Spain is a bright, vibrant, and exciting place to visit. Steeped in culture and with a wealth of history to discover, Spain is the perfect destination for a European vacation. We’ve compiled a list of the best cities in Spain that you must visit.
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Beautiful Cities in Spain
Whether you have 10 days in Spain or want to go slow and steady full immersion. There are loads of places to visit. Diverse and dynamic, each city has its own pace of life, its own traditions, and fiestas.
The first two cities that come to mind when planning a trip to Spain are, of course, the capital city Madrid and then Barcelona.
And then there are other Spanish cities like Bilbao that offer something special. Madrid and Barcelona are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring Spain’s cityscapes and urban environments.
Lesser-known Spanish cities like Toledo and Cadaques are little off the beaten track for most travelers. But are certainly amazing places to visit in Spain. For that reason, they are perfect places to explore to gain a genuine and authentic understanding of this European nation. Here are 16 must-visit cities in Spain. How many will you visit?
Most Popular Spanish Cities
1. Madrid
The Spanish capital city of Madrid is a great destination for a European vacation or a short weekend mini-break. Madrid is elegant and classy with ornate architecture and perfectly manicured gardens and parks to match.
For lovers of fine art, Madrid is a must. Home to The Prado which is filled with spectacular works that date back to the 12th Century it is easy to see why art fanatics from across the globe flock to Madrid to get their cultural fix.
Another must-visit landmark in Madrid is the Royal Palace, known for its grandiose architecture and historical significance. With lavish water fountains and expansive greenery, the park is a great place to escape Madrid’s busy and bustling big city center. The Buen Retiro Park is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. With lavish water fountains and expansive greenery, the park is a great place to escape Madrid’s busy and bustling city centre.
- Madrid has amazing museums**, book your skip-the-line-tickets** for the museum of your choice.
- Get around Madrid with ease with the Madrid Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
2. Barcelona
Barcelona is the second-largest big city in Spain. Found in the Catalunya region of Spain, Barcelona offers the perfect mix of culture and history within a modern cosmopolitan metropolis.
Bright, colorful, and memorable Barcelona is beyond photogenic and provides picture-perfect city vistas wherever you turn! Home to the famous Barcelona FC, football fans flock to Barcelona’s Camp Nou to watch the Barça boys work their magic on the field.
Bars and clubs line the streets and music is played until the early hours. Head to Barcelona if you want a party, for sure! The nightlife in Barcelona is fantastic and don’t forget the works of Gaudi.
La Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most famous attraction. Book a fast track ticket to explore Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece. Choose between a 1 or 2 day ticket to see all the best sites in Barcelona on a Hop on Hop off bus tour.
3. Seville
Third-largest Spain city and the capital of the Andalusia region is Seville. It is widely regarded as the home of classic flamenco dancing and has become world-famous for it. If you want to learn this traditional dance or watch the professionals perform, head to the Triana neighbourhood and watch the story unfold!
Other key sights and attractions in Seville include the Alcázar Castle complex and Seville’s Gothic cathedral. The Alcázar Castle complex was constructed within the Moorish Almohad dynasty and has an interesting history. Another iconic site in Seville is the Plaza de España, a masterpiece designed by Aníbal González for the 1929 Ibero-American Expo.
Another must-visit place in Seville is the 18th-century bullring named the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza where for hundreds of years man has fought the beast in the ultimate test of strength and bravery.
- Read more about Seville: 15 Free Things to do in Seville, Spain
Alcazar is one of Seville’s most popular tourist attractions. Book your Skip the Line Guided Tour to explore the residence and learn about the great kings of Spain.
4. Bilbao
Home to just 350,000 people Bilbao is often missed when on a quick tour of Spain which is a shame as this small port city tucked away in Northern Spain is a great vacation location.
Bilbao is the capital of the Basque Country in Spain and incorporates some traditional Spanish architecture with towering skyscrapers in the downtown area too.
The Guggenheim Museum is Bilbao’s most visited attraction, built in 1997 by Frank Gehry. The museum is home to contemporary works within its modern, undulating titanium building. Bilbao is also known for its stunning architecture, blending traditional Spanish designs with modern skyscrapers.
Experience authentic traditional flamenco in a venue that is as popular with locals as it is with visitors. Free cancellation and last minute bookings.
5. Valencia
Valencia is home to the Mediterranean side of Spain. This vibrant city is home to an abundance of culture and art. It has its own International airport that flies to other European destinations and domestic flights too.
Valencia is considered the City of Arts and Sciences and is home to some impressive and futuristic buildings like the oceanarium and planetarium and the interactive museum.
As it is located on the coast Valencia boasts some beautiful beaches. During the summer months, these coastal patches fill with tourists but with warm weather running long into the autumn months Valencia can be enjoyed year-round.
6. Granada
If you’re looking for a more sedate but still very authentic Spanish experience look no further than Granada. This laid back city boasts breathtaking views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Take a day trip from the city and ramble through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and breathe in some fresh clean air. Head back to the city for a late afternoon snooze before heading out on the town!
The BoogaClub is a great night time destination with wild parties and live music every night of the week or make your way to a cave restaurant to watch an authentic Flamenco show! Get your dancing shoes on in Granada!
Book a guided tour of the Alhambra Complex, Generalife Gardens and Alcazaba. No visit to Granada is complete without seeing the Alhambra, the only remaining fortress complex from the city’s Islamic period.
7. Salamanca
The Old City of Salamanca was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1988. Found in northwestern Spain, Salamanca is part of the Castile and León region.
Home to many international students Salamanca has a great vibe that instantly makes you feel at ease. Many people chose to visit the Case de las Conchas and the Plaza Mayor.
Toledo
As we mentioned before, big and beautiful Barcelona and Madrid may take the limelight but smaller Spain cities like Toledo are well worth a visit too. This ancient city is located high on a hill looking over the plains of the Castilla-La Mancha in the heart of Spain itself.
Toledo is a walled city with a rich and varied past; home to monuments and statues for Arab, Jewish and Christian communities. Toledo has a lot to explore.
Must-visit places in Toledo include the Sol Gate as well as the Moorish Bisagra Gate. The Sol Gate can be found in the old quarter, close to the buzzing Plaza de Zocodover.
- Check out our visit – Toledo, Beautiful Spanish History Awaits
- Book a full day tour of Toledo from Madrid. Enjoy a free city tour, transfers and six full hours to explore the city on your own.
9. Malaga
Nestled away on the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a well-known destination for European tourists. Home to big high-rise holiday resorts and hotels the city does have some nice clean beaches. Malaga is also a popular expat city, known for its affordable living costs and vibrant expat community.
Many tourists often neglect Malaga’s wonderful architecture and rich heritage in favor of beach parties and water sports. Whatever your reason for going to Malaga be assured that you will be welcomed with a smile and a great sense of hospitality.
Like Valencia, Malaga has an international airport that flies regularly to many European destinations with a range of budget airlines.
10. Córdoba
Tucked away in southern Spain in the region of Andalusia, the same region as Seville, Córdoba was a key city during the Roman times and an important Islamic hub during the Middle Ages.
Córdoba is most famed for the impressive and ornate La Mezquita mosque that was built way back in 784 AD!
The La Mezquita has an interesting history. In 1236 it became a Catholic Church with Renaissance influences was built in the 17th-century.
The Best Cities in Spain by Dave and Deb
11. Girona
We love visiting Girona in Costa Brava. If you are visiting Spain, make sure to add this to your itinerary. The old city is beautifully located on the Onyar River, surrounded by medieval walls.
Game of Thrones filmed in Girona and there are plenty of sights to see like the Jewish Quarter, Cathedral and cobblestone walking streets. Whether you choose to visit the big and bustling Spanish cities or the smaller history-filled cities in Spain, there is something for everyone.
- Game of Thrones used many locations to film in Girona. Take a guided GOT walking tour through thecobbled streets of the medieval and Jewish quarter of Girona
- Costa Brava is one of the most beautiful regions in Spain and a great way to see it is on the water. If you want a taste of Costa Brava but don’t have time to visit Girona, book a kayak and snorkeling tour from Barcelona.
12. Cuenca
One of the first Spanish cities we ever visited was Cuenca. We really wanted to see the Colgadas with our own eyes. These precarious houses built on the side of a high ridge hanging over a deep gorge are a sight to see.
- Read more about Cuenca at: Cuenca and The Casas Colgadas
13. Alicante
During that same road trip through central Spain where we saw the Colgadas, we stopped at the beach city of Alicante.
Filled with walking streets and markets, delicious restaurants and nightlife, it was an amazing Spanish vacation. Castillo de Santa Bárbara is the most prominent site to see when visiting this energetic city.
14. Pamplona
Home to San Fermin Festival, Pamplona is famous for the running of the bulls but there are plenty of things to do besides taking part in the controversial festival.
There are the magnificent city walls date back to Roman times, the lovely walking streets and food scenes, it’s an incredible city park and the Plaza del Castillo makes it a worthwhile stop on your route into Basque country.
It is also a major stop on the Camino de Santiago. That pilgrimage is high on our list of must things to do!
15. San Sebastian
Located just a short drive from Pamplona is the lovely coastal city of San Sebastian. After the San Fermin Festival, we took a break at San Sebastián to eat a lot of Pinchos.
Located on the sea, this city in Basque Country is known for its food. It also has an incredible beach. See our full Spain Travel Guide
16. Marbella
Marbella, a gem on Spain’s Costa del Sol, is a must see destination for luxury, beaches and culture. Located in the province of Málaga, Marbella is just 40 minutes from Málaga Airport. This glamorous city has the perfect mix of modern and historic, with the charming Old Town (Casco Antiguo), the bustling Puerto Banús marina and the peaceful La Alameda Park.
You can walk the scenic Golden Mile, relax on the beautiful beaches like Playa de la Fontanilla or play a round of golf at one of the many top golf courses. Marbella has a lively nightlife, gourmet restaurants and high end shopping so it’s the perfect destination for those who want to relax and have fun. Plan your tri pto Marbella with our guide: 25 Of The Best Things to do in Marbella, Spain
17. Tossa De Mar
Tossa De Mar is a beautiful city in Costa Brava with a medieval fort overlooking the sea and city. There is a medieval village that is beautiful to walk through the cobblestone streets and there is a fantastic beach.
Costa Brava is one of the most beautiful regions in Spain and a great way to see it is on the water. If you want a taste of Costa Brava but don’t have time to visit Girona, book a kayak and snorkeling tour from Barcelona.
Getting Around Spain
Travel in Spain is very easy. All the major cities and towns are connected by rail and even many of the smaller villages are too. You can travel cheaply and easily throughout Spain using train travel alone.
What’s more, it is possible to book your train tickets online before you even leave home.
Car rentals in Spain
- Travelers who wish to explore as much of Spain as they possibly can may want to hire a car for the duration of their stay.
- Provided you are over the age of 21 and have a driving license then hiring a car is hassle-free and can work out cheaper than train travel in the long run.
- If you chose to hire a car, it can easily be arranged for the hiring company to bring your car to the airport to meet you so you can hit the ground running…or rather, driving!
- Remember to check whether your car needs diesel or petrol or else you’ll have a nightmare on your hands!
- Click here to search all the car rental agencies and get the best price for your Spain vacation.
Get the Best Price on Car Rentals in Spain – Click Here to Search all the Car Rental Agencies and get the best price for your Spain Vacation.
Bus Travel in Spain
Bus travel is also a great option in Spain.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the most populated city in the Canary Islands, is a great place to experience local life.
For example, a bus from Madrid to Granada takes just four short hours and runs two or three times daily, more frequently in the high season.
Buses are cheap and cheerful and a nice way to see the Spanish countryside sprawl away from outside your window. Rest assured, buses in Spain do take breaks for food and toilet stops. No need to strategically dehydrate for your long journey here!
Spain is a vivid and welcoming place filled with passionate and caring people who are only too happy to accommodate tourists and travellers.
Learning a little of the language can get you a long way and even if you make mistakes the Spanish always appreciate the effort.
What city in Spain should I visit first?
Barcelona is a great place to start in Spain. Madrid is the most popular, but in Barcelona, you can explore the works of Gaudi, it has great nightlife, one of the best urban beaches in Europe and fantastic cuisine.
What is the most beautiful city in Spain?
Beauty is subjective, but we believe that Barcelona is the most beautiful city. With the works of Gaudi but many think Granada is the most beautiful.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
You can visit Spain any time of year but crowds peak during the summer months, so we suggest shoulder season in Spring or Autumn.
What are the most popular cities to visit in Spain?
The top five most visit cities in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, and Seville.
