and Malaga and others like Torremolinos and Estepona which still resemble old fishing villages.
Madrid – Palatial museums like the Museo del Prado honoring masters like Goya, Velazquez, and El Greco, beautiful old markets like Mercado de San Miguel offering delicacies from tapas to caviar, vibrant ochre-hued Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s most popular place for socializing and people-watching.
Seville – Elegant and exotic capital of Andalusia, pedestrianized historic center, rich cultural roots evidenced in legacy landmarks like the Moorish Alcazar Castle complex and the Gothic Seville Cathedral, site of Christopher Columbus’s tomb.
More Top Spain Cities and Regions
Andalusia – Flamenco music birthplace, where the Spanish guitar was invented, clusters of cascading whitewashed hilltop villages (pueblos blancos) like 12th c. castle town Casares, Costa del Sol beach towns like Puerto Banus, Granada’s Alhambra, and Seville’s Alcazar castle, dramatic mountaintop cities like Ronda.
Basque Country – Borders Basque France, dotted by fairy tale villages, lesser known gems like Navarra, Bilbao, and popular San Sebastian beach, boasting world-acclaimed Basque cuisine, home to famous Rioja wine.
Costa Brava – Spain’s “rugged” Mediterranean coast bordering France, idyllic seaside resorts like Blanes, Tossa de Mar, and Lloret de mar, ancient Greek and Roman ruins at Empuries and Roses, a former Greek settlement.
Girona – Of Game of Thrones fame, impressive walled Old Quarter containing Roman fortress remains, elevated scenic walkway atop the medieval walls, including watchtowers with panoramic views.
La Rioja – Famous vineyards in Spain’s Basque Country, over 500 wineries surrounded by old-world rural villages, monasteries, and churches, wine festival destination.
Malaga – Costa del Sol port city dotted with high-rise hotels, 15 beaches, iconic Moorish palaces, Roman ruins, great home base for exploring beaches along the Mediterranean coast and day trips to Cordoba, Seville, and Granada.
Marbella – Costa del Sol seaside resort town, colorful café-lined sanded beach, cobblestone streets adorned with restaurants and tapas bars, Salvador Dali outdoor sculptures, luxury-drenched Puerto Banus nearby with marina showcasing grand yachts and high-end shops.
Palma de Mallorca – Capital of Mallorca, Spain’s largest of 3 Balearic Islands, stunning coastline of pristine beaches and hidden coves, tranquil upscale resorts, iconic Moorish Royal Palace of La Almudaina overlooking old town, maze of cobbled narrow streets brimming with jewelry shops selling famous Mallorca pearls.
Ronda – Mountain-top town perched above breathtaking rocky gorge, iconic stone bridge over Río Guadalevín connecting El Mercadillo (new town) with 8th c. Moorish town, decorative black-grilled houses on one side of the canyon, Moorish ruins on the other.
San Sebastian – Crown jewel of Spain’s Basque country, most fashionable Spanish seaside resort nestled on crescent-shaped bay, heralded as one of best places in the world to dine with 16 Michelin stars awarded.
Santiago de Compestela – World famous pilgrimage site in Galicia, the final destination of the El Camino de Santiago (of The Way movie fame), where the tomb of St James allegedly rests in the majestic Gothic Cathedral.
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