Planning a Spanish holiday? Looking for cities to visit in Spain including some choices that go beyond the usual suspects?
In this guide to Spain's cities, I'll provide a snapshot of each destination to provide some inspiration for your Spanish itinerary. Represented below are cities that I've personally visited on my travels.
Look at this post as your launchpad to an amazing city-focused trip to Spain with curated summaries of Spain's must-visit cities and hidden gems you may not have heard of.
Each section of the guide links out to more detailed information about that destination to help you dive deeper as you plan your trip. Let's go!
1. Badajoz
Badajoz is a historic city located near the Portuguese border that makes a good stopping point on a road trip.
- Visit the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress from the 12th century with ramparts that visitors can walk.
- See the Badajoz Cathedral.
- Go on a door photography stroll in the historic center.
2. Barcelona
Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that can get very crowded. For repeat visitors, exploring off the beaten path neighborhoods like El Poblenou and Poble-sec can provide a more local flavor.
- Explore Parc de l'Estació del Nord.
- Walk Ciutadella Park
- Enjoy a meal on Rambla del Poblenou.
3. Bilbao
Bilbao is a great place to visit for Christmas because of its local festivals, food culture, and lack of tourist crowds.
- Attend the Fiesta de Santo Tomas, an annual festival just before Christmas.
- Spend a day at the Guggenheim museum.
- Go on a pintxos crawl.
4. Girona
Girona is a charming walled city with well-preserved architecture.
- Walk the Girona city walls.
- Admire the churches, including the Girona Cathedral and Basilica of Sant Feliu.
- Stroll along the river.
5. Granada
Granada is known for its picturesque white-washed homes, scenic vistas, and abundance of tapas and sweet wine.
- Visit the Alhambra, the spectacular Moorish palace that is one of the top tourist attractions in Spain.
- Explore the Albayzin neighborhood.
- Visit Plaza Nueva and admire the holiday lights if you are visiting during the holiday season.
6. Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar is a popular destination in Costa Brava for package holiday tourists. If you aren't into the party scene there are still a number of fun things to do like:
- Visit Castell Sant Joan, a castle that dates back to 1079 AD.
- Stroll through the Santa Clotilde Gardens, a series of terraced gardens high on a cliff overlooking the sea.
- See the Modernist Cemetery, designed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch at the turn of the 20th century.
8. Madrid
The Spanish capital is an ideal city break in Europe, especially in the Autumn after the heat of summer.
- Take a bike tour of the city.
- Visit the Prado Museum.
- Experience the nightlife and eat tapas at locations like Mercado de San Miguel.
9. Málaga
Málaga is a city on the Costa del Sol that is often overlooked by tourists in favor of the beach resorts. Málaga makes a great winter destination, especially for New Year's Eve.
- Stroll along Calle Larios and admire the holiday lights.
- Visit the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, a fresh food market.
- Eat lunch at a seafood restaurant with singing waiters.
10. Mérida
Mérida is a Spanish city with many well-preserved Roman ruins.
- Visit the Museo Nacionale de Arte Romano, a museum of Roman art.
- See the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre.
- Visit the Alcazaba, the local Moorish fortress.
11. Palma de Mallorca
Palma is the capital of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands.
- Eat an ensaïmada for breakfast, especially if you have a sweet tooth.
- See the Palma Cathedral
- Admire the Royal Palace of La Almudaina.
12. Ronda
Ronda is one of the white-washed hill towns of Andalusia.
- Take in the scenic vistas.
- See the three bridges.
- Visit the water mine at La Casa del Rey Moro.
13. Santander
Santander is an ideal day trip from Bilbao, and a great place to visit in the winter.
- Take a walk through the genteel neighborhoods on the hillside.
- Go on a coastal walk along Jardines de Piquio toward the Peninsula de la Magdalena.
- Watch the sunset over the Bay of Santander from the Centro Botín arts center.
14. San Sebastián
San Sebastián is a seaside town known for its food culture, gorgeous beaches, and promenades.
- Visit Paseo de la Concha and walk along the beach.
- Go on a pintxos crawl in Old Town.
- Sample Basque cider at Sidreria Beharri.
15. Segovia
Segovia is a city known for its ancient engineering, fortifications, and food, making it a good day trip from Madrid.
- See the Roman Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Tour the Alcázar of Segovia, a medieval castle.
- Enjoy a three-course lunch at El Redebal.
16. Toledo
Toledo, the former capital of Spain, is a historic city worth visiting for its architecture, food, and views.
- Visit Plaza de Zocodover, a historic square.
- See the Alcázar of Toledo, the impressive stone fortress.
- Visit one of the local synagogues.
17. Valencia
Valencia is a coastal city known for its Las Fallas festival.
- Attend Las Fallas, a festival that occurs in March.
- See the bullfighting ring and the train station.
- Visit Valencia’s Mercat Central.
.jpg)
