We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
The old world charm of Spain: As a country with rich history, culture and tradition, Spain is one of the most magnificent places to visit in Europe. Every region in Spain has its own stories. They have been carved by a wide range of influences, meaning that every place looks and feels different today – even two neighbouring cities could be entirely different in their cultures and cuisine! So, which are the most important places to visit in Spain, you ask? We have got you covered.
There are many ways to see Spain and whether you club your trip to this vibrant country with others in Europe, or decide to do a Spain-only holiday, these are some of the must-see places to visit in Spain during your lifetime.
At SOTC, we have been helping our customers make their dreams of seeing the beautiful tourist places in Spain come true, for many years. Visit our website to learn more about our Summer Budget Best of Spain (7 days) holiday package and our Summer Premium Spanish Fiesta with La Tomatina (13 days) package. You can also head over to your local SOTC branch and we can help you plan the Spanish extravaganza of your dreams with amazing Spain tour packages.
Below, we have compiled a list of must-see places in the country:
The Basílica de la Sagrada Família (called Basilica of the Holy Family in English) in Barcelona, Catalonia, is a gigantic Roman Catholic minor basilica and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is still unfinished. It was designed by Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi. In 2010, the church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI and was declared a minor basilica.
Located on Carmel Hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, the Park Güell is a public park cluster with gardens and elements of Spanish architecture. On its northern side lies the Parc del Carmel, which is a part of the Collserola mountain range.
Often called Granada as well as Europe’s love letter to Moorish culture, this fortified palace is set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada peaks. Prior to becoming a seat for the Nasrid emirs, this complex started as a walled citadel. The 14th century palaces called Palacios Nazaries are believed to be a part of the finest European Islamic buildings.
Casa Milà, also referred to as La Pedrera, is a modernist building in Barcelona. Its name is an allusion to its unconventional and rough appearance. This was architect Antoni Gaudí’s last-designed private residence and was built by 1912.
Casa Batlló was designed by Antoni Gaudí on Passeig de Gràcia. From outside, the building’s facade appears to be made out of skulls and bones. While the balconies look like skulls, the support pillars resemble bones. The building was made for a wealthy aristocrat named Josep Batlló, as his home.
Ibiza, an archipelago of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the Balearic Islands. Its lively nightlife in Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni are extremely popular as these places are where major European nightclubs have their summer outposts. It’s also home to villages, beaches and yoga retreats, along with quieter pine-clad hills which act as a backdrop to the sandy coves all around the coast.
The Royal Alcázars of Seville, also known as The Alcázar of Seville, was built for King Peter of Castile. After the Christian conquest of Seville, it was built by Castilian Christians on the site of an Islamic residential fortress built by Abbadids.
La Rambla is a tree-lined pedestrian street in Barcelona. Stretching for 1.2 kilometres, it connects Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell with Plaça de Catalunya. Lying between the quarters of Barri Gòtic, to the east, and El Raval, to the west, La Rambla forms the boundary.
Gran Canaria is one of the country’s Canary Islands. It is popular for its white sand beaches and black lava. The bustling Playa del Inglés, in addition to the quieter Puerto de Mogán, are the best beaches present here. The capital city of Las Palmas is a major stop for duty-free shopping and luxury cruise liners. The island’s interior areas are dotted with mountains.
Located in Andalusia of southern Spain, the Costa del Sol Occidental is a comarca or a joint region found in Spain, Portugal, Panama, Nicaragua, and Brazil. The coast exhibits a diversity variety of landscapes such as beaches, dunes, cliffs, bays and estuaries.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Now, however, it is only used for state ceremonies. The palace contains 3,418 rooms and has a floor space of 135,000 square metres. It is the largest functioning royal palace in the continent.
The Plaza Mayor lies in the heart of Madrid and is a major public space. It was once the centre of the old part of the capital city. The plaza was built during the reign of King Philip III.
The Gothic Quarter, also called Barri Gòtic, has narrow streets full of trendy bars, clubs and restaurants specialising in Catalan cuisine.
The Plaza de España is a plaza in the Parque de María Luisa, in Seville, Spain. It was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 in 1928. It is an important example of Regionalism Architecture, known for mixing elements of the Moorish Revival (Neo-Mudéjar), Baroque Revival and Renaissance Revival styles of Spanish architecture.
The Prado Museum, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the primary Spanish national art museum in central Madrid. It is considered to have one of the world's finest collections of European art, with pieces from the former Spanish Royal Collection too.
The Costa Brava in Catalonia consists of the comarques of Alt Empordà, Selva and Baix Empordà in the Girona province. Costa Brava stretches from the French border to the town of Blanes, located 60 km northeast of Barcelona.
The El Retiro is one of the largest parks in the city of Madrid. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, and was later turned into a public park.
The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, now known as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Córdoba. It is located in Andalusia and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
As the largest city in Spain and the capital of the country, Madrid tops the list of must-visit places in Spain. It encompasses the best of a cosmopolitan city, with a vibrant nightlife, buzzing culinary scene, strong political context as home to the Spanish government and impressive art and architecture. You cannot leave Madrid without visit The Prado, which is touted as one of the most important art museums in the world, and The Royal Palace, which is the official residence of the Royal Family of Spain and one of the most significant tourist places in Spain. If you want to get your bearings in this bustling city, take a stroll down Gran Vía – it is the heart of Madrid’s shopping, entertainment, nightlife and culture.
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, and one of the most popular places to visit in Spain. It attracts many more tourists than the capital city, and a key reason for this is the art and architecture that adorn the streets, the walls, the buildings and the parks in Barcelona. It is also home to a lot of the work done by master architect Antoni Gaudi, such as La Sagarda Familia, Park Guell, Casa Mila and Casa Batlo – all major tourist places in Spain. Like Madrid, Barcelona has a colourful food and drink scene and a lively atmosphere during the night time, especially in summer months. Don’t leave Barcelona without taking a stroll down Las Ramblas – the iconic, tree-lined central street of the Catalonian capital.
Located on the south-east coast of Spain, Valencia is a port city that has attracted tourists from around the world for years, cementing its status as one of the key places to visit in Spain. It is best known for the City of Arts and Sciences, which is an entertainment and cultural hotspot in Valencia. It features a planetarium, laserium, interactive science museum, plant walk, aquarium, opera house, arts centre and a covered venue for concerts and other events. Valencia is also the birthplace of the world-famous paella, so make sure you try some while you are there!
Spain has many fantastic beach and island getaways that can offer you all the sun, sand and sea that your heart may desire, but Costa Brava is the most untouched and unspoilt of all tourist places in Spain. You can visit Costa Brava as a day trip from Barcelona, but if you have more time, we recommend spending at least a night or two in this beach paradise. Apart from beautiful beaches, Costa Brava also offers an incredible array of Catalonian, fusion and international food and drink. In fact, it has the greatest concentration of Michelin-starred chefs in all of Spain! Along with that, Costa Brava has a plethora of things to do, including visit museums, art galleries and water sports. Salvador Dali, the artistic genius, hails from here, so make sure to visit his home and some of the museums that are devoted to him.
You may know Seville as being one of the places to visit in Spain because it is home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world – the Seville Cathedral – or because it is one of the best places to watch and participate in traditional flamenco dancing. Along with these fantastic experiences, Seville is also known for serving some of the best and most authentic tapas (Spanish appetisers that can be served hot or cold) in the entire country, as well as a plethora of local wines that have become famous across the globe. If you try only one wine in Seville, let it be a dry manzanilla – it is a sherry wine that the locals absolutely love! And you know that when locals favour something, it has to be good.
Located in the Andalusia region of Spain, Granada is often considered to be one of the offbeat and crucial places to visit in Spain. It is best-known for the many symbols of medieval architecture that dot the city streets, with the Alhambr – a huge fortress located on top of a hill – being the most famous of them all. Other major attractions in Granada are the Generalife palace, the Royal Chapel of Granada and ornate Cathedral of Granada.
