Where to visit in Spain
Spain is one of the most-visited countries by international visitors in the world. Every year, over 100 million people arrive to experience the nation’s food, culture, architecture and beaches.
In a country with such a rich history and wide array of regional cultures, languages and ways of life, it can be hard to know where to begin planning your trip.
The capital, Madrid, and the Catalan city of Barcelona draw the bulk of Spain’s tourists every year. As the two largest cities in the country, they contain some of Spain’s most famous sites, such as the Park Güell, Sagrada Familia the Prado Museum. Both cities, Barcelona in particular, are facing a growing citizen backlash against tourism and housing shortages – for international visitors, it’s essential to travel in a way that respects the residents and ensures you make the most of your trip. Learn more in our guide to responsible tourism in Barcelona and Madrid.
Many first-time visitors to Spain are faced with a dilemma: should they focus their trip on Madrid and Barcelona, or make the time to explore the country’s less-visited cities like Granada, Seville or Bilbao?
Spain is filled with other cities that are equally rewarding travel destinations. Beat the crowds and discover some of the hidden gems, architectural wonders, regional dishes and essential Spanish travel experiences in ten fascinating cities. From Bilbao in the Basque country to Seville and Granada in Andalucia, these are the 10 best cities to visit in Spain
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The 10 Best Cities to Visit in Spain
1. Bilbao
As the largest city in the Basque country, the distinctions between Bilbao and Spain are immediately apparent even to a first-time visitor. The city has two official languages, Castilian and Basque, used interchangeably in official communications and everyday conversation. Soak up some of this unique culture over a plate of pinxtos, a traditional array of bar snacks, serviced in the city's many historic taverns and open-air cafes. The city is perhaps best known for it’s world-class contemporary art scene, anchored by the Guggenheim Museum. The museum contains a rotating exhibition of works from leading international modern artists housed in a Frank Gehry-designed modernist masterpiece.
Recommended number of days to explore Bilbao: 2-3
Need to know: Every August, Bilbao hosts the Aste Nagusia – a citywide, 9-day festival marked by street parties, fireworks, concerts and celebrations of Basque culture.
2. Malaga
Malaga is a gateway to the string of resort towns and Mediterranean beaches that line the Costa Del Sol. The airport is one of the busiest in the country, processing 8 million holidaymakers every year.
If you’re travelling to the Costa del Sol, make some time to stick around and explore the city itself as well. In contrast to many of the region’s newly built resort towns, Malaga is replete with historical sites, including Roman roads, medieval alleyways and architectural gems from the Islamic Golden Age. The city's accessible beachfront makes it one of the most popular cities to visit in Spain for locals and tourists alike. More recently, Malaga, like Bilbao, has emerged as a European powerhouse of contemporary art, home to the Pompidou Art Centre and the Pablo Picasso Museum, which celebrates the city's most famous son.
Recommended number of days to explore Malaga: 1-2
Need to know: Just outside Malaga is the Caminito del Rey, a cliffside path famous for providing some of the most spectacular views in Spain. Not for the faint-hearted, the Caminito is often called ‘the world's most dangerous path’.
3. Seville
Seville is a unique blend of the ancient and the modern, where Roman ruins neighbour neoclassical palaces and modern avant-garde structures. While being one of the most popular cities in Spain to visit, Seville manages not to feel overcrowded or inauthentic. Like other medieval Spanish cities such as Granada or Córdoba, the old city centre is still a residential area, giving even the most historic streets a lively neighbourhood feel. In the center of town is Seville Cathedral, the most-visited attraction in Seville and the largest Gothic church in the world. Other major sites include the Alcázar Palace, the Plaza de España and the Torre del Oro.
Note that Seville can get extremely warm in the height of summer. The most popular visiting times are spring and autumn, though the city also enjoys pleasant temperatures and sunshine throughout winter.
Recommended number of days to explore Seville: 2-3
Need to know: Experience Andalusian art forms, like flamenco dance, in Seville. Tapas are an Andalusian specialty, and Seville is the disputed inventor of the concept.
4. Granada
A top Spanish holiday destination, Granada is a medieval city located between Spain's south coast and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Even the city's historic neighbourhoods, like the old town and the Albaicín, maintain a local community, ensuring the city preserves its character and atmosphere in the face of rapid development.
Granada’s Alhambra, a sprawling complex of fortresses, palaces, mosques and chapels perched on an outcrop above the old town, is one of the most-visited tourist sites in Spain. The structure mirrors the history of the multicultural Al-Andalus kingdom, fusing classic Islamic architecture with medieval and Renaissance influences.
Recommended number of days to explore Granada: 2-3 (allow at least a whole day for the Alhambra)
Need to know: During the hottest hours of the day, from around 12pm-4pm, Granada observes a siesta where almost all shops, cafes, schools and businesses close to avoid the heat.
5. Valencia
Just south of Barcelona, Valencia is a city with a unique history and a great holiday alternative to the Catalan capital. Renowned for its old town and historic cafes like the Cervecería Aquarium, Valencia is also one of the most exciting cities in Spain for contemporary architecture and the arts. The space-age ‘City of Arts and Sciences’ campus is a must-visit on family holidays. The complex contains an aquarium, museums and visitor centres within a collection of avant-garde buildings and landscaped gardens.
Valencia has invested heavily in its bicycle path network in recent years. Hiring a bike during your stay is one of the most convenient, cost-effective and scenic ways to explore the city. While the city itself is built around one of Spain's busiest ports, Valencia's location on the Mediterranean coast means the surrounding countryside is lined with secluded beaches. Visitors can easily take a train, bus or bicycle to one of the many seaside villages in the wider Valencian area, like Castellón or Oliva.
Recommended number of days to explore Valencia: 3-4
Need to know: While Catalan is the most widely spoken language in Valencia, the region also has its own language, Valencian. This is the official language of the city, and you will see it on street signs and official communications
6. Palma
If you’re travelling to Spain for a beach holiday and year-round sunshine, Palma de Mallorca is a great option. A beachside resort town that offers a wealth of historic architecture and cultural highlights, Palma is far more than a gateway to the rest of Mallorca. Popular attractions within the city include the Almudaina Palace, an official residence of the Spanish Royal Family; and the Palma Market, a medieval covered market that is still in operation today.
Perhaps Palma’s greatest draw is its location: families can enjoy the history of the city, while beaches, resorts and holiday activities for kids are only a short distance away.
Recommended number of days to explore Palma: 1-2
Need to know: Palma enjoys sunny weather all year round – if possible, visit during winter to explore the city with fewer crowds.
7. Córdoba
The former capital of Al-Andalus, Córdoba’s rich heritage of cultures is apparent on every corner. As the seat of power of the Umayyad dynasty, Córdoba contains some of the finest surviving examples of Golden Age Islamic art and architecture anywhere in the world. A prime example of this, the Mezquita, is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Spain. Elsewhere, the old Jewish neighborhood is an essential destination for tourists.
Recommended number of days to explore Córdoba: 1-2
Need to know: Córdoba is an inland city, but only a couple hours' journey from the beaches of the Costa del Sol and the scenic
Andalusian cities of Seville and Granada.
8. Zaragoza
Though one of the less-visited cities on this list by international tourists, Zaragoza has become a popular spot for family vacations. This is mainly due to the mixture of cultural sites in the city and opportunities for sports, camping and more in the surrounding region of Aragon. It’s also home to one of the country's finest art museums, the Museo Goya.
As well as Aragon, Zaragoza’s central location within Spain means Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao are easily reached by train, bus or car.
Recommended number of days to explore Zaragoza: 1-2
Need to know: Zaragoza is also a popular destination for wine tasting holidays, due to its proximity to Spain's Wine Country, the Rioja Valley.
9. Oviedo
In a country filled with historic architecture, Oviedo stands out for its concentration of early medieval buildings in and around the city centre. As the capital of the Asturias region, Oviedo has a unique culture and is a great place to enjoy traditional Asturian cuisine. While the city itself is mainly Spanish-speaking, the Asturian-Galician language can be heard in some of the surrounding villages.
Oviedo enjoys a milder maritime climate, with warm summers and wet winters. Tourism tends to be very seasonal as a result. Holidaymakers looking to avoid the crowds will find the city much calmer during autumn and winter, albeit with a good chance of rain.
Recommended number of days to explore Oviedo: 1-2
Need to know: Oviedo was named Spain’s gastronomy capital of 2024 – don't leave town without trying the calorific Asturian specialty Cachopo.
10. Toledo
The smallest city on this list, Toledo still has more than enough to see, do and eat. Perhaps nowhere else in Spain captures the fascinating multiculturalism of the Al-Andalus period. Known in Spain as the ‘city of three cultures’ (Muslim, Christian and Jewish), the architectural, culinary and artistic legacy of each community can still be felt in the city today. This is exemplified by the Alcázar fortress, the centerpiece of Toledo’s old town and one of Spain’s most-visited tourist attractions, while the entire walled city of Toledo has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the cafe in the tower of the Alcázar fortress to enjoy a birds-eye view of the city over a pastry or two.
Recommended number of days to explore Toledo: 1-2
Need to know: Toledo is the birthplace of marzipan – this local sweet is readily available in almost every Toledano cafe, bar and restaurant.
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Using a prepaid eSIM in Spain: a Summary
An eSIM is a SIM profile you download to your phone. It allows you to use mobile data in other countries without paying international roaming charges
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