The Best Cities in Spain to Visit On Your Next Trip
This guide is all about highlighting the best cities for you to check out on your next trip to Spain. This country is filled with excellent metropolitan areas to explore, and we hope you find this article helpful!
Spain’s most exciting cities, like Seville, are filled with historic architecture, rich history and steeped in layers of culture and pride.
Located in the southwestern part of Europe, Spain is an incredible country to visit or live in. It’s home to incredible beaches, awe-inspiring architecture, jaw dropping history and stunning rolling hills and small towns.
It is famous for its friendly and helpful locals, sangria, tinto de verano (lemonade mixed with red wine), paella and tapas. Of course we can’t forget about its famed Gaudí architecture, too. From its coastlines to its mountains, Spain should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
But on top of everything else, when it comes to planning a trip to Spain, you’re going to want to spend some time soaking in and marvelling at its incredible cities. Pedestrian walkways, long promenades and arches abound, offering resplendent public spaces to stroll around or take a siesta. Whether you’re coming to Spain for its museums, culinary delights, night life or history, these cities in Spain are home to all of the above and more.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means we may receive a small commission for some of our honest recommendations.
A Brief History of Spain
Spain has been populated since prehistoric times, and has a rich history. Today, the country is home to many regional cultures, languages and cuisines.
The Romans established Hispania in the 2nd century B.C., making it a crucial part of the Roman Empire. More recent centuries saw the Spanish Inquisition, the "discovery" of America, the Peninsular War and the Spanish Civil War. Each event shaped the nation's current political landscape, making it a fascinating country with a complex past.
Modern Spain is renowned for its artistic legacy, with artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvidor Dalí, and Antoni Gaudí having called this country home.
Because of its relaxed lifestyle and temperate climate, Spain consistently ranks high in global quality of life indexes. People in Spain are happy, and when you visit its towns and cities for yourself, you’ll understand why. Millions of tourists visit annually to take in the historic cities, beautiful beaches, and cultural festivals.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful and diverse country a few times. I am not even close to seeing everything there is to see, or do everything there is to do on my Spain to-do list, which I am happy about. It’s exciting to me to feel the desire to return to Spain to see a little bit more each time I visit.
If you have not yet visited the country, you may wonder what the best cities are to visit in Spain. Barcelona and Madrid surely come to mind. But there are many other beautiful cities to see, too.
The Arc de Triomf in Barcelona
How To Get Around Spain
Spain has an extensive and efficient transportation network that makes travel easy—especially if you don’t want to go to the trouble of renting a car. (Although in some parts of the country I’d highly recommend renting a car to help you see more!)
The high-speed train (AVE) connects major cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Regional trains and buses connect the smaller cities and rural areas. Spain's major cities also have well-developed and inexpensive public transportation via buses and subways. The country is also very bike-friendly, with bike lanes and rentals readily accessible.
With all of these options, the country is very easy (and affordable) to navigate.
The Top Cities to Visit in Spain During Your Travels
Many of the Spanish cities listed below are well known and, thus, it’ll come as no surprise that they’ve made my list of the best cities in Spain. However, the cities are well known for a reason or, as I’ll argue below, for many, many reasons.
Below this list of 5 cities in Spain, I’ll include more cities which you can visit if you’ve got extra time. You could spend a lifetime travelling in Spain and still not see it all, so it’s hard to narrow it down, but I’ll try.
Barcelona
Views of Barcelona from Turó del Carmel
Barcelona, also known as Gaudí’s City, is the top tourist attraction in Spain, and the capital of Catalonia. When you’re in the northeastern stretches of Spain, be prepared to hear not only Spanish being spoken, but Catalan, too. Barcelona is also the number one listed city in Spain. It is a bustling city offering so much in the way of history, architecture and cuisine.
Sunshine and the coast meets a colourful and laid-back city, with sensational Gaudí architecture. Barcelona also offers much more with many shopping destinations and a boisterous nightlife. There is even something for football fans: live games at Barcelona FC’s home stadium, Camp Nou.
Some of the highlights of visiting Barcelona include: Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter, the Picasso Museum, La Rambla, Casa Batlló, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, and La Barceloneta.
Want to sample some of the delicacies in Barcelona? Visit Mercat de la Boqueria, a market where you have a variety of options ranging from fruits and veggies, ready-made sandwiches and burritos, and sweet and savory pastries to candied fruits, magical marzipan figurines, and bright peppers for an on-the-go lunch or snack while you tour the city.
I’d recommend staying in the Gràcia neighbourhood during your time in Barcelona. While the excitement of the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas is nice to check out for an afternoon, I always prefer to head to a more local part of the city when it comes to spending time here. Gràcia is a beautiful, family friendly neighbourhood with narrow pedestrian streets, charming plazas, and delightful tapas and wine bars scattered throughout. You’ll breathe a sigh of relief after a day spent touring the city when you return to this gem of a neighbourhood.
Feel free to use the map below to help find the best place to stay in Gràcia on your trip to this amazing city!
Madrid
The capital of Spain, Madrid is known for its legendary nightlife, stunning museums, regal buildings and its abundance of significant cultural places to visit.
If you love art and museums, don’t miss the Prado, one of the best art museums in the world, or the Royal Palace, Western Europe’s biggest royal palace with a blend of neoclassical and baroque styles. There is also the National Archeological Museum, Temple of Debod, and Plaza Mayor.
More of a nature lover? Explore Retiro Park, where you will find elegant gardens, a glass and iron pavilion, and the city’s oldest tree, planted in 1633. You can also opt to paddle on the Grand Pond for a fun-filled afternoon.
For the best lunch or snacks, visit Mercado San Miguel, an art nouveau marketplace and gastronomic destination, or head to Mercado de Maravillas. And if flea markets are your thing, then you’ll be sure to find treasures within one (or many!) of the 3,500 stalls at El Rastro.
The Chocolatería San Ginés is a must for any chocolate lover. Take a break from exploring the city by sipping on rich and thick hot chocolate. Don’t forget to order a sugary churro (they're very popular!) to go with your drink!
Valencia
Whether you are visiting Valencia to attend the tomato fight in nearby Bunol, or you’re coming just to see what this delightful seaside city has to offer for yourself, there’s no doubt that you’ll fall in love with it.
This third-largest city in Spain is the birthplace of paella, which is now one of the best known Spanish dishes worldwide. You can smell the delightful aroma of this savoury rice and seafood dish prepared all around the city, and especially near the beach. It’s most commonly prepared in a massive cast iron skillet over an open fire, but is served in different ways all over the city. You have to try this dish at least once while you’re in Spain, and there’s no better place to do that than in Valencia.
After exploring the city center and La Lonja de la Seda, head to the sandy beaches. One of the best attractions in the city is the City of Arts and Sciences with its complex of six ultra-modern buildings and a reflecting lake. It houses an IMAX cinema, planetarium, botanical garden, and multipurpose event space. The star feature is Oceanogràfic, an oceanarium with 500 species of marine life that occupies seven marine environments.
Other places to visit include La Lonja de la Seda, which is a UNESCO site and a gothic architectural masterpiece, Valencia Cathedral, the octagonal bell tower at El Miguelete, and Barrio del Carmen for a more bohemian vibe.
The Central Market is foodie heaven, with a selection of the best sea and farm produce you’ll find in Valencia. For lunch, visit Restaurante Navarro or La Ruiá for the best paella in town!
Have fun in the sun at Blue-Flag Malvarrosa Beach or the more private El Saler Beach.
Seville
Plaza de España in Seville
Rich with Moorish history, this Andalusian capital flaunts colorful painted tiles, lobed arches, and the iconic Giralda Tower. When I think back to my visit to Seville, five things stand out: orange blossoms, Moorish architecture, Alcázar, tapas, and flamenco.
The top three attractions in this city are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, the Real Alcázar, a palace complex still used by the Spanish royal family. Second, the Seville Cathedral, housing the remains of Christopher Columbus. It is also the largest cathedral in the world with 80 chapels. Third, the General Archive of the Indies.
Not to be missed are the Peñas de Guardia where you can catch local flamenco talent and the best local tapas at Pelayo Bar de Tapas.
If you are into museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and its courtyards and the Museum of Arts and Traditions can teach you about the history of Seville.
La Giralda has 34 ramps leading to the top of the tower. Before you witness the amazing view, stop at the archaeological exhibits, which make the way up even more interesting.
Don’t forget to visit Plaza de España, Maria Luisa Park—the biggest green space in Seville—right next door to the Plaza. At the 250-year-old Plaza del Toros, you can watch Sunday bullfighting shows starting during the Feria de Abril until September.
Bilbao
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, Bilbao is a must-see on your best cities in Spain itinerary.
Even if you aren’t a fan, then the Guggenheim Museum, outstanding pintxos (which are Basque tapas), the medieval old quarter, shopping at Gran Vía, and Europe’s largest indoor market (Mercado de la Ribera) are sure you draw you to this Basque city.
View both art and architecture as you explore the city of Bilbao by boat down the estuary of Bilbao. Along the banks of the river, you can hop off and visit the Guggenheim to see one of the many art exhibits, or you can visit the market or the historic Arenal Bilbao hotel.
If you are like me and collect photos of stunning city panoramas, then Mount Artxanda is your place to be. Take the funicular (railway cable car) or bus to the top of the mountain and explore one of the many walkways or restaurants while you take in the views of the city.
On your way back to your hotel, stop at Plaza Nueva for drinks and dinner. On Sundays, the stalls sell antiques and collectible items at the Plaza.
Wrapping up the Most Visited Cities in Spain
I’ve covered merely 5 of the best cities to visit in Spain; however, there are many, many more that can and should make your list if you are visiting Spain and want to see more of what is on offer.
While every city has something exotic to offer for all visitors, my favorite attractions in Spain are:
The Gaudí buildings in Barcelona
The nightlife and Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid
Valencia’s paella, beaches, and City of Arts and Science
Flamenco and tapas in Seville
Bilbao’s pintxos, the Guggenheim Museum, and city views from Mount Artxanda
Other Cities in Spain to Consider Visiting:
Views of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain
There are, of course, many other cities that you might want to visit in Spain during your travels. It’ll likely depend on what you’re interested in. Here are some that are worth considering, and I won’t list them in any particular order, just those cities which come to mind first from my Spanish travels.
Granada: Known for its sweeping vistas over hilly terrain, and the famous Alhambra palace.
Córdoba: A beautiful Roman walled city, with stunning streets to wander. Home to the famous Mezquita with its iconic interior arches.
Toledo: Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is an easy day-trip from Madrid.
Marbella: This upscale coastal Andalusian city is filled with stunning white-painted streets to wander, and a stunning boardwalk and harbour.
Cádiz: An ancient port city, and the departure point of two of Columbus’s voyages.
Málaga: The home of Pablo Picasso. A bustling coastal city, with beautiful pedestrian walks and the famous Alcazaba fortress.
Girona: A charming medieval Catalonian city, with winding streets and a picturesque backdrop.
Leòn: Known for its famous and imposing Gothic cathedral.
Salamanca: Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an impressive mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
Alicante: A beautiful port city in the South of Spain, known for its public beaches, dramatic landscapes and rocky cliffs, and narrow, winding roads.
Spain is a special country, and I hope that this article serves you well in your future travels. In writing this, I already can’t wait to return to a nation that is one-of-a-kind, and so much of that is because of its character-filled, memorable cities.
If you appreciated this article and other posts on the website, you’ll love our newsletter, as well as our Facebook group! Feel free to join, all are welcome.