There are renowned Spain tourist attractions that appeal to people of all ages and interests. From the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean to the stunning architecture of Barcelona and Madrid, there is something for everyone in Spain.
The country is also home to a variety of interesting cultural experiences, such as flamenco dancing and bullfighting. With its diverse landscape and rich history, Spain is sure to please visitors from around the world.
Why Spain is a Popular Tourist Attraction?
There’s more to Spain than sunbathing and shopping, and we’re here to tell you about it! We’re going to tell you why we think you should go to Spain, and we’ll also give you some ideas for a trip there.
1. Stunning scenery
As you travel through Spain, you will see a wide range of natural beauty and inspiring landscapes. The country has a lot of dramatic, imposing mountains, as well as a lot of beautiful beaches on its coasts.
You should visit Tenerife if you want to see breathtaking views and unique scenery. You can see the volcanoes and panoramic views from the top of the island.
Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands, which are just south of Spain. It has a rough, volcanic landscape and more than 200 miles of coastline with a wide variety of plants and animals.
Natural beauty in this area, the Los Gigantes cliffs are more than 1,000 feet above sea level. The breathtaking views of this area are a must-see! Another great thing about Tenerife is Mount Teide, which is the third-largest volcano in the world.
If you want to hike to the top, the view from this level is breathtaking. There is also a cable car to the top if you don’t want to get your feet sore.
2. Beautiful beaches.
The coast of Spain is more than 5,000 miles long, and there are more than a thousand beaches. Everywhere you go, there is always a beach nearby.
Everybody can find a beach to enjoy. There are more than 300 days of sunshine each year, so you’re sure to have good weather when you go.
This beautiful country also has the bluest flag beaches in the world, so now there’s no reason not to go! To find a beach to go to, there are so many to choose from. A trip to Costa de la Luz is one of our top picks for a trip.
There are many beautiful beaches in this area near the Portuguese border in Andalusia. It’s a sun-worshippers dream come true.
Costa de la Luz isn’t as well-known as some of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. This means you can enjoy a wide range of unspoiled beaches, hidden coves, and turquoise waters that aren’t crowded.
3. Fabulous food
For many people, the best thing about Spain is, of course, the great food. Spain’s cities have Michelin-starred restaurants and lively tapas bars.
Small-town cafes and restaurants serve traditional dishes like paella and seafood stew that are made with love from family recipes. Spaniards are known for their food is healthy and tasty. There are many unique dishes that will make your taste buds dance.
People who like food should visit Costa Brava, which is in Spain and should not be missed. A lot of people know that Barcelona is known for its authentic tapas bars.
When tapas first started, bar owners would cover their customers’ drinks with a small piece of bread or cheese to keep them from getting dirty from the dust that was around them.
You’ll find a lot of authentic restaurants in Barcelona’s labyrinthine streets that serve tasty tapas like chorizo sausage, potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, olives, and fried squid. You can have an authentic, local experience if you eat at a tapas bar that isn’t on the main road.
4. Cosmopolitan Cities
There are so many great places to see in Spain, from Madrid and Barcelona to Valencia and Seville. We’re really spoilt for choice. Madrid and Barcelona are known around the world for their arts and culture scene, great food, great museums, and great shopping.
Seville is another great city in Spain. It has a lot to offer visitors, from flamenco dancing to old buildings. With so many options, it’s hard to choose, so you’ll have to go to all of them!
One of our favourite places is the lively, historic city of Salamanca, which isn’t as well known as it should be. Most of the city centre is made for people to walk around and get to know the heart of the city.
It’s a lively city with a lot of cafes, terraces, and bars where you can spend a sunny afternoon. Salamanca’s old city centre has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In its old buildings or on the streets, you’ll find a city that has been around for a long time and that has a lot of different kinds of people living there.
5. Vibrant villages
Southern Spain is a traveller’s paradise because it has beautiful scenery, beautiful beaches, and great weather. But one thing that many people don’t think about is the beautiful whitewashed villages and towns in Andalucia.
When these places used to be farming and fishing villages, many of them fell into disrepair over the years. People who live in the area and visitors who have recently rediscovered their beauty have brought them back to life.
With their cobbled streets and whitewashed homes to pretty ruins and churches, these lively villages have a lot to offer.
Even though they have become popular with tourists in recent years, they have still managed to keep their ancient charm for now! One of our favourite places to go is the beautiful village of Frigiliana, which is often called one of the most beautiful in Spain.
In Frigiliana, which is only a few kilometres from Nerja, you can find beautiful arts and crafts, quaint streets, and delicious food.
And of course, one of the best things to do in Andalucia is to visit La Alhambra, an impressive fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can’t miss.
What is Spain Most Known for?
It starts the moment you land in Spain: a change in culture and energy that you can feel from the very start. You can hear the sounds of busy streets filled with music and smell the scents of fresh spices and flowers.
In this beautiful country, there’s a lot more than just what Spain is known for. There is something for everyone in this country. They told us what they think are the most important things to know about Spain before you go, and what they love about going there. They said this:
1. The Food
When we talked about our trip, we couldn’t leave out food. We even have a whole Food & Wine Tour for it! Besides, what are Spaniards known for? Here are some of my favourite things:
Paella. This traditional dish is made with rice, saffron, vegetables, and usually chicken or seafood. It’s all cooked together and served in the same pan.
Pintxo. People usually get this small snack from street vendors, but you can also get it in bars. It usually has fish, meat, or vegetables on bread. A toothpick holds it together, so it’s called “spikes.”
Tapas. A lot of different small, savoury dishes of all kinds are in here. This isn’t just one thing, though. People eat tapas as appetizers, snacks, or even full meals, and they can even be shared. They are what Spain is known for.
Churros. People love these snacks because they are made from fried dough pastry, cut into sausage shapes, and drenched in a lot of sugar. They’re also good when they’re dipped in melted chocolate.
I ate and drank very well in Spain when I went to A Taste of Spain for the first time. Because of the hospitality and food and wine that I had in Spain, I would gladly do the whole trip again. Spain is a great place to eat and drink. Check out our guide to food and wine in Spain to learn more.
2. The Markets
This may go along with the food, but Spain’s markets are a must for anyone who wants to visit. You can eat all kinds of authentic foods, chat with locals at the different stalls.
Drink sangria at a bar while you watch the people around you, and just walk around! Learn about going to the market in San Miguel, Spain, here.
She said her favourite part of Spain was going to the markets and trying new foods and meeting people from all over the world. You can go to every city in Spain to see one. They are all perfect in their own way. Once in Spain, you should at least visit one. I’ll be glad I helped you out in the long run.
While each market is unique, the La Boqueria in Barcelona is a favourite stop for staffer Steph when she had free time. “This indoor market is a great place to buy any kind of produce, meat, or ready-made food if you’re hungry and need a snack to keep you going on your trip,” she said.
3. The architecture
One of the most interesting things about Spain is the way it looks. Sites like these are some of the most well-known and well-designed out there.
The Sagrada Familia is Gaud’s most famous work-in-progress, the Sagrada Familia.
The Alhambra, the last stronghold of the Moorish sultans in Spain, is a beautiful place to visit.
This is Valencia Cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic parish church and the best example of Gothic and Baroque architecture in the world.
It’s called Plaza de Espaa and it’s a very fancy building. It has brightly coloured tilework and is near a canal and fountains.
The Royal Alcázar is a beautiful, ancient, and UNESCO-protected building. It is also the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use.
Steph, a member of the staff, says that Antoni Gaud’s architecture is truly out of this world. You should either find a guided Gaud tour of the city or look up a self-guided walking tour if you’re up for it! It’s a great way to get to know the city of Barcelona and see all of the beautiful buildings.
4. Flamenco
If you ask someone what dance Spain is known for, they’ll say flamenco. There is a lot more to flamenco than just a dance, though.
It’s a type of art that has been recognized by UNESCO. It’s based on the different folk music traditions in southern Spain. Dancers use body movements and facial expressions to show emotions and tell stories about their lives.
You can go to a professional show, or you can just go to a restaurant in Seville that has live shows while you eat. Either way, the movie is worth seeing. There are so many great things about Spain tours, but flamenco is one of them.
Traveller Julie said that her New Year’s Eve trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville “blew us away.”
5. Soccer
In Spain, soccer is called “football.” It is a big part of their way of life. Spain has some of the biggest club teams and a very good FIFA national team like FC Barcelona.
The people there go crazy when they see them play. Any time there is a game going on, stop by a bar or cafe. Let the sport and excitement of the game get you.
When I watched the game and cheered with the crowd, even though I don’t even like sports, I felt like I was part of something. Lauren, a staff member, said: “It’s just… fun.”
6. Siestas
Having talked about what Spain is known for has worn us out, so we need to take a break and get some sleep. During the early afternoon, many people take a short nap after lunch.
This happens every day. It’s almost like the whole country shuts down. This includes a lot of the most popular tours, shops, and restaurants.
If you want to get a real sense of Spanish culture on your trip to Spain, try taking a nap yourself! The way you feel might surprise you, and how long you can stay up.
If you open yourself up to the culture, Spain can make you feel very free, says a staffer. “When I think of Spain, I remember having sangria breaks in the middle of the day that led perfectly to naps.”
I remember eating some of the best food I’ve ever had, but I didn’t feel like I had gone overboard because walking through Spanish cities makes getting your daily steps so much fun.
7. Nighttime adventures
One of the most interesting things about Spain is how late people stay out at night just having fun. Take it from Leonor, the tour director and a native of Spain.
“Spain isn’t like the rest of Europe because we love to go out in the evening,” she told me. “It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter; after 6:30 pm, families come out for walks, shopping, sitting outside cafeterias or bars, having dinner, and in general, hanging out in a relaxed and happy way.”
When you stay out late, it’s not just for drinking. There are times when Leonor just walks around and runs into her friends. As time goes on, so does this. Everywhere you go, there’s this joyful feeling of having fun, no matter how bad things might be.
What Are The Best Places To Visit in Spain?
Spain is one of the best places in the world to go on vacation because it has so many things to do and see. From the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the white sands and blue lagoons of its Mediterranean islands like Ibiza, this European country has a lot to offer.
The country is also interesting because of the different cultures of its different parts. Much of the history here can be found in any single city.
Many cities in Spain have ancient Roman ruins, Islamic architecture from the Moors, medieval castles and fortifications, and palaces and mansions from the Castilian and Hapsburg eras. Most also have a lot of modern examples of art nouveau, art deco, and modern architecture.
The country is also at the top of the list when it comes to things like food, art, music, dancing, and people who make you feel good. Our list of the best places to visit in Spain will help you plan your trip.
1. Madrid
Spain’s big capital city shows off the country’s long history. It’s a great place to go on vacation because there are royal palaces, soldiers marching, the changing of the guards, and a lot of museums to go to.
You can’t go to Madrid without seeing all three of the city’s most important museums, so make sure you do that when you go. The Prado Museum, which is called the Museo Nacional del Prado, shows what was once the Spanish royal collection of art.
The Reina Sofia Museum, which is also called the Reina Sofia Museum, shows modern masterpieces like Picasso’s moving Guernica. Also, the nearby Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum brings together the best of old and new art.
Madrid is also a great place to walk around, with lots of green spaces like the Buen Retiro Park and wide, pedestrian-only streets like the Gran Via. There is also a lot of food culture in this place, from simple tapas tasting food to cutting-edge, Michelin-starred molecular gastronomy.
La Latina, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, has turned into a place where you can get tapas. There are a lot of places where you can get tapas, and most of them have outdoor terraces. It’s a lot of fun to go from place to place and try the food there.
2. Barcelona
The second-largest city in Spain is very different from Madrid when you visit. It has a more resort-like feel because it’s near the coast.
Most days are warm and sunny, so you can enjoy the weather. It’s on the country’s northeast coast, near the Mediterranean Sea. It also has a more modern, progressive vibe than Madrid and other cities in Spain, like Barcelona.
A must-see for tourists in Barcelona is the city’s enormous modern cathedral, the Sagrada Familia, and the Joan Miro museum, which was planned by the famous artist before he died.
Other good places to visit in Barcelona are almost three miles of beaches and La Rambla, a huge, tree-lined, pedestrian-only street that runs through the city. Everybody comes out here to go for a walk.
The Maremagnum shopping mall is near where La Rambla meets the water. Keep going until you reach that point. It’s on a man-made island that’s almost completely surrounded by water, but it’s not completely alone.
There is a very cool wooden bridge called Rambla de Mar that you walk over to get there. Sailors and yachts can pass through every hour.
Head to the mall’s panoramic platform, La Terraza, for a 360-degree view of the water and the skyline of the city and the mall. Next to the mall is the city’s big aquarium, which is worth a look at.
Tibidabo is a local mountain with a beautiful church and amusement park at the top. Make sure to take the funicular up to the top. You’ll also get to see the city and the countryside in a whole new way.
3. San Sebastian
This city is on the north coast of Spain, in the region called Basque. In San Sebastian, you can see the beautiful Bay of Biscay, which opens up to the Atlantic Ocean. At Playa de Zurriola, there are a lot of people who like to surf. A trip also gives you a chance to learn about the Basque culture.
Here, you can go to the beach at La Concha or hike up Monte Orgull, a fortress-topped mountain that looks down on the city’s old town from above.
It’s also fun to spend time in the cobblestoned old town, called Parte Vieja because it’s so pretty and interesting. The neighbourhood has a lot of really good, locally-owned shops and places to sit and eat pintxos. It also has a lot of places to drink beer (the Basque version of tapas).
4. Valencia
In Valencia, there is a lot of trade with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Valencia is a port city, and it has a long history of trade with the world. It’s on the Mediterranean Sea, on the southeastern coast of the country.
As a city on the coast, there are a lot of nice beaches to go to and enjoy. Another place to go outside is Albufera Park, which is a wetland reserve next to the beach. There are a lot of hiking trails there (and some good beaches).
In the city, there are a lot of places to visit. The Museum of Fine Arts (Museu de Belle Arts de Valencia) is a great place to visit. It has a great collection of Spanish masterpieces by artists like El Greco and Goya.
There’s also a big, Gothic-style cathedral in the middle of the old city, as well as some of the old city walls that still stand.
Make sure to visit the Torres de Serranos, one of the last remaining gates to the walled city and a prison for more than 300 years, before you leave the city.
A museum called “González Mart” has a lot of cool things in it. This museum is all about Spanish decorative arts, with a huge collection of ceramics, traditional clothes, and furniture. Kids will love the Natural Science Museum because it has a lot of dinosaur bones.
Visit the city’s central market, which was built in 1914, when you’re hungry. It’s filled with food vendors and cafes (along with souvenir shops and other tourist-type businesses). If you go, you’ll be surrounded by locals, too, because this is where they go to eat and hang out.
5. Granada
Granada is another great place to visit in the southern region of Andalusia, which is home to the spectacular Alhambra Moorish hilltop palace and fortress.
It has even more amazing examples of Islamic architecture, like the Alhambra castle complex. The Alban is a whole area of the old town that was built by the Moors in the 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries.
The Alban has narrow streets and most of the buildings are from that time. It’s a great place to visit because you can see both ancient and modern Spain at the same time in the same place.
Granada is also close to Europe’s most southern ski resort area: the Sierra Nevada, which is in Spain. Granada is only 42 kilometres (26 miles) away. There are more than 100 runs at the large ski resort, which is served by 17 lifts and two ski lifts.
Because the ski season can last from late November to early May because of the high altitude, it can.
A sunny beach in Málaga is only 164 kilometres (102 miles) away from the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This means you can ski in the morning and go to the beach in the afternoon (or vice-versa).
At Granada, there’s lots of good food, places to go for drinks, and places to see flamenco music and dance.
There are also many big universities in the city. Royal Spain is shown in this cathedral, which was built in the 16th century and has the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who led the country together and funded Christopher Columbus’ explorations.
6. Ibiza
One of the best places to go on vacation with your partner in Spain is the island of Ibiza. You can fly or take a ferry to get there in a few hours.
It’s about 100 miles off the coast of Spain. This group of mostly-resort islands is called the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
Ibiza is the largest of them. All of Spain’s other three largest islands are also popular places to visit. These three islands are Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera.
Ibiza may be best known for electronic music, beach parties, and huge dance clubs, but it also has a lot of great family resorts and fun things to do with kids.
It has something for everyone and is a good place to go for singles, couples, and families. It has a lot to offer. Portinatx is in the north, San Antonio is in the west, and Santa Eulalia is in the east of Ibiza.
7. Córdoba
This ancient city in the Andalusian region in the south of Spain is a great place to learn about Spain’s history. It dates back to the time when Spain was part of the Roman Empire, and you can see how it changed over time.
A 16-arch bridge across the Guadalquivir River still stands in Córdoba, which was a big Roman city called Corduba. Many ruins and other Roman sites are still there, too.
Córdoba was a big Islamic city in the Middle Ages, and it has a lot of great architecture from that time. The city’s big mosque is the best example. Known as La Mezquita, the mosque is thought to have been built in the 8th century.
In the 13th century, it was turned into a Christian church. There is also a long Jewish history in the city (and all over Spain), and a 14th-century synagogue can be found in the medieval Judea or Jewish quarter, which is where most of the old buildings are.
Cordoba has a lot of museums. In the Museo Arqueológico de Cordoba, you can learn about the history of Cordoba and Spain for a long time. An extra bonus: The museum is on Cordoba’s Roman theatre site. When you go to the museum’s basement level, you can see the theatre.
8. Seville
Seville is a beautiful and fascinating city in southern Spain. It is another example of how Spain’s history is still alive today. It’s a small city that’s great for sightseeing. It has Roman ruins, Moorish structures and palaces, and Gothic churches that were built during Castilian rule (the period when Spain was ruled by kings and queens).
Here, there is a lot of history and culture that is related to Islam. The city was the capital of the Moorish dynasty for most of the time it was under their rule.
It also grew during Spain’s Golden Age, which lasted from the 15th century to the 18th century. At that time, it was the only port in the world that could legally receive trade from Spanish colonies in the Americas.
Music and dance are also very important here because Seville is the home of flamenco dancing and the music that goes with it. Flamenco can be found in Tirana, a neighbourhood full of small cafes and places to see shows.
Another place to visit is Santa Cruz. It’s where the city’s huge Gothic cathedral and the royal palace complex, called the Real Alcazar, are found. History is alive and well in the palace, which was built for the city’s Islamic rulers. When the Spanish royal family is in town, they stay in it.
9. Bilbao
As the capital of Basque country, this northern Spanish city can feel like it’s in a new country. It is part of Spain, but it is officially called an “autonomous community.”
The language here, which is called Basque, is very different from other parts of Spain. The food, music, and culture are also very different.
When the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum opened in 1997, it really put this once-dirty industrial port city on the map as a must-see place in Spain for tourists from all over the world.
Art isn’t the only thing that’s around the museum. It’s in what’s called the “Art District.” This is where you can find large art and sculpture that can’t be seen inside a building. If you want to take pictures for Instagram, this is the best.
A lot of the best things to do in Bilbao are for culture and tourism. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Plaza Berria, and walking across the Zubizuri pedestrian bridge are all great things to do in Bilbao.
10. Málaga
Another great example of how different cities in Spain are, Málaga shows off the country’s North African influence. It’s on the Spanish Costa del Sol, which is only a short ferry ride from Africa.
There are a lot of generic, over-developed resort areas in this part of Spain. Málaga is a big tourist city, but it still has a lot of Spanish and African roots because it is a port city.
Picasso was born in this city, and there is a big museum in the city that has a lot of his art. Like many cities in southern Spain, there is a lot of Moorish and Islamic art and architecture in this city.
The Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro are two hilltop fortresses that were built by the Moors. Renaissance-style cathedral: There’s also a big one in the city
With the history and culture of the area, there are also a lot of modern, generic residential and rental apartment buildings that are all trying to get a view of the ocean.
People who live in the UK and other colder European countries often choose the region as a second home because it has warm and sunny weather. Some of the best food in Málaga comes from the city’s beachfront and harbour areas. Seafood is one of the best things to eat there.
11. Costa Brava
Another great place to go on vacation in Spain is the beautiful area of Catalonia name Costa Brava. People in Spain live on the north coast of the country, north of Barcelona. It goes up to the border with France.
Many small beaches and cliffs make up the land. There are also a lot of small coves, bays, and inlets in the area. Blanes, Tossa de Mar, and Lloret de Mar are three of the most popular seaside towns on the Costa Brava.
Medes Islands, which are not inhabited, are a short boat ride from the coast. You can go there to explore and snorkel.
The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is another cool place to visit. It was built on top of the mountain and is now a ruin. Even though it’s a ruin, most of the structures of the buildings, including the huge church, are still there.
The monastery is near the town of Figueres, where Salvador Dali was born. It is in the Cap de Creus natural park, which is close to the town. When you visit the town, you can see a huge Dali Museum, which the artist himself helped design and plan himself.
12. Segovia
The Spanish city of Segovia is in the middle of the country, north of Madrid. The area has a lot of Roman ruins, and it was also a very important city in the post-medieval era of royal rule.
On the city’s main square, there’s a beautiful Gothic cathedral with a lot of religious art. There are a lot of restaurants, cafes, and places to get tapas in the Plaza Mayor area. This is great for people who like food.
Segovia has a lot of great things to see, like the Alcazar fortress and castle, which is thought to have been an inspiration for Walt Disney when he made Cinderella’s Castle for his theme parks.
Other must-sees include the amazing, double-decker ancient Roman aqueduct and the huge 16th-century Gothic cathedral in the heart of the city.
13. Tarragona
This is one of the best places in Spain where you can see things from the ancient Roman world. Tarragona has a Roman amphitheatre and a Roman circus with chariot races. Barcelona is in the Northeastern part of Spain.
There is a 2nd-century arena, an area of Roman tombs, and even a little bit of the ancient forum left in the city. It was famous for “Tarraco” in ancient Rome. It’s all inside and around the medieval walled Old Town area.
There is a long stretch of a two-story Roman aqueduct that we can see. Tarragona’s National Archeological Museum is a great place to learn about the city’s history and see a lot of interesting Roman and older artefacts.
Then, when you’re done learning about Roman history, head to Tarragona’s beachfront resort area and enjoy the clear, aqua blue waters of the Balearic Sea, which is just off the coast there.
14. Linares
Guitarists and people who like flamenco guitar music go to Linares every year to see where Maestro Andres Segovia was born. The master guitarist took the guitar to new heights of skill.
To make the guitar a more important instrument, he played all over the world. This made the guitar more important in symphony and orchestra music.
The Andres Segovia Foundation – Museum, which is housed in a restored 17th-century palace, tells the story of Segovia’s life. Visitors can see his music, instruments, and other personal items. This is not the only thing in the museum. There is also a crypt with the tomb of the Maestro.
There is a city name Linares in the region of Andalusia. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Cordoba or Granada to get there.
15. Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, and it has everything you need for a great vacation. It also has the best golf in Spain.
The islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Morocco. There are a lot of flights from Spain and other European cities to the islands because they are so popular as a vacation spot.
Guests at the Alabama Golf and Spa Resort can play a round of golf on the side of a volcano. During your time on the course, you’ll be able to see more than 300 types of subtropical plants, as well as more than 20,000 palm trees and 22 lakes.
The best thing about this place, besides the hard course, is the view. The whole course is on stilts, and almost every hole has a view of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Gomera next to it. Other than golf, the resort has luxurious accommodations, a lot of fine restaurants, and a world-class spa.
Conclusion
There are many Spain tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy. From the vibrant city of Madrid to the stunning beaches of Barcelona, there is something for everyone. Be sure to visit some of these amazing places during your time in Spain!
