Map view
Albarracín Walls
- The Albarracín Walls are a series of medieval fortifications that encircle the historic town of Albarracín, located in the province of Teruel
- These walls date back to between the 10th and 13th centuries and are notable for their impressive length and historical significance
- The walls were originally constructed for defensive purposes, protecting the town from invasions
- The walls reflect a blend of architectural styles influenced by both Christian and Moorish cultures
Casa Batlló, Barcelona
Best time to visit: May-June
- Casa Batlló is a building in the center of Barcelona
- It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, and is considered one of his masterpieces, designed in 1904
- The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), as it has a visceral, skeletal organic quality
- A common theory about the building is that the rounded feature to the left of centre, terminating at the top in a turret and cross, represents the lance of Saint George (patron saint of Catalonia, Gaudí's home), which has been plunged into the back of the dragon
Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
Best time to visit: May-June
- The Gothic Quarter encompasses the oldest parts of the city of Barcelona, and includes the remains of the city's Roman wall and several notable medieval landmarks
- Much of the present-day fabric of the quarter, however, dates to the 19th and early 20th centuries
- El Call, the medieval Jewish quarter, is located within this area, along with the former Sinagoga Major
- The Barri Gòtic retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares
Sagrada Família, Barcelona
Best time to visit: May-June
- Sagrada Família, is a church under construction in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia
- It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world
- Sagrada Família was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926)
- In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica
- The style of Sagrada Família is variously likened to Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism or Art Nouveau
- In 2024, an updated forecast reconfirmed a likely completion of the building in 2026, though the announcement stated that work on sculptures, decorative details and a controversial proposed stairway leading to what will eventually be the main entrance is expected to continue until 2034
- Visitors can access the Nave, Crypt, Museum, Shop, and the Passion and Nativity steeples
#2 in Best Attractions in the World
#10 in Best Landmarks in the World
Park Güell, Barcelona
Best time to visit: May-June
- Park Güell is a renowned public park located in Barcelona
- Designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, it was constructed between 1900 and 1914
- Originally the park was intended as a residential project for wealthy families, inspired by British residential parks
- Today it is a public park, where it features a blend of gardens, architectural elements, and views of the city
La Boqueria, Barcelona
Best time to visit: May-June
- La Boqueria, officially known as Mercat de Sant Josep, is a renowned public market located in Barcelona
- It is one of the city's most famous landmarks, celebrated for its high-quality food offerings
- Originally established in the 13th century as a place for goat traders, La Boqueria has evolved into a bustling market featuring a wide variety of fresh produce, seafood, meats, and local delicacies
- It is particularly known for its seafood tapas, cured meats, and fresh fruit smoothies
Douro River
- The Douro River is the third longest river on the Iberian Peninsula
- It originates in the Soria province of Spain, near Duruelo de la Sierra, and flows westward into Portugal, where it eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Porto
- The Douro Valley, which is part of the river's course, is renowned for its landscapes and is famous for producing Port wine, with terraced vineyards lining its slopes
Alhambra, Granada
Best time to visit: April-June, Sept-Oct
- The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada
- It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world
- Additionally, the palace contains notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture
- The architecture of the palace is characterized by the use of the courtyard as a central space and basic unit around which other halls and rooms were organized
- Courtyards typically had water features at their centre, such as a reflective pool or a fountain
- Geometric patterns, vegetal motifs, and Arabic inscriptions were the main types of decorative motifs
Cala Comte, Ibiza
Best time to visit: May-Oct
- Cala Comte, also known as Cala Conta, is a beach located on the southwestern coast of Ibiza
- Cala Comte is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and sandy shores
- The beach offers opportunities for swimming and snorkeling
Las Canteras Beach, Las Palmas
- The Playa de Las Canteras is the main urban beach of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, one of the most important beaches of the Canary Islands
- Historically, it was exploited as a quarry to extract the rock that was used, among other uses, for numerous constructions in the city, such as the Cathedral of the Canary Islands
- In memory of this practice, now abandoned, the name of Playa de Las Canteras (Beach of the Quarries) survives today
#10 in Best Beaches in the World
Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Parque del Buen Retiro is one of the largest and most famous parks in Madrid
- It is home to over 15,000 trees, and includes formal gardens, lakes, playgrounds, and features several historical buildings and monuments
- Originally created in the mid-17th century as a retreat for the Spanish royal family, it was opened to the public in the late 19th century
- Within the park, visitors can find attractions such as the large lake where boating is popular, the Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal), and numerous sculptures and fountains
Museo del Prado, Madrid
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Museo del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum, located in Madrid
- It houses collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish royal collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art
- It was founded as a museum of paintings and sculpture in 1819
- The collection currently comprises around 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures, in addition to many other works of art and historic documents
Royal Palace of Madrid
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in the city of Madrid, although now used only for state ceremonies
- The palace contains 3,418 rooms and is the largest royal palace in Europe
- The palace is on the site of a bygone Muslim-era fortress constructed by Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba in the 9th century
- The palace was initially built between 860 and 880
- The palace is now open to the public, except during state functions, although it is so large that only a selection of rooms are on the visitor route at any one time, the route being changed every few months
Palma Cathedral
- The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Palma, Mallorca
- It is the Cathedral of the diocese of Mallorca, and is situated on the seashore of Palma, abutting the city walls
- The site of the cathedral was occupied by a mosque under Muslim rule
- Construction on the cathedral began shortly after the reconquest of the island in 1229, and continued into the 17th century
- Today, the cathedral is Palma's most popular tourist attraction
Bellver Castle, Palma
- Bellver Castle, known in Catalan as Castell de Bellver, is a notable Gothic-style fortress located about 3 kilometers west of Palma, in Majorca
- Built in the 14th century, it is distinguished as Spain's only circular castle, which is a rare architectural feature for medieval fortifications
- The castle was constructed under the reign of King James II of Majorca and served as a royal residence
- Its circular design is believed to have been inspired by Roman architecture
- Today, Bellver Castle is a tourist attraction, featuring well-preserved structures, a museum, and gardens
Urgull, San Sebastián
Best time to visit: May-July
- Urgull is a hill located in San Sebastián, that is a prominent feature of the city, and serves as one of the city's major green spaces
- The hill is notable for offering panoramas of the surrounding area, including the bay and the city itself
- It is also home to various military structures and a statue of Christ
- Visitors can access the summit via several paths, making it a spot for hiking
Beach of La Concha, San Sebastián
Best time to visit: May-July
- The Beach of La Concha is a crescent shaped urban seaboard of the city of San Sebastián located at the Bay of La Concha in the Basque Country
- The scenic setting in the Bay of La Concha and the 19th century elegance of fashionable seaside resorts have made the site very popular, as it is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful and the most famous urban beaches in Europe
Plaza de España, Seville
Best time to visit: March-May
- Plaza de España is a prominent square located in Parque de María Luisa in Seville
- It was constructed for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and is renowned for its architecture, which blends Renaissance Revival and Moorish styles, showcasing a unique Mudejar influence
- The plaza is designed in a semi-circular shape, surrounded by a large building that features a series of alcoves representing each of Spain's provinces
- Four bridges span a canal that runs through the plaza, symbolizing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain: Leon, Castile, Aragon, and Navarre
Alcázar of Seville
Best time to visit: March-May
- The Alcázar of Seville, also known as the Real Alcázar, is a historic royal palace located in Seville
- It originally served as a citadel during the Islamic period, with construction beginning in the 10th century
- This palace is renowned for its architecture and gardens, which showcases a blend of styles including Islamic, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences
- The Alcázar is recognized as the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe
Mercado Central, Valencia
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- Mercado Central or Mercat Central is a public market located in Valencia
- It is one of the main works of the Valencian Art Nouveau
- The Central Market of Valencia is one of the largest in Europe
- Most vendors sell food items, although souvenir shops and restaurants are located inside the market as well
- It is a popular location for tourists and locals alike