Spain is a country that offers stunning nature, a unique culture, tasty food, and exciting cities, so many tourists choose it for their vacations. Tempted as one is by the many stellar destinations to visit Spain, choosing which country to visit could be quite daunting. Here are some of the top destinations as well as attractions that you should consider for your Spanish travel plans.
Barcelona
Barcelona should by all means be on the list of destinations in Spain. This city is famous for its astonishing buildings, vibrant districts, coastlines, and mouthwatering cuisine. Spend a few days wandering around the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter and marvel at the bizarre and picturesque buildings created by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí such as La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. Visit Las Ramblas boulevard which is packed with bar and street performers or go for a walk at Barceloneta Beach. Try out the tapas bar for portions of Spain’s famous bravas potatoes, and grilled squid, among others. Barcelona has so much to offer for a perfect Spanish holiday see-and-do list.
Madrid
Madrid is Spain’s central capital city and is an exciting blend of a busy city and lots of art museums, food and bars, and historic sites. Stroll at Museum Triangle and marvel at the masterpieces of Picasso and Dalí in Museo del Prado and Reina Sofia. Savor Madrid’s famous tapas and go from swanky cocktail bar to swanky cocktail bar. There is no way you will want to relax and get a breath of fresh air in Retiro Park and not notice its green landscape. Being one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe, Madrid hosts the pride in late July with nearly 2 million people attending one of the biggest pride parades globally.
Andalucía Region
Andalucía in the south offers beautiful hilltop villages with houses painted white, Mediterranean beaches, and Moorish Spanish-influenced culture and architecture. Stroll through exquisite palaces and courtyards of the Alhambra palace in Granada representing the heritage of the Arab dynasty reign over Spain for 700 years. Then visit the most popular beach tourist spots of Spain on Costa del Sol; whether it is the vibrant beach cities like Marbella or the charming fishing paradises like the Nerja city which boasts of remarkable seaside caves. Explore the ancient Islamic art and architecture in Seville and then go to the huge Gothic cathedral where Columbus is buried. Andalucía has all the trappings of an idyllic Spanish destination – flamenco dance, bullfighting, and gorgeous sunsets.
Costa Brava
To enjoy the traditional Mediterranean experience of beautiful sea shores, fishing trawler towns, and historic coastal towns, one should visit the Costa Brava in Spain. Play the tourist and move from one appealing coastal town to the next; one cliff-fringed bay and cove after the other along this beautiful stretch. Taste seafood dishes in restaurants situated directly on the seashore, or explore Salvador Dalí’s house in his native town Cadaques. The most famous town is Girona which is sometimes called “Little Venice” because the houses are built alongside the River Onyar. Tourists seeking solitude and serenity will discover their own virgin sandy beaches creeks and fishing village coast of Costa Brava.
Balearic Islands
Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera – the Balearic Islands of Spain placed in the Mediterranean Sea – offer a luxurious island vacation from the Spanish mainland. Fall in love with Mallorca while exploring the 13th-century Gothic cathedral in Palma, the golden sands at Es Trenc beach, and, of course, the picturesque Serra de Tramuntana coast. Menorca offers crystal clear sea and virgin sand at idyllic spots such as Cala Macarella but also British colonial influences and maritime legacy. Ibiza is all about nightlife and cannot be beaten in its club scene while quiet little sister Formentera is all about relaxation and long sunset beach walks. Each of Spain’s Balearic Islands has its terrains and stories, making them a perfect paradise for all types of travelers and sun-seekers.
San Sebastian
If you fancy a culinary break and a beach trip in one go, then you should visit San Sebastian, a coastal city in the Basque region of Spain. On the list of the best seashore destinations in Europe, San Sebastian stands as a city with a perfect semicircle of beautiful beaches such as La Concha and Ondaretta Beach. When not sunbathing or surfing, try tasty bite-sized Basque pintxos (tapas) or indulge in seafood from the Bay of Biscay. End with Spanish churros from the Belle Epoque cafes at the Old Town or gourmet olive oils and wines from the Mercado de la Bretxa. The climate is quite moderate, the atmosphere is rather relaxed, and the Pyrenees Mountains are easily accessible – ideal for your northern Spain trip.
Spanish Islands: Tenerife and La Palma
Although geographically located in the Canary Islands group that lies off the northwest of Africa, Tenerife and La Palma indeed have more of a Spanish air to them. Both have stunning landscapes that range from snow-clad volcanos, laurel forests, rock outcrops, and black sand beaches. Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, offers golden sandy beaches and Mount Teide within Teide National Park. Taste delicious food that combines Spanish elements with North African seasoning. La Palma offers less tourist attractions and stunning views of volcanic ridges, beautiful forests, and the Macaronesia Marine Reserve, which is believed to have some of the best diving locations and marine life. He opted for the exoticism of colorful underwater sea life and the lunar desert-scapes, but with a Spanish and European flavor offered by both Canary Islands.
That takes in nine of the best bits of Spain, including the dynamic cities of Barcelona and Madrid and attractive Andalusian villages, beach resorts of the Balearic and Canary Islands, and the picturesque coast of the Costa Brava. Due to the high diversification in terms of places and cities in Spain, choosing a destination may be a challenge. But the tourists get a rich culture, delicious wine and delicious tapas, stunning villages, both in the mountains and by the sea. Coz no matter where you go in Spain you are assured of good food, spirited people, great history and heritage and Spanish flamboyance.
Read More:
Where To Travel Without a Passport?