Spain attraction millions of tourists every year through a mix of its vibrant culture and natural beauty. As with any country, it has its must-see destinations for first-time visitors, such as Barcelona and Madrid. But there are many more cities in Spain to visit. The majority are in the southern and eastern regions, and with careful planning, you can see many of them on your next visit.
17 Cities In Spain To Visit
Spain is divided into autonomous communities or regions. Inside these regions are provinces, with many sharing the same name as their capital city. For example, the city of Granada is in the province of Granada, which is part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. To make things less confusing, I’ve grouped each city as it relates to its geographical positioning in the country.
Southern Spain
Seville
Seville (Sevilla in Spanish) is the 4th largest city in Spain with a population of 700,000. It’s the capital of Andalusia and many consider it the most beautiful city in Spain. Seville has much to see, and its appeal lies in its old-world charm. Stunning architecture can be found everywhere you look, with none more impressive than the Royal Palace of Seville (Alcázar Real de Sevilla) and Plaza de Espana. The traditional (but controversial) social event of bullfighting takes place at Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza. This is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain and offers tours and tickets for performances. Setas de Sevilla (a mushroom-shaped, multi-parasol structure), as well as Seville Cathedral (with its stunning bell tower), are also popular stops.
Granada
Granada is the most populous city in the province of the same name. While it’s located near the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it’s not overly hilly and is easily walkable. Granada’s biggest attraction is one of the most visited monuments in the country, The Alhambra. Built in the 13th-century, “The Red Palace” was the residence of the city’s Moorish rulers. Granada’s neighborhoods, namely its Jewish Quarter and Albaicin neighborhood, are very popular with tourists. Visiting miradors (viewpoints) such as San Nicolas and San Cristobal provides you and your camera with excellent views of the city. History buffs should pay a visit to the Royal Chapel of Granada, the resting place of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand.
Alicanté
On the southeast coast is Alicanté, a port city that shines during the summer months. Santa Barbara Castle is one of the town’s impressive medieval structures. At the foot of it, you’ll find Playa del Postiguet beach. Explanada de España is Alicanté’s busy nightlife area, which hosts outdoor cultural events and concerts on its promenade. No Spanish town would be without churches, and you shouldn’t miss Cathedral San Nicolas or Basilica of St Mary Alicanté. Alicanté’s central market has been in existence for over 100 years, selling wines, cheeses, meats, fresh produce, and seafood from over 200 stalls. Wind down your day by taking in the sunset along the Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicanté.
Costa Del Sol Region
The Costa del Sol region of Spain is a narrow, 300-kilometer coastal strip in Andalusia. Malaga and Marbella are two of the most popular cities. The former has a laid-back, local vibe, while the latter caters to tourists. Marbella also has near-perfect weather year-round, while Malaga experiences seasonal fluctuations. The entire region is relatively affordable, with tons of culture, food, and beaches at your disposal. Honorable mention goes to El Caminito del Rey and Ronda, both an hour north and offering stunning scenery of dramatic gorges and cliffs.
Cordoba
Another province in Andalusia, Cordoba is home to the city of the same name and is full of important historical sites. At one time it was a vital Roman city, and in the Middle Ages, it was a major center for Islam. Its iconic mosque, La Mezquita, is the top attraction. It was built in 784 A.D. and converted into a Catholic Church in the 13th century. Another popular stop is the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, which mixes a 14th-century Moorish palace with immaculate gardens. The Roman Bridge of Cordoba was built in the early first century B.C. and updated to its present look in the 8th century. There are also various castles, ruins, gates, plazas, as well as an Old Town neighborhood you can explore.
Cartagena
Cartagena is found in the south, along the Mediterranean coastline. Founded in the 3rd century B.C. by the Carthaginians, it’s a port city that flourished during the Roman period. One of the top sites is Teatro Romano de Cartegena. These are ruins of a Roman theatre built between 1 and 5 B.C. La Manga is a seaside spit in Cartagena that runs 21 kilometers long and 100 meters wide. It’s a popular vacation spot for locals with an assortment of beaches, restaurants, and hotels. For relaxing or taking photos, visit Cala Cortina beach cove for its breathtaking scenery. Cartagena also has various museums related to archaeology, war, and maritime for those who are interested.
Eastern Spain
Barcelona
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Barcelona is the city most people equate with Spain. It’s the capital of the northeastern region of Catalonia with a population of 1.6 million and plenty of diverse attractions to keep visitors entertained. Its most popular ones were designed by Catalan modernist Antonio Gaudi. They include La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell, Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo. The city also boasts beaches, world-class restaurants, markets, museums, and a famed Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). Las Ramblas is a popular walking street, and La Boqueria Market is a landmark tourist spot. If you’re into music, a visit to the UNESCO-listed Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall for a performance or a tour is a must.
Valencia
Valencia’s a port city on Spain’s east coast, rivaling Barcelona but at a cheaper price. It has a rich foodie culture. Valencia is considered to be the home of paella, and its signature dish of fartons with horchata will delight pastry and dessert lovers. It has arguably Spain’s best weather, with around 300 days of sunshine during the year.
As with most Spanish cities, Valencia mixes new and old. The old city gates of Torres de Quart can still be seen in the center of town. One of the top sites in Valencia is the City of Arts and Sciences, which was built on the dry river bed of the Turia River. It includes an opera house, performing arts center, cinema, laserium, planetarium, aquarium, gardens, and oceanographic park. In addition, a 9-km long park has replaced the Turia River, which was diverted to the outskirts of the city.
Balearic Islands (East Coast)
Ibiza
Off the eastern coast, you’ll find Ibiza, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Ibiza is well-known as a party island, so if that’s not your cup of tea, you probably won’t get much from a visit there. Nicknamed The White Isle, it brings in around 7 million tourists every summer. Of course, it has beaches, markets, and great Spanish cuisine, but it also has slightly inflated prices. There is a quiet side to the island, but be prepared to party and drop some coin if you’re heading here.
Mallorca
Considered to be the crown jewel of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca (Majorca) is 6 times the size of Ibiza, with almost a million people on it. It has beautiful beaches, wineries, coves, limestone mountains, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Its capital, Palma, is a laid-back city full of cafes and high-end shops. Its main attraction is La Seu, aka the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. You’ll have your pick of beaches but none are quite as nice as Cala Mesquida, a 300-meter long stretch of white sand and clear waters in the northeast of the island. Adventurers and photographers should check out the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range for some incredible views. Explorers can also visit the secluded caves Cuevas del Drach and Cuevas dels Hams for glimpses of the underground world.
Central Spain
Madrid
Madrid is centrally located and has roughly 3.2 million residents, making it the most populous city in the country. It holds the distinction of being the capital of Spain and is also the 6th most populous city in Europe. Often referred to as the country’s heart and soul, Madrid blends cosmopolitan life with traditional Spanish culture. There are many historical buildings, food markets, and museums (Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofia, for starters) to visit. One of the most popular stops is the Royal Palace of Madrid, home to King Felipe VI of Spain and the Royal Family. Gran Via is the city’s most famous street, with shops, restaurants and an abundance of nightlife. The neoclassical arch monument Puerta de Alcala is another popular attraction. After a long day of touring, you can relax in Retiro Park, a UNESCO Heritage site.
Toledo
Toledo is a historic mountain town in central Spain. Its walled city contains Arab, Christian, and Jewish monuments, with Plaza de Zocodover being the meeting point in the Old Quarter. The Tagus River wraps around Toledo, and the Alcazar de Toledo sits atop the town as its central fixture. It was once the fortified royal palace but today is a military museum. Toledo has synagogues, monasteries, and churches, but no house of worship is more impressive than Santa Iglesia Cathedral. It’s one of the top Gothic cathedrals in the country and took 200 years to build. For scenic views, photography buffs can head to San Martin’s Bridge which dates back to the 14th-century.
Northern Spain
San Sebastien
Famed for its beaches, San Sebastien is located in the north of Spain. Locally referred to as Donostia, it’s a resort town, making it an expensive destination. Playa de la Concha beach is consistently listed as one of Europe’s best, while Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Zurriola are excellent choices for families and surfers, respectively. At the core of the city is the easily walkable Old Town (Parte Vieja), which is full of art nouveau buildings, plazas, and parks. There are lots of shops to explore and you can pop into a restaurant to enjoy the city’s pintxos (tapas) for a relaxing bite. For the best overlooking views, head to Mount Urgull or Mount Igueldo.
La Rioja
La Rioja is Spain’s wine region. There are over 670 bodegas (wineries) making wine from 16,400 vineyards. The bodegas range from small cellars to large producers. Unsurprisingly, wine tasting tours are very popular in La Rioja. In the town of Logrono, you’ll find Calle del Laurel as well as Calle San Juan, popular streets lined with tapas bars for you to hop through. If you’re looking for religious sites, the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, as well as Iglesia de San Servando y San German, are the two that you should check out.
Oviedo
Oviedo is the capital city in Spain’s northwestern Asturias region. It has several UNESCO Heritage sites throughout the city, with most being pre-Roman stone churches. Santa María del Naranco and San Julián de los Prados should be on your must-see list. La Foncalada Fountain is another ancient structure that’s located a few meters below street level. At the heart of Oviedo is Casco Antiguo, the city’s Old Town square. It’s punctuated by Ovideo Cathedral, a Gothic Roman Catholic church and minor Basilica. There are also parks, markets, museums, and you can enjoy some of Oviedo’s claim to fame, cider, at any number of cider bars around town.
Bilbao
Bilbao is a valley city, nestled between mountains and hills in the north. It’s the largest city in Spain’s Basque Country, where they speak Euskera rather than Spanish. The Guggenheim Museum is arguably the most popular attraction for tourists, blending into the contemporary-designed city perfectly. Bilbao still retains its Old Quarter, Casco Viejo, where you can wander around and marvel at the architecture and shops. You can txikiteo (“chee-kee-tay-oh”: the art of bar-hopping while enjoying Basque tapas and wine), visit Santiago Cathedral, or Europe’s largest indoor market, Mercado de la Ribera. Bring your camera to Mount Artxanda for an overview of the city. Adventurers can travel 35 km out to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet on the coast of Biscay known for its raw natural beauty.
The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a group of 7 Spanish islands off the north coast of Africa. It’s best to fly there, as a flight takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours compared to the 2-day ferry ride. Its most popular island is Tenerife, which has the most things to see and do, including visiting Teide National Park. It’s here you’ll find Mount Teide, the world’s third-highest stratovolcano. Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote, and most recently, Cumbre Vieja on La Palma are other volcanic regions of these islands you may want to explore.
The beaches of the Canary Islands are another highlight. You’ll find a mixture of white and black sand beaches, with Gran Canaria and Tenerife boasting some of the most beautiful. If visiting Lanzarote, be sure to see Cueva de los Verdes, a 7-mile long underground volcanic tunnel formed 3,000 years ago. In Tenerife, you should also put La Laguna on your itinerary. It’s the former capital of the Canary Islands, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spain In All Its Splendor
Choosing which cities in Spain to visit can be hard. They’re all highly cultural, mixing history, grand architecture, and delicious food. If you aren’t on a time constraint, I’d highly recommend seeing as many as you can. But even picking just two or three will give you a greater appreciation for this beautiful country.
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