Spain is without a doubt one of the top destinations in all of Europe. It is full of history and has so many amazing cities worth visiting. But how do you decide on which city to visit and why?
We asked our friend Mark from MJ Travel Guides to cover this topic more in-depth. Mark has spent considerable time traveling around Spain, having worked as an English teacher in the capital of Madrid. He’s also lived in Seville and walked the Camino de Santiago in the north of the country.
12 Best Cities to Visit in Spain
It’s definitely not an easy choice deciding on which city to visit in Spain as there are so many fantastic options! As an expert on visiting the country, here are my 12 best cities to visit and why:
1. Madrid
Most people would probably choose Barcelona as the best city to visit in Spain, but for me, it has to be Madrid. Sure, Madrid doesn’t have a beautiful sandy beach like Barcelona does. But what it lacks in beaches, it makes up for in culture.
Madrid is a lively city full of beautiful historical monuments such as the Royal Palace and Plaza de Mayor, the old square in the city.
It has amazing art museums which are a must visit if you’re an art lover. The Prado Museum is the top museum in the city and has a vast array of classic Spanish paintings – the largest collection in the world.
But I prefer the Sofia Reina museum, which has a more modern art collection and is home to arguably Picasso’s most famous painting; Guernica. This is a massive oil painting that is regarded by art critics as the most moving anti-war painting in history. I highly recommend checking it out when in Madrid.
Madrid also has one of the best urban parks in the world: El Retiro Park. Covering over 125 hectares, this is a massive park full of charming lakes, fountains, monuments, statues, and its centerpiece is the stunning Glass Palace. The park makes for a fantastic getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
It wouldn’t top the list of the best cities to visit in Spain without top-quality restaurants to visit. There are several local dishes worth trying. The Bocadillo de Calamares is a sandwich filled with deep-fried calamari. Churros with chocolate, which you’ll find all over Spain, is a classic sugar-coated sweet snack that comes with a cup of melted chocolate to dunk them into.
All in all, Madrid is the heart of Spain not just geographically but spiritually. It’s full of color and vibrancy, and simply unmissable when visiting the country.
2. Barcelona
Of course, you can’t write a list of the best cities to visit in Spain without mentioning the famous Catalan capital: Barcelona. This is the number one tourist destination in Spain, with close to 10 million tourists staying in the city each year.
This for me is something of a detriment as Barcelona is always overcrowded no matter what time of year you visit. However, it’s all for a good reason as the city is a majestic place, crammed with stunning architecture everywhere you go.
The number one building that you simply cannot miss when in Barcelona is the famous La Sagrada Familia – the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. It was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi back in 1882 and is his most famous work. It is a breathtaking monument that you have to see to believe.
The works of Gaudi are everywhere you go in Barcelona. From the beautiful Park Güell that he oversaw to his ‘3 houses’ (Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Vicens), there are over 20 sites in total worth seeing. Don’t miss the Gaudi House museum where the great man lived for almost 20 years.
Barcelona isn’t just about Gaudi and his fantastic creations though. Just taking a stroll down Las Ramblas, doing a spot of people-watching, and soaking up the atmosphere of this exceptional city is enough to make you fall in love with it!
3. Seville
Seville is the capital of Andalucía, the southern region of Spain, and offers a more relaxed experience compared to the likes of busy Madrid and restless Barcelona. The city has a very relaxed, languid pace. It is full of winding, mazy narrow roads that are easy to get lost in – but that’s all part of the charm of Seville!
It has a rich history as well, with the Royal Alcázar being the top tourist attraction. This is a royal palace that was founded in the Middle Ages. It features stunning Islamic architecture and was also used for several scenes in the popular television show Game of Thrones.
Seville gets extremely hot during the summer months. My advice would be to visit either in spring, autumn, or even winter as temperatures stay relatively mild at this time of year, too.
If you do find yourself in this beautiful city during a hot period, then you should try some Gazpacho. It is a famous cold tomato soup pureed with peppers and onion and is the perfect way to cool you down on a hot Seville afternoon.
4. Granada
Not too far away from Seville is another amazing city that’s full of history which I highly recommend; Granada. Set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain region, Granada is a lovely hilly place surrounded by nature, lush gardens, and Moorish architecture.
The reason why Granada is so popular with tourists is because of the Alhambra. It is a former palace and military complex that features breathtaking Islamic architecture that was built by the Nasrid dynasty back in the 13th century.
It is believed to be one of the best-preserved palaces of Islamic history anywhere in the world and is also one of the most beautiful places you can ever be fortunate to visit in my humble opinion.
You can easily spend half a day or longer exploring the magnificent sights here, but book your ticket way in advance to avoid the long queues as it is a hugely popular attraction all year round.
The food is fantastic in Granada, too. From broad bean casseroles to classic paella, it’s worth spending a few days to fully appreciate everything that the city has to offer.
5. Cordoba
Another city in Andalucia close to both Seville and Granada is Cordoba. I highly recommend a visit here, too. Like both other southern cities mentioned, Cordoba is a historical city.
It is home to what may be the most breathtaking building I’ve ever visited in Spain or any other country for that matter. The Great Mosque of Cordoba is simply unlike any other temple or monument I’ve come across.
This is an ancient building that was formerly occupied by the Romans and then rebuilt when it was under Muslim rule in the 8th century. It is one of the oldest examples of Moorish architecture and inspired architects hundreds of years later.
The interior of the building features 856 red and white striped columns and gives an awe inspiring feeling of serenity and beauty that is out of this world. This building is a good enough reason to visit Cordoba on its own. It’s also a fascinating city in its own right with the historic center being one of the largest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
6. La Coruna
There are lots of brilliant cities in the north of Spain, too. Many Spaniards prefer the north during the hot summer months as the temperatures are much cooler. The north vs south of Spain argument has been a hot topic amongst tourists for a long time and both areas are worth a visit in my opinion.
One of my favorite cities in the north is La Coruna (A Coruña in Spanish), based in the very northwest of the Galicia region. This is a quiet but beautiful port city that has a reputation for raining a lot. But, don’t let that put you off!
It’s a great place with various historical sites worth seeing, such as the Tower of Hercules which is the oldest lighthouse in the world and of Roman origin. The food is also fantastic in La Coruna. The ‘pulpo’ is a special delicacy. It is boiled octopus cut up and usually served with potatoes and a sprinkling of paprika and is absolutely delicious!
7. Santiago de Compostela
Less than an hour’s drive south from La Coruna is Santiago de Compostela, arguably the most famous religious city in Spain. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful urban areas anywhere in the world.
This city is the final destination each year for hundreds if not thousands of walkers completing the ‘Camino de Santiago’. This is a religious hiking trail that has become hugely popular with tourists in recent times.
There are several different Camino hiking trails across Spain, Portugal, and Europe which all lead to Santiago de Compostela. Specifically, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which is still considered to be the burial site of Saint James.
Steeped in religious history and full of beautiful Gothic architecture everywhere you look, Santiago de Compostela is a special place that you should consider visiting when in Spain.
8. Bilbao
Based in the northeast of Spain in the Basque country region is Bilbao, an industrial port city that has become one of the best cities to visit in Spain. There is something for everyone in Bilbao. It has a lively nightlife scene and is also surrounded by mountains.
Its most iconic landmark is the Guggenheim Museum which was designed by Frank Gehry. It is one of the most impressive modern-day buildings you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Bilbao is arguably the gastronomy capital of the whole country, with highly-rated restaurants offering uniquely authentic Basque dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Try the dishes ‘Bacalao al pil pil’ which is a salted cod dish with garlic and chili and the ‘Marmitako’ which is a famous traditional Basque tuna stew.
9. Valencia
On the east coast of Spain is the country’s third largest city after Madrid and Barcelona; Valencia. This is a wonderful city worth visiting, it is full of amazing architecture, beautiful beaches, and a rich culture.
One of the most impressive sights in the city is the spectacular ‘Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias’ (City of Arts and Sciences). It is a huge modern complex that looks like something out of a science fiction movie. It has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV series including ‘Westworld’.
It has become Valencia’s top tourist attraction and houses various modern interactive museums, an aquarium, and an IMAX cinema. It is a perfect destination, especially for young families.
Valencia is also known as the home of Spain’s most famous dish, paella. It is confirmed to be where it was created by rice farmers in the 15th century. So no visit to the city is complete without trying this most iconic Spanish food!
10. Malaga
Malaga, based in Andalucia, is a very popular tourist destination not only for international tourists but also for Spaniards. The reason is that Malaga has 16 amazing beaches, making it the perfect place to visit in Spain if you fancy a spot of sunbathing.
Malaga is also known to be Picasso’s birthplace. The Picasso Museum in the city center is a must visit if you’re a fan of Spain’s most famous artist.
There are also a lot of fascinating historical monuments in Malaga. The Alcazaba is a fortress that was built when the region was under Muslim rule during the 11th century.
Malaga also has Roman history worth seeing. The Teatro Romano is an ancient Roman theater with artifacts that were only discovered in 1951 but date back to the first century AD under the reign of Augustus.
11. Ronda
Ronda is a really beautiful city that is perched next to cliffs in a mountainside area in Andalucia. It’s close to Malaga and it’s possible to visit Ronda on a day trip if you’re short on time.
Ronda is yet another Spanish city with a rich history and is most famous for the Puente Nuevo bridge. It is an amazing engineering feat that spans a 120-foot-deep chasm and simply has to be seen to be believed. Construction work on the bridge started back in 1759 and wasn’t completed until 1793.
It is one of the most impressive man-made structures you’ll ever come across and the symbol of Ronda. There are some spectacular scenic views in Ronda. It is worth visiting either on a day trip or for a longer stay.
12. Cadiz
And last but most definitely not least on my list of best cities to visit in Spain is Cadiz, an ancient port city in Andalucia. It was founded by the Phoenicians some 3,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest cities in Western Europe.
Nowadays, Cadiz is a perfect getaway destination for a lot of Spaniards who consider it one of the best beach cities in the southern region of the country.
Like every other city on this list, Cadiz is another historical place. It has the beautiful Cathedral of Cadiz which took over 130 years to build. This cathedral takes pride and place in the center of the main square.
There are several other impressive historical sites in Cadiz, along with lovely parks and beaches. Cadiz is a serene, peaceful place to visit and relax for a few days.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cities to Visit in Spain
Those are my twelve best cities to visit in Spain! It really isn’t an easy list to curate as the country has so many fascinating cities worth visiting.
For me, there is no other country quite like Spain. It has so many great cities full of fascinating history, amazing food, culture, and people. I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of 12 best cities in this incredible country – now you have the difficult decision of choosing which ones to explore next time you’re in Spain!
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